Maika’i Hawaiian BBQ — Restaurant in Texas

Went to eat here with my partner because I've always wanted to try a musubi. The spam musubi was good - he was definitely not impressed.

As for the reason of my review, we arrived for a quick dinner at 8:30 and didn't order a lot. We planned to be out by or before 9. I worked customer service so I never stay after close. But we were given our food at 8:40 and told by the kid in charge (young kid with brown curly short hair) that we had 20 minutes to eat because they closed at 9. A bit of an eyebrow raiser but we assured him we'd be out by 9 and we had no inclination to overstay our welcome. We were polite of course. At just past 8:50 (I was checking my phone periodically to make sure we were out in time) he came up to us at our table and asked if he wanted a plastic bag for our dinner (which we were still actively eating but finishing up). We were confused and he said he was leaving and we needed to leave too. I checked my phone under the impression we overstayed our welcome and it was only 8:52. We mentioned that we were under the impression we had until 9 and were not going to overstay but he said we had to leave because he was leaving early. He watched us clean up our table while my partner was trying to eat his musubi while cleaning the table at the same time. The entire time the kid made it very well known that he wanted to leave and we were not welcome. It was awkward and uncomfortable and made me unlikely to go again. I have never felt more unwelcome in a restaurant. It was disrespectful and considering the food isn't cheap, I paid money to be able to sit down and enjoy a quick meal with my partner. I did not pay to be disrespected and kicked out before close because this kids mom had to pick him up. He didn't count a till, he didn't bother cleaning the tables, no closing routines were even done. He just left right after kicking us out. I had to take my food home half eaten.

This is entirely disrespectful and unwarranted. We were polite and considerate and got kicked out. My partner will never come back and I probably won't either. I would suggest this guy be talked to or not...

Alright, listen up. I’ve eaten my fair share of post-battle meals—some on other continents, some on other planets—but Maika’i Hawaiian BBQ? This place? This is the kind of exotic culinary therapy you didn’t know your taste buds had been missing since the Battle of New York.

The food is like a vacation... if your vacation came with explosive flavor combos and meat so tender it basically signs your taste waiver before dissolving in your mouth. We’re talking grilled, glazed, marinated, and magnificent. Every bite is a plot twist. The rice? Forget about it. It’s not just a side dish—it’s a sponge of greatness, soaking up the essence of every perfectly seasoned protein and colorful veggie like it’s trying to win a James Beard award for carbs.

And the flavor profile? Think Avengers-level teamwork—sweet, savory, smoky, and bold all assembling on one plate. If a taste explosion had a soundtrack, this would be playing in IMAX. This isn’t just Hawaiian BBQ. This is a culinary love letter from the islands, sealed with aloha and probably delivered by a flying armored suit. Honestly, this might finally dethrone shawarma as the go-to post-apocalypse meal. I said might. Don’t quote me. Actually, go ahead and quote me—just add a side of mac salad. 10/10. Would eat again. And...

Not good food. Not really Hawaiian food. Taste like expensive Chinese food. Owner is not Hawaiian. Terrible attitude from the workers and manager. They served expired meat sometimes. Off tasting. Have the time the restaurant is dead no customers at all. The cooks barely even know English or Spanish. They don’t wash their hands properly after using the restroom or handling money. The girl doesn’t wear her long hair in a bun or puts on a hat. I found one of her hairs in my plate. She accused me of putting it in there and wanting free food. She curses a lot. I have spoken to Andy about it but it seems to go nowhere as she is a good friend to him. That’s just bad for business. The tables are sticky and the restroom have little ants in them. Sometimes the restroom smells bad. Stay away from...