Monico’s Taqueria
4356 Kuhio Hwy, Wailua, HI, 96746
Monico’s Taqueria Menu
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Address :
4356 Kuhio Hwy
Wailua, HI, 96746 - Phone (808) 822-4300
- Website https://monicostaqueria.com/
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Tue
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch, Dinner
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
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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Jeanean M.
Very fresh, very friendly and very good!
(5)C C.
Ahi fish tacos! First tried these 2 yrs ago and came again for them yesterday and they were just as I remembered - sushi grade ahi, full of fish and flavor and simply placed in a corn tortilla with cabbage, cream sauce and tomatoes. I could eat these everyday! The place gets busy so get there early or expect to wait. I think it's well worth the wait though. They have a bar but no beers on tap. Blended fruit margaritas are pretty good.
(5)Gabe P.
Great place on the island to grab Mexican food, it's kinda a island fashion not really authentic Mexican still it is very good, I would recommend the fish burrito with ahi seared it is my favorite!
(4)Rami D.
Amazing food and fresh!
(5)Bart Z.
Our meal and service was excellent! My wife had garlic shrimp tacos (an off the menu item), and I had the fish burrito with very good and rare Ahi ( the fresh fish of the day). We will definitely be back...
(5)Ian L.
What can I say that hasn't already been said? Food- Awesome as always and never disappoints. Staff- They are always busy and always nice. They do an awesome job at handling all their business as they can get pretty packed Environment- Inside can get packed but is worth the wait. They also have some outside seating if you cannot wait for your awesome food. Bottom Line- Try it, you won't regret it!
(5)Terrie P.
We recently spent a week in Princeville, Kauai. 2 of our party of 5 had been to Monico's previously and said that this was a "must visit" spot for a lunch after snorkeling. They were right! On our first visit we all had fish tacos (made with Ono) and a margarita. The reason that I didn't rate this taqueria with 5 starts was because of the margarita, the tacos that were served with a mild jalapeno crema were delicious. Not sure what happened with my margarita, but it wasn't drinkable. Way too sweet. The other 4 thought that their drinks were fine. We liked the food so much that we went back for our last lunch on Kauai. This time the white fish was Mung Chung, which had a perfect texture and flavor for fish tacos and for the fish burritos that several of us had. We all had beer with this meal, a delicious and chilled ale. We'll definitely make it back to Monico's, at least once, on future trips to Kauai.
(4)Aviva B.
Man, what a let down. We came here on our last night in Kauai, a few hours before our flight back to Oahu. We had so much great food on the island already and Monico's had such rave reviews, so we had really high hopes. We were seated right away at 6pm. Our server was very kind but clearly had too many tables. We ordered around 6:20. Our food came around 7:30, so late we needed to take it to-go on the way to the airport. Sadly, the food wasn't anything to even write home about. A lot of under-seasoned rice, and some sad tacos. Bummer!
(2)Norm D.
Nice place for a Mexican dinner in Kapa'a, Kaua'i. It was highly recommended to me. It was close to where we were staying at he Courtyard Marriott in Kapa'a. The margaritas were great and the chips and salsa were first rate. I ordered the carnitas dinner plate, and it came with rice and refried beans. The beans were a little watery, but the carnitas were perfectly cooked and delicious. The soft corn tortillas were very good. I have to admit that service is a bit on the slow side and the young lady serving us wasn't exactly the most pleasant or welcoming (looked like she didn't really want to be there). I know Hawaii is more laid back than the mainland, but good service is still good service. If the attention and service was a bit better I would have given 4-stars. Still, the food was very good.
(3)Ashleigh P.
Best dang fish tacos. EVER! The fish of the day was a grey snapper, grilled to perfection. Also ordered the shrimp enchiladas, delicious! The complimentary chips and salsa were a nice touch, both so fresh and more than adequate, no need for any additions.
(5)Ryan A.
Vegetarian burrito was delicious! Staff was very friendly and welcoming. Definitely coming back here next time we are on the island!
(5)Nancy t.
Yes, for what it is -5 stars. No, it's not Morton's or Ruth's Chris steakhouse but it is the best Mexican food I have had in many years and I have eaten a lot of Mexican food. Authentic. Beans like my Grande made them. Margaritas from scratch. Love this place.
(5)Nadine S.
Enjoyed a quick business lunch and the food was very good. Tortillas came out warm with salsa and dipping sauce both of which were very tasty. The portion sizes are good with a very presentation of rice, beans and sour cream. Food was piping hot and cooked just right. Many times getting anything with steak at a Mexican restaurant you get tough chewy steak but not here. The pieces were cut into small bite size pieces and you could cut the nest with a fork if needed. Definitely a great Mexican meal that was served quickly for those of us on time constraints.
(5)Shawna M.
Always love the food. Blended mango margarita is super yummy! The owners take pride in what they do and do it well. The staff is very friendly and tentative. Food comes out pretty fast and nice and hot. The inside is a nice size. Not tol big, bar has a good length to it so you can sit and eat there also. There's also an outside covered lanai to see if you'd like fresh air.
(5)Jaja A.
Came in for drinks and they were meh... felt watery and we saw the tiny amount of liqueur put into the Pina coladas ... mehhhh.
(2)Sarah D.
The most bland Mexican food I've ever had. Idk why Hawaii keeps letting Mexican restaurants open up here. There's not one decent place.
(1)Kellyn T.
Food is good and they have good margaritas. The passion fruit margarita is my favorite. The menu is very extensive with many different options and large portions. Monicos is one of the first restaurants when Mexican was difficult to find on Kauai. They expanded the restaurant so its not just a hole in the wall anymore and has a nice outdoor seating area. The hot sauce is made in the restaurant, with habaneros, and is actually hot, unlike many other restaurants that give you store bought hot sauce. Id recommend the burrito el pastor. the shrimp quesadilla and seafood enchilada is also good. The tacos dorados are highly raved about but its a little too oily and for me. Overall, good people working and tasty food. The reason I give it a 4-star is because the wait is always so long. Ive been there a few times for dinner and each time it took about 45 minutes to get our food. They give one round of chips and salsa and after that, they charge you for other rounds.
(4)Mary S.
This place is not that great. They couldn't handle the crowd, not enough staff. Took forever to get our food and when it came it was just so-so. They are stingy with the chips and salsa. First place I have been that doesn't fill the chip basket and only puts in 1/3 of the salsa and hot sauce into the bowl! Pricey and not that good = I wouldn't go back.
(3)Jane D.
Great service, friendly staff, nice (small) patio area, average portion size. We ordered the seafood burrito - scallops and shrimp were okay, fish (marlin) was over cooked. Fish tacos - very over cooked, bland flavor, but the sauces were good. Beans and rice were good, but would not come back.
(3)Judy R.
Great little place. Friendly servers, fresh fish. Enjoyed my fish tacos. Charge extra for more chips but given resort area not too surprised.
(4)Rita M.
This is a very busy little restaurant with excellent food. Their portions are good size and they have great variety on their menu. I ordered Chicken Enchiladas Verde, my husband had a Chimichanga, my grand daughter enjoyed her Chicken Flautas. Even their pinto beans and rice were flavorful and perfect. It took some time to get our food, but it was worth the wait!
(5)Amy S.
My husband and I ate here twice while being on the island. SO good! Great service and food. Very friendly staff. I had the cheese enchiladas and also tried the vegetarian burrito which was amazing. Very flavorful. We'll definitely be back the next time we come to Kauai!
(5)Lindsay L.
Ridiculous local grinds. Might eat here a second time! Had the Shrimp Enchiladas and they didn't disappoint. Also, Carnitas Plate was perfect and a must try! Love this place every time I visit the Islands!
(5)Lindsey S.
Monico's, in my opinion, is the best Mexican on Kauai! They have indoor and outdoor seating and now that they have the fence around the outside seating you can drink outside as well! The chips and salsa are to die for! I love the spicy salsa and Alisa likes the chunky salsa, so we always mix the two and it is a great combo! (Make sure you scoop out the salsa chunks into the spicy salsa and leave the juice in the first bowl so it isn't too watery!) My wife always gets the Seafood Burrito, it is full of fish, scallops, and shrimp. Alisa assures me they don't skimp on any! I personally don't eat seafood, so I wouldn't know. I always get the carnitas burrito with red sauce, it is the best and I won't order a carnitas burrito anywhere else because I now it can't compare! Don't worry if you don't finish, they left overs are pretty good reheated the next day! Yum!
(5)Kelly S.
Ok, the food was good but it took 45 mins to get it!!!! Their policy of of basket containing 11.5 tortilla chips is ridiculous when waiting 45 mins for a burrito. TIP: serve chips! Makes your customers thirsty and of they are paying $4.95 for guacamole, give them some damned chips!
(3)Mangia M.
This is the place for Mexican Food in Kauai. The restaurant is in Kapa'a and it can be very slow getting there because of the traffic in town. But, it was worth the 1 hour drive from Princeville to Kapa'a as the food was fantastic. Chips and salsa were outstanding. The beer was cold, which is not a given at most places on the Islands. The fish tacos were very clean (I had the seared Ahi), just fish and slaw in a jalapeño crema topping, wrapped in double corn tortillas. The Camerone's a la Diabla were outstanding. Not overly spicy, but you can ask for and add habanero sauce to taste. So good. The Diabla sauce had less of a tomato base; completely blended and smooth. Fantastic!!!!
(5)Tyler Y.
Whenever I come to Kauai I ALWAYS crave to eat here. It's definitely better than the Mexican places back home in Oahu. Love the fresh vegetables incorporated with each meal, that's definitely why I keep coming back. The only reason I didn't give the full five stars is because of the wait time. It gets busy real quick, which means it'll take a bit longer to get your meal. But seriously one of the better Mexican places I've ever eaten at :)
(4)Laurie B.
Best food we had on the island (and we went to some good and some fancier places). Was so good that we got fish tacos to go for the airport before we left.
(5)Michelle S.
Mexican food on Kauai? That's actually good? Yes, please! The fish tacos were absolutely delicious and even the drinks were reasonably priced. The servers are very, very nice. However, be warned that the kitchen can be a bit slow and sometimes the busy servers aren't the most attentive. When we visited, it was a busy night but we were seated very quickly. Unfortunately, we had to wait a long time before our orders (just fish tacos, no substitutions) were ready. During this time we weren't asked if we would like to order more chips or another round of drinks. That was a bummer and the only reason I can't give this place 5 stars. Still, all that said, the food and friendly vibe is worth the wait.
(4)Elle S.
Super fast service and even better food and people!! Faster to drive here and eat than to order room service!! Very impressed!!
(5)Raych D.
It was one of those rare occasions when I was craving for Mexican food and I so happened to be on Kauai during that time and shopping with a girlfriend. She suggested to try Monico's because she loved it here and apparently so does a lot of my friends and family on Kauai. Got here in the afternoon, and the place wasn't busy at all so we just walked right in and sat down. We immediately were greeted and brought out a basket of their chips and dip with re-fried beans....so good! and I heard it was homemade which makes it even better! I was torn between the fish enchiladas and the fish tacos but ultimately I went with the fish enchiladas with no rice, loved that it came with re-fried beans and tons of sauce spread on top of the enchiladas and around the plate. Food is awesome, price is right, location is prime and tons of parking....can't get any better!
(4)Leah R.
Stumbled upon this Mexican restaurant near Kapaa. My husband tried the seafood tacos (ono and shrimp) and I had the chicken flautas. My husband said they were the best fish tacos he ever had...and he has fish tacos anywhere he can! Everything was very fresh and mucho tasty!
(5)Justin S.
Fantastic food, good service and decent prices. The only complaint was they charged $5.50 for a chips and salsa refill. Nachos were very filling!
(4)J F.
Wonderful food here and the service was quick and friendly. The fajitas with their addition of zucchini were delicious, though my husband wished there was more steak. And they only came with two tortillas. Enough for me but not for him. :) The fish tacos and carnitas tacos were amazing. The kids meals are good size and the kids enjoyed them. Overall a great experience, will definitely be back!
(5)Jim T.
Great food and great staff. Will definitely be back to try something else on the menu.
(5)David D.
Best Mexican on Kauia. As usually with every restaurant on the island, only a few healthy choices. Will be one of our regular stops from now on.
(4)Amy A.
Very tasty Mexican food for Kauai standards. Reasonably priced and nice cocktails. Can get very crowded.
(4)Ralna B.
Monico's was delicious. You can either dine in or outside. We were given a basket of tortilla chips, and two types of salsas. Both were delicious! I ordered the garlic shrimp quesadilla and pineapple jurrito (Mexican soda). The best Mexican food on Kauai I ever tasted, good quality and fast service. I can't remember what my sister and friend ordered, we were all satisfied. The portions are generous and ingredients were fresh. Definitely returning, even if it takes me an hour and a half to get there!
(5)Randy S.
I Like this place ! Monico's is tucked away in the Kinipopo Shopping Center, amongst some clothing stores, a real estate office, and a couple of bakeries. From the outside there isn't much to the place. There are seats on the inside and outside, although in the several times I've been there I've never once sat inside. The menu is all Mexican. Burritos, tacos, quesadillas, etc. and various combinations of fish, chicken, pork (carnitas), and beef. Typically in the past I've always gone for the fish, either tacos or burritos. Both are fabulous. Fresh fish is typically been Ahi tuna, and it's grilled to still be a bit pink on the inside. The burrito has more fish inside than rice and beans combined. feels more like you are eating a fish wrapped in a tortilla than a burrito. I've also had the chicken mole, which was delicious as well. Pretty much anything I've tried has been delish. Before you order, a glass of water along with chips and salsa are on the table. Don't be fooled into consuming all the chips and salsa, any meal, served at Monico's is huge. So a word of advice, Pace yourself. Servers have always been very quick and friendly. Sometimes food can take a bit to come out, as the place can be very busy. I've been going to Monico's for at least 3 years on various trips to Kauai, and the food has remained excellent and even though the prices have increased over that time, they are still reasonably priced. I'll be going back to Monico's again, next time I'm on Kauai.
(4)Karen R.
Who wants Mexican food on Kauai? You should! This place was awesome! We're from Arizona and this beats AZ places! So delicious and the service was friendly, fast but not felt rushed for us to leave.....chips should be free refills but they aren't. They would keep customers there longer = more drinks.....
(5)Rachael T.
Monico's is still the best I've ever had. Visiting Kauai from Maui only one weekend last month, I ate here twice, a real dream come true for me. I was able to try the carnitas plate (roasted so that it is crispy and very flavorful) the shrimp diablo (this sauce is so good, it is ridiculous) as well as the fish tacos (my favorite fish tacos on planet Earth.) The beans, salsas, guacamole, chips, execution, presentation... just everything is perfection to me. For those of you who think these are 'canned beans', 'overpriced food'', a 'rip off' because you have to pay for home made chips and salsa's, or you're- from- California- so- you- think- you- know- everything- about- Mexican- food, stay home or go to Taco Bell where you belong.
(5)Natasha L.
This place has the best Mexican food I've ever had. I'm from NY and I would come back to this island just to eat here again! I had a chimichanga here and I cannot find one that comes close to how amazing my chimi was here. I dreammmmm of their food!!!!
(5)Courtney P.
I am a big mexican food eater. I eat it at least 3 times a week. So when it comes to mexican food i am very picky.. We asked our taxi driver, our kayak guide, and our mountain tube guide which is the best mexican restaurant on the island and they all said MONICOS. So we had to try it. We went for lunch after our kayak tour, I ordered a chix and cheese enchilada with both green and red sauce. I also got the house margarita. My fiance got the seafood burrito and the mai tai. EVERYTHING was AMAZING!!! I could have licked my plate clean!!! I liked the red sauce better than the green but the green was good dont get me wrong. My Fiance loved his food too! We liked the place so much we decided to bring our aunts back for dinner that night! I got the beef chimichanga - it was delicious!!! The owner is from Mexico, he works every day, if hes not working the restaurant is closed.
(5)Montrew N.
Love it. Fast. Friendly. Efficient. You will wait 15-20 min cause it's so popular. Are twice here in a week. Great cocktails. Nice mango margarita. The seafood tacos were to die for! Seared fresh ahi, scallops, shrimp. Yum. Yum. Yum. Hubs had steak quesadilla and it was huge with juicy tender steak. He had the carnitas too the next time. Really good. Highly recommend!!!!
(5)Rob M.
Service is awesome. Great new outdoor seating. Hidden gem in all of Hawaii. Fish tacos and burritos are fresh everyday. So happy at Monicos. Kids loved the salsa. Blended margarita was straight out of Flavortown. Make sure to check hours. When you're this good you don't need to be open long!
(5)Charles R.
I've been to Kauai a few times and make it here at least twice each trip. I dream of the fish tacos, especially when it's the ahi tuna. Literally, you could slap the ahi on a plate and charge $50 at the St Regis or Grand Hyatt. Red salsa is solid. I've tried various other dishes which are decent. If you complain, why the heck are you eating Mexican on Kauai anyway? One note: I don't go a lot of places on the island but the service is pretty good. Nice to see some familiar faces when I go.
(5)Don G.
Combine excellent customer service with authentic and absolutely delicious Mexican Food from family recipes and then add in a Margarita made just they way you love it and you've got a GREAT 5 star experience at more than reasonable prices. The other attributing factor to the 5 stars is the several years of coming here and having an absolutely consistent experience. When visiting Kauai or especially if you live here and you like Mexican food, any other choice would be a step down.
(5)Justin L.
I ate there tonight. Worst service I've had in 3 trips to Hawaii. Im 28 and wanted to drink so I brought my DD whom is 24. She took one drink of my margarita and the waitress marched over immediately and said, "next time you want to be sneaky let me know before!" Implying that my date was underage because she didn't bring her purse in. Also, the cheese in both burritos ordered was not melted and still hard. I read good reviews and expected great service and food but was sadly disappointed by both.
(1)Juan E.
best mexican food in Hawaii
(5)Harry P.
I have lived in both San Diego & San Francisco where I have tried a lot of great Mexican seafood. I would be happy with the meal I just had here anywhere. Every component was cooked with care. This is the rare Mexican place that doesn't overcook shrimp. My family of four started with seafood nachos and it was excellent. It had shrimp, scallops, and Ahi (which was the catch of the day). All the seafood was cooked perfectly. The salsa and pinto beans were both fresh made and flavorful. I had fish tacos (ahi) and asked for the tuna rare. The chef really delivered. I also got to taste garlic shrimp quesadilla, seafood burrito, and steak enchilada verde. All were just outstanding. We are here in Kauai for 7 more days and will be coming back for sure. Definitely our best meal here so far.
(5)Brock M.
Great place. Sit outside. Chicken fajitas were amazing. House made guac was great too. Servers were friendly. Brought my Mexican girlfriend & she approves too!
(5)Ari E.
I have been to Monico's a lot over the years and it's one of my favorite Mexican restaurants in the state of HI. Monaco is so hardworking and such a great guy. Not only is the food delicious and fresh, but the service is always friendly. My main reason for writing a review after all this time is moreso to address some of the complaints. 1) it's a small restaurant and to ensure the quality and consistency of the food, Monaco works around the clock so I don't fault the place for closing a few hours in the day between lunch and dinner. 2) lots of cheapskates like to go in and fill up on chips and order one drink so I don't fault the place for only giving one free bowl of chips. He hand makes the chips and the salsa. 3) it is a small place so yes there is often a wait. He is smart enough to know what he can handle so why shoot himself in the foot by expanding. 4) Any good restaurant food in HI is "pricey." Get over it. Hawaii is expensive from the grocery store, gas prices, cost to buy a home, etc. On to the food. When my family and I go there, we usually wait about 30-45 mins to be seated because our party is usually of 8 or more. Usually we will call in a takeout order. Can't go wrong with the fish tacos. Cooked all the way through without being dry. The el pastor is my favorite, crispy pieces of pork slathered in a tangy verde sauce. The rice is fluffy and buttery without being greasy and the guacamole although simple is always fresh. I will note that portions have gotten smaller over the years, but that's the cost of living in Hawaii and most things being imported. Either prices go way up or portion size goes way down or there's a combination of the two to find an acceptable middle ground. All in all, this is a great Mexican restaurant. Prices are expected and reasonable. Staff is friendly. Expect a wait, especially during dinner time.
(5)Janice P.
I can go to The Shrimp Shack and get twice as much shrimp for half the price. Flavor was good but not a great portion with only 6 shrimp for $18.95. Service was good.
(3)Scott M.
I had the chicken fajitas. These were the best that I've ever had, hands down. The tortilla along with the rice and beans and veggies was cooked to perfection. There was a pretty long wait for a table and for the food, but on it was so worth it. There is a reason why this is a busy place. Keep up the good work Monicos!
(5)Aaron C.
Always one of my favorites. It's not S. California Mexican but it's great food and good portion size. Definitely not obese American sized. The flavors are traditional and meld well. They have excellent margaritas but a little on the pricey side. Be forewarned that this place gers very busy with tourists and locals. You can call ahead to make reservations but don't count on them being honored. From experience I've watched tables sit for over an hour to watch games or just socialize. The dining room is loud and crowded and the wait staff moves as fast as they can. Don't expect unlimited chips and salsa. You're getting one bowl so make it count. If you want some great food and don't have to be in a hurry, then stop here. Take your time and enjoy.
(5)Ashley K.
Got into Kauai after 6pm. Checked into our condo in Kapa'a and walked over to Monico's for a bite. Great service and even better food after a long day of traveling. We're from Colorado so fish that fresh is hard to come by! The spicy salsa that came with the chips was delicious and the corn tortillas with the fish tacos didn't fall apart!! Will definitely go back!
(5)Colin B.
I just had an unreal fish taco! Usually fresh -- not fried fish tacos are disappointing. This was ahi taco was so fresh, so warm and delicious it was like a whole new thing. I feel like clapping.
(5)Thomas G.
Best Mexican food on the island period!
(5)L S.
I kid you not! I live in NorCal and eat Mexican food at least 3 days a week. This is the da kine! Monico makes the best carnitas I've ever had! Period. Let me say it again. The best carnitas! (I know that's like saying the best burger or the best pizza). You have to try it. This is the best food we've had in 3 trips to Kauai. Here's what I look for in a restaurant -- fresh ingredients, passionate cooking and a taste that makes you want to keep eating even after you're full. I dined at all the expensive top-of-the-line restaurants north of Lihue and Monicos is the only one I'd return to. Fish tacos with a chunk of ahi are not to be missed.
(5)Laure N.
We were told this was the best Mexican on the island. It was good. We got there about 5:45 with 11 people, good thing we got there when we did. It started filling up with locals. If the locals eat there you know it must be good. Alcohol oly served inside.There are 3 picnic tables outside and cute shops nearby. We went to the bakery behind Monicos for desert.
(4)Joseph H.
As close to good mexican food as you can find on the mainland. Very very fresh fish entrees of course, and everyone around the restaurant was raving about the steak Fajitas. My wife ordered the Mole Enchiladas which came topped with a dark chocolate Mole that was incredibly authentic. Great food, great prices, one of the spots to stop in while on Kauai.
(4)Jon G.
Great friendly service. Awesome chips and salsa. Fish tacos were very good. Huge pieces of fish on open tortias
(3)A B.
Super yummy Mexican food. I've lived on the West coast most of my life & the food here is comparable to some of the best I've had. Their blended mango margaritas are amazing. I always get the chicken soft tacos, come w beans and rice :)
(5)Justin W.
I think when it comes to Mexican food on this island, this place is as good as it gets. This is one of the stops every time we come over to Kauai. It is located in the Kinepopo Shopping village which is right next to the Shell gas station in Wailua. i think the restaurant is so much better since they have expanded and the prices have gone up a little bit, but the way I figure it is, support the local businesses, plus i'm sure their rent isn't any cheaper. Plus the expansion brought along a full bar. It used to be BYOB. Anyways there is parking in the shopping village and there is street parking as well behind the shopping center. Upon walking up to the restaurant, you have a choice of sitting on the picnic tables outside or going inside to sit. My wife always prefers to sit inside. Whichever, you choose you will be promptly greeted, and given chips and salsa. Now comes the hard part of choosing what to eat. This time I ordered the burrito el pollo with the green sauce. I always have liked the green sauce here and I usually tend to go with that sauce when given the option. The size of the burrito is pretty large. The price is not really that expensive. It was $10.50 for this plate. And this thing was delicious, I wasn't even really that hungry and I finished the whole thing because it was so good. As I have said before, as you pass by this area you will see this place because you will see the people outside.
(5)Amy W.
Best seared ahi tacos ever. Very busy, but worth the wait.
(5)Maggie H.
Five stars for a taqueria (not based on fine dining). What to say except that it is absolutely outstanding, fresh, beautiful and delicious. Like many restaurants we have found on Kauai the portions are enormous so plan to take leftovers with you, or share with a friend. The service was friendly and attentive. The prices felt high for the style of food - but the prices are high for everything on this Island and given the size of the portions it seems more reasonable. I would absolutely come back - in fact we tried to on a Monday and were disappointed to find them closed!
(5)Davis T.
Good Mexican food on Kauai. tacos are nice and there are a lot of tvs
(4)Baby C.
Small restaurant that's always busy. I love their cheese enchiladas with verde and their fish tacos. They are really good. And everything is fresh. Except for maybe the verde sauce. Still a bit too salty for my taste from what it used to be but that doesn't seem to stop me with my limited food choices.
(4)Eric S.
Excellent fish tacos. They use "market" fish, meaning what is fresh and available today. Fresh corn tortillas, or at least tasted fresh. Great fresh guacamole and salsas. On downside, crowded and relatively slow to bring food out (a Sunday evening). Reasonably priced. Authentic Mexican (for Hawaii).
(5)Susanne S.
Holy cow!!! The best ahi tacos I've ever had! Hubs and I made two trips there on our recent trip to Kauai. On our first trip, we shared the fish tacos (ahi was their catch of the day) and the seafood enchlidas. The ahi was sashimi grade and the portion was huge! We ordered ours rare and it came lightly seared which was nothing short of perfection. Hint: each taco comes wrapped in two corn tortillas and since there was so much fish in them, we took them apart and made two tacos out of each. Oh yeah, their special sauce was yumm too. The seafood enchiladas each came with one shrimp, one scallop, and a small piece of the catch of the day. They were smothered in a light enchilada sauce which was mighty tasty. The amount of fish used in their enchiladas was less than what they serve in their tacos, so the next time we went, we both opted to get the tacos. For Kauai standards, the prices were pretty reasonable. The service was pretty good too. If you still have room, in the back of the little shopping center there is a locally owned bakery called 'Icing on the Cake". They have HANDS DOWN the best coconut macaroons I have ever had. We took one to go and ended up sharing it on the plane and I was disappointed we only got one. It was sublime!
(5)Pamm H.
Fantastic food! A bit of a wait but we expected it. Shannon, the bartender, is amazing. He gave us some great tips not just about where to go on the island bur what to eat there. Get the fish of the day in whatever you like - it's amazing. I had the seafood enchiladas and the bf had the fish burrito. Today's fish of the day was ahi and if Shannon hadn't told us that it was caught that morning, we would have missed out. Margaritas were strong but great. Even the side beans and rice were good too. All in all, be prepared to wait but it's so worth it!
(5)Ashley S.
Holy crap the fish tacos. Get them!
(5)Jessica S.
Yummy! I've been starving myself to save up for this. And as expected, it was worth it :) Thanks guys!
(4)Ryan K.
Fail they didn't give me a fork with my take out because of this 2 star but food was ok
(2)Salernitana A.
OK, I'm gonna say it-- there's not that much great food on Kauai. Monico's in Wailua however, is awesome. I got the chicken fajitas and they sizzled like a tiny Czech pole dancer. I even asked for the habanero salsa and man, it was yummy! You can watch futbol on the TVs, and their regular salsa is really good too. Plus, Diet Coke-- worth every point on that fifth star!
(5)Theresa K.
Great ahi tacos. LOOONNNGGG wait to be seated. Once seated 50 full minutes to get two orders of ahi tacos and one order of children's nachos. The food was great but darn near an hour? I didn't expect fast food but maybe faster than 50 minutes. Our waitress never asked if we would like another margarita, soda refill, chips etc. The food was great, but not worth the wait.
(4)matthew p.
It feels like a tourist trap, but the fish tacos were delicious and generously portioned. Yums!
(4)Emily W.
This is a good hole-in-the-wall, local kind of place. Yes, the fish tacos are to die for. This was the first time I have ever had an ahi taco, ahi cooked to your specification (seared for me please) Big slabs, seared perfectly, served Mexican style on small, double tortillas, with slaw and their own great white sauce. Wonderful. The beans and rice were nothing special. I failed to ask if I could replace the refried beans with black beans. Service was friendly, and, as we got there early for lunch, fairly quick. The biggest drawback was the noise level - really loud. But I do like it here, the tacos are worth it. We'll come back next time we come to Kauai.
(4)Tiffany K.
Featured in a few reviews of the East Shore of Kaua'i, and being lovers of fish tacos, we knew we had to try this place. And, man, was it delicious. Real guacamole and fresh chips. But the best part: the AMAZING fish tacos. Being from California, I was hesitant to order them, but decided it would be an experience. And it was. Perfect amount of cabbage, with a delicious sauce over freshly grilled opah on warm corn tortillas made me smile. Didn't get the opportunity to go back a second time on our trip, but it will be a must visit on our next stay in Kaua'i. A few thoughts: No alcohol on the patio, so if you'd like a beer you have to eat inside. Wait staff is very friendly. Nights are busy and they don't take reservations, so come prepped to sit at the bar for a bit.
(5)Carol B.
Great little place that is always packed....a good thing! Don't go to places that are not busy! Fish tacos are wonderful and I'm very picky, have the fish cooked not more than medium as it will be tough. They are closed on Monday's. careful in the parking lot as it's tight.
(5)Melissa W.
Amazing!! That's all I have to say!
(5)mike l.
Being from LA--not the best Mexican food I've ever had, but most likely the best Mexican food on Kauai. Packed with mostly locals the entire time we were there eating dinner. Not a place to miss for a quick bite to eat.
(4)willy j.
I love this place wish I could eat here more often! Its prices are high! The food is great, I recommend the Seafood fajitas, or fish tacos. The chips and salsa is yummy. it is really loud and noisy if you sit inside. the owner Monico's is really nice guy, he used to work as a cook at another mexican food in Kapaa, but that palce went down hill and Monico branched off to do his own thing. This place is right off the highway behind shell gas station. You must try this place before you leave the island.
(4)Loves G.
Monico's is the best mexican restaurant in the Hawaiian Islands. Where else can you get fresh ahi in your seafood taco. His seafood taco is the best. The food may take a bit long than your usual Mexican Taqueria, but it is surely worth the wait. His food is amazing. We took a couple of guests to Monico's who are are Mexican descent and they loved the food, so that tells you something about Monico's. Thank goodness we have Monico's on Kauai, as good food is very hard to find on the island.
(5)Heidi D.
My bf and I went here and LOOOOVED it! We've been to great mexican places, but we sure wish this one was was nearby us at home! The salsas were fantastic, setting was unique and enjoyable. My chicken burriot was fantastic, and I'm not the hugest burrito fan, but I'll happily go there every day on my next Kauai visit! My bf loves his tacos, and he's a "food critic" and was in pure heaven. It would've been 5 stars but we did have to wait a long time for our food. We were under the impression that one person was in the kitchen, making everything 100% fresh. Even then, after 30 minutes and opting not ot pay $5 for more chips and salsa, we got our food. but it was worth every penny and even more the wait!
(4)steve b.
FRESH ahi burrito, excellent carnitas, great margaritas and friendly service. Wish these guys were in LA.
(5)Manda S.
Over the course of a 12-day trip to Kauai, my husband and I ate at Monico's three times. It was great! I especially liked the fish-centric items...whether it was fish taco's, fish taquito's, etc. Everything was delicious. Service was friendly and great, and ambience was just fine. Beware that you will need to pay for any chip re-fills.
(4)Periwinks P.
Had the seafood tacos and they were amazing! Chunks of fish in every bite and full of flavor! Went to Kileau Fish Market earlier today and those tacos were nothing compared to Monico's.
(5)Amanda S.
I had the shrimp tacos plate and my husband had the fish taco plate. I loved my tacos and the rice and beans were very good! My husband is a salsa fanatic and he LOvED theirs!!! Great Mexican food find! A must go!
(5)Colin E.
Chicken fajitas were excellent. Good authentic Mexican in Kauai.
(4)Artsy g.
Having had pretty good Mexican food in Texas and California, we were delightfully surprised at finding this place in Kauai. The prices were reasonable by Hawaii standards and the food was delicious. As vegetarians we had a reasonable number of choices. They were also accommodating enough to alter the dishes to our taste and preferences. The veggies in the dishes tasted fresh and yummy. I loved the tomatillo sauce on my enchiladas which they made spicy on request. Overall, lovely food and would love to go back!
(5)Ben P.
Amaaaaazing seafood burritos, best carnitas burrito I've ever had. Went back twice! Worth the wait (can be crowded).
(5)Julie T.
Of course you should go here - it is great! We are from San Diego - surrounded by Mexican food... but I still wanted to come here based on the great reviews and the locals telling us to go! I dont think I realized how casual it is until we walked up and realized that you can eat on a picnic table outside or inside at a regular table, but none the less, the service and food quality is fantastic. It seems as if the folks working at Monicos actually like their job and the food and can give a sincere recommendation. Carne asada is great!
(5)M J.
Consistently good food. Fish tacos are great and my regular order. Indoor and outdoor seating.
(4)Joel W.
The only bad thing was the small portion of chips and salsa. The seafood dishes were pretty good and made up for it. We got the burrito and tacos. Good sized portions and flavor. Friendly staff and quick service.
(4)JON R.
DID I MENTION I LOVE THIS PLACE ? We ate here for a total of three times in one week ! I think I would visit Kauai just to go to this spot again ! mahalo !
(5)kahau m.
i think i probably need to go back and give it another go..... i had the steak fajitas and a top shelf margarita. neither were very memorable. with all the killer reviews. i shall return to yelp again!
(3)Shawn J.
Best food I had on the island, and I ate at most of the best places (Hukilau Lanai, Postcards, Smith's Luau, etc). Garlic Shrimp quesadilla was the best thing I have ever tasted. Shrimp Enchiladas were great as well as the pork burrito. Rice and beans were also very good. The only place we went back too twice.
(5)Susie G.
Very poor service and a very long wait! The food was ok but not worth the wait or thehorrible service. Try tacos al pastor on kuhio hwy for both great service snd AUTHENTIC TACOS! ITS A FOOD TRUCK OPEN FROM 11-4 and worth finding...we found them yesterday and have gome back several times.
(1)Heather F.
Overall a great restaurant! Food was excellent, drinks were strong and service was friendly. We went to this place twice during our short stay on Kauai so I can confidently say that it's dependable for a great Mexican meal. The only negative is that the service was a bit slow. But, it wasn't a major issue for us at all ... we were on vacation after all! Vacations are about taking your time. If you're a local, that may be a different story. But the delay wasn't major. So don't let that put you off. All in all, you'll enjoy Monico's food and drinks. So get there!
(4)stephanie H.
California's Mexican food at its finest! The family owned hole in the wall said she was from Sacramento so we were off to a good start. Very friendly staff, great prices. The food was Soooo Good, I had the fish taquitos/flutas and the other 7 members in our party were all happy with their dishes too. I think the only bad thing is the first basket of chips and salsa are free and after that they charge you....most places it would continue to be free; its just odd. We would go back in a heart beat!
(5)Lei A.
I just can't get enough of Monico's...Their food is awesome...the best mexican food I've had here yet. I order something different every time but my fave's are the fish taco's and chicken enchilada's. Prices are just right $10-$15 per dish which is more than satisfying eaten at once or split, and what's nice that you don't get much anymore is a basket of tortilla chips with a side of somewhat hot sauce and salsa served to you upon seating. They've got chix, fish, pork, and vegetarian tacos, nachos, enchiladas, chimichangas as entrees and drinks ranging from bottled imported beer such as the must have Corona, and some tasty margaritas and mai tai's, amongst others. Monico's is a must go to if you love mexican food.
(5)Hey La P.
I was craving some Mexican food and was very skeptical about finding anything decent on Kauai but somehow stumbled across this place and am glad I did. They had delicious chicken enchiladas and fish tacos (and margaritas). The only downside was that the service was really slow. Actually, it was more specifically the time it took to get the food than the service. Our waitress was very attentive and friendly. I wish I had found this place before my last night on the island. Definitely will return when I'm back.
(4)Rania L.
I'm updating this because the owner actually read my review and cared enough to contact me. She was truly concerned about my bad meal and even said that they would rather have lost the money and made my food again, instead of me going home disappointed. So, for that reason alone, I would recommend going here and hey, if your chicken turns out like mine did, then don't hesitate to tell them!
(4)Brian D.
We went on our last day and I wish we had gone here sooner. I got the carne asada burrito with green sauce and felt like licking my plate afterwards - it was great. Others in my party got other dishes and thought they were good, but not great, so maybe it was just me. If I was there longer, I'd like to try other dishes, but realistically I probably wouldn't for a while, this one was so good.
(5)jeg d.
Love the food, the guacamole is awesome! Had the taco taco and señorita Sierra mango margarita. Yum!
