Hawaii - all islands

[RJC5XTC]

We travel to Hawaii for vacations at least once a year - usually to Oahu (Waikiki beach area) and I have to say it has been very difficult to find restaurants or liquor stores that have any selection of tequila, let alone can make sangrita.

The ones I have found / tried are:

Liquor Collection - in the Ward Warehouse on Oahu
They have a decent collection of Tequila if you are looking for a bottle to take to your hotel.

Cholo's Homestyle Mexican - located in the North Shore marketplace -
Tasty food and a nice selection of tequila, but would not mix sangrita - even a simple recipe - no special orders.

La Cucaracha Mexican Bar & Grill -
Located on Kuhio - The food was only so so (ie they did cheese chips with a canned cheese sause instead of grated cheese). Tequila selection was good, but absolutely no way would they mix tomato juice, orange juice, worchestershire sauce and tabasco sauce for a Sangrita. "If it isn't on the menu we can't do it" was the policy. We are not planning on returning.

Camacho's -
In the Ward Center - we enjoyed the food, but the times we were there I didn't get a chance to check out their tequila selection.

Any others we should look at? How about on other islands?

Robert

[rrehkemper]

Oahu For purchases Tamura's on 10th Avenue in Kaimuki has the best selection and prices on bottles by far. The best bars I have been to are Compadres at Ward, Cholo's and Just Tacos in Mililani.

I haven't found any decent Tequila places on the neighbor Islands yet, but I've read that Nachos Grande in Honokawai on Maui has one of the largest private tequila collections.

Due to the low selection and high prices, I would recommend you bring some with you.

[blagave]

Originally Posted by Don Ricardo de Hawaii

Oahu For purchases Tamura's on 10th Avenue in Kaimuki has the best selection and prices on bottles by far. The best bars I have been to are Compadres at Ward, Cholo's and Just Tacos in Mililani.

I haven't found any decent Tequila places on the neighbor Islands yet, but I've read that Nachos Grande in Honokawai on Maui has one of the largest private tequila collections.

Due to the low selection and high prices, I would recommend you bring some with you.

I went to a small tequila/taco bar just down the road from Kananpali in a shopping center across from some hotels/condos. I am thinking the name was Nachos, but can't be sure. All I know is that they had a nice selection of tequila and wonderful tacos. I had my first taste of Alcatraz Anejo there.

[RJC5XTC]

When we were last on Maui we stopped at a small retail center in Lahaina and had lunch at a mexican restaurant - horrible service and I didn't try any tequila.

We are going to be on Oahu in June and then on either Kauai or Hawaii followed by Oahu in September / October. I am sure we will try Compadres on one of these trips.

I have thought about bringing a bottle or two with me, but didn't want to go to all the hassle. If nothing else I can usually find 1800 Reposado or Anejo in a supermarket.

Robert

[rrehkemper]

I went to a small tequila/taco bar just down the road from Kananpali in a shopping center across from some hotels/condos. I am thinking the name was Nachos, but can't be sure. All I know is that they had a nice selection of tequila and wonderful tacos. I had my first taste of Alcatraz Anejo there.
[/quote]

That must have been it then as Honokawai is just outside of Kaanapali. Me and the wife will definately have to pay them a visit next time we visit the Valley Isle.

Send me a PM on when you'll be on Oahu and maybe we can get together for some tequila tasting.

[Piña]

I didnt find any tequila bars or restaurants on my recent visit to the big island. With the exception of the decent selection at the hotel we stayed at (The Fairmont Orchid).

[rrehkemper]

You can knock Compadres Restaurant in Ward Center off the list, they close on Friday On the brighter side, Just Tacos in Mililani continues to add to their selection of Tequilas and have about 40-45 brands.

[RJC5XTC]

Thats a bummer. It was my one reward for taking my wife on a day of shopping.

I will just have to plan to hit Just Tacos instead.


Robert

[rrehkemper]

Just found Shiroma's Wine and Spirits in Pearl City which doesn't have a large selection but does have some good ones (found Siete Leguas for the first time in Hawaii). They're in the Waimalu Shopping Plaza at 98-1277 Kaahumanu Street, Aiea 96701.

Tamura's also opened another store in the Aikahi Park Shopping Center in Kailua. They seem to have the best 1942 price in Hawaii at $109

And the Fujioka's Wine Times in Mililani Shopping Center has some of the lowest prices in the Islands $85 for 4 Copas Anejo and $49 for Chinaco Anejo.

[RJC5XTC]

Always nice to have more options - especially when there are so few choices to begin with. I may have to drop in to Fujioka's next time we come over.

Robert