Bowles is my "go to" place when I get a hanker'n for some flavorful and filling Mexican food. They know how to put together a damn good burrito. Although I've eaten here quite a few times and tried a lot of their menu options, my personal favorite is the Green Pork Burrito. ( I can also recommend their burrito bowls, and if you are in the mood for a deconstructed burrito, it's a good option. The quesadillas and enchiladas here are also gonna satisfy. The food at Bowles is prepared, "Chef's Counter" style, where customers call out what they want as the food is sent down a short assembly line. I have always enjoyed watching food being prepared, and have marveled when I recognize someone who's skills have developed to the mastery level after doing something over and over for a bazillion times. It was slightly-fascinating (and kinda fun) to watch the chef perform the complicated movements that have become second nature. Tortillas were flipped and folded, ingredients were ladled precisely, and side-accompaniments are sprinkled on with the grace of a seasoned street magician. Speaking of, "seasoning"... the food here is seasoned very well. As one enters, the nostrils fill with a rich aromatic blend of spices like earthy cumin and smoky chipotle. Hints of garlic, and onions, citrusy cilantro, roasted chiles, and simmering beans, envelope visitors as soon as they enter. There is a vibe that the management respects and cares for it's customers, and takes pride in offering quality food. I don't know the origin story of the restaurant, I imagine the owner, at some point in his life, had some really amazing Mexican food in an amazing setting, and then decided that he wanted to share that experience with others. That brings us to the ambiance of Bowles... In addition to serving really good food, every time that I have come here, I have enjoyed the energy that the place gives off. Patrons and employees always seem to be having a relaxed, good time (well, the workers can't really relax, but they seem happy). People greet each other with bro-hugs, fist-bumps, and sincere friendly smiles. In addition to a small, welcoming bar that is attached to the restaurant, large screen televisions are strategically placed through out (to show football, basketball, or surf tournaments). The decor has an understated beach / surfer vibe and the seating is comfortable. I was by myself, last night, but every time I bring family and friends here, both the food and the atmosphere are a hit. There's a country singer named, Toby Keith, who wrote a song about a bar titled, "I love this bar" (Google it and listen to the song, it's a good song, but it also kinda-perfectly describes the vibe that this place has given off when I've been here.) My original plan was to get my order to go eat it at home, but when I noticed the place was filled with people having a good time, I decided to order a margarita and bask in the glow of people being comfortable and having fun. Mmmm...mmmm....mmmm...mm....mmm I love this burrito bar. (*You have to know the song to get this reference) . read more

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Looked in yelp for eating places in kailua and This place looked promising. Located across the police station and parking is pretty much limited to street parking. The insides seems to be half bar and half restaurant (pic). The insides has Wooden tables and chairs and I don't beleive I felt any airconditioning so I would assume it had ac because there was no windows. There is an ordering counter that spans the lenght of the restaurant portion. The other side is the bar side. It seems to be one of those places where you order across the counter for takeout and sitdown for table service although I did not see any wait help so who knows. The staff or the guy I ordered through greeted us with a "how's it going" but that was extent of the hospitality vibe. The rest of the vibe felt like he didnt really care and was not friendly at all Not a good vibe when serving the public. I hope the hospitality friendly vibe gets better when dining in. I had just a small interaction and got that " order your food pay me and leave" vibe. I went with a 10" burrito for $12.25 which comes with either shredded chicken..pork verde..kalua pork or fajita veggies...if you want shredded beef additional $2.50...carned asada $3.50 or fish $3.50. The burrito also comes with your choice of black or refried beans..... lettuce tomato choice of two types of rice (srry forgot) and mild or hot salsa and rice After making your selections the burrito is heated up with a toaster and wrapped in foil to go. The issue them wrapping with foil is when unraveling it the foil was all stuck to the burrito. I don't normally yelp the food itself because everbody has different prefferences but I gotta say everything worked well and it was actually really good. Better than a lot of others I have had on island. This food was tasty..prices wasnt cheap but doable...portions was fair... they just need to work on their hospitality and friendliness vibe .and what they use to wrap takeout orders.. ..yups. read more