(5)Tiffany B.
OH EMM GEE. I must say the best mexican on the island. Coll setting too, right next to the higway indoor and outdoor seating service never ever sucked! they are always busy so be willing to sit with a hip crowd. fish tacos bomb, chicken enchilada to die for! Ask for the extra extra spicy sauce, HOTTER then the habanero one. OUCH
(5)Jason C.
O.k., just good stuff here. The servers were friendly and efficient. I ordered the seafood fajitas and they were very good. Friends had garlic shrimp, fish tacos and chicken mole. All enjoyed their meal. They only service beer and wine (wah! a margarita with lunch would have been great!) It was packed (thankfully only after we got seated), as another reviewer said and I did get the impression that it was at least 50% locals in there. It's right on the main drag. Yum, go if you're looking for a good mexican lunch.
(5)Jm V.
730pm and we have been waiting for 45 minutes. Still no food. We are about to walk out.
(1)Tom G.
Absolutely excellent! Service was good, timely and efficient, the food was wonderful. I had the fish burrito; the exceptional aspect of this burrito was not that it was large (which it was), but that the fish used in the preparation was Ahi prepared to order. The Ahi portion was large and excellently prepared medium rare as requested -all of this in a burrito with beans/rice and an excellent white sauce for $13. My wife had seafood tacos that were also excellent. Ahi again with the addition of more than ample portions of both shrimp and scallops. As other reviewers have noted, can get pretty busy/crowded during peak times.
(5)D N.
If this were my b/f writing the review, he'd probably give it a high rating but I got the fish tacos and wasn't blow away by them unfortunatley. He on the other hand devoured his chicken burrito. Coming from NYC the prices really aren't that diff. so I feel like we got a good value. The chips and salsa that are complimentary were great! but the service is slow. I saw a lot of people getting antsy.
(3)Jeremy D.
Great service, great food, great prices and a great margarita.
(5)megan b.
my husband got a chimicanga and i got the garlic shrimp quesadilla. and then we spilt a fish taco. i don't know why we bothered ordering anything but the fish tacos. the other food was decent, but man, the fish tacos! out of this world! strong margaritas, yummy, fresh salsa, friendly service! only downside was kind of pricey for mexican food, but that seems to be par for the course in kauai.
(5)Lisa S.
It can get pretty busy here, but the food is worth the wait.
(5)S K.
5 stars for food, 3 stars for lack of ambience and noise = 4 stars. The fish tacos were great! After a few days on the island and lots of fish, I wasn't sure if I wanted more fish but based on other reviews, I tried the ahi fish tacos and they were amazing. Large pieces of ahi, seared to perfection and topped with a delicious jalapeno crema which wasn't too spicy so I added some of the salsa and it just hit the spot. The chips were good, too. The only drawback is noise - once the tables were full, it was so noisy in the restaurant that my husband and I couldn't have a conversation without shouting at each other. Would definitely go back for the food.
(4)George R.
Great service. Great fish tacos. Very clean and friendly atmosphere.
(5)Layton D.
My wife would have given them a 5 star review, but I thought it was a tad bit over priced. Very tasty fish burrito and exceptional service. Another minor knock on them was that they didn't offer free chips and salsa after the first basket. Sure, that meant I probably saved some unnecessary calories, but I don't think I've ever been to a Mexican food joint that didn't give you as many baskets of chips as you could eat for free.
(4)Lolly L.
Service was great at first but after the chips, salsa, and drinks we served it seemed like we may have been forgotten about. The fish tacos were VERY good but they seemed to skimp a little on the sides (guacamole and such). Very clean and good atmosphere.
(4)Mike F.
I had the chicken burrito. It was so so. The staff was pleasant and it was an up beat atmosphere. The food took awhile to come up and you only get one basket of chips. Long story short. Not bad but by far the worst place we have eaten at this week. Way to expensive for what you get. Don't believe the hype.
(3)Timothy E.
Great friendly service. Very enjoyable food. Worth a visit.
(5)Tracy S.
OMGoodness!!!!!!!! Incredible! We were here in July and it was one of our favorite meals! I had the ahi fish burrito and my husband had the chicken burrito. I'm not kidding they were both fantastic. We will both be going there on our next trip to Kauai!
(5)Audrey B.
Awesome mexican food, their Mai Tai are excellent! Try the seafood fajita that's my favorite :-)
(5)Dead M.
Great Mexican! Great prices and good service. Sit at the bar, prepare to wait, skip beef and/or chicken and go with the seafood or catch of the day in your meal. Don't leave! It is worth the wait and margaritas are strong.
(5)Anelya S.
The food was good, but I'm from an area with great Mexican food. Definitely over priced for what it is, but it was reasonable for Kauai so I guess that's okay.
(4)Herbert W.
ok mexican food at an ok price in the middle of the pacific. Would be 3 stars in the bay area but its worth a trip when the options are slim on Kauai. Fish tacos are ok but actually the steak fajitas are better. The juicy grilled squash tastes great.
(4)Ange M.
I honestly was one of the only people on earth who did not like Mexican food...that is until I went to Monico's. He only uses the freshest ingredients, which makes a huge difference in taste. The serving is huge and I rarely can finish it. The price for what you get is unbeatable. I think the only negative is that they have messed up my order a couple of times, but even the "wrong" order was yummy, so I can't complain.
(4)Jackson L.
Fish tacos were definitely good, with a big piece of well grilled fresh fish in each taco. However, the rice and beans were pretty forgettable. The spicy salsa served with the chips was good, and the bit of fresh guac that came with the tacos was tasty. Burritos looked good/big, but we didn't have one. The long wait was a good sign, but unfortunately nothing to write home about in my book. Maybe I just need to eat more bad mexican on the island to appreciate this...either way, pretty good but still not worthy of the hype.
(3)Arnold U.
Wow - this place has got to be one of the best Mexican restaurants I have ever eaten at and I'm glad I listened to Jeff from the Marriott in Lihue who highly recommended the joint. He claimed they had great fish tacos and he was right on. The night we visited, the fish taco special was grilled Mahi Mahi and it was delicious. My wife and I also split the carne asada tacos and the steak was well marinated and probably one of the better carne asadas I've ever devoured (great portion, too). At the end of the dinner, I was remorseful in sharing my carne asada - so much so that I will be sure to visit the restaurant at least one more time before we leave Kauai.
(5)Bruno P.
My wife and I don't even like Mexican food. When we discovered this place we went back three evenings in a row and had a difficult time holding ourselves back on the forth evening. Their fajitas and enchiladas are excellent. Salsa is made with fresh local tomatoes and my wife loved the tomatillo sauce as well. Staff very friendly. Only downside is that they get pretty crowded after 7:00pm. Highly recommend it!!
(5)Meghan S.
Loved it! We had the carnitas plate and steak fajitas, and they were amazing. Loved the zucchini! The food was really fresh and the service was fast! I am going back to get fish tacos before I leave.
(5)Hunter O.
the wife and i came here after spending like 6 hours in the tat shop. we both had the fresh marlin tacos.. they were so good..i realy wish we would have eat here more than the once it was great. super busy place in the evenings tho. the waiter guy lets sit out side at the tables and he ran his butt off taking care of ever one..if you go to kauia go here for dinner...
(5)Dominic L.
The food was great. Had a vegetarian burrito. It was really good. Sat at the bar. The bartender was very friendly. The service was excellent. The drinks were awesome( Koloa Rum Mai Tai). I did have to wait a bit for my burrito but they were busy and really it was no big deal. After all I was on vacation. It's OK just to relax a little sometimes. Whats the big hurry? Will certainly return before I leave the island.
(5)Jerry T.
Overall, this is the best Mexican restaurant on the island. We live on Kauai now, but we used to live in an area on the mainland with a large Latino population, so we are picky about good Mexican food. You get seated faster if you sit outdoors, but no alcohol can be served outside, as it is a common area in a small retail center.
(5)Clint D.
As noted not the best Mexican food I've ever eaten, but the best on the island. The long line are enough to tell you that!
(4)Joshua S.
Offers a fish of the day in all of the seafood entrees. The service is friendly and the food is fresh, delicious, and nicely presented. That's as much insight as I can give, only having eaten here once so far.
(4)Kerstin W.
Totally deeeee-licious! My husband had the Camarones a la Diabla, which he said had just the right amount of spice, and was incredibly fresh. I had the Chicken Nachos, and as nachos go, they were yummy! A great find in Kapaa.
(4)Todd O.
Awesome Mexican food in a relaxed laid-back setting. Family-owned, super friendly service.
(5)Diana D.
This is based on food only as was long wait for indoor seating- sitting outdoors we missed out on bar and atmosphere. Fish tacos were little disappointing because fish was dry!! My kids loved their meal though and scarfed up the chips and salsa!
(3)Jessica A.
The best on Mexican on Island...usually busy so a bit of a wait. But when your in the mood it's worth it..Fish Tacos are the best and the chips and salsa are fresh and tasty....i tried the taquitos once and it gave me bad gas later....the heavy fried stuff is a bit much. The people are super sweet and very hard working. They need to get the Styrofoam memo and start using recyclable to go containers.
(4)Anon Y.
Ate there twice during our short 6 day trip to Kauai - best Mexican on the island for sure. Their carnitas plate was great and their chilli verde plate was better than decent - line is generally out the door, so that'll tell you something - full bar and great service with good island hospitality. Well made margartias make it a solid experience for anyone looking for good reasonably priced mexican on the island
(4)Kevin D.
The food at Monico's is always fresh. It's something I look forward to everytime I visit Kauai. Price is quite resonable for the quality of food. The staff is very friendly and service is overall wonderful.
(4)azeem n.
We went in around 2 P.M. on a weekday. The place was not empty, but not full either. Everyone who works there was friendly, talkative, and nice. We were not treated just like customers, but as people, which is always a nice change. I had the fish burrito. The special of the day was Ahi Tuna. I had it slightly seared. It was very good. They put a TON of tuna in the burrito, in large chunks. I almost ate it all. My wife had a shrimp taco a-la-carte, and she ate it all as well. She also had a virgin drink, I think it was the Lai-Lai, which came with some coconut and pineapple. It was excellent as well. So, to recap: The food was very good, the people working there were excellent, and the pricing is not outrageous. We paid $31 for a fish burrito, one shrimp taco, and 2 drinks. Without drinks, the total would have been $19.
(5)Betty G.
Best meal we had on the island! I reaaaally don't care for seafood, and yet I found myself at monico's devouring my boyfriend's fish taco when he wasn't looking. SO GOOD! He also said his chile releno was the best he's ever had, which is saying a lot. Everything was extremely fresh. The staff was really great- we ended up sitting at the bar and chatting with the bartender, who was amazing. He also pointed out the chef who was preparing our food- Monico himself! Just note that they are closed on Mondays!
(5)Erik S.
What a great lunch! The yellowfin tacos were outstanding. My wife's tostadas were excellent as well. The textures, flavors, and freshness of of all the food was spot on. The service was just as good. All in all, this was a great place that we'll be visiting again.
(4)Marcella M.
Consistantly good food. We go here at least once a week and love the place. I wouldn't call it true Mexican food, but it is as close as you are going to get on Kauai.
(5)Julia B.
Holy cow. I've never had fish tacos like this before, they had gigantic pieces of fresh ahi and were DELICIOUS. My husband had carnitas tacos and was equally pleased. So glad we found this place and we would definitely go back. The staff was super friendly, lots of locals came in and they had a full bar. Excellent find while staying in Kauai!!
(5)Julie L.
This place has been great for years, and now that they have expanded, it is even better - but that doesn't mean that you won't wait, but the wait is worth it, and shorter. They also have take-out, so get it and take it to the nearby beach! My friend said they have the best fish tacos he has EVER eaten, I love the steak nachos - flank steak, perfectly cooked, lots of meat and cheese - share one for lunch. My husband and I share a chicken chimichanga - portions Hawaiians can appreciate, and that's saying a lot! The chips in the basket they bring to the table are hot and good, right out of the fryer, and they serve two kinds of salsa with it, one is fresh tomatos and cilantro which is my favorite, so I switch between the two. Service is a little slow, but that's because they're busy, not because the staff isn't hustling. This food and a cerveza, and that's as good as it gets! And you're in Kauai, so you're really experiencing paradise on earth.
(5)Joe H.
Great Mexican place in Kapaa. One of my favorite lunch stops.
(5)Laura E.
great atmosphere, reasonably priced and some of the best mexican food i've had on the hawaiian islands. i'm not sure its super authentic, but its still delicious. and the patron margaritas...top notch.
(5)kris k.
Hands down-- the best Mexican food here on Kauai. Great prices, great food, and the only restaurant that doesn't charge you for extra chips (seriously, most mexican restaurants are a JOKE here...running out of things like FAJITAS or GUACAMOLE or CHICKEN...how can you run out of chicken on a regular basis?!?!?). Anyways, you can't go wrong with Monico's. Try the carnitas (tacos or burrito). I only wish they still had the aquas frescas (guess no one ordered it, so they stopped making it). Get there early as the food comes in a reasonable time, but the seating is limited...
(5)Ian M.
Monico's, in comparison with the other Mexican restaurants I've been to on Kauai, was average. It wasn't bad, just not one of my favorite spots. The environment was busy and loud and our service was fairly slow. I ordered the fish tacos. The fish tasted unseasoned and bland. My tacos were loaded with sour cream, which ended up being the predominant flavor I experienced. As a result, the taste wasn't very balanced. Not disappointing, just average.
(3)Armina A.
Not sure what the hype is about this place. My opinion is that if you are in Hawaii, you should be eating delicious, wholesome, simple foods, preferably with fish or seafood. This place does not have that. They smother everything in some weird white sauce or fry the dish. If you like huge portions, this place is your spot. If you like clean, healthy dishes, you should consider going elsewhere.
(3)Lydia P.
Food here is super delicious. I ordered the fish taco (it was fresh mahi mahi). My husband had the fish burrito. We both love the food and the bartender was super nice. He makes a wonderful peach margarita too. And if you want hit sauce, ask them for their habanero sauce. It's homemade and has a nice kick. Did I say the bartender was super nice? Looks like they have some loyal regulars too.
(5)Clinton C.
Wasn't sure about taking a chance on Mexican cuisine on Kauai but WOW am I glad we did. It was very busy but the staff was attentive and found us an open table quickly. The place looks fantastic inside and is super clean. Food was awesome and everyone was really nice. Would go back again in a heartbeat. PS After eating fish for days I just went with standard enchiladas and was very happy I did!
(5)Jon D.
Well, it is in a convenient location. The refried beans are really just an opened can of pinto beans. The chicken isn't seasoned at all. There is another Mexican restaurant about half a mile up the road in a small plaza that is very good. I am sorry but I don't remember the name. I wish that I had time to drive to the other place just so you could avoid coming to the one named in this review. For what you get, this is WAY over priced. Don't bother eating here.
(1)Natalie W.
One of my favorite Mexican spots on the island, perfect for date night or dinner with friends, probably wouldn't recommend it for families with kids as it can get a little crowded. Great fish tacos, chicken flautas, & strawberry margaritas.
(5)Pavana P.
I ordered a seafood burrito and was ok. The service was bit slow, but the good margarita kept me busy!
(3)Ana M.
Good food! Super slow service!! We waited 1 hour for our food. It was very delicious though!! The nachos carnitas were loved as well as the chimichanga. I had the fish of the day, it was great!
(4)Zeba E.
The food was five stars but I knocked a star off because the service was extremely slow. It took almost 40 mins to get the food. We got the ahi fish tacos and they were amazing. The salsa and chips were fantastic. We actually combined the pico de gallo and the hot sauce because the the pico was very bland and the combo was perfect. Just be prepared to wait, as we were not. It can be cold if you are sitting right next to the AC vent so bring a sweater in case. We actually asked to move because I couldn't sit there with the cold blasting on me.
(4)Belle N.
11/10/11 Service was great..they were super busy and while we were waiting we tried their Kauai's best Mai tai, and it was pretty darn good...ordered the fish tacos they said they had fresh sashimi grade ahi for the tacos! They even ask how u want it from rare to medium-rare, well done etc! We also had the steak chimichanga! OH MY GOODNESS...The bf isn't a real burrito or chimichanga fan, but he absolutely loved this meal..we sat at the bar, and the bartender was super cool and gave us a lot of other suggestions of foods to try on the island...how cool is that? Seriously you'd never think on a little tropical island...that you'd find one of the best mexican eateries ever! It's been like 8 months and we still talk about how awesome this place was! This is a definite must when visiting Kauai!
(5)Sandy E.
This is the best mexican food on Kauai. If you like fish tacos, theirs are incredibly fresh. The fish changes based on whatever was in the daily catch. Usually a huge chunk of tuna. Delicious.
(4)Andy W.
*THIS HAS BEEN UPDATED TWICE* READ ON* My wife and i went in last night looking for good mexican food on the island. We ordered carnitas nachos and a bean and cheese burrito (we'd been drinking, it sounded like a good dinner at the time). When we got the food back to the hotel (it was too packed there to wait for a table), the nachos we pretty simple. The only bad part about them was the pork was a little dry. I hoped for more tender pork but that's just my expectations. It still tasted pretty good. My wife scarfed down her bean and cheese burrito so i assume it was good. I never got a chance to try it. (UPDATE: she said it was great). The food would get 3 stars but I'm adding an extra star for one reason: THE MAI-TAI AND IT'S CREATOR: bartender who's name I forgot because I'd been drinking. Like most places on Kauai, Monico's boasts of the best mai-tai on the island. We asked a waitress at another place what made theirs the best on the island and she said "because it is." Weak answer. We asked the bartender at Monico's and he said "I use guava juice and no one else does that." SOLD. And you know what? It's been the best one so far and we've had 5 different mai-tais since arriving 5 days ago. The search will continue, but right now, Monico's is in the lead. *more updates* I got a reply from the owner thanking me for the compliments on the mai-tai and reminding me that they don't serve kalua pork but rather carnitas. I hate making mistakes like that so I gladly corrected my review to reflect the proper ingredient. As I edited my review I realized I never said anything about the service beyond the bartender. We did interact with a couple of servers (one of which was the owner apparently!) and they were all very friendly despite being in a hurry. So remember to check out Monico's. Especially if you're looking for a good mai-tai! *3 days later* We went back for the mai tai again and decided to give the food another shot. I had Tacos Dorados with chicken. The menu said shredded chicken and it was chunks but I don't really care because goddamn was there plenty of chicken! Everything was excellent. Crispy shells, delicious salsas, whole pinto beans cooked to perfection. Very happy. My wife had the fish tacos and had one of those "I'm so full but it's so good" moments. Our waiter was really cool and offered to bring us the extra hot sauce because we liked the hot one he brought out with the chips. I had to bump them up from 4 to 5 stars. If you need mexican food on the island, hit Monico's.
(5)Dave L.
This place has fresh salsa made from local ingredients. I didn't believe it at first but I asked for the "special" spicy salsa and was pleasantly surprised by a great habanero salsa. I had never got anything spicy in Hawaii, after asking at many many places. Ghost chilis grow there as do Thai chilis and habaneros, but there doesn't seem to be a big market for spicy salsa so I end up making my own. The fish tacos are also good here and my kids loved their meals. I will go back every time I visit Kauai.
(5)William F.
I live on Kauai and live near Monicos. The owner cook is there EVERY day. The food is always fresh. We probably eat at this Resturant 45 times a year so I can speak with confidence on how consistently good and fresh the food is.
(5)Marie G.
Carne asada burrito and green Chile pork very authentic! Chicken rolled taquitos had no flavor.
(5)Danny G.
Great food! Fish tacos to die for... Only complaint is the dont have horchata. :(
(4)Amy M.
Monicos is one of the best restaurants on Kauai. Everything I've eaten there has been excellent. The food tastes fresh and clean. I can always count on Monicos to be consistently good!
(5)Kurt C.
With all of the awesome reviews, this place has to be great, no? Too bad for us, we did not agree with the average guest. To start, they were incredibly understaffed for the amount of people there. Waiting 20 minutes to get a table is a sign of a popular place. Waiting 20 minutes to get your order down is a sign of bad staffing and management. Waiting 30 minutes to get your food is a sign of poor kitchen planning and execution. The chips and salsa were as good as any, with the salsa stealing the show. The first batch is free, but is also small, so be careful with your portions unless you want to pay for more. Entree - Garlic Shrimp Quesadilla: You would expect an "authentic" Mexican restaurant to do something with this, but it was quite literally some shrimp, cheese and garlic in a rolled over tortilla that had sat on the grill for maybe 5 seconds to get a couple of brown markings. In one word: bland. Entree - Chicken Flautas: Decent, but not any better than the frozen ones at the supermarket. The best thing about the meal was the beans, and that is saying something. Nothing was bad, but nothing was worth remembering.
(2)Natalia G.
Talking about a" bulls eye" restaurant, great atmosphere, reasonable prices and the best of all VERY TASTY food. Every time we came to the Monico's we ordered different items on the menu and never have being disappointed ( I am talking about 17-19 times) and now we have our favorite dishes. Very consistent in fast friendly service, reasonable prices and DELICIOUS food. No wonder it is local's favorite, quite often you have to wait for a table, so worth the wait!
(5)H S.
After our 4 mile kayak and 2 mile hike to the "secret waterfall" Monico's really hit the spot. We were greeted by nice staff and a generous helping of chips & salsa. The salsa was AMAZING. So amazing that we ordered more to put on our food and were charged $3 which we thought was lame. Oh well, still worth it. We went there twice in our 5 day vacation, it was THAT good.
(4)Alyssa W.
Lemaunt is exquisite and deserves a promotion. All the staff was wonderful. That was the best service we have had since We have lived here.
(5)Leanne L.
I love their carnitas plate, ahi fish tacos, and garlic shrimp salad with lilikoi dressing! Super good food and good prices, big portions!!!
(5)Y W.
Love the carnitas and fish tacos! This is my usual Mexican spot when I am on Kauai and it's always been a treat.
(4)Jennifer S.
Fantastic savory Mexican fare. Great fresh fish selections. My 5-yr old daughter went for the fish taco and loved it. My 9-yr old son put away more than half an adult burrito (and eagerly took the rest home). My husband's fish tostada had perfectly cooked Ahi and mounds of fresh greens and my garlic shrimp quesadilla was mostly deliciously grilled fresh shrimp wrapped up in a fresh tortilla with just the right amount of cheese (no greasy, gooey mess here!). We came at lunch so skipped the cocktails, but they looked great! Well worth the visit.
(4)rich f.
Monico's is very good fresh and flavorful homemade Mexican food. I have been going to this restaurant at least once or twice on every trip to Kauai. We must admit we have not moved around the menu much as the dishes we have tried have been so amazingly good we have not wanted to vary our orders much. The Chile Verde is as good as I have ever tasted. Make sure you ask for a small side of the Habanero Salsa not listed but available by request. My wife is a big fan of the Chile Relleno - says that they rival her Grandmother's Cannot speculate on the other dishes fish taco's, veggie burritos etc. As for the traditional dishes they ROCK. Thank you Monico!!!
(5)Katie F.
Tons of locals here, reserved signs on tables, and packed within an hour of opening... all good signs! Totally solid Mexican place! I had been craving fish tacos and read the reviews about this place and was definitely pleased. They use the catch of the day, which turned out to be ahi tuna, and I agree with the comments that they do a great job. Nicely seared on the outside, great texture, and a light topping of cabbage and salsa. The Mexican rice and beans were decent. Loved the chips and salsa to start as well (note that only the first bowl is free, but their portions are huge so you'll be stuffed afterwards!) The jalapeno crema is pretty mild - I would love it if they offered a spicier option. Hubby went with the beef nachos and they were excellent. They use the beef chunks, lots of cheese and beans, etc... to top them off. Also a large portion. The downside is that there's a charge for extra sour cream. Both orders were very fresh and hot. I would definitely come back - good service, good food, and without alcohol, the bill came to around $30 bucks for 2 people. No complaints!
(4)Duane H.
I know, there has got to be something inherently wrong with going to the islands and eating Mexican food. Nevertheless, that is exactly what we did. Why you ask? Simply because these people have a really serious and positive reputation with the locals. We think the locals got it right.
(4)Deborah W.
Fish tacos are very good. The only downfall of the place is the prices are a little high. Five $s for a small amount of guacamole. Fish tacos are very fresh and light, $5.50 each.
(4)Ashley J.
Oh man. This place is amazing. The margaritas? Out of this world. I'm not a big fan of Mexican food, but their quesadillas (either shrimp or steak) are superb. The only reason this place didn't get 5 stars from me is because on our last visit there, my brother had one too many margaritas and ended up throwing up his whole meal as soon as we left the restaurant. I know that's definitely not their fault, but it kind of diminished my experience there a bit. In any case, I will go there again on my next trip to Kauai.
(4)Leanne K.
Had another GREAT meal here! Shrimp Diabla, Steak Nachos, Carnitas Burrito with Red Sauce all over! So ONO.....
(5)Maurice E.
Let me start by saying I've eaten A LOT of burritos, and I would never have imagined that I would find the best burrito ever in Hawaii. The seafood burrito was enough to get 5 stars all by itself, but the service was also amazing. We're in HI for a few more days, and I plan on returning at least once, and I know I'll be comparing every burrito I have from now on to this one. Do yourself a favor and give this place a try if you're ever in the area.
(5)Christie G.
Just had an amazing lunch- I would have given 5 stars- had they not charged me $2.50 to re-fill my chips. I had a margarita (which was made with fresh lime juice) and a steak burrito. The steak was amazing- the best steak I ever had in a burrito- tender- well flavored- you can tell they use a high meat quality. Great service and atmosphere- will definitely visit here again next time we visit Kauai!
(4)Jill D.
Mexican food is practically non-existent in Hawaii. Let me re-phrase that (without re-writing it): AUTHENTIC Mexican food is practically non-existent in Hawaii. Monico's is pretty much the best Mexican food I've had in Hawaii. I've currently lived on Kauai and Oahu and spent time on Big Island. If you've got better on Maui or Lanai well then GOOD FOR YOU. However, if you want GOOD Mexican and you happen to be on Kauai then look no further. This is IT. The prices are SUPER reasonable for what you get and the food is fresh with friendly and efficient service. Their fish tacos were made to order (they cook the fish the way YOU want it) and my daughter's kids meal was the cheapest kids meal with the most food and highest quality ingredients I've EVER seen. I would be SO happy if they'd open up another location on the South Shore but it's a good reason to go East Side!
(5)James M.
Real Mexican food in Hawaii - not very spicy. Our waiter understood Gluten Free.
(4)Bill H.
We ate dinner there the other and the food was very good; however, it took a very long time to get service and then once we made our order it took a long time to the food. From being seated until our order arrived at the table was 40 minutes......toooooooooo long to wait on a steak fajita and fish taccos
(3)Ken H.
Easily the best Mexican food on the island I've experienced. Bummed they recently changed their hours to dinner only. Update - Open again for lunch!!
(5)Kenny D.
This is a place to dine at for great Mexican food! Know that you may have to wait for a table or bar seating, because this restaurant is popular. Sitting inside can be noisy, because all the noise bounce there's nothing to absorb and muffle the sounds. You can sit outside which is nice too. When it's busy don't be so in a rush, like any restaurant when it's slam busy you want your food good and great. Don't be so in a rush to rush the staff it's totally not worth it you're dining in Hawaii, so chill relax and have a drink while you wait for your food!
(5)Bonnie P.
This place is wonderful. Some of the best Mexican food I have ever had, anywhere. Monico is the owner and also works the line, and has a very keen eye for detail and quality. The food is fresh, and delicious and is obviously made with a lot of care. I had the seafood taco taco and the seared scallops were incredible! My only complaint is that there wasn't more to enjoy :) Also, awesome margaritas (inside only) and delicious salsas! A definite must when on Kauai.
(5)Deanne L.
Fresh and Authentic "A friend, who has lived in Kauai for over 30 years, brought me to Monicos Taqueria after touring me around in Kapaa on a very wet, cool morning. I ordered the Chicken Fajita which arrived at our table sizzling hot and bursting with fragrance. The veggies in the mixture were very fresh and full of flavour. Good, authentic Mexican food , such as this, is now on my permanent list of comfort foods. I hope to stop in a couple of more times yet before I have to go back home. Definitely worth it!"
(4)Mike S.
Best fish tacos I've ever had! Try the Ahi fish tacos...huge chunks of Ahi. However, the service was very very slow. It's a good think we were on vacation and had nowhere to be after dinner that night.
(4)Michael B.
Very good service as we entered for some late lunch at 2:00 pm--chips and salsa right away and glasses of ice water, which were refilled several times and was most appreciated after a frustrating, hot day at work. Our server checked on us to explain the daily specials and see if we had any questions--plus for that! One of the guys order a plate of steak nachos for us to start with, and that was really a huge portion--very tasty and very filling with tons of seasoned steak, beans, tomatoes, guacamole, sour cream, cheese and homemade tortilla chips! Sooo many choices on the menu, but my co-worker said he was ordering the Monico's Special...what? that ain't even on the menu! All he said was try it, so I did! Your choice of meat or fish grilled perfectly (I had the daily special, fresh ono), accompanied by several tasty tail-on shrimps, a perfectly cooked scallop, lots of seasoned veggies, guacamole, rice and beans and two sauces, two warm flour or corn tortillas, then topped off with an awesomely tasty slab of authentically prepared carnitas--WOW! The price for that feast was $20.95, but considering the generous portions of food, the expert preparation and great taste, it was fantastic and in my humble opinion worth every penny! Even better since my buddy covered the tab! Owner Monico (who also prepares the food in the kitchen) even said thank you and farewell to us, so we left there feeling not only full and satisfied but also appreciated! Gracias, Monico, for a great meal!
(5)Gordita B.
came here for our last meal on our last day of our glorious honeymoon. i asked to come here for 2 reasons: its ratings on yelp & helloooo it's mexican food. by the end of the week, I was really craving some good familiar food (i know, i know. i'm a foodie wimp. whatever). You'll notice there's actually mexicans cooking, which was a surprise to us, for some reason. Prices are typical of Hawaii, but still cheap considering it's Hawaii. The service was good & we didnt have to wait very long for our food. The rice is different than any other mexican rice we've had. it has an after taste i'm not familiar with. i dont know if it's spicy or tangy or what. it's different. Not my favorite. the guac is goooood, but they skimp you on the serving size but the taquitos are tasty. My husband thought his chile verde enchiladas were delicious.
(4)Nali M.
it's kind of silly that i went from not liking mexican food to really loving mexican food in less than a year. a big part of the credit definitely goes to monico's taqueria. the other part goes to the fact that i now reside in the south-western united states instead of kauai. the last time i dined here we got some steak and fish pupu tostadas. sooo good! everyone ordered what they wanted and everything was great. it was a really busy night and the inside and outside dining areas were both packed. they're like this almost every night of the week. that definitely tells you something right there!
(4)Samson Linus Y.
Don't assume that because there aren't many Mexican restaurants on Kauai that Monicos being labelled best Mex(& not by me) on Kauai means anything. This is exactly the type of place I abhor=1.Very few parking spaces in tiny lot which means that you have to walk blocks away to park.2.No free chips & salsa for take away orders which usually require waiting up to an hour even when calling an order in.3.Caution the very last time I ate there in the restaurant I had a rather dull Carnitas plate & asked for some more salsa to liven things up so that it was palatable, I later found out I was charged a small ransom of $3.00 for a small ramican of salsa.So watch it they will nickel & dime you as much as possible!4.The service was lousy for such a small seating area.I literally had to walk into the restaurant & find my waitress who was talking to coworkers.5.The outside picnic tables are fenced in because if you aren't ordering you aren't sitting & this includes when you are waiting for other diners to arrive.6.The prices are very high even by high Hawaii standards.They have no reason to command such high prices,Is it because they are located next to a noisy highway? Is it because their staff is rude and difficult to locate? Is it because their interior is bland,garish & cheesy?(no pun intended) Is it because to find a parking space is a small miracle. Is it because the food is mostly atrocious and unoriginal?
(1)John D.
Seafood burrito was great. One of the cooks showed us a picture on his iPhone of the ahi that had been caught that morning and was seared for the burritos that evening.
(4)Sandy I.
Perfect portions for the big appetite
(5)Matt K.
After mindlessly browsing the ABC store for tourist-y knick knacks (ooooh hula girl key chain), I decided to find some local grub. I proceeded to chomp on seafood enchiladas from Monico's. Stuffed with cheese, scallops, shrimp, fish and covered in a sweet red sauce...YUM! The seafood was fresh and the cheese was perfectly melted. I actually prefer a spicy red sauce, but it's all good as long as my taste buds are singing. Before you decide on buying that I Love Kauai shot glass, eat well at Monico's. Highly recommend!
(4)John F.
I was going to give this spot 4 stars but changed my mind. I'll explain near the bottom. We came here after flying from the east coast and checking in to our hotel (this is easily walking distance from the Kauai Sands). We ordered and split a pork burrito. I'm glad we did, it was enormous! I was wondering if the monster burrito was going to be quantity over quality but I was pleasantly surprised - it was delicious. We came back the next day and got fajitas. They were also excellent. I was told the margaritas were good but I hate tequila so I stuck with Negro Modelos. Everything we ordered was outstanding. So here are a few things to know - You get 1 bowl of chips and salsa for your table. You want more, you pay 5$. I'm a chips and salsa fiend so I didn't like this rule. If you want to drink, you can't sit outside. It's a state law, and a lame one at that. The service is quick but kitchen is realllllly slow. The food is worth the wait but that one basket of chips only holds you over so long. Apart from those things, fantastic Mexi food, in Kauai no less!
(5)Kelly G.
Who can resist a free serving of chips and salsa? Not my boyfriend, nor I! Got back from our ziplining expedition earlier in the day around 5 and after registering into the hotel, cleaning up, and taking a breather, it was around 7:30. I took a look on yelp for places to eat and realized a lot of places closed at 9! Thankfully Monico's was close to our hotel and we got there in less than 5 minutes. Great selection. And upon seating we got a serving of chips, hot salsa and mild salsa. They have a great selection of Mexican beers too! (Sol, Tecate, etc). Ordered the (ahi) fish tostada, but I asked for a side serving for the japaleno creme fraiche and the bf got a carne asada burrito. Everything was delicious! So yum in fact that we got a carnitas quesadilla to go. Came with rice and beans on the side. Reasonable prices, nice portions, relatively authentic tasting. Franchise out to Oahu please!!!
(4)Kellie W.
My husband and I recently visited the beautiful island of Kauai and inquired as to where we could fine the best, most authentic, (and more importantly, SPICY), Mexican restaurant. Where we come from (San Jose, Ca), we are more than spoiled with the abundance of Mexican restaurants within our reach. Not to mention, when it comes to potentially spicy cuisine, my husband and I ALWAYS request for "extra spicy". In any case, we were quite exited to try the recommended, "Monico's Taqueria". At first glance, YES, this is exactly what we were hoping for. Then we met our waitress, (damn I wish I remembered her name! Gorgeous, freckles, very kind-we sat on the outdoor patio around 5:30pm on Wed., 1/21), who was exceptional! We ordered steak fajitas, which I could still eat *plates* of, and chicken taco taco. Delish. We also partook in the famous margaritas! YUM! We hope to be able to visit Kauai again in the future, in which case we will surely return!
(5)Michelle S.
After spending 30 years in New Mexico, we probably have a different expectation of Mexican food than is served at Monico's. We are used to red and green chile with lots of flavor and heat. Every time we drove by Monico's Taqueria it was packed so we decided to give it a try. I had the fish flautas and my husband had the chicken chimichanga. The entrees, beans and rice lacked the zing we are used to so my husband requested a grilled jalapeno to spicen things up. His eyes glazed over in delight when he ate that jalapeno! The staff was super busy; the same person took the orders, got the drinks, brought the food, bussed the tables, and handled the checks, so we had to give her a break on things taking a little time. We will go back, knowing we can get that grilled jalapeno for some additional flavor..
(4)Patrick W.
SUPER SUPER FRESH!!! You can eat fish tacos for lunch knowing the fish had breakfast that same morning. Good service too!
(5)Harold P.
Amazing unadulterated fish tacos. Unlike most places that mound on heaps of raw cabbage and chunky tomato salsa to make the taco bigger looking, Monico's fish tacos is bursting with perfectly grilled fresh fish with just the right amount of finely shredded cabbage and salsa. I asked for the jalapeno crema on the side as one reviewer suggested and this work out well since I only used half of what was served. The chicken enchiladas in mole sauce was well executed. The shredded chicken was plentiful and the sauce was dark and complex like a mole should be. The chips are light, crunchy and not oily. I liked the spicier chipotle salsa though the pico de gallo salsa had nice chunks of fresh tomatoes without too much raw onion. The spanish rice was incredible flavorful and moist and cooked in such a way that the grains were left whole instead of broken. The pinto beans were rich in flavor undoubtedly cooked with meat to be that good! Monico's is a must try!
(5)Joanna S.
It was featured in Sunset magazine and it's in Kapaa which was close to our hotel. Of course we had to stop by this taqueria and get what they're known for. Comparable to California fish tacos, it wasn't extremely impressive, but I will have to say the amount of fish they give in it makes it pretty fantastic for a quick bite to eat. $5.50 for a fish taco, $6.50 for the seafood taco that has scallop and shrimp in it along with fish. The fish was super chunky. You definitely get your money's worth.
