Da Fish House Lunch Wagon
61-3665 Akoni-Pule Hwy, Kawaihae, HI, 96743
Da Fish House Lunch Wagon Menu
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Address :
61-3665 Akoni-Pule Hwy
Kawaihae, HI, 96743 - Phone (808) 882-1052
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :9:00 am - 5:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : No
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : No
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Divey
Noise Level : Quiet
Alcohol : No
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : No
Caters : No
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Steven S.
Super good fish tacos. Not the best ambience, but a nice break from resort food. The cajun style fish had great seasoning and cooked with a nice crunchy shell.
(5)Loosey B.
For a truck on the side of the road, this was delish! Thanks to Yelp, as usual, because without the great reviews we would have passed on this. Good food, and it's very inexpensive. We did the beer battered fish of the day. We'll be going back to try the Cajun style while we are here. Definitely worth checking out if you want a good, cheap lunch, mid-week. 4/24/15 We go to the fish truck every time we come here, but after yesterday, I'm dropping my rating to 4 stars. The fish of the day is still amazing and yesterday Hubby had the Cajun style Mahi-Mahi, but I had something off the regular menu and it was terrible. Avoid the butterfish! It was so tough that I maybe ate 2 bites and threw the rest away. Luckily Hubby was willing to share his Mahi-Mahi, which was delsih. Stick to the fish of the day and it should be fresh and amazing!
(4)Tim C.
This place is like a food truck (even though it's called a wagon), where the ordering happens in the window of the vehicle, the preparing / cooking happens inside the vehicle, and there are tables and chairs outside to enjoy the food. I came with my wife for lunch, and I ordered the Mahi Mahi platter with french fries and mac salad. First off, the lady who took my order messed up the order - I asked for my Mahi Mahi to be breaded and fried, and instead, I got a Cajun-seasoned Mahi Mahi. I let it go, because I was too hungry to care. It took a good 20 minutes for us to get our food after we ordered, so by that point, I just wanted to eat. The fries and mac salad were just ok. My wife ordered the Kalbi Beef plate with a side salad (papaya dressing) and a pasta salad. They also messed up her order - instead of a pasta salad, she got a mac salad. She cared enough to have it sent back and they replaced the pasta salad with a mac salad. There wasn't much that was special about her dish - the beef had too much sauce, and the side salad and pasta salad were both underwhelming. This theme of messed up orders wasn't just with us, either. There was a family who ordered before us, and they all got burgers with rice when they ordered burgers with french fries. All three plates had rice instead of fries. And at first, the lady was reluctant to switch them out. Because I witnessed this episode before I even ordered, I made an effort to order very slowly, clearly, and loudly... and they still messed up my order. Oh, did I mention it took a really long time to get our food? Sure, it's Hawaii so things supposedly run on island time. But just in case you want something quick, be forewarned. I wouldn't recommend coming here The portion sizes were also not very filling. After I ate my Mahi Mahi plate and some of my wife's Kalbi Beef plate, I still had room for more food. I only got 3 small pieces of fish on my plate. The service was at least friendly (even if it wasn't accurate). And for an area where you don't have many options, it's not a terrible place to grab a bite. It just wasn't the best experience for my wife and I.
(2)M S.
Everything was fresh and delicious! I had the fish tacos and macaroni salad. My kids also loved it. Friendly service too!
(5)Anna K.
Delicious fresh ahi seared on Caesar salad. Fish was fresh and perfectly cooked. A bit hard to find. Look for yellow building, da Fish House, and it's up their driveway. Worth a stop!
(5)Diana T.
Great BI food. Awesome fish tacos, hamburger steak plate & BBQ ribs. Yummy!
(5)Brad T.
Awesome Food! A Great Yelp Find! The owner was so warm and friendly, we will be back
(5)Christina T.
Delightful, delicious, great people. What more can you ask? Next to a super local, fresh-catch fish joint where you can see locals selling their catch. I got the Cajun special. Subtle spice, punch of flavor. Parents for fish and chips which they said was awesome. Great lunch joint near Hapuna.
(5)Polly G.
It is a food truck, with picnic tables and a shaded awning for about half the tables. The surroundings are nothing to speak of and probably hot on a sunny day, but the fish was prepared perfectly. For $10, your fish plate comes with 3 slices of perfectly prepared fish, your choice of 4 preparations, and 2 sides. My ono in breadcrumbs was outstanding; no fancy sauces to drown the fresh fish. The squeeze of lime was all it needed.
(4)Mike P.
This place was fantastic we had a rental car and stopped at a beach not far from here wanting something to eat we checked on yelp and found this place we are so glad we stopped try the fish plate with the fresh fish lot of people ordering fish tacos try this place you will not be disappointed! !
(5)Veronica T.
