Any feedback on these restaurants?

blessed2BaMama

Earning My Ears

Joined

Jun 3, 2013

• Sep 30, 2016

• #1

Paradise is almost here for us- just over a week and counting! We are thinking about going to these restaurants and would like your honest feedback on any:

• Opal Thai
• Zippys
• Rainbow Drive In
• Assagios

Thanks so much in advance! Amy

 

ehrawn

Mouseketeer

Joined

Mar 23, 2014

• Sep 30, 2016

• #2

blessed2BaMama said:

Paradise is almost here for us- just over a week and counting! We are thinking about going to these restaurants and would like your honest feedback on any:

• Opal Thai
• Zippys
• Rainbow Drive In
• Assagios

Thanks so much in advance! Amy

Click to expand...

There are plenty of Thai food options on Oahu. I've never eaten at Opal, but unless I was already in Haleiwa, I wouldn't make a special trip up there for it. Plus, there are plenty of other good options up there and lots of good Thai all around the Island. My father-in-law is a Zippy's chili fiend. I don't get it. Rainbow Drive in is fine. President Obama likes their shave ice. For me, though, there is better local comfort food at Side Street Inn, and way better shave ice at Matsumoto's. Assagios is on par with Macaroni Grill.

Maybe you can better clarify your question. For example, you could ask "where is the best Thai food on Island," or "What's a good restaurant in Haleiwa?"

 

blessed2BaMama

Earning My Ears

Joined

Jun 3, 2013

• Oct 1, 2016

• #3

Maybe you can better clarify your question. For example, you could ask "where is the best Thai food on Island," or "What's a good restaurant in Haleiwa?"[/QUOTE]

I actually have been studying this Aulani board since we decided to reserve last May. I have faithfully read every post of every thread on every page and taken notes on various topics. My "restaurants" page in my notebook is 3 pages long... Then I went and separated all the different restaurant people recommended (and Assagios from the Dreams Unlimited podcast) onto notecards for each city or region and googled each restaurant to see if I think my family would enjoy them. I liked the menus of these 4 but the recommendations on various Aulani restaurant threads did not include people's experiences at these, just statements that they are good. I am hesitant to try any without hearing about people's real experiences dining there. I'd appreciate any feedback!

 

I

ihearthawaii

Mouseketeer

Joined

Apr 6, 2016

• Oct 1, 2016

• #4

I've only been to Rainbow Drive In once and had the loco moco. It looked gross but was actually REALLY good. I think they only take cash and it was really busy with locals when we went (around lunch time). Since I've been there I wouldn't make a special trip back because I like to try something new every time I go.

However I do have a few places that I do repeat visits to because it's just so good: Romy's Shrimp Truck, Matsumoto's and Leondards.

Opal Thai is on my list for our next trip.

 

blessed2BaMama

Earning My Ears

Joined

Jun 3, 2013

• Oct 1, 2016

• #5

ihearthawaii said:

I've only been to Rainbow Drive In once and had the loco moco. It looked gross but was actually REALLY good. I think they only take cash and it was really busy with locals when we went (around lunch time). Since I've been there I wouldn't make a special trip back because I like to try something new every time I go.

However I do have a few places that I do repeat visits to because it's just so good: Romy's Shrimp Truck, Matsumoto's and Leondards.

Opal Thai is on my list for our next trip.

Click to expand...

We are definitely planning on Matsumotos and Leonard's...I hadn't heard of Romys Shrimp Truck, only Big Wave Shrimp and Giovanni's Shrimp Trucks! I wanted to have possible options if we get hungry and are in a certain area but I think we will take Rainbow Drive in off the list! Can you tell me about Romys?

 

I

ihearthawaii

Mouseketeer

Joined

Apr 6, 2016

• Oct 1, 2016

• #6

I wouldn't cross Rainbow Drive In off, if you are in the area give it a try. It's a good place to try local food.

Romy's is located in Kahuku. They have their own fresh water ponds behind their restaurant and that's where they get their shrimp and prawns fresh everyday. I either get their butter & garlic or sweet & spicy. Heads up, they are popular and they make everything to order so the wait is long. That is what most people complain about in their reviews.

On our next trip I might try Giovanni's since I've heard good things about it and Romy's of course.

 

kdonnel

DVC-BCV

Joined

Feb 1, 2001

• Oct 1, 2016

• #7

We've eaten at Zippy's several times. It has a big variety of food at reasonable prices. We first learned about Hawaiian Cat Squirrels on Google after ordering. Something darted in front of us as we were waking towards the restaurant. Looked like a cat squirrel. Turns out Hawaii has lots and lots of mongoose.

