Maria Bonita
15 N Hotel St, Honolulu, HI, 96817
Maria Bonita Menu
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Address :
15 N Hotel St
Honolulu, HI, 96817 - Phone (808) 536-6185
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:00 am - 3:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Divey
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : No
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : No
Caters : Yes
Categories
Mexican Cuisine
If you enjoy Taco Tuesday, then you have officially fallen in love with the Mexican Food. The main grain of Mexican cuisine is maize. Also known as corn, maize is grown for the past 9000 years after the crop was discovered by the people in Mayan civilization. Mexican empire flourished when they started growing beans, tomatoes, chili pepper, sweet potato and cactus. Till this date these ingredients are used in cooking authentic Mexican dishes and drinks.
Great use of spices, fresh chili pepper dishes like fajitas, tortilla chips, corn chips, salsa, chimichangas, burritos, nachos and quesadillas are invented in America. But when you are looking for authentic Mexican food then you must find a restaurant in the city that serves Rajas con Queso, Garbanzo in a Guajillo Chile Sauce, Pork Filled Chiles Rellenos, Chiles en Nogada, Molcajete Salsa, Pico de Gallo and Frijoles de la Olla. An eye-opening fact – Mexican don't like their food hot. They use fresh chili and other spices to create a flavor that lingers in your mouth.
Mexican food is great for those who are Gluten Intolerant as they use Corn instead of wheat in most of their dishes. Also, you can easily find many beans based Mexican dishes. Another dish which didn't get similar glory as tacos or nachos is the Mexican hot chocolate. If you love something hot on a chilly day, then go for Mexican Hot Chocolate. On merry days, you can enjoy the authentic Mexican Drinks like Tequila, Mezcal, Tecuí, Sotol, Bacanora, Charanda, Posh O Pox, Puebla and Pulque. Mexican Cuisine is for people who enjoy strong drinks and hearty meals.
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Heather J.
Wow this place! Our first time here and it was delicious! *huge portions *friendly workers *not expensive *delicious Although parking downtown can be a pain, this food was worth it. We will be back!!! Thanks guys!
(5)Nani G.
I stopped here today because it was finally open when I was in the area. The interior hasn't changed since I first stopped in years ago. The place has no air conditioning, but a couple fans do circulate the air a bit. The cashier was friendly, patient and helpful which is really nice. They served a small bowl of chips and some spicy salsa that had good flavor. I couldn't believe the bowl wasn't even full and that was crazy since it was a small bowl. I had the flauta meal with one chicken and one shredded beef. When they brought it out sour cream, cilantro, lettuce, tomatoes and cheese towered atop the flauta. Now that's magic to my eyes. My disappointment was in seeing potatoes and carrots in the rice. That is not Spanish rice and when I tasted it the flavor wasn't really there either. It was a disappointment. Even the texture was a bit off and when a restaurant can nail Mexican rice they really have a chance at nailing the food. The beans had melted cheese which was nice. Back to the flauta since they are the main thing on the plate. The shredded beef was good, but the chicken lacked taste so I piled on more cilantro which made it better. This place isn't as good as it used to be. One of the cooks left a couple months back and that probably made a difference. There are a couple better Mexican restaurants on the island but not many. This one is okay and nothing I would go out of my way to visit, but I'd go back to if I was needing Mexican food.
(2)Starla T.
You know how mom said to never judge a book by its cover? Well listen to mom and judge after you ate at this place. I'll be honest and admit that I judged this place by its exterior. But hey! I'm sure everyone else who works in Downtown did! Maria's is a totally hole in a wall with a sketchy bar next door. The food was amazing! For about $10 I got a huge plate! My combo consisted of an enchilada, beef taco, Mexican rice and refried beans. Kanak attack was written all over that plate. Service was great and the guy at the counter was super friendly. He came around to refill water multiple times as well as clear away our dishes. I usually don't care for Mexican food, but this place was really good. So listen to mom. Don't judge this place by its walls.
(5)Rachel I.
Maria Bonita has been bookmarked on my Yelp account for who-knows-how-long until yesterday afternoon when I decide to have lunch with my Beau and was craving Mexican. Using my YELP app to locate our lunch meal, Maria Bonita popped up as a nearby Mexican restaurant. Say whattt? They have a downtown location? FINALLY I get to try Maria Bonita because little did I know, they have two locations! We had a late lunch, around 1 pm on a Wednesday, when we entered Maria Bonita and I immediately noticed they didn't have A/C (only fans) and the lighting was very dim. The front doors were left open to let in natural breeze...except there wasn't any because our Kona Winds have been coming and going lately. Being that there were only 2 other parties dining at the time, we scored 1 of 2 tables that had a wall fan above it - thank goodness because it was HOT, I am not sure I would've dined here otherwise. They have a simple menu on a black board behind the counter where you'd order and yes they accept credit card even though it's a hole-in-the-wall. We ordered a Chimichanga to share and a Horchata (because like I said before, it was HOT!) We enjoyed complimentary chips & salsa and sipped on cold water while our order was being prepared. The salsa definitely had a kick to it, not that I can handle spicy, but my SO enjoyed it so you'd have to read his review (Nam P.) if spicy is your thing. The food arrived faster than expected and the cashier/server brought an extra plate and utensils because he was paying attention and noticed that we were sharing. For a lunch meal, the portions were large but if it were for dinner I would probably be left a little hungry. I was sad that we weren't given more re-fried beans and rice since I am accustom to other local Mexican restaurants piling that on as well as guac and pica de gallo - but none here. I appreciated the customer service but it was terribly hot & stuffy inside and the food portion size was below average compared to most Mexican restaurants. For one Chimichanga entree and one Horchata drink our total was about $16 which is average for Mexican food in Hawaii. Good to know that there's a Mexican restaurant downtown!
(4)Nam P.
It is starting to feel like a battle of who has the best chimichanga these days and my visit to Maria Bonita was no different. Stepping through the doors of this tiny restaurant you start to feel the warm air immediately which I was disappointed with because my girlfriend and I were trying to get out of the outdoor heat. To their credit, however, there were multiple ceiling fans and a couple wall fans to somewhat keep us cool. Taste: 4/5 I like my chimichanga to have a crispy tortilla fried shell and this place brought it. The ground beef was juicy and the sour cream, lettuce, and cheese played their roles to give each bite satisfaction. The Horchata while good did not give me the refreshing feeling I was hoping for. Service: 5/5 Unfortunately I didn't get the name of the cashier but he was a young male who gave excellent service. Friendly, clear spoken, and helpful. I asked him for change after my meal and he took my cash, asked what increments of change I would like, and counted out each dollar for me like he was an experienced bank teller. Setting: 3/5 Sadly with the heat I would have liked to sit in some kind of air conditioned room and knowing this doesn't have it I may pass on the opportunity to return if the weather is as humid as it was that day. There was plenty of open tables and seating so it's perfect for small groups (3-5 people). Final Score: 4/5 Maria Bonita is a good eat with an inviting atmosphere. Bring some company and enjoy their delicious dishes on a cool day or take out and enjoy it on any given day.
(4)Steven U.
I had a chance to eat here for lunch one day with a friend. Convenience was a factor since it was walking distance from where we were. We dined in and I don't believe they have air conditioning at this location. The cashier/order taker was new and was having a little trouble, but no big deal. There were a few tables of people eating (since it was lunchtime) and a few people came and went for the to go orders. FYI....They have Sidral Mundet (Mexican carbonated apple cider soda) which I haven't had in a while....yummy. My friend ordered a chimichanga and I had a taco salad. While we waited for our order, the front counter guy brought us chips and salsa which is a nice touch. Normally, here in the islands, everything costs money, so free chips and salsa....I consider a win. My buddy's chimi arrived and it was fat! Not the longest burrito I have seen, but the sheer girth of it was impressive. He said it was good and polished it off. My taco salad wasn't nearly as large but still very good. It had the right combination of ingredients inside, and the taste was nice. Good contrast of the crispy shell, warm meat and beans, and cold lettuce, tomato, and cheese. I would go back if I was in the area....maybe make an attempt at the chimichanga.....
(3)Jeffery A.
This review is on the monstrous, wet, pulled pork burrito, as it will be from now and forever, until my dying breath...the only Mexican food I will eat...period (with the minor exception of the Taco Truck in Mililani, if I'm ever out that way and happen upon it)! Virtually! The last! You ever ingest anything that would make you just wanna strip of buck necked and run barefoot down the road waving your arms like a wacky wavy inflatable? Maybe it was my hunger? Maybe, it is the fact that I so seldom get to partake in the finer foods originating from south of the US border (I have traveled extensively in Mexico, the Caribbean, and South America...but that was many, many, many moons ago)? Today, I had Maria Bonita's humongous, cheese covered (there was enough cheese melted on this thing to give a small elephant constipation), spicy (I ask for extra spicy, and they gave me spicy salsa which was actually quite spicy! And I added Tapatio, which they also have), pulled pork (mostly congregated in the center), burrito! Stuffed with rice, frijoles, lettuce, onions, and kinda the kitchen sink. I got take out, and when I got home and opened the box, I said to myself... "There is no way I can finish that! No way!" I decided that I would try it first without the hot sauce. I opened a Dos Equis, cut myself a wedge of lime, and squeezed it inside. I cut a second wedge and squeezed it on the burrito and went to work. A third of the way through I added their hot sauce. Half way through, I added the Tapatio...and as I was scraping the edges of the take out box, a drop of sweat running into my eye, I noticed a metamorphoses had overcome me. I was setting at the bar (Yes! I have a bar, it's a real bar, in my house. ESPN was on, yes, I have a tv in my bar, I wasn't watching) and I was hunched over, digging at the styrofoam container with a spoon! In an almost greedy, animalistic fashion, I turned my head to the left and right looking to make sure I was still alone! I don't even remember when I got the spoon! So I set here, happily content, with a still full bottle of Dos Equis (I didn't even stop to drink) thinking about "The Green Hills of Africa"...and elephants...and Metamucil. Plus the asphalt was way to hot, so I just put my cloths back on...that's my review...I need a shower then a nap...Aloha
(5)Tabatha P.
This place has excellent Mexican food, just what I have been looking for especially in Chinatown. I LOVE the way they make the rice with potato and carrot chunks. The wet burrito was huge! Nice portion. The house made salsa is delicious and not too spicy which I like. The service is also nice, the young man serving is was very polite and catering. I only wish they were open later for all the times I order take out for dinner. Mahalo
(5)Ivy Lou H.
Maria Bonita is a sweet Mexican lady cooking for the inebriated and less-fortunate denizens of Chinatown for quite a few years now. I'm not much of a Mexican food lover but had me a craving for something quick and greasy so appropriately I walked down to Hotel Street and Maria's little hole-in-the-wall-and-the-cieling establishment. Tacos, Burritos, Quesadillas, Enchiladas, they've got them all. For just $6 I got three mini Tacos with shredded beef, onions, and a side of chips and spicy salsa that were all pretty good considering the price and surroundings. This is a good alternative if Downbeat Diner across the street is full.
(3)Lynnette S.
Pretty Authentic by my California standards. Carnitas tacos are yummy, wet burrito is really good and I even like the chips. My only complaint is that they close at 3 pm during the week! Weekends they stay open late, but that doesn't help me for Taco Tuesday :( Staff is super nice & they even speak Spanish!!!
(4)Shannon L.
We were looking for nachos in Chinatown after 5pm and lucked out that it was Wednesday. Maria Bonita's has limited hours where they are open in the evening (Wed-Fri 5pm to 9pm). It is a small place with about six 4 tops, but quaint and BYOB which is amazing...always. Our waiter was extremely helpful and friendly but I forgot to write his name down. The nachos had fresh cilantro, homemade delicious salsa, sour cream, and fresh chips nice and thin. The shredded beef is really good. A bit pricey for the portion, but what isn't these days.
(3)Al D.
Small and not the least bit fancy. Not a bad option for lunch.
(3)Zena F.
The bar next door sometimes plays loud music but the people that work here are so friendly and the chicken taquito plate is always great!
(5)Jennifer S.
Four-star Mexican here on O'ahu - would probably be three on the mainland. Good value, convenient to both Downtown and Chinatown for the lunch crowd, and some of the best standard Mexican food I've tasted here (though most of the comparables have been pretty dreadful, so the bar is set low). Basic, fare, plus some specials. Tacos, burritos, chile rellenos, chimichangas, carnitas, combinations. Good (but not excellent) chips and salsa. Cilantro comes on nearly everything - to me, cilantro tastes *terrible* and I can spot it a mile away - but can easily be left off. Very casual, mom-and-pop vibe.
(4)Gavin S.
After reading the reviews, I thought I'd give Maria Bonita a try. To my disappointment, Maria was anything but "Bonita"...I got straight up catfished, and boy was it ugly!! I was ono for mexican food and went down to check it out. I should've seen all the bars around it as a signs to turn back...because this place would only have been five stars if I had an extreme case of the "Drunchies"/ drank my taste buds into submission! I ordered the combo plate of one enchilada and one taco and I made the sorry mistake of getting the carne asada or in their case "carne de sal".The meat was completely salty, tough, and lacked any kind of flavor. It almost seemed like the food was old ( including their bland beans and rice) . I knew something was up when my food came out 3 to 5 minutes after I ordered it. The cheese on the enchilada wasn't even melted, the sauce was nonexistent, it just looked like they threw a bunch of crap together, sprinkled a whole bunch of lettuce and cheese all over it and tried to pass off as Mexican food. I didn't even finish the food it was just so terrible. The only thing that had any flavor was there salsa that they gave as an appetizer with chips. All in all, when you have to park in Chinatown and walk down to a place where you want to eat, Maria Bonita is not worth it!
(1)Jordan S.
I'm a big fan of most Mexican food, so I was excited to try this place, as it is right up the street from my office. I ordered a Chimichanga with a side of enchilada sauce (something I got a taste for when I worked in a couple of Mexican Restaurant). The Chimichanga was ok, a bit under seasoned, but alright. The red sauce, I disliked. It tasted store bought, and was seasoned poorly. The salsa was also under seasoned but had a nice spice. I would likely go back in the future, but would avoid the enchiladas.
(3)Astrid C.
Love the authentic Mexican food! The horchata is delish! I got the tostada and shared the nachos with my buddy Huey who got the wet burrito! Love Chinatown ! Definitely will be back and will write more reviews as long as Yelp isn't censoring them! Shame on you Yelp! Boo!
(5)Tif-funny T.
Already this is the best Mexican food I've had on this island this far. Tastes like a legit home cooked meal. The rice have potatoes in it and it's soooo good. The carne asada is sooo good. It's in china town so it may look a bit ghetto. But I'm telling you. You just have to try it. Great customer service as well. Def wouldn't have tried it if it wasn't for 1st Friday. Going back again soon.
(5)Andre D.
Brought a coworker here. Had been before but didn't remember it being so good. She was equally as pleased. Now all I wanna do is go lay down. I am soooo full. Keep it up, mis hermanos.
(5)Lance T.
Another hole-in-the-wall worth to try. Had the Quesadilla for $7.50. Delish! Cooks are Mexicans so they got their craft down to the bone! Tasty! Large pieces worth your money!
(5)Crystal N.
