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Name: Aloha Eats
Address: 2534 N Clark St, Chicago, IL, 60614
Telephone: (773) 935-6828
Price range: Under $11
Rating: 3.92

Aloha Eats

2534 N Clark St, Chicago, IL, 60614

(773) 935-6828
Store is closed

Aloha Eats Menu

Saimin (noodle Soup)

Spam Saimin

Bbq Beef Saimin

Bbq Chicken Saimin

Plain Saimin
Salad

Bbq Chicken Salad

Bbq Beef Salad

Chicken Katsu Salad

Garden Salad
Mini Plates

Mini Bbq Chicken

Mini Bbq Chicken White Meat

Mini Chicken Katsu

Mini Chicken Katsu White Meat

Mini Bbq Beef

Mini Short Ribs

Mini Tofu Katsu

Mini Hamburger Steak

Mini Fried Shrimp

Mini Loco Moco

Spam (3 Slices) 2 Eggs 2 Scoops Rice (no Mac)

Portuguese Sausage 2 Eggs 2 Scoops Rice (no Mac)
Plate Lunch

Chicken Katsu

Hawaiian Bbq Chicken

Hawaiian Bbq Beef

Hawaiian Bbq Short Ribs

Hamburger Steak

Loco Moco

Spam Loco Moco

Kalua Pork

Grilled Salmon

Fried Shrimp

Tofu Katsu

Pork Katsu
Curry Plate Lunch

Curry Chicken Katsu

Curry Tofu Katsu

Curry Bbq Beef

Curry Fried Shrimp

Curry Bbq Chicken
Musubi

Spam Musubi

Bbq Chicken Musubi

Tofu Katsu Musubi
Burgers

Hamburger

Cheeseburger

Garden Burger

Shrimp Burger

Bbq Beef Burger

Bbq Chicken Burger

White Meat Bbq Chicken Burger

Deluxe
Sides

Macaroni Salad

French Fries

Rice

Kim Chee

Spam Grilled Slice

Fresh Broccolli & Carrot With Garlic

Haupia

Healthy Meal suggestions for Aloha Eats

Saimin (noodle Soup)

Spam Saimin [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bbq Beef Saimin [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bbq Chicken Saimin [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Plain Saimin [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Salad

Bbq Chicken Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bbq Beef Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chicken Katsu Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Garden Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Mini Plates

Mini Bbq Chicken [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mini Bbq Chicken White Meat [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mini Chicken Katsu [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mini Chicken Katsu White Meat [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mini Bbq Beef [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mini Short Ribs [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mini Tofu Katsu [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mini Hamburger Steak [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mini Fried Shrimp [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mini Loco Moco [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Spam (3 Slices) 2 Eggs 2 Scoops Rice (no Mac) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Portuguese Sausage 2 Eggs 2 Scoops Rice (no Mac) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Plate Lunch

Chicken Katsu [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Hawaiian Bbq Chicken [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Hawaiian Bbq Beef [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Hawaiian Bbq Short Ribs [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Hamburger Steak [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Loco Moco [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Spam Loco Moco [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Kalua Pork [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grilled Salmon [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fried Shrimp [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tofu Katsu [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pork Katsu [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Curry Plate Lunch

Curry Chicken Katsu [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Curry Tofu Katsu [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Curry Bbq Beef [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Curry Fried Shrimp [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Curry Bbq Chicken [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Musubi

Spam Musubi [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bbq Chicken Musubi [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tofu Katsu Musubi [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Burgers

Hamburger [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Cheeseburger [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Garden Burger [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Shrimp Burger [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bbq Beef Burger [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bbq Chicken Burger [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

White Meat Bbq Chicken Burger [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Deluxe [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Sides

Macaroni Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

French Fries [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Rice [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Kim Chee [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Spam Grilled Slice [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fresh Broccolli & Carrot With Garlic [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Haupia [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

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Write An Anonymous Review

M M.

This is the closest you can get to Hawaii in Chicago! With my obsession of Hawaii, I'm surprised it took me so long to get to this place after hearing about it last year. Finally I set out to take a bike trip there. Last Saturday, after watching Moody Church's first baptism on the lake that morning I continued my usual bike course to the Shedd and back north. Already feeling famished and thirsty by 11am (no breakfast), realizing Aloha Eats was too far, I stopped at Navy Pier and got the lowest priced meal deal there: a McD's Fish Meal $6 including a drink--the ice cold diet Coke most appealed to me right then. Afterwards, I walked around Navy Pier to burn off some calories and shop for a present for my godson, Josh, whose birthday is coming up. I headed back north along the path fighting a southwest breeze, it was a relief to leave the path as I headed for Aloha Eats. Somehow I got side-tracked along Lincoln--oh those diagonal streets--but I finally found my way to Clark Street. I sighted the attractive red lettering "Aloha " beckoning me in. At long last, I was going to get the simple yet pleasing rice/meat/shredded cabbage/macaroni salad combination that I was introduced to in Maui. A young man greeted me with the familiar layed-back friendly Hawaiian aura at the counter and took my order of the Hawaiian BBQ Mix Plate - $9.40 BBQ Beef, BBQ Chicken, and BBQ Beef Short-Rib. For a moment I was imagining myself back in Maui which was easy to do on one of the few beautiful perfectly warm sunny summer days in Chicago. As I was waiting observing the different business ads/cards left on the counter and the menu items, I was interrupted by a snotty tone of, "CAN YOU MOVE YOUR BAG?!" Immediately I was brought back to reality--this would never happen in Hawaii. I turned to see a young couple and their 2 kids seated at the table closest to the counter, the woman was standing ready to put her child in the baby carriage which my backpack must have been brushed up against. I excused myself, but my beautiful day was tarnished by the rudeness of this person. I couldn't help but feel sorry for her husband as I observed him addending to one of the kids seated next to him. How horrible it must be being married to such a woman, and to think the kids not learning how say, "excuse me" or "please". Seeing how they were not ready to leave, I decided to wait outside away from the negative spirit she released. On my way out I over heard some reminising of a past vacation at another table. I walked out into the Maui-like weather where the sidewalks were filled with happy people that day. There was a unique bike/carriage next to a pole not far from where I locked my bike against a tree. The father & son that owned it soon emerged as patrons of Aloha Eats. I wondered how many times they had visited Hawaii, I figure with that cool bike, they could probably afford to go a lot more times than I could :) Just as I walked back inside, my name was called and they were bagging my order. I carefully placed it into my backpack and headed back onto Lincoln Avenue to stop at Trader Joe's and pick up some Italian wine that was recently recommended by my friend, Jeannie. I thought it would go lovely with my Hawaiian dinner. One more errand and an hour later I was home to enjoy my Hawaiian meal, it was great and the portion lasted me for 4 meals :) I can't wait to go back and try every single item on the menu! What are the chances of me running into that rude woman again? Unfortunately with food this good--lots. Humm...maybe I'll have the Loco Moco next time! Gound beef patty, eggs sunnyside up, over rice, topped with gravy? Gashly I first thought, "Well, when in Maui, do like the Mauians eat."....then I tried it.--"WOW" (however, I believe credit was due to the Hawaiian raised beef & poultry, I doubt AE imports from Hawaii).
(5)
Justin L.

I love this place and I can't believe I haven't written a review yet! This place is a great value for your dollar, is perhaps the only Hawaiian style restaurant around, and just tastes great! The food is great! If you're expecting sit-down style fancy food, you're in the wrong place. This is everyday style food. I love the combination plate (BBQ ribs, chicken, and beef). I'm a fan of the mac salad, but if you're not (like some of my friends) you can swap out for french fries. The spam masubi is also worth a try! The location is great, but the parking situation is not. It's on Clark and it's in a busy stretch. So the location is great for pedestrians and anyone in the area, but it can be a mess when you need to park! HOWEVER, they deliver. Yep... people might not notice, but I've ordered take out from them before, they're prompt, there's a small fee, but for the convenience factor... who cares. Overall... one of my go-to eats when I want a casual meal.
(4)
Padraic C.

The chicken Katsu with white meat is the greatest. Definitely enough food for two people, true Hawaiian style with the portions. I eat here on the regular and will continue to. Oh yea the aloha drinks are super great as well. Yelp is really pushing me to say more and I really just want to order my food from aloha eats so yea, nothing more to add. Siracha lollipops intimidate me but my buddy is all about them.
(5)
Dan S.

Literally the worst food I have had in Chicago. I had the microwaved short rib w/ white rice. Nuff said.
(1)
Monica I.

I love this place! Me and some friends went here for lunch and we all loved the food. I had the combination plate with barbecue chicken and beef. I was expecting like barbecue sauce all over the meat but there was actually none on it. When I took my first bite into the food it was just an explosion of flavors. Their macaroni salad is not as sour as the deli one. It's just right and delicious. I would recommend going to this place. For the price of the food, it's worth it because I think you get a lot. The people there are so friendly and polite. Great service. If you're looking to try something new, go here and try it out. You won't regret it.
(5)
Andrew L.

I have had pretty much everything on the menu, but as of late I've been eating the same dish, the grilled salmon. It's great they give 3 pieces, rice and this salad thing. I give this place four stars because I wish they had more seafood dishes other than the Salmon and the occasional specials. Maybe it's a Hawaiian thing? I'm not sure but I think there are more Hawaiian seafood dishes right? The food is great and the prices are awesome! I come here at least 3-6 times a month.
(4)
Mike L.

Absolutely love this place, excellent food and great service. I will always come back for more. Plus they're super nice people and help out their community that's in need.
(5)
Jelena Z.

I've had Aloha Eats bookmarked on Yelp for YEARS. Literally. After finally giving them a highly-anticipated try last night, I'm disappointed to say I wasn't blown away. After reading that the plate lunches are gargantuan, I opted to go with the smaller, more figure-friendly mini-plate. The teriyaki-marinated Hawaiian BBQ chicken was calling my name! Not sure how healthy my meal became once you factor in the scoop of white rice and a side of the macaroni salad, but after a fierce stint at the gym, I figured I deserved it. Once in my car, I inspected my to-go container less for accuracy and more for the amazing smell that had overtaken my Saab. Boo - unfortunately, my meal wasn't packed very well and the contents had spilled into the plastic bag. All three chicken filets had escaped and there was sticky sauce leaking everywhere. I realize that this is a "mini-plate", but I didn't think that meant I needed to handle it as if it were a baby! It appeared that too much food had been packed into a much too small container. Finally home and inexcusably hungry (yeah, I forget to eat sometimes when I'm busy), I tore into my meal. At last, we're alone... and you know what? The macaroni salad was the best part. Simple with probably too much mayo, it was perfect. The rice was fine and tasted even better once mashed up against the teriyaki-glazed chicken. I did go with the white meat option, so maybe that's why the chicken wasn't as flavorful as I had expected. It could have used a bit more sauce, too. All in all, a decent meal especially considering the low price ($6 something and change). But would I finagle busy Clark St parking again for a slightly-better-than-average, ill-packaged meal? Probably not. Maybe I'm just missing something, but... aloha does mean "hello" and "goodbye".
(3)
Raph V.

I don't know it took me this long to write a review! I go here once Only Hawaiin spot I know in the city and this is as close to the Island food I grew up on it. Staff and food is awesome.
(5)
Hoang L.

I tried the Chicken Katsu + BBQ Chicken combo and I must say, the Katsu is okay (some parts were really hard and felt like my teeth were going to break). I don't have sensitive teeth, by the way. The BBQ Chicken was awesome though; very tender. Definitely recommend. Portions were very generous, definitely enough for 2 people. I had to bring half of my food home. Beware: no bathrooms.
(4)
Amanda C.

Extremely well priced! Came back from Hawaii this fall and was craving a plate lunch! Love the burger, tonkatsu and the musubi. I was pleasantly surprised with prices considering the area that it is in. There are really not that many restaurants that have authentic Hawaiian food. Highly recommend it.
(4)
Brian L.

ALOHA! I use to love this place, but I am not too happy with it anymore. It's over rated, once I learned how Hawaiian food is prepared it's nonsense for how much they charge you here. Seriously spam, rice, eggs, and gravy - I can go to the grocery store and buy bundles which will last me for days, but I went here the other day and I spent $10 dollars, WTH? It's very unhealthy for you too. If you have a huge appetite and don't cook at home much, this is the spot for you.
(2)
Kyle P.

I like this place. Been to small towns in Hawaii growing up and this place is at least authentic. Can't get anyone else to live this place or even be willing to go back but I like it
(4)
Irene Z.

For some reason, I thought I'd already Yelp'd this ages ago since it's one of my favorites spots. Our last visit here solidifies my love for this place. Aloha Eats delivers a solid mixed plate lunch complete with rice and mac salad. It reminds me of a popular local joint on Maui called Aloha Mixed Plate (if you're ever on Maui, you MUST go). While the food may not be as 'authentic' as on the islands, this is the best Hawaiian food you'll find in Chicagoland and probably even in the Midwest. My personal faves at Aloha Eats are the spam musubi, loco moco, katsu and kalua pork. Though, we've pretty much tried the whole menu and everything is a win. Portions are generous. The mac salad is so simple yet so good...I try to recreate it at home, but it always tastes better here. They have canned juice imported from Hawaii including POG. Desserts are delish and everything on the menu is reasonably priced and won't break the bank. The staff is great, very friendly and fast counter service. If you're dining in, seating can be sketchy since it's not a big place (only about 4 tables that seat 2-4 people, comfy wooden booths and tables) and a counter facing the window with a couple of seats. Walls are decorated with vintage Hawaiian memorabilia and it's a clean place. They deliver the food to you once it's ready. Carrying out is easy and quick. Very casual with an Aloha feel. We used to come here a lot more often and I'm sad we don't get out here as much as we used to. But when we're on Clark and in the area, it's always our first choice.
(5)
Stevie J.

I always get the plate with half katsu, half teriyaki chicken. It's enough to feed a family of four, or one of me. The katsu can be inconsistent, sometimes it's spot on, other times it's been a little too thin so it overcooks in the fryer. But usually it's very good.
(4)
Amanda F.

Aloha may mean "Hello," but in the case of Aloha Eats I mean "Goodbye!" My group take out order last weekend. The food was underwhelming, but it was very cheap. I ordered the Plain Saimin soup and the BBQ Chicken Salad. The Soup was hyped up ramen and needed some spice. The BBQ chicken topped a bagged-salad-esque bed of iceberg lettuce and carrots with a few tomatoes. The BBQ chicken lacked sauce and some kick. I don't really understand why there wasn't some special Hawaiian dressing. It needed it. My friends ordering the Chicken Katsu seemed to be more please than myself. I like its location, cheap pricing, and concept, but you get what you paid for.
(2)
Nicole S.

I ordered the Hawaiian BBQ combo plate for pick up. It was ready in the 5-10 min they quoted me on a Friday evening! I loved the bbq chicken and beef but the short ribs...not so much. Luckily there was just a small piece of that with the meal. The macaroni salad was also just your average macaroni salad. The rice with that sauce=delicious! Overall, I loved it..and totally worth the $10! I was starving and could only eat half of it!
(4)
Ervin R.

I finally found a place to get my Loco Moco fix and I didn't need to travel to Hawaii! Great food for a great price!
(5)
Justine M.

I like the concept and taste. They give you lots of food for a good price. lots on the menu. A pretty small inside but cozy. Chicken katsu was disappointing - they gave you A LOT but it was mostly fried....not much chicken. If you don't have a big appetite, I suggest you get a mini order of something. It comes with a good amount for one person.
(3)
Rebecca P.

After an emotionally exhausting couple of hours at the zoo (why did we go? there is no place more depressing than a zoo), my boyfriend and I followed a rainbow to its end, which led us to Aloha Eats. I will never turn my nose up at spam and macaroni salad, so we ordered two of what ended up being almost disgustingly huge lunch plates... almost. We both ate our lunches in silence, me snapping only once when my boyfriend's fork found its way into the pile of macaroni I was saving for my last bite. Don't think so, buddy. We pretty much rolled out of here and decided to take a casual stroll to settle our stomachs. I definitely polluted the air around the nearby lake with my hour-long fart, but I have no regrets - except that I went to the zoo.
(4)
CJ B.

OMG I love this place! Aloha Eats was the place who introduced me to spam and turns out it's pretty darn good! Their portions are enormous! when you go eat here, you definitely will end up with left overs for the next day! I love their BBQ chicken! It's so juicy and tender with the perfect amount of teriyaki sauce! I also recommend the spam musubi!!!
(5)
timothy n.

