02/21/09

People are Nasty and RUDE

by thinkshift

We went on a Friday morning @ 9:30 AM. There was a long line, but that's OK, because I was expecting it. We put our name on the list for a table for 5. While you wait outside, a "waiter" comes out on the sidewalk and takes your order. I assume this is to speed up the turnover of tables in the tiny restaurant. This guy has NEVER heard of the concept of customer service. He pretty much gives you the feeling that we (the customers) are a bother. When my sister who has some food allergies asked him a very simple question about a menu item he mumbled something to the effect of "i don't know" and then just ignored her next question. (hmm ? how about ?I don?t know, but I?ll go ask? ???)

After about 45 minutes we were called to our table. However, it was a booth only big enough for 4 people (I requested a table for 5). So we could all sit, my nephew grabbed an empty chair and pulled it up to the end of the table. Within a couple minutes "Mr Charm" the order taker, walked up and told my nephew "you can't sit here". When we reminded them that this was where the staff sat our party of 5 he said "you can't sit here". We then asked him where we should sit, we got a reply of "you'll have to wait for another table". At this point he went and got someone from the back of the restaurant who told we couldn't sit there because it was a fire hazard. While we were blocking one of two isles to the front door (there?s probably only 10 tables in the whole place), I think the real issue was that the wait staff had to walk a little farther to get to the couple tables on our side of the restaurant. When the "waiter" again told us that we had to move to another table (none available), I told them that we'd just go somewhere else. His reply was "OK". I'm a pretty easy going guy, so what really bothered me about all of this was that through the whole episode not once did we hear a single "I'm sorry", "thank you ", or anything of the sort.

• Pros: other people claim the food is good
• Cons: staff is VERY RUDE. Makes you wonder why they work in the restarant business

01/22/09

LOVE BOOTS & KIMOS

by lovehawaii

My husband found this in one of the must go to books. We love the macadamia nut and banana pancakes and the macadamia nut sauce!!!!!!!!! It is to die for. People are missing the point if they don't order them. We hope to be back this summer for another visit to both Hawaii and Boots & Kimo's!!!!!!!

11/29/08

Don't arrive hungry !

by paprankster

Don't arrive hungry...you're going to wait for a table. And, if you're hungry and waiting a long time you're gonna get grumpy. This is not a place to be grumpy. But, not being hungry at Boot's and Kimo's is a problem because the portions are somewhat generous and, for breakfast the prices are not so cheap. So, here you are, not too hungry waiting for a table knowing you are likely not to finish your somewhat pricey food. Why are you here? You are here because this quirky place serves tasty breakfasts with some delightfully novel flavors. It's worth a visit from time to time.

• Pros: Novel flavors with quirky ambience
• Cons: Nobody goes there anymore...it's too crowded.

06/20/08

Broke da mout' local grinds

by dogstar49

And there's a shrine to John Elway. Complete with Stanford and the old Broncos helmets. Last time we were there, the "divider" from the dining room to the kitchen was a Denver Bronco's banner. Oh yeah, the pancakes are great. One time I got the menu item that had the corn beef hash in it, I think it was an omlette, but just now I started drooling thinking about it. If you are like me and big brekkies are the best meal of the day, this gem is not to be missed; but be forwarned; GET THERE EARLY ! Hey wait a minute, if everyone gets there early won't it be crowded early? Who cares? And while you're at it, take the bus there. Parking is metered everywheahs now. Sheesh...and then the next day, try the Koa Pancake house in Kaneohe. There's a little more elbow room.

• Pros: Breakfast lover's haven and heaven
• Cons: ride a motorcycle, bicycle or take the bus

05/31/08

The Texas fella who wrote the last review MISSED the point of Boots' and Kimo's

by JanisLikeJoplin

You come to Boots and Kimo's knowing the wait is long. One of the fun things is that because it is so tiny you might get the fun of sitting in the row of tables and chairs all pushed together with other folks you may not even know, but that's half the fun! Perching up on the counter seats is fun too because it means, you got a seat and you are IN!

Last year friends of ours staying in Honolulu left their hotel one moring very, very early. The valet asked them where on earth they were going to so early. They said they were going to Kailua to Boots' and Kimo's. That local valet smiled and ask them how on earth they (tourists) knew of one of Hawaii's greatest places for local spirit, local girinds and local "da kine". My friends smiled and told him they had gotten to catsit the year before in Kailua for friends (us) and knew all the local secrets! Don't miss the pancakes with Macadamia nut syrup. Sorry the TExas guy didn't like it----he missed the point!

