Ohana Hawaiian BBQ — Restaurant in Oceanside

Ordered take out at lunch of the meat trio plate and the chicken katsu plate as well as 4 spam musubis. All the food was delicious and they didn't forget to include the katsu sauce. Very nice service. They have a little aquarium with lots of fish that my toddlers like watching. It's next to the drink station.

Decided to order catering soon after ordering my food and paid in advance with NFC payment through Google wallet aka Apple pay for iPhone users (hold your phone to the terminal). A couple days later I cancelled the catering order so I could order from the other Ohana Hawaiian bbq closer to my home (I want to save a little drive time before the party and we could also get the food 30 mins earlier). Was told to come the next day for a refund.

I arrive and the same lady who helped me order the catering needed to call the number on the terminal for the refund. My toddlers are with me. About 30 mins later, she states she can't do it because I used the tap to pay and it's not working, she had the person on the phone walk her through it, too & it still didn't go through. She offers cash, which I take and sign the paper stating I received it. The problem is it's $15 less because of taxes. She can't give me a full refund because the guy she called said to enter the original sale without tax. I try to explain that the tax would be calculated when entered into the terminal (like when you're paying for your food), but decide not to because she insists, the refund through the terminal isn't working, and my children are getting antsy. Her explanation is that because I paid with the NFC tap to pay, the refund isn't possible. She did give me the credit card number it generated in case I ever need a refund again through the NFC tap to pay, which was kind.

Overall all the employees are super nice and helpful, she was very apologetic, and the food is delicious and fresh tasting. However expect not to receive your full refund (because they'll keep the taxes) if you ever need a refund after using NFC tap to pay (Google wallet or Apple pay).

I'd still go back to order food and or catering, but I probably won't pay in...

Food was very good, 1 star given for that. But the last couple of times that I have gone they have been out of a lot of things on the menu. 1 star off for that. The girl that works at the front was very sweet and working hard, so 1 star given for that.

Here is where we lose 2 more stars.... We are in the middle of a pandemic, COVID is spreading like crazy, and we have been ordered to be in public as little as possible. I went to go pickup dinner 2 nights ago. Naturally, I wanted to order ahead so that I could get right in, out and home. I do not want to be standing there for 15 waiting for my food, especially because you cannot sit down and wait inside the restaurant due to state orders. Let me start by saying that they close at 8:30pm. At 7:30pm, I went on Doordash to order pickup and they were listed as closed. I know that some restaurants like to go offline early on there so they don't get overwhelmed with orders too close to closing. Ok fine, no big deal. I decide to call in my order.... For the next 35 minutes, I try calling every few minutes to place my order. Nobody ever answers the phone. Ok, maybe they are swamped and just cannot get to it. I finally give up on calling and drive over there. I walk inside and there is not a single customer in there, so I order my food from the girl at the counter Ok, maybe the rush just ended? I decided to try calling again to see what happens. I dial the number and the phone starts ringing. I watch the girl pickup the phone, press end, and put the phone back down... It is 8:05 at this point, so its not like they are about to close right then and there. That really makes my blood boil. That is just poor customer service. I think it is time to find a new...

I used to be a patron since Ohana’s first opened, but the food has gotten steadily bad to worse. Their rice is always mushy. Having a Japanese-Hawaiian background, I hate mushy rice. The last time I had the mixed barbecue with short ribs it was like chewing into rubber. Literally!!! The shrimp in the mixed seafood combo is always dry. Overall, the quality of the food is INCONSISTENT. The family is very nice and maintains a clean restaurant , but it’s about the quality of the food!!! Until they get it right, I’ll drive down to L&L’s at the corner of Oceanside Blvd. and College. At least their rice is not mushy!!!

March 1, 2022. I recently revisited this restaurant. I ordered chicken katsu take-out. The person who took my order was efficient but lacked aloha spirit. I was just a business transaction. The two scoops of rice and macaroni were passable. However, the chicken katsu was definitely subpar. Besides skimping on the chicken meat, it was of poor quality and overcooked. They charge more for less. I’ll leave the two stars as this is a family-run business and out of respect for José.

December 15, 2023. I haven’t been here in over a year. I ordered the Loco Moco take-out. Passable. Rice is still MUSHY. Too much water being used. Also, it was a 30 minute wait for a Friday. Clean and friendly family-run restaurant as always. Bottom line. It’s about the quality of the food and how it’s prepared. One day they’ll...