My son was arriving for his first visit from college! I had to feed him! I could think of only one dinner restaurant that’s guaranteed to please everyone. Of course, I invited my mother along; she loves to watch her grandchildren eat.

Max’s Café in Corte Madera has the same huge menu that all the other Max’s do, but the waiters do not break out in song. They break out good food, though.

Sophie refused to order from the kids’ menu, explaining to me that she was not a baby; of course she is not a baby, but I’m a firm believer in getting those kids menu prices until about age 18 before ceasing to encourage kids to order from the kids’ menuafter all, they will get just as filled up on those cute three baby burgers for $4.50 as they will on one giant burger for $9.95. So what if their high school friends all come into the restaurant at the very moment the food arrives and point and laugh and destroy their lives at school the next day? How else do you think I saved up for my son’s college tuition?

Sofe ordered the grilled chicken sandwich for $10.95. I guess those deep-fried chicken strips for $4.95 just didn’t measure up. Moe ordered a giant cobb salad ($12.95) and scarfed the entire thing. For $12.95, he better not leave a crumb.

Max ordered a large bowl of chicken matzo ball soup ($5.50) and stole french fries from the plates of others. Thank God I have one cheap date in the crowd.

My mother ordered some kind of diet plate. She has gone totally anorexic and looks a lot better than I do in those chic, straight leg, Beverly Hills 90210 pants that everyone wears. I really shouldn’t be seen in public with her.

I ordered the unsung masterpiece of the Max’s menu: the double stuffed baked potato with barbecue chicken ($11.95). Okay, it was expensive, but I can no longer get away with ordering the grilled cheese with the pickle happy face and a free scoop of ice cream for dessert if I clean my plate. And besides, the potato comes with a crisp Caesar salad and is the perfect giant healthy meal, especially if you want to end up giant and healthy.

None of us were in the mood for desert, but had we been, we could have ordered some of the best desserts available north of the Golden Gate Bridge: monster cakes, massive sundaes, pies, cookies, all dripping with something indescribably tastygargantuan yum factor. If you are ever in a Max’s restaurant, do me a favor: order the chocolate-covered macaroon. I know what you are thinking...macaroons are those dry little scouring pads you that are forced to eat at Passover. Trust me, Max’s macaroons will change your life. And the good news is you can bring them for Passover and change everyone else’s life at the table, too.

Tackily located in the Best Western Hotel, off the Madera Exit South 101 or the Lucky exit North 101, Max’s is the breakfast place of the universe. Generous servings is an understatement. They have great lunches, wonderful dinners, and they’re open late at night. What’s not to like? Max’s Café of Corte Madera, 60 Madera Avenue, Corte Madera, Marin County, 415.924.6297. Fri & Sat, 8am to midnight; Mon & Tues, 7am to 10pm; Wed & Thurs, 8am to 11pm; Sunday, 8am to 10pm.

--Jolie Kanat

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