4. Restaurants

Maccabees At Midtown

5057 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI, 48202
  • (313) 831-9311
  • Store is closed

Maccabees At Midtown Menu

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Chili’s Grill & Bar ( 5707 Southfield Fwy )

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  • Alexander W.

    Maccabee's was alright. The burger I ordered was good. Nothing else there was really the price I'd want for the food I expected to get. The atmosphere was really nice... until I got to my seat. They sat me where I had a full view of the kitchen. There's no swinging door or anything to block view and it was pretty glaring light contrasted with the nice decor of the rest of the place. They could stand to change that. Service was friendly and had no problems there.

    (3)

  • Diba R.

    Great food! Love the atmosphere on Friday nights! love their potato cake sandwiches and burgers! Glad they opened a place like this at Wayne State!

    (5)

  • Dottie G.

    We have tried this place three times now and are officially giving up. The first time was on Noel Night, when we wrote off the poor service as a result of the crazy/busy night. However, I would argue that they should have known how crazy/busy they were going to be and had more than one bartender on duty. We came back two more times and each time service was really really slow and the food was mediocre at best. With the competition offered in Detroit dining right now, I would not waste my time at this restaurant. I hope they step up and make a go of it, but I see no evidence that that is the plan.

    (1)

  • Monique F.

    My friends planned a dinner for me and we planned on heading here! Fail! The website says they close at 9 so we rode past to find parking around 8 and they looked closed. We called and they said since no one was in restaurant that decided to close. They then said the kitchen closes at 8 smh. Very disappointing. I don't see how you expect to keep business pulling moves like this! Hopefully when I come back to visit, my friends and I can go have dinner there...better yet we will try lunch!

    (1)

  • Susan N.

    Great food, great service! Woodward is a pain, but a must on the brunch list for Detroit! Sit back for a leisure brunch. Unusual beat on the common breakfast treats! Staff is really nice, be patience ! Worth the waiter running the food, bar, and other parts!!

    (5)

  • Diba R.

    Great food! Love the atmosphere on Friday nights! love their potato cake sandwiches and burgers! Glad they opened a place like this at Wayne State!

    (5)

  • Sue N.

    OMG. We had a great dinner here. Service was great. Andrew was our waiter. He was professional, attentive, and knowledgeable about the menu. The calamari is the best I've ever had. And I've had it in many other places. We ordered mac & cheese which was outstanding. It contains lots of cheese and nice crusty top. The Lone Ranger is a beef brisket sandwich with provolone cheese and onion served on a potato pancake It was absolutely delicious. Great drink menu too. You can't go wrong here

    (5)

  • Mike H.

    If I could give Macabees 6 stars if I could. I love the decor and the music. Everyone in the bar was smiling and having a great time. Service was pretty slow, but very friendly, which is what I ask for. Plus, we got a round the house for the slowness. I really love this place, and I'll definitely be back.

    (5)

  • Sunny W.

    Had the Sunday brunch today at Maccabees for $21. Got a table right away but the place was packed so it was a good vibrant environment. The $21 buffet includes salads, comfort food (fried chicken, potatoes, mac-and-cheese, grilled chicken, veggies, etc...), fresh fruits, one or two dessert items, made-to-order waffles (red velvet was surprisingly good), coffee + non-alcoholic beverages, and endless mimosas / champagne. Service was also really good, my waitress came to check on my time and refilled my mimosas promptly Overall the food/service/ambiance was great and I would recommend this Sunday brunch to others. The only reason I gave it 4 stars (and not 5 stars) is because their website advertised a $21 entree brunch (i.e. endless mimosas, dessert/fruits buffet, plus pick one entree) and that's what I prefer and the reason I chose to come in to begin with. I'm not a big fan of comfort food buffets and it was a bit disappointing/misleading that what their website menu advertises was different from what they actually served.

    (4)

  • Ame G.

    Went for dinner and had good results. Our group got burgers and a variety of appetizers. The burgers, fries, onion rings were loved by the whole group (7-8 people). I have to say I have a mixed opinion on the calamari...it has a strange after taste, but I couldn't pinpoint what it was... The service was good but could've been a little faster.

    (3)

  • Tyra N.

    They have the decor, prices and style of an upscale restaurant but I felt out of place on a Saturday afternoon during an outdoor festival. The service is quality with attentive, well dressed and fairly informed waitstaff. The tables were all clean and properly dressed. Although my waitress did not know much more about their wine selection than I did, we figured things out. For a place that is attempting to pass as fancy they need to educate their staff on wine pairing and temperatures. We ordered appetizers because the entree menu, while appetizing, was too rich for my taste. I wanted the salmon entree but at $26 I wasn't willing to risk it for something I could have gotten up the street for $12. My caprese salad was fresh, clean and the balsamic reduction tied it all together. My company had sweet potato fries, sliders and steak tips. The fries were well prepared hot and served with honey mustard in a basket. The steak tips were well seasons and served with no accouterments, the sliders were very large and were loved. My critique is the pricing. Sliders, sweet potato fries in a basket, and steak tips can be had ANYWHERE for much less and on the same plate with the same decor. They need to tone the pricing down. I won't be returning until then. We all spent at least $25 for 2 appetizers that were appealing but not close to satisfying. They are good but nothing was so good or unique that I'm willing to pay their rates.

    (3)

  • Brittiany R.

    Maccabees is in a perfect location near the DIA and Wayne State in a beautiful building. It is art-deco from the ceilings down to the menu and it is a truly beautiful restaurant. The menu has a pretty good variety of options including vegetarian options and more fish options than I'm used to. The food was overall fresh and tasty but there were quite a few hits and misses. I ordered onion rings but please don't make that same mistake. They were at least 2-3 inches thick and way overcooked. Our waitress even brought us a second order but they came out almost exactly the same. The sandwiches are a must try especially the ones made with the potato pancakes. I never thought that would be a good combination but it was melt-in-your-mouth, taste overload good. The texture of the potato cake pairs perfectly with the sandwiches! A must! The calamari was really, really chewy and tough. Skip that and try the sliders or one of their fresh salads! The walleye dish also came with quite a few bones in it pointing out poor filleting skills. The fish was prepared well but I wasn't able to fully enjoy it as I spent lots of time pulling out bones. I will be back to sample more highly recommended dishes and their brunch! which boasts an all-inclusive brunch option with endless mimosas and a dessert variety.

    (3)

  • Ron B.

    A four for service. Our waiter was great. But my friend's salmon came out raw, which was no good. The menu is okay, it didn't change my life but there were varied options and everything was served quickly and efficiently. Good for group lunch.

    (3)

  • Lorraine F.

    Love this place. Been there 3 times and have had excellent service and great food. Yesterday "Classy" was my server and made a simple early meal a delightful experience with humor and attention to detail. The Lemon chicken is fabulous. The salmon on pasta was perfect. Silly detail, but coffee lovers will understand, the coffee is served in a huge mug with a big handle. Nice end to a great meal. I must try it there for weekend brunch!

    (5)

  • Elizabeth L.

    I love this place for brunch! Came here with a group of 9 at noon on a Sunday. As soon as we walked in we were greeted by what looked to be the owner or manager. Super friendly and accommodating right off the bat. The service was great from beginning to end and the food was spectacular. I recommend the Maccabee Turkey. It was flavorful, juicy and filling. It came with a small spinach salad on the side and the dressing was great! The potato pancake, which was used instead of bread or a bun, was soo soo soo good. I'll salivating just thinking about the sandwich. I also ordered a side of onion rings which were piping hot and crunchy (I hate when the breading is soft and soggy). I had enough to take home for leftovers and eat the next day. Besides the food menu options I love this place for brunch because you can do an "all-inclusive" brunch for one price. That allows you unlimited mimosas, champagne and non-alcoholic drinks, along with the fresh pastries and fruit bar and your choice of one entree for $21. So when it comes to groups you just split the bill evenly. hassle free. Our server automatically gave us separate bills and was great with our group. I don't any of us ever had to ask twice for a re-fill or even at all most of the time. The inside is a great vibe with a rich historic feel and I have never had an issue with parking. Almost every side street allows street parking and on Sundays you do not have to pay a meter if you park at one. If you're looking to have a Sunday funday I would consider this place. Great place to bring out-of-towners too!

    (4)

  • Kathy P.

    I really like the location and ambiance of this restaurant. We had good service. The food was average. I ordered fish and found it to be a little greasy/heavier than I'd like. I would give it another try and order something different, or maybe go for brunch or lunch.

    (3)

  • Darrell K.

    We decided to go here since it was close to a venue. There is parking around the corner but it felt like a long way since it was a cold, snowy night. I had a long island for starters. It was ok. Not the greatest, not the worse. I also ordered the grouper which was also just ok. This was my first but the fish seemed kind of bland. The wait staff was great. She was pretty attentive and friendly. I will visit in the future and try something else.

    (3)

  • Brian P.

    Very cool place. Their latke sandwiches are amazing! Have been back twice since first going there. Great spot.

    (4)

  • Taneisha G.

    They earned 1 Star for customer service. My friends and I came here to celebrate and they were closed at 8 pm. We called the restaurant to ask why the lights were out and the guy on the phone stated that the kitchen was closed at 8, even though their website clearly states that they are open until 9 pm. We explained that we drove a long way and the guy on the phone didn't care.

    (1)

  • Ashley C.

    Great place for brunch and centrally located to all the great midtown locations. Go on a Sunday, and parking is free! We took a chance and showed up without reservations in Mother's Day. It was a crap shoot but we get lucky even though they were super busy. The host/manager/owner was accommodating and bit us seated right away. We checked in on yelp and bit to use our 20% off coupon. Not sure if it was just today, or everyday but the first mimosa or Bloody Mary was free. Score! They only had the Buffett, which was fine. Both breakfast and lunch items, and an omelet and waffle station. We ordered the omelet and waffles from the waitress and hit the Buffett. The food was great, but that is where the greatness ended. We didn't see our waitress for a long time. We were out of water, no way we were getting another drink even if we wanted one, and the waffles and omelet took about 45 minutes. They were super busy, and apparently overstuffed but we had to listen to two of the waitstaff get into a pretty heated argument in front of all of us that carried on longer than any of us were comfortable with. We just wanted to pay and leave by this point, but tracking the waitress down and actually paying was another 20 minutes while we sat amongst dirty dishes. Loved the food, but if you want excellent service, it seems like they are still working that out.

    (4)

  • Ashley S.

    FYI this is now a brunch buffet on Sunday's you can still get the all you can drink mimosas, but you do not get an entire choice. The food was decent enough for a buffet: breakfast meats, scrambled eggs, potatoes, shrimp and grits, fried chicken, fruit and pastries, make your own waffle or omelet and a few other odds and ends, however, we had our hearts set on some of the advertised main menu brunch options and were disappointed those were no longer options.

    (2)

  • Greta B.

    Beautiful, historically rich, very cozy atmosphere. The staff was very friendly, attentive and efficient. The Traverse City Blues salad was soooo good!!! I also had Eggplant Bruschetta which was good, but I prefer mine crispy. I love the sweet butter and rolls served with the meal!!! I can't wait to try other foods on the menu!

    (5)

  • Mary B.

    Had lunch here today using my 20% Yelp coupon. The place has a quaint pub feel even though it's a fairly large restaurant. Doc waited on me hand and foot. He introduced me to a Polish brew that was indeed tasty. My BLAT and skinny sweet potato fries were awesome. I will definitely return with friends.

    (5)

  • Sarai E.

    Went for dinner and got the Mac and cheese with lobster. So good. I'll be playing with more items from their menu again soon.

    (5)

  • Lynn H.

    Hubby and I stopped in here about 4pm on the Sunday before Memorial Day, after visiting the Samurai exhibit at the DIA. Although, apparently, the place is usually hopping on a Sunday, we were the only ones in the joint, so we got especially attentive service from the friendly and knowlegable bartender. We lucked into a Sunday brunch situation. Yep, all day Sunday is brunch at Maccabees, $15.00 for an entree and a drink. We both opted for a bloody Mary and we both agree it is the best bloody we've had in a long time. Definitely going to be back for another. My entree (hard to call it breakfast at 4pm) was an egg & bacon sandwich with garlic aioli and a side of home fries. Hubby opted for the bacon burger with a side of French fries. Both were delish. The interior of Maccabees is delightful. It's got a Romanesque feel to it, with plenty of sun streaming in from the large front windows. I didn't know it at the time, but the Maccabees building that houses the restaurant is on the National Register of Historic Places.

    (4)

  • Layan A.

    Lovely place in midtown detroit. I got a Groupon and this is how I found out about the place. Ambiance was relaxed on a Wednesday night, dim lighting, nice hip decor. It was quiet with about 5 tables taken. I got the Macabees burger which was delicious, I highly recommend it. My husband got the surf and turf NY ribeye steak, which he thought was ok, kind of chewy like these steaks usually are. Prices are decent, not too expensive. I will be back for sure.

    (4)

  • Michele A.

    This is a little GEM. We came in for a Sunday brunch around 1130am. The place was not busy. We were seated and ordered the brunch with endless mimosas $21. The brunch comes with 1 menu item plus a fruit and treat bar. The item I got was corned beef hash. Good size portion with tasty meat. My husband got the midtown which is a roast beef sand using potato pancakes for the bun, super tasty. The service was great and friendly. The decor is very nice.

    (5)

  • Jennifer W.

    I've been here a few times for lunch before, and the wait staff has always been great and the food delicious, but the brunch I went to today was really exceptional. The food is a bit heavy and very rich, but it's very good. I had the Maccabees turkey and my boyfriend had a brisket Benedict, and both were great. For brunch this morning I called a few minutes before my boyfriend and I went in to use a groupon (which makes this brunch an even more awesome deal than it already is) and they were really accommodating to a last minute reservation. Our waitress, Alexis, was absolutely wonderful. I don't think I've ever had someone nicer or more attentive who's found the balance between keeping my mimosas filled without being overly pushy. I really appreciated her service today. The atmosphere in general is lovely too - it's very classy and reminiscent of '40s decor but with a modern touch. The jazz music was a great complement to brunch as well. I'm so glad this restaurant is open at Wayne state and I'm excited to go back again!

    (5)

  • Joseph K.

    This was an unexpected surprise. Very good drinks with fresh ingredients. I had what is referred to as a triple berry which is a lovely combination of cranberry juice Chambord and a Liquor of some sort. My meal started with a very nice house salad made with a really spectacular raspberry vinaigrette dressing. My entrée was their Peeque sandwich, which was a divine combination of chicken, bacon, avocado, and garlic aïoli on a brioche bun. Absolutely magnificent! Service throughout was prompt, efficient, and very friendly. Our server checked on us at least six times during our 45 minute visit. The space itself is also quite pleasing being right off of Woodward Avenue lots of nice views from the windows. Highly recommended!

    (5)

  • Crystal C.

    I thought service was ok food was just bar food with a twist I got the turkey potatoe pancake sandwich it was very greasy and burnt potato cake. The concept of this might not be to everyone's taste, certainly wasn't mine , however I know good food and this was just so average at best. Won't be back!

    (2)

  • Kim E.

    Looking for a place to have lunch before a 1pm play downtown and I found this place online. The offer a Sunday Brunch that fit my timeframe, so I gave it a go. The food was delicious and I will be back for dinner the next time I'm downtown for a play. The Details: Sunday Brunch was not a buffet but you ordered off the menu. They did have a bar with fresh fruit, muffins and cookie you can troll until your food arrives. I had vanilla mascarpone stuffed french toast drizzled with caramel and my daughter had choc chip pancakes. There were about 15 choices ranging from steak & eggs to a chicken dish. Mine was decadent and delish. She was happy with the "free" fruit! Parking can be a challenge for they don't have a lot - I found luck along Warren Ave and there is a WSU garage behind and the DIA lot across the street. The staff was friendly, the place was clean and it just had a nice vibe. Decor is beautiful with a throw-back to the art deco building housing it. Overall, I'd highly recommend Maccabees when in midtown and am looking forward to trying dinner next time.

    (4)

  • Blas G.

    Came to Maccabbees for dinner. It has a quiet uptown atmosphere. The food is pretty good. I had the Lone Ranger. It is a potato pancake sandwich with brisket, provolone cheese, grilled onions, and chipotle mayo. For the most part it was good it could have used a bit more mayo to give it some more of the chipotle flavor. As an appetizer we ordered the steak tips. It was cooked just right and the sauce it comes with was to die for. We'll be adding it to our places to eat in Detroit list

    (4)

  • Lindsey W.

    Oh my, I really wanted to like this spot. The location is desirable and the decor is lovely. My mom and I visited Maccabees this evening before heading to the Fisher. We saw an ad in which Maccabees provides a 20% discount for diners who are headed to a "Broadway in Detroit" show. What an incentive to stop in! I had the Lone Ranger which was quite good. Moist brisket between two potato pancakes. My mom had the Gateway Reuben. The corned beef to sauerkraut ratio was skewed. There was so little sauerkraut on her sandwich that she didn't realize that there was any at all. After main courses we split a chocolate cheesecake dessert. It was very good. Not too rich and the presentation was nice as well. Time to cash out. I informed our waitress that we were headed to the theater so that our bill would reflect the advertised discount. She came back to inform me that she believed the discount to be 20% but her colleague thought that the discount was to be 10% so they decided that the best way to settle the discrepancy was to not charge me for my dessert. The dessert totaled about 3.5% of my total bill. So disheartening!!! I would never have known that Maccabees even existed had it not been for that ad. It's even more upsetting since I read a review from a follow yelper that they had been victim to the same scam. Though the food was decent, I won't visit Maccabees in the future because I cannot support an establishment that is dishonest.

    (2)

  • Rebecca T.

    They are doing the midtown shuffle. They changed their menu, took off some of the best items, are using cheaper ingredients, and raised their prices. Bully for them, they were packed. The waitress did not know anything about the food she was serving. I told her that I have Celiac. There used to be a kale salad that I could eat with no problems, but it is gone. So she told me to get the arugula salad which she said was gluten free, as opposed to the southwest salad, which has corn (?). She brought the arugula salad with a chunk of bread on top, and breaded balls of chèvre. I sent it back. I ended up paying $14 for a pile of arugula with a few beet chunks. "Have a blessed day", she told me.

    (1)

  • Fred M.

    First time there, Saturday around 5pm. wait staff attentive, missed some details, like asking daughter if she wanted something to drink instead of just water, the restaurant was very warm, which made it uncomfortable. Every beer was just a little too warm. Everyone enjoyed the food, had an issue with one plate, staff took it off bill without an issue, much appreciated. For dessert the choice was either chocolate cake or carrot cake, would expect a bigger variety. With all the other choices popping up around that area and downtown, it might be a while before we go back, as we were not wowed, but it is better then average.

    (3)

  • Stefani B.

    My husband and I had been really looking forward to visiting Maccabees. We're huge Motor City boosters and love finding new restaurants in the D; so we walked in optimistic. When we arrived around 8:30 on a Saturday night , there were 8 diners, including ourselves, in the whole restaurant...and yet, we still had to wait for them to bus a table before we could be seated. Once ensconced in a booth, it took another 5-10 minutes for our server to arrive. She plopped a bottle down on our table and asked "you two okay with just water?" Then, she walked away without waiting for our response. We decided what we wanted fairly quickly, but waited *another* 10 minutes or so for the waitress to return. She took our orders (including drinks, finally) and walked away without a word. Not scoring any points for service, so far, but it was going to get worse; because once our food was delivered, she disappeared entirely. My husband ordered the Maccabee burger ($18) with a side of onion rings ($4) and a bowl of chicken noodle soup ($4). I had the Southern Belle Potato Pancake Sandwich ($10) and a bowl of Mushroom and Wild Rice Soup ($4). Both soups were heavily salted, which might have been manageable if our server had ever come back to refill our drinks. The burger was beautifully presented, but accompanied by only a few onion rings. My husband describes it as "adequate"...not the word one hopes to use when describing an $18 burger. I cannot recommend the Southern Belle at all. The BBQ was overwhelmingly sweet, to the point of drowning out the flavor of the cheddar cheese entirely. If it's possible to create a "dessert" pulled pork, the Maccabee's staff has done so. The potato pancake itself was texturally quite nice- crispy on the outside, fluffy interior. Unfortunately, it was a bit burned, which made it difficult to eat. Between the charred starch and the sugary BBQ, I gave up on my meal halfway through. Our waitress returned only after I'd waved down another server who, rather than coming to see what we needed, simply disappeared into the kitchen...ostensibly to fetch our designated employee. As a former waitress myself, I was VERY disappointed in the lack of attention, especially when you remember our two-top table represented 25% of their total customers at the time. In summary: Food- poorly executed and overly sweet/salty. Service- Abysmal Price- Excessive for the quality Return Visit Planned- Nope! Never again. Recommended- Not at all. You're better off visiting Union Street just a few blocks down Woodward.

