Not sure how to pronounce it... Though I know where you can find them...right on Smith Street right across from Po'ai and like many biz in Chinatown it's all street metered parking though on Sundays it is free so it may take a slight effort but yes it's so worth it. I've always wondered about this biz as I've frequented many surrounding area and it's probably their hours that made it a challenge for me with my schedule but was excited when I finally got to give them a peek. Walking in I love the vibe as it's so spacious and vibrant with a cute bar and some unique artsy wall decor and they do have a lovely outdoor seating as well we decided to stay indoor and grabbed a table. Glancing over the menu which is quite extensive to very organized by category which I noticed their Weekend Breakfast and you know I do love a limited item selection and couldn't resist besides it's quite a bit of choices to choose from but it was the Chilaquiles for me which the owner agreed since it's only available on the weekends and dining in would make the perfect to enjoy fresh as it's basically a smothered tortilla with red ranchera sauce, cheese and two eggs along with a side of beans was the heavenliest bite that was so comforting. This husband and wife team is so cool as she runs the front and did amazing to describe the menu and agreed with my selection for many reasons is a lovely place to enjoy and escape as well with the fun and festive vibe is unique in this part of town. Thank you! read more

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Lunch in Chinatown, Honolulu, Hawaii... Who would have known that there's authentic Mexican cuisine amidst Asian restaurants? We wanted something different and we got it! We've passed by Tlaxcalli on Smith Street several times and thought: one day, we'll try this place. Finally, the day came! It was a Sunday when metered street parking is free! We walked in and had a choice of indoor or outdoor seating. We chose indoors because it was warm and humid outside. Thanh was our server. She's "sometimes" the owner since she is Vietnamese and her husband is Mexican. That was her explanation! I couldn't decide between shrimp tacos and Braised short ribs tacos. Thanh said that the short ribs would have more flavor because of the wine sauce. I agreed. The meat was tender and tasty! The three tacos (with cool presentation) had some oil which i squeezed out from the corn tortillas. It was a bit peppery for me, so i drank a lot of water. The grilled Brussels sprouts added more texture and depth to the tacos! Yummy! I'm looking forward to returning on a Sunday! read more

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We came on a Friday evening at 5 pm right before the lunar new year festival began. It was not busy at all, and we also chose to sit outside. Their outside area is super nice, with plenty of seats as well as koi fish in a small pond. We started with an appetizer, tostadas de Tinga de huehxolotl, it was great. It had turkey and pickled onions, great to share. Then, we had a variety of tacos. I had the fish tacos, taco capeados mazatlan. It was good, comes with 3 tacos. One thing I didn't enjoy much was the red salsa on top. It had an interesting flavor that I would prefer without. Other things we got were the asada taquero tacos, which was pretty dry unfortunately. We also tried the short rib tacos which was good but didn't have the Brussel sprouts that I felt was an important part of the tacos, but we subbed it out for onion and cilantro. Finally tried the Tacos De Camaron. It was good with the potatoes in it, although the same red salsa was on top which we didn't enjoy. Overall it was an authentic Mexican place that was refreshing to try in the China town area! read more

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This place is seriously one of the best Mexican spots I've found on Oʻahu. The ceviche was super fresh and had the perfect citrus kick. The guac was creamy and flavorful, and you could tell it was made fresh (chips were nice and crispy too!). But the birria... wow. So tender and packed with flavor. The consommé was rich and perfect for dipping--definitely the highlight for me. Cocktails and spirits are very reasonably priced and lots of choices, too. I'll 100% be back. read more

Tlaxcalli - Guacamole & ceviche - Mexican Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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Best Mexican food we've had since our trip to Mexico! Truly authentic, flavorful dishes and delicious cocktails that pack a punch. This place is the real deal!! We ordered the esquites and chicarron de pescado to start, which were both excellent (especially the esquites). Then my friend and I shared the tacos gobernador and the scallop and shrimp culichi. I honestly cannot decide which I loved more...might be the culichi because that sauce was so rich and creamy, I would've licked the bowl clean had we not been in public. My wife ordered the cochinita pibil, which she refused to throw into the sharing mix, but did allow us each a bite to sample. The flavors were bold and complex, and the meat was incredibly tender. Whilst dining, we decided to set a date to come back and try more dishes. Can't wait!! read more

