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    Lees Hawaiian Islander

    3.4 (330 reviews)
    Closed 12:00 pm - 9:30 PM

    Order Lees Hawaiian Islander Takeout or Delivery

    Lees Hawaiian Islander Photos

    LEES HAWAIIAN ISLANDER ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Dogs allowed
    Good for kids

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    Reviews With Photos

    Peak tiki sadness
    Michele W.

    I haz a sad. A tremendous one. I don't know why I can't find my many prior enthusiastic 5-star reviews and updates for Lee's, because I have been their biggest cheerleader and strongest defender for years. Their shrimp with lobster sauce, Hawaii beef, egg roll, fried noodles with duck sauce and hot mustard, have long been my designated Execution Day meal. I have patronized Lee's here in Lyndhurst and in its long-shuttered Clifton location since the late 80s. When I lived in. Nutley, I ate or ordered takeout about once a week. Since moving to CA in January, 2000, every flight home is scheduled around their operating hours. I dine there alone frequently because friends and family are not enamored with their food. On occasion, I manage to persuade them with the promise of karaoke and turpentine-strength tropical drinks that come in a coconut shell with four straws. You must understand, we have endless options for delicious, authentic, regional Chinese cuisine in the San Francisco Bay Area. And I mean, all over it-- the cities, the suburbs, the questionable neighborhoods. What we don't have, is the delicious Americanized "Polynesian" cuisine that I grew up with in Fair Lawn, New Jersey. We had Bamboo East--close enough to walk to for lunch during elementary school, have an egg roll and a bowl of wonton soup, and get back for the bell. We had Ho-Aloha where I did, the majority of my underage drinking, downing Maii-Tais and Rum Runners. We had Chan's Waikiki near the Paramus Park mall, and we had Jade Fountain--in the malls and in Clifton. Even EWR had great "Cantonese" food in C terminal when it was dominated by Continental Airlines, In California, we have "tiki bars" with admittedly, excellent drinks, and mediocre "egg rolls," which we East Coasters know are actually rice paper-wrapped, celery-dominated deep fried "spring rolls," filled with soggy, insipid vegetables, which never passed my lips voluntarily during my 32 years in Jersey. So here is why I am sad. At first, I was happy! I'm in town for the Fair Lawn High School Class of '85 reunion, not feeling very well today. My incoming flight was quite delayed, so I was unable to make my requisite stop on the way to the hotel I saw that I could actually get my mandatory Lee's order from GrubHub. I thought, "This is great! There is a microwave downstairs, and a fridge in my room. Tomorrow, I will pick up some tinfoil and big Ziploc bags, and bring some of my favorites back home to California. That is where the happiness ends. I can forgive the fact that even though I checked the "include napkins and utensils" box, *and* added a note that said, "please make sure to include the napkins and utensils," alas, my bag was devoid of them. But that's not the problem... The problem, my dear friends, was the quality of the food. At last visit, in the fall, I believe, I didn't think things tasted quite the same, but still felt nostalgic. Of course I was going to give them another chance. I regret to say that the complaint that have other reviewers have lodged over the past few years, are now also mine. Starting with the Hawaii beef, which I confess I usually begin eating in the car: it is now tough, liking its distinctive, cumin and turmeric flavor, and just tastes like vinegar. The spareribs are dripping with grease, which led me to not even open the shrimp toast. The eggroll tasted like it had been heated up in a toaster oven and there was none of the juicy bites of roast pork and baby shrimp that I love so much. I did not open the chicken in foil either. The egg drop soup was fine, but I have saved the unforgivable travesty for last... the noodles are now mass produced and packaged. This is where I was actually looking forward to greasiness! Lee's noodles were like none other. They were wide, bubbly, crispy, and tasted like heaven when dipped both in the hot mustard and duck sauce. I would often ask for an extra bag to take home to California. This just hurt my soul. I know there had been talk of selling the place in recent years, and on GrubHub, it is the *New* Lee's Hawaiian Islander, so maybe it's finally happened and the business is now more focused on the bar and karaoke which I know it had become its bread and butter. Over the past 15 years there have rarely been many other patrons when I visited during the day, and they used to do a booming lunch business. Many a pupu platter flew under the ceiling, mounted outrigger canoe while water fell down the rock wall while we sat in sea shaped booths under taxidermied pufferfish. This is by far the longest review I have ever written because it's the closing of a chapter in my life. Thank you, Lee's, for 35 years of making me a little happier. I shan't forget you.

    Liz R.

