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NewsvineStepping into Ramona Street’s Hukilau, you cannot help but feel like you’re fresh off the plane in Honolulu. Customers are greeted with an “Aloha” at the door, just one of the many factors that lends Hukilau a distinctly Hawaiian ambiance. Moving in from the outdoor drinking and smoking lounge, the restaurant is draped in bright colors, and provides great food and huge portions for a low price.
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Hukilau imports its food from Hawaii and remains loyal to its theme. Starting out our evening with a few drinks, we were pleased to find umbrellas gracing unusually large servings — with a potent kick, to boot. We highly recommend you try the Mai Tais. They’re a perfect way to take the edge off a weekday evening or to kick off a weekend of island relaxation. The restaurant features a full bar, while also providing a private room if your party wishes to relax in VIP status. Blended drinks and sake bombs wrap up the bar’s excellent repertoire.
Hungry for a bite to eat, we decided to keep the fare traditionally Hawaiian. The food is served by an extremely friendly staff, and comes in volcano-sized portions. We highly suggest you try one of the Loco Mocos, essentially a bed of rice with your choice of meat on top, covered with gravy and sauce.
If you’re coming for the entertainment rather than the food, Hukilau provides everything but the luau. There are TVs for the sports junkies to chill out at the bar and a number of special events for the dining and lounging public. On Wednesdays, the restaurant hosts Hula dancers, and Friday features live Hawaiian bands. On Nov. 4, the club will feature the Mango Kings, a renowned Hawaiian reggae band. We found the best bet to be Tiki Thursdays, a special discount day that offers half-off house drinks, select beers and appetizers — the perfect fit for a college student looking for a quick, cheap fix.
It may not have sandy beaches, but Hukilau is as close at it comes to having the true Hawaiian experience in Palo Alto. For starving students dealing with the stresses of midterms and extracurriculars, a jaunt to Hukilau may be the perfect weekend vacation destination.