Went there w/ a group of 12 the other Saturday night; we were late to our reservation and thought it might be tough given it was Clarkson's parent's weekend but the restaurant was half full so getting seated wasn't a problem. Had a local IPA and noticed it was a little 'flat'...reading the other reviews I see there's an issue w/ their tap system so I was glad it wasn't just me. Bread was good, the waiter talked my wife out of the Caesar (she doesn't like anchovies). I almost went for the rib-eye but opted for a healthier chicken w/ linguine dish instead. It was very good, my wife had the other chicken dish and liked it. Given the dearth of choices in the Canton/Potsdam area, we were happy to find this restaurant. read more

Been here a couple times. Both have been a pleasure. The staff was very friendly and service was attentive, moreover the food was excellent. We ordered the calamari both times. It's wonderfully tender and served with lemon, marinara and a homemade tarter sauce which was perfect. The seabass entree was perfectly cooked, the fish was fresh and delicate, rice fluffy and flavorful. I don't really know what coulis is...but it came on the side and was tasty. The only reason it gets 4 instead of 5 stars is that it's in crummy Potsdam and not closer to my house! read more

An older nice place. Music was a little loud. The food was excellent. I enjoyed the Bruchetta Five and the French Onion Soup was amazing. The Ribeye was full of flavor and the Brussel Spouts incredible. Very attentive staff and table had a beautiful view of the river. Very enjoyable experience. read more

8-2014. First visit! Dropped my daughter off at Clarkson University and wanted to have a nice lunch before we left the area. The food was yummy and the patio was nice. The waitstaff was attentive. read more

I was not allowed into the establishment because of the doormen checking ID's. They deemed my (very real) ID to be fake. Apparently this guy is the best ID checker around, Clearly not. read more

I will preface this review by stating that I have had some okay experiences at this restaurant. The other times I've been there were for dinner or just for drinks and those experiences were mostly fine. The first annoying experience happened when my husband and I went here for some drinks (and might have stayed for dinner too) for our anniversary, but we waited for quite a while before anyone came upstairs to greet us or ask us for our drink orders at the bar. The beer I'd asked for wasn't working, so the bartender had to go back down to the basement and change the keg. The new beer didn't work either so I had to choose a third. Normally I'm pretty understanding, but that was a little much to handle after waiting so long. Then no one came and checked in on us at all, after sitting on the patio for nearly an hour. That was when we decided to just leave and go to a different restaurant to celebrate. The second experience that I had was even more irksome was a lunch that I went to with a coworker at 1 pm on a Friday. There was no one to greet us as we walked when we arrived. In fact, another person came in after us and asked us if we were there to eat (I believe it might have been the owner because he looked a little annoyed that we were just standing there not being helped). We said we were and he said that we could go out to the patio and take any seat and that he would send someone out to us as soon as possible. Everything seemed okay until we began to order and I asked if the pasta salad that came with the sandwich was vegetarian or if it had meat. The server didn't know and had to go and ask someone. It turns out it was vegetarian but by the time my order was complete they had already substituted a house salad. When the food was brought out, it was wrong. I had ordered a grilled vegetable sandwich and was brought a tomato cheese and bacon sandwich (another grilled sandwich on the menu). After specifically discussing the fact that I didn't eat meat, I was rather annoyed and had to hail the hostess (who was Windexing tables) to fix it. Meanwhile, the person with whom I was eating lunch had their lunch and was eating it. It seemed to take forever for my corrected order to arrive. All of this took nearly an hour and a half, for lunch. Very disappointing as most people only have 30-45 minutes for lunch. I think the food is good most of the time. It does seem overpriced, but it's one of the, if not only, "nicer", "affordable" places to have a sit-down dinner in Potsdam. At the prices they charge, I would expect a little more ambiance and service. It also gets very loud, even when live bands aren't performing. You can hardly hear anyone at your table. And the rest rooms are rather horrendous (having only experienced the women's rest room personally, but my husband cringes at the mention of the men's as well). If you can help it, try not to have to use them! ----- UPDATE January 2017 Visit: Still overpriced both in food and beverages and the service is still hit or miss. At this particular visit we ordered the fish special which, according to the menu, was $17. When we got our bill they charged us $27. We only noticed after they ran our card but were unable to give us a refund, only a gift card to use at Maxfield's or the Cantina (which they also own). The server was nice about it but it is frustrating. We avoid going here as much as possible except when other colleagues are going. read more

I had a veal short ribs on bone - it was terrible, it had a strange top layer that was almost like a burned skin. The potatoes were under this strange, burned, fatty rib pile which was covered in an au jus that was also pretty gross. The only redeeming thing on the dish were the brussel sprouts. We were also eating with vegetarians who were able to find 1 vegetarian dish on the menu other than the salads. It was also so loud that you literally couldn't talk to the people across the table from you. I guess this is what happens in a bar/restaurant, but it seems like they could solve this by having sliding doors between the bar half of the space and the dining room. Not recommended. read more

We were out of town for work. Went here on a whim. We had the most amazing meal!! I had the hanger steak. By far the best steak I have ever had. The sides were cooked perfect and the salad was great! The service was also amazing! I will definitely go back read more

