This has been in my bookmarks for couple of weeks now and finally got to try it. Waited for over 45 mins to get a table but it's super worth the wait. Staffs were really nice and friendly. Food and service were excellent! I love how their ramen is served in half size bowls so it won't be super filling and we can order other side dishes as well. If you can't decide between tonkotsu and shoyu ramen just get the Tonkotsu Shoyu ramen which I got and it was really good. For the side dishes we got the Octopus Takoyaki which is a must order if you come here. We also had the Steamed Clams in saké, a japanese rice wine, which is one of their specialties. I love the flavor of these clams soaked in saké. And of course we got the Salmon Sashimi which was so fresh it melts in your mouth. read more

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Great izakaya! My wife and I happened to be in the area, so we were more than excited to eat here. We arrived around 8:30pm on a Thursday night, and had a short wait before being seated. Everything we tried was delicious, and my wife said it was the best hot udon she has had in Dallas. I had the curry chicken katsu which was equally amazing, and tried a few of their small dishes. Outside of sushi, this is now my go to Japanese restaurant. read more

Mr Max - Curry Chicken Katsu & Hot Udon - Sushi Bars Near Me - Irving, Texas

I loved this restaurant, waitresses were friendly, the interior was cute, and the food was amazing. We got karaage, ramen, udon, and kobe beef. The kobe beef was my favorite. The ramen was nicely seasoned. read more

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Ok first, get there early. The place fills up very fast, I go there like 20 mins before and there was already a line at the door. Very small on the inside but would be great for groups of friends. If you have a lot of people MAKE A RESERVATION, trust me people will be there forever. So make sure your early and have made a reservation if your with a group. Secondly everything was REALLY GOOD, best sushi I've every had. Everything was so fresh. Defiantly recommend this place for the expletive of an izakaya alone, you'll live it. read more

Had dinner last night at Mr Max . Food was amazing proper interesting Japanese food not just sushi etc. the experience is rather authentic sitting in traditional Japanese style seating removing shoes etc. only gripe is how tiny the place is and as a result had to wait 45 minutes to be seated otherwise I would given this joint 5 stars . It's really worth a visit and the effort! read more

Came here as a bday treat on a Wednesday night at around 8 or so, and grabbed one of the last few seats along the bar. If you have a party coming, be sure to get a reservation in before you do! I'd have preferred the floor seating, but we were able to see the chefs do their thing as we ate! BEST: Burdock Salad! I've never had burdock before, but this was a great first try. I needed some veggies to accompany as well, so this was a perfect pairing. The sauce they use is also Clams in Sake- so delicious! Loved the way they prepared this, with no overpowering taste of sake. They load up on the green onions here for garnish, much appreciated! We started off with salmon sashimi, pork sausage and this grapefruit drink. You squeeze the grapefruit juice out and pour it in-makes a really refreshing and not overly sweet drink. The pork sausages tasted pretty average to me, nothing stood out. However, the sashimi here is a must have! Next time I go, I'll be getting more of the sashimi because of how fresh it is. The fried shrimp and octopus were both way too salty! You don't notice it at first, but after a couple bites it gets a bit too much. Beef tongue was something that was good, but could be replaced with trying a new dish the next round. We also had chicken gizzards- tbh I like the one at Yama better. Rice balls- we got two different types (spicy salmon and spam both were great! I think after all we ate, two orders may have been a little much, but it was finished nevertheless! read more

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One of the special, unique places in North Irving. Everything is so fresh and incredibly tasty. The octopus balls are out of this world! The ramen is our go-to order, spicy and filling. There is always a line, tho, so call ahead. read more

Me Max has been operating at Irving for more than 20 years. It is a genuine Japanese restaurant where the food is prepared by Japanese chefs. The place is popular and since the covariant reopened the place is 80% full. We enjoyed the food and services. read more

