Max's Restaurant, Cuisine of the Philippines, Winnipeg - Winnipeg

I liked Max's but for only one menu item and it was the meat skewers (I forget if it's beef or pork). First there was no host, despite having a sign that says "Please wait to be seated". So I'm stood there like a mug for several minutes with servers walking by until eventually one of them asks "Can I help you?" Which was annoying because it's not like I was just hanging around for giggles. Anyway we get past that hiccup and I eventually get a table. The fried chicken was okay, it's not as great as the hype makes it sound. I liked the banana ketchup, and the chicharrones were... okay. But the skewers were awesome and are honestly the only reason I would ever go back.

I'm giving 2 stars just because our server who is actually not the one assigned to our table is very helpful. We booked a table for 2pm the day before. 15mins before 2pm they gave us a call saying they got busy so our table will be ready 5mins after 2pm since they are ONLY cleaning our table. (I mean it's only 5mins won't hurt right? so it's ok and told them to call me back when it's ready since we're just at front parking and there are bunch of people at front) 10mins after, I CALLED since no callback yet and I asked if we can get in now. Lady said, we need to wait for 10 more minutes since they are almost done cleaning our table. And I'm like I guess the previous customer ordered a lot of food so they need this much of time to clean a table for 6. For the 3rd time, I came in 2:30pm and ask for our table. Lady said sorry they are almost done cleaning our table just preparing it for us to seat. I thought it took them 30mins to clean the table coz there's plates and cutlery prepared already but there's none and hey we finally sat down after 45mins. Then, waited for server for 15mins (im really checking the time I'm not exaggerating) Finally ordered food since we already know what to get. She gave us 6plates and 4cutlery. I meannnn........ idk. Food came in exactly 3:25 but not all the orders yet which is okay. 4pm other 2 dishes didn't come so I really had to ask. Again thanks to the server (i didnt get her name but she's awesome) said sorry and she'll get it. (I guess our server forgot about us coz We didn't see her not until we're abt to pay for the bill and don't wanna mention her name too). This is the 2nd time I ate to Max because I don't judge restaus from 1st visit. BUT I guess this is really how it is managed. First time I visit Max, there are only 3 tables being served but same experience. Maybe don't take bookings if can't manage it well. Just do first come first serve basis. Food is okay. Not wow but the chicken got better from my last visit. Other than that, waiting for 1hr 25mins from my 2pm booking is not worth the wait for a not so hot food served. I mean I don't mind with other dishes we ordered but atleast the kare kare must be served real hot. My friend said "They don't have anything for a birthday celebrant unlike other restau eh? I mentioned it's your bday when I reserved a table" I mean that's ok. I'm not that special. It's just a birthday but maybe that's a good suggestion in case there's another reservation for a birthday that's why I mentioned it too. Small halo halo would be great.

The quality of food has deteriorated through the years. Some dishes are still expensive but tastes cheap…eg. kare kare tasted bland & they cheaped out on the other ingredients. The palabok was very watery which we told the waitress but that was that. Nothing done to make it better. The bulalo was also bland. It felt as if no one took pride in the way they prepared the food. The saving grace…the chicken and fries.

Ordered Take out and was disappointed. Waited 40 mins long for my order. Crispy pata was not crispy but rubbery. Kare kare was bland, seemed watered down. Pansit was tasteless and just plain noodles, instant noodles would have tasted better. To Max Mgt, Please DO NOT overbook your orders as you have compromised the quality and efficiency of your food and service. Giving it 2 stars ONLY because the service crew were awesome and great.

The food was delicious. The staff was friendly. I've been going to Max's since I was a kid. I'm so happy it's finally in Winnipeg. Hopefully they will bring in Chicharon bulaklak. We tried their crab fried rice and it was really good. I was worried the crab flavour will be too overpowering but it wasn't. The flavours were balanced well. Among the dishes we tried our favourite was the sizzling tofu. It's definitely a must try if you ever decide to visit Max's. The halo halo was delicious. We forgot how big the serving was! It's big enough to share between two people for sure.

We went here for the first time to celebrate a birthday and we are disappointed by the food. We ordered kare-kare, lechon kawali, pork bbq, adobo fried rice, and palabok. The lechon kawali is bland and the sauce that came with it looks like just a normal mang tomas. The kare-kare sauce is too thick and bland as well with the eggplant too hard to chew. Even with the bagoong sauce, it did not help give it the umami salty flavor. Pork bbq is not that great but okay. Palabok is okay as well but nothing spectacular for its price. We also came on a Friday and there is a DJ playing loud songs like there's a party going on. We're not sure what the occasion was but we found this a bit annoying and not very relaxing at all. The server we had was nice but she looked like she wasn't trained enough on how to properly serve. Plus she did everything by herself while serving several tables which left her no time to check on each customers regularly. Unfortunately this will be our first and last time we will visit this place.

Small portions for the price. I generally found the food a bit bland. But, I did enjoy my meal. It scratches the culinary itch.

Delicious and fresh Filipino food! Very clean place. Everytime we go to Winnipeg, we always make sure that we dine in this restaurant. Highly recommended.