Tropics Restaurant & Taphouse Kona — Restaurant in Hawaii

Very mixed experience. It was strange.

We got there about 1.5 hours before closing. As we arrived, the two women ahead of us asked for an outside table and were immediately shown outside. We asked for the same from the young man hosting but were told “I’m seating in sections now” and were shown a table inside. Okay. We happily took the table he offered. The inside was mostly empty, the seats around the bar were about half full, outside was also about half full. Our section was pretty empty. There might have been one or two other tables in use. .

Our lovely, lovely server came to the table and brought us beer and food recommendations. The beer came quickly, followed shortly by the food. The brisket fries had really good fries, with decent miso gravy, brisket, mushrooms, and onions. I was pretty happy. Hubby’s pork salad was fresh, with a very mild vinaigrette and slightly chewy but pleasantly flavoured pork slices. He was happy, too. The server checked on us several times and before we finished our meals asked if we wanted anything else. We said “no” so she brought the bill and we settled up. I think she may have gone home because we never saw her again.

We sat listening to the live music and finished our food and beers. After a few minutes, I waved the host over and asked him how long the musician would be playing and if we could change our minds about leaving and get another beer. He said he would have to ask our server if that would be possible and disappeared. Ten minutes went by. The only other server we saw wandered by a few times delivering food to others but our original server never came back. No indication anyone was going to answer my question. The area we were in was completely empty so, again, I think our server was gone. After 10-12 minutes, I asked the host again if we could get a beer. I offered to move to the bar if there were two seats together. He said he didn’t think so and walked away. I thought he might go speak to the bartender or even the other server but he didn’t. We sat for about 5 more minutes and left.

It was about 35 minutes until closing. The outside section was still half full, the bar seats were almost all full, food was still coming out of the kitchen, and the inside was almost empty. I’m not sure how this went wrong but we really wanted to stay and listen to the music with another beer and could not figure out how to...

Usually our service is quick and easy and the atmosphere is always chill. Tonight for some reason, it was off. We walked in just before 7p, got greeted and sat down at our table with our two kids. We waited about 8 minutes for anyone to finally approach us. But while we were waiting we noticed a server who was checking on tables around us and talking to the bartender but never came to our table. She saw us sitting there for some time but did not acknowledge us. As the server from the other side of the restaurant swung by the bar, it looked like she asked him to take our table. It didn’t make any sense that he would have to take one table on the opposite side of the restaurant when his section was clearly on the other side and the female server wasn’t busy looking. She was mainly standing at the bar talking. The female server did not say anything to us and just kept acknowledging tables around us and getting drinks and food out quickly. Two more tables got seated after us in her section and she immediately served them. Throughout our dinner, things were delayed because our server was busy in his section across the restaurant where it seemed like he couldn’t check on us as easy. I wish I got her name but didn’t. She wore a black Ola brew shirt and black shorts. It was very disappointing to have experienced this type of negative vibes from this server at a place we normally get good...

I only stopped in due to their Ono tacos lunch sign out front. I asked the bartender across the dirty and sticky bar and he pointed at the menu for the two types of cooking offered. The tacos were not very good. I always opt for the sauce on the side and should have done the same with the pico, if you can call it that. At first glance, I honestly thought it was raw tuna. Add another one to the "never again" list. I didn't get the lunch Ono tacos, but the full price over cooked with old cabbage tacos. I'm assuming the sauce was meant to cover up the cooks inability to not over cook the Ono. I find situations like this frustrating. Such a nice location, but everything else is lacking. Clean the bar with something not meant for a floor and clean it after someone leaves. I'm regretting the tip and even the choice of stopping in. Again, it was the Ono lunch tacos sign that lured me in. When I asked the bartender after he gave me the check, he said someone must have put that out by accident. No attempt to make me feel better or correct the situation. I feel misled and will express my issue with anyone who asks me about this place. I always review honestly as you can tell from my other reviews from around the world. This was some of the worst food I've had in a while. The beer was fine, but it's hard to...