    (1)

  • Dave W.

    I've driven by this place a million times, but had no idea what it was. I was meeting a friend for lunch in Midtown so I checked this place out on Yelp and it sounded like it was worth a try. It did not disappoint! Great looking facility...old and charming...the kind of place that makes me glad to work in the city so I don't have to go to those boring chain restaurants I used to frequent in the 'burbs. Great menu selection...I had the Peeque sandwich and sweet potato fries and I enjoyed it all. Our server, Jeff, was friendly and attentive. I would definitely return!

    (4)

  • Jes P.

    Before a day at the D.I.A, we decided to get a bite to eat. The closest place was Maccabees. There were five of us in our group and no one had ever been to Maccabees. I was weary about going because I had read yelp reviews that were not so favorable in regards to service. However, I believe trying things for yourself before going with popular opinion. In regards to service, I must say we had an extra ordinary experience. The wait staff was wonderful, gave great recommendations, and even was able to make some fresh lemonade for us when there was no lemonade on the menu. We loved the interior design and all the fancy chandeliers. Upon our request, the waitstaff actually shared some of the history about Maccabees with us and who was responsible for making the beautiful light fixtures. Our curiosity was soothed by all of this information and then came the food. The presentation and quantity of food was great for the price, however 3 of us really enjoyed our meals while the other 2 thought the food was only so-so. I think it had more to do with personal preference then quality of product. I was one of the three who enjoyed the meal and because the service ambiance, food and location were excellent, I will definitely be going again. I have no problem recommending this place and I hope to be back again soon.'

    (4)

  • David D.

    While I could write this place a bad review if I were to speak on their bartending, lackluster drinks, and overpriced wine, they're menu has not yet failed to impress myself or any guests I've invited here to dine with me. The steak sandwich, salmon wrap, and kobe beef Maccabee burger (Edit: I have to add the pulled pork potato pancake sandwich is one of the best things I've ever eaten) are all the reasons I need to keep returning to this place. I've sampled a few dishes that weren't too impressive, but the ones I've enjoyed have all been outstanding. My biggest disappointment order has been the onion rings. I don't care how BIG your onion rings are. I don't expect like 2-3 onion rings when I'm spending $4. Having over-sized onion rings doesn't compensate for handing out like a literal 1/6 of an expected portion.

    (4)

  • Elisha C.

    Absolutely nice place, mellow low key setting for a nice Sunday brunch. Our pitcher of mimosa took awhile but once it came, we were all good. Would definitely go back especially with my Yelp 20% coupon.

    (4)

  • Regina S.

    I love stumbling into totally amazing places... The BF and I were going to peruse the DIA, and so we parked at public parking behind it, and started heading towards Woodward. Originally, we were going to just shoot down to Hockeytown (it's been a while since we've been) but, there, right across the street from our corner was this little joint. There was a folding street sign out that said "OPEN FOR BRUNCH" so we went in. There were a few tables, but they were not very busy for 1:30 on a Sunday. We were warmly greeted and seated in a back booth. This place is DARK, but I could still see how cool it was, reminded me of a cool jazz club... I wonder if it is at night, and if it isn't, maybe it should be :) The booths are super comfy which I liked a lot. For those who stated in reviews they got no water, maybe they changed something because they bring every table a glass bottle with a flip stopper full of water. Our server was very nice also, no issues there. We get brunch menus that state for $15 you get one alcoholic bev (bloody Mary, mimosa, bellini, champagne) or you can have juice AND coffee or tea and then one of about 15 or so menu choices to eat. What a great looking menu!! Everything from homemade hash, to french toast, brisket eggs benny to salads and burgers. I was caught between the lamb burger and the nana burger. I opted for nana. burger with lettuce, tomato, applewood smoked bacon, cheddar and a fried egg on a brioche bun. Bf went for the corn beef hash. (We're hash junkies, if you must know...) and we ordered bloody marys for our complimentary cocktails. Note to the bartender: Wow!! That was A LOT of Worcestershire!!! It really killed it for the BF. I was more of a trooper, but really, maybe dial that back about 5 dashes... So, if you like bloody Marys, and you're there on Sunday, maybe ask for light on the Worcestershire... Food was just delicious!! My burger was juicy and the little seasoned potato wedges that come with it were super fresh and crispy, love them!! BF loved his hash too, they use big chunks for corned beef and he got some sourdough toast too. They started getting busier as we were eating which made me very happy! We were thrilled to find the place and cannot wait to go back there for dinner!! /Jazzy!!

    (4)

  • Calder W. K.

    Great location, excellent decor. Unfortunately service was quite slow and food subpar, if not quite bad. Rice was undercooked and grouper had bones in it. Salmon dish did come with a large portion of fish and was cooked nicely. Drink selection was good, however wine pours and cocktails too small. This place has potential but needs a lot of improvements.

    (2)

  • Patty U.

    I came here for a late lunch after visiting the DIA. I had the fish tacos and a salad and my mom had a specialty chicken sandwich. Wow. I wish the fish tacos in ann arbor were that good. Best fish tacos ever. The price is the same as paneras but oh so much better. Cloth napkins, nice staff. Jeff our waiter was super nice and helpful. I cant wait to go back for dinner. What a nice gem! My mom loved her sandwich too. Thx!

    (5)

  • Betsy D.

    Great fish tacos app! Enjoyed it as my meal and still had one whole taco left! My husband loved the cream of potato soup. Beer great price and with the 20% off coupon on this Yelp site, our meal was very affordable and tasty. Service very patchy though.

    (4)

  • Flannary S.

    Living within walking distance to Maccabees at Midtown, this is my go-to spot to grab a bite/drink when family or friends are visiting. This is the perfect restaurant to dine at with a group of people if you do not know their food preferences, because there truly is something for everyone. The interior decor is a clean comfortable swank, and the lighting fixtures are super cool, matching the decor of the Maccabees building. While the floor seems a bit understaffed at times, their service has improved immensely since my first visit about a year ago, and everyone works at bringing a good experience to the customers. For the food, I've tried many of the items on the menu and have never been disappointed. The burgers, wraps, calamari, sliders, BLAT, potato pancake sandwiches and Cobb salad are all delicious, but the item I always come back to is the Chopped Kale Salad. Even a kale skeptic would want to devour this salad. It has varied in execution a couple times, but always has the same fantastic ingredients; anchovy dressing, smoked Gouda and hazelnuts (sometimes they are crushed sometimes whole, either way is really good.) I've taken a few of my family members here for it, and we always argue which protein is best atop the salad. I've tried it with shrimp, steak and salmon, all of which were really good. I suppose steak goes well with the heartiness of the kale, but the shrimp and salmon are equally delicious on it, and go well with the anchovy dressing in my opinion. At any rate, I definitely recommend Maccabees at Midtown. It is especially good place to go after the Detroit Institute of Arts or before the DFT, since it is also within walking distance from the DIA. Order anything on the menu, and you will be happy. The one tip I do have would be, if there is a special on written on the board without a price, and you are concerned about price, ask how much it is before you order. Other than that, Maccabees offers a neat environment for some good food with courteous service.

    (4)

  • Phil D.

    Very poor experience Ordered tequila on the rocks and vodka tonic. After 15 minutes both cocktails came but vodka was missing tonic. Asked for tonic they added a splash of flat tonic. Ordered meatloaf and pasta with a calamari appetizer. Meatloaf and calamari came out together no soups no salads no bread all were expected. Calamari was ice cold because it was sitting around. Soup and wife's dinner came they charged us for the soup that was included . My salad was MIA. Food was incredibly bland, service was unacceptably bad. Beyond just being busy we never saw our server. $90 bill and we will never go back. With so many options in Midtown now, there is no reason to ever see the inside of this place.

    (1)

  • Nikki C.

    Maccabee's has been my Friday afternoon/evening "spot" for the past couple of months. It's comfortable, the drinks are good and the food is delish! They do have a brunch menu, but I've never been there for brunch. Their evening menu consists of appetizers, deli sandwiches, meals and salads. There are happy hour deals on drinks and apps. I can't remember any happy hour details (times or amounts off), but it does exist. I usually sit at the bar and things can get busy at times and it's best when there are two bartenders back there, to make things a little less flustered. The manager steps in and helps whenever necessary. The staff is a delight! The evening bartender (Larry) has a knack for making a drink based on your preferences and tastes... when he has the freedom to create something for you, you will love it! Try him...he won't disappoint! The whole place is ...shall I say, upscale-earthy? Water is served in these french style carafes for your own table. Fun. I suggest the veggie wrap, which has roasted red peppers, artichoke, sauteed greens, carmelized onions. It is gooood. You really can't go wrong with anything on their menu. The bar is not a big bar, but the window in front of it is tall and majestic. The chandelier is gorgeous and is a great centerpiece. I enjoy the music played via the speakers.... it's an overall good experience for me and this is why it's my favorite Friday night routine. The only odd thing for me is the "Cold Beer Here" sign outside. It cheapens the look of the exterior. It's a tacky, bright neon sign that should be in the window of a liquor store.

    (4)

  • Debbie Z.

    Maccabees I love you - have the best lunch food ever and happy hour gets even happier! Definitely I will go again! See you soon Maccabees!

    (5)

  • Kerry S.

    I've had lunch here twice on weekdays, and both times it was great. Sweet potato fries are a good bet! Deli sandwiches are gigantic and really tasty. The club sandwich I had was too big to take a bite out of. It's a flashback to old school Eph McNally's. My guest's reuben looked good too. I had a main course salad from here and it was also very good. All fresh ingredients, good portions, reasonable prices. Nice atmosphere for casual meals, very cool full bar in the window, and a great location. I'll go back there for sure.

    (4)

  • Michelle N.

    Awesome!! I came back for dinner last night, and the food was even BETTER than I remembered!! I'm also very glad to report that they include chips with their sandwiches now, but I'm not sure if that's a dinner thing or if it applies to both lunch and dinner. Other observations: - calamari is DELICIOUS. Huge portion for $11, and it was so crispy and yummy. - they're more generous with their fries this time..much more generous! - but I wish they were more generous with the amount of chips they gave, it's kinda sad how small the amount was. - the chips are really good!! (That's kind of why I wish they gave more, haha!!) they were some of the best chips I've had in Detroit. Yum! - drink menu looked great! - our waitress wasn't the best. Didn't provide menus, didn't provide water, tried multiple times to get her attn, etc. I see why people say service is bad here, and if it wasn't for my amazing service last time, I'd be turned off from this place...but I assure you, there is a waiter here who is AMAZING!! So not all service here is bad. :) I am really glad to support such a yelp-friendly business!! I say yelp-friendly bc the owner sent me a message after my previous review saying that he was looking into adding chips, which he did!!

    (5)

  • Megan N.

    One of my favorite restaurants in Detroit! The potato pancake sandwich was delicious and the decor was beautiful! I will definitely be back.

    (5)

  • Carole H.

    Pros: - the food is the BOMB. they use quality ingredients in great combinations, everything I've tasted here has been just excellent. The Peeque and Tuscan chicken sandwiches are stand outs. - specialty craft cocktails - come between 3-7 on weekdays to get them for half off at happy hour! I'm partial to the Southern Belle, made with sweet tea vodka, lemon juice, and mint. - great location - right on Woodward across from the DIA and next to the main branch of the library - very cool decor. It's a little dark not in a dreary way, but in a kinda fancy, and a little romantic type of way. This is the place to go when you want to stop somewhere "a little nicer." But, you'd still be welcome in jeans. - Larry the bartender. Just trust me...he is one of the "pros." - meet and mingle with the midtown professional crowd Cons: - parking can be annoying, the area is always busy and the 1 hour limit metered street spots are usually full. - stopped in once for a late lunch, around 4:00. my friend and I were the ONLY TWO in the restaurant. The ONLY TWO. So they told us to seat ourselves, and we got settled into a booth in the back. Looking at the menu, we see we are in time for happy hour (half off all drinks). When we order, the waitress says it is only if you are seated in the bar area. I ask, since we are the ONLY TWO in the building, if there is any way we could just get the happy hour prices in the booth we were at. She checks with the manager, and he refuses. So my friend and I - the ONLY TWO THERE - have to get up and move to ANOTHER BOOTH that is about 20 feet away in the "bar area." And there we could get our happy hour prices. That's one of the dumbest things I've ever experienced. If the restaurant was a bit more full, I'd understand. But this was just splitting hairs. Stubborn management and dumb happy hour policy aside, though...I do love this place. :)

    (4)

  • Betty P.

    What a terrible experience here - would not consider going back. Even though the restaurant was only about a third full it took half an hour just to get a drink. I did feel bad the server was tending bar and waiting tables so gave him the benefit of the doubt. He related they were out of food so we were limited on what we could order. ordered a salad which came one hour later with half the ingredients missing. He had to find glasses to rinse to use for us. No apologies or explanations other to complain that people were posting negative things on facebook and the owner had called to see what was going on. Believe me, I could have understood if the restaurant was jammed and they ran out of food but he said they had not been busy. Had wanted to try this place for months but could not find one positive thing about it..

    (1)

  • Melissa B.

    Ive been here twice both on Friday nights and i have truly enjoyed myself....the drinks are great and the staff is very attentive....the potatoe pancakes are so good....i had the lobster blt made with potatoe pancakes instead of the cibatta bread and i was not disappointed!

    (4)

  • Michael P.

    Potatoe pancake sandwich is unique and very good. Plus gluten free!. Better than sliced bread.

    (5)

  • Shunda B.

    How long have this place been down here?! I seem to miss all the little hole in the wall type places - well it isn't that small. I was able to enjoy the "The Gateway Rebuen" ($9 or $10) with a side of sweet potatoes fries ($2) - i must say everything was very enjoyable and filling. I knock one star off due the lighting - I think it could be brighter in the corners but of course that's just might thought; if i was on a date then it would be nice. Honestly i was thinking of older people maybe tripping on something. The waitress was wonderful and i've also been told on Friday there's entertainment going on - I can't wait to see that.

    (4)

  • Charlie B.

    If I could give Maccabees zero stars I would. Went in here after work one day, and the chalkboard in the lobby indicates that it was $2 drafts for happy hour. We asked the server what was on draft and she gave us the brief list. Ordered the frankenmuth something or another. It was a 12 oz glass. Bill came and it was $5. We had taken a picture of the chalkboard and said it was only supposed to be $2. Our server took the pic to the owner bartender and he said the sign was wrong and the bill was right. The only beer on sale was PBR. However, the sign stated that PBR was $1. What was the $2 beer then? So anyway, $5 for a 12 oz beer? Someone needs their head examined. I can get a pint of ghetto blaster or other craft beer for $4 at a few other spots in midtown. Food is just ok. I've eaten here three or four times and I've been satisfied by quality, but dissatisfied by service. Every time I get the check and leave, I say I'm never coming back here. But this time I mean it. Maccabees in Midtown. Avoid.

    (1)

  • Kate E.

    My friend and I wandered in here after spending the day at the science center. Walking in I was very impressed, the decor is beautiful. I couldn't stop looking at the light fixtures, and all the gold accents were lovely. We were greeted promptly, and seated right away. We both had our children with us and they are little, 15 months and 8 months, they quickly moved the extra chairs and brought us high chairs. Our server who I believe his name was Jeff was wonderful. He answered all our questions and recommend dishes to us. All the staff was very friendly. My son as certain points would get upset and without fail someone who worked there would come up and start talking to him and entertain him till he claimed down. I thought that was awesome, considering most places seem to frown on small children especially when they are being loud. The food was great! My friends chicken sandwich was the best, I don't remember the name but it had avocado and salsa on it. I got the lobster BLT, it was really good. My only complaint about it is I wish there was more lobster. We also got fish tacos which were amazing. For our kids we got a side of veggies which were extremely delicious, they tasted like they were cook on cast iron. Also chicken fingers, which I loved. I will be coming back to this place again. All the sandwiches sounded good so I want to try them all!!

    (5)

  • Heather J.

    Maccabees resurrects Beaux Arts glamour in a grand old dame of the 1920s with its moody, intimate atmosphere, bronzed coffered ceiling, and deep, dark booths. Real effort to restore the glory days makes this a far cry from the old diner that once occupied the site. A huge metal-cut chandelier echoes the grandiose original in the lobby (worth a peek), and be sure to look up to see the cut-outs of knights and ladies decorating the smaller lamps. Pull out your favourite black jacket or stiletto heels and slinky dress for a night on the town in the shadow of the DIA. Classic cocktails poured strong by the bartender are best sipped, watching glittering lights and traffic on Woodward. Maccabees serves up a traditional American menu with a few brushstrokes of ethnic and fusion dishes. You may expect a generous steak seared to medium rareness, but the potato pancakes are a real gem. They serve up a mean Sunday buffet, a much needed offering in Midtown. For $12, you get one entrée, complimentary coffee or tea (Bigelow herbals, green, and black), and one alcoholic drink of your choice: mimosa, bellini or Bloody Mary. Courses include ricotta crepes with fruit, standard breakfast fare like chocolate chip pancakes and BLT breakfast sandwiches, and lunch choices with kale salad, hamburgers, sandwiches, and grilled salmon. The beau and I joined a birthday brunch for the owner of impeccable Peacock Room and Emerald. For brunch, we went for decadent cream cheese-stuffed French toast and the intriguing brisket benedict, while fellow diners tried steak and eggs. Servings are large, be forewarned. - French Toast: A massive loaf drizzled in cinnamon apples, caramel and powdered sugar, fit to feed three. The highlight was the vanilla cream cheese concoction stuffed and baked inside. Sweet and decadent, worth fighting over. - Brisket Benedict: Don't let the 'tomato bbq' hollandaise sauce put you off. Flavourful without being sticky or sweet, it marinaded the tender strips of brisket that fell apart like pulled pork. Poached eggs were fine, seasoned potatoes delicious. - Steak and Eggs: Unseasoned and bland. Eggs came hard when requested overeasy. Service needs some improvement to make Maccabees a real contender against prestigious downtown restaurants, like Fishbones' famous brunch. Our server was inconsistent about visiting all tables, getting no further than the first two. Refills for coffee, hot water, tea, and drinks were slow and she was hard to flag down. I requested a fresh tea bag on three occasions and only received it when we left, when our server brought me a to-go cup with a fresh bag. I appreciate the effort in correcting an error. The dining room wasn't that busy, despite our larger party, so there's room to grow on this front. Parking at the DIA or street-side can be difficult. Show up early on a Sunday for free spots. Otherwise use the library or side streets for a lovely walk.

    (3)

  • Pette M.

    I decided to give Maccabees one last try and invited my father for lunch. Sad to say, I was let down again. Following the staff recommendation I tried "The Lone Ranger", tender brisket that was kind of bland, which was served on a potato pancake instead of a bun. That would have been fine had the grease been fresh in the deep fryer before the potato pancake went in. Once you have the metallic taste of old deep fry grease in your mouth the meal is pretty much over. Taste buds ruined for the day. I DID have that bellini I do so love though! Macabees is on the path of becoming just plain old bar food. "Get em wasted enough and they'll eat anything you put out." To the owners, remember you're only as good as the last plate you send out.

