4. Restaurants

Cocina

667 Auahi St, Honolulu, HI, 96813
  • (808) 537-6585
  • Store is closed

Cocina Menu

Sorry, We are updating this restaurant menu details.

Sorry, We are updating this restaurant cholesterol menu details.

  • Crystal B.

    I had an event in Kakaako tonight and wanted to try something new....a quick stroll around the block and we stumbled upon Cocina, which was hopping. Holy Taco Tuesday, Batman! There was a great variety of resonably priced tacos and sides available and two seats magically opened at the bar so it was meant to be. We chatted with the friendly kitchen staff while they crafted our orders from scratch thanks to the open design. My shrimp tacos and chicken tacos were flavorful and filling. Highly recommend the papas fritas, the spices and sauce are to die for. ..if I go back I'm soooooo not sharing next time!

    (5)

  • Danielle P.

    I ordered the braised beef burrito for myself and the vegetarian burrito for my mom and both were refreshing, tasty, reasonable in size and price. I definitely recommend this place if you're wanting healthy and fresh Mexican food.

    (5)

  • Rick L.

    You must! You must! You must come to taco Tuesday at Cocina! Seriously, some GREAT tasty tacos!!! Free margaritas and it's strong!!! I love this place! At first, I was so hesitant for another cheap and gross Taco Tuesday special (D&B) that other restaurants offer. Man, was I wrong! These are gourmet taco! Just absolutely deeeeelicious!!!

    (5)

  • Kristianne S.

    Cocina, simply translated, means kitchen or cuisine. I'll say that there is some really good Mexican street food being served up from this kitchen! I was first introduced to this unique style of Mexican cuisine when they popped-up at Taste Table, then stopped by a couple times at their new digs, filling the space that was once the Whole Ox deli, and now, due to construction and all that jazz in the Kaka'ako area, they have taken up current residence in the very space that was home to Taste Table. (may it rest in peace) These guys don't quit and that's great fortune for us foodies! But enough with the history/geography lesson and on to what you want to EAT! Order: Walk right in and stare hard at the menu. Sure the menu isn't extensive but they do it all extremely well. Ask questions, the staff is super helpful deciding what to order and explaining the ingredients you may not recognize. Papas Frita - when my order arrived, the people at the next table over followed their noses (literally) and exclaimed 'What IS that?! OMG it smells SO good!" They're right, it smells heavenly. And I'm thinking to myself, it's just potato wedges. Oh no sir, these wedges are damn tasty! You've gotta try these. Fried Avocado - why have I never had this before? It's delicious and so simple. Tortaguesa - AKA humongous burger of delight! Go for the egg! Just do it, you might be surprised. So juicy, the grilled onions and cheese and tasty bun... oh it all works so well together. Headcheese Carnitas Tacos - probably my fave. Quit wondering what headcheese is and just put it in your mouth! I love the homemade mini tortillas, I could probably just order a plate of those and be a happy girl. I'm weird like that. But I won't, because they are so much tastier topped with the uber-tender and perfectly seasoned carnitas. (yes, and headcheese too!) Fish Taco - the very first thing I ate from cocina and it was a party in my mouth with all the flavors. I don't know what all the little ingredients mean but I really liked it, even the capers. Beer Braised Beef Cheek Taco - my husband had this one, he was really torn between the burger and the beef cheek. Yep, I'm pretty sure he was stumped at beef cheek, but the guy at the counter was very informative in describing the two and ultimately we both helped my husband decide that Heck! you've gotta try beef cheek once, right? Hubby said it was good but that he's dying to come back for the burger now. BYOB -they provide openers for your beer or wine. Otherwise they do offer a small selection of soda or agua fresca to purchase Fantastic service! I very much like how they redesigned the old Taste Table space to better suit their "cocina", with space to sit at the counter or bar-style table inside and smaller picnic tables outside. Casual atmosphere and you'll see people dressed both up and down. Parking: Primarily metered street parking until 6:00 PM, then free.

    (4)

  • Ryan V.

    Only reason not giving a 5th star is because the restaurant is really smoky. But that's due to the open cooking area. You can watch your meal being prepared. The food was very good. I didn't think the portion size was that big but after eating it, it was just right. First time leaving a restaurant just right lol vs. wanting to die from over eating. I would recommend trying it!

    (4)

  • Lauren H.

    Food was good. A bit over priced but with that said, I will probably due to convent location to my condo and cool vibes. Horchata was a hot mess and way too chalky. Maybe we got the bottom of the jar but it was a bust. Tacos were tasty but missing some crunch and color. Wish it had salsa and maybe radish and lime? Tortillas could also use more char on them. The verde pork burrito was full of flavor. I highly recommend making it a wet one and add queso. The table next to us had the elote and I'll surely be going back to get that! I've been craving traditional Mexican elote. Being that I'm 100% pure Chicana this place is a solid 3/5 for effort. Little too fussy on some things like $6 for a tiny serving of rice and beans was outrageous but their meats had good flavor and tortillas were authentic. Not taqueria style or traditional at all but it is enjoyable food.

    (3)

  • Russel M.

    This place keeps getting better and better. New menu items and new location starting Mar 3rd..

    (5)

  • Maka K.

    If you're trying to avoid carbs, this is NOT the place for you, BUT the food is DELICIOUS and the place is BYOB! Parking: Since it's in Kaka'ako, it's mostly metered street parking (free after 6pm). The lot where CompUSA used to be is also open to folks who are spending their time at Cocina or Salt Warehouse, and it's free so that's a big plus. Food: They make really great dishes! It's a bit pricey, but the food keeps me going back. For smaller plates, I really like the Mexican Street Style Corn ($4) & Fried Avocado ($7). They're great starters to a meal! For tacos, the Headcheese Carnita Tacos ($13) are BOMB! Don't be scared of the headcheese because you shouldn't judge a book by it's cover and all that! It just tastes like fatty pork, so you should definitely order it! Doooo it! The Tortaguesa ($12) and the Huarache ($15) are always good choices if you're looking for something bigger and more filling. The Tortaguesa is a Kulana beef burger w/ grilled onions, smoked ham, "tex-mex" queso, avocado, queso fresco, and you can add an egg for an extra $1 (and you should totally add the egg). The Huarache is made w/ a black bean puree, roasted jalepeno & onion, avocado & charred tomato jam---it looks kind of like an open face sandwich, but the base that's it's on is delish! Mobile Food: Depending on the event, Cocina sometimes takes their show on the road! I've seen them set up at events like Eat The Street and HNL Nightmarket. Obviously, their menu isn't nearly as extensive on the streets, but their food is still delicious! Closing? Moving? People assumed that Cocina was closing, but they're moving to the space in Kaka'ako formerly occupied by Taste Table. I'm not sure where they're going to go after their lease there is over, but I hope they find a nice permanent spot so that I can keep getting their food!

    (4)

  • Kevin K.

    I'm always looking for a legit Mexican fix in Hawaii. This place is fantastic and well worth the trip. Flavors are punchy and well thought out. There is an open kitchen next to the register where you can see the guys firing everything up. Great menu and all the options look solid. I went with the waitresses suggested and got the chicken mole burrito and fried avocado slaw. It was awesome. The sides are all really good as well. You can't go wrong with the place. My go to when I'm in the area.

    (5)

  • Mark H.

    I saw pictures of their burger (Tortaguesa), and had it on my list of burgers to try... Still on my list is PNJ's burger.. guess that will be another review... Extra courteous staff... I'm not sure if I spoke with the manager or owner but superb service. Service with a smile! Very tough decision on where to rank their tortaguesa among my fave burgers in Hawaii. I'm going to have to put the Counter still #1 and Cocina as #1A. The tortaguesa--a fabulous creation. Lots of flavors going on and all in great balance. Nothing overpowering the other delicousnesses... Lots of homemade goodness.... bake their own bun, homemade sauces, and other hand crafted ingredients.... I prefer my bun a little softer, but their bun was denser yet easy to bite off--still a good, toasted bun.. somewhat like a toasted ciabatta. Tortaguesa had good texture with some crunch to it, I couldn't pinpoint where the crunch came from (maybe the bacon was crusted??).... Topped off with an egg that was perfectly cooked--if not, would've spoiled the presentation 100% If the patty was cooked to medium, it would've been flawless... The star of the show is still the patty! My next visit I will try their nachos. Their nachos look fully loaded and legit!

    (5)

  • Aaron Koichi C.

    Inviting, service oriented, good food, freshness in the air with cool music playing. Menu is vast but simple, atmosphere is toxic, and did I say the food tastes great? What a fresh kicked up a notch Mexican restaurant. The food taste like a modern Mexico. With every bite; a new surprise bursting in your mouth. Food porn!!!!! Love this place, recommending all my friends.

    (5)

  • Tania L.

    Basic menu. Only did regular dining so not sure what happy hour is like. I never purchase their drinks because I think it's more of a fad than a thirst quencher. I enjoy supporting the local industry and will stop by whenever I'm in the area to have a meal here.

    (3)

  • Mari K.

    Two words: street corn. This modern Mexican fare is located right in kakaako and with its outdoor seating and BYOB is ideal for al fresco dining with a group. The tacos are delicious but the standouts to me are the tortuguesa burger, (served with an ooey gooey egg, yum) and the street corn that makes my heart sing. I honestly would just keep coming back for the street corn, smothered in mayonnaise, chilis, lime, cilantro and I'm sure more the flavors are creamy and tangy. My mouth just waters writing about it! Also they typically have a taco Tuesday menu so don't miss that!

    (4)

  • Marnica B.

    Came here after Paiko for a quick bite. Fresh ingredients, relaxed atmosphere. Parking may not be the best, but if you're in the area and haven't tried it yet, think you should chance it!

    (4)

  • Karen E.

    Ok second at this place and lunch time was busy. Well it is the day after Easter so everyone is back at the grind except me and the fam so we stopped by here on a weekday. Our first time here was on the weekend and their lunch menu specials was awesome I would go for that but today was different dishes so we went with whatever was on the main menu. I was scared but yes I ordered the Chicken Mole Burrito. I've had the authentic mole experience from my old co-worker and friend so I know how I like my mole. We also ordered Fried Avocado since we didn't order it the first time. Fried Avocado wasn't that bad. I like the idea but I don't know why I was expecting more. I didn't mind the raw onions in the slaw my husband doesn't like raw onions at all so it was not good for him. Then my mole comes and the moment of truth....not bad but not amazingly good either just ok. I don't know what was lacking...I guess I expected it to be a little bit more seasoned a certain way...I don't know but I was sad. I guess I have to face the facts that if I want great mole I have to go to Mexico. I would also go to Cocina during the weekends too just because I think their lunch menu is was tastier! Cocina is still number one for Mexican food for me!

    (4)

  • Lai T.

    Uno, dos, tres! That is how many meals I've been lucky enough to have at this Kaka'ako gem. I don't know how you'd categorize the food here. Fusion? Tacos range from soy to headcheese! Things that I've tried: * The Tortaguesa is a hybrid of a hamburger/torta...oh my yummy x2! Whatever Chris suggests to you-trust him ;) * Taco Tuesdays are celebrated from 6-9 PM with $3 tacos which you can order ala carte. These are usually flavors which aren't typically available the rest of the week. And pssst...you can get a free margarita with your taco order ;). When I went, the flavors were root beer braised beef, al pastor, & huevo ranchero. They usually post the flavors up on their IG account (cocinahawaii) * If the smoked brisket huarache (with blackbean purée, roasted jalapeño, onion, avocado, & charred tomato jam served atop this wonderful crispy bread) is on the menu...order it! It is my favorite so far. * Stole a bite of the headcheese taco from my bf and it tasted like beef-not the headcheese that I was expecting. Good flavor. Probably could win over folks who normally aren't into eating crazy things like headcheese. I really like the location of Cocina (formerly the Whole Ox). However, it seems to be jinxed as businesses seem to keep coming and going. Parking can be a bit tricky, but the trouble is worth it. Their price points are a bit high-but everything I've eaten here has been unique and inventive. There has been much talk of Cocina closing. I asked and they said they'll be at this location through February and then move into the space that Taste is currently occupying.

    (4)

  • Ronnie V.

    Counter help Server lack about food. Menu very young no concern But food ok Pass this joint. On bike ride again

    (1)

  • Jenny F.

    Ahh, cocina. I loved you in your past, as the whole ox, but this is proof that change can be oh so good! I first tried a taco by them at A Pinch of Salt for the Holidays, where they had set up a little taco stand. They sold a pork taco that literally was cut off of a rotating spit, ala Mediterranean gyros. Resting on a homemade tortilla, marinated with lime and hidden in a garden of cilantro (not a fan of the stuff), it was a-ok. They handed me a flyer though, that really caught my eye. FREE MARGARITAS ON TACO TUESDAY. How could I say no?? The next Tuesday, a friend and I hit up Paiko for some wreath making fun (check out their workshops!), and we grabbed dinner here before hand. $3 taco specials, and that night they were ali'i mushroom, egg, and carnitas. While waiting for my friend to arrive, they kindly offered to quench my thirst. Don't mind if I do, says I! Their margarita was pretty tasty, and strong enough that I could feel that sonofagun Asian glow slowly sneak attacking my face. But the tacos! I got the two vegetarian ones, and I was surprised at how good they were! They may have been missing meat, but certainly not flavor. I especially loved the egg taco, they added queso fresco to give it a nice punch. The avocados were fresh and perfectly ripe, and the salsa was good. They were delicious, and easy on the eyes too! They serve up their tacos simply, on a metal tray lined with parchment. Their cos and salsa were not half bad either. The price was a little steep (you can easily get tacos for a third of the price elsewhere), but you could tell you were paying more for the quality of ingredients and the creative forethought that went into putting these tacos together. Everything was fresh, made to order, and they clearly take pride in their work. YUM.

    (4)

  • Jose D.

    My brother was visiting from the Big Island and wAnted to try this spot. Definitely well worth the experience, the food is seasoned well and the French toast will have you begging for more. The burrito I ordered was full of fresh flavored and really well put together. My daughters had the mole tacos and we will be returning back.

    (5)

  • Johanna M.

    This place is really yummy and made with fresh ingredients and bold flavors. We walked in on a Saturday night and it was pretty slow, which is great for us. We found a picnic table in the middle of the restaurant, popped our BYOB wine and enjoyed good food. We ordered the fish tacos, the head cheese tacos, the fried avocado and the tortaguesa. This was a pretty good spread, especially since it was our first time there. Everything was really good, but my favorite item was definitely the tortaguesa. It is a must and you have to get the egg on it. Really great flavor, and so yummy. The tacos also tasted fresh and while the fried avocado sounds wacky, it's really good. The only tiny gripe I have is that it is kind of expensive, $12-13 for three street-sized tacos is kind of high, but the food contains really good ingredients. I am, however, used to San Diego prices, where they have fresh taco stands everywhere. The service here was also good. They brought us chilled mason jars for our wine and we had a good time. Oh! I almost forgot their t-shirts, which donned the phrase "hecho en Hawaii." Really cute shirts. In short, cocina is hecho en Hawaii and hecho muy bueno.

    (4)

  • Traci H.

    I'm a fan. It's not your typical Mexican joint, so if you just want a boring taco, burrito, rice, and beans, go somewhere else since you're not gonna find that here. This is like a Mexican joint with a personality. It has a burrito and some tacos on the menu, but it also just knows how to take Mexican cooking to the next level. And yes, my favorite thing here is the burger (tortaguesa) ($12) and yes please to adding the egg ($1)! It might seem expensive if you think you're just getting a burger, but if you think of all the gourmet type of burger joints, this is about in line. Burger was perfectly cooked and it was all put together perfectly. It also comes with jabanero ketchup and jalapeno mustard--both have a kick. I prefer the mustard, but they said usually people like one or the other better. Just a warning it is MESSY. But it is worth the mess. But if your'e on a date, or an important business meeting: 1) you may not want to have all this goodness dripping all over your hands and mouth and 2) you may just get distracted with all of this yumminess! Also had the Gringa ($11)--it is a little overwhelming at first since it looks like a giagantic half quesadilla or something. But it is quite tasty. I could really only eat half of it. It tastes like a semi-sweet pulled chicken dish. So if you don't like a little sweetness in your food, this might not be for you since there is a charred apple mole, and you can taste a hint of sweetness in it. Chips and Salsa ($4): I'm a fan of their housemade chips and salsa. The first time was perfect but the second time the salsa tasted like it had a little sweetness to it I wasn't as much a fan of. But nonetheless it's hearty chips and hearty salsa. The agua fresca changes daily but they are usually willing to give you a taste. I wasn't as much a fan of the starfruit one but I had another one that had more of an iced tea flavor and it was so refreshing and yummy. It's worth a go. They do run out of food so go earlier so you at least have a choice of the whole menu. I'm a fan. No reservations. I'm not even sure they have a phone. Went for lunch and dinner--both weren't too crowded, but it can get crowded, so take a chance, it's worth it. Seating is on large picnic like tables. Can probably fit about 6-8 adults if you squeeze. Otherwise you see a lot of two-somes sitting on the table, if it's not busy. Bathrooms straight in the back. Parking: I usually just do street parking around the area (usually free after 6pm, but double check), but there is the big paid lot up near South street if you're desperate. I have heard some times you can park in the lot next door, but I've never cleared that up so I avoid it in case it's gonna get me towed. Takes credit cards, including Amex.

    (5)

  • Brandy W.

    In the old TASTE spot, Cocina packs a mean punch in the very small taco race on Oahu. Their real only competition is that of zaratez, and I believe their styles are so different, you can't compare the two. Cocina offers tacos, burritos and platos in a creative twist to traditional mexican food. My husband ordered the carnitas tacos while I the fish tacos. While we were the only ones there when we arrived, we noticed the space quickly filling up. I can imagine this place getting tight during rush hours. The tacos were packed with flavor. The tortillas were crisp but malleable. It's very important that the corn tortillas do not break in your hand (that drives me nuts!) One interesting notice: my fish tacos had capers in them. You would THINK that would not go well with TACOS, but capers are the bomb diggity regardless. Why wouldn't we add them to the mix? I WISH cocina and bevy would partner up to bring their kitchen to the drinks of bevy. Since Cocina is BYOB, it could be a perfect marriage of craft drinks and awesome food.

    (4)

  • Shannon H.

    Finally made it out here! After months and months of passively suggesting this place to friends when we're trying to figure out where to eat, finally convinced some poor soul to take me. And actually got to go two times in the same week! Lucky me! A squeamish stomach vetoed the headcheese carnitas on my first visit. Instead, opted for the tortaguesa which is a kulana beef burger with avocado, pickled jalapenos, "tex mex" queso, grilled onions and house katsup. Yum yum YUM. He got the charred orange chicken adobo tacos (apple pico, cotija, honey-habanero mayo jalapenos), which were also tasty but I definitely liked my burger better. Also got "mexican coke" which is supposedly made with cane sugar and tastes better but it kinda tasted the same to me. Ah well. I did get to try the headcheese carnitas on my second visit though. They were flavored really well but super fatty when I had them. Between the first and second visit, the menu changed too! Headcheese carnitas (and all the tacos, I think) used to be two for $8 but now they're one for $5. Pretty pricey for what you get, if you ask me.. the tacos are good but not AMAZING and I think I'd stick with other dishes if revisiting this place. To note: my favorite things on the menu were the chips and salsa (both made in house, I think!) and the perfect rice + perfect egg. Another change; it used to be called "perfect egg" but now the "perfect rice" is a mexican-style risotto with salsa rojo, grilled peppers, and queso fresca (per menu).. for $5 (+ $1 if you want to include the perfect egg)! It wasn't that much but the dish is pretty heavy so I thought it was filling enough. The restaurant used to be in the space previously occupied by the whole ox deli but with all the construction going on in kaka'ako, it's moved to a temporary location (where TASTE cafe is/was/sometimes happens to be?). Anyway, their current/temporary spot is open air with a fair amount of seating inside or outside. Not that there is much of a difference unless it's raining. You order your food at the counter and it's brought to your table when it's ready. When you're finished, you bus your own table and call it a day. Parking is typical kaka'ako parking. Metered on the street or, when we went, you could park in the old CompUSA parking lot for free if you were going to dine at one of the food spots in the area. Bottom line: this place is sort of a contemporary spin on classic mexican dishes. All done well in my experience thus far except maybe I don't see much hype in headcheese carnitas. I'd recommend tortaguesa, perfect rice, and chips + salsa. Also, the entire menu is available online so peruse a little bit before heading over so you won't be hemming and hawing like we were when we got there.

    (4)

  • Kirsten R.

    We've been to Cocina a few times and have finally given up. Our first experience was amazing: they (unusually) had margaritas and crazy cheap ($3) street tacos. The payment system was a little weird because we had to pay before our meal, which kept us from ordering more. Our second experience was at the same place, but sadly, no margaritas. I assumed that prices had returned to normal, but we didn't seem to get a balance of food for the price. Our third, and perhaps last, experience is in their current location. Again, for the sandwiches were ordered, we felt sorely over-charged. The flavors were okay, but just didn't match the quality of our first experience. We've decide to give them so more more time and, if they're still around in a few months, we'll give them another chance.

    (2)

  • Kristen K.

    ...food was ok, but it lost a star because after our meal, a few of us got really bad stomachaches. Like, really bad. It's a really really small place. They moved from their old "whole ox" location and also no longer offer the larger plates portion of their menu. The staff is very friendly. Portions for the tacos are small (two tiny ones per order) but portions for the sides (i.e perfect egg dish, papas fritas, and black beans) were quite generous. The best thing in my opinion were the chips and salsa. And the slaw that came with the fried avocado. I did not care for the corn or the perfect egg dish at all. The beans were alright but it was a huge bowl of just....beans. Would be ok to share and distribute it amongst everyone's tacos though. I got to try bites from the variety of tacos that were ordered and the meats lacked flavor. Not memorable. I should have gotten the burger....people rave about it. But after this experience I have absolutely no urge to go back.

    (2)

  • Cindy P.

    This place is amazing. As I feel they serve authentic Mexican food. Although the flavors are more on the spicy side! I love the elote but I wish they gave me a bigger piece of corn because I receive a corn the size of two acorns.. The servings for this place is quite small so it's great for a quick snack (:

    (4)

  • Jonathan P.

