As a local Maui boy, I love eating at small, mom and pop local food places. The food was okay, haven't found a favorite dish on the two occasions I've been there. But I have to admit that I will not be returning for a 3rd time or recommending this place to anyone. My reason was that the staff was unprofessional on both visits, constantly bad-mouthing other local restaurants and especially making fun of other ethnic cultures. I was shocked that even in today's economy, a business can afford to employ people who cannot offer a basic amount of customer service. No excuse. If the food was 'broke-da-mouth' awesome, then I would forgive the poor service. But this local boy is moving on.
My bro's and I used to go there at least twice a week, no issues for the first month or so when they opened. Food was cheap when they first opened, then prices climbed to what the other cafe's in Haiku charge. Sadly, 4 of us got sick eating there a few months ago and have not returned since. There's a nice bakery though nearby, and a pizza place.
I don't know what Maui Local Boy and KK is talking about. The service is filled with aloha and the Fried Rice is broke-da-mouth. The price is only$5.00, so what else do you expect. Tell me where can you go, for a cheap, onolicious breakfast and free drink if you waiting longer than 10 minutes. Maybe you braddahs should go to Burger King, "where you can get it your way"
Its about time we finally get a nice local style restaurant up country (actually ran by locals) that the community can go to & enjoy! What a smart investment!! Hana Hou cafe was the pl. until it turned into just another high priced, haole, never gonna last, restaurant. We really needed this. Its especially nice for the younger generation. In these hard times, affordability is KEY! How could anyone possibly complain about anything. The food is less than $10, the portions are perfect & the Auntys that work there take care! Talk about bringing back the old times. ALOHA is what its about. I hope North Shore Cafe stays around for a long long time!
I no believe 1 pound steak and eggs was only $8.08. The meat was seasoned perfect, the fat just melt in my mouth and the fried rice for $1.00 more made it heavenly. Oh yah, my wife had the taro pancakes with their homemade mac-nillla sauce, and dat was da bomb. I cannot wait to go back this weekend with the rest of da Ohana from Hana. Northshore Cafe, mahalo for being so affordable and taking care us locals that cannot afford to dine out at all. We wish you the best and see yah soon. Ah...ryte
I'll have to agree with Local808son and Lono 'Ohana. Food was okay, and cheap. I get mixed service depending on the day of the week I suppose. Even though the prices are low, I figure it's okay to have sometimes rude service.
As for KK, I never got sick, not sure what you're talking about.
As for Maui girl, I don't know what you mean by "actually ran by locals" since all of the stores and shops in Haiku are run by locals who have lived in Haiku/UpCountry for years and truly have a solid connection with the community. I've known all of them for over 10 years, some over 20, and to say that only this business is "actually ran by locals" shows that you yourself have no idea what you're talking about. Your comments sound like you have a vested interest in the company. How much you make an hour over there?
Yah, I guess you get what you pay for. Steak was ono, but too much 'aila. Good for some people, but for diabetics, not to good. Breakfast potatoes was good like Koho's! Inside the restaurant very comfortable, on the lanai very country, especially if you like chickens. They come on the lanai like its there home, not afraid of anybody. Restaurant was very busy and the waitresses new most of there customers by name. Very impressive! But sadly, they are in need of new chairs and a bigger seating area. We had a party of 9 and could only sit by the sushi bar. We are not sushi lovers, so the smell was the only thing that got to us. Parking was kind of hard to find. Otherwise, food was ono and service was attentive for the kids especially. We'll be back!
I grew up in Haiku so I appeciate local food and like to support local businesses. When I come back home to visit my family every year, I like to eat. That's the best part of coming home! The food. My mom suggested this place because she ate there the second day they were open and said it was good. It was FOUL. I appreciate the laid back setting but this place was dirty - nasty stained chairs, tables dirty and half wiped (they wipe tables with dirty rags half ass and then set the cups upsidedown on them - no wonder people get sick), and there's chickens walking around. The ladies in there are unfriendly and very sloppy looking. We sat for 20 min at our dirty table before we flagged someone down. They took forever getting our food to us and forever getting the check. The food was cold and gross. All of it. Their "omelettes" were like a scramble pile and their toast was soggy. Then comes the nasty lukewarm tap water with no ice that is way to hard to even GAG down. My mom had a piece of canadian bacon (if you can call it that) on her benedict that was roughly the size of a quarter. I would never recommend such filth to anyone. We felt physically ill after that meal. Very busy though - because its cheap. So what. You get what you pay for. Cheap crap.
funny how a new place get plenty mixed reviews. i figure the contreversey was worth checking out. about the only thing this local boy has to say is having more local businesses is good for the Maui economy. plus competition brings prices down for us hungry natives, so more restaurants, the betta. as for the grinds, it was alright. im not snobby or expect great things, so i'll be back for the cheap food. service was slow thoughi gotta say, and the smell of the chickens walking around outside was homely, but for one restaurant, was kinda ira's. good thing get plenty more places to eat in that area, but still give this place a shot. maybe if they get more customers, then there place will improve.
Local 808 son is obviously a haole if he didn't enjoy the delicous local breakfast or lunch and now steak and seafood in the evenings. And i have eaten there more times than i can count, never been sick from it (from time to time i get reeaaallly full from ordering too much due to their awesomely priced plates) never had a cold or bad plate, always had great service from the local staff (my skin is white by the way) and i would highly recommend North Shore Cafe to EVERYONE. They have vegetarian dishes too. Living on Maui my whole life, I have come across countless amounts of restaurants serving local food, and next to "Da Kitchen" North Shore Cafe is by far my favorite!!!
Great commentary, thanks. I just need to add that Da Kitchen in Kihei is obviously staffed and managed by anti-haoles. Maybe next time I'll use a hidden cam when ordering their disgusting unhealthy food.
Me and my children go there almost every weekend! Great staff and Great food. They cater to my children better than alot of places we ate at. Staff is very friendly, dont know what everyone else is talking about.
Yes the raised their prices maybe 50 cents but still in the $5 area not 6 bucks. And they always had the $8.08 menu.
Chickens.... NOT ONCE have i eaten their besides a chicken. Its Haiku and Up "Country" for crying out loud. If the chickens bother you for being out side than maybe you belong eating somewhere like Outback Steakhouse.
If your looking for a laid back setting with locals behind the grill. Who has Children friendly staff and will accommodate your group size even if they are limited on seating. Thank this is the place for you. If not than head to kihei for somewhere else.
Haiku Neighbor
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