You go to a restaurant for food, service and atmosphere. From the very beginning our waitress had an attitude. Funny thing is this waitress was nice to other customers. She was very condescending, rude, and arrogant. We've received no service at all except when bringing in our dishes and sake. Tipping is a way to reward someone for their service. Waitress these days thinks they deserve min 20%. Well we decided we will not be leaving a tip. Waitress followed us to the parking lot. Simply told her we've paid for food only. Why do waitress think she should be awarded for her behavior? Food is ok. Atmosphere is below average. No reason we will be returning to your restaurant. You lost a customer for life. read more

By far the best place I've ever been in the DFW area! The service and food was amazing, it felt like I was in actual Japan. The cucumber salad had a nice crunch to it, the taste reminded me of a seaweed salad. Rice sandwich had a nice kick to it and was so flavorful. The grilled squid was okay, tasted as the name implies. The Taiwan ramen was so delicious, it had the same spicy pork from the rice sandwich and the broth was light, packed with flavor. The yuzu cheesecake was small but still good, resembles a key lime pie. Definitely recommend! read more

Mr Max - Mentai Cod Roe & chopped cucumbers, spicy Taiwan pork rice sandwich, grilled squid, and Taiwan ramen - Sushi Bars Near Me - Irving, Texas

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Amazing place and amazing food. Glad I finally went. Make sure you get the there at 5 pm . read more

Mr Max - Food we ordered - Sushi Bars Near Me - Irving, Texas

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We ordered Mr. Max via Uber Eats, and it was a great experience. We liked each and every item, including: - Fried Kobe Beef Patties (2 pieces) - Rice Sandwich - Spicy Taiwan Pork - Beef Bowl - Fried Squid Legs - Miso Soup - Grilled Beef Tongue, Lightly Salted My only criticism has to do with portion size. I understand that certain restaurants focus on small portions at a higher price, but I felt that this was just a bit *too* light on the sizes for the price. In particular, the beef tongue was especially insubstantial in terms of volume to be $10.50, in my opinion. However, the flavors were good, overall, and we particularly liked the Kobe Beef Patties. I will likely order from them again when I am in the mood for high quality food and am not as price sensitive. (And I probably won't order the beef tongue, again.) read more

Food: 4/5 Service: 5/5 Atmosphere: 5/5 Value: 4/5 ----- Rounded up because this place is dope. I'm trying to think about what makes me give this place 5 stars -- I think it's because eating here is about experiencing a feeling. Everything on the menu here is pretty good, but not everything is absolutely stellar. But it's the atmosphere here that makes dining here an incredible experience. It's really small, and as everyone else says, it looks a bitch sketchy on the outside. However, there's a reason it's so hard to get a reservation/table here. Highly recommend you call ahead to reserve a table for any parties larger than 2! They do have a bar, so if you're going by yourself, you'll probably do okay. I won't list everything we had because that's going to be an extremely long list, but I highly recommend the sashimi (so fresh, and generous cuts), karaage (so juicy and tender), agedashi tofu (big pieces with great sauce -- kind of wish it was a bit crunchier though), and the takoyaki (it's a staple you just kind of have to get, I feel). Service was great, very sweet and relaxed and attentive! Atmosphere, as I said, is a huge part of the experience. And value -- we ordered so much, and our party of 5 ended up with a tab of $250 after tip. Not bad for an experience that feels pretty high-end. Only wish it was closer to Dallas proper :) Will definitely be back!! read more

Mr Max - Sashimi Plate - Sushi Bars Near Me - Irving, Texas

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Great food combined with exceptional service equals an unforgettable experience! The crew provided excellent service. I like how they work together as a team and have a positive approach when it comes to dealing with clients. They had a busy Saturday night ahead of them, but they all got along swimmingly. When the cuisine we had in mind was not available, our server provided excellent recommendations. We also admire the staff's initiative. Unlike other restaurants, there was no attitude of "they are not my customer." Yes, I'm raving more about these lovely people than their yummy, porky, tasty noodles! If you're sick of chicken, try their grilled squid! When we return, I'm hoping they'll still have eel. They were all gone:( read more