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I can't believe I haven't reviewed this place yet! My husband first took me here around 3 years ago, and since then we've been a regular. You would never imagine coming across an authentic Japanese restaurant in the middle of a Mexican plaza. The restaurant is a hidden gem in Irving. It's super small and cozy so it usually gets full during dinner hour. They don't open for lunch unfortunately. There's usually ALWAYS a wait and the waiting area is pretty limited since the restaurant itself is small. One time, we gave them our number and went to a nearby Kroger to do some grocery shopping. They called us when the table was being cleaned. If you're a group of 4 or more, they take reservations but be sure to make the reservation in advance! This place is authentic and not a typical sushi restaurant. It's more of an izakaya joint where they serve small dishes to share (like Spanish tapas) The servers are very friendly and the food is delivered in a quick manner. This is the real deal. Some of the dishes we usually order when we go to Mr. Max is: -Karaage w/ Tartar Sauce -Burdock Chip Salad w/ Sesame Dressing -Grilled Yellowtail Collar -Grilled Squid -Ramen -Takoyaki -Agedashi Tofu and more! This is my favorite authentic Japanese restaurant. I usually bring my out-of-state guests here. read more

When I came my food was cold and really Bad customer service there was a lot of roaches and bugs

You KNOW it's good when you walked in & 90% of the patrons are Japanese... Sashimi is fresh, I like the Fried Squid legs (they call it) - it's the tentacles & also Squid w/ gut Sauce & Garlic. Very small intimate place & be sure to make reservations... read more

Mr Max - Sushi Bars Near Me - Irving, Texas

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Went here for the first time the other day, and it's definitely a hole in the wall! If I didn't know I was going there, I probably wouldn't even notice it. Walking in, you instantly feel the Japanese vibe.There are bar seating and floor seating (where you'll have to remove your shoes). Before we even sat down, the hostess informed us that we had to get up at 6:30pm to make room for other people who made reservations. That was kind of off putting and strange. With the food, it was actually pretty affordable and delicious! It was high quality and I could definitely understand the hype. I ordered the Takoyaki (octopus balls) and Taiwan ramen. Both were exceptional! The Takoyaki is one of the best I've ever had. There were good chunks of octopus unlike other places. The ramen comes in a half size, which I thought was a good portion. Has bit of a kick to it, and it was a good contrast to the Takoyaki. I had a bite of the homemade custard, and that was velvety and smooth! Definitely try this place out if you guys have the chance. I would recommend coming closer to 5pm when they open or prepare to wait. read more

Mr Max - Takoyaki! - Sushi Bars Near Me - Irving, Texas

We called to make reservations and they flat out lied said they don't take reservations. So we said fine how long is the wait time? Lady said 1 hour and we told her we r on our way. When we got here we saw 13 people left after having their meals. We went through inside the lady said how many people we said 2 then she talked to someone who pointed a table and when we started following him she call us back and said sorry wait is 2 hour now. Then I said why she said people called in for reservations. I told her I did called and asked for reservations and you flat out said you guys don't take reservations. She had a Smurf in her face. We just left. This place clearly don't like anyone except north Asian as it clearly shows they hate south Asian. read more

Curry rice with tonkatsu is how I show myself love! It's tough going here because I can't help but re-order my favorites: the grilled squid with butter, fried river shrimp (which are tiny, the size of ladybugs), burdock root salad (romaine salad with fried burdock root chips and sesame dressing), salmon sashimi, grilled yellowtail collar, pudding (a less-sweet flan)... one day, I'll be more adventurous! It's always hectic and if you don't make a reservation, expect to wait for at least an hour... but it'll be well-worth it! read more

After a going back here a few more times since my last review (I was hangry for sure) I'm updating this. Nonetheless, unless you're going solo or +1, make a reservation for Mr. Max. Call as soon as they open. If not, you might be waiting for awhile. With that out of the way, let's get to the food... This is the most authentic Japanese restaurant you'll get in all of north Texas. They have a variety of salads, appetizers, tapas style dishes, street food, and weekly specials that include sashimi combos. A great place to try cooked Japanese food like beef rice bowl (gyu don), grilled beef tongue, grilled squid, very fresh hamachi kama, I really wish they have better chicken cartilage. I still order it every time. The food consistency is high, but don't expect delicacy. Think of it like quality home cooking with an amazing variety that you can go every week and not get bored. I average around $35-50/person. Almost forgot, if you're making a table reservation, you'll need to take your shoes off. That's all I'll say about that. read more

Looks like a dive from the outside. it's fantastic inside. Reminds me of that Netflix show, Midnight Diner. Food was amazing. Hope to be back often! read more

