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Chill izakaya with a quaint feel & Japanese-style seating, plus a sushi bar, tapas & sake offerings.
Hours
| Thursday | 5–9 PM |
| Friday | 5–10 PM |
| Saturday | 5–10 PM |
| Sunday | Closed |
| Monday | 5–9 PM |
| Tuesday | 5–9 PM |
| Wednesday | 5–9 PM |
Address and Contact Information
Address: 3028 N Belt Line Rd, Irving, TX 75062
Phone: (972) 255-8889
Website: https://mrmaxtx.com/
Menu Photos
Order and Reservations
Reservations: tablecheck.com
Photo Gallery
Related Web Results
Japanese Restaurant | Mr Max Izakaya Restaurant | Irving
Mr Max is one of the rare authentic Japanese Izakaya in Dallas. All menu items created by chef Tokeshi with handpicked ingredients.
MENU – Mr Max Izakaya Restaurant
We have limited our menu selection at the moment, but we promise to expand our selection as demand increases! Visit Mr. Max Today!
ᴍʀ. ᴍᴀx ɪᴢᴀᴋᴀʏᴀ ᴛᴀᴘᴀꜱ (@mrmax_izakaya) – Instagram
Come and meet our talented Japanese head chef, Tokeshi, at the Mr. Max Irving location! With years of culinary experience, Chef Tokeshi brings authentic …
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Reviews
Stanley Moy
Wonderful hole in the wall but not a hole in the wall. Mr max pushed out incredible food. Fun spot to come with friends but be prepared to wait. I think I waited about an hour to get a bar seat for one. But this type of place is best enjoyed with friends where you can share a meal. The fatty tuna was delicious. The chefs choice for the appetizers was great. The rice sandwich, seemed like a giant onigiri was excellent. The Taiwan ramen was perfect even on the hot summer day. If I could do it again I’d probably swap out the ramen with something smaller. Portions were right on and the staff was super friendly and helpful. Next time I’m in the area I definitely have to come back. Must try if you’re in the area. Plus the chef wears a Starbucks!
… moreCaroline VOS
I honestly hesitated to write this because I don’t want the place getting even harder to get into, but Mr. Max Izakaya in Irving is just too good to keep quiet about. It’s a small spot, nothing fancy, but the food is incredible and the prices are super reasonable. We waited about 45 minutes for a table, and it was totally worth it.
We had Tonkotsu ramen, squid legs, takoyaki (my personal weakness), karaage, and the uni omelette. Every single dish was good. No misses, no “just ok” plates. It all tasted like something the kitchen actually cares about.
If you’re in the area and craving Japanese comfort food, this place is absolutely worth it.
… moreWe had Tonkotsu ramen, squid legs, takoyaki (my personal weakness), karaage, and the uni omelette. Every single dish was good. No misses, no “just ok” plates. It all tasted like something the kitchen actually cares about.
If you’re in the area and craving Japanese comfort food, this place is absolutely worth it.
Raquel G
3.5 stars due to the two hour wait and limited service. Food is good and the experience cool but probably wouldn’t return again.
WAIT TIME – The first time we came to Mr. Max we left due to the wait time. The second time we were prepared to wait. The 2-3 hour wait is an expectation, and not a suggestion. We came shortly after open. There were two waves before us. The first wave waited 30+ minutes before open, the second wave waited 1+ hour at open and our wave waited 2+ hours. I would say the groups after us were around 1+ hour wait. So either come first or last not in between. Also, there’s not waiting area and you’ll be called when it’s your turn. You may see that the loyal customers get to jump the line.
THE DRINKS & SEATING – The Ashai beer ($7) on tap and the non-alcoholic ($6.50) was delicious. The sake would be a pass for me but my husband enjoyed it. We ordered beers while we stood and waited. There’s no seating area, only the small walkway entry. We were fortunate to get a large table. You will need to remove your shoes for the tables. The bar tops do appear to be much smaller and cramped. The seating is all wood with a few thin pillows for what ever comfort you may find.
THE FOOD – We ordered the seafood on the menu. The 5 kind Sashimi ($38) I’d say taste was 50/50, the salmon and shrimp were delicious while the other pieces were okay. The Grilled Squid ($8.50) and the Yellowtail Collar (MP) are a must try! The Valentines Special 3 Kind Appetizer ($18) was okay but small portion compared to the price. The Takoyaki (octopus balls $8) very good tasting and pricing. The Crispy Sushi Rice with Spicy Tuna ($13.50) was better than Nobu because the rice wasn’t as sticky but the tuna was very spicy. Lastly, the Salmon Belly Nigiri ($9 2pc) was a great way to end the meal.