(3)Dennis K.
Excellent food! Being from San Diego we are used to great Mexican food and was not expecting much. Wow!!! Great food and service. Awesome selection of Mexican beer
(5)Shaughnessie S.
I love this place! There is usually a really long wait before you can be seated and another small wait for your food but let me tell you... It's worth it! xox so fresh and delicious. The seafood nachos are my favorite and the Cadillac margarita! Muah!
(5)Kevin D.
Monico's is the best Mexican food in Hawaii ... period. Verde up the street is very good too, but a little less recognizeable as Mexican food as they are more "southwest with a creative flair". Monico's is the place for great Mexican dishes. My wife and I ate there for a very early dinner yesterday (Staurday). We live on the north shore and were shopping in Lihue. We found ourselves wanting to go to Monico's around 4pm on our way home, but they close from 3pm to 5pm (and are closed Mondays btw). So, we had a dillema ... go to Verde (which is open now and we also like) or wait an hour for Monico's. We killed an hour by wandering around at Lydgate Beach Park with our dogs. Not a bad way to waste time. We arrived at Monico's about 4:55pm. There were already 5 parties ahead of us waiting for this place to open. About 10 minutes after they opened the doors, every table inside was packed. This place has a serious following and it is well deserved. My wife got a blended mango margarita and I had two of the Sierra Silver margaritas which were perfect. We ordered a chile rellano plate and the verde pork and then shared them both. The chile rellanos here are excellent, and the pork ... wow. When the dish was set in front of us and we tasted the tomatillo sauce the first word that popped into both of our minds was "elegant." Normally that isn't a word I'd use to describe Mexican food, but it was not only true, it was amazing to get a dish that looked and tasted so elegant for $13.95. Service was outstanding. Don't expect to have an intimate conversation during dinner as the tiled surfaces in this place cause the sound to bounce around from table to table. Outside has festive yellow picnic tables, but no margaritas outside and I can't imagine eating their food without one (or two).
(5)Connie T.
Just finished an outstanding dinner! Best Mexican food we have had since leaving the mainland 2 weeks ago. And it ranks very high compared to the mainland Mexican food. Service was great! The fish burrito had fresh ono which was grilled perfectly. The bean and cheese burrito was stuffed and delicious! It seemed like a lot of repeat customers were eating dinner there as well.
(5)Steve W.
Not sure why the high ratings. The food was OK but expensive even by island standards for what you get. Our server was super nice which was a plus. Perhaps I am a bit spoiled having so many better choices for mexican in San Jose.
(3)Little D.
Located in small Kinipopo Shopping Village. We had the best Fish Tacos ever. My BF is really into fish tacos. He agreed as well. We had fish tacos a lot in our lives, never asked how we like our fish be cooked. These were just perfect. Open 11-15 + 17-21. Monday closed. Really busy at night, expect to wait. Tip1: Outside seating no alcohol. Only inside restaurant has alcohol service. Tip2: Outside seating at night could get real cold. Bring your jacket or sweater. PS. The address actually is in Kapaa in Kinipopo Shopping, not Wailua. YELP 365 - 215/365
(5)Tom S.
Very delicious, very clean, & inexpensive. I'm a Californian. I speak Mexican Spanish about as well as English. I've eaten way too much Mexican cuisine over the past 58 years. Much of it was mediocre crap. This place makes some of the best Mexi-Hawaiian food I've had in years. Crisp salad, Ahi tacos, beans, creamy rice - All were so satisfying. Yummy alert! Go!!!
(4)Sean L.
Fish was cooked very well and tasted very fresh. I believe i got ono or mahi for the catch of the day. Nothing too special about the fish burrito or tacos. The good thing is they give you very generous portions of fish. The white sauce tasted so so in my opinion and the guacamole it came with was the same. Their beans were quite tasty though. Will have to come back here to try their ahi since seared ahi is the thing to eat here it seems. Service was also five stars, very friendly, checked on us often, and refilled our water. Parking is also quite easy in the lot right next door. Came here at 7pm on a tuesday night. Food did take a while to come though, or at least slow compared to normal mexican places in california, maybe fish took longer.
(3)Paula S.
My fiance had al pastor tacos which he said was alright, but fatty. Ok, I was going to write a lengthy review, instead I'll just tell you- they gave me boiled chicken in my tacos. I had two bites and that was two too many. Boiled.
(1)Mosey S.
Great service, really good fish tacos. The find here, however, is the bakery located in the rear of this shopping area - Cakes by Kristin? It's open late. Don't miss it!
(4)Daniel T.
Unbelievable fish tacos. It's been a couple years since I enjoyed them and I still think about them from time to time. If you're anywhere on the island, its worth making the trip to try them out. And if you're trying to pick which island to stay on when you visit Hawaii, well, these tacos might just be enough to tip the tide in favor of Kauai.
(5)William S.
I have eaten here the last three times I visited Kauaii and it has been consistently great food and service. The prices have increased since my first visit but the quality of the food is so good that the value is still very high. If you like Mexican food (with a Hawaiian "flavor") you don't want to miss Monico's.
(5)Steve G.
Fish Tacos are the absolute best. Just go! Great food, great relaxed fun.
(5)Jennifer H.
I was very impressed with the ahi tacos...large chunks of fresh ahi tuna, on the traditional double corn tortilla, with finely shredded cabbage and tasty creamy sauce. Definitely would order it again. The beans and rice were also quite decent and tasty. My boyfriend loved his burrito, and mom liked her chile verde as well. Only the first basket of chips and salsa were free, but that's really all you need, since the actual food portions were quite generous. We didn't experience the long wait that others mentioned...maybe 15 minutes to be seated...not too bad. We'd most definitely come back to this place!
(4)Maggie W.
There's a reason this place is in every Kauai guidebook, locals recommend this place left and right, as one of the best Mexican food on the island. Being a Mexican food lover myself, monico's taqueria of course ended up being my first meal here on the island. Mom ordered the seafood taco, and I the ahi fish taco. And they were both cooked to perfection. The salsa is worth a mention as well, seasoned and spiced to entertain my taste buds, we left happy and satisfied, I fell in love with the island even before the exploring and adventures started. One thing about this place, is the wait, after we sat down, the little courtyard got filled up fast, lots of people waiting. On top of that, services are very, very slow. We waited nearly half an hour for two taco plates. But if I come back to Kauai again, you can be sure to find me here. Fish tacooooos!!
(4)Roxy R.
I immediately craved Tex Mex upon leaving Texas for a week. We found Monico's on the way home from a tour. It was alright. I ordered fish tacos, but the fish was so big...and tasted so fishy. eh. I'd probably go again if in the vicinity and order cheese enchiladas or something. :) Sitting on the patio was nice, and the service was friendly. Our waitress even suggested a nice, quiet beach to visit nearby.
(3)Patty K.
Cozy, lively, hard working staff. Food was better than expected. The green sauce for the enchilada and burritos was the magic. Portions were BIG! Salsa and chips were good munchies while we waited for our meals. My family and I were looking for a place for good hot food. It was 8:30pm on Sunday and most places we're closing or closed. We yelped this place and decided to gave it a go. The staff were kept very busy but they didn't rush us even though they close at 9pm. In fact they seated two other tables at 9. The fish tacos were good but little too much cream mayo-like sauce for me. I'd ask for it on the side next time.
(4)Jessica O.
The food is greasy, mushy and not very flavorful. And the service is slow. My husband and I waited for 75 minutes for a take out order. And when our order was ready, the waiter made us wait at the counter further while she talked to some other patrons about some story. The food used to be great, now it's not. We favor Verdes, now.
(1)James S.
First off ask for Kay. We later found out she is the owner. But she is very friendly and will chat with you for a few instead of rushing you along like a lot of the locals do. Their red salsa is great. And the ahi tacos had so much flavor. Be sure to ask them to go easy on the white sauce if you aren't a fan. The garlic shrimp quesadilla was simply AMAZING!!!!! And the seafood enchilada sauce was so authentic and flavorful.
(5)Brian L.
Excellent Mexican!
(4)Brett F.
Don't believe not believing the hype! Believe it. Monico's is Mexicanificence! Loved not one, but TWO delicioso meals I was fortunate enough to get my hands on during my visit on the island last week. Monico and his team are cranking out some of the best eats on Kauai and with some of the biggest portions. Think all things Mexico-fabulous set in a really cute, friendly and super duper casual atmosphere. With Monico behind the helm of the open kitchen, colorful flags hanging from the twinkle lit bar and communal outdoor patio seating beckoning, all things here set the perfect tone for devouring some seriously terrific grub. It seems enchiladas here are the highlight and I have to emphatically agree. Whether you opt for these babies filled with chicken, steak, seafood or nothing but cheese, they will not disappoint, guaranteed. Made with top notch ingredients, fresh to order and, of course, with tons 'o queso, they were undeniably delectable. Loved the plain version verde-style so much that I ordered 30 of them for a party my family was having later in the week. And ya know what? Those, too, were appreciatively and greedily decimated. Burritos, Quesadillas, Fajitas, Tacos and Nachos are all also on tap here and just as stellar. Stole bites of a buttery Garlic Shrimp Woodfired Quesadilla, a wonderfully savory Al Pastor Burrito and a crazy huge serving of Chicken Fajitas, all to my tongues uberdelight. good, Good, GOOD stuff! Monico's does supplement this loveliness with booze from their full bar, though the margaritas failed to bowl over my discerning crowd. Stick to the ice cold Corona's and Pacifico's and you'll be a good as gold. My highest recommendations for Monico's... Salud!
(5)Christine N.
I kinda wish we had eaten here every single day of our Kauai honeymoon. Best fish tacos I've ever had in my life. We found this place because of Sunset magazine. We sat at the bar and chatted it up with the owner's wife. She was an awesome, awesome woman and treated us so well. She even gave us a deck of playing cards as a small honeymoon gift. IMO, there are two things that *make* a fish taco. Fresh fish is #1. If you screw that up, then there's no point. #2 is the sauce. Monico's white sauce is some super secret surprise. The fish tacos are drenched in it, but the fish still maintains its shape and crunchiness. Oh, and the pinto beans were homemade and silky. Darn! I wish we had eaten here more than once! Maui may have the Four Seasons, but Kauai has Monico's.
(5)Julie M.
Stopped here for lunch while on vacation. My husband had read reviews on this place and was anxious to try out their fish tacos.... And let me tell you they did not disappoint!! The best fish taco we've ever had. We got our ahi lightly seared... Delicious!! And the salsa was amazing!! It has just the right amount of spice and smokiness flavor. Very fresh clean flavors. Just wish I could eat there more often!!
(4)Staci B.
When the crispy carnitas are good, they are great. When they are bad, they can be too fatty. The beans and rice are good by Hawaii standards but below average for a Californian's standards. Still, it is some of the best Mexican food on the island
(4)Keoni L.
Unfortunately I wasn't pleased. Overpriced and sub par. Got chicken tacos and they were very dry and didn't come with much topping. Just little salsa, no. Lettuce . Will not. Go back
(2)Lee P.
Laughed at it until I ate it. I drove past this place a bunch of times and made fun of it because who would expect decent Mex on Kauai? We chalked it up to guero tourist food. The part that struck us was that it always seemed busy. Why? Heard talk that it was actually decent and reasonable so we tried it - and went back two more times. This really is pretty decent Mex and I consider myself a Mexpert, living in a community where little English is spoken in the good taquerias. One of the better dinners on the island, especially for the price. Fish tacos - really good. The mole enchiladas - really good. The carnitas - really good. Pretty tame fare for folks looking for the real deal, but definitely not a 'red sauce, green sauce' house. You won't find tacos al pastor, al vapor, lengua, cabeza or chivo here (why? The ingredients are readily available fresh on the island). But the food is good and the margaritas great. The owner is tending bar and he's a Cal transplant, so he gets another star for knowing what to do and doing it well.
(4)A O.
Seafood Nachos are so yummy!
(4)Shaina T.
Delish! Have been three times, and all three times it was awesome! I have had the Vegetarian enchiladas, which were yummy with both sauces, and the Chimichanga with veggies instead of meat, which again was awesome with both sauces. My two year old daughter had the Keiki fish tacos. Lucky for me, she didn't finish them, so I got them as leftovers and they were yummy! As a northern Californian who has access to some pretty steller Mexican food, I feel that this was on par with a lot of Mexican restaurants that I am used to. One of my only gripes is that they charge for extra chips. It just seams so cheap to charge a paying customer for extra chips. I am a big chip eater and it is so annoying when I come across this.
(4)Claire J.
Taqueria in Kauai? A good one too? Yup it's possible. Thanks Yelp for leading me here. I had my restaurant go-to list during our vacation here, but this place was not on my list. It was one of those days, we're tired and hungry, find a place that's still open that we can go to. After a fun day in the north shore, we decided to have some Mexican food to break away from the loco mocos. Being from the bay area, I like my specific taqueria food, so I was a bit hesitant going here. Got here and the inside of the place was busy. We were given an option to sit outside with no wait and we agreed. I then realized that we can't order alcohol outside, so I guess no alcohol for me that night. Servers are non-mexicans and cooks are latinos so I felt at ease. We were provided with chips and fresh salsa right away and it was yum. Really fresh salsa. Lots of choices! I ordered ahi tuna tostadas, hubby got al pastor burrito and we shared one ahi tuna fish taco. I was quite overwhelmed when the food came coz I have never seen beautiful food coming from a taqueria. The vegetables were fresh and heaping on top of my fish. I thought the fish was gonna be freshly cooked with lime, but it was actually really cooked, but you know it's fresh! Al pastor burrito was good, but we've had better. Their sauces were fresh and had mild flavors. Ahhh ,we were stuffed! Pretty expensive, but hey it's fresh so no complaints!
(4)Ellen C.
This place was fantastic! My husband and I stopped here for dinner on our way to our hotel our first night in Kauai and it was so good we came back for lunch a few days later. The meals were delicious (I had cheese enchiladas both times and my husband had a bean and cheese burrito the first time and vegetarian nachos the second time - all great) and the waitstaff was friendly and efficient. My husband's favorite part was the guacamole included with each of our entrees. He told the waitress how much he loved it and she said it's made fresh each day by the owner. Good food, good prices and good atmosphere. If we're in Kauai again, we'll definitely make sure to return to Monico's.
(5)Elissa D.
I was surprised that this place didn't get an ONO in the famous Blue Book. It was pretty decent, and fairly priced. Much better than Scotty's BBQ, and it seems the locals agree. It was packed with local folks. Was it great Mexican food? No, but it was better than I expected it to be, and much better than a lot of the highly recommended restaurants we tried, without the insane price tag. Get yourself a Negro Modelo and order up some tacos. They'll keep you stocked with chips and salsa. Really good service. I'll give it an Ono.
(3)Dulce G.
Great fish tacos, flavorful rice and the beans were just like my moms! Other dishes in my party included: camarones a la diabla (which only came with 6 camarones - for $18, it would've been better to have at least 9, but sauce was good), chicken burro with red sauce (chicken was a bit bland), and chicken soft tacos (nice serving of filling, but not for the silver dollar sized tortillas it came on). Overall, we were pleased with the food, but the service could have been better. Although our waitress was sweet, she forgot some of our requests. Would def go back when we're on Aloha time...darn mainlanders! ;)
(4)Sasha Y.
we came here for lunch and had a great experience, the pork chile verde I had was very delicious, the pork was super tender and the the sauce was so yummy, the cainitas my husband had was tender and juicy as well, we loved our food!
(4)Matt C.
The fish tacos are awesome! Great service, good portions. Coming from San Diego, I would highly recommend.
(4)Markus G.
We visited this place several times while on our honeymoon, and every time the food was exceptional. The only knock I have on this place is that when it gets busy, be prepared to wait for an hour until your food arrives. A word of advice for gluten intolerant people: they do have a few options they can make gluten free, but the vast majority of their items on the menu are made with or require flour tortillas, so the pickings are slim for celiacs, but no less delicious!! And the margaritas are da bomb! We'll definitely be back. Just be sure you're not too hungry or in a hurry when you go there during peak hours.
(4)Kelley Y.
On our fifth night on Kauai we were in the mood for Mexican. We're from California as are some of the other reviewers, and ..... Monico's is the BEST Mexican food we've had in a long time. Carnitas nachos: thin, fresh, perfectly salted chips and the meat was roasted to crispy tasty perfection. BIIG chunks of meat. I had fish tacos - tonight they were serving ahi - double soft corn tortillas and generous slices of really fresh grilled ahi. I was asked how I would like the fish cooked, as if it were a steak. It was garnished with perfect, mild, chunky guacamole, a sour cream-yogurt sauce and thin shredded cabbage with fresh Iime and cilantro. The beans were simmered in a slightly smoky sauce and were delicious. Service was friendly and efficient. We sat at the bar and noticed the palace really fill up by 5:45, and lots of locals ordering to take out. We highly recommend Monaco's. Wish they'd open one in the Bay Area!
(5)Su-Yee L.
I'm actually giving Monico's a 4.5; it was one of the best places I ate at in Kauai. So, the bf and I were starving after kayaking on the Wailua River but arrived at Monico's at 3:30pm but of course, basically every restaurant around is closed from 3-5pm! We were disappointed but wandered around a couple of shopping centers till 5 then made a beeline for Monico's because of all the great reviews. I'm really glad we did! Our first serving of chips and salsa was free; the pico de gallo and salsa were both delicious and fresh tasting. I ordered the seafood burrito and the bf ordered steak fajitas. The seafood burrito was HUGE. It was filled with fish, scallops, shrimp, sauteed onions, peppers, and zucchini, rice, and beans and covered with a mild crema and guacamole. I would've liked a little more seafood but it was really delicious anyway. The steak fajitas came on a sizzling hot skillet; it was a large portion and came with really really good rice and alright beans. Service was friendly and the food was so good that we ate every bite; we were ridiculously stuffed at the end. The price is pretty reasonable for the amount of food and the fact that it's Kauai where everything seems more expensive. Totally recommended.
(4)Benjamin L.
Pleasantly surprised. Contrary to others' experiences, we found service to be quick and pleasant. Perhaps it was because we were there at 2:30, which isn't exactly peak time. At any rate, the veggie burrito and chicken mole enchiladas were excellent. Both were tasty and, contrary to many other Mexican places, of a reasonable size, i.e., not four servings! The veggie burrito wasn't overstuffed, and the chunks of vegetable were large. The mole sauce was tasty, as was the chicken, which retained flavor of its own. The green sauce and salsa and guac that came with the chips were good too. All in all, very happy with our meal.
(4)panda m.
LOVE this place and would go again any day! Loved the seafood tacos and instead of rice and beans I ordered a side of steamed veggies (for additional minor cost). They totally understood what "gluten-intolerant" meant and were happy to accomodate and suggest items on the menu including the taco dishes which are made with corn tortillas. When you are seated you get a bowl of chips (note only first bowl is free) and two amazing salsas! They had a great kids menu too! Wait staff was super attentive and cheerful!
(5)Ed A.
The food is excellent. The waiters great. The wait for our food was an hour after ordering which is not acceptable. Otherwise a great local spot
(4)Tonya A.
Wow, what a pleasant surprise! Fresh, clean, veggie, great simple flavors. A real find on island.
(4)William H.
OMG! Seafood tacos wit fish caught dis morning...killah beans ...it don't get no bettah.
(5)Dan W.
Great place, Great food !!!!!!
(5)Lee R.
Awesome to be able to find such a fantastic Mexican fare on a small island at an affordable price. The food (Chicken con pollo and chicken flautas) was great with lots of flavor and descent presentation. The staff was local families (Ohana) and treated us nice and the service was fast. Atmosphere was that of an older mom and pops dinner, but was comfortable. *******CAUTION******* the hours as posted on Yelp has changed and they only serve dinner from 4:00 pm til 9 or 10. Also, it is difficult to find and the Yelp site if clicked on will send you to the wrong address, cut and paste the address into your GPS or google maps app. The place is right off 56 but you will have to pass it and do a u- turn to get to it b/c of no left turn rule. Park around back. It took us forever to find but stuck it out and glad I did. Ask any local person for a Mexican restaurant and they will send you to this place. Enjoy!!!!
(4)jon R.
We're from California and so we were dubious of finding good Mexican food on Kaua'i. This place is GREAT! Fantastic salsa's and sauces. The fish tacos are a must. Compared to the rest of Kaua'i, this is one of the most affordable restaurants around and the food and service are both great (it does get crowded though so, make sure you're not already starving when you arrive). The full bar is a nice addition that you won't find in most taqueria's. If you're tired of Mexican or it's too crowded -- check out the excellent Korean BBQ in the same cute shopping plaza. It's outstanding!!!
(5)LE S.
By far my favorite Mexican restaurant on Kauai. They are the best! Friendly, beautiful people who obviously love good food because everything I've ever had there has been amazing.
(5)Sky O.
Fish tacos were superb, lots of flavor, and the beans and rice were each flavorful compared to average Mexican sides.
(5)Janene P.
We ordered take out and it was delicious. We will definitely be visiting this restaurant again.
(4)Jennifer Y.
This place was awesome! I got the chicken flautas. They were delish!!! The rice wasn't over seasoned and everything had a nice taste of flavor. My husband got the enchilada verde with 1 cheese and 1 chicken and he said it was good. They give you a basket of chips and 2 different salsas to dip. You do have to pay extra for an extra basket of chips ($2.50) and extra for the salsa ($3.00). Overall this was a good choice for dinner and I'm glad we stopped! Mahalo!!!!! :-)
(5)Steve C.
Great Mexican place, excellent service, friendly staff and the food was amazing. The fish tacos were grilled and tasty. My wife had the steak fajitas and were great. Overall A+ and will come back.
(5)Janaka B.
AWESOME. No lard in the beans; great for vegetarians. Tasty, solid food that's a notch above your average taqueria. Friendly and helpful server. We had a great experience here.
(5)Dana H.
Sorry I can't rate the food this time, you closed at 3 PM. I am curious as to why you would close for two hours during the middle of the day? Instead, why not try a happy hour(s) like most other establishments on the island? This is what were were expecting when we showed up at 3:10 on a Saturday. Guess I should have checked the hours on Yelp first, my bad. Oh well, we went to a Mexican Restaurant on Nawiliwili Beach who had a happy hour and we spent $65. Worth every penny. One star for the hours.
(1)Justin R.
I've been visiting Kauai every year since 2006 and i stop at Monico's multiple times with every stay. I just ate there last night and realized i haven't reviewed them yet. The location has grown but the food is and always has been awesome. They have the best fish tacos and fish burritos i have ever tried. Monico's is a must if you are in the area. The service is so friendly you feel like family every time you go.
(5)Laurie Z.
Great food and good service!
(4)Greg G.
Not the best. We were told that this was the best on the island. Poor service. long wait. food wasn't good.
(2)Sherry S.
We should have left after being seated. One of the staff brought out tortilla chips. I asked if they were gluten free. Her mouthy response was they were made with corn tortillas. I asked if they had a separate fryer. With less than enthusiasm she told me they did not have different fryers. I asked if there were any other items fried in the same fryer that had wheat. The answer was yes. So her response was - "If you put it that way then they aren't gluten free." I am not sure what other way you could put it! I ordered the seafood fajitas. They came out without the typical side condiments one would expect with fajitas. When I asked - they offered to give me a side of guacamole, a side of sour cream and a side salad - for around $10. I don't mind paying for good food. In this instance I felt taken advantage of - they bring out my food and then add an extra $10 to the bill to make it what I had originally ordered. Stay away!
(1)Julie A.
This place is a dive but the food rocks. Beware! Closed on Mondays. Small with bathrooms outside that are below gas station standards. Get past that and eat the fish tacos. Like others have suggested it's a must along with the garlic, shrimp quesadillas. Their margaritas are very good as well. Prices are very affordable. We didn't realize how lucky we were but got lost and called for directions. Realized we were a block away. Hostess said she had 2 open at the bar she would reserve it. Great. We got there to a huge line at the door and were able to walk right in. This was just lucky though as they don't take reservations. Inside and outside seating, No booze outside and it's just picnic tables in a grimy courtyard off the busy highway. We took another yelpers suggestion to mix the 2 salsas YUM! Hoping to get back this week yet.
(4)Kyle M.
Are you kidding me? This is the worst Mexican food I've ever had. Ever. Where the heck are all these good reviews coming from? If you want fish tacos, go to Mermaid's Cafe in Kapa'a. If you want anything else at all, you'd be better served by hitting up Taco Bell. Seriously. Everything is bland. Even the chips are bland. And you end up paying about quadruple what you should be paying. I can't stand this place.
(1)Hiren K.
Came here because a local said that they had really good fish tacos. Place was packed when we arrived so we expected good things. However wasn't too impressed by the flavors of the fish taco. Couldn't really taste the ahi and the taco was filled with toppings that didn't really add much taste. The sauce that it was filled with was bland. Portion was big so we were full but wouldn't recommend it for the fish tacos. Maybe something else there is better.
(3)Sam E.
I'm kind of crushed to write this review - I was so excited to try this place based on other reviews but ultimately was pretty disappointed. I don't mind a wait, even a long wait, but when we noticed that locals were consistently being seated before us, we were not so happy. Finally when we were seated we waited another half-an-hour to 45 mins for our food. The food was good -- I got the fish tacos (ahi) and my friend got the carnitas nachos -- but nothing to write home about. Again, we noticed the locals who arrived after us, got food before us. :/ Anyway, it was a bit of a bummer. Maybe someone from the restaurant will read this review and do a little attitude change. I got the feeling this place COULD be fantastic.
(2)Love B.
The shrimp quesadillas are amazing!! Make sure to wash them down with a passion fruit margarita.
(5)Brent P.
Only reason it gets two stars is bc there isn't many other options on this island. I was charged for chips, salsa, and even charged a dollar for two jalepenos. Total for a shrimp burrito, two scAllops and a Corona? 40$ I understand, charge me 12 to 15 $ for a burrito. It's Hawaii and things R expensive, but to be nickel and dimed to death like that was just pathetic and the manager should check his policies. Turn n Burn Indeed! And the food wasnt anything special. No black beans and the worst rice ever. Severely disappointing. Skip it
(2)Mike M.
We stopped and had lunch based on the reviews. It was a great experience, excellent food and atmosphere. I had the fish tacos and my wife had the nachos both were very good. Small family business I enjoyed supporting.
(5)Donald M.
Darn good fish tacos
(4)Kimie M.
good chimichanga. awesome hot sauce. killer dessert!!!!
(5)Romelyn D.
I love this place, good food, good service. Always a good experience for me. One of the best mexican eateries on Kauai, the other is Al Pastor Tacos.
(5)Bobbie C.
We stopped here for lunch and sat at the bar. The lady behind the bar that waited on us was extremely friendly. We both had the fresh catch fish tacos and they were great. My only complaint is that there was way too much crema on them. When the fish is so fresh, you don't really want to cover up the taste. Other than that, great place. Great fish tacos and really friendly service. It's tiny and a bit loud, but very good!
(4)Heidi S.
I am addicted to their fish tacos, they aren't fried so I don't feel guilty indulging in the sour cream sauce. Fish dishes are always super good. But I have also tried the fajitas, burritos, margaritas and nothing has dissappointed. Prices are fair, service is great. There is usually a wait to get a table for dinner, so get there early.
(5)Clifton L.
After reading all the positive reviews, my wife and I were excited to give this place a try. The food is fresh but flavorless. Absolutely nothing in the chicken or steak. We showed up at 8:30 on a Saturday night and had to wait nearly 45 minutes for our food. No apology or extra chips and salsa to tide us over. Waste of time and money. :(
(2)Shannon B.
Oh my God, the fish tacos, Oh my God... Love. LOVE. These were the best fish tacos I'd ever had. In fact they were so good I had them three times on a 5 day trip (totally unlike us) and Monico's was a half hour away from the hotel. They are amazing and slightly different each time since they are made with whatever they can get fresh that day. I have had Ahi and opakapaka-- both great. I can also vouch for the margaritas... yum. As far as the wait, you are in Hawai'i... and on an outer island. You will wait, but really what are you in a rush for? Consider a slow food experience. Just relax and enjoy a nice night in a nice place.
(5)Robyn M.
This is definitely the best Mexican food that I've had on the island. The food is very fresh and delicious! I had the chicken tostada and the chicken was superb. They had fresh greens on top with bell peppers, beans and fresh cheese. My friend had the garden salad with beans and guacamole added to it. She really enjoyed it and the salad was a huge portion. We both had the house margarita. I really enjoyed it and thought it was great; however, she thought it was a little sour. Overall a great experience, just a little crowded.
(4)Susan H.
We had a great dinner here tonight, I had the steak fajitas and the husband had the seafood burrito. The food was excellent and the quality of the seafood was superb. The prices were very reasonable and the servings are large. I highly recommend this place!
(5)Michelle F.
Really impressed with this little Mexican joint. We stopped here right after landing on the island for a late lunch. I couldn't decide between the fish tacos or the carnitas tacos, but our server hooked me up with a combo platter that had one of each. The fish taco (ahi) was really good - very fresh and simply seasoned - the jalapeño crema was a nice touch, but could have been spicier. Carnitas taco had a freshly made crispy shell and the meat was tender, though a few pieces were a little dry. Guacamole and salsa were very fresh. Overall, a great experience and I highly recommend to anyone looking for a Mexican food fix!
(4)Monica M.
I give 3.5 stars. Ordered the chicken flauta plate but before I review, let me put things in perspective. I'm 4th generation Mexican-American, born and raised in SoCal and my grandmother was a cook by profession so I've been spoiled with amazing Mexican food all my life. My chicken flautas were good and so was the fresh guacamole. Can't really go wrong with chicken wrapped in a fried flour tortilla. However, my plate goes downhill from there. Rice was very rice-pilafy cooked with tomatoes - not a fan. Refried beans were decent but could use a little more flavor. I liked the beans more than the rice on my plate. Usually it's the other way around for me. Chips were good (only the first round are free). Salsa came in two versions: the non-spicy cut tomatoes version and the very spicy red salsa version. I'm only a fan of spicy salsa so I liked the spicy version better because it was hot but I do think it could have used a little more flavor. My husband had the fish flautas and he liked them with guacamole and sour cream. He was also a fan of the non-spicy tomatoes salsa. As for the bill, it was just over $30 for 2 plates and 2 drinks. I think they also charged us extra for a side of guacamole. The restaurant closes from 3-5pm to prepare for dinner. We were seated just fine arriving around 2:45pm. Staff was very friendly and greeted us with smiles. I would return as I understand it's the best Mexican restaurant on the island and I always need my Mexican-food fix. =)
(3)Shelley P.
Mmm, creamy jalapeno sauce...that's my favorite! I love the fish and the seafood burritos because it comes smothered in the creamy jalapeno sauce. I have an addiction to this sauce, it's so good! I've also had the chicken enchiladas verde and the seafood fajitas, both were great...I just need my creamy jalapeno sauce fix!
(5)Eric B.
We came to Monico's based on its Yelp rating, and we were not disappointed. Fish tacos were very good, but the steak fajitas were the star attraction for us. Nicely sauteed, with ample amounts of sizzling sauteed onions and peppers. Only downside of the experience was the noise level in the restaurant. Pretty much impossible to have a conversation without yelling. But at least it's a lively atmosphere!
(4)Kevin T.
Great food here! We had the ahi fish tacos based on recommendations and they were delicious. Being from New Mexico, we're always hesitant about Mexican food anywhere else, but this place really hit the spot. The service and atmosphere was good. Not great. Very busy on a Tuesday night since they're closed Mondays. We showed up just in time to grab a table outside around 6pm. After us there was always a wait. Took over an hour for our food to come and getting occasional whiffs of the nearby dumpsters was not pleasant. When the waitress forgets to fill your water, don't go get a pitcher from the bar yourself. She did not hide her displeasure about this. Otherwise, she was very friendly. Oh and no alcohol outside. There was a couple who were carrying their cocktails out to sit on the bench outside and the hostess about had a heart attack and yelled at them to get back inside. Overall, excellent meal! Average service. Long wait for food (at least on a Tuesday).
(4)David d.
Good Food, Large Portions....(If Jenna is there waiting tables it's gonna be really good!!) Great Fish Tacos very authentic and the Carnitas Burrito was Awesome. Were from San Diego and we know Mexican Food!! If it's Monday....they aren't open!
(5)Kristen F.
Wow, thanks to everyone's reviews (and thanks Yelp)! Without this app and reading the reviews on this place, we'd have no idea this gem existed! We were driving back from doing some sightseeing on that side of the island and were naturally, starving. I found this and decided to give it a try. We got the fish tacos based on user recommendations and man...they were delicious! They fish tacos were jam packed with a HUGE piece of fresh ahi tuna. The sauce they put on the tacos was amazing! I could've asked for more to dip my tacos in. The beans...wow equally as amazing and I can be kind of picky about them. I also got a margarita, based on what I read again. I was happy to see that it wasn't lime green, as that always indicates a usually over sweetened and gross margarita. I was VERY happy to find this place and when I get back to Kauai, I'm eating here on the way to Hanalei.
(5)Mary N.
So, I wanted Tiki Tacos, but my husband wanted ambience, so here we came. I got carne asado and adobo tacos, my companion, fish, which was Ono. (The fish... And good Ono too) the chips were freshly made, the salsa was so-so, I thought needed more lime and cilantro. My husband really liked his fish tacos, which he got on a crunchy shell. Big hunk of fish, finely shredded cabbage. I added jalapeño cream (which was pretty bland), lime and cabbage to mine. The beef could have been better trimmed, but it was a big hunk which shredded nicely and was seasoned well. The pork was kind of fatty... Seared with good flavor, but some pieces had a tad too much fat. The meats were seasoned well, but there was a blandness to the whole presentation. It was good, we'll see how Tiki Tacos is... Tay tuned. It will be the Battle of the Kauai tacos. A.so a bummer, if you want alcohol, you have to sit inside...weird.
(3)Chad F.
We stopped here because it was convenient in location to our condo rental. The ambience is true Hawaiian--come as you are, nothing fancy. It was obvious that the locals loved this place as they had set claims on tables inside and out. Since no seating inside or out we decided to order to go and eat on the condo lanai. So glad we pushed to the counter and ordered--I had fish tacos (wonderful) and my wife carnitas taco (awesome). The wait was about as expected for tacos on Kauai time (30min) but totally worth it!! We LOVED it and highly recommend it to anyone looking for some good food at reasonable prices.
(5)john g.
ok... I am from Texas so I've tasted my fair share of Mexican food. I ate at this place about 2 hours ago, and it was pretty bad. Now, I give them 2 stars because it is BYOB because they do not currently have an alcohol license and the salsa/chips were quite good. I would never eat here again. Taco Bel is even way better than this place. They did serve jarittos soda ... so bonus points for that. If you want a good place to eat near by go to Wahoo's. It is way more expensive, but way worth it. Our meal ( 2 entrees, soda) was $34. Looking back, Taco bell for $10 would have been way better. I think they charged for chips and salsa but acted as if it was free... anyway Wahoo's was one of the best places I ate at in years! I forgot to mention that the owner sent me a nice nasty gram after this review. I'll attach it in a bit. She called me a penny pincher but in my original review I said go to wahoos as it is better but way more expensive. I was also accused of not knowing what real Mexican food is when I actually have Mexicans in my family.
(2)Michael F.
My wife and I ate here a few days ago and the fish tacos were excellent. We found this place via a recommendation from a staff member at our hotel, and using Yelp it showed great reviews. This is not a tourist trap, it is local's restaurant, and good food, good service.
(4)Lucky M.
Very nice ahi taco, and ahi burrito $40 for two including cocktails. Certainly the more reasonbly priced meal we had on Kauai. I heard complaints about a lack of hot sauce. I asked for a fresh jalapeno on the side, cut if up small and everything was plenty hot. It gets pretty crowded at night and if you get seated at the picnic tables out front there is no alcohol.
(4)Daniel O.
Surprisingly good Mexican cuisine with some unique sauces and selections. Small dining room means there might be a wait. Margaritas were decent. Your first basket of chips is free and the salsa is good.
(4)Ryan G.
The staff was friendly, the food was REALLY good. We had the fish tacos (AWESOME!!!) and the steak burrito. Very fresh and tasty. Full bar as well is always a bonus. I will go again for sure.
(4)Amanda W.
Best fish tacos. Ever. 'Nuff said.
(5)Tim V.
The food was delicious, but prices are ridiculous. The first round of chips and salsa are free, but the next round and every other round is $5.50. Just expect this when you have groups.
(3)Valerie R.
Limited choices for Mexican food on island...Being that I'm from Los Angeles and raised with Hispanic food--was a little nervous about trying. First off, great service! Waitress was friendly,personable, and offered suggestions. A young man came by throughout lunch to check on us as well. The food was fresh and well presented when served. I ordered the mole with a salad. Greens were great and mole was good. Beans were tasty and not greasy. The salsa also very fresh. My company ordered fish tacos. (May wanna ask for sauce on the side on that one).. Great atmosphere.
(4)Sonya S.
