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    Paniolos - Kapolei

    3.3 (283 reviews)
    ModerateMexican
    Closed • 11:00 am - 8:00 pm
    Updated over 3 months ago

    Order Paniolos - Kapolei Takeout or Delivery

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    Business Info

    PANIOLOS - KAPOLEI ATMOSPHERE

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

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    StaciLei T.

    Craving a Chipotle style burrito bowl? Paniolos is the closest thing we have to Chipotle in Hawaii. It's super convenient and customizable- with the options to make your own burrito, bowl, or tacos. Super simple process: pick between white rice or brown, black or refried beans, protein, veggies, sauces etc. I came in about 20-30 minutes before closing, so they were out of a few different proteins but they still had the kalua pig out- which was super ono. Maybe not my first choice, but glad that I got to try it. Very tender, you can tell they slow cook it for a while. I will say that the bowls are a bit smaller than Chipotle's for the same price- but hey, it's Hawai'i so I get it. This spot is located in Kapolei Commons nearby the movie theatre. Lots of parking, a great spot to stop by when you're shopping around Kapolei!

    Jasmine G.

    What can I say? I've become a regular here. It's healthy. It's always fresh and when I'm craving vegetables, what better way to enjoy than with a burrito bowl. I will say that when I'm craving something healthy this place is always on my mind as someone who loves chipotle, this is very close to it. I do enjoy their cilantro lime rice, and they do have a brown rice version which is awesome. I usually get the chicken or the steak. You get two salsa options so to make it more substantial, I get the corn and the pico de gallo. Everything is free except for the bell pepper and onion blend and the guacamole of course. Sour cream on top adds a nice touch. Also, the cilantro, lime, jalapeño, and onion, gives it a delicious burst of flavor. For under $15 it's a great meal, fast food, but nutritious and good for you.

    Aaliyah H.

    If you're looking for the closest thing Hawaii has to Chipotle, Paniolo's in Kapolei is it! I got a chicken bowl for just $15, this price is including the $2.99 charge for avocado, and it was absolutely worth it. The portions are solid, and they have a lot options for everyone. The atmosphere really embraces the Hawaiian cowboy theme, with more than just sodas for drinks by adding in some limeade and churros to their menu. Plus, one of my favorite things? You can get extra chips on the side--perfect for turning your bowl into nachos! That's the pro tip for those who haven't been to chipotle yet. Service was good for when we went in. There were three people and the assembly line worked really well. I think the downside was when we stayed long enough, we felt in our eyes they were browning the onions and we had to step out LOL. Whether it's lunch, brunch, or dinner, this place is a winner. My friends and I ended up here because Island Vintage Coffee was packed, but honestly, even if Island Vintage is open, my husband and I will most likely choose Paniolo's whenever we're in the area. Highly recommend!

    Marissa K.

    Got their nachos! Their nachos comes stacked! Look at the photo! Yummy! Love their salsa!

    Hannah D.

    soo good!!! reminds me of chipotle... tastes even fresher though! workers always nice and give great portions!! so yummy every time

    Kalua pork burrito made with mush
    Janet N.

    This place used to be our go to place...not anymore. My husband loved the kalua pork burrito with extra meat from there, but on January 16, 2026 we ordered to go. His burrito had no meat and if it did it was puréed, there was nothing but mush with rice, beans, cheese, and guacamole. After a couple of bites my husband stopped eating the burrito when he realized there was no meat. I call the restaurant they told me the burrito was mushy because of the refried beans. The restaurant refused to give me a refund or another burrito. After being a customer for over 6 years we will never be going back again.

    Burrito bowl.
    Harry B.

    Think chipotle but better.... Food was a step up.. but same setup with a Hawaiian panoplie vibe. The service was quick and friendly. Order at the line and build your taco or burrito bowl. Take out or dine in. Little up charges for extra... but the meats, veggies, and extras are all tasty. Quick easy and good.

    the outside of the restaurant
    Irene M.

    Having a bowl of a time... Had a bowl for lunch and for dinner as well lol! Love Palolos in Kahala so you know I had to give this Kapolei Commons a peek and was happy to see that this location has seatings...both indoors and outdoor but what really impressed me is that each booth has an outlet to recharge yourself along with your electronics. As soon as you walk in the scent of yumminess takes on your senses but I stuck to my usual Bowl with brown rice and paniolo meat topped with cheese, romaine, corn and sour cream, I just love it when you're able to create your own. The service here is friendly and fast paying attention to your request and options. A new favorite whenever I'm in the area. Thank you!