Mr.Max is the bees knees/10. I often find myself reflecting fondly on my experience at Mr.Max. The courteous servers, the amazing ambience, the cultural experience, the amazing food. My heart beats faster, my taste buds burst, my stomach growls, my mind lusts for their food. The grilled Atka mackerel and the charred, crisp surface of the fish. Simple, fundamentally flavorful, delicious. The dry Mazesoba noodles. Simple, fundamentally flavorful, spicy, delicious, and flavorful all over again. Order 2, you deserve it. You need it. The mackerel sashimi. Simple, has the same flavor profile as a miracle, delicious. Takoyaki and grilled squid done right. All I can really say is oh baby. This place is so legit that I made this my first Yelp review. read more

Authentic Japanese spot that's great for people who don't mind the wait. A great place if you don't mind treating yourself a lil bit! The portions are very reasonable and are made to eat in conjunction with other dishes and sides. read more

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If you're looking for specifically sushi rolls and sashimi. This is not the place but Omg Japanese tapas!! Definitely get the squid with salt butter and add the $.50 garlic. Straight fire! We enjoyed everything we ordered. We got a few items to share: potato croquettes(kinda like fried mash with different breading) , spicy miso ramen(actually has a nice kick to it), beef bowl(tender brisket over rice) super simple but flavorful, beef Kobe skewers (tender and great with a bit of wasabi) and for dessert yuzu cheesecake(small and simple nothing too crazy for). Service is good. The place is really small and quaint, love the aesthetic to it. read more

This place is such a GEM! We came here on a Friday night peak hour and the wait was one and a half hour but it was so worthy! It was our first time so didn't know this place is so popular. It has about 10 bar seats facing the tiny open kitchen and one open area with Japanese style seating that you sit on the floor with cushion. I was totally excited to sit by the bar to watch the food prepping process while enjoying the meal. To make the wait worthwhile, we ordered a bunch - 1. Grilled beef tongue lighted salty - 6/10 it doesn't ton of flavor 2. Takoyaki with cheese - 8/10 flavorful octopus wheat flour ball served on hot plate. Definitely one of my favorite 3. Tako wasabi- can I do 11/10!!! If you like octopus and do eat sashimi, you must try this. Served in a small cup the size of a small saucer, the raw octopus was marinated in a perfectly flavor sauce that was silky and salty and when mixed with the wasabi, it was just so amazingly good that I even used the leftover sauce to have together with the 5 kind sashimi in place of soy sauce! 4. Grilled mackerel- 9/10 rates by the boyfriend who has a much greater appreciation for grilled fish. Fresh juicy yet perfectly seasoned. 5. Fried chicken - 7/10 a great appetizer to have with a beer 6. Last but not least the 5 kind sashimi - 10/10 tuna, salmon, herring, yellow tail and shrimp. Every piece was incredibly fresh and the sweetness from the tuna and shrimp was beyond amazing! Definitely one of the best Japanese meals, great quality without breaking the bank!! read more

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First off, the wait staff are extremely nice and informative. Ordered 3 appetizer ( chef's choice)with glass of asahi beer. (Thumbs up) Specials: salmon belly is so fatty but so good with fresh wasabi (not the store bought one). We ordered the last dish of Ribs. that meat came right off the bone. Cooked right. It was juicy and savory. Definitely goes well with beer. This is probably the best Tonkotsu Ramen I had so far (and I've tried many places). The broth is creamy but not too creamy where it's heavy. The Chashu is perfection. Karaage is was JUICY and Batter had the right amount of seasoning and made with chicken thighs Loved the Matcha Cake. Sweet but not too sweet(I don't have a sweet tooth) Definitely coming back again. read more

Mr Max - Must try if you haven't been - Sushi Bars Near Me - Irving, Texas

5 star Authentic Japanese experience! We will be back! Everything is fresh - simply follow your server and ENJOY!!! read more

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If you haven't been here, you are missing out. The food here, wow.....it's one of the only places in Dallas where you can get traditional Japanese tapas! The river shrimp showed up at my table and I was like "ew wtf is this"...but then I ate the whole bowl and wanted 10 more servings. Just get the river shrimp, and everything else on the menu. Even the raw squid was good, and I'm not even into that stuff. read more