OMGOMG! This place is amazing! The food is great and the service is top notch. It's funny how the small spots are usually the most impressive spaces to go to. I would recommend to go as soon as they open and more than likely there will be a line outside. If you can make a reservation so that way you can guarantee a spot or else you'll probably be waiting for one or two hours. Definitely worth the wait though. The sashimi is great, Ramen is tasty, honestly everything on the menu is delicious. I brought my mom for her birthday and she was impressed with the vibe. read more

My husband has been visiting Mr. Max for years any time he's in the area for work and I was finally able to see what his fuss was about. We ordered a ton of food, and we saw most of the tables around us doing the same since there's so much they offer. The uni special was delicious, as were the scallop and Kobe skewers. We also ordered the sashimi, takoyaki (best I've ever tasted), and tonkotsu shoyu ramen. My husband loves monkfish liver which I usually avoid, but I tried it and actually enjoyed it. No restaurant has ever been able to get me to like monkfish liver! Everything we ate was incredible. The atmosphere is fun and the service is friendly and prompt. You may have to wait awhile as the space is small. read more

Mr Max - Uni - Sushi Bars Near Me - Irving, Texas

Quick update ... I just called and got someone on the phone but was told they wouldn't take my reservation for two people. They will only take three or more. Seriously??? I'm done with this place. This is truly ridiculous. The ultimate reason for the rating is customer service. Let's be honest the food is good. But the service, the lack of response when you tried to call, the inability to make a reservation months in advance because no one will answer the phone and their voicemails not set up... That speaks to bad customer service. I get a voicemail box that is not set up every time I call with very rare exception. Is it because they don't want to listen to the voicemail? It has been like this for a VERY LONG time. I've tried using Google assistant to make reservations which never gets me anywhere. When I was lucky enough to get someone on the phone she hung up on me when my reservation time wasn't available. When I tried to call back it just rang and rang. I think my biggest problem with this location is that they are only open for a few hours a day and only certain days a week. Maybe if you turned your voicemail on to except messages it would make it easier for people who are trying to get him to actually get in. read more

Mr Max is the best. Be prepared to wait or have a reservation because it will be crowded. read more

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Totally enjoyed authentic experience and taste of Japanese cuisine. Area was smallbut it actually made the experience even more intimate and cozy especially I was on a date with hubby for his birthday. The lady who served was amazing too in suggesting the best options that night. Come early though cus I noticed people were lining up as it gets later even on a Thursday night. Will certainly come back. You definitely get what you pay for. read more

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This is a really suigeneris place and excellent place to experience the local restaurant fame. Excellent sitting coordination and exceptional customer service. The restaurant layout is marvelous! The sashimi and nigiri options are limited. Go for the ambiance and experience. read more

Real Japanese food and not just ramen and sushi. Order several small dishes and enjoy. Make sure you don't have smelly/dirty feet. Socks recommended if you're going to be sitting at the tables since you take off your shoes. Doesn't take reservations but you should come early and put your name down and they will call/text you. FYI Make sure to ask them to fry the heads of the sweet shrimp sashimi if you order it. read more

Mr Max - Sashimi, takoyaki, spiced cucumber, agesashi tofu, mini gyu-don, grilled beef tongue, edamame, hot sake. - Sushi Bars Near Me - Irving, Texas

They tell you that you can only make reservation if you are a party more then 3 but when you call they will always say no reservation we are full because you are a party of 3. They you wait about 30 to 50 min no matter what time you go. Im sure they don't want to tie up their tables for parties no less then 4 or 5. Overall there's customer service is not the best. read more

Good food with good service, great ambient atmosphere. Little on the pricey side but worth it!