THE SERVICE & BILL – While waiting, we were able to order beer but don’t expect small talk with the cash register worker. While seated, the food came at a good flow but it was difficult to get service when you needed it. From asking for straws, napkins, forks and new chopsticks, the service was lacking. At times it was difficult to tell who was our server versus who is lending a helping hand. Our server was quiet and helpful while her peer was direct and not helpful. If you’re part of the community then you’ll be greeted by smiles. Otherwise, if you’re like us, one-timers, there won’t be any overtly friendly treatment. We did notice some tables were being rushed but as long as you’re ordering then you’ll be able to keep your seat.
OVERALL – I wouldn’t say the taste justifies the wait. Nonetheless, the experience was priceless on Valentine’s Day. If you live close to the area and can put your name down to run errands then you are fortunate, otherwise you’re SOL. Don’t even try the online reservations because it’s booked a month out. We can say we’ve been there and enjoyed the food while loosing a few hours of our lives. The choice is yours to make, what’s your time worth(?). Funny Bit: There was a single man that walked in and was able to get a bar seat without wait. Since the bar has odd seating and there were mostly couples. On Valentine’s Day, he was the luckiest guy in the room.
… moreWAIT TIME – The first time we came to Mr. Max we left due to the wait time. The second time we were prepared to wait. The 2-3 hour wait is an expectation, and not a suggestion. We came shortly after open. There were two waves before us. The first wave waited 30+ minutes before open, the second wave waited 1+ hour at open and our wave waited 2+ hours. I would say the groups after us were around 1+ hour wait. So either come first or last not in between. Also, there’s not waiting area and you’ll be called when it’s your turn. You may see that the loyal customers get to jump the line.
THE DRINKS & SEATING – The Ashai beer ($7) on tap and the non-alcoholic ($6.50) was delicious. The sake would be a pass for me but my husband enjoyed it. We ordered beers while we stood and waited. There’s no seating area, only the small walkway entry. We were fortunate to get a large table. You will need to remove your shoes for the tables. The bar tops do appear to be much smaller and cramped. The seating is all wood with a few thin pillows for what ever comfort you may find.
THE FOOD – We ordered the seafood on the menu. The 5 kind Sashimi ($38) I’d say taste was 50/50, the salmon and shrimp were delicious while the other pieces were okay. The Grilled Squid ($8.50) and the Yellowtail Collar (MP) are a must try! The Valentines Special 3 Kind Appetizer ($18) was okay but small portion compared to the price. The Takoyaki (octopus balls $8) very good tasting and pricing. The Crispy Sushi Rice with Spicy Tuna ($13.50) was better than Nobu because the rice wasn’t as sticky but the tuna was very spicy. Lastly, the Salmon Belly Nigiri ($9 2pc) was a great way to end the meal.
THE SERVICE & BILL – While waiting, we were able to order beer but don’t expect small talk with the cash register worker. While seated, the food came at a good flow but it was difficult to get service when you needed it. From asking for straws, napkins, forks and new chopsticks, the service was lacking. At times it was difficult to tell who was our server versus who is lending a helping hand. Our server was quiet and helpful while her peer was direct and not helpful. If you’re part of the community then you’ll be greeted by smiles. Otherwise, if you’re like us, one-timers, there won’t be any overtly friendly treatment. We did notice some tables were being rushed but as long as you’re ordering then you’ll be able to keep your seat.
OVERALL – I wouldn’t say the taste justifies the wait. Nonetheless, the experience was priceless on Valentine’s Day. If you live close to the area and can put your name down to run errands then you are fortunate, otherwise you’re SOL. Don’t even try the online reservations because it’s booked a month out. We can say we’ve been there and enjoyed the food while loosing a few hours of our lives. The choice is yours to make, what’s your time worth(?). Funny Bit: There was a single man that walked in and was able to get a bar seat without wait. Since the bar has odd seating and there were mostly couples. On Valentine’s Day, he was the luckiest guy in the room.
Chase Pickering
We really enjoyed this place. Traditional Japanese small plates pub with bar seating and sunken tables. We were there at open since they didn’t take reservations and were lucky to be seated right away. We ordered several items to share. The fatty tuna, pork belly, katsu curry and eel omelette were the winners of the evening.
… morePeter Huang
Excellent Izakaya quality place–both in terms of food and atmosphere.
Everything comes out hot and fresh, and it’s all cooked right. No more, no less. There’s nifty appetizers, such as the unagi tamago and seasoned raw octopus. But, even the classic dishes like the chicken karage, shishito pepper, and ramen are knocked out of the park. All of the dishes taste exactly as good as you would imagine them in your head before ordering.