Pros: Excellent fish tacos, fast service, and the best cocktail I've had on the island so far (lemon drop - a frozen vodka drink). Cons: no atmosphere, crowded and so noisy inside, we could not carry on a conversation. Also, my husband said his chicken in mole sauce was only so-so, due to a conservative approach to the sauce that made it less like an exotic chocolate-based sauce and more like a run-o-the-mill gravy.
(3)Wendy W.
If you're looking for an ahi taco done perfect -- this is the place. They ask you how you want your fish cooked (or just seared).. and they were superb. The rice and beans were excellent as well.. full of flavor. There is no alcohol allowed outside, but we were there for lunch and didn't miss it. The inside is a great chill-out spot.
(5)Brent V.
I've visited 4X and seriously, this is one of the Best Mexican Food Restaurants anywhere... Whenever I travel I seek out the best Mexican Food and I've eaten at hundreds of Mexican Food Restaurants & Stands and this place ROCKS! Just Finished eating their Homemade Chile Relleno, Wow :-) The Fish Tacos are out of this world and the Seafood Fajitas are incredible... A side note: To the guy that serves in the evening, it doesn't hurt to be friendly and accommodating to customers... maybe you were having a bad day last Thursday the 24th, at least I hope so... All the other Servers are super friendly, especially Kathleen
(5)Tawny A.
this place is really great! they just remodeled and the food is better and fresher! i honestly think they are not only the best Mexican on Kauai but prob. one of the best in the US.....and i know good mexican. this place can compare to Yuca's and King Taco and other small hole-in-the-wall places in Los Angeles. the ranchero sauce is sooooo good i wish i could buy a keg of it. the chicken burrito was fresh and light and the chile relleno was out of this world. i will be eating dinner here tomorrow before i head back to LA. I LOVE IT!!!
(5)Joel T.
Don't even mess around. Get the fish tacos. By far the best I've ever had.
(5)Eric C.
It was a Sunday afternoon so most local restaurants were closed. We came here instead, as I remembered seeing it on Yelp. We ordered fish tacos and a fish burrito. Delicious! I really loved the integration of ahi tuna with all the other components. We asked for the fish to be medium + medium rare, but it was way too cooked for my taste. Tip: if you're a sashimi eater, ask for it seared or rare!
(5)Mary S.
Split an order of chicken fajitas here and YUM! Great flavor, HOT and tasty. Service was nice, we sat outside on the patio and ended up sharing a table with another couple on vacation. Being from CA, Mexican food is a must and Monico's cured our craving. Would have given it a 5 star rating if they didn't charge for a second basket of chips...let there be chips!
(4)V W.
We ordered the veggie enchiladas. The sauce was really good and so were beans and rice, but zucchini was the only vegetable inside the enchilada. There were some bell pepper strips served outside the enchilada but that doesn't make it veggie - more like a zucchini enchilada. We went there just once so I don't know if this is their regular recipe or whether they had excess zucchini to get rid of that day :( but a mixture of several vegetables would have been nice!
(3)Steffen G.
I grew up in southern california and have always enjoyed the mexican food there. Coming to hawaii has been, well, disappointing in regards to mexican food. Even the local's "favorite" mexican food places on Oahu have been horrible. In January my friend on Kauai took a bunch of us to Monico's. For sure I was skeptical after having tried about 15 mexican food places on Oahu. After my first bite I was in heaven. i think i got the Carnitas burrito and ate that whole thing down so fast. When i was finished I looked around the table for someones leftovers to finish up....Nothing! Everyone cleared their plate. I'm going to Kauai this weekend and cannot wait to go back there again.
(5)Polina D.
Overpriced tacos. I had to try Monico's because everyone raves about how authentic the tacos are, but was very disappointed. Out of the three places I tried in Kauai for fish tacos, this was the worst and the priciest.
(2)Aaron W.
As far as finding good Mexican places on the outer islands (not Oahu), good luck. But Monico's is a keeper. The food was delicious and the service prompt. I give the score of 3 stars because of the price. For a burrito it costs +$13 and that traditional value of good food at a great price that u come to know of Mexican restaurants goes out the window. Did I mention the restaurant was clean? I had the fish of the day burrito, the fish (ahi) was cooked to my liking, medium, but they will also do pan seared. The cream sauce and guacamole were also delicious. The beans and rice were also moist and not over cooked. It's located in a small shopping center but has ample parking altho lunch time may be a squeeze. If u have the hankering foe some Mexicali hit this place up.
(3)Duke N.
Open for dinner at 5:00pm, we got there at 4:45pm and there was already a line outside. The service was very friendly and the staff was very welcoming and helpful. All of the food is made from scratch by a single chef. My two co-workers and I each ordered the beef quesadilla and we all loved it--served with sour cream, guacamole, rice and beans. The prices were affordable too! Muy delicioso! Arriba!
(4)Kasey F.
I love the food here but don't eat here as much as before because the prices have raised since they remodeled. Still yet, the food is excellent and every once in a while my hubby and I decide to suck up the fact that we have to pay more for the same food and go. The veggie burrito is sooo good but if your a vegetarian like me be sure you order the vegan version because their rice is cooked in chicken stock and the only difference between that and the regular veggie burrito is that there is no rice in a vegan burrito. A few of my favorite things about Monico's: awesome guacamole and chips and salsa, nice fresh ingredients and a friendly, fun atmosphere : )
(5)Jean C.
I just had the best dinner, nay MEAL at Monico's Taqueria. Holy crap. This food is delicious. We were on our way back from Poipu Beach Park and hungry. We decided to head on back near our hotel and decided to come here after I researched my bookmarks on Yelp. My battery was about to die so we decided to do it. 47 reviews and a 4 1/2 star average definitely helped. The restaurant was hopping so we chose to sit outside. Only downside is that no alcoholic beverages can be consumed outside. Oh well. We were presented with chips and pico de gallo and another dip. I noticed on the menu that the first serving is free but if you want more, it's $4.50. Well, that's a first. But to be honest, don't we always fill up on the free chips and dip and never have enough room for our meal? I ordered the shrimp quesadillas and the hubs got seafood enchiladas. Amazing. The shrimp was fresh, hot and garlicky. The beans were good and I normally don't like or eat them. The rice had a nice flavor and the guacamole was tasty. I ate everything. We liked this place so much that we ate here before we headed to the airport. I got the same thing but the hubs got the fish tostados. Fresh Ahi caught that day and pink in the middle. I wasn't even half way through my meal when the hubs finished the entire dinner. I highly recommend everyone to come here. It does it busy due to its popularity so be prepared to wait a little. But it's definitely worth it.
(5)Alan L.
I always noticed that there was a line in front of this place as I drove by and checked yelp for some reviews. People were raving about this place so I thought I'd give it a try. I didn't get the fish that a lot of other people are raving about. I ordered the steak fajitas and my wife got the chicken burrito. The food was pretty bland, my steak fajitas tasted almost like there wasn't any seasoning at all. It wasn't the worst Mexican food I've had but not the best either. The service was great here though, everyone was friendly.
(3)Paul M.
Very tasty fish tacos.
(4)Sheri B.
Fish tacos were awesome as were the beans. There were 6 of us & all agreed the tacos were the best we've had. Ate inside so we could have a beer (no alcohol outside). When we were leaving a fisherman brought in 2 fish just caught on his boat. How often do you get fish that fresh. Do not miss this place.
(5)Andrew A.
Were were told by local guides that there is no good Mexican food on Kauai. Found this place on Yelp and it sure proved the guides wrong. My wife claimed that her Mahi Mahi fish tacos were the best Mexican food she had in her life! It was by far the best fish she had on the island even compared to other places where we paid $30 for a meal such as Duke's in Lihue. I had the Carinatas which was also very good. Margaritas seemed standard fair but they have some tropical twists if you desire. My only complaint is they charge for chips if you eat more than one basket. I love chips and salsa so I found that annoying. You also can't get alcohol if you sit outside but that may be a local ordinance law. I highly recommend this place.
(5)Marcus L.
One thing I look forward to when coming to Kauai is the fish tacos Tuesday at Duke's Canoe, but this trip, we asked a local where they enjoy their fish tacos and they told us about Monico's Taqueria. One fish taco plate was $12 and came with 2 tacos with rice and beans. It is expensive, but paying for a freshly grilled fish taco, usually fresh ono, is worth it. I also ordered a mango margherita which is made with silver tequila and FRESH mangos ($7).
(4)Emily R.
Yes I just gave a taqueria 5 stars. We hiked Sleeping Giant & stopped here after for some cervezas and grub. We had the fish tacos and they were amazing! Fresh mahi mahi -- the best we have had on the island so far. We sat at the bar and chatted with the bartender. She was so fun! We had an overall great time and got out of there for less than $40. Love this place!
(5)Kandy P.
This place was recommended to us, so we tried it. It was damn good food, but....(BUT....) extremely expensive. My mom and I both had an order of fish tacos, and my brother had an order of carne asada tacos and 2 beers. For that, the bill came to $65. CRAZY! That said, the fish (Mahi) was cooked perfectly, the steak (I tasted it) must have been local beef, it tasted so GOOD, and the portions were HUGE (2 of us could have EASILY split one order of fish tacos)...
(3)Paul T.
Not sure what the excitement is about the fish tacos here. To be honest, they're bland and pretty tasteless. Not the worst fish tacos I've ever had by any means, but far from the best. Believe it or not, the best fish tacos I've had in this island were from the Mexican food van on Anini beach!
(3)Co L.
Yumm. This place has real good classic style Mexican food. It's nice a Mom and Pop type of restaurant. The fish tacos were great. My wife had the enchiladas which she really enjoyed. They had nice friendly service staff. The prices were good for the quality of food. The islands tend to be pricey for average quality, so I was pleasantly surprised. I would defiantly eat here again.
(4)Gwen F.
We had lunch there today and the food was delicious. We used Yelp to find this place and in addition one of the hotel employees suggested this restaurant. We had the fish tacos which were delicious and filling. They give you a nice size portion for two tacos. We sat outside. The only downside is that you cannot have alcohol outside. Excellent choice - a must when visiting Kauai.
(4)Tony R.
***addendum, 9/2012: things change I guess..too bad. Long story short: reduced to three stars, sadly.**** Some of the reviews really have me perplexed. I mean, for anyone to say thet you,re better off going to Taco Bell....c'mon! I do realize that one of the largest failings for many of the restaurants on Kauai is consistency: you'll read rave reviews, go eat, and wonder...what the heck we're they talking about..? Now, about Monicos: my wife and I love the food, and we get there about once a month, sticking mostly to the fish dishes..They do a superb job, both in preparation and presentation: something you may not expect from mexican cuisine. Are they busy? Count on it! Also count on a wait, anywhere from 20-45 minutes if you go when everyone else does: 6:30 to 7:45pm. You can opt for outside seating...that works best when you have keikis, and want to pass on ice cold cervezas and delicious margaritas, otherwise, stand in line with the rest of us, or join the Kapaa crawl, and try to find some place else with a shorter wait.( Good Luck) And, they do get busy inside! And while the service may sometimes be abbreviated, and your dinner may take a bit longer than you expect to make its way to you, you'll find it was well worth it. Fresh ingredients, and tasty food are standard fare at Monicos. If you enjoy thoughtfully prepared food, and possibly the best fish tacos on the island, don't pass up Monicos....its easy to drive right past it. Start looking for the Kinipopo shopping(very small) center right after you pass the "Shell station/mini mart". Going north, it will be on your right. They do have parking, so pull through and look. If not, just continue through their very small parking lot, turn to the left at the street then make the next left , and park across from Kintaro's. Usually plenty of room in that area. A half block walk will get you to Monicos. Oh yeah....if Bernardo is working the bar, definitely ask him for one of "his" margaritas. If you're looking for a quiet, imtimate place, you'll be disappointed..but definitely NOT with the food. The staff will do their best to take great care of you, and the artists in the kitchen will do the rest. Never been disappointed! Ono grinds! Oh, and if you think $35-$50 (including a drink each) is busting your budget, maybe you will be better off down the street at TBell.
(3)Susan S.
Fantastic fish tacos. The seafood tacos are killer too. Great service
(5)Jon E.
One of my favorite places on Kauai. The carnitas in either burrito or platter is excellent-soft and tender inside with perfect crispiness outside. Many rave about the seafood burrito, but that wasn't to my preference. Not that it was bad, but I prefer a bit more spice in my Mexican dishes. Share the garlic shrimp quesadillas with a few friends. It comes with 4 pieces and the sides - as it is an entree. Service is normally quite friendly and the place is always busy so you may have to wait 5-10 minutes. Just be careful about chip and salsa consumption as a refill will cost you $4.50.
(5)Audrey H.
The staff at Monico's was attentive and friendly...We give them 5 stars. My husband had the Carne Asada Torta. He gives the Torta a solid 4 stars. I had the Tacos Dorados (crispy steak tacos). I give them 4 stars. We waited a bit for our order, but I have to say that the food was fresh and hot. The restaurant was well staffed and clean. We will return!
(4)RJ P.
Pretty damn good.
(4)Chris M.
Is there good Mexican food on Kauai? This is a question that has been debated on the reviews of several Mexican restaurants on Kauai. I think you can find good Mexican food if you are willing to wait for it. Went to Monica's last week for dinner and did quite a bit of extensive research on Mexican restaurants on Kauai via yelp before going. Our hotel was across from Mariachi's but it received really poor reviews so we decided to go to Monica's. We arrived around 7:15 and had to wait about 15 minutes for a table. I was totally okay with this. We would have sat outside but there was a sign that stated no alcohol could be served out there...wanting a drink we decided to wait for a table inside. The folks I was with were vegetarians so they were really happy with all of the veggie options (essentially tacos, quesadillas, burritos, and fajitas (available upon request)). I ended up going with the fish burrito which was mahi mahi. We ordered an appetizer of guacamole, which came quickly and then we waited....and waited....and waited some more. It must have taken 30 minutes for our food to arrive. I am not sure why it would take so long for 3 veggie dishes and a fish burrito to take so long but it did. The food arrived hot and was good, I just don't know if it is worth the wait, especially when there is a $4 charge for extra chips and salsa. I really like the light cream sauce that was served with my fish burrito and the fish was tasty as well. Besides the long wait for the food, Monica's is a good spot for Mexican on Kauai and hopefully answers the long debated question.
(3)Richard G.
Awesome fish tacos. Beautiful presentation. Reasonable prices. The only reason I don't give them 5 Stars is the rushed service. But the servers were friendly when you could get them. Ordered the seared Ahi Tuna fish tacos and was so happy. Each one came open-faced and held a beautiful, center-cut piece of Tuna steak with finely shredded cabbage and an awesome sauce that hit all the right spots. Beans were great. Rice, like all Mexican restaurants world-wide had no flavor so I no longer hold this against any one Mexican restaurant unless they go way out of their way to make it bad. Fresh, bright salsas. If you are in Kauai and want fish tacos - go here.
(4)Lee W.
The food was as good as previously reviewed. The fajitas & fish taco's were great. Do yourself a favor and stop by.
(4)Christy W.
Slowest food service ever. The reason there is a line because the kitchen is so sloooowww. The chips were just ok and the salsa bland. My carnitas burrito was very good but not good enough to come back and wait so long
(3)Mohala C.
I have eaten Mexican food from roach coaches and expensive restaurants throughout California, and I have never had carnitas as good as Monico's! Their prices are great too! I highly recommend! Their fish tacos were recently featured in Sunset Magazine.
(5)Sheri Y.
Well, I was hoping for a much better food experience when we came here. Previous reviews left us with high hopes that we would FINALLY find some decent Mexican food in the great state of Hawaii. But this was not the case. The food wasn't bad by any stretch, but the flavors were bland and left much to be desired. I ordered a chicken burrito, which is a standard dish that should be an easy accomplishment for any Mexican establishment to master. The burrito was a nice size, but certainly not for the cost. The content of the burrito was nothing more than a simple combination of rice, beans, and shredded chicken. The rice was basically flavorless, and the chicken was dry with some pieces tasting a day old and appearing to be re-heated. The content itself would not have been an issue if it could bring more flavor to the dish, but the flavors just didn't seem to come together. The burrito itself was swimming on a plate of green sauce, which again did not add to the dish. It simply resulted in a soggy, tortilla mess. Overall, this poor burrito might have had a chance of being decent with less sauce and the simple addition of cheese and spices. This might have been an acceptable burrito for a cost of $5-$6, but not for its actual cost of over $12, and certainly not for a dish without sides. (No beans or rice included.) My husband had the ahi tacos, which he asked for seared. While the presentation of the ahi tacos was beautiful and the portion size was very large, the ahi itself was nowhere near seared and barely had a hint of pink in the middle. The ahi was hidden under a giant dollop of their signature jalapeno sour cream sauce, which he described as having little flavor beyond the sour cream itself and lacking the kick expected of jalapenos. According to him, they were good, but he was expecting much better given the previous reviews on this dish. Now, on a good note, the environment is very clean and the atmosphere is very friendly and laid-back. The staff were very friendly and accomodating, and even though the wait for food was somewhat long, the staff are attentive and engaging. The free chips and salsa were also a nice touch, both tasting very fresh and flavorful. Overall, we expected much more and were disappointed.
(2)Alicia V.
Went here after reading the other Yelp reviews and on recommendation from my dad. Great place! Super friendly service, especially while sitting at the bar. Food was great too. Large portions and tasted fresh. Salsas and hot sauce homemade even. Yum!
(4)C M.
Delicious Lime Margarittas! They use real lime in them. Chips and salsa are good and so are the fish tacos. Average pricing, about 10-15$ per dish. Only negative is we went at a super busy time, so it took forever to get our food. The service is really good though. Good place!
(5)Cathy L.
Fish tacos were excellent! It was pleasant sitting outside, traffic was noisy but still great with the fresh breeze.
(4)Greg A.
Wow. Amazingly disappointing. We came visiting from Seattle and, based on the reviews here on Yelp, decide to try Monico's out. What a mistake. To start, we got the free chips, which, while free is awesome, they really should have just given us some store bought chips and saved the embarrassment. The chips served tasted very, very strongly of used fryer oil. I guess if you like that, you might like the chips. For our main course, maybe we ordered the wrong thing but we were really craving pork and ordered the pork nachos. They were served after a while (you would think nachos would be quick?) but man what a train-wreck. The pork was dry, crunchy, and fatty and completely devoid of flavor. We mentioned it to the server, who kind of shrugged and didn't know what to do. Still hungry, we dared a second round and got the chicken tacos. They were a small step up but the tortillas were a bit rubbery and store-bought and the chicken was not high-quality cuts of meat. Really disappointing. The nachos and chicken tacos ended up being nearly $20. Maybe if we would have gotten fish tacos or something it wouldn't have been an absolute disaster but I see no way I could ever recommend this to anyone.
(1)Monique C.
YAY! LOVE THIS PLACE!!! The service was awesome! You can def tell the people that work here, acutally like working here! Food is the BEST Mexican food in Hawaii by far!!! So fresh, so yummy!!! Margheritas are outta dis world!!! Just remember they do have alcohol in them...ha I ordered the enchiladas verde...WOW amazing! Salsa was like a pico de gallo..yummy! This place was busy on Sat. night, adn they handled it so well. Way to go Monico's you should run seminars for wait staff in Kauai, because you guys rock!! pls invite the waitress & bartenders from Kalypso & Iti's in Hanalei ;) PLS OPEN A MONICO'S IN MAUI!!!!
(5)Jim B.
This is a hopping place in Kaapa no doubt because of all of the surrounding resort properties. The ambiance is nice and the wait staff was excellent. I'm only giving the place three stars because the dish I ordered - a fish burrito - was very bland and mostly full of rice and beans with sautéed vegetables. The other three people in my party had fish tacos and said they were excellent. So there you go. I assume there are plenty of other good options on the menu.
(3)James B.
It was ok. I lie the tex-mex from cali is better. Not really much to brag about. I've had worse, I've had better. This was about 2 1/2 stars compared to other mexican place I've eaten. I guess for Hawaii, it's not bad.
(3)Andrew W.
Not bad, but not as spectacular as all of the reviews... I had carnitas tacos, which were not great. The other people I was with enjoyed theirs, but again, nothing spectacular... I would say, if you really want mexican food in Kauai, this would be the place to go... Expect a wait. And if you want to sit outside, you can't have any alcoholic beverages...
(3)WildAngel S.
Very popular joint. Waited just over 20 minutes for a table inside. Chips were forgettable, but both of the salsas were tasty. Ordered the fish taquitos. The fish was fresh, but other than that the taquitos were tasteless. The beans and spanish rice on the side were flavorful and well done with a bit of a kick. Folks were friendly, but I don't need to go back.
(3)Sabrina H.
Dining out in Hawaii is very expensive, so it was nice for our family of four to be able to eat dinner for just under $50, tax and tip included. The food was good, quick service, all around enjoyable. Very casual atmosphere, and friendly service.
(5)Cynthia H.
The food is amazing, and the staff was super helpful and friendly even though we came right at closing time!
(5)Alice K.
Had the carne asada burrito. It was excellent but the only con was the long wait. Waited waaaay too long for a salad.
(4)Paulette S.
The best Mexican food I've had in all the Hawaiian islands! Their ingredients are fresh the restaurant can be crowded at times however it is definitely worth the wait. The service was pretty fast for one server and friendly. The menu has plenty to choose from and in the back it has burgers and sandwiches. Vegan and vegetarian friendly which is always a plus. Next time I'm visiting in Kauai I will most definitely be back!!!
(5)Nina V.
Arrived at the cusp of lunch and happy hour. The fish tacos were excellent. Large ahi steak grilled at medium - moist and tender with finely shaved cabbage topping and authentic corn tortillas. The others loved their generous carnitas and carne asada portions served in their burritos. The Spanish rice was so not Spanish but the pinto beans were very good. There was a large influx of people at 3:15 so the locals know where to go.
(4)T B.
A Mexican restaurant that charges for extra salsa? Not 25 cents but like 3 bucks. I can talk myself into understanding a charge for more chips and salsa, after the first round, but having to pay for salsa to go with a full order of fajitas? That in itself is enough reason to avoid this place. Too stupid to support.
(1)Camila V.
AMAZING PLACE!!! Best Mexican on kauai hands down ! Family owned, wife Hawaiian husband from Oaxaca Mexico so food is legit Mexican ! If you like the heat make sure to get their habanero sauce made from their habanero tree ! We had the pleasure to spend our dinner talking to the owner and their kid super lovely people that work really hard to have the best tacos! Portions are huge we got the seafood burrito which really is the best value since you get fish shrimp scallops etc , we also got the fish ahi tacos out of this world, we were barely able to finish two tacos and a burrito since their salsas and chips are amazing as well. I could literally sit there and just have salsa and chips ! The mai Tai was sooo good ask for more dark rum than light and you'll only need two of those ! Basically if you're in Kauai on the east is a must have ! Food can take 30-40 min because their so packed and busy but is SO SO WORTH IT ! Specially with good chips and salsa to munch while waiting ! If you're in a rush don't bother because you simply can't rush perfection ;)
(5)rylie m.
The only place I go for Mexican food on kauai. I love the chicken enchilada verde. good service and good food for a great price!
(5)Lorie M.
We were here 4 1/2 years ago and I had the best fish tacos I had ever eaten. Given that so many places have come and gone since then I was glad to see them still in business. I was almost afraid to order the tacos again, not wanting to ruin that great experience. I couldn't pass up the fresh Ono, once again they didn't disappoint, cooked perfectly and each taco was full of fish. The beans have a wonderful flavor, very homemade. My wife had the chicken tacos and was also quite happy with them. The only draw back as noted by others is how long it takes, we were lucky and arrived in time to get a vacated table, in the end it was close to an hour for our food. It all had a presentation that someone cared about what the food looked like when it was put before the diner. We shall return!
(5)Ami K.
Went here first day in and had the fish tacos, which had a scallop, fish of the day and a piece of shrimp. I live in California and close enough to have bomb tacos, burritos and plate meals almost every day of the week. So I have high expectations. This place has fresher seafood for sure. But there is no choice of beans refried only, guacamole is minimal, salsa and chip refills have a fee- at least this is clearly stated on the menu- but still. I have to say I liked my food. The fiancé ordered the chicken burrito and it was huge but looked more like a big-rolled-unfried-taquito (burrito size of course) than a burrito. No tucking of the edges, it was open like a taco turned upside down. Over all the taco dish, chicken burrito, two import beers plus a tip = around $50. For Hawaii this is good Mexican. For the mainland- especially Cali, no way. Service with aloha which is definitely a plus- add a star for service!
(4)Rich H.
We were searching for a place to eat on our last night on Kauai. We had a large group - 15, including six, t children. We couldn't get a reservation for any places in Lihue we tried (and that had good reviews), so we expanded our search. Monico's was able to accommodate us, and we had a great experience. It's part of a small set of shops forming a quad, with a nice courtyard in the middle. That courtyard was a great place for the little ones in our group to wiggle while we waited for food -- and it allowed us time to check out the treats at Cakes by Kristin (which we sampled after dinner). Monico's also has four picnic style tables for eating outside. The food was great at Monico's, the staff were gracious and kind despite the mess our little ones made.
(5)P L.
Really great Mexican food. We had the chicken burrito, nachos, and veggie enchiladas. The salsas are great and everything was really flavorful and tasty. Cons: the nachos came out after we got our main food and the chicken in the burrito is dark meat Other than those two things, I would recommend going here for a casual meal and good Mexican food.
(4)Pootunui W.
CARNITAS!!!!! The best we've ever had - and we've been trying to find better but cannot! One of our most favorite restaurants on Kauai. The owners are the friendliest and the staff are generally great. Not much seating so come early as it can get crowded. LOVE THIS PLACE!!! Kauai is very blessed to have this restaurant.
(5)Dean B.
They have very, very good food, but the service was a little slow. The place was very busy that night, so I overlooked that for this review. It looks like they do a lot of take out, which slows down the dining room service. I loved the enchiladas verde, the the food tasted very fresh and the sauce was not overwhelming. Others in my party also had good things to say about their meals. Too bad the patio over looks the busy highway.
(4)Sara O.
3.5 stars. Decent tacos and fish. I would probably not go out of my way to eat at this place twice if I was on vacation, but if I lived in the area might. The margaritas were good 4 stars. The fish was okay, but it was not mind blowing or as good as Mexican food and tacos that I have had in the continental U.S. like NYC, DC, or LA, but it was edible and okay. We split the ahi fish tacos and seafood nachos and the fish was meaty but a bit overlooked for my tastes. My seafood nachos came with the ahi or catch of the day mixed with a scallops, and shrimp. The scallop was decent but a bit overlooked along with the ahi. The fish tacos were okay and I tried the fish burrito which was very similar to the tacos. I do like the chips and salsa, but they do charge extra for a second or more basket of chips, so beware if you are used to free chips. Overall 3.5 stars
(3)Carla C.
This place has really great Mexican Food and tastes authentic! I ordered the Shrimp Enchiladas and I was blown away by how great they tasted. It felt like I had a little piece of Mexico on my plate. I'd definitely come back.
(5)K D.
Super fish tacos! Worth stopping in, if you're thirsty for a cold adult beverage and some snacks.
(4)Bri C.
We weren't able to eat at Verde's for supper last night (over an hour wait), so we came to Monico. The complimentary salsas are pico and an enchilada-esque sauce. They were pretty good, but refills are not free. After a 45 minute wait, our food was served. My fish tacos, with Mahi Mahi, were delicious and well worth the wait. Two people in my party ordered the garlic shrimp quesadillas. While they were tasty at first, both ladies had several bites that were nothing but bitter tasting garlic chunks that pretty much ruined the rest of their meal. Also, they charge for refills on very small sides of sour cream and guacamole, $1.50 and $2 respectively. The fourth lady ordered carnitas nachos. They were delicious! The rich-tasting meat is cooked then oven roasted, so parts of it are crunchy. While there were parts of our experience that definitely could have been better, overall it was really good. I would love to go back for more fish tacos!!
(4)N D.
BEST Mexican food on Kauai! I've been looking for 3 weeks and almost died from food poisoning. Don't go anywhere else if you are in town. It's amazing! Atmosphere, food, friendly & helpful staff...they have it all. Two thumbs WAY up!
(5)seema m.
Visiting from California and have eaten a lot of mexican food. This was delicious. My husband got the carne asada burrito and said the meat was very tender. I got the veggie enchiladas and they were healthy tasting with a lot of flavor. Beans and rice were vegan! The margaritas were also delicious.
(5)Sara W.
Came by Sunday evening during our honeymoon trip on kauai and this place was popping. Decided to grab food to go to enjoy on our lanai...best way to go IMO :) It took a bit to place our to go order but no worries, couple seats opened up at the tiny bar (I think there are 7 seats total) and ordered a world famous Mai Tai. Now everyone on kauai boasts to have the best or world famous Mai Tai which is just getting comical at this point. Can there be an official competition somewhere to actually determine by public record that X place has the best?? Nonetheless it's sure been fun trying them all on our vacation. The guy Paul manning the bar was awesome. He told ha why Monico's Mai Tai is the best and so we tried one on. DAMN GOOD. Well played sir. He also made a killer lava flow, very tasty! All drinks sampled were great. I think the only reason it doesn't get 5 stars is both my hubby n I had some digestion issues after, but otherwise awesome service. I also tried the ahi tacos; super good, and ample amount of tuna which was appreciated. I never eat he beans and rice at a restaurant, but I gobbled them up here. Visited twice and each time the place was hopping, which means they are doing something right. Both times equally enjoyed, I will miss this little Mexican joint now that i'm back on the mainland!!
(4)Cindy A.
Amazing food and great service! Kathleen and Monico are amazing hosts! Bernardo makes some mean margaritas! This is a must go for Mexican food in this tropical paradise! This Cali girl knows Mexican food and this place is on point!
(5)Alyse S.
Food was okay and great service! The bartender was a sweetheart. I think we are used to Californian Mexican food but this place did the trick for two hungry bellies. I'd recommend splitting an entree.
(4)Heather S.
Walked into Wailua the night I flew in. Started with a great Mai Tai & chips & slasa. Busy place, but attentive service. We sat outside & enjoyed the beautiful evening. No one believes me that I ate the best fish tacos I've ever had while in Hawaii. In case you didn't know it, Hawaii is known for phenomenally crappy Mexican food. Makes sense to me. But wow! Ahi that had been caught that morning, seared & served with freshly fried cruchy tortillas & topped with a slaw that included beet shavings. Absolutely perfect. An amazing welcome to Kauai:)
(5)G D.
Very nice folks and awesome fresh Ono fish burrito! Nice smokey style salsa, pretty zippy habanero salsa!!
(5)Laura C.
So good. Great service and excellent food everytime!
(5)Chelsea C.
Steak quesadilla, beans and mango margarita were delicious! It was a little slow getting the food since every thing was made to order, but it was definitely worth the wait!! The others in my party ordered fish plates, shrimp plates and burgers and everyone enjoyed everything. Must eat here if youre in the area.
(5)Lisa G.
We were drawn to Monico's because of all the rave reviews. Unfortunately, we can't following suit. Arriving around 8:00 after a long day, we opted for carry out to eat at our hotel. We perused the large menu filled with a great many options. The staff was extremely friendly and took our order fairly quickly. It was clear they were very busy and I was impressed by how well the staff seemed to communicate with each other and tend to patrons. However... We waited 45 minutes for our food. We ordered vegetarian nachos and a shrimp salad, both of which were clearly not difficult/time consuming to prepare and both were disappointing. My salad consisted of large, uncut pieces of lettuce, a few tomatoes and five incredibly small shrimp. My girlfriend's nachos consisted of some roasted peppers, pinto beans, some cheese and somewhat soggy chips. The food was overpriced and mediocre, but the larger issue was the time it took to get the food. Essentially, we waited as long, if not longer, than patrons of the restaurant, except without the luxury of a drink or free chips. It would have been great if someone would have offered us a seat at the bar or managed our expectations relative to the timing of our food. The open kitchen allowed me to see the (very busy and small number of) cooks and it was obvious that our order was tended to a full 40 minutes after we placed it and prepared in five minutes. Unfortunately, we will never return to Monico's, despite the friendly staff. Everyone dining in looked pleased enough, so perhaps that's a different experience. Although one we'll never know... because we'll be down the road at Verde.
(2)Elisa A.
We ate during happy hour between 3-5 so enjoyed a non-busy restaurant, fast service, and $3 bottles of beer. I ordered the garlic shrimp quesadilla which was AMAZING! Don't see how I could order anything different if I returned. Just enough of the buttery garlic shrimp inside and not too overwhelming as far as flavor. My husband ordered the nachos with carnitas. The ingredients were very fresh, including the guacamole, and he loved how crispy the meat was. Also a hit were the beans. Why not five stars? A little stingy with the chips and salsa and they charge for them, the setting isn't beautiful by any means, and it is pretty loud with only a few people in the place.
(4)Jeanne A.
I love their seafood burrito sooooo much, I can't bring myself to try anything else on their menu! I always ask to have the rice and beans on the side (usually gets wrapped up in the burrito) so that it doesn't take away from the flavors of the fish, scallops and shrimp in the burrito. They have this amazing salsa that is incredibly delicious and oh so very spicy. Love their mango margarita, the best I've ever had. Only down fall is that it is noisy and hard to have a decent conversation. Servers are great and they really hustle.
(4)Eric C.
You know this place is popular when there is a line of people waiting outside before they open. We had the CAMARONES AL DIABLA and STEAK QUESADILLA. The shrimp was deliciously spicy. Tip: try out their Mexican sodas instead of going for the usual coke. Their mixed drinks were a little bit on the weak side for me.
(4)Felicia T.
Not easy finding good Mexican food anywhere but especially when two of the diners are vegetarian. Monico's has a very good selection of both Vegan and Vegetarian dishes to choose from. They make their pinto beans without any lard or animal fat and they are as creamy as ever and so flavorful. They made me crispy tacos stuffed with grilled fresh local veggies. My daughter had an amazing veggie filled burrito stuffed with beans and rice and then this amazing green sauce poured over the top. Hubby ordered the fresh fresh burrito and just raved about the flavors and freshness of it. The great thing about this place is when you leave you do not have that "Why did I eat that Mexican Food" remorse we often get after the meal. Don't skip this place, you will not be disappointed. The menu is large and has something for everyone. The staff is super friendly which is always a bonus.
(5)Irene H.
Great Mexican food on the island of Kauai! A little pricey but the portions are large and the service is great! I've visited this place twice now on two separate visits to the island and am a fan!
(4)Mamata D.
Food may be good but please come here prepared with the knowledge that the wait is LONG. Even the kids' food took more than 45mins to show up, after the 30mins wait!! Yes we r in Hawaii, but the hungry should factor that in, or order take out!
(1)Dan S.
The staff hustled around to get orders, put out food, and seat new parties. The fish tacos were great. The habanero salsa was awesome, and it is always nice to find something hot!
(4)Sherry W.
Let me begin by saying, we are from San Diego. We eat Mexican food at the very least, once a week. We have been in Kaua'i for a week and were craving fish tacos, and decided to give Monicos a try, even though a couple in our group were skeptical. I ordered the carnitas which are the best I have ever had! Crispy and tender all at the same time, simply delicious! My husband ordered steak quesidilla which was also excellent. My friend got the fish tacos and said they were fantastic. Her husband ordered the seafood burrito (that was huge!!!) and he loved it! The drinks were also delicious, I got the Captain's Buddy, Captain and coconut rum with some guava nectar-yum!!! Loved this place, the owner was a sweetheart and service was excellent! If you come here for vacation and want some great food-give them a try, you'll be happy you did!!!
(5)J V.
Was at Monico's Taqueria for dinner tonight. Have been here 3 times. Food is great but service is extremely slow. They need more cooks especially on a Friday night. Will be back on vacation so don't mind waiting and having an extra drink but if you are in a hurry beware!
(4)Elizabeth M.
Being from California, I've been lucky to have had some pretty authentic Mexican food. Also, being married to a Mexican man makes matters better. Upon entering the restaurant we were greeted and told that there was a table available outside, so we selected a table and sat and waited for a bit. The place was pretty busy and the waitresses were running around like crazy. After a few minutes, she came to take our order. We were already armed with both our drink and food orders. She promptly stopped us and informed us that she would take either our food or drink order because they were different tickets. So okay, drinks first! My husband then asked what the best sellers of the menu were, before he ordered. She named a few things and he informed her that I was terribly lactose intolerant and what was the best items with no cheese. She said, "Fish tacos... but I don't really know. I haven't tried everything". Well, alright then. I love Mexican food, but most of it does have cheese or milk in it. I usually stick with tacos or flautas because these rarely come with cheese in good Mexican restaurants. I decided on the fish flautas and she smiled and took our order and went about her work. We got our food and it was pretty good. I thought the flautas were delicious, much more moist than what I'm used too. I thought that was great! I wonder how they keep it so juicy! Almost done with my first whole flauta, a string of cheese stayed attached to my bite. My husband's jaw dropped and I dropped the food. I was so upset. We told her I absolutely could not have dairy products, and she didn't mention the cheese in the flautas. This was also upsetting as we were on our honeymoon. Needless to say, I spent the rest of the night with horrible indigestion and nausea. My tummy bloated up to the point I had to trek around our hotel in HIS sweatpants. The waitress was careless for not mentioning the cheese not even three minutes are we told her that I could have NO dairy. Disappointed.
