We decided to check out this place which is right next to our hotel, Park Shore. I ordered the…read morechicken panini and a pina colada smoothie. Yum! The shop is small but plenty of seating and just darling! They also have pre made salads and other snacks. Perfect for quick coffee, smoothie or a panini.

Although this location is closed, the business is still supplying sandwiches to Whole Foods. And…read moresince my review is still up, where I say how delicious their egg salad sandwich is, I thought I'd update it. The disappointment came in two steps. First, over time, they switched from white bread to whole wheat, which I can understand if they want it to appear healthier. Now it wasn't delicious anymore, but still acceptable. More recently, when I tried it again, the taste seemed off. To my taste, the recipe has changed. I didn't just try one, I tried a second sandwich as well. It is no longer even okay. I will no longer purchase it.

Hold up- this place betta not be closed! It's my favorite veggie sandwich and has been around since…read morethe 90's. It's owned by the nicest family. Just saw the "Yelpers report this location closed." It's just outside of Duke restaurant in the Outrigger Hotel in Waikiki. 2335 Kalākaua Ave Please someone confirm they are still open.

A little tough to find via Google Maps, but enter the walk-through mall area (towards Duke's) from…read morethe street side, NOT the beach side and walk all the way through and it'll be on your right (near laundry machines). Stuffed sandwiches, one of the best value meals we've found on the island during our stay and it was surprisingly in Waikiki. We got the turkey + avocado sandwich and a build your own salad, total was ~$27, but the portions are large. They don't skimp on the avocado, that's for sure. And on vacation, it can be hard to get in your veggies, but this is the spot to do so! I love that sprouts are a part of their veggie mix. Nowhere to eat really, but they package it up nicely and in a bag for you to take to-go. Great if you're headed to the beach on literally the other side of the building.

Okay, okay-- now that I realized there isn't just ONE Sunrise Shack on the Northshore, I started to…read moresee them pop-up all over the place. Silly me. Anyway, as I said in my Kailua Sunrise Shack review, this was my favorite acai bowl on Oahu, and Kauai. Came back, a 2nd time, and even bought a hat! I'm not a souvenir guy, but this trip I made sure to get a few items from the places I loved most.

Awesome spot to get a light snack before a hike, beach or tour. Located across the beach…read more They serve açaí & fruit bowls, smoothies & coffees. Friendly service. I Lava You Bowl: So refreshing, delicious & fresh.

Sorry, but gotta keep it real-- this place was a foul ball. Mrs. Picante and I wanted our cake and…read moreeat it too: we wanted pho, but didn't want to walk too far from the hotel. This place was just two blocks away, so we braved the November misty rain and consistent wind through the buildings to make it over here. To be fair, this seemed more like a Vietnamese coffee joint and a Banh Mi place... so maybe coming here for pho wasn't our best idea. They had two kinds available that night-- beef and chicken. Since chicken pho is not something I'm willing to try, we both ordered up the dac biet. The broth was bland with a thin and unpleasant veil of grease along the top that congealed quickly on the rim of the bowl. It wasn't hot enough, or maybe the pre-cooked and chilled noodle block they poured it over cooled it off. Meat was chewy and low quality. The sprouts and basil were soggy and wilted. Honestly, it was a get up and leave kind of thing. The whole place was just dingy and didn't feel great. I've eaten at some very modest places in my native San Gabriel Valley in Southern California, so it's not a snobbery thing. It's a "someone get a Swiffer wet jet and some paper towels and give this whole place a once-over. Speaking of once, that's the sum total of times we'll ever eat here. Too bad... because it was really close to our hotel :)

Don't understand the high rating, that pork Ban Mi was atrocious!! The ladies be in there…read moremicrowaving up a storm; and you can tell by the way the food tastes.. The pork in it was mostly mushy in texture and off putting. Nothing was really fresh tasting and The price definitely didn't line up. Place was ambiance free- felt like I was eating in someone's messy kitchen! I tossed my sandwich but my daughter ate her half and her stomach paid the price later! Easily my least favorite food experience while vacationing in Hawaii!

"The staff were respectful, and the fresh, natural preparation in front of customers is…read morecommendable." "He mahalo nā limahana, a he mea mahalo ke hoʻomākaukau kūlohelohe i mua o nā mea kūʻai."

