Tio's Tamales — Restaurant in Honolulu

Last week I got the chorizo breakfast burrito and my BF and I split both the New Mexico Red and Santa Fe Green tamales. I also bought a dozen tamales to eat for breakfast throughout the week. The breakfast burrito is only $4 and it's my new favorite cheap eats in the Chinatown area. And, I thought the dozen tamales would be given to me frozen but to my surprise, they were fresh so I took them home and froze what I wasn't going to eat immediately. Today, I came back for a breakfast burrito but they stop serving them at 10:30...I was bummed but it was the opportunity to try something different so I got a Carne Asada Chimichanga ($11.50). It comes stuffed with rice and beans but it's also smothered - which isn't my preference, since it loses the yummy fried crispiness in the sauce - but it's my fault for not reading the menu closely. Overall, it was tasty but when I go back tomorrow (yes, i do love it here!), I'm ordering the breakfast burrito...and I'm going to try a vegetarian tamale. I'll probably order another dozen of them.

Tips: Street parking, bring change Look for their specials, which is printed and taped to the menu. Last week it was Stacked Enchiladas (my BF explained it as "enchilada lasagna") and today it was Indian taco It's a small space - 1 table that seats 4, 1 table that seats 2, and bar seating with a couple of stools facing out at Nuuanu St. Both times I went have been on the weekend and there was seating available. They seem to get a steady stream of...

After driving past and seeing the Tio’s Tamales sign, my partner and i decided to try it for the first time recently. This was a clear case of “better late than never” as they’ve been in business for 6 years...6 years we have’t been in the know about this awesome eatery that’s small in space but BIG on portions, quality, and service.

We ordered the smothered chicken and roasted green chile burrito, beans and rice, and smothered green chile cheeseburger (with fried egg added). The servings were huge! And to boot, the quality of ingredients and preparation tipped the scales in favor of the dishes’ depth and complexity. Yet they weren’t heavy or greasy, they were fresh and wholesome. Like someone spent some time making it in their kitchen at home. The owner Ray was at the register and welcomingly smiled and chatted with the steady stream of customers.They were already smiling upon arrival. Even newbies like us couldn’t help but feel like we stepped into a “Cheers” of sorts and loved the chill Aloha vibe. We spent time chatting with him too as he shared his pride and love for his food, cooking, and culture. Deservedly so! In an age where you can spend big bucks on small plates with long, trendy descriptions, Tio’s Tamales is straight forward in their approach to offering traditionally based dishes, friendly atmosphere, and attentive service that doesn’t depend on distracting frill. It isn’t needed, the great food and people behind it speak for itself. Go and enjoy...

Service was ok but the spanish rice tasted of to much vegetable oil the chili had way to much flour inside and the beans were dry had no flavor.Not authentic New Mexican food at all .My wife and I hope they fix the problem with the brownish lettuce they use as garnish.New Mexico is Known for there red n green chili and this doesn't taste like it.Also the Indian taco comes with a red chili sauce type salsa not green and ground beef n beans so I can tell that this place isn't authentic new Mexican what so ever.For these prices we can tell there putting forth the bare minimum of effort and that's why we won't return.However we were glad to see they had a real new Mexican guy back there helping Ray out very friendly it's to bad the owner isn't more authentic in what he does maybe he should take tips from the little guy from New Mexico he seemed to know alot but stated this is how the boss does it? We gave it a shot...