This was my mom's favorite place when she was alive. I've seen it go through a few operators since and she would be disappointed. Everything tasted like the oil they use to cook it in, just horrible. I saw my waitress 3 times; once to take my order, once to deliver the food and once to drop the bill. No refills offered and no attention paid. When I went to pay, and old timer sitting at the bar complained that his coffee hadn't been refilled and the lady behind the counter said "all you need to do is ask!" This is not my mothers Daddy Maxwell, sadly. I had high hopes for the new operator. Good luck! read more

Daddy Maxwell's Diner & Cafe - inside the igloo - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Williams Bay, Wisconsin

Mila the best server ever -- always smiling menu great-- French badder pancakes the best always fresh and hot -- homemade donuts the best local favorite read more

I was in the Lake Geneva area and we stopped here for breakfast before heading out of town. This is a true diner experience- and prices are very reasonable. This is an old establishment that is shaped like an igloo. The inside is smaller with two separate rooms and its a diner vibe. It does have character and is pretty old looking inside. The staff here are friendly and welcoming. We sat in an area by the corner. They serve breakfast and lunch. We started with 2 donuts which were only $1 each. They are smaller, but freshly made. They are crispy on the outside and pretty good. They come in only a few flavors- cinnamon sugar, chocolate, coconut- (if I remember correctly) and maybe one other. I got the Trash Hauler but asked for the hashbrowns outside the sandwich and with onions/peppers/cheese. The ham was really good. The other person got the Mini Max and loved it. I would come back here again! Overall experience 4/5. read more

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Stopped here for breakfast, since I've heard good things. Very reasonably priced, and the menu is extensive. Staff is very cordial and polite. I had the scrambled eggs, bacon, toast, and coffee. The coffee was excellent, and so is the breakfast. Plenty of parking, and open seven days a week.. read more

Daddy Maxwell's Diner & Cafe - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Williams Bay, Wisconsin

I've been here 5 times in the last 4 days and every visit was tastier than the last. The food is always amazing and the service is on point. I would highly recommend! read more

Daddy Maxwell's Diner & Cafe - Chicken Philly Cheesesteak - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Williams Bay, Wisconsin

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So the igloo has changed hands a few times but it's back to basically being what I remember. Last few times I've had really good service too. read more

The worst run business I have ever seen! There's NO adult supervision, terrible wait staff that have never been trained, mass confusion when the place is busy, etc Food is okay, but certainly not worth the aggravation....sadly, owner is clueless..... read more

Food: burger was what you'd expect to find walking around a carnival for $6. Not $14. Fries had bitter aftertaste, presumably from old or burned oil: 2 stars Service: if you encourage the waitress to smile and act very pleasantly you will get mildly pleasant service although my specific request to have the toppings on the side was not delivered nor acknowledged when observed: 2.5 stars Ambiance: Reminiscent of the old restaurant here, def an old school diner or north woods vibe. Doesn't deliver though. 3 stars. If you're hungry and nothing else is available it's passable. Nothing like the old place however. read more

The donuts are Back!!!!!! Best donuts in area. The breakfasts are so good! The staff is amazing!!!! Give it a try! read more

Food was horrible. Service was good. Daddy Maxwells used to be good. Must have different owners. The decor as always is ugly.

Today's visit is a perfect demonstration of why this is one of my favorite breakfast spots. 1- unique ambiance. Old school diner with an igloo. I know, right? 2- very creative daily specials. See the photo of the whiteboard. 3- truly attentive staff that cares about customer service. 4- whipped butter. So no matter how cold it is, it always spreads easily on toast or a pancake 5- really good food I ordered the chipotle chicken breakfast special. See the pics. It was loaded with onions. I was unaware when I ordered it. I loathe onions. I gamely tried to pick the onions out. The server noticed and asked me if everything was ok. She replaced my breakfast and was actually concerned that I was well fed and happy. And didn't charge for for the original order. It's so awesome to be able to try new things without fear of going hungry. read more

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Saturday breakfast did not disappoint! We got to the restaurant around 9am and we're seated at the very last available table. First of all - the service is outstanding, everyone is so nice, very kind, very attentive! Huge selection of food, took a while but we decided to try/split banana pancake and chorizo omelette. Outstanding! Omelette was cooked French style, cooked thinly and rolled with vegetables and meats inside! It didn't taste heavy at all! Excellent! Banana pancake was very fluffy, light, I ate it without a syrup and loved it! read more