Went here over a month ago and wanted to relay my experience. We waited in line before they opened but did not make it in the first round. Got to get there more than 30 min before they open if you want to be in the first round of seating. Think you can make reservations. Not much of a Japanese food fan prior but wanted to try because of the hype. Was really impressed and now am looking forward to my next visit. We probably tried 15 different items. The highlight for me was to takoyaki and the curry. My least favorite was the raw octopus (forgot what it was called). Service was fast and friendly. They do an awesome job all around here. read more

Mr Max has to be the best Izakaya in the US. I've eaten at plenty across the country and for the most part they are usually bad ramen shops with a few extra items on the menu with mediocre food. Mr. Max does not disappoint when it comes to the food. They have quite an extensive menu and thus far we haven't had a bad dish yet. My wife who is from Japan loves their food and good Izakaya vibe. We've tried their takoyaki, karaage, Taiwan noodles, korokke, grilled garlic squid, sashimi, ginger pork, shishito peppers, Hamburg, Tonkatsu, and chicken namban. It's all so good . The only reason I didn't give them a full five stars is your aren't allowed to reserve at use the tables unless you have a party of 4 or more. I can guarantee I'll order more food and drinks then most people do. I'm to damn big to sit at the counter with how tight it is in there. Other than that, no complaints. read more

Dare I say Mr Maxtake... Really looking forward to finally eating here. Heard a lot of amazing things from numerous people and we all left disappointed. The food was ordinary, unoriginal and lack any true uniqueness. We ordered a large number of items both big and small including their signature ones and nothing impressed us. I would say that the service was good but that was about it. Not planning on coming back... read more

Mr. Max is a tiny restaurant hidden away in a old strip mall/plaza. DO NOT let the state of the exterior deter you from dining here. I'd be willing to endure the climb up Mount Mordor and even bend the knee to Joffrey to eat at this establishment. It's worth it. Be prepared to wait for seating if you have a party of less than 3 because they do not take reservations for small parties. Do not be surprised at wait times that can be an hour or longer. Apparently, this is the place that even Japanese travelers from Japan dine at when they're in the area, so you know it's good. Given the hour or so wait I had before being seated, I had plenty of time to peruse and evaluate what others have been ordering. Nearly everything caught my eye and I ended ordering quite a few dishes: Takoyaki: The octopus balls are legit. As good as what I've had in Japan. They come in a cast iron mold used to make/cook the octopus balls in. All the proper seasonings, fish flakes, and sauces from what I'm familiar with are included in this dish. Comes piping hot so careful not to dive in right away. Ease your way in gently as not to get burned because considering the wait you may have had before being seated, you're going to want to take your time. Tonkotsu Ramen: The soup base is delicious. Smooth, creamy broth, with plenty of flavor. Comes with thin ramen noodles and pork chashu. Everything in this bowl was delicious. Easily a favorite of mine and I'd order this everyday all-day. Eating this is what "winning" feels like. Grilled Yellowtail Collar: A generous serving size of yellowtail cooked perfectly. The fish was not dry in anyway and came off the collar easily. Tender flaky fish that came with a dipping sauce that I'd want to say was some sort of Yuzu citrus type, which really helped to accent the flavor of the fish. Chicken Karage w/ Tartar Sauce: These fried pieces of chicken goodness is what chickens are born for right? Because if it's not, I don't think I can see the world in the same way anymore. The karage is delicious, moist and crispy, and makes tummies happy. The house made tartar sauce is a good with the chicken, but can be omitted because the chicken itself is great on it's own. The sauce is a supplemental charge if you'd like to add it. Pan Fried Garlic Squid: Perfectly cooked squid. It was not overly done as to being too chewy or underdone. They know what they're doing. Tasted fresh and delicious. Opted to add a garlic flavoring, which I thoroughly enjoyed and was worth the extra 50 cents. Sashimi: The platter of the day's available sashimi was fresh and clean. Everything tasted as expected and offered no foul odors, so you know it hasn't been sitting or spoiling anywhere. Spicy Taiwan Pork Rice Sandwich: This was a tasty dish. Not much pork and was mostly rice, but it didn't need a lot of protein to make it delicious. I don't quite have the iron caste stomach that others may have when dealing with spicy dishes and this item was not mild, but I'd easily order it again. The "pain" is worth it. Endure the pain because it's just weakness leaving the body... at some point in the future. 0_o All in all, this was a wonderful restaurant and the wait is worth it. Make time to come here or just rework your schedule to try this place. The service here is great. Everyone is very friendly, they clear your empty dishes promptly, and each time I needed to order more food I just had to look over my shoulder and someone was right there ready to help... or maybe it was a just because the place is small. Aside from that, make time to come here, bring your BAE. Advice: If your BAE doesn't want to dine here, it's okay to fly solo, spread your wings. "You're Welcome." read more

