Darn it, they moved from just around the corner, to up by the college -- problem parking AND apparently they are only doing catering and not lunch plates. The food was awesome and authentic and made with much aloha. Oodles by the Nood Bar moved into the space vacated by Da Kine.
Bri H.
Nelson is awesome. Very knowledgeable after so many years of experience. Great chicken katsu!
Sebastian Braga
Nelson was so responsive and available at 1030a for my son's 1st bday party. The food was phenomenal. Everyone asked where we got it from. Literally some of the best hawaiin food we have had. It came on time, and piping hot. I would recommend any of the meats. My favorite was the teri beef and kalbi. I can't wait for our next party to order :)
My favorite Hawaiian spot in San Diego. The food is amazing, I love their chicken katsu.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Loco Moco Hawaiian Style, Chicken Katsu with Katsu Sauce, Kalbi Ribs Plate
Volkmar Scatolini
BEST HAWAIIANFOOD IN ALL OF SAN DIEGO, DEFINETLY WORTH THE DRIVE!
Mju Urata
Even though we aren’t related, I call him Uncle Nelson. My nephew was born and raised in Hawaii and any older male that is respected, is considered “Uncle”.My actual Uncle introduced me to DaKine’s long ago, when located in Pacific Beach, I believe in the late 1990’s. My Uncle was a “foodie” and took my wife and I to many of his favorite restaurants.I was very surprised when the restaurant showed up across the street from my business! I’ve been a regular ever since, except when I took an extended vacation, only to find them closed. On Google it states it as a “temporary” closing.Nelson puts a lot into his food and it’s a very difficult business, trying to please everyone. I appreciate his work and for whatever the reason for a “temporary” closure….I hope it is actually temporary, because I do enjoy his food and all that work there, plus Uncle Nelson’s creativity at trying to make something that has wide appeal, when there’s a quite a bit of competition out there!COME BACK UNCLE NELSON….and ANDREW!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Loco Moco Hawaiian Style, Teriyaki Chicken, Kalua Pork, Chicken Katsu and Portuguese Musubi, Kahlua Pork with Macaroni Salad, Chicken Katsu with Katsu Sauce, Katsu Chicken with Green Salad, Spam Musubi, Macaroni Salad, Katsu Chicken, Lau Lau Plate Lunch, Kalbi Ribs, Kalbi Ribs Plate
Jiansen W.
21 June 2023 was my first and last visit to this store since Da Kines couldn't keep their lease. It's a shame they're now gone, but they still cater. The ambiance is relaxed and casual and the interior has a Polynesian mural and several dining tables.FOOD 5/5The grilled Galbi short rib, smoky Kalua pig and cabbage, and crispy chicken katsu were all amazing.SERVICE 5/5With food made to order I was told I'd have to wait fifteen minutes for takeout - perfectly fine for the quality and quantity of food.I'm told they are looking for a new location, and I will gladly return.
Jenn R.
Lunch debate #2,458: After going through what seemed like the entire list of food joints in the San Diego area, we decided on Da Kines. THE FOODS | Hawaiian cuisine. I ordered... - Korean Style Kalbi Ribs (Lunch Plate) | They cut up the BBQ so you're not trying to hack at one huge piece. Sometimes, it's the little details that go a long way. Charred along the edges and noticeably sweet, the Kalbi ribs are also juicy and tender. It comes with two scoops of rice and macaroni salad, but you can choose to get a salad or more rice. I would recommend the macaroni salad though; its creamy consistency and tangy/sweet flavors are worth trying out. WOULD I COME BACK? | If they were open, I would. The sad fact is that as of 6/21/2023, their place closed due to losing their lease. Hopefully, they find a new location soon.
William Griffith
The food is delicious with generous portions, friendly staff and nice atmosphere. Definitely going back to try the rest of the menu
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Loco Moco Hawaiian Style
Maribel Gee (Cat)
Delicious food with wonderful friendly staff. They catered Helix High School footfall dinners and everyone enjoyed the food. Will be returning and have catering done for future events.