I would imagine that if I walked through a rural town in Mexico, there would be lots of little quaint restaurants like this one! The decor was modest and large enough to seat up to 20 pax, but they offered a number of food items to choose from. Their menu consisted of typical Mexican dishes such as tacos, chimichangas, taquitos, enchiladas, wet burritos, nachos, etc... with your choice of meats: chicken, carne asada, shredded pork, and ground beef. When I eat Mexican, I ALWAYS order a chimichanga because I can't resist the fact that your meat, veggies, cheese, and Mexican spices are all deep-fried in a burrito wrap lol. However, I decided to order their taco salad set (side of spanish rice and beans) and my boyfriend ordered the 2 tacos plate. They definitely gave a nice size portion of food, and it tasted pretty good for the price. I must point out that the taco shell was my favorite part of the meal! It was fried to perfection: light, airy, with hardly any traces of oil! Also, they gave us chips and salsa before our food came out which was really yummy. Their chips were thick and crunchy, and their salsa was definitely fresh with a nice spicy kick. The Verdict: I'm pretty sure the next time I crave Mexican food, i'll be driving down to this little spot instead of eating at Mexico restaurant (which in my opinion is way overrated and always crowded). Parking is usually an issue in Downtown, but I found a coin-operated spot on Bethel St. and paid an hour's worth but managed to eat within 35 minutes so that wasn't even a problem! Of course it wasn't until after I ate here, I saw on Yelp that this place is popular for their Torta sandwiches, which is what I will be trying next time :)
(4)Claire F.
I was so excited to review Maria Bonita since I've had great experiences with their burritos the last few times I've been there. And then I went again, a few days ago. Quite disappointing; hence the lackluster 3-star rating. There was a time not too long ago where I would have said Maria Bonita had the best burrito on the island. The wet chicken burrito was cheesy, stuffed to the max with flavorful chicken, rice, and beans, and so delicious. Keyword: WAS. Wet chicken burrito from my first visit - $12 - yelp.com/biz_photos/mari… The most recent wet chicken burrito I've had was soooo plain in comparison. I ordered the burrito as a plate (meaning it comes with rice and beans). The dish as a whole just simply lacked flavor!! Everything all tasted the same! Did they forget to add seasoning? Uhhh I'd say it's pretty difficult for any Mexican food in general to lack flavor...They did give a small container of salsa along with my to-go order, but it didn't go very far being such a small amount. I think for $12 I expect more. On the plus side, the burrito is huge! Definitely a two-day meal if you don't over-stuff yourself. I couldn't find their menu online but when I went to pick up my order most recently, they gave me their website: mariabonita808.com/menu-3
(3)Ariana M.
I love Mexican food! Only junk part is almost everywhere in Hawaii SUCKS compared to the mainland :( But oh well gatta work with what we got! One thing I love about Maria Bonita is their HUMANGO portions. The price you pay for the amount of food you get, definitely cant go wrong! Each time I ate here I always did take out. The burritos are yummy and the quesadillas are great too! This isn't the best Mexican on the island, but it is definitely satisfying.
(4)Elysia R.
This place is so AWESOME! I have been craving mexican food lately especially tamales BUT they did not have any. My boyfriend has been wanting to take me here and we finally found the time to go about 2 weeks ago. I always tag along when he goes to the Maritime Union right across Aloha Tower and we always have to pay for parking :(. That was the only you can find at a busy area in this business section of the town. With a maximum one-hour parking, we made a 15 minutes walk to a 6-8 minutes, BAM! It is squeezed along Bethel St. just by the intersection area. You cannot really miss it though because it has a very direct restaurant sign and a chalkboard outside that lets you know they have wet burritos! YUM! Facility: -1 Star It was a clean place but the fact that it was hot in there without opening besides the door way, I was pretty much sweating like a pig (besides the piggy in me that ate). They had a couple fans hanging on the wall but it did not really reach anyone, here and there though. Service: +1 Star I don't remember the one and only server in there but he was awesome. Very attentive, filled our water, EVEN SAID EXCUSE ME so he could reach over to fill our cups (not many places do you know), owner/cook even came out to give one of our orders, and the owner's wife (I am guessing) came to pick up our empty plates after. Talk about everyone pulling their weight, and I think it was a family affair type of business. Price: +1 Star We purchased the most expensive item on the menu and that was $9.95 of goodness. Food: +2 Star I gave it 2 stars because we ordered TWO wet burrito plates and they were both sooooooooo good. We ordered their well-known wet burrito, comes with a side of refried beans, spanish rice, red sauce, and a super large burrito. Check my comparison picture to an iPhone 5. They also serve chips and fresh spicy salsa as appetizer while you wait for your order. Really love the freshness of the cilantro and tomatoes in it plus the heat. Beats Senor Pepe's straight from a can salsa haha. Their wet burrito was so fresh and I could tell. The tortilla was soft, fresh cilantro and onions, and so was the meat. We both got the beef as ado, oh not chewy, not dry, and not precooked and store bought either. I have yet to go back and try the rest of their menu, and I am very much looking forward to it. Next time you are in town or you decide to check out China town in the morning and feel hungry for lunch, hunt for this place. BTW, try to find a parking closer than we did because after we ate, we had to rush back to our car to make sure the meter has not run out. Oh the side pain. My body can tell the difference between fresh food and processed, and this place is NOT processed. I did not feel like crap 2 hours later.
(4)Greg S.
Chicken tamale special was excellent, friend had the Cal. Burrito that was huge!
(5)Kevin T.
A pretty good Mexican option in China Town. Extremely casual place, but serves up dependable Mexican dishes. Today's special was the Grilled Mahi Mahi stuffed Burrito with Green sauce (see pic). Not the greatest neighborhood (saw a street fight on the way out), but it's Hotel Street...what do you expect.
(3)Tze M.
If you can brave into the slowly revamping of the red light district of Chinatown? Maria Bonita is located on Pauahi Street side of Hotel Street. They don't have parking, so you'll have to find street parking or any of the lots in the area. NOTE: Hotel Street is for buses only. I went there late, so I was the only person there. Service was excellent. I ordered a burrito, just the burrito. Nothing fancy. It was rolled with rice, steak, lettuce, and beans. I give this place 3.5 stars.
(3)Marielle A.
I was missing home and craving a California Burrito and they are the only mexican restaurant I know that serves it, but not only that, they did a great job. Might have to be one of my go-to places for mexican food in Hawaii. Thanks, guys!
(4)Mel M.
My wife and I had this place on our radar after seeing it on "Cheap Eats". We finally had a chance to dine at this place last weekend...and all I can say is, "meh". The food was OK...definitely not the best Mexican food we've tried on the island. I had the taco plate (with steak) and the wife had the...hmmm, I can't even remember what she had. That's how memorable (or unmemorable) the meal was. The food wasn't bursting with flavors we've come to expect from Mexican food. We've tried it...will NOT be coming back for more. We do applaud the lone worker there however...he was the greeter, the cashier, waiter, cook, and bus boy. He was the only one there when we stopped by for an early lunch on a Saturday and he was a one man operation.
(2)Mark H.
Came here for lunch following a recommendation from a friend and also because another friend reported seeing a Cheap Eats news piece on this establishment. I don't know how to critique Mexican food as I hardly eat Mexican. I can't tell what is authentic and what is Americanized. The below are my thoughts. Eating in comes with chips & salsa while you wait for your food--good salsa at that (it is spicy..). Service was also great. A warning though, it may take 10 - 15 minutes for you to receive your food so if you are in a rush, I suggest you phone your order ahead of time. I ordered the Chimichanga with shredded chicken. It is huge. If you finish it as I did, you will definitely feel stuffed. At about $12, it includes beans & rice. My friend also ordered the same entree. The deep fried exterior tortilla was flaky and I liked its texture. But as for the chicken, I thought it lacked taste and I needed to apply lots of the salsa to it to add some taste. my friend also found the need to cover his chimichanga with salsa to add flavor. Will I come back here? Yes. The ingredients looked appealing, the size of the entree was massive. I think the chicken was the wrong pick for me. I will try the beef for my next dish--probably the flauta or burrito...I'm going to give here the benefit of the doubt and try something else next time (I am coming back here next week with a different friend..). UPDATE: I came back here today (1/16/2013) and had the Spicy California Burrito from their daily specials board. This time it was filled with carne asada. I was underwhelmed with its flavor. After two visits in a row with lackluster flavor, I doubt I will return anytime soon. I personally prefer the Mexican restaurant on 4th Street Mall, La Taqueria Ricardo, over Maria Bonita....
(3)Anela A.
2 stars for the chips and salsa. Nice and spicy. Ordered the wet burrito....barely any chicken in there. And it was a weird filling- wilted lettuce, carrots and potatoes. Gross. Took a picture which captured my experience.
(2)Debbie R.
I must have walked by this place a hundred times, but never ventured in. So I was happy to see that they were one of the stops on the Dish Walk a couple weeks ago. The place is a little hole in the wall, ma & pa run Mexican food place on Hotel street, near Nuuanu. On the walk, we were treated to carne asada tacos, which were quite tasty. The salsa is fresh & spicy. I went back for lunch this past week and got the combo plate: taco and enchilada with bean and rice. Very filling and everything tasted fresh. Beans were a little runny for my liking, but I still ate them! I'm happy that there is another option for Mexican food in town. Hard to find on this island!
(4)Chuck M.
Great place and wonderful food! Only wish they would give more of their delicious mexican rice!
(5)Steven K.
The enchilada sauce is amazing. Shyla was very friendly and good at her job. I will recommend this place to everyone. Parking can be a challenge.
(3)Karebear W.
Located on Hotel street, this is on of those hole in the wall type restaurants that serves up delicious, authentic Mexican cuisine. Must try the chili relleno plate and chimichanga!!!
(4)Jon R.
Place is great. Good food. Good costumer service. Good prices. Come get your Mexican food fix here.
(5)Elizabeth G.
I heard great things about this place. I was very disappointed with the food. Burrito was bland, rice was old, and the beans were okay. Would not recommend for Mexican food... I had the carne asada burrito 12 dollar burrito not worth it...
(2)Scott M.
I've been meaning to try this place for years...major disappointment! Hands down the worst mexican food I've had in Hawaii. I had the carnitas taco plate with rice and beans, friend had the chimichanga plate. Tacos consisited of one small tortilla with some no-flavor shredded pork topped with lettuce and melted cheese. Both plates were bland at best, and the beans tasted like canned refried beans. Needed Taco Bell hot sauce just to make it edible...
(1)K C.
Eating the Chile Verde wet burrito. It was awesome. Just came back from Vegas and they are right up there with authenticity, taste, and price. Will b back.
(4)Racquel R.
Well, after reading the reviews on yelp I had high expectiations for Maria Bonita. During my lunchbreak, I ordered take-out and picking it up was pretty easy. Found street parking right away. I ordered the enchilada combo with pork and chicken. Plate looked really good with cheese and fatty goodness. But upon taking my first bite of what seemed to be pork, I was overwhelmed with the taste of sour cream. I don't usually get my enchiladas with sour cream but it definitely took way from the taste of the red sauce and the meat. The echiladas we're about 4 stars for me because the pork and chicken really had a good flavor after scrapping off the sour cream and lettuce. What killed it for me was the rice and beans. I love rice and refried beans but damn, this was a pretty big disappointment. The rice lacked flavor and was over cooked. The styrofoam flavor got into the rice which could be a factor. The beans were too soupy for my taste. Lacked that fat binding element. Sadly disappointed and unsatisfied at the moment. This is an honest review. I guess i have high standards for mexican. There is really awesome mexican here on the island but i don't think im adding maria bonita to my list of awesome.
(2)Aydee Z.
No one on da island does tortas like Maria Bonitas. They use all the traditional ingredients including the light fluffy bread, for this filling and delicious meal. I kind of like the new look but I miss the Mexican flag and some of the other decorations that reminded me of Mexico. Also, they use disposable styrofoam way too much! I would give them another star but I can't stand eating off styrofoam (nasty). Still, there food is one of the better Mexican food places in town.
(3)Lee B.
Tried the chicken enchilada w/green sauce a few years back - it was good. Forgot about this spot until recently, walking by (on my way to that other Mexican place on Fort St.) when I thought, hey, try something else here. I wanted some naughty-cheesy-goodness so I ordered nachos w/ chicken and a side of guac. The shredded chicken was perfectly cooked and seasoned and yes, a lot of cheesy-goodness (see my pic). Oh, and A+ service!
(4)Gil G.
Carnitas Tacos were excellent. Nice CaliMex style. Salsa was roasted with great flavor, muy sabroso! Chimichanga was filled with flavorful chicken and not a greased up bomb.
(5)rasa f.
Flavor great, but we tried to order simple bean and cheese tacos or burritos, or tostada or taco salad, but everything comes only with meat or veggies, no substitutions, unless you're willing to pay the same price even though its only beans and cheese
(3)Gayle S.
Chimichanga... Can be a beautiful thing. And so far, so gooooood!!! Big, Tasty, and ready to go back for more!
(4)Christina Y.
All I can say is - you get what you pay for. It's OK Mexican food. Being from California, I still have yet to find a good Mexican restaurant on this island with reasonable prices. We had a wet burrito. Everything inside was soggy, and the sauce on top really didn't add a whole lot. I think the only thing I enjoyed was people watching from our seat as hundreds of people walked by for First Friday.
(2)Reney O.
Right when I had given up on finding a legit torta on this island lo n behold I find Maria Bonita's in Chinatown, the LAST place I'd look for a Mexi restaurant. Sweet baby jeebus, BEST TORTA ON THE ISLAND. It's a sweet story too. After moaning and groaning about my severe lack of real Mexican food down here (the only places I approve of are Maria Bonita's, Acapulco, and Sergio's) my friend introduced me to this hidden gem, telling me that they'll have EXACTLY what I've been looking for. At first I didn't see "Torta" anywhere on their menus, but I swear I saw it in passing once or twice before. So I asked, all hopeful and finger-crossed. The guy at the counter laughed at my desperate expression and said, "Sure sure we can make you a torta! No problem." So my workmate and I waited for our food to come out, and since we're only allotted a 45 minute lunch break, we were kinda in a hurry. We waited a solid 30 minutes before my food came out. So of course we weren't too pleased. BUT but but but, clearly they were working hard cause the guy who took my order was running around back and forth, in and out of the restaurant. When we got our food I didn't put up a fuss, but the registrar/waiter explained anyway, all out of breath: So sorry miss for your wait! *gasps* You see, we didn't have bread to make the torta. So I had to run out down the street to go get the ingredients. So sorry! Me: Whoa! OMG You really didn't have to do that! Holy crap, I'M sorry you shoulda told me! Geez. If never have I totally could've ordered something else. Out-of-breath-nice-guy: No no no! We can make it! It's no problem. Really. I shoulda run faster hahaha. Sorry for the wait. Seriously? Who is THAT nice to a patron when a menu item is unavailable??? WOW! And that torta hit home for me. Grand slam! It tasted amazing, it couldn't be fresher and more delicious. And for the outstanding service, I gotta give this place a fiver- Maria Bonita's IS as good as it gets [on the island]! PS Ambience: it's a hole in the wall, as most good Mexican restaurants are. Simple, clean, small, full of people pigging out during their lunch breaks. Food and service an absolute two thumbs up.
(5)Bill J.
Really enjoyed my first time here! I got the Carne Asada steak tacos and was really happy with my choice. The service was pretty fast and my food was perfect. My favorite part was actually the chips and salsa. The salsa verde was pretty spicy, just how I like it. I can definitely say I'll be back. The price was decent too, it was 10 bucks for my plate and a drink. The food portions were more than enough to fill me up. ME GUSTA. I'm already craving it again! At 1 pm I had the whole place to myself but I heard it can get quite busy. If you're ever downtown and don't want fast food tacos, but rather something more traditional, stop by Maria Bonita!
