Max & Erma’s

This location is a longtime favorite of mine having spent most of my teenage years hanging out in Laurel Park. My usual Max & Erma go-​to is a salad and tortilla soup combo but I was in the mood for a burger so took a leap. Cheeseburger was great, juicy, tasty hunk of meat on a brioche bun. Fries were fresh but I remembered them to be more seasoned than they were.
Our server was attentive and the manager was visible on the floor, he even checked in on us and refilled our bevs.
What stinks about this place is the floor (always a weird dampness to it) and the bathrooms. One stall was reminiscent of a bar in Detroit… complete with a plywood insert behind the toilet plumbing and all. I don’t think the bathrooms have been refurbished since they were built. Not that a place should be judged by its bathrooms but if you’re OK with the way that looks as a customer facing area, what are you OK with in back house areas like the kitchen?!

This place showed us a horrible experience for a Tuesday night, after visiting Santa with our grandson. From being sat and then not waiting on to the general term «guys» being used for a family mixed with men, women and a boy. Dominic tried to sell beverages, yeah, but we only ordered water. He was then asked for a pitcher for the table after waiting over 10 minutes for a glass of water and a refill.
Dominic then tried to offer appetizers which we did order the pretzel sticks. Typically well cooked and presented between the area restaurants. Tonight we were served some brown shit that was being passed over as queso. When brought to Dominic’s attention he mentioned that he noticed it but didn’t know what to do so he served it. Dominic, in case you are reading this, you work for tips. You never serve food that you wouldn’t eat. There has to be someone running that line that can make your corrections to keep your guests happy.
Our dinners were served with a few issues. First a cold dinner salad served with hot dressing. I don’t understand this, maybe give her a bowl from the dish machine too. My burger was under cooked and I felt the fries were over seasoned. My wife had to ask for additional ranch for her burger after receiving less than a half portion to begin with. It’s now been at least 25 minutes since I finished eating and the cookies were just delivered. The cookie was not warm and chewy as advertised. We did however receive the pretzels at no charge without asking.
Lastly he was still trying to sell desserts at the end but quite frankly he had no business doing so. He was hardly in his section. Empty plates and drinks are needing refills were on our table as well as those around us. I actually didn’t know how to answer one question. When Dominic asked «if everything was still alright». I looked around and asked if we ever were asked immediately after being served, typically a server should check back to their served tables within 3 minutes to make sure everything is right so I just stared at him with a blank look. Now my daughter wants to know how to tip her bill. It is a pickle we are sitting in.

Service very good food not so good ! My wife asked for chicken quesadillas without onions. She was told they are premade in the mornings with onions and could not be helped. then she ordered the French onion soup. When it came to us the broth had the color of chicken broth with cheese melted on it instead of being dark and tasty. It was horrible. The people sitting next to our table sent their French onion soup back as well. Have eaten here many times in the last 15 years not what it was back in the day. Will not be back. Lots of empty tables should have been a clue. Bar Louie across the hall was packed with a waiting list to get in.

Amazing tortilla soup! My sister and I made things a little complicated when we ordered a simple soup and salad and then agreed we should have got the cheeseburger combo and sub salad instead of fries… The server and manager were happy to make those changes! I can’t remember our servers name, but she started just a few months ago and was fantastic.
Cheeseburgers are usually a little greasy for my liking, but other then that — everything was great!

Typical American style chain restaurant.
Everything was pretty average (portions, prices, food) which the exception of service, which was top notch.
Staff was super friendly.
Place had pretty big seating with a decent sized menu.
It’s attached to a small mall. So of you’re planning on shopping there it’s a good place for lunch, since there aren’t many other places around unless you’re wanting to drive.
All in all it’s exactly what you’d expect from most chain restaurant. Not great, not terrible, just average. Very homey environment and terrific service.

Do not go to this awful restaurant. We walked in waited 15 minutes to be acknowledge by the waiter saying be with you in a moment. Watched him serve food to his one other table and walk away and disappear for ANOTHER 10 minutes. He then comes back and fills drinks for his one other table and walks away AGAIN. I walked out. Unbelievable! This would have been my first time at this restaurant chain and will NOT be entrusting my money or time ever again on attempting it.

