Max's Chicken - Searching for Great Fried Chicken

Feasting Junkies Blog: feastingjunkies...
Max's Restaurant is well known for their Fried Chicken in the Philippines. I'm on the search for the best Fried chicken in Vancouver and as luck would have it, Max's opened up a restaurant right in Vancouver. With high hopes of finding the ultimate fried chicken, I was excited to dine at a restaurant made famous by their fried chicken in the Philippines.
Max’s Restaurant specializes in delivering great Filipino cuisine with fried chicken as their cornerstone and offering favorites such as Lechon, Kare-Kare, Lumpia and more.
During my visit on a busy Saturday mid afternoon, I was greeted by amazing super friendly servers (I guess that’s part of the Filipino culture) and experienced amazing dishes. Among the favorites were luscious melt in your mouth kare-kare, crispy succulent lechon, and lumpia stuffed with meaty goodness. On a surprisingly ironic note, their fried chicken was probably their weakest dish -- overly dry and stringy, lacking in flavor and seasoning. Somewhat disappointed in that regard (perhaps it was an off day) but still a very amazing meal.
Pros:
Great super friendly staff and servers
Lively clean establishment
Great Filipino Cuisine (for the most part)
Good/fair value
Cons:
Surprisingly, their chicken! Overly dry and stringy, lacking in flavor and seasoning -- please note that this might have been an off day -- would certainly go back to try again.
Definitely worth a visit - an excellent experience. I heard it can get pretty busy -- suggestion might be to call ahead for reservations.
Their website and address:
www.maxsrestaur...
3546 Kingsway, Vancouver BC V5R 5L7
Happy Dining!
#MaxFriedChicken #MaxsVancouver #YVREats

[@healthybodyawesomelife5640]

Resto crews like these people brings pride to the resto theyre working for. These should be the standards here in the philippines. Great vlog and choices of food. Great resto crew!

[@TimLeeLetsGo]

ALVIN MONTANO thanks 🙂. Are you from the Philippines? The servers from the restaurant were genuinely sincere and helpful. Very good indeed 🙂

[@healthybodyawesomelife5640]

Tim Lee Yes I am. Keep it coming Tim. More power!

[@ranbee1336]

I am currently working in max's resto. We are oriented in many good ways. I enjoy working in max's . the bosses are great. Free meals for every crew in our branch . tips are centralized. Overall it was great

[@BestMMORPG2017-games]

I know the dishes are served in separate plates but everything there is meant to be eaten with rice. You can't eat it by itself without putting it on top of rice because it will be too salty, sweet, greasy, etc. You eat it like it's a Yoshinoya beef bowl - with rice. Eating the "ulam" without the rice is like eating pizza toppings without the pizza crust. Sure, you can do it and some people might like it but it's not the way to do it.

[@TimLeeLetsGo]

LOL , I think I was driving the server's a bit crazy with not ordering rice. Still very tasty, and yeah I would try it with rice next time

[@BestMMORPG2017-games]

@@TimLeeLetsGo If you're trying to cut carbs a bit you can just limit the amount of rice you eat to like... one-third of a cup. That's enough. You don't need to eat an enormous amount of rice with the "ulam."

[@jomarabad1]

Max's Fried Chicken can't really compare to some other more flavorful chicken. The reputation for Max's is more for it's crispiness. And filipinos like to add their own flavoring to the chicken. You can either use banana ketchup, a dipping sauce of calamansi and soy sauce, maybe vinegar or whatever other flavoring you like to use.

[@TimLeeLetsGo]

Thank you Jomar.... It's been such a long time since going to Max...I think it's time for another visit...this time with the dipping sauces 😋

[@TheGoldFinger2023]

thanks for the honest review. agree, their chicken is dry. tried it 4 times in manila and in Vancouver. they are the same so it is probably not just a bad day.

[@TimLeeLetsGo]

Much appreciated DD. I would have definitely make a trip to Max's to try it in Manila if I was visiting just to find out. Thanks for letting me know...glad to know it was prepared as expected 🙂

[@TheGoldFinger2023]

Tim Lee May i suggest in manila - Aristocrat Restaurant. Their chicken barbecue is definitely a lot better. They also have many branches in manila like Max’s. Your food reviews are 👍🏼.

[@TimLeeLetsGo]

@@TheGoldFinger2023 actually, I'm just hoping to get a chance to visit the friends in the Philippines. This would be a great suggestion :-) Thank you so much!

