HULA'S Modern Tiki High Street — Restaurant in Phoenix

Drinks were great, and food was good. Service was good in the beginning and kind of fell apart after that. Didn't get a lot of attention or really even much reaction from the server when we did address him or ask for something.

I am almost certain that the wine list showed house white at $7/glass so I assumed the $2 off for happy hour made it $5. But it was $7 on the receipt and when we questioned it, we were "corrected" in a manner that came off feeling a little snotty. I mean, I dare you to even find the wine list online - go ahead, try. They've got all the menus except the wine list posted and even a Google image search yielded few results. But the response was "just to clarify, the computer automatically deducts $2 from the $9 normal Pinot Grigio price." And we asked specifically about what the house white options are, and he listed out several varietals including Pinot Grigio. So is the Pinot Grigio really NOT one of the happy hour house white options or did I misread the menu price? And either way, just tell me you did get the happy hour price because it's $9/glass without out the "just to clarify" part.

My wife got loco moco and asked for the eggs hard not runny. They got that right. But the burger was red and bled on the rice. Server didn't ask how she wanted the burger cooked, and at the end when she mentioned it being undercooked, the server said they cook it medium rare unless you specify otherwise. Well, you need to actually ask how the customer wants the burger cooked in order for that to happen. Doesn't help to know that after it's served. And what restaurant doesn't ask you how well you want your burger cooked in general?

I got the Mai Tai, which was excellent. The potstickers were really good too. Crispy, not shy on the pork, two good dipping sauces - one spicy, one mild, both really good. Not really sure what they were specifically though. He didn't say. The pork luau dish was okay, maybe just not my thing.

Definitely wouldn't return. Primarily due to service and it's a little loud but I get that for this area. But lots of options including Humble Bistro right...

Hula’s Modern Tiki – High Street (Phoenix, AZ)

Tucked into the stylish High Street development, Hula’s Modern Tiki delivers a perfect blend of island vibes and modern flair. From the moment you walk in, the energy is infectious — think retro Polynesian lounge meets upscale urban cool.

We arrived on a Saturday afternoon and were promptly greeted by friendly staff who made us feel like we were already on island time. The space is vibrant without being loud, with colorful tiki décor, rattan accents, and soft lighting that gives off major mid-century modern-meets-Maui energy. Great for date night or a group celebration.

Let’s talk food: the menu is playful but rooted in serious flavor. We started with the Jerk Chicken Wings, which had just the right amount of kick and came with a cooling mango-habanero dipping sauce that balanced the spice beautifully. The Ahi Wonton Crisps were another standout — fresh, light, and full of umami with every bite.

For mains, the Luau Pork Plate was melt-in-your-mouth tender and paired perfectly with jasmine rice and their signature island slaw. The Teriyaki Ribeye was another hit — juicy, marinated to perfection, and served with grilled pineapple that added a sweet contrast. Pro tip: get a side of the wasabi mashed potatoes — unexpected and ridiculously good.

Their cocktail game is just as strong. I tried the Painkiller and my guest ordered the Scorpion Bowl, which is big enough to share (and packs a punch!). The drinks are expertly crafted, not just sugary beach gimmicks — you can tell there’s real mixology happening here.

Service was spot-on the whole night. Attentive but not overbearing, and our server gave excellent recommendations without pushing the upsell.

Final verdict? Hula’s is not just a theme — it’s a legit culinary experience with a laid-back tropical vibe. Whether you’re there for happy hour, dinner, or just a round of tiki drinks with friends, this spot hits all the right notes. We’ll definitely be back to escape the desert — no...

If you're thinking of a classic Tiki bar from either the 50's or the 60's, you're going to be sadly disappointed because this ain't no Tiki bar.

We stopped in way before the 5 PM happy crowd showed up and found the joint fairly empty ...... Just like I like it.

Mrs. Awesome had a glass of wine and I had a beer and frankly, we had to wait to place an order. Maybe the staff was waiting for real customers or maybe we were sort of see through people.

So far, not so good but we did get our orders inn and were pleasantly surprised at just good the food was. The wife had some sort of crusted Ahi Tuna and found it very good. I had a full rack of the Bally Hai ribs and they were very, very good. Tender as they should be and the BBQ sauce they gave me was delicious. The sweet potato fries were good in that they were served hot and they were crispy but fell very short in that they had no taste whatsoever.

We might go back but we might not ..... Why don't you give them a try and see what you think.

Thank for reading

Mrs. Awesome and I stopped in today (03-02-22) and what a mistake and mess this turned out to be.

We saddled up to the bar and were greeted by a pretty nice young gal, who immediately put us on the "ignore" list. We never got our drinks, we never had the chance to put in our food order and after sitting there for 20 minutes, we walked out and crossed the street to Humble Bistro where we had a great meal and great service.

Hula's will probably say "we were swamped and short staffed" but as they drive their customers away, they won't have to worry about being busy.

Their off my...