    Living in the tropical paradise of Hawaii definitely has its perks; warm weather, cool trade-winds, and beautiful beaches. But what we lack is good Mexican food! If you have tried Mexican food on the mainland, it literally makes our local Mexican restaurants look like a joke. Come on, if you're a local and ever tried Chipotle your taste buds would think you have died and gone to Mexican food heaven! How can Hawaii not have any good Mexican food!? That's pretty much how I felt until I went to Cocina. I've heard a lot about from coworkers, friends, my social media newsfeed, even my father. But I've become so jaded to Mexican food that I thought it would just be another let down. But guess what...It wasn't! Personally, I think Cocina is the best Mexican food in town! My favorite two dishes are the fish tacos yelp.com/user_local_phot… and the tortaguesa yelp.com/user_local_phot… both for $13. The fish tacos change depending on what their local catch of the day is. I tried a monchong fish and it was absolutely delicious. The sauces blended perfectly, it was a little soupy and leaked a little, but that just made it better. The tortaguesa is like a Mexican beef burger. Cooked to your liking and topped with pickled jalapenos, avocado, queso, grilled onions, and two types of cheese. This hybrid burger is messy but the flavors are incredible! When I took my first bite it was like a siesta in my mouth! Lastly, street parking is available but relatively scarce, depending on when you go. You may have to circle around the block but it's definitely worth it! Try to get here early because seating is very limited. Oh and what won Cochina the 5th star in my book was that it's BYOB!! Yes...you heard right! Bring your favorite alcohol and they will bring out a container of ice to chill your pick of poison and you don't have to worry about any corkage fee!

    (5)

  • Jo Y.

    Cocina! What a delightful new Mexican restaurant, as its take-out menu describes it as "modern Mexican kitchen." Yes, the Spanish translation for "cocina" is "the kitchen" or "the cuisine," and its menu items can be best described as Mexican food with a twist. It was the first day of their grand opening, and hubby and I took in an early lunch to avoid the crowd. As we ordered, we bump into Yelp foodie Grant S., who was in the midst of enjoying his lunch. We joined him and had an interesting conversation about, among other things, his expansive knowledge and appreciation of food and its many cuisines. We had the following from the lunch menu: - Headcheese Carnitas Tacos. The headcheese came with poblano (Mexican mild chili pepper)-orange relish, pickled jalapenos, and cotija (Mexican cheese) on soft tacos shells. Now I'm not going to tell you what headcheese is, lest you may be hesitant to eat it, but I can tell you that the meat is so tender, and this dish is so delicious, with all the ingredients totally complementing each other. It has the perfect spicy kick to it and is definitely a winner! yelp.com/biz_photos/coci… - Gringra Jidori Chicken (fresh, free-range, vegetarian-fed chicken) with charred apple mole, apple pico, and avocado wrapped in a thin crispy tortilla. I had ordered this, thinking that it's the same Jidori chicken offered on the dinner menu which had garnished superb reviews, but the two dishes are not the same. Although we liked it (great spicy flavor), the Jidori chicken on the lunch menu is actually generous chunks of chicken mixed with other ingredients, whereas the Jidori chicken on the dinner menu are two whole slightly charred brick-pressed pieces of chicken that are seasoned and charred, sprinkled with cheese, and served with a slice of avocado and tortilla wrap on the side. I'll look forward to having this from the dinner menu. yelp.com/biz_photos/coci… - Aqua Fresca. Pineapple juice, Meyer lemon, and Serrano pepper served in a mason jar. This is a very refreshing drink, and the pepper gave it a good spicy kick. You wouldn't think the pepper would go well with this, but I was pleasantly surprised. I would definitely order this again. yelp.com/biz_photos/coci… Grant S. also shared with us the Tortaguesa - 8 oz. Kulana beef burger with grilled onions, avocado, queso, pickled jalapenos, and an egg in a freshly baked bun. This thick hamburger on a bun was spicy, delicious, and ever so flavorful! Although there were condiments, there was no need for them, as the burger tasted superb the way it was. Plus, the freshly made bun was excellent in texture and taste. Kudos to Chef Quinten Frye for the delicious menu items for lunch, dinner, and "small plates" all day. Not only are the dishes delicious, as their presentation also shines! Originally from San Antonio, TX, he worked at the 12th Ave. Grill and is part owner/chef of Salt Kitchen and Tasting Room. He has an appreciation of locally sourced, sustainable ingredients and is also a 2013 James Beard Award semi-finalist for rising star chefs. Yes, he's well deserving of this honor! yelp.com/biz_photos/coci… yelp.com/biz_photos/coci… yelp.com/biz_photos/coci… Cocina, with periodic pop-ups at Taste, took over the former Whole Ox Restaurant upon its recent closure. Its ambiance is casual - order from the wall menu at the counter, pay your bill, pick up your order, and sit on one of the many picnic tables in the area. Restrooms available on site. Street parking available. yelp.com/biz_photos/coci… yelp.com/biz_photos/coci… yelp.com/biz_photos/coci… Cocina! Can't wait to go back to try your other menu items!

    (4)

  • Kim M.

    RIP, Whole Ox. Hello, Cocina! MOD MEX FUS Modern Mexican Fusion - that's what I call it. Shrimp Adobo Sope ($14) yelp.com/biz_photos/coci… The Kauai shrimps were plump and perfectly cooked. Loved that pastry-esque sope. It wasn't the traditional type of fried-masa sope, but it was great! The charred lime yogurt, cilantro pesto, and black bean puree really pulled this dish together. A nice twist on one of my favorite Mex classics. Brick Pressed Jidori Chicken ($19) yelp.com/biz_photos/coci… Tender and packed with flavor. Loved the smokey tinga sauce and the overall flavor of the dish. We were told that there's not really any one "correct" way to eat this dish -- whether you prefer to just rip off a piece of the lightly grilled tortilla and build a bite OR eat the tortilla, chicken, and avocado separately -- it's really up to you. I'm more of a "mixer," so I made sure to have a bit of everything in each mouthful. Perfect Egg ($8) yelp.com/biz_photos/coci… LOVE! (I lust after runny, slimy, mushy foods like yamaimo, natto, okra, and runny eggs.) This creamy, rice-based, risotto-like dish was delish! It's made with queso fresco, avocado, mushrooms, and more. The soft egg on top was the icing on the cake! It really gave this dish an extra ounce of depth and richness. Horchata Bread Pudding ($6) yelp.com/biz_photos/coci… A delightful finale. I really enjoyed the slightly firmer-than-usual consistency of the bread pudding. The horchata essence was mild, but still very tasty. DRANKS Bottled drinks and aguas frescas! Jarritos- $4 - Flavors: tamarind, lime, grapefruit, and mandarin. Coke - They even have Mexican Coca-Cola AKA MexiCoke. What the difference between American Coca-Cola and MexiCoke? The use of high fructose corn syrup versus the use of sugar cane. (MexiCoke is made with sugar cane and not high fructose corn syrup.) Aguas Frescas - This fresh and fruity drink is absolutely delicious and refreshing. Give it a try! VERDICT This place is more than a go. Cocina is definitely not the "traditional" thought-of Tex-Mex cuisine -- with hot heat, beans, rice, and cilantro up the yang -- but it's for sure delicious. This is definitely more of a fusionesque restaurant and I love it. I will be back for sure.

    (4)

  • Emi H.

    I would like to openly state that I do not like Mexican food. I do not like it in a box. I do not like it with a fox. I do not like it here or there. I do not like it anywhere. Except at Cocina. I popped in for a bite on Thursday evening at Grant S' UYE but discovered that they don't do take-out for dinner. Booooooooo I cried and slinked away to eat pho. Lame! I refused to be deterred though and returned the next day with my boyfriend for lunch. Aha! They do take-out for lunch folks and it was packed! I ordered the gringa and my boyfriend (at my insistence of course) ordered the head cheese carnitas tacos with pig ears for an extra two bucks. Listen here now, I really don't care for Mexican fare because I grew up in Hawai'i and really never experienced the wonderment of truly amazing tacos, that is until now! The gringa was good but dammit, those head cheese carnitas tacos with pig ears seriously STOLE THE SHOW! I almost had to break up with my boyfriend and leave him for the tacos. They were that good! The pig ears (yes, I agree this is really gross but I don't really give a damn) added another level of fun that could only be described as equivalent to unicorn glitter farts exploding in your mouth. Am I over exaggerating? Possibly. Do I now love Mexican food? Nope. But I do ADORE Cocina and am now an ardent admirer! I like them like them here or there. I would eat them anywhere. Try them try them if you please. But make sure you get the tacos with head cheese.

    (5)

  • Brian M.

    As a Yelper we talk about things that we look for when we Yelp a place that we're planning on checking out. Cocina has quickly moved into the spot where The Whole Ox once occupied. Hour of operation: *LUNCH: Tuesday - Saturday 11:00am to 3:00pm *DINNER: Wednesday - Friday 6:00pm to 9:00pm *Saturday 6:00pm to Late?? *Street Metered Parking Only. *Cash or Credit Cards accepted. *Casual open air eatery with picnic table type seating inside or on the lanai area. *BYOB *Chef Quentin Frye is a James Beard Nominee. *Antojitos plates are offered both for Lunch and Dinner. *Follow Them: cocinahawaii.com FB: /cocinahawaii Twitter & IG: @cocinahawaii We we're for fortunate to come to Cocina's soft opening thanks to Super Elite Grant S. setting up a "UYE" this past Wednesday night. I enjoyed the two dishes that I ordered, I thought the fish tacos could have used a little more seasoning as Elite Denise D. also noted, but it was a soft opening and the staff of Cocina really did work hard to make sure everything went smoothly. I did get to look at some of the other dinner dishes as our other table ordered the whole dinner menu, you have to love Yelpers! They all had a nice presentation and looked delicious. *Cocina I will be back to try your lunch and dinner menu items for sure! *Wishing You Success at your New Location!

    (4)

  • Celia B.

    Went to Cocina for the first time last night after hearing people rave about it. Having moved to Honolulu from California, I have to say that I've been extremely disappointed with the "Mexican" food here. It's been a rough adjustment! Cocina is refreshing, because not only is it fantastic Mexican food, but it's sort of a Mexican fusion spot in that they have really unique items on their menu that are a bit different. Everything that I tried last night was truly amazing! The fish tacos were fantastic, and the best part may have been the fresh, thick handmade corn tortillas. I can't remember the last time I had a fresh authentic tortilla like that! The fish on the tacos was fresh and delicious. The chips were also fantastic. Thick and perfectly salted, obviously house made. Dr. Andrew ordered a torta which had a beef patty, amazing "cheesy" sauce, and grilled onions. It looked more like a burger than a torta (thus the whole fusiony thing). He loved it, and the sauce was especially delicious! The bread was also perfectly crisped and hit the spot. We were impressed with everything that we had ordered! Not only was the food delicious, but so was the service. We were greeted as soon as we walked in, and all employees were super helpful and friendly. We loved the positive energy and the nice vibes. Cocina is a bit small, but there is some indoor "bar" seating and some outdoor tables and benches. You order at the front and then bring your food to a table. They don't serve alcohol, but they are BYOB! We brought some beers, but also stopped at Bevy (next door) after to enjoy some drinks, which we also enjoyed. It's nice to have the two unique and enjoyable establishments next to each other. They have Taco Tuesdays and have about 4 speciality tacos that they feature, each $3! 3 tacos was plenty! We will definitely return for some amazing, fresh food and excellent service.

    (5)

  • Jacob N.

    Let me start by saying that I don't know what "authentic" Mexican food is, and I don't care. The issue of "authenticity" always seems to come up whenever the discussion of Mexican food in Hawaii starts. You seldom hear the debate as to whether a Hawaiin food place, a Japanese restaurant, or a Lebanese restaurant is "authentic" or not, so why is it such a big deal with Mexican food? Shouldn't it not matter as long as the food tastes great? That being said, I have no idea if the food here is authentic or not. But I do know that I like it! OH YEAH!! + Super friendly staff + Headcheese Carnita Tacos + Quick service + Brick Pressed Jidori Chicken + BYOB + Deep Fried Avocado + Mexican Street Style Corn OH NO!! - It gets pretty warm in there - Where's the takeout containers?? OH MY?! * Do you know what headcheese is?? I first tried Cocina a few months ago when they were doing a pop-up at Taste, and I enjoyed their food. Since then they've expanded and refined their menu, and have recently moved in to the former Whole Ox spot on Keawe Street in Kaka'ako. They opened their doors for a soft opening earlier this week, and are slated for a grand opening this weekend. Thanks to Grant S's UYE here this past week, we got to check out Cucina before their grand opening. I was a little worried that since they're still in soft opening it would be a slight mess. They only had about a week to set up since Whole Ox vacated the space, after all, but I was pleasantly surprised that things went quite smoothly that night! One thing I thought was strange was that they weren't doing takeout orders because they didn't have any takeout containers. What a bummer. It would have made an excellent lunch the next day! True to form, we decided to try every one of the dinner entree's on the menu. There were 8 dishes: Shrimp adobo sope, enomatadas, kampachi agua chile, smoked short ribs, pork belly haurache, brick pressed jidori chicken, fish tacos, and headcheese carnita tacos. My personal favorites were the Jidori chicken, and the Headcheese carnita tacos. I highly recommend these. I almost never order chicken when I dine out. Unless it's fried chicken, or some special signature dish of the restaurant I'm dining at, I'll usually opt for some other tasty animal to bite in to. This Brick Pressed Jidori Chicken, however, will definitely be re-ordered by me many times over! What is headcheese, you ask? Try it firs, then I'll tell you what it is! Even though I'm going to miss the Whole Ox, I'm glad that Cocina has opened their doors. I'm looking forward to many revisits here. Viva Cocina!

    (4)

  • Kate K.

    BEST Mexican food on the island. Pros: - unique menu (unlike any other place I've been to on the island) - outdoor and indoor seating - relaxed environment - clean - reasonably priced - delicious Cons: - bad hours - their new location is kind of small

    (4)

  • Nikolai E.

    This place had great food!!! Their Papas Fritas were amazing good, their Fried Avacado was delicious and the sweet onions was a great touch, and their Tree Hugger Burrito with the Queso is AMAZING!!! Not to mention the customer service there was awesome and the waitress was on point in checking up on us and taking empty plates. Love this place and I will visit again with more friends.

    (5)

  • Denise K.

    I think I need to give Cocina another shot.... I like their casual setup and how they kept the bench seating from The Whole Ox. $4 for a mexican soda is kind of steep. I also think that $6 for mexican corn (1 corn on the cob with seasoning) is a ridiculous price point for corn. No Mexican casual sit down place in California would ever charge that much for corn on the cob. I ordered the fish tacos and was so excited to eat them. After snapping my foodporn pic for Yelp and IG, I took my first bite and was immediately disappointed. How could a plate of food look so delicious yet taste like nothing? The fish was not seasoned. The mango salsa was very light. I wanted more salt, more sauce, some salsa, some heat.. SOMETHING to give my tacos some flavor, some depth. But instead, there was no server to check on me or my meal. There were no salt or pepper shakers on the tables. There's no salsa bar or bottles of hot sauce to use. And to top it off, the tortillas aren't the right consistency. They're too soft and they crumble and break when you try to pick up your taco. Granted, my review is just for one dish.... take it with a grain of salt. I'm sure the other things on the menu are good. I trust my other Yelpers. I just wasn't impressed with the fish tacos and my 2 other neighbors who also ordered the fish tacos agreed with me....

    (2)

  • Mike O.

    This new open air eatery is a nice addition to the growing Kakaako revitalization. I ordered the burger. Since my wife wasnt too hungry, so we ordered two sides; the fried avocado and papas fritas. The burger was perfection. It was creamy, moist and flavorful. The fritas was also great. I did not care too much for the fried avocado, but my wife liked it. The two problems i see with this place is the price. My burger, two sides and two sodas were $36. Pretty steep for an incomplete lunch. The 2nd problem i see is the the open air atmosphere at this location. This area of Kakaako has sewer problems and it is noticed in the air. Overall I will be back, but pass on the sodas to keep the price down. Looking forward to trying some dishes that are more mexican!

    (4)

  • Juliann C.

    I am not a huge fan of tacos, particularly here in Hawaii. Mostly because I think it's over-priced for mediocre food. It's kind of like when you're in the mainland you can have a badass burger for $5, but in Hawaii you have to pay atleast $12 for a good burger. Same for tacos here in Hawaii, but even paying $12 for tacos sometimes isn't worth it. BUT NOT HERE AT COCINA!!! Holy moly. This place got it DOWN. The Good: * location is pretty convenient, it's around the block from our kaka'ako. so street parking is a go. or you can park across the street in the parking lot that usually vacant anyway * service is great, everyone was so friendly AND knowledgable about the menu * love the decor, warm, welcoming it is * HELLOOOO TACOS. I had the beef and the fish taco. They both were superb. I never had such awesome tacos. Just the fact that I didn't need to "sauce" it up... it was so delicious and tasty on its own. The taste was very well-balanced, and I'm so happy that I know where to go when I feel like spending $12 on tacos and getting every dollar's worth! * seating inside and outside - i like that The Bad: * its a small place, and i can see that at times there may be not enough seats, but there is a standup bar table, so thats good! The Weird: * something is off about the step down and step into the joint. the steps, im pretty sure its breaking some kind of building code!

    (5)

  • Adri A.

    This place was such an awesome yelp find. I Am Mexican... I grew up eating at taquerias and have had the best food in Mexico thru the years... This place is legit! Homemade CORN tortillas with fresh masa, the freshest seasoned fish tacos, housemade bright salsas and yummy crisp steaming hot papas fritas (potato wedges) sprinkled with queso and Mexican spices served with Habanero ketchup Mmmm ..If you want to taste some authentic Mexican food ...come here ! I have been visiting this island every six months for the last five years and this is what Oahu has needed. You will not be sorry. Must be said-iF you want heavy queso, rice and beans (which isn't really Mexican) then don't come.. but if ya are open to the REAL fresh stuff -do try ! !!

    (5)

  • Nimai W.

    Ho' Aunteh! Can pass da Tobasco? Watchu mean no get shoyu?! Brahhh ketchup on eggs- she go! * * * Show of hands, who drowns their food in condiments? I've got half a dozen hot sauces, and the half gallon shoyu bottle at home. I'm guilty. Cocina caught me by surprise. How often is it you eat a dish and don't want to add a thing to it? It's made to be enjoy just as it is served. At first it feels.. awkward. You want to reach across the table for that bottle of something, but it's not there. Yet... you're glad it's not? A few quick tips: Try the fresh made Agua Fresca. I look forward to it every time! The chips and salsa are outstanding, as are those Papas Frita!! Wow. Great way to start the meal. There's something for everyone here. The menu seems to be constantly adjusting, with new items popping up, and some old items leaving. At this point I've tried a good number of thing on the menu, and I've only not been thrilled by one, maybe two. And that was mainly a taste/preference issue. I'm not going to mention everything I've had, because I honestly can't remember it all. But here are a few.. Papas Fritas It was like.. I can taste again! These are not simply fried potatoes. Yet, they're not bombarded with cheese and seasonings. A light balance, with a little tang. Comes with house made habaneros ketchup. It's a side dish, but a memorable one. If that's too much for a side, the chips and house made salsa are to be reconed with! Burger (Tortaguesa) A burger to rival the previous tenants? I can't say, since I never did return to The Whole Ox after my mediocre experience. But I can say that this burger stands out among the rest. You bite in and.. and... what is that taste? You can actually taste the beef! Yes, even through the grilled onions, avocado, queso, and pickle jalapenos. Fried Avocado That was different! An impressive feat, a nice breaded crispy layer on the outside, and the avocados shape and consistency maintained well inside. Not at all what I expected! Covered in a zesty slaw, crumbled cheese, and peppers. Must try for avo-lovers. Various Tacos All served on homemade corn tortillas, I love the fish, and the various style chicken tacos. On a taco Tuesday I got to try a roasted mushroom taco and a scrambled poached egg taco. So different, such outstanding flavors! Also, don't be afraid of the beef tongue! Tender, rich, smokey, full of flavor! Cocina instantly became a regular place for weekly lunch with my dad, and is one of my favorite spots. * * * Hours: They are Tues - Sat, 11am - 9pm, straight through. Made the change on the Yelp page, but it was denied. Call them to confirm if you like, those are the new ours. LOCATION CHANGE as of 3/1/2014 They are now located just around the corner on Auahi Street (same block), at the old Taste Kitchen location.

    (5)

  • Jennifer T.

    ........ ............. My reaction when I saw my portion size. seriously? I understand your rent is expensive, but the food better back up the price. The service was nothing special. The guy behind the counter seemed very inconvenienced that I asked about the menu. I got the head cheese carnitas. Please don't even pretend like this is something authentic. The guy who said he was "expecting" a hipster flavorless place was spot on. That's exactly what it was. Were these animals watered with the tears of unshaven vegans? That's the only reason we can come up with as to why these 2 tacos cost $9. If you are familiar with the taco man, you know how they get down. You get a tiny taco packed with flavor for $.99 each. Here? You get a tiny, flavorless taco for $4.50. Thankfully my coworker had onion she'd taken off her burger. I threw that on my tacos to help add some sort of flavor. All in all, never again.

    (2)

  • Ashley G.

    Everything was so good! We had the fried avocado which was amazingly crunchy with that smooth creaminess it was perfect. The elote was amazing, the tacos were great (the tree hugger, beef, and pork) were all great. The chips and salsa were great the chips are the hearty ones that you know we're made fresh that morning and the salsa is the perfect compliment. We had the papas fritas which were so yummy that nice crispy crust and soft on the inside not to mention the customer service is great too. Nothing but praise for this place the only difficulty is the lack of parking and the construction noise, but once those issues are addressed this place will be booming!

    (4)

  • Paul C.

    Really excellent unique place. We need more upscale, creative dining places like this in Hawaii. Mostly authentic tacos, had the flavor of SoCal Mexican food, reminds me of the tacos from a taco truck, in a good way. Presentation and quality is great, and everything seems to be made in house. Overall, the portions were a bit small, and it's a bit pricey, place is a little cramped, location is a little weird, but for this type of quality and ambiance you can't really complain. Don't know if I would take a date here, but it's definitely worth trying, and definitely unique, won't find anything like this even outside of Hawaii.

    (4)

  • Danny R.

    Cheap, great food with a great, open kitchen and friendly staff.

    (5)

  • Adam E.

    Wow. Wow. I was just randomly wandering, waiting for Honolulu Beerworks to open and wanting a snack, when I happened upon this place. I got the fish tacos and they were out of this world. From the perfectly cooked fish, to the homemade tortilla. Awesome. The only thing I would have loved, would have been to get a taco plate with one of reach available (fush, carnitas, short rib), but you can't. This place is a gem. Make the stop. Eat the tacos. Be happy.

    (5)

  • Justin B.

    Que sabor! Relieved to find a taqueria on island that I'll continue to go to. These are the flavors of Mexico I seek!

