Pac Island Grill — Restaurant in Federal Way

Pac Island Grill, Federal Way, WA

After having wanted to visit this eatery for some time, the ending of many Covid restrictions finally made it happen without having to feel one is eating under surgical research protocol. Pac Island Grill feels fun and welcoming from the  moment you enter which is somewhat surprising being located in a less than inviting and somewhat utilitarian Federal Way strip mall. Stepping through the door one could almost identify with Alice stepping through the looking glass, but this may be more akin to Stich (Lilo & Stitch) stepping into Disneyland's Enchanted Tiki Room where you almost expect all the decor to burst into a tropical paradise of song and happiness! Pac Island Grill can truly transport you to that Island paradise with an immersive experience that's fun, visually appealing, and exudes the true Hawaiian spirit of ‘Ohana’, or family. Pac Island Grill bills themselves as providing Authentic Asian Fusion, popularly known as Hawaiian BBQ. Featuring Luau Inspired Barbecue plus their Unique Local Style Plate Lunch, Pac Island Grill Hawaiian Style BBQ plus their Award-Winning Slow smoked Kalua Pork, Signature Fire-Grilled Barbecue Loli-Loli Chicken or Island Style Favorites like Succulent Pork Lau-Lau, Ahi Poke and Crispy Coconut Prawn. On this lunch visit, we started with the Pu-Pu platter combo with coco prawns, lumpia shanghai, spam musubi and BBQ huli skewers. (Serves 3-4) which is artistically presented and prepared fresh made and delicious. Serves 3-4 but easily results in a to go container when just shared by two (remember, it's a starter!). Following we had one of the weekday Lunch Specials ($9.99), and being a Wednesday we chose the Gyoza Plate (Potstickers) deep fried dumplings filled with pork and vegetables with rice and choice of mac salad, island slaw or island greens (spring mix) with dressing. We ordered the island slaw which was crisp and creamy with the right amount of sweetness that provided a refreshing side to be paired with the fried Gyoza. Ordered as the lunch special,(rather than a main) this dish was more than ample to keep one happy and smiling. In addition, we also ordered the Pork Adobo (main $13.69), simmered in garlic and spices infused in a savory shoyu and vinegar broth. This dish is also served with  rice and choice of auntie mama's mac salad, island slaw or the island greens. The Adobo was truly rich in flavor and the vinegar broth provided the perfect level of tang and tartness with highlighted the garlic and spices rather than overpowering. The pork was tender and ample, again leaving one full and satisfied. For this side we ordered the Mac Salad, which unfortunately only left you wanting more. Available beverages also carry through the tropical theme with items like Tropical Fruit Smoothies, Hawaiian Iced Tea, Fruit Infused Lemonade (try the Lilikoi.. yum!). Wine by the glass is also available plus a nice assortment of Kona Brewery microbrews plus occasional seasonals.  You will find the Pac Island Grill’s overall menu to be rather extensive and by just reading can be somewhat a feast for the eyes if not a conundrum in what to order. The staff are friendly and efficient and more than willing to explain each dish in further detail when asked. Pac Island Grill is definitely a ‘go to’ for a satisfying taste of Hawaii and the tropics without the 6 hour flight and provides excellent value for money. Also of note, Pac Island Grill also does catering and luaus, just head to their website or inquire directly for their many (delicious)...

On Tuesday, we ordered $500 worth of party platter food for pick up on Saturday at 4 pm, for a party of about 20 people. We were told it was no problem, we pre-paid in advance, and even called 2 days later to confirm some of the tray sizes. On Saturday, I was running 15 minutes late for pick up, but I thought - "No big deal. The food can sit for a few minutes, and I will be able to get on the road quickly." I arrived at 4:15 pm (the restaurant was nearly empty) and was told they needed a few minutes to pack everything up. As far as I can tell this is when they STARTED cooking the food, because I spent the next 35 minutes watching through the kitchen window as food was cooked a packaged up, all while repeatedly being told "sorry it will just be a few more minutes." I recieved everything just after 4:50 pm, nearly an hour after the scheduled pickup time. This was not the only stop I needed to make, and the delay added a lot of stress and frustration to the day.

What was the point of calling ahead if you are not going to start until I show up? That was never discussed, and no one called us before hand to say there was any issue, despite having our phone number. No attempts were made to fix the situation besides a few apologies from the front hostess (who was nice, but ultimately powerless to do anything).

The food was decent. The Hawaiian BBQ beef and Kalbi ribs were great. Spam Masubi was good, although thats hard to do wrong. The Khalua pork lacked any real flavor though, and the pineapple fried rice was mediocre (as well as barely fried, which I can only imagine was due to rushing to cook the order at the last minute). I don't feel like it was $500 worth of food, ESPECIALLY given the pick up issues, but it did feed our whole party well.

Had this been handled better by the staff, and any attempt been made to rectify the situation I probably would have left a better review and ordered again for other parties. And I may try dine-in again sometime as it seems really nice inside with a great menu. If I do, I will update my review. But this was a lousy experience and a bad first impression, and I will not be ordering any large orders again...

The owner of this place is a thug. He didn't like that I honked to stop a car that couldn't see me because the owners van was illegally parked and blocking the veiw of cars moving through the intersection. So the guy followed me to my next parking spot. He took down the information he needed to report what in his mind was unsafe driving to my company as I was in a work vehicle. He asked me whom to contact and I told him the number. then he parked his van so I couldn't move my vehicle. and just sat there for 15 minutes blocking me. When I was then leaveing the lot he used his van to cut me off. We were then stopped at a red light waiting to go straight through the intersection about the 6th and 7th cars back. There are about 25 cars waiting as it's the Friday before Christmas the other side of the intersection is the nearby mall and it's 5 pm. The cars in front of the owner proceed through the intersection but the Owner of Pac Island grill just sits there to prevent me and you if you were in one of the other 25 cars and busses he was holding up from making the light. Anyway the owner of this restaurant spent a good 30 min and drove a couple miles just trying to torment me like some thug.

The food at the restaurant tastes like teriyaki that has had the sauce watered down. The area around the restaurant is teaming with transients. There isn't any security at the strip mall to keep them from urinating all over the walls and a walk around the restaurant will be mired in the smell of urine.

Anyway there's are other Hawaiian restaurants nearby and you won't need to chance this type of horrifying...