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Rumbi Island Grill
Categories: Restaurants Hawaiian Restaurants Sandwiches Hawaiian, Sandwiches [Edit]
9915 W McDowell RdSte 107
Avondale, AZ 85323
(623) 936-1527
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Good For:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
18 reviews for Rumbi Island Grill
18 reviews in English
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Review from Michelle O.
Honolulu, HI
5/6/2008
The restaurant has open, spacious seating and I was immediately overcome with deja vu. Then it hit me--this is the islander's version of Chipotle!!! The only difference between Rumbi & Chipotle (well besides the food!)--is the tableside service. You get your order/pay for your food and they bring your food to your table.
Interior--There is a huge menu mounted on a waist high podium near the front door and as you walk along the wall to the front counter, there are plenty of opportunities to pick up a paper menu. The decor incorporates faux bamboo, dried palm leaves strategically draped and many surf/island related motifs.
Food--The menu selection is great. Not too many items to overwhelm and just enough of the staples to appease most appetites--rice bowls with several protein options (including tofu), sandwiches, soups, salads, and a few island plates. They even offer a select variety of wines and beer. One of my new favorites is a Kona Lager you can of course, purchase at Rumbis. (I bought a 6 pack @ Bevmo a while ago and it's phenomenal!)
I ordered the half size rice bowl with luau pork. This portion is actually large enough to feed 2 small children or a really hungry adult. The pork was served with teriyaki sauce on the side, which I discarded because the seasoning on the pork was sufficient. I appreciated that they offered varieties of rice (including brown & a rumbi version--not sure I recall reading what was in that but it was nice to have options). They provide a nice serving of mixed veggies to round out the meal.
My experience--I enjoyed the casual atmosphere, the service was speedy, and the food was great for no more than $8. It's a great place to grab a quick lunch or chat leisurely over a meal. -
Review from Chad R.
Goodyear, AZ
11/16/2011 1 photo
Great Burgers.
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Review from Niki B.
Milwaukee, WI
3/30/2011
Absolutely delicious! Please open one in Milwaukee. :)
Went here with my family and between the four of us we ordered a burger, large salad, noodle bowl and rice bowl. Everything was fresh with clean flavors. Food arrived fast, and the service was very friendly.
Just be warned, the bowl and salad portions are HUGE! You can easily split a meal between 2 people. -
Review from Gina W.
Tolleson, AZ
1/5/2011
Alright, well seeing as I work right next door, my mouth has been watering over this place ever since I laid eyes upon the menu. And tonight, we finally had some yummy Rumbi take-out.
First things first: they're a little pricey, at first glance. However, their portions are *enormous*. Each of us ordered a full size bowl(Honey Orange Shrimp for me, Jamaican Jerk Kalua Pork for Jamie, Honey Orange Kalua Pork and Teriyaki Chicken for Jamie's parents). The full size bowls were more than enough to last the average person through dinner, and then through lunch the next day; packed full of rice/noodles, meat, and veggies, with each bowl containing a ramekin of sweet teriyaki sauce.
The shrimp in my bowl was perfectly tender and succulent, the Honey Orange sauce sweet, but not cloyingly so. The bowl came with a lime wedge, which added the perfect zing to the mellow coconut "Rumbi rice".
We also ordered some of their Bahama Mama's Tortilla Soup, which was a creamy coconut-based broth filled with chunks of grilled chicken, tortilla strips, and melty mozzarella. It was a good, cozy soup, but could have benefited from more depth--some tang, some spice, something.
For dessert, we had some of Rumbi's Key lime pie--moist, rich, and delectably sweet with a lovely measure of sour. Only complaint? The graham cracker crust was too mushy, soft, and crumbly; it would have been much better with a crispy bed under the pillowy-ness of the Key lime filling.
All in all? Great place with reasonable prices, given their generous portions. They have a TON of salad options, as well, each more inventive than the last, and I'll be returning to try and test each one :) -
Review from Eyezola G.
