Highlights
- Great dessert
oChef » Max’s – San Diego
Max's - San Diego
Photo from Max’s
Max's at a glance
San Diego Mira Mesa
- 🇵🇭 Filipino Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $41–$50
mentioned by 79 of the guests
#535 out of 755 places to eat in San Diego
#3 Filipino Restaurant out of 3 in San Diego
Good
6.6 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
456
Reviews
62.5%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Flavorful dishes
- Clean environment
- Attentive service
Frequently criticized
- High prices
- Small portions
- Service issues
The restaurant Max’s is a beloved Filipino Restaurant nestled in the vibrant Mira Mesa neighborhood of San Diego. You’ll find a cozy and casual atmosphere perfect for enjoying authentic flavors.
Known for its great dessert, this spot offers a delightful culinary journey. Whether you’re craving traditional dishes or a sweet treat, you’re in for a memorable experience at Max’s Restaurant San Diego, Cuisine of the Philippines.
Overview: Introducting Max's
Max’s offers a taste of Filipino comfort food that often evokes `childhood memories` for many. While the dishes, particularly the chicken, are frequently described as `flavorful` and well-prepared, some guests find the portion sizes to be quite modest for the price.
The dining environment is generally seen as `clean` and spacious, contributing to a pleasant experience. However, the overall cost of a meal at Max’s is a recurring point of contention, with several patrons feeling that items are `overpriced` for what is offered.
Good
6.6
out of 10
456
Reviews
62.5%
Satisfaction
137
negative
34
neutral
285
positive
Max’s achieves an overall score of 6.6, placing it in the average range, with customer satisfaction sitting at a mixed 62.5%. This indicates a restaurant with some clear strengths but also areas needing attention.
The Food (7) is a definite highlight, frequently praised for its quality, and the Ambience (7) also contributes positively to the dining experience. These insights are drawn from 456 customer observations.
While Service (6.6) is generally considered average, with many appreciating the `attentive` staff, there are instances of inconsistency. The most significant area for improvement appears to be Value (3.6), which is rated poorly.
Many comments, 137 negative compared to 285 positive, suggest that guests often feel the pricing doesn’t align with the portion sizes or overall offering.
What people like
- Flavorful main dishes
- Clean, spacious setting
- Attentive staff
What people don't like
- High prices
- Small portion sizes
- Service inconsistencies
Max’s presents a mixed experience, offering genuinely enjoyable Filipino cuisine in a pleasant setting. If you prioritize `flavorful` food and a `clean` dining space, it could be a worthwhile visit, especially if you’re not overly concerned with the cost.
However, with a recommendation score of 6.9, it’s clear that the perceived `value` and occasional service hiccups might temper expectations. Consider Max’s for its culinary strengths, but be prepared for potentially `small portions` relative to the price point.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Max's
Food (7 out of 10)
mentioned by 94% of the guests
When it comes to the food, diners often rave about the delicious Filipino cuisine, especially the classic fried chicken and delightful buko pandan dessert. With a solid score of 7, many found the dishes tasty, fresh, and of good quality, contributing to 178 positive remarks. However, the experience isn't universally perfect, as customer satisfaction sits at a mixed 67.4%.
Some of the 64 negative comments pointed to concerns about food portions, inconsistent taste, and seasoning, suggesting room for improvement in consistency.
Food
264
Reviews
67%
Satisfaction
64
negative
22
neutral
178
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Delicious Filipino food
- Crispy fried chicken
- Great dessert options
What people don't like
- Small food portions
- Inconsistent taste
- Poor seasoning
Often praised
- foodSo yes, you will get varying types of food. Overall, the food at the restaurant was delicious and I had no problems with it. The pricing at the restaurant, like so many others have pointed out, is very high for what you get.
- chickenespecially the chicken—it was flavorful, perfectly cooked
- fried chickenWhile I could take a million photos, they truly don't do the food justice. It evokes childhood memories of delicious fried chicken and Filipino comfort food. The location offers plenty of parking, and the staff is consistently nice.
- kare kareThe kare kare was very creamy and you could really taste the peanut base
- lumpiathe lumpia was filled with meat and minced carrots and garlic
- Filipino fooddeal with your Filipino food cravings
- calamansi juiceThe calamansi juice was perfectly presented in a slush style juice.
- garlic ricegarlic rice, ... tasted so good and so delicious
- halo halohalo halo. They all tasted so good and so delicious
- halo-haloTheir halo-halo for dessert was a perfect ending
Frequently criticized
- foodEach and every food in the bundle are not good at all.