For a Hawaiian food place in the midwest, its good. When I came to Chicago for school, there genres of food that I missed, especially coming from Las Vegas and living in San Diego. Mexican and Hawaiian. The Mexican part I'm still trying to solve, but when I searched Spam Musubi on yelp, Aloha Eats came up. I brought some friends who had never had Hawaiian food before and they simply loved it. I liked it as well, but it made me want to go home. (There are a lot of Hawaiians in Las Vegas). Price-wise, I can get a much cheaper meal elsewhere, but the chicken katsu is one of the best I've had. Overall, I'm going to be living in an apartment for the next semester and I actually have my own spam musubi mold and will be getting one of my Hawaiian friends to teach me how to make chicken katsu. But I will always take my Chicago friends who have never had Hawaiian food to this place :)
(3)
Fiona L.

The mini BBQ chicken is great and enough for a person. Combined is too much, but if you have a strong appetite, order this kind is Ok. What's important, it's really cheap!
(5)
Rick C.

Always a great reminder of college life in Hawaii......love the plate lunches!
(4)
Dorothy P.

A friend and I came here before seeing Anuhea perform at Martyrs. Parking is scarce, but what do you expect for the city? After a short stroll from our car, I was ready for a tasty plate lunch and some Portuguese sausage (if I was lucky). Aloha Eats serves a fantastic chicken katsu & I was even able to satisfy my craving for some good ol' Portuguese sausage (YUMMMMM!). I was a little disappointed that they were out of haupia for dessert, but I always keep a packet or two of Noh at home, so no worries there. The staff is super friendly, and although the seating is a little sparse, the atmosphere is cozy. I wish I lived closer so that I could indulge in a little aloha in the Second City whenever I want, but I'm guessing my waistline is thankful that I don't.
(4)
Patrick O.

The best if not ONLY THE BEST Hawaiian food for 'locals' meaning this is the style / type of food if you lived in Hawaii this is what the local's eat.
(5)
Jonny P.

One of us is from Hawai'i. Be forewarned. This place has delicious food... coming from someone who was born and raised in the islands... it's worth it if you're homesick. It's the only local food joint besides Roy's... and as we, locals, know... Roy's is more high-end local food. It definitely feels more like a take-out restaurant... The workers don't pronounce the dishes correctly... meh. We're giving it a 4... because it's a good attempt. a very good.. midwestern attempt. LOCATION Lincoln park... pretty convenient to get to. AMBIENCE cheesy decor... obama posters FOOD Chicken Katsu: crispy, panko breaded chicken... deep fried, who can say no? But.. the breading is super crunchy, on the thicker side. The katsu sauce though... when I make mine at home it's usually less "oily".... Kalua Pig and Cabbage: pretty smoky, not as salty as I would expect it to be. It really wasn't as savory as the dish should be... but it's a good midwestern attempt at the salty goodness that is kalua pig. Spam Musubi: too much rice... not enough spam. I make better spam musubis. Mac Salad: too much mayo.... God, I miss real plate lunches from home. Rice: it wasn't good. let's just keep it at that.
(4)
MJ B.

I've been here a few times. I enjoy the portion size, which is basically a shit load of awesome food. I normally get something katsu. Pork or Chix depending on my mood. The sauce it comes with it is also great. The consistency is nice & thick and I love to drizzle it onto the crusted protein. The rice portion is more than enough & my favorite is def the macaroni salad. One of the best macaroni salads that I've encountered. What really got me to return is the friendly customer service. His name slips my mind atm but I struck up a convo about Hawaii and eating spam, among other Hawaiian lifestyles. He was really open to share & linguistic. He made my experience more enjoyable & was very professional. This place is more of a take out/delivery but it does have ample seating. Their wood benches are a bit hard for my taste but they also have window seating, which is nice to people watch on Clark. Also, the lady who works there also is very nice & polite which when I walk into an establishment I expect my experience/transaction to go smoothly with a nice, friendly demeanor. I've brought many friends and will be recommending it often. Expect to pay around $10 but it is worth it with its portions. If you're going with a female I would recommend splitting an entree. I shared mine usually with my guy & we were both very full & satisfied. The decor is pretty cool & I enjoy they decided to not go the cheesy Hawaiian route. Also Belly friendly!
(4)
Phillip N.

The chicken katsu was good along with the macaroni salad. Service was fast and friendly.
(4)
Mikey J.

I came here with four of my Hawaiian friends. Count it. FOUR. Now you would think at least one would steer my in the right direction for a quality dish at Aloha, but nope. Didn't happen. I ordered a Hawaiian special, the Spam Loco Moco, and was hoping to be pleasantly surprised. Wow, it was a Debbie Downer. I paid close to $10 for: three pieces of SPAM on rice, two eggs, and gravy... How is this even possible? How does spam, eggs, and gravy cost so much? I thought maybe these are special Hawaiian spams, eggs, or gravy. NOPE, It was the same stuff you could buy at a grocery store and make in 2 minutes. I don't get this place. I really don't. Sadface. And this is coming from a guy who loves Hawaiians.
(2)
Jillian P.

I have been wanting to try out this place forever and I finally decided to stop in, when i was in the area. There's so many choices, I couldn't decide! I went with the Spam Misubi and mini-katsu plate, but when I got to the register, something told me to get the BBQ plate and musubi. Chicken, kalbi and bulgogi! All things I love. The girl at the register wasn't all there, but it was busy and I get that. She could have at least said thank you after she packed up my order. The first thing I dove for was the misubi. Honestly, I was kind of disappointed. The rice was kind of dry and the thing was monstrous. I ate it anyways because I was starrrrving! So this was two days ago, I'm still working on finishing this food! I know how to make most of the dishes they serve but I'd definitely go back to try out their Loco Moco and other more authentic dishes.
(4)
Angie M.

These fools can fry up some stuff, lemme tell ya! If you find yourself with a hankering for some greasy goodness, look no further than Aloha Eats. Initially skeptical, mainly because I don't recall ever really eating Hawaiian food, I was surprised at how easy it is to find some 'safe' stuff on the menu. Having been on something of a healthy eating kick, I ordered the grilled mahi mahi burger, which is just a grilled mahi mahi sandwich, added the lettuce and tomato for 15 cents and got ready to indulge in some Hawaiian grub. Since we got our food to go, I didn't check the bag for accuracy and I really wish I had because I was given a heavily breaded, super fried mahi mahi sandwich instead of the grilled sammy I was craving. Maybe it was a blessing in disguise because it turns out the fried fish was actually absolutely delicious. The batter is super thick giving the protein a most excellent crunch. Mmm! Someone's looking at some extra time on the treadmill today, but I don't even care. It was worth it. I also sampled the chicken katsu, which is a boneless, skinless fried chicken breast, sliced over a bed of rice and served with katsu sauce on the side. It's kind of like Hawaiian chicken fingers. The sweet sauce is finger lickin' good. I grabbed a taste of the fried shrimp, too. It was moist and tasty. Notice a theme here? You pick the meat, they fry it up. But they fry it up good! There are two other HUGE selling points for Aloha Eats aside from their fried food-a-polloza. One would be CHEAP and the other would be HUGE PORTIONS. How cheap, you ask? My meal of the mahi mahi sammy and a ginormous side of fries was about $6. Most of the plates where you get your meat, a mountain of rice and macaroni salad hover right around the $8-$9 range. C'mon now. Cheap, fast, easy AND tasty? Get there.
(4)
Debbie F.

Been here a couple times; I don't understand what is so popular about plain rice with meat? Chicken Katsu - is breaded fried chicken cutlet on rice. No egg, no onions Japanese Katsu don style. Spam Loco Moco - 2 pieces of luncheon meat with eggs and rice. I asked for sunny side eggs, but they were borderline undercooked :/ Macaroni salad was okay. Service is great and ambiance is passable - light wooden tables and chairs, but the price is ridiculous for such plain food. You could get the same dishes for SGD$2-3. I certainly hope this restaurant is not an accurate representation of Hawaiian food.
(2)
Kate M.

I'm no longer a Spam virgin. Sigh. I had the Kahlua Pork and it was really tasty. Not much to look at, but don't let that fool you. It's served with boiled cabbage and heaps of rice, and of course, macaroni salad. Everything is accompanied by macaroni salad. I don't know if it was just that I'm new to Hawaiian food and wanted to try everything, but the menu had lots of appealing options that I wanted to try. Of course, I also had some Spam. Spam masubi to be exact. Described as a block of rice with teriyaki sauce and hot spam topping wrapped in a belt of nori; that's exactly what it was. A fairly large block of rice for that matter. It was ok, probably not the best mixture of flavors, but not bad. For my first Spam experience it was ok. The Spam and rice were good together. The restaurant is counter service and the food is served in styrofoam containers. I'd rather they use plates and washable silverware if you're eating in to cut down on waste, but I won't boycott them because of it. I would recommend Aloha Eats, especially for a quick meal when you're hungry.
(4)
Linnea L.

This place is by far the favourite take out joint in Lincoln Park for me and my husband. Their Mix BBQ plate is amazing! The chicken is so moist and nicely spiced. We haven't had chicken like that anywhere else. My husband is also a fan of the shrimp burger (me not so much). We did try spam musubi on one occasion and it was definitely interesting. I'm not a huge fan of spam, but that's hardly their fault. All their food plates are served with a yummy macaroni salad. If you're wanting a quick, large (or a meal to share), affordable meal and you're in Lincoln Park, this is the place to go!
(5)
Janet E.

Hmm....maybe my expectations for this place were too high? But I wasnt that impressed with the food. It was only okay. I ordered my food to go and waited about 5 minutes, which was super fast. Then again, I was the only person waiting for her food. I ordered the BBQ chicken, which was perfectly brined. It definitely could have used some teriyaki sauce though. The macaroni salad was really creamy. Too creamy for my taste. The chicken was on a bed of cabbage. I really wish the cabbage was cooked and not raw. That would have really made me enjoy my meal more. Prices here were okay.
(3)
Davin L.

For those of you looking for native Hawaiian/Polynesian cuisine, this is definitely NOT the place. However, if you're in the mood for authentic Hawaiian comfort food in large, tasty portions, don't pass up this gem in Lincoln Park. I had the chicken katsu curry over rice with saimin noodles with SPAM (only way to have it!), and it was more than I could eat in one sitting. The only thing I could possibly knock on this place is the lack of seating during busy hours, but that's the price of popularity I suppose.
(4)
Patrick Z.

I have frequented Aloha Eats several times and have tried everything on the menu, from the Kalbi plate to the can of tropical juice imported from Hawaii. The Kahlua pork plate is excellent. I envision that the pulled pork literally falls off of the bone without any effort after cooking. And it melts in your mouth when you scoop it with a little mound of white rice and that Kahlua juice. The cabbage is never overcooked and has a nice bite to it. They have those spam dishes (spam-rice-eggs, musuhi), those rice plates (chicken/pork/shrimp katsu's), and mochi for dessert. However, the 2nd best dish at Aloha Eats is the loco moco. Almost (not exactly) as good as Aloha Mix Plate in Maui (check out my other review). After you break that egg yolk and mix it with that brown gravy and spoon a piece of the hamburger beef and rice...shoot...I am making myself hungry writing this.
(5)
Victor M.

Been here many times before. What I usually order is the BBQ Chicken Musubi. My friends usually order the combo platters. On a Sunday night, I was quite hungry. So instead of getting the usual Musubi. I went for a Spam Musubi and mini plate of chicken cutlet. The macaroni salad was always good, but quite heavy. I personally felt the cutlet was too greasy, battered, and crispy. I guess I really didn't want the cutlet because I traded with my friend for his bbq chicken. The spam musubi needs.. more spam. Cashier is nice and the place is getting a bit run down. It's probably just me but the smell and feel of the place is beginning to resemble a fastfood chinese restaurant.
(3)
Jim K.

Go all the time, get a mini plate lunch,crazy amount for such a low price! The BBQ chicken and chicken katsu are my favs
(5)
Vince L.

Love the food. Its 8.50 chicken katsu is super a lot, I could share with my friend.
(5)
Frances X.

First of all, we didn't think it was so cheap as the reviews here have suggested. A two person lunch for $26? I would rather go to a nicer sit-down Indian or Mediterranean place with real plates. I ordered the BBQ short rib. It is nothing like the tender savory Korean short ribs I can get a few doors down the block: it is very hard to chew and almost burned. I think it is a matter of meat quality. My husband got the salmon. It is very dry and he didn't even want to eat it. The rice is very good though. I wish the cabbage is a little cooked instead of being hard, dry and raw. The whole menu looks very unhealthy. Sure, SPAM may taste good, but one can get a can in the grocery store and one probably should not eat that fatty food anyway. I guess this is just not our type of food. Glad that we didn't go to Hawaii for honeymoon if that's what Hawaii food is like.
(2)
Nhan P.

I don't care what you think; it's still programmed as Aloha Grill on my phone. On this particular night I ordered my usual BBQ mixed plate and the Shrimp/BBQ chicken dinner. The portions are huge -yay leftovers! The shrimps were big and fried to perfection. The spare ribs had a big chunk of fat at one end, but it was particularly tender and seasoned perfectly. A little bit of sweet with a hint of soy. The macaroni salad is out of this world. I don't normally enjoy extra creamy food, but when mixed with the bed of raw cabbage, it is delicious. Where else can one get dinner for 2 for $20?
(4)
Czarina C.

This is my first five star review on Yelp, because Aloha Eats was so damn ono that the tastes and smells of my Hawaiian BBQ Chicken plate is still burned into my brain and etched into my consciousness, like a song on repeat that I can't stop, literally begging the question: when can I go back for more? The chicken was grilled and lovingly tossed in a perfect concoction of BBQ and terriyaki sauce, and super tender. Served with a generous portion of rice and macaroni salad and I was in love. Oh wait, can't forget about the cabbage and one slice of spam I ordered on the side. All the flavors were the perfect blend of salty, sweet, tangy and downright deliciousness. It's like the best backyard barbecue ever and something tells me it's probably pretty authentic. I'd usually end with a clever quip here, but seriously, all I have is...when can I go back for more?
(5)
David G.

Spam spam spam spam wonderful spam spam spam lovely spam spam spam I might just not "get" Hawaiian barbecue and I might have to try it again and again to finally get it. The food was decent enough, but it was nothing to shout about. I ordered the Chicken Katsu, which was breaded and fried chicken dark meat that came with a dark sauce that reminded me of barbecue sauce. Just like every other dish, it came with a mega super ultra carb explosion of rice and a scoop of macaroni salad. The chicken seemed over-fried and tough. The macaroni salad was just OK. And you can't really screw up rice. The good thing is that the portions were huge. I could barely close the styrofoam container it came in. Now let's talk about the SPAM musubi. It's a huge brick of rice topped with a slice of SPAM and wrapped in nori. I love SPAM and rice, but I couldn't get past the flavor of the seaweed and the soy sauce that was added to it, making it a little saltier than I had expected. I think frying SPAM at home and eating it with steamed rice is more worth the trouble. Overall the food was OK, but the portions were huge and the service was pretty quick. And I love SPAM so I can't really speak badly of a place that makes use of that wonderful pink square of whatever it is. Meat? Who knows. It's good though. Try it!
(3)
Elizabeth C.

Aloha is my favorite place for lunch or a quick dinner! I have never eaten in bc my apt was so close, but I loved loved loved getting take out from here! I always got the fish-- it comes with rice & the best macaroni salad ever-- the recipe seems like it would be so simple, but I have never successfully recreated it!
(5)
Dianne D.

Love the food at Aloha Eats. It's consistently good. I normally get the BBQ Grilled Chicken and substitute for white meat. It's sooooo good and filling. The dishes are very large portions and you can get two meals out of it. The chicken comes on a bed of rice with a macaroni salad. I normally get take out. Wished I lived closer but when I'm in the area, I will stop by. The place is small and parking is tough in the area. It's the city, and it's in Lincoln Park/Lakeview, so it really shouldn't be much of a surprise. Check it out. You won't be disappointed.
(5)
Jules L.

Great for a quick bite and or take out. Friendly service. Chicken tonkastu and their macaroni salad are DElish!
(4)
Justin K.

How this place hasnt gotten 1 star by anyone in the recent past is beyond me. I had seen all the good reviews on here and finally decided to venture into this joint, and lets just say i wouldnt eat there again using your mouth. My "meal" consisted of the grilled mahi sandwich and the bbq chicken noodle soup thing. The sandwich was really mediocre at best, with the grilled fish being completely overshadowed by the lame burger bun that you normally see at family picnics. However, my main problem was with the chicken noodle soup. The noodles in the soup were terrible. You know youre eating a bad noodle soup when a 15 cent ramen noodle packet would have tasted better. Even worse was the "chicken" I attempted to consume in the soup!!! Maybe they should rename the menu item to BBQ Cat Noodle Soup?? The pieces of meat were all some weird dark rubbery consistency, there is no way this was any part of a chicken! I am still mildly curious about trying the spam there that everyone talks about, but after last nights debacle I think curiousity has killed the cat, and so did Aloha Eats and they put it in my soup. (I dont even care if that last part didnt make sense)
(1)
Laura C.

