Lunchtime visit. Friendly service. Reasonable pricing. And some of the best old school Chinese decor remaining. -- Sweet and Sour Chicken (on a combo): Crisp, fresh, so-so meat to batter ratio, good sauce, a little gloppy, no fruit. Solid. -- Pork Fried Rice (on the combo): Very close to the old days. Bold, steeped flavor matched the dark, enticing color. No egg, onion or sprouts. Decent pork nuggetry. Most importantly, along with that "dark" flavor: good freshness. Near-elite. -- Egg Roll (on the combo): Sorta crisp on the exterior. Inside, a celery and cabbage mix, crisp and moist, with strong seasoning flavor. Tasted better than it looked. Well above average. -- Boneless Ribs (add-on to the combo): A nice feature about the combination plates is that you get one appetizer, but you can add more for $3 each. The boneless looked stellar but tasted a bit long in the tooth. They needed the duck sauce for moisture, but A+ flavor. Plentiful serving. I should note that a previous lunch visit, between my last review and this one, had fantastically fresh, moist boneless ribs. Well above average. A very respectable showing, especially given the general inconsistency among old school Chinese restaurants nowadays. read more

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Food was terrible. Rice had no taste and very dark with no flavor. No onions and no bean sprouts in rice. Chicken fingers were small and tasted old and warmed up. Yet prices keep going up and food gets worst.. Won't be back!!!! read more

Hawaiian isle changed owners! But it's basically the same:) we called ahead because we had a large party. They were very accommodating. We ordered a bunch of food including pupu platters, (had to ask for fire) crab Rangoon, pork fried rice, orange chicken, white rice, noodles and drinks! The zombie , Mai tai and scorpion bowl( no fire) . Everything was very good! The things we missed. They did not have cups of water on the table, they didn't give us bread and butter. We also didn't get fortune cookies (asked for a few) or pineapple. The waitresses were friendly and kind and the manager was very nice! read more

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Got lunch deliver, very disappointe. Website said 1/2 deliver, more than an hour later got my food. Chicken wings and boneless ribs overdone and or under heat lamps way to long waiting for delivery driver. I would not advise takeout. read more

I've been searching for decent Chinese food in the area that doesn't not make me feel ill after eating it and I think I have finally found it. I was hesitant to try this spot based on reviews from yelp and google. I decided to give it a shot and I Ordered online and within 20 minutes I went to pick it up. The gentleman working at the front desk was friendly and nice. the interior had a nice old school vibe and a bar which looked busy. Anyways, the food was hot and delicious. I ordered crab Rangoon, chicken fingers and some pan fried noodles. The chicken fingers were great and crab Rangoon were delicious. The noodles were dry and a little burnt but that was my mistake as they sounded good at the time. I should have went with my gut and got lo-mein or rice. Anyways, I think this we'll be my new Chinese spot in the area for now and I can't wait to try more things from here. read more

I have to agree with the last review, the freshness of the food is sus.... Got take out meals on two different occasions. Upon opening the styrofoam container you instantly notice the meal is mostly rice. Three fatty boneless ribs? Come on that's pretty friggin cheap. Also, it's customary to greet customers with a smile when they enter. None. The new face and I expect he is the new owner. The weekend bartenders are from the old ownership and are friendly and still make a decent drink. Low quality & smaller portions, there's too many better restaurant alternatives in the area to put up with that. Good luck... read more

Food looked like leftovers, ribs were dried out and obviously old, fried rice old leftover pieces of pork, very dark from reheating many times I assume. Nothing looked fresh even egg roll was dried out. To top it off the take out was very busy and the employee got into a loud confrontation yelling at a woman picking up a bag of food. Waitress looked miserable not even a smile. Heard the place was made over or remodeled but nope same old decor. Not even saving leftovers yuck! Never ever again.. much better places down the road in Salem. read more

Great old school chinese food joint. Chicken fingers are very crunchy with tender chicken inside. Great egg rolls although a little on the small side. Rice tastes fresh with lots of pork. Spare ribs very tasty and not fatty. My go to spot. read more