Daddy Maxwell's Diner & Cafe - Very delicious fluffy banana pancake - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Williams Bay, Wisconsin

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Just ate the Port-o-Prince omelet at the recommendation of the staff. I mean, come on. What I just ate should be outlawed. That was one of the best diner omelets I've ever eaten. The mushrooms were perfectly marinated and so well cooked. The omelet kept me coming back for more, I had some thoughts about ordering a second one. The staff here is amazing as well. They have a very Wisconsin demeanor and are so kind and chatty. The coffee here is also very good and the refills just keep coming. Next time I'm in the area, I'll definitely be stopping in! read more

I wanted to love this place, but it was just a little better than OK. The awesome service, taste of the pancake, and aesthetic of the place are the only reasons I gave them 3 stars. Maybe if we'd ordered something else, we would have enjoyed it more. My husband and I shared the "Nine Lives" breakfast, which is HUGE. Definitely a good one to split with a friend, and maybe order another side to share. It's like a breakfast burrito made with a huge pancake. Filled with eggs, bacon and melted cheese. It was tasty, and hit the spot. The coffee was horrible, but I'm a little spoiled because I'm new to coffee and grind my beans fresh every time. This coffee had to be Folgers or similar. The American fries were pretty good, so no issues there. We thought it was a little funny that the menu mentions they use "Mrs. Butterworth's" syrup, as if it's a good thing. I must be becoming a snob or something, but it's hard to like anything after having fresh syrup in Vermont recently. I may visit again to try something new. The service was great, and I'd hate to not give them a 2nd chance. read more

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Atmosphere: C- Food: B Service: D- "You get what you get" could (and should) be the motto for this establishment. Or perhaps, "Take it or leave it." It's Williams Bay, during the summer on a weekend, but still you think the staff would know the difference between "maybe a 30 minute wait" and well over an hour wait. Of course, no acknowledgement of the wait, no apology; the particularly galling part is the fact that our party was seated at exactly the same size table as at least three other parties that put their names in after we did. Small town Wisconsin courtesy, I suppose. Forgetfulness? Mistaken oversight? Who knows, since it was never addressed and we were not inclined to pursue it. In fairness, the food was fine, even decent. But absence does make the heart (and tastebuds) grow fonder, so I suspect that the 2x wait time likely clouded the heads of my party. Our waitress clearly was not having a good day. I get it, we all have bad days, but there is nothing we did to elicit the curt, snapped responses and general negative demeanor. That coffee I asked for (and that came with my order) never arrived, likely lost in a black hole of time and space. Another cup of water . . . heaven forfend the ignominy. My recommendation is . . . meh. Go or don't, or whatever. Huh, that could be another motto for Daddy Maxwell's Diner & Cafe. read more

Cute little igloo diner. Eccentric little place with a fun menu. Decor harkens to Midwestern Americana, transporting you to another era. The average age of the diners is about 65 and are mostly regulars. Servers fit the charming place and nobody seems to be able to rest. Homemade pies, donuts, and a Friday fish fry. The fish variety included haddock, grilled or fried, perch, and cod. I ordered the fried haddock with homemade potato pancakes and the last coconut donut they had. My meal also included homemade coleslaw, homemade tartar sauce, and a slice of rye bread. The meal was decent, the fish batter was a little thin and limp. I would prefer a crispier batter, but it still had good peppery flavor. The tartar sauce added a nice zest. Coleslaw had no mayo which was nice. Potato pancake is like a real pancake, thin with a large diameter. Apple sauce included. I see why this place attracts lots of regulars, I want to come back someday to try their breakfast. read more

Daddy Maxwell's Diner & Cafe - Friday fish fry. Haddock. - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Williams Bay, Wisconsin

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This is one great place to have breakfast! It's a regular stop for the townies, which is usually a pretty good sign, hence the 6 AM opening (excerpt for M, We, and Th during the Covid crisis when they open at 8). We were fortunate enough to sit near Daddy's widow (he passed in January) and she was a fountain of fascinating history about this place. Turns out that she and her breakfast partner remember the place from as far back as 1938 when it was the AnArctic Dinner and just offered soft serve ice cream. Now they have one of the most expansive menus that either of us have ever seen! read more

