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Reuben's Mexican Food
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
23 reviews for Reuben's Mexican Food
Review Highlights
"The chips and salsa is also amazing."
(in 4 reviews)
"The lilikoi margaritas are really good."
(in 7 reviews)
"Island style."
(in 4 reviews)
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23 reviews in English
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Review from nik o.
2/1/2012 2 photos
Admittedly not the best Mexican I've ever had, but pretty damn good and beggars can't be choosers. Let's face it, Hawaii and especially Hilo's Mexican population is basically nonexistent.
Decor is pretty tacky with the velvet paintings and viva Mexico banners, but it's part of their charm. As someone else mentioned it's a big improvement over the dark and dingy look it had when I was in high school. It's a fun place with fast friendly service and above average food that makes it a must eat when I'm in town.
My mom is a regular and says it's the only Mexican place in town where beef = tender shredded beef vs hamburger meat like taco bell. Always a plus. The one thing that surprised me is that her burrito didn't even seem to be wrapped (see my pic). I know it all ends up the same way in your stomach but that's a really half ass wrap job -looks like they just slapped a tortilla on top of the beef. -
Review from Lauren M.
Ithaca, NY
1/14/2012
We really loved Reuben's. The margaritas are tasty (and not made from a sickly sweet mix) and cheap. The entrees were super tasty. It was a bit heavy on cheese, but that's typical of much of this cuisine. The beans and rice were great that came with the meal.
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Review from Nina U.
Where am I? Is this the same Rueben's that I grew up with?? It is festive, clean and bright with rockin new furniture, decorations and it feels warm and fun! I'm impressed Rueben's, you did a great job. I love this make-over. Chips and salsa were delicious as always and the food seems to be getting better than I remember too. Maybe the light atmosphere helped but whatever it is, I'm not complaining. I was happy to help increase the number of margaritas sold too. I kinda wish they came in real margarita glasses instead of plastic soda cups though. That's my only suggestion.
Listed in: HILO, Hawaii...make time for!
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Review from Tom K.
Winnetka, CA
12/11/2011
How anyone could bust this place is a mystery to me. I've lived in San Antonio and LA and have had PLENTY of Mexican food. This is BY FAR the best Mexican food, not only on the Big Island, but in HI, hands down! Their salsa is HOT and worth the trip. I hadn't been there for 7+ years and went while visiting and they remembered me. I always feel like family there. The Big Island is a wonder of the world and Reuben's is one of the reasons! Mahalo Reuben's for always making it good!
-
Review from Russel M.
5/17/2011
Another pleasant surprise.
The Top Shelf Margarita's are very good and strong.
The Chips , Guac, Salsa are all homemade and Spicy!
Next time we are going to stay for dinner.
Service was very good. -
Review from Ines C.
Hilo, HI
8/13/2011
When we first entered the elderly waitress came right up, she didn't speak and i found that to be rude, maybe she only spoke Spanish, not sure, then a young waitress came to our table, she was nice, it was nice the drinks where nice, the food, well let's just say better then taco bell, mexican is Mexican, it was ok.
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Review from Gary P.
Diamond Bar, CA
7/21/2011
Don't go. We live in So. Calif. and know Mexican food. Had the hankering and the reviews said this was the best on the Island -- no way. Chips were cold, salsa boring, enchiladas with ranchero sauce barely edible. Don't go. Bartender gave all patrons the stink-eye all evening. Don't go.
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Review from Elizabeth N.
Honolulu, HI
6/18/2010
I don't know why the poor reviews as this place rivlas over 90% of the Mexican restaurants on Oahu. And yes, we are from CA so we're exposed to lot's of Mexican food as well. My family used to go to Luquin's in Pahoa Village a lot, which is actually pretty decent too but ambiance and location, I prefer Reuben's. All in all they do have a really good shredded beef, which is what I strangely judge all my mexican restaurants on. =) Quick recap:
Pro's:
-Home made chips/salsa
-Shredded Beef is good
-Good Location, roomy
-Good ambiance,clean has TV's for watching sports etc
-Huge portions
Cons:
- Pricing, eh it's the island we all pay for shipping costs
-Parking, it can be hard to find in the area -
Review from Caitlin O.