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I'm going to give it 4 stars because I hope they will get more popular and be around for a while. First the selfish reasons I like Tlaxcalli: close to our home, walking distance means we can enjoy the drinks. Outdoor seating is always worth a star because we hate AC, we do live in Hawaii so why not enjoy it? Tasty authentic food from the region of Sinaloa, even though it has a darker criminal history along with its culinary renown. Everything we've tried has been good, we've been here 3x. I also tried mezcal for the first time at our writer's recommendation and enjoyed its smooth smoky flavor. Thank goodness we could walk home! What I don't like: there is a kitchen fee, which feels like a hidden fee. I'd rather pay an extra 50cents or dollar for their food than find the total unexpectedly higher. They are not the only restaurants doing this, but it makes me less motivated to tip. The entry is kind of dark and empty so I would make it brighter, even if I am just passing through to the patio. Maybe put a planter to separate the inside bar and create a pathway leading outside. Lastly, the name is a bit hard to pronounce. It wouldn't hurt to have it on the menu or when seated for their name to be said clearly before being seated. As you can see, my comments for improvement are about minor things that would elevate the experience, but nothing bad about the food and server. read more

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We had a great experience here once for Sunday lunch when a female host welcomed us warmly. Hoping to have a similar experience, we returned on another Sunday, but the place was completely empty. When we asked for a table for six, the only male employee there initially refused to seat us because one person in our group was wearing a sleeveless shirt. Moments later, he changed his mind, saying he would "make an exception," but by then, the first impression had already been made. We chose to eat elsewhere--hospitality matters. read more

What could improve in this establishment is the owner's attitude. He definitely requires training in mastering customer service, better yet he should not be in a position of owning a business that requires dealing with the public. The owner is prejudice and extremely arrogant. He singled out an individual in our group of 9 for wearing a sleeveless shirt, therefore was asked to leave. Clearly our friend wasn't wearing beach or workout wear as it states on the website, "No Beach or workout wear allowed, No Exceptions!" The problem was, other patrons wore sleeveless tops that were not asked to leave. When we pointed that out, he was unable to give us an explanation. Instead, he stated that we were now being rude for questioning him. Mind you, at this point we had no idea we were dealing with the owner. When asked to speak to a manager, to our surprise, he arrogantly replied and chuckled that he was the owner. The truth is, our friend was singled out because he was African American. Unbeknownst to the owner, not only did he turn away a military service man but he just turned away a group of them that were just out looking to celebrate St Patrick's weekend. There's a reason this establishment is rated a 3 star. Stay away from this place. The owner does not appreciate people for who they are but rather judge them first by their skin color. If you are the owner and are reading this, all we asked for was why my friend was asked to leave when other patrons wore tank tops or revealing tops that looked like beachwear? I would not be writing this if you had been consistent with your dress code that night. Again, what was wrong with my friend's attire? Here's a photo to remind you. I will delete my post if you can finally explain your actions that night for asking my friend to leave. My friend deserves an explanation and an apology. You made it a very uncomfortable atmosphere for everyone in our group that night. If sleeveless tops are prohibited then you may want to update the dress code on your website. read more

Tlaxcalli - Plain white tank top, it's not workout or beachwear. - Mexican Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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Unreal flavors..unreal mezcal and tequila collection. The best mexican food in hawaii, hands down. Owner is making it all himself, and he cares about the food he puts out. You can tell just by how hes in the back cheffing it up. Not your typical average burrito spot, he has unique authentic mexican dishes you wont find just anywhere. AmazIng drinks too. Tuna ceviche, guacamole, duck taquitos, shortrib tacos, mango enchilado. read more

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I enjoyed it. It is not your typical Mexican food experience, but definitely worth a try.