    (2)

  • Debbie W.

    This was literally the worst dining experience I have ever had. Granted my situation was quite special, but I still do not think that what happened to me is acceptable, and people should see this and reconsider. My waitress was Samantha. A group of four (three including myself) went in for lunch at around 1 o'clock. At first the experience was nice, the inside of the restaurant is beautiful and we were seated promptly. Of course we were not ready to order right away so we spent about five minutes looking at the menu. Fortunately there were only two other tables at the time so we thought this would be a very in and out lunch. I was quite wrong. It took Samantha 15 minutes to realize that we were trying to find her to put in our order, and saw a party of 20 coming in. We really wanted to get our food in before them because we knew it would take us a very long time after. Finally, we asked another waiter to get her attention and she came and took our orders. We waited 45 minutes for our entrees and did not have any water for about 30 minutes of that time. We were very hungry, and thankfully our fries came as well as most of our entrees. Three entrees were brought out, and I was told by Samantha that mine would be out "in just a minute". Well, I waited, and waited, and 15 minutes later i noticed I had no food and that the party of 20 was being served (i also saw my entree being served to that table)/ Angrily i found her and asked why wasn't my food out; had she forgot it?? She THEN told me that she had forgotten to place my order (but yet managed the other three entrees and my fries?) and that she was sorry. So after lying to me she then sped away and I did not see her for another 10 minutes with my food. When my Reuben finally arrived she said that it was taken care of and she was sorry. I am not sure if I was just upset or something but the Reuben was not at all worth the wait, although the sweet potato fries were delicious. Samantha did not come back to our table until picking up our checkbooks, and not once made eye contact with me again. Luckily it seemed like my table enjoyed their meals, even though the whole event really dampened the mood of everybody at the table and made them feel guilty for eating. Being new to Maccabees this was a horrible first impression. I work at a 4.5 star restaurant in Cleveland and I was sorely disappointed by what had happened and how the staff had handled it. Frankly, if it were at my restaurant that would have been my last day serving there. I will not be coming back.

    (1)

  • Steph M.

    I've been here a few times. POTATO PANCAKES RULE THE WORLD!!! The food is good, the crowd is good, and the service is always super!! Great place. But make reservations for lunch. It can get crowded.

    (4)

  • Sue N.

    OMG. We had a great dinner here. Service was great. Andrew was our waiter. He was professional, attentive, and knowledgeable about the menu. The calamari is the best I've ever had. And I've had it in many other places. We ordered mac & cheese which was outstanding. It contains lots of cheese and nice crusty top. The Lone Ranger is a beef brisket sandwich with provolone cheese and onion served on a potato pancake It was absolutely delicious. Great drink menu too. You can't go wrong here

    (5)

  • Sarah C.

    Drove by and saw a new restaurant! I love when there are new restaurants in the area. Helping midtown becoming more up and coming! Exciting! My two friends and I decided to come here for dinner yesterday and possibly some drinks. The place is pretty spacious and dark so be prepared for that. It was a Monday night so there wasn't too many people here. Unfortunately, the menu looked good from a far but up close and personal it wasn't. My friend is a vegetarian and there was pretty much NOTHING for her to order besides a sandwich with no chicken and fries. I wanted a steak skirt salad but nope they don't have steak skirt yesterday. I ordered a cobb salad instead and it was drenched in their house dressing (balasmic). My friend ordered a chop with rice. The rice tasted funny. Did I mention that the food took a really long time to come out? Overall, the best thing about this place was our waiter. He was patient even though I was a bit rude. =[ sorry long day. He added our fries to a meal which saved us 2 dollars. He even split the bill for us too. Maybe the place is new and still needs to find itself.

    (3)

  • Phoebe J.

    Their Happy Hour is amazing. Larry is a FABULOUS bartender!

    (3)

  • Cari M.

    well shoooot - just when I thought Mudgie's was a life changing sandwich - this place is EQUALLY as fresh and delicious! I love everything about Maccabee's - the interior is gorgeous, the service was genuinely kind, fun, far above average. The location is great - with lots to do in the area. Meter or garage parking available near by. The menu - gosh darnit SO good it was very hard to choose. This place is going to be a regular stop for me now! I ordered the Peeque sandwich on recommendation of our delightful server, Shelly. SHE WAS SO RIGHT. This is what I have to say about this sandwich .... daaayyyyyuuuummmm. It is grilled chicken avocado on onion roll with pico de gallo on and other deliciousness that is escaping my mind. real good. We got sweet potato fries with chipotle ranch on the side (again recommended by Shelly) and wow ... I've had so many different sweet potato fries but these ones were something special. YALL NEED TO GET ON OVER TO MACCABEES AT MIDTOWN. Here's some additional info -- Everything is as FRESH and homemade and local as it gets. Because they make everything fresh - including slicing the meat for each individual sandwich -- if you show up at busy lunch hour don't expect it to be SUPER fast - but that is okay considering the freshness you are receiving! Their menu at dinner time is NOT the same as the lunch time menu ... so don't show up for a sandwich at dinner time and then be pissed it's a different menu. Ask for Shelly when you go - she is amazing! They also have a great creative breakfast menu! alright ya gotta eat 3 meals a day !! make one of them at Maccabees soon!

    (5)

  • Alex A.

    Love this place. Believe it's the same ownership as gateway deli in detroit (equally delicious). Would recommend the potato pancake sandwiches, they are quite filling.

    (5)

  • Jeff P.

    Wow..its long on looks, very short service; make that very very short on service. About 20 minutes before a server took our drink order; 15 minutes later, finally a beverage. The host appears clueless. Meal consisted of seafood pasta on angel hair drowning in a cream sauce. I really enjoyed performing surgery on the shrimp sitting in the cream sauce to remove the tails. Save yourself and your money.

    (1)

  • Heather G.

    Tried this place with one of my best friends today. Here are some key points. 1)Our server was training a new server but the guy she was training seemed to be a better server than her...she charged me the incorrect price, $6 instead of $4, on my egg nog which was clearly printed in the board that was within eye shot. She forgot to apply the 25% discount to the appetizer we ordered during happy hour. She tried selling me on this 1/2 soup and cup of soup deal so I said ok since I was kinda full from the appetizer. Then she comes back and says oh sorry I forgot that's a lunch special. She was not familiar with the menu and didn't even know what sangria was....why is she a trainer? Beats the hell outta me! 2)The pancake sandwich was super greasy but it was tasty, it had brisket, provolone cheese and chipotle mayo. Pretty delish besides the grease. Side note my friend got the bacon avocado tomato sandwich and it was also greasy. 3) The cream of chicken and asparagus soup was very salty. 4) The atmosphere was cool and a great location. I'm going to go back again to see how another sever can do and perhaps get a chef who doesn't cook with so much grease. Overall this place is worth it to check out. Their menu is unique and they have great daily special options.

    (4)

  • Jennie B.

    Went here before a show at the Fisher (and got 20% off which was great!) and had an awesome experience. The place is gorgeous, and service was very good. I was extremely impressed after reading the mixed reviews. I shared the kale salad (best kale salad I've seriously ever had, and I've had a lot), steak tips (my bf went to The Chop House in Ann Arbor the night before and he thought they were just as good at Maccabees!), and the Lone Ranger potato pancake brisket sandwich. All so so so good. I will go back again for sure. I hope you give this a chance like we did!

    (5)

  • Tasha M.

    I booked a reservation for 13 for my birthday. The decor and atmosphere were nice however we felt very rushed. On multiple occasions 3 different ppl asked were we ready to order, even after I told the owner in 15 mins we would, within 5 someone else asked. We ordered our appetizers and even after that we were still being asked about our orders when we had already placed our orders for our entrees. We were so frustrated that a member from my party asked was there a reason why we're being rushed, was it going to take a long time for the food to come. The waitress said no but then stated that after 8 pm they get a rush and wanted to make sure our food was put in. Well after 8 pm, maybe 6 people came in and 4 were convinced by staff not to dine there because they were having an event and DJ. It took over an hour for us to receive our food and they brought our meals out before our salads. One person from my party had to have their lobster ravioli taken back because it was not done. Another members salmon pasta was watery and another member and myself green beans were cold. I would think with all that rushing the food would at least be great but instead it was as someone described it "MaccaBland".

    (2)

  • Dawn C.

    Came here a few months ago with a friend for brunch. We both had steak and eggs from the set menu and mimosas. The food was good, basic, and server refilled champagne often. Their dessert bar was lacking though. Only a tray of store bought cookies and a picked over fruit tray, this could definitely be improved. Overall, a nice atmosphere and cool old building.

    (3)

  • Grace L.

    Came here on a Sunday for brunch. For $15 you get a morning alcoholic beverage, tea or coffee and a plate of food. We ordered mimosas, coffee, tea, the brisket sandwich and the Midtown sandwich. We waited for about 15 minutes before any waister approached us. We weren't given any waters but the food came relatively fast. The Midtown was corned beef (or some other meat) stuffed between two potato pancakes. There was also a side of seasoned fries that were very tasty. There was so much meat and the pancakes were well seasoned. It was a bit dry and I wish there was some sauce on the sandwich. The brisket sandwich was open-faced on top of a potato latke. There was a medium egg on too with some BBQ sauce drizzled on top. This was very good - the yolk was a little runny and the sauce was so good! The brisket was also nice and tender. Overall the amount of food was impressive, although quite heavy on the carbs. I wish the service had been a little bit better but the food did come out pretty fast.

    (3)

  • Nan B.

    Perhaps some of the rudest service I've seen in my life. One of my cohort asked what the happy hour specials were, and was yelled at by our server. Then, our group of 6 was given an auto-grat and a refusal to split checks, which was blamed on "new policy." It's 2013! Who doesn't split checks anymore? If the general manager wants to get in contact with me, I can get into specifics. This was one of the worst dining experiences of my life, almost solely due to the service. I've given this place two chances. That's it for me. EDIT: Many of the positive reviews for this restaurant are from relatives of the owner or friends, just FYI. To their credit, the owner's daughter contacted me to get feedback, but then sort of chastised me for not dealing with their growing pains and tried to tell me how hard it is to run a restaurant. No s***. Been there. I'm pretty patient. But I've been in this industry for over 15 years and I'm sick of having to tolerate a-hole service just 'cuz.. Be complacent, or be gone, especially in this climate P.S. Since he's responding to all these posts asking you to go in and "ask for Peter," I'll advise you to avoid that if you don't want a condescending jerk telling you why you're wrong. I think all of us want to see a business succeed in Midtown, we need more places to go, there. But this place totally sucks. They pretend that they want your feedback, but then get defensive. Read the comments, it's in there. Just look at how he called out Charlie B. for giving a one star review because of the fallacious advertising "Seriously? A one star review?" Yes, seriously, d-bag. People expect to be charged what you say they'll be charged. This place is the pits. I wouldn't have spent the extra time lacerating this s***** place, but their response to the masses about their problems warrants the criticism. Anyone who is in the service industry knows that it is not "the mistake," which is necessarily problematic, but how the mistake is handled. Maccabees will screw up your order, and then try to make YOU feel bad about it. PASS. PASS. PASS. Also, some of your servers use Denny's aprons, so you might want to get on that. P.P.S. No thanks, Peter B. I've dropped in, asked for you, and that didn't work. So, let's try another strategy, eh?

    (1)

  • Eric W.

    Sunday brunch at Macabees was a great experience. Bottomless mimosas, an extensive menu of great selections, generous portions and very friendly attentive service.

    (4)

  • Ben O.

    Awful. Worst $50 meal of my life. We asked for a booth and they walked us to a high top. I reiterated that we wanted a booth and the hostess said, "Well this is all we have." Good start. We ordered our hellacious drinks.The bartender obviously has no idea what a whiskey sour is as it was all all ALL wrong. The grilled cheese bites which were bland and cold in the middle. The chicken sandwich was dry and you couldn't even taste the sauce. The sandwich with pastrami and potato pancakes sounded like an awesome idea. But in practice it was done all wrong. The pastrami was of an okay quality, maybe not for $9.50 though. The thousand island tasted like ketchup and there wasn't nearly enough. Not to mention they forgot our fries and they came out just as we were finishing our sandwiches. Awesome. Thanks a lot. I wanted this place to be good since its so close to the DIA and I spend a lot of time down there. But I will never ever be coming back.

    (1)

  • Lori K.

    No No No....as far as the look and location of the restaurant, they would get four stars. Service and the food are a different story. Just terrible. The food - huge portions, but no taste, we had four in our party, and no one liked their dishes, everyone said they lacked flavor. We tried the meatloaf, salmon salad, the lonestar sandwich with potato pancakes, and the steak. The service was terrible too, our server said bread was coming, but it never came, he bumped me to get to the table behind us, many times, said he would take our order then took everyone else's around us first..we had to ask for refills... The location is nice, right across the street from the DIA, and it has tons of potential, unfortunately they lost us. They had a greek yogurt bar that sounds very cool, but I am going to have to pass. **One more thing, the server brought the check in the middle of our meal, and I see he did that with every other table around us. Then asked if we wanted dessert. Yeah, just weird.

    (2)

  • Mary M.

    Second time here, and wow. Just wow. Sliders = delish. And I enjoyed my pork medallions wrapped over ham and swiss cheese with a mushroom demi-gloss. Somebody pinch me. I took some home, and it was even better as a leftover. From the moment we walked in, the very same friendly, warm smiles and service. Maccabees is fast becoming a fave. And in case you haven't heard or seen for yourself, Midtown Detroit is like a Phoenix out of the ashes. Papa Joe's, Whole Foods, Moosejaw, Yoga Shelter (and a pop-up lululemon inside the yoga studio) have all moved in. Foot traffic, laughter and lively conversation dominate the urban landscape. It is infectious. Detroit is rising like a quiet, powerful giant. Very exciting downtown...especially with the Tigers on the prowl!

    (5)

  • Kevin T.

    ambiance and wait staff was great but the food sucked. ordered the meatloaf they didn't have the mashed potatoes and substituted with rice without informing us. The rice was old and crunchy the roasted vegetables was scorched and slab of meatloaf looked like texas toast with a1 sauce on it. it was a Saturday night just two other couples in the whole restaurant would have made a different selection if given a chance. The calamari on the other hand was exceptional and so were the libations

    (2)

  • Shannen B.

    I went to Maccabees for lunch with a friend and I was impressed with the atmosphere and layout of the place. The location is good, kitty-corner from the DIA on Woodward and located on the first floor of WSU administration building next to Chase bank. I didn't have a problem finding metered parking and my companion parked for free across the street on Warren. This may not be the case during busier times of day as it is right next to Wayne State's most popular student parking garage. The decor is classy and a large window bathes the bar and seating area in natural light. This small touch gives the place an airy feel that belies the smallness of the space. The owners obviously put a lot of thought into the little things and the details, from the menu down to frosted glass on the bathroom doors, are exquisite. The place reminded me of a speakeasy in Chicago circa 1920. With that said, the service... not the best. Our waitress was obviously inexperienced. She hovered when we wanted her to go away and disappeared when we needed something, but she was very nice. She was also enthusiastic about the menu and made some good suggestions. If we needed something, she wouldn't have known because she never came back to check on us until after our food was gone and our drinks had been empty. She took our bill and was gone for over 15 minutes while we waited for change. The food was excellent. I ordered the veggie wrap and my companion had the salmon wrap. Both were delicious. The marinade the grilled vegetables in some sort of mildly sweet vinegar based sauce. The wine list could have been more extensive, but the prices were reasonable. I would like to see a drink menu with signature mixed drinks be added to their lineup. One thing I would subtract was the large water bottle at the table being left corked upon arrival. I had a hard time getting the thing open and it would have been a nice touch for the waiter to uncork it when set it down. Also, it didn't have any ice in it, so it reached room temperature halfway through the meal. I personally don't care what temp my water is, but I know most people do. Overall, an classy joint with very good food in a convenient spot. I heated up my leftovers in the oven at home later and it was just as delicious. I will definitely be returning.

    (4)

  • Pebbles And Bam Bam A.

    So thrilled to have another great restaurant in Detroit! The ambiance here is gorgeous! They did a fantastic job renovating; the bar is beautiful! I come here a lot and am always blown away by their food. Excellent! The fish tacos are listed as appetizers, but I love them as a main meal. I'm typically not a huge salad fan, but after having several of theirs (from their large salad menu), I'm sold! They have a good happy hour, as well as live music on Thursdays. The owner is great and really tries to run a good restaurant. He was even trying to figure out parking options for patrons. The only reason I didn't give them 5 stars is because service is very hit or miss. Unfortunately, I think it's difficult to find good waitstaff in Detroit. There are a few servers and bartenders who are fantastic, but unfortunately, there are also a few I dread getting. Overall though, you have to try this place. Some of the best food and ambiance in the area!

    (4)

  • Patrick H.

    Great Bar fun scene. The service was top notch. The food menu was great.. Potato pancakes and kobee beef was amazing.

    (5)

  • Megan F.

    The 3-star review is representative of the fact that the food my party of five enjoyed was STELLAR and the service was almost comically awful. I say "almost" because after having a tray full of ice water spilled all over me and the woman next to me (the water also soaked her iPhone through her jacket pocket) and napkins, plates of food and other items literally thrown and plopped onto our table, I can honestly say that our "bull in a China shop" waitress made me nervous. We waited about 20 minutes for a waitress to even come up to us and she only did when we called the manager over to say we were ready to order. To be fair we arrived during lunch, but the rush died down significantly and there aren't that many tables in the place. Our one-hour lunch was turned into a two-hour ordeal. Being conscious about the incident with the water and the iPhone, the manager laughed it off and offered us all a complimentary glass of wine which was nice but because it was lunch, I think we would have rather had some food knocked off our bill. So - the service was awful. I mean I haven't had such horrible service in YEARS if at all. I cannot fully describe how awkward it was especially when the waitress started making excuses for herself and telling us what a great waitress she is. It was really awkward. I know people have bad days but she was obviously too flustered to keep on working. As for the food - the wedge fries, Old Main salad with salmon, Roasted Beet salad, Ginger Salmon salad and Tuscan Chicken sandwich were all VERY good. Physically the space is nice though it is very noisy during busy times. I am willing to give this place a second try. I hope they figure out their lunch service a bit better. Again, great food, nice atmosphere, awful service.

    (3)

  • jamie p.

    I've been here twice now, once for dinner and once for brunch and have never had any issues with the service or quality of the food. The items I've ordered have been fresh, creative and delicious. The pretty interior is sleek and is clean and comfortable. I really like this place a lot and want to love it, but as a vegetarian there aren't enough veggie options on the menu to keep me coming back frequently. (Please add more!). Even for brunch for a savory option I had to order something minus the meat. My only other criticism would be that they make sure what is listed on the menu arrives on your plate. Both times now my meal was missing an ingredient listed on the menu. (which they quickly brought me when I pointed it out.) I would go back often however for the brunch Bellini martini... It was amazing!

    (4)

  • Veronica B.

    Had a great experience at Maccabees!! Food was top notch...try the Argula & Beets salad, potato pancake sandwiches, and the ricotta pancakes! Decor is sexy. Staff is pleasant. Bartenders are great. Definitely a new hangout for me! Hey Phoebe, I noticed you put up the salad you werent happy about - without any of the black stuff you were referring to??? I will post pics soon!

    (5)

  • Charlie K.

    Same thing as below. Went last Saturday night because of the theatre promotion, and they would not honor it. Saw it online and in the Fisher Theatre playbill. Waitress not on top of her game. Disappointing.

    (3)

  • T-rex M.

    Night cap after DIA Friday night, super great jams, bartender Larry was amenable to adding a little more bitters to a manhattan. Nice chill eve in the charming atmosphere!

