Max's Restaurant Chicago, Cuisine of the Philippines — Restaurant in Jefferson Township

I COOK, I EAT and I do orders for Authentic Pinoy Dishes for a whole lot of Pinoy Food Enthusiasts all over the US for 15 years. Every chance I get, I look forward to eating Pinoy Food made by other chefs.Lunch at Max’s Restaruant in Chicago with Flo Biliran and Angela Wells.We were greeted courteously upon getting in. Restaurant was clean and presentable. We were waited upon by “Yan”, very friendly, courteous, accommodating, never pushy!Ordering was easy and quick!Food ordered were pleasing and delectable! Presentation was inviting!Ordered a meal set of Whole Max’s Spring Chicken, Chop Suey, Crispy Pata, and Pancit Canton and Lumpiang Shanghai. “Yan” was kind enough to upgrade the Steamed Rice to Garlic Fried Rice which was what we wanted. Also did additional orders of Chicharon Bulaklak (Crispy Ruffle Fat), Sago’t Gulaman and Mango Juice.Our friend, Angela is Caucasian and I first asked her to taste each dish. ‘Twas her first time to taste Filipino Food except for Lumpiang Shanghai ( although not the egg rolls, “locals call them Egg Rolls.) Her favorites were the chicken, Lumpiang Shanghai, Pancit Canton and she also liked the Crispy Pata which she at first declined upon seeing the picture which she thought looked like the teeth! She also liked the mango juice.Everything was delicious to her except the Chicharon Bulaklak, which she refused to taste, upon knowing that it was Pig Innards.Her verdict: a thumbs up!Max’s Fried Chicken. Was my favorite fried chicken back when I was still in the Philippines. I even brought my wife to a Max’s restaurant near St. Paul’s Manila during our first date! Twas Crispy, juicy and delicious, really “SARAP to the Bones”. The Fried Chicken indeed at this restaurant was befitting everything that the Max’s Fried Chicken has been known for, except that, to me, it lacked a bit of seasoning.Was in Manila a few weeks ago where my bro, my sister and three other friends had late lunch at Max’s near the Arzobispado. The company was 5/5. Food was 2/5! Disappointing!Crispy Pata. I LOVE Crispy Pata and always look forward to eating it every little chance that I get. The Pata was crispy, not overdone. Skin was Perfectly Crispy, Meat was soft! I loved it!Pancit Canton. I’d say it was 4/5. Simply because to me it a bit lacked meat and veggies. As always, found it a bit lacking of salt, suited for the palate of non-Filipinos.Chop Suey, was 4/5, so with the Lumpiang Shanghai and the Chicharon Bulaklak. Sago’t Gulaman did not disappoint and Angela liked the mango juice.In summary, we had a pleasant dining experience at the restaurant, and it's great that "Yan" provided excellent service. My detailed feedback on the dishes will hopefully be helpful for others to consider dining there. To me nothing can still outdo Max's Fried Chicken and Crispy Pata . While I may have found Pancit Canton and Chop Suey to be slightly lacking in certain aspects, I would still say our 12-mile- 30 minute trip from the hotel downtown to Max’s Restaurant a trip well worth it!My thoughts and my friend Angela's perspective on Filipino food are things other Filipinos who crave for authentic Filipino food should consider when they come to Chicago. Max’s Restaurant is a...

Well this is the 1st time dining In as I made it a priority bucket list since they opened. I have ordered last year to go and was please of the entrees I ordered but there was some disappointments. 1, the server sitting me down was very forceful of when she chose a booth for me to sit in. I had to sit a certain way on the booth? Another thing I did NOT like also was the fact that despite that I was getting settled down on the booth she assigned me to she then all of a sudden decides to say sit on a another area which she should have made the decision if she was playing safety in regards of this Covid pandemic in deciding. Very unprofessional. Other than that, the food is great but I didn't like how the staff or service members were accommodating in regards of trying to socially distance people if they're not certain. Also on the menu certain dishes were NOT there specially the dessert menu they only had three desserts out of the five desserts that were NOT available which was another disappointment since this was supposed to be a legendary franchise that was better than Jollibee. Menu they had does not show other Traditional Pinoy entree pictures which will not help non Pinoy customers for the 1st time of what to order? Even for myself. I expected service to be operating clearly like clockwork. Not a bunch of staff members being uncertain or don't know how to escort customers or guests while dining in. Especially for me dining in for the first time.Can't have that Pinoy behavior in America which is the reason why the three stars for a upscale Filipino restaurant that's a franchise and I myself am Filipino or Pinoy and don't act that way. Best to just carry out if that's the case if such service is like this. The food is great but the service is lousy. Then again Seafood city the Filipino grocery to store chain operates like that too.Very slow service. As for what I ordered I had the Lechon Kawali Sisig which was delicious and right of the Cast Iron Grill Skillet with lemon garnish, 1 Filipino BBQ pork on a stick, a Calamansi Lime Juice which they did NOT deliver right away like most restaurants. i had to remind them sadly. Steam rice or any rice order is extra in sizes of small or large and last but not least for dessert, Filipino Leche Flan which I found out later was available. So much...

At Max's Restaurant in Chicago, the tantalizing aroma of Filipino cuisine invites you in like a warm hug from your favorite Tita. Right off the bat, let's talk about their punctuality - opening at 11 AM sharp. We were outside, stomachs growling, and just as our watches hit 11, the doors swung open. Talk about making an entrance! 🕰️🚪

The star of the show was, without a doubt, Max's Whole Fried Chicken, shared by my brother and daughter. It's like the Beyoncé of fried chickens: crispy, golden, and unforgettably delicious. 🐔✨ Meanwhile, Dad dove into the Fresh Lumpiang Ubod (Heart of Palm Egg Roll), which I suspect he enjoyed more than any of his dad jokes. It was fresh, vibrant, and had the perfect crunch - just like his humor. 😄🌿

My wife's choice, the Daing na Bangus (Boneless Marinated Milkfish), swam its way to perfection. It's marinated magic on a plate, folks. 🐟✨ And then there was my dish, the Kare-Kare (Beef Peanut Stew). This stew could solve world peace, I swear. Rich, hearty, and with a peanutty embrace that makes you forget all your worries. 🍲💖

Let's not forget the universal sidekick - Garlic Rice. It's like the Robin to Batman, perfect in its simplicity and an ideal partner to all the dishes. 🍚🦸

For dessert, my daughter had the Halo-Halo Special. This isn't just a dessert; it's a kaleidoscope in a cup. Sweet, creamy, and with enough ingredients to make a rainbow jealous. 🌈🍨

Service? As smooth as the peanut sauce in my Kare-Kare. Fast, friendly, and with a smile that makes you feel right at home. 🏠💨

In conclusion, Max's Restaurant is where you go to taste the heart and soul of the Philippines. Each dish tells a story, each bite is a melody, and every visit feels like coming home. 🇵🇭❤️

Max's Restaurant - where the chicken is crispy, the stew is comforting, and every dish is a high note in the symphony of Filipino...