While attending the auction of Bayanihan Collectors Club, I came across these old postcards of Max's Fried Chicken Restaurant being sold by one
of the antiques dealers. It reminded me
of the days when my dad would celebrate his birthday and would take us there to
eat at the Sct. Tuazon, QC branch. I could
finish a spring chicken meal and would order an extra bread. The crispy chicken skin is so delicious, that would ask my mom's chicken skin. I like it with Jufran or Mafran banana
ketchup and so does everyone else in the family. It was always a treat when eating at Max's back then.
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1960's Max's old postal card. They have only two branches in Quezon City and Dewey Blvd. |
Max's Restaurant's beginnings started in 1945, after World
War II. Maximo Gimenez, a Stanford - educated teacher, befriended the American
occupation troops stationed at Quezon City. Because of this friendship, the
soldiers regularly visited Maximo's nearby home for a drink or two. Later on,
the troops insisted that they pay for their drinks. This prompted Maximo to
open a cafe, where the troops could enjoy food and drinks.
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1960's Max's old postal card menu. Imagine a whole chicken meal of 6.00 pesos only. |
The cafe initially served chicken, steak and drinks.
Maximo's niece, Ruby, who managed the kitchen, created a special recipe for
chicken that became an instant favorite for the GIs. Soon, the Filipino public
heard about the delicious chicken-tender, juicy and crispy-and they came too!
Max's Restaurant was born.
Over the years, Max's Restaurant's popularity grew and it
became known as "the house that fried chicken built."
Max's Restaurant has established itself as a household name
in the Philippines, an institution, and a proud Filipino tradition. The second
and third generations of the family continue to zealously uphold the standards
and traditions set by Maximo and Ruby for all Max's Restaurants.
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1960's Max's old postal card menu. Imagine a whole chicken meal of 5.00 pesos only. |
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1960's Max's old postal card |