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Max's Market
Category: Food Specialty Food Specialty Food [Edit]
2299 Bloor Street WestToronto, ON M6S 1P1
Neighbourhood: Swansea
(416) 766-6362
- Hours:
Mon-Thu, Sat 9 am - 7 pm
Fri 9 am - 7:30 pm
Sun 9 am - 5 pm
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
16 reviews for Max's Market
16 reviews in English
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Review from Esoteric M.
Toronto, ON
5/10/2012
I love exploring Bloor West Village and like someone already said below, never went in before because it looked too expensive. Sorta like a Pusateris.
I went a few weeks ago and decided to try a few different things from their pre-prepared section which looked fantastic. I picked up the mango Salad, grilled eggplant and sauteed mushrooms. The mango salad had more heat and kick to it than I expected, but it was good although I would have preferred more mango than peppers. The eggplant was way too spicy, with chunks of hot peppers. The sauteed mushrooms were flavourful.
I found the service to be friendly and helpful, but since I knew what I wanted, I can't tell if staff was knowledgeable.
Today I got the Atlantic grilled salmon, spinach and mushroom crepe and the mushroom and leek scalloped potatoes. The salmon was a dud and the mushroom were lacklustre. I was full so I only had a small bite of the crepe and it tastes promising.
I'll try them one more time, but I think this place has mastered the art of food presentation, but not flavour.
On my next visit I want to try their baked section, their pot pies and quiches. -
Review from Joy B.
Toronto, ON
3/19/2012
Not impressed....the last few visits have been terrible and Sunday was my final.
Went in Sunday afternoon to pick up a couple of things...for the day.
Got to till to pay and noticed that the Green Bean Chips that they make that I was about to purchase...had expired. Had them remove rest from shelf.
Bought two cupcakes for a Birthday party. Went to eat cupcakes...and they had obviously expired. Hard as rocks, disgusting!
Done with this overpriced...poor quality establishment. -
Review from Adelaide V.
Toronto, ON
5/22/2011
I loved their food,
I work in the area so I love the fact that most of the food is pre-prepared.
But nothing set me up for the experience I had there this week.
I have been vegetarian for quite some time, so I ran over on my 15 min break. After waiting for someone to acknowledge me, I barely had time to scarf down the spinach spring roll I bought.
After eating half of it, I noticed it was chicken!
After work, I went back and immediately asked to see the manager. I was rudely told that they were not hiring before I got to see her.
I told her about what happened, and she went over, saw the bins were switched and, without apologizing, was told that they were switched. After a pause where I was waiting for a "Sorry", she awkwardly said,
"Umm, do you want a new one?"
I sternly reminded her about my diet and that I worked in the area and could potentially could be a frequent customer, as I work every day.
She responded with "Yeah, I know. . . . . . Sorry."
I asked for a refund and never looked back, but after telling some other people in the neighborhood about my story, I have been told many times about how the staff treats women with disrespect, but fawn over men.
I've never been able to confirm this but I've heard it from many people.
All in all, this is one store I will not be supporting. -
Review from Leslie-Anne W.
Toronto, ON
I have been goIng to Max's Market for years and years. This is the shop in Bloor West Village to get fancy schmancy ingredients, like champagne vinegar and de puy lentils. Max's has a fine selection of (expensive) cheeses and deli meats, my issue is that if you have a question about a cheese or the origin of one of the meats, the staff look at you with blank stares. The lack of knowledge of the counter staff is unfortunate in a shop full of wonderful products that could be up-sold to customers with just a bit of enthusiasm. The prepared foods are what I started going to Max's for. Years ago, I loved the guacamole, now, I find it diluted with too much sour cream. The indian prepared food is delicious, and the price is comparable to getting delivery.
I am happy to have Max's Market in my life, but feel that a specialty food store should have knowledgable staff who are totally gung-ho about food.Listed in: It was the West of Times, It…
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Review from Renata R.
2/9/2011 1 Check-in Here
This place is pretty awesome, but does not deserves five stars for two reasons.
1. I found the staff unprepared for selling speciality food. I wanted cheese, they didn't know what they were selling, and even I knew more about cheese than the girl at the counter. I managed to buy pretty awesome cheeses there by myself, but it took a while.
2. When they want to close, they want to close. They told me they were closing and asked me to pay what I had, because they wanted to close. Like they couldn't wait 15 more minutes to make more money (I was choosing more food). This doesn't seem very intelligent nor polite.
I'd go there early in the day and knowing exactly what I want, with plenty of time to choose. Everything looks beautiful and tasty and fancy and cool!
Be aware it's very expensive. But it's a great place. -
Review from Jennifer K.
Markham, ON
12/22/2010 1 Check-in Here
Max's Market is such a delightful place for someone like me!
- that loves to eat but not good at cooking
- that is loves to look and all these beautifully prepared food on displays
- that wants to see all these prepared food from all around the world in one store (not that I would have got their Chinese food here! :P)
- that likes to look at all the fancy ingredients that are not available in a supermarket near you
Basically, you can get a full meals in here.. from starter, app, main, desserts... and great if you are entertaining and have someone you want to impress... (think candlelight romantic dinner at home...)
Prices wise.. you are paying for the convenient and the one stop shopping.. so you are really paying for it! and maybe worth it to some!
BTW, there are a lot of free samples on the counter... at least 5 kinds of cheese the day I was there! -
Review from Kim B.
ON
11/21/2008 8 photos
One word: GUACAMOLE.
