Need some recommendations of some good restaurants, that are good, yet not too pricey. We will spend top money for a couple of nice romantic dinners, but not every night. Are there any good restaurants that serve good mexican food? Any good places to get a good margarita?

check www.chowhound.com

Paia Fish Market has good food. For an inexpensive meal get the Ono Burgers.

Where are you staying?

in Kihei, Fernandos is our usual take out place. It is BYOB, but my husband loves the soft tacos, I am happy with the chili rellenos. Good salsa bar. Horhitos is our choice for a dinner with margaritas. Ate there last night--Tuesday is $10 fajita night, and one order is large enough for the both of us to share.

We drive all the way to Pukalani for our Christmas tamales. Maui's Best Tamales are really Maui's best.

For fish tacos, Jawz, either the store font or the taco truck out at Makena.

In Lahaina, Cilantro Mexican Grill.

Jason at KKO in Kihei makes a mean margarita.

Honokowai Okazuya & Deli
3600D Lower Honoapiilani Rd
Honokowai (West)
(808) 665-0512

Amazing selection of wonderfully prepared food. Asian, Italian, Island, vegitarian and more. Downside is very limited seating and the food comes in a styrofoam box. Upside the owner used to be the head chef @ Mamas Fish House and they serve some similar dishes for about $30 to $40 less. Try the Lemon Caper Mahi Mahi about $8, or my absolute favorite Teriyaki Steak plate lunch, about $6. With their variety you could eat every meal there and not get bored. Closed on Sunday (oh well)

Also there's T Komoda Store & Bakery
Makawao, HI, (808) 572-7261. Excellent bakery & pretty good maki rolls.

Aloha Mixed Plate in Lahaina!

Deblyn,
I suggest rent a condo cook at home. Does not have to be fancy. I like buying tuna regularly when I am on any island on Hawaii. Chances are you are going to see cuts of fish you just won't see at home at better prices.

Get a zagats if you are eating out and staying at hotels. Regular visitors to Maui will give you the best tips too.

Kal is probably the forum expert on Maui. I can give a lot of info for Oahu and of course we have a number of people on this forum that live in both Kauai and Oahu. I don't know who our expert is for Kauai though.

Just discovered a new website www.chowhound.com you can search all over u.s. Maui is listed under other U.S destinations. good luck.

P.S chowhound has a loto f different forums/chats on restaurants and Maui is in there. See opinions on a food court LOL. Post your question, can't hurt.

Ok I went to chowhound fer yah

saw this suggestion for everyday food.
Maui CC P'aina Food Court

Pauli's in Makawao has excellent Mexican food if your in the upcountry.

We will be staying @ the Sheraton on Kaanapali Beach for 3 nights. Then we will be moving to the Maui Prince in Makena, closer to Wailea. We will be going to a luau one night, and maybe 1 or 2 romantic expensive places, but need other recommendations. We do have a fridge in our room both places to have snacks, breakfast items, etc. Thanks, Deblynn

Probably THE most romantic restaurant is I'o at the south end of Lahaina on the beach. Outstanding food, nice dining room (covered) and open air garden setting dining with sunset and ocean view. Not unreasonable prices either. Roy's Kahana Grill is eclectic in a "happenin'" atmosphere. Both are within 10 min or so of Kaanapali.

check out this book: 50 Thrifty Maui restaurants. On Amazon for $6.95:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...glance&s=books

Last summer we stayed in Kihei so our faves there wouldn't apply. But if you do head down that way, don't miss Da Kitchen Express and Pita Paradise (the baklava ice cream cake is great!). I think the latter is dinner only.

Kim

Mercury, you mentioned some dishes are $30-$40 less than MAma's fish house, how much does Mama's fish house charge? I was planning to go there on my next visit, but i'll have to reconsider if it's so expensive.
I personally didnt like much of the food in maui. the only one that i thought was good was david paul's lahaina grill, though it was also our most expensive meal. i tried aloha mixed plate in lahaina and thought it was nothing special at all. their so called 'hawaiian tradition' of having mixed food on a plate is just pork chop, coconut shrimp and rice. u basically choose two sides along with two scoops of rice. it really is nothing special at all. aside from that, i really did not find the food good at all. maybe u can go for the setting and b/c it's probably the only mixed plate restaurant in maui. u can still try it, but dont order too much b/c it'll be a waste. espeically the coconut shrimp, do not splurge on that, it wasn't that good. and the worst part of it was there were alot of flies, so while u're trying to eat, u also have to keep the flies out of ur plate. very annoying.

Hula grill (restaurant not cafe with tables in the sand) romantic, great food and not to expensive. service was great but you have to make a reservation. make sure you request an outdoor oceanview table at sunset.

Mala's - tpas on the water

Cheeseburger in Paradise - great pina coladas/burgers now med towell unfortunately

Cafe O'lei

Lahaina Coolers

High end
Plantation House
Pacifico(sister to I'o)

Wow, this thread is all kinds of wonky. I'm not that Kal has ever been to Maui--he goes to Kaua`i every winter, as I understand.

Dan, I think you mean Polli's?

Plate lunches or mixed plates can be found everywhere, not just at aloha mixed plate. The custom of the mixed plate came from the plantation workers, who werer of many differrent ethnic backgrounds. Each worker would bring something for lunch and they would all share, each sampling a bit of what the others brought. As a result you might have a Filipino adobo with chinese rice, japanese teriyaki, Portuguese sausages, and Hawaiian laulau. Today's mixed plate may have only one item, or many itmes, but as a rule they are always served with two scoop rice and a salad, potato-mac, just plain mac or modern style, with a green salad. Many places will substitute a small green salad for the potato-mac.

Johnjudy, what does "now med towell" mean?

Here are two links I have bookmarked that we use when we find ourselves stuck in a rut, going to the same places, eating the same stuff over and over. Maui has a lot of choices for a small island, and a lot of really special, lesser-known places. Wailuku, for example, is home to several fabulous, little places that most people never hear about, mainly because Wailuku is way off the tourist track. But if you are spending a day at I`ao Valley it makes sense to check out one of these great little places that locals know and love.
http://www.mauitime.com/v07/v07iss39/index.html
http://www.mauitime.com/v08/v08_5/index.html

Have fun exploring Maui.

Maui Tacos in Lahaina. Casual good food!