(4)Brent K.
Ordered a carnitas burrito plate for take out. While this place wasn't jammed packed with people, I did end up waiting about 25 mins for my food. By the time I got back, I was starved and excited to dive into my food. I was hit with disappointment. Beans? Tasteless. Spanish rice? Tasteless. Burrito? Come on, tasteless even covered with the salsa given. I could've gone for a cool ranch taco after this one.
(3)Chelsea L.
The food is delicious! The guacamole is bomb and the server david is a sweetheart. A great place to stop before or after the bars :)
(5)Kendal T.
I have say this place can be considered as one of the better mexican restaurants on the island. I had the wet carnitas burrito (pork) and I have to say, you will get full. I thought the burrito had presence but not the taste I was hoping for. I was surprised that I didn't order sour cream and guacamole. Idk if they even had it. But I have to say the salsa is good. Good heat and flavor. And the pinto and spanish rice was a good compliment to the meal. I am a harder critic cuz i've had very very good burritos in the mainland and base everything off that. I would give this burrito a 8 on my scale. I think it will be up to par if the option of sour cream and guacamole was added.
(4)Branz H.
Went to try this place since I had to get my car fixed. I'm so thankful for all you Yelpers, this place was ONO. I had the wet veggie burrito, was so tasteful and was so big I needed to bring the rest home.
(4)Jack W.
Funny some of the best Mexican food is in Chinatown. I usually order when I'm working. Its so nice to call it in walk down and pick it up. always friendly and now they know me by what i order. super good Mexican food for it being in Hawaii . must try it at least once if you get a chance.
(5)Daniel M.
I used to stop by this place when I played music at the Dragon Upstairs around the corner. It seems a bit sketchy to have a Mexican Restaurant right there on Hotel Street-- but the flavors I experienced were the most vibrant I've had on the island. By no means is it a fancy place; the street life, while colorful, may deter some from trying it. It seems to be open inconsistently in the evenings. I think it could be a great late night spot if they would let it!
(4)Miki L.
Well, well. Who knew there was great Mexican food on Hotel Street (Ewa, just past the Nuuanu Street intersection)?! The reason I stopped in was because several of my night-owl/bar industry friends often get take out from here. In my experience, food and bar industry people are very smart about steals, deals and quality. The place is clean and with natural air, meaning to AC. I had a California burrito. Filled with fried potatoes (instead of rice), chopped jalapenos, cheese, veggies and carne asada ($9). Chips and salsa were brought to the table while the burrito was made. What I don't like about Mexican is that it can be sloppy, too wet and goopey. This burrito was the opposite of that -- all items inside tasty and fresh, not mushed together. Wish I could have eaten it all.
(4)Marc K.
If you like simple, humble, fresh, tasty Mexican food this place is hard to beat. In fact, in my opinion, it beats Serg's (terrible!) and Cholo's (pretentious but terrible!) food off the map! I will definitely be back. I also appreciated the friendly service.
(5)Bryan S.
There is a way I judge mexican food here on the island. I do it with chicken enchiladas. This has to be the most unique enchilada sauce on the island. The sauce taste great, with enough spice to keep you sipping your Pepsi. The enchilada itself is covered in a ton of lettuce, cheese, and sour cream. Here they don't over board you with Chips and Salsa. The salsa is spicy but tasty. I would recommend visiting this hidden jewel at least once in your life. You would probably visit it again. Yeah the day bars are kinda ghetto and the crazies sometimes make a lot of noise. If you want to avoid that visit them in Kaneohe.
(5)Patrick I.
stopped here last night after my yoga class; had an a la carte ground beef burrito! love love love loved it! mahalo! :) xo
(4)Brad N.
I recommend the carne asada chimichanga. Do not get the bean and cheese burrito. The wait is long. Do not go on a First Friday, or you will be waiting around forever. Best Mexican food I tasted in Hawaii.
(4)Chrissy K.
I hauled my hb here because of the reviews (and photos) on yelp. I was not disappointed! Thanks yelpers~! We popped into Maria Bonita's on a Sunday afternoon...hungry.... There was another customer finishing up his meal...and Diego was really pleasant and friendly explaining what was good (everything) and whatnot. I got the chimichanga (a la carte) and the hub got enchiladas combo (one pork one beef) yum yum yum. The salsa was nice and spicy with a good kick. The food came out FAST....and it was large+fresh. I loved the kick in my chimichanga meat + a nice touch of cilantro. The meat was good and we pigged out. A combo + chimichanga a la carte ran us about 18$ We just drank water. It's pretty decent and well, delicious. The owner is very friendly, and really nice. Even though it's in chinatown (which some people think is sketch), it's not. There's street parking (mostly metered + 1 hr limit until 6), and a municipal lot/garage about 2 streets over. This is my new favorite mexican place in town. It's about time....eat at Maria Bonita's!
(5)Will L.
OK I found the trick to the place, as suggested by Eat N. When ordering tacos, ask for "Mexican Style" with onions and cilantro only instead of the "American Style" (i.e. Taco Bell style, LOL) with shredded lettuce and cheddar cheese. So I had two fish tacos Mexican Style today and it was terrific. The mahi mahi was cut into cubes which made things manageable to eat and it wasn't too dry like mahi mahi tends to be. With the chopped onions, cilantro, fire roasted salsa and corn tortilla (only one tortilla but it was good quality as it was nicely warmed and maintained its shape), this turned out to be a quality meal. I got the two taco plate so you get Spanish rice and refried beans with it. If you order in, you get a side of chips and salsa which are great. But the tacos were the thing. Try the other kinds of tacos. In any case, Mexican Style tacos are hard to find in this town but you got one right here in downtown. I recommend.
(4)Emiko T.
Came down here during the First Fridays craze and had my first taste of Mexican food since I left the mecca of supreme Mexican food in San Jose. My friend and I shared 2 carne asada tacos which came with a side of rice and beans and surprisingly only for $7.99. The carne asada was seriously succulent and juicy. This was one good taco. The plate was perfect for a quick bite to eat and the rice was also excellent. Only complaint and maybe discouragement from going here a lot would be the service. It was way too slow, but maybe they were a little short on staff? I'd love to try one of their burritos next time though. But how about that four alarm fire salsa they serve you? Hot damn be careful if you're not ready for a karate kick in your mouth.
(4)Ryan I.
I must have walked past this place a hundred times on my way to Chinatown, but to be honest, the seediness of this stretch of Hotel Street (with the all day bars and crazies lining the street) made me keep walking without much interest. Boy was I stupid! This place is great! I had one of the daily specials, a chile verde with beans and rice. The first thing I noticed was that nothing was overly salted, which was really nice. The pork in the chile verde was tender and flavorful, and the tomatillos were mild and not super sour. The beans and rice were good if not remarkable. I think the tortillas were heated in the microwave but I don't have a problem with that. The menu has the standard assortment of tacos, burritos and enchiladas. I gotta come back and try everything on the menu! Yelp 365 Challenge #4/365
(4)Andy N.
Authentic, solid taste better than the Forte Street place for sure
(4)Terrance Y.
Hidden just out of the Fort Street Mall area and just out of the Main Chinatown section Maria Bonita on Hotel Street nestled near the bars of old and like a quiet little shop which the food is nothing like the exterior. The food is quite outstanding I usually have the Carne Asada Burrito which by itself fills me to extremes, sometimes I venture to actually getting the plate which then I feel like bursting walking tenderly out before I explode from the mass of goodness I just inhaled. The Wet Burrito is also great I used to go to Fort Street Mall for my Burrito fix but I'd rather walk two more blocks to Maria Bonita. What is great is the friendly attitude and personable demeanor of the owner who basically does everything! Although he is busy he can get out the food to you quite quickly and still be friendly. If eating in you get a bowl of Chips and Salsa to go with your meal adding to the bursting feeling of all that food. The Salsa is great inf fact I use it on my burrito as I am a spicy food lover. The restaurant although small and in a older area of town is comfortable and you feel right at home sitting on the few benches in the shop decorated with classic Mexican decor. Parking in the area is pretty much limited to the Parking lots nearby but definitely worth it. I'd have to say this is my Favorite Mexican eating place in town for Lunch.
(4)Cristyn T.
Aye, Maria! You may be bonita, but your food is no bueno! I will say that I am biased and maybe a little spoiled because I live right across the border in San Diego, where Mexican food is the staple like plate lunches in Hawaii. However, I saw a "People love us on Yelp" sticker in the window and figured this place should be decent for Hawaii. The cashier was wearing a t-shirt that explained how Mexican people are native to Mexico and not "Latin" or "Spanish" so I assumed this place was authentic. Right away, I noticed that the prices were inflated 2x what I pay in San Diego, no exaggerating! I guess that's understandable given that it is Hawaii and everything is more expensive in Hawaii. I ordered a b&c (bean and cheese burrito), since I am obsessed with them and figured it would be hard to mess that up! It was $5.77 with tax! Oh my, I usually get my fix for under $3. Anyway, the price tag didn't bother me as much as the burrito did. The tortilla tasted store-bought and was too small to hold in the watery beans. I couldn't even eat it like a burrito and had to bust out the fork and knife. The salsa was also very watery and lacked both taste and spiciness. They brought out chips and salsa, and the chips also tasted store-bought and stale. I hate to bad mouth this place since it seems to be run by a cute family trying to survive in Hawaii. Instead I will take this as a lesson learned and never attempt to eat Mexican food in Hawaii again, especially when I was about to board a plane back to California 2 hours after eating here!
(2)Leslie G.
The food here is very good. My only complaint would be that it is not a place for a quick lunch. If you want your food in a hurry, you need to call in your order. However, when you do have time for a leisurely lunch, this is a great place as the food is quite delicious.
(4)Steven S.
Firstly, I've never been to their restaurant yet, only the lunch wagon parked by the Courthouse (at Punchbowl and Halekauwila). I've had some bomb burritos from my Marine days stationed in California. We would make special trips from north-eastern Cali down to the San Diego area to get burritos (500+ miles *hello roadtrip), so I KNOW good burritos*. (*disclaimer- I grew up in Molokai not S. Cali or Mexico so I may or may not "know" said burritos as I claim). With that being the base of what I judge all mexican food anywhere here is my review... It was pretty good! This is my second time there and I ordered the Carnitas Pork Burrito(first time I had the chicken burrito and it was good too). There was a good portion of rice, beans, pork(or chicken), and something else (i dont remember, I woofed it down). The size of the burrito was pretty good, taste was not bad. One thing that I didnt care for was the side order sauce that they give you. Maybe I was hoping for something more caliente like how I used to get it in Cali. I had more to write but I forgot, full already. Ah, oh well, its all gone now anyway :). side note: I had to eat it with a fork and knife because I didnt want to return to the office with burrito contents all over my shirt. I want to give it 3 stars because I had some good stuff in Cali and also for the sauce. I also want to give it 5 stars because its the best Mexican food I had in Hawaii (from a restaurant). So I settled with 4 stars. Overall, will probably repeat. Hey, they got me to comeback the second time...
(4)Esteban W.
Maria Bonita was one of the FIRST places on Oahu that I tried Mexican cooking. I was just excited to find a place for 'my people' to conjugate and share "el chisme". The offer a wide range of Mexican favorites, stuff I grew up with and stuff my moms used to make. What I ordered was a Chimichanga, and this place gets two whole stars just for the size. Taste wise, I wasn't happy with the sauce that it came with, it was slightly too liquidy and I wish it was more thick. More Impressive is that your food here is actually being cooked, prepared and served by an actual Latino, or Hispanic, so I felt like I was at home. The bad comes with trying to visit this place. It is on Hotel Street, and no cars can drive on Hotel, its Bus ONLY, so you can not run in and out and drive off, you have to park. Parking is all meters on surrounding streets and about $3 in the surrounding structures. The best bet is to wait til 6:30pm (on week days, all day on week ends and holidays) park on King and enjoy your food. RECOMMENDATION: go in and grab a filling meal before heading to Bar 35, which is a few doors down - don't go overboard with the food though, for two reasons: you'd be loading the cannon, or you'd be making it harder to get that buzz. three and a half stars because the location is difficult (and at night is shady thanks to the bar zombies next door), but the food reminds me of home. By the way, are those BB bullet holes in the windows? yikes.
(3)Nicole M.
First, to all the bad mouthers not from Hawaii, Maria Bonita is awesome and it is cheap. Not Taco Bell cheap, or California immigrant exploitation cheap, but cheap. Enchilada is excellent. I love that they are open during First Fridays and during the week as well. I always support family businesses and this is a great one.
(5)Maka I.
I really loved the Mexican food at Maria Bonita's ... there's not a lot of great Mexican food on the O'ahu but this place is actually good. It's located in Chinatown and I went there on Cinco De Mayo. Luckily for me I did go here and have Mexican food cause all the food stands were packed that night at the street fair and the wait was about 40 minutes at every stand. I love their chimichanga. The service was great and fast. Gracias Maria Bonita for some great Mexican food! :)
(5)Cintamani A.
It's definitely one of the better Mexican restaurants on Oahu. It's also affordable, tasty, very friendly service from a funny sweet lady and a comfortable setting. Sadly, when I actually want to eat there it's always closed. For that reason I always forget about it's existence which is such a shame. One of the few Mexican restaurants I will dine at and recommend.
(4)Gina B.
I visit Maria Bonita's often and am always satisfied with the size and taste but don't understand why it has to be so expensive. Today, I ordered the veggie burrito plate and it was a little under $9. If you're doing take out, I do not suggest getting the plate. I got a tiny scoop of rice and beans which was certainly not worth whatever extra I paid for.
(3)E N.
I got a chance to check Maria Bonita out with a fellow Yelper. Upon a quick chat in espanol with the young compa manning the cash register... I ordered the Carnitas tacos "Mexican Style"... meaning that unless you use that phrase they will load it up with pale, ice berge lettuce, cheese, sour cream etc., and my Yelp hommie ordered the Shrimp tacos. I can surmise from the "Chivas de Guadalajara" soccer team banner, and the cooking style that the owner is likely from the Highlands of Jalisco... so maybe there is hope that they might expand the offering of Authentic Mexico over Cal-Mex type of stuff if enough people ask for the right dishes. The Carnitas were classic Highlands Jalisco style... slow simmered, lean shredded pork that was a bit undersalted but serviceable with a sprinkling of salt & a spoonful of their very solid slight tart tomatillo based salsa (roasted tomatillos, arbol chiles, roasted garlic, a little bit of cilantro, water & salt). They unfortunately load too much pork on a flimsy tortilla that was slightly stale then griddled with oil back to ply-ability... and predictably it fell apart. The shrimp taco was okay... the shrimp isn't of the highest quality... size 40 shrimp slightly limp from being frozen, defrosted & refrozen too many times... were sauteed with oregano, garlic & a little bit of chile resulting in a decently flavored dish... unfortunately we forgot to ask for Mex style on the shrimp tacos and got the whole ice berge lettuce salad on them... and thus diluting the pungent flavor of the sautee juices. The quality on these two items was comparable to randomly walking into an average Mom & Pop taqueria in Southern California... not better not worse. But the menu is slim pickings as I mentioned that the more authentic part of the menu is very small... being dominated by bastardized starch bombs. Case in point... the table across the aisle from us... two smartly dressed downtown business women munching on gigantic burritos slopped in what was obviously canned enchilada sauce. Stick to the Carnitas & Shrimp tacos unless you like that kine crap. Oh yeah... I got beans with the shrimp tacos... terrible don't waste your time... they were obviously made several days ago, unsalted, bland & slightly sour tasting.
