Makai Island Grill — Restaurant in Spring Valley

I'm going to give Makai a full five and here's how I justify that. I gave Mo'Bettahs in UT four stars after eating at several of their locations and this is the same style of food but done better. It may have actually ruined Mo'Bettahs for me because the flavors are so much stronger and I say that as someone who still loves that place. It was recommended to me by a lot of friends before I finally went and tried it and I've gone out of my way to eat there every time I've visited UT because I like it so much.

Makai is five miles from my house and I get more food that is better quality for a little less money if I'm remembering the prices at Mo'Bettahs right. Makai has the best Hawaiian macaroni salad I've had anywhere and with the number of polynesian friends I have, I have eaten a lot of it. If you want to get perspective, the worst macaroni salad can be found at L&L Hawaiian BBQ. I haven't been to L&L for a few years because it's gross but when I eat their mac salad, it's like lubing up something with mayo and throwing it down a water slide. I could barely get home fast enough after eating there for the stuff to exit the slide. I actually usually just toss the mac salad that comes with Hawaain meals because lot of it is bad. This stuff was not only good but I think I kicked it up another couple of notches by mixing it with the delicious Kimchi slaw. The steak was tender and perfectly seasoned and I appreciated the brown rice option. I always prefer brown rice if I can get it. All in all, this place is...

To show you how great this place was for me, I came here on two consecutive days and I was staying at Mandalay Bay. Some of items I triedI included: Katsu (cripsy outside, tender inside), Teri chicken (good flavor), mochiko wings, (not enough mochiko for me) kalua pork (tender and not dry) , spicy poke,(yummy) garlic edamame (So good! ), kimchi slaw (yummy, carrots included) mac salad.(Not overly sweet, shredded carrots included).

I really don't like having too many carrots for the side dishes because my bestie is allergic to carrots, nuts, soy, and corn. So pretty much everything on the side was not a great choice.

I haven't tried the pulahu (grilled versions) since it was $1 more, but will next time.

However, the protein here is really good. Their teri chicken among other meats are grilled and has that great BBQ flavor you find on the islands. Their sauce (Da sauce) here, oddly enough is very watery. But when I ate more and more of it, I actually liked it more because it doesn't cover up the bbq taste and just give a hint of teri sauce or spicy, depending which bottle you get.

Their Ono'er (Medium) is about $7.50 after tax and pretty much is enough to feed a grown man. The Poke here is delicious and I was able to just buy 1/4 pound as well. Will be back soon...

How?! How does this place have a high rating?! It's disgusting and a JOKE, and person in charge was absolutely cr*ppy! Young Polynesian kid with a terrible attitude! I saw him treating his employees like dirt and he threw temper tantrums throwing our food into our bowl, slamming things around like a toddler. Not "Hawaiian Style" for sure. The "poke" was the worst I've ever tasted. We spent $50 on a family of 3, and it was the most embarrassing "Hawaiian Poke" ever. I would not push out this name ANYWHERE! If you want REAL Hawaiian Poke with REAL service .. this is not it! I don't think I can mention other names, but if you go to a place right in KoreaTown which sells REEAAAAL Hawaiian Poke with REAL Hawaiian people .. that is where it is!!! Food is on point! Environment is so Hawaiian .. it's a thousand times better than Makai. Don't give this business your money, they don't want it or deserve it. It exist only because of the convenience of location. Give the businesses to those who DESERVE it and work HARD at what they do to make us happy and our bellies smiling! This is NOT...