 

buffettgirl

The whole tag thing, so 1990's internet.

Joined

Dec 26, 2008

• Oct 1, 2016

• #8

just as an FYI, Leonards usually has a truck in the Lowes plaza across the street from the Waikele outlets. It's right on your way home to Aulani from almost everywhere.
http://www.leonardshawaii.com/malasadamobile/

 

nkereina

Last chance to lose your keys.

Joined

Feb 11, 2009

• Oct 1, 2016

• #9

Kevin and John from the Dis Unplugged podcast recommended Assagio's during their Aualani series. They said its good red sauce Italian (think Chicken Parm, etc) and entrees are priced in the $20 vicinity. They enjoy it and recommend it.

They also recommend Anna Miller's near Pearl Harbor. We ate there this week and it was a good, very casual, and cheap stop. We went in around 4pm and there was no wait. We each had pancakes, got one slice of pie to go, and we had one soda and our bill was $19. Can't beat that in Hawaii!

In the North Shore, we ate at Kono's and LOVED it. It's quick service hole in the wall place with a few picnic tables outside, but the Kalua Pork Bomber was to die for. DH said it was the best thing he ate all trip!

 

buffettgirl

The whole tag thing, so 1990's internet.

Joined

Dec 26, 2008

• Oct 2, 2016

• #10

Anna Millers has a terrible roach problem. It's well known for that. I wouldn't go there.

Konos is awesome.

 

nkereina

Last chance to lose your keys.

Joined

Feb 11, 2009

• Oct 2, 2016

• #11

buffettgirl said:

Anna Millers has a terrible roach problem. It's well known for that. I wouldn't go there.

Click to expand...

Wow really! Glad I didn't know that before! lol! We went because Kevin and John from the podcast love it there, and they are the known "foodies" on the podcast team. I generally agree with a lot of their restaurant opinions, so we have the same tastes. FWIW, our food was good, pie selection was cool, and there were all locals in there when we went.

 

buffettgirl

The whole tag thing, so 1990's internet.

Joined

Dec 26, 2008

• Oct 2, 2016

• #12

LOL Every restaurant outside of Waikiki is going to be all locals. That doesn't make it good or safe. Plenty of people in Whiteville, New York eat at McDonalds. That doesn't make it safe or clean or ok just because locals eat there.

 

nkereina

Last chance to lose your keys.

Joined

Feb 11, 2009

• Oct 3, 2016

• #13

buffettgirl said:

LOL Every restaurant outside of Waikiki is going to be all locals. That doesn't make it good or safe. Plenty of people in Whiteville, New York eat at McDonalds. That doesn't make it safe or clean or ok just because locals eat there.

Click to expand...

I wasn't implying that. When I said it was all locals, I just meant it wasn't a tourist trap type of place. Not defending them at all because I have no idea whether the roach thing is true, only sharing my personal account of it.

 

mrswillson

the duck's biggest fan

Joined

Nov 2, 2016

• Nov 7, 2016

• #14

My husband and I live on Oahu and have been here over a year. We have had Zippy's numerous times (in my opinion it's nothing great; think of it as a Hawaii Perkins) and have not tried any of the other restaurants on your list. However aside from the restaurants at Aulani (Ama Ama is amazing for all of their meals, breakfast especially and Makahiki offers a great dinner buffet), Haleiwa Joe's is mine and my husband's all-time favorite here on island. They have two locations - one is Haleiwa (aptly so) and one is Kaneohe. I recommend the one in Kaneohe. It is well worth the drive as the seating is half indoors, half outdoors and it sits above a garden with the Koolau mountains behind it. The food is just as incredible as the views as well regardless of what you pick as your entrée.

 

wfgamble

Mouseketeer

Joined

Aug 4, 2009

• Nov 8, 2016

• #15

Really enjoying these recommendations! Thanks

 

OKW Lover

Retired and living 2 miles from The Castle.

DIS Lifetime Sponsor

Joined

Apr 29, 2004

• Nov 8, 2016

• #16

Of the four restaurants the OP asked about we have only been to Assagio. We've eaten there at least three times and plan to go again on our next trip to Aulani. We enjoy it and its not a long drive to get there. Yes, there are better Italian restaurants, but this one is pretty good.

A comment about Anna Millers, we've also eaten there multiple (7+) times and enjoyed it every time. We normally hit it for breakfast, but have also had lunch there. Think of it as "diner" kind of food but with a huge menu.