I'm here a lot for work for the past few years but have been coming to the islands for many years…read more I've been a true loyalist to Island Vintage for at least 11yrs at this location. Over the years I've noticed the staff has become so much nicer and welcoming which is what I think of when I think of the Aloha spirit. Today I encountered a simple smile from the barista when I asked for extra half and half. She was very kind and sweet and sometimes that's all it takes. Keep in mind they are extremely busy with a line outside so to still offer good customer service in the middle of all that is gold. I always put my order in through the toast app and pick up to go. By the time my drink is ready my açaí bowl is melted. Today I decided to bring it up to the staff and encountered my lovely Lucille. She took my açaí bowl and put it in her freezer and gave me direction to put a note on my order to not prep the açaí bowl till I get there. That was very helpful! I'm happy not to have açaí soup anymore! Haha! But the best thing about it, she did it with a smile and it was genuine. You know when you just feel someone has a good soul..yeah, I felt that. Her demeanor was no different than how a family member would treat you. When she handed my açaí bowl back, she placed a napkin underneath it so the warmth of my hand wouldn't melt the bowl further...and the cherry on top was that I literally had the absolute BEST açaí bowl I've ever had made by Lucille. No joke! Sometimes there is too much granola, or too little fruit, but she made it with the perfect balance with each ingredient. She spoiled me and now I always want my açaí bowls to be made by Lucille! Lmao. I've been going through some tough times and I hope she knows (along with the taller young barista who offered me the half and half) that they both made my day a little brighter. See you in a couple days when I'm back! lol I swear I spend all my money every month at Island Vintage! The best of the best! I wish I took a photo of her beautiful creation but I got it down way too quick! :( Order the açaí bowl with Haupia cream and the Mona Kea iced coffee with macadamia nut, salted caramel and lava salt. You won't regret it! And you won't have to wait in line if you order from the toast local app if getting it to go! You're welcome:)

Located in Kaimuki near the Crackseed store and Banan, Sprout is a small sandwich shop. There is…read moreparking in the lot near the shop, or street parking. Mostly we go as a takeout spot, although there was a bench outside. Their sandwich menu has variety but is not overwhelming. The people working have also been quite nice! We decided to get the No Comply toasted. While it is a pricier sandwich, as it was about $14, the sandwich came packed with chicken, lettuce, and more. It served as a meal and a half! It was also super tasty with the roasted garlic mayo and pesto. Definitely a go-to sandwich order that I am looking forward to getting again!

I had heard about this place but had never tried it before. I love a good sandwich, so I was…read moreexcited to give it a shot. Ordering ahead was easy and convenient, which I appreciated, and pickup was smooth. When I picked up my sandwich, my first thought was, "Wow, this is a heavy sandwich for a turkey-bacon with added avocado, no onions, and no tomato." At the time I assumed the weight meant a generous portion of turkey and bacon. Unfortunately, when I got back to work and opened it, I quickly realized that wasn't the case--it was the lettuce. There was an overwhelming amount of lettuce packed into the sandwich, to the point where it felt completely out of balance. Instead of being turkey-forward, it felt more like a lettuce sandwich with a few toppings added in. The turkey and bacon portions themselves were surprisingly small and unevenly distributed--one half had about two slices of turkey while the other had closer to a slice and a half. Most of the bacon was also concentrated on one half, so I ended up redistributing it just to make the sandwich feel a bit more balanced. The bread didn't help either. I think I shouldn't have gotten it toasted--it just didn't do it for me. It felt a little off with the filling and didn't add anything to the overall experience. I ordered The Duke, but what I didn't realize was that I was essentially getting a salad sandwich (see pic). I like lettuce on a sandwich, but this was next level--the amount completely overwhelmed everything else inside. The cost was another consideration--my total came to $19.37, including a $3.50 charge for avocado. For the portion size and balance of ingredients, I expected a bit more bang for my buck. If I give this place a second chance, I'll definitely need to say 'lite lettuce'--or maybe just 'no lettuce, please'--unless I want another salad disguised as a sandwich!

Outstanding service, delish sandwiches and large portions. Earl Kaimuki on Kapiolani is a win win…read morewin. Our Philly Cheesesteak and Rueben without the Rye were ready in half the time I'd been quoted for takeout to home. Small eating space but with two tables plenty of room for four at each booth or six small folks. We didn't try their fries but they looked outrageous at the next table with plenty of embellishments. Yum!

TOP-NOTCH ITALIAN SUB SANDWICH !!!…read more First time for me and I was really impressed with the Italian submarine sandwich. Lots of ingredients spilling over ... so I wouldn't let go of the sandwich once you pick it up. I would put this sandwich place in my top two favorites with Storto's. I'll try some other sandwiches the next time I'm in the mood for a good sandwich.