Went last night 8/16 to the "new" Hawaiian Isle. It was pretty much the same as the old one. They do not serve bread anymore and hot tea was not offered. Some of the staff is the same, some is new. Hot and sour soup was good, maybe a little less "stuff" in the soup but it was still good. The rest of the food pretty much tasted like it used to. The menu may of been reprinted but it's the same menu, some Items were marked out with a black marker, and the combination plates in the back of the menu like the A1 were taped over they don't offer those anymore. This was a disappointment as those were always our go to meals. Are we in love with it, no. We will go back, yes maybe just not as often as we used to. read more

Consistently delicious food served happily by an amazing staff! The ambience is exactly what you would expect to find in a Chinese restaurant from this era, which I always enjoy! The cocktails (specifically the scorpion bowl) are perfectly prepared and worth ordering a second! If you're a new Englander, this is the type of old-school Chinese food you're looking for. read more

Food is good. We did take out and they were very good. They are customer friendly. Much better than the orhe Chinese restaurant near them in Haverhill, MA. read more

New owner food has changed and is terrible now and overpriced $$$$$. No flavor or taste and appearance is poor food. Plus price has risen too high for poor food and costs is 25% increase $$$$ Not going back..... yucky read more

I love these old school American Chinese restaurants. They're nostalgic, sad this place is closing for good soon. Drinks and food always on point, menue has so many options. I wish I had the opportunity to try them all. read more

Since a change of hands I've notice a big change of the size of the portions even plates their on are smaller. Before you were able to take home the leftovers,but now you're lucky if you have enough to take any home.White rice w/ veggies very bland plus other plates they have Pupu platter was very good if I go again I'll try different plates Will keep you all informed. read more

New Owners...same pricing...SO MUCH LESS FOOD!!!! NEVER AGAIN!!!!!!!! I am disgusted...they will surely LOSE business!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! read more

Gee we haven't ordered since the first week of the new owner. Was very disappointed back then. We are happy to say it was a wonderful dinner. We got the steak teriyaki cooked medium spring rolls barbecue ribs on the bone chicken lo mein and some pea pods and a nice gravy sauce everything was exceptional my tummy is so happy and so is the family. Great job you guys keep up the good cooking we will be back soon. Definitely five stars tonight. read more

Went after the reopening and the drinks and food we had was fantastic! The service and the ambiance makes this place a great night out! They treat you like family and that makes us really appreciate their business. Old school, classic gem read more

Hawaiian Isle - Poo poo platter for 3 - Chinese Near Me - Plaistow, New Hampshire

Old school chopped celery egg roll, flat noodle lo mein, crispy chicken wings & fingers. Very fresh and server Nicki is amazing. Food is consistant & Reasonable priced read more

We were looking for a sit down Chinese restaurant and forgot we have been to Hawaiian Isle in the past. We went in and were seated right away. They brought hot tea and bread and butter which I thought was extinct from Chinese restaurants. I ordered a Pina Colada which was super delicious. We ordered Beef Fried Rice, Subgum Pork Chow Mein, Beef Chop Suey, Chicken Wings, Sweet and Sour Chicken and Egg Roll. Everything was delicious and we had loads of leftovers. Service was over the top attentive. Quite an enjoyable experience and great food. read more

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1 star is over-rated. I wentbin for lunch today. Ordered drinks and placed an order off the lunch menu. It was General Thos Chicken lunch special. It came with pork fried rice and chicken wings. I asked to replace the rice with Lomain and the chicken wings with crab ragokn. I was told there were no replacements, and that was my only option. When I said if I couldn't have the lomain, then I didn't want my food thinking that they would replace the order. Instead, my order was cancled, the bartender came over angry, slammed the plates, and took the bread away, and the bill was thrown in my face. After going hete for over a year, this is how I am treated. I will not go back and do not recommend the food. read more

Just tried this place since they reopened The food and service were excellent Just as good as before maybe even better! read more

They opened back up with new management I only seen one waitress there from before. Food was good but the waitress we had has no business being a waitress. It was terrible service for us and the people in the booths next to us. Hopefully they'll get better as time goes by. I'm rating 3 stars more so for the food. I'll go again after a few weeks to see if it gets better. I understand they just opened but even so they could have done better. read more

Very sad this place is closing. This is literally the best chinese food I have had in 15 years.