[@nigeljohnson8995]

I like Tims great communication and anything Filipino is great for me, the Lumpia looked lovely, his honest opinions, wish he could check out Noodles Everyday restaurants in Manila, they were superb, or similar in his home base. Really like this vlog with its Filipino theme, hope to be there in a couple of weeks, many thanks.

[@TimLeeLetsGo]

Thanks Nigel. Much appreciated. Thanks for the suggestion of Noodles Everyday. Always looking out for new places to go either locally or on travels. Hand-pulled noodles are always a good thing :-)

[@veronicasakane4949]

❤❤❤❤ Max restaurant in is very popular long time ago when I was leaving there were always buying take out

[@hareshmahibubaniepicfood2191]

Wow all food looks Delicious

[@crisjeturian56]

Max's is tradition retaining it's classic fried chicken taste every Filipino knows and loves!!!

[@TimLeeLetsGo]

Hi Cris, agreed... Best Karekare I've had as well 🙂

[@vincentcalvelli6452]

Tim when you visit LA again try Gus’s Fried Chicken. Memphis style cooked to order delicious.

[@TimLeeLetsGo]

Hello Vincent! What amazing timing and thank you for your comment. A few friends and I were just planning a trip to LA and I get to pick some of the restaurants! I can't thank you enough -- forwarding your recommendation :-) By the way, any good buffets in LA as well? :-)

[@javida5150]

Tim Lee YES THE REEF ITS IN LONG BEACH THE BEST IN CALIFORNIA

[@srremm]

That chicken recipe is indeed one of the most delicious ways of cooking chicken in the Philippines.

[@TimLeeLetsGo]

I wish I was back in the Philippines 🙂. Wouldn't mind trying the original location 🙂

[@cassandramcewen8391]

So amazing

[@Bigboymilano13]

Omg that's one of my favorite restaurants in the Philippines 6yrs since I eat there hoping I can go back soon in Philippines

[@TimLeeLetsGo]

Hey Aries, I got a chance to work in the Philippines many years ago and did like the fried chicken there (but have never tried Max's during my time there). Hope you're keeping well and we overcome this situation! All the best to you :-)

[@jimmycmartinez]

The shrimp paste is actually called aramang. What she said, bagoong, is fermented fish.

[@TimLeeLetsGo]

J Kumulaau thanks so much! I'm quite inquisitive about ingredients and foods... Find it quite fascinating and appreciate the culinary fact🙂

[@sgtoca]

Great vlog! Your narrative is very calming. I enjoyed your vids. I’m from Vancouver but hv never eaten at Max’s. I would like you to try L.A chicken in Richmond if you haven’t already. They’re really awesome and the only place I’d indulge in fried chicken, their complimentary gravy is to die for. Keep up the great videos! We need more of these for our local food scene! !

[@TimLeeLetsGo]

sgtoca thanks so much for the kind comment. And thank you for the suggestion. I had a chance to try LA chicken at a potluck where someone brought a tray of chicken... Very nice and tasty... Will definitely visit them this week or next especially for the gravy... Nothing better than fried chicken and gravy. Thanks again 🙂

[@happymadison9832]

Hey Tim, this is a really nice food review here. One thing though, you really have to eat them with rice :D Especially the kare kare :D Still, good job. Keep it up!

[@TimLeeLetsGo]

Thanks :-) You know, I must have had 4 servers come up and ask if they had forgotten the rice... I think I've learned to listen to the advice of the servers next time. I guess the only way to correct this is to go again :-)

[@srremm]

That's correct. It's like eating a hamburger without french fries lol..

[@aumarigan]

Your first impression of Maxs Fried Chicken is on point. Dry and has got little taste at all. Its so ironic that their chicken is the worst in the menu. I personally give it a 1 out of 10 in terms of appearance ,quality and taste. Tried it multiple times in different branches. Same poor taste. Customer service is also poor. Never coming back. Way too expensive for such a small sized poor tasting chicken.

[@TimLeeLetsGo]

Thanks aumarigam, I'm glad I'm not the only one that find it so. Much appreciated it actually save me another trip from re-trying the chicken. Thank you again 🙂

[@lisahairston5378]

Love your food vlogs, very positive and interesting food choices!