I've been here PLENTY of times and this is my GO TO for moist balls (I'm talking about the takoyaki, obviously!) and the creamy tonkotsu ramen. I came here with a group of 5 on Wednesday, July 12th around 7:40 pm. If you're ever coming here with a large party, I highly suggest that you make a reservation. When we arrived, it was packed and we had our names written down on the wait list and was told to come back in approximately in hour or more (apparently several people reserved tables for that day). If you've never been here before, you may find the outside quite sketchy but once you step inside, the interior of the place is very authentic with tatami tables (where you take your shoes off) and a lot of the items on the menu are written in japanese and are on the walls. There is also a bar section which is always packed as well. The interior is small and with so many people jammed in a condensed space, KEEP IN MIND; IT WILL GET HUMID. They do have mini fans running but you eventually get used to it. When we came back, we got seated in the tatami tables and all our orders came out quickly. Plus all our orders were on separate bills and drinks were served fast. TAKOYAKI: HANDS DOWN, best takoyaki I've tasted. Always fresh and steamin' hot! Once it comes right out of the oven, you can always witness the flowing fish flakes wiggling and jiggling on top of the takoyaki. As for the takoyaki itself, it is always seasoned and once you bite inside, it is moist and the octopus isn't too chewy! Be careful not to burn your tongue! TONKOTSU RAMEN: Great price, broth is packed with flavour and is very creamy. The noodles are thin and the protein is always moist, add some chili powder to spice it up a bit! Never a disappointment. (Egg is not included and is additional) (My boyfriend and I usually just get the half size ramen and takoyaki and that is enough to fill us both up). FRIED SQUID LEGS: Flavorful, but I was expecting for it to have a intense crunch yet it did not. Some of the pieces were a bit mushy, I am not sure if it was due to the lettuce at the bottom but it wasn't the worse. KARAAGE: Delicious!! The exterior of the chicken was the crunch I was looking for! Usually I'm hestitant when getting any chicken because I'm always afraid of it being too dry. The chicken was perfection. Would get it again! GRILLED MACKAREL: The portion is quite large and is worth the price for what you're paying for ($7.50) My boyfriend and I never finished eating it but it was nicely flavored but not the highlight out of all the many dishes there are on the menu. In conclusion, whenever I come down to Texas I always have to come here at least once! Wonderful food at a magnificent price point. read more

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I am from Seattle/Socal, on a business trip. As a frequent Japanese cuisine dinner, this place is on par with places I ate in Japan and elsewhere. I tried the sashimi and Yes, I would recommend this place for authentic Japanese food. Would come back again if I have a chance. read more

Omg this will be like my new Hot spot! Make sure to make reservations! It was my first time dining here and had no clue how small place was. I love the atmosphere. It literally reminded me of places I've eaten in Japan. If u come here thinking you gonna get sushi rolls, then be ware. This is more like a mix of fried food & ramen. Good place to drink n down some greasy food. It what won me over was there sashimi. Man I've tried some big name sushi restaurant in Texas. Most left me disappointed in the freshness. But Mr. Max won me over. That sashimi was Best. I guess they not trying turn over number And they take pride in there food. We sat in front of the cooks and watched them Prep everything. You can see that they are very passionate. Will be coming back!! read more

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Amazing little restaurant tucked away in Irving. Great service and unique experience. My friends go crazy for the Ramen & the sushi sandwiches. I am vegetarian(no options on the menu) and the waitress put together a special order for me. I would describe it as a seaweed ramen - it was really really good. We had a great time, amazing meal and enjoyed the unique tiny hidden gem! read more

Mr Max - My special order vegetarian ramen(thank you!) and the most delicious smooth saki I've ever had! - Sushi Bars Near Me - Irving, Texas

I love this place but hate waiting. I guess it's also a part of the charm as this place is tiny and only does reservations for 3 plus people only. The food is great as yakitori is small plates and you can try multiple dishes without getting too full. However, every time I come here I always overeat. I always get the fried river shrimp to start off with the 3 appetizer and asahi combo. I'll then move onto whatever special they have with fatty tuna (if they didn't run out for the day) and sashimi platter. The ladies that work here are all very nice and very Japanese which add to the ambiance. Great place that I'll keep coming to. read more

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We were literally in front of two servers, but they didn't even look at us. It takes only a few seconds to greet your guests even if you are busy. Don't just ignore your guests right in front of you. read more