The atmosphere seemed fine, but the service was disappointing. Our group of nine was asked to leave because one member was wearing a sleeveless shirt. While I understand that enforcing a dress code is at management's discretion, our tickets had been purchased in advance with no mention of any dress code guidelines while others were outside of the guidelines being told we need to leave for. When I politely asked for clarification, not to have others removed, but simply to understand why our group was singled out, I was met with name calling, hostility and disrespect. While I'd like to believe this was an off day for the staff, or perhaps a lapse in judgment, the behavior from what appeared to be the owner or manager was unacceptable. On a positive note, the security staff and bartenders were kind and professional. Unfortunately, the attitude displayed by upper management reflects poorly on the establishment. I reached out privately to give them a chance to address the situation before sharing this review, but I feel compelled to warn others. There are plenty of other restaurants where you'll find hard-working staff who treat guests with respect and aloha...I'd recommend supporting those places instead. read more

Really enjoyed the food, drink and service here. Had a great experience. Highly recommend it. I got an octopus dish and a mezcal cocktail. I discovered this restaurant though happy accident while exploring the downtown streets. There weren't many people in. The dishes seemed to be traditional Mexican. I couldn't figure out why there weren't more people there. Apart from the inner seating there is a great place to sit outside away from the streets. I enjoyed the brutalist style of the building from the outside where you notice big blocks of stone that the building is made of. read more

Super tasty, authentic Mexican food by a Mexican dude. Drinks are great as well. Neat outdoor seating available which is nice on a summer night. read more

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This is not the traditional Mexican food where everything is covered in a layer of melted cheese. The food is deliciously spiced and presented. The chef makes guacamole to order and it comes with crispy whole corn tortillas--so good we ordered a second bowl. For fish lovers, there are 3 great entree options, plus a chunky fish civache. Be sure to save room for the house-made churro bread pudding. Incredible. read more

REAL BIRRIA to lead with thats has actual goat like its supposed to be and so far the only place that seems to have it on Oahu. This is not an On The Border or El Rancheros; fresh ingredients not covered in cheese, no flour tortillas or in excess portion sized burritos filled with french fries. Pricing trends with the China Town reaturants per plate but the quality matches the price. Molé had great depth and the agua chiles matches flavor and value of Da Seafood Cartel. The cocktails are of equal quality and not the typical oversized margarita specials from Chili's. Again, if you're looking for that atypical mexican chain resturant, this isn't it, real mexican as it should be. My only qualm, and this is my half-asian ass speaking, is I wished I had a side of ramen to put in the birria juices because it hurt a little to see that delciousness leave without being consumed. AUTHENTIC read more

This place is more authentic Mexican. It's not New Mexican or Tex-Mex. The ceviche and Mar y Tierra tacos were well crafted and packed with fresh flavors. I enjoyed the ambiance on the patio in the evening. The staff was friendly and the food was timely! read more

Came for a work lunch and wow! Food was amazing! Super authentic and high quality ingredients. The presentation and plating was amazing and the outside patio was peaceful and pleasant. Don't let the reviews about the gruff service put you off. I found it endearing and it assured me that the food was going to be amazing in a Gordon Ramsay type of way. Also, you have to order the ceviche, it might be the best I've ever had! Definitely going to visit for dinner in the future. read more

So get to Hawaii and for some reason you're craving Mexican food. I get it... great weather, sunny skies, beaches... screams beer and tacos. This spot in Chinatown is the spot to peruse on Oahu without a doubt. Let me tell you I do not even like chocolate so I'm always wary of mole... but when I saw that it was duck.., well had to give it a go. I legit was licking the plate #judgeme until you order it for yourself and you're doing the same thing LMFAO!!! Just like everything else I thought I didn't care for.. it just has to be made right! Chef and owner makes it right. Also love that the Aguachiles are made one way. Either like it or you don't. Period. Haha and if you can handle the heat I highly recommend that dish. Soooo doggone good. Worth sharing if you're friendly. What I don't care for and really seems to be the only complaint this place has is the dress code. Tank tops are not allowed. Specifically on men. Because the day we went both ne and B another woman were on the patio in tank toos and nothing was mentioned.. however a guy walked in and was seated with his wife out in the patio area.. they even ordered and received drinks... but then were promptly kicked out because the guy B was wearing a tank top. Not sure what the story is for the chef on that particular point but I'm quite curious. Felt bad for the bar tender who was single-handedly also acting as hostess and server too who was instructed to get rid of those customers. What a trooper. Highly recommend the food. Good weather should definitely enjoy the patio and just don't wear tank tops. Kind of wish they offered tshirts for purchase if they are really going to be that strict about it. Its kind of a bummer too watch people who got seated and just sipping their drinks get booted for no other reason... hence the 3 stars. Otherwise solid 4 stars. read more