- lumpiahad more lumpia’s for the same price
- pork sisigThe pork sisig came soggy that looks like vomit.
- Kari KariOrdered the Kari Kari for take out and dinuguan, not what I expected.
- chickenthe supposedly awesome chicken was extremely dry
- fresh lumpiaThe 2 small pieces of fresh lumpia was also looking bare
- fried chickenThe whole fried chicken is so small and tiny.
- frieswhy even put fries on the plate if your going to give only 7 pieces
- portionsAll portions of all the food are so small.
- BBQ on the stickdisappointment that they didn’t serve BBQ on the stick
Overall, if youre craving authentic Filipino comfort food, especially their famous fried chicken and desserts, its definitely worth a visit. Just be mindful that some experiences mention smaller portions or occasional inconsistencies in taste.
Service (6.6 out of 10)
mentioned by 73% of the guests
The service here often shines, with many guests praising the excellent customer service and attentive staff. Specific servers like Jenny frequently received shout-outs for their quick service and friendly approach. With 69 positive remarks among 109 total, its clear many appreciate the teams efforts, contributing to a respectable 6.6 score.
Yet, the experience isnt always consistent, reflected in the 63.3% customer satisfaction. Some diners reported slow service and long wait times, often due to the restaurant being understaffed. A few also noted unprofessional staff, suggesting theres room for improvement in consistency, as highlighted by 36 negative comments.
Service
109
Reviews
63%
Satisfaction
36
negative
4
neutral
69
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Excellent customer service
- Friendly, attentive staff
- Quick, efficient service
What people don't like
- Slow service
- Understaffed issues
- Long wait times
Often praised
- serviceThank you, Max's Mira Mesa, for keeping up the great work. You made my family feel extra special with your service.
- staffThey were short staff that day but the servers were very pleasant and nice and were able to keep up with all the patrons.
- serverOur server is very pleasant and friendly.
- serversThe food was very good, truly one of the best I’ve ever had. Additionally, all the servers were very nice and answered all my questions with care.
- Jennytaking care of the guests all by herself
- Miss JennyKudos to Miss Jenny for being so hardworking and incredibly welcoming
- waitdidn't wait long to be seated
- Ate JennyAte Jenny who is always super attentive, helpful
- Ma'am Jenny and the crew membersMA'AM JENNY WITH THE CREW MEMBERS FOR EXCELLENT CUSTOMER SERVICE
- Wait timeWait time: Up to 10 min
Frequently criticized
- serviceIt was a very busy Saturday morning, a full house, and there was only one old woman server and a young assistant server. It took them over 30 minutes before they served our food. We ordered 1/2 chicken, sizzling pork (the pork was too dry!), and fresh lumpia (which was not very impressive).
- guest service experiencethey need to improve on the guest service experience
- serverthe server they only had one and she was running around doing everything on her own
- changethe clerk didn't have any change in the register to give me .30 cents back
- closing time policyMy experience at the restaurant was a bit mixed. While the food was good, the closing time policy was confusing. The store is advertised to close at 9 pm, but they stop dine-in service an hour or more before that.
- customer serviceThey lost a sale instead of simply providing a decent amount of vegetables. The lack of flexibility and zero customer service were disappointing. It's a shame because it's a good Filipino restaurant, but I would rather go to a smaller, mom-and-pop Filipino restaurant that offers better value and service.
- dine-in serviceWhile the food was good, the closing time policy was confusing. The store is advertised to close at 9 pm, but they stop dine-in service an hour or more before that. I arrived just before closing and was initially turned away for dine-in.
- employeeemployee just replied "yeah yeah..."
- estimated timeestimated time to be seated was 5-6 minutes
- flexibilityThere's no flexibility
If you catch them on a good day, youll likely enjoy attentive and quick service, especially from their standout staff members. However, be prepared for potential delays or inconsistencies if theyre short-staffed, which could impact your overall experience.
Ambience (7 out of 10)
mentioned by 44% of the guests
Diners generally find the atmosphere quite appealing, contributing to an enjoyable experience with good vibes. With a solid score of 7, the restaurants ambience is considered good, and many appreciate the cleanliness and plenty of seating. Out of 48 total comments, 33 specifically praised the positive aspects of the setting, often calling it a great place.
