Breaking News From Kaua’i’s Westside!

People have asked me what I miss the most about California since we moved here five years ago and I have always said the same thing; Family and Friends, the Outlet Malls and Tacos.  I used to say that……until now.  Just opening up in Waimea is Island Taco and it rivals any taco I’ve had in California.   The restaurant is owned and operated by Kirk Marois who is the owner of Grinds Cafe in Eleele and his partner Mike Howard.  Together they are doing a booming business on the Westside which, until now, had very little in the way of good food at great prices.  The tortillas are hand made daily and you can taste how fresh they are!  I inquired and found out that all the ingrediants are made fresh daily and that scored BIG points to a California native like me. 

The menu price is very reasonable and starts at $6.00 and caps out at $12.50 so you’re able to get a great meal at a very reasonable price.  The menu highlights their specialty which is fish tacos and they are beyond yummy!  Also available are chicken tacos, quesdillas, burritos, chimichangas.  If your bringing the children Island Taco also has a keiki menu (big seller on the keiki menu is the hotdog chimichanga) and prices were around $5.00.  I had the chicken taco plate for $8.00 and it had two good sized tacos that were filled with rice, chicken and cabbage and had sour cream and salsa on the side.  It also came with chips and salsa and there are additional sides that you can order.  My husband had the seared Wasabi Ahi fish taco that got two thumbs up!  Also available are Kalua Pork Taco, Season Tofu Taco, Mahi Mahi Taco and Ono (Wahoo) Taco.  

Island Taco has a niche in providing a perfect lunch for your trip to Waimea Canyon or a day at Barking Sands Beach.  Open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. 7 days a week.  

Attached to Island Taco is a drive thru Espresso Coffee hut called “Java Hut” which opens at 5 am providing fresh coffee drinks, pastries and iced drinks.  Owned and operated by Todd Marois (Kirks brother) Java Hut provides a convenient drive through so you can grab a fresh coffee and pastry to go on your way to Waimea Canyon or an iced drink when spending a day in Waimea Town.    Java Hut is open 5 a.m. to 10 a.m. 7 days a week and is the only coffee espresso shop in Waimea!  I had the Chai Tea Carmel Freeze and my husband had the Chai Tea White Chocolate Freeze and they tasted perfect on the warm spring day we were enjoying in Waimea.  Prices were great, cup of coffee started at $1.75 and the specialty drinks were in the $3 and $4 dollar range.