    (5)

  • Priscilla N Brandon M.

    Went a couple months ago and I was satisfied with their rendition of the carnitas tacos. A little pricey but hey it's Hawaii so I'm getting used the overpriced food. The chips and salsa had excellent flavor! Def will be back again!

    (3)

  • Baseem M.

    Tree hugger taco=heaven The service was stellar, the food was delicious. I love the wooden tables out front. Quiet and calming atmosphere for lunch time. Friendly patrons, made a new friend. Right next to Boca Hawaii, get your bike repaired and have tacos. Done and done

    (4)

  • Matt L.

    Overall, the experience was underwhelming. We went on taco Tuesday for $3 tacos. Service was slow and unfriendly. When the food came, everything was hot, but our order of $5 potatoes was absent. Although the waiter assured us that it was coming, we waited half an hour on the potatoes. When we asked again, the waiter gave us a hard time. I probably won't be going again. The chicken mole taco was the best one we had. The others were either bland (with very little chorizo) or too salty. If you're looking for an authentic Mexican or even fusion experience, I recommend going somewhere else.

    (2)

  • Terra J.

    I'm from San Francisco, CA where they have few restaurants similar to Cocina. I love the infused Mexican food and atmosphere. The food was fresh, tasty, and had a great presentation. Note: Free margaritas on Monday Taco TuesdAy starts at 6pm Fried avocado killed it B.Y.O.B

    (5)

  • Kazuo O.

    Super friendly owner and staff. Creative and interesting menu. If you're a burger fiend I would get the Tortaguesa with the egg on top; however, the real strength lies in Conina's tacos. Truly adventurous foodies will enjoy the head cheese with the fried pig ears. For more conventional palates, try all the rest. The side order of corn is also worthwhile. The open kitchen concept allows you to see all the fresh ingredients come together great care and attention to detail. Likes: Tacos!!! Dislikes: A bit on the pricey side, which is to be expected in HNL. Bottom line: Great for a casual eat. On a very short list for places serving acceptable tacos in Hawaii.

    (5)

  • Taylor W.

    I saw this little hole in the wall on the way driving to hanks haute dogs actually. My boyfriend and I yelped it and come to see that the reviews were really good and the pictures looked great so we decided to try it. They have a small menu, which is good because you're not too confused on what to get. I decided to try the fish tacos because I never had a good fish taco before. They use opah for their fish, and let me just say the sauce, the fish, the tortilla, everything was so perfect together! Just talking about it makes me want to go and get more. I also got the jarrito fruit punch because they use real cane sugar, but anyway that was good tasted kind of like the fanta fruit punch. My boyfriend got the braised beef tacos, which came with like a spicy kind of sauce, and the beef was SO tender. And the sauce was definitely perfect for the braised beef, it probably wouldn't have gone good with the fish. So comes to show they definitely know what mixes well and what doesn't. I would definitely come back and either get the same things or get the tortas, which also sounded delish too!

    (5)

  • Deborah S.

    It is so difficult to find a decent Mexican restaurant on the islands. This blend of Tex-Mex and Mexican was refreshingly enjoyable. Great street tacos. A restaurant I can finally return to and be happy to do so

    (5)

  • Derek L.

    I had the burger with the egg on it. It was fabtastic! The Egg Running Was So awesome, and the jalapeños added the perfect touch. The papas fritas with the apicy ketchup are to die for. Agua Fresca Was So good. The only thing I don't like is the seating arrangement, the chairs were super hard, but other than that, Cocina is absolutely amazing.

    (4)

  • Scott K.

    This is exactly the kind of wonderful place you're always complaining Hawaii doesn't have enough. Which is ironic because it's also exactly the kind of place that disappears when not enough people go! Go! Go! Go! The real Mexican food you've been looking for has arrived and it's waiting for you! The atmosphere is fantastic, it's BYOB and the owners are fantastic! What are you waiting for? Seriously. Stop reading. Put on your shoes. I said stop reading... Go!

    (5)

  • Kim S.

    Head cheese. Sounds disgusting. Then you Google it to find out what it is. Wikipedia informs you that it is in fact a "meat jelly made with the flesh from the head of a calf or a pig." WHAT?!? People eat that...willingly?!? Not I, my friend not I, you say. But then you watch an episode of No Reservations & see Anthony Bourdain, who you're slightly in awe of (& have just the tinsiest crush on; no judgment) raving about this gnarly-looking terrine of jellied noggin parts & you think "Hey, maybe it ain't so bad?" So you try it the first time you see it offered as one of the fillings in a Vietnamese sandwich...& it is everything you should've expected. Cold, gelled texture with chewy, odd-flavored pieces of meat. Bleh. Sorry, Tony Bourdain, I don't think we're meant to be. Then a year later, you browse Yelp looking for new lunch spots around your workplace & come across Cocina, which has 4 1/2 stars. & what is everyone raving about in their reviews? Head cheese carnitas tacos. You shake your head & blink your eyes a few times. That can't be right. Everyone must be taking crazy pills. But when you go to Cocina with your foodie partner in crime, you decide to bite the bullet & try these infamous head cheese carnitas. And what you are met with is NOTHING like what you're expecting. Delicious pieces of pork with a nice crunch from the pig ears. Bright hints of cilantro. Spice from pickled jalapeños. All wrapped up in warm, handmade tortillas. You find yourself wishing that you'd ordered the entire plate for yourself, instead of to share, because you'd played it safe by ordering fish tacos. Moral of the story: Head cheese does not have to be icky. It can be pretty damn delicious & amazing. Mr. Bourdain, there just may be a future for us yet!

    (5)

  • Cristyn T.

    I'm obsessed with Mexican food and always on the hunt to find a restaurant that compares to restaurants in my former place of residence in San Diego. Cocina is nontraditional Mexican food and more of a modern taqueria. There isn't much seating aside from some barstools inside and picnic tables outside. It's also byob! I have a friend who likes to order everything she likes on the menu so luckily we got to try a lot of things! My favorites were the fried avocado and papas fritas. The perfect egg was also good if you're into risotto. The tacos actually didn't stand out from each other too much, but everything was good. The veggie torta was pretty good, but I think I want to try the burger next time. Fun place to dine, but don't go expecting traditional mexican food.

    (4)

  • Lauren C.

    I love their agua fresca! Now, besides dessert, drinks are my guilty pleasure. I don't mean boozy drinks but unique/housemade sodas or juices. Each time I've gone to Cocina they've had a different agua fresca. A lot of Mexican restaurants I frequent lack aqua fresca on their menu and I'm lucky if they have a homemade horchata. I really appreciate the creativity that goes into Cocina's agua fresca and I've even bought two the last time I went. This place is nothing like your average Mexican joint and I don't think you can find any of your usual Mexican favorites here. They boast a Modern Mexican menu and so far I've enjoyed everything I've tried. Starting off with the shrimp tacos, they're decent sized shrimp that has been battered and deep fried and wrapped with corn tortillas. They're topped off with a slaw and a generous sprinkling of cilantro. I had these to go and I was worried that the fried shrimp would get yucky on my ride home but they despite losing some crunch, they were still delish. I've also tried their fried chicken torta and although I was skeptical at chicken breast (I"m a dark meat kinda gal) but the meat was flavorful and moist. I wasn't a huge fan of the slaw atop the meat because it made my chicken a bit soggy but I really liked the bits of cheese (queso fresco?) sprinkled on the burger. I normally love tres leches cake but this one was a bit of a dud for me. I felt like the texture was more bread-y than cake and tasted more like a drier bread pudding. It did have a nice glaze and some smoky charred oranges as garnish which was a nice touch. I think I'll try the flan next time. I'm eager to return to Cocina after they reopen in the old Taste Table spot. Although I'm going to miss the open air seating with the picnic tables, I'm sure they can add some Cocina flair to their new place!

    (4)

  • Michelle M.

    Directions: 1) say nicely to the server taking your order, "1 tortaguesa add egg please" 2) pay cash, tip $5 3) wait patiently for tortaguesa, it's not that long, i promise 4) when tortaguesa is ready, DEVOUR IMMEDIATELY. (do not take photos, do not hesitate, do not attempt with one hand, do not talk until entire tortaguesa has been inside your mouth) 5) REPEAT. 6) you're welcome.

    (5)

  • Kristen G.

    Great little Mexican joint. BYOB..gourmet take on traditional dishes. Homemade tortillas and chips, could be thinner..that just takes practice. We had chips and salsa, fried avacado, the head cheese tacos, shrimp tacos and cochanita pibil. All were delish. Tees Leches is not as moist as I'm use to, but it had great flavor. Nice, friendly and courteous staff. Two thumbs up.

    (4)

  • Kelly G.

    First thing I noticed on the menu - headcheese carnitas tacos?! sounds delish~! Too bad they ran out for their dinner service last night when I came to try their food. The guy was apologetic and suggested we try their sopa, but we went with their pork belly dish instead with a side of guac. All delicious! The guac was seasoned well, came in a hefty size bowl and a couple rounds of corn tortillas that you break off to make your own chips. When they stopped by to check on us, they asked if we needed more chips to polish off the guac. Heck yes! The pork belly dish was a slipper of masa topped with a black bean puree, the pork belly, a tasty tomato concentration, topped with lettuce and cheese. It was heaven. Agua fresca was a nice grapefruit citrus drink. Overall, 2 agua fresca, guac and the pork came out to $30. With great service and a nice open air eating setting made for a great meal. Can't wait to come back to try that headcheese tacos!

    (4)

  • Chella L.

    Just ate at the new Cocina location last night with a friend in Kakaako where Taste or Whole Ox place used to be. This place is rather small. You walk right in, order at the front, and then sit. There's several seats/bar stools inside and two bench tables outside. When the food is read they'll bring it out to you. Their menu is kind of small, not too much on there but the food was fulfilling and the cost of it all was well worth it! This is what we ordered: *ANTOJITOS (little cravings)* Chips and Salsa Fried Avocado *TACOS Y MAS* (3 tacos each order) Fish Tacos Headcheese Carnita Tacos I love eating avocado, so I enjoyed the fried avocado. This came with a little lettuce strips on top of it as well. This could be share between two but I think I could eat a whole one by myself. Hehe! As for the tacos, I like the headcheese carnita tacos more than the fish. Well, they were both delicious but if I had to pick one, it would be just that. The fish taco was good. It came with these cooked tomatoes on top of it that made it so delicious. It had this zesty taste. If you order two different taco orders (3 each), that should be good to share between two people. We were full and satisfied after that. As far as service, it was quick! I'd come here again. Great place for pau hana hour or just to get a quick bite with a friend in the afternoon. Keep in mind, if you are looking for a place to drink as well, Cocina does not have an alcoholic beverages on their menu, so you may want to check out Bevy's after (if they're not busy) or else where.

    (5)

  • Nancy H.

    I really like this place. The Mexican food is presented in an original way with lots of local ingredients. We went for the first time with friends who were celebrating a special occasion: we were a group of about 30 and sat outside. The owners gave us special attention and did a terrific job of explaining the various nachos and tacos that our hosts had ordered. The Agua Fresca is wonderful, and my friend tells me that the fruit in the icy cold water changes each day. It was a refreshing change from ordinary water that is served elsewhere. They don't serve alcohol here, but you're free to BYO. I actually prefer that. Our friends had ordered nachos to start with, and they were totally delish, but keep that agua fresca close at hand because they have a little bite to them. After that came 3 different types of tacos stuffed with ingredients that were so flavorful you could taste the freshness. We were served chicken, fish and beef tacos, but the fish tacos were amazing! My only complaint was that I thought the tacos shells lacked something. They weren't crunchy, but they weren't really soft, either. As a paleo eater, next time I'll ask for the taco filling on a salad instead.

    (4)

  • Kari B.

    Extremely fresh...very filling burritos! The Tree Hugger burrito was full of veggies, cilantro and a tangy sauce, yum!

    (5)

  • Pepper R.

    Got the Tinga Chicken taco - small portion but absolutely delicious! My hubby got the Beer Braised Beef burrito and it was size-able... He got full fast and that was also hella-tasty. I love rice so I enjoyed the Cocina rice, and applaud their liberal use of cilantro! Priced right, and soooooo yummy!!! Light lunch, get a taco... Looking for more filling options go with a burrito or one of the specials.

    (4)

  • Kameron S.

    I'll shed a tear for the Whole Ox but Welcome Cocina with open arms!!! Gourmet, Modern, Fusion, Tapas, Spanish, Latin or Mexican...Who knows and does it really matter? What's important is their dishes are unique and delicious, with a nice variety of flavors and textures. I feel badly for the previous tenants complaints about the construction and smells emanating from Keawe Street. This is the first time I have been there at night and the street was closed and the heavy equipment was busy making a ruckus. I was able to appreciate how this could definitely put a damper on business. Despite the noise and smells from outside (we grabbed the furthest table from the street), our meal was excellent, served promptly with explanations of the yummy creative dishes we were about to devour. I've been to Cocina twice now. Both times the service has been very friendly and helpful. The food is served surprisingly quick for how intricate the dishes seem. I recommend coming with enough people to be able to try various dishes. I can definitely vouch for the Perfect Egg, Fried Avocado, Shrimp Adobo Sope, Steak Chilaquiles, Pork Belly and the Street Tacos. Dessert is good as well but so far I've only tried the Tres Leches. Drinks are no problem, it's BYO and they have legit Mexi-Coke, Jarritos and Agua Fresca!

    (4)

  • Jason W.

    The food here is incredible. I got to try the headcheese carnitas that scared me because of the name and normally would have passed on. So glad I tried it! Amaze-cheese! The Fried Avocado was delightful, creamy, spicy, and just a dash of crunch. The Perfect Egg is pretty hearty as well. I was there for an Xmas gathering so we tried a lot of the Chef's offerings & please excuse my random review because the food coma and wine is bringing it all together slowly. In fact, I am leaving this review to go see if they are open so i can find some Mexican coffee...

    (5)

  • Mr B.

    So it's about time to add some comments on the new location - fortunately just around the corner from the old one so no extra distance to travel. At Auahi the team has a smaller shop and less seating so you need a little luck to score a seat but the lucky get to enjoy the same great food as before. At an early lunch we tried beef and pork tacos. It's still really difficult to choose what to order. Guess we just have to keep coming back?

    (5)

  • Nikita A.

    Not really familiar with Mexican food, but this one looks like real Mexican food, first of all it was busy and 1 guy was serving tables and taking orders, so while I'm was in Line I read menu 10 times. When server bring my order I'm realized that he bring me wrong burrito. But I'm not complaining about that.

    (4)

  • Patricia L.

    I love Mexican food having lived in New Mexico & Texas for a combined 12 years and I'm always up for something new. I was super excited about trying this place and even talked people into trying it before I did myself. It is OK, but the taste is just "off". I know they are putting a twist on it and making it fru-fru. But when you have your heart and taste buds set on Mexican...you just want Mexican! This isn't it. I wish they change the name to reflect a proper twist on Mexican so people know or get an idea of what they are getting into prior to going there.

    (3)

  • Tom E.

    Oy my God, good Mexican food in HNL! Stop the presses. My #1 gripe w Oahu has been answered by this tasty joint. A very hip little corner of town.

    (5)

  • Rod U.

    Cocina is like the beautiful young lady at the beach, reclined on a beach chair, her legs mostly hidden by a towel, a hat hiding her lustrous hair, a wrap held tight covering her shoulders when everyone else is in a two piece seemingly made of dental floss and three pieces of tissue. In general, the food at Cocina is restrained and subtle. Atypical additives when describing Tex-Mex or Mexican food. Flavors are gentle to the point that some dishes lack flavor. Straight to it, the fish taco, well cooked fish lacking seasoning topped with a lightly acidic pico and dressed delicately in a chipotle mayo that provides mere wisps of heat and chili flavor. The Shrimp adobo sope; properly cooked Kauai shrimp in a light lime yogurt with weak acidity and dressed sparingly with a cilantro pesto, its herbaceous flavor is nothing more than a whisper. Finally the smoked shot ribs with the essence of carrot butter and a very tame sea asparagus chimichurri that fails to cut the richness of the short rib and add any kind of vibrancy to the dish. Garnish of micro greens, subtle cheeses, delicate saucing look beautiful but... There is one standout; the headcheese carnitas tacos. Face tacos at it's best. Cheek, tongue, ears, connective nasal tissue coated by a gelatinous 'sauce" of collagen and gelatin from the skull. Rich, flavorful, and oh so good. Add the topping of deep fried, crispy pig ears for texture and crunch. A squeeze of lime to kick up the acidity and a pinch of salt; good eats for sure. Never tried the desserts. Not digging the BYOB probably because I'm so terrible at making a good margaritas. Less restraint and a little more daring. The food could be excellent.

    (3)

  • Ray S.

    3.5 Cocina Well cooked tapas Mexican fair in up and coming Kakaako!! Food was so fresh and clean! Happy staff! The "wet ass burrito" the special tonight was so awesome! Fresh fish tacos were super good as well! We sat outside - perfect temperature! Restaurant is B.Y.O.B. Or you can stop next door at Bevy for a cocktail. Kakaako is growing!! Yay

    (3)

  • Carolyn R.

    My boyfriend and I ate dinner at Cocina (pronounced Ko-See-Na) tonight. The restaurant is located in up-and-coming Kaka'ako. We loved the neighborhood vibe and industrial feel of the restaurant's decor. It's a small space but there is outdoor seating - three long tables, and customers are encouraged to share seating. We arrived at 7pm and the place was humming with business. All of the outdoor tables were full but by the time we ordered our food at the register, we were able to find a place to sit down. We started off with the fried avocado and papas fritas. Both were outstanding but the fried avocado was really special - half an avocado with the skin on, deep fried in a light and tasty batter, topped with a small mound of coleslaw. My description doesn't do it justice! The fritas were well seasoned and came with a habanero ketchup that was full of flavor. For our mains we tried two types of tacos - cheesehead carnitas (pork) and the pastrami beef tongue. Both were tasty, creatively prepared, and were accompanied by two types of salsas on the side, and we loved the homemade tortillas! So this is not a traditional Mexican restaurant - it's modern and sophisticated without being trendy or contrived. The service was excellent; the food flavorful; the ambiance, casual and fun. A refreshing change for Hawaii. We plan to return!!

    (4)

  • Fred I.

    Had the fish tacos- taste like chicken! It's grilled so don't expect deep fried in batter. The headcheese carnitas tacos were better, lot of flavor. Both were small servings for the $9 each price. Still not the same as SoCal Mexican. The search continues...

    (3)

  • Rdy S.

    Lots of flavors going on in every bite. The sauces makes this place a little bit different. I like the use of chili flavors to add more than heat - they're used like another spice to highlight the different sauces. The tacos are terrific! Nothing beats a freshly made tortilla of masa harina, baking soda, and water, rolled into little golf balls, shaped on a wood press, and griddled. My only complaint is they are soft chewy and not quite toasted to the point where little air pockets form in the tortilla. The first one I tried was head cheese with fried potatoes, poblano queso, orange slices, housemade pickled jalapeño on three fresh made tortillas. Another nice one is the banana leaf wrapped pork shoulder, tender and shredded, with salsa verde, queso fresco, pickled red onion, and roasted jalapeño. Don't overlook the listing on the starters side. I've had the panko crusted half avocado topped with pickled red onion, roasted jalapeño, and cilantro. What sets it apart from other fried avocado dishes is the Valentina hot sauce slaw - creamy but spicy - that I initially thought was a Siracha, mayo, vinegar combo. A nice light meal by itself or enough for two to share. Sorry, 12th Ave Grill, this avocado dish is better. The Prefect Egg is also a full meal or a nice shared plate for two. An unexpected creamy, tomatoey, long grained rice dish with a nice bite, and more grilled peppers and queso fresco. The yolk in the poached egg is just runny enough for add richness to the rice. It also worked wonderfully when the leftovers were taken home and reheated. If you're lucky, you can watch Chef Quinton working while you take a counter seat in front of the kitchen but be prepared for the cooking smoke coming off the griddle. It helps a lot when the tradewinds blow from the front entrance through the open back door but ventilation can be an issue. The common table by the front window is a nice stand up option if it gets crowded. Fortunately there are three nice common picnic tables out front on Auahi Street for al fresco dining. There is free help-yourself chilled water. Or, try the agua fresca, a combination of pineapple, apple and lime juices.

    (5)

  • Tamarah G.

    My husband and I found this place driving around, using Yelps "Monocle" to find a place to eat dinner. Being from San Diego, I was a little apprehensive about paying $9 for two tacos, but it is so worth it! It was the first time I've had Mexican food out here, and I'm glad it was. We had the papas fritas, fish tacos, braised beef, and carnitas tacos. I wasn't a big fan of the fish tacos, but that's only because I like land animals more, but they were good. The papas fritas were delicious and habanero ketchup they serve with it was as well. My favorite was the beer braised beef, and I didn't get a chance to eat the carnitas - my kids ate them up. Next time though! If you want some awesome Mexican food while you're in Oahu, this is definitely the place.

    (5)

  • Jenny M.

    Yo!! This place is legit! Stopped by for a quick lunch today and munched on the following: Fried potato thingy- fingerling potatoes w/spices and vinegar. Quite tasty. Tortaguesa - their version of a burger w/avocado, jalapeño and some type of Mayo based sauce. Eat this! Short rib tacos - they were good but not really too exciting. I liked the casual, woody decor and open kitchen. Leaving the doors open, however, let in a lot of flies. Prices were small kine high for the amount of food you got but whatev's, at least it was tasty. Place was muy bien!!! Definitely be back.

    (4)

  • Krissy K.

    Cocina's new location at the former Taste spot is rather cozy (small), but they maximized the space well. If you want a table on Taco Tuesdays (starts at 6:00 pm), it's best to come early. I've tried a good number of things on the menu and haven't disliked any of them. A few highlights: Tortaguesa (Burger) ordered with Egg - I am partial to eggs on just about anything, but even without, I'd give this burger my enthusiastic endorsement. I couldn't discern anything particularly mysterious or magical about the individual ingredients, so it is just an excellent burger. Papas Fritas - I may be wrong, but these potato wedges definitely taste like they were seasoned prior to frying rather than being treated to a careless toss in spices post-cooking. Fried Avocado - Despite the fact that it's fried, this does not taste overly greasy or heavy. So good! Mexican Style Street Corn - This is a pretty simple dish, but it is done well here. The kernels cut off easily for sharing. Fish Tacos - Fish (especially cooked fish) isn't usually my protein of choice, but the fish tacos here are my favorite out of all the taco offerings I have tried (ginger beef, bean and cheese, carnita headcheese, beef cheek). They have a bright, zesty flavor. Chips and Salsa - Thick, crispy, homemade chips. Please note that they do not serve any other mains on Taco Tuesday - just tacos and their appetizers. And another note to my fellow cilantro-haters: they are very kind about making the dishes sans herby horrible-ness. I asked for it on the side for friends that actually like the stuff. Service is quick and pleasant. Street parking is relatively easy to find. Prices are fair. Highly recommended.

