Brunch... Such a loaded word

Brunch is quite possibly one of the greatest meals ever invented. Unfortunately, it has negative stigmas of yuppies and lameness. Personally, I think it is breakfast for people who like to have fun, and lunch for people who wake up early and are ready to go. Basically it may be the single greatest compromise ever to be reached, if only Democrats and Republicans could come together like breakfast and lunch did on this combo the world would be a better place. But alas all we have to fall back on are beacons of blessed deliciousness like Max's Wine Dive.

I first heard about this place back when I was living in Midland and stumbled upon a Yahoo article on the 5 best fried chicken joints in the US. Now I can't say I am a fried chicken fiend but let's be real here if you have an opportunity to get your grub on with a top 5 kind of meal it's probably a sin to pass it up.


So a little honesty up front here, I'm pretty sure a brunch isn't really a brunch without some form of alcohol, you do it sober you are just qualifying for a late breakfast with a weird menu. Whether you want a bloody Mary, a mimosa, or a poinsettia (cranberry with champagne), basically any combination you can come up with, I have always been a fan of micheladas (beer with bloody mary mix, lime, and a salt rimmed glass). So whatever your groove may be get your drink on in the mornings it's all good.



Now considering that the face is called Max's Wine Dive your morning alcohol choices are basically limited to champagne. Specifically orange juice and champagne or grapefruit and champagne. Goes well with any food you find on the menu, and let's be real it's all good.



Chicken and waffles is a surprisingly common food dish that originated up in Harlem but has spread throughout the USA. Max's does a different variation. First you have the chicken wings breaded and fried in their kick ass recipe. The best way to describe it is sweet with some heat, it has a sugary taste to it but an underlying heat, and if you are feeling especially daring you can ask for the chipotle honey to drizzle on the wings.


These steaming beauties are laid upon delicious jack cakes, think pancakes heartier cousin with some tats and a nose ring. The cakes are a corn meal type batter, sprinkled with corn and peppers giving it crazy texture and a spicy undertone that blends surprisingly well with the thin syrup. To put it in simpler terms, this dish kicks ass.


Then came the next amazing dish at the table. Hold on to your hats folks this one may just blow you away... Creme Brûlée French Toast. Just let those words mix and mingle in your mind, and wipe the drool from the corner of your mouth before we continue on. Traditionally French toast is dipped in an egg wash with some seasoning, instead these slices are dipped in the creme brûlée and soak up every ounce of decadence that they can before getting cooked up.



Finally, there was the eggs Benedict. I swear by this breakfast dish usually, and by no means is this a poor showing of an eggs Benedict, but when lined up against the other items here what is there left to say?

In other words if you find yourself in one of Max's home towns (Houston, Austin, and San Antonio) indulge a little, or a lot depending on how easily the champagne goes down.