Daddy Maxwell's Diner & Cafe - Inside the igloo - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Williams Bay, Wisconsin

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A local jewel in Williams Bay. Small and charming. Wonderful service. The breakfasts were all freshly made. No pre-cooked anything. Ham was fresh cut and delicious. They're known for their cake donuts. Get at least a couple while you're wait on your orders. You can walk it off later. Put Daddy's on your morning must-do list in WB. read more

Daddy Maxwell's Diner & Cafe - The Max! - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Williams Bay, Wisconsin

Solid, no frills diner - with lots of character. Retro decor, retro booths, retro food - albeit a pretty extensive menu. Best breakfast ever? No. Solid? Absolutely. Attentive service. Cash or checks only - no debit or credit cards. Not a lot of tables, so you may have to wait on a busy weekend. If you have time, enjoy the nature center across the road or the lake nearby. read more

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We used to live in the Bay 15 years ago and had breakfast here every few weeks for years. We only live 10 minutes away in Elkhorn since but don't go here often. In the summertime, it's just too flat-out busy and while the food is good - it's not good enough for me to kill an hour on a nice day waiting to get a seat. Additionally, I don't eat eggs and ordering non-egg dishes like pancakes and French toast can quickly add up when ordering sides. Take hash browns for example - I'm not cheap but $4.95 is about $2 too high and it's a typical portion that comes with an egg dish - not a big shareable side. We've never had a problem with service once we've been seated. The other caveat that others have mentioned is that this is CASH ONLY. No comment other than a busy place like this with not bashful prices should accept credit cards. read more

Great classic old school diner. Good service, average coffee, great food. Typical good Midwestern diner. Had a breakfast quasadilla and it was excellent. Will be back here again. STRAIGHT CASH HOMIE! No credit cards accepted. read more

Daddy Maxwell's Diner & Cafe - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Williams Bay, Wisconsin

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Daddy maxwells is our favorite breakfast spot. My daughter says they have the absolute best chocolate chip pancakes. I love the Monday special door county cherry pancakes. read more

Daddy Maxwell's Diner & Cafe - Eating breakfast - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Williams Bay, Wisconsin

This diner is an iconic place. Great history, great food, and great people. I tried the Huevos Rancheros (during lunch) lately and was impressed. Best French-batter pancakes around. Cinnamon French toast is unreal as well. read more

Daddy Maxwell's Diner & Cafe - Table Huevos Rancheros - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Williams Bay, Wisconsin

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Great service and great food. Definitely the best breakfast place in the area. By far the nicest folks and the best doughnuts around! I highly recommend this place to anyone in the area. read more

The food was great and came out super fast. Our waitress was very nice 10/10 would eat here again. Its right around the corner from a nice walking path, great for burning off the breakfast. read more

This place. I wish I lived closer, I would be here every day! Came in here for brunch after an event I had attended in Lake Geneva with some friends. We were hungry and unfamiliar with the area, so we were just winging it. For picking a totally random place to try out, we sure picked the right one. This place is amazing. First off, the building itself is so funky and interesting! It's super eye-catching from the road and just makes you want to stop to check it out. We were fortunate enough to be seated in the round dome area of the restaurant which was super cool. The inside it FULL of decorations and lots to look at. The menu is like a small novel. SO. MANY. CHOICES. Menus like this typically make me nervous - often times quality is lost when there are so many things to choose from. Fortunately that was not the case here. We ordered 4 different things from the menu and every single one of them looked amazing. I had the batter burrito. It's a pancake like burrito with eggs and bacon and cheese rolled up inside. It's sprinkled with powdered sugar and served with maple syrup. I wasn't sure if I would like the mix of sweet and savory, but it totally worked and I loved it. Portion sizes were all huge, we had leftovers to take home. Service was good! I loved it! read more

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Bandito is one of the best breakfast items I've ever eaten! Fresh, hot, and sooo tasty, everything I have had here has been top notch! Visiting from FL, will return! read more

Breakfast was IMPRESSIVE! Not just 2 slices of bacon, but a pile of it next to the eggs. Rolled cinnamon toast, delicious. Owner creates with the art of food and flavor. She makes her own desserts from scratch. Apple pie is one of a kind. One thing to know, if the chef loves to cook and bake, you will know it because the menu is made with love. She posts menus on her Facebook page. Good folks. No wonder they are so popular with locals! And those in the know. read more