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Probably the best izakaya (maybe even Japanese food overall) in North Texas. Loved the options... super authentic!

Wowzers! Found myself a hidden gem for Japanese tapas. Bring the whole fam bam here! The food is authentic and affordable. Breaking down some of the items... Takoyaki: Delicious octopus puffs presented on a sizzling hot plate with bonito flakes swaying to and fro. The bonito flakes definitely gave life to this dish - video op! These ball-shaped snacks were doughy on the outside with a piece of octopus inside. The sauce was savory and yummy. Karaage: Crispy fried chicken done right. The outside fried to a crispy perfection, and inside delightfully juicy. Sprinkle the provided lemon over the chicken and dip those goodies into the mayo sauce. One of my favorites! Grilled squid & mackerel: Nicely charred surface. Both came with a side of ginger. One word...delicious! Fried squid leg: Ran on the soft and chewy side. Not as crunchy as expected. The dish also comes with lemon and mayo dipping sauce. Shishito peppers: Well-seasoned. Don't be fooled by the term pepper. These babies are sweet, crunchy, and non-spicy...certainly adds color and a different texture to all those fried tapas Tonkotsu ramen: Broth was creamy and rich with tender noodles. Pork was mouth-watering and flavorful. I love that it comes in a half size for $5.50. If you're not full after all the tapas, I would suggest eating some ramen at the end - doing so will surely fill you up. Now on to the rest of the experience...I like that the entire place is decorated with Japanese calligraphy. For parties 1-2, they are usually seated at the bar. The advantages of sitting at the bar include being able to watch everything cook in front of me. However, it can get a little toasty sitting close to the stove/fryer. Larger groups are seated at the traditional Japanese table with shoes off. The place becomes packed very quickly. It's best to make a reservation ahead of time if you're having a party larger than 2. The food came out in such a timely manner. I plan to come back often and invite others with me. This foodie is one happy camper. read more

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The food was decent, it took a while for my sashimi to come out so that was a but disappointing, it came out after all the fried food items. Service was slow for a restaurant that small, not many tables or people. Was also disappointed that i didn't received all of my food that i ordered. There was a lady who checked up on us at the end who i assumed was the manager or boss and i asked her if any more food was coming out, she checked and said no more. I was puzzled because i know i ordered 2 more items but again it didn't come out. The server also rang in Takoyaki for us and we didn't order it but we just accepted it as we were hungry. Place wasn't as busy as it looked, we still had to wait about 30 mins for a table due to the lack of space I was over all disappointed as i saw lots of good reviews about this place and heard the hype off of facebook, but the food wasn't anything crazy, the prices were really good tho! The only redeeming point of the restaurant in my opinion. Wont be coming back or recommending to others. read more