(2)Justin P.
This is some of the best food on the island. Everything that I've had there has been awesome!
(5)Laurie Z.
Great food and good service!
(4)Juan E.
best mexican food in Hawaii
(5)C C.
Ahi fish tacos! First tried these 2 yrs ago and came again for them yesterday and they were just as I remembered - sushi grade ahi, full of fish and flavor and simply placed in a corn tortilla with cabbage, cream sauce and tomatoes. I could eat these everyday! The place gets busy so get there early or expect to wait. I think it's well worth the wait though. They have a bar but no beers on tap. Blended fruit margaritas are pretty good.
(5)Gabe P.
Great place on the island to grab Mexican food, it's kinda a island fashion not really authentic Mexican still it is very good, I would recommend the fish burrito with ahi seared it is my favorite!
(4)Bart Z.
Our meal and service was excellent! My wife had garlic shrimp tacos (an off the menu item), and I had the fish burrito with very good and rare Ahi ( the fresh fish of the day). We will definitely be back...
(5)Lindsey S.
Monico's, in my opinion, is the best Mexican on Kauai! They have indoor and outdoor seating and now that they have the fence around the outside seating you can drink outside as well! The chips and salsa are to die for! I love the spicy salsa and Alisa likes the chunky salsa, so we always mix the two and it is a great combo! (Make sure you scoop out the salsa chunks into the spicy salsa and leave the juice in the first bowl so it isn't too watery!) My wife always gets the Seafood Burrito, it is full of fish, scallops, and shrimp. Alisa assures me they don't skimp on any! I personally don't eat seafood, so I wouldn't know. I always get the carnitas burrito with red sauce, it is the best and I won't order a carnitas burrito anywhere else because I now it can't compare! Don't worry if you don't finish, they left overs are pretty good reheated the next day! Yum!
(5)Ian L.
What can I say that hasn't already been said? Food- Awesome as always and never disappoints. Staff- They are always busy and always nice. They do an awesome job at handling all their business as they can get pretty packed Environment- Inside can get packed but is worth the wait. They also have some outside seating if you cannot wait for your awesome food. Bottom Line- Try it, you won't regret it!
(5)Terrie P.
We recently spent a week in Princeville, Kauai. 2 of our party of 5 had been to Monico's previously and said that this was a "must visit" spot for a lunch after snorkeling. They were right! On our first visit we all had fish tacos (made with Ono) and a margarita. The reason that I didn't rate this taqueria with 5 starts was because of the margarita, the tacos that were served with a mild jalapeno crema were delicious. Not sure what happened with my margarita, but it wasn't drinkable. Way too sweet. The other 4 thought that their drinks were fine. We liked the food so much that we went back for our last lunch on Kauai. This time the white fish was Mung Chung, which had a perfect texture and flavor for fish tacos and for the fish burritos that several of us had. We all had beer with this meal, a delicious and chilled ale. We'll definitely make it back to Monico's, at least once, on future trips to Kauai.
(4)Aviva B.
Man, what a let down. We came here on our last night in Kauai, a few hours before our flight back to Oahu. We had so much great food on the island already and Monico's had such rave reviews, so we had really high hopes. We were seated right away at 6pm. Our server was very kind but clearly had too many tables. We ordered around 6:20. Our food came around 7:30, so late we needed to take it to-go on the way to the airport. Sadly, the food wasn't anything to even write home about. A lot of under-seasoned rice, and some sad tacos. Bummer!
(2)Norm D.
Nice place for a Mexican dinner in Kapa'a, Kaua'i. It was highly recommended to me. It was close to where we were staying at he Courtyard Marriott in Kapa'a. The margaritas were great and the chips and salsa were first rate. I ordered the carnitas dinner plate, and it came with rice and refried beans. The beans were a little watery, but the carnitas were perfectly cooked and delicious. The soft corn tortillas were very good. I have to admit that service is a bit on the slow side and the young lady serving us wasn't exactly the most pleasant or welcoming (looked like she didn't really want to be there). I know Hawaii is more laid back than the mainland, but good service is still good service. If the attention and service was a bit better I would have given 4-stars. Still, the food was very good.
(3)Ashleigh P.
Best dang fish tacos. EVER! The fish of the day was a grey snapper, grilled to perfection. Also ordered the shrimp enchiladas, delicious! The complimentary chips and salsa were a nice touch, both so fresh and more than adequate, no need for any additions.
(5)Ryan A.
Vegetarian burrito was delicious! Staff was very friendly and welcoming. Definitely coming back here next time we are on the island!
(5)Nancy t.
Yes, for what it is -5 stars. No, it's not Morton's or Ruth's Chris steakhouse but it is the best Mexican food I have had in many years and I have eaten a lot of Mexican food. Authentic. Beans like my Grande made them. Margaritas from scratch. Love this place.
(5)Nadine S.
Enjoyed a quick business lunch and the food was very good. Tortillas came out warm with salsa and dipping sauce both of which were very tasty. The portion sizes are good with a very presentation of rice, beans and sour cream. Food was piping hot and cooked just right. Many times getting anything with steak at a Mexican restaurant you get tough chewy steak but not here. The pieces were cut into small bite size pieces and you could cut the nest with a fork if needed. Definitely a great Mexican meal that was served quickly for those of us on time constraints.
(5)Shawna M.
Always love the food. Blended mango margarita is super yummy! The owners take pride in what they do and do it well. The staff is very friendly and tentative. Food comes out pretty fast and nice and hot. The inside is a nice size. Not tol big, bar has a good length to it so you can sit and eat there also. There's also an outside covered lanai to see if you'd like fresh air.
(5)Jaja A.
Came in for drinks and they were meh... felt watery and we saw the tiny amount of liqueur put into the Pina coladas ... mehhhh.
(2)Sarah D.
The most bland Mexican food I've ever had. Idk why Hawaii keeps letting Mexican restaurants open up here. There's not one decent place.
(1)Rami D.
Amazing food and fresh!
(5)Kellyn T.
Food is good and they have good margaritas. The passion fruit margarita is my favorite. The menu is very extensive with many different options and large portions. Monicos is one of the first restaurants when Mexican was difficult to find on Kauai. They expanded the restaurant so its not just a hole in the wall anymore and has a nice outdoor seating area. The hot sauce is made in the restaurant, with habaneros, and is actually hot, unlike many other restaurants that give you store bought hot sauce. Id recommend the burrito el pastor. the shrimp quesadilla and seafood enchilada is also good. The tacos dorados are highly raved about but its a little too oily and for me. Overall, good people working and tasty food. The reason I give it a 4-star is because the wait is always so long. Ive been there a few times for dinner and each time it took about 45 minutes to get our food. They give one round of chips and salsa and after that, they charge you for other rounds.
(4)Mary S.
This place is not that great. They couldn't handle the crowd, not enough staff. Took forever to get our food and when it came it was just so-so. They are stingy with the chips and salsa. First place I have been that doesn't fill the chip basket and only puts in 1/3 of the salsa and hot sauce into the bowl! Pricey and not that good = I wouldn't go back.
(3)Jane D.
Great service, friendly staff, nice (small) patio area, average portion size. We ordered the seafood burrito - scallops and shrimp were okay, fish (marlin) was over cooked. Fish tacos - very over cooked, bland flavor, but the sauces were good. Beans and rice were good, but would not come back.
(3)Judy R.
Great little place. Friendly servers, fresh fish. Enjoyed my fish tacos. Charge extra for more chips but given resort area not too surprised.
(4)Rita M.
This is a very busy little restaurant with excellent food. Their portions are good size and they have great variety on their menu. I ordered Chicken Enchiladas Verde, my husband had a Chimichanga, my grand daughter enjoyed her Chicken Flautas. Even their pinto beans and rice were flavorful and perfect. It took some time to get our food, but it was worth the wait!
(5)Amy S.
My husband and I ate here twice while being on the island. SO good! Great service and food. Very friendly staff. I had the cheese enchiladas and also tried the vegetarian burrito which was amazing. Very flavorful. We'll definitely be back the next time we come to Kauai!
(5)Lindsay L.
Ridiculous local grinds. Might eat here a second time! Had the Shrimp Enchiladas and they didn't disappoint. Also, Carnitas Plate was perfect and a must try! Love this place every time I visit the Islands!
(5)Kelly S.
Ok, the food was good but it took 45 mins to get it!!!! Their policy of of basket containing 11.5 tortilla chips is ridiculous when waiting 45 mins for a burrito. TIP: serve chips! Makes your customers thirsty and of they are paying $4.95 for guacamole, give them some damned chips!
(3)Mangia M.
This is the place for Mexican Food in Kauai. The restaurant is in Kapa'a and it can be very slow getting there because of the traffic in town. But, it was worth the 1 hour drive from Princeville to Kapa'a as the food was fantastic. Chips and salsa were outstanding. The beer was cold, which is not a given at most places on the Islands. The fish tacos were very clean (I had the seared Ahi), just fish and slaw in a jalapeño crema topping, wrapped in double corn tortillas. The Camerone's a la Diabla were outstanding. Not overly spicy, but you can ask for and add habanero sauce to taste. So good. The Diabla sauce had less of a tomato base; completely blended and smooth. Fantastic!!!!
(5)Tyler Y.
Whenever I come to Kauai I ALWAYS crave to eat here. It's definitely better than the Mexican places back home in Oahu. Love the fresh vegetables incorporated with each meal, that's definitely why I keep coming back. The only reason I didn't give the full five stars is because of the wait time. It gets busy real quick, which means it'll take a bit longer to get your meal. But seriously one of the better Mexican places I've ever eaten at :)
(4)Laurie B.
Best food we had on the island (and we went to some good and some fancier places). Was so good that we got fish tacos to go for the airport before we left.
(5)Michelle S.
Mexican food on Kauai? That's actually good? Yes, please! The fish tacos were absolutely delicious and even the drinks were reasonably priced. The servers are very, very nice. However, be warned that the kitchen can be a bit slow and sometimes the busy servers aren't the most attentive. When we visited, it was a busy night but we were seated very quickly. Unfortunately, we had to wait a long time before our orders (just fish tacos, no substitutions) were ready. During this time we weren't asked if we would like to order more chips or another round of drinks. That was a bummer and the only reason I can't give this place 5 stars. Still, all that said, the food and friendly vibe is worth the wait.
(4)Elle S.
Super fast service and even better food and people!! Faster to drive here and eat than to order room service!! Very impressed!!
(5)Raych D.
It was one of those rare occasions when I was craving for Mexican food and I so happened to be on Kauai during that time and shopping with a girlfriend. She suggested to try Monico's because she loved it here and apparently so does a lot of my friends and family on Kauai. Got here in the afternoon, and the place wasn't busy at all so we just walked right in and sat down. We immediately were greeted and brought out a basket of their chips and dip with re-fried beans....so good! and I heard it was homemade which makes it even better! I was torn between the fish enchiladas and the fish tacos but ultimately I went with the fish enchiladas with no rice, loved that it came with re-fried beans and tons of sauce spread on top of the enchiladas and around the plate. Food is awesome, price is right, location is prime and tons of parking....can't get any better!
(4)Leah R.
Stumbled upon this Mexican restaurant near Kapaa. My husband tried the seafood tacos (ono and shrimp) and I had the chicken flautas. My husband said they were the best fish tacos he ever had...and he has fish tacos anywhere he can! Everything was very fresh and mucho tasty!
(5)Justin S.
Fantastic food, good service and decent prices. The only complaint was they charged $5.50 for a chips and salsa refill. Nachos were very filling!
(4)J F.
Wonderful food here and the service was quick and friendly. The fajitas with their addition of zucchini were delicious, though my husband wished there was more steak. And they only came with two tortillas. Enough for me but not for him. :) The fish tacos and carnitas tacos were amazing. The kids meals are good size and the kids enjoyed them. Overall a great experience, will definitely be back!
(5)Jim T.
Great food and great staff. Will definitely be back to try something else on the menu.
(5)David D.
Best Mexican on Kauia. As usually with every restaurant on the island, only a few healthy choices. Will be one of our regular stops from now on.
(4)Amy A.
Very tasty Mexican food for Kauai standards. Reasonably priced and nice cocktails. Can get very crowded.
(4)T B.
A Mexican restaurant that charges for extra salsa? Not 25 cents but like 3 bucks. I can talk myself into understanding a charge for more chips and salsa, after the first round, but having to pay for salsa to go with a full order of fajitas? That in itself is enough reason to avoid this place. Too stupid to support.
(1)Randy S.
I Like this place ! Monico's is tucked away in the Kinipopo Shopping Center, amongst some clothing stores, a real estate office, and a couple of bakeries. From the outside there isn't much to the place. There are seats on the inside and outside, although in the several times I've been there I've never once sat inside. The menu is all Mexican. Burritos, tacos, quesadillas, etc. and various combinations of fish, chicken, pork (carnitas), and beef. Typically in the past I've always gone for the fish, either tacos or burritos. Both are fabulous. Fresh fish is typically been Ahi tuna, and it's grilled to still be a bit pink on the inside. The burrito has more fish inside than rice and beans combined. feels more like you are eating a fish wrapped in a tortilla than a burrito. I've also had the chicken mole, which was delicious as well. Pretty much anything I've tried has been delish. Before you order, a glass of water along with chips and salsa are on the table. Don't be fooled into consuming all the chips and salsa, any meal, served at Monico's is huge. So a word of advice, Pace yourself. Servers have always been very quick and friendly. Sometimes food can take a bit to come out, as the place can be very busy. I've been going to Monico's for at least 3 years on various trips to Kauai, and the food has remained excellent and even though the prices have increased over that time, they are still reasonably priced. I'll be going back to Monico's again, next time I'm on Kauai.
(4)Karen R.
Who wants Mexican food on Kauai? You should! This place was awesome! We're from Arizona and this beats AZ places! So delicious and the service was friendly, fast but not felt rushed for us to leave.....chips should be free refills but they aren't. They would keep customers there longer = more drinks.....
(5)Rachael T.
Monico's is still the best I've ever had. Visiting Kauai from Maui only one weekend last month, I ate here twice, a real dream come true for me. I was able to try the carnitas plate (roasted so that it is crispy and very flavorful) the shrimp diablo (this sauce is so good, it is ridiculous) as well as the fish tacos (my favorite fish tacos on planet Earth.) The beans, salsas, guacamole, chips, execution, presentation... just everything is perfection to me. For those of you who think these are 'canned beans', 'overpriced food'', a 'rip off' because you have to pay for home made chips and salsa's, or you're- from- California- so- you- think- you- know- everything- about- Mexican- food, stay home or go to Taco Bell where you belong.
(5)Natasha L.
This place has the best Mexican food I've ever had. I'm from NY and I would come back to this island just to eat here again! I had a chimichanga here and I cannot find one that comes close to how amazing my chimi was here. I dreammmmm of their food!!!!
(5)Don G.
Combine excellent customer service with authentic and absolutely delicious Mexican Food from family recipes and then add in a Margarita made just they way you love it and you've got a GREAT 5 star experience at more than reasonable prices. The other attributing factor to the 5 stars is the several years of coming here and having an absolutely consistent experience. When visiting Kauai or especially if you live here and you like Mexican food, any other choice would be a step down.
(5)Justin L.
I ate there tonight. Worst service I've had in 3 trips to Hawaii. Im 28 and wanted to drink so I brought my DD whom is 24. She took one drink of my margarita and the waitress marched over immediately and said, "next time you want to be sneaky let me know before!" Implying that my date was underage because she didn't bring her purse in. Also, the cheese in both burritos ordered was not melted and still hard. I read good reviews and expected great service and food but was sadly disappointed by both.
(1)Ralna B.
Monico's was delicious. You can either dine in or outside. We were given a basket of tortilla chips, and two types of salsas. Both were delicious! I ordered the garlic shrimp quesadilla and pineapple jurrito (Mexican soda). The best Mexican food on Kauai I ever tasted, good quality and fast service. I can't remember what my sister and friend ordered, we were all satisfied. The portions are generous and ingredients were fresh. Definitely returning, even if it takes me an hour and a half to get there!
(5)Harry P.
I have lived in both San Diego & San Francisco where I have tried a lot of great Mexican seafood. I would be happy with the meal I just had here anywhere. Every component was cooked with care. This is the rare Mexican place that doesn't overcook shrimp. My family of four started with seafood nachos and it was excellent. It had shrimp, scallops, and Ahi (which was the catch of the day). All the seafood was cooked perfectly. The salsa and pinto beans were both fresh made and flavorful. I had fish tacos (ahi) and asked for the tuna rare. The chef really delivered. I also got to taste garlic shrimp quesadilla, seafood burrito, and steak enchilada verde. All were just outstanding. We are here in Kauai for 7 more days and will be coming back for sure. Definitely our best meal here so far.
(5)Brock M.
Great place. Sit outside. Chicken fajitas were amazing. House made guac was great too. Servers were friendly. Brought my Mexican girlfriend & she approves too!
(5)Ari E.
I have been to Monico's a lot over the years and it's one of my favorite Mexican restaurants in the state of HI. Monaco is so hardworking and such a great guy. Not only is the food delicious and fresh, but the service is always friendly. My main reason for writing a review after all this time is moreso to address some of the complaints. 1) it's a small restaurant and to ensure the quality and consistency of the food, Monaco works around the clock so I don't fault the place for closing a few hours in the day between lunch and dinner. 2) lots of cheapskates like to go in and fill up on chips and order one drink so I don't fault the place for only giving one free bowl of chips. He hand makes the chips and the salsa. 3) it is a small place so yes there is often a wait. He is smart enough to know what he can handle so why shoot himself in the foot by expanding. 4) Any good restaurant food in HI is "pricey." Get over it. Hawaii is expensive from the grocery store, gas prices, cost to buy a home, etc. On to the food. When my family and I go there, we usually wait about 30-45 mins to be seated because our party is usually of 8 or more. Usually we will call in a takeout order. Can't go wrong with the fish tacos. Cooked all the way through without being dry. The el pastor is my favorite, crispy pieces of pork slathered in a tangy verde sauce. The rice is fluffy and buttery without being greasy and the guacamole although simple is always fresh. I will note that portions have gotten smaller over the years, but that's the cost of living in Hawaii and most things being imported. Either prices go way up or portion size goes way down or there's a combination of the two to find an acceptable middle ground. All in all, this is a great Mexican restaurant. Prices are expected and reasonable. Staff is friendly. Expect a wait, especially during dinner time.
(5)Janice P.
I can go to The Shrimp Shack and get twice as much shrimp for half the price. Flavor was good but not a great portion with only 6 shrimp for $18.95. Service was good.
(3)Scott M.
I had the chicken fajitas. These were the best that I've ever had, hands down. The tortilla along with the rice and beans and veggies was cooked to perfection. There was a pretty long wait for a table and for the food, but on it was so worth it. There is a reason why this is a busy place. Keep up the good work Monicos!
(5)Aaron C.
Always one of my favorites. It's not S. California Mexican but it's great food and good portion size. Definitely not obese American sized. The flavors are traditional and meld well. They have excellent margaritas but a little on the pricey side. Be forewarned that this place gers very busy with tourists and locals. You can call ahead to make reservations but don't count on them being honored. From experience I've watched tables sit for over an hour to watch games or just socialize. The dining room is loud and crowded and the wait staff moves as fast as they can. Don't expect unlimited chips and salsa. You're getting one bowl so make it count. If you want some great food and don't have to be in a hurry, then stop here. Take your time and enjoy.
(5)Ashley K.
Got into Kauai after 6pm. Checked into our condo in Kapa'a and walked over to Monico's for a bite. Great service and even better food after a long day of traveling. We're from Colorado so fish that fresh is hard to come by! The spicy salsa that came with the chips was delicious and the corn tortillas with the fish tacos didn't fall apart!! Will definitely go back!
(5)Colin B.
I just had an unreal fish taco! Usually fresh -- not fried fish tacos are disappointing. This was ahi taco was so fresh, so warm and delicious it was like a whole new thing. I feel like clapping.
(5)Sabrina H.
Dining out in Hawaii is very expensive, so it was nice for our family of four to be able to eat dinner for just under $50, tax and tip included. The food was good, quick service, all around enjoyable. Very casual atmosphere, and friendly service.
(5)Cynthia H.
The food is amazing, and the staff was super helpful and friendly even though we came right at closing time!
(5)Alice K.
Had the carne asada burrito. It was excellent but the only con was the long wait. Waited waaaay too long for a salad.
(4)Paulette S.
The best Mexican food I've had in all the Hawaiian islands! Their ingredients are fresh the restaurant can be crowded at times however it is definitely worth the wait. The service was pretty fast for one server and friendly. The menu has plenty to choose from and in the back it has burgers and sandwiches. Vegan and vegetarian friendly which is always a plus. Next time I'm visiting in Kauai I will most definitely be back!!!
(5)Nina V.
Arrived at the cusp of lunch and happy hour. The fish tacos were excellent. Large ahi steak grilled at medium - moist and tender with finely shaved cabbage topping and authentic corn tortillas. The others loved their generous carnitas and carne asada portions served in their burritos. The Spanish rice was so not Spanish but the pinto beans were very good. There was a large influx of people at 3:15 so the locals know where to go.
(4)Camila V.
AMAZING PLACE!!! Best Mexican on kauai hands down ! Family owned, wife Hawaiian husband from Oaxaca Mexico so food is legit Mexican ! If you like the heat make sure to get their habanero sauce made from their habanero tree ! We had the pleasure to spend our dinner talking to the owner and their kid super lovely people that work really hard to have the best tacos! Portions are huge we got the seafood burrito which really is the best value since you get fish shrimp scallops etc , we also got the fish ahi tacos out of this world, we were barely able to finish two tacos and a burrito since their salsas and chips are amazing as well. I could literally sit there and just have salsa and chips ! The mai Tai was sooo good ask for more dark rum than light and you'll only need two of those ! Basically if you're in Kauai on the east is a must have ! Food can take 30-40 min because their so packed and busy but is SO SO WORTH IT ! Specially with good chips and salsa to munch while waiting ! If you're in a rush don't bother because you simply can't rush perfection ;)
(5)rylie m.
The only place I go for Mexican food on kauai. I love the chicken enchilada verde. good service and good food for a great price!
(5)Lorie M.
We were here 4 1/2 years ago and I had the best fish tacos I had ever eaten. Given that so many places have come and gone since then I was glad to see them still in business. I was almost afraid to order the tacos again, not wanting to ruin that great experience. I couldn't pass up the fresh Ono, once again they didn't disappoint, cooked perfectly and each taco was full of fish. The beans have a wonderful flavor, very homemade. My wife had the chicken tacos and was also quite happy with them. The only draw back as noted by others is how long it takes, we were lucky and arrived in time to get a vacated table, in the end it was close to an hour for our food. It all had a presentation that someone cared about what the food looked like when it was put before the diner. We shall return!
(5)Ami K.
Went here first day in and had the fish tacos, which had a scallop, fish of the day and a piece of shrimp. I live in California and close enough to have bomb tacos, burritos and plate meals almost every day of the week. So I have high expectations. This place has fresher seafood for sure. But there is no choice of beans refried only, guacamole is minimal, salsa and chip refills have a fee- at least this is clearly stated on the menu- but still. I have to say I liked my food. The fiancé ordered the chicken burrito and it was huge but looked more like a big-rolled-unfried-taquito (burrito size of course) than a burrito. No tucking of the edges, it was open like a taco turned upside down. Over all the taco dish, chicken burrito, two import beers plus a tip = around $50. For Hawaii this is good Mexican. For the mainland- especially Cali, no way. Service with aloha which is definitely a plus- add a star for service!
(4)Rich H.
We were searching for a place to eat on our last night on Kauai. We had a large group - 15, including six, t children. We couldn't get a reservation for any places in Lihue we tried (and that had good reviews), so we expanded our search. Monico's was able to accommodate us, and we had a great experience. It's part of a small set of shops forming a quad, with a nice courtyard in the middle. That courtyard was a great place for the little ones in our group to wiggle while we waited for food -- and it allowed us time to check out the treats at Cakes by Kristin (which we sampled after dinner). Monico's also has four picnic style tables for eating outside. The food was great at Monico's, the staff were gracious and kind despite the mess our little ones made.
(5)P L.
Really great Mexican food. We had the chicken burrito, nachos, and veggie enchiladas. The salsas are great and everything was really flavorful and tasty. Cons: the nachos came out after we got our main food and the chicken in the burrito is dark meat Other than those two things, I would recommend going here for a casual meal and good Mexican food.
(4)Pootunui W.
CARNITAS!!!!! The best we've ever had - and we've been trying to find better but cannot! One of our most favorite restaurants on Kauai. The owners are the friendliest and the staff are generally great. Not much seating so come early as it can get crowded. LOVE THIS PLACE!!! Kauai is very blessed to have this restaurant.
(5)Dean B.
They have very, very good food, but the service was a little slow. The place was very busy that night, so I overlooked that for this review. It looks like they do a lot of take out, which slows down the dining room service. I loved the enchiladas verde, the the food tasted very fresh and the sauce was not overwhelming. Others in my party also had good things to say about their meals. Too bad the patio over looks the busy highway.
(4)Sara O.
3.5 stars. Decent tacos and fish. I would probably not go out of my way to eat at this place twice if I was on vacation, but if I lived in the area might. The margaritas were good 4 stars. The fish was okay, but it was not mind blowing or as good as Mexican food and tacos that I have had in the continental U.S. like NYC, DC, or LA, but it was edible and okay. We split the ahi fish tacos and seafood nachos and the fish was meaty but a bit overlooked for my tastes. My seafood nachos came with the ahi or catch of the day mixed with a scallops, and shrimp. The scallop was decent but a bit overlooked along with the ahi. The fish tacos were okay and I tried the fish burrito which was very similar to the tacos. I do like the chips and salsa, but they do charge extra for a second or more basket of chips, so beware if you are used to free chips. Overall 3.5 stars
(3)Carla C.
This place has really great Mexican Food and tastes authentic! I ordered the Shrimp Enchiladas and I was blown away by how great they tasted. It felt like I had a little piece of Mexico on my plate. I'd definitely come back.
(5)K D.
Super fish tacos! Worth stopping in, if you're thirsty for a cold adult beverage and some snacks.
(4)Bri C.
We weren't able to eat at Verde's for supper last night (over an hour wait), so we came to Monico. The complimentary salsas are pico and an enchilada-esque sauce. They were pretty good, but refills are not free. After a 45 minute wait, our food was served. My fish tacos, with Mahi Mahi, were delicious and well worth the wait. Two people in my party ordered the garlic shrimp quesadillas. While they were tasty at first, both ladies had several bites that were nothing but bitter tasting garlic chunks that pretty much ruined the rest of their meal. Also, they charge for refills on very small sides of sour cream and guacamole, $1.50 and $2 respectively. The fourth lady ordered carnitas nachos. They were delicious! The rich-tasting meat is cooked then oven roasted, so parts of it are crunchy. While there were parts of our experience that definitely could have been better, overall it was really good. I would love to go back for more fish tacos!!
(4)N D.
BEST Mexican food on Kauai! I've been looking for 3 weeks and almost died from food poisoning. Don't go anywhere else if you are in town. It's amazing! Atmosphere, food, friendly & helpful staff...they have it all. Two thumbs WAY up!
(5)seema m.
Visiting from California and have eaten a lot of mexican food. This was delicious. My husband got the carne asada burrito and said the meat was very tender. I got the veggie enchiladas and they were healthy tasting with a lot of flavor. Beans and rice were vegan! The margaritas were also delicious.
(5)Sara W.
Came by Sunday evening during our honeymoon trip on kauai and this place was popping. Decided to grab food to go to enjoy on our lanai...best way to go IMO :) It took a bit to place our to go order but no worries, couple seats opened up at the tiny bar (I think there are 7 seats total) and ordered a world famous Mai Tai. Now everyone on kauai boasts to have the best or world famous Mai Tai which is just getting comical at this point. Can there be an official competition somewhere to actually determine by public record that X place has the best?? Nonetheless it's sure been fun trying them all on our vacation. The guy Paul manning the bar was awesome. He told ha why Monico's Mai Tai is the best and so we tried one on. DAMN GOOD. Well played sir. He also made a killer lava flow, very tasty! All drinks sampled were great. I think the only reason it doesn't get 5 stars is both my hubby n I had some digestion issues after, but otherwise awesome service. I also tried the ahi tacos; super good, and ample amount of tuna which was appreciated. I never eat he beans and rice at a restaurant, but I gobbled them up here. Visited twice and each time the place was hopping, which means they are doing something right. Both times equally enjoyed, I will miss this little Mexican joint now that i'm back on the mainland!!
(4)Cindy A.
Amazing food and great service! Kathleen and Monico are amazing hosts! Bernardo makes some mean margaritas! This is a must go for Mexican food in this tropical paradise! This Cali girl knows Mexican food and this place is on point!
(5)Alyse S.
Food was okay and great service! The bartender was a sweetheart. I think we are used to Californian Mexican food but this place did the trick for two hungry bellies. I'd recommend splitting an entree.
(4)Heather S.
Walked into Wailua the night I flew in. Started with a great Mai Tai & chips & slasa. Busy place, but attentive service. We sat outside & enjoyed the beautiful evening. No one believes me that I ate the best fish tacos I've ever had while in Hawaii. In case you didn't know it, Hawaii is known for phenomenally crappy Mexican food. Makes sense to me. But wow! Ahi that had been caught that morning, seared & served with freshly fried cruchy tortillas & topped with a slaw that included beet shavings. Absolutely perfect. An amazing welcome to Kauai:)
(5)Lisa G.
We were drawn to Monico's because of all the rave reviews. Unfortunately, we can't following suit. Arriving around 8:00 after a long day, we opted for carry out to eat at our hotel. We perused the large menu filled with a great many options. The staff was extremely friendly and took our order fairly quickly. It was clear they were very busy and I was impressed by how well the staff seemed to communicate with each other and tend to patrons. However... We waited 45 minutes for our food. We ordered vegetarian nachos and a shrimp salad, both of which were clearly not difficult/time consuming to prepare and both were disappointing. My salad consisted of large, uncut pieces of lettuce, a few tomatoes and five incredibly small shrimp. My girlfriend's nachos consisted of some roasted peppers, pinto beans, some cheese and somewhat soggy chips. The food was overpriced and mediocre, but the larger issue was the time it took to get the food. Essentially, we waited as long, if not longer, than patrons of the restaurant, except without the luxury of a drink or free chips. It would have been great if someone would have offered us a seat at the bar or managed our expectations relative to the timing of our food. The open kitchen allowed me to see the (very busy and small number of) cooks and it was obvious that our order was tended to a full 40 minutes after we placed it and prepared in five minutes. Unfortunately, we will never return to Monico's, despite the friendly staff. Everyone dining in looked pleased enough, so perhaps that's a different experience. Although one we'll never know... because we'll be down the road at Verde.
(2)Elisa A.
We ate during happy hour between 3-5 so enjoyed a non-busy restaurant, fast service, and $3 bottles of beer. I ordered the garlic shrimp quesadilla which was AMAZING! Don't see how I could order anything different if I returned. Just enough of the buttery garlic shrimp inside and not too overwhelming as far as flavor. My husband ordered the nachos with carnitas. The ingredients were very fresh, including the guacamole, and he loved how crispy the meat was. Also a hit were the beans. Why not five stars? A little stingy with the chips and salsa and they charge for them, the setting isn't beautiful by any means, and it is pretty loud with only a few people in the place.
(4)Jeanne A.
I love their seafood burrito sooooo much, I can't bring myself to try anything else on their menu! I always ask to have the rice and beans on the side (usually gets wrapped up in the burrito) so that it doesn't take away from the flavors of the fish, scallops and shrimp in the burrito. They have this amazing salsa that is incredibly delicious and oh so very spicy. Love their mango margarita, the best I've ever had. Only down fall is that it is noisy and hard to have a decent conversation. Servers are great and they really hustle.
(4)Eric C.
You know this place is popular when there is a line of people waiting outside before they open. We had the CAMARONES AL DIABLA and STEAK QUESADILLA. The shrimp was deliciously spicy. Tip: try out their Mexican sodas instead of going for the usual coke. Their mixed drinks were a little bit on the weak side for me.
(4)Felicia T.
Not easy finding good Mexican food anywhere but especially when two of the diners are vegetarian. Monico's has a very good selection of both Vegan and Vegetarian dishes to choose from. They make their pinto beans without any lard or animal fat and they are as creamy as ever and so flavorful. They made me crispy tacos stuffed with grilled fresh local veggies. My daughter had an amazing veggie filled burrito stuffed with beans and rice and then this amazing green sauce poured over the top. Hubby ordered the fresh fresh burrito and just raved about the flavors and freshness of it. The great thing about this place is when you leave you do not have that "Why did I eat that Mexican Food" remorse we often get after the meal. Don't skip this place, you will not be disappointed. The menu is large and has something for everyone. The staff is super friendly which is always a bonus.
(5)Irene H.
Great Mexican food on the island of Kauai! A little pricey but the portions are large and the service is great! I've visited this place twice now on two separate visits to the island and am a fan!
(4)Mamata D.
Food may be good but please come here prepared with the knowledge that the wait is LONG. Even the kids' food took more than 45mins to show up, after the 30mins wait!! Yes we r in Hawaii, but the hungry should factor that in, or order take out!
(1)Dan S.
The staff hustled around to get orders, put out food, and seat new parties. The fish tacos were great. The habanero salsa was awesome, and it is always nice to find something hot!
(4)Sherry W.
Let me begin by saying, we are from San Diego. We eat Mexican food at the very least, once a week. We have been in Kaua'i for a week and were craving fish tacos, and decided to give Monicos a try, even though a couple in our group were skeptical. I ordered the carnitas which are the best I have ever had! Crispy and tender all at the same time, simply delicious! My husband ordered steak quesidilla which was also excellent. My friend got the fish tacos and said they were fantastic. Her husband ordered the seafood burrito (that was huge!!!) and he loved it! The drinks were also delicious, I got the Captain's Buddy, Captain and coconut rum with some guava nectar-yum!!! Loved this place, the owner was a sweetheart and service was excellent! If you come here for vacation and want some great food-give them a try, you'll be happy you did!!!
(5)J V.
Was at Monico's Taqueria for dinner tonight. Have been here 3 times. Food is great but service is extremely slow. They need more cooks especially on a Friday night. Will be back on vacation so don't mind waiting and having an extra drink but if you are in a hurry beware!
(4)Elizabeth M.
Being from California, I've been lucky to have had some pretty authentic Mexican food. Also, being married to a Mexican man makes matters better. Upon entering the restaurant we were greeted and told that there was a table available outside, so we selected a table and sat and waited for a bit. The place was pretty busy and the waitresses were running around like crazy. After a few minutes, she came to take our order. We were already armed with both our drink and food orders. She promptly stopped us and informed us that she would take either our food or drink order because they were different tickets. So okay, drinks first! My husband then asked what the best sellers of the menu were, before he ordered. She named a few things and he informed her that I was terribly lactose intolerant and what was the best items with no cheese. She said, "Fish tacos... but I don't really know. I haven't tried everything". Well, alright then. I love Mexican food, but most of it does have cheese or milk in it. I usually stick with tacos or flautas because these rarely come with cheese in good Mexican restaurants. I decided on the fish flautas and she smiled and took our order and went about her work. We got our food and it was pretty good. I thought the flautas were delicious, much more moist than what I'm used too. I thought that was great! I wonder how they keep it so juicy! Almost done with my first whole flauta, a string of cheese stayed attached to my bite. My husband's jaw dropped and I dropped the food. I was so upset. We told her I absolutely could not have dairy products, and she didn't mention the cheese in the flautas. This was also upsetting as we were on our honeymoon. Needless to say, I spent the rest of the night with horrible indigestion and nausea. My tummy bloated up to the point I had to trek around our hotel in HIS sweatpants. The waitress was careless for not mentioning the cheese not even three minutes are we told her that I could have NO dairy. Disappointed.
(2)Justin P.
This is some of the best food on the island. Everything that I've had there has been awesome!
(5)Ian M.
Monico's, in comparison with the other Mexican restaurants I've been to on Kauai, was average. It wasn't bad, just not one of my favorite spots. The environment was busy and loud and our service was fairly slow. I ordered the fish tacos. The fish tasted unseasoned and bland. My tacos were loaded with sour cream, which ended up being the predominant flavor I experienced. As a result, the taste wasn't very balanced. Not disappointing, just average.
(3)Armina A.
Not sure what the hype is about this place. My opinion is that if you are in Hawaii, you should be eating delicious, wholesome, simple foods, preferably with fish or seafood. This place does not have that. They smother everything in some weird white sauce or fry the dish. If you like huge portions, this place is your spot. If you like clean, healthy dishes, you should consider going elsewhere.
(3)Lydia P.
Food here is super delicious. I ordered the fish taco (it was fresh mahi mahi). My husband had the fish burrito. We both love the food and the bartender was super nice. He makes a wonderful peach margarita too. And if you want hit sauce, ask them for their habanero sauce. It's homemade and has a nice kick. Did I say the bartender was super nice? Looks like they have some loyal regulars too.
(5)Courtney P.
