Food and service were beyond excellent. We shared mussels appetizer, wedge salad, an Australian ribeye special, mashed potatoes, mushrooms, and crème brûlée. Each course was perfect and service from Russell was attentive and leisurely. The steak was charred outside and medium rare throughout. Recommended by our server, it was dry aged and delicious as promised. It was sliced in the kitchen for ease of sharing and we even had a couple of slices to take home. Some au poivre sauce was gladly provided to go. A great meal. Just a suggestion for Yelpers, if you are dining during daylight, make a reservation far in advance requesting a table towards the back of the restaurant. The glare from the front window can spoil the atmosphere! I've added a photo of the menu on the photo page since it's hard to find online.. most everything is shareable. read more

Took my older brother and his wife here when I was in town for work to have a meal here. They told me that they never had eaten here, and based on my meal a few months ago, I decided to come here again for early bday dinner since their birthdays are in November and December. We had a later reservation, since it was last minute and on a Saturday night. They were pretty busy, but we found a parking spot and was seated right away. Thea was our server, and the team here was exactly the same as it was in August. Super friendly, professional, and helpful when it came to understanding the menu and specials for the night. We started with a cocktail each, while choosing to get one appetizer (pork belly, which I highly recommended) to share before we went right into dinner. It was perfect. The smoked grits and microgreens complemented the pork belly, and it was basically mowed down by mostly me, HA! My sister in law got a steak, my brother went with the pork chop, and I had the Steak Frites. We had three sides, mac and cheese (I insisted based on the last visit), asparagus, and mashed potatoes. Incredible execution! When our entrees were ordered, we asked to speak to someone about a wine recommendation. Chris the GM came over, and he did remember me coming by earlier in the summer which was a surprise and really cool to have happen. I told him that I LOVED it here, having left in 2000 I never got to know Max's until 2025! We almost ate everything, but still had leftovers to be able to take home for another time. My thanks to the group here, from Thea, Chris, and front of house, and to the team in the back of the house, for excellent execution and an enjoyable evening out to treat my family. Support Small owned businesses! read more

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Great steak. Great drinks. Great service. A nice smallish place in a strip mall. Get a reservation and enjoy the evening. The ribeye was especially amazing. read more

Great food selection. Besides great beef there were many other options. Oysters were top shelf. Very good wine selections. Classy cocktail options Staff very helpful and welcoming. Thank you read more

Had another great meal at Max's during our recent visit. The steaks as always were cooked to perfection and the appetizers and side dishes were excellent as well. Our server Scott added to our enjoyment of the evening with his knowledge of the menu and his recommendations of the nightly specials and the wine list. We look forward to returning to Max's soon. read more

First time at Max Chophouse and now I want to go every Friday night! Mark, our server, was extremely knowledgeable and had impeccable timing. We had reservations on a Friday night at 6pm and it was quiet with more people at the bar than at tables till about 6:30. Everything was reasonably priced for a wide variety of tastes. To start we had cocktails like the French 75 and Espresso Martini, and the Thai inspired mussels. For entrees we tried the burger on a gigantic everything seasoning roll with fries. We also had their special cut, Australian wagyu ribeye with asparagus on the side. Everything was cooked perfectly and seasoned well. We thought we were full by then but we had to try their New York style cheesecake and I am so happy we did. I don't have a bad thing to say about this place and look forward to many dinners at the bar or at a table in the future! read more

Max Chophouse - Steakhouses Near Me - Rochester, New York

Love the food - but COULD YOU PLEASE PUT IN A SHADE!!! Terrible experience at the bar because of the sun - it's unbearable and everyone at the bar is complaining. 150 dollar shade!! Meal costs min of 200 - come on!!! read more

Best steak in the Rochester area. Small and great service... oh and perfect martini!! Price is very reasonable. read more

