Parents weekend at CWRU end I thought this place would be quite a bit busier. We had a reservation which helped. Packed in pretty tight and service was a bit slow, but we weren't in much of a rush. Started with calamari (excellent) and escargot (different presentation, not in the shell, but tasty). Wine selection is solid. Main courses were: spaghetti and meatballs, bolognese with fat noddles (can't spell the name), shrimp with pasta and a meatball pizza. Spaghetti and meatballs was fine, sauce a bit sweet and meatballs were underwhelming. Bolognese was solid, great flavor and prepared well. Shrimp with pasta was good. Pizza was heavily covered in cheese, almost too much. The sauce was pedestrian at best, probably should have doused my piece with pepper flakes. read more

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The food was pretty good and quick. However, service was lacking. No waiter for at least 10 minutes after being seated. Waiter was inattentive just chatting with people before asking if we need a drink. Then another 10 minutes to get drinks!!! It wasn't like they were getting slammed. At end of dinner, plates had all been cleared for at least another 10 minutes or so before waiter came over to ask if we wanted dessert or coffee. This place was recommended by a friend. Not sure I would do the same. read more

What a nice evening we had. We took in the lights at the zoo and then had reservations at Maxie's. I always love going to Little Italy this time of year but unfortunately there was no snow so that was kind of a bummer. The only real negative I can think of is parking is really really bad however we were able to secure a street spot in relatively short order and it was right in front of the restaurant so that's a win. The tables in Maxie's are really really close together but it's really kind of cool it has a sopranos vibe to it and you can imagine what that place was like in the sixties and seventies. Although you could say not much has changed their bathrooms are recently remodeled and they look beautiful. My chair was pushed all the way back against another guy's chair but you kind of get used to it it wasn't too bad. We ordered some fresh mozzarella and our server brought out some bread and dipping oil kind of wish there were some vinegar to go along with it too. I'm normally a chicken parmesan guy but the cavatelli and meatballs was calling my name so I went with it. I'm not that kind of guy where I can tell whether or not pasta is fresh or not but I'm 99% sure that this was fresh pasta. The meatballs were really good and generally when I cook meatballs I always overcook them but these were perfectly cooked and there was no flat Brown side where they were sitting in a pan I don't know how they cook them but I'd like to figure that one out. We have a nice bottle of wine and then finished up our night with some tiramisu and some coffee. Our last experience there wasn't so good but this one was definitely awesome. But be prepared the prices of everything have going up and our meal all in was $175 for four people but I enjoyed the food I enjoyed the service and the atmosphere. Merry Christmas everybody read more

Great experience here! Three of us arrived at about 7:30pm on this July Sunday and were seated right away on the lovely patio outside. It is gorgeous out there! The restaurant was just the right amount of busy, people around but not super crowded or loud. Our server was great too - friendly and kind and the right amount of attentive for us. She even allowed us to split the bill in a specific way with no qualms! Much appreciated. We ordered the Maxi's pizza and calamari pasta to split between the three of us and enjoyed them both. The pasta had a good amount of calamari and the escarole and red peppers throughout were tasty. We all loved the pizza too - especially the fresh basil! I even ate the last two pieces today as leftovers and it was still delicious. The free bread and oil that was brought to the table was a nice touch too...the bread was warm and crusty and the oil with red pepper flakes complemented it nicely. A great experience all around :) read more

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Food was horrible, service was okay and the restaurant had flies everywhere. Which makes me think a food code is being broken. The ambiance was okay... it's a cute bar just that the flys are a turn off and makes the environment seem dirty. I am a foodie and got the margarita pizza. When I got my pizza I was surprised that it was just all cheese with gigantic thick slices of tomato and no basil. This was by far the worst Italian restaurant I have been to. I do not feel it deserves more than 1 star. This establishment needs lots of work. read more

Very pretty outdoor patio in the back, service is always super nice, the mussels pasta is so good, a giant bowl of perfectly cooked pasta with a garlic and white wine sauce with tons of mussels on top. Also there stand during the feast is always my favorite, the stewed tripe was very soft and was in a very flavorful tomato broth with lots of tender vegetables too. The sautéed frog legs were super tender, buttery, and salty that went great with a squeeze of lemon. The calamari though is my favorite thing on the menu, cooked perfectly with a light dusting of flour and flash fried, then cooked in there fresh tomato basil sauce and served with lemon, amazing! read more