Wenatchee, WA
2/22/2011
Tried to give them the benefit of the doubt and ignore the bad reviews. Walked in to see tacky tables and a very odd, not so great smell, but I was craving mexican food so I went for it anyway. Server came right up to us to take our order, so we decided to try one of their famous margaritas. I got my margarita and took a drink to nearly spit it back out. It tasted like the equivalent of vomit and tequila. I thought maybe I got a bad batch of mixer as my boyfriends tasted just fine, so I just asked if I could get another on just on the rocks, still horrible tasting, and not just because of the house tequila. I took a drink, my boyfriend took a drink and I tried it once more. Still nasty.
We got our food, mine was picadillo enchiladas, they were edible but extremely salty, I've been all over the west coast for mexican food, this place is by far the worst. You pay for chips and salsa, and their default salsa they bring out is so hot you can't eat it, and we like spicy. They don't give you an option when you buy it for different levels so we assumed medium.
When we received our bill we asked politely if they could please remove the margarita since I didn't drink it, but the server said since I took more than a sip that they couldn't. I'm a server myself and I always try to make sure the customers are satisfied. I guess they are used to the constant influx of tourists and feel they don't need to establish customer relations. Also too bad since we live on the island. I've never complained about my food or drink at a restaurant ever before, so yes this place was really really bad. -
Review from Rob F.
Hilo, HI
Authentic Mexican food, with decent prices. The restaurant had a makeover done, which looks brighter and a lot cleaner. Reuben is very friendly and his family works very hard to keep the restaurant running seven days a week!! For people who appreciate real Mexican food, it's delicious. For those who don't like Mexican, don't give Reuben's a bad rating. Go eat the type of food you like at another restaurant! Keep up the outstanding work Reuben!!!
-
Review from Eddie K.
Hilo, HI
8/8/2011
The lilikoi margaritas are really good! I had the Chile rellenos which were good the beans too but the rice was really really garlicy... that's my only criticism.
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Review from Katherine K.
San Francisco, CA
5/14/2007
Being from Southern California, I often find it difficult to go for longer than 2 days without eating Mexican food. This can lead to some quasi-disgusting situations (taquitos and beans in Rome, "tortillas" in France come to mind), but when you get desperate, sometimes your mouth turns into a whore and you forget all those times where you promised you would never eat anywhere but Jesus's taco stand #4.
Reuben's COULD have been one of those disasters, but probably due to the fact that Reuben is actually Mexican (he has the pictures of him sneaking across the border up on the wall! no joke!), this place is brilliant. The tables are covered in picnic tablecloths, the wall is both falling off and painted with a cheesy mural and every song has the word "corazon" in it.
Now for the food/drinks. Basically we came here for the margaritas and WOW oh WOW. yes yes and more yes. The chips and salsa is also amazing. I don't know what it is about his salsa, extra garlic? special hawaiian roasted peppers? who knows, it's delicious. The burritos are o.k., but the sauciness of the waitress will make you wetter than your burrito. That, and the fact that you won't even know where your mouth is after a few of those Cadillac Margaritas, much less care about how good the queso in your burrito is. -
Review from Keikilani S.
Kapaa, HI
9/20/2010
As a Hilo native, I used to eat at Reubens at least twice a week!! Actually, thanks to the #32 (Crab enchilada and Chile Relleno) plus a few of their Delicious strawberry margaritas, I was able to conceive two children. LOL! All kidding aside, the food is mouthwatering, very filling and as close to authentic Mexican you can get in Hawaii. Of course, their full bar is a great plus! Real crab in their enchiladas, unreal green salsa and no greasy-spoon stuff there!!
Every time I get to go back to Hilo, Reubens is on the top of my "Must Do" list! -
Review from Jack C.