Came here for the first time and I'm in love! There are so many cute and small dishes that are super flavorful and fun to try! I tried the garlic seared squid, Kobe beef skewers, salmon belly, curry katsu, chef special appetizer, takuyaki, beef tongue, and tofu. These were all really good and I would totally recommend trying them out! All dishes are super flavorful and fresh. I appreciated their fast and friendly service. We were seated super fast and the food also came out fast as well. read more

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First time experiencing such an authentic Japanese restaurant! I visited here for dinner and even though this place is located in a dark, sketchy plaza, it did not disappoint. I had to wait around 20 mins for just 1 seat but the experience was worth it. I absolutely loved the salmon sashimi, I swear I've never had such a smooth tasting one before (and I adore sushi so you know it was that good!). Now I do wish the Tonkotsu ramen came with just a tiny bit more Cashu pork or at least a thicker piece. Nonetheless, I'm glad I found this gem and I'll def be visiting again when I come back to Dallas. read more

Mr Max - Salmon Sashimi - Sushi Bars Near Me - Irving, Texas

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This izakaya (居酒屋) for me by far is the closest to what I can get in Japan. The place is small and quaint as it should be, most izakaya's (居酒屋) are small, intimate places and found all over Japan and we have our own right here in the heart of Dallas (Irving). This place has all the "greats" and it doesn't compare to any other places I've tried all over Dallas. Their pricing is also on point! I have found you can get good izakaya (居酒屋) food, but over-priced, usually set as high-end. There's always wait! So try and go during non-busy hours - dinner you'll have about an hour wait! They hold accreditations too! Says a lot about their authenticity. A fun and vibrant place. Can't wait to take my bestie, she's Polish and after our 30 year friendship... she's a Japanese food lover! And I know she'll LOVE Mr. Max's food! Happy 4th everyone! Be blessed and kind. read more

a hole in the wall place but food is always amazing every time i come here! love ordering their hot appetizers! came here on a weekday 20 min after they opened and there was already a waitlist but only waited for about 20 min. don't bother coming here past 8 to reserve, they'll tell you that waitlist is full! read more

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I've been to a lot of Izakaya/tapas restaurants in Houston and Dallas and this is hands down the best place I've been. The place is very small. There is a seated bar area and about 4-5 tables that sit 4-6 people. We waited an hour to get seated but it was well worth the wait. We had a large group of people and ordered quite a few entrees. Surprisingly, the food came out within 5-10 mins. The chicken karraage was lightly battered and very juicy. The takoyaki was crispy on the outside with a soft flavorful octopus filling in the center. The Tonkotsu Ramen had a delicious rich creamy broth that was on par with Ramen-only restaurants. My favorite was the Grilled Yellowtail Collar - perfectly cooked and seasoned. Food and drinks were all reasonably priced. read more

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This place is so adorable. On the outside you wouldn't think much. It's very unsuspecting. When we got inside, we weren't able to sit in the tables because they were already booked up for the night. However, we did sit at the counter height chairs facing the kitchen. We had so much food! Right when I thought I was full I couldn't help but try something else. The environment is wonderful and everyone is so nice. I wish I lived closer so I could go all the time! Be advised, you will be waiting a while if you do not have a reservation. We waited almost 2 hours, but well worth it. I can't wait to go back. A little piece of Japan in Irving. read more

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Been wanting to try this place for a long time. Loved it, will definitely be back. Great food and reasonable prices.

Our favorite place!! We keep coming back. It's a cute, little gem hidden behind a gas station. They are a Japanese Izakaya meaning small plates or tapas. The service is excellent! Staffs were friendly!! Make sure to call and make reservation because this place can get really busy. Everything on the menu is so good! My favorite dish is the Pork Katsu Curry and favorite appetizer is the crispy squid leg. I always get the Grapefruit Chuhai (alcoholic drink). The grapefruit is fresh, and you get to squeeze it yourself and pour it into the chuhai! So fun and sooooo good! Definitely recommend to give it a try! read more

