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Luquin's Mexican Restaurant
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Dive-y
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
55 reviews for Luquin's Mexican Restaurant
Review Highlights
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54 reviews in English
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Review from Harley D.
Pāhoa, HI
Having grown up on the Big Island, I have to say this is one of the best restaurants on this side of the island! This local, family-friendly restaurant is consistently good. I never regret my choice when going out to Luquin's.
House-made chips in a basket with fresh salsa are brought to the table to start. I used to order the chicken tostada all the time, because it comes PILED with super fresh veggies, guacamole and sour cream. Now my pick of choice is the burrito deluxe. I love it because it's so sloppy. Sloppy isn't a word normally used in a good context when it comes to food, but their burritos are delicious.
As for ordering to-go, my brother always gets the hamburger deluxe. Sometimes it comes with fries, sometimes without. He usually substitutes the mac salad, or potato salad, or whatever it is that they normally serve, for more fries.
I get it is not the most "authentic" of Mexican food. In fact, I doubt it even comes close. But, it doesn't need to be! It's tasty and that's all that matters when it comes to going out to eat. -
Review from Susan H.
Pahoa, HI
The first time I was in Luquin's, a few years back, a fellow walked in with a machete strapped to his leg. That was a bit disturbing, until I remembered that I was in the heart of papaya central and he was just coming in for a beer after work!
The margaritas are great. The food is acceptable. My favorite - their fresh chips and some salsa with guacamole. Perhaps because it goes so good with the margaritas. I also love the sopa camarones - served chilled. Yummy.
This is a very local place, run by the same family for years. We see neighbors and tourists there every time we are there. -
Review from Kerry F.
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA
So happy this is here. Hubby and I are BIG Mexican food and Margarita fans. While searching out mexican restaurants on the big island I was a little concerned to only really find one...this one. It got good reviews, but they'd say "best mexican food on the island", which isn't saying much, since I haven't found any other Mexican food here yet.
Went last night with my hubby and father-in-law. I was sooo happy. Delicious Cadillac Margaritas. Steak tacos...muy delicioso. Hubby had the chicken tamale, which he scarffed. Father-in-law "treated" himself to steak and shrimp, which he gobbled up happily.
Homemade chips and salsa.
Our waitress was wonderful. Super friendly and fun.
Best part, even after all the above? Live music. These 4 guys were playing in the bar area. Really put a fantastic vibe in the place. Had to tip them very well when we left.
We will be on the island all month, so this will now be my "hangout" for the month. Next time gonna sit in the bar, drink my Marg and nash on a taco. What FUN! -
Review from Allan S.
Cornwall, NY
Great service, was very fast despite ordering a lot of food. Price wasn't bad either. Altogether it was a great experience.
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Review from Rosie P.
Oxnard, CA
If you know what real Mexican food tastes like please don't go. This place was recommended to us on the plane ride in. We were told the owner is from Mexico, but I think the food lost its touch of Mexico. You do NOT come to Hawai'i to eat Mexican food! The place was hard to locate as our iPhone map pointed us to TWO Luquins, so be careful!! Also the waitress was as courteous as can be but quite swamped with tables and didn't ask us if we wanted drinks or soda. She did not know basic words in Spanish, so that wasn't very authentic. She did not listen when my mother asked for a soda, and the one soda we got for our party of 4 was quite small!! The Mexican shrimp cocktails were served hot and bland, but they're supposed to be cold! Also, they charge an extra $4.50 for a half filled basket of chips!!! The establishment was very dirty and reminiscent of the movie Roadhouse or dirty dive bar. Don't come of you're hungry for good Mexican food.
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Review from Marcello L.
San Francisco, CA
I am in Pahoa once a year visiting family and always go here at least once for dinner. The Mexican food is always good. This past visit I got the chicken burrito and chile relleno combo with a margarita and it was delish. The salsa seemed to be homemade which was great but the guacamole could have been chunkier since there are supposed to be over 300 varieties of avocados on the Big Island. I will definitely be back next year.
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Review from Dawn E.