Save yourself a trip here and go to McDonald's down the street. The filet-o-fish is better than what I had at Aloha and much quicker. We ate here on a Monday night, and after waiting 20 minutes for a grilled mahi mahi sandwich, I bit into a mediocre fillet on a plain bun that truly disappointed me. The fries were also a bit lacking in quality. The place did have a really friendly cashier, but that isn't enough to bring me back.
(1)
third m.

I got a combo dish of BBQ beef and chicken katsu. BBQ beef was tasty and came in a good volume. Chicken katsu, however, was a collection of paper thin chicken slices deep fried. I don't know if that's a Hawaiian style but usually katsu meat should be much thicker in each slice (at least that's how it is when you get tonkatsu in japan). I felt like I was just eating a bunch of deep fried bread crumbs and did not enjoy it much as a result. I definitely didn't think it was a great value on chicken katsu. Other items might be great though so I will try the place again later.
(3)
Jason G.

Having just been to Hawaii an still having the taste of the food in my mouth, Aloha Eats is as close as you can get to local Hawaiian grub without driving out to O'Hare and hopping on a plane. If you are looking for "native" Hawaiian food like poi and kalula pig, you might be disappointed. This isn't a luau, it's local fare like katsu, musubi, saimin and other asian influenced dishes you find in many plate lunches in Hawaii. Portions were huge too, so I was able to have leftovers for lunch and that is always a plus.
(5)
Van L.

i love hawaii and everytime i think about it i cry, because i can't afford to go back again anytime soon. so then i venture into aloha eats and spend $5 on a meal that could feed me for the next two days. sometimes when i am hungover, the loco moco (rice, gravy, egg, hamburgery goodness) is the way to go. chicken katsu, pulled pork are other faves. rice, macaroni salad...it's as if you're ordering a real plate from a beach stand in hawaii. it's a small spot; i don't eat inside often because then i get sad about hawaii again...so i take it home. but go, check out a little piece of the islands here in chicago.
(4)
Keopu R.

My review, unfortunately has to be based on my visit a year ago because that's the last time I've been to Chicago. However, I frequented the restaurant regularly before we moved, and I can tell you that this is the BEST Hawaiian plate lunch place I have ever visited - mainland or Hawai'i. First off, the food is so delicious and "authentic" as one would call it. I usually got the mini chicken katsu with all rice (no mac salad because I didn't like it even when I lived in Hawai'i) and a side of curry. One of my friends was not a big fan of their curry, but I surely was. Their bbq chicken is done well and definitely has a lot of flavor. The bbq beef though is a standout. Usually bbq beef can be tough or too thick, but Aloha Grill's (as it was known then) beef is perfectly sliced and seasoned. I am also told the tofu katsu is excellent - and it even inspired me to try my hand at a baked tofu katsu recipe! The spam musubis are good as well. Portions are extremely generous. I was often very very full off of the mini plate. The combo plate can definitely be split. The musubi come in twos, btw. The service is always the best. I always feel welcomed. The best part though was even in a city with millions of people, I felt like I was back in the islands again. I was always warmly greeted and had wonderful chats with Ivan when he was working. I would get the low-down on anything going on with the growing Hawaiian and Hawai'i communities in Chicagoland too. And when there were other people from Hawai'i dining we would often instantly strike up conversation over our common bond of the islands. I can't rave enough about the restaurant. The owners and workers are amazing. The food is amazing. The whole place just makes me smile thinking about it again. Who knew such a little place could cure my homesickness with such great food and company!
(5)
Farrin A.

Soooooooo yummy!!! The BBQ Chx White Meat is delish. I would eat the macaroni e'ryday. Need better "green" takeout packaging, but they sell Spam so you can't ask for too much....
(5)
Annie R.

One word: Foodgasm. My friend who Is from Hawaii touts this as authentic hawaiian food, and cures her homesickness. I've never been to Hawaii, so I would describe it as the best of all Asian food combined! I usually get the mixed BBQ plate, which has a tasting of the delicious Chicken, Short Ribs, and Beef. You also get scrumptious macaroni salad and rice!! It's a giant plate of food for much less than $10. My friends like the loco moco, which is a patty with gravy over rice. Yum!!!!! Also try the spam wasubi (it's like sushi with spam) because nobody does spam as well as Hawaiians! :) Be cautioned: this is a fast food place. There are a few tables for seating, but everything is served to-go in a styrofoam box. But, I love it because when I open it, all the warm flavors rush out! Smells like love! :)
(5)
Viv C.

This is probably the worthy restaurant I ever had in the past three years. (I mean in Chicago area). Big Portion, Very Affordable price, and Excellent Food!! I have been there many times since I found out three years ago and even though the economy downturn, the food quality still remains the same as usual! When my saving drops so much on my bank account, or when I want to enjoy eating big chunk of meat, I will order food here!! Even though it's a fast food restaurant, it is way better than McDonald's or Applebee's...
(5)
Audre L.

I just love this place. Sad I moved out of the neighborhood. Get the mini plate lunches if you have a smaller apetite/ are a girl. Love the beef there. Mac salad rocks
(5)
melissa a.

my first experience here wasn't very note worthy...ive been to hawaii and didnt think it was worth my time to go back and try the food for a 2nd time....BUT i went last night just to accompany friends and ended up ordering the mini-bbq beef, it comes with a serving of mac salad and rice but they did allow me to get rice only. Let me tell you this mini plate made up for my last encounter. Even the chicken katsu was good! Ill have to go back and try something else...maybe see if they have a chicken katsu/bbq beef plate. The staff was super friendly and brought the food to our table. They did not care that we were talking loud and took up 2 of their big tables. they even joked around with us in the end. Parking is a pain, so be prepared to drive around at least 2x before finding a spot. But stick around there is a lot to do on the block of clark...get dessert, coffee or a drink. your choice.
(3)
Tim R.

Great food and large portions for the price. The place is always busy. Chicago is known for pizza, its goofy hotdogs and steaks. We skip all of those eateries for Aloha Eats.
(5)
Coleen K.

I ordered a mini chicken BBQ plate from here and was not thoroughly impressed. Though the chicken was nicely seasoned and moist, it surely wasn't anything special. Came with a scoop of plain white rice (I can easily cook at home) and their signature mac. While the mac is good, it's definitely not anything to write home about. I was hoping to find a fun new spot in the new hood, but this won't be it.
(3)
Michelle M.

sooo good, omg. i always get the same thing: tofu katsu with fries instead of macaroni salad. and it is always SO GOOD. the tofu sauce is fantastic, but the crispy, breaded tofu is delicious even by itself! i used to live 1/2 a block away from this place and now live more like 30 miles away in the suburbs, but we still come back here whenever we have the chance because it is just that good!
(5)
Richie D.

ALOHA HAWAIIAN FOOD! Welcome to Chicago! I was happy to see that an actual Hawaiian family offers something different than the various staple Thai restaurants on Clark. I'm sorry to say that my friends dragged me in here; the Spam on the menu turned me away. Yet, I gave in to peer pressure and enjoyed the experience. I had the Chicken Katsu (also available in pork) which is what the Latinos would call it "Milanesa." Instead the chicken is enveloped with light breadcrumbs and comes with a tangy brownish-red sauce. It also is accompanied by two sides, white rice and their Mac Salad, tuna-salad elbow pasta. It was a sweet surprise when I 'waved my left overs the next day and found the food tasting even BETTER than when it was fresh! The portions are very large (share between 2 people or take a next-day's lunch). I did the "Mini" plate and there is nothing mini about it. They also have an interesting canned Hawaiian fruit juice that I enjoyed. The Kiwi-Strawberry tasted like the same Arizona tea flavor. Take advantage of their delivery. In the end, don't let the Spam drop your stomach or the cheesy tourist Honolulu pictures on the walls!
(4)
Ben K.

Once upon a time I lived across the street from this place for over a year and heard myriad rave reviews about the delicious hawaiian food it served up. Today, I finally followed through on the initiative to check out Aloha Eats. The experience was utilitarian at best. I ordered the BBQ chicken plate. Now don't get me wrong; this is a fairly massive plate of food. It's just not impressive. The rice is rice. I like rice. This part was fine. The chicken (I got white meat) is just boring. 4 or 5 thin grilled cutlet pieces that tasted like basically nothing. They were also slightly overcooked and thus fairly dry. The entire plate is also served over a bland tasteless and somewhat bitter white shredded cabbage that I quickly learned not to consume. Maybe I shouldn't be so harsh. I did take down most of the meal. But this was probably due only to the Smoke Daddy BBQ Sauce I added to it when I got my to-go order home for consumption.
(2)
Josh Y.

My mom and I split two combos: the BBQ and the seafood. BBQ was great, seafood was too heavily breaded. And what's with the styrofoam containers and plastic utensils? Is that truly the Hawaiian way? This could be a unique spot if it were a tad more authentic. As of yet it's standard fare.
(3)
D. C.

Oh, Aloha Eats, how I love thee. I was introduced to this place about 2 years ago, before I lived here, and it's now a regular spot for me. I've eaten there so much and tried a variety of things that, at this point, it's really a matter of what haven't I eaten. Both regular and mini plate lunch portions are ridiculously generous and the food is always great quality--worth every penny. Depending how I feel, my automatic go-tos are the mini chicken cutlet (w/gravy), the mini chicken katsu (w/tangy bbq sauce instead), and the double chicken. Never had something I didn't like; even the grilled and fried mahi mahi were good (this coming from a person who doesn't like fish).
(5)
Bill M.

This place features "Hawaiian plate lunch" dishes, though we did not try any dishes with Spam in them. The walls were splashed with some Obama/Hawaii references. We each ordered a "mini plate" portion since it was just lunchtime. My chicken katsu came with a tangy sauce, macaroni salad, and white rice (seems the typical plate lunch in Hawaii contains rice and mac salad). My friend had a chicken cutlet which was basically the same thing as the katsu but came with brown gravy instead of the tangy sauce. The portion seemed more than sufficient, but if you want a go at the regulation plate then you get 2 scoops of rice rather than one, and a larger meat portion. I also ordered a Hawaiian pop which was pleasant but not memorable. I think I'll order something slightly more exotic next time.
(4)
Ben D.

Made to order. Reasonable prices. You won't be hungry after. BBQ meat plate or Chicken katsu are my go to meals. Macaroni salad is also delicious. If you want a little bit of everything (almost literally) go with BBQ meat plate, substitute half french fries, half rice, and macoroni salad. You won't be dissappointed. Can't go wrong with the katsu either (the dipping sauce is fantastic). You can split any meal.
(4)
Adam E.

Great affordable eats! Closest thing to real Hawaiian BBQ mix plate. I always get the BBQ Mix plate but I suggest substituting Chicken Katsu for the Chicken Teriyaki. Good amount of food for your buck!
(4)
Johanna J.

As a vegetarian, this place is a 3-star because it has very few options. Actually it's just one. Tofu! And even the macaroni salad praised by many is not vegetarian so I can't eat it. Good news, I can substitute for fries. And fries are always good. The tofu is crispy outside and spongy inside, super tasty when dipped in the katsu sauce. All the dishes that my bf has tried are totally greasy-looking, which is why he loves them probably, so the unhealthiness cancels the tastiness and it gets a 3 star from the meat-eater-observer. Don't expect a restaurant. The food is served in to-go boxes, which happens to be convenient because your dish comes with scoops of rice and macaroni salad (or fries) and it's a LOT of food. I have leftovers even when I get the mini-version of the tofu. Great place if you're hungry and like fried things.
(3)
Aaron S.

The food was great. I ordered the Mini BBQ Beef - it was delicious and definitely would order it again. It came with a scoop of rice, scoop of Mac salad, and some fresh cabbage. I also ordered the Spam Musubi, but was so full I had to pack it for home. Personally, I like Spam so I enjoyed the dish. My fiancee ordered the Kalua Pork. He said "It was delicious. They got the flavor right, but the skimped on the meat. That is the only reason they did not get five stars." We'd eat here again for sure. Other issues would be parking if you don't live in the area, and the place is not really a "sit-down-nice-restaurant" atmosphere. No bathrooms either.
(4)
Donald B.

I had a craving to Hawaiian food so I went down there and order the BBQ mix plate. Came wither chicken beef and a short rib. All the meats were juicy and tender. The flavors were almost right but did not like the short ribs as they tasted back in Hawaii. The staff was very very friendly and helpful. So over all it was. Good place and I will be coming back.
(4)
Patty S.

When I moved to the neighborhood a few years ago, I was excited to discover a Hawaiian restaurant right down the street, literally outside my door! I couldn't wait to try this place and made a trip there within my 1st week of moving the the hood. Their menu seems pretty simple and the items that you would find at a Hawaiian restaurant. So, I tried the Katsu Curry Plate. It came with curry, pork katsu, a scoop of macaroni salad, and plenty or rice. I must admit, I was crazy about this dish. Everything was kind of bland even the curry! I went back again and tried something else, but I found the same experience. I tried desperately to like this restaurant and make it one of my favorites, but after many attempts to find something that excited my taste buds, I was at a loss.
(3)
Kika K.

When I used to live in the area, I always walked past Aloha Eats and wondered what Hawaiian food tasted like. I finally decided to give it a try and it was very tasty. I ordered the mini Hawaiian bbq chicken plate. I'm not sure what the regular portion is like, but I could have easily split the mini portion. It was a scoop of rice, a scoop of macaroni pasta, and a scoop of something green, along with 4 chicken patties. Huge. I can't speak to how authentic it was, but it was pretty good. Considering how much I paid, it was definitely a good value.
(4)
April P.

Beware...if you are watching your girly figure, this is not the place to eat at! Ahhhh, missing the mixed plate from good old Hawaii, and I was stoked to find this place open in Chicago. This is chock full of protein and meat to get your cholesterol sky rocketed. In any event, I ordered the combo mixed plate....hey, ya gotta die happy This certain combo has short ribs and fried shrimp and mahi mahi....ahhh, yes, a heart attack waiting to happen, so only consumed once a year. The short ribs have a tad bit too much fat. I guess that's what makes them tender, but the marinade to it is pretty good. The fried shrimp are very good, as they are shaped nicely, and breaded just as good. Not too much breading, done very crispy and no excess oil to it. The sides that are lucky to be consumed with this fat driven meats are 1 scoop of white rice, 1 scoop of macaroni salad. The salad has a little bit too much mayo, but that is the norm for how they make it Hawaii. Rice, is your average, steamed white jasemine rice from a rice cooker. They have the island favorite, spam musubi, which is basically spam made into a sushi roll. Sounds gross? Well, don't knock it till you try it. Hawaii is considered the leading number one consumer of Spam in all of the United States. It must be good, if they eat this much!!! Ahhhh, if I only wish they had some sort of malasades similar to the one from Oahu bakery Leonard's, I'd be in heaven.
(4)
Jeff C.

Favorite lunch spot that tastes just like plate lunch in the Islands. Grilled chicken is the best and a mini-plate is more than enough. Tender, juicy, good flavor and generous portions. Call ahead and carry out as the dining room is pretty spare.
(4)
SJ I.

I've been coming here for years. Reminds me of box lunches in Hawaii, good times! Anytime Spam is on the menu, I know I'm in for some good Hawaiian food :)
(5)
Justin S.

After a long wait, I was finally able to hit this place up! I've heard a lot of good stuff about this place and I must say, it didn't hype it up too much & I was not disappointed. I had the Kalua Pork with Cabbage. The serving was mighty large but I'm not complaining. For the $8 or so, I thought it was enough. The shredded pork was nice & sweet and balanced out nicely by the cabbage. Only thing I would change is to cut back on the cabbage. It was a bit excessive. If anything, give me more pork! Also, I not a big fan of macaroni salad but it wasn't bad either. There's a lot of other stuff I'd love to try on their menu & with my positive first time experience, I'm sure I'll be back to savor more!!!
(4)
Remesis G.

Great Authentic Hawaiian Food. great price and the service was great. Great quick bite and worth the trip and hassle of parking in Lincoln Park.
(5)
Lulu R.

