Kalapawai Cafe & Deli — Restaurant in Oʻahu

I still have never returned here after recieving the worst experience ever a few years back. I actually get triggered every time I see people make bad service rants. After I ordered for a party of 6 and left a 20% tip the girl at the counter made a comment on how cute my friends dog (small cavalier king charles spaniel) was, keep in mind it was marked pet friendly at the time. After getting out drinks we chose to sit outside. Then the manager comes over no pleasantrys and tries to throw us out before our food is even ready for having a dog with us. We were confused and showed that it clearly said pet friendly online she said that the internet was wrong and when she realized we were not leaving (we didn't even have out food yet so we couldn't???) she threatened to call the police on us for sitting OUTSIDE the establishment. We mentioned the dog doesnt have to sit at the table and would be fine to stay on the sidewalk literally 3 feet away still in the shade she again threatened to call the police for animal neglect!!! We only came here because it was the only pet friendly establishment open that morning.

Once we left I obviously I looked up reviews and once I saw others food I was appalled, they made my food wrong intetionally and left out parts of my order. The manager knew because at one point she grabbed my food off the table saying she was going to pack it or call the police :) On the phone she refused to answer me directly gaslighting me saying that the lox bagel doesnt include any salmon knowing mine had none. After a long arguement and mentioning how I can see what normal orders from other customers look like through pictures online she admitted mine was made wrong and told me to come back so they could add as in asking me to drive back after kicking me out! I said no, she offered me a partial refund for the messed up food when I said okay she slammed the phone to hang up. I never got any refund.

I love tipping for service and was even going to say that they can keep the full tip even after the refund, but it still triggers me I basically paid extra for bad food and to get yelled at...

Don't eat here!

We live here and have for several years but the middle-aged, white, short-haired blonde woman who served us didn't think we did and treated us poorly because of it! Under-handed comments, trying to insult us by calling us "out-of-towners" and "visitors" multiple times even though we continuously told her WE LIVE HERE! Rolling her eyes 3 times at us in conversation and scoffing when we asked a question. Shame on you for your blatant rudeness, discriminitory behaviour and arrogance!

Don't come here!

The food is over-priced for very bland, small portions. I had the french dip...the au jus was not more than brown colored water—no flavor at all. The bread was dry, and the horseradish it came with was paste in a foiled condiment tear and squeeze pouch....not at all worth the $17.50 price tag. We also had their Mac-n-cheese 👎🤢 Was that Velveeta cheese I tasted? It was dry and and just all together awful.

The front of the establishment reeked of garbage and urine so I wouldn't consider it to be a great atmosphere either.

This place will discriminate and treat you with utter disdain if you are white and weren't born here. Steer clear of this place! There are way better places to dine that treat their customers with respect and serve better food.

As we continue to live here happily, we will be sure to never dine at your establishment again and will certainly steer others clear of it as well. Have the day...

I want to give 4.5 stars, but I can't so I give 5!

Overall I had a very good experience and the food is delicious! I think there are a couple very minor things that could be corrected though.

Portion sizes are a bit small for these prices. I had soup and French dip sandwich. Soup was more like a cup of soup than a bowl, should be 25-50% larger. Sandwich was also a little bit small for a $20 sandwich.

The New England clam chowder was fantastically tasty, but I have a few suggestions. It's a little on the thin side, so adjust the cream to broth ratio more in favor of the cream. NE clam chowder should be a thick and creamy soup. It was otherwise delicious, and I loved the addition of bacon!

My French dip sandwich was very good, the roll was soft with a thin, crunchy crust, exactly how I like it! However, there wasn't enough cheese on it, it was barely noticeable. Also, the au jus is a touch bland. To flavor it a little more, just add a touch more salt and perhaps thinly slice some red onions to simmer in your pot with thevau jus, they will add a great flavor!

Sandwiches come with either potato chips or side salad, and while I really like Maui onion chips, what I really want are french fries!

Place is extremely busy, but despite this staff is super friendly and efficient! Was told it would be 30 min before I got my food, but...