China Max

Used to be our favorite Chinese restaurant - but in the last few weeks - (1) Prices went up 30%-50% (2) Portion size went down 25%-40% (3) Food quality deteriorated dramatically

Won't be seeing us anytime soon !

I've only experience lunch & Dim Sum. I eat there about one a month. Very good choices and reminds me of similar restaurants in L.A's Chinatown or Alhamabra, where there's a Asian restaurant on every street corner. Its the best Dim Sum I've found in San Diego. (Dynasty, a few blocks down Convoy, is THE much publicized Dim Sum palace, offers way more choices - but the quality is better at China Max) I like that they open for lunch early @ 10:30AM. I order my usual Dim Sum items, steamed spare ribs in black bean sauce, salt & pepper bean curd (fried Tofu), shrimp in rice noodle, and turnip cakes. I also look around to find my perhaps my next visit's order, viewing what others are ordering, and looks good. Have yet to try Chicken Feet. Their service to non-Asians is usually not the best and most servers seemed to have a limited command of the English language, if there's a problem or special question. (I gave up trying to order over the phone to go.) Whatever you'll need for your meal, ask for it when they take you order, like a fork, extra water, sodas, napkins, side bowl of rice, etc. Otherwise you'll never get their attention again. Even when they serve your food, they sorta throw it on the table and run away. All the staff runs around like they all have something very important to do, but will never look you in the eye nor can you get their attention.

I ate here in the past and it was truly nothing special. Recently: It's too bad San Diego restaurants like China Max still feature Shark Fin Soup on their banquet menus. It's true they have until 2013 to purge the remaining stock from their inventory (and then the total ban on shark fin goes into effect), but many restaurants in Ca are being proactive and eliminating their fin stocks now. Shame on the noted restaurants above (and others) for not being ethical until the law absolutely forces them to be.