(3)John O.
I have to say that this place is actually pretty decent. The common pharse I hear is "not bad for Hawaii" when it comes to Mexican food at many of the Mexican eateries on the island. There are some places on the island that just suck. There are very few that are actaully good but to far to travel for me. This place is central, not over the top and the price is right. If you order food from here, you will be pleasantly surprised. Now don't expect anything authentic! What you will get is something that is tasty. It is not a full service restaurant. You order from the counter, take a seat if they are available and they will call your number when your food is ready. Their house made salsa is pretty good and they also have Tapatio and Chulula hot sauce.
(4)chuck m.
If you have time to check it out, go for it. The one waiter looked swamp and it was only my wife and I. I think they just opened up. I chowed down on the wet burrito. Really good. Refried beans and rice on the side. Maybe a little too much cilantro but still manageable. My wife ate the enchiladas. She only could finish one beacuse it comes with 2 and their nice size. You know who ate the other one. The salsa that comes with the chips is really good. Spicy enough but too hot. The best part of the whole experience is the entertainment. Just order your food and have fun watching outside the window with all the mentos walking by.
(4)diego m.
Went there to have the chicken burrito. Lack of consistency, should I say - few weeks ago, it was really good but yesterday, it was not that good - missing the rice and other ingredients. I guess they have different "chef"/kitchen helper. For the price they charge ($9+), they should give consistency and quality. Overtly overpriced for being slightly overrated. But for most of the times, they have been pretty good.
(3)Eric A.
Maria Bonita and their one man, do-it-himself workhorse. All hail the Red, White and Green cooking machine! Thing I like about the owner/chef if that he really reminds me of my father. Little brown-skinned, humble hard working man; always doing something, albeit around the house or in the kitchen. Only difference is that my pop mainly cooks Filipino food and Tsk Tsk Too Bad, not Mexican! It was here on Yelp where I read up on the owner's early beginnings, from selling food out his truck in Waimanalo, all the way to his current location in downtown Honolulu. On night ventures, I've walked past Maria Bonita with intrigue in the past. In fact, my band used to play clubs a few doors down from his. On my last visit, although he was closed, he still served us. Feeling bad, I motioned to my friend to take whopping mouthfuls of this delicious food so we can "vamoose" (vamanos=move) on out of there. Either way, the owner still hung out and talked with us before he closed shop. I can tell a lot of love goes into his food. The salsa is both tasty and freaking spicy as hell, not to mention his chicken being not only tender but having a signature taste. I can't put my finger on it, though my friend argues it's saffron. No complaints about portion or flavor here, though I honestly think its all about the dude who runs the place. My favorite part of this review is how his face lit up after I told him the only reason why I eat there is because it comes highly recommended. 4 stars Maria Bonita on Hotel Street
(4)Stacey C.
Awesome food. A bit of a hole in the wall but the food is great. Salsa is spicy and the chimichanga and burrito are good. Would be better if it were a few bucks cheaper but the quality is good.
(5)Bill S.
Generally good to great food. Service can be a bit slow at lunch when only one or two folks are working there. Plates often come out one at a time, when they're prepared, so some may be waiting while others have their food. The salsa is moderately hot but is home made and tastes awesome (temperature-wise is hot, too). The carne asada torta is my favorite, followed by the carne asada quesadilla. Went there last week at 11:30, and although the door was open and the beans were being cooked, the owner hadn't arrived, and I was told they weren't open yet.
(4)Jenifer G.
The wet burrito plate (beef) delighted me. Yummy nummy for $11 something. The sauce was a little on the salty side, but it was a good 2 portions for me. I'm definitely coming back, gonna try the other stuff too.
(4)Mark G.
This place isn't the best looking but the food is really great. The only issue I ever have when coming here for lunch is that I end up waiting almost 15-20 minutes for my food once I order it. A bit odd when I'm one of 2 customers in the joint at most times. Nonetheless, the food is worth it but they have to step up the conveniece of a quick bite with La Taquiera's just up the street.
(4)T. L.
We discovered this restaurant several years ago after reading a review in either the local daily or the Honolulu Weekly. Yes, it's on Hotel Street where only buses are allowed and you will find on-street parking if you're lucky. There's always the municipal lot on Beretania at Nuuanu. It is adjacent to some seedy bars and the restaurant is dive-y. If the area scares you or you're a woman dining alone, you may feel more comfortable having an early dinner. We struck up a conversation with the owner, who was very friendly and at that time was a one-man operation. After this first visit, I would have given this restaurant 3 1/2 stars, if there was such a rating. The owner prepared our food - Ground beef enchiladas and wet burrito - and it was tasty. There wasn't any complimentary chips and salsa in those days, but the entrees made up for it. The portions were fair and it tasted good. We thought this was the best Mexican meal we have had in Hawaii. We would make a trip to Maria Bonita at least twice each year and it was consistently good. Fast forward to our last visit . . . The owner was not there to prepare our food this time around. There was complimentary chips and salsa, but it was a bit too hot for me. The portions were a little smaller and the taste was just okay. Not memorable this time around. They take credit cards now which is always a plus. Because of this inconsistency, I would have to give it 2 stars. We may return if we happen to be in the area, but with the last so-so visit it may be later rather than sooner.
(2)Allen D.
really, I do love this place.Have been coming here for about 4 years now? The food is always consistent, I get it to go or sometimes I sit in there. Diego is super friendly and always greets you if he sees you. There are 'specials' that aren't on the menu. I always ask him to start making Pozole as you just cannot seem to find it on the island easily. Love his wet burrito and the chicken is just done right. nice and tender,very flavorful and he does not skimp on the meat. he tends to have erratic hours. some days closing at 7:00 p, some until 9:00 p. I've gone around at 2:30 and it;s open, sometimes though it's closed. Best really to call and make sure of their hours.
(5)Cynthia A.
Combo plate and a Pepsi = about $9.50. It had 1 taco (corn tortilla, but it was soft) and one enchilada. I opted for chicken. It was darn good. I really liked the rice and beans. There were traces of onions and peppers in them. MMMmmm. Wish the salsa was more spicy, but it had great flavor. Next time I think I will opt for a smaller meal here. Maybe avocado taco salad? The guy working there talked to me for a bit, thanking me for coming in. He was really nice. Said he enjoys his job.
(4)Sumil T.
Authentic Mexican in hawaii. Went there with a friend for a bite before checking out First Friday activities. Had the Pork Chimichanga plate. Overall it was good. I would have liked more flavor, but I tend to like my foods heavy on the spices. Very hole in the wall type place in the middle of Chinatown. Warning to those who can't handle spicy food, ask about the salsa served with the chips before trying it, it has a strong kick. I definitely would go back, considering putting it into my lunch rotation.
(4)Satoru Y.
My favorite taqueria on the island: hands down. Whenever the nostalgic San Francisco craving for burritos comes out in me, this is the place that first comes to mind in Honolulu. Everything has great flavors: that soulful Mexican-Barrio honesty. I love Wet Burritos, and this one make a fantastic one: with great sauce, cheeses, and addictively delicious carne asada. Their Flautas and Tacos are just as good; and filled with great flavors. The menu looks like your standard neighborhood taqueria, and so does the decor inside. It truly captures the heart and soul of those taquerias I miss so much: in both its atmosphere and its food. The owner I see in there from time to time is always ready to chat it up with you. He always thanks me for my patronage whenever I see him there. The staff here has always been great. It's these personal touches that just adds so much to a place. No Mexican is better than this place on the island.
(4)Cat D.
LOVE THIS PLACE...not sure if there is more to say. The RICE is my favorite. There are potatoes and carrots in the rice and the seasoning of chili is wonderful! The Flautas is my food choice. it is perfectly marinated and thinly sliced and stuffed into a tortilla that is wrapped once and deep fried to crispness. I live about 15 mins away and when I do take out it is still crispy. I like Mexican style but I like the fresh taste of vegetables so I will have it "American" 2. No cheese in the flautas which Is how I like it. Salsa is great, nice and spicy with the chips being light and flaky. Beans are freshly made and i never encountered it being sour. Other items for thought: wet burrito, fish and seafood tacos, taco salad, enchiladas (were okay, probably wouldn't have it again) but everything else is ono. I thought the prices were high, but the other Mexican restaurants I've been to are way more expensive and they can't even compare... I have made this place my "Mexican food choice" I notice i compare it with all other Mexican places and no one has captured my heart like them (well Mexico has and the taco trucks that used to come around my neighborhood in Eagle Rock CA), but this will do at my Home now The extra "action" outside reminds of being in LA for some reason...
(5)Christine A.
This place has the best mexican food on the island hands down! The dishes are actually authentic and taste so good! The down side is that it is in chinatown and a bit far for me and the parking can suck at times. But when I am down there I make an effort to go here!
(5)Bootle G.
Belongs in the discussion about the best Mexican food on Oahu. Ask Diego to whip something up off-menu and you won't be sorry! Try the chile verde steak plate or the chimichangas.
(5)Killah G.
There's nothing special about their asada burrito. It tastes like a plain steak burrito. Pretty much was just all steak. The flavors did not ignite my taste buds to where i'd eat it again. and i love good carne asada. I'd eat there again to try different items but if you're looking for a good asada burrito this isn't the spot.
(3)Amy E.
The wet burrito is amazing. There's crack in it or something b/c it keeps you wanting more even tho your full. mmm...
(5)Stacey K.
The food wasn't good.. stale nothing tasted fresh. YUCK
(2)Abby D.
My husband, kids, and I came here on Cinco de Mayo while strolling the street party. It. Was. Crowded! They ended up having to close a couple of times throughout the evening because they were so overwhelmed..but we finally got in! It was SO worth the wait! I had the wet burrito which was *delicious*. As far as I can tell, this is the yummiest Mexican food on the island..just expect to wait a while if you go on Cinco de Mayo! :)
(4)b g.
I give it 4 stars instead of 5 due to the location next to a bar and the lack of parking. My wife and I tried this place for the first time about a month ago and loved it. I had the wet burrito which was awesome! It is loaded with good stuff, not just fillers, and then covered in sauce. My wife had a chimichanga and also loved her dish. In fact, she wouldn't even let me have a bite to try! The prices were a little higher than I expected, but still acceptable. Give them a try and support our local small businesses.
(4)Keesha G.
oh hell no. Its not even fresh food. Microwaves should be outlawed in resturants
(1)Jerry B.
Food was very good and authentic. Service was excellent and staff was very friendly. Definitely going back.
(5)Lee R.
In my opinion, the best mexican food on the island. There's not much to choose from in Hawaii when it comes to good mexican food. Cholo's sucks big time compared to this place. Before he opened this place, my friends and I used to trek out to Waimanalo after going to Sandy's to buy food from Diego's taco truck that was parked near McDonald's. Sometimes we even made the drive just because the food was that good! Diego even let my friend pay him back later when he didn't have any money. Cool guy. The last time I went there was on "First Friday", an event in downtown they have every first friday of the month with art shows, wine tastings, etc. The place was packed and it took about 20 minutes for me to get my take out order. Diego came out and was very apologetic about the wait, I told him for his food it was well worth it. The wet burrito is gargantuan, basically a huge burrito smothered in enchilada sauce...yum. Fish tacos are fantastic, as are the flautas. You will not be disappointed at Maria Bonita. This is a no-nonsense place but the food is just fantastic.
(4)Chris O.
Probably my least favorite Mexican joint I've tried. Ordered the Chimichanga and it had no favor. Prices are also on the more expensive side.
(2)Alicia S.
Best Mexican food you'll find in Oahu. The place is very small, only 5 booths but the food is the best and the price is very reasonable. If you are looking for ambience, skip this place. But if you like hole in the wall but excellent food kind of places, you mush try this place.
(5)Bryan S.
After having read the reviews, walked by a couple of times, and having a craving for Mexican food, I figured I'd give Maria's a try. Went with the carne asada burrito. Didn't go wet as I don't care for a wet burrito all that much. This turned out to be good and bad... Bad because it was fairly bland and good because the salsa with the chips didn't taste quite right. I don't mind bland burrito's if the salsa is good enough to spice it up. Luckily there was Tapatio sauce on the table. I will give this place another try and go with the taco plate before I come to a conclusion.
(3)David G.
I had a Carnitas burrito with tons of stuff in it. It was nice, flavorfull and a little spicy. The cost was around $8.00 so it was a good deal. Hopefully, more people will try Maria Bonita's so he can move from China Town to a nicer store front and a more desirable location. Also, the owner Diego is very nice he really likes to please his customers. Well done Diego, keep up the good work.
(3)Eric Z.
I recently saw a review for Los Chaparros and it had 4.5 stars, so naturally I thought it would be better then Maria Bonita; however, Maria Bonita's food is better. Especially for Mexican in Hawaii. ...very, very good horchata. The burritos are OK, but I do like this place better then Los Chaparros. Especially on a First Friday night.
(4)Erika M.
Coming from Texas and being hispanic and having friends from Mexico who's family still cook traditional Mexican food, I know a thing or two about Mexican eats. I give this place 3 stars. It tasted good no doubt, but as far as Mexican food goes it fell short. For one, I don't think any taco I've eaten before, unless it came from Taco Bell, had ever had shredded cheese on it. The rice was okay but I didn't like the huge chunks of onions on them or on my refried beans. It's good for Tex-Mex but not Mexican, but then again it's Hawaii, it's hard to get proper ingridients for spanish cooking. Still, I did enjoy my meal and it was great, but I would like to see more authenthic Mexican food.
(3)Taylor H.
Yes, Maria Bonita is as good as it gets for Mexican food in Hawaii! This place impressed my highly Mexican-oriented taste buds with spicy salsa, tender meat, and spot-on savory preparations. I came here twice with my girlfriend while she visited for a week, as to keep up the need for south-of-the-border cuisine to which we've become so accustomed living in California. Don't miss this gem!
(5)Lana T.
Diego is awesome. He catered my daughters 1st Birthday Party and it was a hit. The food was onolishish!! Some of my uncles and aunties didn't know what a chimichanga was, but when they tasted it, they loved it. Mahalo Diego!!!
(5)Demur E.
Maria Bonita can be found just around the corner of Hotel and Nuuanu streets. Part of the downtown Chinatown revitalization, they are a delicious addition to the neighborhood. Food: Fantastic. Diego, the owner, says that everything he makes is with love, and it certainly seems to translate into the food. The portions are fairly large (although when I'm hungry...uh...which is almost always) I can finish off a plate by myself. All plates come with rice, beans and homemade salsa. I have catered two Cinco de Mayo events from here and have never been disappointed. The Wet Burrito is one of my favorites. You can have shredded chicken, carnitas pork, shredded beef, asada steak, ground beef or veggie filling wrapped in a large flour tortilla with lettuce, onion, cilantro and cheese. The whole thing is topped off with enchilada sauce and more melted cheese. *sigh* How can one go wrong with so much melted cheese? The Flautas and Chimichangas are also great. Fried crisp and topped with cooling sour cream. All the dishes have a lot of meat (or in the case of the vegetarian version a lot of green and red peppers, onion, tomato and zucchini). Rice and beans are not fillers here, but genuine stars in their own right...especially the rice. Yum! Made in some tomato sauce with green chiles. It is great to eat all by itself. Maria Bonita's also has grilled Mahi that they put in burritos, tacos or as a main dish. Same goes with garlic shrimp. It depends on what they get fresh, so check out the daily specials. Service: The restaurant is in a rather small space with a handful of booths and some tables and chairs for those who wish to eat here. They also have take-out. Everyone orders at the counter, and if you are eating there, the counter staff will bring you water, a basket of tortilla chips and some salsa. The people who work there all seem related and are very, very nice and accommodating. Ambiance: Kind of stuffy and dark, even if the fans are going full blast. But the cheery staff and awesome food make it easy to forget your surroundings. People hang out there and eat and talk story. Overall: A star on Hotel Street that has nothing to do with red light. Maria Bonita is a great place to get home and lovingly made Mexican cuisine. Check it out.