    (5)

  • Will B.

    I had lunch here two weekends ago and have to say I'm excited Maccabees is in the neighborhood. I agree with other reviewers that the food offered here is different from other offerings in the area - fresh, non-greasy, affordable fare. I ordered the PeeQue sandwich and was surprised by how big it was. The ingredients were high quality and my lunch had a great taste. The restaurant was well organized and operated. The decor was tasteful, and seating abundant. Even though they had just opened their doors, our server was familiar with the menu and able to provide insightful suggestions. This would be a great place to come when visiting the museums or to bring clients for a business lunch.

    (4)

  • Xavier L.

    Great bar! Love the bloody mary. One of the best I've ever had. Food is OK. Salads and appetizers are best. Portion sizes are huge however. I would actually suggest the owner up the quality of his ingredients and decrease portion size. Brunch was also quite tasty.

    (4)

  • Kristen H.

    As a native Detroiter, I always like going to try new places downtown. I went here this morning for brunch with six people. We made a reservation and were surprised that it was fairly empty when we came in (on a Sunday at noon for brunch). That should have been a sign that we should leave. Our server was the most rude, condescending man that I have encountered at a restaurant. He ignored us most of the time and it even appeared as though he was arguing with the manager at one point. It took about 20 minutes to get our initial drinks, took over 45 minutes to actually put our order in, and an hour after that to get our food (which was cold). He never asked us if we wanted more drinks and I had to ask THREE times for my husband's coffee. His response, "Oh...I'm brewing a fresh pot." Yeah, no you weren't...as I kept seeing other people at other tables receiving theirs. Tables that arrived an HOUR after us were served their food before us, which leads me to believe he never put our order in. Cue more intense discussion with the manager to the server in front of all the customers. Getting the check was a whole other hassle, he split them incorrectly and gave us attitude when we pointed out the mistake. The whole process of getting our checks took about 20 minutes as well. They put a 20% off coupon in our check, which none of us took. I will never be back and it's really a shame. The whole brunch took over 2 hours which is ridiculous. I don't think I've ever felt more unwelcome at a restaurant than I did today.

    (1)

  • Majdi A.

    I was completely upset with this restaurant. The serves took literally an hour. If the restaurant is 80% occupied, the staff is not fully trained to handle the situation. The food was brought to us cold and after complaining to the manager, he was not forgiving but rather rude. I came there to enjoy a meal with good atmosphere and I received the complete opposite. They do have a bar and I believe that most customers prefer that instead of the food. It is nice inside the restaurant and the building is beautiful but the key point of this review is the food. The food was not up to par. The lack of flavor in the food made it seem like a mediocre restaurant and a coney island would have been better especially for the price comparison.

    (1)

  • Angela J.

    First I need to apologize to this establishment. As often as I'm right next door to it, I didn't realize it was still open until this weekend. Needless to say, that I'm glad it is open because it was delicious. I started with the Detroit Starters which contain the most tender beef brisket I've had outside of any barbecue restaurant anywhere. The au jus was flavorful and the onion buns soft and warm. I followed with the Southwest Detroit salad and added shrimp. The chipotle dressing is slightly spicy, yet delicious taste, which only prompted me to order a drink. Doc (the friendly and attention bartender), brought a smile to my face when I asked for my new favority wine and they had it stock and already chilled. I will definitely be back and I highly recommend the Detroit Starters.

    (4)

  • Whitney S.

    Went here on a date last night, we both ordered burgers. My date got the Lone Ranger with the sweet potato fries, which were very good. I had the deli burger, which was too big for me to fit in my mouth, and I have a big mouth. I liked that the pastrami was crisped up on the griddle before topping the burger. The service was attentive and prompt, and I look forward to returning.

    (4)

  • Wally N.

    The service was slow, the food was excellent, but I lost three days of my life to crippling food poisoning as did everyone else in my group who ordered the corned beef sandwich. Avoid.

    (1)

  • Amber P.

    Went in for lunch. If you do not want a salad, sandwich or burger do not go here! I was surprised at the lack of variety. I attempted to order off the breakfast menu - I was informed that they are doing away with ALL breakfast items. I had the steak salad it was good. I think I paid $14. It was OK, I probably won't go back.

    (3)

  • Sammy W.

    It was my first time there and I must admit I was pleasantly surprised. The Reuben and Lemon Rice soup were great. Will be going again.

    (3)

  • Matthew S.

    I really want to like this place and it could be great but they are just missing the mark on a couple things. The service was pretty bad but she was nice, the bright flourecent light by the coffee station made all the lighting not work, and the menu was middle of the road. The owner was very nice and we will give it another chance in a couple months. Staff texting in view of the guests makes me crazy and there was a lot of it on my visit.

    (3)

  • Chris A.

    i came here for lunch and the service and the staff were outstanding......i will come back

    (5)

  • Alex M.

    I go to school in Chicago and when I got back for the summer I was pleasantly surprised to see a new restaurant in Midtown. I went to Maccabees for the first time today. Definitely a diamond in the rough. The atmosphere is gorgeous and the food is awesome. I had the french toast at the Sunday brunch and it was to die for. My boyfriend got the midtown which was also delicious. And their brunch deal includes an alcoholic beverage and a coffee for only $12. I liked the mimosa. I'll definitely be back.

    (5)

  • Dil F.

    really nice/grand bar, good menu, odd lighting, big portions The bar itself is the gem of this new restaurant space. Marble top with lights emanating underneath, spacious, one above-the-bar TV on MUTE (showing not sports but Jeopardy!!! bravo!), and a fairly decent collection of booze behind the counter... might disappoint those now going to confessional at any number of detroit's trendy/lampoonish "speakeasy"s (they do their old fashioned with soda, for instance, though i'd be willing to bank that soda in the old fashioned is making a high-brow come-back any day now)... still, it's a nicer collection than most bars in the area. Bartenders were excellent. The stool-height-to-bartop-height ratio was ideal. The menu looked appealing (and not JUST the variety of intriguing apps and entrees -- several beef/steak dishes, a burger/sandwich list, salads, a few salmon and a fried oyster dish too) but the MENU ITSELF glistened with a soft matte veneer. It felt like warm faux-leather or something... made with some kind of plastic/acrylic added to usual card stock, maybe? I couldn't stop fondling the menu... it feels so pleasant! touch it! touch it often! Prices are maybe a sniff higher than you might expect for what's being offered, but the portions are pretty big. I ended up trying the smoked salmon salad... pretty solid (if a little heavy on the thyme... in the dressing maybe?) and a mega-ton of it...imagine LP-sized plates overflowing with salad... would very gladly pay half for half the quantity. Other nibblers around me had equally bountiful plates... so, you won't leave hungry. My only fly-by criticism might be the lighting which, while definitely in the dark/dim/mood-lighting quadrant of restaurant-bar lighting possibilities (which i prefer) is still noticeably off-kilter but it was hard to detect why... and i stared at the lights for longer than I should have. The contrast is off, esp. toward the back corners... and with the neon kitchen lights trumpeting from the other side... not sure what can be done but a few small/subtle adjustments might be in order... i think you'll notice it too... (there's next to no parking directly in front - room for 3 cars maybe - and those spaces that ARE just outside are 1-hour meters, so you might anticipate hunting for a spot somewhere else along Woodward... across the street maybe or a little closer to the Detroit Public Library)

    (3)

  • David R.

    Solid food and craft cocktail menu. If you like gin, try the Kendricks. If you like bubbly, check out their twist on a Bellini. Did I mention the potato pancake sandwiches? Wow! Service was attentive and efficient, plus it was nice to have the manager stop by to check on us. If you haven't already, give this place a shot.

    (4)

  • Mac F.

    I went there this past weekend for a quick dinner with a few people and it was just alright. It was nearly empty when we were there, though I should expect that would change the more that people find out about it. As stated in other reviews, there are lighting issues in this place. For the most part, the interior is illuminated by pretty good looking brass chandeliers with a glass cover. But in one corner that appears to be a staging area for beverages and wait staff, there are some really garish fluorescent ceiling lamps whose light spills over into the main dining area, and kind of ruins it. Another oddity was after our food (perfectly adequate, nothing more, nothing less) was brought out a man came by to ask us what we would change. A few of our sides came after the entrees were served, and I said so in a matter-of-fact tone. The man seemed to get kind of defensive. It was odd to be simultaneously solicited for an opinion and then mildly rebuked for doing so. All in all, these are pretty nit-picky points, but they were significant enough to significantly detract from the overall experience. This place has potential, but it needs revisions on the execution, namely in the form of getting the lighting right and removing overbearing management types from the equation.

    (2)

  • Joe M.

    Great vegetarian pasta! Most of the rest of the menu is non-vegetarian, but the restaurant made a great dish -- not just "something on the menu" for non- meat eaters.

    (5)

  • Jaclyn S.

    I really don't have any complaints about this place. The food was great (fish tacos and mac n cheese bites were delicious. Steak sandwich had good flavor, potato pancake sandwich was good once we added LTO and some extra sauce, and it made for a great leftover). The waitress we had was very good and very nice. The owner came over and spoke with us a couple times to see how things were going, he was pleasant. Even the valet man outside was super nice and accommodating, and we didn't even use the valet. My only issue was that both steak sandwiches, while cooked perfectly, were a bit fatty, which was a bit disappointing. All in all, we would all definitely go back. Good service, good menu and nice art deco decor. And they deliver locally, which a bonus.

    (4)

  • Alisha D.

    This place is hit-or-miss. Generally I come here for lunch and have a great sandwich (but don't get the veggie wrap!) However, when I come here in the evenings and try to order drinks and dinner the staff are completely clueless and nothing arrives at the table without repeated reminders. I'm happy to sit and wait and chat - but a beer shouldn't take 20 minutes when we are one of two tables. Also - sign up for Maccabees rewards and you'll get great coupons.

    (3)

  • Jake H.

    Although there seems to some differences in the service here among other yelp reviews, I can say that my friend and I had a fantastic evening at Maccabees. The owners put a lot of thought into the details--down to the type of paper used on the menus (as another reviewer mentioned: "touch it often!") The light fixtures are incredibly beautiful--my friend and I were impressed by the huge chandelier light fixture at the front over the bar area. It was off at the time and we both wondered why. It was later turned on briefly (most likely because the owner wanted it show it off to someone) and then turned off moments later as it created a strange light ambience in the place (something another yelper had mentioned in a review earlier--it's been fixed as I didn't notice anything strange about the lighting of the place-- I actually thought it was pleasant). Shortly after we had been talking about the light the owner came over to our table to greet us. In case you were wondering, the owners are very interested in your experience and feed back--he mentioned that they've been looking at the reviews on Yelp--hello! :) My friend and I started off with some drinks. I got a wine and she got a Woodward Old Fashioned. We both liked it so much (she said it was the best Old Fashioned she's had) that she got another one and I got one for my second round! I like to ask the servers what dishes they recommend and then pick from the choices they point out. I ended up going for the Lemon Chicken (although their salmon look delicious) and ended up really enjoying it. Our waitress said it was her favorite dish. In terms of a dish it's very basic--but was done well. Wouldn't change anything. The mashed potatoes and zucchini on the side complimented the chicken fabulously. For $17 the portion was large (two chicken breasts) and could easily feed two people! My friend had one of their sandwiches with potato pancakes (in place of bread/buns)--TRY IT. It's not something you usually see on a menu (unless you're in a traditional Jewish deli)--but it's definitely something we both will come back for! One of the owners came by after we had finished and asked us how everything was and if there is anything we would change (so incredibly receptive) and asked us how we liked the potato pancakes. We both told him to keep in on the menu because we both enjoyed it and because of it's uniqueness. I know it's been seen on menus at various places in the nation over the past couple years--but this is the first I've seen it in Detroit. Two thumbs up! I also wanted to mention the fact that they have a pepper grinder at every table (again, attention to detail). Another thing you rarely ever see restaurants doing--a nice upgrade from table pepper. They also give you carafe of water at your table for refills (which is great for people like me who empty their water glass pretty quickly and often). Our waitress was kind and prompt--always letting us know what was going on with our food. There was a slight mix up in the kitchen with the order but she let us know right away. It wasn't a big deal at all to us because we were in no hurry. However, they fixed it quickly and we were eating in no time. We will be back and we will spread the word. Make sure you let the owners know anything that you didn't enjoy about your meal or service because they will listen! They want to know what people are thinking and what their experiences are like--and it looks like they are addressing the issues that people are bringing up. I can't speak for anyone us but us, but we both think they are off to a fantastic start! Our experience was fantastic--hope yours is/was too! ---- Update 5/22/13: So, I had to knock down my rating to 2 stars (meh, I've had better--even at this establishment) since my first couple visits (which were fantastic), however, just the other night I returned. I had gotten the Lone Ranger previously and loved it--this past night it was just not good. The meat tasted fishy and dry. Was not enjoyable. Had a bite of my friend's burger and it had no flavor. The only saving grace of the night was the kind waitress and the lovely drinks. Food? I'll pass from here on out. I sense that the place was on their A-Game for their opening, but since then it's gone downhill. Unfortunate.

    (2)

  • Loretta L.

    Good food, clean atmosphere. Nice place for lunch or dinner.

    (4)

  • Matt G.

    First time going there. I live right down the street in midtown, so I was excited about a new business coming to the area. After reading the other reviews and checking the menu online, my wife and I decided to check it out. My first impression was right in line with the other reviewers. We were greeted at the door by who I'm assuming was the manager since he was the only one there wearing a suit, along with the fact that he was going from table to table as I had previously read in other reviews to check on the guests. He quickly directed us to one of the waitresses who found us a table....I will pause here since this was the high point of our meal. So on the down side of our meal the food was disappointing I had the Ruben since its listed as their speciality and my wife had the grilled chicken sandwich, which I can't remember the name of. So I'm not going to call myself an expert on Ruben's, but I will say if you list anything on your menu, especially a sandwich, as your speciality then it should probably be something that makes people want to spread the word about it. That's clearly not the case here, it needs some work. ( take some notes from Mudgies- Brooklyn and porter; cass cafe- cass and Forest; or union street- Woodward to start) The next problem I had was the fact that it was like our waitress just didn't have any motivation. She brought out our appetizer with no plates and she got my wife's order wrong then blamed it on the kitchen, and neither of these things would normally bother me but during the whole meal it was one of the other waitresses that kept checking in on us and not our own. While both of the previous complaints normally wouldn't cause me to post a negative review, being ignored will. So remember when I said how following along with the other previous reviews we were greeted at the door by the manager..................Yeah we'll that's the last we heard from him. Don't get me wrong we saw him, he went from table to table and back to those tables, a couple of times (there were only 4 tables of people in there at the time ). And I really don't want to say that there was a clear difference between us and the other guests in there because I hope that wouldn't matter, but lets just say it wasn't that we were the youngest people there. This was what really disappointed me about my meal. With our order being messed up I would have expected the manager to at least come by and apologize, but instead we sat and watched as he walked around asking the other tables how their meals was and how they should try the deserts. Because its a business in midtown I want to give them another chance, but if its anything like this visit it will be my last.

    (1)

  • Lisa W.

    The prices here are great. The service was exceptional. I think the servers make the restaurant, they're biggest reason I'll come back, for the experience! The building is beautiful. Wishing the interior could have been a little more thought out, wishing they would have tried to make it look more like how it would have looked back in the 1920s (perhaps that would have cost too much and they're going to change it over time as business continues). The food proportions were HUGE, I would have been content with just half the size of my mac n' cheese. My friend said the same about her dish. The beets in beet salad were tuff, overall the food was a little underwhelming. I would give this place another try, it could have been an off night!

    (3)

  • Hannah S.

    I was in a bind a few days ago...my company was having a catered event and 1 day before told us they couldn't provide vegan meals for our 3 vegan guests. CRAP! I started calling around places in Detroit (couldn't find anything very nice) and I thought I would try Maccabees. The woman that answered the phone transferred me to Richard, one of the chefs. Chef Richard was SO helpful and told me "we don't have anything vegan specific, but I will make you something". I was a little nervous, but I figured I could trust him. They promptly delivered our 3 vegan meals and let me tell you it was INCREDIBLE. The food was the talk of our event! Thank you thank you Chef Richard for helping me out! You saved my butt! You should consider adding the vegan options to your regular menu. For fellow vegans out there-- try going in and asking to speak with Chef Richard to create a dish for you. It's worth it!!

    (5)

  • B R.

    Meh. Seems like a restaurant without focus. I asked my server what I should have and she read me the menu. Fried oysters were in edible. Lots of people standing around but I'm not sure if they are actually trying to keep customers happy or not.

    (2)

  • Michelle T.

    OK. So an update to my recent post. I have been to Maccabbees 3 times. The first was for a department meeting-- I just had one beer (see that the beer selection is not really in line with the area, which typically emphasizes local beers). My colleagues did get food that they said tasted like it came out of a freezer. The second time I had lunch. I got the special burger, medium rare, with fries. The burger came in well done, yet soggy, and the fries are the most disgusting things I have ever seen in my life. The are huge steak fries that are deeply battered and end up looking more like chicken strips than fries. Last night, I took my newly minted PhD to this place to celebrate. They cut us off after tipping them 20%+ and a couple of hours. We all had quite a bit of food (their food is on the pricey side as well). We weren't being rowdy-- they simply said we had "a glow" about us.l Most of us were walking home, so drinking wasn't even a problem. This place needs a complete turnaround on their ideas of hospitality. Out of the three times I have been there, the service has never been good. And, the place has never been crowded. The manager is an a**hole, too.

    (1)

  • Dorinda A.

    Very attractive decor with surprisingly comfortable, long booth.There were seven of us seated with enough room to stretch. An attentive waitress for the table and very, tasty, well constructed cocktails started the brunch off well. By the time our entrees arrived, we were prepared for more tasty treats. Everyone loved their dishes but mine was a disaster. I ordered steak & eggs -- medium rare with eggs over easy. My steak was, at best, medium and more on the 'well' side; one egg was perfect while the other had a half-hardening yolk, plus my toast was burnt. I sent it back and in a couple of minutes the waitress returned and put my plate back in front of me, with this message from the chef (cook...): Is this how you wanted it done? The chef had actually ripped the steak open at the center! Yes, it was almost torn in half and revealing a still overdone steak. It was obviously ripped into by an angry chef (cook). I asked for the manager who sincerely apologized and asked what he could do. I asked him to please let the chef (cook) know that there was no reason to be so crude, but I did not want to send my food back again -- wondering what he'd do to it the next time. I was not looking for a free meal and made that very clear. A few minutes later the manager returned and insisted that the meal be comped. I really did appreciate his gesture, but I would have much rather just had an enjoyable, comfortable brunch with my friends without incident. Bottom line? For the most part, everyone enjoyed their meal, the atmosphere, the delicious desserts and attractive presentation, and the very well-made cocktails. My advice would be that maybe a call in advance would be a good idea to inquire if the chef (cook) has taken anger management classes.

    (3)

  • Marland M.

    We ate here a Saturday afternoon just after noon and the place was empty. We had my 2 year son with us and the server brought over my son's food first, which is always appreciated when you have a child. The chicken tenders were hot so we were breaking them apart to allow them cool faster when my wife noticed that the larger pieces were pink and not cooked all the way through. The server took it back and they made a new order. Our food arrived soon after, I was very please with my Peeque sandwich. The lettuce was spring green, the avocado was fresh, and the salsa was very good. I took a few bites and when I bit into the sandwich I could immediately tell that I had bitten into raw chicken. I looked and the thick part of the chicken was not cooked all the way through, it was just the center but no one wants to eat raw chicken. The owner did apologize, and at first offered to buy us dessert, but we could not stay long because it was time for my son's nap. They removed the sandwich from the bill and made a new sandwich that was cooked correctly. Overall this was not a good experience, the decor is nice and the place is clean. I was looking for a new restaurant in Midtown that was reasonably priced with a good menu, and this place looked to fit the part but they need to work through some issues with the kitchen and the service. The overall service is mediocre, mainly because we did not get much attention from our server. She did refill the coffee once and refresh the water but as a former server myself she was just doing the minimum. I am not slamming this place; I hope they improve. The owners seem like nice guys and the restaurant is in a good location. I just hope they learn from this experience and no one else gets raw chicken served to them twice in a single visit.

