Alebrije Mexican Restaurant & Bar — Restaurant in Hawaii

Finished snorkeling and wanted nachos. Looked up the closest Mexican restaurant and found Alebrije's (soon to be Tequila's Mexican). Decided to give it a try.

Walked in, was warmly greeted. Sat at the bar. Had a great conversation with the owner before ordering drinks. Easy going all the way.

Right off the bat, this isn't Taco Bell. It's not Alberto's Taco Shop. It isn't your typical faux Mexican/American fare. This place is genuine, costal Mexican seafood cuisine. If you left a negative review because you wanted a bean burrito with sour cream or a chimmichanga, that's on you.

Ordered a Hibiscus Margarita and a Mescal Mule. Oh man....that mule was fantastic! Never had a smoky mule before, absolutely hit the spot. For food, we got the ceviche and breaded octopus. Both were fantastic! Octopus presentation looked like the coral we'd just been diving. The sauce was amazing, slight tang of mustard with just the right amount of spice. Asked for a small cup of the sauce, and the owner went right to the back to grab it. Solid.

Talked more with the owner, had a great time....right up until a crazy cat lady walked in and sat down next to my wife. Cut off our conversation with the owner and started complaining about things. Salsa was cold, waitress doesn't speak good enough English. Owner went to the back and she immediately launches into a negative tirade about everything at the restaurant. I asked her...."why are you here, then?" Dirty look.

Owner came back, we paid our bill, shook his hand, and left. If an older lady sits next to you with a wrist full of bracelets and complains about the temp of the...

I recently dined at Alebrije Hawaii, and I must say, it's the best Mexican food I've tasted outside of Mexico! What impressed me the most was their thoughtful inclusion of vegan options. I opted for the soy chorizo chilaquiles, which were absolutely delicious and paired perfectly with a side of beans. The meal started with fresh corn chips and salsa, both of which were exceptionally flavorful—the chips were delightfully crispy, and the salsa had just the right balance of flavors without being too spicy.

My husband tried the enchiladas suizas and declared them the best he's ever had! We were both impressed with the generous portions and how well each plate was prepared. The staff even accommodated our baby by providing sides of beans and avocado.

To complement our meal, we enjoyed margaritas made with high-quality tequila and no additives, reflecting the restaurant's commitment to excellence in every aspect. Their extensive knowledge of tequilas was evident, and I'm looking forward to trying a tequila flight on my next visit to sample more of their offerings.

Beyond the outstanding food and drinks, the staff's warmth and helpfulness added to our dining experience. It's clear that Alebrije Hawaii is a labor of love, being family-owned by owners hailing from Mexico City. Overall, it was a delightful dining experience that left us eager to return and explore more of their menu. Highly recommended for anyone craving authentic Mexican flavors in a...

This is a cool little spot, and a welcome addition to the offerings in this beach resort area. I travel far and frequently, so I can attest to the fact that the seasonings on the black Agua chile shrimp are as they claim… Yucatán traditional with a modern flare. Pork and chicken tacos were also delicious. Fresh corn tortillas are always the best. It is a newer place, however, and 3 stars is my top score due to some apparent growing pains… for example: Bottled beer was not cool but not cold. Easily fixed with an ice bucket, but that shouldn’t happen. Agua shrimp Is a ceviche, we did request raw… However, it needed a little more time in the acid to firm up a tiny bit. Also, if there were grilled avocados, radishes and microgreens as stated on the menu, I didn’t find them. Same for the passionfruit on the house ceviche. Also, house ceviche menu price is $22, but it rang up at $25 on the receipt. We each ordered a pork and a chicken taco. They came plated with 2 chicken on one plate and two pork on the other. Not thrilled to have to fix this ourselves. Chicken taco could have been a little more full. Cocktail napkin instead of dinner size.

I’m sure they will improve on the details, but I really liked it overall, and hope they are here when we return...