MAX's Wine Dive
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I was charged $70-something, and honestly, I was really disappointed with my experience at Max's Wine Dive on Washington. The guy working the bar was really friendly, so I will give credit where it's due. BUT my chicken came out undercooked TWICE. The first time, I took one bite and there was literally blood coming out of it. I sent it back, was very nice about it, and didn't make a big deal. The second plate came out... SAME PROBLEM. At that point I was completely grossed out. I ended up taking the chicken home, where it sat in my fridge until I eventually threw it away. I'm not sure if they're still working out the kinks since the restaurant recently reopened, but for what I paid, I definitely expected better--especially when fried chicken is supposed to be one of their signature dishes. I personally wouldn't recommend going right now. If you do decide to try it, PLEASE cut your chicken open and make sure it's fully cooked before taking a bite. I wish I would've done that the first time. Definitely not the experience I expected.
I met up with a friend and his family for dinner on Saturday evening. I'm unsure if they made a reservation but we were seated promptly and provided water. We were also informed that the menu was available via QR code. Our waitress came shortly after (maybe within 5-10 minutes) and took drink and food orders. Some of us hadn't been ready to order drinks yet since it's on a different tab than the dinner menu online. It took a while to get her attention to come back, but we eventually flagged her down. The drinks and food came out promptly and our waitress checked on us a few times to ensure orders were correct. I got the OG cheeseburger (no pickles) with truffle fries. The burger was pretty solid but a little on the salty side. The cheese (actually, unsure if that was cheese now that I think about it) on the fries were a little hard and honestly unnecessary. The fries themselves were delicious though and I appreciated that they provided the mayo and ketchup separate so you could add it yourself or simply use it to dip the fries. I've been here once before for brunch so this was my first time for dinner. The music was nice and the decor was cohesive. I didn't go to the bathroom so I can't speak to the cleanliness. Overall, I thought it was a pretty good experience and I plan to return for happy hour in the near future.
If you're looking for an unforgettable dining experience in Houston, look no further than Max's Wine Dive on Washington Avenue! Having frequented this gem for over a decade, I can confidently say that their food and service (for the most part) have been exceptionally consistent throughout. The quality of their food is truly outstanding, from their legendary collard greens to my personal fave - the mouthwatering Cracklin' Chicken. Everything is delicious! The atmosphere is vibrant, sultry, and upscale, blending chic and cozy perfectly. The entryway is a standout, featuring amazing lighting and lush seating, making for the perfect photo op. Their wine selection is top-notch, and their service is impressively speedy without sacrificing quality. They are incredibly accommodating, and truly made my last visit feel special. Their prime location combined with ample parking ensures convenience for all guests. Whether you're there for a casual evening, Wednesday Steak Night or a grand celebration, Max's Wine Dive never disappoints! My only feedback is towards service and management - update the menu with what's actually available. The lead waitress basically told me when I picked a Chardonnay out of stock she would just select something comparable for me. I asked if it was house Chardonnay but didn't receive a clear answer. That was off putting, this is a wine themed restaurant and I want to know exactly what I'm drinking. Also, if I ask for the notes in a wine, I expect the waitress to be informed or find out but my question was brushed off.
This was an interesting experience with mixed reviews. The 2for Tuesday deal was amazing. A drink and selected entrees for 20 bucks. The deviled eggs were amazing. The chicken had absolutely no seasoning. However it was perfectly crunchy, which was weird. The empanada was delicious. This is not a bad happy hour for Tuesday. I wouldn't mind going back. Service was also a little different but overall, I enjoyed my experience.
As you can see from the pictures the food looked great. Well it tasted great as well. The chicken and waffles were both chewy, and crispy at the same time. The waffle batter was sweet and the chicken flavored for my taste buds. The service was ok but maybe that was because of how busy they were. I didn't enjoy the way the place is set up because you don't have much room to move around.