I’ve been a loyal Max & Erma’s customer at this location for years. I’ve never encountered any problems and regularly met friends for drinks and lunches. Do I love the chicken tortilla soup… Yes of course!
On this specific visit I’m reviewing however, I was very dissapointed and felt extremely unwelcome. First off, I’m a Michigan native, but for the last two years lived in Seattle, Washington (where I might add, there is not a Max and Erma’s — so upon returning and moving back to Michigan, coming to M&E was high on my priority list). I ordered an alcoholic beverage, the server took my order (after looking at my ID) then came back to ask for my out of state (WA) drivers liscencse so the manager could look at it. She explained politely that they just had a training on the matter, I found it odd and unsettling that my ID would need to be taken away from the table, but aggreed. The server came back to the table when a guest joined my table, and first asked if there was anything she could get for the guest. I imedietely asked her if she had my ID, and she said she was just about to explain that matter. The manager was still looking at it and had a book of out of state ID’s to compare it to. Another manager walked by the table a few moments after this exchange happpend and we asked him about that matter and he was extremely attentive and said he was not aware of the situation, but would go back and check with the other manager. About ten to fifteen minutes after my ID was taken, the manager finally came out to the table to talk to me. He said since the ID was out of state and it ‘wasn’t a close state like Ohio’ that they wouldn’t accept it. He asked if I had any other form of ID on me, which I didn’t. This made me feel extremely unwelcome, how on earth does this restaurant expect to serve and please their guests when they are located NEXT to a Hotel where out of towners stay?! It should be noted that out of state guests need more than one form of ID before entering the restaurant.
I get that it was a Friday night, busy, and a lot going on — but I find it ridiculous that it took twenty minutes to even get our dinner order in and my guests drink to be brought out. Our server was attentive, but after this exchange with the ID it put a damper on our experience. I plan to return to Max & Erma’s — but it DEFINITELY will not be this location.

Great American Style food, servers were attentive and very accommodating. Great atmosphere, enjoyed a great philly sand which.

Still the best soup in the world — Chicken Tortilla. I matched it with a half a Reuben and a glass of the house cab— all at a reasonable price. Megan my server was perfect.

Food is pretty good. Our service was a little slow. I asked for lemons twice but never got them. On Tuesdays kids eat for free and the balloon guy is there. John Duh, the balloon guy is very talented

We’ve been to this location before and although they’ve changed their menu a few times over the years we’ve always had a good experience. We got lucky today because it was kids night which means they eat FREE! They also had a balloon artist go around for the kids which was a nice touch. (Tip: there goes the free kids meal after generous tip to balloon guy; but worth the smiles). Service was excellent. Right on point with everything and very friendly.
Food was good. I had the Cajun tilapia and veg (very very delicious). Wife had the «simple steak». Unfortunately it was undercooked for her liking but the pieces she ate were good and the pieces she didn’t eat were just right for me to take home; not to mention it was seasoned rather good. The kids had your standard kids menu dishes. Not too impressed with the Kraft box Mac and cheese they normally would charge $ 5 for. Even though kids meals were free I do feel that the overall meal was a little overpriced for the portions and quality. None the less I see no reason why we won’t return again.

Max and Erma’s has always been quite mediocre to me. Not necessarily awful and not necessarily amazing either. To be honest, I’m probably in love with their fresh cookies more than anything.
I dined here this evening with my guy friend after a long day of hockey. We planned on seeing a movie at Phoenix Theatre afterwards so thought of trying a restaurant at Laurel Park Place for convenience. Max and Ermas it was!
We were seated quickly in the bar area (ugh!) and left for a while to look over the menu. I’ve mentioned previously that I always have bad service in the bar area and that was really no different. For 8PM on a Friday when the mall is closing, the place was rather slow. Service left me dissatisfied. Once again, mediocre at best. Took us 15 minutes to get drinks and another 10 minutes to get our order taken. People seated after us already got our food by then!
We opted for the BBQ pulled pork nachos for an appetizer which were huge! Easily enough to share. They looked so good that others around us ended up ordering the same thing! Chips were plentiful and nothing was even soggy. Just the way we like it!
Our meals came out about 4 minutes after we got our appetizer (such a pet peeve!) My boy ordered the tortilla soup and tortilla burger and loved it! Like others have mentioned — best tortilla soup ever! I ordered the Reuben Grill minus sauerkraut, which still came loaded with sauerkraut. I tried getting most of it off my sandwich but it was piled so high that I essentially gave up on eating my entire sandwich. Our waitress was no where to be found for drink refills or even to ask us how our food was. We waited for over 30 minutes for just our bill.
If only you could have seen the look on my face when I saw the bill. $ 42 for 2 people. We knew the prices on the menu already but I’m certain they screwed something up along the way. For $ 42 for 2 people I would’ve happily eaten somewhere else. If you have the extra time and money, I suggest going elsewhere in Livonia. Max and Erma’s isn’t worth it.

