A lot of restaurants at Mizner Park in Boca Raton offer up unique eats. From solid Irish favorites at The Dubliner, to unique Asian delights at Kapow, there are plenty of places to choose from. But when the mood strikes for good, American comfort food there is one place I head… Max’s Grille.
Located on the east side of the park right at the center valet stand, Max’s Grille offers both indoor and outdoor seating as well as a bar outside that usually features live musical entertainment.
Let’s get one thing out of the way first, Max’s Grille is a busy place. With it being one of the top, if not the best, restaurant at Mizner Park it’s hard to get a table at peak times. While they do take reservations, they only take them for parties of four or more, which is disappointing.
When it comes to food, Max’s Grille in Boca Raton has never let me down. Whether stopping by and having a quick burger and drink at the bar or sitting down to dinner in the dining room, food and service never disappoints.
In addition to the menu, which changes a couple times a year, the restaurant has a daily features sheet with additional selections.
For starters, some of my recommendations include:
Meatballs Tinga (mini meatballs in a tomato-chioptle salsa served with grilled bread, poblano crème, cotija cheese and cilantro) – $11. What the meatballs lack in size they make up for in flavor. A great starter for yourself or to share with someone.
Crispy Calamari & Zucchini (lemon-caper aiolo, spicy tomato sauce) – $13. Yes, everyone does fried calamari, but who does it with zucchini? The calamari is lightly breaded and fried and has a mix of rings and tentacles. The zucchini is sliced potato chip thin I have to say, I’m more partial to the zucchini than the calamari. There is enough here to share with someone, so don’t be afraid to tell them to dig-in.
While I don’t have a picture of the Margherita Pizzette, it’s great for snacking on if you’re sitting outside at the bar enjoying a glass of wine. Thin and crispy this take on a thin crust pizza features San Marzano tomatoes with housemade mozzarella and some basil to give it flavor. $11.
For salad, I have to say I’m partial to their Wedge Salad, which isn’t on their dinner menu, but is usually on the daily specials menu I mentioned earlier. They do have salads that are entree size and have a protein such as steak or shrimp on them if you’re inclined to have greens for dinner.
Onto the mains! Heritage Pork Chop (Pastrami spiced dub, autumn squash puree, crispy Brussels sprouts and mostarda) – $29. One of my absolute favorites at Max’s. This thick cut pork chop is juicy, tender and has some amazing flavor. The squash? Not a fan, but the Brussels sprouts are a hit. This is one of those dishes I tell people they have to try, even if they don’t like pork.
On a recent visit, I wasn’t in the mood for the burger or the pork-chop, so I asked for a seafood recommendation from the bartender who was taking care of us at the inside bar. She immediately steered me towards the Snapper Francaise (onion crusted and francaise battered, orzo pasta, sun-dried tomatoes and zucchini, citrus burre blanc with cherry tomatoes, diced avocado and crispy shrimp) – $28. She said this particular dish could be done crab crusted as well, instead of francaise. I decided to leave well enough alone and go for it as described. I wasn’t disappointed, as the fish was fresh and flaky, although the crispy shrimp I felt were more of a distraction than an add-on as they weren’t very good. They could have been left off.
This same night my dining companion went with the Skaushi Flat Iron Steak (wood fired wagyu beef, Parmesan steak fries, arugula and tomatoes, horseradish aioli) – $27. I had to take a taste and found the beef to be very tender and buttery. Don’t order a salad if you’re going for this one, as the arugula on the side is enough to take care of that.
Like I said earlier, Max’s never disappoints. If you can get in. This is one of Boca’s hot-spots and sitting at the outdoor bar or one of the outdoor bar’s high-tops, you’re guaranteed some added entertainment as the night gets older and some of Boca’s finest get a little, well… amorous. It can be quite entertaining.