Max Brenner

Best waffles we have eaten. Coffee and hot chocolates are not consistent in quality. What disappointed the most was 50 cents for extra shot of chocolate as the dark hot chocolate was found to be mild…
Couple of years ago at the same store we had observed the guy preparing shakes tasting the drinks to identify the right one for a table. So beware

Under staffed on a Saturday night. Dirty tables. Took too long to get the food.

I adore chocolate. Milk chocolate, white chocolate and even dark chocolate on occasions (in the right dishes). I have always been a massive fan of Max Brenner and have often made a very long trip to indulge in their incredible range of satisfyingly gourmet creamy chocolate treats.
When they opened in my own Brisbane hood of Oxford Street in Bulimba I was BESIDE MYSELF. Chocolate heaven within walking distance?! This was either going to be a massive curse (cue expanding hips) or an amazing blessing (so much easier to convince the man-​thing to trek 5 minutes down the road to satisfy a dire chocolate craving).
I’ve managed to control myself thus far, having only visited three times since it opened. The consistent sub-​standard service has worked pretty well to reign me in.
The first time I visited, they forgot an item on my order. Despite my having already paid for it. This meant my two step-​kids were served their chocolate drinks while I sat waiting, waiting waiting… cut to 20 minutes later and I am waiting in line at the counter (having had no luck flagging any wait staff down) to ask what happened to my drink?
It arrived minutes later to apologies, but no offer to refund. The kids at this stage were over it and getting restless. I had a few sips and have to leave it behind. I was devastated. The things we do for children!
The second visit we waited thirty minutes for our order. This time with no children thankfully, but with the amount of people in the store (read: not many at all, not even close to capacity) I really couldn’t forgive the tardiness.
The third visit was much the same. Staggered drinks, meaning people drank theirs and were left waiting for others to be served. It just leaves a dampener on the whole experience, despite the dishes and drinks being absolutely superb.
I personally recommend the strawberries and milk chocolate and the peanut butter iced choccie — although NOT TOGETHER! I can’t warn you enough, ordering food AND drinks at Max Brenner will lead to certain belly disasters. Feeling ill, not being able to move and extreme regret at stuffing your face with far too much sweetness are some of the symptoms.
I generally stick to one or the other, and I still find it hard to finish an entire dish or drink myself.
I would like to say I will avoid going back to this Max Brenner location on account of the appalling service, but we both know that’s a lie. I am but a mere mortal woman with a love for chocolate. I will be back, and I will gripe again with a belly full of chocolate goodness. ;)

So, I was totally crushing on Max Brenner… that kind of crush that takes your eyes away from whatever you’re doing and daydreaming adventures on greener pastures, skipping gleefully with an Alice mug, or even cozying up at the fireplace with a Hugmug…
Ok back to reality: My husband told me the other day that «it’s too hot to enjoy it, so we’re going to wait until your birthday to go…» I whined: «…but they got ice cream…» with a pouting face. So walks by Max Brenner is often accommodated with mournful desire, until one night (on a particularly cooler evening), my husband looks at me and says «Let’s get a drink.» «To share?. .» «Oh whatever you want…» YES!
I’m delighted to see they have Peanut Butter Chocolate stuff. In my experience of encounters with Aussies, there seem to be an aversion towards Peanut Butter if it’s not used for toast only… what? Not even a PB&J sandwich? Or bananas or apples with peanut better? Ever heard of «Ants on a Log»? All responded to with disgust… mmmm.
So nonetheless I ordered the PB Chockie… it comes in an Alice «Drink Me» ceramic cup, so clever and cute, and they sell them in their little shop inside. It is da bomb! Yummy chocolately, peanut buttery goodness… I was literally dancing in my seat. I had my husband try it, and he didn’t like it… oh to each their own… I bet it’s just psychological «IT HAS PEANUT BUTTER AND IT’S NOT TOAST!»
He had the Banana Chocolate Frappé… very excellent and chocolately. It far extended my expectations of what a «frappé» is … it’s more chocolately and banana-​y than icey, thank goodness. Oh my sweet husband even let me finish his drink for him… and yeah I abmit I’m guilty of sticking my finger into the cup to get all the remnants out. So good to not to put to waste.
Ok, this girl is happy with the choices they have. Yes, it is a little on the pricey side, but it is a wonderful treat for the special occasion, and yes you betcha my husband is taking me here for my birthday as promised!
The reason I’m giving it a 4 stars instead of the 5 stars it so deserve is due to lack of service outside… the evening we went, there’s plenty of tables, but they were either not cleared (dishes/​mugs, etc), or completely wet (I got a big wet spot on my shorts). And it appeared other parties had this issue as well, so it’s not just us.