There are two things that stand out for me at Tim Ho Wan: bbq pork pie; chiu chow dumpling.

Everything else I've tried there is average at best.

Their bbq pork pies are good, and somewhat unique because the outside is a bit crispy and sweet. But while it's good, it's not something I can eat a lot of. 1 or 2 is enough. And if you like bbq pork pie that's crispy and sweet on the outside, I think the one at Fook Lam Moon is better. FLM's version has the outside that almost has the texture of almond cookie.

THW's chiu chow dumplings are really good, though, and it's hard to find something like that elsewhere.

I go to THW for two reasons. 1).cheap; 2).chiu chow dumplings. It's not a place I'd go out of the way to visit, though.

With regards to Maxim restaurants, I don't quite understand why they're not rated highly. It's been years since I've been to Maxim 's Palace, but their House of Jasmine in Harbour City is reliable and enjoyable, definitely above average and better than Tim Ho Wan imo. More recently, went to Maxim's Jasmine Garden (rkkwan rec'd it, I think) and I thought it was very solid.