I can't believe how many people think this is good Mexican. And I've had good Mexican IN HAWAII. Like maybe a few miles from this place so it's not like this is all the Big Island has to offer.
When I think Mexican, I don't think bland, but everything I had was bland. How can you not make a delicious fish taco in HAWAII? And the beef is local? Every cheap burger I had my whole trip was good, but put beef in this taco and... meh.
Service was sort of fine. I'd say it's nothing to write home about but here I am writing home about it so...
Every bit of my experience here was unremarkable. Every bit. (Well, except my company, my company was awesome.) -
Review from Rebekah G.
Kailua-Kona, HI
The food and margaritas were delicious. The chips and salsa were authentically Mexican restaurant, with just the right amount of heat. The lilikoi margarita is a must. As vegans, we really enjoyed the tofu burrito with an ample serving of guacamole on the side. Portions are indeed large but also a little pricey. Warning - don't ask for more chips/salsa unless you want to pay $4!! We got two tofu burritos, a large side of rice, chips/salsa and 2 margaritas for $38 plus tip. On the plus side, due to serving sizes we had plenty to take home for lunch the next day.
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Review from Robin W.
Big portions. Good chips and salsa. I had the shredded beef burrito and chicken enchilada...lots of tender tasty meat.
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Review from Dana S.
This is probably the most popular restaurant in Pahoa, and it ain't fancy. But if you're after a local happy hour, or a laid back meal that isn't Thai or plate lunch, this is a good option.
They have a huge bar (the place really gets going for happy hour), and you can find decent prices and plenty of veggie options. Tacos and margaritas seem to be the way to go, but make sure to ask about their specials (like mole, tamales, and fish of the day). The chips and salsa are good too.
Rating Luquin's as a Californian, they get three starts. If I could induce temporary California amnesia and compare them only to other restaurants in Hawaii, they'd get four. But I can't. So three it is. -
Review from Checkum D.
Keaau, HI
"Lilikoi Margarita's"
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Review from Scot N.
Portland, OR
I went to Luquin's after hearing that it is the best Mexican restaurant on the island. What I found was the usual Mexican-American greasy spoon fare with a few twists (you don't normally see potato tacos or carnitas at Mex-Am joints in Hawaii). The taste of the food was fine, though not as good as I'd hoped for.
Having lived in Mexico for a couple of years, I know authentic Mexican food, and this wasn't it. To be fair, authentic doesn't seem to be the goal. What it appears they are shooting for is comfort food, and as comfort food, it was okay.
The service was terse. It wasn't exactly unfriendly, but I agree with reviewer Amanda K. that it was as though we were inconveniencing the waitress.
My main issue with this place is the cleanliness or lack thereof. Many of the reviewers commented on the dirtiness of the place and I agree. It's no fluke, it's just plain dirty. Things were sticky, dust was everywhere, and the whole place had a little bit of an off smell, like it hadn't been cleaned in a long time. I didn't see into the kitchen, but I'm guessing that the part behind closed doors is worse than the part we dine in.
All in all, not a terrible meal. A little expensive, a little too greasy, the salsa was a little too oniony, and the dishes were not at all authentic, but nothing was bad, and we got plenty of food on our plates. The dirtiness might be enough to keep me from returning, and I certainly am not taking away any warm memories of the friendly service.
Not my favorite, but then that place is in Mexico City. -
Review from Annie W.
The burritos were delicious and filled with flavor. The beans, fresh ingredients and a slab of guacamole with what felt like a pound of shredded beef was worth salivating over.
The free chips and salsa is mildly spiced and it was just perfect for MY taste buds. Don't get me wrong, I love the spice, but I just can handle it! Yeah, I understand that I'm the only Asian that can't handle spice.
So why not 5 stars? The service is hit or miss... We had breakfast and the service was good. Then when we came for dinner, they barely paid any attention to us. The waitress was rushing and at one point she handed my husband's food over my friend's head/shoulder. Really? You couldn't just walk up to the table and serve it like a normal waitress.