I am slightly angry at my friends for not ever telling me about this place until now. Shame on you! I was perusing Yelp and I was reading the reviews and I decided that I would like to embark on my own journey. Since its so close to my job, I told my dining partner to meet me at my workplace and then I would drive there. Everything went according to plan, and then we parked (pay at the box parking, no private lot). It was a a very simply decorated cute little shop. I am so glad they didn't have that tacky Hawaiian decor. It smelled and looked clean. That was the go signal to order, Hawaiian BBQ mix plate and Curry Chicken Katsu. We waited shortly for our plates to be cooked to culinary perfection. a few short moments later, the food came out. I was confused as to why they are serving us in the to go boxes but I didn't care. I open my box and its this GIANT portion of food. I think to myself, "ohhhh, that's why they did that. Because they know it isn't humanly possible to finish all this food by myself". My Hawaiian BBQ mix plate consisted of 2 scoops of white rice, teriyaki chicken, BBQ short ribs, beef steak, a side of cabbage, and some macaroni salad. The thing that stood out the most was the cabbage and mac salad! GREAT COMBO! I meat was perfectly cook and it wasn't overly seasoned and I love simplicity. The Curry Chicken Katsu was just as large and delicious as the Hawaiian BBQ mix plate. The prices are also what got me. My plate was like 9 bucks and his was 8.50. Around $20 to feed a small army?? Why not? I warn you now...the plate can feed 2 comfortably and still leave them full. I am super satisfied and will be a faithful customer from now on as long as they keep serving up that mac salad and cabbage on the side of whatever I get. They have spam sushi too! Aloha Grill...or eat...or whatever....come to my neighborhood! I will be your first customer.
(4)
Lawrence Y.

Ok, so I'm really glad my friend had mentioned this place to me. Coming from L.A. and having places like The Loft and L&L Hawaiian BBQ accessible all over, Aloha Eats sure was comforting to my home-sickness! The restaurant is on the tiny end but the amounts of food, and menu selection is plenty! I always ordered the Hawaiian BBQ Short Ribs back home so I had to try it here, and it was really good - plenty, a little fatty, but good. I also had a few bites of the all-white meat chicken teriyaki plate, which was good, but I would have preferred it drenched with teriyaki sauce (and "dark" teriyaki would have been even better!). I've never been much of a fan of the macaroni salad anywhere, nor the cabbage bed but I wanted to try it. With the mac salad being mayo-overload for me, and the cabbage bed a little lacking (needs something like ramen noodles!), I think next time and all future times I'd rather get the fries. This place also serves things like burgers and even has kimchi on their menu. I might have mistakenly heard, but I thought the cashier also said they have mochi (but I didn't see it on their menu)?. But I'm not complaining because I love all of the above. Also................... Aloha Eats, please bring Garlic Shrimp to your menu and my life will be eternally fulfilled ahhhhhh!
(4)
Zo O.

Something for everyone, really. Beef/chicken/pork/tofu katsu! Which means breaded and fried beef/chicken/pork/or tofu. With katsu sauce, of course. The sauce is reminiscent of a mix between A1 and that eel sauce..? Tangy & sweet. They also have spam. Yes, very Hawaiian. Oh, kimchi, too! Portions are huge. Plate lunch can be shared (imo) since it comes with rice and macaroni salad(or fries... whichever you prefer). I don't like rice so I asked for extra fries :) I didn't like their curry.. the curry was too watery and didn't taste right with my tofu. Good thing they put the curry on the side! Shrimp burger is pretty good! Mahi mahi is O-K. WHAT THE.. I just saw their menu and they have salmon! I never had their salmon. Will try it next time :) It's cheap for what you get. You order and they give it to you in a styrofoam to-go box. Condiments section includes tabasco, ketchup, & sriracha. Good job. Space is pretty small.. I'd say it'd fit.. 25-ish people at most?
(4)
Joelen T.

Hawaiian food is influenced by several cultures: Japanese, Filipino and Korean, to name a few. A plate lunch is a classic Hawaiian meal composed of an entree or combination of entrees, served with rice and macaroni salad on the side. It is the de facto meal of choice in Hawaii, and best characterizes the blend of cuisine and culture found on the Islands. Tonight I enjoyed a dinner of saimin (thin egg noodles) vegetable soup and a shrimp burger... It was a great marriage of soft and crunchy, hot and cold! My husband enjoyed a distinctly Hawaiian plate lunch of Loco Moco, which is a uniquely seasoned hamburger patty, scrambled eggs, and brown gravy over a scoop of steamed rice and macaroni salad. Soo ono, brah!
(4)
Brian K.

I've Tried: (My rating in parentheses) - BBQ Mix Plate(10/10) Funny, didn't know it was actually called "Aloha Eats," I've always called it "Aloha Grill." Man do I miss this place! When I lived in the city for a year, we used to visit this place frequently! We were starting to get real good with finding parking spots too! I guess since I only have 1 thing to review, I can explain a little bit about this place. The place is SMALL! There are like 5 tables and no bathroom. They serve your food in styrofoam carry out containers. Also, I know nothing about authentic Hawaiian cuisine, and actually, this is my one and only experience with the stuff. That was my only problem with this place. I had to always remember to goto the bathroom before, just in case, or goto the Starbucks across the street. Which reminds me...parking! I hope you're good at city parking. This is purely street parking, and Clark is a very busy street with tons of eateries, so finding a spot sucks! There're some residential areas around the area, so try there for parking, but beware of signs that say anything about a permit. Another thing, and probably most important, this is a cult-following kinda place. It's one of those places where one person raves about it, brings his friends, and his friends are underwhelmed. So, I'm one of those guys that's raving about it, so take this review how you'd like. BBQ MIX PLATE If you're on a diet, go away! This comes with 2 giant scoops of rice, some shredded cabbage, macaroni salad, and a bunch of korean bulgogi, galbi, and a few chicken breast fillets. These things are SOPPING with grease! The galbi is very fatty, so I end up having to cut around the fat. There's fat on the chicken too, and plenty on the bulgogi. In essence, this is probably very cheap meat, but what do you expect at a cult-following hole-in-the-wall type of joint? Now, even though the meat is bad quality (in terms of it having so much fat), it tastes AMAZING! I have a chicken-phobia because grilled chicken tends to come out dry, and I HATE that! Thanks to the oil, this is not dry! Think of how juicy and moist KFC is, and yeah...it's like that! The chicken's been salted and seasoned plenty, so you might be able to eat it by itself... The galbi and bulgogi are just incredibly cooked! Man, if these guys had a Korean restaurant, and used good quality meats, we may even have a contender against some LA Korean BBQ! It's that good! The bulgogi and galbi have just the perfect balance of sweet and salty. The salty comes from soy sauce, and the sweet comes from, well, sugar, and there's also garlic and other stuff that goes in, for those not familiar with these. If anything, sometimes they can be very very very slightly salty, but usually it's dead on. That Macaroni Salad is just freaking phenomenal! The problem is, it's so bad for you! I try real hard to not eat the whole portion they give, but it's just too good! The thing is, this whole dish explodes with so much flavor that the Macaroni Salad acts as kind of a balancer, both with taste and texture. As for the cabbage...um....if the flavors get too intense, I guess you can chew on that, but I usually leave it alone. Like I said, everything's greasy. I typically don't eat rice with Korean BBQ, but for here, I do eat a little bit, but with what I don't eat, I use it to wipe as much of the meat as possible, just to get some excess oil off...just for peace of mind. Whether it helps or not, I don't know, and frankly, don't care. Now, the final ingredient to all this, and this is just a personal taste, is Sriracha sauce. I love spicy foods and sauces! And I love Sriracha. The way I eat this whole meal is.... I open the container, and put all the meat onto the lid. I pour about 5+ tablespoons (I guess) of Sriracha sauce down on that lid too (told you I like this stuff!). I eat a tiny bit of rice, a giant part of chicken drenched in Sriracha, and a little bit of Mac salad. I start with all the chicken first, then the bulgogi, and lastly the galbi. By the end, I'm practically wiping off the last bits of Sriracha with the galbi. I'm drooling just thinking about this place! I miss living in the city! :(
(5)
Phil X.

I don't know much about Hawaiian food...so when I happened to be in the neighborhood visiting my friend Molly I decided to swing by this joint and give it a whirl. I ordered the mini chicken katsu plate. It came with a side of macaroni salad and a scoop of white rice....along with a sweet katsu dipping sauce. I was impressed with the portion I received. For your money, they seem to really hook it up. The chicken katsu consists of thin strips of boneless chicken fried with a batter. The flavor of the batter was pleasant, but it was way too crunchy to enjoy. I mean, clearly, it wasn't burnt or anything...but damn...why so crunchy? This chicken was so crunchy I thought it was covered in grape nuts cereal. To put things lightly, I almost broke a tooth eating this. The menu mentions something about katsu sauce or an optional gravy sauce alternative. I ask for a side of gravy sauce to see how it is (I am all about the sauce). The lady at the register tell me it's gonna cost me an extra dollar-sixty. I stare at her...waiting for her to tell me that she is kidding....she wasn't. I fork over the money and they give me this bowl of instant gravy. I'm talking about the type of instant gravy that you put on instant mash potatoes. The katsu sauce was better...but after a while I was afraid my teeth were going to be destroyed from the hard, crunchy chicken. The macaroni salad was my favorite part. This mixed with the white rice...the creamy texture...the mayo. I would definitely get two scoops of mac salad next time. The have exotic Hawaiian juice cans. I washed my food down with the guava juice. It was good. I will have to come back here again and try their beef short rib next time. For the amount I paid I did receive a very generous portion. I want to like this place...but I also want to keep all my teeth.
(3)
Carol J.

Any place that can serve up relatively healthy food pretty quick is okay by me. I wasn't crazy about the sides and in hindsight should have configured my meal without them because they ended up in the trash. I went a little crazy with indecision and ordered the BBQ Chicken, Beef and short rib mix and thought it was pretty good, although it was the skinniest short rib I have every seen! Not heavy on sauce, just light marinade and perfectly steamed white rice. No bells or whistles but decent, healthy food served up pretty quick. Downside? The cashier never interrupted her conversation with a colleague about a "douchebag" rap artist she met, holla and they put EVERYTHING in styrofoam which can't be all that good for the environment. The space is cute and sparse. Its not Skewerz but its good.
(3)
Natasha P.

5 stars, hands down, why? Because 6 isn't an option. First of all, the guy that works here is sooooooooo amazing. So friendly and so kind every single time I come in. The double chicken plate is always a must, though admittedly I always have to share it because there's so much food. The plate consists of generous helpings of their grilled chicken teriyaki and also their chicken katsu. It comes with 2 scoops of rice and 1 scoop of their delectable macaroni salad. (You can switch around the scoops if you'd like, ie 2 scoops of macaroni salad and 1 scoop of rice...) If you want to just get a preview of the flavor here, I'd highly suggest the spam musubi, seriously you can't go wrong here. Rice = WIN, Spam = WIN, Seaweed = WIN. I always keep meaning to try other dishes but am physically unable to NOT order the double chicken plate. Did I mention that this double chicken plate also comes with steamed strips of cabbage? Oh and the fries are simply heaven and for the price this food is such a steal. Mahalo Aloha Eats, I'll be back again and again.
(5)
Sharon R.

I've heard a lot of good things about this place and so we finally took the time to check it out... The good: SPAM MUSUBI. There's not a lot places that actually offered anything with SPAM and I can't get enough of it. This place has it and it was good. The bad: I thought it was mediocre as far as the SPAM MUSUBI. When the menu described a big block of rice with a lice of SPAM, they weren't kiddin'!! I think that if they were going to have a big chunk of rice, they could have used another slice... or just cut back the rice. If you think about it, they're charging $4.10 for two slices of spam, and about 4 tablespoons of rice.. it's pretty pricey. The bottom line: I'm a fan of spam so I can't say it was a bad taste. I think that they can use less rice or cut the price. Otherwise, take the time to make your own.
(3)
Michael C.

We'd eaten here several years ago and have been meaning to go back since. Last night, we made our return. In general, we probably didn't order the right thing last night, as we were looking for something to go. On one hand, we had a mahi mahi sandwich which was excellent, and on the other hand, we got a rec to try something called musubi, which looked like giant pieces of sushi, only with teryaki chicken instead of fish, etc. They were different, kind of interesting, but in the end, just not as good as the stuff we remember from our first visit. So we recommend this place, as long as you steer your choices toward the plates, which are great, not to mention pretty unique to anything you're going to find in the city. Not many Hawaaiian joints in town.
(4)
Kay M.

Me and my boyfriend decided to eat here last minute. It's right next to our favorite dessert place, Molly's Cupcakes, so we decided to stop in. We were not disappointed. The atmosphere is really great. Great colors and Hawaiian pride all over the walls. The cashier was really nice and gave us recommendations. I ordered the Double Mahi, while my boyfriend ordered the Double Chicken. The mahi was delicious. It came grilled and fried, with huge portions of rice and macaroni salad. I'm not a huge fan of macaroni salad so I really didn't eat that. But everything else was delicious. I tried my boyfriend's Double Chicken, and I actually liked it a lot better than my dish. The chicken katsua with the sauce IS MONEY. Everyone should try it. So, overall, good food and good service. Great for a quick bite to eat if you're on the north side. Only 4 stars because I still have a lot more dishes to buy there :)
(4)
Julie Y.

I should have done this a long time ago. Great, filling food. Plenty of options. People are sweet and awesome. This place is like home.
(5)
Len L.

This eatery is awesome. If you like cheap eats, then look no more. This place is it. The BBQ chicken and mac salad is the best. Under $8, you get a delicious spread (meat, pasta and rice). There are a hand full of seats there, but most people take it to go.
(5)
Samantha L.

I la-la-la-love! Aloha! I have decided that people who gave this place one star must be gingers because they do not have souls! My favorite meal is the grilled Mahi. The mahi is so good grilled, nice amount of s&p and a bit of lemon. The plate lunch is huge, enough for two. I often do the mini plate which is plenty and only comes with rice. The plate lunch also comes with macaroni salad which is awesome, but has a ton of mayo. I love mayo so this is not a problem for me. The rice is simple-white-good. I also love the chicken katsu. It comes with a really nice sweet sauce. They also cater. A friend of mine had a Hawaiian themed party last summer and got a huge vat of the chicken katsu, it was a big hit. I think I know what I am having for lunch today.
(5)
Angelo C.

Huge portions. Go here. Love it!
(4)
Nona Gayle D.

CHICKENNNNNN KATSUUUUUUUUUUU! I haven't had chicken katsu since I was in undergrad and I had no Idea how much I missed it! At this restaurant they serve an abundant amount of different meats cooked Hawaiian... but actually similar to japanese.... hahah they have teriyaki chicken, beef, bbq short ribs,...etc and most meals are served with rice and macaroni salad! I love the macaroni salad here.... usually I hate things immersed in mayo, but here it just goes with the food. The food is well priced (I spent about 10 bucks for a meal and a drink). And the portions are more than accommodating! I tried to dent my plate, but it barely looked like I ate anything. I totally suggest coming to eat here.... it waters my mouth at the thought
(4)
Irish G.

Yum. Yum. Yum. Do I really need to say more? I eat here a couple times of month, it's that good (plus I work in the area). Their grilled Mahi Mahi is delicious, always fresh, never fishy. You get HUGE portions for the money you pay. I highly recommend this place!
(5)
Jason D.

Definitely not a place to come for anything other than fried food. The fried food I did have was chewy overcooked and just not that tasty, maybe I caught them on an off night. Looks like all the other reviews are good, I will have to give them another try.
(2)
Tammy L.

It's so nice to have a place like this for whenever the homesickness hits. It is definitely local-style, and fairly authentic. I don't eat meat so I can't comment on that side of things, but I do enjoy their fried mahi sandwich and their macaroni salad is pretty spot-on--any self-respecting plate lunch place should have good mac salad. I love that they have Portuguese sausage, and it seriously tempts me to fall off the wagon sometimes. :) A small complaint is that I think their curry sauce has a slightly odd cinnamony flavor, which I'm not a huge fan of. And I do wish they'd stop using styrofoam containers. I do appreciate that they offer tofu katsu, though. Thanks for bringing a little slice of Hawaii to Chicago, Aloha Eats!
(4)
Jim W.

If you've ever lived in the bay area, you know that Hukilau is the place to go for Hawaiian food. Aloha Eats definitely satisfied a craving for spam musubi. The musubi probably would be better served if it were cheaper and sold individually; instead I got 2 pieces that were monstrous (granted I appreciated eating the 2nd late nite later). There are a variety of menu choices, consisting of most Hawaiian staples, including the loco moco, or what I like to call heart attack in a box. The "mini" plates are a decent meal in themselves and are very reasonably priced. I opted for bbq chicken and my chicken came tender and juicy, as expected. I agree with Matthew L, it's not a place to be wowed, more of a place where you will get what you expected.
(3)
Tim Y.