    (5)

  • Penny D.

    Just had the MOST fantastic vegetarian tree hugger burrito....the cilantro pesto is mouth-wateringly delicious!!!! Very creative, edgy, cool place...I just love it & we will be back!

    (5)

  • Uriel G.

    too hip and "cool" for me. trying too hard to make Mexican food fancier than it actually is

    (3)

  • Reid I.

    I wanted to try here for the longest time. It so happened that we had to drop off friends at the airport, so we figured to go here beforehand. Started off with the the Fried Avocado and the Papa Fritas. Both were pretty good but enjoyed the fritas more. I ordered the headcheese carnitas tacos. Flavorful with ingredients that worked well together. My girlfriend ordered the charred orange chicken adobo. I had a bite and I thought the chicken was a little dry, so it was good that it had the sauces to compliment it. I want to come here again to try the tortaguesa and the brasied beef taco.

    (4)

  • Jordan I.

    Hands down some of the tastiest tacos on the island. Recommend this place to all of you.

    (5)

  • Argenis G.

    Best fish tacos & great price for Hawaii!! Just the right amount of spices & the customer service is amazing. Their sitting are is very nice & relaxing. We were there for first time yesterday & we'll be back soon because we love Mexican food. So far the best place for a good & priceless Mexican food!!

    (5)

  • Elim N.

    No more Whole Ox, Hello Cocina! Cocina took over the Whole Ox location with a new Mexican twist. But not everything is new. The color scheme and the menu may have changed, but the setting, pricing, and BYOB ambiance is all the same. I guess as part of opening night, they were offering free margaritas and free beer! We had the last of the margaritas and boy were they strong! We ordered: Aqua Fresca [$3]: A mexican drink that packs a kick. This drink had enough spice to change things ups. Worth a try! Perfect Egg [$8]: Soft boiled egg on "orange rice" with mushrooms and other toppings. Portion size was good for an appetizer. The orange rice tasted a little cheesy. One of the better dishes of the night. Fish Tacos [$15]: Three soft shells tacos topped with fried fish and mango salsa. At first bite, I thought that the shells made the taco really bland, but then just taking a bite of the fish itself was really bland. The mango salsa had a nice kick to it but the taco as a whole had not taste at all. It really needed some type of sauce added. The same lunch item cost $2 more for dinner. Smoked Short Ribs [$22]: A tender piece of beef topped with vegetables and side of carrot butter. Carrot butter was creamy and tasty. I wish this dish came with some type of starch to make it complete and more of a meal. Overall, I feel that Cocina is a Mexican version of Whole Ox. Presentation of all dishes were really eye catching but the dishes just weren't as mouth watering.

    (3)

  • Cynthia F.

    Working my way through the menu. Everything is awesome! Fried avocado? Who knew? Yum!

    (5)

  • Jae H.

    Took this place almost 20 minutes to make a burrito. Not even a fancy one. Just a vegetarian burrito wrapped in paper and served on a metal tray. Maybe this place was taking the "kakaako" sense of place directive too literally. The wait staff -- consisting of one depressive-looking young woman -- didn't seem particularly engaged in getting me my food. All she did was take the order and plop the burrito down 20 minutes later. Not even sure why she's there? People are talking about automation making obsolete the front end of a restaurant -- this would be a good place to start. I mean, I could see the kitchen staff perfectly well, and they weren't moving particularly slowly. Burrito cost me $8. That's about the cheapest meal I could get in Honolulu. Which is why I gave it the extra star and not just one. I really hope the corporates developing Kakaako bring in some better dining options. Back to Insomniac for me!

    (2)

  • Marie H.

    My husband can't get enough of this place! We are addicted to the papas and fried avocado! The burritos are muy bueno! Love the idea that their menu is always changing! Great fresh flavors! The tacos may look small but they are really filling! Had the green chile pork burritos one night and came back for tacos another night! This is our new weekly habit! Papas, fried avocados, burritos and tacos! What more could you ask for! Love this place! And to round it all off the staff is super friendly! This is a must eat place in Honolulu!

    (5)

  • Nene J.

    They moved right around the corner from their original spot. It's right where Taste used to be. The papas fritas were ok. Not a big fan but the HEADCHEESE carnitas tacos were bomb.com ! I love hot sauce with my tacos but these tacos just don't need any adjusting. The flavors all blend well together and melt in your mouth. AND the tortillas are handmade tortillas. I knocked a star off because the portion and price ratio doesn't make sense to me. 3 small (but DELICIOUS) tacos for $12. I'm always wanting more when the tacos are all gone :(

    (4)

  • Kevin S.

    Offerings are full of flavor and have fresh ingredients. Quick service makes it a great place for a delicious work break lunch. My headcheese tacos were amazing. Not the normal headcheese I'm used to, seemed more like pork belly. However the fat made it so rich and heavenly and the relishes and pickled jalapeños offset it perfectly. I don't feel sloppy nor hungry. It was the perfect lunch. Cocina is a modern day Mexican restaurant that will please your witty taste buds.

    (5)

  • Lance T.

    2 Tacos for 99 Cents at Jack in the Box would probably make you appreciate the value of true fast food. A friend praised his group visit to Cocina, and I am a huge Mexican foodie, so for weeks I wanted to find out what the fuzz is about. I left 90% disappointed. The 10% goes to the crunchy nachos for about $4. I ordered the CheeseHead taco for $9. It came on a wax paper in a paper box pan. Im okay with going green. But looking at the size of my tacos, the overhead, the atmosphere, the tiny space, and the price of $9 for two small tacos -- this place is edging my green just a little bit too much. My TACO After the seeing the two circles of tacos, like 3 inches in diameter each at a price of $9 i thought 'okay, this looks so damn pretty and Im sure it is going to taste even better'. NOT! I couldn't even make out what exactly was on my taco. The cashier told me its pork. The taste wasn't there. There was a tangy taste and a little bit of a sweet jalapeño taste. I tasted the tortilla more than anything. PRESENTATION Love the presentation but it doesn't make me want to come back. I almost felt defeat before i even ate. I couldn't understand why its $9. The two circles looked pretty but they were served on a wax paper in a paper box pan. You can fit a half a dozen of those circles in the pan. OVERHEAD Again, at $9, i don't get the price when i watched the preparation in the open kitchen/bar. There is not much cooking required to produce 2 small tacos. Its no different than going to Subway and have them heat up your bread and meat and stuff whatever you want on it. ATMOSPHERE/AMBIANCE Perhaps its great to order the $4 nacho and a cocktail and hang out and not order a taco. The place is tight. I don't see why there is a bar around the kitchen. The heat from the flat top travels to what little space you can sit. I can understand if the bar is at a bar where you can interact with the bartender. There isn't much cooking done because you can only fit no more than 15 people in there. What fun is it to drink and eat and look at the guys getting busy cooking small tacos? I really don't get it. A redesign of this place is a must. Too much space is wasted between the door and the register counter. I agreed with one of the reviews here -- the POS system is not good for the customer or the business. Allow your customers to order more because i was ready to try a beer but i didn't want to get up and go back to the register to pay. If the POS is on the tablet then perhaps get rid of the counter, fill in that area with 2 or 3 tables, go mobile with the POS like some restaurants in the mainland, encase the kitchen because it serves no purpose to the dining experience. Im just saying. I don't think i want to go back there, not even for a drink. Over rated. Taco doesn't taste like its even half the price. Uncomfortable seating. Just no hook for me. But WiFi is free. :))

    (1)

  • Lucas S.

    Absolutely great food. I was a little hesitant because the menu did not display ANY familiar typical Mexican food choices, but what a surprise! Who knew good Mexican food didn't have to be greasy. The papas fritas are the best I've every had and the beer braised beef tacos will have me going back soon. Definitely a great spot, hidden in Kaka'ako.

    (4)

  • Kelly M.

    I had the head cheese carnitas ($12) with the pig ears (+$3) and boyfriend had the gringa ($12). The carnitas were excellent, but small. The extra $3 add some fried strips of crunchy chewy pig to the top. There were 3 street-sized tacos, the middle one had only one piece of carnita and it was a 1" by 1" piece of fat. Truly. Salsa was liquid-y and by the third taco, the liquid made the tortilla fall apart. The flavor was really good - a blend of sweet and salty, spicy and porky. But I left having paid $15 for 3 tacos (that's $5 per taco!) and I was still feeling hungry. For a $15 lunch you should get enough to eat. The gringa (aka hamburger) has really good liquid cheese on the top, but when my bf held the hamburger to eat it, the cheese all squished out the sides. The catsup was clearly homemade, but it was SWEET. Not a little sweet, really sweet. Yuck. Not edible. The mustard had jalapeno juice in it, really good. Overall, a good burger if you don't want catsup, but not an excellent burger. If you want a burger, you'll do better at Kaiwe Grill. No fountain sodas here. Pricy Mexican cokes in a bottle or water. I guess they're too hip to serve normal soda. Next time we will bring our own. I do want to come back and try some of the other dishes. Maybe we'll get more for our money with something else.

    (3)

  • Phil C.

    It's Cocina (Ko-see-nah). I've been calling it Cochina (Ko-chee-nah) for the longest time. I've been doing it wrong. Apparently, Cochina is Spanish for dirty girl. Fail. Anyway, I went back for more. My posse and I wanted to sample the menu. The dinner menu to be exact. Here's what we got: - Pork belly haurache: Think pork belly open-faced sandwich. Mexican styles... The pork belly is nice and crispy, the tomato jam provided a nice subtle sweetness, the black beans mellowed out the heat, and the crema Mexicana provided the kick. I'm a big fan... - Shrimp adobo sope: Artistic deliciousness...the fanciest mexican dish I think I've ever seen. Pretty and savory. The only qualm is the small portion size. I'm an 'Merican, and I eat big. #fattyforlife - Entomatadas: Veggie empanadas? Kinda? After tasting it, the dish screamed sweet and somewhat savory. Very good, but I'm a bigger fan of the other dishes. I'm a fan of their stuff, and I'm definitely coming back to finish off the menu at a minimum. Even if you don't like mex-fusion, I'd at least give this place a try. Service is fast, entrees are moderately priced, and most importantly, the food is good. Almost forgot...here's what you need to know: Ko-see-nah. Cochina is Spanish for "dirty girl", Pork belly haurache = big fan, Shrimp adobo sope = pretty, delish, but small, entomatadas are like veggie empanadas (kinda), give Cocina a try, and #fattyforlife.

    (4)

  • Sandy S.

    I just tried this restaurant for the first time ... really great food! I loved the fried avocado dish. Thank you for bring great food to the Kaka'ako area! I'll be back.

    (4)

  • Robo-belly A.

    You know those restaurants you walk into thinking "meh, let's give it a shot, how bad could it be" and walk out thinking "WOW this made my day"? Yep. That happened. Talk about great first impressions! We only tried the tortaguesa and the fish taco, but they were both good enough for me to give this place 5 stars on just the first try alone. The food was absolutely scrumptious!!! You know lately I've been complaining a lot recently about how restaurants in Hawaii just seem to lack flavor, and well let's just say this spot gives me hope again. It's definitely not "authentic" Mexican food, but we loved how they modernized and put a slight twist to the dishes. One thing I've learned about restaurants here that claim to be "authentic" - half the time they're neither that or nor tasty for that matter. Concina's interpretation of the cuisine is spot on, and they're doing one thing absolutely right - "tasty." Are we going back soon? H*ll yes! Cannot wait to try more of their menu. And how often have I said that about a place lately? (Yep, not too often). It's a good thing Bevy wasn't open - we would have never left that little corner of Kaka'ako. Anyway, just pretend I said this place was terrible, go in with low expectations, and you'll be as pleasantly surprised as we were.

    (5)

  • B P.

    Can't get enough of their fried avocado (& their papas fritas)! Their food is amazing and all made from scratch! Love this place!

    (5)

  • Myrtle B.

    If you love yourself some yolky goodness, you **need** to get the perfect egg. It is out of control. The tacos are solid, but it's the perfect egg dish that would keep me coming back for more.

    (3)

  • Maureen G.

    We've eaten here twice and Cocina offers really solid food. My husband loves the headcheese tacos, well, to be fair he loves all their tacos. The street corn is really good, everything we've had has been delicious. I don't love how the restaurant is set up, I wish they had a larger space, also I've never really seen a bathroom.. but I guess that's part of the charm.

    (4)

  • Jonathon L.

    Fresh, made to order burgers and tacos. Sampled their home made juice. It had a fancy name but since I forgot we shall call it Pineapple Orange juice (how it was explained to me). I sampled both the Tortaguesa and short rib taco's. If these two got in a ring to duke it out, Tortaguesa would be the winner. Which I would then devour. I wish it came with a side, but that is what an order of chips and dip could come in. Even without a side however, the myriad of flavors from avo to onion to weird fancy ketchup made for a delicious burger. Place was clean. Sat at the bar and was greated by friendly staff. There is ample seating at various spaces including a large rectangular table, picnic benches and as I mentioned earlier, a bar.

    (4)

  • Holly B.

    Dined here for late lunch after the CMYE Yelp Helps Hawaii Food Bank event on Saturday, April 19th. Tried the pork shoulder sandwich, which was good with the slaw and salsa verde. We also tried the fried avocado, which was different, but good. And we had the pork headcheese tacos, which were amazingly flavorful, though this was my first time trying headcheese and the texture (gelatinous and fat-like) took a little getting used to! The street-style corn on the cob with cheese was delicious! Overall a good experience, quick service because there wasn't a crowd, and we were able to find seating.

    (3)

  • Elijah H.

    Went here after a long day of the beach. I've heard so many good things about this place and I wanted to see what all the hype was about. The interior of the restaurant is awesome. It had a sleek, classy, "modern-Kakaako" vibe. It was a small place, and it was kind of warm inside but I didn't mind so much. I think they were missing someone because it seemed like the main cook was also taking orders and waiting tables. Also, the cook behind the counter didn't seem like he knew what he was doing. Nevertheless, the food was awesome! I had the tortaguesa tortas. This was probably one of the best burgers I've ever had, even though it was really messy. The bun was lightly toasted, the beef was well seasoned and the queso tied everything together into one messy goodness. My friend had the beef tongue tacos and he said they were good but really spicy. Warning! The tacos here are really spicy, even if you don't add the sauce they give you. Overall this place was awesome! I will definitely be back here!

    (4)

  • Sonja B.

    I write this review with a heavy heart. I work nearby and had been stopping in for lunch a couple of times a month. I stopped in for takeout recently and was waiting by the bar for my order, when another customer who had just been served brought their plate back in to tell the chef that he had asked for no cheese and thought there was cheese in his meal. Both customer touched the plate and poked the food with their fingers before the chef declared he would make another, but he thought the customer was wrong about the cheese. They put the plate of food behind the counter and I watched in horror as the line cook proceeded to scoop the rice and beans from (the thoroughly manhandled) plate and put the good BACK INTO the containers the food is kept in. I was frozen in shock when he then scooped the rest of the contents of the plate into a tortilla, wrapped and bagged it and tried to hand it to me as my order! I ran up to the guy at the register to express my absolute disgust at what had happened and he told me he would take care of it and get me a "legit burrito". No dude, you are missing the point NO food should ever be handled like this and the health department should shut you down.

    (1)

  • Robin W.

    Margarita Monday!!! Great margaritas, food, and service! Really loved the fresh watermelon drink of the day; the fried avocado was our favorite, fries were really tasty, and the chilli verde burrito was excellent! Plenty of food for two! Next time we'll try the corn and rice.

    (4)

  • Omar M.

    Got the (griddled?) chicken to go tonight. Chicken was cooked very well and seasoned great, served with baby-sized pita breads, guac, and a side of some salad/italian oil seasoning. taking two stars off because 1. everything was kinda packed messily in a to-go box ie chicken was underneath the aluminum wrapped pitas and the to-go condiments so the grease was everywhere on the foil/cups 2. i was sitting at the bar while the chef was cooking (open kitchen format) and he repeatedly touched the meat he was cooking with his fingers... wtf? do chefs have any respect for the people that eat their food? or does this bother me more than it should?

    (3)

  • Alyssa K.

    Delicious! Get the burger, and fried avocado - it's amazing. I am currently pregnant, so my menu options were limited by the type of cheese used in each of the dishes, but I wanted to try everything! The customer service here is superb. I had to ask all sorts of questions about the cheeses, and the girl taking orders answered them all very patiently and even asked one of the chefs to check if one of their cheeses was made with pasteurized milk or not. We ended up getting the burger, beef burrito, fried avocado, star fruit juice and Mexican coke. I loved the slaw on the avocado. But of course I could only eat pieces of it because of the cheese (ahh the sacrifices a pregnant woman has to make...). The burger was actually my husbands order. It was so tasty I wish I had ordered it too. The beef cheek burrito was just okay. I would not order it again. I think it lacked acid, heat, and crunch for me. The star fruit juice was excellent. Never had it before and I enjoyed it. Anyways I am a complete fan and can't wait to go back after I give birth so I can eat the dishes with all the soft cheeses! Yummy!!!

    (5)

  • Alex G.

    LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this place and its staff. Its like eating at a friends house...rustic, authentic, and absolutely delicious! Im very happy to have them in the neighborhood! Im here on Taco Tuesday, and it seems several others are also discovering how great this place is too! Keep it up boys...you've got a customer for life here!

    (5)

  • Kelley S.

    The tree hugger tacos were awesome, and fell under the happy hour prices. I'll definitely be going again and will get 3 next time. The fried avocado was good too. The place is small and we sat outside. It's BYOB.

    (4)

  • John R.

    Ok, so that place was a fresh change ... Instead of the regular lunch box meals , the Korean BBQ, the countless Ramen , the thousands of Pho places suddenly out of nowhere popped up a place that reminds me on NYC. I was very excited to find a place that actually delivers what it should and makes justice to the verbal explanation of each dish. Since the first time I was there I made sure to stop by several more times just to make sure that the excitement I felt was justified. It sure is. Thank you guys

    (5)

  • Shauna S.

    One word: ENTOMATADAS If you're like me, you may be standing at the counter at Cocina, staring up at the menu board and wondering how in the world you're going to decide what to get when everything sounds so intriguing. You probably have no idea what an "entomatada" is but the guy behind the counter will convince you to try it with descriptive words like, "cheesy", "delicious", "you'll love it". Done and done. Give it to me. When it comes to unique Mexican food, Cocina does it well. Don't expect to come here and eat a plain ol' taco. Oh no. Cocina does tacos with smoked potatoes and squid ink, or relish and pickled jalapenos. Here you'll find dishes with ingredients like grilled onions, apple pico, goat cheese, and habanero ketchup. From their hipster take on Mexican food, to their relaxed atmosphere, Cocina is a nice addition to the neighborhood and a really fun place to visit. The staff is very welcoming and the last time i was here they were giving away a free beer to diners. Love it! The only thing that keeps me from coming here more often are the prices. Coming from the land of "all you can eat Mexican food for under $10" it's a bit difficult to stomach $13 on fish tacos or $8 for guacamole. However, there's no denying good food, and Cocina has exactly that.

    (5)

  • Steffen G.

    I had the deep fried avocado and the chicken mole quesadilla. While there certainly was a lot of stuff in each dish the flavors fell a bit flat and the lingering onions in my mouth lasted longer than any of the other flavors. Modern Mexican apparently means that there's apple in your mole and the "hot" sauce (I was warned by the cook that it was very hot) was medium at best. I came, I tried, I left. Like my nights in Tijuana, I wouldn't say I regretted coming but I certainly wouldn't go back again.

    (3)

  • Kayko T.

    Reminds me of the fusion tacos popular in California. I was happy about it. It's cute and I love that it's a locally ran spot located in the up and coming industrial area. BYOB!

    (4)

  • Cz V.

    Cocina just keeps getting better! I've tried a few more menu items and it's all been amazing. The pork belly huarache and fried avocado are now part of my regular order. Also the complaint I had about the taco shells falling apart is finito. The rock shrimp tacos are delicious. I'm coming by for Taco Tuesday one of these days! Brunch, lunch or dinner... it is great any time of day. The agua fresca is worth it! Different flavors daily and always refreshing.

    (5)

  • Tyler C.

    Relaxed atmosphere with modern mexican food. The front of the house personnel with the open eating on benches made this place super relaxed and enjoyable to eat at. They know the ingredients and flavors...got to try this place.

    (4)

  • Luke W.

    Great atmosphere and service. Rock shrimp tacos and Mexican style street corn were both excellent. They're moving into the old Taste location.

    (5)

  • Mona K.

    My first time here as my co-workers and I needed to grab a quick lunch. AMAZING. I'm sold. I ordered the chicken tacos, agua fresca and chips / salsa to share. The chips / salsa is probably the best I've ever had. Addictive. The chicken tacos were awesome, too. I loved the flavors of the sauces. As for the agua fresca - delicious! That was gone very quickly. Only small negative piece is that the napkins / utensils aren't already pre-placed in the to-go bag. We didn't realize that we should have put them in ourselves - we just expected them to be there for a to-go order. No big deal though - definitely going back!

    (5)

  • Ding D.

    For Hawaii this "Mexican" food is decent. I appreciate the effort. There can be a bit of a wait but the dishes are tasty although not authentic. The largest pet peeve is they serve the food cold and do not preheat corn tortillas so the tortilla is stale. The flavor in the head cheese taco was excellent despite those things.

    (3)

  • Julie T.

    A local recommended Cocina as he's friends with one of the owners. His recommendation and food did not disappoint. After a surf session at Diamond Head Beach (ok, my boyfriend and his friend did the surfing, I did the sunning, but I digress) we headed 15 minute drive to Cocina. Noticeably casual and a great vibe as all the staff seemed to be focus, yet smiling and eager to maintain superior customer service. We were offered a taste of the aqua fresca that we were sold on and ordered with our meal. We had the Fish Tacos (vera cruz style), the pork belly huarache and head cheese carnitos tacos. And to start off, the fried avocado - i mean, come on, fried and a healthy fat avocado? It did not disappoint. My fish tacos were probably some of the best fish tacos I have ever had. Simply delicious (truth be told, didn't want to share them, and at the same time, wanted my two dining companions to share in the deliciousness). The pork belly and head cheese were also delicious - i was just focused on my tacos. (I also forgot to mention, the chips and salsa were simple and excellent as well). When we get back to Oahu we will be sure to dine here again. Our one dining guest is a local and said he'd be returning again! (especially having lived in San Diego with good mexican food he'd been missing it on the island after 25 years).