3 mile drive north of Hapuna Prince Hotel where we stayed. Don't be turned off by the looks of this bus turned kitchen. Prices and food are definitely worth it considering the resort restaurant prices are so marked up. Looks like their menu changes daily with what fish is available. Today we had Mahi Mahi and Ahi. Delicious!
(5)Don M.
OMG this place is epic. I would recommend going to the fish market for some fresh (and I mean FRESH) poke and grabbing some cooked fish here. I would have never eaten at this place had it not been for a local recommendation, however you can't much fresher than fish coming direct off the boat. This was a GREAT lunch.
(5)Bobby D.
This is a GREAT find. Would have never found it if not for Yelp. We stopped after going to manuna kea beach. My fiance and sister were a little worried as it is a short bus, but they both changed their tune after eating. We had the two taco plate with fries as well as the Seared Ahi over green salad. Both were excellent and cost about $8 or $9 each. There are about 5 or 6 tables outside to sit at. All in all I would day this was the best food for your money in my entire trip. Must try!
(5)Daniel T.
Yelp.... I hate it when you let me down. My wife and I drove out here from mauna lani in search of some good fish tacos. Wow were we disappointed. There was barely any fish in the tacos. The food seemed to be thrown together as if I made them at home. And I am not a good cook. The salad looked thrown together as well. Let's just say it tasted as it looked. Bland, boring, unfulfilling, and disappointing. One of those times you actually feel like you wasted a meal. Sucks...
(1)Michelle T.
Fish tacos were good, but was hoping for amazing. OK, it better than bad....so, we were happy.
(4)Winnie H.
This is by far the best meal my family had in Kona. The fish is so fresh and tasty and price is so reasonable. A must try!
(5)Ray B.
It was good, but nothing amazing. The cajun style fish was decent, but I wouldn't make a trip out just for here. If you're in the area, its worth stopping for though.
(3)Margaret C.
The lunch here is the best fish you will ever get from a food truck in Hawaii. We have enjoyed the cajun fish plate with green salad and papaya dressing plus another side of your choice. Don't forget to order the iced tea, which is an unsweetened fruit and green tea that is very refreshing after a morning of swimming or other activities. Do NOT go between noon and 1 unless you have an hour to kill because of the lunch rush; you will end up staying an hour for your food for an otherwise 20 min stop. Otherwise, this food truck is awesome!
(5)Brent J.
One of our very best favorites... Kelley's choice for 2 of our recent sunset anniversary dinners, eaten on our favorite Charlie Young (Kam 1) beach
(5)Sona P.
Lunch wagon was closed (weekend) but the shop offered delicious and massive poke bowls for $11. Extremely friendly staff.
(5)Kelsey S.
If you are on the big island you MUST go to this place!!! The fish tacos are amazing and the prices are very reasonable. I would recommend getting some $5 ahi poke at the fish market next door to complete any meal here! The wagon is located right off of 270 under a tree. I would recommend looking for the fish market next door because it is in a yellow building that is easier to see from the road. Parking could be difficult if it is crowded so it might be worth parking across the street and walking over. Be careful - you will be craving more tacos after trying just one... They really are that good!!!
(5)Jen W.
Fish (ono) and chips were amazing. Highly recommend.
(5)Shelly F.
While planning our 20th anniversary trip to Hawaii, my husband saw so many favorable reviews for Da Fish House Lunch Wagon that he was dying to try it! It wasn't easy to find, but after making a phone call to Da Fish House fresh fish market, we were directed to it's location and after a few more minutes found it. The fresh catch was ahi and mahi mahi. I ordered the seared ahi over a green salad with a side of Hapa rice (half brown, half white) and my husband ordered the mahi mahi sandwich. Both were simple, yet delicious, and the fish was very fresh. It sure beat the overpriced lunch we had at our hotel the day before (I actually had to send my fish back because it was so overcooked!)! Don't let the appearance of the "food truck" put you off! It's definitely worth looking for if you want a delicious, fresh fish meal at extremely reasonable prices! In fact, I told my husband that I wouldn't mind eating there again :)
(4)Christa J.
The fresh fish and chips is amazing! It looks more like a potato pancake when it comes out but it only makes it taste that much more delicious!!! I had the Mahi-Mahi beer battered fish and fries. My husband enjoy the fish tacos which were also very good!
(5)Anh-Dao H.
I had the fish tacos and hubby had the kalbi plate. The food was just ok. The setting was interesting. I won't be back.
(2)Ramal W.
Fish tacos were AMAZING! Great spot to catch a quick meal outside - sea breeze keeps it comfortable even when hot outside. Fast & friendly service - the owner clearly cares for her customers... And prices are actually reasonable - where else can you say that?
(5)Francine L.
OMG. So good, so inexpensive. We ordered fish tacos, the mahi Plate and beef teriyaki. 5 stars for the fish tacos, 5 stats for the mahi mahi plate and 4 stars for the teriyaki plate. Lady was soo nice and we're definitely coming again
(5)Teens F.