Our friend suggested this place so he knew the food was good. We stopped in on Friday and I was surprised that they were serving brunch. The music was good and fit the brunch ambiance, but I felt the music was slightly too loud because it was a group of us. It seemed like it was blaring on that side of the restaurant. It's not brunch unless you can find chicken and waffles. I mean the legit chicken and waffles with fried chicken not chicken tenders. I not only found chicken and waffles with fried chicken but also the "hot" one that's more like Nashville hot. I was pretty impressed with the size of the fried chicken and how perfectly cooked and not dried out! I'd give it a 9/10 just for the perfect crispness and how moist it was. The chicken was nicely marinated or brined. The only thing lacking was more heat and flavor on the "hot". I love spicy so the waitress suggested collard greens because it has a little kick to it. I tasted the little heat, but was too sour for my liking. I've never had collard greens cooked with vinegar for that sourness before so I wasn't expecting that. I found out from my friend that it's the southern way and every place makes them different. It was cooked just right but I'd prefer them prepared without that flavor. I'd definitely be back for the chicken and waffles.
8/10 Ambiance is nice, it is small & cozy. Cute for a little date night or happy hour vibe with your homegirls. I really enjoyed the music playlist. Service was excellent. Now to the food, I got the HONEY BUTTER CHICKEN BENEDICT & H-TOWN HOT FRIED CHICKEN. Both were delicioussss- The only thing I would not get again is the grits, but other than that I will be back. I'm not a fan of grits, and this shows me why lol
I've been coming here for years and it truly used to be one of my favorite neighborhood spots. The service was always great, the staff was warm, and the prices felt fair for what you received. It had that comfortable, local vibe where you could relax and enjoy a solid meal without feeling like you were splurging. Unfortunately, my recent visit was really disappointing. For three pieces of chicken and two sides, my total came to $44 -- for one person. That pricing feels completely disconnected from what the dish actually is. What made it even more surprising is that the cost of that simple chicken plate is now the same as some of the newer menu options like crab legs and crawfish. That just doesn't make sense. On top of that, the ambience has shifted. What once felt like a cozy neighborhood restaurant now feels more "upper echelon," and not necessarily in a way that enhances the experience -- just in a way that justifies higher prices. I understand that costs go up and businesses evolve, but longtime customers notice when value changes this drastically. I truly miss the balance this place used to have between quality, service, and reasonable pricing. I hope they can find their way back to what made it special in the first place.
Not too crowded on a late Saturday evening when we came for a late dinner/drinks. My friend who used to work here always talked about the delicious fried chicken so I was very much looking forward to trying it.. Got the Chicken waffles, fried chicken and tried out a few appetizers like the brussels sprouts and truffle fries. The food was okay, the portions were great though- very generous. The chicken tenders were massive and seasoned well. I could barely make a dent in my waffles and we both had to get to go boxes.. (Waffles are not your typical Belgium waffle in that it seemed more buttery perhaps with the buttermilk recipe) I was not a fan of the "frozen kool-aid", not sure why it was recommended by the waitress but it was literally just champagne and kool-aid pre-mixed, not sure what I was expecting lol, but in my sober state would not opt for any pre-mix high sugar cocktails. I will say the wine list here is extensive, and if we hadn't been already drinking liquor I would've opted for a glass here and enjoy the vibes at the bar. It had the feel of a sports bar more than wine with some TVs showing games and somewhat louder ambiance. Overall it's an upscale comfort food place, good for brunch and a few glasses of wine, they also have happy hour on the weekdays from 3-6 (check out the menu!)
We visited this location for brunch. Upon walking in, we were greeted promptly. When i asked about the chef special, the waiter didnt know. He asked and never got an answer. We decided to go ahead with our order. The food was good. The drawbacks for me was 1. The music was a little louder than my liking and 2. The bathrooms were terrible. They smelled gross and there was mold all around the sink. Although the food was good, i dont think ide go back
2 years ago
3 years ago
Great Service and food. Really affordable and nice vibes. If it is your first time here I would get the fried chicken and Mac and cheese for sure. For sure get wine it the frozen champagne. read more
5 years ago
Pretty cool spot. Great wine and company. Stopped in last min to grab a snack and have some wine. Had the chicken and waffles which were certainly on point. Had the jalapeño batter with freshly made waffle. One thing is for certain the speed of BOH is fast. Didn't wait long for food at all. Then again it was a little slow due to Astros playing. Over all a great time. Cheers read more
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Laurie H.