    (5)

  • Rissa M.

    Kaka'ako is really starting to clean up. Cocina is just another wonderful addition to the small restaurants and businesses that have been popping up over the past few years. We came here on a friday night, which also happened to be the same night as eat the street. All things considering, we only circled the block 1-2 times before being able to find street parking. Didn't bother paying the meter, nor did I bother checking if I was supposed to pay. Oh woops! Although it was a friday night at around 8pm, this place was comfortably filled --- not too crowded, not too empty. Im assuming it had something to do with eat the street. The atmosphere is very nice! It reminded me of in outdoor version of Pint+Jigger. Dimly lit, casual, but trendy enough to have a nice first date here. They do partial service here. Order up front and they bring the food to you. It's open seating, and they are picnic tables. You might need to share if it is crowded and you are only in a party of two! BYOB. We didn't do our research beforehand, but luckily there is a liquor/momspops corner store on the other far end of the block. They close at 8 on a Fridays, so i got there just in the nick of time. Cocina provded cold glasses for us to pour our beers into. THE FOOD: Was pretty amazing. We opted to share an order of the fish tacos, the pork belly hurache , and an order of chips and salsa. The fish tacos were flavorful, and filling, but what I really enjoyed was the pork belly hurache. Omg. Melts in your mouth. okay okay okay-- really not the healthiest thing to eat. But if you are a fan of pork belly, you will probably really enjoy this dish. The combination of tender pork and crunchy somethin that it is paired with on the bottom was perfection! Between the two of us, this was more than enough food. (Mind you, we both were downing beers at the same time). THE VERDICT: Can't wait to come back and try more things on the menu!

    (4)

  • Caleb S.

    This place was surprisingly really really great! I thought it was just going to be another so-so place but it was so much more! And I love how everything was prepared so fancy bistro like too! I was blown away and sold. Can't wait to go back again!

    (5)

  • Allie L.

    Por qué no esperar tanto tiempo para probar Cocina? See, this place is so good that it has unearthed my crappy Spanish from my study abroad in 2007. Cocina is a great addition to Kaka'ako. I heard so many good things about this place and I had to come in. A girlfriend and I came for lunch. They do have separate offerings for dinner, so I will have to come back. She had The Gringa, which came on a homemade tortilla, it looked amazing. I had the Chilaquiles, pork shoulder, a bunch of veggies and herbs, on top of tortilla chips, topped with a fried egg...heavenly! Come eat at Cocina and you may be walking away speaking, or think you're speaking Spanish.

    (5)

  • Shim C.

    I really like this place. The food is great and it has a hip vibe. My favorite item is the headcheese carnitas tacos. Sounds gross but the pork is crispy and soft, so flavorful! I could eat 5 of these and have been tempted to order two portions.

    (4)

  • Steven R.

    Cocina's rocks. Try the pork belly huarache and this place delivers the best tacos in town. One of my favorites is "the perfect egg". It like risotto style rice with a perfect soft boiled egg on top. The flavor is epic as they add a touch of avocado purée. Cocina's... Cuz your Mexican mother doesn't here.

    (5)

  • Sean C.

    Awesome little gourmet taco place in the heart of the Honolulu hipster neighborhood of Kakaako. The chips and salsa are fantastic. The chips are fresh made and the salsa is a little liquidy and a little bit more than medium spice. For me, perfect. The fish tacos were awesome with a little olive and caper savory burst. The beef tacos were good, but the "fire butt" salsa is super hot, beware. No bathrooms here, but they have them at the bar next door.

    (5)

  • Geraldine L.

    So, we deciDe to eat good mexican food, This place is bad if you are looking for real Latino food. They served us a watery rice cover with a half raw egg. .. no horchata, pineapple jarritos. ... well, that was food but Hawaiian style. .. I guess!

    (1)

  • Valerie V.

    Need to try more items here but i can already tell you they're over priced! I've had Mexican "street" corn, also called "crazy corn" in Vegas, where you can buy it at the outdoor swap meet or around the corner in any northeast neighborhood for $1.50 and it's WAYYYY better and this place has it for $5? For half of the normal size. This treat is one of my favorite things about Vegas and this place is doing it wrong. The lime juice and cilantro are unnecessary and the mayo should be spread onto the corn verse the corn being dipped into a container of mayo and causing the container of mayo to turn into a container of melted mayo. With all that unnecessary stuff it's no wonder it's over priced and all this just from one dish. I think they have the right idea but they need to stop trying so hard to make their food something else.

    (2)

  • Tina D.

    Food was good, but I thought it was a bit overpriced. Service needs improvement. Will try it again if the same gal who was working Saturday mid-afternoon isn't there. Had to remind her twice about missing items on our order.

    (3)

  • Cathy G.

    I have to agree w/Bun M on 09/01/2014. I have tried the menu several times since Cocina moved to their new location and keep wishing they will bring back their fuller menu.

    (2)

  • Sajili B.

    Second day in business and boom Grant S. throws a UYE to showcase what formerly a pop-up at Taste has to offer. What they offered was quite delicious and visually pleasing. What I ordered on my date: Fried Avocado, Smoked Short Ribs, the Shrimp Adobo Sope, Chips and Salsa, AND the delicious Horchata Bread Pudding. A mandarin orange Jarrito to wash it down. I'll throw up my instacollage I made later. All of it f*cking delicious. I brought myself a latina from Los Angeles and her own review was 5 star taste. ;) Be forewarned: if you want the down and dirty, just tacos and burrito kind of fare go to Serg's or something. Also, if you want to get Taco Tuesday deals, ESPECIALLY go to Serg's. Yes, BYOB but it's not taco tuesday prices for the cost conscious Yelper's out there. The food taste awesome and is presented well. What's the line from that one Rihanna song? Oh yea, 'all I see is dollar signs. Money on my mind. Throw it up!' So don't be cheap. Splurge a little and your taste buds will be happy. Dollar tacos, go somewhere else. Filling the empty hole that Whole Ox left, Cocina is still using the same floor plan and heavy bench seating. I've been half and half with the bench set-up since the Whole Ox. I love the wood (TWSS) as I get a visceral feel to that type of furniture. Combine that with some lemonade in mason jars, I think you get where I'm going with this. I'm not really a fan. And I know, I just b*tched about the set-up. I hope Jayson N. is reading this. RED RYAN! YELP OG REPPIN. Cocina is great I'll keep coming probably once a month or so because I love latin-fusion food. Hopefully could make it to lunch sometime too since the Lunch menu looks delicious.

    (4)

  • David W.

    I thought it was pretty good but my Mexican boyfriend said it was Mexican food for hipsters/white people. In my opinion, that's not necessarily a bad thing.

    (3)

  • Kevin H.

    The food here is tasty! Especially the carnitas taco with head cheese (and fried pig ears, which cost a little extra). Simply fantastic, and the best taco I have ever eaten. All the different flavors worked so well together. And perhaps the best thing about it was the most basic part: the corn tortilla! Just delicious. Can't wait to come back to try more food!

    (5)

  • C O.

    Fantastic spot for a quick and casual lunch break in Kakaako. The prices are what you'd expect from a local, fresh, authentic place (a little high) and the portions aren't the massive, sprawling, over-the-top plates you'd expect from the usual psuedo-Mexican places in town. The flavors are on point, the portions are appropriate, they have real Coca-Cola, and the service is quick. Folks are friendly, food is great, and the location is easy to access.

    (4)

  • Amy M.

    What a need find on the way to Fisher Hawaii. A terrific spot for a quick meal, bursting with flavor. A creative take on already delicious Mexican fare. Loved the pork taco with Jalapeño - yum. And the chicken taco with pineapple morsels.

    (5)

  • Steak Lover K.

    Sooooo fresh and tasty, amazing food and friendly staff. Relaxed and chilled atmosphere and it's BYO and with the bottle store a block away you can't complain.

    (5)

  • Nica N.

    Inside is really hot and small. Over priced, average tasting Mexican food. To me, $13 for three tacos is really expensive. I didn't see any condiments either. Definitely recommend sitting outside if the picnic benches are available.

    (2)

  • Bun M.

    Unfortunately the charm and menu of this place seemed to have left as they moved almost literally next door. The menu is lacking a lot of hearty favorites now and mostly just tacos which are rather lackluster now. The chips are still amazingly fresh, but they need a much more full dinner menu for me to come back.

    (3)

  • Darick M.

    This place is good but a bit overpriced.. For lunch I recommend the headcheese carnitas tacos with crispy pig ears. They are very tasty. The Jarittos soda costs $4! That's almost double what other places like Serg's or Los Chaparros sells it for.. For the price and parking I wouldn't eat here regularly..

    (3)

  • Noe N.

    AMAZING tacos! First time visiting today.. and I will definitely be returning.. great great great... Keep up the good work...

    (5)

  • Bean H.

    What happened? Smaller place, smaller menu and the portions left me starving. I went there 2 months ago and got the tacos, I thought are they joking. I had to stop at Taco Bell to give a little padding in my belly. I gave them one more chance. I got the papas fritas, and I don't know how to spell a sooooo salty I'm choking sound, but yuck! Those buddies working on those papas fritas put enough salt/ seasoning to give someone a stroke. You got rid of your burritos too, boo. Also the second time I ordered that oh so wonderful fried avo, I thought hmm did avocados shrink, and it was a tasteless avo. What happened Cocinas? Why the fast decline?

    (2)

  • K G.

    It was awesome! Fried acacia do and fish tacos were my favorite!!!! It you like spicy this is the place!!! Fresh jalapeños. Delish!!! I only have it a 4 because I would like to see more selection. But still great food

    (4)

  • Lyns B.

    OKAY by FAR the best TACOS in Honolulu!!! You can't beat their homemade tortillas and the fish tacos! We first tried their limited menu during the Honolulu Night market and tried almost every taco, and they were all delicious!!! Also a plus, they are so QUICK! Even with the long lines, we got our food pretty darn quick and I was surprised Make sure to eat and support this restaurant because we need better Mexican food on this island!

    (5)

  • Shannon S.

    Great food superbly seasoned fresh local ingredients nachos are so different but delicious

    (5)

  • Diana S.

    They did a really nice spin on tacos. Service was superb.

    (3)

  • Rick T.

    They moved around the corner! If this restaurant ever closed I'd never eat food again.

    (5)

  • Jillian P.

    ATMOSPHERE: How to describe the atmosphere here? It's basically a whole bunch of picnic tables in about as open area as you can get for a spot in Kaka'ako. I know that doesn't really help, but there's no AC and it doesn't feel like your normal restaurant. Haha. Way to go Cocina, you've got me stumped. :) SERVICE: I've only eaten here twice, but both times the service was more than exceptional! Everyone has been very friendly and kind AND helpful. :) The reason for the four stars is that they're a little bit slow. The first time eating here, the line was extra long, so I can get that. But the second time there, there was virtually no line and it took them a LONG time to get my boyfriend's food out. I was almost done eating (even though I was taking my time) before his food arrived. Other than that though, GREAT service. FOOD: Delishhhhhhhhh. I don't like to stray too much and Cocina's menu is pretty different from any other Mexican place you can find on the island. Both times I've been here, I've gotten the fish tacos and both times were the same, AMAZING! Their tortillas are homemade, which is a definite plus and they're served to you in the traditional style, with the tortillas opened and all the innards on top. :) Sooo yummy, I'm starting to drool! LOL. My boyfriend got the beef cheek burrito and it was different but pretty good. I really liked the spicy salsa they gave him! Oh and let me not forget their agua fresca! SOOOO YUMMY. :) Definite MUST when eating at Cocina. OVERALL: I definitely recommend it. I haven't had a bad experience yet.

    (4)

  • Albert N.

    I finally took my wife's advice and tried this place with her and our son. We shared two dishes between the three of us. I tend to be wary of places for which the word "hip" is used to describe its merit (ala Whole Ox), but I must say, in spite of its hip billing, the food was great. We had fish tacos and some kind of pork tacos, both superb. Even the Coke was special: from Mexico, using cane sugar instead of the standard. Finally, the server was so enthusiastic about what he had to offer, and for good reason. We really felt he appreciated our business and he was proud of what he had to offer. You can tell immediately by tasting whether or not there's love in the food served. And now I find it's closing? My bad for not getting there sooner. Hope they return once the renovation is complete.

    (4)

  • Jill H.

    Love Cocina. The service is terrific, the decor is hip and the fried avocado is OUT OF THIS WORLD.....I daydream of it often. I just wish that they had a second location closer to my home or work.....I guess I'll keep dreaming.

    (5)

  • Manu F.

    Cocina was recommended to us as being the best Mexican in Honolulu. Danny (the owner) was super friendly and explained the menu in detail. We shared the deep fried avocado, OMG!! do these come by the dozen?? The head cheese carnitas tacos were delicious as was the beef burger that comes with a perfectly cooked egg (add on) avocado and picked jalapeño. Super chill laid back atmosphere well worth checking out.

    (5)

  • Alistair R.

    Mexican bliss taste Chips ev'rywhere! Sauce on point BYOB go! ¡OYE, Mexicanos Ohana, this comida Es muy buena, yo! Tacos very moist Chips so very crunchable Yucatan fish dreams Why doesn't yelp rate up to 10 stars?!

    (5)

  • Marybeth F.

    Celebrated a friend's birthday for lunch at Cocina and was stoked to find this place. Everything is made to order so we waited about 15 minutes between ordering and receiving our dishes. Might be tight for people on a time schedule at lunch. The staff was super friendly and smiling, even when the place got slammed. I found metered street parking right in front and there is a decent sized lot right next door. We had the French fries and fish tacos, shrimp tacos, and their burger. We all drank the daily juice special, which was a delicate blend of lilikoi, pineapple, and orange (think POG but only fresh ingredients). The fish tacos were made with fresh tortillas and were very flavorful. I'll be back for dinner. Highly recommend. Aloha

    (4)

  • Ruka S.

    I find this place way over priced for the portions. Although my tacos tasted good, well seasoned, the fish was well cooked, and the fries were also cooked perfectly, it was way too expensive for the amount of food we had. Service was fast, nice but nothing outstanding.

    (3)

  • Kaz S.

    I haven't tried everything on the menu because I got to the chicken tacos and just stayed there. They have an interesting twist and it just works.

    (5)

  • Vikki W.

    Cocina is my new go to place for lunch. BTW, they do offer take out lunch now. My most favorite is the Deep Fried Avocado and I love to eat it with the chips. It took a while but I finally ordered the Head Cheese Carnitas Tacos and wow party in your mouth. The flavor of the meat was more than I expected. I really enjoyed it. You can't go wrong with any of the Agua Frescas. I only wish I could have one of those long afternoon lunches so I could mix some vodka or gin in my drink. I've had dinner here and it was also really clean tasting flavorful food but I seem to be in the area for lunch more often. The mexican food is not like anything we've had on Oahu. It's clean, no gunky (is that a word?) cheese for this food. This a casual place that you can have a fast meal or sit and linger with your friends. The staff is really friendly and accommodating. Chef Quinten Frye is a James Beard nominee and has won other professional accolades but there is no pretense here. It's just REAL GOOD FOOD!

    (5)

  • Tara B.

    My daughter & I were there recently in their new location. Still awesome & the people working there are still super friendly. My daughter had quite the convo with the chef about the lime on the corn. ;) I really do adore this place. :)

    (5)

  • E. M.

    The tacos were amazing! I had the beer beef one and the chile pork one, and I could easily eat another 2 or 3. I will definitely come back again! Fair warning though, I was surrounded my hipsters in mustaches.

    (5)

  • Cherry P.

    Food was pretty good, I had the charred Orange chicken adobe while my other half had the Torta guesa. The food was packed with flavor but the portions are really small. We paid a total of $33 (w/$2 tip), so this place is a little pricey. It was a good first experience but I don't expect to return.

    (3)

  • RO F.

    So unique! We had the Gringo..a hamburger like bun with banana leaf pork shoulder, pickled red onions, and green salsa. Broke da mouth! Also had had cheese carnitas...definitely coming back!

    (5)

  • Johnny C.

    Food was great but the portions was small. Ala cart menu with no rice and beans as a side. Plus the option to tip on the IPad was 15 20 or 25% um how bout $2. Not a full service. More like self serve why should I tip huge? $4 for chips and salsa which was also small. $13 for 3 small tacos $3 for a coke. So plan to drop $20 for a small lunch.

    (3)

  • Queen V.

    So, last week my hubby went to Cocina for lunch for the first time and was quite happy with the food and said we had to go. Fast forward to this week, we have a friend in town from San Fran and we always meet up with a group of friends for dinner. Last night 8 of us met up at Cocina, it was the first time for all of us except the hubs. Between our group, we had the fish tacos, nachos, fried avacado, beef cheek burrito and the cochinita pibil chilaquiles (there were some duplicates based on recommendations from the hubs). Complaints about the food? None! Everything was delicious. We will definitely being going back and taking more of our friends. Oh, did I mention BYOB?! We also met and chatted with Chef/Owner, Quinten Frye. He is a super nice, down to earth guy. BTW, if you plan on staying for an extended period of time, prepare for your bottom to be a smidge uncomfy. The seating is picnic tables only. But don't let that stop you from going and enjoying the fab food!

    (4)

  • Jaimie C.

    The food was bland and over salted, the portion was small, and the prices were expensive.

    (2)

  • Amina P.

    Struggling through a mild hangover at work, unprepared, and didn't pack a lunch. Mexican food seemed like a great idea! If you want authentic Mexican food, you will enjoy the cuisine here. It is not exactly traditional, but the flavors are authentic. A lot of people seem to think their experience at some food truck in so Cal makes them a connoisseur of Mexican food. WRONG! Mexico is pretty big, and the varieties of food in the country are just as vast. This place, from their hand made tortillas, to the flavors they present, is authentic. I had the cochinita pibil chiaquiles which was really refreshing upgrade to chiaguiles availabel around here currently. The papas fritas might actually be my favorite dish, with the fried garlic topping it. You might want to make sure your date eats some as well, so you don't offend each other. The street corn, while tasty, I will probably not eat again. I understand we are in Hawaii, but I can't justify ever paying $5 for an elote. If I could change anything, I would want more spice available. But thats the story of my life...

    (5)

  • Lea D.

    I was exploring Kakaako checking out some of the new shops and restaurants there with my mom and sis. My sis who is a Mexican fanatic wanted to try this place for lunch. She had the fish tacos, I had the chicken wrap thingy, my mom just had the salsa and chips and the garlicky potatoes. Everything was delicious even the grapefruit juice that they freshly squeeze for you. It had a simple and fresh taste. I especially loved the sitting area which was a big spattering of large picnic tables in an open setting that let us enjoy the cool breezes. Maybe my one least favorite thing was the unisex restroom that was kind of dirty and smelly. I don't enjoy using restrooms with urinals its almost a guarantee that it will be smelly. Overall I would say this is a place you have to try at least once. It probably won't become a favorite haunt of mine however.

    (4)

  • BubbaluArare G.

    i am not so sure what i don't get about this place esp since everyone gives it rave reviews but this place is just OK to me and i won't be back. i got one of their popular tacos for lunch-- head cheese carnitas tacos with fried pig ears. it was just OK. in fact, i found the wrap a bit starchy tasting and the flavor of the fillings mediocre (and this is NOT head cheese-- well, the head cheese that i know and love-- it just looks like shreds and pieces of meat). the fried pig ears killed it for me because it was soooo HARD, as in crack-your-filling and tooth hard that i was too afraid to eat it after taking a few bites i almost saved it for my dogs. i think i paid about $14 for this. my friend got the popular burger and hers was raw on the inside! she had to do the sacrilegious thing of nuking the burger meat because it was that raw. (i almost failted when she even suggested that) so i'm not sure about their quality control. and they don't ask how you want it cooked btw. someone else in our group got the burger too and her burger was just as bloody and squidgy. my friend said the flavor was just OK too. on the up side, someone loved the fried avocado. but that was the only thing the group raved about. maybe we went on an OFF day but i know for a fact that hawaii has a rep for terrible mexican food, even if this is sort of new american too. this is not terrible, it's actually a big step up, but i am not impressed and like i said, i won' t be going back. i do miss old whole ox. now that was a burger to die for. RIP

    (3)

  • Allen F.

    All I can say is WOW!!! This place was amazing! The people are really nice and the food was so flavorful and came out pretty quick. We had the perfect egg and a few carnitas and wholly crackers! It was really the best! It was really fresh and tortillas made fresh too!! We will be back!

    (5)

  • Mc C.

    If you want good Mexican food get on a airplane and go to California. Hawaii it's not working for yah. My food was aight. I wouldn't pay to eat here unless I was drunk or someone else is paying. The wet burrito taste like cheese whiz . It's expensive for two tacos. I'm Mexican and I've tryed everywhere here. I have excepted that Hawaii can't compare to the mainland. That's ok. I do like the outdoor dining . it's a cool atmosphere and fun to hangout it's byob Other then that ehhhhh.

    (3)

  • CC C.

    For 4.5 stars, I expected something basic like the $14 (including tax) fish tacos would blow me away....they did not. Tortilla was a bit thick, not much flavor. By the time I got to the 3rd taco, the tortilla was a mess. Fish to filling ratio is too low - maybe too much sauce (ran out of fish by taco #3 but had plenty of everything else left). Sauce was ok. Would've liked more cilantro too. Maybe the infamous head cheese carnitas or taco Tuesdays will change my mind, but prices are too steep. Verdict: 2.5 stars Price: 2 stars. Nothing under $10 for Mexican, which is simply too high. Fish tacos: 3 stars, maybe 3.5 if there was enough fish. 4 stars for byob. 1 star for coed bathroom with urinal. Serge's jn Manoa is still my go to place for Mexican. $10 flautas.

    (2)

  • Lexi S.

    To say that cocina gifted my mouth with the greatest, juiciest and tastiest taco, ever, would be a vast understatement. This place is so damn good. I'm from the land of the Bay and superb places to eat are pretty common but the same can not be said for this little island in the sea. This place is my hands down favorite taco place(maybe even restaurant) on island. The flavors, the menu concepts and the vibes are all pretty much the best. Don't get me started on the BYOB option cuz that just makes it even better! Eat here. Drop what you're doing and get here immediately.