I am embarrassed that I didn't know this place existed - having grown up in Rochester. My best friends and I usually visit a higher end steakhouse when we get together and Max's came up - and I said - where? But as I found out - it's a jewel. First of all, I was worried making a reservation for 10 on the day after Thanksgiving, but they could NOT have been nicer about it. We had a great table. The place is small and cozy - very nice and a great reflection of the community. We were seated at a nice table right away and we had a great server. He was funny and made sure we had a great experience. A few highlights - service - as we talked about - from reservation, to service, to front of house, excellent. In every respect. They treated us like friends - food - from a great bar service - martinis, Buffalo Trace Manhattans, and a nice Pinot from the extensive wine list -(Really good) - to appetizers - lamb lollipops, clams, steak tar tar, all magnificent. And don't forget the bread - fresh made rolls, which were to die for. Dinner was perfect - everyone had steak and surf and turf. The pasta also looked expertly prepared. The sides were very nice - potatoes, Brussels, mushrooms, and if I had one nit - the carrots and parsnips were clumsy - but I had to give ONE piece of constructive feedback. Pittsford Dairy for desert and some ridiculously good panna cotta. In the end, a high end experience. It's priced accordingly but you know what - no different than any other splurge. Best steak in Rochester. Thank you to this great place. read more

We had an incredible meal here for a special occasion and we are discerning gourmands, not easily impressed. I had a filet ; my companion the Wagyu steak. Both arrived perfectly cooked to medium rare and rare. Great apps like crab cakes, octopus went well with a couple of martinis, nice salads, a good bottle of wine, an excellent crème brûlée, and wonderful service. The unassuming location had been passed thousands of times . It took Siri to bring this wonderful place to our attention. Just my knowledge nd of place, quiet and peaceful with low lights and a serene ambiance. Also thankfully handicapped accessible. it's $$$$ worth it in every way. read more

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Our dining experience at Max Chophouse was exceptional. We received a warm welcome immediately upon entering and everything just got better and better...Our server, Mark, explained the menu and specials well. He recommended a perfect wine that was exactly what I was looking for. Our salads were delicious and plentiful. The main course, filet mignon, for me was amazingly seasoned and cooked to perfection. The meat was so tender I barely needed a steak knife. Brussel sprouts were tender and flavorful. Dessert in a mason jar was just right to finish the meal. A wonderful dining experience from start to finish. read more

First time diners on a busy Friday night. Excellent, friendly and attentive service. All our dishes were presented well and tasted wonderful. Filet (med-rare) and strip (rare) were cooked perfectly- all sides were delicious. No room for dessert. Great bar selection as well as wine. Don't let the location or outside (next to barber shop) sway you to think it won't be worthwhile- it is. Restaurant is lovely inside and decorated in a relaxed and sophisticated way. You can dress up or down. Looked like some regulars dining. Lots of smiles and laughs and a great vibe. In fact a waiter serenaded a patron with an amazing voice and everyone was clapping when he finished! read more

Our anniversary fell on a Sunday, so dinner options were limited. Both my wife and I have never been to Max Chophouse, so this was the perfect opportunity to check it out. Max Chophouse has that same vibe as Avvino. It's nondescript from the outside and located in a random Brighton strip mall, however when you walk in it's surprisingly upscale with white tablecloths and uniformed waitstaff. Service was just okay. Maybe our waitress had a long day, but she was not the most attentive. Her knowledge of the wine selection was also a bit disappointing. When I asked what red wine they had by the glass, she just came up with the varietals (ie. cab, pinot, etc) and not the specific winery. I didn't want to seem to snobby, so I just asked for a glass of the cab. I asked her later what it was and she just said it was from Washington State. On the other hand, the food was solid. It was one of the best steaks i've had in Rochester and ranks up there with Char and Tournedos. My Prime Angus Ribeye was cooked a perfect medium-rare. It was the standout dish of the night. My wife's Seabass (catch of the day) was also great. The accompanying frites and mushrooms & onions were tasty as well. The only disappointment was the tuna tartare dish, that was quite under-seasoned. Overall we a had a good experience. I would definitely return for steak. However, the service was just okay and the ambience was a little stuffy. read more