I'd never had spam musubi before, so I can't say whether it's "authentic" or not, but I can say I really liked it, and one order is plenty for sharing and tastes good the next day, provided you don't microwave the nori... I wasn't a huge fan of the huge portions. I felt compelled for some reason to finish off two scoops of rice, one scoop of mediocre macaroni salad, and a crapton of beef. I think I skipped dinner as a result... Next time I'll order the smaller plate with one scoop of each, though I didn't find the mac salad to be all that flavorful and could do without. I'd come back again and again for the musubi, and maybe a lunch plate while I'm at it. Like previous reviewers have commented, I'd like to see them switch to more environmentally-friendly packaging.
(4)
Jenny D.

the guy behind the counter was so patient and super friendly! it was my first time at a Hawaiian joint since baaaaack in college when we'd visit u of i (anyone remember L&L BBQ?!?) i guess his family was in town and they were hanging out and showing each other photos. i really felt like i was back in my grandma's kitchen, very sweet. so onto my review... you must know, i LOVE spam. in all it's salty processed glory. so when i saw musubi on the menu, my smile went from ear to ear. i had the mini bbq chicken plate. tender and juicy white meat served over rice with a scoop of macaroni salad. they accommodated my bf's big boy request to mix bbq chicken & short ribs (or as he calls it, "meat with built in handles"). i believe he had two scoops of rice and the macaroni salad. although his was full sized and mine was mini... i think we got the same amount of meat! so if you're trying to calm down on the carbs, just order the mini. we also had a side of kimchi... (we just love that rotten cabbage) i'll be back to try the other types of meat.... and for some more musubi =)
(4)
Matt L.

Try the BBQ meat platter. You get a little bit of everything and they all taste great. It's big enough to split between two people. I've been back several times.
(4)
Alex P.

4 and 1/2 stars. What can I say that hasn't already been said? Pretty much nothing, but let it be known (again) that this is not "authentic Hawaiian" food. This is the equivalent of a Hawaiian fast food joint, a worker's lunch stop on the islands. Essentially, it's a culmination of all the Asian and Polynesian influences on cuisine in Hawaii - not luau food. Aloha Eats is the only Hawaiian drive-in style restaurant that I know of in Chicago. I've been to the islands on many occasions and I always would come back wanting some teri beef with mac salad and rice or some spam musubi. I found Aloha Eats a couple years ago and have been frequenting it at least once a month. Portions are more very generous and you definitely get your money's worth. Anything on the menu is fair game although I personally am not a fan of their BBQ chicken, not enough flavor (that's the 1/2 star missing from the review). My usual order is the BBQ Beef plate, very rich in flavor and great portions enough for two. The staff that's commonly there is very friendly and helpful to those who are unfamiliar with the menu so don't be shy to ask for suggestions if it's your first time. But I'd watch out for their new employee who I felt did not give as great of a customer experience as the employees I'm used to - but that's really nitpicking. All in all, if you haven't been here yet and you live within 30 minutes of the place by any means of transportation, you're really missing out. REALLY missing out.
(4)
Marla R.

We love this place! The food is outstanding, the service is friendly, and how can you not love a place that delivers! I suggest getting the mini plates, they are a ton of food at a great price. Otherwise, ask the friendly staff and they will steer you in the right direction. If you do eat in, the place is cute and gives you aloha feel. I hope this place franchises so we can get it elsewhere!
(5)
Jonathan F.

Let me preface this review by taking a moment to thank the good people of Borders for maintaining a nice, clean public restroom. That said -- dear, sweet, shivering baby jesus, please, please stay away from this place! They pedal a rare breed of sadness and hate served on paper plates beside a mighty dollop of mayo-heavy macaroni salad. I went with my girlfriend and we got the short ribs and bbq chicken respectively, ate without pleasure, and then quickly descended into the seventh level of bowel-quivering hell. We'd had a nice little afternoon planned: grab lunch, then take a quick stroll around the pond to kill time before catching a movie up the street. We got about half way around the pond before the two of us were pale, twitchy and hunched over in pain. Brave souls that we are, we tried to make it up to the movie anyway, but I only made it as far as the afore mentioned bathroom. (Thanks again, Borders) The chicken was a mysterious grayish pink color, and totally flavorless but for the sauce. My "short ribs" were nothing more than a half pound of fat, accented with gristle and chunks of bone. Nummers! I tried to salvage it by slicing tiny ribbons of meat from the fat with the plastic knife they supplied. I managed a few bites, then wished I hadn't. If you ignore this review and decide to play a little gastronomical Russian roulette, here are some of the rewards you can expect afterwards: You'll have the over whelming urge to take a soul shower, maybe consult a priest. You'll long for some kind of stomach rake with which to purge yourself of this filth. You'll feel nervous, oddly guilty, cheated, angry, lonely and cold! If you are still insistent upon going, allow me to suggest an alternative likely to achieve the same results: get a shovel, a pair of gloves, and a plastic bag and go foraging around the gutters of Clark St. You're looking for a couple of things -- dog feces, cigarette butts, decayed rodents. Once you've filled up your bag, go home and dump the contents into a blender. Hit pulse a few times, et viola. You've just saved yourself $8!
(1)
Jay B.

I was treated badly by one of the yuppie places down the street, and walked in looking for something different. Loved it. Good food, people are always really friendly, and it's honestly one of the nicest little places on the northside...especially since it's right by Molly's cupcakes.
(5)
Tiffany K.

maybe i ordered the wrong entree. i had the seafood platter. everything fried. did i make a mistake substituting my macaroni salad for fries? hehe it was ok.
(2)
Donovan H.

I have family on Oahu and this is very close to what I consider authentic Hawaiian grub. I had the Seafood and Spare Ribs combo plate. The Mahi and Shrimp were great but I found the spare ribs hard to eat and a little fatty for my taste. The mac salad and rice were great compliments to my meal. The SPAM Musubi and Kim Chee made it feel like I was off the mainland and back in paradise. The girl behind the counter was very friendly and patient. She reminded me of Michelle Rodriguez, which was a nice touch. I will be back!
(4)
Tyler A.

1st review and has to be for Aloha Eats! Wow, I met her a few years back when she was called Aloha Grill (dunno why they changed the name) and been in Love ever since. Huge portions, greasy but oh so tasty BBQed meats. Almost always go with the BBQ mix plate or double chicken because the Chicken Katsu is fantastic as well. Short ribs and beef are somewhat similar to Kalbi and Bulgogi. Kaluha pork plate is definately healthier but not as tasty. The Loco Moco Plate will certainly kill you... and thus tastes pretty dang good. Macaroni salad is perfect! The spam Musubi is big and Fat as it should be... Ohhh and try the curry sauce or brown gravy with fries, sounds gross....and it kinda is, but strangely addictive.. The fried Mahi and Shrimp plates sometimes have a funky taste that can only be drowned in a shower of lemon and tartar sauce, but good if your palate is suffering from the constant barrage of greasy meats. I've never had the regular hamburgers but I've been told others have had their "colons explode" after consumption... Till death do us part, baby.
(5)
Vi N.

I really want to venture off and try their other dishes, but I never do and I always end up getting the chicken katsu. I'm sure the other plates are delicious, but the chicken katsu plate got me hooked, for now. Oh, they have mango mochi too! :)
(4)
Alex L.

Listen. You can call me crazy, you can call me a pervert. But there are just some days when I crave fried and grilled meats with a large helping of white rice. In situations like this, I'll usually just order Chinese food or Thai. But on certain days when I really respect myself, I'll trek over to Aloha Grill and get the Chicken Katsu/ BBQ Chicken plate with a side of hot curry sauce. Good servings, good people. And for the ladies: Spam is on the menu
(5)
Mari K.

I just got back from Hawaii, and seeing the picture of H1 hanging on the wall almost brought me to tears. A friend of mine calls it MAN FOOD- lots of meat and rice. Essentially, that's what you get here. They don't skimp on portions and it really is bang for your buck eatin'. Macaroni salad rocks. I'm gonna try the saimin next time. Aloha, Chicago.
(4)
Karol Z.

Everything besides the logo I did not like. The place was small and crowded. One employee serving five people. Their complicated menu was not explained well. I have ordered a chicken cotlet. It came with a delicious pasta and white rice. The chicken itself was not so great. The breading was overpowering the chicken. Also the color of the chicken was not appetizing. Price: about 7$ per person Size: Too big Taste: not so good employs: minimal wage
(2)
Robert S.

Love the grilled Mahi Mahi. Watch out for portion size. Regular plates are big portions. Half or Mini plates are perfect for lunch. Would have liked real utensils instead of just plastic. Everything is packaged for takeout, they could have an eat in option. Been there 3 times now and the food has been consistently excellent.
(3)
Christian T.

Ah, now this is what I'm talking about. By far one of my favorite places to eat in Chicago. Not only is the food fantastic - which we'll get to in a moment so hold your hula skirt, but service is nice and quick. Side note - though it has nothing to do with the restaurant, the close proximity to Molly's Cupcakes doesn't hurt and makes for a pretty terrific food orgy. You know, if you're into that type of thing. I was recommended this place during a birthday lunch for me about 3 years back. The plan was bbq and when a co-worker suggested Aloha Eats I initially thought, "Boo, that's not bbq." But not wanting to go against group think and since I was getting a free lunch I said what the hell. Well, both the carnivore and the Islander I am were satisfied whole heartedly. The food reminded me of barbecues my parents use to have with the marinade they use for both the chicken and beef. It's got this nice salty but a hint of sweet and citrus taste to each morsel. While not the most vegetarian friendly place they do have tofu dishes or as they're called, plates, which is classic Hawaiian dining. I've gone here with vegetarian friends and they have left equally satisfied. Highlight dishes - 1. BBQ chicken - marinated to perfection, it's possibly by far the best thing on the menu. It's tender, aromatic and doesn't last long once in front of me. 2. Kalua Pork - the island version of pulled pork. No sauce needed for this piggy dish. 3. Loco Moco. Now this is a classic Hawaiian dish. Two hamburger patties, two eggs - any style you like but I recommend over easy and rice all covered with brown gravy. This combination might make you do a double take but once you dig in you'll be glad you made a good choice. - Quick history lesson. This dish actually originated in a small diner in Hawaii back in the 50's. Kids would come in after playing sports but wouldn't have much money so the cook took some of the cheaper ingredients to make a hearty meal. This has become a staple in Hawaii. 4. Spam. What other place in all of Chicago serves this tasty mystery meat? It's salty and when fried has a nice crisp outside and a meat inside. Spam can either be ordered on the side or as an item call Musubi which basically is a slice of spam on top of a giant roll of rice and wrapped in nori(seaweed). Portions - a person can get a regular order of one of the menu items, a mini plate or a combo plate such as the Double chicken - their BBQ chicken and their chicken katsu, which is Panko breaded and deep fried. Sides - each plate come with two scoops of rice - mini plates get one, shredded cabbage - see they have some sort of vegetable, and a scoop of mac salad. While I'm not typically fond of mac salad of any kind their's changed my mind. Creamy but doesn't have an overly mayo taste and mixed with their secret ingredient - tuna. Only mac salad for me. Fries or an extra scoop of rice can be substituted for the mac salad. For the Atkins dieter(Is this still a thing?)/maximum meat person they do have a low carb plate - though it's not listed on the menu. It replaces the salad and rice with more meat and two eggs. Nice. While I wish they had a larger delivery area - no service to Old Town, I make the quick trip here once or twice a week for Hawaiian deliciousness. Hawaiian BBQ - there is nothing like it.
(5)
Aileen O.

Definitely a fan of the chicken katsu mini lunch plate. Even though it's mini, I always have leftovers. Don't forget to eat it with the sauce! When I don't get the chicken katsu, I opt for the spam musubi. YUM! Who would have thought that slabs of rice, spam and nori would be so good. My boyfriend and I frequent this place whenever we're looking for good comfort food. I've had better lunch plates in Hawaii and California, but for Chicago - this is yum.
(4)
Clare T.

My husband and I decided to hit up "the Hawaiian place" last night (as we call it), and while we were waiting for food, I realized that I desperately needed to give Aloha Eats some props on Yelp! So, here I am. The best thing about Aloha Eats is definitely its singularity. The reason we call it "the Hawaiian place" is because it's the only one we know about. My husband loves the spam musubi. Since I don't like spam or seaweed, it's a non-starter for me. I am, however, a big fan of the BBQ plates - both chicken and beef. I usually get mini plate, and I just discovered last night that you can sub in peas and carrots for mac salad (or rice) if you are looking for more vegetables than just the cabbage that comes with every plate. I don't really care for the macaroni salad - it's a little bland for me - but other people seem to like it. The BBQ isn't really your standard contiguous 48 barbecue, it's more like teriyaki-style grilled meat. The chicken is always moist and delicious. If you are a chopstick person, make sure to grab a knife because they serve the meat in kind of big pieces that make it a little unwieldy for chopsticks. The regular BBQ plates are enormous - two scoops of white rice, a scoop of macaroni salad, cabbage and a heaping helping of whatever meat you choose, which is why I stick with the mini-plate. If you're in the mood for something different, you should check it out. Seating is limited, but it's great for takeout. Gotta love the Hawaiian soda, too.
(4)
Lauren H.

This is the only hawaiian place that in chicago that I know is good!! I love their macaroni salad! Nowadays I order the Spam loco moco with no gravy and yeah I know I can just make that myself at home but I just like it there..I used to get the korean bbq shortribs but I got sick of it for the meantime but in time I will get it again. The only downside is that it's always hard to find parking but you just gotta keep looking!
(5)
Steve L.

I've never wanted to throw up after finishing a meal. Ever. First time for everything. I got the BBQ Mix plate which comes with chicken that tasted like something you'd get from joke shop poultry, the "rib," which was about 1% meat (99% bone and fat), and the teriyaki beef which was chewy and mediocre at best. The macaroni salad was alright, but the cabbage was flavorless. People seem to rave about this place which may mean that at least something's alright, but this meal was enough for me never to return. $12 for that sh*t and a soda. No thanks. Gross-o.
(1)
Sharon S.

I've always walked past this place and never stopped by until recently. I've honestly never had Hawaiian food so didn't know what to expect. I probably stood there for 5 minutes looking at the menu trying to figure out what I wanted. Even though it doesn't look like a big menu, there were so many options! I ended up ordering the...forget the name...but it had BBQ everything. Just a sample of everything. I was confused why they were called lunch plates but then realized it's supposed to be that way. LOVED the BBQ pork, so tasty. It also came with the BBQ chicken and beef. Both also very delicious. I just really liked the sauce. And it came with two scoops of white rice, cooked just right, and macaroni salad which tasted pretty good as well. Overall I'd recommend it and it won't be the last time I'm there!
(4)
Mickey A.

It's not a bad place to eat once in awhile. Prices are reasonable, and the amount of food seems about right for the price. I like the chicken bbq but recently tried the bbq combo meat plate. Eh. It was good but not fantastic. It wasn't "saucy" with all the meat they give you. Parts of the chicken were slightly undercooked but the other stuff was good. I'm not a huge fan of the macaroni salad which comes as a side...maybe because it was doused with the meat juices. As previously mentioned, it's a nice place to stop in or take food to go once in awhile...like on a lazy Saturday/Sunday afternoon.
(3)
Belinda F.

Meh, it's just ok. I had the spam, Portuguese sausage and two eggs. Something I could've made at home easily. I thought it would be different, maybe I had my hopes way too high since I've been to Hawaii. Hubby had the Loco Moco, a fancy name for an overpriced Salisbury Steak. Maybe I'd go back to try something else....
(2)
Dave K.

If you love any sort of meat with flavor, you will absolutely love this place. The first time coming here, I got the Hawaiian BBQ mix plate. After the first bite, I couldn't stop eating. I had to keep eating until i finished the whole thing. That was not a smart thing. for $9-10, they give you so much food that it be foolish to try and finish the whole plate in one sitting. It's great to eat half of what you get, and eat the leftovers some other time. I ask them for 2 sides of macaroni salad instead of 2 scoops of rice. the rice can be unbearable. A tad bit too much for my own liking. All in all, you get your money's worth at this place. I love the chicken katsu, teriyaki beef, short ribs, and the chicken. can't go wrong w/ those.
(5)
Christopher L.

It definitely doesn't compare to Hawaii, but it's still pretty darn good. The Katsu Chicken is pretty good, loco moco is good. Kalua Pork is a little too salty but a decent attempt. I guess expecting them to build a pit out back and bury a pig with hot stones for 5 hours or so is just asking too much. Overall, I'm a fan! Two shakas up!
(4)
AV G.

I wanted to love this place because they are trying to do something so cool--BUT--although the portions are huge and it is really quite cheap, the food just does not have any taste. I have been here a few times and given them a number of try outs with different dishes. It is just not very good.
(2)
James A.