It’s really nice to go to a restaurant that honestly cares about their customers. My husband and I came I this location for lunch today with our 6 month old son. Anyone with an infant knows that going out to eat can be a bit of a handful. The employees were very attentive when it came to our needs whether it was getting us the perfect temp of water to make a bottle or switching high chairs back and forth. Very VERY friendly staff and an overall welcoming experience! The food was also quite delicious!

We went to max and ermas today and the food tasted amazing. Smiling faces all around! :) It’s not our first time, were coming back!

I used to love coming to Max & Erma’s when I lived in Michigan. I used to come to this location and go shopping at the mall.
We had lunch on a Tuesday and kids eat free all day on Tuesday, which was awesome.
I ordered the lunch-​sized Hula Bowl salad and was expecting it to be as great as I remembered. However, it was rather gross. The pineapple was bitter, there were a ton of wilted lettuce pieces, and it was bland and disappointing.
My husband ordered the American Cheeseburger Combo with included a cheeseburger, fries, tortilla soup, and a cookie for $ 9. While the price was awesome, his burger was dry, flavorless, and disappointing as well. He did say the tortilla soup was great.
The chicken tenders that my son had were a big hit, so maybe it’s just certain foods that they need help with. Then again, there isn’t much to mess up with a piece of fried chicken.
My final thought on this visit is that while the service was good, it wasn’t great. I don’t see myself going there again. When we come home and have the opportunity to eat at places we can’t visit in Georgia, we want GREAT places. Max & Erma’s is definitely off our list.

I can remember when this Max and Erma’s came to Laurel Park… it hasn’t changed at all. The tortilla soup is still stellar and the Santa Fe Chicken salad is still wonderful too. Don’t forget about free cookie Wednesdays and if you come in try and get Joe as a server, he was on his game for sure.

Service was great. I can’t remember her name, she was short brown hair. Very nice and friendly. I ordered Laredo steak medium well tasted good cooked and correctly. I didn’t like the green beans they were clearly frozen no taste and rubbery. Potatoes were ok, could have been cooked a little more. Overall I’d come back cause of the service, food is just average

Our waitress was great — prompt on the ordering, good flow with the meal, refills a plenty. That was the highlight.
The food was just mediocre. Not horrid, not great. $ 11 for lunch — I would rather eat about 1000 other places instead. If you are at the mall and want a sundae — this is the place to go. Otherwise, go elsewhere.
I would give it less stars but the service really was great.

This Max and Erma’s was a real disappointment. We had a large group and called days in advance, but they still weren’t ready for us. Not that they were busy, they just never set up the tables and were quite panicked when we arrived. The one server struggled to deal with our party of 15, and didn’t remember anyone’s order… so when the food came out, it was a insane as she yelled out meals and people yelled back what they ordered.
To top it off, we ordered several boxes of cookies to take out with us, so our server just assumed that those of us who ordered combo meals that included the cookie would just eat from those later and never brought our cookies out… she actually lied to us and said there were extra’s in the boxes… very disappointing that our server had no integrity or regard for service!
We meet in this area several times a year, but will never return to this place as long as I can help it!

I miss this place now that I live out in California but I go everytime I’m back in Michigan!
BEST Tortilla Soup! Hands down!
BEST Chocolate Chip Cookies! You can order them and take them to go. They are warm and soft and pieces of heaven!
AWESOME staff and service!
AWESOME food and have great options!
You must go here. Order some chocolate chip cookies, you won’t regret it!