    Having a girl's day with the BFF and we couldn't make up our minds about where we wanted lunch until she, out of the blue said, "When was the last time you had Lee's Hawaiian?" MIC DROP! OMG I hadn't been in a good 15+ years and said LET'S GO! Walking in was nostalgic ... it looks exactly as I remember (which is great bur someone who's never been might not get it tho). We were seated in a fun booth and given time to review the menu which drinks were the first thing in order and boy did they deliver! The drinks packed a punch just like we remembered and were served in the iconic tiki glasses. We ordered shrimp toast, wings and the Hawaii 4 Oh and every single thing was SLAMMIN!!!! We took a bunch of leftovers to go and asked for some of their delicious fried noodles with homemade duck sauce as well. We will definitely be back bc they also have karaoke on the weekends and I can only imagine what a blast that is!

    Seafood Hawaii and Mongolian steak flambé
    Andersen S.

    Lee's Hawaiian Islander had some great food and a fun vibe! Neither of us had been there in a very long time, and we both enjoyed going back.

    Greg H.

    Had my birthday party there last week and it couldn't have gone better. They were able to accommodate our large group (25 people or so) and everyone had a blast. Best karaoke this side of the Hudson!

    Joe C.

    Dump - Strongest Drinks The Hawaiian decor in Lee's is pretty cool although it could use some cleaning and some updates. If the decor was updated and the food and service improved this place could be a goldmine. Right now the food is pretty bad and service is nothing to speak. They don't seem very friendly at all. Literally served us the strongest rock gut alcohol drinks I have ever had in my life. Usually I like good old fashioned strong cocktail but these were so strong that my wife went in the bathroom and threw up. We couldn't even finish them. Brutal Thanks

    Inside
    Adam S.

    Went for lunch with my friend who was a little under the weather and wanted some soup She has never been and you can get soup anywhere but this place is fun It's more about the ambience then then the food She happens to be Asian so the 92 year old came over and we had a great conversation If you are looking for more than food a place to go

    The upstairs area!
    nicole b.

    Mr. Lee is incredible a true legend and the food has fresh quality ingredients! Highly recommend Lee's!!! Great atmosphere for a first date or family dinner.

    General Zuo's Chicken
    Angela A.

    Went on a busy Saturday night, after seeing reviews I didn't have high hopes for the food. Started with pu pu platter wow it was tasty highlights were the spare ribs and shrimp toast. Main course general tso, It was one of my favorites I've had. As a general tso critic it is hard to find a good dish now that still uses the spicy red peppers in the dish. The sauce was thick sticky & peppery with big pieces of white meat chicken, I was impressed. All to be washed down with a fruity Mai Thai. Service was excellent as workers checked on us frequently. They were setting up for karaoke around 9pm. Took a start off because the bathroom was gross... regular cleaning is needed as it's such a busy place.

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    2 months ago

    Amazing time capsule of a place! One of a kind! Make reservations for weekend karaoke!

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    6 months ago

    Food was great as was the service. I haven't been there in 50 years and it's still the best Asian food around. Going back soon

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    Page 1 of 9

    Ask the Community - Lees Hawaiian Islander

    I am a Jersey expat living in CA. I time my flights to EWR so that I can drive my rental car straight to Lyndhurst for a PuPu Platter and Shrimp with Lobster Sauce. I heard a rumor Lee's is going out of business. Is it true?

    We just ate there at the end of December. It was the same as I remembered from 30years ago before moving to Ga. I would just call first to verify that they are open.

    Was this restaurant in Hoboken a long long time ago? In the 70s, I'm talking 50 yrs ago?

    Lee's Hawaian has been at same location in Lyndhurst for over 40 years.

    PSA: They are re-opening post Thanksgiving! I just called and talked to someone :) (11/16/21) How excited is everyone?

    I called today (December 16) and the man said they are planning to open tomorrow, Friday December 17, 2021!

    Is Karaoke still happening? If so, when?

    Friday & Saturday nights

    Has this restaurant closed for good?

    It was open a month ago in December. I hope not!

    I've never been here before. Can a single person be seated at the bar for drinks and participate in karaoke or is dinner required? Thanks

    Absolutely can sit at var & participate! If the Governor ever let's us do again!

    View All 9 Questions

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    Food was delicious. Ordered the spring rolls for…read moreappetizers. There were 3 per order. Very light and flavorful. Sweet-and-sour chicken with jasmine rice, exceptional. Pineapple rice with pork delicious. This is only my third time having Thai food very impressed It's a byob also. Restaurant was very clean. Service was very nice.

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    Lees Hawaiian Islander - asianfusion - Updated May 2026

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