And, the unbelievable cherry on top is that the food is very affordable for the quality that you get. The highlight is the ramen coming in at a reasonable $12.
The tonkotsu ramen itself has all the classic toppings; jammy boiled egg, woodear mushrooms, bamboo shoots, and chashu. It comes with buttery slender thin round noodles, like an exquisite angel hair pasta. However, the best part is the rich salty broth that manages to balance the richness with other lovely flavors in order to offer multiple dimensions of flavor. It’s rich, yet garlicky and a satisfying creamy. It’s one of the best ramen bowls in DFW, but somehow only $12.
Beyond the food, the Izakaya atmosphere is unmatched. It’s a spot with a nice bustling energy to it, and the service from the Japanese staff there is friendly and homely.
… moreEverything comes out hot and fresh, and it’s all cooked right. No more, no less. There’s nifty appetizers, such as the unagi tamago and seasoned raw octopus. But, even the classic dishes like the chicken karage, shishito pepper, and ramen are knocked out of the park. All of the dishes taste exactly as good as you would imagine them in your head before ordering.
And, the unbelievable cherry on top is that the food is very affordable for the quality that you get. The highlight is the ramen coming in at a reasonable $12.
The tonkotsu ramen itself has all the classic toppings; jammy boiled egg, woodear mushrooms, bamboo shoots, and chashu. It comes with buttery slender thin round noodles, like an exquisite angel hair pasta. However, the best part is the rich salty broth that manages to balance the richness with other lovely flavors in order to offer multiple dimensions of flavor. It’s rich, yet garlicky and a satisfying creamy. It’s one of the best ramen bowls in DFW, but somehow only $12.
Beyond the food, the Izakaya atmosphere is unmatched. It’s a spot with a nice bustling energy to it, and the service from the Japanese staff there is friendly and homely.
R31N
We reserved almost a month ahead due to how popular the place is. Unfortunately, we still had to wait 30–40 minutes after our booking time. The restaurant was quite noisy during our visit, which affected the atmosphere.
Service was quick, but the ramen didn’t meet expectations. The tonkotsu was just okay compared to other places. On a positive note, we enjoyed the takoyaki and beef tongue.
Overall, it wasn’t the experience we hoped for given the long wait and advance booking.
… moreService was quick, but the ramen didn’t meet expectations. The tonkotsu was just okay compared to other places. On a positive note, we enjoyed the takoyaki and beef tongue.
Overall, it wasn’t the experience we hoped for given the long wait and advance booking.
Coco Matsumoto
You won’t find any better izakayas in Dallas or San Diego. So far all of my Japanese friends agreed to my statement. I go to San Diego and Japan every month and go to a lot of different izakayas all over but this place could be better than some of the ones in Japan and I’m not exaggerating!
I couldn’t dine here for over 4 years since it’s always booked up but I found out that you can just walk in right at 5p.
I love the staff and atmosphere too❤️
… moreI couldn’t dine here for over 4 years since it’s always booked up but I found out that you can just walk in right at 5p.
I love the staff and atmosphere too❤️
Gabrielle Johnson
Despite the wait, the service and food were phenomenal. We tried to make a reservation but only parties of 3 or more can make a reservation. Tight space with very little room to move around. I had the delicious ramen. For a one time experience, I highly recommend.
… moreJ S
Absolutely amazing and authentic Japanese izakaya. I’ve been to Japan and here they have same dishes with no rolls, just real Japanese recipes. It feels like short travel to the small izakaya in the fisherman’s village near Osaka. Thank you and highly recommend ❤️
… moreMorgan
To say I was blown away by this place is an understatement.
On the outside, it looks like any run-of-the-mill place to get some good Japanese food. But inside, you are treated to an absolute spectacular time. I was taken here for my birthday by a friend. We got here at 530, and it was already almost an hour wait. The wait was absolutely worth the time though. All of the food was fresh and delightful. The service was prompt, curteous, and fast. My head spun with how quickly the kitchen worked to get out such amazing food so quick. The atmosphere inside of here is jovial as well. An absolutely wonderful place to kick back with friends over a Sapporo & some Takoyaki.
Make it a point to come here. Immediately.
… moreOn the outside, it looks like any run-of-the-mill place to get some good Japanese food. But inside, you are treated to an absolute spectacular time. I was taken here for my birthday by a friend. We got here at 530, and it was already almost an hour wait. The wait was absolutely worth the time though. All of the food was fresh and delightful. The service was prompt, curteous, and fast. My head spun with how quickly the kitchen worked to get out such amazing food so quick. The atmosphere inside of here is jovial as well. An absolutely wonderful place to kick back with friends over a Sapporo & some Takoyaki.
Make it a point to come here. Immediately.