This is probably my first review I've ever made. I had ordered the Kalbi plate and let me just say, it was very bland. I've never had Kalbi this tasteless. You could tell it wasn't well marinated long even if it even was miranated. If you are going to charge $20+ for a plate, please be sure it's well-seasoned. I know what Kalbi should taste like and this was not it.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 2
Service: 4
Nisa Law
Been wanting to try this place for a while. The first time I went it was closed! Went again today at 5:15 pm and again closed. I want be trying again!
Will Calder
They close all the time at like 3 even though they're supposed to be open until 7
Service: 1
Mitchell W.
The food was really delicious. We had the combo chicken and kalbi. The chicken was so flavorful and the kalbi was nicely grilled and did not have that heavy soy taste you sometimes get with kalbi. The vegetable spring rolls were also really good ,and having the Hawaiian Sun pineapple orange drink to wash everything down was the icing on the cake. The service was very nice as well.
Sam C.
First off let me say the employees/owner of this restaurant are all amazing; whether I order for pickup in person or get it on DoorDash, they always pay attention to detail. The food is fresh, they have huge portions and a very reasonable price. Very clean inside the restaurant. Additionally, I am obsessed with their Mac-Tato salad so I always make sure to order extra. I recommend this place to all of my friends and no one has been disappointed. I'd give this place 15 stars out of 5 if I could.
Michael B.
A great little all around Hawaiian food place. Highly recommend the mac tato salad or the spring roll appetizers and the Kalibi or Katsu chicken for the entree
Scott F.
Authentic Hawaiian food, outstanding customer service, and great portions! You won't be disappointed! Check them out! (five shakas!)
Jax A.
Very good food for a very good price. Staff was friendly and helped me choose the right bowl for me. Beef bowl because I'm a beefy guy.
Elizabeth F.
Yum! Lava Island BBQ is delicious! Love the simplicity of the meal. Rice, meat and veggies (if you want them). Plus they have Mac salad. Yum! Your meal us cooked fresh to your order. It doesn't take long and would be worth the wait anyway. We got the bowl for lunch but get the plate for dinner. The plate comes with an egg role and a dumpling. Hours are limited so research the days and hours before you head there.
Doreen Joy T.
Price is great, affordable and food is delish. Fast service and place is clean. Will come back for sure.
Bad experience sadly. Just called 2:30pm 9/11/23 We are going to have a retreat for our church in the area at the end of this month. About 75 to 85 people and I wanted to inquire about catering but the manager was not in-house apparently and the person that picked up the phone was quite, short and rude. Then he passed the phone onto somebody else (without telling me) that was of no help. I deal with enough restaurants to know that this was not going anywhere good so I ended the call by telling him that this doesn't seem to be working out. Unfortunate. But I'm always glad to figure it out before the business transaction.
alexa tejeda
Please do not waste your time. Going to this place, it's ridiculous.The portions are for kids, and everything costs extra. I waited 20 minutes for a few dry pieces of chicken. No silverware, no napkins. Everything was cold, dry, and tasteless. Dressing for salad and chicken was half of teaspoon. What a disaster! Servers were casually sitting on stools, talking on the phone.Horrible experience. Will never go back.Alexa
R H
By far the best Hawaiian bbq in town.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Grant S.
The chicken at the Hawaiian restaurant is an absolute standout - tender, flavorful, and cooked to perfection. What takes it to the next level are the sauces. From tangy and sweet to savory and spicy, each sauce is a flavor explosion that complements the chicken in the most delightful way. It's a true culinary experience that keeps me craving more of their amazing dishes.
Joseph L.
Great Hawaiian restaurant in Mission Viejo, located in a strip mall near the 5 and Mission Viejo Mall. They have bowls and combo plates, where you can get meat such as pork or bbq chicken along with sides like rice, veggies and potato mac salad. They also serve buns with a choice of meat and either Cole slaw or pickled carrots + radish. Everything I've had here has been very good, but I especially like the buns, as they're quite unique. The service is always quick and friendly. It's a small restaurant, with a few tables inside and a few more outside, but I've never had an issue finding a table; it seems they do a big takeout business.