(4)E N.
I got a chance to check Maria Bonita out with a fellow Yelper. Upon a quick chat in espanol with the young compa manning the cash register... I ordered the Carnitas tacos "Mexican Style"... meaning that unless you use that phrase they will load it up with pale, ice berge lettuce, cheese, sour cream etc., and my Yelp hommie ordered the Shrimp tacos. I can surmise from the "Chivas de Guadalajara" soccer team banner, and the cooking style that the owner is likely from the Highlands of Jalisco... so maybe there is hope that they might expand the offering of Authentic Mexico over Cal-Mex type of stuff if enough people ask for the right dishes. The Carnitas were classic Highlands Jalisco style... slow simmered, lean shredded pork that was a bit undersalted but serviceable with a sprinkling of salt & a spoonful of their very solid slight tart tomatillo based salsa (roasted tomatillos, arbol chiles, roasted garlic, a little bit of cilantro, water & salt). They unfortunately load too much pork on a flimsy tortilla that was slightly stale then griddled with oil back to ply-ability... and predictably it fell apart. The shrimp taco was okay... the shrimp isn't of the highest quality... size 40 shrimp slightly limp from being frozen, defrosted & refrozen too many times... were sauteed with oregano, garlic & a little bit of chile resulting in a decently flavored dish... unfortunately we forgot to ask for Mex style on the shrimp tacos and got the whole ice berge lettuce salad on them... and thus diluting the pungent flavor of the sautee juices. The quality on these two items was comparable to randomly walking into an average Mom & Pop taqueria in Southern California... not better not worse. But the menu is slim pickings as I mentioned that the more authentic part of the menu is very small... being dominated by bastardized starch bombs. Case in point... the table across the aisle from us... two smartly dressed downtown business women munching on gigantic burritos slopped in what was obviously canned enchilada sauce. Stick to the Carnitas & Shrimp tacos unless you like that kine crap. Oh yeah... I got beans with the shrimp tacos... terrible don't waste your time... they were obviously made several days ago, unsalted, bland & slightly sour tasting.
(3)John O.
I have to say that this place is actually pretty decent. The common pharse I hear is "not bad for Hawaii" when it comes to Mexican food at many of the Mexican eateries on the island. There are some places on the island that just suck. There are very few that are actaully good but to far to travel for me. This place is central, not over the top and the price is right. If you order food from here, you will be pleasantly surprised. Now don't expect anything authentic! What you will get is something that is tasty. It is not a full service restaurant. You order from the counter, take a seat if they are available and they will call your number when your food is ready. Their house made salsa is pretty good and they also have Tapatio and Chulula hot sauce.
(4)chuck m.
If you have time to check it out, go for it. The one waiter looked swamp and it was only my wife and I. I think they just opened up. I chowed down on the wet burrito. Really good. Refried beans and rice on the side. Maybe a little too much cilantro but still manageable. My wife ate the enchiladas. She only could finish one beacuse it comes with 2 and their nice size. You know who ate the other one. The salsa that comes with the chips is really good. Spicy enough but too hot. The best part of the whole experience is the entertainment. Just order your food and have fun watching outside the window with all the mentos walking by.
(4)Jennifer S.
Four-star Mexican here on O'ahu - would probably be three on the mainland. Good value, convenient to both Downtown and Chinatown for the lunch crowd, and some of the best standard Mexican food I've tasted here (though most of the comparables have been pretty dreadful, so the bar is set low). Basic, fare, plus some specials. Tacos, burritos, chile rellenos, chimichangas, carnitas, combinations. Good (but not excellent) chips and salsa. Cilantro comes on nearly everything - to me, cilantro tastes *terrible* and I can spot it a mile away - but can easily be left off. Very casual, mom-and-pop vibe.
(4)Gavin S.
After reading the reviews, I thought I'd give Maria Bonita a try. To my disappointment, Maria was anything but "Bonita"...I got straight up catfished, and boy was it ugly!! I was ono for mexican food and went down to check it out. I should've seen all the bars around it as a signs to turn back...because this place would only have been five stars if I had an extreme case of the "Drunchies"/ drank my taste buds into submission! I ordered the combo plate of one enchilada and one taco and I made the sorry mistake of getting the carne asada or in their case "carne de sal".The meat was completely salty, tough, and lacked any kind of flavor. It almost seemed like the food was old ( including their bland beans and rice) . I knew something was up when my food came out 3 to 5 minutes after I ordered it. The cheese on the enchilada wasn't even melted, the sauce was nonexistent, it just looked like they threw a bunch of crap together, sprinkled a whole bunch of lettuce and cheese all over it and tried to pass off as Mexican food. I didn't even finish the food it was just so terrible. The only thing that had any flavor was there salsa that they gave as an appetizer with chips. All in all, when you have to park in Chinatown and walk down to a place where you want to eat, Maria Bonita is not worth it!
(1)Jordan S.
I'm a big fan of most Mexican food, so I was excited to try this place, as it is right up the street from my office. I ordered a Chimichanga with a side of enchilada sauce (something I got a taste for when I worked in a couple of Mexican Restaurant). The Chimichanga was ok, a bit under seasoned, but alright. The red sauce, I disliked. It tasted store bought, and was seasoned poorly. The salsa was also under seasoned but had a nice spice. I would likely go back in the future, but would avoid the enchiladas.
(3)Astrid C.
Love the authentic Mexican food! The horchata is delish! I got the tostada and shared the nachos with my buddy Huey who got the wet burrito! Love Chinatown ! Definitely will be back and will write more reviews as long as Yelp isn't censoring them! Shame on you Yelp! Boo!
(5)Tif-funny T.
Already this is the best Mexican food I've had on this island this far. Tastes like a legit home cooked meal. The rice have potatoes in it and it's soooo good. The carne asada is sooo good. It's in china town so it may look a bit ghetto. But I'm telling you. You just have to try it. Great customer service as well. Def wouldn't have tried it if it wasn't for 1st Friday. Going back again soon.
(5)Andre D.
Brought a coworker here. Had been before but didn't remember it being so good. She was equally as pleased. Now all I wanna do is go lay down. I am soooo full. Keep it up, mis hermanos.
(5)Lance T.
Another hole-in-the-wall worth to try. Had the Quesadilla for $7.50. Delish! Cooks are Mexicans so they got their craft down to the bone! Tasty! Large pieces worth your money!
(5)Crystal N.
I would imagine that if I walked through a rural town in Mexico, there would be lots of little quaint restaurants like this one! The decor was modest and large enough to seat up to 20 pax, but they offered a number of food items to choose from. Their menu consisted of typical Mexican dishes such as tacos, chimichangas, taquitos, enchiladas, wet burritos, nachos, etc... with your choice of meats: chicken, carne asada, shredded pork, and ground beef. When I eat Mexican, I ALWAYS order a chimichanga because I can't resist the fact that your meat, veggies, cheese, and Mexican spices are all deep-fried in a burrito wrap lol. However, I decided to order their taco salad set (side of spanish rice and beans) and my boyfriend ordered the 2 tacos plate. They definitely gave a nice size portion of food, and it tasted pretty good for the price. I must point out that the taco shell was my favorite part of the meal! It was fried to perfection: light, airy, with hardly any traces of oil! Also, they gave us chips and salsa before our food came out which was really yummy. Their chips were thick and crunchy, and their salsa was definitely fresh with a nice spicy kick. The Verdict: I'm pretty sure the next time I crave Mexican food, i'll be driving down to this little spot instead of eating at Mexico restaurant (which in my opinion is way overrated and always crowded). Parking is usually an issue in Downtown, but I found a coin-operated spot on Bethel St. and paid an hour's worth but managed to eat within 35 minutes so that wasn't even a problem! Of course it wasn't until after I ate here, I saw on Yelp that this place is popular for their Torta sandwiches, which is what I will be trying next time :)
(4)Claire F.
I was so excited to review Maria Bonita since I've had great experiences with their burritos the last few times I've been there. And then I went again, a few days ago. Quite disappointing; hence the lackluster 3-star rating. There was a time not too long ago where I would have said Maria Bonita had the best burrito on the island. The wet chicken burrito was cheesy, stuffed to the max with flavorful chicken, rice, and beans, and so delicious. Keyword: WAS. Wet chicken burrito from my first visit - $12 - yelp.com/biz_photos/mari… The most recent wet chicken burrito I've had was soooo plain in comparison. I ordered the burrito as a plate (meaning it comes with rice and beans). The dish as a whole just simply lacked flavor!! Everything all tasted the same! Did they forget to add seasoning? Uhhh I'd say it's pretty difficult for any Mexican food in general to lack flavor...They did give a small container of salsa along with my to-go order, but it didn't go very far being such a small amount. I think for $12 I expect more. On the plus side, the burrito is huge! Definitely a two-day meal if you don't over-stuff yourself. I couldn't find their menu online but when I went to pick up my order most recently, they gave me their website: mariabonita808.com/menu-3
(3)Ariana M.
I love Mexican food! Only junk part is almost everywhere in Hawaii SUCKS compared to the mainland :( But oh well gatta work with what we got! One thing I love about Maria Bonita is their HUMANGO portions. The price you pay for the amount of food you get, definitely cant go wrong! Each time I ate here I always did take out. The burritos are yummy and the quesadillas are great too! This isn't the best Mexican on the island, but it is definitely satisfying.
(4)Elysia R.
This place is so AWESOME! I have been craving mexican food lately especially tamales BUT they did not have any. My boyfriend has been wanting to take me here and we finally found the time to go about 2 weeks ago. I always tag along when he goes to the Maritime Union right across Aloha Tower and we always have to pay for parking :(. That was the only you can find at a busy area in this business section of the town. With a maximum one-hour parking, we made a 15 minutes walk to a 6-8 minutes, BAM! It is squeezed along Bethel St. just by the intersection area. You cannot really miss it though because it has a very direct restaurant sign and a chalkboard outside that lets you know they have wet burritos! YUM! Facility: -1 Star It was a clean place but the fact that it was hot in there without opening besides the door way, I was pretty much sweating like a pig (besides the piggy in me that ate). They had a couple fans hanging on the wall but it did not really reach anyone, here and there though. Service: +1 Star I don't remember the one and only server in there but he was awesome. Very attentive, filled our water, EVEN SAID EXCUSE ME so he could reach over to fill our cups (not many places do you know), owner/cook even came out to give one of our orders, and the owner's wife (I am guessing) came to pick up our empty plates after. Talk about everyone pulling their weight, and I think it was a family affair type of business. Price: +1 Star We purchased the most expensive item on the menu and that was $9.95 of goodness. Food: +2 Star I gave it 2 stars because we ordered TWO wet burrito plates and they were both sooooooooo good. We ordered their well-known wet burrito, comes with a side of refried beans, spanish rice, red sauce, and a super large burrito. Check my comparison picture to an iPhone 5. They also serve chips and fresh spicy salsa as appetizer while you wait for your order. Really love the freshness of the cilantro and tomatoes in it plus the heat. Beats Senor Pepe's straight from a can salsa haha. Their wet burrito was so fresh and I could tell. The tortilla was soft, fresh cilantro and onions, and so was the meat. We both got the beef as ado, oh not chewy, not dry, and not precooked and store bought either. I have yet to go back and try the rest of their menu, and I am very much looking forward to it. Next time you are in town or you decide to check out China town in the morning and feel hungry for lunch, hunt for this place. BTW, try to find a parking closer than we did because after we ate, we had to rush back to our car to make sure the meter has not run out. Oh the side pain. My body can tell the difference between fresh food and processed, and this place is NOT processed. I did not feel like crap 2 hours later.
(4)Greg S.
Chicken tamale special was excellent, friend had the Cal. Burrito that was huge!
(5)Kevin T.
A pretty good Mexican option in China Town. Extremely casual place, but serves up dependable Mexican dishes. Today's special was the Grilled Mahi Mahi stuffed Burrito with Green sauce (see pic). Not the greatest neighborhood (saw a street fight on the way out), but it's Hotel Street...what do you expect.
(3)Tze M.
If you can brave into the slowly revamping of the red light district of Chinatown? Maria Bonita is located on Pauahi Street side of Hotel Street. They don't have parking, so you'll have to find street parking or any of the lots in the area. NOTE: Hotel Street is for buses only. I went there late, so I was the only person there. Service was excellent. I ordered a burrito, just the burrito. Nothing fancy. It was rolled with rice, steak, lettuce, and beans. I give this place 3.5 stars.
(3)Marielle A.
I was missing home and craving a California Burrito and they are the only mexican restaurant I know that serves it, but not only that, they did a great job. Might have to be one of my go-to places for mexican food in Hawaii. Thanks, guys!
(4)Mel M.
My wife and I had this place on our radar after seeing it on "Cheap Eats". We finally had a chance to dine at this place last weekend...and all I can say is, "meh". The food was OK...definitely not the best Mexican food we've tried on the island. I had the taco plate (with steak) and the wife had the...hmmm, I can't even remember what she had. That's how memorable (or unmemorable) the meal was. The food wasn't bursting with flavors we've come to expect from Mexican food. We've tried it...will NOT be coming back for more. We do applaud the lone worker there however...he was the greeter, the cashier, waiter, cook, and bus boy. He was the only one there when we stopped by for an early lunch on a Saturday and he was a one man operation.
(2)Mark H.
Came here for lunch following a recommendation from a friend and also because another friend reported seeing a Cheap Eats news piece on this establishment. I don't know how to critique Mexican food as I hardly eat Mexican. I can't tell what is authentic and what is Americanized. The below are my thoughts. Eating in comes with chips & salsa while you wait for your food--good salsa at that (it is spicy..). Service was also great. A warning though, it may take 10 - 15 minutes for you to receive your food so if you are in a rush, I suggest you phone your order ahead of time. I ordered the Chimichanga with shredded chicken. It is huge. If you finish it as I did, you will definitely feel stuffed. At about $12, it includes beans & rice. My friend also ordered the same entree. The deep fried exterior tortilla was flaky and I liked its texture. But as for the chicken, I thought it lacked taste and I needed to apply lots of the salsa to it to add some taste. my friend also found the need to cover his chimichanga with salsa to add flavor. Will I come back here? Yes. The ingredients looked appealing, the size of the entree was massive. I think the chicken was the wrong pick for me. I will try the beef for my next dish--probably the flauta or burrito...I'm going to give here the benefit of the doubt and try something else next time (I am coming back here next week with a different friend..). UPDATE: I came back here today (1/16/2013) and had the Spicy California Burrito from their daily specials board. This time it was filled with carne asada. I was underwhelmed with its flavor. After two visits in a row with lackluster flavor, I doubt I will return anytime soon. I personally prefer the Mexican restaurant on 4th Street Mall, La Taqueria Ricardo, over Maria Bonita....