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If you are a Seinfeld fan, the operation may feel a little like the Soup N. owner's rules, and worth it!! The food here is made from scratch upon order. Don't be rushed, relax, and wait for the deliciousness to happen. Authentic Mazatlan Cuisine. The place can accommodate quite a few! Indoor, outdoor and bar seating. Full bar with multiple options of tequila, mezcal, and whiskey/scotch. Sunday Brunch is really great. Rules, parking and rules: There is a "no tank top or beachwear" policy. Meter and a paid lot right across the street for parking. You may not wear your mask or covid face covering. You may not ask, alter or request menu changes. Walk-ins welcome but you should make a reservation out of sheer courtesy. Five stars because I am rooting for the cause! read more

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I was very impressed with the variety of menu items that I've never seen in a Mexican restaurant. The owner/chef is a master of Mexican cuisine. The pride he takes in the quality of what he serves is clear and everything we ordered was delicious. It the best Mexican food I have ever experienced. read more

Tlaxcalli - Mexican Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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Clean plate club!! We have had such a hard time finding really good Mexican food on O'ahu. Well we found and will absolutely return here. Server took time to explain their food philosophy - and we were sold. Don't leave without sharing a piece of the churro bread pudding!! Oh wait start w the ceviche - oh my word it is not to miss. read more

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I am very disappointed with my experience at this restaurant/bar. Over the weekend, a large group of us participated in a St. Patrick's Day Bar Crawl where we were given 5-6 bars to visit- unfortunately Tlaxcalli was one of them. As soon as we walked in, we were greeted by such a welcoming bartender and staff- however, a few minutes later the "owner" of this restaurant walks over to one of the members of our group and states how he needed to leave because his sleeveless shirt does not follow his dress code. Keep in mind, the rest of our group had sleeveless shirts on, as well as the rest of the restaurant. I was also wearing a very similar cut/color as our group member and I asked the owner, "what is the difference between my shirt and his" and he only responded with, "I'm not talking to you, I am talking to him." His response lead me to believe that the only visible difference was because he was an African American male. He then escorted our group outside so that we could speak with his security and they could "handle it," but his own security agreed that they did not see a problem with what he was wearing and they were very apologetic for the owner's behavior. Restaurants are more than welcome to mandate a dress code, but make sure that your dress code is equally required to EVERY person that walks through your doors. It is very apparent what kind of person this owner is, so support at your own risk. Bartenders, security, and staff were amazing and super welcoming! read more

Tonight I was craving authentic Mexican food. My son and wife went and picked up from this location, chile, colorado. I must admit that this was the best chili colorado i've had. They completely sold me on this place. I believe this will be my go to for authentic mexican food. I definitely will be going and eating at this location very soon and trying more of their menu. Need list to say very pleased after eating I was left wanting even more. Thank you for a great experience! read more

Hands down the best Mexican food I've had in years. The shrimp ahogado and shrimp with octopus were so well-seasoned. Our table of four shared duck mole, lamb, oxtail, and chicken pozole. We will definitely be back to try more dishes. I've got my eye on the cochinita pibil which I have not had in a restaurant in more than ten years. I'm sure Tlaxcalli will do it justice. read more

The food was amazing! Everything was so tasty! The tacos with grilled shrimp and the braised short ribs tacos were delicious. We topped off our meal with the churros bread pudding. It's a Winnah!!! This was our first time here. We will definitely be back. We wanted to try the pork chops but they were out. Will try it on our next visit. Hats off to the chef. You nailed it! read more

Tlaxcalli - Mexican Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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Was looking for something light and spicy! Low un behold aguachiles ! Raw shrimp -lime juice - chili peppers I was warn by several other patrons ...this was going to be spicy af ! I wasn't going to finish it ! Etc etc And you know what ? It was spicy af ! But i like spicy af ! And I don't mind trying things with a open mind. So if your not open to that ...stop making like all y'all like spicy or can handle spicy . Bruh that dish hit the spot ! read more