Hi Timothy, thank you for the kind words and review! We look forward…
5 years ago
Good drinks. Great food! Great music! This place is a total vibe. Definitely a place to invite your mate to brunch! Con: PLEASE be sure to call/txt ahead & make reservations or you will be subjected to sitting at the bar next to us read more
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Laurie H.
Candice, thank you for your kind review! We're happy you enjoyed our…
3 years ago
Hubby and I went here for dinner to celebrate our 16-year wedding anniversary. It's Houston Restaurant week, so we ordered from the set menu, which was a good deal. The portions are a little small, and I prefer white meat over dark meat for the chicken. The salmon was delicious, though, and so was the macaroni and cheese. I loved the ambiance more than anything, and the service was great! I will definitely go back! read more
8 years ago
I visited Max's Wine Dive when I was in town with my sorority for our international conference. My sorority sisters and I was trying to locate a place that would allow all of us to kind of sort of sit together. Max's made great accommodations for us to do this, and they didn't have to. That made the visit decent in my book. This visit was a minute ago but I can say that my food was good. I know some people in my group had a mix up with food and the amount of time it was taking for some people's food to come out. Our mimosas were good. I don't see what the big deal is about the chicken....it was fried chicken. Maybe because I'm from Georgia I've had better. No tea, no shade. The service was great and they accommodated our large party. I really don't have any complaints. read more
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Management T.
Thank you so much for your kind words, Tunicia W.. We really…
4 years ago
This restaurant won best fried chicken in the south and it's well deserved! The rotel was great and so was the wine selection read more
This was the perfect brunch spot. The restaurant is a bit on the small side, but they take reservations, so don't wait for a table! I ordered the chicken and french toast (they let you sub the waffle for french toast with no up charge), but I also got to try the honey butter chicken benedict. Mine was better, by a long shot, but to each its own... The chicken wings were crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, with more meat than what you'd expect from a wing; and, the french toast was fluffy but also moist. I also had a glass of their grapefruit mimosa, which was SO good. The reason for the 4 versus 5 stars is because of the price. $18 for "chicken & waffles" seemed a bit much, but the mimosa was only $5, so I can't complain too much. :) read more
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Management T.
Thank you for the great review, Uyen!! We appreciate your feedback…
3 years ago
Such a vibe! They have a great ambiance, plays mixed music for all crowds and the food is amazing! We just visited this location and I wish I would have taken more pics ahead of devouring the food! Service is so friendly and they have great bar service. Would recommend again and again read more
2 years ago
The food was amazing! Fast service, Kam was a very attentive, sweet, server! I will definitely be back. A nice lowkey vibe. Also I loved the chicken and waffles, I had the wings instead of tenders, yum! Plus the kool aid with champagne , perfect! read more
4 years ago
I've been going to MAX's Wine Dive for years now. I was once told that the owners wife is celiac and that is why they have so many amazing gluten free options. I am not sure if that is true or not, but either way props to them for going above in beyond to allow the celiac community such an unbelievable gluten free dish. The waitresses and waiters are always very knowledgeable. So please, whether you are Celiac or just trying to avoid gluten please give Max'd a chance. You will not be disappointed!!! read more
Eh I am not impressed at all but will give it another try another day maybe. Waitress was not friendly and seemed bothered to wait on us, gave no info about anything on menu. Tried the Southern fried chicken and it was cooked perfect just not much flavor. My daughter got the spicy option and it wasn't very spicy but did have more flavor. We started with a charcuterie board that was ok but nothing special for the $27. Family of 4: 3 friend chicken meals, 3 drinks, 1 side salad, 1 fried mac n cheese appetizer and charcuterie came to $155. read more
4 years ago
I visited Max's Washington location for the first time in yearssss! I was pleasantly surprised to see the quality of food and the vibes were still on point. I ordered the famous southern fried chicken (dark meat) with mashed potatoes and greens. I stopped in for brunch and it wasn't too busy, the service was great. read more
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Laurie H.
