You’re probably familiar with Tex-Mex cuisine, but have you heard of Hi-Mex?
A Hi-Mex experience is the concept behind recently opened ALOHA AMIGO Island Mexican Cantina at Courtyard Waikīkī Beach. “Hi” represents Hawaiʻi and the eatery’s island-inspired twist on Tex-Mex dishes — for instance, you’ll find Kauaʻi shrimp in the molcajete and oxtail in the birria ramen.
“Hi” also represents the restaurant’s lively, high-spirited environment, and the welcoming attitude from the friendly staff.
A restaurant’s aesthetic is often just as important as its food, and this cantina has the exciting vibe of a Friday night (even when it’s a regular weekday). You’ll find the images of mariachis and hula dancers throughout the restaurant, and the bar — decorated with a flourescent Aloha! Salud! sign — is a fun spot for people watching.
Whether you’re craving beer, margaritas, craft cocktails, mocktails or tequila, ALOHA AMIGO features an extensive beverage selection. The smoky mezcal old fashioned ($21) is strong and spicy, with a fun smoking presentation. If you’re there with a group, the “margarita tree” ($65) is a sharable option. It features four kinds of Patron margaritas (mango, strawberry, guava and kiwi). Various tequila flights are also available.
The eatery even did a collaboration with Aloha Beer Co. to create a hibiscus-flavored ALOHA AMIGO pale ale ($9) in a can.
Remember, this is a fusion concept, so don’t expect traditional Mexican fare. Rather, the dishes are modern with local flavors. Cold appetizers range from poke nachos with wonton chips ($18) and local shrimp cocktail with Kauaʻi shrimp ($18) to hot starters like Asian-style taquitos ($14) and jalapeno poppers ($9.50).
The Asian-style taquitos — choice of Mexican chili pork or cheese chicken served with salsa verde — were a hit with our group, which chose the cheese chicken. Each taquito boasts a delectable crunch with a sufficiently cheesy, protein-packed interior. Even after the dish had been sitting out for a while (because the camera eats first, always), it was still ultra crunchy.
Since you’re at a Mexican-ish spot, you have to get chips and salsa or chips and guac. The guacamole ($14) is made fresh daily and features a creamy blend of avocado, onions, cilantro, fresh lime juice and tomatoes.
If you’re only getting one appetizer, the street corn elote dip is a must ($6). The gloriously cheesy dip is a blend of sweet corn, cheese sauce, cilantro and Hot Cheetos crumbles, and it’s served with tortilla chips.
It’s like an elevated nacho cheese dip in the best way possible. The only thing that would make it better is more of the sweet corn for added texture.
All tacos feature the eatery’s housemade corn tortillas, and all orders come with two tacos. Fish tacos ($11) feature moist, flaky mahi mahi, shredded slaw and dill sour cream.
You’ll probably hear servers shouting, “Molcajete!” on numerous occasions during your dining experience, as they call this every time the signature dish is brought out. The presentation is impressive, as the heavy stone mortar bowl is brought bubbling to your table. It features a surf-and-turf combo of chicken breast, skirt steak, scallops and Kauai shrimp. The sauce packs some heat from the eatery’s housemade chili powder, and the dish is accompanied by housemade tortillas.
To enjoy the dish, use your fork to get the various meats and seafood from the heated stone bowl, and scoop them into the warm tortillas. It says on the menu that this dish is designed to serve two, but really, it could feed three to four people if you’re also ordering appetizers.
If you love oxtail soup, the eatery’s oxtail birria ramen ($26) is worth trying. This meaty, beefy dish comprises birria soup (made from beef chuck roll), oxtail, braised pork belly, noodles, cilantro and green onions. You’ll get different flavors — tangy, sweet and slightly spicy — in each bite.
The eatery offers three desserts — homemade flan ($9), lime cheesecake with margaritas jello ($11) and waffle cone tacos with ice cream ($13). The jiggly homemade flan goes down smoothly after a savory meal. It’s especially fragrant, thanks to the Hawaiian vanilla.
If I had to recommend one dessert, it would be the waffle cone tacos with ice cream ($13). The taco shells are mini, so you don’t have to worry about overindulging. They’re delicate and crispy, and the vanilla ice cream has a texture similar to that of sorbet, making this an overall refreshing option and the perfect snack size.
CONTACT
ALOHA AMIGO Island Mexican Cantina
Courtyard Waikīkī Beach
400 Royal Hawaiian Ave., Honolulu
808-200-3954
alohaamigo-islandmexicancantina.com/
Instagram: @alohaamigo_waikiki
Open daily, 4 p.m. to midnight (last order at 11 p.m.)
Three hours validated parking at Waikīkī Shopping Plaza
Kelli Shiroma Braiotta can be reached at kelli@alohastatedaily.com.