Hands down one of my favorite places to eat in DFW. This is one place that i tell ALL of my friends to go try out or if I have friends from out of town, I usually take them here because they never disappoint. I have been here numerous times now and they are CONSISTENTLY delicious; the same cannot be said for many other restaurants. The takoyaki is a must get here, I haven't had it this good anywhere else and that says a lot because I used to order takoyaki every chance I got. They serve it in a nice sizzling pan with a generous amount of bonito flakes. During one of my visits here, they had salmon sashimi listed as a special and it was amazing. Most delicious salmon sashimi I have ever had. It was like butter. Even when not on special, most of the sashimi is still very good. Also, don't forget to top off your meal with a nice bowl of ramen. The broth is always hearty and full of flavor, you can tell they took the time to make it - just make sure to also get an egg in it as well. I have yet to try Monta Ramen, which is the same owner - but that shall be on my to-do list. one note: Seating is very limited, so this place isn't the best for huge parties. It is also smart to call in for a reservation. You can probably get by with a walk-in if you just have 2 people and can be seated at the bar. My Picks: Takoyaki, Chicken Karage, any Ramen, Cod Roe/Omelette rice sandwich, read more

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Try as I might, there are certain experiences I just do not "get" even after being exposed to them. For example, playing war at a casino for $25 a hand seems like a great way to declare war on your wallet. Sitting in the audience at a local comedy club during amateur night expecting to be delighted by an unknown is laugh-worthy. And I believe we, as a nation, are only just now recovering from the "remember when Michael Cera was a thing?" era of movies. The point is, I had prepared myself to be disappointed by this place. There was no way it could be as good as people said it was, right? Well, after eating here on a Tuesday night with a very packed dining room, I can now say I "get" Mr. Max, and yeah, it's totally as good as you've heard. My first encounter with Mr. Max was maybe a year ago on a Saturday night. My friend has raved about this place for years, and we were finally making the pilgrimage out there at 9:00 at night. We pulled into the parking lot and found a cluster of cars gathered around the one illuminated building in the strip mall. As we walked up, we could hear the chatter of the patrons coming through the wall. It sounded packed. And it was. Like, two-hour wait packed. And "last call" would have occurred probably by the time we were seated. So we turned around and headed to another bar, though we vowed to get back here again. "Again" was actually this last Tuesday night, and guess what? They were still on a pretty hefty wait! We arrived at about 7:00, and it still took us an hour to get seated. Here's why, though: it's the nature of the beast given the traditional eating style of, what I believe, is typical of a "pub" in Japan. The entire place seats maybe 35 people, with a counter taking up the left half of the dining room and "floor" tables on the right. These tables are hot commodities as reservations are all but required to sit at these. Also, you'll have to take your shoes off, as is the custom. The good news is you can leave your number with the hostess and go about your business before they call/text you to let you know a table or spot at the counter has opened up. We did that for a bit and strolled the grounds of the strip mall, encountering all kinds of hidden gems like a couple of inept explorers. Eventually we walked back in and grabbed a couple chairs in the waiting area. It's truly luck of the draw how fast you'll be seated, but trust me when I say it's worth it - I temporarily freaked out with pangs of hunger and sleep deprivation, but those passed almost immediately when we were seated at seats one and two. I had a great view of the cooking team, as well as an Ultraman action figure posed with a bottle around his neck standing right in front of me on the ledge. Ultraman did not really do anything heroic, but the kitchen staff was an insane demonstration of endurance. These guys never stopped! It was fascinating to watch them and their choreographed dish preparation, while the equally energetic hostesses and waitresses ferried plates, drinks and guests to tables. Everyone working here put more miles on their feet in one evening than I have this entire year, and they all did it while being warm and personable. The atmosphere is energetic as the patrons all seem to know what to expect and are up for a great time. When we were first seated, I was next to a businessman traveling who was here on a recommendation. When we left, I was seated next to a couple on a date who asked us what we were drinking - I'm still not sure what exactly I was drinking, but I got to juice my own grapefruit for it, and that was pretty killer. That's the only bad part, for me, when it comes to this place: I'm not sure what exactly I ate. My friend was steering this ship, and he did not do us wrong. I know there was cucumber in fish egg sauce that I ate an unfortunate amount of. The beef skewers were legit, as was the beef patty, despite sounding like the most mundane dish on the menu. Ramen was tasty, squid was flavorful and the curry rice with pork was an interesting balance of spices without being overwhelming. Can't forget the beef tongue, too. (And now that I re-read this paragraph, I am starting to think I have a cast-iron stomach.) So where does that leave us? Well, now that I've experienced Mr. Max, I feel compelled to add my recommendation to the nearly 500 (at the time of this writing) reviews that share similar accolades. You may balk at the wait time, but this is a perfect example of seeing how good things really do come to those who wait. With a diverse menu, fair pricing and a team of employees who treat all guests as if they were family, Mr. Max is a must-try when you're looking for something different. read more