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Fun experience! Tlaxcalli has the most adorable outdoor seating area which we thoroughly enjoyed. Service was good; the gentleman taking care of us was attentive and efficient, even as the only server working and quite a few tables. We didn't get any cocktails, although they looked awesome. We did however get the horchata which had pretty good flavor, but was very thick and had some chalkiness which I haven't experienced before. It wasn't our favorite ever, but we did enjoy the entire thing. Food-wise, the menu can be a bit intimidating. Everything is very authentic. Not a hint of americanization. This means that we basically had no idea what to order, so we asked for some suggestions from the server. Our appetizer was the best thing we had all night, which was his suggestion. I can't remember the name, but it was the peel and eat shrimp. Super tender, flavorful and unique. Highly recommend! For entrees, we had the chicarron and the king mushroom mole. Both were good, but we preferred the chicarron. The pork was tender but crispy and flavorful on the outside and served with a nice salad. We didn't love the king mushroom mole only because it was a bit repetitive. Each bite was the same. They don't have sour cream to offer or anything of the sort and we were both craving some type of creaminess to balance/change up the bites. Both entrees were served with fresh tortillas and beans. The tortillas were delicious but we were not in love with the beans. Overall, we enjoyed our experience and got an opportunity to try much different, new things. I recommend trying Tlaxcalli at least one to broaden your Mexican food experience! read more

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Owner is racist and rude. Even the bouncers knew he was like that. We had a large group for an event and were denied because a tall African American male was wearing a shirt with no sleeves. Mind you multiple other male and females were wearing spaghetti straps or no straps. SO RUDE! read more

Authentic Mexican cuisine in Chinatown? Heck yeah. Great selection of ceviches and make sure you add house made hot sauce brought to you in an old liquor bottle. Caution. It's HOT! Mashed Potato & shrimp tacos, deep fried, topped with house made salsa and guacamole were superb. Lots of nice brunch options like Chilaquiles, Huevos a La Mexicans or Huevos Rancheros. Bonus points...Tortillas are made in house! Wished they had chicken as an option in their selections but that's a small matter. Decor is charming and you can't beat that Courtyard that abuts to Olay Thai. read more

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Rude on the phone when asking about reservations. We get there and are the only customers. Never a good sign when you're the only table in the place at 1pm on a Saturday. Kinda creepy ambience except for an awesome patio area- wouldn't want to sit inside. Menu was decent as far as selection. The best about the meal was the green homemade salsa but warning- it's rather hot! Didn't like they used different glasses for water and mimosas for me and my guest- felt disorganized. Followed them on social because I thought I might try again for dinner sometime- love supporting small business. They ended up blocking me on instagram!!! No idea!!?? Very weird business. Wonder if the owner who runs the account has some screw loose. Wouldn't go there again. Opposite if customer service both in person and online. read more

Tlaxcalli - Mexican Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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Atmosphere: Unwelcoming Food: Bland and disgusting Service: Rasict remarks from owner Best thing you can do during your Hawaiian vacation is not eat here. Spend your cash elsewhere. read more

First of all Honolulu Chinatown is the dirtiest place I have ever been to in my life and I have been to third world countries like Sri Lanka. There were bums everywhere at 6 pm in November. Bums outnumbered other restaurant goers about 2-1. If you are a tourist like me I would steer clear of this area at night. The food ain't that good. It took a while for us to be seated because the waitress was also doubling as the hostess. She mega slammed but did a sufficient job making sure we had our drinks topped off and that our orders were taken in a reasonable time frame. As for the food the fish chicharrones were kind of bland. Once I hit them with a dose of table salt they came to life. Decent portion for an appetizer My oxtail was banging. I just pulled the fat off and slapped them in the corn tortillas with a scoop of brown beans. No complaints here. My date ordered the al pastor tacos. These sucked and is the reason I am deducting a star. The meat was dry and bland. The tacos were kind of lifeless with just meat and onions. Maybe throw a bit of pineapple on there since it is an entree. Dress it up a bit! Dessert was the churro bread pudding - very good. Save room for it. I almost left without since the al pastor tacos were so lacking. I'm glad I stayed for dessert read more