    (2)

  • Alexander W.

    Maccabee's was alright. The burger I ordered was good. Nothing else there was really the price I'd want for the food I expected to get. The atmosphere was really nice... until I got to my seat. They sat me where I had a full view of the kitchen. There's no swinging door or anything to block view and it was pretty glaring light contrasted with the nice decor of the rest of the place. They could stand to change that. Service was friendly and had no problems there.

    (3)

  • Sunny W.

    Had the Sunday brunch today at Maccabees for $21. Got a table right away but the place was packed so it was a good vibrant environment. The $21 buffet includes salads, comfort food (fried chicken, potatoes, mac-and-cheese, grilled chicken, veggies, etc...), fresh fruits, one or two dessert items, made-to-order waffles (red velvet was surprisingly good), coffee + non-alcoholic beverages, and endless mimosas / champagne. Service was also really good, my waitress came to check on my time and refilled my mimosas promptly Overall the food/service/ambiance was great and I would recommend this Sunday brunch to others. The only reason I gave it 4 stars (and not 5 stars) is because their website advertised a $21 entree brunch (i.e. endless mimosas, dessert/fruits buffet, plus pick one entree) and that's what I prefer and the reason I chose to come in to begin with. I'm not a big fan of comfort food buffets and it was a bit disappointing/misleading that what their website menu advertises was different from what they actually served.

    (4)

  • Ame G.

    Went for dinner and had good results. Our group got burgers and a variety of appetizers. The burgers, fries, onion rings were loved by the whole group (7-8 people). I have to say I have a mixed opinion on the calamari...it has a strange after taste, but I couldn't pinpoint what it was... The service was good but could've been a little faster.

    (3)

  • Dottie G.

    We have tried this place three times now and are officially giving up. The first time was on Noel Night, when we wrote off the poor service as a result of the crazy/busy night. However, I would argue that they should have known how crazy/busy they were going to be and had more than one bartender on duty. We came back two more times and each time service was really really slow and the food was mediocre at best. With the competition offered in Detroit dining right now, I would not waste my time at this restaurant. I hope they step up and make a go of it, but I see no evidence that that is the plan.

    (1)

  • Tyra N.

    They have the decor, prices and style of an upscale restaurant but I felt out of place on a Saturday afternoon during an outdoor festival. The service is quality with attentive, well dressed and fairly informed waitstaff. The tables were all clean and properly dressed. Although my waitress did not know much more about their wine selection than I did, we figured things out. For a place that is attempting to pass as fancy they need to educate their staff on wine pairing and temperatures. We ordered appetizers because the entree menu, while appetizing, was too rich for my taste. I wanted the salmon entree but at $26 I wasn't willing to risk it for something I could have gotten up the street for $12. My caprese salad was fresh, clean and the balsamic reduction tied it all together. My company had sweet potato fries, sliders and steak tips. The fries were well prepared hot and served with honey mustard in a basket. The steak tips were well seasons and served with no accouterments, the sliders were very large and were loved. My critique is the pricing. Sliders, sweet potato fries in a basket, and steak tips can be had ANYWHERE for much less and on the same plate with the same decor. They need to tone the pricing down. I won't be returning until then. We all spent at least $25 for 2 appetizers that were appealing but not close to satisfying. They are good but nothing was so good or unique that I'm willing to pay their rates.

    (3)

  • Brittiany R.

    Maccabees is in a perfect location near the DIA and Wayne State in a beautiful building. It is art-deco from the ceilings down to the menu and it is a truly beautiful restaurant. The menu has a pretty good variety of options including vegetarian options and more fish options than I'm used to. The food was overall fresh and tasty but there were quite a few hits and misses. I ordered onion rings but please don't make that same mistake. They were at least 2-3 inches thick and way overcooked. Our waitress even brought us a second order but they came out almost exactly the same. The sandwiches are a must try especially the ones made with the potato pancakes. I never thought that would be a good combination but it was melt-in-your-mouth, taste overload good. The texture of the potato cake pairs perfectly with the sandwiches! A must! The calamari was really, really chewy and tough. Skip that and try the sliders or one of their fresh salads! The walleye dish also came with quite a few bones in it pointing out poor filleting skills. The fish was prepared well but I wasn't able to fully enjoy it as I spent lots of time pulling out bones. I will be back to sample more highly recommended dishes and their brunch! which boasts an all-inclusive brunch option with endless mimosas and a dessert variety.

    (3)

  • Ron B.

    A four for service. Our waiter was great. But my friend's salmon came out raw, which was no good. The menu is okay, it didn't change my life but there were varied options and everything was served quickly and efficiently. Good for group lunch.

    (3)

  • Lorraine F.

    Love this place. Been there 3 times and have had excellent service and great food. Yesterday "Classy" was my server and made a simple early meal a delightful experience with humor and attention to detail. The Lemon chicken is fabulous. The salmon on pasta was perfect. Silly detail, but coffee lovers will understand, the coffee is served in a huge mug with a big handle. Nice end to a great meal. I must try it there for weekend brunch!

    (5)

  • Susan N.

    Great food, great service! Woodward is a pain, but a must on the brunch list for Detroit! Sit back for a leisure brunch. Unusual beat on the common breakfast treats! Staff is really nice, be patience ! Worth the waiter running the food, bar, and other parts!!

    (5)

  • Monique F.

    My friends planned a dinner for me and we planned on heading here! Fail! The website says they close at 9 so we rode past to find parking around 8 and they looked closed. We called and they said since no one was in restaurant that decided to close. They then said the kitchen closes at 8 smh. Very disappointing. I don't see how you expect to keep business pulling moves like this! Hopefully when I come back to visit, my friends and I can go have dinner there...better yet we will try lunch!

    (1)

  • Elizabeth L.

    I love this place for brunch! Came here with a group of 9 at noon on a Sunday. As soon as we walked in we were greeted by what looked to be the owner or manager. Super friendly and accommodating right off the bat. The service was great from beginning to end and the food was spectacular. I recommend the Maccabee Turkey. It was flavorful, juicy and filling. It came with a small spinach salad on the side and the dressing was great! The potato pancake, which was used instead of bread or a bun, was soo soo soo good. I'll salivating just thinking about the sandwich. I also ordered a side of onion rings which were piping hot and crunchy (I hate when the breading is soft and soggy). I had enough to take home for leftovers and eat the next day. Besides the food menu options I love this place for brunch because you can do an "all-inclusive" brunch for one price. That allows you unlimited mimosas, champagne and non-alcoholic drinks, along with the fresh pastries and fruit bar and your choice of one entree for $21. So when it comes to groups you just split the bill evenly. hassle free. Our server automatically gave us separate bills and was great with our group. I don't any of us ever had to ask twice for a re-fill or even at all most of the time. The inside is a great vibe with a rich historic feel and I have never had an issue with parking. Almost every side street allows street parking and on Sundays you do not have to pay a meter if you park at one. If you're looking to have a Sunday funday I would consider this place. Great place to bring out-of-towners too!

    (4)

  • Kathy P.

    I really like the location and ambiance of this restaurant. We had good service. The food was average. I ordered fish and found it to be a little greasy/heavier than I'd like. I would give it another try and order something different, or maybe go for brunch or lunch.

    (3)

  • Darrell K.

    We decided to go here since it was close to a venue. There is parking around the corner but it felt like a long way since it was a cold, snowy night. I had a long island for starters. It was ok. Not the greatest, not the worse. I also ordered the grouper which was also just ok. This was my first but the fish seemed kind of bland. The wait staff was great. She was pretty attentive and friendly. I will visit in the future and try something else.

    (3)

  • Brian P.

    Very cool place. Their latke sandwiches are amazing! Have been back twice since first going there. Great spot.

    (4)

  • Taneisha G.

    They earned 1 Star for customer service. My friends and I came here to celebrate and they were closed at 8 pm. We called the restaurant to ask why the lights were out and the guy on the phone stated that the kitchen was closed at 8, even though their website clearly states that they are open until 9 pm. We explained that we drove a long way and the guy on the phone didn't care.

    (1)

  • Ashley C.

    Great place for brunch and centrally located to all the great midtown locations. Go on a Sunday, and parking is free! We took a chance and showed up without reservations in Mother's Day. It was a crap shoot but we get lucky even though they were super busy. The host/manager/owner was accommodating and bit us seated right away. We checked in on yelp and bit to use our 20% off coupon. Not sure if it was just today, or everyday but the first mimosa or Bloody Mary was free. Score! They only had the Buffett, which was fine. Both breakfast and lunch items, and an omelet and waffle station. We ordered the omelet and waffles from the waitress and hit the Buffett. The food was great, but that is where the greatness ended. We didn't see our waitress for a long time. We were out of water, no way we were getting another drink even if we wanted one, and the waffles and omelet took about 45 minutes. They were super busy, and apparently overstuffed but we had to listen to two of the waitstaff get into a pretty heated argument in front of all of us that carried on longer than any of us were comfortable with. We just wanted to pay and leave by this point, but tracking the waitress down and actually paying was another 20 minutes while we sat amongst dirty dishes. Loved the food, but if you want excellent service, it seems like they are still working that out.

    (4)

  • Ashley S.

    FYI this is now a brunch buffet on Sunday's you can still get the all you can drink mimosas, but you do not get an entire choice. The food was decent enough for a buffet: breakfast meats, scrambled eggs, potatoes, shrimp and grits, fried chicken, fruit and pastries, make your own waffle or omelet and a few other odds and ends, however, we had our hearts set on some of the advertised main menu brunch options and were disappointed those were no longer options.

    (2)

  • Greta B.

    Beautiful, historically rich, very cozy atmosphere. The staff was very friendly, attentive and efficient. The Traverse City Blues salad was soooo good!!! I also had Eggplant Bruschetta which was good, but I prefer mine crispy. I love the sweet butter and rolls served with the meal!!! I can't wait to try other foods on the menu!

    (5)

  • Mary B.

    Had lunch here today using my 20% Yelp coupon. The place has a quaint pub feel even though it's a fairly large restaurant. Doc waited on me hand and foot. He introduced me to a Polish brew that was indeed tasty. My BLAT and skinny sweet potato fries were awesome. I will definitely return with friends.

    (5)

  • Sarai E.

    Went for dinner and got the Mac and cheese with lobster. So good. I'll be playing with more items from their menu again soon.

    (5)

  • Lynn H.

    Hubby and I stopped in here about 4pm on the Sunday before Memorial Day, after visiting the Samurai exhibit at the DIA. Although, apparently, the place is usually hopping on a Sunday, we were the only ones in the joint, so we got especially attentive service from the friendly and knowlegable bartender. We lucked into a Sunday brunch situation. Yep, all day Sunday is brunch at Maccabees, $15.00 for an entree and a drink. We both opted for a bloody Mary and we both agree it is the best bloody we've had in a long time. Definitely going to be back for another. My entree (hard to call it breakfast at 4pm) was an egg & bacon sandwich with garlic aioli and a side of home fries. Hubby opted for the bacon burger with a side of French fries. Both were delish. The interior of Maccabees is delightful. It's got a Romanesque feel to it, with plenty of sun streaming in from the large front windows. I didn't know it at the time, but the Maccabees building that houses the restaurant is on the National Register of Historic Places.

    (4)

  • Layan A.

    Lovely place in midtown detroit. I got a Groupon and this is how I found out about the place. Ambiance was relaxed on a Wednesday night, dim lighting, nice hip decor. It was quiet with about 5 tables taken. I got the Macabees burger which was delicious, I highly recommend it. My husband got the surf and turf NY ribeye steak, which he thought was ok, kind of chewy like these steaks usually are. Prices are decent, not too expensive. I will be back for sure.

    (4)

  • Michele A.

    This is a little GEM. We came in for a Sunday brunch around 1130am. The place was not busy. We were seated and ordered the brunch with endless mimosas $21. The brunch comes with 1 menu item plus a fruit and treat bar. The item I got was corned beef hash. Good size portion with tasty meat. My husband got the midtown which is a roast beef sand using potato pancakes for the bun, super tasty. The service was great and friendly. The decor is very nice.

    (5)

  • Jennifer W.

    I've been here a few times for lunch before, and the wait staff has always been great and the food delicious, but the brunch I went to today was really exceptional. The food is a bit heavy and very rich, but it's very good. I had the Maccabees turkey and my boyfriend had a brisket Benedict, and both were great. For brunch this morning I called a few minutes before my boyfriend and I went in to use a groupon (which makes this brunch an even more awesome deal than it already is) and they were really accommodating to a last minute reservation. Our waitress, Alexis, was absolutely wonderful. I don't think I've ever had someone nicer or more attentive who's found the balance between keeping my mimosas filled without being overly pushy. I really appreciated her service today. The atmosphere in general is lovely too - it's very classy and reminiscent of '40s decor but with a modern touch. The jazz music was a great complement to brunch as well. I'm so glad this restaurant is open at Wayne state and I'm excited to go back again!

    (5)

  • Joseph K.

    This was an unexpected surprise. Very good drinks with fresh ingredients. I had what is referred to as a triple berry which is a lovely combination of cranberry juice Chambord and a Liquor of some sort. My meal started with a very nice house salad made with a really spectacular raspberry vinaigrette dressing. My entrée was their Peeque sandwich, which was a divine combination of chicken, bacon, avocado, and garlic aïoli on a brioche bun. Absolutely magnificent! Service throughout was prompt, efficient, and very friendly. Our server checked on us at least six times during our 45 minute visit. The space itself is also quite pleasing being right off of Woodward Avenue lots of nice views from the windows. Highly recommended!

    (5)

  • Crystal C.

    I thought service was ok food was just bar food with a twist I got the turkey potatoe pancake sandwich it was very greasy and burnt potato cake. The concept of this might not be to everyone's taste, certainly wasn't mine , however I know good food and this was just so average at best. Won't be back!

    (2)

  • Kim E.

    Looking for a place to have lunch before a 1pm play downtown and I found this place online. The offer a Sunday Brunch that fit my timeframe, so I gave it a go. The food was delicious and I will be back for dinner the next time I'm downtown for a play. The Details: Sunday Brunch was not a buffet but you ordered off the menu. They did have a bar with fresh fruit, muffins and cookie you can troll until your food arrives. I had vanilla mascarpone stuffed french toast drizzled with caramel and my daughter had choc chip pancakes. There were about 15 choices ranging from steak & eggs to a chicken dish. Mine was decadent and delish. She was happy with the "free" fruit! Parking can be a challenge for they don't have a lot - I found luck along Warren Ave and there is a WSU garage behind and the DIA lot across the street. The staff was friendly, the place was clean and it just had a nice vibe. Decor is beautiful with a throw-back to the art deco building housing it. Overall, I'd highly recommend Maccabees when in midtown and am looking forward to trying dinner next time.

    (4)

  • Blas G.

    Came to Maccabbees for dinner. It has a quiet uptown atmosphere. The food is pretty good. I had the Lone Ranger. It is a potato pancake sandwich with brisket, provolone cheese, grilled onions, and chipotle mayo. For the most part it was good it could have used a bit more mayo to give it some more of the chipotle flavor. As an appetizer we ordered the steak tips. It was cooked just right and the sauce it comes with was to die for. We'll be adding it to our places to eat in Detroit list

    (4)

  • Lindsey W.

    Oh my, I really wanted to like this spot. The location is desirable and the decor is lovely. My mom and I visited Maccabees this evening before heading to the Fisher. We saw an ad in which Maccabees provides a 20% discount for diners who are headed to a "Broadway in Detroit" show. What an incentive to stop in! I had the Lone Ranger which was quite good. Moist brisket between two potato pancakes. My mom had the Gateway Reuben. The corned beef to sauerkraut ratio was skewed. There was so little sauerkraut on her sandwich that she didn't realize that there was any at all. After main courses we split a chocolate cheesecake dessert. It was very good. Not too rich and the presentation was nice as well. Time to cash out. I informed our waitress that we were headed to the theater so that our bill would reflect the advertised discount. She came back to inform me that she believed the discount to be 20% but her colleague thought that the discount was to be 10% so they decided that the best way to settle the discrepancy was to not charge me for my dessert. The dessert totaled about 3.5% of my total bill. So disheartening!!! I would never have known that Maccabees even existed had it not been for that ad. It's even more upsetting since I read a review from a follow yelper that they had been victim to the same scam. Though the food was decent, I won't visit Maccabees in the future because I cannot support an establishment that is dishonest.

    (2)

  • Rebecca T.

    They are doing the midtown shuffle. They changed their menu, took off some of the best items, are using cheaper ingredients, and raised their prices. Bully for them, they were packed. The waitress did not know anything about the food she was serving. I told her that I have Celiac. There used to be a kale salad that I could eat with no problems, but it is gone. So she told me to get the arugula salad which she said was gluten free, as opposed to the southwest salad, which has corn (?). She brought the arugula salad with a chunk of bread on top, and breaded balls of chèvre. I sent it back. I ended up paying $14 for a pile of arugula with a few beet chunks. "Have a blessed day", she told me.

    (1)

  • Fred M.

    First time there, Saturday around 5pm. wait staff attentive, missed some details, like asking daughter if she wanted something to drink instead of just water, the restaurant was very warm, which made it uncomfortable. Every beer was just a little too warm. Everyone enjoyed the food, had an issue with one plate, staff took it off bill without an issue, much appreciated. For dessert the choice was either chocolate cake or carrot cake, would expect a bigger variety. With all the other choices popping up around that area and downtown, it might be a while before we go back, as we were not wowed, but it is better then average.

    (3)

  • Mike H.

    If I could give Macabees 6 stars if I could. I love the decor and the music. Everyone in the bar was smiling and having a great time. Service was pretty slow, but very friendly, which is what I ask for. Plus, we got a round the house for the slowness. I really love this place, and I'll definitely be back.

    (5)

  • Stefani B.

    My husband and I had been really looking forward to visiting Maccabees. We're huge Motor City boosters and love finding new restaurants in the D; so we walked in optimistic. When we arrived around 8:30 on a Saturday night , there were 8 diners, including ourselves, in the whole restaurant...and yet, we still had to wait for them to bus a table before we could be seated. Once ensconced in a booth, it took another 5-10 minutes for our server to arrive. She plopped a bottle down on our table and asked "you two okay with just water?" Then, she walked away without waiting for our response. We decided what we wanted fairly quickly, but waited *another* 10 minutes or so for the waitress to return. She took our orders (including drinks, finally) and walked away without a word. Not scoring any points for service, so far, but it was going to get worse; because once our food was delivered, she disappeared entirely. My husband ordered the Maccabee burger ($18) with a side of onion rings ($4) and a bowl of chicken noodle soup ($4). I had the Southern Belle Potato Pancake Sandwich ($10) and a bowl of Mushroom and Wild Rice Soup ($4). Both soups were heavily salted, which might have been manageable if our server had ever come back to refill our drinks. The burger was beautifully presented, but accompanied by only a few onion rings. My husband describes it as "adequate"...not the word one hopes to use when describing an $18 burger. I cannot recommend the Southern Belle at all. The BBQ was overwhelmingly sweet, to the point of drowning out the flavor of the cheddar cheese entirely. If it's possible to create a "dessert" pulled pork, the Maccabee's staff has done so. The potato pancake itself was texturally quite nice- crispy on the outside, fluffy interior. Unfortunately, it was a bit burned, which made it difficult to eat. Between the charred starch and the sugary BBQ, I gave up on my meal halfway through. Our waitress returned only after I'd waved down another server who, rather than coming to see what we needed, simply disappeared into the kitchen...ostensibly to fetch our designated employee. As a former waitress myself, I was VERY disappointed in the lack of attention, especially when you remember our two-top table represented 25% of their total customers at the time. In summary: Food- poorly executed and overly sweet/salty. Service- Abysmal Price- Excessive for the quality Return Visit Planned- Nope! Never again. Recommended- Not at all. You're better off visiting Union Street just a few blocks down Woodward.