    (5)

  • Reanne T.

    oh. my. god. this place is amazing. the food is delicious and the service is great! my husband and i ate here twice in one week and it's everything hawaii's been missing in a "mexican" restaurant.

    (4)

  • Al D.

    Pretty good food and great flavors. The dulce de leche cake was awesome and big enough for two or three to share. The service can be slow and the place isn't air conditioned. It is also quite pricey here. I would recommend it though. Great to have another Mexican option in town.

    (4)

  • Ashley G.

    My husband + I decided to give them a try after snagging some late night tacos from their food truck at kakaako on NYE. So so happy to find some delicious yet unique Mexican(ish) food in town. Didn't realize it was so chill (order and seat yourself at picnic tables) until we got there, and it's byob so wish we had been prepared with tequila in hand. We had the Mexican street corn (so good) fried avocado (amazing with the red cabbage cole slaw), fish tacos + quesadilla (don't remember the names). It was all oh so good--and the owner was kind and more than accommodating. We left impressed and swearing to return--giving this place some major love + hoping it sticks around forevah!

    (5)

  • Lauren S.

    This place is excellent!! I've tried the pork burrito, every type taco, and the fried avocado....everything was amazing, especially the pork burrito! Service is always great as well! I live near Kakaako, so I'm happy that there is a great Mexican place just steps away. Thank you Cocina for you're wonderful hospitality and yummy food!

    (5)

  • Fanchon B.

    To keep things short and sweet, taco tuesday is great. $3 tacos gives you an opportunity to try different kinds. The service was personal and friendly. The only down side some may see is the size, I personally think it's more intimate, like I'm sitting at home having fresh tacos made in my kitchen.Oh and the tacos, simply delicious. There are so many different combinations available. I'll definitely be back to try more of their food and to see if different tacos will be available on Tuesdays.

    (4)

  • Jared S.

    Having eaten my share of Mexican food while growing up in Texas, I can tell you that this is super tasty and flavors are authentic. The handmade tortillas are superior, and the service was excellent--even with a mix-up during a very busy rush. Awesome stuff

    (5)

  • Jennifer G.

    Such an adorable new space! I love the fried avocado!!! Taco Tuesdays are the best!!!!

    (5)

  • Matt G.

    Walked in and the guy greeting us ( who I'm assuming was an owner) was really friendly and helpful. He had great recommendations and was emphasizing the house made items. The food came quick and was really good. I would definitely return.

    (4)

  • Robert A.

    Epic Mexico-style tacos, epic hearty chips and salsa .. Gotta get it. Outta sight. Check out the daily special :)

    (5)

  • Van T.

    tacos are all gluten free, perfectly sized, and delicious. the staff was knowledgeable, friendly, and helpful. more importantly, they were generous with the honey, habanero sauce. fresh Mexican food that is fun and modern. I can't wait to go back.

    (5)

  • Sharon D.

    I am always amazed at the selections and presentations at Cocina! These guys do Mexican in a classy, hipster kind of way with some incredible ingredients. Love the nachos along with a cold Agua fresca, which changes all the time. Tonight it was honeydew melon with star fruit. YUM! The rock shrimp tacos are to die for, heck, ALL their tacos are amazing. Just don't come here expecting your conveyor belt Taco Bell style Mexican. Oh no! Cocina is taking it all to a whole new level. Love that it's BYOB and the location in the old Whole Ox Deli is quaint, quiet and romantic with the outdoor seating in lights strung over the tables. I could seriously eat here every night.

    (5)

  • Judith H.

    Went with a yelp group so I got to try everything on the menu and it was KNOCK YOU SOX OFF GOOD. I can't wait to go back. I particularly liked the head cheese taco and the short ribs.

    (5)

  • Ari H.

    It was OK. My employer had a luncheon catered by these guys...and it was supper good. So I decided to check them out on my own......eehh it was alright. Worth the trip but won't do it again. Small menu, tight space, ok service, expensiveeee...$14.00 tortaguesa with the egg. OMG, and it didn't even include a drink or side! I guess if courtesy water counts they have that. Food was great, but messy. Let's just say, I wouldn't buy it again, tasted great the first and probably the last. Don't get me wrong the food's awesome but like David said, "It's Mexican food for hipsters". Really wish these guys expand their menu, it's hard to see that kind of food limited.

    (3)

  • Gladys O.

    Went here on Yelp Review recommendations ..it came up in search for Taco Tuesday..First impression not good.. We walked in no one greeted us..being in the industry always a bad sign! it wasn't busy and the place isn't big. A manager type maybe owner guy was at front counter talking to a rep when he finished his conversation he just walked away and sent over an employee. I asked about the taco Tuesday special..He answered they are prepping it ..I thought that's good? So what is it? His response " I don't know it doesn't start til 5" it was 4:30. He then walked over to the manager guy ..I left...don't waste your time

    (1)

  • Tom I.

    The food is tasty - no doubt about that. As other people have written, the small portion sizes and the prices leave you wondering if you'll be back. The food IS great though.

    (4)

  • Jay S.

    Kakaako Gem. You just gotta go try it. Menu always changing and they know it out of the park each time. Aloha!

    (5)

  • Tellia W.

    Pretty cool vibe. Food is very uncomplicated and pretty good taste. I will return to try more.

    (4)

  • Victor N.

    Pork Belly Huaraches, Headcheese tacos, and Fried avocado. You will not be disappointed.

    (5)

  • Nicole F.

    My sister & I always look for little hole in the walls to check out. This place was great!! Service great! Food great!! The fried avocado was awesome!! Something different, we love avocado & this was it. 1/2 an avocado, dipped in panko, then fried, topped w/ slaw & yummo!! Their tacos were great too, fish was fresh, head cheese was very flavorful. We will defiantly be back!!

    (5)

  • Imo C.

    I love mexican food. While i still haven't found anything authentic, cocina is absolutely delicious. The chips and also had some really awesome super fresh chips. This isn't your "restaurant" quality tostitos. The salsa was decent, fresh and had little burnt bits of chile, which i didn't care for. Don't need any chipole "cancer" bits lol. Now for the main course, i was going to get carnitas but they were all out! I tried the other pork instead, and i'm glad I did! It was so full of flavor I just wished there was more. The chicken also surprised me, it was super tender and moist, could have used a tiny bit more flavor. The tortilla on the side was extremely dry, don't know what that's about. Overall i'm ecstatic to try other dishes.

    (5)

  • Nikki S.

    First of all with with their new location, also came a menu that was cut in half with only 3 tables located outside. Menu consisted of Small plates, tacos and a overpriced salty burger that was suggested to be a kid friendly dish was pretty much all they serve. So be prepared to still be hungry after dishing out $50 on pretty presented but defintely an absurd combination of flavors that do not mesh well with your taste buds. Since when does a restaurant that seves tacos look puzzled when you order extra lime and cilantro? Definitely do not see what all the big hype is about.

    (1)

  • Zachary A.

    I'm torn. This place has so much potential and the food is above average. However, service is poor, portions are small and it's over priced. Every time I go there I'm left a little disappointed. One time I was enquiring if the menu had changed since moving locations, the server said it didn't, when I tried to order my old dish she had never heard of it, the new menu is much smaller. On my last visit I got my food to go. The staff were all on cell phones doing nothing when I walked in and my cashier was skyping with someone live while he was taking my money. Not cool. I ordered a sandwich and a bottled soda. This took twenty minutes and people who arrived after me got served before I was. The sandwich and soda was $17 (including tip, I don't know why I tipped)! But that didn't bother me until I opened the box and saw what that had purchased me. A small artisan style bun with a lot of re-heated pork in the middle. The presentation was lacking. It tasted fine but I finished it in less than ten bites. I expect more for the amount of money i spent, chips, a side salad, something. I might give these guys another shot on a taco Tuesday.

    (2)

  • Tim O.

    Third time Returnee. Food is the bomb. Brought my teenage son and wants to go back for dinner. Must try: Deep Fried Avocado - Chicken Tacos.

    (5)

  • C Y.

    Pretty bad when the hamburgers are better than the tacos, this is a Mexican place mind you. Service was terrible as they took a long time getting the food out. They even stopped taking orders because the kitchen was backed up! I would avoid this place if you want good Mexican. El torrito is way better than this place...

    (1)

  • ChristiaN L.

    Expertly crafted brick pressed jidori chicken and head cheese carnita tacos. More than adequate portions and byov!! Bring your own vodka and spike a mandarin jarritos. Great service and friendly staff. Thanks for a wonderful new experience in the heart of south central honolulu.

    (5)

  • G P.

    Went there with a bunch of friends... which is a good way to try a variety of dishes. The pork belly was the bomb... In any case, i cant remember eating anything that didnt taste good.

    (4)

  • Ax C.

    Very good tasting, freshly prepared, unique, Mexican-influenced dishes. Counter-ordering, picnic bench seating, in a clean open air environment - but watch out for ever annoying flies. Expensive for the small portion size ($9-$13 for lunch). On the upside there is no Styrofoam ... just recycled paper.

    (3)

  • M H.

    Happiness. My favorite Mexican food on the island. The fish tacos and chicken tacos were great. BYOB.

    (4)

  • Koa M.

    Recommended by a friend who had dinner there. Went with a co-worker for lunch today had the fried avocado with slaw... Delish.. Rock shrimp taco for me and my coworker had the head cheese taco. They were both delicious. Loved the home made taco taste. We spent a couple minutes looking at the menu to decide what to order on our next visit. Also the folks who work are extremely friendly and helpful. I absolutely suggest this restaurant.

    (5)

  • H H.

    excellent and creative food. Went to check out cocina for the first time and can't wait to go back. The head cheese tacos and the pork belly entree were delicious. I wanted more of the homemade corn tortillas the tacos were served with. We had the corn appetizer too...very delish. Love that it's BYOB. The menu isn't super descriptive so you may find you need to ask the staff to explain further. Some things are spicy..so ask if you are not in to heat. Very casual,people share tables, you go up and order but food is delivered to your table by very pleasant staff after that. I want to try more of the dinner menu. Nothing like it in the state! very delicious and reasonably priced for the high quality of the food. And c'mon..you're saving on liquor by the BYOB policy so i don't find this expensive for the excellent food you get. Good things are worth the price! See you soon Cocina...I still need to try the fish tacos, burger,papas fritas...oh my!

    (5)

  • L G.

    I intended to go to the Whole Ox, but found Cocina. YUMMY! A little pricey and I couldn't understand half the menu, the lady explained it really well. The food was delicious. I will return!

    (4)

  • Craig E.

    I had been eagerly awaiting Cocina's opening. The shrimp sope, while beautifully presented was more of an appetizer portion, not really worth $14 as an entree. The chicken ($19) wasn't seared as in some of the pics here and was pretty bland. I was actually shocked how unappealing on a visual as well as taste level this dish was. The red sauce tasted just like the same red bottled sauce you get at any Mexican restaurant. No sides, just the chicken and a "homemade" flour tortilla which was very dry and stale tasting. Chips and salsa were ok but $5/basket. An ear of Mexican corn was available for $6. I may return at lunch to give Cocina a second try, maybe it was an off night. My advice would be to offer the small dishes at lower prices.

    (2)

  • Donna L.

    Veggie "tree hugger" burrito. Freshly made, piping hot burrito filled with rice, beans, cilantro sauce, crema sauce, and juicy chunks of zucchini, squash, mushrooms, red and green peppers, and onions, yum! Overall a very flavorful burrito with a nice balance of spices, herbs, and fillings. I'm already looking forward to going back and having another.

    (5)

  • Lesley S.

    Hi! My name is Lesley and I'm from the south. I like fried everything and if you top it with cole slaw my Daddy will give you my hand in marriage or something like that. Holy smokes! Fried avocado with cole slaw? Whoever decided to do this was genius. Yes I love tacos. I ordered the chicken mole taco and the beer braised beef. The beef being way better of the two, and the corn tacos was amazing. They didn't fall apart even though the juiciness of the meet usually would. But let's get back to fried avocado. Growing up in MO we fry everything. Snickers, twinkles, frog legs, pickles, you name if we fry it. Why I never thought of avocado is beyond me.... Definitely impressed. Street parking is available. There is some. Bring your change for the meters. There are limited spots due to the construction of the building. They take credit cards too. :) Dress light or you may be sweaty when you leave here. I unfortunately did not dress appropriately today.

    (5)

  • Violet H.

    I've given Cocina three tries over the course of about a year-and-a-half, most recently today. The first time I wanted the tortuguesa (burger), but they were already out just before noon. So I ordered chicken tacos and chips and salsa. Of a party of 6, I ordered first but was served last, after everyone else was done eating. The chips were overcooked and had a faint burnt taste. There was a human hair in the taco sauce, and not just sitting on top. It was down in the cup, and sticking out over the side. When I pointed it out to the server, she took it away, but never apologized. Our party was split; two would go back, three wouldn't, and one was on the fence. The second time (summer 2014) I had the tortuguesa and was unimpressed. This burger seems to really be a matter of personal taste; another person who had it at the same time thinks it's one of the best burgers around. I gave it one more try today. Another friend who's never eaten there want to try it. We each had a burger and split an order of papas fritas (it was take-out). Although both burger patties spent about the same time on the flat top, mine was medium rare and his was more well-done. The burgers were a mess, literally and figuratively. My first bite had a large glob of cheese, and there was no other cheese on the burger. Same issue with the cilantro and other toppings. Neither of us really cared for the burgers. The fries were okay. But - and thus is very important - both of us got very sick not too long afterwards. It's five hours later and I'm still feeling queasy. I read some other reviews and found others mentioned members of their party felt sick afterwards, too. Their food is really a matter of personal taste, more than you find in a lot of other places. If you can get past the food safety issues I've mentioned, try for yourself and judge. You may love it. If you choose to try the burger, I suggest removing the top bun first and making sure the toppings are evenly distributed. As for me, this was my last trip. I can't forgive burnt chips, hair in my food, unprofessional service, and an overpriced $13 burger that comes with no sides and no drink that didn't taste good to me and made me sick. Sorry, Cocina.

    (1)

  • Andrea V.

    I miss this place. The enchiladas here are magical... it's like quirky, more refined, gourmet Mexican food, yet it's still pretty authentic. Not tex-mex, not the super traditional Mexican... lots of options. You must try their desserts, too!

    (5)

  • Andrea N.

    What I had was their lack luster 2 grilled fish tacos for $9 that doesn't come with real salsa fresca but rather served with huge chunks of what seemed to be canned tomatoes, onions and sliced jalapeños. What bothered me the most wasn't the food but the customer service. Being in the industry, I'm fully aware of customers being unruly and that wasn't what I was trying to be at all. My friends and I came in and stood in line ordering separately. I waited for a pause in between the order of my friend and the employee at the register to ask a question. The guy literally holds his hand up to my face "5th grade style" and tells me to hold on. Middle aged Caucasian male wearing black framed glasses... Absolutely stunned me. I said I was from San Diego and that... Oh wait he interrupted me. Proceeded to tell me he's from Texas and continued to do whatever he was doing. I didn't have the chance to tell him since moving to Hawaii I noticed places labeled carne asada differently then what it is on the mainland. I just wanted to make sure what I was ordering was going to be correct. When he was done punching in whatever into the computer, he proceeded to tell me again that he was from Texas (still not knowing why I was asking about the menu in the first place) and explains it to me as though I was a 5 year old how the menu worked. Once my friend was finished paying for his order it was my turn. The guy acted as though he hadn't been rude to me at all!! In turn, due to what happened, I was very short and sassy. Sorry, not sorry, but I was angry. Especially since he acted like he hadn't been rude to me 3 minutes before hand. Honestly if I had loved what I ate I would come back and give it another chance. But unfortunately the fish was over grilled, salsa frankly wasn't salsa, and the sauce wasn't to die for. It was $9 for 2 street tacos!! Not regular size tacos but street size. Sad part is, I didn't say anything to my friends when I headed to our table to sit down and one of the people in my group, who had been waiting in line behind me, said something to me first before I could even vent about the whole situation... Just absolutely left a bitter taste in my mouth. I will not be returning to this establishment. And yes I understand my measly 1 review and not returning won't make a difference, but damn does it feel great to vent to the world. Thanks ya'll!! =)

    (2)

  • Jhoren C.

    BYOB OUTDOOR DINING pretty Basic menu Taste and quality was there, only disappointment was how small their Elote (corn) was.

    (3)

  • May L.

    Taco Tuesday! I ate every single one of the tacos!! It's a bit pricier than Serges but the quality was much better. Seating was limited so come early. I'll definitely be back!

    (5)

  • Jeffery A.

    05/05/15 Am I tough? Am I strong? Am I hardcore? Absolutely! Did I coo like a dove at first bite and whimper like a scolded child upon finishing? Emphatically! Burrito "food of the burro." Legend has it that the "burrito" was invented by Jaun Mendez, who sold the first burritos in a street stand in Ciudad Juarez during the Mexican Revolution of 1910. He wrapped his tacos in homemade flour tortillas and covered them with a blanket during transport on his burro, thus the burr(o)-ito was born. I have no idea if this story is factual, but it just sounds good. Of late, I have been inspired to reach into a Hispanic "Moveable Feast"...silver tongued devil...Mahalo for that. ;) James Beard Award Semi-Finalist and Hawaii Raising Chef for Sustainability, Quinten Frye has come a long way from humble beginnings as a busboy in San Antonio, Texas. He cut his teeth here on Oahu first at 12th. Ave. Grill and then as the Executive Chef at the now defunct Salt Kitchen and Tasting Bar, before he and his partners opened the original Cocina next to the old Whole Ox on Keawe St., which was closed due to the now impending land developments. Sometime (approx. four months) ago, they reopened on Auahi St. between Bevy and Insomnia, Brue Bar, & Paiko. The new location offers limited seating, both inside and out, and ordering at the counter. An open air kitchen with ten surrounding stools adds to the culinary experience, but when I was there, it was profoundly hot inside, yet I watched as two guys took seats by the windows, so maybe it's just me. I drank a couple of free cups of their water, and feeling still parched, ordered a Jurritos Mandarin as I waited. They are now BYOB (so do yourself a favor and hit Liquor Collection for craft bottle beer and/or the Wine Loft just up the street)! Of the outside tables, the first is wobbly, the second structurally sound, the third I haven't tried. Chose the middle, always a safe bet. I had the Beer Braised Burrito, which consists of their in-house beer brined and slow cooked beef (probably Flank or Tri-Tip) with white rice, onion relish, salsa rojo (which was indiscernible to me as I could only detect a small quantity of tomatoes, no coloration, and no acidity) and mixed with a white cotija cheese, which must have been fresh as it was so finely melted. All ingredients are blended together in a mash and abundantly portioned inside a 8" flour tortilla, $8. I opted to add the Tex-Mex Queso "smothered" on top for $2 more (more cheese equals better?). I had stated, in a earlier review that the burrito I consumed, at a different restaurant, would be the last I would ever desire (careful with absolutes and desires!), I now...Eat Crow...tasty artisan crow. Cocina is not your everyday Mexican food. It is Mexican food art, or at least the beer braised burrito is. This is not Jaun Mendez's donkey hair covered burrito. The rest of the menu...we'll see. Now here's the scoops! Quinten Frye is no longer working at Cocina. That is a fact. He is executive chef for Big Bear Cafe in D.C. That's R and 1st NW, Washington, District of Columbia, but what does that have to do with anything? Check their web page. The burrito was excellent! Highest quality ingredients and skillfully prepared, by someone else. They may be Quinten's recipes, inspired by him, he might have even trained the chef, but matter can't occupy two different places at the same time...not that it matters. What they are doing here is art, and art is simply art no matter the artist. Looking forward to sampling more! BYOB, and Liquor Collection is just around the way, and Wine Loft down the street! (I hate having to repeat myself!) Bring your own glassware, or drink outta paper cups! Aloha 05/13/15 I had the Green Chili Pork Burrito today, and it is far superior to the Beer Braised Beef (which I loved!), add the beans and rice as a side, you'll be doing yourself a favor. Ladies and gentlemen...Mr. Willie Nelson! "To all the girls (burritos!) I've love before...Who traveled in and out my door...I'm glad you came along...I dedicate this song...to all the girls (burrito's) I've loved before"... Pau

    (5)

  • Sungjin S.

    Great mexican food! Might be the best on the island. Atmosphere: Quaint place in Kakaako. Some picnic tables outside. Service: Order at the counter and they'll bring out the food to you. Excellent suggestions by the cashier. Accepts all major credit cards. Street parking available. Food: We tried the head cheese tacos, which were full of flavor solid onion, cilantro, pork, cheese, and orange. The fried avocado salad was also very tasty rich and balanced by the fresh cole slaw on top. The papas fritas also had a unique dipping sauce which tasted like a mix of ketchup and bbq. Intangibles: My new favorite for best mexican!

    (5)

  • Carin H.

    Went here tonight for the first time. Everything was SO good. Prices are so cheap. And Monday is free margarita night?! It's also BYOB. Now onto the food: "Tree Hugger" vegetarian taco $3 (you can also get this as a burrito for $8). Soooo good. Flavor is amazing. Lots of mushrooms and cilantro! Fish tacos (2 for $9) ummm need I say more? So fresh. So yummy! Fried avocado $7 omg it's a large half of an avocado that is deep fried in a light crispy batter and topped with their homemade cole slaw. Omg so good! Papas Fritas $5 this was seriously the best fries ever. Served with chipotle ketchup. Yes please. 3 tacos, 2 appetizers, & a margarita for $24?! Where else can you find such great quality with low prices?! Also the waiter/cashier was very friendly & helpful. So good that I am considering going back tomorrow. Lol.

    (5)

  • Jennifer L.

    This restaurant is so cute! Everything is cooked fresh and the cashier was super patient with us, as it was our first time eating there. My only criticism is that the menus doesn't offer much selection, and the tacos were TINY! For $3 a taco I would expect something slightly more substantial but it was delicious none the less. Definitely try the fried avocado. It is amazing!

    (4)

  • Lori L.

    Cocina is Mexican hipster happiness. Eat your beer braised beef and your jalapeño yogurt from a metal tray while you sit at a communal table and dine al fresco. I enjoyed the Headcheese Carnitas Tacos. The pork had craveable crispy edges, the toppings were fresh and flavorful, and the corn tortillas were nice and thin. The Chicken Mole Burrito was less successful for me. You can tell they use quality ingredients like guac and fresh chicken, but the flavors and soft textures muddle together resulting in a bean-y, sweet burrito. The taco version might be better. The Papas Fritas are also good. The potato wedges were deep fried, topped with bits of salty, tangy, garlicky cheese and served with homemade ketchup. BYOB. In the early evening, when it's cool and still light enough to sit outside, this is a great place to hangout with friends, drink beer and eat tacos.