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Got a Bomber Burrito for takeaway last week. Extra large for $14...add-ons like guacamole can bring the cost up, but it's still worth it. I requested chicken as my protein. Very good and good price. I had it with salsa, lime , cheese, onions, refried beans, and Spanish rice. Guac was $3 extra. Small bar with TV is adjacent to the dining area. read more

Bowles Burritos - Mexican Near Me - Kailua, Hawaii

SUPER friendly service! Love that the owner himself is out there working too Like subway/chipotle Start on one side, tell them what dish you want, then go down the line to add your extras. Then go find a seat and enjoy! So far ive only ever gotten the taco salad with chicken, chips on the side Soo good I bet the place gets pretty crowded at night since they also have a bar area. Very large interior. I was surprised when i stepped through the door. Dont forget to take your plates back to the trash area and clean up after yourselves! read more

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The service was AMAZING!! The bartender Shane was so kind and made the best drinks for me!! WILL be coming back!!

We are looking for good places to eat in town and this isn't one of them. The owner and employee were nice. Chill vibe was good. Food was not so good. I had a pork verde bowl and my husband had Mahi tacos. The pork was in good size chunks but not very tender. Everything was mediocre. read more

First off, the service here is amazing. Received a birthday reward online via the Toast app, to which the email advised that I would need to redeem online or in-store. Wanted to save a bit of time, tried to order online, the discount couldn't apply. I called the store and the gentleman advised that I should stop by and they could apply that to my order in store. Went on over, the moment I walked in the door the gentleman asked if I was the one that just called and they took my order. Quick and efficient, with a smile. There's bar/counter seating to the right with high tops scattered throughout the establishment. Various sporting events being displayed on the TV screens throughout. The food smells amazing as always, as you're waiting for your order to be ready. All items are made to order, customizable to your liking, similar set-up to that of Subway or Chipotle. The countertop workers toggle back and forth from food to bar counters, but it looks like they really got their system down and it looks like they genuinely care for each other and their customers. read more

Disappointed in there recent service, the dude with the beard and wears a hat has zero customer service skills and had a rude attitude I eat there pretty much everyday ordering the same thing with it being 10 bucks now it's 15 cause he's in a bad mood and wants to say a rude comment when I mentioned the mistake. Any other employees would discounted the meal with pleasure as they do every single time read more

100% hit the spot!! Exactly everything I need in a good burrito. Portion sizes: Phenomenal, packed with all the flavors and easily shareable. So many chips too, my belly almost couldn't handle it... and that is a great problem to have. Flavor: Amazing, I have had a rough time finding tasty Mexican food on the island and this was exactly what I needed. Service: Fast and reliable, I called in an order to go and they had it ready for me in ten minutes. I really would love to dine in next time as well, but it was a great meal to eat on Kailua Beach down the road. Parking: This is the only question I have, because I had called it in I just had my husband drop me off and I ran in and grabbed it while he waited in the car. But I don't know where to park if we were to dine in... looks like I'll need to go back and scope it out again ;) TIPS & TRICKS: * Don't forget to check into Yelp and redeem your taco!!!! read more

Bowles Burritos - Kalua pork bomber burrito (wet) and chips and guac with a Side of Cilantro Lime Rice -- less than $25, a great deal if you ask me - Mexican Near Me - Kailua, Hawaii

This hole in the wall dive bar has da BEST Shredded Beef Burrito ( GET IT WET!) The service is always friendly and attentive when building your custom Mexican food made to order! Mondays are trivia night and Tuesday's Live music. No time to enjoy the local crowd for the fun. Ordered my food to go so I can get home to my girls (4-poodles) lol! Definitely my GO TO Shredded Beef Burrito Spot here in Kailua! Yum! Yum! Mouth is watering as I type this 5-STAR REVIEW! read more

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Burrito was good as usual. Service was quick and on point. Nice laid back decor. Their dog makes it more cozy. read more

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Service good and workers were friendly. Didn't like how the carne asada and rice were warmed up in the microwave. Wanted to support local but just not for us. read more

One of my favorite places to eat on island. The staff is so friendly and the food is consistently amazing. Great vibes and very reasonably priced. The staff will frequently find ways to ring us up to make the order cheaper too. read more

Bowles Burritos - Mexican Near Me - Kailua, Hawaii

The food was good but very overpriced. We ordered to burritos and a quesadilla. The portions were small and okay tasting.

