Maria Bonita

So sad to see you close! We will truly miss you!
You were our favorite place to eat at on the island. I think at one point we were coming in twice a week.
You food was always delicious.
There is no where else that the owner/​management has ever made us feel so at home.
We will be visiting your Honolulu location when we’re on that side of the island. Well also be looking for your lunch truck in Kailua.
Hurry back! Your return to Kaneohe will be most welcome!

Pros:
–reasonably priced
–good guacamole bowl
Cons
–greasy meats
–greasy beans
–cold regular shredded cheese
–junk chips
–interior décor is awful at best

It has been a struggle to find good Mexican food on the island. This by far has been the best food we’ve had. I had the California burrito and my husband had the wr burrito, both were delicious. The guacamole was fresh and obviously home made. The service was amazing, very fast and polite. This will be our new go to anytime we are craving Mexican.

One of the best on the island! The staff is very friendly and helpful and the food is so delicious. The Pico de Gallo tastes amazingly fresh & goes great with the bean dip. My favorites are the California burrito & Mexican Torta (sandwich) with carnitas.

Really solid food. Had enchiladas suizas and the wet burrito. Staff were friendly and attentive. While the décor is eclectic, this is a place I will definitely go back too.

Been dying to try this place out from all the reviews I’ve read. Was imagining Menudo and Lengua… when we got the menu, it was all the regular fare minus some very important staple dishes such as Tamales for example. I was already slightly turned off.
We were the only people in the restaurant and there were 6 of us. The waitress brought 4 menus. I had to go grab 2 more. The AC is there, and I assume it’s working but they didn’t have it on and you all know how hot this summer has been. It was unpleasantly hot and sticky. Our plates came out one at a time and far in between. We were all served after about a 30 – 40 minute wait.
The food was «meh» at best. It lacked enough seasoning/​salt. The portions were good and I couldn’t finish my spicy Cali Burrito, but it was more because of the lack of flavor than the fact that I was full. We requested take out boxes which came… No bag to carry them out in; until we requested that as well. Not sure if that’s due to the new law or the fact that the waitress didn’t have any interest in serving us.
Overall, Mexican cuisine in Kaneone has been hit or miss and the best place we’ve been to is El Mariachi. Don’t even consider Don Goyo’s an honorable mention. I’d go to Taco Bell before I went there again. Kden Maria Bonita’s… Probably won’t see each other again.

Summary: Parking is difficult. No AC. No one in the restaurant. Cold, inedible, thrown together food. Couldn’t eat any part of the meal after a couple of bites. I would have liked the waitress to check back with us so I could get our forgotten side while we were eating, get some more chips and order something else more edible.
Maybe it was just the entrée I ordered that was unappetizing? I doubt it though. Take out box full of food thrown away. Friendly waitress but overall lackluster service. Prices are cheap, but the food is even cheaper. Nice people, but the food is not worth it. If you want Mexican food, there are much better options on the island than this location. Hopefully it was just an off day? Either way, I don’t think I will be back.

They have HORCHATA here! It’s not listed on the menu — I asked for it! I would not have known about it or what it was if I hadn’t read Tim C.‘s (LA Unilocaler) review.
When I was in LA last week, I went with Alana (LA Unilocaler) to a Mexican restaurant and had my very first Horchata — yum! It’s a rice drink with cinnamon flavor!
This time, I went to Maria Bonita in Kaneohe, HI and found it! The waitress said it’s available as a mix in Safeway — I’ll have to look.
Anyway, since I was there, I ordered the #13 Garlic Shrimp plate to go. At home, I donned my gloves (I don’t want stinky hands at work) and had some difficulty peeling the shells off of the shrimp. The taste and texture were great! The beans were a bit bland, but the cheese topping helped! I mixed the rice and the salad together for more yumminess! Mmm!
There’s free parking in the small lot on Kahuhipa Street. It wasn’t crowded — just a few customers. The décor is very colorful and cute! The chef and waitress were very friendly and pleasant. I’ll be back for sure!

Went to Maria Bonita last week with family. It is a little place, possibly hard to find at night. we may have driven past it. But we found it! They provided free chips and and salsa, which was really yummy. I got carne asada tacos (comes w/​two) and they were delicious! We also ordered flautas w/​chicken, spicy pork burrito, and fish tacos. The flautas was also a winner!
Service was good, no complaints. The restaurant is BYOB. and the food came out in a timely manner.
There isn’t an abundance of mexican food on the island, but this is hands down the best and most «authentic» (in my limited opinion) that I have tried here. Would DEFINITELY recommend if you are on the kaneohe side (I think there is also a town location) and are craving some good mexican food!