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I'm not usually the type of person to order something more than once--I'm the person that orders that weird new drink at a coffee shop, and I rarely bake the same recipe twice unless it's per request. But Maxi's, you have changed my philosophy solely through your funghi pizza. It's got this amazing cheese pull and the first bite floods your mouth with the most aromatic garlic flavor you can imagine. The mushrooms have a nice meaty bite to them, and even the bell peppers are seasoned well! I waited two years until I got it again, but it was still able to live up to the idealized memory I had in my mind :) read more

Maxi's - Funghi Pizza - Italian Near Me - Cleveland, Ohio

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Great atmosphere, great staff, decent prices, nice selection of options! We got a Maxi's pizza and a fresh mozzarella salad. Very tasty! The pizza got just a touch soupy in the very center but was very good. I'd like to try a different one next time. Definitely going back. read more

We used to LOVE maxis. Until after Covid. They have gone way down hill. We loved the pizza either way artichokes , olives. Lots of cheese. The seafood pasta. Always a staple when going to Cleveland. For 10 years. We dive an hour and 30 min. After being severely disappointed 3 times. We quit going. The last time , the calamari was soggy and rubbery . So sad. I used to love this place read more

Party of 6 on the back patio in February. Excellent service and wonderful food! The covered, heated patio is very nice in the winter with a lot of light. The service was remarkable. read more

Sure, the ambiance was lovely for a date--dimly lit, cast in a microwave-red glow and quiet. But how do you mess up linguini and clams?! Firstly, they don't call it that--it's Clams Pasta to you, lol! Secondly, the bowl was GIANT and the pasta took up like 10% of the plating real estate. Thirdly, it was the blandest food I've ever had. This is the first time I've had to ask for salt and pepper at a restaurant. Even that was not enough to impart flavor...had to dump in the olive oil from our bread dip...that's a new low. My date's meatier pasta dish looked heartier but for the price, it was not worth it. read more

Walked in at 3:30 in the middle of the World Cup and was seated immediately. We decided on bruschetta classico, the spinach ravioli, and farfalle. Everything was outstanding but I gotta say the farfalle with Italian sausage, hot banana peppers, red and green peppers with a tomato sauce was really the star. That said, don't get it if you don't like some heat as I was happily sweating away as I ate it. It is one of those where you start to feel the mouth burn when you aren't actively eating it so you get another bite and the cycle begins again and you think "man that was delicious...holy crap that is getting hot and I need more". Two entrees and the appetizer with a soda ran us $62. Not cheap but absolutely worth it. read more

Maxi's - Farfalle with Italian Sausage and Peppers - Italian Near Me - Cleveland, Ohio

Stopped by Maxi's for lunch after touring Case Western and had a decent experience. It has relatively classy vibes and a nice back patio where my friend and I were seated. Our experience with the staff here was not the best. Our hostess seemed super uncomfortable and confused as to why we were standing in the doorway when we were waiting to be seated. Our server did not seem to like us at all; he was attentive to the tables next to us but always seemed to walk away instead of swinging around to our table. These interactions made our experience at maxi's a little off-putting. For food we ordered the spinach ravioli and one of their pizzas. The portions were huge; we had 3 or 4 slices of pizza left to take home. The ravioli was delicious!! The sauce was so flavorful and the pasta was good too. We asked for extra bread to dip in the sauce. We also added meatballs for an additional charge and they were not worth it at all. 2 small, possibly frozen meatballs for $4. The pizza was very mediocre at best. It had toppings that were flavorful in theory - hot peppers and sausage, but somehow still tasted like nothing. The crust was thick and doughy and I didn't want to eat more than one slice. Overall, Maxi's is a nice place to go to lunch with friends, especially if the weather is nice and you want to sit outside. However, I cannot definitively recommend it over the other restaurants you can find in Little Italy. The staff could be nicer and the food is a little pricey for what it is. read more

Maxi's - Alex Pizza - Italian Near Me - Cleveland, Ohio

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Went for lunch. Wasn't overly impressed but would go back. The stuffed pepper appetizer was the bomb and the highlight of the meal. Bread was nothing special. Got the Chicken Piccata as recommended. It was solid not great. Everything was homemade. The pasta sauce was good. My dining partner had chicken and pasta. Same reaction good not great. Server was personable and good Space was tight and patron behind me kept bumping into back of my seat. $90 lunch for 2 should have been better read more

Terrible service restaurant was empty just 2 table asked for a straw never received it ordered a side of pasta it came it cold

The food was absolutely amazing, very authentic. The service as well was very attentive and quick.