[@TimLeeLetsGo]

Thanks Lisa 🙂. Just having some fun here with the video. Thank you for reaching out :-)

[@ryannecitas]

Nice video and yummy foods at Max's Restaurant.

[@TimLeeLetsGo]

Thanks Ryan. Certainly looking forward to going back...

[@joeyhcmc]

Philippines = Food Paradise!

[@TimLeeLetsGo]

joeyhcmc I had the privilege of visiting the Philippines and agree... Can't wait to go back for the food as much as the friends. Are you from the Philippines?

[@joeyhcmc]

Tim Lee: Yes, but I am in living in Bkk, TH and I haven't had Filipino food for the past 10 years. Like Max's

[@melangeles7047]

One of the oldest restaurant in the Philippines... and the food is great there.

[@TimLeeLetsGo]

Agreed -- the kare-kare and lumpia were fantastic. I definitely have to go back to try their chicken again -- perhaps I just got an off piece. Just curious, do you have recommendations for other great fried chicken places? Always looking for new places to try.

[@lizofficialvlog8061]

Yummy

[@TimLeeLetsGo]

Thank you Liz!

[@lulululu-bn7jg]

Greetings from Cairo Egypt

[@LinaLina-lb3zb]

Lechon looks nice..I tried it before in a filipino cafe, it was crispy, just make sure you drink plenty of water afterward to prevent sore throat next day ;) Chicken looks huge, i never tried Max chicken, only had Jollibie, another filipino fried chicken chain, their original spicy, quite nice. Not sure if Canada has jolliebie too

[@TimLeeLetsGo]

Been certainly looking forward to a Jolliebie here in Vancouver. There's one that was supposed to be opening up, but it's been displaying the "opening soon" sign for the last two years! 😄

[@bonsaitreehouse5534]

Such a good reviewer.

[@TimLeeLetsGo]

Thanks bonsai treehouse...much appreciate you reaching out 🙂

[@paulareilly912]

Tim, I hope one day you'll come to the happy side and eat carbs 😝, great review

[@TimLeeLetsGo]

+Paula Reilly LOL, Definitely 🙂. We all need to make space for desserts! There's a special allotment for that 😉

[@rontsumura667]

Thanks again Tim I enjoy your food vlogs keep it up please

[@misterpogi3673]

Hey I did a review on max restaurant to. I like your video. keep it up,

[@TimLeeLetsGo]

Thanks for reaching out... Did you go to the same one?

[@misterpogi3673]

@@TimLeeLetsGo yes I did near Metro?

[@pilipina75]

Tim you deserve to work for TRAVEL CHANNEL 👍

[@TimLeeLetsGo]

LOL -- thanks Stephanie :-)

[@cjcutter1571]

Great video Tim! Max is my dogs name btw! 😉

[@TimLeeLetsGo]

Thanks again CJ! What type of dog is Max?

[@cjcutter1571]

@@TimLeeLetsGo Bishcon frise!

[@petrfrizen6078]

...I think, I remember their sign posts in Manila...

[@TimLeeLetsGo]

Wow Petr! Where you in the Philippines as well! Once again, I used to work there :-D

[@petrfrizen6078]

@@TimLeeLetsGo Yes, I was in the Philippines... such a lovely land. I got my Jewish name, Pinkhas, in the Philippines ... Manila is such a great fusion of Urban modernity, post World War Two elegant classics in architecture and amazing, absolutely amazing pink, ruby sunsets...

[@petrfrizen6078]

@@TimLeeLetsGo The Post Office in Manila is so spacious and one feels being there and around, like, probably, being in Washington DC in the 1950s...

[@petrfrizen6078]

@@TimLeeLetsGo I can be writing more and more about my trip to the Philippines...

[@petrfrizen6078]

@@TimLeeLetsGo Tim, are there any Mennonite food buffets in British Columbia?..

[@allanmoore4840]

Great video....how does the chicken compare to Blue Ribbon in Vegas?

[@TimLeeLetsGo]

Thanks Allan. To be honest, I had high hopes for Max's but ironically for a place known for their fried chicken, their chicken was probably the weakest dish -- perhaps it was just a bad day - overly dry and stringy. Blue Ribbon was much better.

[@marizstits7298]

Regular order is approximately how much? Budget for 7 people also is how much?

[@minxu3398]

hi your videos are extrodinary and also become my daily english pronoucing lessoon! look forward to more new videos!

