Maxang Deli & Cafe

Wow! Really surprised to not see more reviews for this place. Located right on Jackson, next to the super sketchy mini mart that’s across from the ID bus tunnel entrance/​station, lies this hole in the wall deli. At first glance, you probably won’t even notice this place, especially if you see fishy transients wandering around or the fact that the signage on this place is pretty hard to see.
For the last decade or so, this deli has always been my favorite when it comes to freshly made steamed buns. The pork hom bao (steamed buns) and chicken hom baos are to die for. The pork buns are a bit smaller than the chicken but both are equally tasty and satisfying. If you order a bun from here, make sure to try the hot ones that are usually on display out in the windows! The dough is soft and fresh, moist enough to avoid the dry flaky feeling, and the pork/​chicken filling is savory. Another item I highly recommend trying out is the BBQ pork fried rice! For around $ 4, you can get a small box of rice and it’s super filling. Mixed with a range of veggies (corn, peas, carrots, etc), the texture of this fried rice is pretty different and tasty. Overall, you don’t have to spend very much (buns are usually around $ 1.20−2.25/each, drinks $ 1 – 3, other things below $ 5) to satisfy your snack or hunger craving.
A note however, this place only takes cash. Dine in is limited to just a few small tables and there’s actually a time limit on how long you can dine in.

Me and a couple of coworkers are on a quest to go to every restaurant in the International District… which means we have to go to restaurants like this place. Then menu for Maxang is quite simple: Fried Rice, Chow Mein, BBQ Pork Kebabs, Fried Chicken, Egg Rolls, a whole fried Tilapia, or a cup-​o-​noodles.
I probably won’t ever go to this place to again. Its food is only mediocre, but the atmosphere is terrible. The floor is sticky. The walls are dirty. The mirrors covering the walls are dirty. The clientle while I was there was smelly.