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    ʻUmekes Express Hilo

    4.7 (20 reviews)
    ModeratePoke, Food Trucks
    Closed Closed

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    Grilled ahi fish tacos is a MUST!
    Sha J.

    BOMB DOT COM! Boss decided to treat us for lunch, Umekes Express it was! Their ahi fish tacos are so good. I haven't really ordered anything else.

    Fish and chips
    Brenda R.

    This is the best place to eat fish and chips. I'm not a fish person but I make an acceptance for this it is so good. There fish taco's are also good. I'm

    Poke Nachos
    T N.

    'Umekes has two local restaurants located in Kailua-Kona and one in Kamuela. We, living on the Eastside, have gone to the one in Kona several times whenever we visit the Westside. Now to have a food truck express in Hilo!! Now is one of my favorite lunch trucks to go to when I'm in Hilo. Located in the parking lot of Safeway. Their menu is small and simple to order from. The quality is the same as their restaurant's, ONO!!! Prices are a little pricey, but you get quality and better than Burger King! My favorite dish is the Avocado Poke Nachos. The chips are deep fried won ton. This nachos plate is just too ono to share! Service is very friendly. Lots of parking because you're in the Safeway parking lot. Don't expect to have a place to sit and eat. You can at the outside tables of Safeway.

    Pastele Plate with 2 scoops gandule rice and bacalao salad.. Need I say more?!
    Jay W.

    Congrats on making top 2 for food trucks gang!!! No doubt the food is always fresh and ono!! Mahalo for all the killah grinds and laughs #OffDaHook #SoOno

    Annique P.

    Here on vacation so I had to stop by! Food is so delicious, fresh, and fast! I had the poke bowl with mac salad, and my family had fish tacos/fish nachos so we all somewhat sampled each other's lunch. Staff is extra friendly and patient especially when I had no idea what I wanted to order and asked tons of questions. I would definitely recommend this place to anyone and will definitely be back in the future!!

    Nicholette D.

    You'll never look at fish and chips the same when you leave this place! Ahi Tempura... so delicious!!! When we fly in from Maui, this is the FIRST STOP!

    Fish tacos

    I found Umekes Express outside Safeway on a Wednesday afternoon and tried it on a whim. The menu is simple, 8 items, and the plates run $11-$15 depending on what you order. I went with the fish tacos. Ordering was fast, and the food was prepared quickly compared to most food trucks in the area. Tacos were legit, especially for Hawai'i, but not 5 star. The fish was fresh and generous, but the batter was a little thick where it didn't cook quite as much as it should. A little less batter or a little more time in the fryer should do it. I loved the aioli and mango salsa and avocado. I also liked the fried onions, but there were too many of them. Finally, the tortilla didn't taste very fresh. Standard issue for Hawai'i. Overall, though, a positive experience and I would like to visit again to check out the poke.

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    10 months ago

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    6 years ago

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    6 years ago

    Everything we've tried has been #SoOno! I recommend the fish tacos, but we haven't been disappointed in anything we've ordered.

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    7 years ago

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    Shauna R.

    Thank you and we love that you’re our regular from day 1!

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    8 years ago

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    Ask the Community - ʻUmekes Express Hilo

    Review Highlights - ʻUmekes Express Hilo

    Amazing poke nachos and fish and chips and the folks were super nice as well!

    Mentioned in 5 reviews

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    People searched for Poke 1,196 times last month within 10 miles of this business.

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    Souprsaimin

    Souprsaimin

    4.5
    (43 reviews)
    4.4 km
    $$

    Souprsaimin is a true Hilo treasure. Their mustard cabbage soup is always hearty and full of…read morefall‑off‑the‑bone meat -- never one of those disappointing soup bowls that's mostly broth. You can tell they care about their customers because every serving has real substance, comfort, and consistency. Pair the soup with white rice and it's ono! The flavor is always on‑point, the portions are generous, and the hospitality is pure local warmth. Mahalo Nui Loa to the Souprsaimin team for serving comfort food done right!

    Flew Hilo from Kauai to see fam. Our flight suuuuper delayed so missed connecting and then new…read moreflight suuuuuper delayed and then our bags didn't even make it til 2 hours later. So we wanted some comfort food. Hubs said he would pick up food fast kine right before they closed and then run over to get our luggage. They were slammed and little bit unorganized so didn't get food til about 30 min after they closed...barely made it to grab bags. Hubs got the mustard cabbage soup...that was souper tasty! Came with whole container of rice... I got the pork belly saimin...ate some, then we all ate it for breakfast and still had some pork left for the next day breakfast. Buggah fatty but soft. Soup was a little salty for me, so I watered down for me and baby. $50-ish but choke food. Probs a new go to spot. Hopefully next time it won't be a day of delays...

    Photos
    Souprsaimin
    Pork Belly Saimin
    Pork Belly Saimin
    Menu 11/9/25

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    Menu 11/9/25
    Big Island Birria Boss

    Big Island Birria Boss

    4.8
    (105 reviews)
    16.8 km
    $$

    First off, I am from Sinaloa, born and raised, and now live in California. I know what real Mexican…read morefood should taste like. Hands down, the quesabirria tacos and flautas are as good as they come--absolutely amazing. We happened upon this place on Yelp, and I was a little skeptical, but after the first bite, I felt transported back to Mexico. My entire family agreed that these are the best quesabirria tacos we have had outside of Mexico, and possibly even in Mexico. The flavors were amazing, and the consommé was absolutely delicious. We are regulars on the Big Island and normally do not eat Mexican food because we have never found a good spot, with the exception of Shaka Tacos. This place was really busy, and there was only one person working. She was doing it all--taking orders, collecting money, and making all the delicious food. She was never rude and was so pleasant. She said the cooks had called in and she was the only one there. Talk about dedication! She made sure everyone got their food, and it was made perfectly. I cannot commend her enough for all the work she did and for putting out an outstanding order of food. She is a real gem and should be treated as such! It is so hard to find good employees today, and her dedication and attitude inspired me. I wish we had gotten her name, but she said she is always there. If the food takes longer than you like, just be patient, because you are in for a treat when it comes out. Good food takes time, and the food is definitely worth the wait. We will definitely be coming back every time we are here. This place is a real gem. If I could give it more stars, I would. I hope everyone reading this takes my advice and goes to this wonderful place for the delicious food and the warm people.

    I have tried as many Mexican trucks/restaurants as I could find on the Big Island in the 4 1/2…read moreyears we have lived here. I have yet to find one that compares to good Mexican food in California, until Birria Boss. My Daughter-in-law, who is Mexican, found Birria Boss and I am super happy she did. This is now my go to place anytime I am in the Hilo area. Do yourself a favor and stop in for the Birria Ramen, Birria tacos, pastor tacos, as good as any you will find in California. So happy that I now can get my Mexican fix without a five hour flight.

    Photos
    Inside dining
    Inside dining
    Quesabirria plate
    Quesabirria plate
    Horchata and Birria Tacos

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    Horchata and Birria Tacos

    ʻUmekes Express Hilo - poke - Updated August 2026

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