Just had our first visit to Maxie's this past Saturday. Wow, what took us so long?! Clearly one of the best meals I've had out in a long time. We arrived just before 6pm and the place was PACKED. There was a 30 minute wait we were told, which turned out to be more like 10-15 (Yeah!). I won't bother getting into too much detail as it's clearly been reviewed at length here. There are baskets of fresh cornbread and butter brought to the table. Yes! If you like sea food/fish, get it. My wife had the trout, and was casually informed it had most likely been swimming earlier that morning in Madison. It was FRESH! My daughter had the ribs and mac n' cheese---exceptional. My pulled pork sandwich with the vinegar based sauce was memorable. The place apparently does an amazing business as witnessed this evening. People just kept pouring in the door the entire time we were there. The decor/atmosphere is "southern comfort (able)" to a tee. A new favorite in my old home town... read more

It's hard to say which part of our experience added the most to the five star rating. We began with a wine and a beer, both expertly described by our server, Chris, to hit the spot perfectly. We ordered the peel and eat shrimp and the fried green tomatoes, which all (drinks, too) fell under the Sunday but happy hour anyway umbrella. We got a through run down of the menu and the special menu so we felt confident splitting a full rack of ribs. The ribs were so incredible that we totally forgot about the hand cut fries and the baked beans that tasted like a thick winter chili. The arugula and corn salad cleansed our palette just as Chris suggested it would. We ended up taking a slice of the Key Lime Pie for the road and mapping out more MKE Hop Happy to bring back to Chicago with us. I am very picky. The bathrooms were clean (the ladies' even had a space heater in it!). The hostess with short, dark hair was charming and was able to answer our out-of-towner questions. Why leave Chicago when food is so good there? Maxie's. We don't even own cars, but we will rent to visit this spot again. read more

Definitely one of my favorite restaurants in the Milwaukee area. I love cajun/creole type food, and Maxie's does it perfectly. The only reason I didn't give them 5 stars is because they don't take reservations, and on a Friday or Saturday night the wait can get VERY long, and if the bar area is full (which it usually is) there's really no waiting area. The food though - the food is excellent. We tried the fried green tomatoes (they were on happy hour special, 1/2 off, only cost us $3.50). They were very good; you could taste the tartness of the green tomato which paired well with batter. They would probably be even better if they were pan fried or if the batter was a little thinner, but those are minor quibbles. The baskets of free corn bread and butter they bring around are great! The cornbread is addicting... it's ever so slightly sweet, and when we finished our first basket they brought us another one promptly. I found this to be much tastier than the free bread you get at some Italian places. The entrees were perfect. I had the Shrimp & Grits, 1/2 order (note, the 1/2 order is Very big, definitely enough for one person, so only order the whole order if you want leftovers or are splitting it). My dining companion had the Jambalaya and it was also very good. Big chunks of very tender grilled chicken, slightly smokey andouille, and large shrimp. All the meat was cooked perfectly and when paired with the super-fresh tomato chunks and rice it made for a very flavorful dish. My only comment would be that it could have been just a touch thicker. I've had the Jambalaya at Molly Cool's and it was perfect (all the same perfection with the meats, but in a slightly think sauce that held the rice and everything together just a little bit). Again, more of an observation than a complaint. The Jambalaya is also very big on portion, you will most likely have left overs for at least one more meal. All in all, a very good value for the amount/quality of food you're getting for the price. Decor is casual-upscale, but definitely not stuffy at all. Service was very good, no complaints. Try the Key Lime Pie for dessert. Easily as good as any other Key Lime Pie I've ever had. read more

Pulled pork and mac n cheese is sooo good. Also tried the ranch cheese Burger, the food was amazing. Long wait and expensive drinks, but we will be back. read more

Special place...outstanding service, flavorful/plentiful food, free cornbread was moist and jummy. Gumbo was a little tame (except for the sausage). Was glad I split the bacon meatloaf with a friend...demi-portions were just right for us. read more