I am a big mexican food eater. I eat it at least 3 times a week. So when it comes to mexican food i am very picky.. We asked our taxi driver, our kayak guide, and our mountain tube guide which is the best mexican restaurant on the island and they all said MONICOS. So we had to try it. We went for lunch after our kayak tour, I ordered a chix and cheese enchilada with both green and red sauce. I also got the house margarita. My fiance got the seafood burrito and the mai tai. EVERYTHING was AMAZING!!! I could have licked my plate clean!!! I liked the red sauce better than the green but the green was good dont get me wrong. My Fiance loved his food too! We liked the place so much we decided to bring our aunts back for dinner that night! I got the beef chimichanga - it was delicious!!! The owner is from Mexico, he works every day, if hes not working the restaurant is closed.
(5)Montrew N.
Love it. Fast. Friendly. Efficient. You will wait 15-20 min cause it's so popular. Are twice here in a week. Great cocktails. Nice mango margarita. The seafood tacos were to die for! Seared fresh ahi, scallops, shrimp. Yum. Yum. Yum. Hubs had steak quesadilla and it was huge with juicy tender steak. He had the carnitas too the next time. Really good. Highly recommend!!!!
(5)Rob M.
Service is awesome. Great new outdoor seating. Hidden gem in all of Hawaii. Fish tacos and burritos are fresh everyday. So happy at Monicos. Kids loved the salsa. Blended margarita was straight out of Flavortown. Make sure to check hours. When you're this good you don't need to be open long!
(5)Charles R.
I've been to Kauai a few times and make it here at least twice each trip. I dream of the fish tacos, especially when it's the ahi tuna. Literally, you could slap the ahi on a plate and charge $50 at the St Regis or Grand Hyatt. Red salsa is solid. I've tried various other dishes which are decent. If you complain, why the heck are you eating Mexican on Kauai anyway? One note: I don't go a lot of places on the island but the service is pretty good. Nice to see some familiar faces when I go.
(5)Marie G.
Carne asada burrito and green Chile pork very authentic! Chicken rolled taquitos had no flavor.
(5)Ana M.
Good food! Super slow service!! We waited 1 hour for our food. It was very delicious though!! The nachos carnitas were loved as well as the chimichanga. I had the fish of the day, it was great!
(4)Zeba E.
The food was five stars but I knocked a star off because the service was extremely slow. It took almost 40 mins to get the food. We got the ahi fish tacos and they were amazing. The salsa and chips were fantastic. We actually combined the pico de gallo and the hot sauce because the the pico was very bland and the combo was perfect. Just be prepared to wait, as we were not. It can be cold if you are sitting right next to the AC vent so bring a sweater in case. We actually asked to move because I couldn't sit there with the cold blasting on me.
(4)Belle N.
11/10/11 Service was great..they were super busy and while we were waiting we tried their Kauai's best Mai tai, and it was pretty darn good...ordered the fish tacos they said they had fresh sashimi grade ahi for the tacos! They even ask how u want it from rare to medium-rare, well done etc! We also had the steak chimichanga! OH MY GOODNESS...The bf isn't a real burrito or chimichanga fan, but he absolutely loved this meal..we sat at the bar, and the bartender was super cool and gave us a lot of other suggestions of foods to try on the island...how cool is that? Seriously you'd never think on a little tropical island...that you'd find one of the best mexican eateries ever! It's been like 8 months and we still talk about how awesome this place was! This is a definite must when visiting Kauai!
(5)Sandy E.
This is the best mexican food on Kauai. If you like fish tacos, theirs are incredibly fresh. The fish changes based on whatever was in the daily catch. Usually a huge chunk of tuna. Delicious.
(4)Danny G.
Great food! Fish tacos to die for... Only complaint is the dont have horchata. :(
(4)Amy M.
Monicos is one of the best restaurants on Kauai. Everything I've eaten there has been excellent. The food tastes fresh and clean. I can always count on Monicos to be consistently good!
(5)Kurt C.
With all of the awesome reviews, this place has to be great, no? Too bad for us, we did not agree with the average guest. To start, they were incredibly understaffed for the amount of people there. Waiting 20 minutes to get a table is a sign of a popular place. Waiting 20 minutes to get your order down is a sign of bad staffing and management. Waiting 30 minutes to get your food is a sign of poor kitchen planning and execution. The chips and salsa were as good as any, with the salsa stealing the show. The first batch is free, but is also small, so be careful with your portions unless you want to pay for more. Entree - Garlic Shrimp Quesadilla: You would expect an "authentic" Mexican restaurant to do something with this, but it was quite literally some shrimp, cheese and garlic in a rolled over tortilla that had sat on the grill for maybe 5 seconds to get a couple of brown markings. In one word: bland. Entree - Chicken Flautas: Decent, but not any better than the frozen ones at the supermarket. The best thing about the meal was the beans, and that is saying something. Nothing was bad, but nothing was worth remembering.
(2)Natalia G.
Talking about a" bulls eye" restaurant, great atmosphere, reasonable prices and the best of all VERY TASTY food. Every time we came to the Monico's we ordered different items on the menu and never have being disappointed ( I am talking about 17-19 times) and now we have our favorite dishes. Very consistent in fast friendly service, reasonable prices and DELICIOUS food. No wonder it is local's favorite, quite often you have to wait for a table, so worth the wait!
(5)H S.
After our 4 mile kayak and 2 mile hike to the "secret waterfall" Monico's really hit the spot. We were greeted by nice staff and a generous helping of chips & salsa. The salsa was AMAZING. So amazing that we ordered more to put on our food and were charged $3 which we thought was lame. Oh well, still worth it. We went there twice in our 5 day vacation, it was THAT good.
(4)Alyssa W.
Lemaunt is exquisite and deserves a promotion. All the staff was wonderful. That was the best service we have had since We have lived here.
(5)Leanne L.
I love their carnitas plate, ahi fish tacos, and garlic shrimp salad with lilikoi dressing! Super good food and good prices, big portions!!!
(5)Y W.
Love the carnitas and fish tacos! This is my usual Mexican spot when I am on Kauai and it's always been a treat.
(4)Jennifer S.
Fantastic savory Mexican fare. Great fresh fish selections. My 5-yr old daughter went for the fish taco and loved it. My 9-yr old son put away more than half an adult burrito (and eagerly took the rest home). My husband's fish tostada had perfectly cooked Ahi and mounds of fresh greens and my garlic shrimp quesadilla was mostly deliciously grilled fresh shrimp wrapped up in a fresh tortilla with just the right amount of cheese (no greasy, gooey mess here!). We came at lunch so skipped the cocktails, but they looked great! Well worth the visit.
(4)rich f.
Monico's is very good fresh and flavorful homemade Mexican food. I have been going to this restaurant at least once or twice on every trip to Kauai. We must admit we have not moved around the menu much as the dishes we have tried have been so amazingly good we have not wanted to vary our orders much. The Chile Verde is as good as I have ever tasted. Make sure you ask for a small side of the Habanero Salsa not listed but available by request. My wife is a big fan of the Chile Relleno - says that they rival her Grandmother's Cannot speculate on the other dishes fish taco's, veggie burritos etc. As for the traditional dishes they ROCK. Thank you Monico!!!
(5)Katie F.
Tons of locals here, reserved signs on tables, and packed within an hour of opening... all good signs! Totally solid Mexican place! I had been craving fish tacos and read the reviews about this place and was definitely pleased. They use the catch of the day, which turned out to be ahi tuna, and I agree with the comments that they do a great job. Nicely seared on the outside, great texture, and a light topping of cabbage and salsa. The Mexican rice and beans were decent. Loved the chips and salsa to start as well (note that only the first bowl is free, but their portions are huge so you'll be stuffed afterwards!) The jalapeno crema is pretty mild - I would love it if they offered a spicier option. Hubby went with the beef nachos and they were excellent. They use the beef chunks, lots of cheese and beans, etc... to top them off. Also a large portion. The downside is that there's a charge for extra sour cream. Both orders were very fresh and hot. I would definitely come back - good service, good food, and without alcohol, the bill came to around $30 bucks for 2 people. No complaints!
(4)Duane H.
I know, there has got to be something inherently wrong with going to the islands and eating Mexican food. Nevertheless, that is exactly what we did. Why you ask? Simply because these people have a really serious and positive reputation with the locals. We think the locals got it right.
(4)Deborah W.
Fish tacos are very good. The only downfall of the place is the prices are a little high. Five $s for a small amount of guacamole. Fish tacos are very fresh and light, $5.50 each.
(4)Ashley J.
Oh man. This place is amazing. The margaritas? Out of this world. I'm not a big fan of Mexican food, but their quesadillas (either shrimp or steak) are superb. The only reason this place didn't get 5 stars from me is because on our last visit there, my brother had one too many margaritas and ended up throwing up his whole meal as soon as we left the restaurant. I know that's definitely not their fault, but it kind of diminished my experience there a bit. In any case, I will go there again on my next trip to Kauai.
(4)Leanne K.
Had another GREAT meal here! Shrimp Diabla, Steak Nachos, Carnitas Burrito with Red Sauce all over! So ONO.....
(5)Maurice E.
Let me start by saying I've eaten A LOT of burritos, and I would never have imagined that I would find the best burrito ever in Hawaii. The seafood burrito was enough to get 5 stars all by itself, but the service was also amazing. We're in HI for a few more days, and I plan on returning at least once, and I know I'll be comparing every burrito I have from now on to this one. Do yourself a favor and give this place a try if you're ever in the area.
(5)Christie G.
Just had an amazing lunch- I would have given 5 stars- had they not charged me $2.50 to re-fill my chips. I had a margarita (which was made with fresh lime juice) and a steak burrito. The steak was amazing- the best steak I ever had in a burrito- tender- well flavored- you can tell they use a high meat quality. Great service and atmosphere- will definitely visit here again next time we visit Kauai!
(4)Jill D.
Mexican food is practically non-existent in Hawaii. Let me re-phrase that (without re-writing it): AUTHENTIC Mexican food is practically non-existent in Hawaii. Monico's is pretty much the best Mexican food I've had in Hawaii. I've currently lived on Kauai and Oahu and spent time on Big Island. If you've got better on Maui or Lanai well then GOOD FOR YOU. However, if you want GOOD Mexican and you happen to be on Kauai then look no further. This is IT. The prices are SUPER reasonable for what you get and the food is fresh with friendly and efficient service. Their fish tacos were made to order (they cook the fish the way YOU want it) and my daughter's kids meal was the cheapest kids meal with the most food and highest quality ingredients I've EVER seen. I would be SO happy if they'd open up another location on the South Shore but it's a good reason to go East Side!
(5)James M.
Real Mexican food in Hawaii - not very spicy. Our waiter understood Gluten Free.
(4)Bill H.
We ate dinner there the other and the food was very good; however, it took a very long time to get service and then once we made our order it took a long time to the food. From being seated until our order arrived at the table was 40 minutes......toooooooooo long to wait on a steak fajita and fish taccos
(3)Ken H.
Easily the best Mexican food on the island I've experienced. Bummed they recently changed their hours to dinner only. Update - Open again for lunch!!
(5)Kenny D.
This is a place to dine at for great Mexican food! Know that you may have to wait for a table or bar seating, because this restaurant is popular. Sitting inside can be noisy, because all the noise bounce there's nothing to absorb and muffle the sounds. You can sit outside which is nice too. When it's busy don't be so in a rush, like any restaurant when it's slam busy you want your food good and great. Don't be so in a rush to rush the staff it's totally not worth it you're dining in Hawaii, so chill relax and have a drink while you wait for your food!
(5)Bonnie P.
This place is wonderful. Some of the best Mexican food I have ever had, anywhere. Monico is the owner and also works the line, and has a very keen eye for detail and quality. The food is fresh, and delicious and is obviously made with a lot of care. I had the seafood taco taco and the seared scallops were incredible! My only complaint is that there wasn't more to enjoy :) Also, awesome margaritas (inside only) and delicious salsas! A definite must when on Kauai.
(5)Deanne L.
Fresh and Authentic "A friend, who has lived in Kauai for over 30 years, brought me to Monicos Taqueria after touring me around in Kapaa on a very wet, cool morning. I ordered the Chicken Fajita which arrived at our table sizzling hot and bursting with fragrance. The veggies in the mixture were very fresh and full of flavour. Good, authentic Mexican food , such as this, is now on my permanent list of comfort foods. I hope to stop in a couple of more times yet before I have to go back home. Definitely worth it!"
(4)Mike S.
Best fish tacos I've ever had! Try the Ahi fish tacos...huge chunks of Ahi. However, the service was very very slow. It's a good think we were on vacation and had nowhere to be after dinner that night.
(4)Michael B.
Very good service as we entered for some late lunch at 2:00 pm--chips and salsa right away and glasses of ice water, which were refilled several times and was most appreciated after a frustrating, hot day at work. Our server checked on us to explain the daily specials and see if we had any questions--plus for that! One of the guys order a plate of steak nachos for us to start with, and that was really a huge portion--very tasty and very filling with tons of seasoned steak, beans, tomatoes, guacamole, sour cream, cheese and homemade tortilla chips! Sooo many choices on the menu, but my co-worker said he was ordering the Monico's Special...what? that ain't even on the menu! All he said was try it, so I did! Your choice of meat or fish grilled perfectly (I had the daily special, fresh ono), accompanied by several tasty tail-on shrimps, a perfectly cooked scallop, lots of seasoned veggies, guacamole, rice and beans and two sauces, two warm flour or corn tortillas, then topped off with an awesomely tasty slab of authentically prepared carnitas--WOW! The price for that feast was $20.95, but considering the generous portions of food, the expert preparation and great taste, it was fantastic and in my humble opinion worth every penny! Even better since my buddy covered the tab! Owner Monico (who also prepares the food in the kitchen) even said thank you and farewell to us, so we left there feeling not only full and satisfied but also appreciated! Gracias, Monico, for a great meal!
(5)Gordita B.
came here for our last meal on our last day of our glorious honeymoon. i asked to come here for 2 reasons: its ratings on yelp & helloooo it's mexican food. by the end of the week, I was really craving some good familiar food (i know, i know. i'm a foodie wimp. whatever). You'll notice there's actually mexicans cooking, which was a surprise to us, for some reason. Prices are typical of Hawaii, but still cheap considering it's Hawaii. The service was good & we didnt have to wait very long for our food. The rice is different than any other mexican rice we've had. it has an after taste i'm not familiar with. i dont know if it's spicy or tangy or what. it's different. Not my favorite. the guac is goooood, but they skimp you on the serving size but the taquitos are tasty. My husband thought his chile verde enchiladas were delicious.
(4)Nali M.
it's kind of silly that i went from not liking mexican food to really loving mexican food in less than a year. a big part of the credit definitely goes to monico's taqueria. the other part goes to the fact that i now reside in the south-western united states instead of kauai. the last time i dined here we got some steak and fish pupu tostadas. sooo good! everyone ordered what they wanted and everything was great. it was a really busy night and the inside and outside dining areas were both packed. they're like this almost every night of the week. that definitely tells you something right there!
(4)Samson Linus Y.
Don't assume that because there aren't many Mexican restaurants on Kauai that Monicos being labelled best Mex(& not by me) on Kauai means anything. This is exactly the type of place I abhor=1.Very few parking spaces in tiny lot which means that you have to walk blocks away to park.2.No free chips & salsa for take away orders which usually require waiting up to an hour even when calling an order in.3.Caution the very last time I ate there in the restaurant I had a rather dull Carnitas plate & asked for some more salsa to liven things up so that it was palatable, I later found out I was charged a small ransom of $3.00 for a small ramican of salsa.So watch it they will nickel & dime you as much as possible!4.The service was lousy for such a small seating area.I literally had to walk into the restaurant & find my waitress who was talking to coworkers.5.The outside picnic tables are fenced in because if you aren't ordering you aren't sitting & this includes when you are waiting for other diners to arrive.6.The prices are very high even by high Hawaii standards.They have no reason to command such high prices,Is it because they are located next to a noisy highway? Is it because their staff is rude and difficult to locate? Is it because their interior is bland,garish & cheesy?(no pun intended) Is it because to find a parking space is a small miracle. Is it because the food is mostly atrocious and unoriginal?
(1)John D.
Seafood burrito was great. One of the cooks showed us a picture on his iPhone of the ahi that had been caught that morning and was seared for the burritos that evening.
(4)Sandy I.
Perfect portions for the big appetite
(5)Matt K.
After mindlessly browsing the ABC store for tourist-y knick knacks (ooooh hula girl key chain), I decided to find some local grub. I proceeded to chomp on seafood enchiladas from Monico's. Stuffed with cheese, scallops, shrimp, fish and covered in a sweet red sauce...YUM! The seafood was fresh and the cheese was perfectly melted. I actually prefer a spicy red sauce, but it's all good as long as my taste buds are singing. Before you decide on buying that I Love Kauai shot glass, eat well at Monico's. Highly recommend!
(4)John F.
I was going to give this spot 4 stars but changed my mind. I'll explain near the bottom. We came here after flying from the east coast and checking in to our hotel (this is easily walking distance from the Kauai Sands). We ordered and split a pork burrito. I'm glad we did, it was enormous! I was wondering if the monster burrito was going to be quantity over quality but I was pleasantly surprised - it was delicious. We came back the next day and got fajitas. They were also excellent. I was told the margaritas were good but I hate tequila so I stuck with Negro Modelos. Everything we ordered was outstanding. So here are a few things to know - You get 1 bowl of chips and salsa for your table. You want more, you pay 5$. I'm a chips and salsa fiend so I didn't like this rule. If you want to drink, you can't sit outside. It's a state law, and a lame one at that. The service is quick but kitchen is realllllly slow. The food is worth the wait but that one basket of chips only holds you over so long. Apart from those things, fantastic Mexi food, in Kauai no less!
(5)Kelly G.
Who can resist a free serving of chips and salsa? Not my boyfriend, nor I! Got back from our ziplining expedition earlier in the day around 5 and after registering into the hotel, cleaning up, and taking a breather, it was around 7:30. I took a look on yelp for places to eat and realized a lot of places closed at 9! Thankfully Monico's was close to our hotel and we got there in less than 5 minutes. Great selection. And upon seating we got a serving of chips, hot salsa and mild salsa. They have a great selection of Mexican beers too! (Sol, Tecate, etc). Ordered the (ahi) fish tostada, but I asked for a side serving for the japaleno creme fraiche and the bf got a carne asada burrito. Everything was delicious! So yum in fact that we got a carnitas quesadilla to go. Came with rice and beans on the side. Reasonable prices, nice portions, relatively authentic tasting. Franchise out to Oahu please!!!
(4)Kellie W.
My husband and I recently visited the beautiful island of Kauai and inquired as to where we could fine the best, most authentic, (and more importantly, SPICY), Mexican restaurant. Where we come from (San Jose, Ca), we are more than spoiled with the abundance of Mexican restaurants within our reach. Not to mention, when it comes to potentially spicy cuisine, my husband and I ALWAYS request for "extra spicy". In any case, we were quite exited to try the recommended, "Monico's Taqueria". At first glance, YES, this is exactly what we were hoping for. Then we met our waitress, (damn I wish I remembered her name! Gorgeous, freckles, very kind-we sat on the outdoor patio around 5:30pm on Wed., 1/21), who was exceptional! We ordered steak fajitas, which I could still eat *plates* of, and chicken taco taco. Delish. We also partook in the famous margaritas! YUM! We hope to be able to visit Kauai again in the future, in which case we will surely return!
(5)Michelle S.
After spending 30 years in New Mexico, we probably have a different expectation of Mexican food than is served at Monico's. We are used to red and green chile with lots of flavor and heat. Every time we drove by Monico's Taqueria it was packed so we decided to give it a try. I had the fish flautas and my husband had the chicken chimichanga. The entrees, beans and rice lacked the zing we are used to so my husband requested a grilled jalapeno to spicen things up. His eyes glazed over in delight when he ate that jalapeno! The staff was super busy; the same person took the orders, got the drinks, brought the food, bussed the tables, and handled the checks, so we had to give her a break on things taking a little time. We will go back, knowing we can get that grilled jalapeno for some additional flavor..
(4)Patrick W.
SUPER SUPER FRESH!!! You can eat fish tacos for lunch knowing the fish had breakfast that same morning. Good service too!
(5)Harold P.
Amazing unadulterated fish tacos. Unlike most places that mound on heaps of raw cabbage and chunky tomato salsa to make the taco bigger looking, Monico's fish tacos is bursting with perfectly grilled fresh fish with just the right amount of finely shredded cabbage and salsa. I asked for the jalapeno crema on the side as one reviewer suggested and this work out well since I only used half of what was served. The chicken enchiladas in mole sauce was well executed. The shredded chicken was plentiful and the sauce was dark and complex like a mole should be. The chips are light, crunchy and not oily. I liked the spicier chipotle salsa though the pico de gallo salsa had nice chunks of fresh tomatoes without too much raw onion. The spanish rice was incredible flavorful and moist and cooked in such a way that the grains were left whole instead of broken. The pinto beans were rich in flavor undoubtedly cooked with meat to be that good! Monico's is a must try!
(5)Joanna S.
It was featured in Sunset magazine and it's in Kapaa which was close to our hotel. Of course we had to stop by this taqueria and get what they're known for. Comparable to California fish tacos, it wasn't extremely impressive, but I will have to say the amount of fish they give in it makes it pretty fantastic for a quick bite to eat. $5.50 for a fish taco, $6.50 for the seafood taco that has scallop and shrimp in it along with fish. The fish was super chunky. You definitely get your money's worth.
(3)Kevin D.
Monico's is the best Mexican food in Hawaii ... period. Verde up the street is very good too, but a little less recognizeable as Mexican food as they are more "southwest with a creative flair". Monico's is the place for great Mexican dishes. My wife and I ate there for a very early dinner yesterday (Staurday). We live on the north shore and were shopping in Lihue. We found ourselves wanting to go to Monico's around 4pm on our way home, but they close from 3pm to 5pm (and are closed Mondays btw). So, we had a dillema ... go to Verde (which is open now and we also like) or wait an hour for Monico's. We killed an hour by wandering around at Lydgate Beach Park with our dogs. Not a bad way to waste time. We arrived at Monico's about 4:55pm. There were already 5 parties ahead of us waiting for this place to open. About 10 minutes after they opened the doors, every table inside was packed. This place has a serious following and it is well deserved. My wife got a blended mango margarita and I had two of the Sierra Silver margaritas which were perfect. We ordered a chile rellano plate and the verde pork and then shared them both. The chile rellanos here are excellent, and the pork ... wow. When the dish was set in front of us and we tasted the tomatillo sauce the first word that popped into both of our minds was "elegant." Normally that isn't a word I'd use to describe Mexican food, but it was not only true, it was amazing to get a dish that looked and tasted so elegant for $13.95. Service was outstanding. Don't expect to have an intimate conversation during dinner as the tiled surfaces in this place cause the sound to bounce around from table to table. Outside has festive yellow picnic tables, but no margaritas outside and I can't imagine eating their food without one (or two).
(5)Connie T.
Just finished an outstanding dinner! Best Mexican food we have had since leaving the mainland 2 weeks ago. And it ranks very high compared to the mainland Mexican food. Service was great! The fish burrito had fresh ono which was grilled perfectly. The bean and cheese burrito was stuffed and delicious! It seemed like a lot of repeat customers were eating dinner there as well.
(5)Steve W.
Not sure why the high ratings. The food was OK but expensive even by island standards for what you get. Our server was super nice which was a plus. Perhaps I am a bit spoiled having so many better choices for mexican in San Jose.
(3)Little D.
Located in small Kinipopo Shopping Village. We had the best Fish Tacos ever. My BF is really into fish tacos. He agreed as well. We had fish tacos a lot in our lives, never asked how we like our fish be cooked. These were just perfect. Open 11-15 + 17-21. Monday closed. Really busy at night, expect to wait. Tip1: Outside seating no alcohol. Only inside restaurant has alcohol service. Tip2: Outside seating at night could get real cold. Bring your jacket or sweater. PS. The address actually is in Kapaa in Kinipopo Shopping, not Wailua. YELP 365 - 215/365
(5)Tom S.
Very delicious, very clean, & inexpensive. I'm a Californian. I speak Mexican Spanish about as well as English. I've eaten way too much Mexican cuisine over the past 58 years. Much of it was mediocre crap. This place makes some of the best Mexi-Hawaiian food I've had in years. Crisp salad, Ahi tacos, beans, creamy rice - All were so satisfying. Yummy alert! Go!!!
(4)Dennis K.
Excellent food! Being from San Diego we are used to great Mexican food and was not expecting much. Wow!!! Great food and service. Awesome selection of Mexican beer
(5)G D.
Very nice folks and awesome fresh Ono fish burrito! Nice smokey style salsa, pretty zippy habanero salsa!!
(5)Laura C.
So good. Great service and excellent food everytime!
(5)Chelsea C.
Steak quesadilla, beans and mango margarita were delicious! It was a little slow getting the food since every thing was made to order, but it was definitely worth the wait!! The others in my party ordered fish plates, shrimp plates and burgers and everyone enjoyed everything. Must eat here if youre in the area.
(5)Clinton C.
Wasn't sure about taking a chance on Mexican cuisine on Kauai but WOW am I glad we did. It was very busy but the staff was attentive and found us an open table quickly. The place looks fantastic inside and is super clean. Food was awesome and everyone was really nice. Would go back again in a heartbeat. PS After eating fish for days I just went with standard enchiladas and was very happy I did!
(5)Jon D.
Well, it is in a convenient location. The refried beans are really just an opened can of pinto beans. The chicken isn't seasoned at all. There is another Mexican restaurant about half a mile up the road in a small plaza that is very good. I am sorry but I don't remember the name. I wish that I had time to drive to the other place just so you could avoid coming to the one named in this review. For what you get, this is WAY over priced. Don't bother eating here.
(1)Natalie W.
One of my favorite Mexican spots on the island, perfect for date night or dinner with friends, probably wouldn't recommend it for families with kids as it can get a little crowded. Great fish tacos, chicken flautas, & strawberry margaritas.
(5)Pavana P.
I ordered a seafood burrito and was ok. The service was bit slow, but the good margarita kept me busy!
(3)Andy W.
*THIS HAS BEEN UPDATED TWICE* READ ON* My wife and i went in last night looking for good mexican food on the island. We ordered carnitas nachos and a bean and cheese burrito (we'd been drinking, it sounded like a good dinner at the time). When we got the food back to the hotel (it was too packed there to wait for a table), the nachos we pretty simple. The only bad part about them was the pork was a little dry. I hoped for more tender pork but that's just my expectations. It still tasted pretty good. My wife scarfed down her bean and cheese burrito so i assume it was good. I never got a chance to try it. (UPDATE: she said it was great). The food would get 3 stars but I'm adding an extra star for one reason: THE MAI-TAI AND IT'S CREATOR: bartender who's name I forgot because I'd been drinking. Like most places on Kauai, Monico's boasts of the best mai-tai on the island. We asked a waitress at another place what made theirs the best on the island and she said "because it is." Weak answer. We asked the bartender at Monico's and he said "I use guava juice and no one else does that." SOLD. And you know what? It's been the best one so far and we've had 5 different mai-tais since arriving 5 days ago. The search will continue, but right now, Monico's is in the lead. *more updates* I got a reply from the owner thanking me for the compliments on the mai-tai and reminding me that they don't serve kalua pork but rather carnitas. I hate making mistakes like that so I gladly corrected my review to reflect the proper ingredient. As I edited my review I realized I never said anything about the service beyond the bartender. We did interact with a couple of servers (one of which was the owner apparently!) and they were all very friendly despite being in a hurry. So remember to check out Monico's. Especially if you're looking for a good mai-tai! *3 days later* We went back for the mai tai again and decided to give the food another shot. I had Tacos Dorados with chicken. The menu said shredded chicken and it was chunks but I don't really care because goddamn was there plenty of chicken! Everything was excellent. Crispy shells, delicious salsas, whole pinto beans cooked to perfection. Very happy. My wife had the fish tacos and had one of those "I'm so full but it's so good" moments. Our waiter was really cool and offered to bring us the extra hot sauce because we liked the hot one he brought out with the chips. I had to bump them up from 4 to 5 stars. If you need mexican food on the island, hit Monico's.
(5)Dave L.
This place has fresh salsa made from local ingredients. I didn't believe it at first but I asked for the "special" spicy salsa and was pleasantly surprised by a great habanero salsa. I had never got anything spicy in Hawaii, after asking at many many places. Ghost chilis grow there as do Thai chilis and habaneros, but there doesn't seem to be a big market for spicy salsa so I end up making my own. The fish tacos are also good here and my kids loved their meals. I will go back every time I visit Kauai.
(5)William F.
I live on Kauai and live near Monicos. The owner cook is there EVERY day. The food is always fresh. We probably eat at this Resturant 45 times a year so I can speak with confidence on how consistently good and fresh the food is.
(5)Steve G.
Fish Tacos are the absolute best. Just go! Great food, great relaxed fun.
(5)Jennifer H.
I was very impressed with the ahi tacos...large chunks of fresh ahi tuna, on the traditional double corn tortilla, with finely shredded cabbage and tasty creamy sauce. Definitely would order it again. The beans and rice were also quite decent and tasty. My boyfriend loved his burrito, and mom liked her chile verde as well. Only the first basket of chips and salsa were free, but that's really all you need, since the actual food portions were quite generous. We didn't experience the long wait that others mentioned...maybe 15 minutes to be seated...not too bad. We'd most definitely come back to this place!
(4)Maggie W.
There's a reason this place is in every Kauai guidebook, locals recommend this place left and right, as one of the best Mexican food on the island. Being a Mexican food lover myself, monico's taqueria of course ended up being my first meal here on the island. Mom ordered the seafood taco, and I the ahi fish taco. And they were both cooked to perfection. The salsa is worth a mention as well, seasoned and spiced to entertain my taste buds, we left happy and satisfied, I fell in love with the island even before the exploring and adventures started. One thing about this place, is the wait, after we sat down, the little courtyard got filled up fast, lots of people waiting. On top of that, services are very, very slow. We waited nearly half an hour for two taco plates. But if I come back to Kauai again, you can be sure to find me here. Fish tacooooos!!
(4)Roxy R.
I immediately craved Tex Mex upon leaving Texas for a week. We found Monico's on the way home from a tour. It was alright. I ordered fish tacos, but the fish was so big...and tasted so fishy. eh. I'd probably go again if in the vicinity and order cheese enchiladas or something. :) Sitting on the patio was nice, and the service was friendly. Our waitress even suggested a nice, quiet beach to visit nearby.
(3)Patty K.
Cozy, lively, hard working staff. Food was better than expected. The green sauce for the enchilada and burritos was the magic. Portions were BIG! Salsa and chips were good munchies while we waited for our meals. My family and I were looking for a place for good hot food. It was 8:30pm on Sunday and most places we're closing or closed. We yelped this place and decided to gave it a go. The staff were kept very busy but they didn't rush us even though they close at 9pm. In fact they seated two other tables at 9. The fish tacos were good but little too much cream mayo-like sauce for me. I'd ask for it on the side next time.
(4)Brett F.
Don't believe not believing the hype! Believe it. Monico's is Mexicanificence! Loved not one, but TWO delicioso meals I was fortunate enough to get my hands on during my visit on the island last week. Monico and his team are cranking out some of the best eats on Kauai and with some of the biggest portions. Think all things Mexico-fabulous set in a really cute, friendly and super duper casual atmosphere. With Monico behind the helm of the open kitchen, colorful flags hanging from the twinkle lit bar and communal outdoor patio seating beckoning, all things here set the perfect tone for devouring some seriously terrific grub. It seems enchiladas here are the highlight and I have to emphatically agree. Whether you opt for these babies filled with chicken, steak, seafood or nothing but cheese, they will not disappoint, guaranteed. Made with top notch ingredients, fresh to order and, of course, with tons 'o queso, they were undeniably delectable. Loved the plain version verde-style so much that I ordered 30 of them for a party my family was having later in the week. And ya know what? Those, too, were appreciatively and greedily decimated. Burritos, Quesadillas, Fajitas, Tacos and Nachos are all also on tap here and just as stellar. Stole bites of a buttery Garlic Shrimp Woodfired Quesadilla, a wonderfully savory Al Pastor Burrito and a crazy huge serving of Chicken Fajitas, all to my tongues uberdelight. good, Good, GOOD stuff! Monico's does supplement this loveliness with booze from their full bar, though the margaritas failed to bowl over my discerning crowd. Stick to the ice cold Corona's and Pacifico's and you'll be a good as gold. My highest recommendations for Monico's... Salud!
(5)Christine N.
I kinda wish we had eaten here every single day of our Kauai honeymoon. Best fish tacos I've ever had in my life. We found this place because of Sunset magazine. We sat at the bar and chatted it up with the owner's wife. She was an awesome, awesome woman and treated us so well. She even gave us a deck of playing cards as a small honeymoon gift. IMO, there are two things that *make* a fish taco. Fresh fish is #1. If you screw that up, then there's no point. #2 is the sauce. Monico's white sauce is some super secret surprise. The fish tacos are drenched in it, but the fish still maintains its shape and crunchiness. Oh, and the pinto beans were homemade and silky. Darn! I wish we had eaten here more than once! Maui may have the Four Seasons, but Kauai has Monico's.
(5)Julie M.
Stopped here for lunch while on vacation. My husband had read reviews on this place and was anxious to try out their fish tacos.... And let me tell you they did not disappoint!! The best fish taco we've ever had. We got our ahi lightly seared... Delicious!! And the salsa was amazing!! It has just the right amount of spice and smokiness flavor. Very fresh clean flavors. Just wish I could eat there more often!!
(4)Staci B.
When the crispy carnitas are good, they are great. When they are bad, they can be too fatty. The beans and rice are good by Hawaii standards but below average for a Californian's standards. Still, it is some of the best Mexican food on the island
(4)Keoni L.
Unfortunately I wasn't pleased. Overpriced and sub par. Got chicken tacos and they were very dry and didn't come with much topping. Just little salsa, no. Lettuce . Will not. Go back
(2)Lee P.
Laughed at it until I ate it. I drove past this place a bunch of times and made fun of it because who would expect decent Mex on Kauai? We chalked it up to guero tourist food. The part that struck us was that it always seemed busy. Why? Heard talk that it was actually decent and reasonable so we tried it - and went back two more times. This really is pretty decent Mex and I consider myself a Mexpert, living in a community where little English is spoken in the good taquerias. One of the better dinners on the island, especially for the price. Fish tacos - really good. The mole enchiladas - really good. The carnitas - really good. Pretty tame fare for folks looking for the real deal, but definitely not a 'red sauce, green sauce' house. You won't find tacos al pastor, al vapor, lengua, cabeza or chivo here (why? The ingredients are readily available fresh on the island). But the food is good and the margaritas great. The owner is tending bar and he's a Cal transplant, so he gets another star for knowing what to do and doing it well.
(4)A O.
Seafood Nachos are so yummy!
(4)Shaina T.
Delish! Have been three times, and all three times it was awesome! I have had the Vegetarian enchiladas, which were yummy with both sauces, and the Chimichanga with veggies instead of meat, which again was awesome with both sauces. My two year old daughter had the Keiki fish tacos. Lucky for me, she didn't finish them, so I got them as leftovers and they were yummy! As a northern Californian who has access to some pretty steller Mexican food, I feel that this was on par with a lot of Mexican restaurants that I am used to. One of my only gripes is that they charge for extra chips. It just seams so cheap to charge a paying customer for extra chips. I am a big chip eater and it is so annoying when I come across this.
(4)Claire J.
Taqueria in Kauai? A good one too? Yup it's possible. Thanks Yelp for leading me here. I had my restaurant go-to list during our vacation here, but this place was not on my list. It was one of those days, we're tired and hungry, find a place that's still open that we can go to. After a fun day in the north shore, we decided to have some Mexican food to break away from the loco mocos. Being from the bay area, I like my specific taqueria food, so I was a bit hesitant going here. Got here and the inside of the place was busy. We were given an option to sit outside with no wait and we agreed. I then realized that we can't order alcohol outside, so I guess no alcohol for me that night. Servers are non-mexicans and cooks are latinos so I felt at ease. We were provided with chips and fresh salsa right away and it was yum. Really fresh salsa. Lots of choices! I ordered ahi tuna tostadas, hubby got al pastor burrito and we shared one ahi tuna fish taco. I was quite overwhelmed when the food came coz I have never seen beautiful food coming from a taqueria. The vegetables were fresh and heaping on top of my fish. I thought the fish was gonna be freshly cooked with lime, but it was actually really cooked, but you know it's fresh! Al pastor burrito was good, but we've had better. Their sauces were fresh and had mild flavors. Ahhh ,we were stuffed! Pretty expensive, but hey it's fresh so no complaints!
(4)Ellen C.
This place was fantastic! My husband and I stopped here for dinner on our way to our hotel our first night in Kauai and it was so good we came back for lunch a few days later. The meals were delicious (I had cheese enchiladas both times and my husband had a bean and cheese burrito the first time and vegetarian nachos the second time - all great) and the waitstaff was friendly and efficient. My husband's favorite part was the guacamole included with each of our entrees. He told the waitress how much he loved it and she said it's made fresh each day by the owner. Good food, good prices and good atmosphere. If we're in Kauai again, we'll definitely make sure to return to Monico's.