You will miss it if you don't look. We went at the end of the day and so we only had mahi mahi tacos and burgers. It was still pretty good and the size it not bad either. It's a must try because this is not the like city where there are a dozen trucks on each block. But the lady was very nice and she made the food delish! Would highly recommend going to this joint and say you were there!
(4)Mei C.
"When you go to the Big Island, you must come here for a fish taco.", my friend commanded me when I told her I picked the Big Island to vacation. I'm glad that I listened to her sage advice and made the hour drive from Kona to partake in the lovely tacos served from this humble lunch wagon. The fish was fresh and full of flavor. It was definitely well worth the trip. My advice, make it a part of your day trip if you're driving from the Kona side. Drive to here for lunch and then make your way up Saddle Road to Mauna Kea or Hapuna Beach. The lunch wagon is about a 20 minute drive north from Hapuna Beach, It will be well worth it.
(5)Apurva P.
Great freshly caught and local sea food at reasonable prices. The Seared Ahi Cesar Salad was amazing.
(5)Anna W.
We were at a local beach just hanging out, swimming, and getting hungry! We were staying at one of the resorts and were so tired of the perfect food that cost as much as a night at a five start hotel. We looked for something local, and given that this is the BIG Island, that was within a 10 mile range. We are from DC where food trucks are plentiful, serve really cool and diverse food and tend to be pricey. We were surprised to find this gem in HI where we have not seen any food trucks. It was hard to find since its not actually visible from the street so look for the fish market across from the Kohala Burger place and the truck is to the right of that. Now to the food and service. The ladies were super friendly and helpful. They gave us great ideas on what to order based on options they had. The fish was really fresh and being that my husband is also from an island and knows his fish, he was very happy. We ordered the fish platter, the sandwich, and tacos. All of which had different fish suggestions for the preparations. We sat outside at the tables and waited for our fish dishes. Honestly, this was one of the best lunches and meals we had while on vacation here. Simple, fresh and delicious. I think we spent for the three of us including tip and drinks less than $30. We would definitely go again!!!
(5)Holla F.
Wow the mahi mahi burgers was so moist and was a fresh catch even though we came at closing. Def going to try next time I am back in the big island.
(5)Austin C.
Amazing place, service is great, fish is perfect. We went twice and both times it was delish. Fish was perfectly cooked and the ingredients were fresh. Pro tip, go into the "fish house" nearby and get some really good poke and fresh crab meat, goes good with the rice or other sides that she gives with your meal. Fish tacos were excellent and so was the fish sandwich. For sides get rice if you decide to go buy the poke nearby, or get fries an macaroni salad, this place can't be beat on the island.
(5)Nancy A.
It does not get fresher than this...and with the specials there is something for everyone
(5)David B.
Scary Good, and the Best $11 I spent in Hawaii This is truly a lunch wagon. A small trailer with a screen window for ordering. We walked into the actual Fish House (the building), and was redirected to the lunch wagon. The proof was in the Fish House, they were carving up fresh caught fish left and right. The wagon was scary good. Scary because you could not see the food prep area or the cooking. Who knows if that area was clean or not. Good because you JUST KNEW that this was going to taste good. And it did... We ordered the Fish Taco's plate - 2 fish taco's lightly seared, and fries. The Fish Taco's were piled high with fixings (see the photos), and the fries were hot and delicious. $11. Cash Only!!!! It was just a perfect food stop for our trip North (to Hawi). Thanks Yelp for pointing out this hidden treasure that we NEVER would have visited!!!
(5)A G.
Would give it 3.5-4 stars based on the freshness of the fish and the laid back atmosphere and pleasant customer service. The ahi fish taco was excellent and it was served in a 10-inch flour tortilla with salsa, guacamole, sour cream and a black olive. The Mac salad was straight up and a good complement. The teriyaki steak plate special was also good as the steak was tender, but the sauce was a bit salty for our tastes. Also had the mahi mahi fish and chips--the beer batter coating came out looking like pancake batter but was tasty and perfectly cooked. The fries seemed to be frozen but were ok. Finally, the cheeseburger was pretty tasty. Overall, a great find near Hapuna beach!
(4)Joe P.
Seriously fresh fish! Catches of the day were Ahi and Mahi Mahi the day we visited. Kids got the beer battered Mahi and chips. I tried some, it was a nice crust and pan fried to order. Tasty fish, you could actually taste inside the breading (which meant the kids complained about it, of course). I got the blackened fish tacos, which were outstanding, piled high with guacamole, lettuce and sweet tomato relish. Flour tortillas which was fine considering all the toppings. Really more like a blackened fish salad on a tortilla. Covered up the fish somewhat, I would probably get the fresh catch or the fish and chips on a return visit. Overall, this was a nice change of pace from resort area food.
(4)Shannon G.