    (1)

  • Dave W.

    I've driven by this place a million times, but had no idea what it was. I was meeting a friend for lunch in Midtown so I checked this place out on Yelp and it sounded like it was worth a try. It did not disappoint! Great looking facility...old and charming...the kind of place that makes me glad to work in the city so I don't have to go to those boring chain restaurants I used to frequent in the 'burbs. Great menu selection...I had the Peeque sandwich and sweet potato fries and I enjoyed it all. Our server, Jeff, was friendly and attentive. I would definitely return!

    (4)

  • Jes P.

    Before a day at the D.I.A, we decided to get a bite to eat. The closest place was Maccabees. There were five of us in our group and no one had ever been to Maccabees. I was weary about going because I had read yelp reviews that were not so favorable in regards to service. However, I believe trying things for yourself before going with popular opinion. In regards to service, I must say we had an extra ordinary experience. The wait staff was wonderful, gave great recommendations, and even was able to make some fresh lemonade for us when there was no lemonade on the menu. We loved the interior design and all the fancy chandeliers. Upon our request, the waitstaff actually shared some of the history about Maccabees with us and who was responsible for making the beautiful light fixtures. Our curiosity was soothed by all of this information and then came the food. The presentation and quantity of food was great for the price, however 3 of us really enjoyed our meals while the other 2 thought the food was only so-so. I think it had more to do with personal preference then quality of product. I was one of the three who enjoyed the meal and because the service ambiance, food and location were excellent, I will definitely be going again. I have no problem recommending this place and I hope to be back again soon.'

    (4)

  • David D.

    While I could write this place a bad review if I were to speak on their bartending, lackluster drinks, and overpriced wine, they're menu has not yet failed to impress myself or any guests I've invited here to dine with me. The steak sandwich, salmon wrap, and kobe beef Maccabee burger (Edit: I have to add the pulled pork potato pancake sandwich is one of the best things I've ever eaten) are all the reasons I need to keep returning to this place. I've sampled a few dishes that weren't too impressive, but the ones I've enjoyed have all been outstanding. My biggest disappointment order has been the onion rings. I don't care how BIG your onion rings are. I don't expect like 2-3 onion rings when I'm spending $4. Having over-sized onion rings doesn't compensate for handing out like a literal 1/6 of an expected portion.

    (4)

  • Elisha C.

    Absolutely nice place, mellow low key setting for a nice Sunday brunch. Our pitcher of mimosa took awhile but once it came, we were all good. Would definitely go back especially with my Yelp 20% coupon.

    (4)

  • Shunda B.

    How long have this place been down here?! I seem to miss all the little hole in the wall type places - well it isn't that small. I was able to enjoy the "The Gateway Rebuen" ($9 or $10) with a side of sweet potatoes fries ($2) - i must say everything was very enjoyable and filling. I knock one star off due the lighting - I think it could be brighter in the corners but of course that's just might thought; if i was on a date then it would be nice. Honestly i was thinking of older people maybe tripping on something. The waitress was wonderful and i've also been told on Friday there's entertainment going on - I can't wait to see that.

    (4)

  • Regina S.

    I love stumbling into totally amazing places... The BF and I were going to peruse the DIA, and so we parked at public parking behind it, and started heading towards Woodward. Originally, we were going to just shoot down to Hockeytown (it's been a while since we've been) but, there, right across the street from our corner was this little joint. There was a folding street sign out that said "OPEN FOR BRUNCH" so we went in. There were a few tables, but they were not very busy for 1:30 on a Sunday. We were warmly greeted and seated in a back booth. This place is DARK, but I could still see how cool it was, reminded me of a cool jazz club... I wonder if it is at night, and if it isn't, maybe it should be :) The booths are super comfy which I liked a lot. For those who stated in reviews they got no water, maybe they changed something because they bring every table a glass bottle with a flip stopper full of water. Our server was very nice also, no issues there. We get brunch menus that state for $15 you get one alcoholic bev (bloody Mary, mimosa, bellini, champagne) or you can have juice AND coffee or tea and then one of about 15 or so menu choices to eat. What a great looking menu!! Everything from homemade hash, to french toast, brisket eggs benny to salads and burgers. I was caught between the lamb burger and the nana burger. I opted for nana. burger with lettuce, tomato, applewood smoked bacon, cheddar and a fried egg on a brioche bun. Bf went for the corn beef hash. (We're hash junkies, if you must know...) and we ordered bloody marys for our complimentary cocktails. Note to the bartender: Wow!! That was A LOT of Worcestershire!!! It really killed it for the BF. I was more of a trooper, but really, maybe dial that back about 5 dashes... So, if you like bloody Marys, and you're there on Sunday, maybe ask for light on the Worcestershire... Food was just delicious!! My burger was juicy and the little seasoned potato wedges that come with it were super fresh and crispy, love them!! BF loved his hash too, they use big chunks for corned beef and he got some sourdough toast too. They started getting busier as we were eating which made me very happy! We were thrilled to find the place and cannot wait to go back there for dinner!! /Jazzy!!

    (4)

  • Calder W. K.

    Great location, excellent decor. Unfortunately service was quite slow and food subpar, if not quite bad. Rice was undercooked and grouper had bones in it. Salmon dish did come with a large portion of fish and was cooked nicely. Drink selection was good, however wine pours and cocktails too small. This place has potential but needs a lot of improvements.

    (2)

  • Patty U.

    I came here for a late lunch after visiting the DIA. I had the fish tacos and a salad and my mom had a specialty chicken sandwich. Wow. I wish the fish tacos in ann arbor were that good. Best fish tacos ever. The price is the same as paneras but oh so much better. Cloth napkins, nice staff. Jeff our waiter was super nice and helpful. I cant wait to go back for dinner. What a nice gem! My mom loved her sandwich too. Thx!

    (5)

  • Betsy D.

    Great fish tacos app! Enjoyed it as my meal and still had one whole taco left! My husband loved the cream of potato soup. Beer great price and with the 20% off coupon on this Yelp site, our meal was very affordable and tasty. Service very patchy though.

    (4)

  • Flannary S.

    Living within walking distance to Maccabees at Midtown, this is my go-to spot to grab a bite/drink when family or friends are visiting. This is the perfect restaurant to dine at with a group of people if you do not know their food preferences, because there truly is something for everyone. The interior decor is a clean comfortable swank, and the lighting fixtures are super cool, matching the decor of the Maccabees building. While the floor seems a bit understaffed at times, their service has improved immensely since my first visit about a year ago, and everyone works at bringing a good experience to the customers. For the food, I've tried many of the items on the menu and have never been disappointed. The burgers, wraps, calamari, sliders, BLAT, potato pancake sandwiches and Cobb salad are all delicious, but the item I always come back to is the Chopped Kale Salad. Even a kale skeptic would want to devour this salad. It has varied in execution a couple times, but always has the same fantastic ingredients; anchovy dressing, smoked Gouda and hazelnuts (sometimes they are crushed sometimes whole, either way is really good.) I've taken a few of my family members here for it, and we always argue which protein is best atop the salad. I've tried it with shrimp, steak and salmon, all of which were really good. I suppose steak goes well with the heartiness of the kale, but the shrimp and salmon are equally delicious on it, and go well with the anchovy dressing in my opinion. At any rate, I definitely recommend Maccabees at Midtown. It is especially good place to go after the Detroit Institute of Arts or before the DFT, since it is also within walking distance from the DIA. Order anything on the menu, and you will be happy. The one tip I do have would be, if there is a special on written on the board without a price, and you are concerned about price, ask how much it is before you order. Other than that, Maccabees offers a neat environment for some good food with courteous service.

    (4)

  • Phil D.

    Very poor experience Ordered tequila on the rocks and vodka tonic. After 15 minutes both cocktails came but vodka was missing tonic. Asked for tonic they added a splash of flat tonic. Ordered meatloaf and pasta with a calamari appetizer. Meatloaf and calamari came out together no soups no salads no bread all were expected. Calamari was ice cold because it was sitting around. Soup and wife's dinner came they charged us for the soup that was included . My salad was MIA. Food was incredibly bland, service was unacceptably bad. Beyond just being busy we never saw our server. $90 bill and we will never go back. With so many options in Midtown now, there is no reason to ever see the inside of this place.

    (1)

  • Nikki C.

    Maccabee's has been my Friday afternoon/evening "spot" for the past couple of months. It's comfortable, the drinks are good and the food is delish! They do have a brunch menu, but I've never been there for brunch. Their evening menu consists of appetizers, deli sandwiches, meals and salads. There are happy hour deals on drinks and apps. I can't remember any happy hour details (times or amounts off), but it does exist. I usually sit at the bar and things can get busy at times and it's best when there are two bartenders back there, to make things a little less flustered. The manager steps in and helps whenever necessary. The staff is a delight! The evening bartender (Larry) has a knack for making a drink based on your preferences and tastes... when he has the freedom to create something for you, you will love it! Try him...he won't disappoint! The whole place is ...shall I say, upscale-earthy? Water is served in these french style carafes for your own table. Fun. I suggest the veggie wrap, which has roasted red peppers, artichoke, sauteed greens, carmelized onions. It is gooood. You really can't go wrong with anything on their menu. The bar is not a big bar, but the window in front of it is tall and majestic. The chandelier is gorgeous and is a great centerpiece. I enjoy the music played via the speakers.... it's an overall good experience for me and this is why it's my favorite Friday night routine. The only odd thing for me is the "Cold Beer Here" sign outside. It cheapens the look of the exterior. It's a tacky, bright neon sign that should be in the window of a liquor store.

    (4)

  • Debbie Z.

    Maccabees I love you - have the best lunch food ever and happy hour gets even happier! Definitely I will go again! See you soon Maccabees!

    (5)

  • Michelle N.

    Awesome!! I came back for dinner last night, and the food was even BETTER than I remembered!! I'm also very glad to report that they include chips with their sandwiches now, but I'm not sure if that's a dinner thing or if it applies to both lunch and dinner. Other observations: - calamari is DELICIOUS. Huge portion for $11, and it was so crispy and yummy. - they're more generous with their fries this time..much more generous! - but I wish they were more generous with the amount of chips they gave, it's kinda sad how small the amount was. - the chips are really good!! (That's kind of why I wish they gave more, haha!!) they were some of the best chips I've had in Detroit. Yum! - drink menu looked great! - our waitress wasn't the best. Didn't provide menus, didn't provide water, tried multiple times to get her attn, etc. I see why people say service is bad here, and if it wasn't for my amazing service last time, I'd be turned off from this place...but I assure you, there is a waiter here who is AMAZING!! So not all service here is bad. :) I am really glad to support such a yelp-friendly business!! I say yelp-friendly bc the owner sent me a message after my previous review saying that he was looking into adding chips, which he did!!

    (5)

  • Megan N.

    One of my favorite restaurants in Detroit! The potato pancake sandwich was delicious and the decor was beautiful! I will definitely be back.

    (5)

  • Carole H.

    Pros: - the food is the BOMB. they use quality ingredients in great combinations, everything I've tasted here has been just excellent. The Peeque and Tuscan chicken sandwiches are stand outs. - specialty craft cocktails - come between 3-7 on weekdays to get them for half off at happy hour! I'm partial to the Southern Belle, made with sweet tea vodka, lemon juice, and mint. - great location - right on Woodward across from the DIA and next to the main branch of the library - very cool decor. It's a little dark not in a dreary way, but in a kinda fancy, and a little romantic type of way. This is the place to go when you want to stop somewhere "a little nicer." But, you'd still be welcome in jeans. - Larry the bartender. Just trust me...he is one of the "pros." - meet and mingle with the midtown professional crowd Cons: - parking can be annoying, the area is always busy and the 1 hour limit metered street spots are usually full. - stopped in once for a late lunch, around 4:00. my friend and I were the ONLY TWO in the restaurant. The ONLY TWO. So they told us to seat ourselves, and we got settled into a booth in the back. Looking at the menu, we see we are in time for happy hour (half off all drinks). When we order, the waitress says it is only if you are seated in the bar area. I ask, since we are the ONLY TWO in the building, if there is any way we could just get the happy hour prices in the booth we were at. She checks with the manager, and he refuses. So my friend and I - the ONLY TWO THERE - have to get up and move to ANOTHER BOOTH that is about 20 feet away in the "bar area." And there we could get our happy hour prices. That's one of the dumbest things I've ever experienced. If the restaurant was a bit more full, I'd understand. But this was just splitting hairs. Stubborn management and dumb happy hour policy aside, though...I do love this place. :)

    (4)

  • Betty P.

    What a terrible experience here - would not consider going back. Even though the restaurant was only about a third full it took half an hour just to get a drink. I did feel bad the server was tending bar and waiting tables so gave him the benefit of the doubt. He related they were out of food so we were limited on what we could order. ordered a salad which came one hour later with half the ingredients missing. He had to find glasses to rinse to use for us. No apologies or explanations other to complain that people were posting negative things on facebook and the owner had called to see what was going on. Believe me, I could have understood if the restaurant was jammed and they ran out of food but he said they had not been busy. Had wanted to try this place for months but could not find one positive thing about it..

    (1)

  • Melissa B.

    Ive been here twice both on Friday nights and i have truly enjoyed myself....the drinks are great and the staff is very attentive....the potatoe pancakes are so good....i had the lobster blt made with potatoe pancakes instead of the cibatta bread and i was not disappointed!

    (4)

  • Michael P.

    Potatoe pancake sandwich is unique and very good. Plus gluten free!. Better than sliced bread.

    (5)

  • Charlie B.

    If I could give Maccabees zero stars I would. Went in here after work one day, and the chalkboard in the lobby indicates that it was $2 drafts for happy hour. We asked the server what was on draft and she gave us the brief list. Ordered the frankenmuth something or another. It was a 12 oz glass. Bill came and it was $5. We had taken a picture of the chalkboard and said it was only supposed to be $2. Our server took the pic to the owner bartender and he said the sign was wrong and the bill was right. The only beer on sale was PBR. However, the sign stated that PBR was $1. What was the $2 beer then? So anyway, $5 for a 12 oz beer? Someone needs their head examined. I can get a pint of ghetto blaster or other craft beer for $4 at a few other spots in midtown. Food is just ok. I've eaten here three or four times and I've been satisfied by quality, but dissatisfied by service. Every time I get the check and leave, I say I'm never coming back here. But this time I mean it. Maccabees in Midtown. Avoid.

    (1)

  • Kate E.

    My friend and I wandered in here after spending the day at the science center. Walking in I was very impressed, the decor is beautiful. I couldn't stop looking at the light fixtures, and all the gold accents were lovely. We were greeted promptly, and seated right away. We both had our children with us and they are little, 15 months and 8 months, they quickly moved the extra chairs and brought us high chairs. Our server who I believe his name was Jeff was wonderful. He answered all our questions and recommend dishes to us. All the staff was very friendly. My son as certain points would get upset and without fail someone who worked there would come up and start talking to him and entertain him till he claimed down. I thought that was awesome, considering most places seem to frown on small children especially when they are being loud. The food was great! My friends chicken sandwich was the best, I don't remember the name but it had avocado and salsa on it. I got the lobster BLT, it was really good. My only complaint about it is I wish there was more lobster. We also got fish tacos which were amazing. For our kids we got a side of veggies which were extremely delicious, they tasted like they were cook on cast iron. Also chicken fingers, which I loved. I will be coming back to this place again. All the sandwiches sounded good so I want to try them all!!

    (5)

  • Heather J.

    Maccabees resurrects Beaux Arts glamour in a grand old dame of the 1920s with its moody, intimate atmosphere, bronzed coffered ceiling, and deep, dark booths. Real effort to restore the glory days makes this a far cry from the old diner that once occupied the site. A huge metal-cut chandelier echoes the grandiose original in the lobby (worth a peek), and be sure to look up to see the cut-outs of knights and ladies decorating the smaller lamps. Pull out your favourite black jacket or stiletto heels and slinky dress for a night on the town in the shadow of the DIA. Classic cocktails poured strong by the bartender are best sipped, watching glittering lights and traffic on Woodward. Maccabees serves up a traditional American menu with a few brushstrokes of ethnic and fusion dishes. You may expect a generous steak seared to medium rareness, but the potato pancakes are a real gem. They serve up a mean Sunday buffet, a much needed offering in Midtown. For $12, you get one entrée, complimentary coffee or tea (Bigelow herbals, green, and black), and one alcoholic drink of your choice: mimosa, bellini or Bloody Mary. Courses include ricotta crepes with fruit, standard breakfast fare like chocolate chip pancakes and BLT breakfast sandwiches, and lunch choices with kale salad, hamburgers, sandwiches, and grilled salmon. The beau and I joined a birthday brunch for the owner of impeccable Peacock Room and Emerald. For brunch, we went for decadent cream cheese-stuffed French toast and the intriguing brisket benedict, while fellow diners tried steak and eggs. Servings are large, be forewarned. - French Toast: A massive loaf drizzled in cinnamon apples, caramel and powdered sugar, fit to feed three. The highlight was the vanilla cream cheese concoction stuffed and baked inside. Sweet and decadent, worth fighting over. - Brisket Benedict: Don't let the 'tomato bbq' hollandaise sauce put you off. Flavourful without being sticky or sweet, it marinaded the tender strips of brisket that fell apart like pulled pork. Poached eggs were fine, seasoned potatoes delicious. - Steak and Eggs: Unseasoned and bland. Eggs came hard when requested overeasy. Service needs some improvement to make Maccabees a real contender against prestigious downtown restaurants, like Fishbones' famous brunch. Our server was inconsistent about visiting all tables, getting no further than the first two. Refills for coffee, hot water, tea, and drinks were slow and she was hard to flag down. I requested a fresh tea bag on three occasions and only received it when we left, when our server brought me a to-go cup with a fresh bag. I appreciate the effort in correcting an error. The dining room wasn't that busy, despite our larger party, so there's room to grow on this front. Parking at the DIA or street-side can be difficult. Show up early on a Sunday for free spots. Otherwise use the library or side streets for a lovely walk.

    (3)

  • Pette M.

    I decided to give Maccabees one last try and invited my father for lunch. Sad to say, I was let down again. Following the staff recommendation I tried "The Lone Ranger", tender brisket that was kind of bland, which was served on a potato pancake instead of a bun. That would have been fine had the grease been fresh in the deep fryer before the potato pancake went in. Once you have the metallic taste of old deep fry grease in your mouth the meal is pretty much over. Taste buds ruined for the day. I DID have that bellini I do so love though! Macabees is on the path of becoming just plain old bar food. "Get em wasted enough and they'll eat anything you put out." To the owners, remember you're only as good as the last plate you send out.

    (2)

  • Debbie W.