Hi Cori', thank you for the wonderful 4 star review. We can’t wait to…
5 years ago
Date night with the Hubby. Nice quaint place great wine collection and service was good. Music was good and so was the over all vibe in this place. Nothing but smiles and good times. Food was ok we had the chicken which came with mashed potatoes and collard greens. The greens touched my soul so I got more to go! The chicken was good great flavor, the potatoes were home made really good and filling. We will definitely be back really enjoyed the atmosphere. read more
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Laurie H.
Charlie, thank you for your review! We love that the greens touched…
3 years ago
3 years ago
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Laurie H.
Hi Bec, we regret to learn that your recent experience with us didn't…
3 years ago
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Laurie H.
Hi Terri, we're truly sorry to hear that your experience fell short…
7 years ago
Business owner information
Management T.
Heather:…
3 years ago
3 years ago
Business owner information
Laurie H.
Hi Taylor, We apologize that your experience with us did not meet or…
7 years ago
Not too bad. I think I like the Max's in Midtown a tiny bit better. Food was good. Service was okay. It was not a very busy night due to the weather so the lack luster service kind of baffled me. Angel was out server/bar tender. She was okay. Seemed very distracted in the beginning and was chatty with hostest. Anyway, the other bar tenders hopped to it and made it up for it. Towards the end everyone got better on being attentive. Probably won't come back to this location. The Midtown location is just more fun and the food is much better. read more
Business owner information
Laurie H.
Hi Germaine, sorry to hear that you did not enjoy our location. I…
Hm. I had heard a lot about this place, but it seems a tad overhyped. Everyone now claims the one in Austin is much better. For some reason, GPS takes you to the back. Anyway, it's a pretty small location--let's say intimate. We ordered some mimosas. The regular ones are $5 a piece and don't seem to have much champagne. The menu leans more towards buying bottles instead. I had the honey butter Benedict. It was actually really good. My friends had the wing and waffle. Comes with 3 wings and a big waffle for like $18. My friend asked for a extra wing and was told it's $5. For one wing. That's a joke. She was also charged $9 for truffle fries. I will say there are locations in town that are more well known that will give you the same food or better and double the amount of wings. Just saying. Service was actually really good & hold it if you have to use the restroom. read more
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Management T.
Thank you for taking the time to rate us, Brenda. We set a high…
4 years ago
Slushy wine was so strong I couldn't finish it. The chicken is cooked to order and was nice and crispy. The staff was great read more
4 years ago
We visit once every so many weeks and are always met with a smile and good conversation. Great wine to choose from and delicious food. read more
7 years ago
A hidden gem on Washington. Literally stumbled upon it while driving one day. So good and the people are so nice. The chicken is everything! read more
2 years ago
4 years ago
Everything was Delicious! I ordered the Fried Chicken, Eggs, greens! Definitely going back read more
4 years ago
I had the best Brussels sprouts and beef short ribs I've ever had in my life. I'm from DC and came to texas for my birthday, I was not disappointed. The bartender and staff were super friendly, the food was again GREAT. I definitely will be back any time I am in Houston. This place has become something I've been talking about since I came home. See ya soon! read more
3 years ago
The size of the restaurant is rather small but the food was pretty good. We went for brunch during Houston Restaurant Week. I ordered the Red Velvet Waffle and Honey Butter Benedict. Waffle was good but a little stiffer than I prefer which kind of threw the taste of it. The Benedict was delicious! Nice sized piece of chicken and the eggs were cooked to a nice running consistency to get a sauce that adds a layer of flavor. The home fries were also delicious. Great flavor that didn't need to have anything added (I did anyway though lol). Got an orange juice that was slightly high to me for OJ. Nice customer service and the place seems to pack up easily. I would definitely try going here again. read more
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Justin M.
Eugene:…
5 years ago
MAX's wine dive used to be a great place to go. I've been to this restaurant numerous times since 2014 but over the years the quality of the food has become so terrible to the point where I would not come back after my last visit. One of my favorite meals was the famous southern fried chicken and I will put the emphasis on "was" because the last time I ordered this meal the chicken appeared to be fried without any batter. I tried to get the order replaced which was not a problem I was immediately given the option for a full refund but instead I just wanted the meal that I ordered. I was completely dissatisfied and disappointed with the results. I ultimately ended up throwing the meal away and gave up any hope of ever going back. I'm not sure what changed but I will not be going back. read more
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Laurie H.