Hawaiian isle had its re grand opening a few weeks ago and we went back for dinner. Food and drinks was great and friendly staff. The restaurant remained the same but a few things have been taken off the menu along with no bread or tea . Hopefully these are just temporary. Very happy Hawaiian isle is back and will go back again. read more

The absolute best Mai Tai around. Food is fresh and tasty. From the bartender Carlos to the manager Gary and server Nikki, there is no better place to go, and we've been to most of them. This place is a classic Chinese restaurant with an old school ambiance. I feel like Norm from Cheers every time Deb and I visit. If you haven't been there for a while, go back. You'll love it all over again. read more

They are closing but they were good hope someone moves in that is just as good we had spring roll they were out of egg but spring are better read more

Hawaiian Isle - Pu pu for2 - Chinese Near Me - Plaistow, New Hampshire

If you have not been back you have no idea what you are missing. They've brought back some of the former employees, so good to see you all. Love you long time. The place is immaculately clean, love the uniform shirts and the new wait staff is so friendly. The food is China Town good. Not too salty, the portions are perfect and it all tastes cooked to ordered. read more

I love their Wonton Soup! Bo Lor Gai Pan is a favorite of mine, too. This is where we go when we need a fix of the traditional Polynesian cuisine we had when growing up in Massachusetts in the 70s and 80s. I am so glad we have this place to visit when we just need that wonderful comfort food we had years ago. Oh, and we love the decor! It really brings back memories! I never have indigestion after eating here because it's fresh and wholesome. The wife and I are so happy they have reopened and changed very little. Thank you! read more

Good, old school Chinese food. Pupu was very good 8/10. Egg roll only gets a 7/10. Good egg foo yung but not enough sauce 8/10. PFR was a lurker moipst. Serves rolls and tea! read more

I was passing through town and didn't have much time, so I randomly chose this restaurant. I wouldn't say that it's exactly as advertised based on the name. It doesn't exactly has curb appeal either. It pretty much seemed like a normal Chinese restaurant. It was very dim on the inside (I was there for lunch). There was basically just a waitress, a host, and bartender (not much staff for the amount of seating). It took a while for them to take our order, but our food came out pretty quickly. It came out quickly because some of it wasn't cooked all the way through. My meal had chicken, beef, shrimp, and vegetables in it. I'm assuming they cooked it all together because none of the meats were cooked properly. It was a $15 meal and I easily left two servings of it at the restaurant. I probably wouldn't of ate any of it, but I was starving. There was some more tropical selections on the menu, but nothing that I was willing to try. There seemed to be more than enough other places to eat within less than a mile radius. Don't get tricked into a stomach ache like I did. read more

Reliable favorite for decades. Pu Pu platter and wonton soup are go-to classics. Recently tried the "paper chicken" appetizer and it was great as well. Most recent trip the fried rice was a bit mushy and disappointing. Everything else was up to their usual standards. read more

Hawaiian Isle - Pu pu for 3 - Chinese Near Me - Plaistow, New Hampshire

Perhaps the most inedible bag of rot I've ever tasted. We literally tossed $65 worth of takeout in the trash after a few bites. I recommend driving any place else for a meal. It was that bad. read more

Wait time at 2pm on a Sat. was an hour and there were only a few people waiting. They had a sign posted stating they are closing for good in April. Always a favorite of ours, just a little disappointed in the lack of waitstaff. read more

I've been coming to this place since I was a kid and recently returned after a ten year absence. Unlike many things in childhood the food is BETTER than I even remember it. Plentiful, fresh and served hot and fast. From the hot tea to the Fortune cookies this is still the cozy, welcoming place it's always been. read more

