Going to Aulani -- Let's list places to eat

[emum]

Thanks for this thread !

Cheers,
Sally

 

[DVC Doc]

We were fortunate to have a friend who is a local give us some great tips on places to eat. Here are my reviews....

NEAR AULANI:
Just Tacos - across the street from Aulani, decent Mexican food at touristy prices; we were put off by the loud music inside, would request to be seated outside
Zippy's - these are all over the place and the nearest one is in Kapolei (by Safeway); I kind of think of as the Hawaiian equivalent of Denny's, they serve the classic plate lunches at decent prices
Hapa Grill - haven't seen this place mentioned on this thread yet, it's also in Kapolei near Safeway; they serve great breakfast and dinner here at reasonable prices http://hapagrill.net/
Costco - if you're a member, you really can't go wrong with a dirt cheap Costco meal also lots of souveniers and Hawaiian foods available here
Roy's - didn't get a chance to eat here as they had a fire during our visit
Paradise Cove - it's a decent luau, and apparently the one the locals prefer; I though it was a bit touristy and the food just OK; drink lines get horrendous, get in line early!!

WAIKIKI:
Rainbow Drive-In - probably my favorite meal of the trip; the best plate lunch on the island!
Leonard's Bakery - you absolutely must go for a hot malasada! there is also a Leonard's truck you'll see parked at a shopping mall near Aulani on the north side of H1 (I think near the Home Depot)
International Market - a bit touristy but lots of fantastic cheap meals at the food court; you can get a Dole Whip here!
Cheesecake Factory - didn't eat here but hadn't seen in mentioned yet on this thread but there is one near Waikiki Beach; always a safe bet

NORTH SHORE:
Giovanni's Shrimp Truck - this is where we stopped due to the reviews and it was pretty good; apparently the shrimp comes from Asia; don't miss the BBQ corn from the stand behind it!
Ted's Bakery - stop here on your drive along North Shore; they are famous for the chocolate haupia pie...get one to take back to Aulani with you!
Aoki Shave Ice - Matsumoto's next door is more popular but this is where the locals go! very friendly and delicious shave ice! get vanilla ice cream and beans with it!

 

[dvc_john]

I always have to go to Matsumoto's for a shave ice!

Ruth's Chris Steak House is normally out of my price range, but last time I was there both the one in Waikiki and the one north of Waikoloa on the Big Island had an early bird special that was reasonable, and very good.

 

[Lisacope]

We are going to Aulani in February and places to eat is a top priority! for me it is about fine dining (I will almost certainly try Nobu) and places that the locals like.

 

[travlrmel]

If you're interested in trying some new and different food, try the Hawaii Food Tour. http://www.hawaiifoodtours.com/hitw.html We went and had a great time. They took us to some of the places I posted about earlier. Unfortunately, they don't pick up at Aulani so you have to drive Ala Mona Mall to meet the van.

 

[Ggatorgirl]

Bumping up this thread to get some more ideas.

We'll be at Aulani in 2 weeks and am finalizing my to-do list!

Does Chuck's at the Ko Olina Beach Club still have happy our mai tais?

 

[izzy]

I can give an enthusiatic thumbs up for Leonard's malasadas! If I remember correctly, you take exit 7 on H1 and head north for about a block or so (depending on whether you're getting off of H1 east or west), turn right and go to the shopping center that has Lowe's and Kmart in it. Their truck/trailer is at the far end of the parking lot near Lowe's. (You can actually see it if you are driving H1 west.)

I agree that they are better hot. The chocolate filled ones and the coconut filled ones are to die for. I stopped by there twice.

And at Costco I got my best food bargain of the trip - a 1/4 lb hotdog and drink for $1.50 - just like on the mainland! And boy was that place packed around lunchtime. They had 3 of the 4 cash registers open, and I'd guess 8 to 10 people in each line. It does move fast. I've never seen the food counter at a Costco with this many registers and this many customers. Looked like mostly locals, too.