Great food, super staff = fantastic dinner! Last minute idea when one friend mentioned they had a hankering for a burrito. We live in Kailua and have been to every other Mexican place in the neighborhood - - - some are good, others are meh - - - but for some reason I'm the only one who's had a burrito from Bowles. I phoned in our order about an hour before my husband would be picking it up. 4 different entrees, all with specific preferences of protein, beans, rice and heat level. We got: a reg verde burrito, a wet kalua burrito, a chicken burrito bowl and 2 chicken tacos. All were delicious and the chicken tacos were so packed full of shredded chicken that it was hard to pick up and eat without using utensils. I paid on the phone and had them add a tip onto the final amt. Husband walked in to pick it up about an hour later and they were just packing it up for him. He said the 2 guys there were super friendly and the one handling the payment receipt took the time to explain that he'd spoken to me and that I'd told him to add on the tip. Regardless of the conversation I'd had with him, he actually took the time to confirm and ask my husband if that was ok. So respectful and courteous to do so. The most important part of all is that when he got home and we all opened our orders, everything was spot on. Spot on and delicious too! Huge portions that we happily had for lunch the next day too. We'll be forgetting all the other Mexican places in Kailua from now on and Bowles will be our go-to whenever we're hankering for a burrito again. read more

YELP was made for Small Town eateries like "Bowles Burritos"!!! I grew up in Kailua Town, and made a point of supporting local businesses, if THEY deserved it!!! Bowles deserves it and I Feel the Love and Aloha in every meal. Kau Kau, Time for grind. Mahalo to Christian and everybody at Bowles Burritos. Aloha!!! read more

Laid back, dogs welcomed, warm fresh chips and choice of salsa free. Cold beer with happy hour all day Tuesday. One of those order at restaurant side counter type places then they deliver to your bar seat. Blackboard menu is easy to choose, cooks help you with suggestions and add anything you want to that order so it is " served my way". I have gotten the enchiladas 3x now with cilantro rice and choice beans for $14. Friends got the tacos and the beef ( not ground) are so tasty and they can add a consume dip. So good, recommend to the fullest. read more

The service was amazing, so helpful with understanding the menu and helpful with allergies/ diet restrictions! The food was fresh and clearly made with a lot of love, house made sauces, and the best kalua pork tacos! Also taco Tuesday offers great deals and will be coming back on Sunday for their breakfast burritos!! The ambiance included fun music and sporting games in the TV, overall great customer service. read more

Bowles Burritos - Mexican Near Me - Kailua, Hawaii

second visit last time was better today i left for two reasons 1. while waiting i looked up and saw they had a conditional pass from health department meaning they had time to get things in order 2, i could see bloody mary mix looked old and asked ad was told that it was fresh tasted it and tasted bad , the bartender explained they were out of worcestershire sauce , and usually had jalapeño brine but today only had the leftover liquid from the salsa to use and it s watery by itself , he assured. me they were getting more supplies from the store and it would be better later , i said i didnt want the one o had and said i would just go instead of waiting for the guy to get back from store he said ok, and charged. e for the full drink i was leaving on the bar read more

We tried this spot on the east side for the first time and are already wishing they'd open a location in town! The flavors here are absolutely spot-on. The staff was incredibly welcoming and friendly, which made our experience even more memorable. It's an order-at-the-counter setup with a cozy bar tucked to the side. The menu is a build-your-own style, with options for burritos, tacos, and bowls. We had the "Bomber" burrito and a burrito bowl with Kalua pig, and adding their guava BBQ sauce made it mouthwateringly delicious! The staff even let us sample their sauces and salsas on the side, which was such a nice touch. Their medium spice level was just right--perfectly balanced with a good kick. If you're in Kailua, this place is a must-try. There's also a large parking lot in the back (75 cents an hour with smart meters), so you can park easily and explore the area too! read more