Daddy Maxwell's Diner & Cafe - Fox News chose Daddy Maxwells out of all the restaurants in Wisconsin. - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Williams Bay, Wisconsin

I like going out for breakfast and I like diners. This was great for both. The main eating area is round with decorations spanning all the holidays. The four of us got there on a Sunday morning and had to wait a little bit, but not too long. There's not a lot of room to stand, but that's ok. The place was busy, but we were well attended to. Our server, Mallory, was fantastic and we got prompt attention, even with a full restaurant. She was funny, personable and she added to the fun experience of the place. She even told us of a personal experience of when she was little and she would not eat all of her meal to give herself room for her "dessert pocket." All the food we ordered was good, hot, and met expectations. I had the French toast and it was not soggy and done to perfection. My friend ordered the bananas foster caramel waffle breakfast and it was like a combination of breakfast and dessert. It tasted great, but would definitely provide a sugar high for a while. I must have missed the signage that said it's cash only, but the prices were reasonable and I had enough cash for our table of four. As I was paying, I saw great looking pies in the pie safe at the counter. I was tempted to get a piece, but, unfortunately, I had not left enough room in my dessert pocket. Great place if you like breakfast, a diner experience and tasty food. read more

Daddy Maxwell's Diner & Cafe - Decadent Bananas Foster Caramel Waffle - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Williams Bay, Wisconsin

Great breakfast, friendly staff, unique dining experience. Long waits - they don't take reservations. Cash only - no credit cards. Well worth your visit! read more

Just had brunch at Daddy Maxwells Diner. We loved the Monday special, Door County Cherry French Pancakes--excellent! French = extra eggs and vanilla, yummy Staff was very attentive and friendly. Excellent value. We will be back! read more

Butter. If you prefer your food laced with butter for taste you found the place. Pricy breakfast items. Small eggs make you wish you ordered an extra one. Toaster must always be set on the light setting as you'll have to ask them to run it through twice. Otherwise it's fresh out of the bag served hot. Extensive breakfast menu. Smaller place so be prepare to wait an hour or longer to eat. Servers are hustling as the they are trying to maximize tips/turnover. read more

Cute little diner. Breakfast was nothing fancy, but very good stick to your ribs fare. Service from Brooke excellent, attentive without being intrusive or fake niceness. Will go back and try the fish fry! read more

Definitely one of the best spots to get food in this area. We went back twice in a row because the food was absolutely delicious. The waitresses are all extremely friendly. Its small, but worth the wait. read more

OUTSTANDING breakfast and service! Homemade donuts, fresh ice tea and creative specials. A must if you are anywhere in the area!!

Food was ok toast was partially burnt corned beef hash was good. Walked by two waitresses on the way out neither said anything to us leaving. read more

The French toast was very good, but the decorations were distasteful. Pick a holiday, please!

Great local diner with an extensive menu. Lots of friendly staff on a Saturday morning in January. The daily special of Southwest Burrito was great and included coffee. The texture of the homemade donut was great and definitely not greasy. It was cute to see "Buzz", a local patron, who has a name plate on the counter. The lunch menu and homemade pies looked tasty. I recommended this local restaurant! read more

What a fun breakfast spot! We've been spending summers in Fontana for 5 years and just discovered this spot. It's a cute, retro diner in downtown Williams Bay. Great food at reasonable prices. The breakfast quesadilla was amazing! Super fluffy pancakes. Our waitress was very attentive. We will be back and make this a new regular spot. Cash or check only. read more

My family is on vacation for the weekend in Lake Geneva. We all woke up early one morning and wanted to get breakfast while still staying cautious with COVID-19. We spent about 7 seconds in the restaurant. Walked in, super crowded which was a bit expected due to this places popularity, however, not one worker was wearing a mask as far as we had seen, not to mention tables were especially close as well. After walking in, we stood there to see if someone would guide us to a table. This woman who seemed like a worker as she was walking to the kitchen door, looked at us with zero expression even after an exchange of a simple "hello" which one of my family members had said first. My Filipino-American family gladly took our presence elsewhere as we did not feel safe nor welcomed in Daddy Maxwell's. It is extremely disappointing to feel that way while the rest of our trip and following dining experience was fortunately the COMPLETE opposite in downtown Lake Geneva. read more