    (3)

  • Peter C.

    Is it called a Tortuguesa and I know why. I ordered the burger at 1:15. The cook didn't even put it in the grill til 1:34pm. I didn't get my food til 1:41pm. The cook did acknowledge the wait with out me saying anything, I can appreciate that. The kitchen could definitely be cleaner. There was a ton of food debris on the blender. The burger itself was decent, though certainly not the best burger on the island like the cashier says. It was a little too cheesy for me, but I get the concept behind the burger.

    (3)

  • Anastasha S.

    Not sure how I feel about this place just yet, I recently just ate here and ordered the fish tacos. For $9 for two tacos, I was feeling a bit "ehhh", only because I am Spanish and get spoiled all the time with family back in Texas. The flavor, however, is awesome and on point. I suppose the prices are just steep. Hawaii doesn't have the most amazing Mexican places, but this place is definitely trying to make a statement. Give a try! And perhaps come for taco Tuesdays at 6pm for cheaper tacos :) Also, Cocina, perhaps add arroz con frijoles with the orders! It would be magical and authentic :D

    (4)

  • Andy F.

    Psst.. would you like to know a secret? I'm a huge fan of Mexican Cuisine! I find this cuisine to be very similar to Asian cuisine because it incorporates a balance of flavors between salty, sweet, bitter, sour, and spicy, different types of food textures, and sometimes different temperatures. Each ingredient is distinct and stands out on its own. At Cocina, it incorporates all of this...., almost. Cocina is specifically a taquerìa (that for some reason has a burger on its menu :o) that offers a pork, beef, chicken, or vegetarian $3 tacos or $8 burritos, and a fish or headcheese tacos at $9 for two. The place is very small with seating at the counter (facing the kitchen) and outside. If you come during the day when the sun is bright and scorching, it will get ridiculously hot sitting outside. Sadly, it's the same inside, but the heat is coming from the kitchen. Pick your poison! Or order to go! I ordered the two headcheese carnitas tacos and an elote (street style corn). The tacos were very good and tasty with a nice balance of flavors. The orange relish added a nice sweetness to the tacos and balanced out the richness of the pork. I also added some hot salsa to it too, which was excellent with the perfect amount of heat. They came served on a little baking pan, which is either a cool presentation or a super lazy way of plating. I'm leaning towards the latter. A problem I had was the way the toppings was put on. One taco had two pieces of jalapeno and onions, while the other had none, and the rest of the toppings were all over the place! Lack of precision and lack of care. Another problem with this taco is it was predominantly carnitas or shredded pork over headcheese. Lastly, the corn tortilla wasn't cooked very well as it tasted raw and doughy, and it was a bit cold. The flat top grill was most likely not hot enough, which affected the elote as well. The Mexican street style corn tasted very, very good with a great balance of flavors, but it had absolutely no char. It was as if I was eating a steamed corn. My friend ordered the Papas Fritas, which was delicious with an amazingly tasty habanero ketchup sauce. However, the potatoes weren't fried long enough as the skin and outside wasn't that crispy and the inside wasn't as soft. Overall, the food was tasty and delicious. I loved the flavors, but the lack of char and heat from the flat top grill really hindered what should have been a great experience. The headcheese tacos are pretty pricey at $9 for two tacos, and the appetizers are slightly overpriced. The service was very good. The lady in the front was patient, and very friendly and attentive. From what I could see and hear, the cook was probably new and still wasn't too sure on certain things, so that kind of explains why the food wasn't that well-prepared. I can't say that I thoroughly enjoyed this experience, but the food tasted good, so I'm willing to return to try the other items.

    (3)

  • Lyla D.

    ¡Olé la comida Mexicana es muy delicioso, con matices de sabor regional! Sorry, I don't speak Spanish nor conjugate sentence structure well but, I have to say that dining at Cocina will get you wanting to become bi- or multi-lingual. The folks here feature Mexican cuisine with a little bit of fusion (Tex-Mex) or tweaks to it. Maybe it's hipster Mexican?! Well, whatever you want to call the style, it's DELISH! We came here to dine before going to the CMYE HOT Preview: The Flying Dutchman. This was our first time, although, we've passed by several times on our way to other venues. Our draw tonight was Taco Tuesday (which we missed because we were too early) but, the food was downright amazing! This restaurant has both indoor and outdoor seating à la community tables. They don't serve alcoholic beverages but, you can just go down the block to the convenient liquor store to pick up your own "poison", er, beverages. However, if you want to keep in the non-alcohol mode, Cocina offers daily agua fresca, Mexican Coca-Cola and Jarritos (Mexican soda). Being that this was our first time here and we were waiting for a fellow yelp friend, we started with chips and salsa. The chips were served freshly fried and salted with a salsa that was delightfully refreshing. The salsa wasn't your typical salsa fresca that is chunky or just chopped tomatoes and cilantro. Nooo, it was fresh tasting but its consistency was like a thick purée. The tortilla chips were thicker than what we've eaten before but it held up well when dipping into the thick salsa. It was very tasty. By the time our friend arrived, we jumped to place our orders because we were told that it might be a wait for our food to be prepared if the kitchen gets overwhelmed. We ordered hibiscus drinks to quench our thirst and accompany the food. We also shared our dishes with each other so we'd all get a taste of each dish. THE FOOD: - Two locally caught fresh fish tacos: street vendor sized tacos featuring grilled locally-caught fresh fish with salsa Vera Cruz, capers, green onions, jalapeños, and drizzled with yogurt. Each taco was served with two soft tortillas so you could actually make 4 tacos out of the serving. The fish was delicate while its condiments matched as well piqued natural flavors. - Two house made headcheese carnitas tacos: 2 street vendor sized soft tacos with house made charcuterie headcheese, poblano chilie-orange relish, pickled jalapeños, and Cotija cheese. These tacos were very flavorful, not spicy, but just tasty. I'd return just for these! - Tortuguesa: is not your typical hamburger in a bun. This dish was made up of a grilled locally-raised Kulana beef patty, avocado purée, picked jalapeños, grilled onions, Tex-Mex cheese, house ketchup and topped with a sunny side up egg. This burger was served between a torta roll and to eat it, you had to "prepare" to be a bit messy. You should first burst the egg yolk to allow it deliver its eggy rich sauce all-over, place the top of the torta roll right over the egg, cut the burger in half or just go for it by picking up the whole sandwich and bite into its luxurious flavors. We liked the flavor of the burger as it was grilled to its perfect doneness and melded well with the rest of the flavors. - Frijoles charros: this was a bowl of tastebud unctuousness. These pinto beans were nice and creamy when bit into yet still held their form without looking like mush. There were chunks of smoked trotter meat that added that flavor layer of saltiness and smokiness, and finally, the pickled jalapeños did its magic of adding a bit of vinegarness and spice. The beans were rich and fillng and I could only eat a soup spoonful. This was "Flavor Town" in a bowl! - Papas fritas: fried potato wedges tossed with toasted garlic, Tajin (Mexican seasoning made from Mexican chilies, lime and salt), queso fresco, and habanero ketchup. These fried potatoes were tasty and served fresh out from the kitchen but, because I'm not really a deep fried food eater, I would say that it's not something that I'd order again. My husband and friend said that they would... - Fried avocado with creamy Valentina slaw: admittedly we were a bit skeptical at first, but, this appetizer/small plate was the BOMB! This dish hit us on all points--flavor, texture, portion size, presentation and aroma. I was expecting a beer-battered avocado half but instead got a light tempura fried avocado half filled with a slaw that was not overly vinegary or slogged down with mayonnaise. The cabbage was still a bit crunchy, too. Cutting into this dish was a treat...you could crack the light battered crust then your knife slid right through the ripe avocado half like butter! The flavors and textures were just amazing. Um, okay, I'd order this one again and NOT share. Haha. If you're in the Kaka'ako area and up for Mexican cuisine with a twist, great service and casual ambiance, come on and try Cocina.

    (4)

  • Kelley M.

    Good tacos=check Great salsa=check Rice & beans= um, like what happened?? No flavor in the rice and beans at all, like NONE. And also the rice looks like it's risotto rice, who does that, lol! They also got our order totally wrong and then made us pay 4 extra dollars when they brought our beans and rice, like, hello, WHO DOES THAT??? we already paid the whole bill when we ordered up front. Oh well, lost a customer

    (2)

  • jordan L.

    The fried avocado is my favorite! The entire Cocina crew is awesome and they turn out some amazing dishes. Gotta try!

    (5)

  • Nicholas L.

    You won't find a better $8 burrito on Oahu. You won't find a better mole sauce either. I've worked Cocina into my daily routine because its right next to BRUE, where I get great coffee. You can't go wrong with any of the burrito selection. If its your first visit, you're safe with the green chili pork burrito. If you're a fan of mole sauce, the chicken is outstanding. If you're trying to incorporate more vegetables into your diet, the tree hugger satisfies you fully, plus leaves you feeling great throughout the day (you'll be stuffed without needing a nap in 2 hours). Special note: their head cheese is a game-changer! Their specialty salsa is outstanding. Do not leave without sampling it! Wanna bust the gut?, get your burrito smothered in tex-mex queso for a couple extra dollars. I've eaten the entire menu several times over and I can assure you Cocina delivers tasty food at a reasonable price. They do phone orders, which is convenient to avoid any line. Plus, their kitchen has some high powered gas flame stoves, which allows the cooks to add a nice char to your food which adds an additional taste profile I enjoy. I'm been lobbying for a fish burrito, since they serve fish tacos, but we'll have to wait-n-see on that. But in the meantime, you'll be fine, everytime, when ordering any of their burritos. Don't get me wrong, the tacos are great too, but its just too convenient to order a burrito and have it stay warm for the foreseeable future, as I walk back to my office to devour it. Highly transportable, highly delicious.

    (5)

  • Julie E.

    I've been wanting to check out Cocina for a while now. Finally got the chance for lunch today and it was fantastic! Loved the simple rustic feel of the place. Even though it is small and we were there at lunch rush, we still got through the line easily and found a seat. It's a bit toasty inside (maybe some simple mounted fans would help) but there is also some seating outside if you can snag it. I had the chicken mole tacos, and cocina rice, husband got the green chili pork burrito. Everything was delish. Great mix of exploding flavors and proper portions. Fresh, local, unique. Can't wait to go back.

    (5)

  • Valerie V.

    After hiking we were exhausted and hungry!! We found Cocina through a GF app and decided to try. So glad we did! We walked in a were immediately greeted by a super fun and knowledgeable server. My daughter can't eat flour tortillas so he had the cook use corn to make her quesadillas . That alone won me over! My husband and I ended up getting the fish tacos and son got the beef tacos. I was a bit surprised at how small the tortillas were, but they were full of quality and tasty ingredients! Great chips and salsa, side of queso was the boom. Everyone in the fam was full and satisfied, so we will go back without hesitation.

    (5)

  • Hisoo H.

    The Pork Tacos were good but I was expecting a little more food for the $10.00 ~ This is a nice little place; Parking isn't really available even when it's not busy around there. I guess you could chance it and park across in the strip mall where Jelly's is but I don't like taking the chance of someone yelling at me or worse having a tow truck show up!

    (3)

  • Hannah Q.

    I love this place! It's not your traditional Mexican food. It's a small restaurant next to Bevy (great place to grab drinks after) with indoor and out door seating. Really cute interior/exterior design--emphasizes that modern vibe. They have all kinds of tacos, burritos and your essential Mexican foods like rice, beans, chips, salsa, etc. tacos are small so be sure to order many if you're hungry. My husband and I ordered fish tacos, green chili taco, t-chicken tacos. Our favorite was the green chili taco, then t-chicken, then finally fish tacos. I wasn't too impressed with fish tacos honestly. We also ordered the corn on the cob that had mayo, lime, pepper, salt, Mexican spice and it was my FAVORITE. I'm obsessed with corn though... Bottom line: really cute modern/new Mexican style food. they have really creative items on the menu. BYOB! Great outdoor seating. Perfect for a casual date:)

    (5)

  • Christy M.

    It was just okay. The tacos are really small. My husband had the headcheese tacos which were topped with a nice pickled element. He thought the flavor was good. I had the Treehugger (veggie) tacos which were so heavily salted I couldn't eat them. They brought out new ones, which were better, but not great. They also would benefit from a pickled veggie. We left still feeling hungry and got fresh Avocado Smoothies next door at Insomnia. After meeting the owners and reading their reviews we will eat there next time!

    (3)

  • Alexandra P.

    PLEASE EXPAND TO MAUI!!!!! About a year ago I was in Oahu and made 3 trips in a long weekend to Cocina and everything I had was delicious. I was just back last week and once again everything was delicious. So good that my husband had a burger, I had 2 tacos and than we decided to split a second burger! Yes we were letting our inner fat kids make all the decisions that day. Previously I had the fried avocado which is ridiculously good! PLEASE, PLEASE COME TO MAUI!!!

    (5)

  • Adrienne B.

    After a fabulous late morning at the Honolulu Night Market spot wandering the Threadz event, my friend and I decided to give our wallets a rest and fill our bellies. Having heard good things from several friends about Cocina we decided to give this place a try. My friend ordered a burrito and a horchata and I ordered the chilaquiles and the fried avocado for us to share. My friend loved her burrito but wasn't the biggest fan of her horchata. We both were big fans of the avocado, but I do think it would've been easier to eat if they had served it pre-cut. I really enjoyed the slaw on the top as it gave it more of a bite and added texture. The chilaquiles were really good and I loved the addition of the egg. We ate outside on the community tables and while it was a bit crowded, it gave us a chance to spy other people's food as well. I don't think this would be the best place to go on a busy night, but it's a great place for early afternoon eats. They have a small menu, but from what I can tell they execute everything well. I look forward to going back and trying more items (though knowing me I'll have the same thing again and again).

    (4)

  • Faye T.

    On our way to Bevy, my bf and I randomly got approached by a passerbyer (hrm weird word) to stop by the cart with the meat on the stick, cause the tacos were awesome. O.o now, we had no idea about a big stick with meat, so we thought he mightve had some drinks hehe, and kept walking. ...then we saw it. A cart with a big meat on a stick hahahahahahah. Now the friends we were going to meet up with, ended up going somewhere else, so we needed to go somewhere else -____- but we were STARVING. Like eat someone's face off, starving -___- so when we passed by the cart, we knew we needed to get some tacos. We were too curious to not try. Cocina is a little place with mainly outdoor seating. The small tacos were on special (the name escapes me -_-); $2 each! Scoreeee. So we got two each, and waited around. The menu has horchata waffles. Arghhhhhhhh, I need to go back and try that. Anyway, tacos were ready about 10 min later. They just called our name (no receipt) and we started to gobble them down. THEY WERE SO GOOOOOD. The tortillas were legitttt. Like mainland Mexican food legit. It came with pineapples, fresh tomatoes, onions, cilantro and yummy pieces of meat. You could tell the ingredients were fresh! I normally hate pineapples in my food (I only like them fresh or with li Hing mui, hehe) but it gave it a little sweet twist. It also had a kick (which I have no clue where it came from). I'll need to go back and try more. Hopefully there'll be more open seating when we go!

    (5)

  • Maria J.

    Street style Mexican food with a gourmet edge. Absolutely delicious. Not a lot of seating. Definitely check it out if you are in the area.

    (4)

  • Peter T.

    Short review as you can read my older longer one. Tried a burrito for the first time and won't repeat, just didn't live up to the taco standard and wasn't just a giant taco sadly. The side Mexican rice still too damn salty.

    (2)

  • Lucy R.

    I love their fried avocado! Its always super hot inside but the food is like Mexican-American fusion. I love there food and am never disappointed. At times it gets crowded. They have Taco Tuesdays (presenting different from regular menu options)

    (4)

  • Jermaine E.

    This location sells Mexican food. This location has free water. Style and layout of the restaurant is contemporary. I would definitely recommend this location to friends and family. I really enjoyed the food. Everything was very high-quality. Vegetables where extremely fresh. Someone in the kitchen knows how to cook!!! This restaurant sells pork.

    (5)

  • Real R.

    This place is officially dead to me. Overuse of the same pickled onions across several dishes to bring brightness to drab flavors. This place also gave me and the person I was with terrible food poisoning. Finally, they need to stop hitting on patrons. It is unprofessional and it makes women uncomfortable.

    (1)

  • Aline T.

    Remiiiixxxx. It's been over a year so it's time to update! Cocina had to move from it's old location from Whole Ox to right around the corner in the tiny little spot that was Taste. This whole block is undergoing renovation. The food is still good but due to the smaller space, they had to ax a lot of their unique and delicious offerings. Keep in mind, this Mexican food may be considered "nouveau". I still love their food.

    (5)

  • Steven U.

    I like Mexican food....I like Cocina.....but definitely not comida tradicional de tu abuela. I have been fortunate to come here a couple of times. Once for dinner and once for brunch. Each time the service was good and we were able to find a spot on one of the community tables out front. The inside is small but welcoming. They have a free water setup by the door, which is a good thing. When we were there for dinner we had: Head cheese tacos Best thing I had. Crispy, soft, and delicious....what a taco should be. Don't be scared by the name...it is just meaty goodness. Perfect egg with spanish risotto My wife's choice....she liked it...I'm not into the egg thing... Fried avocado My wife's fav of the dishes. I liked it, but just not a balanced dish for me....but I guess it depends on how big of a bite you take out of the avocado! Watermelon aqua fresca My wife digs on agua fresca, and watermelon is one of her favorites. The only problem was this recipe had quite a bit of citrus in it....and interesting twist....just not what we are used to. When we were there for brunch: Horchata french toast with smoked maple syrup The french toast itself was very soft and fluffy which I liked. You couldn't tell that the syrup was smoked...and there wasn't much syrup on the plate. The people at the other table had to ask for more syrup because theirs didn't have enough either. The bummer of the whole thing was that it didn't really taste like horchata. We really wanted to be blown away by this place because of it's twist on traditional mexican food. The menu items look good on paper, and the ingredient listing for each item looks great, but when we ate the food....it was just ok. We will be back if we are in the area....I think I just need to try more items....

    (3)

  • Kris O.

    Eating at Cocina made me feel I was living inside my favorite movie: Nacho Libre. The entire time, I devoured my Mexican Style Street Corn, I recited one of my favorite lines, "Save me a piece of that corn for later." I FINALLY understood why the character Esqueleto was so upset with Nacho when he knocked the street corn out of his hand. Cocina's Headcheese Carnitas Taco includes pablano-orange relish, pickled jalapeños & cojita was amazing! As usual, I ordered way too much food & had to share with one of a friend, thankfully he was thrilled to finally try Cocina's tacos for himself. I'm hoping Cocina will one day put Carne Asada Fries on their menu. It's the one food I absolutely miss from San Diego & I personally believe would help their business grow (at least with me :)

    (4)

  • Terry L.

    This is a review that I don't really want to write because I fear the crowds will grow at Cocina! It's taken me a while to check this place out, but we'll worth the wait. I had the chicken burrito with the cheese sauce on top. It was very delicious and we'll worth the price. Also, I ordered the corn on the cob and OMG, it was OTH!! For two of us, $30, done. Delicious food, flavors were incredible. ..cheese crumbs on the corn added just the right amount of saltiness. Big things do come in small packages! You can grab a seat inside at a high top table or at the counter. There are several picnic tables outside which is meant to be communal. By the time we left, every seat was taken! One word of advice...let them know if you don't like cilantro. It's on a lot of the food. I love it so for me, it was heavenly! Really a quaint restaurant in a thriving urban neighborhood. ..we need more places like this scattered throughout Kakaako. Good food at good value.

    (5)

  • Krysten I.

    Yes, I am definitely one of those people who complain that Hawaii has very few legit Mexican food options and shrug my shoulders when people ask for recommendations for good mexican food. Cocina is pretty good in terms of the food quality, not gonna lie. I loved the flavors and freshness of my fish taco and reminisced about my 3 years in LA when I bit into my beef taco. However, other than the food, I'm not blown away by the lack of AC (it was so hot, and it makes it worse when the food is spicy!) and seating. I came by cocina on a whim because I was craving tacos. I thought that since it was tuesday, they might even have some specials. I found out that taco tuesday specials are only in the evening....bummer. But they apparently also have $3 taco happy hour as well as live music on Wednesdays. The tacos are pretty expensive. A fish taco and a beef taco came out to $9, but the ingredients are fresh and flavor is spot on. The establishment is very small, only one table inside with some counter seating and a few tables outside. There is no AC and I was dying sitting inside. It made the experience less enjoyable, especially because the sauces are very spicy. The service was friendly, although my food took awhile to come out. Parking is limited to street parking and I'm sure it can get very crowded (where do they put the live music?). Ehhh I'll be back, it was a-ok and satisfies my Mexican cravings.

    (3)

  • Ninarae N.

    Alright y'all...i just have to start off by saying that i LOVE Mexican food. If there's anything i miss about the food in California, it's the hole in the wall Mexican joints that are open late. i've tried a few Mexican spots out here so far and then I hate myself for thinking it's worth a try. but Cocina happened to be the ONLY spot in that line of shops that was actually serving food! (bevy was redesigning their menu and only had oysters) and i was starrrrrving. anyway back to the review lol... HYPES: i had the Green Chili Pork Taco, the Beer Braised Beef Taco and the Fried Avocado. Listen here....i'm thoroughly convinced that this has to be the best mexican spot out here so far. the tacos were delicious. meat was tender, flavors were vibrant...i don't know what else to tell you except that it was a surprisingly satisfying and delicious. what really stole the show though, was that damn fried avocado! i can honestly do without about 75% of all the cole slaw that comes on top, but the breaded part isn't too thick, the avocado was ripe, it was steaming with and the combo of cole slaw and some type of sauce that starts with "V" (lol sorry, slips my mind now) was amazing. wish the serving size was bigger...more avocados, less cole slaw! oh, i also had a cup of their guava juice and it was so thirst-quenching! not too sweet, just the way i like! GRIPES: there was one server who obviously didn't mean to be rude, he was really helpful and still answered all my questions, just didn't come off really warm to me. the other server whom i ordered the avocado from was super delightful! the place is really small and we ended up leaving cuz the smoke from the kitchen was filling up the whole inside and it was starting to get uncomfortable to sit in there. overall, hell yeah i'm coming back! it's the best mexican spot in honolulu! can i put it next to my favorite mexican spots in CA? probably not, but since those aren't options for me, i'm just glad i found cocina!

    (4)

  • Mark O.