This place was absolutely worth the hype. We were able to get a reservation a week ahead for six and it made it so much easier. We kept on ordering small dishes and everything was amazing. Nothing let us down. It is a bit pricy where in a party of six we each paid about 60 but the food quality, the service, the ambience, and sake selection made the entire experience worth it to us. read more

Best in DFW. Price, quality & atmosphere you can't beat! Authenticity and quality worth returning for again and again

My favorite Japanese restaurant in DFW area so far! Very busy place. My friend made reservation for 4 of us. I'd like to sit at the bar next time. read more

Consistently delicious food, cozy ambiance, friendly staff and great service, recommend takoyaki, ika geso, gyudon, sashimi, grilled beef tongue, Kobe beef skewers and pudding and yuzu cheesecake for dessert read more

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My sister found this place on yelp, and as we are both new to Texas we had no idea what we were looking for out here. We both wanted to find Japanese food, but were a little reluctant. Mr. Max did not disappoint. Don't let the outside fool you, it looks just shy of getting boarded up from the outside, but it was well worth pushing through the wooden door. I think there were 5 tables (where you literally take your shoes off to sit) and bar seating (my sister and I ended up here). We both ordered Curry Ramen and had the Kobe beef skewers and grilled squid to share. It was all amazing. Broth was delicious! The only knock on the beef was that the portions were a bit small and a couple of pieces were a little fatty (which I love, but I know not everyone does). Squid was delicious, next time I'll try it with garlic. Great find, thanks Mr. Max! read more

THEY ARE SO RUDE AND RACIST . The waiter was very rude and impolite Very bad service. Worse place DFW area I won't and never come back Even I very love a food there but never ever again... read more

Mr. Max is such a hidden delight, and I surely would never have found it without the help of Yelp. Thanks for coming through, Yelp DFW! I came in on a weekday evening sans reservation and was promptly seated at the bar. For what it's worth, all the front of house staff is Japanese (this is often not the case in NYC Japanese restaurants, and probably shouldn't matter, but worth noting). And, the menu covers many of the greatest hits of Japanese cuisine: izakaya skewers, savory ramens, tempura bites, sushi/sashimi, kare (curry), and a nicely curated sake list. Typically, I'm a little wary of restaurants that try and cover that much ground as far as cooking styles/dish types, but Yelp didn't steer me wrong here. I got the grilled beef tongue, the sashimi dinner special, and a bottle of sake recommended to me by the very helpful waitress. This turned out to be a lot of food but I didn't leave a morsel uneaten on my plate! Grilled beef tongue: tender, super thin, and benefitted from the squeeze of lemon that is suggested -- along with a little sprinkle of sliced scallion. Sashimi ($35): this was a BARGAIN! I was shocked by how fresh and delicious all this fish was, and there were some unusual selections on this plate of 25 expertly-cut slices. I'd totally recommend this, as I've paid 3x as much for sashimi like this that wasn't as good. Rice is well-seasoned, and everything is perfect. The service here was attentive, patient, and kind -- and the space is really fun. Everyone clearly seems to be enjoying the food and the ambiance, and I can't recommend this highly enough. One of the best meals I've ever had in Dallas! read more

Mr Max - Assorted Sashimi ($35) - wow! This was 25 pieces of amazing sashimi with fatty tuna and flounder. Really excellent. - Sushi Bars Near Me - Irving, Texas

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Honestly don't judge by the outside. It was phenomenal and really amazing food! The service was really fast when you got to sit, so don't feel discouraged by the wait for a spot! read more

It was soo good and it was a first trip for my brother and I. Great food and excellent service. Definitely coming back! read more

Mr Max - Beef skewers, assorted tempura, beef bowl - Sushi Bars Near Me - Irving, Texas

The best Japanese food in dfw. The downside to this place is you have to be there early to be guaranteed a table or seat. They only open a few hours a day and seating is very limited. Pricing is high but for the quality, I'm okay paying. A lot of other places just as much but are very low quality. read more

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