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Had not been to Max in 15 or so years. Looks very much the same. Small, intimate restaurant. Warm buns were offered with flavored butter. We split crabcakes which were amazing. Since it was a birthday, my husband ordered the $150 Wagyu steak which was served sliced. It was also amazing. I try not to eat much red meat so I ordered the Red Snapper special - which was okay, but I wouldn't order again since the whole dish was rather dry and bland. Stick with the steak. Service was lovely and attentive. read more

Amazing meal and service, every time! It's our favorite date night spot. The ambiance and atmosphere make it feel so cozy.

Making reservations for 6:45pm, we showed up a few minutes early and were quickly seated. I specifically requested a table across from the bar area and the friendly host offered my choice from a few tables. We chose the third table from the host stand. Starting with a few appetizers, we opted in for the crab cakes, oysters and steak tartare. I found the crab cakes absolutely delicious. Completely jam-packed with crab. As for the oysters, I didn't expect them to have the vinaigrette already on them. I've always had any sort of sauces on the side as I enjoy my oysters raw with nothing on them. Nevertheless, the oysters were tasty. The steak tartare was phenominal. Rich with the egg yolk on top and nicely seasoned. One of the best steak tartares I've had anywhere. The only complaint regarding the appetizers is, they oddly took almost 30 minutes to arrive to our table. I found this odd and definitely not off to a good start. Onto mains, I've opted in for the wagyu special with a side of lobster tail. The steak I found was a bit under seasoned and got most of its flavour from the accompanying sauce on top. I requested the steak medium-rare and after taking half of it home and seeing it in a much better lighting, the steak was cooked much closer to rare and even safe to say, a blue steak. The lobster tail was incredibly giantic and was tender and succulent. Only complain there is it was slightly lukewarm. I have to make note the service was impeccable. Rachel was friendly, professional and hospitable. Her service and professionalism is a perfect 10/10. I'm a little hesitant on whether I would return to Max Chophouse. From the 30-minute wait for appetizers, to an under-done/under-seasoned steak. Mind you, the wagyu special ran $115 for the steak only. I expect the temperature to be perfect, let alone the seasoning. The silverware had some soap spots on them which is a pet peeve of mine especially for a fine-dining restaurant. Beautiful and clean restaurant, incredibly tight and small bathrooms in the back. With less than several tables inside, the restaurant can be quite loud. Not sure if this is just the crowd it attracts, or the fact the bar takes up half the restaurant. Again, on the fence if I would return with what I've said above. read more

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My new favorite place to get a steak in Rochester! The inside is super cute, which I wasn't expecting as it is in a strip mall. Our waitress was really good, very to the point. They didn't have a drink menu, which I didn't love, but all the wines our waitress suggested were spot on. It didn't seem like they had a long list and the prices weren't listed anywhere (and the waitress didn't know them). The give you a piece of bread and butter which was pretty good. The menu looks small, but they usually have a few specials. For appetizers we got oysters (yummy and huge), a special scallop ceviche which was out of this world, and a special soup, which was excellent. I recommend the pork chop actually. It is served with elevated applesauce (I know it sounds weird, but it is elevated somehow and just complements the dish so well!), flavorful Brussel sprouts and the best fries. The pork was so juicy!! I'm sure all the steaks are good as well and the sides and dessert I saw other people get also looked delectable. Is it expensive? You bet. But it is excellent? You bet! read more

Awesome steakhouse in Rochester. Had dinner here with business partners last week. They are local and recommended it. Started at the bar and had a couple of martinis. Bartender was great and drinks were, too. Once we were seated the service was next level. There were several tables with birthdays, and the server would sing happy birthday in Italian. It was very impressive. Food was legit as well. Awesome steaks and wine selection. You can't go wrong with any of their steaks, and trust the server's recommendations for a wine to pair it with. Desert is a must, too. I recommend the cheesecake. I highly recommend for dinner if you are in town. read more