(3)Anela A.
2 stars for the chips and salsa. Nice and spicy. Ordered the wet burrito....barely any chicken in there. And it was a weird filling- wilted lettuce, carrots and potatoes. Gross. Took a picture which captured my experience.
(2)Debbie R.
I must have walked by this place a hundred times, but never ventured in. So I was happy to see that they were one of the stops on the Dish Walk a couple weeks ago. The place is a little hole in the wall, ma & pa run Mexican food place on Hotel street, near Nuuanu. On the walk, we were treated to carne asada tacos, which were quite tasty. The salsa is fresh & spicy. I went back for lunch this past week and got the combo plate: taco and enchilada with bean and rice. Very filling and everything tasted fresh. Beans were a little runny for my liking, but I still ate them! I'm happy that there is another option for Mexican food in town. Hard to find on this island!
(4)Chuck M.
Great place and wonderful food! Only wish they would give more of their delicious mexican rice!
(5)Steven K.
The enchilada sauce is amazing. Shyla was very friendly and good at her job. I will recommend this place to everyone. Parking can be a challenge.
(3)Karebear W.
Located on Hotel street, this is on of those hole in the wall type restaurants that serves up delicious, authentic Mexican cuisine. Must try the chili relleno plate and chimichanga!!!
(4)Jon R.
Place is great. Good food. Good costumer service. Good prices. Come get your Mexican food fix here.
(5)Elizabeth G.
I heard great things about this place. I was very disappointed with the food. Burrito was bland, rice was old, and the beans were okay. Would not recommend for Mexican food... I had the carne asada burrito 12 dollar burrito not worth it...
(2)Scott M.
I've been meaning to try this place for years...major disappointment! Hands down the worst mexican food I've had in Hawaii. I had the carnitas taco plate with rice and beans, friend had the chimichanga plate. Tacos consisited of one small tortilla with some no-flavor shredded pork topped with lettuce and melted cheese. Both plates were bland at best, and the beans tasted like canned refried beans. Needed Taco Bell hot sauce just to make it edible...
(1)K C.
Eating the Chile Verde wet burrito. It was awesome. Just came back from Vegas and they are right up there with authenticity, taste, and price. Will b back.
(4)Racquel R.
Well, after reading the reviews on yelp I had high expectiations for Maria Bonita. During my lunchbreak, I ordered take-out and picking it up was pretty easy. Found street parking right away. I ordered the enchilada combo with pork and chicken. Plate looked really good with cheese and fatty goodness. But upon taking my first bite of what seemed to be pork, I was overwhelmed with the taste of sour cream. I don't usually get my enchiladas with sour cream but it definitely took way from the taste of the red sauce and the meat. The echiladas we're about 4 stars for me because the pork and chicken really had a good flavor after scrapping off the sour cream and lettuce. What killed it for me was the rice and beans. I love rice and refried beans but damn, this was a pretty big disappointment. The rice lacked flavor and was over cooked. The styrofoam flavor got into the rice which could be a factor. The beans were too soupy for my taste. Lacked that fat binding element. Sadly disappointed and unsatisfied at the moment. This is an honest review. I guess i have high standards for mexican. There is really awesome mexican here on the island but i don't think im adding maria bonita to my list of awesome.
(2)Aydee Z.
No one on da island does tortas like Maria Bonitas. They use all the traditional ingredients including the light fluffy bread, for this filling and delicious meal. I kind of like the new look but I miss the Mexican flag and some of the other decorations that reminded me of Mexico. Also, they use disposable styrofoam way too much! I would give them another star but I can't stand eating off styrofoam (nasty). Still, there food is one of the better Mexican food places in town.
(3)Lee B.
Tried the chicken enchilada w/green sauce a few years back - it was good. Forgot about this spot until recently, walking by (on my way to that other Mexican place on Fort St.) when I thought, hey, try something else here. I wanted some naughty-cheesy-goodness so I ordered nachos w/ chicken and a side of guac. The shredded chicken was perfectly cooked and seasoned and yes, a lot of cheesy-goodness (see my pic). Oh, and A+ service!
(4)Gil G.
Carnitas Tacos were excellent. Nice CaliMex style. Salsa was roasted with great flavor, muy sabroso! Chimichanga was filled with flavorful chicken and not a greased up bomb.
(5)rasa f.
Flavor great, but we tried to order simple bean and cheese tacos or burritos, or tostada or taco salad, but everything comes only with meat or veggies, no substitutions, unless you're willing to pay the same price even though its only beans and cheese
(3)Gayle S.
Chimichanga... Can be a beautiful thing. And so far, so gooooood!!! Big, Tasty, and ready to go back for more!
(4)Christina Y.
All I can say is - you get what you pay for. It's OK Mexican food. Being from California, I still have yet to find a good Mexican restaurant on this island with reasonable prices. We had a wet burrito. Everything inside was soggy, and the sauce on top really didn't add a whole lot. I think the only thing I enjoyed was people watching from our seat as hundreds of people walked by for First Friday.
(2)Reney O.
Right when I had given up on finding a legit torta on this island lo n behold I find Maria Bonita's in Chinatown, the LAST place I'd look for a Mexi restaurant. Sweet baby jeebus, BEST TORTA ON THE ISLAND. It's a sweet story too. After moaning and groaning about my severe lack of real Mexican food down here (the only places I approve of are Maria Bonita's, Acapulco, and Sergio's) my friend introduced me to this hidden gem, telling me that they'll have EXACTLY what I've been looking for. At first I didn't see "Torta" anywhere on their menus, but I swear I saw it in passing once or twice before. So I asked, all hopeful and finger-crossed. The guy at the counter laughed at my desperate expression and said, "Sure sure we can make you a torta! No problem." So my workmate and I waited for our food to come out, and since we're only allotted a 45 minute lunch break, we were kinda in a hurry. We waited a solid 30 minutes before my food came out. So of course we weren't too pleased. BUT but but but, clearly they were working hard cause the guy who took my order was running around back and forth, in and out of the restaurant. When we got our food I didn't put up a fuss, but the registrar/waiter explained anyway, all out of breath: So sorry miss for your wait! *gasps* You see, we didn't have bread to make the torta. So I had to run out down the street to go get the ingredients. So sorry! Me: Whoa! OMG You really didn't have to do that! Holy crap, I'M sorry you shoulda told me! Geez. If never have I totally could've ordered something else. Out-of-breath-nice-guy: No no no! We can make it! It's no problem. Really. I shoulda run faster hahaha. Sorry for the wait. Seriously? Who is THAT nice to a patron when a menu item is unavailable??? WOW! And that torta hit home for me. Grand slam! It tasted amazing, it couldn't be fresher and more delicious. And for the outstanding service, I gotta give this place a fiver- Maria Bonita's IS as good as it gets [on the island]! PS Ambience: it's a hole in the wall, as most good Mexican restaurants are. Simple, clean, small, full of people pigging out during their lunch breaks. Food and service an absolute two thumbs up.
(5)Bill J.
Really enjoyed my first time here! I got the Carne Asada steak tacos and was really happy with my choice. The service was pretty fast and my food was perfect. My favorite part was actually the chips and salsa. The salsa verde was pretty spicy, just how I like it. I can definitely say I'll be back. The price was decent too, it was 10 bucks for my plate and a drink. The food portions were more than enough to fill me up. ME GUSTA. I'm already craving it again! At 1 pm I had the whole place to myself but I heard it can get quite busy. If you're ever downtown and don't want fast food tacos, but rather something more traditional, stop by Maria Bonita!
(4)Brent K.
Ordered a carnitas burrito plate for take out. While this place wasn't jammed packed with people, I did end up waiting about 25 mins for my food. By the time I got back, I was starved and excited to dive into my food. I was hit with disappointment. Beans? Tasteless. Spanish rice? Tasteless. Burrito? Come on, tasteless even covered with the salsa given. I could've gone for a cool ranch taco after this one.
(3)Chelsea L.
The food is delicious! The guacamole is bomb and the server david is a sweetheart. A great place to stop before or after the bars :)
(5)Kendal T.
I have say this place can be considered as one of the better mexican restaurants on the island. I had the wet carnitas burrito (pork) and I have to say, you will get full. I thought the burrito had presence but not the taste I was hoping for. I was surprised that I didn't order sour cream and guacamole. Idk if they even had it. But I have to say the salsa is good. Good heat and flavor. And the pinto and spanish rice was a good compliment to the meal. I am a harder critic cuz i've had very very good burritos in the mainland and base everything off that. I would give this burrito a 8 on my scale. I think it will be up to par if the option of sour cream and guacamole was added.
(4)Branz H.
Went to try this place since I had to get my car fixed. I'm so thankful for all you Yelpers, this place was ONO. I had the wet veggie burrito, was so tasteful and was so big I needed to bring the rest home.
(4)Jack W.
Funny some of the best Mexican food is in Chinatown. I usually order when I'm working. Its so nice to call it in walk down and pick it up. always friendly and now they know me by what i order. super good Mexican food for it being in Hawaii . must try it at least once if you get a chance.
(5)Daniel M.
I used to stop by this place when I played music at the Dragon Upstairs around the corner. It seems a bit sketchy to have a Mexican Restaurant right there on Hotel Street-- but the flavors I experienced were the most vibrant I've had on the island. By no means is it a fancy place; the street life, while colorful, may deter some from trying it. It seems to be open inconsistently in the evenings. I think it could be a great late night spot if they would let it!
(4)Miki L.
Well, well. Who knew there was great Mexican food on Hotel Street (Ewa, just past the Nuuanu Street intersection)?! The reason I stopped in was because several of my night-owl/bar industry friends often get take out from here. In my experience, food and bar industry people are very smart about steals, deals and quality. The place is clean and with natural air, meaning to AC. I had a California burrito. Filled with fried potatoes (instead of rice), chopped jalapenos, cheese, veggies and carne asada ($9). Chips and salsa were brought to the table while the burrito was made. What I don't like about Mexican is that it can be sloppy, too wet and goopey. This burrito was the opposite of that -- all items inside tasty and fresh, not mushed together. Wish I could have eaten it all.
(4)Marc K.
If you like simple, humble, fresh, tasty Mexican food this place is hard to beat. In fact, in my opinion, it beats Serg's (terrible!) and Cholo's (pretentious but terrible!) food off the map! I will definitely be back. I also appreciated the friendly service.
(5)Bryan S.
There is a way I judge mexican food here on the island. I do it with chicken enchiladas. This has to be the most unique enchilada sauce on the island. The sauce taste great, with enough spice to keep you sipping your Pepsi. The enchilada itself is covered in a ton of lettuce, cheese, and sour cream. Here they don't over board you with Chips and Salsa. The salsa is spicy but tasty. I would recommend visiting this hidden jewel at least once in your life. You would probably visit it again. Yeah the day bars are kinda ghetto and the crazies sometimes make a lot of noise. If you want to avoid that visit them in Kaneohe.
(5)Patrick I.
stopped here last night after my yoga class; had an a la carte ground beef burrito! love love love loved it! mahalo! :) xo
(4)Brad N.
I recommend the carne asada chimichanga. Do not get the bean and cheese burrito. The wait is long. Do not go on a First Friday, or you will be waiting around forever. Best Mexican food I tasted in Hawaii.
(4)Chrissy K.
I hauled my hb here because of the reviews (and photos) on yelp. I was not disappointed! Thanks yelpers~! We popped into Maria Bonita's on a Sunday afternoon...hungry.... There was another customer finishing up his meal...and Diego was really pleasant and friendly explaining what was good (everything) and whatnot. I got the chimichanga (a la carte) and the hub got enchiladas combo (one pork one beef) yum yum yum. The salsa was nice and spicy with a good kick. The food came out FAST....and it was large+fresh. I loved the kick in my chimichanga meat + a nice touch of cilantro. The meat was good and we pigged out. A combo + chimichanga a la carte ran us about 18$ We just drank water. It's pretty decent and well, delicious. The owner is very friendly, and really nice. Even though it's in chinatown (which some people think is sketch), it's not. There's street parking (mostly metered + 1 hr limit until 6), and a municipal lot/garage about 2 streets over. This is my new favorite mexican place in town. It's about time....eat at Maria Bonita's!
(5)Will L.
OK I found the trick to the place, as suggested by Eat N. When ordering tacos, ask for "Mexican Style" with onions and cilantro only instead of the "American Style" (i.e. Taco Bell style, LOL) with shredded lettuce and cheddar cheese. So I had two fish tacos Mexican Style today and it was terrific. The mahi mahi was cut into cubes which made things manageable to eat and it wasn't too dry like mahi mahi tends to be. With the chopped onions, cilantro, fire roasted salsa and corn tortilla (only one tortilla but it was good quality as it was nicely warmed and maintained its shape), this turned out to be a quality meal. I got the two taco plate so you get Spanish rice and refried beans with it. If you order in, you get a side of chips and salsa which are great. But the tacos were the thing. Try the other kinds of tacos. In any case, Mexican Style tacos are hard to find in this town but you got one right here in downtown. I recommend.
(4)Emiko T.
Came down here during the First Fridays craze and had my first taste of Mexican food since I left the mecca of supreme Mexican food in San Jose. My friend and I shared 2 carne asada tacos which came with a side of rice and beans and surprisingly only for $7.99. The carne asada was seriously succulent and juicy. This was one good taco. The plate was perfect for a quick bite to eat and the rice was also excellent. Only complaint and maybe discouragement from going here a lot would be the service. It was way too slow, but maybe they were a little short on staff? I'd love to try one of their burritos next time though. But how about that four alarm fire salsa they serve you? Hot damn be careful if you're not ready for a karate kick in your mouth.
(4)Ryan I.
I must have walked past this place a hundred times on my way to Chinatown, but to be honest, the seediness of this stretch of Hotel Street (with the all day bars and crazies lining the street) made me keep walking without much interest. Boy was I stupid! This place is great! I had one of the daily specials, a chile verde with beans and rice. The first thing I noticed was that nothing was overly salted, which was really nice. The pork in the chile verde was tender and flavorful, and the tomatillos were mild and not super sour. The beans and rice were good if not remarkable. I think the tortillas were heated in the microwave but I don't have a problem with that. The menu has the standard assortment of tacos, burritos and enchiladas. I gotta come back and try everything on the menu! Yelp 365 Challenge #4/365
(4)Andy N.
Authentic, solid taste better than the Forte Street place for sure
(4)Terrance Y.
Hidden just out of the Fort Street Mall area and just out of the Main Chinatown section Maria Bonita on Hotel Street nestled near the bars of old and like a quiet little shop which the food is nothing like the exterior. The food is quite outstanding I usually have the Carne Asada Burrito which by itself fills me to extremes, sometimes I venture to actually getting the plate which then I feel like bursting walking tenderly out before I explode from the mass of goodness I just inhaled. The Wet Burrito is also great I used to go to Fort Street Mall for my Burrito fix but I'd rather walk two more blocks to Maria Bonita. What is great is the friendly attitude and personable demeanor of the owner who basically does everything! Although he is busy he can get out the food to you quite quickly and still be friendly. If eating in you get a bowl of Chips and Salsa to go with your meal adding to the bursting feeling of all that food. The Salsa is great inf fact I use it on my burrito as I am a spicy food lover. The restaurant although small and in a older area of town is comfortable and you feel right at home sitting on the few benches in the shop decorated with classic Mexican decor. Parking in the area is pretty much limited to the Parking lots nearby but definitely worth it. I'd have to say this is my Favorite Mexican eating place in town for Lunch.