Surprise, AZ
7/23/2011
Love it! Just wish I got bigger servings if the macaroni. The employees are awesome!!
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Review from Ben B.
Tolleson, AZ
7/9/2011 1 Check-in Here
Rumbi's is a great place to eat lunch. I can only attest to how great their rice bowls are because that's the only thing I ever get. My wife has gotten the hamburger here though and she said it was pretty good. Rumbi's is eating out fast without feeling like it later.
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Review from Elle T.
Phoenix, AZ
6/20/2008
If you want Hawaiian, go to L&L, Ono's, or Aloha Kitchen. True island flavors are more complex than this and not all based on coconut, corn syrup, or sacchariny-teriyaki.
I'd been eyeing Rumbi for a while and was psyched to try it out. I ordered the chicken rice bowl with the recommended "Rumbi rice" and I really couldn't finish it. I felt bad too, because someone paid for me, but it was really unremarkable and I didn't want to take it home.
The chicken was rather dry, the veggies were not fresh or crispy al-dente, and it was topped with a sauce that was way too sweet. The "Rumbi rice" was a low-grade quality rice with some beans and drenched in very sweet coconut milk/sauce. And it was expensive. My dining partner had the same thing with brown rice and we both had drinks. Grand total was just under $25, which was a bit steep for a poor stir-fry and fountain drink x2.
The service was friendly, however. So plus one star.Listed in: Never, Ever Again
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Review from Raymond M.
Los Angeles, CA
4/15/2010 1 photo
I can't believe I've been to this place so many times and haven't reviewed it yet. This is great spot to hit up if you have people with a lot of different preferences. There's everything from burgers to bowls, rice and noodles, veggies and meat plates.
First of all, this is NOT, I REPEAT, NOT a Hawaiian BBQ joint. As someone mentioned earlier, it's a cross between Island Burger and Pei Wei. I REALLLLLLY enjoy the Rumbi Beach Burger (two patties, greens, tomato, red onion & thousand island dressing) and it comes with fries, chips & salsa or SWEET POTATO FRIES! Let me just say, YOU NEEEEEEEEED TO GET THE SWEET POTATO FRIES! Of all the restaurants I've been to that have offered such delectable treats, this place offers the best ones by far. You can also get half regular and half sweet potato fries.
I haven't tried the rice or pasta bowls, but they look pretty big and the portions are pretty big. -
Review from Kristin C.
Phoenix, AZ
3/20/2007
What do you get when you cross a Pei Wei with an Islands? You get Rumbi.
Walk up and place your order. Chose from their big and darn good looking (wish I'd gotten one) salads ($7.49), their rice bowls (Full $7.59/Half $6.59) or one of their grilled sandwiches ($6.69) that include grilled chicken, pulled pork, jerk chicken and a few burgers. They give you a number. Sit down and they bring it to you.
We each got sandwiches and paid the $1.99 extra for a side salad. I liked my sandwich, but I think that side salad was my favorite part. A really great dressing and super fresh greens (non-iceberg) were great, but the extra points went for the crumbled cheese and the honey crusted walnuts on top. WOW! That was not expected.
While our burger/pork sandwich were fine, I kept finding my self wishing I got a salad when I saw one being brought out. I think I'll have to do that next time we're in the area because they really looked awesome - and huge! Might have to split one of those and a bowl of their Bahama Mama Tortilla soup with coconut milk that caught my eye after I'd already ordered. Mmmmm.... -
Review from Arica A.
Rancho Cucamonga, CA
7/11/2011
This place is awesome!!! i wish we had one here in Rancho Cucamonga, CA !!!! I guess I will just come here when I visit my parents move here in Surprise. The staff was awesome. We were here in early May. The manager made sure my husband had a gluten free diet as the doc perscribed. She was so awesome. They came around maybe 6 or 7 times to make sure all was well since the 1st round didnt go so well. They went out of their way to make us feel comfortable. plus the food was so delicious!! I told my parents about the place and now they come here now. Best in the area!!!!!!So sad you are not in SO CAL :(
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Review from Traclyn P.
