Max’s Restaurant Greenhills Mall (San Juan City, Metro Manila, Philippines)

Review of Max’s Restaurant Greenhills Mall, crispy fried chicken shines, but lumpia, sisig, and buko pandan underwhelm.  Tried Max’s Restaurant in Greenhills, chicken lived up to its “Sarap to the Bones” name, but everything else fell short.

For many Filipinos, Max’s Restaurant isn’t just another dining spot, it’s a piece of nostalgia. My parents often told stories of visiting Max’s when they were younger, swearing by the legendary fried chicken and its iconic tagline: “Sarap to the Bones.” Naturally, I had to try it myself to see if the experience still held up today.

I visited Max’s Greenhills Mall branch, starting with a small spread: Fresh Lumpia, Pork Sisig, Max’s Fried Chicken, and a Buko Pandan drink on the side.

The Starters: Fresh Lumpia & Sisig

The Fresh Lumpia unfortunately didn’t impress. The vegetables inside, mostly carrots and sweet potato, were overcooked and mushy, with a decorative cabbage leaf on top that felt more like an afterthought. It lacked both flavour and texture, and the absence of a bold, complementary sauce made the dish forgettable.

The Pork Sisig was serviceable but underwhelming. The flavour was fine, nothing out of the ordinary, but the generous amount of chopped chilies didn’t enhance the dish, they simply overpowered it. To make things worse, the serving leaned heavily toward rice, making the meat-to-rice ratio feel off.

The Famous Fried Chicken

Then came the reason Max’s is still a household name, the fried chicken. This dish was easily the highlight of the meal. It was wonderfully crispy, light, and surprisingly not greasy. Exactly the kind of fried chicken you’d expect to be called “Sarap to the Bones.”

That said, my mum, who joined me, noted it wasn’t quite as good as it used to be when she was my age. Perhaps the recipe or preparation has changed over the years, or maybe it’s just the nostalgia speaking. Either way, it’s clear that the chicken remains the one dish that keeps Max’s reputation alive.

The Sweet Finish

I paired the meal with a Buko Pandan drink, but this turned out to be another miss. The flavour was weak, and the small, hard coconut bits at the bottom felt more distracting than refreshing. Honestly, I’ve had far better (and cheaper) versions from local street vendors.

Final Thoughts on Max’s Restaurant Greenhills

Overall, my meal at Max’s was… okay. Not bad, but not particularly memorable either, except for the chicken. The Fresh Lumpia, Sisig, and Buko Pandan all fell short, leaving the fried chicken as the undisputed star.

If you’re planning to visit Max’s, my advice is simple: stick to the chicken. It’s the one dish that continues to justify the restaurant’s long-standing reputation. For everything else, there are plenty of better options in Metro Manila.

Max’s Restaurant Greenhills Mall
Address: Greenhills Mall, Connecticut, Ortigas Ave, San Juan City, 1503 Metro Manila, Philippines
Phone: +63 2 8726 6203
Website: https://www.maxschicken.com/