THANK YOU fellow Yelpers! Not sure I would have even seen this place if you hadn't told me where to look! This is fresh fish at its locally fresh-best! DO NOT be put off by the casual appearance. This is worth it! ONO with Hapa rice and Caesar salad - just to die for. Husband's fish taco more than enough, and he loved it. Sit with your new acquaintances under the tent and laugh at the "civilized" resort options. Now, how can I talk him into eating there every day for the rest of our trip . . . ?
(5)KyraAnne G.
Best fish I've ever tasted! The first time we got the miso butterfish and ono tacos. The miso butterfish was the softest, most delicious fish ever! The second time we got mo chung (sp?) with cajun spices and breaded ono. SO ONO! A lady runs this out of a broken down wagon so its not exactly a fancy restaurant. But its very Hawaii :)
(5)Kelly O.
Must order fish tacos! I will be dreaming about these when I get back to the mainland. I ordered 2 and with the side dish of pasta salad, I was more than full and happy! At the price of $11 Our kids were not in a fish mood and ate the hamburger steak which was 2 meat patties with special seasonings covered in gravy. They declared yumminess. It's a cute food truck with covered outdoor seating in an industrial part of town so not a lot to look at, but I had good company. Writing this review is making me want those tacos again... the guacamole, the marinated tomatoes....
(5)Justin K.
Good food Great fish Always a must have during trip to big island
(5)Dana S.
This place is not only delicious, it's a screaming deal. While the lunch wagon itself is either charming or unsanitary, depending on your viewpoint, we were charmed and stopped by for lunch several times. The sweet lady running the show will cook your fish to order and serve it however you like--on a plate, a sandwich, or a salad. She can be a little scattered when things get busy, but be patient and pull up a chair in the shade, because it's worth it.
(5)Jenna J.
So good! We were on the island for less than a week and ate here twice. I am not a huge fish fan, but happily ate every last bite of the fish tacos. Do not let the scenery frighten you, enjoy the experience!
(5)Scott S.
Was a bit skeptically when I looked this up on yelp, but after reading the reviews we decided to give it a try. Just to reinforce before I go any further, the food comes out of an old micro bus. They seem to pride themself on their fresh fish. They fish option when we were there were ahi or Maui Maui. We went for the Maui Maui plate ($10) with salt and pepper. The fish plate also came with two sides. I had the frenchfries and rice, but they also had salad, Mac salad, potato salad. They also had hamburger, fish sandwich both $9 and fish tacos. The fish was tasty and fresh. The salt and pepper seasoning was lite, but you could also get cajun, beer batter, or breadcrumbs. For the price it was good food and was fun to eat. Would eat there again.
(4)Chris H.
I'm smiling. I'm sitting in Mother Nature's dining room at a beat-up picnic table underneath a green tarp, eating one of the best plate lunches I've sampled to date. Simply grilled mahi mahi ($9) is juicy and fresh, spiced with cajun seasoning is cooled by a scoop of macaroni salad. A side of shatteringly crisp french fries provides additional body to the meal. I'm blissful. The gentle Kauai seabreeze cools a slight flush on my face from the cajun spice, my soul is warmed from a soundtrack of reggae music blaring on the clapped out boombox in front of the food truck. A few feet over, a four-some of construction workers on their lunch break plow through orders of pork chop special - there are no words, just sounds of chewing, slurping, and appreciation. Diedre, the jaunty and ever-smiling proprietor of Da Fish House Lunch Wagon cheerfully calls out to us, "How's your lunch boys?" Between bites of mahi mahi, I mumble "It's real good!". The construction workers enthusiastically agree. It is really good. I'm smiling.
(5)Chris B.
Definition of local eatery. Can't get fresher fish than this and good lord, is it tasty. If you're looking for a great little place to grab some grub after a day the beach, look no further. The lady that runs this little joint couldn't be nicer and makes some mean fish tacos. Looking forward to coming here and trying everything. Highly, HIGHLY recommend.
(5)Gail S.
Wow, found it by accident and were so glad we did. Had a salad with organic greens and seared ahi that was one of my favorite meals in two weeks on the Big Island. And the lady who runs the Lunch Wagon is so nice. Probably the best meal I have had sitting in a parking lot.
(5)Ann V.
Holy Wahoo! Took a cue from our fellow Yelpers and came to Kawaihae for lunch, true to form we weren't steered wrong. Sure, it's an old shuttle bus parked under a tree next to some awnings, but don't let the appearance put you off. Each plate is made fresh, one at a time (so don't be on Mainland time) and is fresh and delicious. We had Ono, fish tacos, a salad with delicious house papaya dressing, and crinkle fries. The portions were generous and reasonably priced. Too bad we're flying out tomorrow or we'd go back!
(5)James H.