8/14/2010
Mr. Smidgens is Puerto Rican Mexican a Mexarican if you will.
My two associates suggested that we go to Reuben's today for lunch. They were wondering what I would think since I get to eat some of the most delicious Mexican food around back home in Austin, TX.
Let Mr. Smidgens paint you a picture with his imaginary brush.........
I grew up with fresh homemade tortillas and some of the spiciest chile around.
I went in with very low expectations. The sticker shock was immediate as I opened the menu and saw the prices. Meh, no biggie. To be expected. The service was awesome and the steak tacos (#6) I ordered were delicious as I drizzled some chile verde onto them and then poured it on once my mouth started to burn. I love that feeling! The chile was hot but flavorful. The corn tortillas were fresh and the refried beans con queso were just right once I mixed them with the rice and chile verde. MMMM...just typing this review is making my mouth water.
I will have to say I will have to go back and try some of the many many many many many...deep breath...many many many many tequilas.
Muchos gracias Reuben's -
Review from Melissa D.
Hilo, HI
11/9/2010
Disgusting Mexican food. I grew up in California and am used to good Mexican food and this is so gross and so salty! I got the crab salad and it was this salty mayonnaise mess on iceberg lettuce and absolutely no nutritional value to it, which I can handle is it tasted good, but nope, gross! I then tried my husbands enchilladas- salty as heck and I like salt, really like a salt lick salty and funky flavor. The only thing I can imagine with people giving the good reviews is they had their margaritas before food and it made them forget how their food tasted. On the plus side if you like a strong margarita they have them and you don't have to worry about how nasty the food was.
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Review from Heather B.
Long Beach, CA
10/3/2008
Hasn't this place been shut down yet by a Health Inspector?
Margaritas are tasty, though. -
Review from Sumin J.
Foster City, CA
7/3/2010
The food was great with very generous portions. I agree with the other reviewers that the price for the plates are somewhat high but we had excellent food so no complaints. The salsa here is SUPER hot, so ask for a milder sauce if you can't handle it.
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Review from Lori F.
Oakland, CA
1/27/2008
The food is good, the guacamole better, and the watermelon margarita is to die for!
Went to this place shortly after I moved here from Cali, and was looking for some good mexican food. This place isn't like those back home, but it's better than some I've had!
Give it a try! -
Review from Anya E.
Hilo, HI
12/14/2009
We met up with a group of friends here for an impromptu gathering one Thursday night. We were a bit skeptical about this place since we had not found any decent mexican food here in Hilo. And coming from southern CA, we are a bit of Mexican food snobs :o) We began with a pitcher of regular and lilikoi margarita. The lilikoi margarita was much tastier than the regular one. It came blended which got a few 'not-sure-about-this look' from a few of us, but it was yummy. I had the tacos plate with carnitas and potatoes and refried beans. All were yummy. My husband had the chili verde plate which was very well cooked and seasoned. The pork just fell apart in the sauce. One of our friends had the chile relleno which was very good as well. Overall, there were no complaints at dinner. I would return again.
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Review from Josephine W.
Hilo, HI
12/15/2008
I laugh everytime I walk past Reuben's. I went in there once to order a burrito to go. Their burrito was $15.00!!!! Isn't that absurd?? I really wanted a burrito and reviews have been decent for this place, so I figured I would take the chance and live to tell the following generations about "the $15.00 burrito". I was irritated that they put lettuce in the burrito, no REAL burrito contains lettuce. I asked the waitress to remove the lettuce and asked if they could take the rice that comes on the side, and wrap it inside the burrito. She told me it would cost $2.00. I said, "But they're already wrapping the burrito, and the rice already comes with it.... They would be wrapping the rice together with the rest of the burrito...." She apologized and said it had to be $2.00 extra. I couldn't even believe I said okay to it! As if that wasn't bad enough, I asked for it dry, but with the pico de gallo INSIDE, where it belongs. It was going to come with it anyways, I never asked for anything extra that wasn't already part of the order. She said it would be $1.00 extra. I was racking up a damn near $20.00 burrito. I then asked if she would charge me to not put beans on the side being that it would be less effort for the maker to just not exercise the beans whatsoever into/onto my order. She laughed and apologized, then appeared to be very serious again. I looked at the menu again, then back at her, then back at the menu again... and told her to just forget it. This bitch had the nerve to ask me if I was "sure" that I wanted to cancel the order! I laughed in her face and walked out.
