Max's Restaurant San Diego, Cuisine of the Philippines Menu (Update 2025)
Welcome to Max's Restaurant San Diego, where the vibrant flavors of the Philippines come alive! Nestled in Mira Mesa, this culinary gem specializes in traditional Filipino dishes, making it a must-visit for food lovers seeking authenticity and taste. The menu features highlights like Bangus Sisig, a delectable mix of milkfish, and Pork Sisig topped with an egg, both served with fragrant garlic rice to elevate your dining experience.
Don’t miss out on the iconic Halo-Halo, a refreshing dessert that captures the essence of Filipino culture. Customers rave about the quality and freshness of every order, with dishes served hot and promptly even during busy hours. With a warm and accommodating staff, including standout servers like Miss Jenny, your visit promises top-notch service alongside memorable flavors. Experience the best of Filipino cuisine at Max's, where every bite is a celebration!
Monthly Promos
?? 4th of July Bundle San Diego
Celebrate Independence Week, the Filipino way! ?Kick off the summer with Max's 4th of July Weekend Bundle --- an 84 feast packed with:? Max's iconic Filipino Fried Chicken? Crispy Pata? Pork BBQ Skewers? Pancit Bihon? Want to cool down? Add 1 Halo-Halo 2 Juices for just 22!? Available July 4--12, 2025?[?] Dine-in, To-Go, or Order Online? Cannot be combined with other promos or discountsBring the squad. Bring the appetite. Let's make this holiday weekend extra flavorful ???
Krispy Pork Sisig
A flavorful and iconic Filipino dish made with delectably marinated pork cheeks, expertly broiled and diced into bite-sized perfection. Finished with a crispy chicharon topping, red chili, and chili serrano for a bold, spicy kick.
Lechon Kawali Kare-Kare
Golden fried to perfection, incredibly crispy and moist pork belly. Combined with the famous Max's Kare-Kare sauce and vegetables.
Maja Blanca (Coconut Pudding)
A delightful duo of Filipino coconut puddings: Classic Maja Blanca with sweet corn, roasted coconut flakes, and Cheddar cheese, and Ube Maja Blanca with a rich, nutty purple yam twist. Sweet, savory and perfect for any occasion.
New on the Menu
Max's Fried Chicken
Max's Filipino Fried Chicken
The home-cooked, Sarap-to-the-Bones, fried chicken that puts us on the map. Always made to order and best enjoyed with Banana Ketchup and Worcestershire Sauce.
Lumpiang Shanghai (Egg Rolls)
A delicious mix of ground pork and vegetables rolled in pastry wrapper and deep fried. Served with sweet and sour sauce on the side. A Filipino favorite.
Chicharon Bulaklak (Crispy Ruffle Fat)
Golden crisp pork ruffle fat served with vinegar garlic dip. An all-time favorite!
Fresh Lumpiang Ubod (Heart of Palm Egg Roll)
Shredded heart of palm mixed with vegetables, pork, shrimp, and crabmeat served with peanut sauce.
Calamares (Calamari)
Battered and deep-fried squid rings, served with vinegar garlic dip on the side.
French Fries
Sweet Potato Fries
These sweet potato fries are perfectly crispy and crunchy, deep fried to golden brown perfection.
Lighter Fare
Vegetables & Seafood
Laing (Taro Leaves in Coconut Milk)
Spicy taro leaves simmered in coconut milk with shrimp and pork.
Chopsuey (Sauteed Vegetables)
Chinese-inspired assorted vegetables with shrimp, pork, and chicken sauteed in our savory sauce. A popular dish.
Ensaladang Talong (Eggplant Salad)
Eggplant with tomato onion salsa, served with shrimp paste on the side - simply delicious.
Sizzling Tofu
Deep-fried tokwa (tofu) cubes tossed in a cream sauce topped with chilies. A vegetarian house favorite.
Daing na Bangus
Whitefish indigenous to the Philippines, made flavorful in a vinegar garlic marinade, deep fried, and served with our house relish and suka't bawang (vinegar garlic dip) on the side. Simple but tasty.
Bangus Sisig
Chopped deep-fried boneless milkfish with onions and ginger, served on a sizzling plate.
Kare-Kare (Beef Peanut Stew)
Beef shank and oxtail with vegetables simmered in thick peanut sauce served with shrimp paste on the side. A native delicacy.
Max's Crispy Pata (Crispy Pork Hock)
House-specialty! Premium pork hock simmered in a special marinade and deep-fried to perfection. No celebration is complete without this trademark Max's dish. Served with soy-vinegar dipping sauce.
Lechon Kawali
Pork belly deep-fried until crisp and golden brown, yet soft and tender inside. Served with liver sauce on the side.
Bicol Express
Deep-fried pork belly in coconut milk and shrimp paste with fiery spices. A popular Filipino dish. Originally from the Bicol region, prepared the Max's way.
