Aloha Mixed Plate — Restaurant in Maui

Nov 2024. The review really pains me to write. It's like writing a eulogy to a beloved old friend, because i doubt we will come back. If you read my other reviews, you will notice that while i don't give everyone 5 stars, i do take care in reviewing small local businesses to make sure I'm fair.

We've been visiting Maui for many years and the original Aloha Mixed Plate in Lahaina's Front Street was our favorite place to get a taste of local dishes, enjoyed their hospitality and Aloha spirit, in a very relaxed and unassuming setting. No muss no fuss.

Then it became Star Noodles. Not quite the same vibe. Impossible to get in. We mourned the loss of the old joint.

After the devastating fire, we saw that Aloha Mixed Plate had returned and i quickly made a reservation to visit our old friend.

Let's just say, it's not the same place. A much more limited menu. Ok, i understand. Much higher prices, sure, same everywhere, unavoidable. Then came the most unfriendly wait staff, if that's even a possibility in Hawaii at all. He walked up to our table and said are you ready to order. We asked about fish of the day. "Mongchong" was his one word answer. I stared at him blankly for a few seconds waiting for him to elaborate but nothing came. So i said I'm not familiar with that fish. "White fish" two words this time. Then i asked if i can get the fried chicken in full adult size not kiki size (i was careful to explain I'm not trying to cheat by ordering a kiki plate) and obviously they make fried chicken in the kitchen can they not charge me more for an adult plate even though it's not on the menu? "no" another one word answer. At that point i gave up and ordered the kalua pork plate. After 30 minutes this same gentleman did not bring us water (i had a Blue Hawaii from the bar but my hubby had nothing) but stopped at our table to ask for our order again. We said we already ordered, but can we get some water? He said "Oh" and left. It wasn't until another staff who seems to be a Front of House manager type stopped by and we asked again for water that we got some.

Another staff brought us our food, while we observed other tables nearby also struggled with same lack of service. By that point we lost our appetite and ready to leave. Had to wait another half an hour to find the guy so we could pay. An hour and a half for 2 plate dinners that we could get for a fraction of price at L&L that taste better and much warmer welcome.

It broke my heart. But our beloved AMP was gone. This new incarnation may have the same name but not...

Went for dinner on the first night they reopened after doing renovations.

It is really dark if you're not sitting in the covered area. We had to use our phone flashlights to see the menu as did many other diners. Some kept their flashlights on while they ate.

We had a reservation through Yelp, as that's how they take reservations, but later in the night that option was no longer available. We checked in with them about 10 min early because parking was crazy, we had to park about 150m away. Had I not gone up to the hostess 5 minutes after our reservation time, I would have been forgotten. She did apologize and claimed the system was new as well, then sat us. They were telling people without reservations that the wait was 45 minutes to an hour, and 1.5 hours for groups bigger than 4.

We sat at our table for close to 15 minutes before a server realized we had been waiting. He came and apologized and stated that drinks at the bar were backed up so he would come back right after he served the table beside us. When he finally took our order, we were told one of the plates - Alihi plate - was out since they didn't have the fish. So we ordered a couple drinks, adobo wings to start, and the teriyaki ribeye and kalbi ribs. Drinks took another 15 minutes to come, followed shortly by the wings The wings were great, though only 5 come with the order. Our server told us on three occasions our food was almost ready, but it wasn't till about 50 minutes after placing the order did they arrive. We had seen other guests served before us who were sat after.

The food was very good, we will chalk our experience up to the hectic reopening after renovations. Servers were working hard and really rushing around, and they did apologize for the waits. I have a feeling that the lighting for the uncovered area was not installed because it was very dark, as you can see in the pictures. At least candles should have been placed in the interim. Other guests as I mentioned were using phone flashlights to order and eat. It was busy, but there ended up being so many empty tables because I believe people were not willing to wait to be sat, so I'm guessing nearby restaurants benefited. But still giving 4 stars because the food was good and this was just the...

This restaurants name is a little deceiving because I thought I was going to a local plate (paper or styrofoam container) take-away eatery when this was actually a beautiful shoreside sit-down outdoor restaurant! Our party of eight sat at a table next to a landscaped edging with the ocean water just yards away and one of the prettiest views of Lana’i and Moloka’i islands.

Our servers were extremely friendly and attentive, giving excellent recommendations and constantly checking on us. We had just made it for breakfast and got our orders in right before they changed over to the lunch menu.

Our best breakfast items AMP: -the soufflé pancake with fresh strawberries (like a heavy brioche bread, too much for one person, must share) -sizzling loco loco (thick gravy and complete with rice and macaroni salad) -flavored mimosas (I had mango) -saimin deluxe (noodles from sister restaurant is Star Noodle... another fantastic spot) -SpAMP Benedict (they make their own spam... lighter and not as salty)

The outdoor atmosphere was nice and breezy with shade from the overhanging canopy and trees. Just know that lots of little birdies love to come and visit (they’re hungry too) and the shade is from kiawe trees so the little flowers and tiny leaves were constantly falling into our plates and glasses and getting stuck in our hair, but that’s not anything that can be reflected on AMP’s servers, service or food.

As part of a larger company (same owners as Old Lahaina Luau), I loved that the offerings included a lot of local ingredients that can be found only in Hawai’i & Maui. Way to...