Just fyi, I did look at the other stuff on the menu and it wasn't just over-priced burritos.... I felt bad for the old couples vacationing to Hawaii getting royally screwed by Reuben's for so-called "Authentic Mexican Food". They didn't even seem to really be enjoying the food they were eating. I've come to realize that nothing in Hawaii is authentic: Chinese, Mexican, Japanese, Vietnamese, etc. Everything is mixed/Asian food..... Island style. Not that it's not good, but it's not authentic! DON'T GO TO REUBEN'S!!!!! Unless you like it up the butt. -
Review from Todd B.
Hilo, HI
9/6/2009
Absolutely disgusting food. I only ate a bit and it still gave me food poisoning. I'll never go back. Stay FAR away!
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Review from Michelle P.
Kailua Kona, HI
3/11/2010
I'd go here for margaritas and chips and salsa, only. Had a few bad experiences with poorly made, over-priced food.
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Review from Keri M.
Kealakekua, HI
8/3/2010
I've eaten at Reuben's a few times before, years ago. The food wasnt that great, so it's never our first choice for mexican food. I'm pregnant, and my fiance and I had just gotten through driving from Kona, and going to our first ultrasound appointment in downtown Hilo. When we were done, we were SO hungry and we really wanted some mexican food. We usually eat at Luquin's in Pahoa, but Reuben's is very close to where my ultrasound appointment was, so I suggested we go there, since my fiance never tried it before, and we were just starving for some enchiladas. We get to Reuben's and it wasnt crowded at all, after we were seated, there were just 5 tables of people, including us. We were seated by a really nice older lady, who spilled water all over our table and almost all over my fiance. We just laughed about it, no harm done, accidents happen. No big deal at all. After she left our waitress came to take our order. She was a short little blonde girl, about my own age of 26 or so. We ordered our usual cheese enchiladas with beans and rice, and a guava juice for me, and a beer for my fiance. So she left to put in our food order. We sat, waiting patiently, as we watched out witress check on everyone else, make sure everything was okay. We watched her go behind the bar to get someone else a beer they had requested after us. then she got a bucket and went behind the bar and fill it with ice, and took it into the kitchen. Then she came back out and checked everyone out again to see that they were okay, excluding us. Then she went behind the bar again and was writing on a piece of paper looking as if she didnt have much of anything to do, all the while, every time she walked near our table, i made eye contact with her to make sure we werent just forgotten. Then, a good 15-20 minutes after we were seated, a lady and girl came into the restraunt. The waitress quickly seated them, took their order, and went behind the bar and made their drinks, and took it to them. My fiancee looked at me in disbeleif and said, "Did you also notice that we are the only two people in here that arent white?" So for the next five minutes, we waited to see if she was going to bring out drinks or not, and discussed what we should do, when we ultimately decided to just get up and leave(we are very polite customers,and have never walked out on a restraunt before), and eat somewhere else. We werent parked too far, so when we left and got into our car and pulled out, the way of traffic forces us to drive past their restraunt. We happened to drive by at the exact moment the pissed off cook comes storming out of the restraunt looking for us,(He could recognize us because he was taking a break on a bench in the restraunt when we were seated and our orders were taken.) and sees me in the passenger seat of our car already driving by, so I just flashed him a nice smile. Needless to say, My fiance and I, nor any of our family, will ever attemt to eat there EVER again, and I suggest the same to everyone else. EVEN when my pregnancy could just kill me of an enchilada craving, I would make the drive to Pahoa, to eat at Luquin's, who's food, and especially service is much better.