[@TimLeeLetsGo]

Thank you so much Xu Min Leaf... Very flattered but my pronunciation isn't that great; but much appreciated none the less :-)

[@sarahpimentel8707]

Hey Tim, you should go to LA Chicken in Richmond. It's way better than KFC, and Churches!

[@TimLeeLetsGo]

Sarah Pimentel thanks for the suggestion! Will give it a try for sure. Passed by it many times 🙂

[@AnnaMaurineReyes]

How much is that order same with your meal

[@papercutpostman1660]

Church's chicken = golden standard

[@rontsumura667]

Good choice Tim

[@jeddramira5293]

Max commissary po ako nag wowork enjoy po

[@user-pv3ry6os8m]

tesn tuyet v ngon thank

[@floydpasay3815]

NO.1 RESTO

[@TimLeeLetsGo]

Liked it very much and I think it's time for another visit soon 😉

[@stephenholtsbery3981]

Is this Max's in Vancouver?

[@joelsolomon9643]

Where is your Rice dude ???

[@TimLeeLetsGo]

I know :-) I felt a bit silly not getting the rice. The servers actually came back multiple times asking that some question. Just trying to cut out the carbs, but I would definitely go back for the kare-kare WITH the rice next time. We do have to experience dishes as they are meant to be eaten. Thanks for the comment :-)

[@teenyverse7707]

he ordered the 5 pieces french fries.

[@renehernandez558]

Low carb

[@francisajax6549]

Dude visit the Philippines and eat at Scout Tuazon Quezon City branch to taste the real flavor of Max's fried chicken.. it was the first branch that opened in 1945 that looks like an old house with a pond that you'd have to cross a tiny bridge to get to the restaurant in the middle.. the fried chicken of the other branches in the Philippines seems to taste different. The chicken in that branch is the real deal.

[@TimLeeLetsGo]

+Francis Ajax Thank you for this information! I suspected this branch may not have prepared the chicken the way it was meant to be or just had an off service. Would be awesome to visit the original Max's. Will certainly make the effort the next time I visit the Philippines. Are you from the Philippines?

[@francisajax6549]

Yes brother😃

[@itsmeivan]

Max's seems interesting, but if they cannot fry chicken, then it's kind of a no-go. I like the idea of other offerings such as lechon but frying chicken is pretty basic. I'll stick with Jollibee.

[@louisapetate3078]

ask q lang max antipolo po eto?

[@thejusticejen]

Like this video! Great that you’re able to resist all the unnecessary carbs! Stay strong. Your pronunciations of the Filipino foods were really bad though 🤭🤣🙉

[@marizstits7298]

Menu for 7 persons

[@francisajax6549]

Plus its better to eat it with rice just with your hands.. no spoon and fork. Farmer style.

[@TimLeeLetsGo]

+Francis Ajax agree with enthusiasm. That's the best way to enjoy most foods🙂. Thanks again for the info in your previous comment

[@rontsumura667]

Always wanted to go for the fried chicken but looks not good too bad

[@TimLeeLetsGo]

It was a bit of a disappointment

[@Tloc103]

Was it pricey? Looks like borderline fast food\sit down restaurant

[@TimLeeLetsGo]

Hi Tloc... hope you are doing well... The price was moderate like a Denny's type of pricing... Everything was good, but chicken was surprisingly not as good as expected. Are you traveling soon?

[@colinsushiboy745]

How much was the fried chicken?

[@TimLeeLetsGo]

Hi Colin, I don't recall the price, but it was on the pricier side -- I think it's about $15+ for a half chicken... Was a bit disappointed to be frank, but the other dishes were very nice!

[@joeasuncion7854]

What, no rice? Who are you?

[@TimLeeLetsGo]

Joe Asuncion I know! The server had to ask several times if I was certain I didn't want rice the the kare-kare. He actually came by with some garlic rice as a sample 🙂

[@gogirl8739]

What’s your problem with eating fried chicken without rice?

[@rontsumura667]

Haha nice comment were the fries😀

[@13Bizz]

Jollibee has the best Fried Chicken. Try that

[@TimLeeLetsGo]

ClasheR's World I wish there is Jollibee near by... But will definitely be in search of one when traveling!