From all the great reviews I was really wanting to like this place, maybe my expectations were too high. It could also be that I'm spoiled coming from Austin, TX where amazing tacos are aplenty. The fish tacos here were nothing to write home about. I'm sure the fish was fresh, but there didn't seem to be a lot of it in my tacos. And the guacamole on top may have been sitting out too long as it exhibited a hue of dark brown from oxidation. The best part of the taco was actually the tortilla as it reminded me of a place that used to be in Austin (Don Miguel's) - it was thin, somewhat crisp, and freshly prepared. The woman running the lunch wagon also did all the cooking, and she was very nice - perhaps we caught her on an off-day.
(2)Ed W.
We had lunch here today and were very satisfied with quality and portions. Seared Ahi over Caesar salad was very good - fish tasted very fresh. Beer battered mahi was excellent. The batter was very thin - did not over power the fish as it usually does at most places. Very cool that they put out such good food from this location. Nice change of pace from overpriced resort locations. Good job!
(4)Y F.
When we first drove up to Da Fish House Lunch Wagon, my husband exclaimed, "what is this? I hope we don't get food poisoning." Boy, did he end up eating his words! Do not judge a book by its cover. Lunch at the Wagon was our best meal during our 7-night stay on the Big Island. Need I say more? We tried the $10 fresh fish plate (comes with 2 sides) and returned a few days later for a taste of the fish tacos. I believe the fish taco is their claim to fame so I would highly recommend ordering that. The place is a bit tricky to find (we missed it the first time). As you drive north on Hwy 270, it will split; the right goes down to the harbor so make sure you stay on 270. The wagon is immediately to your right after the Y somewhat hidden by a big tree. It is located next to Hale I'A Da Fish House across from a convenient store. There are covered seating next to the wagon. Excellent food and good value - a rare find indeed around an area dominated by expensive resort restaurants.
(5)M Z.
Fresh fish
(4)Bill W.
This is last-meal-on-earth good. Get the fish tacos.
(5)Craig B.
"Great Food, Cool Drinks" says the sign on the front of the Econoline lunch wagon, home of Da Fish House. Those four words serve as a spot-on description of what you can expect if you stop here for a bite to eat in Kawaihae. The "great food" we tried on two separate occasions primarily consisted of fish burgers, and I can't recall eating a better one anywhere else. The fish was beer battered Mahi (you can also have it prepared with bread crimbs, cajun spice, or salt and pepper.) For a little extra, it includes a side (I highly recommend the macaroni salad, but the fries aren't bad, either.) Diedre is super nice and accommodating...she'll wrap everything up nicely for you and provide extra condiments (ketchup, tartar sauce, mango salsa, etc.) if you want to take your meal to go. If you choose to stick around, the atmosphere is friendly and peaceful. Lots of shade, friendly people, and even a cute and gregarious cat, if you're lucky! Just a terrific experience all-around. We'll be sure to stop by again (and again) the next time we're on the Big Island.
(5)Candi M.
I Love Da Fish House Lunch Wagon! The Auntie that runs this place is so kind, and I only add that in because her service is genuine and lunch is so darn yummy! I definitely recommend coming here after spending a great morning at one of the near by gorgeous Kohala beaches or while on your way north to Hawi or Kohala. The food is affordable, fresh and made with aloha! Oh, and definitely try the home made ice tea! It is freshly made each morning and way better than anything you can buy at Starbucks or 7-11.
(4)Michelle L.
Hidden gem! We found out about this because kohala pacific diner was closed. A gal at the store next door recommended the "wagon" across the street saying that the owner used to be a chef at one of the luxury hotels nearby. Not sure of the exact address but it is across from the 76 station and kawaihae market & deli. If you want luxurious surroundings, this is not the place for you. It's an econoline van on supports in the gravel parking lot of Da Fish House market. However, if you want this mornings fresh catch pan fried with simple salt and pepper, Cajun, beer batter or bread crumbs, this is the place!!!! Definitely not pre-cooked and waiting for orders. Daily specials depend on what is available from the mornings catch, but she said that she typically carries a fish and a burger or chicken option. Today, she has a light pasta salad in balsamic vinaigrette to go with the Mahi and fries. The Mahi was perfectly seared and still juicy. My son tried the beer battered mahi and it was very lightly battered, unlike the places that have a 1 inch coating to cover the flavor of the fish. He loved it so much that he was saying he should just get fish without the fries next time. Anyone who has a 9 year old knows that fries are a staple!!! Love this place and will be back!!!! Picnic tables next to the wagon are in the shade, but there is a nice breeze from the harbor.
(5)Emily W.
Awesome little place. Wagon parked up a driveway with a little tent awning to sit under. Got the seared ahi over green salad with papaya dressing.... Loved it! Best ahi I've had in a long time!!! Bf had the loco moco. He loved it too. Cheap with great food! Friendly people.
(5)ken a.
