Ali’i Grill

My absolute favorite place to get my Hawaiian grinds fix! My workmate got me turned on to this place just a month ago and HOT DAMN! That was the BEST braised beef I’ve ever tasted! They post their specials daily on their website, and I was lucky enough to have my first dish from Ali’i Grill be the most sexcellent dish I’ve had from them yet. Soft, succulent, and so full of flavor I got all weak in the knees. Sad right? But so very true.
I’ve learned to savor every bite and try to pace myself so the meal will actually last longer! Whether you order a mini or a regular, Ali’i Grill packs in so much goodness that the bottom of the plate curves and food oozes out from the sides. I can’t think of another place that gives you so much food for so little money! Beef luau, poke bowls, roast pork, and my beloved braised beef… tried them all and I wholeheartedly approve.

OHHH NOOOO!!!
I just went to their site and they closed the downtown location! SOOOO JUNK! I really loved their hamburger steak plate!

This place is great. Go there about once or twice a week just to enjoy their free soda with any lunch purchase (with coupon that you can find anywhere). Hamburger Steak is awesome as well as their baked chicken. Always crowded, so difficult to get a seat during certain hours.

Went there for breakfast this morning. Had a veggie omelet with wheat toast. Very resonably priced. They have weekly specials and discounts.

Still the best roast pork downtown. The problem I have with Ali‘i Grill is their consistency. Last time my wife and I went there, the sweet potato fries (the frozen kind you can buy at Sams or Costco) were burnt… way overcooked and nasty. Today the rice was way under cooked; hard like something Uncle Ben would make. It’s just something you have to deal with here: a lack of consistency. I think this really hurts places in there tough financial times. I used to eat out everyday, but now I have to cut back on eating out. When I do decided to eat out, I want something good, I’m not willing to risk it on a place that «could» be good.

Got the adobo fried rice today with two eggs over easy. Unfortunately it was way way too salty. Usually if the meat is salty, the rice is less salty so that balances out the meat. But this was just salty all over. I couldn’t finish it. I just has some great adobo fried rice at Elena’s in Pearl City… this stuff just couldn’t compare. That being said, the portion was very generous. They also butter your toast which I can’t eat, so ask for dry toast if you want. Staff was very friendly and the food came out fast.

Had the Ali’i Burger with cheddar, bacon, and over medium egg. Wow — really tasty. Service was very friendly. Will be back.

If you have Facebook, ‘Like’ them; they post their menu and that is a big help. On most fridays they have adobo fried rice, and it’s the best I’ve ever had. Call first or go early because it goes FAST.
The rest of the menu is awesome and the only issue is that they’re a little heavy handed with the gravy, and how bad is it that the only thing?

Nestled just off of Bishop before you get to Hotel St.
breakfast there was good «Ham and Cheese Omlete» but, the «Hamburger Steak» was really good. I would ask them to put more gravy next time. All over the rice.
Staff is local and very friendly. Ill go back and try other things. They have daily specials. Today was Pork Chops and Swiss Mushroom Burger. But, I was craving Hamburger Steak. Craving satisfied.

We knew this place was going to be truly awesome when our building security guard recommended it. Their bargain prices hard to beat (especially in Downtown), portions are huge and the taste is ONO-​licious.

Normally only come here for breakfast and its never failed me. 2 scoops rice, 2 eggs, 2 pieces of toast, and 4 slices of spam. That fills me up pretty good. I like the fact they’re pretty generous on their portions instead of getting like 2 gimp slices of spam from other places. Plus it satisfies my breakfast craving for rice and toast!

$ 3 breakfast between 6am-​7am, what is there to complain about? Comes with rice, choice of meat, eggs, and toast.
To be continued as I have not tried their lunch menu yet.

My lunch break is at 1, and the first time I attempted eating here, I was saddened to find that they had run out of all hamburger dishes… which is probably 80% of their menu. But that was a few days after they had first opened, so perhaps they weren’t fully accustomed to things yet.
Today (several weeks after my first attempt) I tried Alii Grill again. It’s good place for plate lunches, but the menu is kind of small. I had the special, the hamburger curry and my bf had the Alii Burger (cheeseburger). We both were satisfied, but not crazy in love.
All in all, good if you’re in the mood for hearty meaty food, but nothing you absolutely NEED to try.

Ali’i Grill has a small menu with all the standards. Their portion size is good. The food is hot and flavorful. There is not much to distinguish it from other plate lunch places, but it is a solid lunch choice in the downtown area. Although I’m not crazy about having to pay fifty cents extra for brown rice.
P. S. On Fridays they have a 10% discount for showing your bus pass. That is so cool. I love it.
Update: Been back a few times, typically the food is pretty salty to my taste and I generally over salt my food.