(4)Cristyn T.
Aye, Maria! You may be bonita, but your food is no bueno! I will say that I am biased and maybe a little spoiled because I live right across the border in San Diego, where Mexican food is the staple like plate lunches in Hawaii. However, I saw a "People love us on Yelp" sticker in the window and figured this place should be decent for Hawaii. The cashier was wearing a t-shirt that explained how Mexican people are native to Mexico and not "Latin" or "Spanish" so I assumed this place was authentic. Right away, I noticed that the prices were inflated 2x what I pay in San Diego, no exaggerating! I guess that's understandable given that it is Hawaii and everything is more expensive in Hawaii. I ordered a b&c (bean and cheese burrito), since I am obsessed with them and figured it would be hard to mess that up! It was $5.77 with tax! Oh my, I usually get my fix for under $3. Anyway, the price tag didn't bother me as much as the burrito did. The tortilla tasted store-bought and was too small to hold in the watery beans. I couldn't even eat it like a burrito and had to bust out the fork and knife. The salsa was also very watery and lacked both taste and spiciness. They brought out chips and salsa, and the chips also tasted store-bought and stale. I hate to bad mouth this place since it seems to be run by a cute family trying to survive in Hawaii. Instead I will take this as a lesson learned and never attempt to eat Mexican food in Hawaii again, especially when I was about to board a plane back to California 2 hours after eating here!
(2)Leslie G.
The food here is very good. My only complaint would be that it is not a place for a quick lunch. If you want your food in a hurry, you need to call in your order. However, when you do have time for a leisurely lunch, this is a great place as the food is quite delicious.
(4)Steven S.
Firstly, I've never been to their restaurant yet, only the lunch wagon parked by the Courthouse (at Punchbowl and Halekauwila). I've had some bomb burritos from my Marine days stationed in California. We would make special trips from north-eastern Cali down to the San Diego area to get burritos (500+ miles *hello roadtrip), so I KNOW good burritos*. (*disclaimer- I grew up in Molokai not S. Cali or Mexico so I may or may not "know" said burritos as I claim). With that being the base of what I judge all mexican food anywhere here is my review... It was pretty good! This is my second time there and I ordered the Carnitas Pork Burrito(first time I had the chicken burrito and it was good too). There was a good portion of rice, beans, pork(or chicken), and something else (i dont remember, I woofed it down). The size of the burrito was pretty good, taste was not bad. One thing that I didnt care for was the side order sauce that they give you. Maybe I was hoping for something more caliente like how I used to get it in Cali. I had more to write but I forgot, full already. Ah, oh well, its all gone now anyway :). side note: I had to eat it with a fork and knife because I didnt want to return to the office with burrito contents all over my shirt. I want to give it 3 stars because I had some good stuff in Cali and also for the sauce. I also want to give it 5 stars because its the best Mexican food I had in Hawaii (from a restaurant). So I settled with 4 stars. Overall, will probably repeat. Hey, they got me to comeback the second time...
(4)Esteban W.
Maria Bonita was one of the FIRST places on Oahu that I tried Mexican cooking. I was just excited to find a place for 'my people' to conjugate and share "el chisme". The offer a wide range of Mexican favorites, stuff I grew up with and stuff my moms used to make. What I ordered was a Chimichanga, and this place gets two whole stars just for the size. Taste wise, I wasn't happy with the sauce that it came with, it was slightly too liquidy and I wish it was more thick. More Impressive is that your food here is actually being cooked, prepared and served by an actual Latino, or Hispanic, so I felt like I was at home. The bad comes with trying to visit this place. It is on Hotel Street, and no cars can drive on Hotel, its Bus ONLY, so you can not run in and out and drive off, you have to park. Parking is all meters on surrounding streets and about $3 in the surrounding structures. The best bet is to wait til 6:30pm (on week days, all day on week ends and holidays) park on King and enjoy your food. RECOMMENDATION: go in and grab a filling meal before heading to Bar 35, which is a few doors down - don't go overboard with the food though, for two reasons: you'd be loading the cannon, or you'd be making it harder to get that buzz. three and a half stars because the location is difficult (and at night is shady thanks to the bar zombies next door), but the food reminds me of home. By the way, are those BB bullet holes in the windows? yikes.
(3)Nicole M.
First, to all the bad mouthers not from Hawaii, Maria Bonita is awesome and it is cheap. Not Taco Bell cheap, or California immigrant exploitation cheap, but cheap. Enchilada is excellent. I love that they are open during First Fridays and during the week as well. I always support family businesses and this is a great one.
(5)Maka I.
I really loved the Mexican food at Maria Bonita's ... there's not a lot of great Mexican food on the O'ahu but this place is actually good. It's located in Chinatown and I went there on Cinco De Mayo. Luckily for me I did go here and have Mexican food cause all the food stands were packed that night at the street fair and the wait was about 40 minutes at every stand. I love their chimichanga. The service was great and fast. Gracias Maria Bonita for some great Mexican food! :)
(5)Cintamani A.
It's definitely one of the better Mexican restaurants on Oahu. It's also affordable, tasty, very friendly service from a funny sweet lady and a comfortable setting. Sadly, when I actually want to eat there it's always closed. For that reason I always forget about it's existence which is such a shame. One of the few Mexican restaurants I will dine at and recommend.
(4)Gina B.
I visit Maria Bonita's often and am always satisfied with the size and taste but don't understand why it has to be so expensive. Today, I ordered the veggie burrito plate and it was a little under $9. If you're doing take out, I do not suggest getting the plate. I got a tiny scoop of rice and beans which was certainly not worth whatever extra I paid for.
(3)Heather J.
Wow this place! Our first time here and it was delicious! *huge portions *friendly workers *not expensive *delicious Although parking downtown can be a pain, this food was worth it. We will be back!!! Thanks guys!
(5)Nani G.
I stopped here today because it was finally open when I was in the area. The interior hasn't changed since I first stopped in years ago. The place has no air conditioning, but a couple fans do circulate the air a bit. The cashier was friendly, patient and helpful which is really nice. They served a small bowl of chips and some spicy salsa that had good flavor. I couldn't believe the bowl wasn't even full and that was crazy since it was a small bowl. I had the flauta meal with one chicken and one shredded beef. When they brought it out sour cream, cilantro, lettuce, tomatoes and cheese towered atop the flauta. Now that's magic to my eyes. My disappointment was in seeing potatoes and carrots in the rice. That is not Spanish rice and when I tasted it the flavor wasn't really there either. It was a disappointment. Even the texture was a bit off and when a restaurant can nail Mexican rice they really have a chance at nailing the food. The beans had melted cheese which was nice. Back to the flauta since they are the main thing on the plate. The shredded beef was good, but the chicken lacked taste so I piled on more cilantro which made it better. This place isn't as good as it used to be. One of the cooks left a couple months back and that probably made a difference. There are a couple better Mexican restaurants on the island but not many. This one is okay and nothing I would go out of my way to visit, but I'd go back to if I was needing Mexican food.
(2)Starla T.
You know how mom said to never judge a book by its cover? Well listen to mom and judge after you ate at this place. I'll be honest and admit that I judged this place by its exterior. But hey! I'm sure everyone else who works in Downtown did! Maria's is a totally hole in a wall with a sketchy bar next door. The food was amazing! For about $10 I got a huge plate! My combo consisted of an enchilada, beef taco, Mexican rice and refried beans. Kanak attack was written all over that plate. Service was great and the guy at the counter was super friendly. He came around to refill water multiple times as well as clear away our dishes. I usually don't care for Mexican food, but this place was really good. So listen to mom. Don't judge this place by its walls.
(5)Rachel I.
Maria Bonita has been bookmarked on my Yelp account for who-knows-how-long until yesterday afternoon when I decide to have lunch with my Beau and was craving Mexican. Using my YELP app to locate our lunch meal, Maria Bonita popped up as a nearby Mexican restaurant. Say whattt? They have a downtown location? FINALLY I get to try Maria Bonita because little did I know, they have two locations! We had a late lunch, around 1 pm on a Wednesday, when we entered Maria Bonita and I immediately noticed they didn't have A/C (only fans) and the lighting was very dim. The front doors were left open to let in natural breeze...except there wasn't any because our Kona Winds have been coming and going lately. Being that there were only 2 other parties dining at the time, we scored 1 of 2 tables that had a wall fan above it - thank goodness because it was HOT, I am not sure I would've dined here otherwise. They have a simple menu on a black board behind the counter where you'd order and yes they accept credit card even though it's a hole-in-the-wall. We ordered a Chimichanga to share and a Horchata (because like I said before, it was HOT!) We enjoyed complimentary chips & salsa and sipped on cold water while our order was being prepared. The salsa definitely had a kick to it, not that I can handle spicy, but my SO enjoyed it so you'd have to read his review (Nam P.) if spicy is your thing. The food arrived faster than expected and the cashier/server brought an extra plate and utensils because he was paying attention and noticed that we were sharing. For a lunch meal, the portions were large but if it were for dinner I would probably be left a little hungry. I was sad that we weren't given more re-fried beans and rice since I am accustom to other local Mexican restaurants piling that on as well as guac and pica de gallo - but none here. I appreciated the customer service but it was terribly hot & stuffy inside and the food portion size was below average compared to most Mexican restaurants. For one Chimichanga entree and one Horchata drink our total was about $16 which is average for Mexican food in Hawaii. Good to know that there's a Mexican restaurant downtown!
(4)Nam P.
It is starting to feel like a battle of who has the best chimichanga these days and my visit to Maria Bonita was no different. Stepping through the doors of this tiny restaurant you start to feel the warm air immediately which I was disappointed with because my girlfriend and I were trying to get out of the outdoor heat. To their credit, however, there were multiple ceiling fans and a couple wall fans to somewhat keep us cool. Taste: 4/5 I like my chimichanga to have a crispy tortilla fried shell and this place brought it. The ground beef was juicy and the sour cream, lettuce, and cheese played their roles to give each bite satisfaction. The Horchata while good did not give me the refreshing feeling I was hoping for. Service: 5/5 Unfortunately I didn't get the name of the cashier but he was a young male who gave excellent service. Friendly, clear spoken, and helpful. I asked him for change after my meal and he took my cash, asked what increments of change I would like, and counted out each dollar for me like he was an experienced bank teller. Setting: 3/5 Sadly with the heat I would have liked to sit in some kind of air conditioned room and knowing this doesn't have it I may pass on the opportunity to return if the weather is as humid as it was that day. There was plenty of open tables and seating so it's perfect for small groups (3-5 people). Final Score: 4/5 Maria Bonita is a good eat with an inviting atmosphere. Bring some company and enjoy their delicious dishes on a cool day or take out and enjoy it on any given day.
(4)Steven U.
I had a chance to eat here for lunch one day with a friend. Convenience was a factor since it was walking distance from where we were. We dined in and I don't believe they have air conditioning at this location. The cashier/order taker was new and was having a little trouble, but no big deal. There were a few tables of people eating (since it was lunchtime) and a few people came and went for the to go orders. FYI....They have Sidral Mundet (Mexican carbonated apple cider soda) which I haven't had in a while....yummy. My friend ordered a chimichanga and I had a taco salad. While we waited for our order, the front counter guy brought us chips and salsa which is a nice touch. Normally, here in the islands, everything costs money, so free chips and salsa....I consider a win. My buddy's chimi arrived and it was fat! Not the longest burrito I have seen, but the sheer girth of it was impressive. He said it was good and polished it off. My taco salad wasn't nearly as large but still very good. It had the right combination of ingredients inside, and the taste was nice. Good contrast of the crispy shell, warm meat and beans, and cold lettuce, tomato, and cheese. I would go back if I was in the area....maybe make an attempt at the chimichanga.....
(3)Jeffery A.
This review is on the monstrous, wet, pulled pork burrito, as it will be from now and forever, until my dying breath...the only Mexican food I will eat...period (with the minor exception of the Taco Truck in Mililani, if I'm ever out that way and happen upon it)! Virtually! The last! You ever ingest anything that would make you just wanna strip of buck necked and run barefoot down the road waving your arms like a wacky wavy inflatable? Maybe it was my hunger? Maybe, it is the fact that I so seldom get to partake in the finer foods originating from south of the US border (I have traveled extensively in Mexico, the Caribbean, and South America...but that was many, many, many moons ago)? Today, I had Maria Bonita's humongous, cheese covered (there was enough cheese melted on this thing to give a small elephant constipation), spicy (I ask for extra spicy, and they gave me spicy salsa which was actually quite spicy! And I added Tapatio, which they also have), pulled pork (mostly congregated in the center), burrito! Stuffed with rice, frijoles, lettuce, onions, and kinda the kitchen sink. I got take out, and when I got home and opened the box, I said to myself... "There is no way I can finish that! No way!" I decided that I would try it first without the hot sauce. I opened a Dos Equis, cut myself a wedge of lime, and squeezed it inside. I cut a second wedge and squeezed it on the burrito and went to work. A third of the way through I added their hot sauce. Half way through, I added the Tapatio...and as I was scraping the edges of the take out box, a drop of sweat running into my eye, I noticed a metamorphoses had overcome me. I was setting at the bar (Yes! I have a bar, it's a real bar, in my house. ESPN was on, yes, I have a tv in my bar, I wasn't watching) and I was hunched over, digging at the styrofoam container with a spoon! In an almost greedy, animalistic fashion, I turned my head to the left and right looking to make sure I was still alone! I don't even remember when I got the spoon! So I set here, happily content, with a still full bottle of Dos Equis (I didn't even stop to drink) thinking about "The Green Hills of Africa"...and elephants...and Metamucil. Plus the asphalt was way to hot, so I just put my cloths back on...that's my review...I need a shower then a nap...Aloha
(5)Tabatha P.
This place has excellent Mexican food, just what I have been looking for especially in Chinatown. I LOVE the way they make the rice with potato and carrot chunks. The wet burrito was huge! Nice portion. The house made salsa is delicious and not too spicy which I like. The service is also nice, the young man serving is was very polite and catering. I only wish they were open later for all the times I order take out for dinner. Mahalo
(5)Ivy Lou H.
Maria Bonita is a sweet Mexican lady cooking for the inebriated and less-fortunate denizens of Chinatown for quite a few years now. I'm not much of a Mexican food lover but had me a craving for something quick and greasy so appropriately I walked down to Hotel Street and Maria's little hole-in-the-wall-and-the-cieling establishment. Tacos, Burritos, Quesadillas, Enchiladas, they've got them all. For just $6 I got three mini Tacos with shredded beef, onions, and a side of chips and spicy salsa that were all pretty good considering the price and surroundings. This is a good alternative if Downbeat Diner across the street is full.
(3)Lynnette S.
Pretty Authentic by my California standards. Carnitas tacos are yummy, wet burrito is really good and I even like the chips. My only complaint is that they close at 3 pm during the week! Weekends they stay open late, but that doesn't help me for Taco Tuesday :( Staff is super nice & they even speak Spanish!!!
(4)Shannon L.