If I could give Maxie's 4.5 out of 5, I think it would fit best. We dined here multiple times during our three year stay in Milwaukee. The tofu wings are unlike anything I've ever had, and I typically hate tofu! We asked for the recipe, but the chef(s) thoughtfully declined that request. I never had a bad meal or lackluster cocktail during any of our visits. I often ordered the jambalaya, which is knockout (both the standard and veggie version, which my wife loved). Their cornbread is a bit sweet, but tasty. They have some killer mac 'n' cheese depending on the night and every fish I consumed was awesome. I can't wait to go back if we make it to Milwaukee again. read more

Great southern comfort food! Everything was great, I had the catfish and it was quite tasty. Very good selection of beer (Matilda on tap!) and wines. And the waitress was great, very knowledgeable and nice. Definitely would go back again. read more

I've heard so much great things about Maxie's, and was very eager to try it out. I met a group of friends out on a Thursday night. It was packed as could be, and standing room only at the bar. The drinks where great, as was the service. Things cleared out a bit after we were seated. I had the chicken fried steak, on recommendation, and it was wonderful. I'm not a huge fan of spicy food, and I was a bit surprised by the slight kick it had, but I rather enjoyed it. Just enough to add fun and flavor, but not over the top cajun, burning my mouth. The only reason I can't give it 5 stars is because it was SO hot in restaurant, it was uncomfortable. I'm sure the sheer volume of guests in the establishment compounded the situation. Other than that, the whole dining experience was a great one! read more

Excellent food, amazing service. Since becoming vegetarian, I have missed jambalaya big time. Maxie's delivers a wonderful veg.jambalaya that's not too be missed! read more

Had a great dinner on the patio with my boyfriend. Corn bread was pretty good. A little pricey but good ambiance. I would go back

So I went here with a friend because it's one of her favorite restaurants and I had yet to try it. I was actually able to find parking right away (granted it was 5:30 on a Wednesday) and I thought the decor and "vibe" was awesome. Very warm and welcoming! We got a couple cocktails, I had the hurricane and my friend had like a blackberry old fashioned (or something, I can't remember). The drinks were super delicious and pretty strong. The cornbread was soooooo good, very cakey and moist. I'm typically not a corn bread gal but I could eat these for days. We ordered the fried green tomatoes. The sauce they came with was super good, the crust was very thick and the tomatoes were cut thicker than I typically have them. I don't know, they were good, not great. I think if I had gone with my man I would have gotten their barbecue, but it's a bit pricey and I knew I couldn't handle that large of a dish on my own. Instead I got the gumbo. The housemade andouille sausage had a lot of flavor but otherwise it was kind of a let down. It was not very warm when I got it, I finally had to stop because it got cold (and I'm an extremely fast eater so that says a good deal about the starting temperature). Also, it really wasn't spicy at all and the rice wasn't cooked through all the way. I'd definitely give it another shot, every restaurant has off days, but I expected a lot better. read more

Simply told my table "I'm so happy right now". The shrimp and grits is just too good.

The raw oysters and the My-O-My-A jambalaya are my recommendations. The atmosphere didn't match the cuisine for me, but with the right company, this is a great date spot. read more

Eat here often and the food and drinks are always excellent. The service is also excellent. Food is always hot when served. If they have the fried chicken ice cream and waffle again, it is a must try. read more

Most of the dishes are excellent. Be prepared to wait a long time for a table, but rewarded with good food and service. The only disappointment is the brisket which is swimming in BBQ sauce. This is not how to serve southern style brisket! Disgusting. Shrimp and Grits is my favorite dish here. read more

Maxie's is the absolute best. It is my all time favorite restaurant. The vibe and atmosphere is really cool. The waiters and waitresses are very nice and professional. The food is fantastic. The cornbread is a great free snack before you get your order. I am a huge fan of the pulled pork platter and the mac n' cheese side. Overall, amazing restaurant! read more

Great restaurant, affordable prices for food - brunch and lunch food are excellent, lots of options

Great Oysters, both raw and cooked. Great friends and conversation. Great Atmosphere. Bad Value: $160 bill for 4 people. Got the bill and thought, this was tasty but not worth $40/person. Much better values out there. Next! read more