The breakfast food is not much to rave about. The two, tiny quarter-sized Portuguese sausage is pretty sad when presented on my plate. Go for their special home made corn beef hash, because it was a yummy dish. -
Review from Scott H.
Honolulu, HI
One of the better Mexican places here in Hawaii. The carnitas is pretty good. They give a lot of food. Kinda off the beaten path. decor is kinda old.
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Review from Amanda K.
Santa Rosa, CA
Another Californian here with more Mexican food than you can shake a stick at back at home. This place was just okay to me. The guidebook we were using said quality can differ depending on who's cooking, so I concede it might have been an off night, but I still probably wouldn't go back. The service was sloooow and not exactly friendly, though not exactly unfriendly either. More like our waitress had better things to do somewhere else and we were sort of inconveniencing her.
Salsa was a little odd, though not bad - tasted like there might have been a tropical fruit in there, but I couldn't see anything other than the usual tomato, onion, cilantro kind of ingredients. I was amused to see tofu on the menu, since I'm pretty sure I've never seen that, even in California (but then I don't live in Santa Cruz).
I ordered the chile relleno and shrimp taco combination. The shrimp taco was pretty tasty, but the shrimp juices had soaked through one side of the taco, so it was impossible to pick up (and very hot when I tried). The chile relleno was just okay, nothing special. Beans were tasty, and there was a whole lake of them, which was neat.
Not sure I think it was realllly value-friendly, but it wasn't a huge rip-off either. Kind of middle-of-the-road. -
Review from Shannon M.
Aurora, CO
We hit this place after a suggestion from Captain Shane of Lava Kai recommended it. One look at the menu and I was pleased to see they met my primary criteria for a good Mexican restaurant -- Carnitas!
The place has a very local vibe in both the good and bad way. The good way is that it's authentic with great people watching and good prices. The bad way is that the back bar section had some characters that were fun to watch from afar but reminded me a little of the characters from Lost Boys and felt a little creepy (no offense to those of you hanging at the bar)
Among the four of us we ordered a variety of things from the menu. I had a Carnitas burrito and the carnitas were perfectly done including the crispy edges from getting a quick fry in the pan after roasting. My dad's plate included a soft chile rellano which he said was one of the best he's ever had. Hubby filled up on his shredded beef burrito and my step-mom enjoyed her enchiladas. We're pretty sure the chips were made on-site and the salsa was very good (although the charge for refills)
Another big plus was the Margaritas! I know, I know, people often rave about margaritas and then they turn out to be pretty middle-of-the-road. So why are these great? FRESH lime margaritas! I analyzed two pretty throughouly and I don't believe there was even a splash of store-bought mix. Crisp, clean and delicious!
Our server was very friendly and chatty. She made us feel welcome which can be a little tough in some of the local joints in Hawaii.
Now the ding in the rating -- the place was pretty dirty. Some of it could have been a fluke (a glass that had some unidentified residue) but most of it was completely preventable, like the Sombrero above our table that looked maroon until you realized it had a thick layer of gray dust over the bright red fabric. Or the sticky residue on the menu, salt shaker, etc. Personally, I would still eat here, but I can see why someone wouldn't want to.
All in all, it was a great meal in a very casual environment and we enjoyed it. The Mexican food was a nice change of pace too! -
Review from Rachel P.
Keaau, HI
Yes, Luquin's has very good food and they are sensitive to the vegetarian/vegan agenda.
Definitely try their lilikoi margaritas if you've never had them, and I would highly recommend their potato tacos!
However, it is very dirty. And I just know if I ever saw that place after it closes and the roaches come out I would probably never eat here again.
But still, if you don't use the restrooms and don't look in the kitchen, your suspension of disbelief should carry you to a happy tummy. -
Review from Anya E.
Hilo, HI
I love Mexican food and all I have to say about Luquin's is exactly this: it is as good as it gets on the Big Island! (Sorry Reuben's)
Luquin's is located in Pahoa Village with ample parking. The restaurant is partitioned into several dining rooms which creates a more intimate atmosphere (as opposed to one great dining room with everyone crammed into it). Seating is self-seated, so we perused the whole place to find our very own special table.