Max Chophouse - Martini - Steakhouses Near Me - Rochester, New York

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We came for dinner to celebrate my birthday. Chef Rory in the kitchen was phenomenal! Our meal was outstanding Australian Wagu steak, Mac & cheese, Brussels Sprouts, & desserts were fabulous!!! Our waiter Mark was excellent! Very attentive! Our new favorite restaurant! read more

Everything is delicious. I would be here multiple times a week if it was affordable. But really, you can't go wrong with anything on the menu or from the bar! read more

Nice ambiance. The waitstaff is attentive and professional. The food was very good. The sides were generously portioned. The broccoli with feta nicely accompanied my strip steak. I ordered my steak medium and it came back medium rare (more rare then medium). I know I could have sent it back, but chose not to so I could keep pace with my dinner guest. The steak was still tasty and tender, but I prefer medium. The only reason I didn't give 5 starts was that either my server wasn't paying attention when he took my order; or the chef took the steak off the grill too soon. read more

We are an out of town group and we dined at Max last night. Overall we had a very good experience. We ordered a variety of dishes and all was good, but the service was quite slow. This is a good place to dine but allow additional time for your experience. read more

Maybe it was an off night for the kitchen, but sadly, a pretty bad time - especially considering the cost associated with dinner here. The plus side is Service, which was outstanding. Russell was a professional and for that we were very appreciative. The downside is the prep of the steaks. A $70 Wine Dry Aged Steak (special) was so undercooked it was sad that a Chef would send it out. The other steak was so over cooked that it cannot even be used to reheat as leftovers. How can a steak house not get the correct temps/doneness out properly if that is their specialty? More alarming is who is watching the food come out? There are just too many locally owned restaurants vying for customers to come back. We did not complain but apparently was noticed when they came to take the food which was more than 1/2 left. They did comp a $12 glass of Chardonnay which was a kind thought, it doesn't erase what was overall a pretty bad evening out for 2. Five stars for service and professionalism, One star for food. read more

Great food Not for. Everyone as it is pricey but if you don't mind i recommend it for sure read more

Overpriced fast food. The French fries? It's almost a joke. When paying $49 for steak and fries why are the fries disgusting and soggy and old? read more

Food, service, and ambiance at Max Chophouse were great! Someone else mentioned it as a negative, but I actually really appreciated being served a reasonable piece of bread instead of feeling obligated to consume the 4-6 serving loaf that we might be used to. The soup du jour was an andouille and crab concoction that was absolutely to die for. The lamb lollipops leaned on the sweet side which I didn't love, but they were excellently cooked nonetheless. We shared a 16 oz dry aged steak, and appreciated the server's offer to have it come out sliced for us. It was cooked perfectly medium rare and had the delicious flavor we've come to expect when ordering dry aged. Our side of pommes frites was a satisfying salty addition. The desserts all sounded delicious, but we had no room. Regarding drinks, my partner enjoyed his Manhattan and I had a tasty glass of wine. I do wish they had a list of wines by the glass--they only have a bottle list, so when ordering by the glass you have to select from a list recited by your server, which was a bit overwhelming. All in all, this was a lovely place to have a date or special meal. read more

Max Chophouse - Soup du jour and lamb lollipops - Steakhouses Near Me - Rochester, New York

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The food was great, service was great, and the ambiance was great. We went for a birthday dinner and Max Chophouse DID NOT disappoint. I'd go again next year and recommend it for anyone's birthday. read more

Expensive but great. I grew up on this place and I went back recently and it didn't disappoint.