Dinuguan (Rich Meat Stew)
Pork meat stew simmered in a rich sauce with serrano pepper
Pinatuyong Pork Adobo (Marinated Braised Pork)
Marinated pork chunks braised in vinegar and soy sauce reduction. Made flavorful with garlic, bay leaf, and whole peppercorn. Garnished with green onions and served with diced tomatoes and onions
Pork Binagoongan (Pork in Shrimp Paste)
Pork cubes sauteed in a rich, mildly sweet & salty shrimp paste sauce
Filipino Bistek (Beef Steak)
Thinly sliced beef sirloin sauteed in onions, lemon juice, soy sauce, and gravy. Topped with fresh onion rings.
Classic Chicken Adobo (Chicken Stew)
Popular Philippine chicken stew richly marinated in soy sauce and vinegar. Enhanced with the flavors of garlic, bay leaf, and whole peppercorns. Garnished with green onions and egg. A well-loved dish.
Ruby's Favorites
Grilled & Sizzlers
Chicken Sisig (Sizzling Diced Chicken)
Max's Fried Chicken, chopped to bits and served on a hot sizzling plate topped with chili fingers, onions and celery. Served on a sizzling plate.
Beef Kaldereta
Beef stew with vegetables simmered in garlic, tomato sauce, cheese, and spices
Lechon Kawali Sisig (Sizzling Diced Pork Belly)
Diced crispy pork belly mixed with Max's savory sauce. Served on a sizzling plate.
Classic Pork Sisig (Sizzling Vinegar Pork)
Delectably marinated pork cheese, broiled and cut into small pieces, and served on a sizzling plate. Originally from the province of Pampanga, prepared Max's way.
Inihaw na Liempo (Grilled Marinated Pork Belly)
Grilled marinated pork belly, mildly sweet and tangy. Served with our house vinegar garlic sauce.
Filipino Pork BBQ Skewers (4 Skewers)
Pork slices marinated in a special tangy mildly sweet and spicy sauce and speared in a bamboo skewer and grilled to perfection.
Max's Bulalo (Beef Shank Broth)
Tasty clear broth with tender Osso Bucco and generous portions of vegetables.
Nilagang Baka
Tender beef shanks and ribs in a flavorful soup, with greens, potatoes, and peppercorns. A best-seller
Sinigang na Baboy (Pork Tamarind Soup)
A tangy tamarind soup, with pork and assorted vegetables. A must-try!
Sinigang na Baka (Beef Tamarind Soup)
A tangy tamarind soup, with beef and assorted vegetables. A must-try!
Sinigang na Bangus (Milkfish Tamarind Soup)
A tangy tamarind soup with milkfish and assorted vegetables. A must-try!
Sinigang na Hipon (Shrimp Tamarind Soup)
A tangy tamarind soup with shrimp and assorted vegetables. A must-try!
Soups
Rice & Noodles
Steamed Rice
Freshly steamed white rice.
Garlic Fried Rice
White rice deliciously stir fried in golden garlic bits.
Crabmeat Fried Rice
Generously served with eggs, carrots, green peas, and crabmeat.
Binagoongan Fried Rice
A special Filipino fried rice with shrimp paste topped with diced tomatoes, and green onions
Pancit Canton
Egg noodles sauteed with vegetables, pork, chicken, and shrimp. A traditional favorite.
Pancit Bihon
Rice noodles sauteed with vegetables, pork, chicken, and shrimp. A traditional favorite.
Miki Bihon (Egg and Rice Noodles)
A blend of egg and rice noodles sauteed with vegetables, pork, and shrimp. A unique dish.
Pancit Palabok
Rice noodles in a delicious shrimp and ground pork sauce, garnished with garlic bits, ground pork cracklings, green onions, and sliced boiled egg. An all-time favorite.
Halo-Halo Special
A blend of refreshing tropical fruit preserves, beans, and milk in shaved ice. Topped with a delicious scoop of Ube (purple yam) ice cream, flan, and rice flakes. A classic Filipino dessert.
Buko Pandan
Young coconut mixed with pandan leaf (screwpine) gelatin and tapioca in a rich fluffy cream sauce, with Macapuno (coconut) ice cream and rice flakes.
Leche Flan
Delicious and mouthwatering custard made from egg yolk and milk, topped with caramel syrup.
Max's Caramel Bar (6pcs.)
These sweet, soft, and nutty Caramel Bars made with premium milk and butter, generously topped with ground peanuts.
Ice Cream
Desserts
Beverages
Buko Juice (Coconut)
Coconut juice with coconut meat served with shaved ice
Calamansi Juice (Philippine Lime)
Philippine lime juice served with shaved ice
Mango Juice
Mango juice served with shaved ice
Sago't Gulaman (Tapioca and Gelatin)
Flavored with brown sugar syrup and a hint of banana extract. Served over shaved ice. A well-loved refresher.