Max’s Positive Vibe Cafe

When I heard about this place, I didn’t really know what to expect. We were interested in the business model and that’s what brought us in but I’m not going to discuss that until the end because it really has nothing to do with why I liked it so much.
We went on a Saturday afternoon at an off hour like 2:00 or 3:00 PM I think so it was quiet. Walking in we were immediately greeted and seated. We had menus and drinks within five minutes or less and the waitress had explained the specials. The décor is nice, clean and pretty basic. Basic is not a bad thing but in this case it was misleading in that it did not reflect what was to come with our order. This food is some of the most thoughtfully prepared gourmet fare that I’ve encountered in the area! I was equally unprepared for the quality of food that we received because the prices were so reasonable.
We had shrimp and white cheddar popcorn grits (yes it tasted like cheese popcorn and it was spectacular with perfectly cooked shrimp), a green salad with walnuts and this ridiculously delicious dressing, and a flat bread with shrimp, crab (I’m pretty sure it was fresh), goat cheese, caramelized onions, and although it wasn’t on the list of ingredients I’m pretty sure it was sprinkled with fairy dust, rainbows, and unicorns. This thing was unbelievable!
The portions are on the smaller side but more than sufficient. This is about quality more than quantity and you can truly tell that the meals are made with passion and craftsmanship. My only regret is that I couldn’t try everything on the menu. This place is a little off the beaten path but worth a visit. If they moved the restaurant down to Carytown and gave the dining room a hipster face lift, there would be a line out the door every night guaranteed.
Now, the business model and why you can feel good about yourself while you lick the cheesy, buttery popcorn grits off your plate like a glutton. They employ people with disabilities to teach culinary, kitchen, and restaurant business skills so they can leave when their training is completed and find employment. It’s a thoughtful and effect operation that results in an excellent experience and me feeding my face like the cookie monster. I believe that because your experience is brought to you by people that really want to work or passionate volunteers like our waitress (yes, volunteer) you’re getting something thoughtfully created. This was even more obvious to me when we went to a popular brunch spot in Carytown the following day and despite the moderate number of customers and simplicity of our orders, the food was cold, took close to an hour to get to us and the servers barely acknowledged us. But that’s another review.
Go check out Max’s, it’s worth your time.

Swung by for lunch by myself before volunteering at The Clothes Rack. I knew the mission of Positive Vibe, but wasn’t really sure what to expect in the food department.
Mission: training and employing people with disabilities in order that they enjoy the satisfactions of being gainfully employed and fully contributing members of our community.
I was greeted at the door by a very friendly woman who took me to my seat. I was brought the menu and was super surprised by the foodie-​esque flavor combinations being whipped up at Positive Vibe Café. My service was friendly and my food was prepared and served promptly. There was a table of approximately 25 giggly girls seated for a birthday lunch while I was there and the staff seemed to accommodate the large party well.
I ordered the special of the day, fish tacos with a collard slaw and remoulade sauce. I would have never thought to put collards on a taco, but I thought it was tasty! For $ 7, I received two tacos with ample portions of fish. The menu was designed by Chef Ernie LaBrecque and was very well thought out.
I definitely recommend coming out and enjoying the food and friendly service. It’s a family friendly place, but it also has a full bar! Extra star for the worthwhile mission of Max’s Positive Vibe Café.

I go here for the same reason I volunteer at animal shelters. To help out those who need it.
The food is good and reliable, but the feeling you get doing the right thing stays with you longer than the meal.
It’s in a funky little south side shopping center with a large lot, so parking is not a deterrent.
Just do it. And don’t be a d-​bag if your wait person is challenged.
You get bonus points for taking a date here.

