Max's Steaks

We happened to go when the volume of patrons was low. Able to get in and out. Steak subs were very good. Need to eat them right away. If you don’t the bread will be way too soggy!

Was in the neighborhood and decided to give this iconic spot a shot. Let me tell you, it did not disappoint! Got a full, which was huge and a good bargain for the price. Loaded with steak, it was made perfectly. They use chopped sirloin, a bit different than many of the ribeye shops I have visited recently, but a nice change in that. The staff has the process down like a well-oiled machine and was very friendly. Parking can be problematic, but it's definitely worth the search.

The staff were very friendly and helpful. I was able to eat it at the bar area next to it. They also have and a few different beers available atthe main counter as well.. My cheesteak was prettty soggytmessy but had good flavor. I was able to find a parking spot in the street pretty easily and close by. Will check it out again.

The vibe Thumping, the food "Pumping" i was happy to experience this highly recommended food spot while in north philly. As an outsider, one would most likely pass over this spot. But with the line of people coming out of the door and the great smells coming from inside, I had to check it out and was not disappointed.

Walked in with decent expectations and still got blown away. Chicken steak was loaded, hot, and full of flavor. Everything tasted fresh... nothing soggy or overdone. Mayo added just the right flavor. Vibe was chill and staff were cracking jokes and knew what they were doing. Food came out fast even with a bit of a line Only downside is the beer prices, but you’re not coming here for the drinks any way.. Food carries the whole experience. Easily one of the top spots in the area.

Yooo I Ordered A “Whole” It Was Mad Big 🤯 Feeds 4, It Was 2 Of Us. Yummy 😋 AF Tho!

It was just ok. Cash only establishment. I believe placing the order was efficient as it could be. The meat (beef) lacks flavor. Could be so much better. You have the option to Dress with mayo, choice of cheese (American or the right choice which is provolone), lettuce, pickles, S&P and ketchup. I added some toppings to my side of the sandwich so I could imagine how it’d taste if there was nothing. My friend’s side was kept “authentic”, and she loved it. Edible to me, but there’s a line out the door and this place is highly recommended among the locals of Baltimore. I feel like I need to go back to bmore to try another.

First, let's talk about the cheesesteaks—huge. These are some of the largest portions you’ll find around, and while the prices are a bit hefty (expect to spend around $30 per cheesesteak once you add all the toppings), you’re getting a serious amount of food for your money. Just be prepared for the wallet hit! The place can get pretty crowded, and the line organization isn’t the best. It’s kind of chaotic, but it moves, so just be ready to navigate your way through. Also, they’re cash-only, but there’s an ATM inside, though if you prefer using your bank's ATM, I’d suggest withdrawing cash beforehand because there aren’t any banks within a convenient walking distance. Parking isn't terrible in the area, but it’s definitely best to try and snag a spot as close to the restaurant as you can. The neighborhood itself doesn’t feel the safest, so the closer you park, the better. On the plus side, parking meters there aren’t as expensive as some other parts of the city, so that’s a win. One tip: if you’re planning to take your cheesesteak home or save it for later, ask for ketchup on the side. If you get it on the sandwich, it can make the bread soggy when you reheat it. Overall, Max Steaks delivers on massive portions and flavor, but you’ll need to plan ahead a bit for cash, parking, and the crowds!

Great food. The service was kind. The ambiance feels authentic. Patrons vibing next door in the bar next door.

best cheesesteak in the city imo! i used to wait for the 23 bus outside of max's and saw how crazy lines could actually get, even in midday. i take my out of town friends up there, the ones that have a car, and we eat and relinquish in just how sick philly is sometimes

Came back here this time to give them a try since I left soon after entering the last time I attempted to order. I know I don't order the typically cheesesteak but fundamentals are just that. No cheese on mine but the meat should still shine (bars lol) The meat wasn't seasoned and it really thought it would be. Don't know if I needed to ask for more onions or what but I tried it on its own since this "half" was ginormous and there was plenty spilling out, which I loved. Fresh jalapeños, black pepper, seasoned salt or something was missing. The atmosphere was giving an only locals vibe but welcoming. I chatted with the bartender and some patrons. It was also early in the day. We would have stayed to watch the game but not all of their TVs were working. Funny thing, I'd go back but I'd definitely add some black pepper to it.

