Odin

We're going to Hawaii for couple weeks, including sometime in Oahu and would like recommendations of Mexican restaurants and the best place to shop for American products (ie cosmetics, clothes). We're staying at the Sheraton Waikiki (as my husband is attending a conference there) and will not have a car.

It's our second visit.

MelissaHI

Where are you coming from? Just asking so that I can get an idea of what American products you may not get at home. Are you also interested in products made in Hawaii?

I usually go to La Bamba for Mexican food. It is located on Kapahulu Avenue, an area between Waikiki and the university.

Odin

We're coming from the UK. We have everything here but it is more expensive.

Thank you for your help.

MerryTravel

We liked the Mexican stand in the food court of the International Marketplace. Certainly not fancy, but good stuff.

http://www.chachachasalsaria.com/location.html

As far as cosmetics and clothes, there's a big Sephora at the Ala Moana mall and lots of good clothing stores. There are a few different ways to get there, so just ask at the front desk of the hotel.

MelissaHI

Given the strength of the pound, you could shop anywhere in Hawaii and get a good deal!

Well, the Waikiki Beachwalk is almost done. You can find some new stores right there in Waikiki and there are many new restaurants.

lcuy

There are three large shopping centers that are within a short bus ride from Waikiki:

Ala Moana --a huge mall with a variety of stores, restaurants, and a big food court
Ward Center -- lots of shopping incl more boutique type shops, a big movie theater, many restaurants, less "mall" looking, and
Aloha Tower Marketplace --not as big, but some excellent restaurants and more one-of- a-kind shops.

I love La Bamba. There's also a nice little Mexican booth in the Ala Moana Food court as well.

suze

We ate at LaCucaracha twice. One located closer to the beach, the other in of Kuhio. We had good food, some entrees were better than others. Fun atmosphere.

curiousgeo

For a long time good Mexican restaurants were hard to find in Honolulu. The last few years have seen some pretty decent places open up.

Tacos Baja and BC Burrito, both in the Kaimuki area and maybe 5-10 minutes from Waikiki, just up the street from Kapahulu. Tacos Baja is basically a taco stand with a small dining area. BC Burrito is a storefront shop with a small dining area.

One place that I've been meaning to try is Wahoo Fish Tacos in the Victoria Ward Center area, a branch of a California chain. I was at Starbucks next door one day and the smell of fresh fish grilling was wonderful. Victoria Ward has lots of shops and restaurants in the area, so that might be something to consider.

Odin

Thank you very much for all your replies and recommendations!

scubatv

Coming from Chicago, IMO, the Mexican food I've found in Honolulu has not been that great and very expensive, i.e like paying for extra baskets of chips.

Having said that, there is an all you can eat place,

Carnaval Las Palmas
500 Ala Moana Blvd in the Restaurant Row
Honolulu, Hawaii 96813
808 545 8035

That has an all you can eat buffet for 12.95 from 11.00 - 15.00.

On Ala Moana, across the street from Comp USA.

scubatv

The correct tel. for Carnaval Las Palmas is, 808. 533. 0129

Here is a link more Mexican Restaurants in Oahu,
http://www.alternative-hawaii.com/rest/ome.htm#b

MelissaHI

scubatv, you are right....the mexican food here is not even close to the stuff I had in Chicago! Very sad.

Jolie

There's "Toritos" in Market City Shopping Center, close to Waikiki (it's at the north or mauka end of Kapahulu and Kapiolani - the streets sort of come together, along with King Street). I think the owner is from El Salvador, so not it's not technically "Mexican," but it's good. I heard they opened a branch in downtown Honolulu but nobody I know has eaten there yet.

suze

Shopping is excellent along the main boulevard of Waikiki. Everything from Macy's to high-end boutiques to cheap & tacky.

Odin

Thank you so much.

mikemo

Not to mention the food in Mexico, lol.
We shall be in Hawaii in November, but Mexican restaurants are not remotely on our radar.
M (SMdA, Gto.)

suze

I would agree, the Mexican we had (granted only two meals at the same restaurant) was not amazing. But adequate (if you are coming from a place that has none available perhaps?). We had much better at the local places featuring seafood, hawaiian style, japanese and even italian.

Odin

I'm not going to Hawaii especially for Mexican food and realize that it's not going to the best there is-I've had some great Mexican food on mainland USA, we eat all cuisines, Japanese is high on our list and we look forward to eating and drinking our way thru Hawaii.

suze

A bit off topic... but (since I mentiond it above) my favorite place is Arancino's, an Italian restaurant on BeachWalk. It's lovely if you get a craving for shrimp pizza, crab linguini, even spaghetti & meatballs. Go early, there's always a line.

mikemo

suze,
Thanks as I'll be there a night before Lady "L" and, 'tho primera generacion Italiana, she tries hard to avoid the carbs.
M