(5)Elissa D.
I was surprised that this place didn't get an ONO in the famous Blue Book. It was pretty decent, and fairly priced. Much better than Scotty's BBQ, and it seems the locals agree. It was packed with local folks. Was it great Mexican food? No, but it was better than I expected it to be, and much better than a lot of the highly recommended restaurants we tried, without the insane price tag. Get yourself a Negro Modelo and order up some tacos. They'll keep you stocked with chips and salsa. Really good service. I'll give it an Ono.
(3)Dulce G.
Great fish tacos, flavorful rice and the beans were just like my moms! Other dishes in my party included: camarones a la diabla (which only came with 6 camarones - for $18, it would've been better to have at least 9, but sauce was good), chicken burro with red sauce (chicken was a bit bland), and chicken soft tacos (nice serving of filling, but not for the silver dollar sized tortillas it came on). Overall, we were pleased with the food, but the service could have been better. Although our waitress was sweet, she forgot some of our requests. Would def go back when we're on Aloha time...darn mainlanders! ;)
(4)Sasha Y.
we came here for lunch and had a great experience, the pork chile verde I had was very delicious, the pork was super tender and the the sauce was so yummy, the cainitas my husband had was tender and juicy as well, we loved our food!
(4)Matt C.
The fish tacos are awesome! Great service, good portions. Coming from San Diego, I would highly recommend.
(4)Markus G.
We visited this place several times while on our honeymoon, and every time the food was exceptional. The only knock I have on this place is that when it gets busy, be prepared to wait for an hour until your food arrives. A word of advice for gluten intolerant people: they do have a few options they can make gluten free, but the vast majority of their items on the menu are made with or require flour tortillas, so the pickings are slim for celiacs, but no less delicious!! And the margaritas are da bomb! We'll definitely be back. Just be sure you're not too hungry or in a hurry when you go there during peak hours.
(4)Jessica O.
The food is greasy, mushy and not very flavorful. And the service is slow. My husband and I waited for 75 minutes for a take out order. And when our order was ready, the waiter made us wait at the counter further while she talked to some other patrons about some story. The food used to be great, now it's not. We favor Verdes, now.
(1)James S.
First off ask for Kay. We later found out she is the owner. But she is very friendly and will chat with you for a few instead of rushing you along like a lot of the locals do. Their red salsa is great. And the ahi tacos had so much flavor. Be sure to ask them to go easy on the white sauce if you aren't a fan. The garlic shrimp quesadilla was simply AMAZING!!!!! And the seafood enchilada sauce was so authentic and flavorful.
(5)Brian L.
Excellent Mexican!
(4)Kelley Y.
On our fifth night on Kauai we were in the mood for Mexican. We're from California as are some of the other reviewers, and ..... Monico's is the BEST Mexican food we've had in a long time. Carnitas nachos: thin, fresh, perfectly salted chips and the meat was roasted to crispy tasty perfection. BIIG chunks of meat. I had fish tacos - tonight they were serving ahi - double soft corn tortillas and generous slices of really fresh grilled ahi. I was asked how I would like the fish cooked, as if it were a steak. It was garnished with perfect, mild, chunky guacamole, a sour cream-yogurt sauce and thin shredded cabbage with fresh Iime and cilantro. The beans were simmered in a slightly smoky sauce and were delicious. Service was friendly and efficient. We sat at the bar and noticed the palace really fill up by 5:45, and lots of locals ordering to take out. We highly recommend Monaco's. Wish they'd open one in the Bay Area!
(5)Su-Yee L.
I'm actually giving Monico's a 4.5; it was one of the best places I ate at in Kauai. So, the bf and I were starving after kayaking on the Wailua River but arrived at Monico's at 3:30pm but of course, basically every restaurant around is closed from 3-5pm! We were disappointed but wandered around a couple of shopping centers till 5 then made a beeline for Monico's because of all the great reviews. I'm really glad we did! Our first serving of chips and salsa was free; the pico de gallo and salsa were both delicious and fresh tasting. I ordered the seafood burrito and the bf ordered steak fajitas. The seafood burrito was HUGE. It was filled with fish, scallops, shrimp, sauteed onions, peppers, and zucchini, rice, and beans and covered with a mild crema and guacamole. I would've liked a little more seafood but it was really delicious anyway. The steak fajitas came on a sizzling hot skillet; it was a large portion and came with really really good rice and alright beans. Service was friendly and the food was so good that we ate every bite; we were ridiculously stuffed at the end. The price is pretty reasonable for the amount of food and the fact that it's Kauai where everything seems more expensive. Totally recommended.
(4)Benjamin L.
Pleasantly surprised. Contrary to others' experiences, we found service to be quick and pleasant. Perhaps it was because we were there at 2:30, which isn't exactly peak time. At any rate, the veggie burrito and chicken mole enchiladas were excellent. Both were tasty and, contrary to many other Mexican places, of a reasonable size, i.e., not four servings! The veggie burrito wasn't overstuffed, and the chunks of vegetable were large. The mole sauce was tasty, as was the chicken, which retained flavor of its own. The green sauce and salsa and guac that came with the chips were good too. All in all, very happy with our meal.
(4)panda m.
LOVE this place and would go again any day! Loved the seafood tacos and instead of rice and beans I ordered a side of steamed veggies (for additional minor cost). They totally understood what "gluten-intolerant" meant and were happy to accomodate and suggest items on the menu including the taco dishes which are made with corn tortillas. When you are seated you get a bowl of chips (note only first bowl is free) and two amazing salsas! They had a great kids menu too! Wait staff was super attentive and cheerful!
(5)Ed A.
The food is excellent. The waiters great. The wait for our food was an hour after ordering which is not acceptable. Otherwise a great local spot
(4)Tonya A.
Wow, what a pleasant surprise! Fresh, clean, veggie, great simple flavors. A real find on island.
(4)William H.
OMG! Seafood tacos wit fish caught dis morning...killah beans ...it don't get no bettah.
(5)Dan W.
Great place, Great food !!!!!!
(5)Lee R.
Awesome to be able to find such a fantastic Mexican fare on a small island at an affordable price. The food (Chicken con pollo and chicken flautas) was great with lots of flavor and descent presentation. The staff was local families (Ohana) and treated us nice and the service was fast. Atmosphere was that of an older mom and pops dinner, but was comfortable. *******CAUTION******* the hours as posted on Yelp has changed and they only serve dinner from 4:00 pm til 9 or 10. Also, it is difficult to find and the Yelp site if clicked on will send you to the wrong address, cut and paste the address into your GPS or google maps app. The place is right off 56 but you will have to pass it and do a u- turn to get to it b/c of no left turn rule. Park around back. It took us forever to find but stuck it out and glad I did. Ask any local person for a Mexican restaurant and they will send you to this place. Enjoy!!!!
(4)jon R.
We're from California and so we were dubious of finding good Mexican food on Kaua'i. This place is GREAT! Fantastic salsa's and sauces. The fish tacos are a must. Compared to the rest of Kaua'i, this is one of the most affordable restaurants around and the food and service are both great (it does get crowded though so, make sure you're not already starving when you arrive). The full bar is a nice addition that you won't find in most taqueria's. If you're tired of Mexican or it's too crowded -- check out the excellent Korean BBQ in the same cute shopping plaza. It's outstanding!!!
(5)LE S.
By far my favorite Mexican restaurant on Kauai. They are the best! Friendly, beautiful people who obviously love good food because everything I've ever had there has been amazing.
(5)Sky O.
Fish tacos were superb, lots of flavor, and the beans and rice were each flavorful compared to average Mexican sides.
(5)Janene P.
We ordered take out and it was delicious. We will definitely be visiting this restaurant again.
(4)Jennifer Y.
This place was awesome! I got the chicken flautas. They were delish!!! The rice wasn't over seasoned and everything had a nice taste of flavor. My husband got the enchilada verde with 1 cheese and 1 chicken and he said it was good. They give you a basket of chips and 2 different salsas to dip. You do have to pay extra for an extra basket of chips ($2.50) and extra for the salsa ($3.00). Overall this was a good choice for dinner and I'm glad we stopped! Mahalo!!!!! :-)
(5)Steve C.
Great Mexican place, excellent service, friendly staff and the food was amazing. The fish tacos were grilled and tasty. My wife had the steak fajitas and were great. Overall A+ and will come back.
(5)Janaka B.
AWESOME. No lard in the beans; great for vegetarians. Tasty, solid food that's a notch above your average taqueria. Friendly and helpful server. We had a great experience here.
(5)Dana H.
Sorry I can't rate the food this time, you closed at 3 PM. I am curious as to why you would close for two hours during the middle of the day? Instead, why not try a happy hour(s) like most other establishments on the island? This is what were were expecting when we showed up at 3:10 on a Saturday. Guess I should have checked the hours on Yelp first, my bad. Oh well, we went to a Mexican Restaurant on Nawiliwili Beach who had a happy hour and we spent $65. Worth every penny. One star for the hours.
(1)Shaughnessie S.
I love this place! There is usually a really long wait before you can be seated and another small wait for your food but let me tell you... It's worth it! xox so fresh and delicious. The seafood nachos are my favorite and the Cadillac margarita! Muah!
(5)Sean L.
Fish was cooked very well and tasted very fresh. I believe i got ono or mahi for the catch of the day. Nothing too special about the fish burrito or tacos. The good thing is they give you very generous portions of fish. The white sauce tasted so so in my opinion and the guacamole it came with was the same. Their beans were quite tasty though. Will have to come back here to try their ahi since seared ahi is the thing to eat here it seems. Service was also five stars, very friendly, checked on us often, and refilled our water. Parking is also quite easy in the lot right next door. Came here at 7pm on a tuesday night. Food did take a while to come though, or at least slow compared to normal mexican places in california, maybe fish took longer.
(3)Paula S.
My fiance had al pastor tacos which he said was alright, but fatty. Ok, I was going to write a lengthy review, instead I'll just tell you- they gave me boiled chicken in my tacos. I had two bites and that was two too many. Boiled.
(1)Mosey S.
Great service, really good fish tacos. The find here, however, is the bakery located in the rear of this shopping area - Cakes by Kristin? It's open late. Don't miss it!
(4)Daniel T.
Unbelievable fish tacos. It's been a couple years since I enjoyed them and I still think about them from time to time. If you're anywhere on the island, its worth making the trip to try them out. And if you're trying to pick which island to stay on when you visit Hawaii, well, these tacos might just be enough to tip the tide in favor of Kauai.
(5)William S.
I have eaten here the last three times I visited Kauaii and it has been consistently great food and service. The prices have increased since my first visit but the quality of the food is so good that the value is still very high. If you like Mexican food (with a Hawaiian "flavor") you don't want to miss Monico's.
(5)Justin R.
I've been visiting Kauai every year since 2006 and i stop at Monico's multiple times with every stay. I just ate there last night and realized i haven't reviewed them yet. The location has grown but the food is and always has been awesome. They have the best fish tacos and fish burritos i have ever tried. Monico's is a must if you are in the area. The service is so friendly you feel like family every time you go.
(5)Greg G.
Not the best. We were told that this was the best on the island. Poor service. long wait. food wasn't good.
(2)Sherry S.
We should have left after being seated. One of the staff brought out tortilla chips. I asked if they were gluten free. Her mouthy response was they were made with corn tortillas. I asked if they had a separate fryer. With less than enthusiasm she told me they did not have different fryers. I asked if there were any other items fried in the same fryer that had wheat. The answer was yes. So her response was - "If you put it that way then they aren't gluten free." I am not sure what other way you could put it! I ordered the seafood fajitas. They came out without the typical side condiments one would expect with fajitas. When I asked - they offered to give me a side of guacamole, a side of sour cream and a side salad - for around $10. I don't mind paying for good food. In this instance I felt taken advantage of - they bring out my food and then add an extra $10 to the bill to make it what I had originally ordered. Stay away!
(1)Julie A.
This place is a dive but the food rocks. Beware! Closed on Mondays. Small with bathrooms outside that are below gas station standards. Get past that and eat the fish tacos. Like others have suggested it's a must along with the garlic, shrimp quesadillas. Their margaritas are very good as well. Prices are very affordable. We didn't realize how lucky we were but got lost and called for directions. Realized we were a block away. Hostess said she had 2 open at the bar she would reserve it. Great. We got there to a huge line at the door and were able to walk right in. This was just lucky though as they don't take reservations. Inside and outside seating, No booze outside and it's just picnic tables in a grimy courtyard off the busy highway. We took another yelpers suggestion to mix the 2 salsas YUM! Hoping to get back this week yet.
(4)Kyle M.
Are you kidding me? This is the worst Mexican food I've ever had. Ever. Where the heck are all these good reviews coming from? If you want fish tacos, go to Mermaid's Cafe in Kapa'a. If you want anything else at all, you'd be better served by hitting up Taco Bell. Seriously. Everything is bland. Even the chips are bland. And you end up paying about quadruple what you should be paying. I can't stand this place.
(1)Hiren K.
Came here because a local said that they had really good fish tacos. Place was packed when we arrived so we expected good things. However wasn't too impressed by the flavors of the fish taco. Couldn't really taste the ahi and the taco was filled with toppings that didn't really add much taste. The sauce that it was filled with was bland. Portion was big so we were full but wouldn't recommend it for the fish tacos. Maybe something else there is better.
(3)Sam E.
I'm kind of crushed to write this review - I was so excited to try this place based on other reviews but ultimately was pretty disappointed. I don't mind a wait, even a long wait, but when we noticed that locals were consistently being seated before us, we were not so happy. Finally when we were seated we waited another half-an-hour to 45 mins for our food. The food was good -- I got the fish tacos (ahi) and my friend got the carnitas nachos -- but nothing to write home about. Again, we noticed the locals who arrived after us, got food before us. :/ Anyway, it was a bit of a bummer. Maybe someone from the restaurant will read this review and do a little attitude change. I got the feeling this place COULD be fantastic.
(2)Love B.
The shrimp quesadillas are amazing!! Make sure to wash them down with a passion fruit margarita.
(5)Brent P.
Only reason it gets two stars is bc there isn't many other options on this island. I was charged for chips, salsa, and even charged a dollar for two jalepenos. Total for a shrimp burrito, two scAllops and a Corona? 40$ I understand, charge me 12 to 15 $ for a burrito. It's Hawaii and things R expensive, but to be nickel and dimed to death like that was just pathetic and the manager should check his policies. Turn n Burn Indeed! And the food wasnt anything special. No black beans and the worst rice ever. Severely disappointing. Skip it
(2)Mike M.
We stopped and had lunch based on the reviews. It was a great experience, excellent food and atmosphere. I had the fish tacos and my wife had the nachos both were very good. Small family business I enjoyed supporting.
(5)Donald M.
Darn good fish tacos
(4)Kimie M.
good chimichanga. awesome hot sauce. killer dessert!!!!
(5)Romelyn D.
I love this place, good food, good service. Always a good experience for me. One of the best mexican eateries on Kauai, the other is Al Pastor Tacos.
(5)Bobbie C.
We stopped here for lunch and sat at the bar. The lady behind the bar that waited on us was extremely friendly. We both had the fresh catch fish tacos and they were great. My only complaint is that there was way too much crema on them. When the fish is so fresh, you don't really want to cover up the taste. Other than that, great place. Great fish tacos and really friendly service. It's tiny and a bit loud, but very good!
(4)Heidi S.
I am addicted to their fish tacos, they aren't fried so I don't feel guilty indulging in the sour cream sauce. Fish dishes are always super good. But I have also tried the fajitas, burritos, margaritas and nothing has dissappointed. Prices are fair, service is great. There is usually a wait to get a table for dinner, so get there early.
(5)Clifton L.
After reading all the positive reviews, my wife and I were excited to give this place a try. The food is fresh but flavorless. Absolutely nothing in the chicken or steak. We showed up at 8:30 on a Saturday night and had to wait nearly 45 minutes for our food. No apology or extra chips and salsa to tide us over. Waste of time and money. :(
(2)Shannon B.
Oh my God, the fish tacos, Oh my God... Love. LOVE. These were the best fish tacos I'd ever had. In fact they were so good I had them three times on a 5 day trip (totally unlike us) and Monico's was a half hour away from the hotel. They are amazing and slightly different each time since they are made with whatever they can get fresh that day. I have had Ahi and opakapaka-- both great. I can also vouch for the margaritas... yum. As far as the wait, you are in Hawai'i... and on an outer island. You will wait, but really what are you in a rush for? Consider a slow food experience. Just relax and enjoy a nice night in a nice place.
(5)Robyn M.
This is definitely the best Mexican food that I've had on the island. The food is very fresh and delicious! I had the chicken tostada and the chicken was superb. They had fresh greens on top with bell peppers, beans and fresh cheese. My friend had the garden salad with beans and guacamole added to it. She really enjoyed it and the salad was a huge portion. We both had the house margarita. I really enjoyed it and thought it was great; however, she thought it was a little sour. Overall a great experience, just a little crowded.
(4)Susan H.
We had a great dinner here tonight, I had the steak fajitas and the husband had the seafood burrito. The food was excellent and the quality of the seafood was superb. The prices were very reasonable and the servings are large. I highly recommend this place!
(5)Michelle F.
Really impressed with this little Mexican joint. We stopped here right after landing on the island for a late lunch. I couldn't decide between the fish tacos or the carnitas tacos, but our server hooked me up with a combo platter that had one of each. The fish taco (ahi) was really good - very fresh and simply seasoned - the jalapeño crema was a nice touch, but could have been spicier. Carnitas taco had a freshly made crispy shell and the meat was tender, though a few pieces were a little dry. Guacamole and salsa were very fresh. Overall, a great experience and I highly recommend to anyone looking for a Mexican food fix!
(4)David d.
Good Food, Large Portions....(If Jenna is there waiting tables it's gonna be really good!!) Great Fish Tacos very authentic and the Carnitas Burrito was Awesome. Were from San Diego and we know Mexican Food!! If it's Monday....they aren't open!
(5)Monica M.
I give 3.5 stars. Ordered the chicken flauta plate but before I review, let me put things in perspective. I'm 4th generation Mexican-American, born and raised in SoCal and my grandmother was a cook by profession so I've been spoiled with amazing Mexican food all my life. My chicken flautas were good and so was the fresh guacamole. Can't really go wrong with chicken wrapped in a fried flour tortilla. However, my plate goes downhill from there. Rice was very rice-pilafy cooked with tomatoes - not a fan. Refried beans were decent but could use a little more flavor. I liked the beans more than the rice on my plate. Usually it's the other way around for me. Chips were good (only the first round are free). Salsa came in two versions: the non-spicy cut tomatoes version and the very spicy red salsa version. I'm only a fan of spicy salsa so I liked the spicy version better because it was hot but I do think it could have used a little more flavor. My husband had the fish flautas and he liked them with guacamole and sour cream. He was also a fan of the non-spicy tomatoes salsa. As for the bill, it was just over $30 for 2 plates and 2 drinks. I think they also charged us extra for a side of guacamole. The restaurant closes from 3-5pm to prepare for dinner. We were seated just fine arriving around 2:45pm. Staff was very friendly and greeted us with smiles. I would return as I understand it's the best Mexican restaurant on the island and I always need my Mexican-food fix. =)
(3)Shelley P.
Mmm, creamy jalapeno sauce...that's my favorite! I love the fish and the seafood burritos because it comes smothered in the creamy jalapeno sauce. I have an addiction to this sauce, it's so good! I've also had the chicken enchiladas verde and the seafood fajitas, both were great...I just need my creamy jalapeno sauce fix!
(5)Eric B.
We came to Monico's based on its Yelp rating, and we were not disappointed. Fish tacos were very good, but the steak fajitas were the star attraction for us. Nicely sauteed, with ample amounts of sizzling sauteed onions and peppers. Only downside of the experience was the noise level in the restaurant. Pretty much impossible to have a conversation without yelling. But at least it's a lively atmosphere!
(4)Kevin T.
Great food here! We had the ahi fish tacos based on recommendations and they were delicious. Being from New Mexico, we're always hesitant about Mexican food anywhere else, but this place really hit the spot. The service and atmosphere was good. Not great. Very busy on a Tuesday night since they're closed Mondays. We showed up just in time to grab a table outside around 6pm. After us there was always a wait. Took over an hour for our food to come and getting occasional whiffs of the nearby dumpsters was not pleasant. When the waitress forgets to fill your water, don't go get a pitcher from the bar yourself. She did not hide her displeasure about this. Otherwise, she was very friendly. Oh and no alcohol outside. There was a couple who were carrying their cocktails out to sit on the bench outside and the hostess about had a heart attack and yelled at them to get back inside. Overall, excellent meal! Average service. Long wait for food (at least on a Tuesday).
(4)Kristen F.
Wow, thanks to everyone's reviews (and thanks Yelp)! Without this app and reading the reviews on this place, we'd have no idea this gem existed! We were driving back from doing some sightseeing on that side of the island and were naturally, starving. I found this and decided to give it a try. We got the fish tacos based on user recommendations and man...they were delicious! They fish tacos were jam packed with a HUGE piece of fresh ahi tuna. The sauce they put on the tacos was amazing! I could've asked for more to dip my tacos in. The beans...wow equally as amazing and I can be kind of picky about them. I also got a margarita, based on what I read again. I was happy to see that it wasn't lime green, as that always indicates a usually over sweetened and gross margarita. I was VERY happy to find this place and when I get back to Kauai, I'm eating here on the way to Hanalei.
(5)Mary N.
So, I wanted Tiki Tacos, but my husband wanted ambience, so here we came. I got carne asado and adobo tacos, my companion, fish, which was Ono. (The fish... And good Ono too) the chips were freshly made, the salsa was so-so, I thought needed more lime and cilantro. My husband really liked his fish tacos, which he got on a crunchy shell. Big hunk of fish, finely shredded cabbage. I added jalapeño cream (which was pretty bland), lime and cabbage to mine. The beef could have been better trimmed, but it was a big hunk which shredded nicely and was seasoned well. The pork was kind of fatty... Seared with good flavor, but some pieces had a tad too much fat. The meats were seasoned well, but there was a blandness to the whole presentation. It was good, we'll see how Tiki Tacos is... Tay tuned. It will be the Battle of the Kauai tacos. A.so a bummer, if you want alcohol, you have to sit inside...weird.
(3)Chad F.
We stopped here because it was convenient in location to our condo rental. The ambience is true Hawaiian--come as you are, nothing fancy. It was obvious that the locals loved this place as they had set claims on tables inside and out. Since no seating inside or out we decided to order to go and eat on the condo lanai. So glad we pushed to the counter and ordered--I had fish tacos (wonderful) and my wife carnitas taco (awesome). The wait was about as expected for tacos on Kauai time (30min) but totally worth it!! We LOVED it and highly recommend it to anyone looking for some good food at reasonable prices.
(5)john g.
ok... I am from Texas so I've tasted my fair share of Mexican food. I ate at this place about 2 hours ago, and it was pretty bad. Now, I give them 2 stars because it is BYOB because they do not currently have an alcohol license and the salsa/chips were quite good. I would never eat here again. Taco Bel is even way better than this place. They did serve jarittos soda ... so bonus points for that. If you want a good place to eat near by go to Wahoo's. It is way more expensive, but way worth it. Our meal ( 2 entrees, soda) was $34. Looking back, Taco bell for $10 would have been way better. I think they charged for chips and salsa but acted as if it was free... anyway Wahoo's was one of the best places I ate at in years! I forgot to mention that the owner sent me a nice nasty gram after this review. I'll attach it in a bit. She called me a penny pincher but in my original review I said go to wahoos as it is better but way more expensive. I was also accused of not knowing what real Mexican food is when I actually have Mexicans in my family.
(2)Michael F.
My wife and I ate here a few days ago and the fish tacos were excellent. We found this place via a recommendation from a staff member at our hotel, and using Yelp it showed great reviews. This is not a tourist trap, it is local's restaurant, and good food, good service.
(4)Lucky M.
Very nice ahi taco, and ahi burrito $40 for two including cocktails. Certainly the more reasonbly priced meal we had on Kauai. I heard complaints about a lack of hot sauce. I asked for a fresh jalapeno on the side, cut if up small and everything was plenty hot. It gets pretty crowded at night and if you get seated at the picnic tables out front there is no alcohol.
(4)Daniel O.
Surprisingly good Mexican cuisine with some unique sauces and selections. Small dining room means there might be a wait. Margaritas were decent. Your first basket of chips is free and the salsa is good.
(4)Ryan G.
The staff was friendly, the food was REALLY good. We had the fish tacos (AWESOME!!!) and the steak burrito. Very fresh and tasty. Full bar as well is always a bonus. I will go again for sure.
(4)Valerie R.
Limited choices for Mexican food on island...Being that I'm from Los Angeles and raised with Hispanic food--was a little nervous about trying. First off, great service! Waitress was friendly,personable, and offered suggestions. A young man came by throughout lunch to check on us as well. The food was fresh and well presented when served. I ordered the mole with a salad. Greens were great and mole was good. Beans were tasty and not greasy. The salsa also very fresh. My company ordered fish tacos. (May wanna ask for sauce on the side on that one).. Great atmosphere.
(4)Sonya S.
Pros: Excellent fish tacos, fast service, and the best cocktail I've had on the island so far (lemon drop - a frozen vodka drink). Cons: no atmosphere, crowded and so noisy inside, we could not carry on a conversation. Also, my husband said his chicken in mole sauce was only so-so, due to a conservative approach to the sauce that made it less like an exotic chocolate-based sauce and more like a run-o-the-mill gravy.
(3)Wendy W.
If you're looking for an ahi taco done perfect -- this is the place. They ask you how you want your fish cooked (or just seared).. and they were superb. The rice and beans were excellent as well.. full of flavor. There is no alcohol allowed outside, but we were there for lunch and didn't miss it. The inside is a great chill-out spot.
(5)Brent V.
I've visited 4X and seriously, this is one of the Best Mexican Food Restaurants anywhere... Whenever I travel I seek out the best Mexican Food and I've eaten at hundreds of Mexican Food Restaurants & Stands and this place ROCKS! Just Finished eating their Homemade Chile Relleno, Wow :-) The Fish Tacos are out of this world and the Seafood Fajitas are incredible... A side note: To the guy that serves in the evening, it doesn't hurt to be friendly and accommodating to customers... maybe you were having a bad day last Thursday the 24th, at least I hope so... All the other Servers are super friendly, especially Kathleen
(5)Tawny A.
this place is really great! they just remodeled and the food is better and fresher! i honestly think they are not only the best Mexican on Kauai but prob. one of the best in the US.....and i know good mexican. this place can compare to Yuca's and King Taco and other small hole-in-the-wall places in Los Angeles. the ranchero sauce is sooooo good i wish i could buy a keg of it. the chicken burrito was fresh and light and the chile relleno was out of this world. i will be eating dinner here tomorrow before i head back to LA. I LOVE IT!!!
(5)Joel T.
Don't even mess around. Get the fish tacos. By far the best I've ever had.
(5)V W.
We ordered the veggie enchiladas. The sauce was really good and so were beans and rice, but zucchini was the only vegetable inside the enchilada. There were some bell pepper strips served outside the enchilada but that doesn't make it veggie - more like a zucchini enchilada. We went there just once so I don't know if this is their regular recipe or whether they had excess zucchini to get rid of that day :( but a mixture of several vegetables would have been nice!
(3)Steffen G.
I grew up in southern california and have always enjoyed the mexican food there. Coming to hawaii has been, well, disappointing in regards to mexican food. Even the local's "favorite" mexican food places on Oahu have been horrible. In January my friend on Kauai took a bunch of us to Monico's. For sure I was skeptical after having tried about 15 mexican food places on Oahu. After my first bite I was in heaven. i think i got the Carnitas burrito and ate that whole thing down so fast. When i was finished I looked around the table for someones leftovers to finish up....Nothing! Everyone cleared their plate. I'm going to Kauai this weekend and cannot wait to go back there again.
(5)Polina D.
Overpriced tacos. I had to try Monico's because everyone raves about how authentic the tacos are, but was very disappointed. Out of the three places I tried in Kauai for fish tacos, this was the worst and the priciest.
(2)Aaron W.
As far as finding good Mexican places on the outer islands (not Oahu), good luck. But Monico's is a keeper. The food was delicious and the service prompt. I give the score of 3 stars because of the price. For a burrito it costs +$13 and that traditional value of good food at a great price that u come to know of Mexican restaurants goes out the window. Did I mention the restaurant was clean? I had the fish of the day burrito, the fish (ahi) was cooked to my liking, medium, but they will also do pan seared. The cream sauce and guacamole were also delicious. The beans and rice were also moist and not over cooked. It's located in a small shopping center but has ample parking altho lunch time may be a squeeze. If u have the hankering foe some Mexicali hit this place up.
(3)Duke N.
Open for dinner at 5:00pm, we got there at 4:45pm and there was already a line outside. The service was very friendly and the staff was very welcoming and helpful. All of the food is made from scratch by a single chef. My two co-workers and I each ordered the beef quesadilla and we all loved it--served with sour cream, guacamole, rice and beans. The prices were affordable too! Muy delicioso! Arriba!
(4)Kasey F.
I love the food here but don't eat here as much as before because the prices have raised since they remodeled. Still yet, the food is excellent and every once in a while my hubby and I decide to suck up the fact that we have to pay more for the same food and go. The veggie burrito is sooo good but if your a vegetarian like me be sure you order the vegan version because their rice is cooked in chicken stock and the only difference between that and the regular veggie burrito is that there is no rice in a vegan burrito. A few of my favorite things about Monico's: awesome guacamole and chips and salsa, nice fresh ingredients and a friendly, fun atmosphere : )
(5)Jean C.
I just had the best dinner, nay MEAL at Monico's Taqueria. Holy crap. This food is delicious. We were on our way back from Poipu Beach Park and hungry. We decided to head on back near our hotel and decided to come here after I researched my bookmarks on Yelp. My battery was about to die so we decided to do it. 47 reviews and a 4 1/2 star average definitely helped. The restaurant was hopping so we chose to sit outside. Only downside is that no alcoholic beverages can be consumed outside. Oh well. We were presented with chips and pico de gallo and another dip. I noticed on the menu that the first serving is free but if you want more, it's $4.50. Well, that's a first. But to be honest, don't we always fill up on the free chips and dip and never have enough room for our meal? I ordered the shrimp quesadillas and the hubs got seafood enchiladas. Amazing. The shrimp was fresh, hot and garlicky. The beans were good and I normally don't like or eat them. The rice had a nice flavor and the guacamole was tasty. I ate everything. We liked this place so much that we ate here before we headed to the airport. I got the same thing but the hubs got the fish tostados. Fresh Ahi caught that day and pink in the middle. I wasn't even half way through my meal when the hubs finished the entire dinner. I highly recommend everyone to come here. It does it busy due to its popularity so be prepared to wait a little. But it's definitely worth it.
(5)Alan L.
I always noticed that there was a line in front of this place as I drove by and checked yelp for some reviews. People were raving about this place so I thought I'd give it a try. I didn't get the fish that a lot of other people are raving about. I ordered the steak fajitas and my wife got the chicken burrito. The food was pretty bland, my steak fajitas tasted almost like there wasn't any seasoning at all. It wasn't the worst Mexican food I've had but not the best either. The service was great here though, everyone was friendly.
(3)Paul M.
Very tasty fish tacos.
(4)Sheri B.
Fish tacos were awesome as were the beans. There were 6 of us & all agreed the tacos were the best we've had. Ate inside so we could have a beer (no alcohol outside). When we were leaving a fisherman brought in 2 fish just caught on his boat. How often do you get fish that fresh. Do not miss this place.
(5)Andrew A.
Were were told by local guides that there is no good Mexican food on Kauai. Found this place on Yelp and it sure proved the guides wrong. My wife claimed that her Mahi Mahi fish tacos were the best Mexican food she had in her life! It was by far the best fish she had on the island even compared to other places where we paid $30 for a meal such as Duke's in Lihue. I had the Carinatas which was also very good. Margaritas seemed standard fair but they have some tropical twists if you desire. My only complaint is they charge for chips if you eat more than one basket. I love chips and salsa so I found that annoying. You also can't get alcohol if you sit outside but that may be a local ordinance law. I highly recommend this place.
(5)Marcus L.
One thing I look forward to when coming to Kauai is the fish tacos Tuesday at Duke's Canoe, but this trip, we asked a local where they enjoy their fish tacos and they told us about Monico's Taqueria. One fish taco plate was $12 and came with 2 tacos with rice and beans. It is expensive, but paying for a freshly grilled fish taco, usually fresh ono, is worth it. I also ordered a mango margherita which is made with silver tequila and FRESH mangos ($7).
(4)Emily R.
Yes I just gave a taqueria 5 stars. We hiked Sleeping Giant & stopped here after for some cervezas and grub. We had the fish tacos and they were amazing! Fresh mahi mahi -- the best we have had on the island so far. We sat at the bar and chatted with the bartender. She was so fun! We had an overall great time and got out of there for less than $40. Love this place!
(5)Kandy P.
This place was recommended to us, so we tried it. It was damn good food, but....(BUT....) extremely expensive. My mom and I both had an order of fish tacos, and my brother had an order of carne asada tacos and 2 beers. For that, the bill came to $65. CRAZY! That said, the fish (Mahi) was cooked perfectly, the steak (I tasted it) must have been local beef, it tasted so GOOD, and the portions were HUGE (2 of us could have EASILY split one order of fish tacos)...
(3)Paul T.
Not sure what the excitement is about the fish tacos here. To be honest, they're bland and pretty tasteless. Not the worst fish tacos I've ever had by any means, but far from the best. Believe it or not, the best fish tacos I've had in this island were from the Mexican food van on Anini beach!
(3)Tony R.
***addendum, 9/2012: things change I guess..too bad. Long story short: reduced to three stars, sadly.**** Some of the reviews really have me perplexed. I mean, for anyone to say thet you,re better off going to Taco Bell....c'mon! I do realize that one of the largest failings for many of the restaurants on Kauai is consistency: you'll read rave reviews, go eat, and wonder...what the heck we're they talking about..? Now, about Monicos: my wife and I love the food, and we get there about once a month, sticking mostly to the fish dishes..They do a superb job, both in preparation and presentation: something you may not expect from mexican cuisine. Are they busy? Count on it! Also count on a wait, anywhere from 20-45 minutes if you go when everyone else does: 6:30 to 7:45pm. You can opt for outside seating...that works best when you have keikis, and want to pass on ice cold cervezas and delicious margaritas, otherwise, stand in line with the rest of us, or join the Kapaa crawl, and try to find some place else with a shorter wait.( Good Luck) And, they do get busy inside! And while the service may sometimes be abbreviated, and your dinner may take a bit longer than you expect to make its way to you, you'll find it was well worth it. Fresh ingredients, and tasty food are standard fare at Monicos. If you enjoy thoughtfully prepared food, and possibly the best fish tacos on the island, don't pass up Monicos....its easy to drive right past it. Start looking for the Kinipopo shopping(very small) center right after you pass the "Shell station/mini mart". Going north, it will be on your right. They do have parking, so pull through and look. If not, just continue through their very small parking lot, turn to the left at the street then make the next left , and park across from Kintaro's. Usually plenty of room in that area. A half block walk will get you to Monicos. Oh yeah....if Bernardo is working the bar, definitely ask him for one of "his" margaritas. If you're looking for a quiet, imtimate place, you'll be disappointed..but definitely NOT with the food. The staff will do their best to take great care of you, and the artists in the kitchen will do the rest. Never been disappointed! Ono grinds! Oh, and if you think $35-$50 (including a drink each) is busting your budget, maybe you will be better off down the street at TBell.
(3)Salernitana A.
OK, I'm gonna say it-- there's not that much great food on Kauai. Monico's in Wailua however, is awesome. I got the chicken fajitas and they sizzled like a tiny Czech pole dancer. I even asked for the habanero salsa and man, it was yummy! You can watch futbol on the TVs, and their regular salsa is really good too. Plus, Diet Coke-- worth every point on that fifth star!
(5)Theresa K.
Great ahi tacos. LOOONNNGGG wait to be seated. Once seated 50 full minutes to get two orders of ahi tacos and one order of children's nachos. The food was great but darn near an hour? I didn't expect fast food but maybe faster than 50 minutes. Our waitress never asked if we would like another margarita, soda refill, chips etc. The food was great, but not worth the wait.
(4)Baby C.
Small restaurant that's always busy. I love their cheese enchiladas with verde and their fish tacos. They are really good. And everything is fresh. Except for maybe the verde sauce. Still a bit too salty for my taste from what it used to be but that doesn't seem to stop me with my limited food choices.
(4)Eric S.
Excellent fish tacos. They use "market" fish, meaning what is fresh and available today. Fresh corn tortillas, or at least tasted fresh. Great fresh guacamole and salsas. On downside, crowded and relatively slow to bring food out (a Sunday evening). Reasonably priced. Authentic Mexican (for Hawaii).
(5)matthew p.
It feels like a tourist trap, but the fish tacos were delicious and generously portioned. Yums!
(4)Emily W.