Max's steaks makes a decent cheesesteak. But unfortunately there are more negatives than there are positives. Negatives: The neighborhood of Germantown is rough and ghetto. That's a lot coming from me, who lives in Oakland. I don't want to get jacked, just to get a cheesesteak. The staff are aggressive and the cashier screams like a banshee. It's completely unnecessary, this isn't Housewives of Philly. And for me sirloin cut is just not on par with ribeye. While it tasted decent, mayo, hot peppers, etc are needed to make the cheesesteaks here good. It's not the worst, but I don't feel the need to come back.

Cash only Came by to try their famous cheesesteak. The meat is pretty tender and more like ground beef as opposed to the usual steak. No-frills spot and the person who took my order was friendly. They have different options of peppers and cheeses that you can add on (at cost). The whole size is huuuuuge, I'd recommend the half. Overall not my favorite cheesesteak in Philly but it's not bad.

Ok...Here we go! Of course being a Born & Raised Philly Resident I am familiar with Max's! I would frequent more often when I lived closer..so it has been many years since I have had a cheesesteak from here! I had a friend from out of town so they requested a visit! I took them to the other popular destination that starts with a 'D'...they weren't impressed! The lines are definitely longer than I remember...from start to finish I would say it was a 45 min wait! The vibe once inside is you specify do you want a whole new or half! Once cooked you will be given the opportunity to add; condiments and toppings! Everyone in line is patient and you just know the wait will be worth it! The long roll is soft and absorbs the flavors of the grill and meat so nicely! So my friend got the cheesesteak and I got the chicken cheesesteak on my half! I think it is worth it to get 2 half's ...you can definitely fill up on the 1/2! This is Cash Only..but there is an ATM inside! Keep Going Max's! Still a neighborhood gem! decided

Was ok.... The plus is that they give you a lot of food so you will not leave hungry. I like that it's a local, neighborhood 'down-to-earth' type of vibe. Very 'hole in the wall.' As an out of towner they were patient with the ordering process as myself and the person I was with were clueless, lol. You can tell they're used to being very fast-paced. We each ordered a different type of cheesesteak to try (I ordered one with chicken and my sister ordered one with steak). We split them both so we could try them. This could have been due to miscommunication, but they were just ok... when we ordered (and after we paid) they asked what toppings we wanted and advised that veggies are an extra cost. They could have advised this when they were taking the order... so we skipped as we were low on actual cash and didn't want to pay more ATM fees to take out more for two toppings (cash only establishment). I also could have used extra cheese for the cheesesteaks. Bartender was super friendly though. As stated before... yes, it's very 'hole in the wall.' However, the booths on the bar side are not ideal. You can barely fit in them and can feel every move the person sitting behind you is making. My sister and I are short and each weigh about 135lbs. The space between the seat and the table were so narrow that our 'you know what's' were basically sitting on the table with the table almost at each of our ribs. The bathroom could also be way cleaner. I'm open to trying a different Philly and sitting at the actual bar in the future. Was definitely an experience.

The hype is real, Max's serves up some great Philly cheesesteaks. Parking is tough, and seating is nonexistent unless you go next door into the bar, but the steaks are still worth it.

As always, the food is amazing. We came in about 5 PM on a Saturday and the line was out of the door and around the building. Staff is very vibrant and personable. The overall vibe is just great. I highly recommend and will return in the future. Be prepared, you must pay in cash and parking can be a bit chaotic.

Hadn't been in years so it was definitely nostalgic. People yelling at each other, the guy making the steaks begging everyone in line to tip him all while singing old school R&B songs, and slow service lol. But, by the time I got my chicken cheesesteak home condensation got the best of the bread, and so it was unappealing. I picked out the chicken and ate it but it wasn't seasoned well.