I chose Max for a business dinner and was definitely not disappointed... Max Chophouse resides in a little, non-descript plaza on Monroe Ave. I've driven by 100 times and never noticed it. I absolutely love these little places hidden in plain sight... certainly not much to look at from the street. I entered into a bar area that reminded me of an Edward Hopper painting... a little stark but somehow welcoming just the same. The furnishings appear to be dated but in good condition. The dining area is small and unpretentious... Like a restaurant in a gangster movie... minus the gangsters. Service was outstanding. We were served efficiently at the bar, not rushed, and seated when we were ready. Our table was a little cramped but no complaints. They are working with limited space. Our server explained the menu and the specials and was patient with questions. Very pleasant and professional. I can't say enough about the food. I had an 8 ounce filet... perfect medium rare with a house glaze that was an ideal complement. I sampled the mac & cheese and mushrooms and onions and both were delicious. I didn't order desert but I sampled three of them. Peanut butter pie, a fantastic chocolate cake and a special bananas foster creme brulee that qualifies as one of the best things I've ever put in my mouth. So good! For wine aficionados there is an extensive wine list. We tried three bottles and all were fantastic. Max Chophouse is a hidden gem in Brighton. A bit pricey for everyday but so worth it for a business dinner, special occasion or just to treat yourself. I will definitely be back! read more

Make a reservation & enjoy an impeccable fine dining experience! A fine dining steakhouse is hard to find but look no more. The decor and lighting set the stage for a perfect dining experience. We shared the tuna tartare appetizer followed by a caesar salad. My husband and I split the 18 oz rib eye special, prepared medium rare, with a single side of mashed potatoes. We went with the option of having the chef slice the main entree for us. I enjoyed the horseradish cream sauce with the steak while my husband enjoyed the classic sauce with his meal. As it was our anniversary, we indulged in dessert. My husband enjoyed every bite of the chocolate torte. My peach cheesecake was light & had just the right amount of peach flavor. Needless to say, we left with main course & dessert leftovers. The service was excellent for this fine dining experience. We're happy to have found this fine dining steakhouse & will definitely be back. Enjoy! read more

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Food was amazing! We had a few of the appetizers. The crab cakes were delicious, along with their goat and beet cheese salad. My husband got a steak. I had the chicken. The green beans were delicious along with their Brussel sprouts. There cheesecake was perfect for desert. In addition, they make a great gin and tonic. The only thing that would make them 5 stars is the time management. It took a very long time to get our meal. If it's like anywhere right now it could have been lack of staff but they were given plenty of notice for a large group. My husband said it's the best steak he's ever had. read more

I brought my wife here for her 50th birthday. It was our first time here. I have to say the food was good. My Manhatten was good. My wife had a Chandon split, so that was great. We had a choice of bread... only one roll of your choice of 2 to choose from. That was different. The red wine glaze on the meat was, in my opinion, counterproductive. The seasoning was delicious, but as I got more into the wine sauce, it wasn't that good anymore. I ordered the NY Strip with the creamy horseradish. Again, it was good, not great. Meat was tender, though. We were expecting a more intimate setting as well. We were seated in the bar area where tables were crammed relatively close together, and it was loud with all the other people's conversations, and one guy was coughing every 5 seconds next to us. Squeezing by the table to sit, your legs pull the tablecloth. They are quite close. Not intimate at all. I give 3 stars because this place is just average. Again, it's my honest opinion. read more