However, the customer satisfaction of 68.8% indicates a mixed bag, as some experiences werent as stellar. A few guests noted issues like cobwebs in corners, a dirty bathroom with non-working sink faucets, and even a bad smell. There were also comments about tables being too close together, suggesting room for improvement in certain areas, based on 11 critical observations.
Ambience
48
Reviews
68%
Satisfaction
11
negative
4
neutral
33
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Clean, spacious environment
- Good vibes, atmosphere
- Plenty of parking
What people don't like
- Dirty bathrooms
- Unpleasant smells
- Cramped seating
Often praised
- atmosphereMax's high quality food and atmosphere
- ambiencethe ambience was new and clean
- restaurantThe restaurant is beautifully decorated and spacious
- ParkingPlenty of parking
- accommodate a lot of peoplecan accommodate a lot of people
- ambianceIts service, ambiance, and food are absolutely top-notch
- bathroomsThe bathrooms are clean, good too.
- childhood memoriesReminds me so much of my childhood!
- cleanThe restaurant was also very clean
- cleanlinessRestaurant was clean
Frequently criticized
- ambiencebarely any music so the ambience is just awkward
- atmosphereatmosphere:1
- bad smellThe place is smells bad
- bathroomBathroom dirty and sink faucets are not working
- cleanlinesscob webbs in the corners and the rafters above their host desk
- placeThe place is small
- rafterscob webbs in the corners and the rafters above their host desk
- railingAlso along the railing by the booths
- restaurantNot as it used to be
- sink faucetssink faucets are not working
Overall, the ambience offers a generally pleasant setting for your meal, often described as clean and spacious. While most find it enjoyable, be aware that some minor cleanliness issues or seating arrangements might occasionally detract from the experience. Its likely worth a visit if a good atmosphere is a priority, but dont expect perfection.
Value (3.6 out of 10)
mentioned by 27% of the guests
While the overall sentiment around value leans heavily negative, with a score of 3.6 and customer satisfaction at a mere 14.3%, a small number of diners (5 out of 35 remarks) did find some positive aspects. They appreciated the generous portions and felt the pricing was appropriate, even calling it a good price for what they received. However, the overwhelming majority of feedback, with 26 negative remarks out of 35 total, points to significant concerns.
Many felt the food was overpriced and on the expensive side, often mentioning premium dollars and high price points that didnt match the value for money offered. Some even noted discrepancies with online menu price and small portions' for the cost.
Value
35
Reviews
14%
Satisfaction
26
negative
4
neutral
5
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Good portions
- Fair pricing
What people don't like
- Way too overpriced
- Not worth price
- Small portions
Often praised
- priceit’s worth every penny for every bite
- portionsPortions and pricing more than appropriate
- pricingPortions and pricing more than appropriate
Frequently criticized
- priceThe price was $8:00 but when I went inside to order they said it was $9:00
- $1919 dollars for this
- overpricedMy experience at this restaurant was disappointing. The foods were served in small portions and were overpriced. The place itself had a bad smell.
- pricingthe pricing at the restaurant is very high for what you get
- Crispy pata costThe cost for this is high there is another Filipino restaurant down the street from Max that cost a little less
- Kare-Kare costIt is not worth the cost
- Palabok costfor the cost this is not worth buying
- expensive fooddrove atleast 40mins for this expensive food
- expensive sideDefinitely on the more expensive side
- moneyVery disappointed for the money I paid.
If youre looking for a budget-friendly meal, this might not be your best bet, as many customers found it to be quite expensive for what you get. However, if you prioritize generous portions and dont mind paying a bit more, you might find some value here.
How are the prices at Max's?
You’re looking at roughly 45 per person – reported by 79 diners. That puts it in the $41–$50 category. For a Filipino Restaurant, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
Interestingly, while the average is 45, the prices are quite spread out. Many diners spend less, in the $11–$30 range, but there’s also a significant group enjoying more premium options, even above $101.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 79 reviews.
See how this restaurant’s value stacks up against similar spots in San Diego.
Overall, we think the pricing feels quite fair for a Filipino Restaurant, especially since there are options for various budgets, from more casual meals to those special occasion splurges.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Max's
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
6
Mixed Feelings on Filipino Favorites
I visited this restaurant because I appreciate a good sit-down dining experience with great serving, atmosphere, and authenticity. After reading many reviews, here is my experience. The Palabok was a disappointment; it was dry, didn't taste authentic, and was missing key ingredients like shrimp chicharon and tinapa, with only a single slice of lemon 🍋.