I have eaten tons of food that maxfields has to offer for the last five years and I have been mind blown by so much of it. The chefs a sauces are to die for. Currently they offer bacon marmalade on a pan roasted chicken breast that is juicy and heavenly. And by chance you catch his orange ginger sauce sauce on special you won't regret ordering it. You could eat that sauce wood and love every bite. I'd recommend this restaurant to everyone. Plus the bar tender Nate is awesome. Coolest dude I've ever met read more

The hostess was terrific. The bartender was good. The waiter struggled. Never asked us how are food was. Never asked if we wanted more to drink. Had the clam chowder and it was excellent. The chicken, mash potatoes and vegetables was cold. The chicken was over cooked. I would not recommend this restaurant. read more

Owned by the same guy that owns Cantina and Mama Lucias. Food is good but pricey so I don't eat there to often but there bar is excellent. When you get tired of duff's noisy customers and same four overpriced beers walk down and pay and extra 50 cents, it's worth it. Gorgeous setting inside with a big wooden bar and the bartenders are so nice and friendly. I'm trying to get my college taste buds to stray from the bud-light or busch-light (eck) selections I've encountered over the past four yrs and the bartenders are so accommodating by letting me try pretty much a new beer every time I order a round and it's a decent amount to taste and it's not just because I am a girl. They are also very nice to male patrons and will let them try the different beers on tap. The back deck is gorgeous right on the water and at night they have little white lights up. The deck is worth it alone and they have a whole new menu of drink specials every night like a martini night and 1-2-3 beer night on weds when any beer on tap, from bud to Guinness and everything in between is a dollar for the first hr, 2 for the second and so forth. Its great read more

Maxfields - The back deck is wonderful! - New American Near Me - Potsdam, New York

This our go to place for dinner (and sometimes lunch). Excellent food, good service, nice atmosphere. Summertime eating on the deck is hard to beat. read more

Avoid this place in Potsdam for dinner!! We sent back 2 out of our 3 dinners. The 3rd would have gone back if my husband wasn't so hungry that he choked it down. Steaks were tuff & over cooked, the spinach was slimy & the fries were so over salted they were inedible. If u just want to have a beer then the bar has a large selection read more

It's been years since I've been to Maxfields. I came home for a long overdue visit and was hesitant to go because of some of the less than favorable reviews. I'm so glad I ignored these reviews!!! I wonder sometimes if certain people have unrealistic expectations from a restaurant or have a scale by which they judge a restaurant that is a cookie cutter approach. Maxfields is the quintessential antidote to the common chain restaurant. If you are looking for a dumbed down menu, overly decorated, cookie cutter restaurant, Maxfields is not for you. However, if you are looking for a charming yet contemporary atmosphere with a fantastic menu, great food and good service I highly recommend Maxfields. This restaurant has been a mainstay in Potsdam for at least 30 years. They are doing something right!! The patio seating is fantastic and the wait staff dressed crisply in white and black adds to the class of this great restaurant. The salads are fresh and delicious and I had serious food envy when I saw the crab cakes and coconut shrimp come to the neighboring table. If you are in Potsdam, give this place a try. read more

Great service and food for a reasonable price. The patio on the water was a great atmosphere for a great meal.

Maxfields is as good as it gets for Potsdam (and probably the North Country) as far as bars go. It's the only bar in town where you can have a conversation with the person sitting next to you because their voice isn't being drowned out by Lil' Wayne on the jukebox and the only bar in town where it's a rarity to see a group of popped collar sporting brahs yelling obscenities and chugging Coors Light. They have a great beer selection with tons of microbrews on tap and their mixed drinks are solid. Food wise, they are inconsistant. The last time I was at Maxfields, I ordered a plate a fried calamari and was given about half the amount as the last time I ordered it. That same night, my girlfriend ordered French Onion Soup and rather than telling her that they didn't have any, they gave her clam chowder and then proceeded to take our plates while we were still eating. Strangely enough, the owner of the bar was sitting at the next table during this. read more

Good food but when I went there after the waitress gave us our food she disappeared. The hostess refilled our drinks and gave us check. When we got up to leave I saw our waitress behind the bar. read more

Absolutely terrible service. Bartenders were inattentive and when they did finally notice us, were very rude. One young lady even told me to "calm the f*!# down". Needless to say, I won't be coming back. read more

I downloaded yelp and created a profile to write this. I'm extremely disappointed with my experience tonight. Our reservation was at 7:30, and while we did arrive 15 minutes early, we were all done being served at 8:00. My grandparents arrived early for a drink at the bad. We brought them over to our table, were brought our menus and left to sit. Our waitress came over and introduced herself and told us something about the steak, which we couldn't bear because it's so loud. We were then brought drink menus a few minutes later. We ordered drinks and dinner. Drinks were brought, followed two minutes later by our appetisers. The bread was three minutes later, with no butter. Before we were done with our appetisers our entrees were on the table. Before the butter was brought out. The linguini was under seasoned, the lobster risotto had no lobster, and the steak that was ordered rare was brought medium. Later we realised that our waitress had said steaks tonight were only mid rare, but this wasn't reconfirmed when we ordered the $36 steak. As I write this our plates still have not been cleared, in fact, not a single dish has been. We were never asked how things were, or if we wanted anything else. We had to flag someone down every time we needed anything. This has been disappointing overall. I understand that it's graduation weekend, but we're disappointed. read more