Dennis and i stopped here for lunch take away today. From the outside, it looks like a new plaza and restaurant. but once, inside, it appeared old and a bit tired looking. I guess it is just the Shaw's next door is new and they remodeled the exterior of the plaza to make it all match. Anyhoo....we got luncheon combinations. They were just okay. 'Service was fast and courteous. Price fair to average to other Chinese restaurants in the area. As Don reported, no windows here as it can be a bit disorienting. PS..there is a lounge for the drinkers. read more

Hawaiian Isle - Chinese Near Me - Plaistow, New Hampshire

... First time taking out in over 15 years ... fried rice was burnt & soggy, bbq spareribs had no flavor, (seemed like a few days old) ... sesame chicken just not good, egg roll inedible. Paper chicken was good. Sweet & Spur chicken was good. Quite disappointing ... I figured seeing that it is so busy ... food must be great! Not so much! My husband & I were up all night sick from this order! Never again! read more

We were having lunch and my wife saw a mouse run across the floor.We will never go back needless to say

Micro shrimp in low mean, the kind you get in a can. Gone down hill in the last few years.

Anyone who's been around longer than 25 years or so knows that all Chinese restaurants fall into one of 2 major categories: Old School and New School. Both have a purpose but the old school "Tiki Lounges" are fading fast. Yearning for this experience, a friend told me Hawaiian Isle is the closest thing you will ever find to the long gone, but legendary Bob Loo's in Salem, NH, a favorite memory for my wife and I. I made a solo voyage 2 weeks ago just to test the waters and he nailed it: it was like 1978 all over again! Back to the Future squared. I could not believe it. It was as if I was in a Chinese museum. Everything from the actual menu's, offerings, decor, table settings, food presentation and yes, the old school drink menu and glasses is still available in the cosmos. From the first sip of my Mai Tai, I knew everything was the genuine article, both food and drink..DELICIOUS! I returned one week later with my wife, a food critic extraordinaire, and watched for her first sip of Mai Tai response: she nodded with a bewildered look on her face. She too had stepped back into the fond memories of our past! We feasted on a table full of old school delights in utter satisfaction and amazement. Everything was exactly as it used to be right down to the complementary pot of tea and fresh bread and butter. The menu, both drink and food, is vast and should have something to please anyone and everyone. Even the prices were "old school" as everything on both drink and food menu's were reasonable. A Special Plea: to the many cruel freaks and ignorant millennial's that like to slash tires on a review just because the egg roll or wantons aren't gluten free, or the fried rice is dark brown(not burnt) like it should be, please go easy on this place. This style of dining fueled quantum physics, a moon shot, a space station and more. A under-achiever would simply never understand. You helped destroy a great nation. Please don't destroy the last of a fading, well loved relic. Someday, you too, may want to time travel to 1978! read more

This place holds a special place in my heart because it has been a family meeting spot for many years. So let me give you guys the Great, the good, and the ugly. The great: The ownership/wait staff are very attentive and welcoming. The crab Rangoon's...my favorite all time. I've heard many people complain or speculate about them having little to no crab...I don't disagree...and yet I don't care. I'm not a huge crab guy so for me it's inconsequential. The wontons they use are just perfect with their cream cheese blend add a dip in the duck sauce and I'm happy. The bar is great. There are a lot of Chinese restaurants that claim to make Mai Tais/scorpion bowls ect but Hawiian's really does them correctly. Not only are they tasty, but they are strong and well priced. They have one of the best, if not the best Mai Tai I've ever had. The good: the rice, spring rolls, lo mein, chow mein, chicken fingers/teriyaki are all solid to very good. The fried chicken livers and sea food platter are solid as well. The ugly: The beef teriyaki here is rubbery to the point where you can barely eat it off the skewer. Their boneless spare ribs are a little too fatty for my liking. Like most places the General Gao is a flavorless mess. A lot of people enjoy it there but it's not sweet or spicy and the breading is mush so it's not for me. Overall a solid place for dinner or an above average place for apps and drinks. read more

Hawaiian Isle - Mai Tai done right! - Chinese Near Me - Plaistow, New Hampshire