Came out here for dinner with a friend on the patio during covid, they have a few tables out front and a back patio as well! I always enjoy their pastas here, very fresh and delicious, i think they're handmade. I got the goat cheese ravioli this time in a cream sauce, which was so flavorful and amazing and delicious. We had the fried fresh mozzarella as an appetizer which was great as well, and the arugula salad which was very fresh and had a light olive oil dressing. They give you some complimentary bread and olive oil as well (extra charge for additional bread/oil because of covid). Overall I really like this place, one of my favorites in little Italy. read more

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3 / 5 I ordered the following: 1. Little Italy Pizza $17.00 2. Tiramisu $8.00 3. Arugla Salad $12.00 Not so good vibes 1. The pizza was definitely the saltiest I've ever had in my pizza career, and that's quite a bit of pizza I'm comparing it to! Not to rude, but it was salty to the point I was only able to eat the crust. 2. The salad was 90% arugula, 5% raw onion, 5% parmesan, and a lemon vinaigrette on the side. I felt like it was lacking a little bit of variety despite what was to be paid for. Good vibes 1. Tiramisu - definitely my favorite. Good portioned and you can smell the rum. It was done right! 2. Argula salad - the arugula was fresh and portions were generous. I didn't see any leaves turning dark green or mushy. I understand that these questions tough times in COVID, but the pizza was a huge letdown. I was not expecting an Italian restaurant to falter on this one. Ultimately I did like their tiramisu and arugula salad. If I were to come back I ordered another pizza. read more

Maxi's - Little Italy Pizza - Italian Near Me - Cleveland, Ohio

Calamari was awesome. I loved the sauce that was on spinach ravioli. Pizza and chicken Parmesan was well received by my associates too. Nice bar, nice ambiance and a cozy place to eat. read more

Visited here twice the week of 25 March 2024. Maxi's was fantastic; hence the second visit only three days apart. The first trip, I had the Linguine & Meatballs and family had pizza. The sauce is just to my liking - on the sweet side with a bit of kick. The second trip, we had Chicken Parmesan, Penne and meatballs, and Bolognese w/Pappardelle. Bruschetta for appetizer and cannoli's, peach sorbet, and Limoncello creme for dessert. Absolutely fantastic for out non-gourmet, simple taste buds. Pick the patio seating if given the option - was the only option for our second trip (highly suggest reservations); I was hesitant because it was 40 degrees and windy outside, but the patio is enclosed with heaters and was great. We will definitely make this our regular Italian joint on our visits!! read more

Best food in Little Italy. Always hot and cooked to order. We eat at the bar but they have a lovely patio. read more

Maxi's - Yummy Food!!! - Italian Near Me - Cleveland, Ohio

Service not great. We had a reservation for 13. They had our two tables split across the restaurant. They have NO high chairs and it smells like cow poo. They absolutely knew we had to separate parties. read more

Food was just ok in my opinion. This place is very small so where we sat we were wedged between two tables. Our chairs were about an inch away from touching the chairs at the table beside us. Our server was kind and attentive even though they were busy. We will likely not be returning. read more

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Hidden gem! We were attending a wedding at the church next door and stopped in to get a bite to eat before the ceremony. They were super friendly and great service. We sat at the bar and enjoyed the complimentary bread and dip! We got the mozzarella tomato salad which was delicious. Then we got the the pepperoni pizza which was by far one of the best pepperoni pizzas we have ever had. Will definitely come back if we are ever in Cleveland. Highly recommend. read more

Maxi's - Traditional Pepperoni Pizza - Italian Near Me - Cleveland, Ohio

Great Space. Great vibes. Great food. I've been there a few times, but my most recent visit was a Friday afternoon for a drink and some lunch. We sat at the bar because they were very busy. Ordered my go to, the calamari and the bolognese. Both were great. read more