Max’s is a prime example of why you should never judge a book by it’s cover. The location and overall… uhm…vibe suggest a little bit of a hot mess; so I knew I had to go in (what does that tell you about me?)
Ok. So while the outside of the restaurant screams wild child, the inside is subdued sophistication. The service was excellent. The red snapper was perfectly cooked and the brussels sprout slaw and olive tapenade complemented the fish well. The flavors and plating was on par with many of the ‘fancier’ restaurants I have been too.
I truly wished that I didn’t have to deduct a star… but alas alack. Ok here’s why. I ordered a side of smoked Gouda grits along with my meal. There was as far as I could tell, nothing to indicate that meat would be in the dish but after one bite my spidey sense told me something was off. I asked the waitress and sure enough there was chopped pork in the grits. For the average person this may not be a big deal; however, as a person who does not partake of the swine this is tragic. I don’t think that one usually expects that there would be meat in grits (right?), so I think that they should indicate on their menu that these are smoked Gouda grits with pork.
Takeaway: don’t take anything for granted-​always ask! Nevertheless I MUST return.

As a nonprofit softy and cool vibes seeker, Positive Vibes has been on my «to eat» list for a long time. I don’t venture to the southside of Richmond as often as I would like so I hadn’t made it there until last weekend. My man and I had to run an errand nearby and so we made the time and room in our bellies after reading the creative menu full of southern inspired items.
We were greeted very warmly at the door. The service staff was incredibly attentive. In deed, there is a glow about the place that really had us smiling.
We were disappointed to find the regular menu off the table and a special German buffet was the main feast. It was $ 22 per person! Wow! But it benefitted the fabulous work of the nonprofit, so we indulged.
It. Was. Amazing. Everything blew us away. Some of the best rolls either of us had ever tasted. We went back for seconds. So much meat and cabbage cooked so many ways. I have a true appreciation for German fare now. We both tried foods we had never had before. We left a big tip and promised to ourselves and the staff we would be back for more! Leap of faith well worth it!

I really enjoy what they do, however planning ahead for a large party was not their forte. If you’re a party of two… perfect. more than that… not so much. Good food!

Had dinner here last night and had a great experience. Hardywood Gingerbread Stout was on tap and the black been burger Alpine style (Swiss, sauteed onions and mushrooms) may have been the best black bean burger I’ve ever had. The sweet potato fries while slightly over-​done, had an excellent flavor. They may have been spiced with a little cinnamon. My girlfriend had a quinoa salad that she really enjoyed. The waiter was very friendly and attentive but not overly so. Last but not least, a great dinner went towards and even greater cause. This place is worth a revisit if you haven’t been in a while.

I love this place! I’ve been for lunch or dinner 5 times, and will return.
I just want to say that I can’t believe more people don’t know about this gem! People talk about how great their mission is, we all know that… I want to talk about the food.
This is a great place for my boyfriend and me, because he likes pub food (sandwiches and burgers) and I like the «fancy food.» I love the variety of soups and salads. Everything is fresh and made with an interesting twist. Even the sandwiches are dressed up a little here. Added bonus: a decent selection of craft beer on tap.
The service has always been fine. It’s a casual place. The décor and lighting could use a little work, but it’s comfortable and clean.

I must say I am positively a fan!
Brilliant concept, cool execution, and just plain good food and libations make this business worth going out of the way for.
Service was friendly and competent; food was better than average for Richmond; and, everything I have had here has been good.
No wait if one sits at the bar for lunch, and the bartender gets to you fast.
Something I have never seen before: one can dine inside a real vault room! (Perfect for when one has to ditch a bad date; remember to close the door behind you.)
Wish they had one of these in Vegas. (In fact, I’m sending the website URL to Opportunity Village.)

Enjoyed a nice meal here for RVA Burger Week with a coworker. We both had the Asian Duck Burger which is made with garlic, ginger and soy topped with duck bacon and a mayo chinois. Due to the price cut for Burger Week I believe the burger size cut slashed as well. The burger came with some fries and we split calamari.
I truly believe in the mission of of Positive Vibe. Working for a mental health organization I appreciate a place that strengthens the lives of people and gives them a place to thrive. All the staff here are very pleasant and helpful.
The food: there are elements that I enjoyed and some that needed a little work. The burger was good, and I’d never had duck bacon before. The calamari was a bit greasy and the batter could be lighter; I did love the jalapeño aioli. The fries were fresh cut and well salted, still just a bit greasy.
Have to give this another try in the future.