This is a good hole-in-the-wall, local kind of place. Yes, the fish tacos are to die for. This was the first time I have ever had an ahi taco, ahi cooked to your specification (seared for me please) Big slabs, seared perfectly, served Mexican style on small, double tortillas, with slaw and their own great white sauce. Wonderful. The beans and rice were nothing special. I failed to ask if I could replace the refried beans with black beans. Service was friendly, and, as we got there early for lunch, fairly quick. The biggest drawback was the noise level - really loud. But I do like it here, the tacos are worth it. We'll come back next time we come to Kauai.
(4)Tiffany K.
Featured in a few reviews of the East Shore of Kaua'i, and being lovers of fish tacos, we knew we had to try this place. And, man, was it delicious. Real guacamole and fresh chips. But the best part: the AMAZING fish tacos. Being from California, I was hesitant to order them, but decided it would be an experience. And it was. Perfect amount of cabbage, with a delicious sauce over freshly grilled opah on warm corn tortillas made me smile. Didn't get the opportunity to go back a second time on our trip, but it will be a must visit on our next stay in Kaua'i. A few thoughts: No alcohol on the patio, so if you'd like a beer you have to eat inside. Wait staff is very friendly. Nights are busy and they don't take reservations, so come prepped to sit at the bar for a bit.
(5)Carol B.
Great little place that is always packed....a good thing! Don't go to places that are not busy! Fish tacos are wonderful and I'm very picky, have the fish cooked not more than medium as it will be tough. They are closed on Monday's. careful in the parking lot as it's tight.
(5)Kerstin W.
Totally deeeee-licious! My husband had the Camarones a la Diabla, which he said had just the right amount of spice, and was incredibly fresh. I had the Chicken Nachos, and as nachos go, they were yummy! A great find in Kapaa.
(4)Todd O.
Awesome Mexican food in a relaxed laid-back setting. Family-owned, super friendly service.
(5)Diana D.
This is based on food only as was long wait for indoor seating- sitting outdoors we missed out on bar and atmosphere. Fish tacos were little disappointing because fish was dry!! My kids loved their meal though and scarfed up the chips and salsa!
(3)Jessica A.
The best on Mexican on Island...usually busy so a bit of a wait. But when your in the mood it's worth it..Fish Tacos are the best and the chips and salsa are fresh and tasty....i tried the taquitos once and it gave me bad gas later....the heavy fried stuff is a bit much. The people are super sweet and very hard working. They need to get the Styrofoam memo and start using recyclable to go containers.
(4)Anon Y.
Ate there twice during our short 6 day trip to Kauai - best Mexican on the island for sure. Their carnitas plate was great and their chilli verde plate was better than decent - line is generally out the door, so that'll tell you something - full bar and great service with good island hospitality. Well made margartias make it a solid experience for anyone looking for good reasonably priced mexican on the island
(4)Kevin D.
The food at Monico's is always fresh. It's something I look forward to everytime I visit Kauai. Price is quite resonable for the quality of food. The staff is very friendly and service is overall wonderful.
(4)azeem n.
We went in around 2 P.M. on a weekday. The place was not empty, but not full either. Everyone who works there was friendly, talkative, and nice. We were not treated just like customers, but as people, which is always a nice change. I had the fish burrito. The special of the day was Ahi Tuna. I had it slightly seared. It was very good. They put a TON of tuna in the burrito, in large chunks. I almost ate it all. My wife had a shrimp taco a-la-carte, and she ate it all as well. She also had a virgin drink, I think it was the Lai-Lai, which came with some coconut and pineapple. It was excellent as well. So, to recap: The food was very good, the people working there were excellent, and the pricing is not outrageous. We paid $31 for a fish burrito, one shrimp taco, and 2 drinks. Without drinks, the total would have been $19.
(5)Jeanean M.
Very fresh, very friendly and very good!
(5)Betty G.
Best meal we had on the island! I reaaaally don't care for seafood, and yet I found myself at monico's devouring my boyfriend's fish taco when he wasn't looking. SO GOOD! He also said his chile releno was the best he's ever had, which is saying a lot. Everything was extremely fresh. The staff was really great- we ended up sitting at the bar and chatting with the bartender, who was amazing. He also pointed out the chef who was preparing our food- Monico himself! Just note that they are closed on Mondays!
(5)Erik S.
What a great lunch! The yellowfin tacos were outstanding. My wife's tostadas were excellent as well. The textures, flavors, and freshness of of all the food was spot on. The service was just as good. All in all, this was a great place that we'll be visiting again.
(4)Marcella M.
Consistantly good food. We go here at least once a week and love the place. I wouldn't call it true Mexican food, but it is as close as you are going to get on Kauai.
(5)Julia B.
Holy cow. I've never had fish tacos like this before, they had gigantic pieces of fresh ahi and were DELICIOUS. My husband had carnitas tacos and was equally pleased. So glad we found this place and we would definitely go back. The staff was super friendly, lots of locals came in and they had a full bar. Excellent find while staying in Kauai!!
(5)Julie L.
This place has been great for years, and now that they have expanded, it is even better - but that doesn't mean that you won't wait, but the wait is worth it, and shorter. They also have take-out, so get it and take it to the nearby beach! My friend said they have the best fish tacos he has EVER eaten, I love the steak nachos - flank steak, perfectly cooked, lots of meat and cheese - share one for lunch. My husband and I share a chicken chimichanga - portions Hawaiians can appreciate, and that's saying a lot! The chips in the basket they bring to the table are hot and good, right out of the fryer, and they serve two kinds of salsa with it, one is fresh tomatos and cilantro which is my favorite, so I switch between the two. Service is a little slow, but that's because they're busy, not because the staff isn't hustling. This food and a cerveza, and that's as good as it gets! And you're in Kauai, so you're really experiencing paradise on earth.
(5)Joe H.
Great Mexican place in Kapaa. One of my favorite lunch stops.
(5)Laura E.
great atmosphere, reasonably priced and some of the best mexican food i've had on the hawaiian islands. i'm not sure its super authentic, but its still delicious. and the patron margaritas...top notch.
(5)kris k.
Hands down-- the best Mexican food here on Kauai. Great prices, great food, and the only restaurant that doesn't charge you for extra chips (seriously, most mexican restaurants are a JOKE here...running out of things like FAJITAS or GUACAMOLE or CHICKEN...how can you run out of chicken on a regular basis?!?!?). Anyways, you can't go wrong with Monico's. Try the carnitas (tacos or burrito). I only wish they still had the aquas frescas (guess no one ordered it, so they stopped making it). Get there early as the food comes in a reasonable time, but the seating is limited...
(5)Meghan S.
Loved it! We had the carnitas plate and steak fajitas, and they were amazing. Loved the zucchini! The food was really fresh and the service was fast! I am going back to get fish tacos before I leave.
(5)Hunter O.
the wife and i came here after spending like 6 hours in the tat shop. we both had the fresh marlin tacos.. they were so good..i realy wish we would have eat here more than the once it was great. super busy place in the evenings tho. the waiter guy lets sit out side at the tables and he ran his butt off taking care of ever one..if you go to kauia go here for dinner...
(5)Dominic L.
The food was great. Had a vegetarian burrito. It was really good. Sat at the bar. The bartender was very friendly. The service was excellent. The drinks were awesome( Koloa Rum Mai Tai). I did have to wait a bit for my burrito but they were busy and really it was no big deal. After all I was on vacation. It's OK just to relax a little sometimes. Whats the big hurry? Will certainly return before I leave the island.
(5)Jerry T.
Overall, this is the best Mexican restaurant on the island. We live on Kauai now, but we used to live in an area on the mainland with a large Latino population, so we are picky about good Mexican food. You get seated faster if you sit outdoors, but no alcohol can be served outside, as it is a common area in a small retail center.
(5)Clint D.
As noted not the best Mexican food I've ever eaten, but the best on the island. The long line are enough to tell you that!
(4)Joshua S.
Offers a fish of the day in all of the seafood entrees. The service is friendly and the food is fresh, delicious, and nicely presented. That's as much insight as I can give, only having eaten here once so far.
(4)Susan S.
Fantastic fish tacos. The seafood tacos are killer too. Great service
(5)Jon E.
One of my favorite places on Kauai. The carnitas in either burrito or platter is excellent-soft and tender inside with perfect crispiness outside. Many rave about the seafood burrito, but that wasn't to my preference. Not that it was bad, but I prefer a bit more spice in my Mexican dishes. Share the garlic shrimp quesadillas with a few friends. It comes with 4 pieces and the sides - as it is an entree. Service is normally quite friendly and the place is always busy so you may have to wait 5-10 minutes. Just be careful about chip and salsa consumption as a refill will cost you $4.50.
(5)Audrey H.
The staff at Monico's was attentive and friendly...We give them 5 stars. My husband had the Carne Asada Torta. He gives the Torta a solid 4 stars. I had the Tacos Dorados (crispy steak tacos). I give them 4 stars. We waited a bit for our order, but I have to say that the food was fresh and hot. The restaurant was well staffed and clean. We will return!
(4)RJ P.
Pretty damn good.
(4)Chris M.
Is there good Mexican food on Kauai? This is a question that has been debated on the reviews of several Mexican restaurants on Kauai. I think you can find good Mexican food if you are willing to wait for it. Went to Monica's last week for dinner and did quite a bit of extensive research on Mexican restaurants on Kauai via yelp before going. Our hotel was across from Mariachi's but it received really poor reviews so we decided to go to Monica's. We arrived around 7:15 and had to wait about 15 minutes for a table. I was totally okay with this. We would have sat outside but there was a sign that stated no alcohol could be served out there...wanting a drink we decided to wait for a table inside. The folks I was with were vegetarians so they were really happy with all of the veggie options (essentially tacos, quesadillas, burritos, and fajitas (available upon request)). I ended up going with the fish burrito which was mahi mahi. We ordered an appetizer of guacamole, which came quickly and then we waited....and waited....and waited some more. It must have taken 30 minutes for our food to arrive. I am not sure why it would take so long for 3 veggie dishes and a fish burrito to take so long but it did. The food arrived hot and was good, I just don't know if it is worth the wait, especially when there is a $4 charge for extra chips and salsa. I really like the light cream sauce that was served with my fish burrito and the fish was tasty as well. Besides the long wait for the food, Monica's is a good spot for Mexican on Kauai and hopefully answers the long debated question.
(3)Richard G.
Awesome fish tacos. Beautiful presentation. Reasonable prices. The only reason I don't give them 5 Stars is the rushed service. But the servers were friendly when you could get them. Ordered the seared Ahi Tuna fish tacos and was so happy. Each one came open-faced and held a beautiful, center-cut piece of Tuna steak with finely shredded cabbage and an awesome sauce that hit all the right spots. Beans were great. Rice, like all Mexican restaurants world-wide had no flavor so I no longer hold this against any one Mexican restaurant unless they go way out of their way to make it bad. Fresh, bright salsas. If you are in Kauai and want fish tacos - go here.
(4)Lee W.
The food was as good as previously reviewed. The fajitas & fish taco's were great. Do yourself a favor and stop by.
(4)Christy W.
Slowest food service ever. The reason there is a line because the kitchen is so sloooowww. The chips were just ok and the salsa bland. My carnitas burrito was very good but not good enough to come back and wait so long
(3)Mohala C.
I have eaten Mexican food from roach coaches and expensive restaurants throughout California, and I have never had carnitas as good as Monico's! Their prices are great too! I highly recommend! Their fish tacos were recently featured in Sunset Magazine.
(5)Sheri Y.
Well, I was hoping for a much better food experience when we came here. Previous reviews left us with high hopes that we would FINALLY find some decent Mexican food in the great state of Hawaii. But this was not the case. The food wasn't bad by any stretch, but the flavors were bland and left much to be desired. I ordered a chicken burrito, which is a standard dish that should be an easy accomplishment for any Mexican establishment to master. The burrito was a nice size, but certainly not for the cost. The content of the burrito was nothing more than a simple combination of rice, beans, and shredded chicken. The rice was basically flavorless, and the chicken was dry with some pieces tasting a day old and appearing to be re-heated. The content itself would not have been an issue if it could bring more flavor to the dish, but the flavors just didn't seem to come together. The burrito itself was swimming on a plate of green sauce, which again did not add to the dish. It simply resulted in a soggy, tortilla mess. Overall, this poor burrito might have had a chance of being decent with less sauce and the simple addition of cheese and spices. This might have been an acceptable burrito for a cost of $5-$6, but not for its actual cost of over $12, and certainly not for a dish without sides. (No beans or rice included.) My husband had the ahi tacos, which he asked for seared. While the presentation of the ahi tacos was beautiful and the portion size was very large, the ahi itself was nowhere near seared and barely had a hint of pink in the middle. The ahi was hidden under a giant dollop of their signature jalapeno sour cream sauce, which he described as having little flavor beyond the sour cream itself and lacking the kick expected of jalapenos. According to him, they were good, but he was expecting much better given the previous reviews on this dish. Now, on a good note, the environment is very clean and the atmosphere is very friendly and laid-back. The staff were very friendly and accomodating, and even though the wait for food was somewhat long, the staff are attentive and engaging. The free chips and salsa were also a nice touch, both tasting very fresh and flavorful. Overall, we expected much more and were disappointed.
(2)Alicia V.
Went here after reading the other Yelp reviews and on recommendation from my dad. Great place! Super friendly service, especially while sitting at the bar. Food was great too. Large portions and tasted fresh. Salsas and hot sauce homemade even. Yum!
(4)C M.
Delicious Lime Margarittas! They use real lime in them. Chips and salsa are good and so are the fish tacos. Average pricing, about 10-15$ per dish. Only negative is we went at a super busy time, so it took forever to get our food. The service is really good though. Good place!
(5)Co L.
Yumm. This place has real good classic style Mexican food. It's nice a Mom and Pop type of restaurant. The fish tacos were great. My wife had the enchiladas which she really enjoyed. They had nice friendly service staff. The prices were good for the quality of food. The islands tend to be pricey for average quality, so I was pleasantly surprised. I would defiantly eat here again.
(4)Greg A.
Wow. Amazingly disappointing. We came visiting from Seattle and, based on the reviews here on Yelp, decide to try Monico's out. What a mistake. To start, we got the free chips, which, while free is awesome, they really should have just given us some store bought chips and saved the embarrassment. The chips served tasted very, very strongly of used fryer oil. I guess if you like that, you might like the chips. For our main course, maybe we ordered the wrong thing but we were really craving pork and ordered the pork nachos. They were served after a while (you would think nachos would be quick?) but man what a train-wreck. The pork was dry, crunchy, and fatty and completely devoid of flavor. We mentioned it to the server, who kind of shrugged and didn't know what to do. Still hungry, we dared a second round and got the chicken tacos. They were a small step up but the tortillas were a bit rubbery and store-bought and the chicken was not high-quality cuts of meat. Really disappointing. The nachos and chicken tacos ended up being nearly $20. Maybe if we would have gotten fish tacos or something it wouldn't have been an absolute disaster but I see no way I could ever recommend this to anyone.
(1)Monique C.
YAY! LOVE THIS PLACE!!! The service was awesome! You can def tell the people that work here, acutally like working here! Food is the BEST Mexican food in Hawaii by far!!! So fresh, so yummy!!! Margheritas are outta dis world!!! Just remember they do have alcohol in them...ha I ordered the enchiladas verde...WOW amazing! Salsa was like a pico de gallo..yummy! This place was busy on Sat. night, adn they handled it so well. Way to go Monico's you should run seminars for wait staff in Kauai, because you guys rock!! pls invite the waitress & bartenders from Kalypso & Iti's in Hanalei ;) PLS OPEN A MONICO'S IN MAUI!!!!
(5)Jim B.
This is a hopping place in Kaapa no doubt because of all of the surrounding resort properties. The ambiance is nice and the wait staff was excellent. I'm only giving the place three stars because the dish I ordered - a fish burrito - was very bland and mostly full of rice and beans with sautéed vegetables. The other three people in my party had fish tacos and said they were excellent. So there you go. I assume there are plenty of other good options on the menu.
(3)James B.
It was ok. I lie the tex-mex from cali is better. Not really much to brag about. I've had worse, I've had better. This was about 2 1/2 stars compared to other mexican place I've eaten. I guess for Hawaii, it's not bad.
(3)Andrew W.
Not bad, but not as spectacular as all of the reviews... I had carnitas tacos, which were not great. The other people I was with enjoyed theirs, but again, nothing spectacular... I would say, if you really want mexican food in Kauai, this would be the place to go... Expect a wait. And if you want to sit outside, you can't have any alcoholic beverages...
(3)WildAngel S.
Very popular joint. Waited just over 20 minutes for a table inside. Chips were forgettable, but both of the salsas were tasty. Ordered the fish taquitos. The fish was fresh, but other than that the taquitos were tasteless. The beans and spanish rice on the side were flavorful and well done with a bit of a kick. Folks were friendly, but I don't need to go back.
(3)Gwen F.
We had lunch there today and the food was delicious. We used Yelp to find this place and in addition one of the hotel employees suggested this restaurant. We had the fish tacos which were delicious and filling. They give you a nice size portion for two tacos. We sat outside. The only downside is that you cannot have alcohol outside. Excellent choice - a must when visiting Kauai.
(4)Cathy L.
Fish tacos were excellent! It was pleasant sitting outside, traffic was noisy but still great with the fresh breeze.
(4)Thomas G.
Best Mexican food on the island period!
(5)L S.
I kid you not! I live in NorCal and eat Mexican food at least 3 days a week. This is the da kine! Monico makes the best carnitas I've ever had! Period. Let me say it again. The best carnitas! (I know that's like saying the best burger or the best pizza). You have to try it. This is the best food we've had in 3 trips to Kauai. Here's what I look for in a restaurant -- fresh ingredients, passionate cooking and a taste that makes you want to keep eating even after you're full. I dined at all the expensive top-of-the-line restaurants north of Lihue and Monicos is the only one I'd return to. Fish tacos with a chunk of ahi are not to be missed.
(5)Laure N.
We were told this was the best Mexican on the island. It was good. We got there about 5:45 with 11 people, good thing we got there when we did. It started filling up with locals. If the locals eat there you know it must be good. Alcohol oly served inside.There are 3 picnic tables outside and cute shops nearby. We went to the bakery behind Monicos for desert.
(4)Joseph H.
As close to good mexican food as you can find on the mainland. Very very fresh fish entrees of course, and everyone around the restaurant was raving about the steak Fajitas. My wife ordered the Mole Enchiladas which came topped with a dark chocolate Mole that was incredibly authentic. Great food, great prices, one of the spots to stop in while on Kauai.
(4)Jon G.
Great friendly service. Awesome chips and salsa. Fish tacos were very good. Huge pieces of fish on open tortias
(3)A B.
Super yummy Mexican food. I've lived on the West coast most of my life & the food here is comparable to some of the best I've had. Their blended mango margaritas are amazing. I always get the chicken soft tacos, come w beans and rice :)
(5)Justin W.
I think when it comes to Mexican food on this island, this place is as good as it gets. This is one of the stops every time we come over to Kauai. It is located in the Kinepopo Shopping village which is right next to the Shell gas station in Wailua. i think the restaurant is so much better since they have expanded and the prices have gone up a little bit, but the way I figure it is, support the local businesses, plus i'm sure their rent isn't any cheaper. Plus the expansion brought along a full bar. It used to be BYOB. Anyways there is parking in the shopping village and there is street parking as well behind the shopping center. Upon walking up to the restaurant, you have a choice of sitting on the picnic tables outside or going inside to sit. My wife always prefers to sit inside. Whichever, you choose you will be promptly greeted, and given chips and salsa. Now comes the hard part of choosing what to eat. This time I ordered the burrito el pollo with the green sauce. I always have liked the green sauce here and I usually tend to go with that sauce when given the option. The size of the burrito is pretty large. The price is not really that expensive. It was $10.50 for this plate. And this thing was delicious, I wasn't even really that hungry and I finished the whole thing because it was so good. As I have said before, as you pass by this area you will see this place because you will see the people outside.
(5)Amy W.
Best seared ahi tacos ever. Very busy, but worth the wait.
(5)Maggie H.
Five stars for a taqueria (not based on fine dining). What to say except that it is absolutely outstanding, fresh, beautiful and delicious. Like many restaurants we have found on Kauai the portions are enormous so plan to take leftovers with you, or share with a friend. The service was friendly and attentive. The prices felt high for the style of food - but the prices are high for everything on this Island and given the size of the portions it seems more reasonable. I would absolutely come back - in fact we tried to on a Monday and were disappointed to find them closed!
(5)Davis T.
Good Mexican food on Kauai. tacos are nice and there are a lot of tvs
(4)Susanne S.
Holy cow!!! The best ahi tacos I've ever had! Hubs and I made two trips there on our recent trip to Kauai. On our first trip, we shared the fish tacos (ahi was their catch of the day) and the seafood enchlidas. The ahi was sashimi grade and the portion was huge! We ordered ours rare and it came lightly seared which was nothing short of perfection. Hint: each taco comes wrapped in two corn tortillas and since there was so much fish in them, we took them apart and made two tacos out of each. Oh yeah, their special sauce was yumm too. The seafood enchiladas each came with one shrimp, one scallop, and a small piece of the catch of the day. They were smothered in a light enchilada sauce which was mighty tasty. The amount of fish used in their enchiladas was less than what they serve in their tacos, so the next time we went, we both opted to get the tacos. For Kauai standards, the prices were pretty reasonable. The service was pretty good too. If you still have room, in the back of the little shopping center there is a locally owned bakery called 'Icing on the Cake". They have HANDS DOWN the best coconut macaroons I have ever had. We took one to go and ended up sharing it on the plane and I was disappointed we only got one. It was sublime!
(5)Pamm H.
Fantastic food! A bit of a wait but we expected it. Shannon, the bartender, is amazing. He gave us some great tips not just about where to go on the island bur what to eat there. Get the fish of the day in whatever you like - it's amazing. I had the seafood enchiladas and the bf had the fish burrito. Today's fish of the day was ahi and if Shannon hadn't told us that it was caught that morning, we would have missed out. Margaritas were strong but great. Even the side beans and rice were good too. All in all, be prepared to wait but it's so worth it!
(5)Ashley S.
Holy crap the fish tacos. Get them!
(5)Eric C.
It was a Sunday afternoon so most local restaurants were closed. We came here instead, as I remembered seeing it on Yelp. We ordered fish tacos and a fish burrito. Delicious! I really loved the integration of ahi tuna with all the other components. We asked for the fish to be medium + medium rare, but it was way too cooked for my taste. Tip: if you're a sashimi eater, ask for it seared or rare!
(5)Amanda W.
Best fish tacos. Ever. 'Nuff said.
(5)Tim V.
The food was delicious, but prices are ridiculous. The first round of chips and salsa are free, but the next round and every other round is $5.50. Just expect this when you have groups.
(3)Mary S.
Split an order of chicken fajitas here and YUM! Great flavor, HOT and tasty. Service was nice, we sat outside on the patio and ended up sharing a table with another couple on vacation. Being from CA, Mexican food is a must and Monico's cured our craving. Would have given it a 5 star rating if they didn't charge for a second basket of chips...let there be chips!
(4)Melissa W.
Amazing!! That's all I have to say!
(5)mike l.
Being from LA--not the best Mexican food I've ever had, but most likely the best Mexican food on Kauai. Packed with mostly locals the entire time we were there eating dinner. Not a place to miss for a quick bite to eat.
(4)willy j.
I love this place wish I could eat here more often! Its prices are high! The food is great, I recommend the Seafood fajitas, or fish tacos. The chips and salsa is yummy. it is really loud and noisy if you sit inside. the owner Monico's is really nice guy, he used to work as a cook at another mexican food in Kapaa, but that palce went down hill and Monico branched off to do his own thing. This place is right off the highway behind shell gas station. You must try this place before you leave the island.
(4)Loves G.
Monico's is the best mexican restaurant in the Hawaiian Islands. Where else can you get fresh ahi in your seafood taco. His seafood taco is the best. The food may take a bit long than your usual Mexican Taqueria, but it is surely worth the wait. His food is amazing. We took a couple of guests to Monico's who are are Mexican descent and they loved the food, so that tells you something about Monico's. Thank goodness we have Monico's on Kauai, as good food is very hard to find on the island.
(5)Heidi D.
My bf and I went here and LOOOOVED it! We've been to great mexican places, but we sure wish this one was was nearby us at home! The salsas were fantastic, setting was unique and enjoyable. My chicken burriot was fantastic, and I'm not the hugest burrito fan, but I'll happily go there every day on my next Kauai visit! My bf loves his tacos, and he's a "food critic" and was in pure heaven. It would've been 5 stars but we did have to wait a long time for our food. We were under the impression that one person was in the kitchen, making everything 100% fresh. Even then, after 30 minutes and opting not ot pay $5 for more chips and salsa, we got our food. but it was worth every penny and even more the wait!
(4)steve b.
FRESH ahi burrito, excellent carnitas, great margaritas and friendly service. Wish these guys were in LA.
(5)Manda S.
Over the course of a 12-day trip to Kauai, my husband and I ate at Monico's three times. It was great! I especially liked the fish-centric items...whether it was fish taco's, fish taquito's, etc. Everything was delicious. Service was friendly and great, and ambience was just fine. Beware that you will need to pay for any chip re-fills.
(4)Periwinks P.
Had the seafood tacos and they were amazing! Chunks of fish in every bite and full of flavor! Went to Kileau Fish Market earlier today and those tacos were nothing compared to Monico's.
(5)Amanda S.
I had the shrimp tacos plate and my husband had the fish taco plate. I loved my tacos and the rice and beans were very good! My husband is a salsa fanatic and he LOvED theirs!!! Great Mexican food find! A must go!
(5)Colin E.
Chicken fajitas were excellent. Good authentic Mexican in Kauai.
(4)Artsy g.
Having had pretty good Mexican food in Texas and California, we were delightfully surprised at finding this place in Kauai. The prices were reasonable by Hawaii standards and the food was delicious. As vegetarians we had a reasonable number of choices. They were also accommodating enough to alter the dishes to our taste and preferences. The veggies in the dishes tasted fresh and yummy. I loved the tomatillo sauce on my enchiladas which they made spicy on request. Overall, lovely food and would love to go back!
(5)Ben P.
Amaaaaazing seafood burritos, best carnitas burrito I've ever had. Went back twice! Worth the wait (can be crowded).
(5)Julie T.
Of course you should go here - it is great! We are from San Diego - surrounded by Mexican food... but I still wanted to come here based on the great reviews and the locals telling us to go! I dont think I realized how casual it is until we walked up and realized that you can eat on a picnic table outside or inside at a regular table, but none the less, the service and food quality is fantastic. It seems as if the folks working at Monicos actually like their job and the food and can give a sincere recommendation. Carne asada is great!
(5)M J.
Consistently good food. Fish tacos are great and my regular order. Indoor and outdoor seating.
(4)Joel W.
The only bad thing was the small portion of chips and salsa. The seafood dishes were pretty good and made up for it. We got the burrito and tacos. Good sized portions and flavor. Friendly staff and quick service.
(4)JON R.
DID I MENTION I LOVE THIS PLACE ? We ate here for a total of three times in one week ! I think I would visit Kauai just to go to this spot again ! mahalo !
(5)kahau m.
i think i probably need to go back and give it another go..... i had the steak fajitas and a top shelf margarita. neither were very memorable. with all the killer reviews. i shall return to yelp again!
(3)Shawn J.
Best food I had on the island, and I ate at most of the best places (Hukilau Lanai, Postcards, Smith's Luau, etc). Garlic Shrimp quesadilla was the best thing I have ever tasted. Shrimp Enchiladas were great as well as the pork burrito. Rice and beans were also very good. The only place we went back too twice.
(5)Susie G.
Very poor service and a very long wait! The food was ok but not worth the wait or thehorrible service. Try tacos al pastor on kuhio hwy for both great service snd AUTHENTIC TACOS! ITS A FOOD TRUCK OPEN FROM 11-4 and worth finding...we found them yesterday and have gome back several times.
(1)Heather F.
Overall a great restaurant! Food was excellent, drinks were strong and service was friendly. We went to this place twice during our short stay on Kauai so I can confidently say that it's dependable for a great Mexican meal. The only negative is that the service was a bit slow. But, it wasn't a major issue for us at all ... we were on vacation after all! Vacations are about taking your time. If you're a local, that may be a different story. But the delay wasn't major. So don't let that put you off. All in all, you'll enjoy Monico's food and drinks. So get there!
(4)stephanie H.
California's Mexican food at its finest! The family owned hole in the wall said she was from Sacramento so we were off to a good start. Very friendly staff, great prices. The food was Soooo Good, I had the fish taquitos/flutas and the other 7 members in our party were all happy with their dishes too. I think the only bad thing is the first basket of chips and salsa are free and after that they charge you....most places it would continue to be free; its just odd. We would go back in a heart beat!
(5)Lei A.
I just can't get enough of Monico's...Their food is awesome...the best mexican food I've had here yet. I order something different every time but my fave's are the fish taco's and chicken enchilada's. Prices are just right $10-$15 per dish which is more than satisfying eaten at once or split, and what's nice that you don't get much anymore is a basket of tortilla chips with a side of somewhat hot sauce and salsa served to you upon seating. They've got chix, fish, pork, and vegetarian tacos, nachos, enchiladas, chimichangas as entrees and drinks ranging from bottled imported beer such as the must have Corona, and some tasty margaritas and mai tai's, amongst others. Monico's is a must go to if you love mexican food.
(5)Hey La P.
I was craving some Mexican food and was very skeptical about finding anything decent on Kauai but somehow stumbled across this place and am glad I did. They had delicious chicken enchiladas and fish tacos (and margaritas). The only downside was that the service was really slow. Actually, it was more specifically the time it took to get the food than the service. Our waitress was very attentive and friendly. I wish I had found this place before my last night on the island. Definitely will return when I'm back.
(4)Rania L.
I'm updating this because the owner actually read my review and cared enough to contact me. She was truly concerned about my bad meal and even said that they would rather have lost the money and made my food again, instead of me going home disappointed. So, for that reason alone, I would recommend going here and hey, if your chicken turns out like mine did, then don't hesitate to tell them!
(4)Brian D.
We went on our last day and I wish we had gone here sooner. I got the carne asada burrito with green sauce and felt like licking my plate afterwards - it was great. Others in my party got other dishes and thought they were good, but not great, so maybe it was just me. If I was there longer, I'd like to try other dishes, but realistically I probably wouldn't for a while, this one was so good.
(5)jeg d.
Love the food, the guacamole is awesome! Had the taco taco and señorita Sierra mango margarita. Yum!
(5)Tiffany B.
OH EMM GEE. I must say the best mexican on the island. Coll setting too, right next to the higway indoor and outdoor seating service never ever sucked! they are always busy so be willing to sit with a hip crowd. fish tacos bomb, chicken enchilada to die for! Ask for the extra extra spicy sauce, HOTTER then the habanero one. OUCH
(5)Jason C.
O.k., just good stuff here. The servers were friendly and efficient. I ordered the seafood fajitas and they were very good. Friends had garlic shrimp, fish tacos and chicken mole. All enjoyed their meal. They only service beer and wine (wah! a margarita with lunch would have been great!) It was packed (thankfully only after we got seated), as another reviewer said and I did get the impression that it was at least 50% locals in there. It's right on the main drag. Yum, go if you're looking for a good mexican lunch.
(5)Jm V.
730pm and we have been waiting for 45 minutes. Still no food. We are about to walk out.
(1)Tom G.
Absolutely excellent! Service was good, timely and efficient, the food was wonderful. I had the fish burrito; the exceptional aspect of this burrito was not that it was large (which it was), but that the fish used in the preparation was Ahi prepared to order. The Ahi portion was large and excellently prepared medium rare as requested -all of this in a burrito with beans/rice and an excellent white sauce for $13. My wife had seafood tacos that were also excellent. Ahi again with the addition of more than ample portions of both shrimp and scallops. As other reviewers have noted, can get pretty busy/crowded during peak times.
(5)D N.
If this were my b/f writing the review, he'd probably give it a high rating but I got the fish tacos and wasn't blow away by them unfortunatley. He on the other hand devoured his chicken burrito. Coming from NYC the prices really aren't that diff. so I feel like we got a good value. The chips and salsa that are complimentary were great! but the service is slow. I saw a lot of people getting antsy.
(3)Jeremy D.
Great service, great food, great prices and a great margarita.
(5)megan b.
my husband got a chimicanga and i got the garlic shrimp quesadilla. and then we spilt a fish taco. i don't know why we bothered ordering anything but the fish tacos. the other food was decent, but man, the fish tacos! out of this world! strong margaritas, yummy, fresh salsa, friendly service! only downside was kind of pricey for mexican food, but that seems to be par for the course in kauai.
(5)Lisa S.
It can get pretty busy here, but the food is worth the wait.
(5)S K.
5 stars for food, 3 stars for lack of ambience and noise = 4 stars. The fish tacos were great! After a few days on the island and lots of fish, I wasn't sure if I wanted more fish but based on other reviews, I tried the ahi fish tacos and they were amazing. Large pieces of ahi, seared to perfection and topped with a delicious jalapeno crema which wasn't too spicy so I added some of the salsa and it just hit the spot. The chips were good, too. The only drawback is noise - once the tables were full, it was so noisy in the restaurant that my husband and I couldn't have a conversation without shouting at each other. Would definitely go back for the food.
(4)George R.
Great service. Great fish tacos. Very clean and friendly atmosphere.
(5)Layton D.
My wife would have given them a 5 star review, but I thought it was a tad bit over priced. Very tasty fish burrito and exceptional service. Another minor knock on them was that they didn't offer free chips and salsa after the first basket. Sure, that meant I probably saved some unnecessary calories, but I don't think I've ever been to a Mexican food joint that didn't give you as many baskets of chips as you could eat for free.
(4)Lolly L.
Service was great at first but after the chips, salsa, and drinks we served it seemed like we may have been forgotten about. The fish tacos were VERY good but they seemed to skimp a little on the sides (guacamole and such). Very clean and good atmosphere.
(4)Mike F.
I had the chicken burrito. It was so so. The staff was pleasant and it was an up beat atmosphere. The food took awhile to come up and you only get one basket of chips. Long story short. Not bad but by far the worst place we have eaten at this week. Way to expensive for what you get. Don't believe the hype.
(3)Timothy E.
Great friendly service. Very enjoyable food. Worth a visit.
(5)Tracy S.
OMGoodness!!!!!!!! Incredible! We were here in July and it was one of our favorite meals! I had the ahi fish burrito and my husband had the chicken burrito. I'm not kidding they were both fantastic. We will both be going there on our next trip to Kauai!
(5)Audrey B.
Awesome mexican food, their Mai Tai are excellent! Try the seafood fajita that's my favorite :-)
(5)Dead M.
Great Mexican! Great prices and good service. Sit at the bar, prepare to wait, skip beef and/or chicken and go with the seafood or catch of the day in your meal. Don't leave! It is worth the wait and margaritas are strong.
(5)Anelya S.
The food was good, but I'm from an area with great Mexican food. Definitely over priced for what it is, but it was reasonable for Kauai so I guess that's okay.
(4)Herbert W.
ok mexican food at an ok price in the middle of the pacific. Would be 3 stars in the bay area but its worth a trip when the options are slim on Kauai. Fish tacos are ok but actually the steak fajitas are better. The juicy grilled squash tastes great.
(4)Ange M.
I honestly was one of the only people on earth who did not like Mexican food...that is until I went to Monico's. He only uses the freshest ingredients, which makes a huge difference in taste. The serving is huge and I rarely can finish it. The price for what you get is unbeatable. I think the only negative is that they have messed up my order a couple of times, but even the "wrong" order was yummy, so I can't complain.
(4)Jackson L.
Fish tacos were definitely good, with a big piece of well grilled fresh fish in each taco. However, the rice and beans were pretty forgettable. The spicy salsa served with the chips was good, and the bit of fresh guac that came with the tacos was tasty. Burritos looked good/big, but we didn't have one. The long wait was a good sign, but unfortunately nothing to write home about in my book. Maybe I just need to eat more bad mexican on the island to appreciate this...either way, pretty good but still not worthy of the hype.
(3)Arnold U.
Wow - this place has got to be one of the best Mexican restaurants I have ever eaten at and I'm glad I listened to Jeff from the Marriott in Lihue who highly recommended the joint. He claimed they had great fish tacos and he was right on. The night we visited, the fish taco special was grilled Mahi Mahi and it was delicious. My wife and I also split the carne asada tacos and the steak was well marinated and probably one of the better carne asadas I've ever devoured (great portion, too). At the end of the dinner, I was remorseful in sharing my carne asada - so much so that I will be sure to visit the restaurant at least one more time before we leave Kauai.
(5)Bruno P.
My wife and I don't even like Mexican food. When we discovered this place we went back three evenings in a row and had a difficult time holding ourselves back on the forth evening. Their fajitas and enchiladas are excellent. Salsa is made with fresh local tomatoes and my wife loved the tomatillo sauce as well. Staff very friendly. Only downside is that they get pretty crowded after 7:00pm. Highly recommend it!!
(5)Jessica S.
Yummy! I've been starving myself to save up for this. And as expected, it was worth it :) Thanks guys!
(4)Ryan K.
Fail they didn't give me a fork with my take out because of this 2 star but food was ok
(2)