Cafe Max Windhaven

The food has not been tender and it's been like this for a while. My daughter won't eat the tough chicken anymore, for at least the last year or more. We have been going to Cafe Max locations since circa 1997 and this has only happened a couple times over the years, but now it's the norm. The chicken has been tough, same with the seafood. My wife mentioned same for hers and for past experiences and agrees. We both still agree that their Caesar salad and dressing with croutons is still the best ever. That recipe is awesome. Also, the prices have gone way up over the years, and they no longer offer dine-in since COVID and they reduced their hours to close mid-afternoon. Prices are several dollars higher and is now at the point where we aren't going anymore. $15.80+ tax for a two-meat trio is no longer in my budget for 3 scoops of salad, and definitely not worth it when it's not tender.

Just love this place, one of the few places that makes me want to eat salads all the time. Been coming to Cafe Max on and off since they were at the Addison/Midway location, and the quality & quantity have been pretty consistent for me. Salad breakdown: Cucumber salad - cucumber, tomato, cilantro, tangy dressing Vegetable salad - zucchini, yellow squash, carrots, cauliflower, vinaigrette Potato salad - yellow potatoes, vinaigrette Pasta salad - tricolor rotini, creamy oregano-forward dressing Seafood salad - imitation crab, creamy tangy dressing Chicken salad - chicken, red/green peppers, apples, pecans, cilantro, sweet tangy dressing Caesar salad - romaine, croutons, parm-forward caesar dressing Fruit salad - cantaloupe, grapes, pineapple, honeydew Prices have gone up, but it's to be expected during these times. I'm not mad about it & still think the food is definitely worth the cost. The only difference that I can detect that one reviewer pointed out is that the seafood salad does have a different texture than previously. The flavor is still great, but the imitation crab is a bit more spongy than I remembered. It doesn't bother me, but if you mind that kind of texture, then this salad might be a pass. Other than that, every salad is still delicious, & portions are still huge. I attached a picture the salad sampler that I got and the plate that I made from that. Pretty sure I can make 2 more plates from what I have leftover. However, the sleeper of this meal is the zucchini muffin(not pictured) that comes with your salad....it's so goooood! The muffin is moist, not too sweet and doesn't just have zucchini, but carrots, walnuts, & raisins. Great way to end your meal! Will need to come back more often.

I have been eating at Café Max since it first opened in Richardson. I left the area in 2003 and have just returned. I was so happy to see that Cafe Max is still in business. I went to the Windhaven location recently and got my three favorites at takeout. The pasta salad was not the same. It had too much dressing in the pasta was overcooked. The southwest chicken salad was not the same. The chicken was cut in a little slivers rather than the big strips it used to have it too had too much dressing and the flavor was not the same. The seafood salad was delicious but once again it had too much dressing. I was very disappointed.

Just FYI to the seafood lovers...their supplier changed and the seafood salad they have had for years that is yummy no longer tastes good. Very fishy and the sauce/mayo it's in is too wet and tastes yucky too. I would order something else, but I wasn't given the option. There are no signs that the seafood salad they have consistently had for over 20 years is gone and they aren't sure if they will get it back. I will return likely and get something other than seafood...but they should be letting customers know and trying before they buy the first time. But that extra work for them and they likely just wanna take their chances few people will notice or complain.