Recommended dishes: Kahlua Pork with Macaroni Salad, Macaroni Salad
J L
Probably the best customer service I've ever received. Did a normal katsu plate and a couple of masubis. Portions were generous, pricing was understandable and for such a high traffic lot, parking was easy.Will be back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Cindy D.
Da Kines is a great spot to get a Hawaiian plate lunch. It has indoor seating (about 6 tables that seat 4 people each). The tables sit up against a beautiful mural that really gives the place a nice vibe.As far as the food, I was floored by how good the baked fish was! I'll be the first to admit, the baked fish didn't sound as exciting as some of the other items on the menu, but trust me, it is worth your time and attention. It was seasoned well and had a nice chargrilled taste to it. Paired with the rice, it was the perfect match!The mac salad was not my favorite. I prefer it with a bit more mayo and salt. Da Kine's mac salad was a little lighter on those items and perhaps a little heavier on the milk. (I'm not an expert recipe decoder, but that was just my impression). Even though the mac salad didn't exactly hit the spot, I'd definitely go back!
Helen D.
Love to see a hawaiian food spot in La Mesa! I wish this was here when I went to Helix High right across the street, bc I would be coming for that mac every day!Spam Musubi 3.5/5 - tbh missing that sweet spam sauce that makes a spam musubi great, but I love spam, so it passed for now hahaAs for the plate, I had the loco moco - 5/5This is one of my fav loco mocos I've had in the city and would gladly come back just to get this again. The meat was perfectly cooked and the gravy tasted so clean and paired well. Pairing with the mac salad as well was... *chefs kiss*I would love to come back to try other items such as the katsu and kalbi!
Jasmine P.
Grateful Da Kines was open on Easter Sunday! We had the loco moco plate with green salad and no gravy and the short ribs plate with green salad. Parking was easy and love the open kitchen concept of their restaurant. Owner and Staff are very friendly.
Darn it, they moved from just around the corner, to up by the college -- problem parking AND apparently they are only doing catering and not lunch plates. The food was awesome and authentic and made with much aloha. Oodles by the Nood Bar moved into the space vacated by Da Kine.
Nelson is awesome. Very knowledgeable after so many years of experience. Great chicken katsu!
Nelson was so responsive and available at 1030a for my son's 1st bday party. The food was phenomenal. Everyone asked where we got it from. Literally some of the best hawaiin food we have had. It came on time, and piping hot. I would recommend any of the meats. My favorite was the teri beef and kalbi. I can't wait for our next party to order :)
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Teriyaki Chicken, Teriyaki Beef, Macaroni Salad, Sauce, Kalbi Ribs
My favorite Hawaiian spot in San Diego. The food is amazing, I love their chicken katsu.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Loco Moco Hawaiian Style, Chicken Katsu with Katsu Sauce, Kalbi Ribs Plate
BEST HAWAIIANFOOD IN ALL OF SAN DIEGO, DEFINETLY WORTH THE DRIVE!
Even though we aren’t related, I call him Uncle Nelson. My nephew was born and raised in Hawaii and any older male that is respected, is considered “Uncle”.My actual Uncle introduced me to DaKine’s long ago, when located in Pacific Beach, I believe in the late 1990’s. My Uncle was a “foodie” and took my wife and I to many of his favorite restaurants.I was very surprised when the restaurant showed up across the street from my business! I’ve been a regular ever since, except when I took an extended vacation, only to find them closed. On Google it states it as a “temporary” closing.Nelson puts a lot into his food and it’s a very difficult business, trying to please everyone. I appreciate his work and for whatever the reason for a “temporary” closure….I hope it is actually temporary, because I do enjoy his food and all that work there, plus Uncle Nelson’s creativity at trying to make something that has wide appeal, when there’s a quite a bit of competition out there!COME BACK UNCLE NELSON….and ANDREW!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Loco Moco Hawaiian Style, Teriyaki Chicken, Kalua Pork, Chicken Katsu and Portuguese Musubi, Kahlua Pork with Macaroni Salad, Chicken Katsu with Katsu Sauce, Katsu Chicken with Green Salad, Spam Musubi, Macaroni Salad, Katsu Chicken, Lau Lau Plate Lunch, Kalbi Ribs, Kalbi Ribs Plate
21 June 2023 was my first and last visit to this store since Da Kines couldn't keep their lease. It's a shame they're now gone, but they still cater. The ambiance is relaxed and casual and the interior has a Polynesian mural and several dining tables.FOOD 5/5The grilled Galbi short rib, smoky Kalua pig and cabbage, and crispy chicken katsu were all amazing.SERVICE 5/5With food made to order I was told I'd have to wait fifteen minutes for takeout - perfectly fine for the quality and quantity of food.I'm told they are looking for a new location, and I will gladly return.