I'm a bit of a fan of guacamole, and I've had my fair share of bland brands of it (I call them "avocado spreads" if they're really bad) but the guac from Max's is the best in the city! And they serve it in two sizes, so you can get a smaller size and eat it before it goes all brown and gross.
I also use Max's market to buy fancy cheese, like when I want to add a little kick to my tuna casserole I'll grab a hundred grams of Stilton from Max's. Plus it's a nice place to buy pre-prepared meals if you have nothing planned for dinner (but they do run a bit pricey).
But seriously, if you go for any reason, go for the guac. The holy holy guacamole.Listed in: My Neighborhood
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Review from Erin H.
Toronto, ON
8/27/2008 1 photo
Max's Market
Bloor West Village is a neighborhood to which I love venturing when I feel like getting out of town. Not that the village is out of town, it just feels like it is.
And coincidentally within the village that makes me feel like I'm out of Toronto is Max's Market, a store that has prepared foods that make me feel like I'm dining out when I am at home. Max's fridge display is filled with ready made food for all sorts of eaters -- meat lovers, vegetarian, fish-eater, vegans etc. - and each delectable item looks better than the next. The store also has a fine selection of breads and cheeses, of which the staff generously puts on display for (yes I'm going to say it) SAMPLING!
Max's Market is also fairly moderately priced so basically if you happen to pop into the store, girded by red Adirondack chairs so you can't miss it, it simply makes cooking an absurd option. -
Review from Luke A.
Toronto, ON
8/27/2008 1 photo
Max's is a good place to go for prepared foods around Bloor St. West: in other words, if you want quick take-out that isn't the usual fare. A boon for local gourmands who don't feel like cooking or staying out.
Max's is also a handy source for specialty items. The first time I ever came here I was impressed by their huge selection of whimsically-named hot sauces ... although I wonder how much of a market there is for such things. -
Review from Michelle A.
Toronto, ON
1/4/2011
I finally stopped by Max's Market after living in the neighbourhood for more than a year! It was honestly much smaller than I thought it would be. Their specialties seem to be ready-made meals rather than groceries. When you first walk in there is a counter on the right hand side with ready-made salads, roasted vegetables, pasta dishes, etc. The left hand side is full of containers of guac, salsa, Indian food, stews and soups. It all looked quite good and isn't much more expensive than other take out places (although if I wanted Indian, I would rather just visit a restaurant!) The back of the places has a lot of gourmet olive oils, sauces, vinegars, crackers, etc, as well as a meat and cheese counter. It would be a great spot to pick up food if you were hosting a dinner party or looking to buy appetizers. Also, they have a candy machine outside - don't buy skittles - they're frozen.
Listed in: Bloor West Village
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Review from Alexandria M.
Toronto, ON
3/30/2011
Lots of selection, but very expensive! The food from the hot deli is just okay in my opinion. The staff do not know very much about the products that they are selling unfortunately.
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Review from Jenny T.
Toronto, ON
7/31/2009
This place is awesome if you're entertaining and don't want to spend the day in the kitchen. They have all the dips (their salsa totally rocks, they carry spinach dip, guacamole, artichoke dip, etc) you would need and all the items you'd want to dip with (large selection of crackers, bagel chips, flat bread, etc). There's many different prepared foods as well (savory pies at only $13.99), elegant options too (great for entertaining). This would be the one-stop place for those that do not want to cook, or dine out but want good food. They also carry Dufflet pastries and some nut free desserts baked in a nut free bakery from Cakes by Robert.
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Review from kai s.
Toronto, ON
11/11/2008
Go in here and grab their homemade guacamole and salsa. You won't regret it.
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Review from Malgosia G.
Toronto, ON
4/28/2010
I've shopped at Max's about half a dozen times over the past few years. They have a pretty good selection of breads and gourmet sweets. Most of the store is devoted to ready-made foods which leave much to be desired. The last time I was there I picked up some Indian food (Saag Paneer). It wasn't cheap at $10 for a small plastic container. But, I figured, it was better than something out of a jar/frozen. When I inquired at the cash when it was prepared I was informed that it was made a week ago! I don't know about you, but I usually throw food out after 3-4 days. I found it pretty disappointing that a "gourmet" food store would sell week old "freshly prepared" food at such a price. Yuk.
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Review from Meg S.
Toronto, ON
4/22/2010
I like their salads and also they have a nice selection of good quality cold cuts. Their guacamole is very good. The only down side is that some of the staff are a bit snobby and not very helpful. I once wanted a smaller container of an item and was very rudely told that doesn't come in a small container. Other than that it's a fun place for a "foodie" to shop. Some of their items are over-priced so you're paying extra for the upscale look of the shop but you can get the same items cheaper at other stores in the neighbourhood.
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Review from Gillian K.
Toronto, ON
4/19/2010
I've always been a little afraid to go in to Max's Market as the place screams "I can't afford to shop here." But it was a rainy Saturday and it was on the way home so me & the old ball and chain popped in out of curiosity. I was not disappointed! It's mostly ready to eat take out & deli stuff but oh my god the quality is fantastic. I would gladly take a bath in the delicious chimichurri sauce (which we simply ate with a loaf of bread, nothing else), and the sample I had of the gorgonzola, mushroom and chicken soup slash pasta sauce was incredible. (Too bad I'm not really willing to shell out 10 bucks for a smallish container of soup). We also had the beef empanadas which were tasty and quite reasonably priced. I have to agree with some of the previous reviewers and say this is definitely a go-to if you are having people over and either can't or don't want to cook everything from scratch.