My boyfriend and I were here on a Friday night, and it was pretty crowded so reservations are suggested since the restaurant is pretty small. There's a decent size bar area where you can dine at too it seems. The restaurant is dimly lit and cozy. We were seated at the tables with the booths along a mirror wall. I think the booths need renovation because the leather was peeling, a bit uncomfortable against your legs if you're wearing a dress. The service is prompt and friendly. My waitress did great telling us the specials with a lot of detail. For apps we had the clams casino and the beef tartar. Both were delightful! The clams casino was so full of flavorful and the texture was great. It had a toasty fragrance and almost kind of sweet which offset the savory taste very well. I really like the beef tartar's soft texture. There wasn't a ton of in your face flavor, but it had a deep meaty flavor that I appreciated. Eat it with and without the tangy sauce that accompanies it. You'll appreciate the difference in flavor. For entree we both got the prime ribeye steaks, with sides of pommes frites and brussell sprouts with bacon. My boyfriend's ribeye was cooked well, rare like he asked for. Mine was a little odd, some parts were medium well and some were the medium rare that I requested. That's fine because the meat was soft, almost melt in my mouth. My steak came with the bone marrow sauce, which was a very savory sauce. Ask for it on the side in case you want a clean steak. My boyfriend's steak had a guiness glaze on it. It was a sweet glaze, so some may or may not like it. I liked it, it complemented the savory streak well. Our sides were pretty good too. The pommes frites (fancy way to say french fries) were crisp and the sauce it came with was fatty and complements the fries well. The brussells were cooked well, they were soft and not bitter at all. I can barely taste the bacon unfortunately. We also had some drinks. An old fashioned and a dark and stormy. I'm not a fan of old fashions but I enjoyed my dark and stormy very much. It tastes more alcoholic and less watered down than other places I've had it at. We were too full for dessert but the menu sounds wonderful. I'd definitely be back. read more

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More of a surprise to find such quality steaks in a strip mall in Rochester.... Once we walked in my expectations were lowered, but by the end of the evening I realized we were in a great establishment and one worth visiting again. The evening was full of surprises... starting with the appetizers of oysters and seafood! Continuing with crispy fresh salads and exceptional steaks cooked perfectly to order. All cuts and sizes available! What a treat.... The wine list was also a surprise, with great wines at reasonable prices filling the pages. Impressive. One item I mentioned to the waiter was the cold plate that the steak came on. It was distracting and did not let the temperature of the steak stay at a level I am accustomed to elsewhere. It was fine overall but the temperature could have been lifted a little. Worthwhile. read more

Went for a dual birthday dinner for my gf and I.....been years ago and loved it....this time not so much. I don't mind spending money on a great meal, but this was was bad to average at best. Both steaks were like a salt lick and the sides were edible but certainly not "high end". Not impressed at all, too bad. read more

Perfect evening out. We mistakenly arrived early, but the hostess sat us right away anyways at the best table in the place. Out server, Natalie was over right away to greet us and take out drink orders. The bartender made a very strong and delicious cocktail for us. The main courses of steaks and sides were to die for. Love the quiet atmosphere of this place. Cozy and elegant. Don't change a thing Max. read more

This is my favorite place to go for an amazing steak. When friends, family or clients come to town this is where I take them. It's in an interesting area but the food more than makes up for it. Great service, nice atmosphere (white table cloths but not stuffy). The wagu steak here is the biggest portion I can find anywhere and worth every penny. The sides of mashed potatoes and mac&cheese were great - the Mac&cheese is always a side i wish I got two orders of. The simple salad option was large and super fresh. This place has never disappointed. read more

I don't care how good the food was - the service was atrocious. We had reservations for 7PM. They called us at 6:45 to say they were running fifteen minutes behind schedule so we arrived at 7:15. We were finally seated at 8:05. Thirty minutes later we still had no beverage order taken and no bread served. We were all ready to walk out but we had a party of 10 so we couldn't just pick up the crowd at that time and go elsewhere. No apologies, no comp drinks, nothing. I would highly recommend that you spend your money elsewhere. read more

I got the grilled pork chop. It was seasoned incredibly well and was very tender. It had a small amount of pink in the middle. The filet was delicious and cooked perfectly. The fries were a little over done which for the price was slightly disappointing. Overall good experience would go back again. read more

Great Steaks! My buddy and I had a great steak and potatoes dinner tonight here at Max Chophouse. The bread and whipped butter was decent. The steaks were fantastic -- we both had Angus filet mignon, seared on the outside, medium on the inside. I topped it off with au poivre sauce. We finished with a fig galette. The steak was good, the dessert choices were simple, the service was excellent. We will be back! read more