DINE OUT & CASH ONLY - ATM inside. Hole-in-the-wall for sure. The first thing that hits me is the frenzied energy that permeates the space. The constant clang of the metal spatula chopping up the steaks and the sizzle of ingredients being sautéed creates a symphony of sound that can only be described as chaotic. Ordering a whole is almost 2ft long (enough to feed 2 people or 1 if you're drunk). Highly recommend ordering mushroom cheesesteak with mayo, grilled onions, provolone, hot peppers, salt & pepper.

Maxes was legit. I honestly can say I'm glad I went. However, the area definitely felt dangerous. Is it worth a cheesesteak? I guess if you are like me and live for the PCS. Ketchup is a must here!

First cheesesteak on our Philly trip, and I fell in love with it. It was huge, so I split it with my husband. The roll was tasty, and the chopped steak was perfectly cooked and seasoned. We had three cheesesteaks on our trip (Genos being one of them), and Max's was by far the best!

Large Philly Cheesesteak with onions, American and ketchup. Apparently, ketchup or mayo is the way to do it here. Neighborhood a real trip. Reminds me of my youth and NYC before it became gentrified. Very sobering experience.

These guys are hustlers! They work really are and do a great job hooking your cheesesteak up! I went on a late night Sunday and the line was long and the staff was getting the job done all night. I love their witty jokes and they create a welcoming family ambiance hearing your order. I'd definitely go back and order again.

I love Max's cheese steaks. But I was not impressed this time (my 6th visit). I arrived as it happened to be during shift change. Ordering was loud and disorderly, the mayo and wiz soaked the bread which stood over 10 min from order to completion. All together from arrival to receipt of sandwiches (including shift change) was about 45 min while being 3rd in line the whole time. I was disappointed in the wait. The order experience and the soft soggy  mess that was my sandwich (4 of them actually). The only upside, the meat was spit on a usual and the overall taste was familiar.

I always try to my a trip here when I'm in Philly!! Juiciest biggest cheesesteak ever! My favorite of all times!! No frills, cash location. My go-to is the cheesesteak with provolone cheese, topped with sweet and spicy peppers. Ketchup mayo salt and pepper

First timer here and thought my experience was pretty awesome. My partner grew up in Philly and claimed this cheese steak place to be the best in the city. He made it clear the area was on the rougher side, which it was frankly, however my experience here was great. We were lucky that we got in before a lot of people walked in to order (otherwise it could've taken easily much longer), but it's a very no-frills type of environment so don't forget your number (they verbally tell you if there's a decent amount of people inside waiting). You should also kind of know what you want already so that they are aware. This is not a place to take your time ordering and be indecisive. I got the biggest size which is $25 with all the toppings. Get the hot peppers if you like some spiciness! I found them to be a bit expensive in my opinion, however it definitely lasted me two separate meals so I guess in a way it all equals out to around $12-13 per meal. I'd definitely recommend this to others!

If your near Shrinners or Temple Hospital it's a must stop. $13 for a 1/2 cheese steak (either muzzerella or American no cheese wiz) must have 3/4 pounds of meat.

We were in Philly for the weekend and received tons of feedback on where to get our cheese steak and decided to check this one out. One of my friends had already eaten here and praised their sandwiches. The spot was a little out the way but very well worth the drive. We happened to visit here on Mother's day so there were no longggg lines. I was able to check out what was going on behind the counter and the young lady cooking was banging and clanging very loud. There were two loud but cool and funny servers talking smack. (all in good fun) LOL Unfortunately, I decided on the half sandwich because I didn't know what to expect. Baby, when we got back to the hotel and I bit into that sandwich with all the different flavored peppers I was so pissed I didn't get the full sized. That cheesesteak was one of the best I've ever tasted. I purchased a half sandwich for my mother hoping she didn't like it but she also loved it. I am definitely returning soon to get a full sized cheesesteak!

BEST CHEESESTEAK IN PHILLY. Be prepared to wait in line but memorize your order because they move quickly and you don't want to hold up the deliciousness. The whole is bigger than an adult arm. I've been coming here since 2013 and recommend Max's to everyone I know. It's worth the trip to north philly. They have a bar next door that be jamming the best old school R&B. Hot peppers, mayo on both sides, provolone, and onions!