Hi John, we'd like to make things right with you. Will you email our…
Eah - The place is small, service once it started was good. We got there on a Friday about 7. The place was slow not very busy. We sat at the table for a while and watch the waitress walked past us multiple times. Finally the bartender came from behind the bar and waited on us. He was a nice guy and did a good job. We ordered the sticky ribs to start with and no they were not sticky and did not have much flavor. My guest had the shrimp and grits which did get a good review. I had the cheese burger and it was okay not great just okay. We did have a glass of wine. We tried the "wine on tap" meaning just that it is on tap. It was horrible! I do not recommend having that. As far as eye candy well not really. Do I plan on visiting again, probably not; however, I recommend you visit and judge for yourself, you may have a different and better experience. read more
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Management T.
Thank you for providing your feedback and letting us know about your…
7 years ago
I've been a patron of this restaurant since I first moved to TX nine years ago. The chicken, collards, truffled mac w Texas toast was always my go to. In the last two years I've noticed a steady decline in product and service. I go back hoping to get great food and service bc that's what I've come to expect from MAX's Wine Dive but the last 4 visits have been pure disappointment. Last nights stomach reaction to what I believe was undercooked chicken was the last straw. I'll give this restaurant a fair rating due to the food and ambiance having been good in the past. But no no no something has changed. Check your food internal temp before serving and our waitress was lovely especially for it being after midnight. (They close at 2am) I took an instagramable photo of my food. Didn't look at it, just put my phone down and continued to eat in the dimly lit restaurant. Well I wish I would've checked my photo because I would've noticed the pinkish color in parts of the chicken. I ended up with a small case of food poisoning that night. They've also changed the Mac n cheese recipe into something awful. It has too much liquid now. I have zero urges to go back. Hope it gets back to the place most of us really enjoyed. read more
2 years ago
5 years ago
Started our 40th Anniversary with lunch at Max's. I had the pineapple mimosa which was good but not the wow I expected. It lacked pineapple flavor I ordered the chicken and waffles which were excellent. The syrup was not anything special. A good maple with a few herbs added would have elevated it or possibly maple peaches with a bourbon sauce. Just my opinion. The seasoning on the chicken was perfect. I love the sourdough bacon and egg sandwich but skipped it this time. I also highly recommend the Brussels sprouts. My Honey got the Southern fried chicken. He got Mac and cheese instead of collards. Great idea! The Mac and cheese is the best EVER!!! Next time I'm going to try the Mac and cheese with the fried lobster. He was super happy and even ate the breast which he usually thinks, at most places, is dry but said it was cooked perfect. read more
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Laurie H.
Happy 40th anniversary and thank you for coming to MAX's!
5 years ago
Business owner information
Laurie H.
Hi Jayson, we apologize for your less than ideal recent experience…
4 years ago
The food was excellent the atmosphere was kinda cozy but yet intimate the waitress was friendly and attentive..Definitely coming back read more
Came here for the famous gluten free fried chicken. Was glad I had read about the wait time for the dish! Our server informed us it would be about 30 - 40 mins and she was right and it wasn't terribly busy at the time either. Cooked low and slow - worth the wait - piping hot, crispy, juicy deliciousness! Came with collard greens, grits and Texas toast (not gf). Definitely ask for a side of syrup to enjoy that sweet/savory combo! Others in our group ordered the Creme Brulee French Toast with a side of bacon and the Honey Butter Benedict. Both were amazing as well! read more
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Management T.
Thank you for the 5 stars, Prithi! We appreciate you and hope to see…
4 years ago
The brunch here is absolutely great i love it 20/10 everything was good even the mimosas the service was good as well this is one place i love to brunch.. read more
More info about MAX's Wine Dive
4720 Washington Ave
Ste B
Houston, TX 77007
Washington Corridor, Rice Military, The Heights
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(713) 880-8737
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https://maxswinedive.com
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If you are wanting to order gluten free only, is everything that comes on the Fried Chicken plate gluten free (waffle, greens, sauce, etc)?
The CEO of the company was diagnosed with celiac disease and retrofitted all his kitchens with celiac-safe food prep areas and fryers. Look for "AGF" on the menu.
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