Max... disappointed to the MAX!!
Dining out during Easter is usually one of those dates that most restos are operating at its prime. Service should be quick, food should taste great and well in general this is usually the date to make that impression. I've been dining at Max for quite some time now. It's become synonymous to fried chicken and pinoy! But sadly, last Easter weekend, we had balikbayan's, and they in turn wanted to eat at Max, and well to cut to the chase, it was a sad experience for me this time around.
As usual, I had the Spring Chicken, which was half a chicken deep friend to be Sarap to the bones. (as they advertised.)
The breast part of the chicken was dry and tasteless. Certainly not sarap to the bones. Although the dark meat did make up for whatever flavor the white meat lacked, it was still sad that it tasted bland. The skin was also quite a disappointment. Although it was crispy, the copious amounts of oil it had was just such a huge turn off because you could just see your heart muscles cringing at the very site of that unhealthy oil. Spring chicken has just lost its delight. The only positive side to this meal were the Kamote Fries which were deep fried to perfection. Not soggy nor was it too tough.
Of course along with any Max's Fried Chicken experience comes the condiments they made so popular. The Jufran Banana Ketsup is still the same banana ketsup we have loved (or hated) throughout the years. Offering up a both sweet and spicy tang to the traditional tomato condiment. Max also had its special chili sauce which I opted not to try due to me not actually enjoying the meal already. The worcestershire sauce was sweet but didnt have that Lea & Perrins Sauce we also associate with worcestershire sauce.
To try something different on the menu, we ordered Crispy Pata. (Deep Fried Pork Leg) The CP was dripping in oil. The skin was tough although the meat had some semblance of tenderness it wasn't one of the best one's I've tasted. It something when the sauce tastes better than the actual meal. The concoction of soysouce, oinions, and shallots, with a hint of vinegar and sugar was great. (I will try this at home soon!)
The meal was maybe 2 out 5 chef hats for me. (NEW feature!)
The service was poor. Although the staff members were accommodating and were always smiling, the service was slow and the food took quite some time to come out. We also had to repeatedly ask for water refills which is a huge turn off for me. This isn't a knock on Max's though, maybe a wake up call. In this ever growing market of restos one needs to step it up to continue to compete!
Cheers & Happy Eating!