Max's is the type of hole in the wall that you know you are going to get good food but you might have to go through somethings to get it but doesn't that make it more fun!!? This place ONLY accepts cash so heads up! I believe they have an atm inside the store. Don't go here if you are in a rush. It's going to be a long line, so just be prepared to wait. And it's tight inside the store be prepared to be all up on someone else. They only sell sandwiches and a few drinks no sides(That should tell you how good it is). The sandwiches are huge! Me and my friend split and I was more than stuffed. I will say this place is not located on the nicest side of Philly so heads up on that. This is also the type of establishment that you need to know what you want when it's your turn to order, they are not plying any games! I heard this place got a lot of hype because it was featured on a famous movie. I will say it delivered and it wasn't just hype so if you want a legit Philly Cheesesteak this is the place to go!

I was so pumped to go here, and I just have to say that it didn't come through as I thought it would, I was truly rooting for it, but once I opened the sub, it was extremely soggy and just had no taste. It was just average. I'm still rooting for you!!

Came from California for a football game and stopped here for a quick bite. This place take damn near two hours to take ya order and give you your sandwich. Definitely the worst tourist spot I've ever experienced. Mind u, it was only 4 ppl in front of us.

People really saying Max's fell off. CAN'T RELATE. It'll always be Max's for me, from my first time around 2012 until now. I love the flavor and the service is one of a kind (lol). Honestly if Max's started taking cards they would see me way too often.

First visit - I had to take the time to comment on the SUPERB SERVICE! The women at Max's are very kind and caring. They all went the extra mile! The gentleman who made our sandwiches put so much love into them and they were all DELICIOUS! I can cook and I have high expectations on taste, quality of ingredients, and for a small place like this they are surpassing the mark, which is why people travel from all over to come here. I read some reviews, particularly about the service and it saddened me once I went here. It seems like the reviews have a bit of bias, for instance I saw a negative review on someone who has been here 5 times and on the 6th time they had bad service. I wonder if they take the time to leave bad reviews for their 6th visit to McDonald's and McDonald's make a mistake versus this local favorite? If you have to wait for the cheesesteaks, it is worth it! Please consider that those people are working hard back there and putting a lot of love into quality good food that you will feel good about eating afterwards. We ordered one of every kind of cheesesteak, the photo here is of the Pizza Steak, which you can see that it's worth every dime. I personally would only be able to eat the basic cheesesteak on a normal basis. Ambiance was good for me because I can see the cleanliness and my food being prepared. The lady changed her gloves at least five times while we was there. Those things are important to me and I valued being able to evaluate that in this take out facility. Bless these people with a tip while you're there and be thankful that places like this that preserve what a city is about are still in existence!!! I enjoyed my drive to Philly because of Max's.

A small place that serves delicious cheese steaks. Their cheese steaks are large and long but the bread is skinny so my boyfriend and I split one. We ordered it with provolone, Mayo and grilled onions and it was SO tasty. They are CASH ONLY and there's a bar in the back where you can sit and eat but most people were taking their food to go. Be prepared for a bit of a wait but it'll be worth it.

Best cheesesteaks in town. They're huge and tastes amazing. There's a parking lot in back which you should use because there's typically a long line. There's seating in the back but typically it's take it to go type of place. A little tight when waiting on line but worth the wait.

The cheesesteaks are really good here but I personally don't think it's worth the hype. We waited on line for an hour and the customer service was meh. They are also cash only.

People have many options in town for cheesesteaks. Max's has proven that it deserves a spot on the top! Way to go Max's! You are freakin amazing!!!!!