The secret to this place is calling and reserving a spot ahead of time. It's best to go around 5-6:30pm when it's less crowded, otherwise they'll tell you when they'll be able to accommodate you, which is still better than waiting in an area where there's barely any room to stand. And I'm not joking about this, they have like 3 chairs max and their entrance can maybe fit 6 people sardine-style if you plan on completely blocking the entrance. Take advantage of their specials. Some of the best things I've eaten here are specials/off-menu. You can't go wrong with $5.50 ramen for a normal-sized serving (as opposed to most ramen places in the DFW that serve you ramen by the gallon for $12). Also one of the best agedashi tofus I've ever had. Service is quick, and staff is mostly attentive. I'm sort of glad this place is kind of hidden and tucked away in a not-so-ideal area because I'm selfish and I don't want this place to get too crowded. So far they've found a good balance of serving excellent quality food for a great price, all while having enough customers to stay in business. read more

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To the Max I was so sad to hear that Mr. Max died, he was a very nice man who put a lot of love into his dishes. I was completely giddy when I saw that Mr. Max's restaurant was being resurrected by another Japanese restaurant group. Moreover that they kept the name and the same location. While the location isn't exactly a tier one real estate complex, Mr. Max shines bright here. The interior has been updated while keeping most of the original layout, sadly the karaoke machine is gone. The wood paneling and the privacy screens can be rearranged for a small or large group. Make sure to make reservations, it's small and a very popular spot to come. If it's just one or two, the counter has stools where you can see into the kitchen. The menu is a bit smaller, but still has many of Mr. Max's original entrees. Prices are very reasonable, come with a group and order several dishes family style. I would recommend the Squid Mouth, Shashimi, Miso Ramen, Grilled Atka Mackerel, and Karaage (fried chicken). I think Mr. Max's spirit lives on proudly here. I can't wait to go visit again. Max delight read more

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Feels like a secret hiding spot in Irving! Keep a keen eye out if you're planning a visit at night. QUICK POINTERS * Friendly staff [1] * Reasonable waiting time [2] * Awesome atmosphere [3] * Cool and clean restroom [4] FOOD (menu) * Relatively cheap pricing [5] * Little but decent amount of food selections FOOD (experience) * Takoyaki (ball shaped octopus puffs) [6] * Kishiman, flat wheat noodles [7] * Mini Homemade Japanese Curry [8] * Spicy Taiwan Pork [9] * Shrimp Tempura [10] * Grilled Squid [11] OVERALL Pretty cool place to hit up with your coworkers late night; wide range of small food options with plenty of drink selections so you can feel free to try multiple food options without worrying about being too overly stuffed. Great pricing! Great atmosphere! Great service! Great food selections! Great food! At the end of the day, you feel like you got a little more kick out of this place than you paid for in food which is what makes this a 5-star place for me! - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - [1] Very attentive and cheery; love that greet us in Japanese because it definitely adds to the authentic Japanese atmosphere [2] Everything came out in less than 15 minutes; ramen orders may take a little longer because of the process of making the broth [3] Feels like you're actually stopping by a small, local restaurant in Japan! [4] Very modernistic compared to the rest of the store; the heater's turned up to the max though, Mr. Max. . [5] Everything is under $10! Who can dislike that? [6] Wait a few minutes after being served to eat because the filling is extremely hot; otherwise, eat gradually in small bites; I personally like to eat it sushi style. [7] Awesome option if you're looking for something cooling to eat. [8] Might not be gourmet but definitely tastes like a plate of authentic, homemade curry made by your mom or grandma because of the overall restaurant atmosphere and service. [9] Great hands-on food option! But would not recommend if you don't have a high spice tolerance level. [10] Your typical shrimp tempura, still good nonetheless; nicely coated. [11] Squid is squid, right? Not much to say read more