    This was literally the worst dining experience I have ever had. Granted my situation was quite special, but I still do not think that what happened to me is acceptable, and people should see this and reconsider. My waitress was Samantha. A group of four (three including myself) went in for lunch at around 1 o'clock. At first the experience was nice, the inside of the restaurant is beautiful and we were seated promptly. Of course we were not ready to order right away so we spent about five minutes looking at the menu. Fortunately there were only two other tables at the time so we thought this would be a very in and out lunch. I was quite wrong. It took Samantha 15 minutes to realize that we were trying to find her to put in our order, and saw a party of 20 coming in. We really wanted to get our food in before them because we knew it would take us a very long time after. Finally, we asked another waiter to get her attention and she came and took our orders. We waited 45 minutes for our entrees and did not have any water for about 30 minutes of that time. We were very hungry, and thankfully our fries came as well as most of our entrees. Three entrees were brought out, and I was told by Samantha that mine would be out "in just a minute". Well, I waited, and waited, and 15 minutes later i noticed I had no food and that the party of 20 was being served (i also saw my entree being served to that table)/ Angrily i found her and asked why wasn't my food out; had she forgot it?? She THEN told me that she had forgotten to place my order (but yet managed the other three entrees and my fries?) and that she was sorry. So after lying to me she then sped away and I did not see her for another 10 minutes with my food. When my Reuben finally arrived she said that it was taken care of and she was sorry. I am not sure if I was just upset or something but the Reuben was not at all worth the wait, although the sweet potato fries were delicious. Samantha did not come back to our table until picking up our checkbooks, and not once made eye contact with me again. Luckily it seemed like my table enjoyed their meals, even though the whole event really dampened the mood of everybody at the table and made them feel guilty for eating. Being new to Maccabees this was a horrible first impression. I work at a 4.5 star restaurant in Cleveland and I was sorely disappointed by what had happened and how the staff had handled it. Frankly, if it were at my restaurant that would have been my last day serving there. I will not be coming back.

    (1)

  • Steph M.

    I've been here a few times. POTATO PANCAKES RULE THE WORLD!!! The food is good, the crowd is good, and the service is always super!! Great place. But make reservations for lunch. It can get crowded.

    (4)

  • Kerry S.

    I've had lunch here twice on weekdays, and both times it was great. Sweet potato fries are a good bet! Deli sandwiches are gigantic and really tasty. The club sandwich I had was too big to take a bite out of. It's a flashback to old school Eph McNally's. My guest's reuben looked good too. I had a main course salad from here and it was also very good. All fresh ingredients, good portions, reasonable prices. Nice atmosphere for casual meals, very cool full bar in the window, and a great location. I'll go back there for sure.

    (4)

  • Sarah C.

    Drove by and saw a new restaurant! I love when there are new restaurants in the area. Helping midtown becoming more up and coming! Exciting! My two friends and I decided to come here for dinner yesterday and possibly some drinks. The place is pretty spacious and dark so be prepared for that. It was a Monday night so there wasn't too many people here. Unfortunately, the menu looked good from a far but up close and personal it wasn't. My friend is a vegetarian and there was pretty much NOTHING for her to order besides a sandwich with no chicken and fries. I wanted a steak skirt salad but nope they don't have steak skirt yesterday. I ordered a cobb salad instead and it was drenched in their house dressing (balasmic). My friend ordered a chop with rice. The rice tasted funny. Did I mention that the food took a really long time to come out? Overall, the best thing about this place was our waiter. He was patient even though I was a bit rude. =[ sorry long day. He added our fries to a meal which saved us 2 dollars. He even split the bill for us too. Maybe the place is new and still needs to find itself.

    (3)

  • Phoebe J.

    Their Happy Hour is amazing. Larry is a FABULOUS bartender!

    (3)

  • Cari M.

    well shoooot - just when I thought Mudgie's was a life changing sandwich - this place is EQUALLY as fresh and delicious! I love everything about Maccabee's - the interior is gorgeous, the service was genuinely kind, fun, far above average. The location is great - with lots to do in the area. Meter or garage parking available near by. The menu - gosh darnit SO good it was very hard to choose. This place is going to be a regular stop for me now! I ordered the Peeque sandwich on recommendation of our delightful server, Shelly. SHE WAS SO RIGHT. This is what I have to say about this sandwich .... daaayyyyyuuuummmm. It is grilled chicken avocado on onion roll with pico de gallo on and other deliciousness that is escaping my mind. real good. We got sweet potato fries with chipotle ranch on the side (again recommended by Shelly) and wow ... I've had so many different sweet potato fries but these ones were something special. YALL NEED TO GET ON OVER TO MACCABEES AT MIDTOWN. Here's some additional info -- Everything is as FRESH and homemade and local as it gets. Because they make everything fresh - including slicing the meat for each individual sandwich -- if you show up at busy lunch hour don't expect it to be SUPER fast - but that is okay considering the freshness you are receiving! Their menu at dinner time is NOT the same as the lunch time menu ... so don't show up for a sandwich at dinner time and then be pissed it's a different menu. Ask for Shelly when you go - she is amazing! They also have a great creative breakfast menu! alright ya gotta eat 3 meals a day !! make one of them at Maccabees soon!

    (5)

  • Alex A.

    Love this place. Believe it's the same ownership as gateway deli in detroit (equally delicious). Would recommend the potato pancake sandwiches, they are quite filling.

    (5)

  • Jeff P.

    Wow..its long on looks, very short service; make that very very short on service. About 20 minutes before a server took our drink order; 15 minutes later, finally a beverage. The host appears clueless. Meal consisted of seafood pasta on angel hair drowning in a cream sauce. I really enjoyed performing surgery on the shrimp sitting in the cream sauce to remove the tails. Save yourself and your money.

    (1)

  • Heather G.

    Tried this place with one of my best friends today. Here are some key points. 1)Our server was training a new server but the guy she was training seemed to be a better server than her...she charged me the incorrect price, $6 instead of $4, on my egg nog which was clearly printed in the board that was within eye shot. She forgot to apply the 25% discount to the appetizer we ordered during happy hour. She tried selling me on this 1/2 soup and cup of soup deal so I said ok since I was kinda full from the appetizer. Then she comes back and says oh sorry I forgot that's a lunch special. She was not familiar with the menu and didn't even know what sangria was....why is she a trainer? Beats the hell outta me! 2)The pancake sandwich was super greasy but it was tasty, it had brisket, provolone cheese and chipotle mayo. Pretty delish besides the grease. Side note my friend got the bacon avocado tomato sandwich and it was also greasy. 3) The cream of chicken and asparagus soup was very salty. 4) The atmosphere was cool and a great location. I'm going to go back again to see how another sever can do and perhaps get a chef who doesn't cook with so much grease. Overall this place is worth it to check out. Their menu is unique and they have great daily special options.

    (4)

  • Jennie B.

    Went here before a show at the Fisher (and got 20% off which was great!) and had an awesome experience. The place is gorgeous, and service was very good. I was extremely impressed after reading the mixed reviews. I shared the kale salad (best kale salad I've seriously ever had, and I've had a lot), steak tips (my bf went to The Chop House in Ann Arbor the night before and he thought they were just as good at Maccabees!), and the Lone Ranger potato pancake brisket sandwich. All so so so good. I will go back again for sure. I hope you give this a chance like we did!

    (5)

  • Tasha M.

    I booked a reservation for 13 for my birthday. The decor and atmosphere were nice however we felt very rushed. On multiple occasions 3 different ppl asked were we ready to order, even after I told the owner in 15 mins we would, within 5 someone else asked. We ordered our appetizers and even after that we were still being asked about our orders when we had already placed our orders for our entrees. We were so frustrated that a member from my party asked was there a reason why we're being rushed, was it going to take a long time for the food to come. The waitress said no but then stated that after 8 pm they get a rush and wanted to make sure our food was put in. Well after 8 pm, maybe 6 people came in and 4 were convinced by staff not to dine there because they were having an event and DJ. It took over an hour for us to receive our food and they brought our meals out before our salads. One person from my party had to have their lobster ravioli taken back because it was not done. Another members salmon pasta was watery and another member and myself green beans were cold. I would think with all that rushing the food would at least be great but instead it was as someone described it "MaccaBland".

    (2)

  • Dawn C.

    Came here a few months ago with a friend for brunch. We both had steak and eggs from the set menu and mimosas. The food was good, basic, and server refilled champagne often. Their dessert bar was lacking though. Only a tray of store bought cookies and a picked over fruit tray, this could definitely be improved. Overall, a nice atmosphere and cool old building.

    (3)

  • Grace L.

    Came here on a Sunday for brunch. For $15 you get a morning alcoholic beverage, tea or coffee and a plate of food. We ordered mimosas, coffee, tea, the brisket sandwich and the Midtown sandwich. We waited for about 15 minutes before any waister approached us. We weren't given any waters but the food came relatively fast. The Midtown was corned beef (or some other meat) stuffed between two potato pancakes. There was also a side of seasoned fries that were very tasty. There was so much meat and the pancakes were well seasoned. It was a bit dry and I wish there was some sauce on the sandwich. The brisket sandwich was open-faced on top of a potato latke. There was a medium egg on too with some BBQ sauce drizzled on top. This was very good - the yolk was a little runny and the sauce was so good! The brisket was also nice and tender. Overall the amount of food was impressive, although quite heavy on the carbs. I wish the service had been a little bit better but the food did come out pretty fast.

    (3)

  • Nan B.

    Perhaps some of the rudest service I've seen in my life. One of my cohort asked what the happy hour specials were, and was yelled at by our server. Then, our group of 6 was given an auto-grat and a refusal to split checks, which was blamed on "new policy." It's 2013! Who doesn't split checks anymore? If the general manager wants to get in contact with me, I can get into specifics. This was one of the worst dining experiences of my life, almost solely due to the service. I've given this place two chances. That's it for me. EDIT: Many of the positive reviews for this restaurant are from relatives of the owner or friends, just FYI. To their credit, the owner's daughter contacted me to get feedback, but then sort of chastised me for not dealing with their growing pains and tried to tell me how hard it is to run a restaurant. No s***. Been there. I'm pretty patient. But I've been in this industry for over 15 years and I'm sick of having to tolerate a-hole service just 'cuz.. Be complacent, or be gone, especially in this climate P.S. Since he's responding to all these posts asking you to go in and "ask for Peter," I'll advise you to avoid that if you don't want a condescending jerk telling you why you're wrong. I think all of us want to see a business succeed in Midtown, we need more places to go, there. But this place totally sucks. They pretend that they want your feedback, but then get defensive. Read the comments, it's in there. Just look at how he called out Charlie B. for giving a one star review because of the fallacious advertising "Seriously? A one star review?" Yes, seriously, d-bag. People expect to be charged what you say they'll be charged. This place is the pits. I wouldn't have spent the extra time lacerating this s***** place, but their response to the masses about their problems warrants the criticism. Anyone who is in the service industry knows that it is not "the mistake," which is necessarily problematic, but how the mistake is handled. Maccabees will screw up your order, and then try to make YOU feel bad about it. PASS. PASS. PASS. Also, some of your servers use Denny's aprons, so you might want to get on that. P.P.S. No thanks, Peter B. I've dropped in, asked for you, and that didn't work. So, let's try another strategy, eh?

    (1)

  • Eric W.

    Sunday brunch at Macabees was a great experience. Bottomless mimosas, an extensive menu of great selections, generous portions and very friendly attentive service.

    (4)

  • Ben O.

    Awful. Worst $50 meal of my life. We asked for a booth and they walked us to a high top. I reiterated that we wanted a booth and the hostess said, "Well this is all we have." Good start. We ordered our hellacious drinks.The bartender obviously has no idea what a whiskey sour is as it was all all ALL wrong. The grilled cheese bites which were bland and cold in the middle. The chicken sandwich was dry and you couldn't even taste the sauce. The sandwich with pastrami and potato pancakes sounded like an awesome idea. But in practice it was done all wrong. The pastrami was of an okay quality, maybe not for $9.50 though. The thousand island tasted like ketchup and there wasn't nearly enough. Not to mention they forgot our fries and they came out just as we were finishing our sandwiches. Awesome. Thanks a lot. I wanted this place to be good since its so close to the DIA and I spend a lot of time down there. But I will never ever be coming back.

    (1)

  • Lori K.

    No No No....as far as the look and location of the restaurant, they would get four stars. Service and the food are a different story. Just terrible. The food - huge portions, but no taste, we had four in our party, and no one liked their dishes, everyone said they lacked flavor. We tried the meatloaf, salmon salad, the lonestar sandwich with potato pancakes, and the steak. The service was terrible too, our server said bread was coming, but it never came, he bumped me to get to the table behind us, many times, said he would take our order then took everyone else's around us first..we had to ask for refills... The location is nice, right across the street from the DIA, and it has tons of potential, unfortunately they lost us. They had a greek yogurt bar that sounds very cool, but I am going to have to pass. **One more thing, the server brought the check in the middle of our meal, and I see he did that with every other table around us. Then asked if we wanted dessert. Yeah, just weird.

    (2)

  • Mary M.

    Second time here, and wow. Just wow. Sliders = delish. And I enjoyed my pork medallions wrapped over ham and swiss cheese with a mushroom demi-gloss. Somebody pinch me. I took some home, and it was even better as a leftover. From the moment we walked in, the very same friendly, warm smiles and service. Maccabees is fast becoming a fave. And in case you haven't heard or seen for yourself, Midtown Detroit is like a Phoenix out of the ashes. Papa Joe's, Whole Foods, Moosejaw, Yoga Shelter (and a pop-up lululemon inside the yoga studio) have all moved in. Foot traffic, laughter and lively conversation dominate the urban landscape. It is infectious. Detroit is rising like a quiet, powerful giant. Very exciting downtown...especially with the Tigers on the prowl!

    (5)

  • Kevin T.

    ambiance and wait staff was great but the food sucked. ordered the meatloaf they didn't have the mashed potatoes and substituted with rice without informing us. The rice was old and crunchy the roasted vegetables was scorched and slab of meatloaf looked like texas toast with a1 sauce on it. it was a Saturday night just two other couples in the whole restaurant would have made a different selection if given a chance. The calamari on the other hand was exceptional and so were the libations

    (2)

  • Shannen B.

    I went to Maccabees for lunch with a friend and I was impressed with the atmosphere and layout of the place. The location is good, kitty-corner from the DIA on Woodward and located on the first floor of WSU administration building next to Chase bank. I didn't have a problem finding metered parking and my companion parked for free across the street on Warren. This may not be the case during busier times of day as it is right next to Wayne State's most popular student parking garage. The decor is classy and a large window bathes the bar and seating area in natural light. This small touch gives the place an airy feel that belies the smallness of the space. The owners obviously put a lot of thought into the little things and the details, from the menu down to frosted glass on the bathroom doors, are exquisite. The place reminded me of a speakeasy in Chicago circa 1920. With that said, the service... not the best. Our waitress was obviously inexperienced. She hovered when we wanted her to go away and disappeared when we needed something, but she was very nice. She was also enthusiastic about the menu and made some good suggestions. If we needed something, she wouldn't have known because she never came back to check on us until after our food was gone and our drinks had been empty. She took our bill and was gone for over 15 minutes while we waited for change. The food was excellent. I ordered the veggie wrap and my companion had the salmon wrap. Both were delicious. The marinade the grilled vegetables in some sort of mildly sweet vinegar based sauce. The wine list could have been more extensive, but the prices were reasonable. I would like to see a drink menu with signature mixed drinks be added to their lineup. One thing I would subtract was the large water bottle at the table being left corked upon arrival. I had a hard time getting the thing open and it would have been a nice touch for the waiter to uncork it when set it down. Also, it didn't have any ice in it, so it reached room temperature halfway through the meal. I personally don't care what temp my water is, but I know most people do. Overall, an classy joint with very good food in a convenient spot. I heated up my leftovers in the oven at home later and it was just as delicious. I will definitely be returning.

    (4)

  • Pebbles And Bam Bam A.

    So thrilled to have another great restaurant in Detroit! The ambiance here is gorgeous! They did a fantastic job renovating; the bar is beautiful! I come here a lot and am always blown away by their food. Excellent! The fish tacos are listed as appetizers, but I love them as a main meal. I'm typically not a huge salad fan, but after having several of theirs (from their large salad menu), I'm sold! They have a good happy hour, as well as live music on Thursdays. The owner is great and really tries to run a good restaurant. He was even trying to figure out parking options for patrons. The only reason I didn't give them 5 stars is because service is very hit or miss. Unfortunately, I think it's difficult to find good waitstaff in Detroit. There are a few servers and bartenders who are fantastic, but unfortunately, there are also a few I dread getting. Overall though, you have to try this place. Some of the best food and ambiance in the area!

    (4)

  • Patrick H.

    Great Bar fun scene. The service was top notch. The food menu was great.. Potato pancakes and kobee beef was amazing.

    (5)

  • Megan F.

    The 3-star review is representative of the fact that the food my party of five enjoyed was STELLAR and the service was almost comically awful. I say "almost" because after having a tray full of ice water spilled all over me and the woman next to me (the water also soaked her iPhone through her jacket pocket) and napkins, plates of food and other items literally thrown and plopped onto our table, I can honestly say that our "bull in a China shop" waitress made me nervous. We waited about 20 minutes for a waitress to even come up to us and she only did when we called the manager over to say we were ready to order. To be fair we arrived during lunch, but the rush died down significantly and there aren't that many tables in the place. Our one-hour lunch was turned into a two-hour ordeal. Being conscious about the incident with the water and the iPhone, the manager laughed it off and offered us all a complimentary glass of wine which was nice but because it was lunch, I think we would have rather had some food knocked off our bill. So - the service was awful. I mean I haven't had such horrible service in YEARS if at all. I cannot fully describe how awkward it was especially when the waitress started making excuses for herself and telling us what a great waitress she is. It was really awkward. I know people have bad days but she was obviously too flustered to keep on working. As for the food - the wedge fries, Old Main salad with salmon, Roasted Beet salad, Ginger Salmon salad and Tuscan Chicken sandwich were all VERY good. Physically the space is nice though it is very noisy during busy times. I am willing to give this place a second try. I hope they figure out their lunch service a bit better. Again, great food, nice atmosphere, awful service.

    (3)

  • jamie p.

    I've been here twice now, once for dinner and once for brunch and have never had any issues with the service or quality of the food. The items I've ordered have been fresh, creative and delicious. The pretty interior is sleek and is clean and comfortable. I really like this place a lot and want to love it, but as a vegetarian there aren't enough veggie options on the menu to keep me coming back frequently. (Please add more!). Even for brunch for a savory option I had to order something minus the meat. My only other criticism would be that they make sure what is listed on the menu arrives on your plate. Both times now my meal was missing an ingredient listed on the menu. (which they quickly brought me when I pointed it out.) I would go back often however for the brunch Bellini martini... It was amazing!

    (4)

  • Veronica B.

    Had a great experience at Maccabees!! Food was top notch...try the Argula & Beets salad, potato pancake sandwiches, and the ricotta pancakes! Decor is sexy. Staff is pleasant. Bartenders are great. Definitely a new hangout for me! Hey Phoebe, I noticed you put up the salad you werent happy about - without any of the black stuff you were referring to??? I will post pics soon!

    (5)

  • Charlie K.

    Same thing as below. Went last Saturday night because of the theatre promotion, and they would not honor it. Saw it online and in the Fisher Theatre playbill. Waitress not on top of her game. Disappointing.

    (3)

  • T-rex M.

    Night cap after DIA Friday night, super great jams, bartender Larry was amenable to adding a little more bitters to a manhattan. Nice chill eve in the charming atmosphere!

    (5)

  • Will B.

    I had lunch here two weekends ago and have to say I'm excited Maccabees is in the neighborhood. I agree with other reviewers that the food offered here is different from other offerings in the area - fresh, non-greasy, affordable fare. I ordered the PeeQue sandwich and was surprised by how big it was. The ingredients were high quality and my lunch had a great taste. The restaurant was well organized and operated. The decor was tasteful, and seating abundant. Even though they had just opened their doors, our server was familiar with the menu and able to provide insightful suggestions. This would be a great place to come when visiting the museums or to bring clients for a business lunch.

    (4)

  • Xavier L.

    Great bar! Love the bloody mary. One of the best I've ever had. Food is OK. Salads and appetizers are best. Portion sizes are huge however. I would actually suggest the owner up the quality of his ingredients and decrease portion size. Brunch was also quite tasty.

    (4)

  • Kristen H.