This is the first time I ordered from them I'm staying at the hotel at the Cleveland Clinic and I went to their website and solid they offer delivery actually I went to yelp's website and saw that they offer delivery so I place the order and I waited for confirmation that was supposed to be sent but I never got it. I did finally get the delivery but it was wrong while the order was correct the driver just never picked up the pizza so essentially paid $50 for two peppers. When I call the restaurant to complain I got the manager or a manager named RJ and he said look we don't offer delivery I don't know anything about this and I explained how I ordered through Yelp and he wasn't really familiar with Yelp but I said trust me it's a big deal I'm one of their elite members and this is the way that I order food all the time is through Yelp this is where I get my reviews he went on to say that there wasn't anything he could do that I'd have to call whoever made the delivery and I said luck you guys made the choice of offering delivery on Yelp so you guys should stand behind it. He said I don't know anything about that. When I told him I was at the Cleveland Clinic you should look it's slow right now I will just drive it over to you and I was really grateful for that. turns out he was absolutely right when I contacted the company GrubHub which I guess runs the delivery service they said that the restaurant has nothing to do with it and I don't exactly understand how they could offer delivery services on the Yelp website without the permission or approval of the restaurant itself that seems awful strange. I wanted to go downstairs and tip the manager who made this generous offer to deliver this and he just left it at the front desk so I never got the chance. So RJ let me say thanks for going out of the way to do this it is grubhub's fault and I certainly don't want to use them again they were pretty bad in the language department when it came to customer service but as a restaurant I really appreciate them doing the right thing. read more

We ate dinner here last night... very, very mediocre. The service was not very attentive, and we were the only customers inside at a table next to the bar (there were two or three occupied tables in the rear terrace area). The calamari was mushy and just barely warm. There wasn't any sauce or marinara with it so we asked for some. The waitress delivered a shot glass of ice cold marinara. They added $1.00 on the bill for it. The pasta was gummy, sticky and chewy and pretty awful. We will not be returning. read more

Had an opportunity to bring my crew here over the holiday season on a Tuesday. No shortcuts, and the same level of service back when it was only my family of three. Fair price - outstanding food - old school service. If you're confused about "old school service" to me it is when I show up at a steakhouse in Chicago- the server tells me this is what you're going to order. (Gibson's - etc..)South side Philadelphia - same deal but it's gonna be cash only. Really appreciate this top notch joint allowing a party of nine during the holiday season - and being ok if the second Uber shows up a bit later. I hope you continue to thrive in this challenging environment! - Casey read more

Great food and service, but they no longer have a lunch menu, was disappointed to have to pay full price for a lunch.

Wife and stopped in for coffee and dessert about 5pm and we're seated at the far end of the bar. Menu's we placed but no service. Bartender was at the front of the bar, mixing several different drinks, for two different groups, one of two people one of three. We're here ten minuetes and he takes orders for all these people, passes us and says be with you in minuete. Now he's entering all the orders into the system, slowly cause he doesn't appear to be proficient. While all this is going on there are no less then five other employees not ten feet from us and no one made a move to take an order, bring water, nada. We left and won't be back. Went next door to Presti's and were treated with respect. read more

Would have been 5 stars until we got Triscuits on the charcuterie board we ordered. WTF??

Some of the best pizza and calamari I've had in Cleveland! Totally recommend it. Atmosphere is great and good customer service also drinks are fantastic! read more

Maxi's - Italian Near Me - Cleveland, Ohio

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A charming spot in a neat part of town. Fast, attentive service and a very good meal.

Terrific, authentic Italian food. Ambiance was wonderful as was the service. Can't go wrong here.

maxi's is my favorite in little italy. the spicy shrimp farfalle is quite literally my favorite italian dish in all of ohio. love it here! read more

Maxi's - Farfalle Pasta - Italian Near Me - Cleveland, Ohio

Excellent all around! Service is fine - food is spectacular. Definitely returning all Summer.

My husband and I had the tomato, mozzarella, and basil salad to start. It was so refreshing and yummy. It can easily feed 3 people. Then we had the traditional pepperoni pizza. It was so good! We we completely satisfied. It was a perfect romantic experience by the window. read more

Fantastic food and service. Friendly staff. RJ and Morgan were great. Other staff checked on me as well. Stuffed banana peppers were amazing. My entree was better. The farafelle pasta (sp). Spicy and good. Large portions. Ambiance is old school. My best Italian experience to date. read more

Disappointing experience. These little Italy restaurants cater mostly to the young tourists who live in the area. Service was terrible waited 15 minutes for a drink and the bartender never looked up. Food was disappointing. Treating people curtly has become legendary in little Italy but with all the great restaurants in Cleveland don't waste your time read more

My husband and I stopped in for drinks and appetizers while waiting for a table down the street. Of all the times we've been to Little Italy we've never been to Maxi's, and we're incredibly disappointed that it took us this long to eat there! We ordered the stuffed hot peppers and the calamari. Both apps were delicious! If we weren't meeting friends we would've canceled our reservations at the other restaurant. We'll be going back for dinner very soon! read more

Maxi's - Calamari and Stuffed Hot Peppers - Italian Near Me - Cleveland, Ohio