A one-of-a-kind experience in Chicago, Aloha Eats gives you an authentic taste of Hawaiian plate lunch. And unlike many Hawaiian restaurants, there's a great vegetarian option in the tofu katsu meal. The staff is friendly and has helped us out many times for catering large parties. Most definitely recommended.
(5)
James L.

I'm a big fan of Hawaiian food, so when I heard about this place, I had to stop in. Very similar offerings to Rainbows Drive-in or any other plate lunch places in Hawaii. Their menu is a little limited (in terms of authentic Hawaiian), but pretty much everything they offer is awesome. I like getting the mixed bbq plate and spam musubi. Would be perfect if they could offer poke. lomi lomi, char siu, and kalua pig. Maybe portugese sausage, egg, and rice plate for breakfast? Anyhow, great place for fast tasty food.
(4)
David W.

I volunteered at Lincoln Park Zoo every Saturday over the summer and every Saturday I ate lunch Aloha Grill. I love this place! For those of you who have not been to Hawaii or have been and totally flaked and didn't gorge yourselves on plate lunch, now is your chance to make up for that epicurean blunder. I typically order either the Mini Chicken Katsu Plate Lunch (White Meat) or the Mini BBQ Chicken Plate Lunch (White Meat). I have a mammoth appetite and there is nothing mini about the healthy portion of chicken they can cram into that Styrofoam clamshell container. Other highlights on the menu are the Saimin, Spam Musubis, and the Short Ribs. Spam really doesn't get its props on the mainland, but in Hawaii Spam is king. More Spam is consumed in Hawaii than any other state in the US. The space is perfect, clean and well designed. The staff is always friendly and give you a good dose of Aloha on each visit. Now all Chicago needs is a Shaved Ice stand and a Crackseed Shop. 1 mini plate lunch 1 spam musubi 1 POG -------------------- $10
(4)
Ryan S.

What a wonderful day it was when I discovered this place...much more, what a better day it was when I found out it was actually awesome. As a person born and raised in Hawaii but now living in Chicago for 9+ years, this place is a life saver (or money saver, in that I don't have to fly back as often). I think the ONLY thing I don't like on the menu is the Huli Huli Chicken (usually found on the "Specials" menu) only because instead of a tender whole chicken that is cooked, rotated on a skewer over a smokey fire, I got two dry chicken breasts w/ some sort of slight Huli Huli-esque flavoring added to it....not the same. It's understandable that they can't recreate it in a small enclosed kitchen, I just don't think they should consider that a substitute. ANYWAY, everything else is pretty if not DEFINITELY accurate. For all those who haven't been here and have not been to Hawaii, this is basically Hawaii's equivalent to all those hot dog/burger/gyro establishments scattered around Chicago..though maybe better in that you get a bit more food. Note: Don't expect Luau food like poi and pineapples. This is what people from Hawaii actually eat on a lunch break. It's a mixture of the many cultures that make Hawaii great including but not limited to, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Hawaiian, and of course American.
(5)
Katrina M.

I came here starvinggg for lunch! After eating one piece of spam masubi, I was almost fully satisfied. haha! I then glanced over at my bbq chicken lunch plato with hopes of finishing it, but I didn't. There was too much food in my styrofoam box! The chicken was flavorful, juicy. Macaroni salad was creamy and delicious. I had a lot of rice, but not enough to eat it with the chicken. But, thank goodness for those boxes. All I needed was a bag to carry it in and bam, I had dinner for the night too! Modest-sized place but extensive list of menu options. I hope to come back and try out the other food items. Big ups to the friendly guy at the counter!
(4)
arpad c.

I am torn. On one hand, get the right dish there and it is excellent. Also, they did me the favor of turning me on to Pepsi Throwback. Seriously, the Curry Chicken Katsu is so Japanese I feel like I'm in Vegas. When it's good, it's my favorite place to get a meal in Lakeview, and one meal is really two or more, anyway. The downside is the delivery. You just can't get delivery from these guys, ever, which is why the two stars. Last few times I've tempted fate and not taken the long walk to pick it up myself, I paid fifteen bucks for an enormous wait and an incomplete and incorrect order. Just pick it up. Pick up, five stars. Reality, two stars.
(2)
Rob S.

First time there, carried out, ordered the short ribs. They were very greasy and fatty. They were so-so, I feel like Joy-yees up in University Village makes a better korean short rib which is what the Hawaian version reminded me of. Also, rice is just that- rice, pasta salad is kind of flavorless and slathered in mayo like sauce, and plain cabbage goes well with the beef. I would return if I was looking for a quick, affordable bite in Lincoln Park and I would try the katsu next time. My review is solely based on the bbq short ribs.
(3)
Kevin S.

My aunt gave me a gift certificate for Aloha Eats, so my girlfriend and I gave it a try. Of course, we read some reviews here on yelp first. We heard good things about the Spam Musubi so we got an order of that, and I had the Loco Moco and my girlfriend had the BBQ sampler or something. The Spam Musubi was amazing and for such a cheap price. I had never had Spam like that before, but we will definitely go back for it. My Loco Moco was alright, but nothing special. The hamburger patties were the kind with spices and vegetable in it, so it was kind of like meatloaf patties. The taste was decent, but it was too scalding hot for me to enjoy properly. The gravy and rice was great, though, along with the macaroni salad. I tried some of my girlfriend's BBQ sampler thing, and I didn't really like it. The meat was very fatty. Very fatty. When people on here have mentioned the chicken, I noticed that they specified "white meat". I guess by default they give you dark meat chicken? Anyway, next time if we get chicken we will tell them that we want white meat. That Spam Musubi is really amazing.
(4)
Diablo L.

After reading reviews and walking by this place so many times I had to stop and try it and I was glad I did , had the combo plate BBQ Beef, Chicken, and Beef Short-Rib,very good, ...love the macaroni salad.
(4)
Jonathan C.

Great if you crave for some hawaiian food like SPAM on RICE. An excellent fast cheap good place for done musubi!
(3)
Kristine V.

Yummm! I've had the pork katsu, and even better, the bbq beeef! Mmm, I want some right now. Awesome marinade, and the meat was not too tough. The portions are huge and come with rice and a side of macaroni salad (not the tastiest) and cabbage (nothing too special but goes well with everything else). Everything else on their menu looks good, so I will definitely have to come back for more.
(4)
Darrell S.

After eating at Aloha Eats I made a mental note to self while walking down Clark St. Never visit Hawaii or visit for the beaches but pack a lunch from the mainland. I had the Chicken Katsu which was tough yet the breading was not burnt. This led me to believe a poor grade of chicken was used. The breading, though not blackened, was not tasty and very bristly. The curry sauce served with the dish was the best part. It added taste but couldn't salvage the dish. The macaroni salad was bland and clearly had too much mayonnaise. Lastly, the fries capped off the carbo loading session. I only ate about half the meal, but I've had my alottment of carbs for the month. As I understand: Aloha means hello and good-bye in Hawaii, So maybe this restaurant was aptly named. I won't be back..........................................ÂEver!
(1)
KT L.

I've been to Hawaii several times and this place is just like eating plate lunch in Hawaii...except I was wearing snow boots and a scarf. I loved the macaroni salad, and the mahi mahi I had was delicious. It tasted incredibly fresh and was perfectly cooked. I've been thinking about that mahi mahi ever since my first visit nearly a month ago. I will definitely be back.
(5)
Cynthia L.

So my husband and I were in the neighborhood as I started to reminisce about Hawaii. How I wished that I could get a plate lunch somewhere in Chicago. To my surprise, minutes after that conversation we walked past Aloha Eats. Couldn't wait to try it!! I ordered the mini bbq chicken -it's not bbq like texas bbq, but it's more like teriyaki. My husband ordered the Loco Moco (which he had ordered once while we were in Oahu). I loved it! The chicken was well-seasoned, perfectly marinated, not too salty or too sweet. I actually don't normally order teriyaki anything because it's too sweet, but this was great! The chicken was cooked to perfection. They served two BIG pieces of succulent chicken with one scoop rice and one scoop mac salad. The mac salad is just like it was in Hawaii. I can understand why some might say it's bland, compared to American mac salad, but in Hawaii, this is how their mac salad tastes. Lots of mayo! Love it. I was a little disappointed in a couple things. Underneath the chicken was raw green cabbage. I'm a fan of cabbage but I wish that they would have done something to dress it a little. Also I would have like a little more teriyaki sauce to put over my rice. There was no sauce at all. I will say that in Hawaii, there are more "sides" to choose from and we're not always forced to pick mac salad as a side but hey this is the closest to a plate lunch that I will find in Chicago so it's alright by me. The mini is the perfect size for me. My husband loves the Loco Moco. If you hadn't had it before it's two hamburger patties, two eggs (any way you like it), with brown gravy. They serve it in Hawaii at all the local diners and plate lunch places. I had a bite, and I'll honestly say that it was pretty tasty but I don't think that I could eat a whole one by myself. I peruse the menu while eating my plate lunch and saw that they also serve Saimin. Saimin is the Hawaiian version of something like ramen with maybe a fish cake, nori, and some veggies like bamboo shoots. It was tasty in Hawaii so the next time I go I might try that. Thanks Aloha Eats. Please eat there if you can. Keep them in business so that we can have a slice of Hawaii whenever we need our fix.
(4)
Kahvna C.

This was my goto spot when I lived in Chicago. Everything is really good and made to order here. I especially like the chicken katsu and BBQ mix plate. It's been a while since I moved away but will be my first stop next time im in town. The guys that run the place are also really friendly.
(5)
Mike B.

For the amount of food you can get for the cheap prices they have this is a can't miss. They also have a very large selection of choices
(5)
Jennie T.

I had never had Hawaiian BBQ before, but you won me over with your BBQ chicken. I normally hate teriyaki sauce, but your teriyaki BBQ sauced chicken was delicious. I also tried the boyfriend's BBQ beef, and it was delicious as well. What I didn't really like are: 1. Most importantly: You don't have a restroom for your customers. 2. Your chicken katsu was a bit dry. It also didn't go well with your sweet sauce that I meant to pour over the BBQ chicken. It gave it a bit of a bitter taste. I want to try your spam musubi next time; I haven't had one since my college days. Actually, I want to try a lot more items next time.
(4)
Amanda K.

I have never been disappointed with the food here. I love when a place actually has an unique vegetarian option rather then just a veggie burger. Overall the food is amazing though I wish there were more side options and more parking as this location can be hard to find parking by. Being someone who lives in the suburbs this place has always been worth the drive!
(4)
Brittany E.

This place is just great, especially for the price! I love trying their different dishes and fun drinks. Plus their "mini" portions are so perfect for me, I never finish regular portioned meals when I'm out, this is cheaper and still plenty of food! I love their cheese burgers as well because the meat is sort of a meatloaf texture. Also, I'm not typically a fan of macaroni salads but there's a reason they serve it with so many dishes, it's really good! I do have a couple of cons just to be fair, it's still one of my favorite places so I couldn't do 4 stars, no ones perfect! I don't love their fries, they're probably too healthy for me to get hooked on. I felt like their tofu tasted a bit too fried with the thicker bread crumbs. And you have to remember it's still fast food. It's wonderful and delicious but it's no Signature Room. Hope you give it a try!!
(5)
Sandy M.

Spamm musubi,, pork and chicken katsu, ol so good, I love that you can get the curry sauce instead of the regular tomato sauce that they serve for he katsu if your looking to spice up your katsu. Their Asian can drinks are expensive in my view. The restaurant is small, there are highboys by the window for you to sit at and stare at bypasser and the decor screams Hawaii in your face.love that it's a small family runned spot because you'll catch either the daughter or son at the register greeting you.
(5)
Greg R.

An absolute must go to. The food is always cooked perfectly and EVERYTHING is DELICIOUS! Try the spam moosobi. The double chicken Is my go to. If you haven't been then you're missing out on one of the best hidden jems in the city!!
(5)
Erick G.

Food was the Shiz-na-yeee!!! Service was on point. Had the loco moco but with spam and the Bbq beef and chicken katsu combo. The gravy for the loco moco is Crack!!! Highly recommend this place. Hard to find places like this in Chicago. Staff was friendly and helpful. Whoever says this place is no good didn't have what I had or is just Stupid!!!
(5)
Jonathan P.

I love this place. I eat here at least 3 times a week. The combination bbq platter is my favorite. It gives you a bit of everything.
(5)
Tatsu O.

We got the BBQ beef plate which came with macaroni salad and the spam musubi. I have never had Hawaiian food before, but clearly they are very heavily influenced by Japanese and Korean food. The BBQ beef (kalbi) was nicely flavored and cooked, the macaroni salad reminded of what my mom makes, and the spam musubi was suprisingly good. Staff is very friendly as well.
(4)
Ahmad K.

For a while, I only had lunch here every single day. That's how delicious the food is. I always go for the BBQ chicken plate which is delicious. My only complaint is that it is a $1 or so too pricey but even then the food is authentic and great! Also, very helpful staff.
(5)
Faye D.

I love this place! I usually get the Chicken Katsu or the Bbq mix plate, but I'm sure all of the selections are great. I tried the spam musubi and it was good as simple as it it. Chicken Katsu = DEELISH!!!! Crunchy-ness of the chicken and the gravy is a great touch to the dish. Friendly employees and it's neighbors with Molly's Cupcake for dessert!!!
(5)
Stephanie L.

After coming back from a food-filled Hawaiian wedding and vacation, I was itching to find some hawaiian comfort food like I ate at L & L's. Aloha Eats seemed to be the only viable option so the next time I happened to be in the Lincoln Park area, I stopped in for a meal before a concert. All in all, an authentic and delicious meal. Although I was a little surprised at the price, the portions were big enough to merit it and I had to pack at least half of my curry katsu. The curry wasn't my favorite pairing in the world and I preferred the sweet and sour katsu sauce instead. The next time I came, I ordered the smaller, regular katsu and found that it was the perfect size for me. Note: their spam musubis are ginormous. Please share.
(4)
Jessica M.

Aloha Eats does not have a large menu but they do have a good variety of dishes that you can't find in too many places. My friend and I ordered the shrimp burger deluxe and mini barbecue chicken. The shrimp was very well fried. Took a bite. Mmm...crunch, crunch, crunch...hold your horses! These are some puny shrimps bathed in batter! There was not a few but a mere shrimp of two and this burger cost $4.60? I'll have to pass... The mini barbecue chicken on the other hand was awesome! We guzzled away at the dark, tangy, and tender chicken meat like we've never had chicken before. It was aggressively juicy and flavorful whereas the macaroni salad and stir fried cabbage was more mellow. The sides created a good balance for the whole dish. In addition to our entrees, we also ordered two imported Aloha maids: guava and pass-o-guava. They were good but I'm not sure if I will pay $2 per can again. Aloha Eats is definitely worth returning to and I'd like to give the loco moco and kalua pork a try.
(3)
Jasmin V.

I loooooove the Macaroni salad. I've been here many times and it's one of my favorite places to bring people to try. I love the chicken katsu. I really wish we had more hawaiian bbq places in Chicago, until then Aloha gets my 5 stars.
(5)
Eames E.

I don't normally like foreign food, but this place is really good. My only advice to the foreign owners is probably not to put up pictures of famous people from your homeland everywhere like Obama and what not. It makes locals here in the city uncomfortable to see a bunch of unfamiliar faces from some unknown savage island
(5)
Patrick B.

I can't believe I haven't gone here until recently. Great lunch spot, the mini-plates are a great price and very filling. If you're eating by yourself, there's no need to get more than the mini-plate unless you want to bring home leftovers. I recommend the Chicken Katsu. The shrimp burger is also pretty good. I wasn't a big fan of the regular burger or their fries, but I love their macaroni salad.
(4)
Chris F.

Great food, love Hawaiian food and its too hard to find
(5)
Miller S.

I had been very excited to try Aloha Eats because I was thinking, "Hawaiian food? Let's get my pineapple on". Nothing there has pineapple in it. I guess this is one of those places I should have done more research on before going there. It's not bad for what it is. But it is closer to chicken or pork schnitzel than what I expected Hawaiian food to be. But my god, I am not gonna get over the disappointment that i is all fried food, and nothing is particularly "island"-y. In the end, what what wrong was my expectations, not this place. I thought I had a general idea of what it would be like, and it was very different. Not Aloha Eats' fault, it's my own for not researching. So, Aloha Eats, I liked it, and it was very well prepared. It just wasn't what I thought you served, or really what I wanted. But now that I have a better understanding, I'll definitely head back when I get a katsu craving.
(3)
Chris R.