    Nachos w/ Grilled Steak
    Mary T.

    The Chipotle of Hawai'i!!!! Yeah I said it. Walked in right away see them making fresh tomatillo salsa on the grill. Everything's freshly made, the guacamole is great, salsa is delicious, something here for everyone. On a diet? They offer bowl/salad style options. The meat is great quality and flavorful. They serve you great portions for the price is is SOoo worth it!! You got to try this place.

    Got the bowl with chicken, cilantro rice & all the toppings. Good portion and tasty
    Raelene Y.

    Chicken bowl with everything on it, it was my first time here and I will be back. It's an order line and self serve drink machine and seats.

    World's smallest burrito?
    Jon G.

    Will not be back. When my daughter saw my burrito, she started laughing. She asked me what happened. It was my first time here and she said the burritos are usually way bigger than this. I placed it next to a beer can to show the size. Wrong way to entice customers to come back. Thumbs down. Taste was all right, not knocking it. I would rather eat at Taco Bell!

    Joshua C.

    LOL the saddest bowl I ever ordered. This place has gone down hill recently, and won't be back. Literally NO MEAT, no cilantro, no limes. I got maybe a tablespoon of meat. Ridiculous, this place will be closing soon.

    Paniolo Steak tacos

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    6 months ago

    Everything was delicious and staff were very friendly. Very similar to Chipotle in the states. Definitely would go back again.

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    10 months ago

    Good quick service. This place reminds me of a Chipotle but better. Everything was fresh and delicious. Will be going back soon.

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    Page 1 of 8

    Ask the Community - Paniolos - Kapolei

    Do they have taco Tuesday specials?

    NO, the gal acted insulted that I even asked. Then she looked down her nose at me from then on, which I considered rude

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

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    Taqueria el Ranchero - Kapolei

    3.4(908 reviews)
    2.8 mi
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    I cannot say enough amazing things about Jay R at Taqueria El Ranchero in Kapolei. He is truly one…read moreof the best servers we have ever encountered anywhere. Jay R doesn't just provide great service, he anticipates what you need before you even have to ask. He remembers our order, brings our drinks before we've even ordered and always makes sure we get the extra off menu salsa we love with our chips. Even on days we are not in his section and have a different waiter. It's those little details that make you realize how genuinely attentive he is. But what really says everything about Jay is how far he will go for his customers. One evening, one of our kids was freezing cold and wanted a hot chocolate. They didn't have it at the restaurant, so Jay actually went across the street to get one for him without even telling us. Who does that?! We were completely blown away. Jay is the epitome of going above and beyond. He has an incredible ability to make people feel seen, valued, remembered and genuinely cared for. That kind of service is rare. You can teach someone how to take an order or serve a table, but you cannot teach the level of thoughtfulness and genuine hospitality that Jay naturally brings to the service he extends. We come back weekly because we love the food, but Jay is a huge part of what makes Taqueria El Ranchero special for our family. He deserves every bit of recognition possible. If management is reading this, please know what an exceptional person you have representing your restaurant. Jay R. is truly outstanding!

    Gave an extra star because they have a big spot with plenty of seats and good food…read more They were supposed to auto-charge gratuity for our party of 6 which irritates me, but they didn't and took a chance. We had other meals for our party and everyone liked their food We checked out the Hawaiian food place nearby and it was very loud with live music, and this place was quiet enough for us to talk and hear each other All the meals were big enough for takeout of leftovers.

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    Bar and other seating area

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    Mekiko Cantina - Margarita Flight!

    Mekiko Cantina

    4.0(563 reviews)
    2.1 mi
    •$$$
    Outdoor seating
    Live music

    Mekiko Cantina is always one of the restaurants my family and I go to when on the Oahu island of…read moreHawaii. It's one of the main restaurants that a small group of hotels offer, along with a sports bar, Eggs and Things, Monkeypod, and a new poke place that's in the same shopping center with the ABC store. Mekiko Cantina sits in a gorgeous location right in front, with plumeria trees and green all around. They have indoor and outdoor seating, both are fine, but you do get the benefit of AC inside if it's too humid for your liking. Our family ordered and the food came out not too much longer. In the meantime, we got a chip platter and frozen mango alcoholic drinks which were tasty and a good size! The food is basic Mexican food, like tacos and rice and beans. It's all somewhat unseasoned though, meaning you should probably add something yourself. Truthfully, it's not the best Mexican food ever, but they offer a nice view, indoor and outdoor seating, a good atmosphere, and basic food. The service is fine, as we've never had an issue here with much. Additionally, this is one of the few restaurants that accept the meal vouchers that some of the hotels give to their guests to redeem, so if you do use the voucher, expect to pay for tax and tip, typically.