This is a world famous hole in the wall steak sandwich joint. It is located in a less than savory part of town and has a private parking lot available. There is also limited street parking available. The restaurant has been featured on some of the Creed movies, and shows like this is us. It comes with a lot of hype and is a Philadelphia staple. Their menu consists primarily of various steak sandwiches. You will not find any side such as fries here...booooo. Anyway the sandwiches come in half and whole. I got a half and it was enough for me....and I am a big guy. To save time I ordered my food online. It was relatively easy to do. They do not accept phone orders. The restaurant is co-located with a bar and my food was ready when I got there. The staff was not the friendliest group of people I would say. They did their jobs, but without all the pleasantries and stuff. I ordered the pepper steak and it was fresh and hot. It was not the best that I have had, but it was good. The steak was fresh and made me wish that I would have went with a cheesesteak. You can probably find a better joint to get a steak sandwich than here, but you definitely could find much worse.

Service: 3 Food: 3 Price: 2.5 My cheese steak bread was totally wet. Couldn't even pick it up. I had to use a fork and knife. I only had mayo, white cheese, tomatoes, and ketchup. The attitude from the cashier was not needed. They should remember that some customers it is their first time and could be from out of town. Would I go back? Unfortunately, no, not that it will hurt the business any. Live and learn

Two stars just because I love Philly but Max's has fell off. I was hoping this wasn't going to happen once it became so damn popular but it did. I ordered a whole chicken cheesesteak and it had absolutely no seasoning and my chicken was not chopped finely. Then the sandwich became horribly wet and soggy and I only waited about 10 min tops before I ate it. My husband got a half cheesesteak; his was seasoned but bread became soggy. He tried a piece of my sandwich which is why I got a whole and he was appalled. Max's is not the best place to get cheesesteaks in Philly anymore. Now I'm back on the hunt!!! Pi

We are from Washington DC. This was our first time at Max's. We waited about 45 minutes to get inside on a Sunday. I'm not sure what the line is like on a Saturday but it was worth the wait. Previously we went to DelSandro's last time we were in Philly and didn't like it. Was bland and the girl taking the money wasn't friendly. Several folks suggested Max's and I'm so glad that we made the drive. The Cheesesteaks are HUGE, flavorful, and we could actually see them making our subs vs. DelSandro's where everything is done in the back where you can't see how much toppings that they are using, etc. We will definitely be back. Oh...and the staff was very nice!!!!!

I just love this place. I've been coming here since I was little traveling back-and-forth from Cincinnati to Philadelphia over 48 years

This was my very first encounter with a Philly cheesesteak. I was told by a friend who used to live in Philly that this was the spot to go to for the true Philly cheesesteak experience. I will say this. There wasn't much explanation to the ordering process so I felt somewhat like a fish out of water but I made it work. The staff were on it, expecting you to have your order ready as soon as you walked up. It reminded me of an assembly line in some senses. There were topping options as well as the half or full-size options. The half-size was more than enough to get full. As I stood in line waiting for my order, I saw someone's cheesesteak being smothered with a dark red sauce. I asked if it was BBQ sauce and was told that it was ketchup. I had never thought to be ketchup on a cheesesteak. Apparently, ketchup, fried onions, and cheese wiz are common toppings for the cheesesteak experience. The taste: I have to admit, it was quite tasty! You definitely have to throw the calorie counting out the window when you're going to indulge but I will say the indulgence is worth it. That was the only Philly cheesesteak I've experienced thus far so I can't compare it to anything else but I'd say, it lived up to the hype.

I know this picture might not say much but (every heat up which there was four) tasted better and better. Side note: air fryer brought it back to life and it tasted better and better. I ordered the full sandwich which was at least 18" of sheer goodness. I couldn't even open it up in my car is was so big. I had to wait a bit before I dove into it and it was a bit soggy, so the first bites were not what I expected. Once I got home and crisped the bread in the air fryer, it was beyond amazing. It took me a hole day to finish it. This place is a gem, please put the earned respect on its name. A true champion of the cheesesteak. Highly recommended

Gino's and that other place have nothing on Max's Philly Steaks! Tucked away in German town. It also helps there's a great bar next door while you wait! These are GIANT Philly's, for a decent price. Expect a wait tho! You'll know why once you taste one. Love this place!!!