After living in Texas for 20 years, our standards for Mexican food are pretty high. I thought this was some of the best we have had in Oahu. We had the pork carnitas wet burrito. Really good.

Mostly authentic Mexican food and definitely in top 5 «Mexican» places on Oahu. Some of the other reviews have nailed it… the food isn’t really consistent– some days you will have amazing food and some days it is so-​so. The chips and salsa are delicious (spicy salsa)! I do like the food here but El Mariachi a street away usually wins the votes amongst my friends, so we end up eating there more often. The place is rarely too busy, so the service is pretty quick and there’s usually please type of parking (even though it is a weird and tight space). The style inside is also kind of fun… it’s almost like 50s diner meets sports bar meets Mexican restaurant. Overall, I would recommend the restaurant, and many of the authentic dishes here!

First of all, as soon as we parked in front of the kitchen door, we saw one of the cooks put a burrito in the microwave and heat it up prior to placing it on the plate. If you want fresh, I don’t think the microwave is it. We decided to try It anyways since Unilocal had given it 4 stars. Once seated we ordered an enchilada, wet carne asada burrito, tacos and a spicy California burrito. While waiting we ate stale chips and house made salsa. The enchilada had an interesting fishy taste and my fiancée was unable to finish her dish. Her brother ordered the California burrito with was subpar at best. The tacos were average. The best thing was the wet burrito. It had great flavor and was decent portion size. Tried to order a horchata, but the waitress didn’t know what it was. For the price, freshness, and taste, I will probably look elsewhere for Mexican food. Service was great tho.

What a nice surprise to find authentic Mexican-​style cuisine tucked in Kaneohe. The Mahi tacos were quite good, though think I’ll request the tortillas skip the fryer next time. Authentic salsa that was not reminiscent of a can of Heinz tomato sauce (like so many local establishments). Friendly owner whom takes pride in his cooking.
I would describe this as similar to a small Mexican food place you may find in southern California.
Give it a try and you may be surprised.

Had the tacos, one carnitas and one carne asada. Both very good, although it was better after I added some salsa. I ate all the beans and rice too, which is unusual for me. Everyone in our party enjoyed their food.
Customer service is great; friendly and funny server.
Parking is tight, I suggest finding street parking if you can.
Planning to be back to try other menu items!

Nice small airy place with Mexican music in the background. It was a good experience. Food was good. Server was friendly. Food came out fast. The only reason I gave 4 stars is because I was looking forward to their fried ice cream people have raved about but they said they only do it occasionally which bummed me out just a little. But overall everything was wonderful. We will totally be going back!

Parking is sharp. But it can be done.
We got guacamole. Mixed with lettuce? It was like … may I get some avocado with my lettuce? Do I have a salad with avocado?
My boo didn’t like his meal. Sorry don’t remember. I ordered the fish wet burrito. It was hUge. Had to take a doggie bag. It was good.
Servers were nice.

Outstanding!
Love this place. China town and kaneohe both taste spectacular.
If you want to eat something close to a home cooked Mexican meal this is the place to go. Very casual good portions and I am so infatuated with their rice for some reason.
I had the wet burrito the regular burrito and the tacos all with carne asada and it was all so tasteful.
Do yourself a favor and drive to kaneohe or Chinatown if you are craving Mexican food. I assure you it is worth the drive. Don’t waste your time and settle.

I love this place and I love the food :) it’s located couple doors down from pancake house, across the car wash auto spa. They accept cash and card! Portions are really worth it as well. I have brought my family and friends on multiple occasions and they loved it as well.

Just had dinner at this wonderful establishment and oh my goodness! I recently moved here from San Antonio, TX and this is the best Mexican food I have had so far!
I had the Chile Verde Wet Burrito. The Verde sauce was authentic and the pork had a fresh from the grill flavour. The salsa, served with chips, was fresh and not a ketchup derivative.
Diego, the proprietor, was pleasant and joy to speak to as well!
Not a lot of parking and BYOB (which I will be doing next time!)

We’ve been driving from honolulu not knowing there’s a location in Chinatown! We just moved here from California and this is the best mexican food we’ve had so far on the island. The service is friendly and very helpful, they know every detail about the menu.
Everything I’ve had so far is really good, today they have pastor and its amazing! Great meat quality, so much flavor.
Overall, this place is worth the drive wherever you are on the island