Thanks for stopping to read mmm-yoso!!!, a blog about food. Cathy is writing today; Kirk is elsewhere.
Long story short: in the late 1980's, not long after The Mister and I moved to San Diego, we were driving on Eighth Street in National City and saw a building with "Max's, The House That Fried Chicken Built" as the signage. After one block, I stopped and made a U-Turn. We regularly stopped at Max's, primarily to have the fried chicken skin appetizer, over many years. That building is now Villa Manila and our memories of Max's have been fond and longing.
Well, we were in Mira Mesa, looking for someplace "new" and saw this building in the parking lot with Target, Golden Island and our probable destination, Hong Kong BBQ and Dim Sum.
We found Max's!
We were seated in the larger conference room and given the simple menu.
Ordering was simple for this decades old 'return' visit- Lechon Kawali ($14.29). A good size portion of par-cut crispy pork belly with the only condiments needed; pickled vegetables and the traditional vinegar-garlic-sugar sauce. 
We did order the small size garlic rice ($4.99), which is kind of perfect. This was the only leftover from this meal. 
Since it had been so long (and also no chicken skins on the appetizer menu), I ordered the half fried chicken ($10.99). The plate comes with fries and banana ketchup as the condiment. The chicken skin was crispy and thin and flavorful as we remembered, the chicken was moist and cooked perfectly.
We will be trying out the rest of the menu, soon. What a wonderful find!
Max's Cuisine of the Philippines 8265 Mira Mesa Blvd San Diego, CA 92126 (858) 397-2180 website