Been looking for a good place for Hawaiian food and Aloha Eats does not disappoint. Their portions are huge! You can make like 2 to 3 meals from just 1 meal! Prices are reasonable and takes you back to your vacation in Hawaii (if you've ever gone). I loved their loco moco. Not a big fan of their spamasubi cause it was a big chunk of rice and 1 slice of spam :( I wish there was less rice in in. Other than that, I'd like to try some other stuff next time we go!
(4)
Seth F.

The Best Restaurant in the City. Ok, maybe that was a bit aggressive, but certainly at the top of its respective category, whatever that may be. Another place that receives my made-up "Weekday" tag of places to be enjoyed in place of cooking food for yourself, due to its affordability, quality, speed and moderate healthiness. But the only one that easily cracks my eating considerations for the food at ANY time. Seriously if you starved me for an extended period of time and gave me 12 bucks and told me I could eat anything, a combination plate at Aloha Eats with fries instead of rice would win 99 times out of 100 (and would only lose that one because I just had Aloha Eats for 99 straight meals).
(5)
Vina O.

This is based on the pork and chicken katsu only. Their katsu is very dry, very chewy, and pretty hard to eat. The breading is WAY overdone, and the breading to meat ratio is virtually 9:1. Needless to say, my husband and I didn't even finish half of a mini plate. Fast forward to the next day. I chopped up the pieces of katsu and took off some of the breading. I sauteed it in the sauce that came with it to add some moisture and added some cooked rice and egg to it to make it a "katsu fried rice." WAY better the next day and much more tender. Next time I go here, I'll stick with the traditional Hawaiian BBQ and spam musubi.
(2)
Beso M.

Chicken Katsu, 'nough said!
(5)
Erich S.

This place is great! The food is delicious, staff is nice, and the atmosphere is very laid back. I've tried the Loco Moco and my son had the burger and fries (which is cheap!) and now he wants the Mini Moco instead. If the food will stop a kid from eating burgers and fries you know it's good. Nice social media presence too. They also do the Belly card.
(5)
Sarah S.

I'm sad to say Aloha Eats wasn't all I thought it was going to be. It's probably my own fault though because I should order something more unique next time. I finally went this weekend after having it bookmarked for sometime. I had to order the spam masubi because I make it at home at least once a month. I had to compare theirs with mine and see where everything stood. I may be biased but I think mine is definitely better. It was $4.55 which is super cheap for a dinner but you only get 2 masubis. The masubis are just packed with rice! It would be super filling on just the two if I could fit it all in my mouth but I just can't. Theirs are way thicker then the ones I make at home. Plus, they don't put enough of the soy sauce mixture on it. So because it couldn't fit into my tiny mouth I was just left with a bunch of plain white rice at the end of my meal. 'Twas a sad situation. However, the rice and the spam were cooked A-OK and tasted yummy. :) I definitely am not giving up on Aloha Eats! I will be back and try some other items on the menu...just no more masubi! (Pro-Tip: Masubi is so cheap to make...I can make masubi for 3-4 meals for $4.55)! :D
(3)
Grace T.

The counter people are great.... but unfortunately, the food isn't. They have a fairly large menu of Hawaiian "street food", so you've got your plate lunches (some sort of protein) with a scoop of rice and a scoop of macaroni salad. They have BBQ chicken (marinated and grilled), chicken katsu, pork katsu, grilled salmon, grilled mahi mahi, fried shrimp, etc.... They even have breakfast plates with SPAM, eggs and rice. I ordered the pork katsu plate lunch. The order was HUGE.... I mean two full pieces of fried pork, a lot of rice and a little corner filled with macaroni salad. The pork katsu had the consistancy of a hockey puck. It was hard, crunchy and dried out. If it hadn't been cut up for me, I'm sure the plastic silverware they served it with would've broke!! I wound up eating it like french fries... with my hands! Not a fan.... not sure if I'd go back....
(2)
K S.

I wish this place was like a traditional restaurant. Food was delicious and had enough for leftovers.
(3)
Brendan H.

This restaurant has pretty good food and gives you large portion. I got the Chicken Katsu and Hawaiian BBQ beef combo platter to start. It came with rice and macaroni salad. The macaroni salad is definitely worth trying out. It has a nice plain taste to it, but distinct from what I've tasted before. The only thing I did not like is that the Chicken Katsu was practically half bread crumbs, whereas I would have preferred more chicken. The Hawaiian BBQ beef is very tasty and has pretty bold flavor. It mixed well with the rice and macaroni. The Musubi is good to take to go, but I think it has a little too much rice. Need more spam. The guy working the place was very friendly too. He chatted with my sister and her boyfriend about Hawaii and local food offerings in cities. He seemed knowledgeable and legit.
(4)
Custom M.

Aloha Eats, Aloha Eats I love you so, People say go on a diet, but what do they know. Aloha Eats, Aloha eats you make me grow, You are the one that makes me glow. Hamburgers and fries, They are the one that stifles my hunger cries. Locco Mocco, Chicken Katsu Whenever I see you, I'm in love with you. BBQ Mix plates, a flavorful ballad, They all go great with their mac salad. Cabbage and steamed rice, You are the missing link in my life! Aloha Eats, Aloha Eats I love you so. I will always love you wherever I go. Aloha Eats, Aloha Eats you may not know, But in my life, you play the leading role.
(5)
Thien N.

An old favorite in Lincoln Park area of Chicago for me. An Aloha Eats visit is always a must whenever I'm in the city! Their portions are HUGE for the price. My favorite is their mini plates with one scoop of rice, one scoop of their famous macaroni salad and an oversized portion of meat! My favorite is their chicken katsu, teriyaki chicken, kalbi, or a hawaiian favorite, loco moco. Actually, it's all good! If you're really hungry, get their regular portions but I always have so much extra food left...it's definitely shareable! For an authentic Hawaiian experience, definitely get the spam musubi! You get 2 huge spam musubi per order and it is always my favorite and a meal in itself! Their staff is always friendly and helpful and the atmosphere is very laid back. Give Ahola Eats a try...you don't regret it!
(4)
Chrissie C.

By far they have the best curry I've tried!!!! chicken katsu is awesome with the curry! although it's more like a carry out restaurant.
(4)
Yanyao N.

Hello. My name is Yanyao and I am a Spam-a-holic. Aloha Eats is my candy store, and I am a very fat kid. Seriously. It is Spam heaven up in here! You can pretty much add Spam to anything you order, or, get the Spam loco moco, or my absolute favorite: the Spam musubi. Spam and sushi rice together? In such a portable form? Eat it. Trust me.* Since first eating here a few weeks ago, I always make it a point to stop in here when I'm in the neighborhood and pick up some spam musubi (because a fat kid will always be hungry later and must be prepared!). The entree options are delicious too, and my mayonnaise-loving heart can't get enough of that macaroni salad... but really, if we're talking the best of Hawaiian eats, the Spam cannot be ignored. The portions are HUGE, the prices are cheap, and the staff are as sweet and patient as can be! Lucky for me, I live pretty far away from this place. Otherwise, the combination of Spam and macaroni salad would be bad news. Delicious news, yes... but still bad news. * Also trust me when I say: Order the Lilikoi Passionfruit drink. It comes in a can shipped all the way from Hawaii. The last time I was in there, they had sold out and I almost lost it (but settled on a Pass-O-Guava Aloha Maid instead). As of last week, they received 23 cases of Lilikoi Passion. I'm pretty sure one of my friends already has an IV of this going into his blood stream, so I suggest stopping in here soon. LILIKOI!
(4)
Alex R.

I always say my favorite food is fried chicken, but it's actually fried chicken with rice. Chicken and rice. It's that simple. It's what I grew up on; it's what I'll eat 'til I die. So when I saw the Chicken Katsu at Aloha Eats, I knew I had to have it. Chicken and rice. Not only did it fit my favored meal profile, but eating chicken katsu always holds a warm place in my heart. During my junior year of college, L&L Hawaiian Barbecue opened up in Champaign, IL and offered up Katsu plates for $2. That's right, $2. Needless to say, I spent a good amount of time at that joint before it closed down too soon. Anyways, back to the Chicken Katsu at Aloha Eats. It's nicely breaded, and it comes with a delicious dipping sauce and a very serious portion of rice. Perfect. If that wasn't good enough, they also serve up some delicious macaroni salad on the side. While nothing will ever beat that $2 price at L&L, the price for the katsu plate at Aloha Eats is very reasonable. After all that babbling about Chicken Katsu and rice, I'm finally getting to something else. My girlfriend tried the Moco Loco, which she said was a hit, echoing many of the comments here. The service was pleasant and relaxed, and the prices were reasonable. There was a bit of a wait for the food, but it wasn't too bad, and I'm not going to complain about a little wait for food that's made to order.
(5)
Tony A.

Good food, cheap and huge portions! what more can you ask for? I especially like their Chicken Katsu combo. I've tried the Mahi-Mahi it was mediocre but not bad. I like that they have Hawaiian soda you can purchase by can. I've always wanted to try the Moco Loco and Musubi but every time I come here, I always end up too full to eat another bite! One downside, no washrooms... although there was one time I noticed an employee allowed people to go in the back (to use employee washroom, I suppose) its probably because they know them or they work there? I'm not sure but whatever the case may be, when I asked if I too can go, I was told "no washrooms" lol Hence... minus 1 star
(4)
Abe R.

You enjoy huge tasty portions of food at fair prices? Well, me, I certainly do, and this place definitely met that criteria. Upon my first visit here today, I ordered the Spam Loco. This dish included three thick slabs of grilled Spam served atop a huge portion of rice with brown gravy, a side of unusually good Macaroni Salad(I normally hate the stuff), and all topped off with two eggs cooked to order( I prefer over-easy, so good to mix yolk and rice). This dish was just slammin'. Not only was it gigantic, but it was just so packed full of savory flavor, simply a dish that I could eat for any meal of the day. I also ordered some Spam Musubi to go because that's just how I roll when it comes to Spam. This little treat btw is just rice infused with teriyaki sauce and topped with Spam and then wrapped in Japanese Nori(seaweed wrap foolios). This street food snack is really good at all times and hits the spot for sure after a few beers... Enjoy Suckas'!!!
(4)
Bernadette R.

I ordered delivery from this place on a Sunday night and I will say the delivery was quick. However, the reason it's only receiving 3 stars is because I deducted 1 for the delivery guy. How can you show up at a house, be cash only, and not even have enough change to break a $20?! That just doesn't make sense at all. I know some delivery people use this as a tactic to receive a bigger tip, and if that was the case that is just sad. Otherwise, the food was good, big portions like everyone else has stated. It's very typical if you're used to quick Hawaiian food. Some of the thinner pieces of katsu were overdone and hard, but for the most part it was good. The macaroni salad was delicious as well. Again, if it wasn't for the lack of cash from the delivery guy it would have received 4 stars.
(3)
Ricki F.

The service was fast and the teriyaki chicken was good. They have generous portions that can be shared. However the chicken katsu was more breading than chicken. The rib was tough. I have had much better Hawaiian good in comparable restaurants. It was an ok dining experience. I wouldn't necessarily go back. I could take it or leave it.
(2)
Bright A.

I've been here several times. The chicken katsu is great. They give enough for you to take home. The katsu sauce could be more, but it tastes great. The macaroni salad goes hand in hand w/ the chicken katsu, that I end up buying another macaroni salad. The Hawaiian bbq chicken is also good. I just wish they have half katsu and half Hawaiian bbq chicken option.
(4)
Vivek K.

I can't see what all the fuss is about. From my vantage point, Aloha Eats has sold out on authenticity and lost flavor in the process. Don't get me wrong, if you eat here you'll certainly be full- the mini plates are more than enough to stuff yourself. It's just that the food isn't very good. The barbecue chicken was an overly salted teriyaki reproduction, the macaroni in the macaroni salad is overboiled beyond textural recognition, and the vegetable side offered comes from, as far as I can tell, the frozen bags of peas and carrots available at the grocery store. The BBQ beef is worse than the kalbi sold down the street. Quantity alone saves Aloha Eats from a one-star rating. As diners continue to move towards healthy, fresh, quality-over-quantity options, will Aloha Eats stand a chance?
(2)
Blaise B.

I literally don't know anything about Hawaiian food, but this place is AMAZING. I got the barbecue beef and macaroni salad, both of which were fantastic. The macaroni salad was literally the best I have ever had, and the portions were HUGE! However, my cousin got the ribs, and next time that is definitely what I would go with. Those ribs were absolutely to die for. I also enjoyed the hibiscus juice! I don't know if all Hawaiians eat this well, but this is definitely somewhere I will return to next time I'm in Chicago.
(5)
Richard L.

Just had the BBQ Chicken plate - generous portions, very filling. I love the style/ambiance of the joint, very casual which is indeed 100% Hawaiian in feel. On a side note I was not that blown away by the macaroni salad. Just seemed like overcooked macaroni with a dollop of mayonnaise blended in. Will likely return in the future.
(4)
Angela P.

Fantastic. That about sums it up. But really...I had been wanting to try this place for years and finally got the pleasure of going as a stop on our foodie anniversary adventure. =] The place is small, decorations straight out of Hawaii and the service is JUST as friendly as I remember it being in Maui. The menu is posted on the wall behind the counter which is nice, and there are quite a few options to choose from. I was dying to get my hands on some Hawaiian macaroni salad since I went on my honeymoon 5 years ago so I, of course, HAD to have that. We ended up going with the smaller lunch plate sizes of the short ribs and the chicken katsu. They both came with one scoop of macaroni salad and one scoop of white rice and the chicken katsu came with their katsu sauce (which tastes like sweet and sour mixed with ketchup, know it doesn't sound good, but it's FANTASTIC!) Both choices were great!! The macaroni salad was exactly like I remembered it in Maui, mmmm mmmm!! Creamy, a tiny bit sweet and just SO good! The short ribs had a great flavor but could have been a little more tender for my liking, but I would definitely order them again. And the highlight was the chicken katsu!! It was SOO flavorful and crispy and the sauce that accomponied it was so good. You also have the option of getting it with their brown gravy but I didn't see that until after we left or I would have gotten some of that on the side, too. Next time. I would HIGHLY recommend this place to anyone looking to try Hawaiian food or just anyone who wants GOOD food! =] Aloha!
(5)
Kenny O.

I miss living in San Diego.--it seemed like there was at least one legit Hawaiian joint in every neighborhood and the prices rivaled that of fast food places. So, there isn't a Hawaiian place in Evanston (boo-hoo), but luckily there is one here in LP where I'm a regular at. The ambiance (3/5): Brightly lit. Seats around 20 overall. No outdoor seating. Loud. This is your average Lincoln Park sitdown. The food (4/5): I'll be honest and say this is nowhere near the best for under $10, but the food quality here is solid. I usually order the Double Chicken (Katsu and BBQ), BBQ Mix Platter, or the Loco Moco: each is under $10 for a huge serving and they all make my mouth water. The Katsu could have a better batter (it's usually a tad bit tough and a little under-seasoned, in my opinion), but it tastes great when you get a spoonful of macaroni salad in the same bite. The Loco Moco ground beef is usually a bit overcooked, too, but the gravy makes up for it (it's so rich and addicting). I do want to come back for Saimin once it gets a bit colder again. I guess I should get some musubi soon as well. The value (5/5): Spectacular. I eat a lot and this place still manages to fill me up for $10. The service (5/5): Their cashier is great. He'll chat you up, make you laugh, and really make you feel taken care of. TL;DR - Good food. Great value. I miss San Diego.
(4)
Courtney W.

I can't sing the praises of this place enough. It's cheap and adorable, I'm not sure how authentic it is (I'll know when I make it to Hawaii for the first time ever in March!). You order at the counter, there are a ton of options, and the staff is super friendly. I'm not a huge fan of Spam but if any place can change my mind, it's this place. Personally, I'm a huge fan of the chicken katsu and the rice is cooked to perfection. There aren't any frills here but they know what they're doing and they do it right. Everything comes served in styrofoam, even if you are dining in. The space feels kind of like a cafeteria if you ask me but I actually enjoy the ambiance. I mean, they serve fried spam, would you really want them to serve you that on fine china?
(4)
Roxy A.

When you're on the north side & you've got a craving for plate lunch, Aloha Eats is the place to go! The mini katsu plate (ask for white meat $0.45 extra) comes w/ a scoop of rice & a scoop of mac salad. The prices are pretty decent and the portions are pretty big too, even the mini plate is a decent amount of food! They even have the regular plate lunch staples like Loco Moco, Hawaiian BBQ and...love it or hate it SPAM! I love spam musubi! When you order your plate lunch too be sure to get a can of Aloha Maid Lilikoi (passion fruit) Iced Tea or Pass-O-Guava Juice. They're 100% all natural drinks made in none other than the Aloha state. I've eaten at Aloha Eats plenty of times & I actually ordered catered food from here for my bf & sister's birthday, the food was awesome we ordered Hawaiian BBQ & Mac Salad..my only gripe is that when I told them about how many people would be at the party they made it seem like the half size portion would be too small so I ordered a full tray of BBQ..and good lord we had so much food I ended up sending guests home w/ their own plate lunches for days. So I just wish that they could have quoted me a lil better on how much food I should order. Other than that Aloha Eats has got some onolicious eats in my book! Mahalo!
(4)
Ray D.

