Max's Restaurant Milpitas, Cuisine of the Philippines — Restaurant in Milpitas

Food

Lots of options here. The menu is fairly priced and the options differ from other Max's locations I've visited. I recommend the beef ribs and fried lumpia, gulay version. The ribs have a generous amount of meat while giving you a tender bite similar to oxtail. The seasoning is simple and would make a great option for Kare Kare. The vegetables in the lumpia give a natural sweet taste which goes perfect with the dipping vinegar. There are a myriad of dishes to select from and the proportions are plenty.

Interior

The seating is quite adequate for it's location. It's spaced well and the tables are accommodating for parties of 4 or more. Along the side are a few booths and towards the back is a room available for private parties. The decoration is simple. It's a modern lift from traditional Filipino settings but still preserving the culture in it's service.

Service

The restaurant doesn't take reservations so we assumed they were always busy. Sure enough, upon entering, we were warmly greeted and asked to wait while our tables were being prepared. The wait time was about 10 minutes and it was 3/4 full. It was Saturday lunch so we expected it. As we made way to our table, the staff welcomed us to the restaurant. Plus here.

Our waitress was very patient for a party of 10 and she tended to our every request while managing other tables nearby. I give her credit for keeping her cool during such a busy period. They also accommodated us with extra plates for a cake we had brought in for a birthday, so plus again for this.

All in all the food was delicious and the service was exceptional. I highly recommend and look forward to returning in the...

I don’t have a problem with having good food on my table as much as i wanted good service. I eat the same food at home but after working so hard, once in a while i pamper myself to eat out and be SERVED on the table. We all know that we’re actually paying for the service than the overpriced food, right? 2 things that hurt the reputation of Max’s and only in this particular restaurant i see it happen, the loud palengke/carenderia music so everybody is shouting at their tables. And then there’s the staff. The crew are different every time i come here, which is seldom, seems like they’re not happy with their job or they’re just simply lazy. I am a generous tipper when it comes to good service(again, not the food) but today, i left a penny on the table for N for the service she’s worth. She never gave me the glass i asked her twice for and she expects me to pack my leftovers on the table not having an inch of space, she handed me a stack of styro and walked away while her iphone was vibrating in her back pocket, my arm in the air not knowing where to set them🤨 I have a number of friends who made similar comments about the music and service, it is so sad that the class and decency that built the reputation of Max’s is no longer...

Max’s is a familiar spot, and it delivers exactly what you’d expect: comforting food that stirs up fond memories, even if the menu sticks to the usual options. 🍽️

We started with the Shanghai lumpia, a crowd-pleaser that never disappoints. It’s a perfect choice whether you’re looking for an appetizer or something to round out your meal. Max’s prepares them skillfully, and they arrive in a creative deep-fried lumpia wrapper bowl. You can eat the bowl, but honestly, it’s not the tastiest part—it’s more for show than flavor. 😋

Next, we tried the pancit bihon, which was a refreshing switch from palabok. The noodles are thicker and moister, reminding me of Chinese long-life noodles. They pair wonderfully with the lumpia, creating a balanced and satisfying combination. 🍜

Finally, we had the kare kare—a rich, peanut-flavored chicken dish that packs a bold taste. The meat is oxtail. It’s almost too intense on its own, so pairing it with white rice is a must to mellow it out. 🍚

The service was friendly and welcoming, which made the experience even better. I only wish I’d saved room for halo halo—the picture on the menu looked absolutely stunning, and I’m already looking forward to trying it...