I recently discovered Maxie's, and it has quickly become a favorite. This place is certainly a diamond in the rough. Considering that the 68th street exit off of I-94 is not exactly a mecca for restaurants, I was a bit skeptical at first. The minute I stepped inside, I forgot that was in the Brew City and felt more like I was in the Big Easy. The Po-Boys and fried green tomatoes are delicious. The raw bar is good, however I wish they had a wider selection of clams. I will certainly be back and will even bring my friends from the south! read more

I LOVE THIS PLACE!. We are so lucky to have this restaurant in Milwaukee. I almost felt like I was in another city going there. I worked in a restaurant for many years, so I always have high expectations when I go out. The staff is incredibly friendly and knowledgeable about the menu. Happy Hour that night offered discounted micro brews and the "Booyah" is one to definitely try. We had to wait a little while for a table of 4, but after a few drinks it was all good. We shared fried pickles as an appetizer, which I have to say is one of the best I've ever had. I had the gourmet macaroni for my dinner and it was amazing. I shared some sweet potato fries, too. All of the dishes were bursting with flavor. I've traveled a lot and of course eaten at a variety of places, but this experience was very memorable for me. All in all, Maxie's really hits the spot. I dream about this place ;) read more

I am a repeat customer. I can't believe I didn't think to write a review before because this place is beyond amazing. The staff is knowledgeable and friendly staff, the food is consistently excellent (including fresh oysters flown in daily), and the atmosphere is inviting. This place is really a gem. I can't think of one aspect about it that is less that great. read more

After 5 visits to Maxie's I figured a review was in order. Food here has always been delicious but the reason for the 3 star review is the inconsistency in service. During our last visit we had our worst experience yet. We had tickets to the Trans Siberian Orchestra concert and chose Maxie's for dinner with my fiancé and her parents. Though we arrived early in the evening on a Sunday (5:00ish) we were informed when we attempted to order the brisket that they were all out. Disappointing. One member of our group ordered a side of Mac and Cheese, and after inquiring multiple times with our server it finally arrived after more than 30 minutes. Really? By that point three of us had already cleared our plates from the table. Will we be back? Probably. But with so many local options, we'll give this place some time to improve. read more

Jumboli was delicious. Also recommend crab cakes and the Brisket for the entrée. Yum!!

Great food, good atmosphere. I felt some of the menu items were overpriced for what you get. The cornbread is a nice touch.

Absolutely LOVE Maxi's. Great Southern food and service. Chicken fried chicken is the best. Sweet potato fries is a must. You have to come and try and make sure that you ask for Jamie for great service! read more

A deservedly popular spot. Great food, very busy atmosphere (can get loud). Go here when you want something creative and fun. Fried green tomatoes are a must, and be sure to try a Vespalec or Sazerac. read more

Have never had a bad meal here. Their mac and cheese inside 2nd best in the world (after mine of course). Their corn bread far surpasses mine though. So many great comfort food options here. They have a great staff as well. read more

I remember when this place was a grocery store! Maxie's move in was a game changer for the foodie wave of changes to come to this area. The menu and drinks are excellent as is the staff taking care of you. It can be busy and loud but all good restaurants are. I'd say this is tasty comfort food at it's best. Also great options for lighter eaters and vegetarians. read more

Casual atmosphere. Very friendly service, and the food was excellent.

I'm a huge fan of Southern and Creole cuisine, and Maxie's has become one of my local favorites. Eating at Maxie's has always been a fun experience. The waitstaff is great and very knowledgeable of their menu, the owner often stops by the table to say hi or to meet you, and there's a comforting sense of camaraderie in the dining room. The drink selection is authentic and offers a number of southern staples. The menu is small, but offers a good variety, and weekly specials add a opportunity to try something new. This is one of the few places in the area to enjoy quality fresh oysters from a number of excellent sources. Desserts are always top notch. For the price, you can't do much better in this city. read more