Aloha, Janis Like Joplin/Kailua, HI

• Pros: Where we, the locals (I'm a 20 year mainland transplant) eat.
• Cons: You have to wait---go early for breakfast. Hang out and howdy with others otherwise!

05/16/08

Been There Done That

by fortunateomen

OK so my wife wanted to go to this place because she heard of the great food. Being a good husband and knowing that we would have to go eventually I agreed to go. Personally, I'll go to any place just as long as there is Country Fried Steak and Eggs. Upon entering the place I stood by the door expecting someone to take my name. I think it was obvious that I had not been there before. Regardless, the waitress rushed past me with no acknowlegement. I remained there and attempted to get the attention of the only other waiter. He somehow did not hear me yet everyone else did! Anyhow, eventually I did ask the waitress about placing my name on the list. You will have to go to the register to get on the list. Also when asked about the choice of seating I asked for a table. Well, only minutes later our name was called and told to sit at the counter (yes, told, not asked or offered if we would accept the counter seats). I mentioned that I specifically asked for a table. We went back to waiting. The place is small, but darn! I think they were trying to maximize the seating by sacrificing our comfort. Be sure to ask for your own table otherwise you may end up like 3 other couples, seated at the same table. I felt sorry for them, but then again they should have said something. Anyway, pushing forward, when we did get our food it was fine. The pancakes were good but the service was not all that appealing. The waitress never brought our water so we had to ask for our water again from the other waiter. Overall, I was not impressed. I think I will stick to Denny's or IHOP. But I guess my wife is now content that we've Been There Done That. Now for the big question: Would I take family there? No, not worth the wait and service is everything to my family from Houston. Now, I would take them to Koa's on the same side of the island, service was good there and the place has alot more character. Good Luck.

06/01/07

Best breakfast

by donttalktofreaks

Where do I even begin? I'm not a big fan of pancakes, but my husband is and he says they are the best he's ever had. I stick to the seafood omelette with added jalapenos and it is absolutely to die for. The hashbrowns are perfectly cooked, the juice is fresh.

The wait is long (usually an hour or more) but well worth it. You usually have your food within minutes of being seated as your order is taken while you wait. Service isn't always the best but that's understandable seeing how busy it is.

Definitely worth trying--and if you're a motorcycle rider, it's a very nice ride from the other side of the island.

• Pros: food, juices
• Cons: waiting

03/12/07

Great breakfast!!!! Pancakes to die for

by tamstrat

This tiny little hole in the wall restaurant was highly recommended on Citysearch so my husband and I decided to give it a try when we were in Hawaii in February. It was fabulous!!!! It is a tiny, tiny place so be prepard to wait. It was a little confusing however, you go in and give your name and are given menus. You then are directed to wait outside as there is absolutely no room inside to wait for a table. I assumed you were given the menu (incorrectly) that this was just to review while you were waiting. Wrong. About 20 minutes later the server approached us and said "Go ahead". Now mind you we were still sitting outside, not even seated at our table yet and so I was a little confused but evidently in order to move things along they go ahead and take your order ahead of time and then when you table comes available they bring the food to your table. Our drinks were not refilled promptly but in fairness the place was crazy busy and the servers were really running so we didn't mind. This is a great place to have breakfast, the food was wonderful. I can't say enough about how good it was. However, since it was so jam packed and people waiting outside I did not feel we could take a leisurely, long relaxing lunch. But I would still go back again and highly recommend due to the quality of the food. Yum!

• Pros: Great breakfast food, pancakes, fresh juice
• Cons: Tiny, crowded, long wait, extremely busy waitstaff

Editorial Review by Christy Buena

by Contributor

Known for its pancakes with macadamia sauce, the eatery also serves lunch plates including Hawaiian ribs at affordable prices.

11/19/06

Authentic Hawaiian Breakfasts

by boski1989

Very small family run restaurant only open for breakfast and lunch. There is usually a wait to be seated, but it is well worth it. The Banana, Macadamia Nut pancakes with their well known syrup are their specialty. Get an order and share. I would also recommend their other house specialty, fried rice. Spam and spicy sausage are offered as a meat choice with every meal - I would highly recommend both. Juices are also of island fare, guava, mango and pineapple. Service was outstanding and meals served promptly. Large portions mean you won't go away hungry.

• Pros: Awesome authentic Island food - great service - large portions
• Cons: Small restaurant, long wait for service, very limited parking