Lunch debate #2,458: After going through what seemed like the entire list of food joints in the San Diego area, we decided on Da Kines. THE FOODS | Hawaiian cuisine. I ordered... - Korean Style Kalbi Ribs (Lunch Plate) | They cut up the BBQ so you're not trying to hack at one huge piece. Sometimes, it's the little details that go a long way. Charred along the edges and noticeably sweet, the Kalbi ribs are also juicy and tender. It comes with two scoops of rice and macaroni salad, but you can choose to get a salad or more rice. I would recommend the macaroni salad though; its creamy consistency and tangy/sweet flavors are worth trying out. WOULD I COME BACK? | If they were open, I would. The sad fact is that as of 6/21/2023, their place closed due to losing their lease. Hopefully, they find a new location soon.
The food is delicious with generous portions, friendly staff and nice atmosphere. Definitely going back to try the rest of the menu
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Loco Moco Hawaiian Style
Delicious food with wonderful friendly staff. They catered Helix High School footfall dinners and everyone enjoyed the food. Will be returning and have catering done for future events.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Teriyaki Chicken, Kalua Pork, Kahlua Pork with Macaroni Salad, Macaroni Salad
Restaurantji Recommends
Ono Baked fish plate! Dessert made the meal!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Kahlua Pork with Macaroni Salad, Macaroni Salad
Probably the best customer service I've ever received. Did a normal katsu plate and a couple of masubis. Portions were generous, pricing was understandable and for such a high traffic lot, parking was easy.Will be back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Da Kines is a great spot to get a Hawaiian plate lunch. It has indoor seating (about 6 tables that seat 4 people each). The tables sit up against a beautiful mural that really gives the place a nice vibe.As far as the food, I was floored by how good the baked fish was! I'll be the first to admit, the baked fish didn't sound as exciting as some of the other items on the menu, but trust me, it is worth your time and attention. It was seasoned well and had a nice chargrilled taste to it. Paired with the rice, it was the perfect match!The mac salad was not my favorite. I prefer it with a bit more mayo and salt. Da Kine's mac salad was a little lighter on those items and perhaps a little heavier on the milk. (I'm not an expert recipe decoder, but that was just my impression). Even though the mac salad didn't exactly hit the spot, I'd definitely go back!
Love to see a hawaiian food spot in La Mesa! I wish this was here when I went to Helix High right across the street, bc I would be coming for that mac every day!Spam Musubi 3.5/5 - tbh missing that sweet spam sauce that makes a spam musubi great, but I love spam, so it passed for now hahaAs for the plate, I had the loco moco - 5/5This is one of my fav loco mocos I've had in the city and would gladly come back just to get this again. The meat was perfectly cooked and the gravy tasted so clean and paired well. Pairing with the mac salad as well was... *chefs kiss*I would love to come back to try other items such as the katsu and kalbi!
Grateful Da Kines was open on Easter Sunday! We had the loco moco plate with green salad and no gravy and the short ribs plate with green salad. Parking was easy and love the open kitchen concept of their restaurant. Owner and Staff are very friendly.