Sometimes you walk into a new restaurant and just feel happy. I did last night at Maxie's. A quick wait for a table, warm, inviting decor, friendly staff with lots of suggestions on what to order. Today we eat the leftovers, exceptional macaroni and cheese, greens, chicken fried chicken, pecan crusted trout. We were checking out our neighbor's plates, already planning our next meal. We highly recommend Maxie's! read more

Disappointed to say the least. My party of 4 arrived at 6:30 pm last Saturday and waited 1 hour and 45 minutes for a table. I ordered the "small plate" redfish for $14.95, because the waitress told us it was enough for a dinner. OK, I get it, the menu said "small plate" however, I think this was meant to be an overpriced appetizer at best. The fish portion was so small there was maybe 4 bites with a dusting of slaw and a drop of some greens. I am a light eater, so I prefer smaller servings, but for that price I do expect some food. read more

Everything here is wonderful - food, service, atmosphere. It is one of our favorite restaurants. The fried green tomatoes are about the best thing I've ever tasted. Also love their chicken friend chicken and smoked tofu jambalaya. Leave room for dessert because their key lime pie and daily specials are delicious! read more

Sat at the bar when they were just opened. Both bartenders looked at me and left me alone (???) for at least 5 minutes. Finally they approach and I get to order, the food is so good but inexplicably ALWAYS COLD. I don't know if it sits in the kitchen before coming to the table or it comes out that way. Also, to go items not sealed and spill all over the car. read more

From the few opinions I've received I've heard great things about this place. Although we did not set high expectations, both my mother and I were incredibly disappointed. We went today at 4:15, right after the opened. + No wait, cute atmosphere, attentive waitress. We both started with cocktails, a mojito and an anticuado. The mojito was good but the anticuado was watery, though boozy. We ordered an appetizer of fried green tomatoes, the crab cakes, and the halibut. Both of us cook with fresh/decent ingredients at home often, enjoy trying interesting foods, and we're open minded when it comes to restaurants. Given this, we honestly thought all of the food was frozen. The fried green tomatoes were thin slices of tomato mush with a hard layer of fried bread crumbs. The fish was rubbery and tasted off. The sides (sweet potato fries, corn salad, asparagus, rice and beans, hominy, slaw) were bland, overcooked, not spiced well, and everything was lukewarm to cold. I could have made these dishes better at home, especially for that ridiculous price. Even the very simple items were unenjoyable -its a bit difficult to mess up sweet potato fries or a corn salad. The best part of the meal was the mojito. I would not go back. read more

My rate is a 3.5. Been to Maxie's many times so I like it enough to go back. They have a couple of dishes that I really like, but the sides served with them could use some improvement. Their vegetarian jambalaya is yummy, but the spinach was overcooked and red beans in rice were oddly chewy but they were tasty. Wish the whole meal was as good as the jambalaya. Their BBQ organic tofu is my favorite, that would get five stars. Fries are over seasoned. Fried green tomatoes are perfection, but give us some more of that tasty side sauce! Cornbread is really good but could be better if served warm. Desserts make up for any imperfections. I think they may have the best desserts in town. I won't go there on a weekend as it is overcrowded and noisy and service can be either too rushed or too slow. The ambiance is nice but tables can be too close together so you may want to go upstairs where there is more room to stretch out. Maxie's is pricey considering it's casual atmosphere but they do offer some dishes that you just can't find around here. Staff has always been friendly, helpful and kind. read more

Great restaurant with a super happy hour. They also have wonderful daily specials. Service is quick & attentive. Food selection rocks!

Awesome food! Great price! We had sweet potatoes fries, muscles, green fried tomatoes and chowder soup- everything was on point but I think the soup was best.. Its a nice little place with great energy, if you want some Cajun seafood Maxie's is the place to go. Our server was very knowledgeable, recommended few things off the menu and checked on us multiple time. Will definitely be back read more

Just ate here last night with some friends and had another great experience. If you like southern comfort food, you can find no place better in Milwaukee. Great options, killer specials, and wonderful atmosphere. read more

We would give Maxie's 5 thousands starts if we could. The food is literally the absolute best in terms of comfort food.