[@HarrLable]

Tim Lee theres jollibee in vegas

[@TimLeeLetsGo]

No way!!! Thanks for letting me know HarrLable! I really like fried chicken -- would be awesome to visit the fried chicken places in Vegas! I got a chance to try Jollibee in Manila and loved it :-)

[@jacksonj3082]

Years ago Max's fired chicken was fantastic, but it seems to be more fast food like these days.

[@TimLeeLetsGo]

Yeah, I think it's time for another visit just to find out for sure

[@jacksonj3082]

@@TimLeeLetsGo good idea TIm, maybe they've improved

[@louisapetate3078]

maam pwede mkahinge ng price nagcacanvas po kc aq maam

[@javida5150]

Try Jollibess chicken

[@TimLeeLetsGo]

Really like Jollibee as well and definitely had lots when I was working in the Philippines. Unfortunately, we don't have it local here in Vancouver, but really missing it :-)

[@golfmaniac007]

@@TimLeeLetsGo jollibee in westfield mall near seattle.

[@markangelo6293]

ano ano yan nasa salo salo 195

[@cinnamonroll29]

It’s dry because it’s supposed to be dipped in banana ketchup and worcestershire sauce.

[@TimLeeLetsGo]

Thanks Marc! I think it's overdue for another try! Much appreciate the suggestion!

[@lanceresultay014]

People eat the chicken for nostalgia coz it's a recipe going on for decades. I know it's too mainstream now but Jollibee's chicken is far better.

[@TimLeeLetsGo]

+lanceresultay014 Great to know! The nostalgia factor seems to be strong. I must admit, I do prefer the Jollibee style of chicken 🙂

[@evelyncasido3910]

anopo number ng max

[@markangelo6293]

Menu for ten personpls

[@TimLeeLetsGo]

Might of over ordered a bit there :-)

[@King-um5no]

Lechon and lechon kawali aren't the same, lechon kawali is just fried pork belly

[@TimLeeLetsGo]

Thanks so much! Didn't realize that was the difference! Thanks again 🙂

[@King-um5no]

@@TimLeeLetsGo no problem, btw kawali is filipino term for wok, which means the dish is cooked in a wok and its not roasted =)

[@d0hface]

“Is the lechon good?” 6:41

[@TimLeeLetsGo]

That was actually quite good! Lots of layers of fat and meat, and quite tender 🙂

[@ronchu4453]

No Jollibee has the best Filipino fried chicken!

[@TimLeeLetsGo]

Alright Ron, next stop Jollibee 🙂... Hopefully soon 😉

[@rontsumura667]

Your holding camera? One hand eating wow Tim you need a stand

[@Jay_Wit_Da_AK]

The Asian Seth MacFarlane

[@G_Ellis606]

The chicken looks very plain...

[@TimLeeLetsGo]

MrNutsack100 surprisingly, I was a bit disappointed with the children... Probably just a bad day... Might need to go to the Philippines to try from the original source.😉

[@Nikoo2o643]

You’re right. Maybe this might give some context about that. It’s probably the longest running chain restaurant on the Philippines. Before there was a chickenjoy Jollibee , this was the standard in the Philippines. In the Philippines they use a native chicken, so the flavor maybe different.... it’s a smaller worchicken. Also, try it with the secret sauce combination of banana ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, and Tabasco. It was a pleasant surprise I just recently discovered.

[@Nikoo2o643]

en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Max%27s_of_Manila

[@TheGoldFinger2023]

@@TimLeeLetsGo unfortunately I had the same experience over the years. so I don't think it is just a bad day. their other dishes are better than their flagship product.

[@ellisjames7192]

Chicken did not look very appetizing.

[@MrMindful22]

Total novice! No rice for Kare-Kare? Plus no sauce? This guy should have gone with a more experienced Filipino foodie...

[@TimLeeLetsGo]

LOL thanks Raf U :-) I've certainly had a lot of reactions with the omission of the rice -- server actually questioned that 3 or 4 times. Appreciated the comment.

[@Roof_Pizza]

Never had Max's but if it's on par with Jollybee then that's ok. Just stay away from their spaghetti or Kenny Rogers for that matter.

[@TimLeeLetsGo]

Thanks roof pizza! Unfortunately, Jollybee is much better :-) I kinda like their sweet spaghette with hot dogs as well --it's a bit of an aquired taste :-)

[@TheGoldFinger2023]

jollibee is way better. not dry like max's.

[@cassandramcewen8391]

So amazing