We were looking for nachos in Chinatown after 5pm and lucked out that it was Wednesday. Maria Bonita's has limited hours where they are open in the evening (Wed-Fri 5pm to 9pm). It is a small place with about six 4 tops, but quaint and BYOB which is amazing...always. Our waiter was extremely helpful and friendly but I forgot to write his name down. The nachos had fresh cilantro, homemade delicious salsa, sour cream, and fresh chips nice and thin. The shredded beef is really good. A bit pricey for the portion, but what isn't these days.
(3)Al D.
Small and not the least bit fancy. Not a bad option for lunch.
(3)Zena F.
The bar next door sometimes plays loud music but the people that work here are so friendly and the chicken taquito plate is always great!
(5)diego m.
Went there to have the chicken burrito. Lack of consistency, should I say - few weeks ago, it was really good but yesterday, it was not that good - missing the rice and other ingredients. I guess they have different "chef"/kitchen helper. For the price they charge ($9+), they should give consistency and quality. Overtly overpriced for being slightly overrated. But for most of the times, they have been pretty good.
(3)Eric A.
Maria Bonita and their one man, do-it-himself workhorse. All hail the Red, White and Green cooking machine! Thing I like about the owner/chef if that he really reminds me of my father. Little brown-skinned, humble hard working man; always doing something, albeit around the house or in the kitchen. Only difference is that my pop mainly cooks Filipino food and Tsk Tsk Too Bad, not Mexican! It was here on Yelp where I read up on the owner's early beginnings, from selling food out his truck in Waimanalo, all the way to his current location in downtown Honolulu. On night ventures, I've walked past Maria Bonita with intrigue in the past. In fact, my band used to play clubs a few doors down from his. On my last visit, although he was closed, he still served us. Feeling bad, I motioned to my friend to take whopping mouthfuls of this delicious food so we can "vamoose" (vamanos=move) on out of there. Either way, the owner still hung out and talked with us before he closed shop. I can tell a lot of love goes into his food. The salsa is both tasty and freaking spicy as hell, not to mention his chicken being not only tender but having a signature taste. I can't put my finger on it, though my friend argues it's saffron. No complaints about portion or flavor here, though I honestly think its all about the dude who runs the place. My favorite part of this review is how his face lit up after I told him the only reason why I eat there is because it comes highly recommended. 4 stars Maria Bonita on Hotel Street
(4)Stacey C.
Awesome food. A bit of a hole in the wall but the food is great. Salsa is spicy and the chimichanga and burrito are good. Would be better if it were a few bucks cheaper but the quality is good.
(5)Bill S.
Generally good to great food. Service can be a bit slow at lunch when only one or two folks are working there. Plates often come out one at a time, when they're prepared, so some may be waiting while others have their food. The salsa is moderately hot but is home made and tastes awesome (temperature-wise is hot, too). The carne asada torta is my favorite, followed by the carne asada quesadilla. Went there last week at 11:30, and although the door was open and the beans were being cooked, the owner hadn't arrived, and I was told they weren't open yet.
(4)Jenifer G.
The wet burrito plate (beef) delighted me. Yummy nummy for $11 something. The sauce was a little on the salty side, but it was a good 2 portions for me. I'm definitely coming back, gonna try the other stuff too.
(4)Mark G.
This place isn't the best looking but the food is really great. The only issue I ever have when coming here for lunch is that I end up waiting almost 15-20 minutes for my food once I order it. A bit odd when I'm one of 2 customers in the joint at most times. Nonetheless, the food is worth it but they have to step up the conveniece of a quick bite with La Taquiera's just up the street.
(4)T. L.
We discovered this restaurant several years ago after reading a review in either the local daily or the Honolulu Weekly. Yes, it's on Hotel Street where only buses are allowed and you will find on-street parking if you're lucky. There's always the municipal lot on Beretania at Nuuanu. It is adjacent to some seedy bars and the restaurant is dive-y. If the area scares you or you're a woman dining alone, you may feel more comfortable having an early dinner. We struck up a conversation with the owner, who was very friendly and at that time was a one-man operation. After this first visit, I would have given this restaurant 3 1/2 stars, if there was such a rating. The owner prepared our food - Ground beef enchiladas and wet burrito - and it was tasty. There wasn't any complimentary chips and salsa in those days, but the entrees made up for it. The portions were fair and it tasted good. We thought this was the best Mexican meal we have had in Hawaii. We would make a trip to Maria Bonita at least twice each year and it was consistently good. Fast forward to our last visit . . . The owner was not there to prepare our food this time around. There was complimentary chips and salsa, but it was a bit too hot for me. The portions were a little smaller and the taste was just okay. Not memorable this time around. They take credit cards now which is always a plus. Because of this inconsistency, I would have to give it 2 stars. We may return if we happen to be in the area, but with the last so-so visit it may be later rather than sooner.
(2)Allen D.
really, I do love this place.Have been coming here for about 4 years now? The food is always consistent, I get it to go or sometimes I sit in there. Diego is super friendly and always greets you if he sees you. There are 'specials' that aren't on the menu. I always ask him to start making Pozole as you just cannot seem to find it on the island easily. Love his wet burrito and the chicken is just done right. nice and tender,very flavorful and he does not skimp on the meat. he tends to have erratic hours. some days closing at 7:00 p, some until 9:00 p. I've gone around at 2:30 and it;s open, sometimes though it's closed. Best really to call and make sure of their hours.
(5)Cynthia A.
Combo plate and a Pepsi = about $9.50. It had 1 taco (corn tortilla, but it was soft) and one enchilada. I opted for chicken. It was darn good. I really liked the rice and beans. There were traces of onions and peppers in them. MMMmmm. Wish the salsa was more spicy, but it had great flavor. Next time I think I will opt for a smaller meal here. Maybe avocado taco salad? The guy working there talked to me for a bit, thanking me for coming in. He was really nice. Said he enjoys his job.
(4)Sumil T.
Authentic Mexican in hawaii. Went there with a friend for a bite before checking out First Friday activities. Had the Pork Chimichanga plate. Overall it was good. I would have liked more flavor, but I tend to like my foods heavy on the spices. Very hole in the wall type place in the middle of Chinatown. Warning to those who can't handle spicy food, ask about the salsa served with the chips before trying it, it has a strong kick. I definitely would go back, considering putting it into my lunch rotation.
(4)Satoru Y.
My favorite taqueria on the island: hands down. Whenever the nostalgic San Francisco craving for burritos comes out in me, this is the place that first comes to mind in Honolulu. Everything has great flavors: that soulful Mexican-Barrio honesty. I love Wet Burritos, and this one make a fantastic one: with great sauce, cheeses, and addictively delicious carne asada. Their Flautas and Tacos are just as good; and filled with great flavors. The menu looks like your standard neighborhood taqueria, and so does the decor inside. It truly captures the heart and soul of those taquerias I miss so much: in both its atmosphere and its food. The owner I see in there from time to time is always ready to chat it up with you. He always thanks me for my patronage whenever I see him there. The staff here has always been great. It's these personal touches that just adds so much to a place. No Mexican is better than this place on the island.
(4)Cat D.
LOVE THIS PLACE...not sure if there is more to say. The RICE is my favorite. There are potatoes and carrots in the rice and the seasoning of chili is wonderful! The Flautas is my food choice. it is perfectly marinated and thinly sliced and stuffed into a tortilla that is wrapped once and deep fried to crispness. I live about 15 mins away and when I do take out it is still crispy. I like Mexican style but I like the fresh taste of vegetables so I will have it "American" 2. No cheese in the flautas which Is how I like it. Salsa is great, nice and spicy with the chips being light and flaky. Beans are freshly made and i never encountered it being sour. Other items for thought: wet burrito, fish and seafood tacos, taco salad, enchiladas (were okay, probably wouldn't have it again) but everything else is ono. I thought the prices were high, but the other Mexican restaurants I've been to are way more expensive and they can't even compare... I have made this place my "Mexican food choice" I notice i compare it with all other Mexican places and no one has captured my heart like them (well Mexico has and the taco trucks that used to come around my neighborhood in Eagle Rock CA), but this will do at my Home now The extra "action" outside reminds of being in LA for some reason...
(5)Christine A.
This place has the best mexican food on the island hands down! The dishes are actually authentic and taste so good! The down side is that it is in chinatown and a bit far for me and the parking can suck at times. But when I am down there I make an effort to go here!
(5)Bootle G.
Belongs in the discussion about the best Mexican food on Oahu. Ask Diego to whip something up off-menu and you won't be sorry! Try the chile verde steak plate or the chimichangas.
(5)Killah G.
There's nothing special about their asada burrito. It tastes like a plain steak burrito. Pretty much was just all steak. The flavors did not ignite my taste buds to where i'd eat it again. and i love good carne asada. I'd eat there again to try different items but if you're looking for a good asada burrito this isn't the spot.
(3)Amy E.
The wet burrito is amazing. There's crack in it or something b/c it keeps you wanting more even tho your full. mmm...
(5)Stacey K.
The food wasn't good.. stale nothing tasted fresh. YUCK
(2)Abby D.
My husband, kids, and I came here on Cinco de Mayo while strolling the street party. It. Was. Crowded! They ended up having to close a couple of times throughout the evening because they were so overwhelmed..but we finally got in! It was SO worth the wait! I had the wet burrito which was *delicious*. As far as I can tell, this is the yummiest Mexican food on the island..just expect to wait a while if you go on Cinco de Mayo! :)
(4)b g.
I give it 4 stars instead of 5 due to the location next to a bar and the lack of parking. My wife and I tried this place for the first time about a month ago and loved it. I had the wet burrito which was awesome! It is loaded with good stuff, not just fillers, and then covered in sauce. My wife had a chimichanga and also loved her dish. In fact, she wouldn't even let me have a bite to try! The prices were a little higher than I expected, but still acceptable. Give them a try and support our local small businesses.
(4)Keesha G.
oh hell no. Its not even fresh food. Microwaves should be outlawed in resturants
(1)Jerry B.
Food was very good and authentic. Service was excellent and staff was very friendly. Definitely going back.
(5)Lee R.
In my opinion, the best mexican food on the island. There's not much to choose from in Hawaii when it comes to good mexican food. Cholo's sucks big time compared to this place. Before he opened this place, my friends and I used to trek out to Waimanalo after going to Sandy's to buy food from Diego's taco truck that was parked near McDonald's. Sometimes we even made the drive just because the food was that good! Diego even let my friend pay him back later when he didn't have any money. Cool guy. The last time I went there was on "First Friday", an event in downtown they have every first friday of the month with art shows, wine tastings, etc. The place was packed and it took about 20 minutes for me to get my take out order. Diego came out and was very apologetic about the wait, I told him for his food it was well worth it. The wet burrito is gargantuan, basically a huge burrito smothered in enchilada sauce...yum. Fish tacos are fantastic, as are the flautas. You will not be disappointed at Maria Bonita. This is a no-nonsense place but the food is just fantastic.
(4)Chris O.
Probably my least favorite Mexican joint I've tried. Ordered the Chimichanga and it had no favor. Prices are also on the more expensive side.
(2)Alicia S.
Best Mexican food you'll find in Oahu. The place is very small, only 5 booths but the food is the best and the price is very reasonable. If you are looking for ambience, skip this place. But if you like hole in the wall but excellent food kind of places, you mush try this place.
(5)Bryan S.
After having read the reviews, walked by a couple of times, and having a craving for Mexican food, I figured I'd give Maria's a try. Went with the carne asada burrito. Didn't go wet as I don't care for a wet burrito all that much. This turned out to be good and bad... Bad because it was fairly bland and good because the salsa with the chips didn't taste quite right. I don't mind bland burrito's if the salsa is good enough to spice it up. Luckily there was Tapatio sauce on the table. I will give this place another try and go with the taco plate before I come to a conclusion.
(3)David G.
I had a Carnitas burrito with tons of stuff in it. It was nice, flavorfull and a little spicy. The cost was around $8.00 so it was a good deal. Hopefully, more people will try Maria Bonita's so he can move from China Town to a nicer store front and a more desirable location. Also, the owner Diego is very nice he really likes to please his customers. Well done Diego, keep up the good work.
(3)Eric Z.
I recently saw a review for Los Chaparros and it had 4.5 stars, so naturally I thought it would be better then Maria Bonita; however, Maria Bonita's food is better. Especially for Mexican in Hawaii. ...very, very good horchata. The burritos are OK, but I do like this place better then Los Chaparros. Especially on a First Friday night.
(4)Erika M.
Coming from Texas and being hispanic and having friends from Mexico who's family still cook traditional Mexican food, I know a thing or two about Mexican eats. I give this place 3 stars. It tasted good no doubt, but as far as Mexican food goes it fell short. For one, I don't think any taco I've eaten before, unless it came from Taco Bell, had ever had shredded cheese on it. The rice was okay but I didn't like the huge chunks of onions on them or on my refried beans. It's good for Tex-Mex but not Mexican, but then again it's Hawaii, it's hard to get proper ingridients for spanish cooking. Still, I did enjoy my meal and it was great, but I would like to see more authenthic Mexican food.
(3)Taylor H.
Yes, Maria Bonita is as good as it gets for Mexican food in Hawaii! This place impressed my highly Mexican-oriented taste buds with spicy salsa, tender meat, and spot-on savory preparations. I came here twice with my girlfriend while she visited for a week, as to keep up the need for south-of-the-border cuisine to which we've become so accustomed living in California. Don't miss this gem!
(5)Lana T.
Diego is awesome. He catered my daughters 1st Birthday Party and it was a hit. The food was onolishish!! Some of my uncles and aunties didn't know what a chimichanga was, but when they tasted it, they loved it. Mahalo Diego!!!
(5)Demur E.
Maria Bonita can be found just around the corner of Hotel and Nuuanu streets. Part of the downtown Chinatown revitalization, they are a delicious addition to the neighborhood. Food: Fantastic. Diego, the owner, says that everything he makes is with love, and it certainly seems to translate into the food. The portions are fairly large (although when I'm hungry...uh...which is almost always) I can finish off a plate by myself. All plates come with rice, beans and homemade salsa. I have catered two Cinco de Mayo events from here and have never been disappointed. The Wet Burrito is one of my favorites. You can have shredded chicken, carnitas pork, shredded beef, asada steak, ground beef or veggie filling wrapped in a large flour tortilla with lettuce, onion, cilantro and cheese. The whole thing is topped off with enchilada sauce and more melted cheese. *sigh* How can one go wrong with so much melted cheese? The Flautas and Chimichangas are also great. Fried crisp and topped with cooling sour cream. All the dishes have a lot of meat (or in the case of the vegetarian version a lot of green and red peppers, onion, tomato and zucchini). Rice and beans are not fillers here, but genuine stars in their own right...especially the rice. Yum! Made in some tomato sauce with green chiles. It is great to eat all by itself. Maria Bonita's also has grilled Mahi that they put in burritos, tacos or as a main dish. Same goes with garlic shrimp. It depends on what they get fresh, so check out the daily specials. Service: The restaurant is in a rather small space with a handful of booths and some tables and chairs for those who wish to eat here. They also have take-out. Everyone orders at the counter, and if you are eating there, the counter staff will bring you water, a basket of tortilla chips and some salsa. The people who work there all seem related and are very, very nice and accommodating. Ambiance: Kind of stuffy and dark, even if the fans are going full blast. But the cheery staff and awesome food make it easy to forget your surroundings. People hang out there and eat and talk story. Overall: A star on Hotel Street that has nothing to do with red light. Maria Bonita is a great place to get home and lovingly made Mexican cuisine. Check it out.
(4)