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If you want AUTHENTIC Mexican food, this place is legit. Both my husband and friend are from different Mexican states, but they both adore this spot. I had the Cochinita Pibil, hubs had the Rib Tip Chili verde and friend had Chicharon. ALL amazing. If I had one constructive criticism, the Chilaquiles needed to cook in the lime juice a bit more. They are so spicy, but great. We did not wimp out. read more

Tlaxcalli - Mexican Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

This restaurant is like a family-style tropical oasis. We sat in the garden, underneath an umbrella, next to a koi pond. Meal started with the octopus cocktail. It came in a bowl, accompanied by tostadas. Beautifully seasoned, and not spicy at all. Hot sauce was delivered to the table for those who wanted it. For the main, I had the cochinita pibil. I will be dreaming about this dish for a week. Pork was fall-apart tender and the flavor was on point. Pickled onions provided the perfect contrast. I also ordered the mango enchilado to drink. Smoky sweet mango with a hint of spice. I cannot recommend this enough!! Food takes a while, but is clearly made with love and care. I am looking forward to my next visit! read more

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The poor server was also the cook so we could feel his pain. He wasn't very hospitable, but did end up apologizing. They do not yet have their liquor license despite the full bar out front. Not sure if it's BYOB. The food was actually pretty good. Highly recommend using the hot sauce which had great flavors . read more

Tlaxcalli - Mushroom Rellenos - Mexican Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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Absolutely deeeeelicious shrimp and carne asada tacos! I also tried the birria which was also wonderful. If you ever find yourself craving tacos in Chinatown, this is the place to be! read more

Tlaxcalli - Mexican Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Great date night spot. It's quiet and you are not rushed. The patio is very nice. The waitress was prompt, friendly and helpful. The short-rib and shrimp tacos were wonderful. Nice variety on the menu and things I have not seen before. We'll be back. read more

Good food, not TexMex but representative of other parts of Mexico and the drinks are good. Nice atmosphere there and you can sit outside in an area also. Attentive staff and easy to talk with. read more

Best traditional Mexican food on the island and frankly that I've tasted in a long time. I am Mayan and Mexican descent, and this reminded me of my grandparents cooking. Every dish was intentional. Every dish had well balanced highlighted ingredients and every dish was straight up delicious all the way to the desert which was the only dessert they had on the menu so it had to be good. I also loved that. It was on the healthier side like home-cooked meals should be. It wasn't drowning in sauces and cheeses muddling out each flavor. I will definitely be coming back as a regular. Tip: (the chef is very particular about his food and cocktails; rightfully so since it's so good, Only order off the menu and forget what you thought you knew about Mexican food. read more

Tlaxcalli - Green posole with chicken, Lightly fried pork belly over cactus salad, we also had the ceviche and shrimp tacos. - Mexican Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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What a terrific discovery, thanks to a friend's recommendation. Hawaii is definitely lacking in the Mexican cuisine arena and Tlaxcalli is a very welcomed option. Located in the heart of Chinatown on Smith Street, find street parking or use the municipal lots. They don't have their liquor license so it's BYOB! There are dine indoors and outdoor options. I suggest outdoors as they have a super quaint set up. Liked that they repurposed wood pallets and use string lights for ambiance. Smaller menu so it's not too hard to decide. They also have Sunday brunch, can't wait to try that with some mimosas, we can bring. Menu explains they don't have rice as they are keeping it traditional to the food from the region they represent but boy are their beans delicious. I just about licked the bowl. Tortillas made fresh in house. Oxtail in chili pasilla ($17), this braised oxtail was absolutely delicious and a nice serving size considering the price. Order came with three corn tortillas and beans. At the table was two of their house made hot sauces, which I enjoyed a blend of. Cochinita pibil ($16), this pork shoulder was so moist, tender and flavorful. Comes with some pickled red onions that gave it a nice acid, which helps cut through the yummy fat. They have tacos for $5 each served ala cart. You can pick smoked brisket, beef tongue, beef cheeks, pork or fish ($6) as your protein. Service was prompt and friendly. Too bad they ran out of dessert or we would have ordered some. Can't wait to go back! read more

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