My wife and I stopped by Hawaiian Aroma Caffè after Easter Sunday service at a nearby church,…read moreexcited to try it together. I had visited their sister location the night before in Waikīkī and had such a great experience that I told my wife, "If this place is anything like last night, we're in for something good." She agreed--and we decided to give it a shot. Right when we walked in, we were greeted by Colby, a tall, friendly guy with a great attitude. I mentioned my experience from the night before, and he immediately said he wanted to live up to that standard. That kind of response set a really positive tone. We ordered two Aroma Specials: Dolce & Banana (me) Nutella Latte (my wife) For food, we went with: P.B. Delight açaí bowl Turkey pesto panini Bacon & egg bagel Total came out to about $62, which we expected given the location near the beach. We grabbed a seat inside by the window (outside seating was full--no surprise on such a beautiful morning). Our drinks came out quickly--but unfortunately, this is where things started a little rough. We both noticed right away that something was off. My wife's Nutella latte didn't have that rich hazelnut flavor you'd expect, and my Dolce & Banana was missing the banana entirely. Honestly, they tasted almost identical. When I politely mentioned it to a staff member who brought out our food, the response felt dismissive and didn't really address the concern--which was disappointing and definitely not the experience we were hoping for. At that point, we decided to just enjoy the food and move forward--and I'm glad we did, because the food was fantastic. The turkey pesto panini was loaded with flavor, perfectly crispy on the outside, and packed with melty cheese. The bacon & egg bagel was hearty, well-balanced, and super satisfying. The P.B. Delight açaí bowl was the surprise standout--perfectly blended, fresh, and the peanut butter added an awesome richness that made it feel like a treat. Everything on the food side absolutely delivered. A few minutes later, Colby came by to check on us--and this is where the entire experience turned around. I let him know honestly: "The food is amazing, but the coffee missed the mark." Without hesitation, without attitude, and without making excuses, he said, "Hang on, let me fix that." I even told him not to worry about it--we were enjoying ourselves regardless--but he insisted. "Rick, I got you," he said. Within minutes, he came back with two freshly made drinks and a sincere apology. We took a sip and immediately--night and day difference. The Nutella latte had that rich, distinct hazelnut flavor. The Dolce & Banana finally had that smooth, balanced banana note Exactly what we were hoping for the first time. Colby is the MVP Colby completely turned this experience around. His attitude never changed--he was smiling, positive, kind, and genuinely cared about making things right. No defensiveness, no excuses--just great customer service and follow-through. That kind of service is rare, and it matters. It's evident that not all the workers have that same dedication to customer service but Colby does! What could have been a disappointing visit ended up being a great one because of him. Hawaiian Aroma Caffè--take care of this young man! He represents your business incredibly well. He needs to be leading your team on what customer service looks like and they need to follow his lead. From naming customers by their first name, to holding that perfect smile the entire time, to checking in with guests after receiving their meals and really caring about their experience. Colby naturally has it and should be showing every one how to do it as well! The Future Looks Bright for Colby and if you don't take of him, someone smart will! Final Thoughts Great food, great location, and a really cool atmosphere--but what stood out most was the service recovery. Mistakes happen anywhere. What matters is how they're handled--and Colby handled it perfectly. Because of him, we'll absolutely be back. Thank you again, Colby--keep doing your thing. You made our day. - Dr. Rick

Skip Sunrise Shack and get your acai bowls here!…read more Hawaiian Aroma Caffe was super chill, delicious, and had great menu options for families and big groups. Thoroughly enjoyed my acai bowl. I loved the granola, banana, strawberry, blueberry in my cup. The person at the counter was friendly. We found a table without any trouble. Highly recommended.

My job shares the courtyard with Kono's Waikiki, so we go there often. Not only is the food always…read moregood, but the service is amazing too. Serena and Maria are absolutely AMAZING! They are so welcoming when you walk up to order, they handle your food with care, and they know we're working, so they'll even walk our food over to us when it's ready. These girls truly go above and beyond and embody the Aloha spirit. It's rare to find service this genuine and thoughtful these days. If you're ever in Waikiki and looking for a good bite to eat, make sure you stop by Kono's Waikiki. You won't be disappointed!

We were looking for a place to grab dinner in the go, and decided we wanted to stick to Hawaiian…read morefood since we were in Hawaii. This place looked kind of cool, and we liked that kalua pork was in the menu. There is no dining room--rather there is a collection of wooden tables under string lights. Being near the International Marketplace, there was quite a bit of bustle (even on a Tuesday night) and it was nice to sit and watch the people go by. We both ordered the pork plate. It came with rice and a salad. Unfortunately, I didn't love it. Kalua pork is usually juicy and succulent. This was dry shredded pork. The sauce was quite good though. I didn't care for the salad dressing, but hubby did. We also ordered a iced Hawaiian coffee, and that was quite good All in all, this place got us fed, but I probably would not go back. Hubby said we might, though.

Great local vibes here! Big Kahuna Grinder ROCKS da Mouth with a Man-which that satisfies!…read moreEspecially when you "Jack it up" with all the extras that complete da meat in between the soft chewy fresh baked bread that completes this super sandwich! The team behind da counter works in sync to create each Grinder to order! Great Five Star Grinds! Timmy T's The Terrific Taste!

Timmy T's is the WORST sandwich shop EVER. Honestly, they're getting one star only because I can't…read moregive them a zero. Ordered a turkey sandwich, which comes with sprouts, lettuce, tomato and mayo and asked for the sprouts and tomato on the side, and was told that they're not allowed to do that. First he gave me the excuse that they don't have portion cups so I asked for them to just wrap it in paper and he refused because that's one of their founding rules. He literally told me "you can either have it in the sandwich or not at all" even though I'm paying for the ingredients. He then added on that if I wanted to pay extra for the premium add-ons ($2 for a slice of cheese), I could get THOSE on the side. To make the sandwich worth even LESS than the $10 for turkey and lettuce, I watched as he cut the bread in half and DUG OUT the insides of the bread and threw it away before putting the turkey and lettuce into what was left of a very skinny baguette shell. So much for trying to support a new business to the area. Never again!