El Charro Mexicano Aiea Restaurant — Restaurant in Hawaii

Despite my fair complexion, I am a quarter Hispanic, a quarter Mexican and my dad is a contadino from guadalajara- raised on a ranch beyond the borders. My abuelita would make homemade frijoles y Arroz y tortillas hecho en casa and at very few places I found anything that came close to her cooking... until EL CHARRO... oh. My. Goodness... FINALLY a place with Mexican rice and refried beans the way it's SUPPOSED to be!!!

I was very skeptical about coming here the first time because of its location and claim of authenticity but now- the restaurant in question being right down the road from my home (and a participating restaurant in 941-dine Honolulu)- I'm a believer!!

Allow me to share my take on so-called "authentic" restaurants of any sort -be it Asian, Hawaiian, European or Hispanic.... if the staples aren't good- I don't bother twice. In this case, if the beans and rice aren't marvelously homemade- I don't bother twice. When I went to Charro's the first time, I ordered beans, rice and tortillas which would determine my return or not. I was pleasantly blown away to say the least as the staples of my culture's cuisine was executed so incredibly similar to that of my grandmother's cooking. They offer other fusion tex-mex that the masses love- but with quality ingredients and true-to-the-core Mexican cooking.

The restaurant is located between Aiea Bowl and Dirty lickins near the 711 in Aiea shopping center. Not an ideal zone for the nicer date nights with the beau- but it's proximity to my sleeping quarters was initially a matter of convenience before becoming a deep-rooted need. I daydream of their menu items on a daily basis. Best beans and rice you'll ever get on this island- though the tortillas are not homemade- they are still delicious and a fantastic accompaniment to any dish they serve. Their gratuitous chips and salsa are addicting as well as one of my personal favorites - the stuffed jalapeños. Not always a kid-friendly choice but amazing with their ice cold modelo especial or modelo nergro cerveza.

I don't have much to say about this place besides how imperative it is that you try it and just take my word for it that it is one of the best Mexican restaurants you'll ever experience on the island.

Beau and my favorites are...

1. Chips and salsa- both home homemade and fresh
2. beans & rice (w/tortillas)
3. stuffed jalapeños -nothing you've ever tried before!
4. California burrito (beau is half white...)
5. taco salad with shredded ANYTHING
6. quesadilla- for a classic dish
7. Chile relleno
8. cheese enchiladas
9. Chile verde
10. fried ice cream
11. (my personal favorite) SOPAPILLAS (fried flour tortilla shell with cream, cinnamon, chocolate drizzle and honey

Try...

Great flavor! Most their menu items are pretty good. -Old Review

Had the worst experience of my life due to a server they decided to hire. He did not introduce himself, walked up to the table & asked “You know what you want?” With a backwards ball cap like some D.B. from the 90’s. When the food came, he dropped it & walked off. We had no silverware & patiently waited. He finally waddled by again after several minutes & said “Do you need something?” He took silverware off the neighboring table. I took one bite & it was cold in the middle of my chile rellino. I decided to not waste my time and found another server by the kitchen entrance & asked if he would please re-heat my food. It came out 30 seconds later at an appropriate temperature. We continued to be ignored throughout our meal & my wife needed some extra napkins. As he was walking past I tried getting his attention by saying “Ehy essay?” in a joking manner & he was immediately butthurt, saying his name is Angel Tits or something. Anyway, I still left gordo a tip. I felt like he needed it since he won’t be employed long with that attitude. I honestly felt bad for Caratman in human form. Sad. Never bringing my family or friends here again. We’ve been patrons for...

Horrible experience! Older Caucasian lady w/short white hair and glasses made sure we felt uncomfortable. Decided to try out for lunch, restaurant was full so we wrote our name down on the waiting list, and stood outside in front of the door so customers could exit without us blocking the inside of the doorway. We went inside continuously to check on our name and give the staff a eye view reminder that we were waiting outside. However when another party came in after us they offered them a table. That same party offered that table to us since they knew that we were waiting before them. The older Caucasian lady made a huge deal in front of the whole restaurant about us “cutting” when she was told from that same party that we could have the table because we were waiting before them. Throughout our whole dining experience she continuously made remarks out loud to other customers and coworkers. She attempted to hold back our food on multiple occasions. But the server we had was a nice older Hawaiian lady, ignored her suggestions and gave us our food. We will never come back to this restaurant!! This lady should be fired!!! Food was ok but if service is horrible we will find somewhere else to...