This is probably my first review I've ever made. I had ordered the Kalbi plate and let me just say, it was very bland. I've never had Kalbi this tasteless. You could tell it wasn't well marinated long even if it even was miranated. If you are going to charge $20+ for a plate, please be sure it's well-seasoned. I know what Kalbi should taste like and this was not it.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 2
Service: 4
Been wanting to try this place for a while. The first time I went it was closed! Went again today at 5:15 pm and again closed. I want be trying again!
They close all the time at like 3 even though they're supposed to be open until 7
Service: 1
The food was really delicious. We had the combo chicken and kalbi. The chicken was so flavorful and the kalbi was nicely grilled and did not have that heavy soy taste you sometimes get with kalbi. The vegetable spring rolls were also really good ,and having the Hawaiian Sun pineapple orange drink to wash everything down was the icing on the cake. The service was very nice as well.
First off let me say the employees/owner of this restaurant are all amazing; whether I order for pickup in person or get it on DoorDash, they always pay attention to detail. The food is fresh, they have huge portions and a very reasonable price. Very clean inside the restaurant. Additionally, I am obsessed with their Mac-Tato salad so I always make sure to order extra. I recommend this place to all of my friends and no one has been disappointed. I'd give this place 15 stars out of 5 if I could.
A great little all around Hawaiian food place. Highly recommend the mac tato salad or the spring roll appetizers and the Kalibi or Katsu chicken for the entree
Authentic Hawaiian food, outstanding customer service, and great portions! You won't be disappointed! Check them out! (five shakas!)
Very good food for a very good price. Staff was friendly and helped me choose the right bowl for me. Beef bowl because I'm a beefy guy.
Yum! Lava Island BBQ is delicious! Love the simplicity of the meal. Rice, meat and veggies (if you want them). Plus they have Mac salad. Yum! Your meal us cooked fresh to your order. It doesn't take long and would be worth the wait anyway. We got the bowl for lunch but get the plate for dinner. The plate comes with an egg role and a dumpling. Hours are limited so research the days and hours before you head there.
Price is great, affordable and food is delish. Fast service and place is clean. Will come back for sure.
Restaurantji Recommends
Bad experience sadly. Just called 2:30pm 9/11/23 We are going to have a retreat for our church in the area at the end of this month. About 75 to 85 people and I wanted to inquire about catering but the manager was not in-house apparently and the person that picked up the phone was quite, short and rude. Then he passed the phone onto somebody else (without telling me) that was of no help. I deal with enough restaurants to know that this was not going anywhere good so I ended the call by telling him that this doesn't seem to be working out. Unfortunate. But I'm always glad to figure it out before the business transaction.
Please do not waste your time. Going to this place, it's ridiculous.The portions are for kids, and everything costs extra. I waited 20 minutes for a few dry pieces of chicken. No silverware, no napkins. Everything was cold, dry, and tasteless. Dressing for salad and chicken was half of teaspoon. What a disaster! Servers were casually sitting on stools, talking on the phone.Horrible experience. Will never go back.Alexa
By far the best Hawaiian bbq in town.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The chicken at the Hawaiian restaurant is an absolute standout - tender, flavorful, and cooked to perfection. What takes it to the next level are the sauces. From tangy and sweet to savory and spicy, each sauce is a flavor explosion that complements the chicken in the most delightful way. It's a true culinary experience that keeps me craving more of their amazing dishes.
Great Hawaiian restaurant in Mission Viejo, located in a strip mall near the 5 and Mission Viejo Mall. They have bowls and combo plates, where you can get meat such as pork or bbq chicken along with sides like rice, veggies and potato mac salad. They also serve buns with a choice of meat and either Cole slaw or pickled carrots + radish. Everything I've had here has been very good, but I especially like the buns, as they're quite unique. The service is always quick and friendly. It's a small restaurant, with a few tables inside and a few more outside, but I've never had an issue finding a table; it seems they do a big takeout business.