The strangest thing about Maxfield's is that they offer the widest selection of beer on tap in town, but unfortunately is it often totally flat when served. This has been an issue there for years, and has been explained that they don't clean their CO2 lines out enough. The menu is good, and strikes a nice balance between filling and healthy. The deck is nice in the summer. read more

I like Maxfield's a lot. The facility itself is well decorated and maintained; the staff is good at night and excellent during the day for business lunches. The food is consistantly good and the menu changes with enough frequency that you never get bored; generally speaking the "specials" are better than the regular menus. The menu isn't huge, and I wouldn't recommend it to people dining with children. Although the food is good, the palate is a bit sophisticated for a child or picky eater. This is the place I recommend to people who are coming in from out of town, along with the 1844 House. read more

I really hope that the owners read these reviews. Please clean the beer-tap lines more regularly. i have stopped ordering your draft beer because it always tastes weird and gross. The bar area always smells funky too. Also, the bathrooms are down-right scary. Put up some new paint and clean those things. These are all basic food service issues. Just because you are the only bar in town doesn't make it ok to just give up. I wont even mention the food. which is prepared on the same floor as the bathrooms. the thought of even eating in the same building as those bathrooms makes me wanna go home and take a shower. yikers! read more

Great atmosphere. Really good menu different kind of food choices. Great draft beer selection.

Horrible service, being a male means you get served last, usually I appreciate this establishment, but it might be time for a new staff.

I was visiting my sister for her birthday and thought this restaurant would be a nice place to take her. The soup and apps were great, and the service and food went down from there. We ordered drinks, which came out missing half of the ingredients. Next came my dinner which was cold and tasteless. I asked for my steak to be cooked medium, it came out medium well to well and was freezing cold. Our table of 6 wasn't half way done with our meal before the waiter came over and asked us if we saved room for desert, and kept coming back to the table every 5 minutes after that pestering us to pay the bill. I will never go back to this place, there are much better options in Potsdam. read more

Overly priced, inattentive staff, and yes its summer, but no excuse to have flies buzzing around everywhere. Had to go to the bar to get ketchup for my burger and fries as the waitress was AWOL after the food delivery. Waitress claimed back door left open to patio (where flies coming from) for "safety" reasons, total nonsense. "Manager" on duty wouldn't give us anything off the bill or at least a round of drinks after I showed him a fly I killed on the table. Will NEVER go back. read more

Very good food. The best restaurant in Potsdam. It's pricey, but the service is very good. The coffee is excellent, and they have really good desserts. read more

Maxfield's offers good food and the best bar in Potsdam, especially if you're a fan of beers and ales. The bar has a pub atmosphere while the dining room aspires to "casual elegance." A major plus in the summer is the deck seating overlooking the Racquette River. Live music is sometimes featured. My experience with the food here has been quite positive on the whole. On the downside, service at the bar is often poor: when the bar is busy (as it often is after 5:00) it can take 10 minutes or more to be served. Another irritation is the fact that the management sometimes chooses to impose a cover charge at the door even when there is no entertainment. I find this unacceptable, especially since the price of the drinks is already rather high, so I choose to go elsewhere when there is a cover charge. read more

Had dinner there recently and was very disappointed. The restaurant is nice and good location. Waitress was personable and fine. Fresh rolls were actually very good but from there it went straight downhill. French Onion soup had no flavor, my chicken Ceasar was awful. Little lettuce with poor dressing and chicken tasted like ti was frozen and fast thawed that night., My wife had the pork chop special and it was okay. Mashed potatoes extremely clumpy and veggies sad looking. On top of that is was $32 for hers plus $4 for her dinner salad, Even the drinks were disappointing. Overall while there are not a lot of options in the area we will be looking elsewhere.. read more

The seating outdoors is really cool and they always have awesome beer on tap that you can't always find at other bars/restaurants. The food, however, is simply ok. I've gone more times with friends to hang out on the deck and have a couple beers more than eat at the restaurant. read more

Stopped here for lunch. The food was fantastic quality and very generous portions! Also the service was extremely friendly and accommodating. We sat on the back deck and the view was beautiful. I would highly reccomend this restaurant, and if I find myself in Potsdam again I will certainly return. read more

The outdoor patio area is really nice. If you want to go have a few beers with friends in the summer, it's a great place to go. Just get there early and leave before the college students arrive if you're looking for a quiet atmosphere and want to be able to have a conversation. Once they arrive it gets loud and a little rowdy. The bathrooms are also extremely small and pretty gross most of the time. I've been once for lunch and once for dinner. My lunch was fine, but my dinner was awful. They jack up their food prices because there aren't many nice places to eat in the area, but anywhere else there's no way you could charge so much for food that crappy. They do have darts, which can be fun, and the location right downtown is nice. read more