Up on the resort coast it is super hard to find (1) reasonably priced food and (2) actually good food (mediocre and overpriced is the resort standard). Of course most people are probably too busy playing golf or sitting by the pool. If you are on the more adventurous side, then I would suggest a lunch at the lunch wagon. The big draw is the fish. The fish is super fresh. I've been a couple times now and it is usually Ahi, Mahi Mahi or Ono. My favorite thing here is Ahi on a salad. Did puts a tasty little rub on the Ahi, then sears it to perfection (crispy outside, raw inside). It is literally melt in your mouth good. If you get the fish plate, which is popular for the amount of food and price, I suspect, my favorite is Mahi Mahi with the cajun rub. I get salad and fries but mostly because I'm not a big fan of pasta salads - I'm told they are good. The fish tacos are better than most on the island, especially BiteMe's, though they don't really compare to the fish tacos on Kauai. They do come in a flour shell, which isn't my favorite. But as I said, the fish is so good that the shell is merely a vehicle for the fish (unlike usually where the taco and accompaniments cover up the fish). Now having raved about fish I should mention (1) I almost never order fish on the mainland (it is normally not my first choice for food - pork is) and (2) the fish is prepared simply to enable the fish flavor and textures to come through. The truck is neatly packed in under a grove of trees - so it is super easy to miss, especially coming from the south. Great place to stop after being at the beach or just a nice afternoon lunch The lunch wagon is the best restaurant value north of Kona on the coast. This rating is based on other food on The Big Island - compared to say food trucks in Portland or fish on the beaches of Bahia it would be a 3 - but if you are hungry at lunch and in the area, this is tough to beat.
(5)Eugene B.
simple fish dishes prepared well. You pick the fish, you pick the seasoning, and if you want it in taco, sandwich, or plate lunch form. With fish this fresh you let the ingredients speak for themselves. However, this isn't speedy food. The woman who I presumes owns the business is doing battle all on her own. So when it's busy, there is a wait. prices are reasonable, approximately comparable to most plate lunch places.
(4)Jessica G.
I love random food finds and this is no exception. It's a blink-and-you'll-miss-it food truck on the side of the harbor and it looks rather unassuming but it's a great place to stop for lunch. I tried the fish tacos - 2 with a side for $11 - and they were pretty darn yummy. They were bigger than the fish tacos that you find at most places, almost twice as large, and stuffed with fish, lettuce, salsa, sour cream and topped with an olive. The fish was pretty fresh and I think it was the mahi mahi - it had a great flavor and no fishiness to it at all. Very yummy! other people at out table tried the daily fish special and the fish atop salad and I think we all agreed that the portions were right for the price and the taste was really, really good. It may take a while for your order to be ready but it is well worth it, especially since it appears to be made then and doesn't sit under a heat lamp only to be tossed out without thought. Very good stuff and somewhere I don't think I will forget!
(5)The Immature A.
Nowadays, with the gourmet food truck explosion, I get excited whenever I see a vehicle with more than 2 wheels that has a faint French fry scent. Half of the time it's a false alarm and turns out to be kids in the back of an SUV eating happy meals, but at least I can watch part of a movie through their back window as I'm driving behind them. The other half of the time, it's an actual food truck that's making my mouth water. This was the case on the Big Island of Hawaii, upon fiding Da Fish House Lunch Wagon. Unpretentiously parked by a fish market, with a dining area that's basically patio furniture beneath a big blue tarp, the lunch wagon is more like a retired RV than its big city, flashy food truck cousins. But what they lack on flash, they make up for in taste. Usually, I avoid seafood at all costs, unless it's fried to crispy perfection, or mayonnaise-d into a tuna sandwich lunch. My big exception: eating fish that I know was just swimming in the ocean a few hours before. That's the case at Da Fish House Lunch Wagon, where Didi, the co-owner will make sure your meal is perfect.
(5)Jamie R.
Another instance where YELP did not let me down and I am so happy to say it was on my vacation to the very lovely Hawaii! So resorts are insanely expensive, like loco moco for $16, YEAH RIGHT! Da Fish House so saved us! I like wouldn't eat hardly anything at all at our resort and go load up for cheap at this place. The gal behind the counter was super nice every time we came (about 6 times). I had the blackened tuna and the salt and pepper and chose the rice and mac salad on each visit, CRAZY GOOD! Love the outdoor seating under tarps :) I can't wait to visit again.
(5)Claire S.
We originally found this place through other Yelpers, and were so glad we did! The truck is right off of 270, with picnic tables in the shade. We had the ono fish special (which you can get one of several ways). Perfectly cooked and seasoned. The sides were delicious, and it has a relaxed atmosphere. The staff were friendly and helpful. Love to support this local business!
(5)Sarah S.
OMG!! This place is unreal!! If you like fancy eating don't bother, but if you value good fresh fish..STOP!! We enjoyed the ahi and the fish tacos, and while we were there saw a boat pull into the store unload fish and watched them prep it...cant get any fresher than that!!! YUM!
(5)Eric C.