    The food was okay, mixed reviews depending on what each person got! We had a large party of 13, and…read morethey got us in; we appreciate that. Our main server was great; the other server helping out was not. She brought two steaming hot dishes and didn't take care to bring them to our table, especially since we had several young kids with us. As she was walking with the hot dish over heads seated at the table, hot oil accidentally fell on my granddaughter's face next to her eyes. The manager (I guess he was the manager) and the main server came to check on her, but the server who caused the accident came out about 15 minutes later, said sorry, then immediately turned around and left before any of us could look up to acknowledge that she was even apologizing! It looks like she was sent out to apologize and came out unwillingly! I understand accidents happen, but how you deal with the fallout is what matters! It definitely was not worth the mandatory 20% gratuity for large groups!

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    Frida Taqueria

    4.3(320 reviews)
    6.0 mi
    •$$

    Good food and good service. The inside decor is fun and cheerful. It is a small restaurant, but…read morecomforting and quiet. Everything is fresh. They have a coffee flan, which was great for coffee lovers. I would definitely go again. The server was very sweet. Mahalo.

    We had a difficult time finding the entrance (there was a truck blocking the signage--I'm assuming…read moreit was the owner's because they were unloading). We walked in and had to ask if they were open as we weren't immediately greeted. We got to choose our seats and tried to find the coolest spot because it was hot inside! According to the server--their ac was broken. It reminded us of traveling to Mexico and eating at the restaurants there . The decor is very similar and authentic to restaurants in Mexico. They even had lots of the candies found there surrounding their register area. The server was super friendly and attentive once we were seated, I just wish she would've written down our order instead of trying to take it all by memory as she got some things wrong with our order. Now onto the food. Mexican food in Hawaii is nothing to write home about. This was no exception. Our family of 4 ordered: the California Burrito, the super burrito (I actually ordered the chimichanga but it came out as a burrito), Birria tacos, Birria quesadilla, a bean and cheese burrito (the hubby's favorite thing to order at a Mexican restaurant) and because it was taco Tuesday--the carne asada street tacos (which I think the server forgot because we had to remind her) and the flan for dessert. The burritos were of good size and nicely filled. I enjoyed the super burrito but it needed the red sauce that was put on the table. The shrimp inside was very flavorful. My daughter loved her California burrito (it has French fries in it--lol). The birria was delicious--the consommé was pretty bland though. The bean and cheese burrito was cold in the middle and not as generously sized as the other burritos. The best thing that we had was the flan. I love flan and the texture of theirs was amazing. The sauce was a mixed review with the family. I liked it and the fact that there was a lot of it. There was a slight fridge taste but it was still delicious. My husband tried to make a suggestion about moving the large truck that was in front of the restaurant blocking the breeze from coming (remember the broken AC...and this is a hot August afternoon) but upon telling our server he felt dismissed. He was told that the AC was broken and supposedly to be fixed soon, but she didn't acknowledge his suggestion to move the vehicle to let some air in--it's disappointing that when a customer that takes the time to provide genuine feedback to be left feeling dismissed instead of appreciation for the feedback. I feel bad for whomever may have dined after us as it was mighty warm in there...

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    Interior

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    Acapulco - Macho burrito with a shredded beef  Super Ono!

    Acapulco

    3.6(624 reviews)
    8.3 mi
    •$$

    Went for dinner on Thursday night. It was pretty empty, just one party outside and one party…read moreinside. There was a guitarist playing live music inside! You need a phone to get the QR for the menu. I went with the burrito and my friend got the enchiladas. They bring out complimentary chips and salsa. The food came out pretty fast and it was good and filling! The server came by to see if everything was ok. All in all a nice dinner with quick service. They started putting their chairs up on the tables at around 7:40pm. They close at 8:00 but once they started doing that, we got the hint and left.

