JOSE'S MEXICAN RESTAURANT

JOSE'S MEXICAN CAFE AND CANTINA

Located in Kaimuki, this neighborhood restaurant has been in business ever since I can remember.  Probably over 15 years.  Why then it is only now that I will make the statement that "Jose's is the BEST Mexican food in Hawaii".   That's right, I am giving them my #1 pick for tacos.  As many of you know, I love tacos.  Every time a taco restaurant opens in Hawaii we venture to try their tacos.  I have had more bad tacos in Hawaii then I care to remember.  Time after time they are bland, tasteless and in some cases un-eatable.  With the exception of maybe Compadres in Ward Center most of the Mexican food in Hawaii sucks.  Jose's however has won my approval and cravings.  The shredded beef and chicken tacos are the best in the State.  They are filled with marinated meat and topped off with lettuce, cheese and tomato.  Simple and delicious.  You can get three tacos for $11 or two tacos with beans and rice for $12.  The beans and rice are hit and miss depending on the day you go.  We have found them to be good on some days and bad on others.  The tacos however have been solid for the past four visits.  Another good item is the Chicken Enchilada.  Filled with chicken and covered in cheese and sauce.  Good taste and very filling.  The Chicken Tostada is good, but it so so big and stacked high with lettuce that it is difficult to pick up and eat.  You need to use a fork and knife to eat it.  The salsa at Jose's is also pretty darn good.  Just enough heat to keep you asking for more water.  Jose's is a pretty good sized restaurant with a full bar and several flat screens to watch sports.  The place never seems to be busy so service has been good.  Jose's is the only taco joint that I want to go back to time and time again.  That is really saying something when you consider how picky we are about our tacos.
Click links below for updated posts on Jose's Mexican Restaurant;
http://greateatshawaii.blogspot.com/2013/01/joses-mexican-restaurant-and-cantina.html
http://greateatshawaii.blogspot.com/2012/04/joses-mexican-restaurant-kaimuki.html
http://greateatshawaii.blogspot.com/2011/07/joses-restaurant-mexican-food.html
http://greateatshawaii.blogspot.com/2009/09/joses-mexican-restaurant.html

CALIFORNIA PIZZA KITCHEN

CALIFORNIA PIZZA KITCHEN

KAHALA MALL, HONOLULU, HAWAII

As a family, California Pizza Kitchen (CPK) is probably our most visited restaurant.  We have dined there dozens of times and tasted a lot of different menu items.  On the top of our favorites the list is the BBQ Chicken Pizza.  We also enjoy the CPK Cobb Salad which includes Applewood Bacon,

Fresh Avocado, Grilled Chicken, Beets, Tomatoes, Basil and Gorgonzola Cheese.  One salad will feed two to three people so this is a good deal.  Keli loves the children's pasta with meat sauce and orders it every time we go.  Lately we have been ordering the Lettuce Wraps which are filled with minced chicken, shiitaki mushrooms, water chestnuts, green onions in a soy ginger sauce.  Served on a bed of crispy rice noodles with a side of spicy ginger-chili sauce.  Yummy and filling.  One order is enough for two people.  Shirley ordered the new Penne Pasta w/Pesto, sun dried tomatoes and shrimp.  Must have been good because she ate it all.  CPK is always busy and you can expect a wait.  This is probably one of the most consistent and  good restaurants around.  

P.F. CHANG'S CHINA BISTRO

P.F. Chang's China Bistro

Honolulu, HI

I have been to P.F. Chang's around six times now.  Usually with sales reps and customers for lunch.

We always eat family style so everyone at the table gets the opportunity to try different dishes.  While the first few visits were not memorable, the last three visits have been fantastic.  I am truly a fan of P.F. Chang's for Chinese food.  Judging from my guests comments (all positive), I would give the place a thumbs up and recommend you try it.  We always start with the Lettuce Wraps which are filled with spiced chicken.  The combination of flavors is fantastic.

Other favorites include the Fried Rice, Mongolian Beef, Spicy Chicken, Kung Pao Chicken and Salt and Pepper Prawns.  One observation is that after awhile everything starts tasting the same.  This is why you need to mix it up with some seafood, veggies and different menu items.

HANK'S HAUTE DOGS

HANK'S HAUTE DOGS

324 Coral Street

Honolulu, HI

After reading many favorable reviews about Hank's Haute Dogs, we set out to find this small hot dog shop located off Ala Moana Blvd on Coral Street.  Hank's is a simple place with limited inside seating along the walls.  There are however three tables outside where you can enjoy your dogs.

There are some unique dogs on the menu; Portuguese Sausage, Andouille, Chorizo, Chicken, Bratwurst, Polish and Chili to name a few.  Prices for these run $5.50 to $6.25.  We opted to go with the flagship "Chicago Dog" which is the genuine Chicago Vienna all beef dog with a nice snap to it.  The dog includes mustard, onion, green relish, tomato slices, dill pickle, celery salt and sport hot peppers.  At $4.75 I thought it was a bit expensive.  The dog had good flavor but was not anything real special.  When you can get a Costco dog which is twice the size and really good, I can't see paying $4.75 for this dog.  We ordered a children's dog for Keli.  This is a kid sized dog for $3.00.  Again, why would you pay $3.00 for a dog when you can get the Costco dog for $1.50 and it includes a drink.  Hank's has some great daily specials which we will certainly try on future visits.  They include; Duck & Foie Gras, Alligator, Rabbit, Buffalo, Lobster and Kobe Beef dogs.   These special dogs go for $7.50 to $10.50.  We also tried Hank's Awesome French Fries (menu description) for $2.50.  These are twice cooked Castle Rock potatoes that are thin and crispy.  Loved them.  Especially the burnt ones.  

HANK'S HAUTE DOGS