Hula Hut — Restaurant in California

During a family trip to Avila Beach, our entourage was craving some ice cream, and so we decided to give this joint a try. My aunt is a diehard fan of pistachio ice cream, and although the shop does offer samples, we hadn't thought to ask for a sample of that flavor since you really can't get that flavor wrong?

Well, we learned to not always throw caution to the wind. The flavor was overloaded with cinnamon; almost had a very bitter aftertaste, against many of the raving reviews praising that flavor.

We decided to ask for a different flavor after agreeing that it wasn't something we were going to eat. The gal behind the counter said that we could not return it for a different flavor, because we had the option to have sampled it beforehand (which isn't a good enough reason to refuse someone an exchange, by the way).

It was a single scoop, so we didn't think that it would be too much of an inconvenience to swap it out for a different flavor, since we were unsatisfied with the taste. But apparently at this place, it is. So where did the ice cream go? Right into the trash.

Overall, the ice cream was poorly made. Incredibly dull in flavor, like it was made using ingredients from the dollar store. The peanut butter was just so cheap in flavor and texture, and you could absolutely taste the difference.

For such a shanty little place, you'd assume they'd be a little more understanding and empathetic. Looks like this place just clings to the "pathetic."

Won't be returning here again, to...

So we thoroughly enjoyed this shop's sweet treats and beach themed signs and gift items!! The manager is a laid-back man who we found honest to interact with; it was refreshing and humorous. Sitting with ice cream in their outdoor table and chairs was a great ending to the day for our kid and us. Hubby and 9-y.o. son got a kick out of the extreme chocolate flavor Motor Oil!

As the saying goes, appreciate the little things. Our family drove 2 1/2 hours to bring my mother-in-law to the beach since she flew from an inland state. She uses a walker and enjoys the beach air and vibe so much regardless of her limited mobility. I'm currently going through an extremely tough time. Thus, a peaceful day at the beach was much needed for us all--and we found that at Avila Beach, including and especially spending time at this shop!

More people need to take a daily humble pill, become emotionally intelligent, and/or perhaps learn to be the sunshine in someone elses day rather than expect to always be on the recieving end, as you never do know what battles other people are fighting.

Everyone's a super critic aren't they--so quick to condemn a place over a single coffee, meal, or just a glance. Can't humans just live amongst humans anymore!? Maybe the glance had nothing to do with you. Maybe the latte or meal wasn't what you were expecting. Everything has to be perfection standard, apparently. This entitled world...

We stopped in on our day out, I wanted to buy the traveling dish towels for my new RV, so I excitedly got in line to pay for my towels. My one item.

We waited patiently in line as 3 employees were helping the customers in front of us, about 6 or so minutes went by and the line was moving slow. Then a lady walked in from the outside and the older man who works there went to another register and started helping her and a new line formed behind her as the rest of us who had been waiting just looked in amazement. He was helping people who just walked in while we still waited in the line. So I walked to the side of the new register and asked if we were in the right line as we had been waiting and before I could finish my question the old man snapped at me and said " your trying to overtake this customer" I just looked at him like WOW WHAT and I tried to say again sir we have been waiting for a while and you started helping a lady that just walked in the door. and he again snapped at me, so I throw the towel on the counter and said FU and walked out. We got about a block away and another customer caught up to us to say he snapped at her too and she walked out.

What a horrible old man to have working there. We were friendly and patient and he just snapped at us and lost a few customers in the process.

We will never return, and I hope they lose a lot of business because that was just rude...