    Planning the "expedition" for Mexican grinds in Waipio/Waipahu…read more When Bruddah Fran C. and Sistah Gail U give a thumbs up to a restaurant, you have to stand up and take notice. I happened to be in the Waipio area, a rarity for me, and decided to see what might be worth taking back home. I had never heard of Acapulco but was in the mood for Mexican grinds and when yelpers Fran and Gail reviews popped up, I knew this was one to try. They have indoor and outdoor dining options. Both spaces are very clean. I ordered two plates to go. Both plates came with rice and beans which were delicious. The gave a nice quantity of food. My meal of choice was the combo chili relleno and a beef enchilada with the red sauce. Both were delicious and did not get drowned out by the sauce and cheese. Excellent balance and taste. With gas prices being what they are, coming here is only going to happen when I'm in the area. But the delicious taste will make me think hard for any excuse to get to Acapulco restaurant when I'm in the mood for Mexican grub.

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    Inside the restaurant...........

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    Da Crawfish and Crabshack

    Da Crawfish and Crabshack

    4.0(1.3k reviews)
    1.0 mi
    •$$
    Locally owned & operated
    Happy hour specials

    The food are very Savory, no matter what you order , Lunch special offers only M-F , but let me…read moretell you how good and savory it is , you have to try it , the Service so great and we are planning to come back soon and try other seafood ALL TASTE LIKE HOME MADE , the service mentioned all made from the restaurant , PRICE is Right

    Please note that this review is solely based off of my experience and NOT on the food because my…read morefamily and I walked out before given the opportunity to order. When we first got to the restaurant, the bartender asked us how many and then directed us to choose our seat. The music was very loud by the bar, so we elected to find a seat as far away from the music as possible. My family and I sat down and looked over the menu. Five minutes passed and no one came by our table nor acknowledged us, other than the bartender at the beginning. After ten minutes passed, a server past us twice, but we still didn't get any acknowledgement nor any water. So we elected to leave and go to a different seafood place. My family and I are pretty understanding people, and it would have been different if someone came by and said something along the lines of, "sorry guys, we're short staffed and will get your order in a bit," or "I'll be right over to take your order," just some type of acknowledgment. Instead we observed a server walk by us twice, look at us and continue to be on their way. That left a sour taste in our mouth and made us feel like we didn't belong. Second, it appeared as though other people were also waiting to either order, get their check, or their food. But the servers were more focused on the patrons at the bar than those on the table. Overall, we were disappointed by the service and decided to go somewhere else for our family dinner.

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    Da Crawfish and Crabshack - Combo #1 $29.99

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    Da Crawfish and Crabshack
    Da Crawfish and Crabshack - Lunch special. $14. Add a $1 beer during happy hour and you can't go wrong.

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    Lunch special. $14. Add a $1 beer during happy hour and you can't go wrong.

    Chili's

    Chili's

    3.5(835 reviews)
    1.1 mi
    •$$

    I had some time to kill while my Jeep was getting an oil change at Goodyear, so I walked around the…read morecorner to Chili's Grill & Bar. It turned out to be the perfect way to wait. I grabbed a cold Heineken and an order of the Texas Cheese Fries, and they definitely hit the spot. The fries came out hot, loaded with cheese, bacon, jalapeños, and ranch, and paired perfectly with the beer. The bar area was comfortable, the service was friendly, and it was a relaxing place to hang out instead of sitting in a waiting room. If you're getting your car serviced nearby or just looking for a casual spot to unwind, I'd definitely recommend stopping in here. I'll be back the next time I'm waiting on my vehicle.

    We came to Chili's in Kapolei to redeem a gift card we won at an auction after not having been here…read morefor several years. Unfortunately, we left pretty disappointed. We used to be regulars back when they had great value deals like the 3 for $10 meals and complimentary chips and salsa through the rewards program. It was surprising to learn that the rewards program is no longer offered, and we couldn't find any indication of that before visiting. The biggest surprise was the pricing. Most entrées were around or over $20, which felt really steep for the quality and portion sizes. The sides were small, and overall the meal just didn't feel like a good value. To me, not even filling the plate with fries is cheap for a $19 black bean burger. Our bill was around $70, and for that price, there are so many better dining options on Oʻahu with fresher, higher-quality food. The service was fine, but the food and value just aren't what they used to be. It's disappointing because this used to be one of our go-to casual restaurants.

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    Paniolos - Kapolei - mexican - Updated September 2026

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