This place has the best Philly cheesesteaks. The way the staff works is super efficient. I placed a large order for 10 sandwiches and I didn't have to wait very long. Staff is friendly, I will be returning!

Great place to eat cashier was so pleasant will definitely come back ps at night great staff

On my short trip to Philly, I had high hopes coming to this infamous place but I was sadly disappointed in the lack of customer service and even more in the lack of flavor of the cheesesteak. We came in just a few minutes past their opening time and we were the only customers there. I know they can have a long line so I suggest coming right when they open. The people at the counter are not the friendliest so don't expect to feel welcomed. The guy who made our cheesesteaks didn't even bother to ask about what toppings we wanted except for mayo and onions. I didn't even realize there were other options for toppings but we weren't offered any. Just make sure to know exactly what you want before. They make it very apparent that it is CASH only so make sure to have it on hand. The neighborhood isn't the best but we were able to find parking on across the street. The cheesesteak itself was ordinary. Nothing to write home about. It was also super messy to eat in the car so I suggest finding a place to sit down it. They have a bar which seems to be a nice addition to the restaurant but we had no time to enjoy since we were heading back home. I don't need to come back for their cheesesteaks but at least I finally was able to try Max's for myself.

I'm an Adult performer, Rome Major this is one of my favorite spots to go to when im starving need my protein / XL cheesesteak extra mayo, ketchup, mustard and sweet pepper and you have a lounge & bar in the back! It's the perfect place to visit anytime your in Philly

This use to be my favorite Cheesesteak spot. I loved that I could order ahead. I always get provolone cheese. They no longer carry anything but American cheese. You can't order from the north Philly location ahead anymore. The cheesesteaks are still super long and super good.

We placed an online order, and it was super efficient! Get the HALF sandwich ya'll ! I can't imagine what the full size looked like because the half was more than enough. My Philly cheesesteak was delicious ! The meat was tender, juicy, and seasoned well. My peppers were cooked just enough, and the cheese was melted and included in every bite. My sandwich was still delicious at room temperature an hour later! My ONLY con is that they don't have any type of sides....

Let me begin with, I'm a tourist from the Deep South. I couldn't wait to get my hands on a real Philly Cheesesteak, and was recommended Max's by a friend. I can't be a true judge, but this was a delight if I've ever tasted one. I had a basic cheesesteak: meat and American cheese with no mayo and onions. No peppers or add ons of any kind. When so get the chance to come back to Philly, I'll definitely be returning to Max's!

Amazing Philly ! This was so yummy and flavorful and the staff was fun and polite I will back again!

This cannot be the famous Max's everyone raves about. Food: The cheesesteak itself was soggy and had no flavor. They have to up the cheese to meat ratio with all this meat. $20 and I had to go home to add my own seasoning and more cheese smh Service: I understand they're busy but the attitude is not necessary. Everyone can't wiz off an order in 10 secs. It was almost like you couldn't even ask questions. Not inviting at all.

I've never had a cheesesteak, I'm from Colombia. However, in front of me were some white guys who were asking the staff "how do you guys eat it?" This was the beginning of a hilarious confrontation because the guy goes on to tell them that just order what you like.. and still they guys insisted on getting the cheesesteak "how people eat it in philly." The guy, now slightly annoys says that when they do that the customer then gets upset because they dont eat hot peppers or mushroom or the type of cheese they put on it so just get what they want. So as the guy prepares the sandwich he asks the white guy "do you want mayonnaise" and they white guy says "is that how you eat" .. at this point i was getting ready to slap him. Listen people, just order what you want.. forget about being "authentic" or what we you think it is.. just order

This is my home town and I went here because I remember them before they were famous. Today I had the ABSOLUTE WORSE cheese steak!!! It didn't taste bad, but it was SOOOO MESSY AND SLOPPY that I was too frustrated to enjoy it!!!! The absolute worst experience in all my years with a cheese steak!! My new shirt was destroyed! I know from being born and raised in Philly that a cheese steak DOES NOT have to be messy to taste good!!!.... Very disappointing and very frustrating.... Will literally never come back nor recommend anyone to go there....