Within ten minutes of seating ourselves, we were brought a complimentary basket of chips & salsa and water. Our waitress checked in on us shortly after. Upon asking, we learned that their beef is locally grown by the restaurant. Enticed by this new found fact, we tried their carne asada and carnitas plates. The carne asada was served with housemade refried beans, mexican rice and a small salad with guacamole. The meat was very fresh, juicy, tender and well seasoned. The carnitas plate was also served with refried beans and rice. It also came with a side plate of onion, cilantro, generous portion of guacamole, tomato, jalapenos and hot tortilas. The pork was very tender and also well seasoned. Their refried beans were some of the best I have eaten in a long time.
Luquin's also has a full bar and offers a variety of margaritas served blended or on the rocks. On this trip, our group tried their lilikoi margaritas on the rocks which turned out pretty good.
Service was friendly and attentive without being overbearing. The restaurant is casual, lively and a great place to come to with friends and enjoy really good Mexican food. -
Review from Kevin H.
I felt weird eating here. Spending much of my time in the Southwest it seemed odd to have sought out Mexican food in Hawaii. It was a long day of fun which was topped off by witnessing the power of lava flowing into the ocean. I suppose we stayed a bit too long , well after sunset. We found ourselves trying to decide where to dine not wanting to cruise past the Puna hideout to head back to Hilo. It was late, this joint was open with no wait so we gave it a go.
Tables were kind of dirty, service was a bit slow, but it was late we were tired and hungry and they had icy Modelo Negro. I had the ahi fish tacos and they were quite tasty. The chips and salsa weren't half bad either. M had chile relleno, which was decent, but not as good as my tacos.
After a long day of snorkeling, hiking and watching lava flow to the ocean, this suited the bill just fine. -
Review from Mari C.
San Francisco, CA
BEST... MARGARITAS... EVER....
Like, $14/pitcher of the best margaritas ever. careful, everyone, because pahoa is in the middle of nowhere so I can almost guarantee that you'll have to drive home eventually.
The food is pretty good, but the prices are outrageous. Its tough to find anything below $10 here, which in my book is a lot to pay for beans and rice. I recommend the combo plates... you'll leave uncomfortably full but def get your money's worth!Listed in: Hole in the Wall, La Señorita Salsa, Aloha
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Review from Amanda G.
There aren't very many Mexican restaurants in the area, so this place was packed.
The service was lacking,but I came to expect that in Hilo (and surrounding areas.)
They have great margaritas, and okay fish tacos..
The fish tacos were grilled (the only way I'll eat them) and the pieces of ahi were pretty big for the money.
Their chips were ok, but after a few refills they charge you. They really aren't that good.
My guy was disappointed with his meal.
We went with some family that lives there. They like this place more than we did.Listed in: MmmmMexican
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Review from Kekai A.
Keaau, HI
I had lunch at 12:30 and it wasn't crowded. The chile rilleno was awesome, lightly battered, tasty, cheesy goodness! The rice and beans were nothing to write home about. The fish taco was tasty but I am not crazy about shredded cabbage that was in it. The waitress acted like we weren't even there and we had to call her to order. We had to ask her for refill on water and they don't have free refills on sodas, unusual for this day and age. I had been there 10 years ago and I thought the food was better, but that's a while back. Maybe just bad day this time around!
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Review from Kiana M.
Hilo, HI
i love this restaurant! i've been coming here since I was 10 years old! the portions are huge. I went here for my birthday last night and I got the chicken burrito and my hubby got the steak nachos. its always waaay too much and we get to take home lots of leftovers :) i've read some reviews about this place not being real mexican food, however, all the food is organic or local. all the meat is organic and the fish is fresh, whatever's in season. the people who own this place are mexican but they've learned to embrace the food that hawaii has to offer and turn it into mexican! maybe the taste is different from some places on the mainland, but the mainland mexican places that I've been to serve the cheapest beef, chicken, and fish and i can definitely feel the difference in my body when i eat at sketchy mexi places on the mainland. i love luquins!!