    As a native Detroiter, I always like going to try new places downtown. I went here this morning for brunch with six people. We made a reservation and were surprised that it was fairly empty when we came in (on a Sunday at noon for brunch). That should have been a sign that we should leave. Our server was the most rude, condescending man that I have encountered at a restaurant. He ignored us most of the time and it even appeared as though he was arguing with the manager at one point. It took about 20 minutes to get our initial drinks, took over 45 minutes to actually put our order in, and an hour after that to get our food (which was cold). He never asked us if we wanted more drinks and I had to ask THREE times for my husband's coffee. His response, "Oh...I'm brewing a fresh pot." Yeah, no you weren't...as I kept seeing other people at other tables receiving theirs. Tables that arrived an HOUR after us were served their food before us, which leads me to believe he never put our order in. Cue more intense discussion with the manager to the server in front of all the customers. Getting the check was a whole other hassle, he split them incorrectly and gave us attitude when we pointed out the mistake. The whole process of getting our checks took about 20 minutes as well. They put a 20% off coupon in our check, which none of us took. I will never be back and it's really a shame. The whole brunch took over 2 hours which is ridiculous. I don't think I've ever felt more unwelcome at a restaurant than I did today.

    (1)

  • Majdi A.

    I was completely upset with this restaurant. The serves took literally an hour. If the restaurant is 80% occupied, the staff is not fully trained to handle the situation. The food was brought to us cold and after complaining to the manager, he was not forgiving but rather rude. I came there to enjoy a meal with good atmosphere and I received the complete opposite. They do have a bar and I believe that most customers prefer that instead of the food. It is nice inside the restaurant and the building is beautiful but the key point of this review is the food. The food was not up to par. The lack of flavor in the food made it seem like a mediocre restaurant and a coney island would have been better especially for the price comparison.

    (1)

  • Angela J.

    First I need to apologize to this establishment. As often as I'm right next door to it, I didn't realize it was still open until this weekend. Needless to say, that I'm glad it is open because it was delicious. I started with the Detroit Starters which contain the most tender beef brisket I've had outside of any barbecue restaurant anywhere. The au jus was flavorful and the onion buns soft and warm. I followed with the Southwest Detroit salad and added shrimp. The chipotle dressing is slightly spicy, yet delicious taste, which only prompted me to order a drink. Doc (the friendly and attention bartender), brought a smile to my face when I asked for my new favority wine and they had it stock and already chilled. I will definitely be back and I highly recommend the Detroit Starters.

    (4)

  • Whitney S.

    Went here on a date last night, we both ordered burgers. My date got the Lone Ranger with the sweet potato fries, which were very good. I had the deli burger, which was too big for me to fit in my mouth, and I have a big mouth. I liked that the pastrami was crisped up on the griddle before topping the burger. The service was attentive and prompt, and I look forward to returning.

    (4)

  • Wally N.

    The service was slow, the food was excellent, but I lost three days of my life to crippling food poisoning as did everyone else in my group who ordered the corned beef sandwich. Avoid.

    (1)

  • Amber P.

    Went in for lunch. If you do not want a salad, sandwich or burger do not go here! I was surprised at the lack of variety. I attempted to order off the breakfast menu - I was informed that they are doing away with ALL breakfast items. I had the steak salad it was good. I think I paid $14. It was OK, I probably won't go back.

    (3)

  • Sammy W.

    It was my first time there and I must admit I was pleasantly surprised. The Reuben and Lemon Rice soup were great. Will be going again.

    (3)

  • Dil F.

    really nice/grand bar, good menu, odd lighting, big portions The bar itself is the gem of this new restaurant space. Marble top with lights emanating underneath, spacious, one above-the-bar TV on MUTE (showing not sports but Jeopardy!!! bravo!), and a fairly decent collection of booze behind the counter... might disappoint those now going to confessional at any number of detroit's trendy/lampoonish "speakeasy"s (they do their old fashioned with soda, for instance, though i'd be willing to bank that soda in the old fashioned is making a high-brow come-back any day now)... still, it's a nicer collection than most bars in the area. Bartenders were excellent. The stool-height-to-bartop-height ratio was ideal. The menu looked appealing (and not JUST the variety of intriguing apps and entrees -- several beef/steak dishes, a burger/sandwich list, salads, a few salmon and a fried oyster dish too) but the MENU ITSELF glistened with a soft matte veneer. It felt like warm faux-leather or something... made with some kind of plastic/acrylic added to usual card stock, maybe? I couldn't stop fondling the menu... it feels so pleasant! touch it! touch it often! Prices are maybe a sniff higher than you might expect for what's being offered, but the portions are pretty big. I ended up trying the smoked salmon salad... pretty solid (if a little heavy on the thyme... in the dressing maybe?) and a mega-ton of it...imagine LP-sized plates overflowing with salad... would very gladly pay half for half the quantity. Other nibblers around me had equally bountiful plates... so, you won't leave hungry. My only fly-by criticism might be the lighting which, while definitely in the dark/dim/mood-lighting quadrant of restaurant-bar lighting possibilities (which i prefer) is still noticeably off-kilter but it was hard to detect why... and i stared at the lights for longer than I should have. The contrast is off, esp. toward the back corners... and with the neon kitchen lights trumpeting from the other side... not sure what can be done but a few small/subtle adjustments might be in order... i think you'll notice it too... (there's next to no parking directly in front - room for 3 cars maybe - and those spaces that ARE just outside are 1-hour meters, so you might anticipate hunting for a spot somewhere else along Woodward... across the street maybe or a little closer to the Detroit Public Library)

    (3)

  • David R.

    Solid food and craft cocktail menu. If you like gin, try the Kendricks. If you like bubbly, check out their twist on a Bellini. Did I mention the potato pancake sandwiches? Wow! Service was attentive and efficient, plus it was nice to have the manager stop by to check on us. If you haven't already, give this place a shot.

    (4)

  • Mac F.

    I went there this past weekend for a quick dinner with a few people and it was just alright. It was nearly empty when we were there, though I should expect that would change the more that people find out about it. As stated in other reviews, there are lighting issues in this place. For the most part, the interior is illuminated by pretty good looking brass chandeliers with a glass cover. But in one corner that appears to be a staging area for beverages and wait staff, there are some really garish fluorescent ceiling lamps whose light spills over into the main dining area, and kind of ruins it. Another oddity was after our food (perfectly adequate, nothing more, nothing less) was brought out a man came by to ask us what we would change. A few of our sides came after the entrees were served, and I said so in a matter-of-fact tone. The man seemed to get kind of defensive. It was odd to be simultaneously solicited for an opinion and then mildly rebuked for doing so. All in all, these are pretty nit-picky points, but they were significant enough to significantly detract from the overall experience. This place has potential, but it needs revisions on the execution, namely in the form of getting the lighting right and removing overbearing management types from the equation.

    (2)

  • Joe M.

    Great vegetarian pasta! Most of the rest of the menu is non-vegetarian, but the restaurant made a great dish -- not just "something on the menu" for non- meat eaters.

    (5)

  • Dorinda A.

    Very attractive decor with surprisingly comfortable, long booth.There were seven of us seated with enough room to stretch. An attentive waitress for the table and very, tasty, well constructed cocktails started the brunch off well. By the time our entrees arrived, we were prepared for more tasty treats. Everyone loved their dishes but mine was a disaster. I ordered steak & eggs -- medium rare with eggs over easy. My steak was, at best, medium and more on the 'well' side; one egg was perfect while the other had a half-hardening yolk, plus my toast was burnt. I sent it back and in a couple of minutes the waitress returned and put my plate back in front of me, with this message from the chef (cook...): Is this how you wanted it done? The chef had actually ripped the steak open at the center! Yes, it was almost torn in half and revealing a still overdone steak. It was obviously ripped into by an angry chef (cook). I asked for the manager who sincerely apologized and asked what he could do. I asked him to please let the chef (cook) know that there was no reason to be so crude, but I did not want to send my food back again -- wondering what he'd do to it the next time. I was not looking for a free meal and made that very clear. A few minutes later the manager returned and insisted that the meal be comped. I really did appreciate his gesture, but I would have much rather just had an enjoyable, comfortable brunch with my friends without incident. Bottom line? For the most part, everyone enjoyed their meal, the atmosphere, the delicious desserts and attractive presentation, and the very well-made cocktails. My advice would be that maybe a call in advance would be a good idea to inquire if the chef (cook) has taken anger management classes.

    (3)

  • Matt G.

    First time going there. I live right down the street in midtown, so I was excited about a new business coming to the area. After reading the other reviews and checking the menu online, my wife and I decided to check it out. My first impression was right in line with the other reviewers. We were greeted at the door by who I'm assuming was the manager since he was the only one there wearing a suit, along with the fact that he was going from table to table as I had previously read in other reviews to check on the guests. He quickly directed us to one of the waitresses who found us a table....I will pause here since this was the high point of our meal. So on the down side of our meal the food was disappointing I had the Ruben since its listed as their speciality and my wife had the grilled chicken sandwich, which I can't remember the name of. So I'm not going to call myself an expert on Ruben's, but I will say if you list anything on your menu, especially a sandwich, as your speciality then it should probably be something that makes people want to spread the word about it. That's clearly not the case here, it needs some work. ( take some notes from Mudgies- Brooklyn and porter; cass cafe- cass and Forest; or union street- Woodward to start) The next problem I had was the fact that it was like our waitress just didn't have any motivation. She brought out our appetizer with no plates and she got my wife's order wrong then blamed it on the kitchen, and neither of these things would normally bother me but during the whole meal it was one of the other waitresses that kept checking in on us and not our own. While both of the previous complaints normally wouldn't cause me to post a negative review, being ignored will. So remember when I said how following along with the other previous reviews we were greeted at the door by the manager..................Yeah we'll that's the last we heard from him. Don't get me wrong we saw him, he went from table to table and back to those tables, a couple of times (there were only 4 tables of people in there at the time ). And I really don't want to say that there was a clear difference between us and the other guests in there because I hope that wouldn't matter, but lets just say it wasn't that we were the youngest people there. This was what really disappointed me about my meal. With our order being messed up I would have expected the manager to at least come by and apologize, but instead we sat and watched as he walked around asking the other tables how their meals was and how they should try the deserts. Because its a business in midtown I want to give them another chance, but if its anything like this visit it will be my last.

    (1)

  • Lisa W.

    The prices here are great. The service was exceptional. I think the servers make the restaurant, they're biggest reason I'll come back, for the experience! The building is beautiful. Wishing the interior could have been a little more thought out, wishing they would have tried to make it look more like how it would have looked back in the 1920s (perhaps that would have cost too much and they're going to change it over time as business continues). The food proportions were HUGE, I would have been content with just half the size of my mac n' cheese. My friend said the same about her dish. The beets in beet salad were tuff, overall the food was a little underwhelming. I would give this place another try, it could have been an off night!

    (3)

  • Jaclyn S.

    I really don't have any complaints about this place. The food was great (fish tacos and mac n cheese bites were delicious. Steak sandwich had good flavor, potato pancake sandwich was good once we added LTO and some extra sauce, and it made for a great leftover). The waitress we had was very good and very nice. The owner came over and spoke with us a couple times to see how things were going, he was pleasant. Even the valet man outside was super nice and accommodating, and we didn't even use the valet. My only issue was that both steak sandwiches, while cooked perfectly, were a bit fatty, which was a bit disappointing. All in all, we would all definitely go back. Good service, good menu and nice art deco decor. And they deliver locally, which a bonus.

    (4)

  • Alisha D.

    This place is hit-or-miss. Generally I come here for lunch and have a great sandwich (but don't get the veggie wrap!) However, when I come here in the evenings and try to order drinks and dinner the staff are completely clueless and nothing arrives at the table without repeated reminders. I'm happy to sit and wait and chat - but a beer shouldn't take 20 minutes when we are one of two tables. Also - sign up for Maccabees rewards and you'll get great coupons.

    (3)

  • Jake H.

    Although there seems to some differences in the service here among other yelp reviews, I can say that my friend and I had a fantastic evening at Maccabees. The owners put a lot of thought into the details--down to the type of paper used on the menus (as another reviewer mentioned: "touch it often!") The light fixtures are incredibly beautiful--my friend and I were impressed by the huge chandelier light fixture at the front over the bar area. It was off at the time and we both wondered why. It was later turned on briefly (most likely because the owner wanted it show it off to someone) and then turned off moments later as it created a strange light ambience in the place (something another yelper had mentioned in a review earlier--it's been fixed as I didn't notice anything strange about the lighting of the place-- I actually thought it was pleasant). Shortly after we had been talking about the light the owner came over to our table to greet us. In case you were wondering, the owners are very interested in your experience and feed back--he mentioned that they've been looking at the reviews on Yelp--hello! :) My friend and I started off with some drinks. I got a wine and she got a Woodward Old Fashioned. We both liked it so much (she said it was the best Old Fashioned she's had) that she got another one and I got one for my second round! I like to ask the servers what dishes they recommend and then pick from the choices they point out. I ended up going for the Lemon Chicken (although their salmon look delicious) and ended up really enjoying it. Our waitress said it was her favorite dish. In terms of a dish it's very basic--but was done well. Wouldn't change anything. The mashed potatoes and zucchini on the side complimented the chicken fabulously. For $17 the portion was large (two chicken breasts) and could easily feed two people! My friend had one of their sandwiches with potato pancakes (in place of bread/buns)--TRY IT. It's not something you usually see on a menu (unless you're in a traditional Jewish deli)--but it's definitely something we both will come back for! One of the owners came by after we had finished and asked us how everything was and if there is anything we would change (so incredibly receptive) and asked us how we liked the potato pancakes. We both told him to keep in on the menu because we both enjoyed it and because of it's uniqueness. I know it's been seen on menus at various places in the nation over the past couple years--but this is the first I've seen it in Detroit. Two thumbs up! I also wanted to mention the fact that they have a pepper grinder at every table (again, attention to detail). Another thing you rarely ever see restaurants doing--a nice upgrade from table pepper. They also give you carafe of water at your table for refills (which is great for people like me who empty their water glass pretty quickly and often). Our waitress was kind and prompt--always letting us know what was going on with our food. There was a slight mix up in the kitchen with the order but she let us know right away. It wasn't a big deal at all to us because we were in no hurry. However, they fixed it quickly and we were eating in no time. We will be back and we will spread the word. Make sure you let the owners know anything that you didn't enjoy about your meal or service because they will listen! They want to know what people are thinking and what their experiences are like--and it looks like they are addressing the issues that people are bringing up. I can't speak for anyone us but us, but we both think they are off to a fantastic start! Our experience was fantastic--hope yours is/was too! ---- Update 5/22/13: So, I had to knock down my rating to 2 stars (meh, I've had better--even at this establishment) since my first couple visits (which were fantastic), however, just the other night I returned. I had gotten the Lone Ranger previously and loved it--this past night it was just not good. The meat tasted fishy and dry. Was not enjoyable. Had a bite of my friend's burger and it had no flavor. The only saving grace of the night was the kind waitress and the lovely drinks. Food? I'll pass from here on out. I sense that the place was on their A-Game for their opening, but since then it's gone downhill. Unfortunate.

    (2)

  • Loretta L.

    Good food, clean atmosphere. Nice place for lunch or dinner.

    (4)

  • Matthew S.

    I really want to like this place and it could be great but they are just missing the mark on a couple things. The service was pretty bad but she was nice, the bright flourecent light by the coffee station made all the lighting not work, and the menu was middle of the road. The owner was very nice and we will give it another chance in a couple months. Staff texting in view of the guests makes me crazy and there was a lot of it on my visit.

    (3)

  • Chris A.

    i came here for lunch and the service and the staff were outstanding......i will come back

    (5)

  • Alex M.

    I go to school in Chicago and when I got back for the summer I was pleasantly surprised to see a new restaurant in Midtown. I went to Maccabees for the first time today. Definitely a diamond in the rough. The atmosphere is gorgeous and the food is awesome. I had the french toast at the Sunday brunch and it was to die for. My boyfriend got the midtown which was also delicious. And their brunch deal includes an alcoholic beverage and a coffee for only $12. I liked the mimosa. I'll definitely be back.

    (5)

  • Hannah S.

    I was in a bind a few days ago...my company was having a catered event and 1 day before told us they couldn't provide vegan meals for our 3 vegan guests. CRAP! I started calling around places in Detroit (couldn't find anything very nice) and I thought I would try Maccabees. The woman that answered the phone transferred me to Richard, one of the chefs. Chef Richard was SO helpful and told me "we don't have anything vegan specific, but I will make you something". I was a little nervous, but I figured I could trust him. They promptly delivered our 3 vegan meals and let me tell you it was INCREDIBLE. The food was the talk of our event! Thank you thank you Chef Richard for helping me out! You saved my butt! You should consider adding the vegan options to your regular menu. For fellow vegans out there-- try going in and asking to speak with Chef Richard to create a dish for you. It's worth it!!

    (5)

  • B R.

    Meh. Seems like a restaurant without focus. I asked my server what I should have and she read me the menu. Fried oysters were in edible. Lots of people standing around but I'm not sure if they are actually trying to keep customers happy or not.

    (2)

  • Michelle T.

    OK. So an update to my recent post. I have been to Maccabbees 3 times. The first was for a department meeting-- I just had one beer (see that the beer selection is not really in line with the area, which typically emphasizes local beers). My colleagues did get food that they said tasted like it came out of a freezer. The second time I had lunch. I got the special burger, medium rare, with fries. The burger came in well done, yet soggy, and the fries are the most disgusting things I have ever seen in my life. The are huge steak fries that are deeply battered and end up looking more like chicken strips than fries. Last night, I took my newly minted PhD to this place to celebrate. They cut us off after tipping them 20%+ and a couple of hours. We all had quite a bit of food (their food is on the pricey side as well). We weren't being rowdy-- they simply said we had "a glow" about us.l Most of us were walking home, so drinking wasn't even a problem. This place needs a complete turnaround on their ideas of hospitality. Out of the three times I have been there, the service has never been good. And, the place has never been crowded. The manager is an a**hole, too.

    (1)

  • Marland M.

    We ate here a Saturday afternoon just after noon and the place was empty. We had my 2 year son with us and the server brought over my son's food first, which is always appreciated when you have a child. The chicken tenders were hot so we were breaking them apart to allow them cool faster when my wife noticed that the larger pieces were pink and not cooked all the way through. The server took it back and they made a new order. Our food arrived soon after, I was very please with my Peeque sandwich. The lettuce was spring green, the avocado was fresh, and the salsa was very good. I took a few bites and when I bit into the sandwich I could immediately tell that I had bitten into raw chicken. I looked and the thick part of the chicken was not cooked all the way through, it was just the center but no one wants to eat raw chicken. The owner did apologize, and at first offered to buy us dessert, but we could not stay long because it was time for my son's nap. They removed the sandwich from the bill and made a new sandwich that was cooked correctly. Overall this was not a good experience, the decor is nice and the place is clean. I was looking for a new restaurant in Midtown that was reasonably priced with a good menu, and this place looked to fit the part but they need to work through some issues with the kitchen and the service. The overall service is mediocre, mainly because we did not get much attention from our server. She did refill the coffee once and refresh the water but as a former server myself she was just doing the minimum. I am not slamming this place; I hope they improve. The owners seem like nice guys and the restaurant is in a good location. I just hope they learn from this experience and no one else gets raw chicken served to them twice in a single visit.

    (2)

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Map

Opening Hours

  • Tue

Specialities

  • Takes Reservations : Yes
    Delivery : Yes
    Take-out : Yes
    Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
    Accepts Bitcoin : No
    Good For : Lunch
    Parking : Garage, Street, Validated
    Bike Parking : Yes
    Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
    Good for Kids : Yes
    Good for Groups : Yes
    Attire : Casual
    Ambience : Classy
    Noise Level : Average
    Alcohol : Full Bar
    Outdoor Seating : No
    Wi-Fi : Free
    Has TV : Yes
    Waiter Service : Yes
    Caters : Yes

Maccabees At Midtown

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