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Mr. Max is back! The interior looks the exact same with a few minor changes. There are 12 seats at the bar and a booth that can seat 3 different parties. If you haven't been here before, it's a small restaurant with an authentic Japanese vibe. The staff uses iPads now to take orders and the service remains as nice and friendly as before. Came here with my boyfriend around 7 on a Friday- the wait wasn't too long and the food came out quickly. The new menu definitely consists of more variety than the old menu but the food tastes mediocre to me. I'll break it down by what we ordered. Sashimi: First off, the sashimi was my biggest disappointment. For the price, it's okay but I wouldn't suggest ordering it if you're looking for the sashimi to melt in your mouth. The medium toro is dry. The sweet shrimp is almost tasteless and the squid is sliced into thin strips. Tapas: The fire fry marinated squid was not my favorite. The waitress suggested drinking sake with it but the taste was too pungent for my liking. The oyster in olive oil just tastes like regular oysters. Nothing special. Grilled items: The grilled beef tongue was pretty good (not as savory as I hoped for but good). The grilled octopus is delicious (I recommend it!) The grilled salmon should was a little on the salty side but it was soft and full of flavor. Tonkatsu Ramen: I'm not a fan of ramen but my boyfriend is. He says it's better than Hanabi in Fort Worth but ranks lower than Ramen Hakata in Addison. Still delicious though! Ice cream: Eh. We tried all 3 flavors. The green tea is alright. The vanilla is alright. The Japanese flavored one is like a watered down lemon tart. Feels different without seeing Mr. Max in the kitchen.. Not a must try but not a bad try at the same time. read more

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I had heard so much about Mr Max and was not disappointed after my visit. From the moment I walked in I felt the buzz all around me and loved how authentic and non-pretentious the place was. Plus, they make you take off your shoes, which makes it feel like I'm eating in someone's home versus at a hidden restaurant somewhere in Irving. Our table of four ordered half the menu pretty much. It's so hard to choose a favorite from the list because everything that I tried was done so well. I would say that for the price, I would go nuts and just order whatever looks good because it will probably all be delicious. If you're a mackerel fan, I would definitely try theirs as it was crispy on the edges and seasoned well. That along with the niku-jaga (stewed pork and potato) was crying out for a bowl rice to go with it. As soon as I tried it, it made me think of my childhood and a similar dish my mom would use to make. So +1 for random childhood flashbacks. The stewed intestines tasted clean and was very tender and came with a boiled egg. And you honestly can't go wrong with the karaage (fried chicken), which came out perfectly crispy and piping hot. Also, I'd like to give a shout out to the yellow tail sashimi which was just incredible. Come here, eat slow, and try a little bit of everything! read more

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Delicious, authentic Japanese food. Make sure you come early because right at 5pm there's always a line to get in. The location is a little hidden but once you go inside it's like stepping right into Japan. You can sit at the bar top or at the tatami seats but be mindful and take your shoes off. The staff was friendly and service is so fast. We lined up at 4:48, were seated by 5:00, ordered and got our food out within 10min even with every seat in the house being full. As for food, you cannot got wrong with anything on the menu. We have tried the takoyaki, karage, grilled squid, beef tongue, edamame and the only problem we have with them is that we'd be too full for entrees from all the appetizers we order. My boyfriend always gets the tonkotsu ramen it's his go to. The broth was rich yet not overpowering. I always get their sashimi this is one of the only establishments where I enjoy everything on the chefs choice. The ebi was sweet and soft, the salmon and yellowtail were buttery and they even had white tuna one of my favorites. Everything tasted so fresh without any fishy smells. They pride themselves on sourcing straight from Japan. We got their custard pudding for dessert and it was so caramelly and creamy. From the ambiance, service, and food this place is a must-try for Japanese food lovers. read more

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Tastes as good as it looks! EXCELLENT! Worth the wait. Kind service. The sashimi was so fresh! Beef tongue was fun to try--not strange tasting at all. Very good! Loved everything and would recommend this restaurant for any foodie that enjoys trying new things in a new environment. read more

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I'm from Japan and this is the closest meal that reminds me of home. Love it here. The staff are kind as well

The food is good and fairly cheap. I got the sweet and sour karagee but eat it fast or it will get soggy since its drenched in sauce. I also got the hot udon. It was very light and good taste but very plain. It only had the noodles, broth, crunch, and green onions. The crunch will get soggy and you'll get that in each bite. The only reason I gave it a 3 star was because the timing of the food that came out. I came with 3 other people and 2 of them got their ramen first. I got mine when they had just got done eating and my last friend didn't get his until I was almost done and my first 2 friends had finished paying. read more

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