Monico's Taqueria — Restaurant in Kauai

We went to this place a few years ago, it was good but in a smaller building. They moved down the road & across the street & we are so glad we found them again. I'm from TEXAS and we love Mexican food. This is not Tex-Mex but it is good food. We never had anything bad & we ate there 5 times while on our Oct 2022 Kauai vacation. My husband had their fajitas every single time. I was a little more adventurous & had their nachos and I believe it was tostados the next time. I also had their chicken enchiladas. Their food is very fresh. Comes out hot ! They are also one of the few places on the island that actually knows how to make fresh, cold iced tea. I am a very picky tea person. Again, fresh, tasty and hot food. We seemed to have the same server most of the time ... I don't recall her name but she was pretty business like in the beginning but the more we came the more she opened up & remembered us. Like a lot of places on the island they probably need more help (seems folks are not going back to work in Hawaii .... you know, the free money to stay home thing) so sometimes they are a little slow but hey, it's also island time and vacation so slow down and enjoy the people watching. My only other recommendation to them is simple: you are a Mexican food place .... at least give one basket of chips and salsa to each table if they want it. Not several baskets but one instead of none would be nice. $9.00 for chips & salsa is way too much money for most people. Again, it is Hawaii & everything is much more expensive at restaurants .... so chips & salsa while folks wait would be a very nice touch. And, a shoutout to Sierra (I hope I am spelling it right) -- a couple of times when you all were super busy & our server couldn't get us refills she jumped right in and did it. Plus, she was always super nice to us. Everyone who works there was. And, another compliment .... the restrooms were always clean, clean, clean. Thank you ! So was the entire restaurant. We loved our meals at Monico's and will return on our next trip. Plus, they are on the east side of the island ... we drove a good 20-25 mins to eat there as we stayed on the north shore and then moved to the south shore. The food was worth the drive...

I had been a big fan of theirs since Monaco opened up in Kinipopo years ago. The food was always excellent and the service was great. Now in their new location which I will not go back to, it is not the same. First off the bat is the service is mediocre at best and the way the workers go about the restaurant, it's like they have a chip on their shoulder. I had to ask for water three times only to be seen as a burden. All the while the restaurant was half full at the least. I asked for extra salsa and was told there was a charge. I have never been to any other Mexican joint and was told there was a charge for extra salsa (and manager spare us all the rant about nothing is free on the island. I am a volunteer who works for free so there you go!) This is my first review ever but I had to say something about the new and not improved place. I actually read a lot of the negative reviews and they are spot on. I ordered the way overpriced chimichanga and it was so small that I could have most likely eaten 3 of them! For real.....it was like the size of the smallest frozen burrito you can get at 7-11. Maybe smaller. As far as the service there and the hostess, it was just like they were just going through the motions. I am not sure what happened but its sad because I know a lot of locals will not be going back there. I won't be back for sure not only for what I typed above, but also the classless and trashy remarks the so-called manager made when someone posted a negative review on trip advisor. I think my chimichanga was 17 bucks! Really! About the size of a hot dog. I know its hard to find good workers but, really? And the prices are through the roof for what you actually get, maybe it is due to the rent increase but I wish they would have stayed in their older place and I wish Monaco would get rid of these...

BEST MEXICAN ON THE ISLAND.

No other Mexican cuisine on Kaua'i even comes close to Monico's. I've lived here for ten years and have tried literally every Mexicano on the rock - everything else tastes like junk compared to this place. Hawaii is notorious for having poor Mexican food options, but family-owned and operated Monico's delivers every time. The meat is extremely tender and juicy, and ripe with flavors and spices. Tortillas are perfectly crisp. Even their beans and rice are miles above even the next best on Kaua'i. It's hard to even pick a next best on Kaua'i... there really isn't one! If I'm craving Mexican, it's Monico's every time. There is an authentic flavor here that I haven't managed to find elsewhere on the island. Great bar selection, Jarritos, complimentary chips and salsa (first round), the most delicious mild salsa, friendly staff and a great environment inside. If you're on Kaua'i and want good Mexican food, look no further.

This place is SMALL. Only 30-40 seats including the small outdoor table area. If you find yourself here on a Friday or Saturday night, expect there to be at LEAST a 30-45 minute wait for a table. These guys are busy, and for good reason. I haven't found that the food takes any longer to prepare than any other Mexican joint I've been to - some people have said the wait for the food is quite long. If you don't want to wait, call it in, show up 10-15 minutes later, grab your food and take it to the beach or back home. If you're dining in and aren't fond of waiting, don't bother and just get takeout. From sitting down to food on the table can sometimes take up to 45 minutes (the longest I've ever had to wait). This is a place to have a seat with friends and TALK! Enjoy life! The delicious food will be there sooner than you think. Sometimes good things are worth...