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Review from Sarah D.
Thank you Yelp for guiding us to one of the best meals I have had in ages. I am originally from California so I am pretty picky about my Mexican. This place is just as good, if not better than a lot of places back home. The salsa is delish and they have tons of veggie options. I was initially more excited about the tofu tacos but decided to go for one tofu and one potato taco. The potato were even better! They also have some of the best retried beans ever. Good service. Nice folks. Yummy!
Listed in: Big Island (Mostly Hilo Area)
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Review from Mike G.
Broken Arrow, OK
Good Mexican food, large portions, very friendly. Not up scale, mostly locals eat here. I'd go back! Drinks are strong!
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Review from Paul K.
Pahoa, HI
Negatives: Dirty tables, run-down appearance, so-so service and poorly maintained parking area.
Positives: great salsa and chips, great fish tacos, good chicken fajitas. Decent prices. -
Review from Thad N.
Boulder Creek, CA
Best guacamole we've ever had. Fantastic Cazadores top shelf margarita. This place is surprisingly good! Will definitely come back.
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Review from Chris E.
Fairview, OR
Pretty good mexican, everything was cooked nicely, but it was a little bland. I had the carne asada burrito and it just lacked something. I guess I'm spoiled. They put bell peppers in the shrimp nachos. Blech!
The margaritas were really, really good and the service was super. Fun place. -
Review from Darryl S.
San Francisco, CA
I was shocked by this place.
So the GFs family took us on a trip all over Hawaii and we were outside of Pahoa for a few nights. There was nothing here, other than a lava filled beach and lots of geckos, oh and this place.
Mexican food in HI? Yea super weird but shockingly good. I am not sure if part of the problem was I had been out of Cali for a week by then, but nonetheless it satisfied the craving.
The place was packed, and i now understand why -
Review from Eve D.
Kent, OH
Luquin's is the only Mexican place in the near area (as far as I could tell) and my hubby and I have eaten there a couple of times while visiting Pahoa.
Other reviewers are correct on a number of points. First, the building is probably 25% of downtown Pahoa; Second, it's so large because almost everyone living in the area has dinner and socializes there; Last, the food is good - not stellar, but solidly good Mexican food with large portions so you never leave wanting more.
There's a bar area if you just want some drinks with your chips and salsa.
The parking lot is huge and you can often park there while you explore other parts of the town on foot.
Overall I would recommend it! -
Review from Melissa D.
Hilo, HI
This is such a better jump from nasty Reuben's. The portions are nice sized, service is nice and the food is good Mexican food. I really have been pleased with their selection, service and flavors.
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Review from Glenn S.
La Mirada, CA
Pahoa is a town that looks as if it had been ripped up from some Arizona desert / John Wayne movie and dropped into the middle of Paradise. Clapboard wooden buildings, two wide side walks that meander up and down the main street under colorful store front signs. Harleys tied to hitching posts.
Yes, two sidewalks. It's a small town.
In one of the largest buildings is Luquin's (on the south (sorry, just looked at a map) side of the main street, it's a small town, you can't miss it). Probably the best Mexican restaurant on the Big Island. Probably better than any Mexican restaurant in Oregon..
We had lunch there.
They serve the obligatory chips and salsa as antejitos. The chips are light and crunchy, the salsa, well... it tastes ok, but there's no heat, and a lot of onions. But the onions don't have much flavor.
It's funny, every time we've had salsa from a restaurant on this island, it was bland. But the two or three fresh salsas we've bought at grocery stores were always nice and spicy.
They serve a very good Pink Lemonade. Not real sweet, and very refreshing for the Tropics.
The beef enchiladas we're very good according to the daughter. The sauce, excellent. The fish tacos were made of a grilled fish, also very good, according to the wife.
Our companion (La Sister-in-Law) ordered the side salad which our waitress said was large (so they could validate charging what they charged for it). Upon being served the salad, our companion (aka La Sister-in-Law) remarked that the salad bowl was big, but the salad was small.