Bowles Burritos - Burrito Bowl, House Margarita, Complimentary Chips and Salsa! - Mexican Near Me - Kailua, Hawaii

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What an awesome spot with great food good vibes and good food. Just moved down the street and I am just elated this awesome spot is so close to home. We love Bowles burritos! read more

Dig this local spot and the super chill vibes of the place. Would love to catch some music here and jam out. One side is a bar and the other side is dishing out the food. Actually really enjoyed that the bowl my food came in was like a dish you'd have at home it added extra cozy feel. Yum. My bartender was also the owner I believe and she made me an awesome drink I don't recall the name of because we made it half and half I think.. let's just say I had a doggone goooooooooooooooddd day after 2 of them. LOL! Always nice to catch up with friends new and old and this is a decent place to do just that. Let's goooooooooo read more

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Day off and I needed my burrito fix! Always friendly staff here, they apologized for rhe wait but I wasn't waiting that long. Besides, good food isn't prepared immediately. Ordered a wet burrito with Kailua pork, cilantro rice and everything in it. SO ONO! Sorry I couldn't wait to dive into my food so I forgot a pic of the burrito. Support our local restaurants! read more

Bowles Burritos - Menu board - Mexican Near Me - Kailua, Hawaii

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Our favorite little Mexican spot in Kailua, where everybody knows your name! Fast and friendly food service best little dive bar in town! The nachos and taco salad is my personal favorite ask for the queso not sure if it's on the menu but when they have available, you don't wanna miss out! Food and drink drinks are one of the only places in Kailua that I'll call affordable and the only place in Kailua where you can check out their weekly schedule that's filled with karaoke trivia night and live music . One of the best parts of this little place too. Is that its family run which gives that extra touch of local flavor and feels that you want to support. We love Bowels Burritos ! read more

My pretty picky when it comes to tacos but my boyfriend raved about this place so we stopped here for a quick bite before heading out for a night out. There is parking that is easy to find right in front and along the street. I ordered 2 tacos one carne asada and one fajita style veggies. Seeing the lettuce they use I knew I wasn't going to like it. If they don't use cilantro that's a red flag for me personally. I watched the guy press the veggies on a fajita grill so I didn't understand how it was cold. The carne asada tasted bland to me. The workers weren't the friendliest. So I overall was not impressed. My boyfriend claimed it was an off day but I probably won't be going back to find out. read more

Bowles Burritos - Mexican Near Me - Kailua, Hawaii

I got the 2 chicken tacos a side of rice and beans. I got the spanish rice and refried beans. It was not flavorful at all. The spanish rice was hard and the food was cold all around. Not a great experience with Mexican food. At least for the choice products I did receive. read more

The ambience was a cozy bar. It's nice to have a place that makes burritos, fresh and meat to order. I was a little disappointed with the steak option because it was too gristly for my taste. I would've been fine if it were cartilage, or the kind of tendon found on galbi bones but it was too rubbery. read more

Found this place on Yelp and I was pleasantly surprised. Seemed like a local hangout and was very busy the night we visited. The whole concept is chaotic and the menu and items can lead you into spending more money than planned or missing out. However the flavors and the quality of the food made up for it! We ordered a burrito and tacos. I will definitely come back when we visit the island and I do recommend trying it yourself! read more

The food always hits the spot & I crave it every time I'm away & in town. Although I wish they could deliver, I do recommend you go inside to order your food because the mobile orders tend to be done wrong. read more

Bowles Burritos - 12" Burrito with chicken, Spanish rice, onions, lettuce, cheese, & guacamole. - Mexican Near Me - Kailua, Hawaii

Wish we'd found this nice local spot a long time ago. Great food. Will be our go-to spot for burritos and local flavor.