This place reminds us of the Nico's Pier 38 on Oahu - both sells simple rice plates with fresh catch of the day. An office next to the food truck w/ the same name sells the fishes still in the ice boxes.. we tried two rice plates, one ahi and the other mahi-mahi, and Fish & Fries. The fish are really fresh and the fries were really good too! Even the sides were very well made and the food quality is good enough to serve in high end restaurants and fetch easily 3x the price. The food truck is about 7 minutes further north from Hapuna beach park and it's worth the detour to get your lunch here.
(5)Alan M.
Bought a 2 pound piece of Opah at the fresh fish part of Da Fish House. This fish cost $27 per pound and was highly recommended by the woman behind the counter. IT WAS ALL BONES. NEVER AGAIN !!!!
(1)John R.
Terrific little food truck with super fresh fish. Usually have ono, mahi mahi, and/or ahi, and serve it a variety of ways (plate with fish, fries or rice, salad; burger with fries/salad, etc.) with some simple seasonings (salt/pepper and cajun are my faves). Fries are great too, also like the mac salad and the green salad. They also have burgers and some local specials of the day, but I haven't had a chance to try any of those yet. Shaded tables that always seem to get a nice breeze. Great shave ice store across the street when you're done! Nothing fancy, but a delicious lowkey option for lunch.
(5)Monica S.
Of all the food places that I tried on the Big Island, DFHLW was my favorite....hands down! Amongst my party, we had the fish plate (mahi mahi or ahi, salad, fries), seared ahi over Caesar salad, and fish tacos. The latter two entrees were my absolute favorites. Most entrees were around $9. Caveats: limited hours, bug bites while eating, cash only, 15 minute wait for your food to be freshly cooked.....so worth it. I will recommend this lunch wagon to ALL my friends.
(5)Alan F.
Dining outdoors under a tarp next to a food truck never tasted so good. The special that day was pork stir-fry, which was delicious. we also ordered the fish of the day, beer battered with fries, also great. The burgers were tasty and cooked to order. If I'm back on the islands I will return
(5)Mike Y.
Awesome food. Friendly people. Definitely roadside. Food truck next to a small fish "market". Can't get any better than this!!! This is definitely not a remotely fancy place a all, pls be warned. Also, it is on the road-side across from a gas station, very easy to be missed. When i got there, the food truck lady told me that they just got new fishes from the fisherman. The market also got a huge ahi. Fresh fish was mahi, ahi and ono. We had fish-n-chips, grilled fillet with cajun and salt-n-pepper seasoning, etc. All very good. Preparation is simple otherwise it will overshadow the freshness of the fish. They let the fishes do all the talking and provide simple side dishes - rice, macaroni salad, fruit, fries, etc. The result is awesome.
(5)Nicole F.
Perfectly cooked fish, casual fresh-air atmosphere, great prices. I can't think of a better combo. Discovered this gem on a recent trip to the Kona side with my husband. We were excited to find an affordable spot to get some great fresh fish for lunch without a lot of hassle or cost. This place fit the bill. I knew it was going to be good when we spoke with the cook to order our lunches, but the results exceeded my expectations. Great fish, perfectly prepared, good sides, fresh salads, soft buns. Perfect. Can't wait to go back here!
(5)Andrew R.
A buddy was driving me by there and said straight up, "bad ass fish tacos!" Well today I stopped. Agreed. Bad ass fish tacos. I'm coming back.
(5)Tai T.
While going out to Hapuna Beach, we drove out to Kaiwaihae to stop at this Lunch Truck because of Yelpers. Great fresh food and friendly service. I got the fish plate (mahimahi) with the salad and fries... EXCELLENT. I'd definitely drive out of my way to go here. Note... Service is slow... but friendly.
(5)Max S.
I tried the fish tacos, and they were eh ok. The fish was fantastic, but the taco was lacking a little. Flour tortilla instead of corn and the fillings were a little bland. I'd go again based on other reviews and try a burger or plate. The lady running the truck was very nice.
(4)Zack S.
Fish tacos yum! Very good fish with excellent home made tortillas. Island salsa was a nice addition to the taco. Very large and filled me up with some potato mac salad to go with them. It's a taco truck, but the food is excellent by any restaurant standard. Would definitely go there again. Prices were cheap for Hawaii too. In the parking lot of the fish market near where the fishing boats come in, doesn't get much fresher than that. One of my favorite meals on the island, if you get a chance, definitely check it out.
(5)Victoria L.
* Rice hit the spot * MahiMahi - hit the spot grilled; fresh juicy; don't usually like mahi mahi as dry but this was good; fries were crispy * would get to go next time as the gnats get in the way of enjoying the food when you sit ouside
(4)Alex L.
Best mahi I had on the BI including Merrimans for 1/5 the price $10. Bring cash, closed on weekends.
(5)Carrie M.
We all ordered the fish tacos (yelp accolades). We all thought they were the best fish tacos EVER. The price is great compared to what else is available. The Mac salad didn't change my life, but it was still good. The fries were just plain crinkle cut but were fried crispy and delicious. It really wouldn't matter what the sides were, the fish tacos were out of this world!
