Paradise Tiki of Dania Beach — Restaurant in Dania Beach

(TL;DR at the bottom) Looking for a quick bite to eat on the way out of town, I was ready for the delicious-sounding Huli-Huli. First mark (which alone is understandable!) against the spot was that they couldn't take to-go orders. Upon arriving at the gravel parking lot (could use more eye-level signage in the vehicular driveway entrance cuz I got lucky turning left, and pedestrian walkability to the facility), it was a lovely waterside tiki bar. Jamie or Janine, the wonderfully accommodating manager, took care of me to the best of her ability. The issues started in earnest when she informed me that the menu had been updated and additions weren't allowed to add additions, despite the online menu saying it. So I'll pause right here and say if you own a business with a website, keep. it. updated. So when she offered to ask the chef, he said it would cost $37, A $14 UPCHARGE for the shrimp skewer I was trying to order when the online menu said $7, so charging me twice as much. I should have left right there, but decided just to be adventurous and respectful and finish the order. When I asked to substitute the sweet plantains, which I cannot eat, the chef this time said $4 upcharge. I'm sorry, but this is a casual, local fair that should be welcoming - not some fine-dining establishment charging an arm-and-a-leg. Satisfied with the base order and appreciative of Jamie/Janine's service, I opened the box to see that the pineapple, zucchini, and shrimp WEREN'T EVEN ON THE SAME STICK. I am not sorry, but this felt like an $8 styrofoam box of food priced thrice as much (and not sure how much it was culturally appropriated anyway). Lessons learned, and while I want to try the rest of the delicious-/sounding/ menu, the nickel-and-diming, lackluster portions, and underwhelming flavors really have forever turned me off from this place (even though that Huli-Huli sauce was legitimately delicious). Sure wasn't Paradise, let me tell y'all that.

So if you get this far, summed up TL;DR is: Always ask for prices; if they keep upcharging despite what the menu/online prices say (which this place did), leave. Always open the to-go food box before you leave! Treat the wait staff with respect, and they'll return the favor.l...

This was our second time heading to Dania Pointe pre-cruise and we were really looking forward to going back to the Tiki Hut. As a group of six we knew we'd probably have to wait for a table (6pm on a Friday) and when the wait reached the 30 minute mark we still didn't mind as we really enjoyed our time here "last year". However, it all went down hill once we finally got escorted to our table for six which only had 4 chairs and were given only three menus. The problem seemed to be a bunch of "locals" who were obviously friends with the staff. Their tabled near the entrance swelled to 10 then 12 people as more "friends" keep showing up... walking in past the other people waiting to get seats... as they "already had a table with friends right there"... then they would grab extra chairs from nearby tables and join their group. For more than 20 minutes we waited at our table and were never offered water let alone an option to place a drink or food order. At the 25 min mark, one of us even wadded into the restaurant to find two more chairs as it was obvious staff wasn't getting us anything to sit on even though 2 of us had been standing at our table the entire time. We spoke to 4 different staff members during those 30 minutes, all of which were waiting on that one table, but no one seemed to be "in-charge" and in any hurry to assist us......but they were all busy running back and forth past us to serve that one table. Your staff was a huge failure that night Tiki and we wont be back. And though I praised your restaurant on many cruise forums, to any one staying in Diana Pointe pre or post cruise, I can no longer...

Went for dinner. Good:Seated right away, on the water. Service was prompt, polite. Water came immediately . Food came rather quickly. Frozen Pina Colada nice. My Hula Burger cooked as I wanted, huge, delicious. Caesar salad was tasty. Bad: I asked waitress can I substitute for the fries, she says yes. But she didn’t tell me that it was a $3 up charge for my tiny salad. Plus $1 for dressing. Who charges for salad dressing?? Have had salad out literally a thousand times, this was the first charge , ever , for dressing. Grilled zucchini was good, but very minuscule portion, just 6 small circular pieces. Then the 3 piece “band” started . Much too loud , couldn’t converse over it. And, IMHO, even tho I like pop rock, they were not that good….. drums were mixed wayyyy too loud. So, only 3 stars for service because of the salad up charge. Only 3 for atmosphere as the band overshadowed the nice water ambiance. Food was good, but I deducted a star for the tiny zucchini portion. I guess I would visit them again……but would make a few different choices Edit and an add: It was a nice response from management, I did visit again, but for lunch this time. Food was good, beers ice cold, waiter professional and polite. Ambiance was very nice, water reminded me of the Erie canal in central NY. Nice time this time around. I would go again. I added a star on my original review for service as it looks as though the upcharge I mentioned was overlooked by me. I couldn't add a star for ambiance, tho, as we did sit as far away d from the band as possible, it was just too loud for...