Tempe, AZ
9/6/2007
I totally agree w/Kristin! My husband and I wondered if the same people that brought us Pei Wei brought us Rumbi. Rumbi, Rumbi, Rumbi! It's good, good, good. I got the chicken rice bowl and my husband got a salad. He was thrilled with the non iceberg lettuce. We sat and enjoyed the quick service. The portions are jinormous. A little chili paste in the rice bowl and you are in business.
On our second visit we shared a chicken sandwich. The sweet potatoe fries were a hit w/the hubby and it was spiced nicely. I didn't care for it and will stick to the salad and rice bowls. -
Review from Suzanne Q.
Phoenix, AZ
8/30/2010
I'm a newbie to Rumbi. I'm also a newbie to Phoenix (West Valley). I decided to try out all of the non-fast-food restaurants within a 7-mile radius from my home (shouldn't be that biggie of a challenge).
Rumbi was quite good. I had the MahiMahi over coconut rice with key lime pie. I thought it was pretty over-priced, but good overall. I will definitely return. -
Review from Gary P.
Peoria, AZ
2/1/2011 1 Check-in Here
I've only been here once . . so far, . . .but I'm going again soon!!
My daughter went on a trip out of state, so her boyfriend and I decided to go for dinner together. He's a real nice guy and always a great person to try new food with because he's adventurous like me!
Rumbi came up thanks to a Cell Phone App . . Seemed reviewed well and close . . and Hawaiian Food sounded far enough off the beaten path for both of us to get interested.
FIRST IMPRESSION : Rumbi is clean, and the Decor' is more upscale than the prices would tend to reflect.
Thanks to another friend who called and said . . " I love that place, make sure you get the Rumbi fries!! They are amazing!! " We tried them . . . I will recommend GET THE RUMBI FRIES!! They are the best version of sweet potato french fries I have had so far.
THE FOOD : I had a Rice Bowl with Pork and a sweet sauce, The entrée was 6.99 for a half bowl and 7.99 for the full bowl size . . I figured for an extra dollar it would be nice to have leftovers . . ***WARNING*** the Portion Sizes are HUGE! Taste was really something different than a standard asian rice bowl. The rice is coconut rice with lime, . . Very Island-ish . . Pacific Rim oriented. The pork was shredded finely and they didn't skimp on the meat. This made me happy . . I found at the end of the meal I had 75% of the meal as leftovers, and I have been a lifetime member of the clean plate club. My mother-in-law tried some when I got home. My wife ate some that evening, and my daughter had some for breakfast. . . Then I finished i the meal for lunch!! I'm talking that's so freekin' leftovers!
I will be returning for another visit soon!! -
Review from Jake A.
Surprise, AZ
1/9/2011
Menu is huge, food is good, service is good as well. Portions are large. Only complaint I had is that the food tends to be a bit salty. Other than that, quite good. Parking lot can get crowded.
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Review from Kayla S.
Peoria, AZ
8/30/2010
I love the rumbi rice it is wonderful.
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Review from Cindy M.
Burleson, TX
7/5/2010
The food was awesome! I had the fish tacos with rice. The rice had a coconut flavor that was very different, but good. And, the fish tacos were the best I've ever eaten. I hope they build some of these restaurants in Texas! I LOVED it!!!!
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Review from Ray T.
Goodyear, AZ
12/27/2010
Always impressed how clean this place is which allows us to fully enjoy our meals at Rumbi Island Grill. One of out favorite places as a family and I love the Spicy Teriyaki Chicken Bowl. Highly recommended!
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Review from Rick G.
Parker, CO
3/26/2010
This is our favorite restaurant. They consistently have excellent food. My wife and I eat at Rumbi's often. And, when we are traveling, we seek out Rumbi's in other cities, like Denver and Colorado Springs.