I heard about Positive Vibe Café through a co-​worker and Groupon. I am so glad my partner and I decided to try it. The décor was very calm and artsy. From the host to the waitress, everyone was extremely nice. Our waitress continually checked in on us throughout the meal. For an appetizer we had the avocado and corn salsa which was delicious and just enough to eat for two people. For our entrees, I had a black bean burger with gouda cheese and sweet potato fries which were delicious. My partner had a New Mexico burger with potato salad and he felt it was cooked to perfection. I have another Groupon to use for Positive Vibe Café and we are definitely making plans to go again soon!

Get a buffalo quesadilla. They also recently rennovated the bar and are offering a bunch of local craft beers so if you haven’t been in awhile, check it.

My neighbour and I went to the P. V. Café since she had a Groupon. This was my second time after a very long time. I had forgotten how nice the layout was and also how CLEAN it is. I only go back to restaurants that are clean, one reason I rarely eat out in Richmond, because most are so dirty.
Anyhow, I ordered the Veggie wrap with sweet potato fries. Both were good in my opinion.
I love the fact that this restaurant serves as a training ground for people with different abilities and challenges. The folks from the hostess on were absolutely fabulous.
The wait time for the food was a little longer than should be in a regular café, but remember it is a training place for all the right reasons and waiting a little is not going to kill anyone!
I intend to go back to this place whenever i can!

Okay. Wow.
First off, the impression this place makes upon walking in is just a treat in itself. It has tons of colors, a large open area when you walk in, a bar, and plenty of seating. They have interesting pieces of art on the walls, which are also for sale. The employees were friendly greeting me upon entrance as well.
I was brought to a booth (I mean, come on, who doesn’t love booths?) and given a menu. Very interesting options, too! I had a Groupon, so I bought the jalapeño hush puppies as an appetizer, in addition to my entrée. My waitress was very friendly, and I enjoyed her service! I placed my order, and it would have been a complete five star experience if it weren’t for the serve time. It was pretty slow to be honest, but still delicious! The appetizer was OKAY. Not as wonderful as I had hoped, but it was definitely tasty. For my entrée I got a burger; I can’t remember what kind, but it was suggested by my waitress.
Price is great, service wonderful, decoration is interesting, and most importantly: food is delicious! If it weren’t for the serve time, five stars! (Usually I’m okay with waiting a little, but there was only 1 other table in the restaurant while I was there.)
I hope to be back, with or without a Groupon!

I completely appreciate the greater goal of this restaurant, but the food just isn’t good. The blt, which has fried green tomatoes, was almost too greasy to eat. The buffalo burger was fine, albeit under seasoned. The slaw, combining a traditional creamy dressing with vinegar and ham, resulted in a very off-​putting taste. The only highlight was the waffle fries.
Again, kudos on their mission, but I’d rather just donate here and eat elsewhere.

My mom and I had lunch here last weekend and it was a great experience all around. The story behind the place is tremendously inspiring, and we both thought the food was good. I had the BLT (crispy bacon, fresh tomatoes) and the jalapeño hush puppies. Mom had some sort of turkey sandwich with waffle fries. The hush puppies were a little underdone in the center but that was no big. The fresh squeezed orange soda, however. HOLY MOLY. Need some more right now.

Very good, yummy black bean burger! Feel good food, wonderful mission. Fresh and interesting menu. Friendly service. Will go back!

This was the first time me and my friend came to this restaurant. we had the Cobb salad with chicken and we also had the hush puppies! it was so good! The staff was really attentive! We bought two groupons so we will def be back! Bön appetite!