Ryan D.'s Profile

We were in need of a new chinese food restaurant, and we always noticed this place when we take the Muni into West Portal.

Our first two experiences were take out, and we now usually dine in.

We've tried all of the following, and haven't had one bad dish. We especially like the house spicy chicken.

Honey Glazed Walnut Prawns
House Spicy Chicken
Mongolian Beef
Kung Pao Shrimp
Kung Pao Chicken
Pork Fried Rice

Parking can be tough, check the small lot behind the restaurant.

We love the staff, the server is a nice host, and we love that he wears a tuxedo shirt and bowtie.

We've lived in neighborhood for 3 years and had yet to visit this little gem. We always walk/drive past it on Fri/Sat evenings and always several people waiting outside on the benches who don't look upset about waiting.

We put our name down and was greeted by Sal, the owner within a couple of minutes about the estimated wait. We grabbed a seat at the bar and some wine. We got to see and experience the rush of phone orders and pizza pickups, let me tell you this is a popular place. The friendly staff kept their cool (as they are probably used to this volume/busy-ness level) and Sal even stopped by to check in with us several times. We were told by him that they make all their pasta fresh, in house daily, along w/ raviolis, pasta sauce, and wine (when in season or until he runs out).

The environment inside is busy! Lots of noise and conversation (in a good way). It felt good to know you were such a lively restaurant, with friends and family. There were a few larger groups of 6-10, and several other tables of 4. Be prepared to wait longer if you're more than 4 on a weekend.

We ended up ordering the following:

- half carafe 08 Rodney Strong Chardonnay.

- half order of calamari. perfect size for 2, maybe 3 people. served w/ a nice large wedge of lemon, tartar sauce, and roasted red bell pepper aioli for dipping. not rubbery, or too greasy, very fresh ingredients.

- small cheese lovers pizza w/ basil. we added the basil and as soon as the pizza arrived we could tell it was going to be good.  the combination of cheeses was a treat, as we're fans of asiago, feta, and fresh basil made it margharita like.

- tiramisu. this was strongly recommended to us and was quite good, the topping layer was excellent with crunchy bits of prioline cookies. Another restaurant, Spiazzo also in West Portal has great tiramisu, slightly more "wet" style soaked w/ liquer.

Everything was great! Food came out quickly, and our server and the owner checked in on us at all the right times. We're already planning to go back and try pasta next time.

Lived near West Portal for 3 years and just ate here for the first time. It was quite delicious, reminded me of a sub place in southern california that I used to goto frequently. The potato salad wasn't anything special.

It does appear that they take CC/ATM cards now.

This place has the best coffee I've had on Maui. We came in almost everyday, and one day we came in a second time.

Maui Onion bagel is delicious. Bagels come w/ a small wedge of fresh pineapple, mmm.

Coconut Lattes and the regular coffee (Chocolate Macadamia Nut) are t he best.

The owner was super nice and we would sit inside and chat with them as we ate/drank.

I've had some great meals and Mama's tops the list, still. We've been here each time we've come to Maui and can say it's one of the best meals you'll ever have. I recommend making reservations before you even arrive in Maui. One of the managers told us they're typically sold out every night. Not just every night for 4 months, but literally EVERY night. Good luck to those people who show up and wait.

Not sure what to get? Try the crab/lobster stuffed mahimahi. Most popular dish, and probably the most delicious.

I've had the panang curry w/ coconut milk dish, and the mahi prepared grilled w/ fresh fruit salsa.

Crab cakes are also a must! Mai Tai's here are good, but the scorpion is stronger. Great wine selection and excellent servers.

Free valet parking. Oh, and don't freak out if it's raining, it's only temporary and they have umbrella's for you to use to walk the grounds.

Plan on spending about 2 hours (or more) for dinner here.

I do have one request - Don't bring your rock throwing screaming kids to dinner here.

This is the best burger in Maui, possibly anywhere.  I'm from CA so I'm accustomed to some good burgers (In-N-Out, 5Guys, TK Burger, The Counter) and this is probably the best I've had. It's freshness was above anything I've ever tried for a burger.

I had to come in here while on my last vacation per the recommendation of a coworker (who's friends w/ the owner). Very friendly people work here and own the place.

I had a regular cheeseburger (5oz) w/ cheese, bacon, and avocado for extras. OMG it was so fresh and delicious. I couldn't even finish the whole thing.

My wife had the King of the Dojo - spicy cajun chicken, bbq sauce, a hashbrown patty, cheese, etc. It was pretty good, but not my style.

I definitely recommend this as a stop during your next trip.

Saw this place on Yelp and looked worth going to for breakfast. It ended up being so good we returned to have the same exact things later in the week.

Pork Fried Rice w/ eggs - the first time I ordered it with eggs over easy, it was good and tasty no doubt, but I'm not the biggest fan of runny eggs. The second time I ordered it I went w/ scrambled eggs and I think it was better that way. I stole some of my wife's pineapple and threw it in there, nice touch. I have to say, I could eat that almost everyday for breakfast.

Cinnamon Roll French Toast - this is a "secret menu" item, as they don't always have extra cinnamon rolls to do up this way. If that's the case, the regular french toast is just as good. My wife said this was the best breakfast ever, both times she ordered this. The pineapple appears to be right out of the can (not fresh wedges w/ skin still on).

The coffee is decent, they also offer other kinds of coffee drinks. The line can get long after 9am. Lots of locals come here, as well as tourists.

Cash ONLY.

It's really funny to go back a second time and watch all the first timer's order... start w/ your name, here or to go, then what you want. Learn the drill while you're in line. It's not soup nazi status, the people at the counter are SUPER nice and friendly.

Friendly staff (owners?), cool inside, delicious sandwiches and great sides.

We were in town and wanted to grab a sandwich near where we were staying.

I went with the Grilled Chicken Pannini w/ gruyere and artichoke spread. Delicious. My wife had the Turkey Pesto and it was also quite good.

They also sell all kinds of sides and premade meals/food to serve at home.

I havent been here in the last year, but walk past it often.

This place is currently closed.

It was shut down by health inspectors on 8/10/11. The restaurant owners hope to reopen by 8/23/11 after "remoding".

Reason for immediate closure- Vermin infestation and food contamination.

makes sense cus the last time i got the poops from fried rice...

The only thing saving it from a 1 star was the outside seating (great weather today).

$12 for a cheeseburger, fries and a can of soda? Overpriced.

There was only 1 guy working behind the counter to take orders and fix food. 2 other employees were sitting and chatting w/ patrons the whole time.

Burger was okay, fries were pretty terrible. It was as if the fryer oil was old or needed changing..