Magnolia Ice Cream & Treats — Restaurant in Honolulu

Let me preface this review by saying frequently disappointed by kabayan food establishments run overseas.

Sometimes this may not be their own fault they might not have the right ingredients or the staff know how to prepare the food (being generous here). You might get something similar, but it won't be the same as eating in the home islands. This goes for all cuisines around the world.

On the other side there are establishments who seek to find compromises out of pursuit of profit and or just plain laziness (Jollibee is guilty of this). This applies to this business here.

Located on the second floor of the International Marketplace, the business was primed to get traffic. However when I passed by, I only saw a few persons upon my multiple visits to the mall. Hmm.

However on my last day in Honolulu, I resolved myself to try the ice cream I devoured multiple times in my youth.

I went to order inside, there was a queue of two people ahead of me. One woman was at the counter serving and seemed hesitant in what she was doing; taking a while to finish orders. Upon serving the customer in front of me, the employee told him she was hired two days ago. Then went back to ask asked to what was apparently the manager to tell the steps to assemble a halo halo. The manager told her the steps, cleaned the sink, and went back behind the door and was never seen again. Ehhh.

I waited another five minutes while the poor employee finished the customers order. Fortunately for her I wanted something simple: a three scoop cup (10.59) I chose 1 scoop each of ube (purple yam), corn and cheese, and jackfruit ice cream. Bizarre flavours to many, but I really wanted to try them again. After the ice cream was smashed in my cup (she was doing her best). I proceed to eat through the STRATA of ice cream she made. Arrugh.

Ube was on top. Ok not my favourite, but a quintessential Pinoy choice. Maiz con queso was next. Not much corn, or what little cheese was in it. The cheese tasted like the powered cheese packets you get in those Kraft mac n cheese dinners. Jackfruit was at the bottom, a little small bits were in there.

I was let down badly. The disappointment was real. I barely tasted any distinctive flavor. All I tasted was sugar and milk. There was no earthy taste of yam, the savoriness of the Kraft cheese, or the biting sweetness of jackfruit. It was bland empty calories.

Dejected, I understood why not many people go here. Staffing was minimal, and the food was bland. I was glad to try it once, but after this experience...

Magnolia Ice Cream is an absolute tropical delight, deserving of every one of its five stars!

This ice cream shop is a treasure trove of exotic flavors that transport your taste buds to paradise. The range of tropical flavors, including coconut, queso cheese (a flavor you must try to appreciate fully), and the iconic Filipino ice cream dessert, halo-halo, is simply outstanding.

The moment you step into Magnolia Ice Cream, you're greeted with the inviting aroma of these unique flavors, setting the stage for a memorable culinary adventure.

The coconut ice cream is like a scoop of pure island bliss. Its creamy richness and natural sweetness make it a perfect representation of the tropical paradise it hails from.

Now, let's talk about queso cheese. Don't let the unconventional pairing fool you; it's a flavor revelation that you won't want to miss. The sweet and savory combination is a true masterpiece that showcases the creativity of Magnolia Ice Cream.

And then there's halo-halo, the ultimate Filipino ice cream dessert. It's a delightful medley of flavors and textures, with a generous scoop of Magnolia ice cream on top. Every spoonful is a delightful surprise, and it's a must-try for anyone seeking a taste of the Philippines.

What truly sets Magnolia Ice Cream apart is its dedication to preserving and sharing the flavors of the tropics. It's a culinary journey that invites you to explore new horizons while savoring the familiar comforts of home.

Whether you're a seasoned traveler or simply seeking a sweet escape, Magnolia Ice Cream is a destination that leaves an indelible mark on your palate. It's a place where you can savor the essence of the tropics, one scoop at a time. Five stars are just the beginning of the praise...

Don’t come here. I had a terrible experience at this location. I walked up and noticed a long line reaching from the register to the door. I immediately tried ordering online to “skip the line “, just as their stickers say near the barcode. Little to no descriptions online. For moments , I wasn’t exactly sure what I was ordering into my cart. Then I was forced to put in information like first last name and email but no option for guest checkout . IMO a guest option online would help with skipping the line. My brother and I were also trying to figure out their tablet aside from the long line. The tablet is so slow and terribly responsive and again little to no descriptions. We had our order on the the tablet but the chip reader kept failing as the line kept dwindling. So much for “skipping the line” after trying two of THEIR suggested methods for ordering. We have up on the tablet and website so we tried the traditional ordering at the counter. I noticed 1 lady on register and 2 waiting to work on orders. As we waited for our turn to order we were next in line. I noticed 1 lady wasn’t busy. I tried ordering from her figuring she could make it while I waited our turn to pay. She pointed me to order at register. I understand if that is the way they are told to run this business, but this is a complete inconvenience to people waiting in long lines waiting to order. I think we shouldn’t have to watch someone stand there waiting for paid orders to come in while they can be making an the order as the customer waits to reach the...