Very unprofessional staff. This restaurant is setting it self up for disaster by not greeting walk in dining guest. To be successful and stay open the staff will need to be properly trained on greeting people properly and taking their order in a timely manner. Friendliness goes such a long way in this business. Hopefully the owner can address the situation before they scare away more potential customers read more

Went for a quick dinner bite. The atmosphere is fun and lively! The Taco Salad was satisfying and delicious! I highly recommend the Creamy Cilantro Sauce as a dressing! read more

Bowles Burritos - Taco Salad with Pork Verde - Mexican Near Me - Kailua, Hawaii

I've been here a few times but this last visit was a tad bit of a bummer experience. It started with calling in my order. He was kind enough but messed up the order a tab bit. There were 2 Carne Asada burritos and a pollo y fajita veggies burrito ordered. We were charged for things (which we wanted IN the burritos) but weren't actually in the burritos. Then they mixed the spice levels on the carne asada burritos. Even with the little tiny mix ups, I'm still giving them 5 stars. It's a good thing that we aren't picky about the spice levels, we just needed it baby friendly. We'll be back, like always. read more

Bowles Burritos - Carne Asada 10" Regular Burrito - Ordered 6/12/23 - Mexican Near Me - Kailua, Hawaii

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Amazing food and great service! We ordered two carne asada burritos, and they were absolutely delicious--fresh ingredients, perfectly seasoned meat, and packed with flavor. The staff was incredibly friendly and even gave us great recommendations for places to visit. We originally planned to eat on the go, but the burritos were so good that we ended up finishing them right in the parking lot. Definitely a must-try spot! read more

The Mexican food is unmatched. Flavors, spice, freshness... it's all amazing! When you come make sure to get a key lime pie, you won't regret it! The team is really friendly and ambiance is great for date night. read more

Bowles Burritos is so fun! Great atmosphere, friendly staff, delicious food... My friend got a burrito, it was fricken humongous I got the kalua pig tacos, the cilantro cream sauce is a WINNER... Will definitely be back!! Live music on Tuesdays read more

I think I found my burrito place to go to. Came to Bowles today after swimming at the beach in Kailua. My husband has been here before after he goes paddling so we decided to give it a try. We both got the kalua pig burrito. You can choose between two sides regular which is a 10 inch tortilla or a bigger 12 inch tortilla. In the burrito you can choose what kind of rice and beans you want. Rice choices were Spanish rice or cilantro lime. Bean choices were black bean or refried beans. You also could choose your toppings inside. If you want sour cream and guacamole, it's an additional cost. We got both of our kalua pig burritos with Spanish rice and black beans. Then we added cheese, lettuce, olives, salsa, sour cream, and guacamole. My husband added jalapeños to his since he likes spicy. Also an added bonus is with Yelp check in you get a free kalua pig taco. You can put whatever toppings you want in it too. We took our items to go since it was close to my daughter's nap time. Then as we're leaving she says I'm hungry. So I give her a bite out of the taco. She can't resist only eating one bite, so I give her another. She keeps saying oh it's so good. So I have a bite, it's delicious. She wants more and more and ends up eating the whole taco before we even leave Kailua town. The burritos make it home without being eaten by our hungry monster. They're huge so I cut my 10 in tortilla one and share it with my daughter. The burrito is so good. The kalua pig is perfect and with all the toppings on it, it makes it taste so good. Of course my daughter didn't all her half of the burrito. Can't eat a burrito the next day, so I made sure it all got eaten. So delicious. I hope to go back there next time we go to Kailua. read more

This place is amazing, the burrito I had was delicious and full of flavor. The drinks were delicious and very affordable and had a great variety. The workers were really nice and the bartender was super nice. The place was very relaxed and chill. read more

Unfortunately I personally did not like the street tacos at all. It was dry. Price for street tacos was reasonable.

Had a good time here with some friends. The bartender is friendly. The workers who made my dinner were a little fast-paced and snappy, but that's my only complaint. They weren't rude, just no cheer. I got the burrito with everything on it and spicy. I also used tapatio on every bite and it was great. Good food. Could use a little more umpf or flavor, but good hearty meals. Loved checking in on the app for a free taco! Make sure you do the same. Nice bar vibe. Had TVs to watch basketball and hockey. read more

Bowles Burritos - Bomber Burrito (12") - Mexican Near Me - Kailua, Hawaii

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