Gate-side tables in C make Max & Erma’s a fallback
Concourse C’s Max & Erma’s sits in the older United wing and fills the gap when Chef Geoff’s or American Tap Room in C/D are on 45–60 minute waits. It’s a basic sit‑down spot with a 2.8 rating and a menu of burgers, salads, and fries, all post‑security, so you’re eating within sight of the C‑gate departure boards.
Menu prices run in the mid-$$ range: expect burgers around $15–$18, salads in the low teens, and soft drinks at typical airport $4–$5 levels. Reviews call the food “edible, nothing memorable,” so think frozen fries, standard patties, and bagged greens rather than anything chef‑driven. Portions are reasonable for a long‑haul connection, but flavor gets called “bland” a lot for what you’re paying.
Service is the big variable. Multiple reviewers mention waits of 20–30 minutes just to order and then another 20+ for food, especially during United departure banks out of C around early morning and late afternoon. One Google review spells it out: service “nice but painfully slow,” with the table boxing everything to avoid missing their flight. If your boarding pass shows a sub‑60‑minute connection, this isn’t the place to linger.
Regulars treat Max & Erma’s as a backup plan, not a destination: they slide in when the bar at Chef Geoff’s is full or American Tap Room is slammed, and they want a quieter four‑top near C gates. Some frequent flyers say they ask for the check as soon as entrees land to cut a potential 10–15 minute lag at the end.
Tip: If you sit down with less than 75 minutes to boarding in Concourse C, order something simple like a burger and fries, tell your server your gate and departure time, and request the check up front so you can walk when the last fry is gone.