I forget to find out exactly where Matsumoto's shave ice place is on the North Shore the day I was driving around the island, so I never did try it. Later I happened to be talking with one of the bellmen at Aulani, and he told me that the syrup they use at the shave ice stand at Aulani is the same as what is used at Masumoto's. I don't know if that's true or not, but it did make me feel a little better.

 

[izzy]

Bumping up this thread to get some more ideas.

We'll be at Aulani in 2 weeks and am finalizing my to-do list!

Does Chuck's at the Ko Olina Beach Club still have happy our mai tais?

Oops, just saw your question. I was there about 3 weeks ago, and yes, they do! $4 from 4:45 - 6. I was going to get two since they were such a bargain, but one ended up being enough for me. I definitely can't hold my liquor!

 

[dr&momto2boys]

Longboards at the Marriott timeshare located 2 lagoons down from Aulani is a very convnient and pretty decent meal. There is live music on the weekends and the tropical drinks are way better than at Aulani.

The restaurant by the pool at the JW Marriot next door to Aulani is a good lunch alternative. The food is just okay but it's nice to have different options. Their are hammerhead sharks to watch in a tank/pool right there too.

The malasadas should definately be eaten hot! We got some to take back to the hotel and they were just a greasy mess the next day.

 

[oktracy]

Are the malasadas hot when purchased from the Leonard's Truck????

 

[oktracy]

Are the malasadas hot when purchased from the Leonard's Truck????

 

[ennisb]

Also at exit 1B just make another left after Costco

Pizza Hut
Papa Johns
Taco Bell
Burger King
McDonalds
SafeWay
Zippy's (local favorite)
Denny's
Chinese (Panda express?)
Chilis
Outback
A bunch more in all the strip malls

 

[mouseaider]

We were at Aulani in April and I can tell you that the Luau at Paradise Cove was just OK.

We booked the VIP Royal Box to celebrate our anniversary and we thought the food was horrible.

Everything was overcooked and you could not eat the chicken if you tried. It was the worse dinning experience that we've ever had.

Save your money and go to see the Starlit Hui for your luau fix.

 

[TagsMissy]

We were at Aulani in April and I can tell you that the Luau at Paradise Cove was just OK.

We booked the VIP Royal Box to celebrate our anniversary and we thought the food was horrible.

Everything was overcooked and you could not eat the chicken if you tried. It was the worse dinning experience that we've ever had.

Save your money and go to see the Starlit Hui for your luau fix.

I agree, it did NOT live up to the reviews. It was just OK. Chances are I'd not pay to go there again. We were there within a day or so of mouseaider's visit to the Luau

 

[izzy]

Are the malasadas hot when purchased from the Leonard's Truck????

Both times I went they were.

 

[spleen]

Both times I went they were.

Yes, should be. Turnover at that Leonard's truck is fast enough that you should be getting malasadas that are pretty much right out of the fryer.

 

[Hunnypaw]

we copied some of these places to our list. We will be at Aulani in 3 weeks! Thanks!

 

[treborq]

Can anyone detail the pros/cons between these 2 Luau choices, Paradise Cove vs Polynesian Cultural Center.
We will be at Aulani first 10 days of August 2012.
Thank you in advance!

 

[Silly Little Pixie]

Can anyone detail the pros/cons between these 2 Luau choices, Paradise Cove vs Polynesian Cultural Center.
We will be at Aulani first 10 days of August 2012.
Thank you in advance!

Or, even staying at the PCC for the luau vs. just watching the Starlit Hui? Thoughts?

We will be taking my inlaws (never been to Hawaii) and if the food isn't good, then maybe it's not worth it to do a "luau". My family went to a luau in Kona before so the whole food part isn't a necessity for us. I don't want to waste the money on a luau at Polynesian Cultural Center if it's not great food- as you can see lots of other places to try on Oahu! My inlaws do want to visit PCC.

 

[boiseflyfisher]

Are the malasadas hot when purchased from the Leonard's Truck????

Ours were piping hot. We had to wait while they were making a new batch. Yum!