    Almost a year ago one of my favorite places to eat was The Whole Ox on Keawe street. I'm not sure why they closed but it was quite unfortunate that they did. Shortly after that Cocina opened up in that same location. It seems that now Cocina has moved around the corner to the former location of Taste, another great shop that supported random popups for aspiring chefs. I heard a lot of good things about Cocina but when I tried it today I honestly wasn't very impressed. I ordered the Wet Ass Burrito and the Perfect Rice with a Perfect Egg. The Wet Ass Burrito was rather small for $12, but what bothered me even more was it tasted like there was kraft cheese squares as the cheese on top. I'm not sure if that's what it was but it definitely dominated the taste and it was not pleasant. The Perfect Rice with Perfect Egg was far from perfect. It described itself as a mexican version of risotto but it tasted just like normal spanish rice but a bit soggier. The vegetables were very limp as well. I didn't even eat half of this. Overall, while I liked the interesting names for their dishes as well as the nice atmosphere with ample seating in a developing Kakaako area, this place just didn't deliver. For better mexican food I would rather go to Serg's next time.

    (2)

  • Ariana M.

    Was working in Kaka'ako area and was wondering around trying to figure out what to eat. That's how I came across Cocina. When you walk into Cocina the register is located right in front, to the right they have chairs around the grill so you can watch them cook. They also have 3 benches you can sit on outside. The Grub. [[ GREEN CHILI PORK TACO $4 ]] yelp.com/biz_photos/coci… The tacos were delicious! I wish I ordered more tacos instead of the fried avocado! [[ FRIED AVOCADO $7 ]] yelp.com/biz_photos/coci… First time trying a fried avocado. I thought it was kind of salty, not a huge fan. I like my avocados plain compared to this. Overall I thought the tacos were really good and I would love to try other ones on the menu. I also want to come back to try the popular Tortaguesa burger. That sh*t looks delish too!!! :D

    (4)

  • Patricia DeAnn W.

    Chips were too hard. Salsa is good. The smallest corn tortillas I have ever seen. I'm from Texas I know good tex mex. Barely anywhere to sit. They have no air. Tree hugger taco was good super small. The beef taco was ok I like the beef burrito much more cover it in queso spend the $2.00 it's worth it. Fried avocado is not stuffed with anything but it gets topped with cole slaw and it is AWESOME. Ps get a side of queso for this one and it's out of this world.

    (5)

  • Shay F.

    They don't really have a veggie taco, but they can make one, so that's what I got. I thought the flavor was ok, but I really enjoyed was the avocado! I'd get that again. Oh, and the chips with salsa was good too! The salsa is a bit spicy for me, but I just suck it up and eat it anyways because the chips are good. LoL.

    (3)

  • Sherylynn S.

    Very first thing I came here, I've been blown away by this guy who works there and his name is Jody... He made me feel super welcome and not a stranger at all! Food menus on the wall, pretty impressive that he knew what he was talking about and point out some food on the wall and bam, we got our orders! I asked him if he's the owner and surprisingly he just works there and seemed to have his pride in his position. While waiting for the food, he brought us water and such a gentleman. Wait a minute, why am I constantly talking about this guy? Just because he deserved to be recognized and he is such a great guy with a great vibe! Back to food, FRIED AVACADO.. CHAMMMMPPPSSSS!!!!!! My mouth melted and definitely have a reason to come back for this!!!!! Fish tacos, I'm a huge fan of eating fish but this one.. Hmmmm... Pretty interesting and no offense, because I'm not a big fan of capers .. But to those of you who love capers, this is the ONE!! ALL YOURS!! ;) The surrounding inside and outside is really nice and love the look of all kinds of wood designs. Parking doesn't seemed to be hard to find ... Lots of meter parking... Monday Margaritas!! How cool!!!!!! Byob yessssss! ;)

    (5)

  • Claire F.

    Great ideas, but taste is a little off. A quaint little restaurant in the Kakaako neighborhood, the restaurant interior can only seat 8 people at most. Two park benches are located outside for some overflow. So count your lucky stars when you find a seat! Ingredients are fresh and the food is made-to-order. BYOB to supplement the evening. Now when I say "great ideas", I do mean it. The chips and salsa for $4 is the best deal, with deliciously smokey salsa paired with what seems to be homemade chips. Sad to say (but not really because I crave it as I speak) this was my favorite dish of the night. The fried avocado was unique and tasty, but I think I prefer eating avocado plain. And the fish tacos were easily the biggest disappointment of the night. Good use on the homemade tortillas but they were completely void of flavor. The fish cooked just right, but again void of flavor. Garnished with some overly roasted peppers and a heavy hand of some spices, the dish simply lacked flavor balance. For $13 for three small tacos, it left the heart wanting a little more. Again, great ideas but poor execution on taste. Decent Tex-Mex for our island that lacks.

    (3)

  • Rafal S.

    The food there was pretty good, although a bit too bland. Still pretty close to the real food I experienced in Mexico. I like the simple decor of the restaurant, made me really miss small places in Latin America.

    (4)

  • Morna F.

    I never complain, sometimes too easy to please, but the reaction I received after I expressed how I felt was Below acceptable, and it prompted me to YELP.. I liked the presentation, however the Pollo loco was made with Thigh meat, a cut certainly not what you want to find in a sandwich. The chicken was fat and gristly, with a heap of super finely chopped veggies that fall out, between 2 buns that were not large enough to hold the chicken...epic fail service Horrible!

    (1)

  • Rissa K.

    Mmm this place is the bomb! Must try their Tortaguesa burger with fried egg! Their tacos there are street style and very tasty! The food is definitely quality. Clean and cool looking spot. Def will be back to try their Mexican corn!

    (4)

  • Alexander G.

    On an island like this, it's difficult to find good Mexican. Well, I think I've found my favorite! On one of my many lunchtime walks around the area, I noticed this place over and over but never stopped in-- I'm glad I finally did! Located in Kaka'ako, an area that's developing in the best ways possible, this little place offers enough selections to keep you coming back for more. The restaurant is small with a modern flare- exposed concrete, wood, and metal. The grills are open along the food bar, so you can sit and watch the masters at work. The best seating, in my opinion, are the tables outside on the street. There's only a few, so you have to make new friends. The staff is exceptional- very friendly and always striving to please. Over my initial few visits I've tried a number of things: the beer braised beef burrito, chicken burrito, Mexican rice with sour cream, and the fried avocado. The burritos look small, but they don't feel that way in your stomach. All the meats have been treated with such care- they are flavorful and soft. The vegetables and tortillas are fresh; an excellent combination. Make sure to ask for the hot sauce; it's delightfully sweet. The fried avocado was simply amazing- soft and fresh avocado in a crispy batter over homemade slaw. Water is available for free; Mexican coke and Jarritos are a great compliment to your meal. Great lunch place or for dinner to start an evening at the Beerworks, Bevy, or the Agora.

    (5)

  • Anela A.

    TACOS AND BURRITOS WITH A SIDE OF SMOKY HAIR I love Mexican food so went here on the recommendation of Yelpers. This place is a take-out, hole-in-the-wall off Keawe St. with out door seating but prices were that of a sit down restaurant. First thing you experience when you walk in is an overwhelmingly smoky grill- and not a good kind of smoke, more like a burnt, call the fire department smoke. I almost couldn't breath! I suffered the rest of the day as my hair soaked in the smoky smell and followed me the rest of the day. The menu is extremely small and dishes are not run of the mill Mexican dishes- don't expect cheesy, savory burritos and tacos- there's a twist to each item. For instance, the chicken burrito comes with a pineapple pico and the fish tacos come with a stewed tomato and olive relish. So I didn't exactly feel like I got my Mexican fix, but the food was good. Beer Braised Beef Burrito - Could not detect any beer flavor. Very strong acidic-stewed tomato flavors. Very little queso cheese. Average sized burrito and does not come with beans and rice. Fish Tacos - Fish was perfectly cooked with a nice hard sear on the outside. I'm used to fish tacos with some sort of creme with cabbage. This one came with stewed tomatoes and olive and had a nice kick to it. Very messy to eat. Tacos were extremely small (refer to picture). Size comparable to a credit card. These were $9 and also didn't come with beans and rice. Side Potatoes - Quartered and fried yukon potatoes with spicy seasonings and sprinkled with queso. This thing was horrible. Would not recommend. Chips and Salsa - You need to pay extra for this, but the chips were freshly fried and salsa was very good! In all, when I think of Mexican street food, I think of smoky, bursts of flavor and spice laced with melting cheese. This was not it and for a hole-in-the-wall, it was TOO EXPENSIVE.

    (2)

  • Michael M.

    Since we don't have the Mission District in Honolulu, this may be the next best place to go for tacos. Wife and I came here on a Saturday eve for the second time. We ordered the pork tacos, beer braised beef tacos, the elote (street corn), and some papas fritas with homemade ketchup and a Mexican coke. Let me unpack that for you. All tacos here come on two lightly fried soft corn tortillas. Not taco shells. That was a Gringo invention. The pork tacos were spicy and flavorful. These wound up being my favorite. The beer braised beef was also good. Very hearty. It had a rich, beefy taste. The street corn is a wonderful homage to any border town. Corn on the cob slathered with butter, mayo, lime juice, queso fresco, and some chile spices. Wonderful! Papas fritas were thick cut soft potato-ey fries. It comes with a house made ketchup. Who does that? The ketchup had some chiles in it also. And Mexican Coke isn't what you initially think. It is Coca Cola made and bottled in Mexico. It is the old style recipe that uses cane sugar instead of high fructose corn syrup like the stuff now made in the US. It is exported to the US in glass bottles just like anyone over 40 remembers drinking as a kid. Has the same taste too! All that for under 30 bucks. Viva Zapata!!

    (5)

  • Erica W.

    Food: 5 stars Fried Avocado: A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!!!! I had to order this dish because I would never have thought to mix fried and avocado in the same dish. Trust me, try it, you'll be blown away by how good it tastes together. Rice & Beans bowl: good. Nothing specatular here. Chips & Salsa: Homemade salsa. Take small flour tortillas, cut it into quarters, deep fry it, sprinkle salt, there you have it ladies and gentlemen!!! Beef Burritto: Tasty and good amount of food stuffed inside the burritto. My only complaint: laid ontop of wax paper ontop of a tray - therefore when cutting into the burritto, one also cuts the wax paper and with all the juice spilling out, you end up picking up pieces with wax paper stuck to it. Makes for a not so tasty treat ingesting wax paper. Service: for the woman ringing you up for your food I give her 1 star for her bad attitude. I saw her also give attitude to other customers so it's an ongoing thing. But to the chef (whom I got a chance to talk to regarding the food) 5 stars for his kindness.

    (4)

  • Tanya C.

    I heard good things about this place and was willing to give it a try. I tried their fish tacos and it was so delicious. It was on the spicy side but I enjoyed it. The papa fritas were BOMB! Definitely get that! The staff was friendly and very patient... considering I didn't know what to do. You had to find street parking, which could become a problem when the condos go up.

    (4)

  • Kate L.

    Service with a smile. The BEST chips and salsa I have ever had. The Al Pastor tacos on special ($2 each, being cooked out front) were amazing, life changing!!! The woman who took our order inside was knowledgeable, sweet, and had great recommendations. I also ordered the chicken mole taco- so ono! My date ordered the rice with cilantro. Very tasty. Definitely recommend this spot.

    (5)

  • Tyler B.

    Perfect execution of flavors layered into the burrito. A bit pricey but this was the best Kahlua pork burrito I've had. Green chile sauce elevated what was already fresh and flavorful. I was skeptical with the hipster location , name (how minimalist of you) , employees and outlay. However more often than not these hipsters know fusion and design.

    (5)

  • Raelyn B.

    A few friends and I wanted to go get a quick lunch before work and all the other potential places closed early. So a friend suggested we check out Cocina, a Spanish inspired restaurant down in Kaka'ako on Auahi. So I thought to myself, well this place must be pretty hipster because it's on Auahi street. Turns out I was right. My friends and I were the only ones there; it was around 3pm. The staff were pretty friendly, they greeted us as well as offered their help by answering any of our questions. At this point after a long day I was pretty hungry so I ordered whatever sounded good. I ordered chips and salsa for starters. At first they were really good, the chips i believe were baked and the salsa was good a bit spicy, I expect spicy all the time in salsa. It was a different kind of salsa from what I usually got but I was pretty open to food at that point. What disappointed me was the chips were really salty. Oh we also came here on a Tuesday and sure enough they do Taco Tuesday, but unfortunately we weren't there for that. I got the Charred Orange Chicken Adobo tacos and it was okay, decent. I couldn't taste any orange in it though. My friend also ordered the Tortaguesa, the inside of the burger was actually still a bit raw. It was good until the middle. The jalapeno, cheese, and cilantro were the best part. As for the price and the restaurant, I'd say it was a bit pricy I know a lot more cheaper taco places with greater value.

    (2)

  • Ryan Y.

    Décor - nice. Food - ok taste. Service - good, they bring the food to where you are sitting. Price - for the amount you get, it's a little pricey. Parking - street or free parking at the empty lot 1 block away. Free wifi - since you are in Our Kakaako area. Green pass posted in window. Bonus - I did see people in the evening BYOB. Extra bonus - 1st time I got to try Coke from Mexico but $3/bottle, see photos.

    (3)

  • Wayne B.

    Cochina...what to say.Has the hipster vibe Kaka'ako seems to crave. Flip side of cool is...attitude. I asked for a little extra salsa on the side.When I say a little, I mean a LITTLE,those tiny 15ml plastic bucklets. "you know there's salsa inside...", meaning our margin is so low,I can't afford to give you 2 cents worth of chopped chiles. I asked for take out,the guy,I think he's a co-owner hands me a foil wrapped burrito naked,no bag,no napkin.So I'm supposed to walk around with a hot baton? Yes, it's was delicious,reasonable price... But watch the attitude Mister co-owner, this is Hawaii, not Detroit.

    (2)

  • Will L.

    It's hard to find a good taco of any kind in the 808, but Tacqueria Cocina makes a darn good fusion one. It's not L.A. carne asada tacos. It's not San Diego carne asada and fries burritos. It's not SF Mission gordo burritos. It's not Baja fish tacos. And it does not purport to be. I had the fish tacos (2 for $9) and the fish was fresh, perfectly grilled so that it kept its shape, surrounded by a flavorful host of fresh ingredients, on two perfectly grilled corn tortillas. Yes, it's pretty pricey for two small tacos, but with the way tacos are made here on the island, it's completely worth it. I want to next try the chicken adobo tacos, and perhaps do it on Taco Tuesdays for $3 per taco. The place is small, but cozy with hip modern cafe decor. The Our Kakaako movement will be helped by places like this one.

    (5)

  • Greg Y.

    Oh Cocina, Cocina. I think the word translates to kitchen, but in any language, it has to mean yummy (or ono in Hawaii). While tiny in size, the food is packed with huge flavor starting with the chips and salsa. Crispy, crunchy, smokey - you can't stop. The menu isn't complicated featuring a variety of tacos, but everything we tasted was great. All dishes were flavorfully seasoned, but the secret is with the sauce pairing. Each taco comes with its own perfectly complementary sauce. The tacos are on the smaller side but are sufficiently filling. If you want something heftier, definitely go with the Tortaguesa. Basically, it's a burger, but oh what a burger it is. The sweet and spicy habanero sauce contrasts the earthy beef excellently. Do you dip the burger, pour the sauce on? No matter, just use it all up. The Tortaguesa was my favorite dish of the day, but there will be more days spent at Cocina!

    (4)

  • Chay S.

    I see myself coming here more often if I'm craving a bite to eat after the gym or waiting for a friend. If it's two of us I'll usually opt to go with an assortment of tacos. At $3 each they're decent for the price but I can easily eat 3 and still feel hungry. The burrito at $8 is a better deal in my opinion but I find myself wishing there was more of a kick. Needs more spicy!

    (4)

  • Andrew T.

    Deep-fried avocado topped in crunchy slaw.... PERFECTO. Free jug of water and cups for my relentless penny pinching self. GRACIAS. I sat at the bar surrounding the kitchen and got to watch them prep and cook the fresh vegetables and delicious looking plates going out to other customers.... VOY A VOLVER ! TAMBIEN: nice trendy decor, excellent service, and spotlessly clean. limited seats inside/ upscale counter service with trays/ rustic tables outside

    (5)

  • Elizabeth K.

    I think I've found the best place for tacos and burritos in Oahu. Everything about this place is amazing! Service: Man, oh man, the guy who helped us with the menu (it being my friends and my first time) and brought the food to us, that's what really set off an awesome mood for the food. He had such a bright and outgoing personality, that (if I remember correctly) my friend went back inside, just as we were about to leave, to tip again! It's a small place so it's easy to have a chill conversation with the workers. Food: Fried Avocado. Get it. Now. It was so good that after having finished our food, we went back in to order more, one of which was the fried avocado. We also got the Papas Fritas, Beer Braised Beef Burrito, Tree Hugger Taco, and Two Headcheese Carnitas Tacos. These were all pretty stacked and very filling. The beef burrito was perfect in every way, from the seasoning and sauce to the soft and juicy quality of the shredded beef. Price: Considering the amount of food that we ordered (for just 3 people), the total came out to be less than we thought would be. Having ordered, I think, 6 or 7 menu items plus a Jarritos drink, it came out to be about $15/person. Finally, good Mexican food in Hawaii. It's still nothing compared to the Mexican food trucks in the Mainland, but Cocina will do!

    (5)

  • Ronnard G.

    Definitely worth the stop. Hog Head Cheese Tacos! I know right...but still try them. The street corn is amazing. They do not skimp on flavor with any item on the menu. The do a nice mexi-brunch on weekend. BYOB...or go next door afterwards.

    (5)

  • Ma F.

    After having lived in SD and Mexico I am super critical of Mexican restaurants. I like this spot, they have a nice menu full of tasty foods. Modern hip furniture any hipster would love to put on their Instagram. The prices are decent, although I will say their burritos are way anorexic compared to the huge ones that were as long as my forearm and as wide as a mason jar I use to get all over SoCal. I mean those are burritos so big you can barely eat 1/4 of it. Not to mention tasty! Also, I am not too keen on beans being used to add bulk to burritos when they normally should be omitted from the certain burrito recipe. But, I will be back since it's Hawaii and not Cali that's as good as it's going to get I think...

    (3)

  • Brigitte S.

    I first tried this place back when they were in the spot where The Whole Ox was. My boyfriend and I were blown away by the authenticity and how delicious the food was. Mexican heaven! My birthday was this past Saturday and when my boyfriend offered up Cocina, I yelped with joy and happily ran to the car. We found metered parking right out side across the street, there is thankfully enough parking in the neighborhood to find a spot. I loved the location. It had a couple of cute wooden family style picnic tables outside, while the inside had some bar seating & long family style table with some stools all around it. While small, I found it very cozy. The menu had a billion things we wanted and most of them were pretty reasonably priced. It was Saturday so they actually had a few Brunch specials - we ordered the horchata french toast [$8]!! We also ordered the fried avocado [$7] from the small plates menu, along with a head cheese carnitas taco [$5] & a pollo loco torta [$13]. They didn't have agua fresca but they did have some yummy iced horchata. We sat inside at the end of the family style table and awaited our order. In a quite short amount of time, our first dish arrived: the fried avocado. Oh my gosh, I was expecting sliced of avocado like fries but no, this was half of a delicious avocado, perfectly covered in a crispy breadcrumb and topped with a creamy, tangy slaw. We sliced it in half and it was the most lovely sight, steam rising gently from this oh so well done dish. I was so satisfied I could not believe when more dishes started coming out. Next we received the pollo loco torta. Hot fried chicken, apple pico, charred red cabbage, cojita cheese & honey habanero mayo on a warmed roll. It reminded me of a twist on mexican and southern food. It was comforting and warm, plus the mayo had quite a kick to it! The horchata french toast came next - sweet bread soaked in horchata, cooked up and soaked in a maple syrup mixed with something - honey? bourbon? Either way - perfect guilty please breakfast food. Finally, my head cheese carnitas taco came out - I had always wanted to try head cheese & decided my birthday was the day to do it. This lovely taco had poblano orange relish, pickled jalepenos & cojita cheese. It was beautiful to look at and tasted even better. The citrus notes gave a perfect acidity to the taco while the meat was seasoned well & full of flavor. There was just enough spice but not enough to kill your tastebuds. I would order any of the tacos again - good prices and so well made. We left feeling so satisfied & definitely after eating too much. So worth it though. As usual, I had an amazing time at Cocina and am already planning my next trip there for some deliciousness in my belly. Nomnomnom...

    (5)

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Map

Opening Hours

  • Mon :11:00 am - 9:00pm

Specialities

  • Takes Reservations : No
    Delivery : No
    Take-out : Yes
    Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
    Good For : Brunch
    Parking : Street
    Bike Parking : Yes
    Good for Kids : Yes
    Good for Groups : Yes
    Attire : Casual
    Ambience : Casual
    Noise Level : Average
    Alcohol : No
    Outdoor Seating : Yes
    Wi-Fi : No
    Has TV : No
    Waiter Service : No
    Caters : No

Categories

Mexican Cuisine

If you enjoy Taco Tuesday, then you have officially fallen in love with the Mexican Food. The main grain of Mexican cuisine is maize. Also known as corn, maize is grown for the past 9000 years after the crop was discovered by the people in Mayan civilization. Mexican empire flourished when they started growing beans, tomatoes, chili pepper, sweet potato and cactus. Till this date these ingredients are used in cooking authentic Mexican dishes and drinks.

Great use of spices, fresh chili pepper dishes like fajitas, tortilla chips, corn chips, salsa, chimichangas, burritos, nachos and quesadillas are invented in America. But when you are looking for authentic Mexican food then you must find a restaurant in the city that serves Rajas con Queso, Garbanzo in a Guajillo Chile Sauce, Pork Filled Chiles Rellenos, Chiles en Nogada, Molcajete Salsa, Pico de Gallo and Frijoles de la Olla. An eye-opening fact – Mexican don't like their food hot. They use fresh chili and other spices to create a flavor that lingers in your mouth.

Mexican food is great for those who are Gluten Intolerant as they use Corn instead of wheat in most of their dishes. Also, you can easily find many beans based Mexican dishes. Another dish which didn't get similar glory as tacos or nachos is the Mexican hot chocolate. If you love something hot on a chilly day, then go for Mexican Hot Chocolate. On merry days, you can enjoy the authentic Mexican Drinks like Tequila, Mezcal, Tecuí, Sotol, Bacanora, Charanda, Posh O Pox, Puebla and Pulque. Mexican Cuisine is for people who enjoy strong drinks and hearty meals.

Cocina

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