(5)Lauren M.
My husband and I decided to try out the lunch wagon based off of the great Yelp reviews. Looking back, I wish we tried the fish tacos since most Yelpers worte about that. Instead, we both had the fish plate with fries and a salad. Basically its the fish and chips plus a salad for $2 more. Big mistake. The salad was wilted and the portion size was about 5 bites. The fries were good and fresh but a little skimpy too. We received three very small pieces of fish - you know those children's pancakes you can get at Ihop? Yes, the fish were about the size of those. So tiny and flat. It was cooked well and I do like the beer batter, but for $10 you can get a whole lot more for your money if you're craving fish and chips at Island Fish and Chips at the King Shops! I do want to say that the lady at the window is nice but I was disappointed to see how many people were smoking at nearby tables. The wind blew the smoke our way and we cleared out of there as soon as we finished our small plates of food...
(2)Marri M.
Went here on the advice of my mom and so glad we did. Went around 1ish and the truck was pretty busy. There was a whole table of local workers waiting for their food, which I took as a good sign. I had beer battered Mahi and fries, very good and could tell how fresh it was. Spot on with the amount of batter and the fish was cooked to perfection! The fries were nice and crispy but maintained the inner softness. Can't beat the $7 price tag either! My boyfriend got the same just with the macaroni salad instead. I tried a few bites, good also. He ate everything off his plate and enjoyed the remainder of my fries! Like the other reviewers said, she makes everything to order so there was a wait, but did not mind at all! I'm on Hawaiian time anyways!
(5)Nick C.
This place is a gem. Truly a gem. Mostly visited by locals, the older woman who runs this lunch wagon is sweet--and if you take the time she'll engage in pleasant conversation and provide some good local information. The outdoor seating is quaint and right next to the road, but it's under some shade trees and relaxing nonetheless. The food is really good and she prepares specials from fish caught that day. Prices are EXTREMELY reasonable for the location. Don't expect to be wowed by presentation, but for the money you can't get much better in this area of the big island. The lunch wagon is in the perfect spot to head to right after a morning beach outing and before heading to a new beach in the afternoon.
(4)Jared M.
exactly what we were looking for in a hawaiian lunch. as fresh of fish as you can ask for, no frills, outdoor seating. price can't be beat. only reason i give it 4 stars instead of five is that my wife and i both asked for seared tuna at 1045am right when it opened, no other patrons, and somehow managed to have it arrive overcooked. the owner apologized and said if we weren't happy we could have the tuna re-done, but given a rush to get over to Hilo by 1pm we didn't have the time.
(4)Ellen P.
After a morning of snorkeling and whale watching, we headed across the road, ravenous. The fish truck had been recommended, and the day before our group had seen a fisherman unloading mahi mahi onto the dock of the fish market next door. (Which has amazing fresh fish and great shoyu poke). The lunch we had yesterday, for preparation, the quality of the food and even the presentation (well, yes, plastic forks and paper plates) was absolutely first rate. One of our group had seared ahi tuna, I had beer-batter mahi mahi. I got to try my friend's fish taco with cajun spices. All were just amazing. Fresh, delicious, big portions. Make a side trip. Skip the hotel restaurant. Sit under the trees by a beat-up truck and enjoy the best meal you'll have on the Big Island.
(5)Alicia C.
I found out about this place from Yelp, and since we were driving around the entire Big Island, it was on the way! We had the blackened Ahi fish burger, and it was delicious! Such a bargain at only $6--the best deal in Hawaii! The woman was really nice too. This is really close to Waimea, a beautiful area, so go have a fish meal and see Wamea, and then you might as well go to Hamakua and the Waipio lookout too--it's really spectacular. Da Fish House is only open until 3:30, M-F.
(5)Christine G.
This is our 4th year visiting Da Fish House. We usually pick up some fresh Ahi to take to the condo and grill, and don't ever miss a chance to take some Poke home either -- it's out of this world!
(5)Vince V.
The Kawaihae Kitchen or the Sushi place next door was closed so I went across the street to the Lunch Wagon and couldn't have been happier. Woman working the grill was friendly and made some great recommendations. Fish was grilled to perfection and everything wrapped up quickly for me to take back to my resort. Would definitely recommend for a quick to-go lunch, although they do have some tables and chairs if you want to eat there while its hot.
(5)Eryn K.
Best fish tacos and generous portions. An added bonus is that she is great at accommodating those with food allergies. You will not be let down. Thanks Yelp for an awesome find. Heading back up there for our second helping!
(5)Eugene K.
We are not strangers to Hawaii in general and Big Island in particular. We had some nicely prepared fish on at least 4 islands and at some pretty fancy and expensive places. Da Fish House beats them all hands down. You simply can not find fish prepared that good at any other place no matter what you pay. Period. Didi rocks!
(5)