The tofu enchiladas however, certify the four star rating. Spicy sauce, lots of black olives, and the tofu was crumbly, and chunky. It was a difficult task being able to eat both enchiladas and not explode. Very filling and they came with rice and beans, both good, but barely touched due to the volume of enchilada consumed.
So if you're travelling through the Puna District, and you feel the need for Tortillas, this is the place... providing you can find parking. Did I mention that Pahoa's parking is limited... -
Review from Craig D.
Hawaii, HI
Great place. Good food. Super strong drinks; be careful.
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Review from Satoru Y.
Great Mexican in secluded Pahoa.
We made it a point to come and check this place out on our last visit to the Big Island. I was interested to see how good the Mexican food would be compared to Oahu. I was pleasantly surprised that the food was better than most places in Oahu.
We started off with the Nachos. Your usual fare of sour cream, guacamole, and beans. It wasn't too great; tasty, but not too amazing. Their salsa is great, tons of herbs and spice. The chips are thicker and better than store-bought bags.
I ordered the Burrito & Tamale w/Rice dish. The burrito was good, the carne asada was a little bit drier. The Tamale was great; tasted freshly made, I loved it. The enchilada sauce they use on the dish is flavorful and delicious.
I also sampled their Fish Tacos; which are surprisingly tasty. The fish tasted fresh, and the seasoning really made the flavors pop. DIdn't get the chance to try their Chile Rellenos, but it looked pretty good.
Hearty Mexican food in a sleepy little town setting. -
Review from Alan H.
Decent, but I've had better on the mainland. I've been told this is about as good as it gets on the island (sad). The portions were hearty, the cost is a bit high ($8.50) for a beef burrito. Waitress was nice, called one of my buddies 'honey', made me laugh a bit.
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Review from Tyler D.
Honolulu, HI
For Hawaii, this is the best spot I have ever had when it comes to Mexican...super dirty greasy mexican food! Yum!
The lihingmui margaritas are to die for. Don't have more than a few though cause you are gonna die on the Big Island roads after...
There are some shady cats sitting at the bar over here...you see people getting tanked at 10 in the morning...I heard someone got shot here once...I think that kind adds to the excitement. When I used to come here, there was this guy on the corner 15 feet away from the entrance of Luquins, holding big branches of buds (pakalolo) and selling them right there on the street. I couldn't believe it. Pahoa is a strange spot, but Luquins is worth coming for. -
Review from andy s.
Poway, CA
Awesome Mexican food on the Big Island! Margaritas were good, service was good. All the other reviewers were right, this is the place to eat for lunch or for dinner!
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Review from jason j.
San Francisco, CA
i'm not from hawaii, i'm from mexico. oops i mean i'm from california. we had . . . fish (ono) picado, chicken picado, fish of the day (ono) platter, beef enchiladas, and 2 tacos plate.
the food is decent, apparently some of the best mexican for the island, and the beer is cheap. the restaurant is pretty large sized, it appears to have just taken over every building that surrounds it. judging by the size of the parking lot, it also has everyone in the nearest 10 miles also eating here. overall, nothing wrong with the joint. come hungry, leave happily full. oh, and on a side note, i thought the chips and salsa were quite good. -
Review from Catherine D.
Austin, TX
This is the best Mexican food in Pahoa. OK, maybe it's the only Mexican food in Pahoa. I used to own a little place in this sleepy town and this was my favorite place to eat. Great Margaritas and on a Friday night most the town could be seen here enjoying one.
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Review from omar b.
San Francisco, CA
In slowwww Puna County of Hilo, this is probably the closest thing to a party (besides being with family). The meals are on the hearty-side, very filling, moderate flavor, and of course major ohana- so no need to even talk service. The standout, major reason why I am a regular here when visiting my mom is...the margaritas. I am talking the most ono lilikoi margarita (yes they use patron silver 4 me) and the glass is rimmed with li hing mui. iam drooling as i write this.
Listed in: Nomikai!