For its cost, it was not worth buying. The Kare-Kare was just okay. While the peanut taste and texture were present, the restaurant was stingy with the vegetables, and the oxtail portion was small for the high price.
I felt I had more soup than vegetables and meat, making it not worth the cost. I did enjoy the Fried Fish Daing; although the cost was a bit high, it was decent, but comparable options are available elsewhere. The Crispy Pata, however, was good and well-deep-fried.
The price for this dish was also high, with a Filipino restaurant down the street offering it for less. The environment was great and clean, which is important to me. However, the server was overwhelmed, having to manage everything alone while running around.
I complimented her, and she truly deserves a raise.
- Kare-Kare5
- Fried fish Daing7
- Fried fish Daing cost6
- Palabok2
- Palabok ingredients2
- Palabok cost2
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
10
Amazing Food and Experience at Max's!
Our first experience at Max's in San Diego was truly amazing. The food was absolutely delicious, with the chicken being a standout – it was flavorful, perfectly cooked, and truly stood out. Everything we ordered was so good, and you could really taste the quality in each dish.
We enjoyed every bite and will definitely be coming back again. Highly recommended!
- food10
- chicken10
- quality9
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
10
Delicious Filipino Food and Excellent Service!
My experience at the restaurant was fantastic! The Filipino cuisine dishes were consistently delicious. I want to express my sincere gratitude to Ma'am Jenny and the crew members for providing excellent customer service.
🫶😇
- Filipino cuisine dishes10
- customer service10
- Ma'am Jenny and the crew members10
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Solo Dinner
Group Size
- Solo
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
Noise Level
- Quiet
9
Great First Filipino Food Experience!
This was my first time trying Filipino food, and it was a great experience. The patient lady who assisted me helped me find something that suited my picky tastes, and I ended up having some delicious Filipino Fried Chicken. I visited for lunch.
It's a great place to take a date or friend for a good meal and visit. I observed a group of friends celebrating a birthday and they appeared to be having a great time. I also got takeout for my daughter-in-law.
- Filipino Fried Chicken9
- patient lady9
- great place9
Price per Person
- $101+
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Friends
Group Size
- Small Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
2
Disappointing Reno Max Experience
Spending $121. 76 for dinner for 3 is not cheap. The waitress was super rude.
We drove all the way to Reno just to enjoy Max. Compared to the Max restaurant in Vegas, this is the worse.
- price2
- waitress1
- Max restaurant in Vegas2
What Max's offers
Planning
- Accepts reservations
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
Crowd
- Transgender safespace
- Tourists
- LGBTQ+ friendly
- Family-friendly
- Groups
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Good for kids
- High chairs
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Restroom
Offerings
- Coffee
- Small plates
- Organic dishes
- Private dining room
Dining options
- Catering
- Brunch
- Counter service
- Table service
- Dessert
- Dinner
- Seating
- Lunch
Service Options
- No-contact delivery
- Takeout
- Curbside pickup
- Dine-in
- Delivery
Pets
- Dogs allowed outside
Parking
- Free street parking
- Free parking lot
- Usually plenty of parking
Atmosphere
- Cozy
- Casual
- Quiet
FAQs
What parking and accessibility options are available at Max's Restaurant San Diego?
You’ll find convenient free street parking and a free parking lot, usually with plenty of space. The restaurant is fully accessible, featuring a wheelchair accessible entrance, parking lot, seating, and restroom, ensuring a comfortable visit for everyone.
What dining and service options does Max's Restaurant San Diego offer?
Max’s Restaurant San Diego provides a wide range of dining options including lunch, dinner, brunch, and dessert, with both table and counter service. For your convenience, they also offer no-contact delivery, takeout, curbside pickup, and traditional dine-in services.
How does Max's generally perform according to customer feedback?
Max’s holds an overall score of **6.6** with **62.5%** customer satisfaction. Its **Food** and **Ambience** score well at **7**, while **Service** is average at **6.6**, and **Value** is a notable concern at **3.6**.
What aspects of Max's do customers appreciate the most?
Many customers enjoy the `flavorful` Filipino comfort food, particularly the chicken and kare kare. The restaurant’s `clean` and beautifully decorated `ambience` also receives positive remarks.
What are the main areas of concern for diners at Max's?
A frequent concern is the `high price` for what some perceive as `small portions`, leading to dissatisfaction with the overall `value`. Occasional `service inconsistencies` are also noted.