Good Hawaiian food for the Shire. I like the BBQ Beef and Shrimp Combo for lunch. Macaroni Salad is great as well. Delivery is cash only but it's worth it. Portions could be a hair larger but delicious!
(4)
Ehow C.

Despite the lovely bites I received at Sullivan's Steakhouse, I was craving just a bit more food. Going along with the Hawaiian-esque martinis I had earlier in the evening, my faux-girlfriend and I ordered some food at Aloha Eats. I ended up ordering the chicken katsu with curry, as a to-go order since it was super late. When we were able to transfer the styrofoam contents onto a plate, the chicken katsu could have covered the entirety of the surface. There's definitely some false advertisement going on, because the mini-plate was definitely not mini... not that I'm complaining about more food, but I could have fed a small village with these portions, yikes! The katsu was fine, though the curry itself was a bit too salty for my taste. I did enjoy the subtle flavors of the macaroni salad, it was a counterbalance to the fatty, fried chicken. I would like to try this place again, if only to see the curry was just a fluke. The portions are generous enough that I would make it a regular dining spot, if I lived in the neighborhood.
(3)
Crystal X.

i can live on SPAM MUSUBI! an order of two for $4.35!!! Hawaiian BBQ platter all day long! Thin sliced beef, BBQ short ribs, and chicken with awesome house made sauce (along the lines of ketchup and hot sauce), rice, house made mac pasta, and raw sliced cabbage. can i get a amen'e!!!
(5)
Michele S.

I ordered the BBQ beef short-ribs. Those tiny pieces of meat are sooo good. The macaroni salad doesn't have much flavor. I'm glad they have mini plates for smaller appetites. Still large portions though! Will try more dishes soon. I like the take out plates.
(4)
Rhoda G.

One day I was craving Hawaiian and wasn't sure if there are any places in Chicago until I found this place on Yelp. I love this place. For the price you pay, you get huge portions and have enough for leftovers for maybe 1 or 2 more meals. I usually get the Chicken Katsu plate and it's so good especially the sauce that comes with it. I also like their macaroni salad and sometimes I get another side order. If you want to try something authentic Hawaiian, get the Moco Loco plate. Very satisfying and I managed to eat the entire thing. Yes, I was very hungry that day. This place is part of my usual rotation.
(5)
Robert W.

Ok. Greasy and tasted a bit like mall Japanese food. The ambiance was a bit dingy which is fine, but the food didn't make up for it. Wouldn't go back.
(3)
Sean B.

The world's largest katsu lunch special! This is seriously like 4 meals for me. For like $9 total. Wonderful! I want to buy that sauce they serve with it. Now there are a few things that get me at a restaurant. Politics aside, I'm not all that thrilled that this place is a bit of an Obama shrine, despite that he is from Hawaii and this is a Hawaii restaurant. That won't stop me from eating more delicious Katsu though! (Try the white meat it is very tender!). There is no obvious bathroom here. And because of the way they are set up in the front, it is hard for them to keep the tables clean, so my table on a few occasions has been sticky or dirty, or there have been issues with the soda machine. I think they could use a little more clean up in the front parts given the popularity of this place. The macaroni salad is quite good here. Having eaten Katsu in Hawaii at several places, this is the real deal. A hidden gem really!
(4)
Tom X.

Hawaiian food in the midwest, I can hardly contain my excitement. Having had my fair share of Hawaiian food both in Hawaii and LA, my palate for hawaiian food is probably more spoiled than most; and as such, I wasn't expecting a whole lot from this place. But seeing how it's difficult to find a spam musubi of any quality here thousands of miles away from Hawaii, I'm not complaining about the existence of such a restaurant. To start things off, I ordered a kalua pork and a combo plate of meats. A fair warning: the portions are HEFTY! Just try lifting the styrofoam box of food and you'll see what I mean. 1) Kalua Pork: meh...... the pork was ok, the cabbage tasted like wet napkins (Tasteless as Dennis S. Stated), but overall, it wasn't too bad. I actually liked the macaroni salad, it wasn't the best ever, but adaquate. 2) Combo meat platter: you get bbq short ribs, chicken, and beef all in 1 box. All 3 of the meats we got were perfectly cooked and wonderfully seasoned. I don't remember the last time I've had such tender chicken as I had been traumatized too many times by dry, overcooked chicken. The beef and shortribs were deliciously sweet and salty, perfectly representing the culinary tradition of the island. Oh and about those portions, we ate maybe 1/2 of what we ordered and took the rest to go, and it was just as delicious the next day. Not wanting to leave without grabbing a couple of obligatory misubis we ordered 1 order of 2 spam musubis. Having already eaten those misubis some 6 hours after, I can honestly say they were just as delicious as any I've had... but hey, hard to screw up a spam misubi, right?
(4)
Emily L.

Thank god for aloha eats! If you're from Hawaii, this is where to get your l&l fix! Complete with aloha maid juice cans and Portuguese sausage, eggs and rice. Super ono. Portions are really generous, and I usually cant finish a mini plate. Very affordable and always hits the spot. Try the katsu curry plate. Highly recommended!
(5)
James T.

Best $10 you can spend on food in Chicago. Plus if is tough to finish in one sitting. I recommend the double chicken with fries and mac. Awesome!
(5)
Amir L.

I used to live by here 2 years ago and it was sooooo good!! Take deep fried food mixed with tasty Korean BBQ and u get aloha eats!! Totally recommend it y'all's
(4)
Sarah V.

FOOD. COMA. The helpings: massive The chicken: crispy crisp, delicious. The fries: wah wah wah... super soggy. The service: delightful! Highlight: Macaroni salad! Zomg such creamy, fatty goodness. Speaking of fatty, I have about 1,500 miles to run after only eating 1/3 of this gargantous dinner plate. Lotta food, not a lotta dolla, and not a lotta flavor.
(3)
Tyler A.

Looking for something different and cheap? Aloha is a great option! Their food is competitively priced and the Hawaiian flare is a unique option. Good food, fast service, and clean environment.
(5)
Vivian H.

Lots of food for the price. Chicken katsu, my go-to for hawaiian bbq spots, was kinda dry. And I'm used to the big chunky curry sauces. But it's nice to live a little bit like a Californian.. who I guess hopes to live like a Hawaiian?
(3)
Christine L.

With each bite at Aloha Eats, you are magically transported back to Hawaii and overwhelmed with rich flavor... Okay, that might be a bit of an exaggeration, but Aloha Eats is definitely a great place for Hawaiian cuisine. If you are lucky, you might be able catch a dinner party where everyone is wearing a Hawaiian style shirt and grass skirts (true story). Some of my favorite dishes include the Chicken Katsu and Spam Musubi. When in the mood to share, go for the plate lunch. However, a mini plate has plenty for one. Don't expect to find easy seating because the space is pretty limited.
(4)
Kwoky L.

In general, there is really no cohesiveness in the food that I ordered. I've got a huge scoop of rice, a scoop of macaroni salad, some pork katsu and maybe a slice of spam but there's nothing that ties them together. They tasted very dry and bland, whether you eat them separately or not. What's worst is that they served the food in styrofoam boxes. I've never been to Hawaii so I don't know if that's how they do it there but I am not a big fan of it. Huge portion size though for that price.
(2)
Covert W.

The only place in Chicago to get Hawaiian plate lunches. A bit on the pricey side (relatively speaking) but the portions are large. They also have loco moco and spam musubi, which is a plus. Downsides are that it can be difficult to find street parking, and sometimes there are no open tables.
(4)
Tristin M.

I know I already reviewed them (below) but let me just go back to how dope this place is... My husband and I called an order in the other day and they had our stuff ready for pick up in 10 minutes... cool.. and then when I looked at the BBQ Beef curry that my grandpa ordered... My mouth watered and I wanted to sneak a taste but didn't... My husband got BBQ Chicken Siamin and I took a couple bites and liked it... My SPAM Musubi was delicious... This place rocks... and it's cheap too... ------------------------------------------------ 08/27/2007 5 star rating The guy behind the counter was so polite and small talked with everyone who entered the spot. Their prices are good! And... I was HAPPY with my meal. I'm not a big mac salad type (but my son and husband like it) so I got a scoop for the kid to eat with his Spam musubi and told him that he could just pack up what he couldn't finish and take it home. It looked yummy so I took a little bite that turned into another after just one more cause the little guy was getting full anyway... til it was all gone... oops! I ended up ordering another scoop for my husband to go...
(5)
Colleen D.

I pine for the L&M Drive-In chain in Hawaii and Aloha Eats gives me my fix. Great mac salad. Plate lunches are BIG. I don't know where to get POG (passion-orange-guava juice) on the Mainland and they have it at Aloha! Nothing healthy about this food -- particularly the loco moco -- but it is delish for the occasional treat.
(4)
Isabella W.

5 stars hands down for the food and price. I grew up in Hawaii, and the food here is just as good as I remember - from the spam musubi to the saimin (yummy egg noodles in broth - so tasty), and can't forget the mac n'cheese. The bbq platter (including the ribs, and chicken) are all too tasty. They also serve the Hawaiian juice drinks that I love - pass-o-guava, etc. Next time I'll have to try the loco moco (burger patty + egg)! YUM! The only downside is the limited seating in the place, and the fact that it takes an hour for delivery.. but I'm willing to overlook those minor flaws.
(5)
Laurel H.

My girlfriend and I are both from Guam. Granted, that's not Hawaii, but it's island-y enough, and the plate lunch is almost as popular there. This island-style food is the most authentic we've found anywhere in Chicago. In fact, it's the ONLY island-style food we've found in Chicago. I'm all about the BBQ spare ribs, the spam musubi, the macaroni salad, the curry tofu katsu, the haupia, and the passion-orange-guava juice. These are the food items with which I will be consoling myself over the coming winter while asking myself, "Why, WHY did I leave my tiny tropical homeland?" At which point, I will remind myself that living on a tiny island out in the middle of the ocean feels a lot like living in, say, Homewood, but not being able to drive away unless you're willing to pay $1500 for a roundtrip ticket. Having re-established this, I will continue to eat my meal in silence.
(5)
Sara E.

Had the "mini" BBQ beef lunch plate - delicious! Definitely don't think I'd be able to handle the regular portion though... this was just right. Came with a scoop of rice and macaroni salad. Macaroni salad was slightly overloaded with mayo, but nice all the same. Will be back to try the rest of the specials.
(4)
Christine U.

Every now and then, I CRAVE a plate lunch from Rainbow Drive-In. In my opinion, this is the best place in Oahu to get a plate lunch. But, since I live in Chicago, I can't always have a plate lunch from Rainbow. My waistline thanks me for that. But when I just can't take it anymore, I go to Aloha Eats, and get the Chicken Katsu meal. Most howlees will not understand the 2 scoops of rice PLUS a scoop of macaroni salad, nor will you understand the appeal of Spam, but I'm not here to explain it, I'm just here to eat it and love it. If only there was a place in Chicago where I could get a Leonard's malasada........*sigh*.......I guess I just have to wait until my next vacation to Oahu.
(4)
J D.

four stars strictly for value. they give you an ABSURD amount of food. ABSURD! like many have mentioned before, the mini plates are more than adequate and will leave you feeling like you're about a birth a Hawaiian food baby. love the chicken katsu (made with dark meat and it's super moist). the sauce is served on the side if you get take out and it's amazing stuff. DRINK IT! the teriyaki and bbq dishes are great too, typical sweet hawaiian style. I'm generally not a fan of macaroni salad but i polished off every last bite. great for take out as the eat-in area is small and often crowded. get a fun soda while you wait (i'd say at least ten minutes, maybe 15).
(4)
Luan N.

Aloha Eats is definitely one of the favorites among my group of friends because it's consistently good and you get value for your money. The portions are fit for a Samoan wrestler! The only authentic Hawaiian food they serve is kalua pig, which is shredded pork with cooked cabbage. However, the kalua pig I had in Ala Moana Mall in Honolulu was a lot tastier. Aloha Eats does not serve traditional dishes like salmon poki and poi, but they serve the mainstream plate lunches like L & L restaurant chain in Hawaii such as chicken cutlet ($6.95), Grilled Mahi Mahi ($7.75), and Hawaiian BBQ mix plate ($7.85). All of these plate lunches are accompanied by 2 scoops of rice and mac salad. The two dishes I go back for time and time again is the Grilled Mahi and Grilled Salmon which is peppered and grilled to perfection. I always have a satisfactory grin knowing that I paid half the price of dining at a ritzy restaurant for the same grilled salmon taste. BTW, has anyone noticed a correlation between the greater the altitude and view of the restaurant, poorer the taste? Anyways, the BBQ Chicken plate was not marinated and grilled to my expectations from when I had it last in Hawaii. But, if you want to try some poultry and beef, I recommend the Hawaiian BBQ Mix plate. As the locals say, "Wen I eat here, I get da kine kanak attack", which just means you get the Thanksgiving dinner effect of sleeping on the living room floor.
(4)
a w.

This is the only place I have hawaiian food, its a rare thing in the area! But the food is great here. Its really tasty and the portions are big. The restaurant is pretty small, but it never seems to be overcrowded. Parking on weekend nights can be hard to find - try to use public transportation.
(4)
Dee W.

Cheap prices, huge portions - just think Hawaiian BBQ Fast food. I always get their chicken katsu - nicely browned and huge portions; Their Combination Lunch Plates are such good deals and their Musubi is so good (A thick and dense pad of warm rice topped with a fresh-made topping, wrapped in a belt of dried Japanese seaweed (nori) - a definate must try in Lincoln Park!
(4)
Blake W.

May I whole-heartedly second Kevin M's review? Negative reviews are a tricky thing, because while the five-star folks may eat at a place a dozen times, the one-stars have probably only eaten there once. Well I'm no masochist, so this is a one-visit, one-star review. I ate in and got the Curry BBQ Chicken, which was gruesome bland chicken piled high on rice. The curry gravy was mediocre (tasted like curry powder mixed into gravy from a packet), but I had to heap it on to get through maybe half the chicken since I was ravenous. Funny, since they serve the gravy on the side and I figured if it was bad I'd just skip it. How do you mess up chicken? The food came in a barely adequate styrofoam container with plastic utensils, which made eating it a chore. Four hours later, my stomach's mood hasn't improved any and I feel that deep sadness that comes from paying for really bad food.
(1)
Peter R.

Spam & Macaroni Salad is to Hawaiians as Burgers & Fries is to us here in the main land. With that being said...Aloha Eats is as authentic Hawaiian food as one can get here in Chicago. I mean, they don't have a pit where they are smoking a Kahlua pig for 7 hours...but as good Hawaiian grub goes, this is the spot. My favs are the Chicken & Pork katsu, which is breaded cutlets fried in panko breading. The loco moco, which is two burger patties served with eggs and brown gravy. They have the aforementioned Spam in everything from Spam Musubi to Spam Saimin (egg noodles w/ soup). They offer Plate lunch, Combination plate lunch, and mini plate lunch if your not that hungry. I even love the Hawaiian style burgers served with ketchup and mayo. The menu is more extensive, and I don't do it enough justice...so better off going to the website. I love Hawaii, and I love how they just have simple, laid back food to eat. If you've never been to Hawaii...what are you waiting for!?!?! If you have, then you can agree that this place reminds you of the food on the islands. So if you've never had Hawaiian style food, or you're feenin for some...Aloha Eats is the place to go. Don't forget to say Mahalo.
(5)
J X.

as greasy and unhealthy as you can expect. Guys were nice.
(2)
Gabrielle B.

This food is super yummy! I love the double chicken - kind of like Chinese food since it comes with rice, but has new and fresh island flavors! Prices are reasonable - you get a TON of food! I had leftovers for a whole other meal and a snack.
(4)
Megan C.

I had always passed this place on my walk to Molly's Cupcakes and it has been forever sitting on my list of places I need to try. Finally, last Thursday I got around to going to Aloha Eats for dinner with my friend. The atmosphere is very cute. You get the impression that it is authentic Hawaiian food (something you generally don't come by too often) and not just some tiki-themed American restaurant. I ordered the Kalua Pork which was very good. It comes with cabbage and I must say that there is a lot more cabbage than there is pork but it adds flavor and definitely fills you up. The portion sizes are very generous and the macaroni salad that comes on the side is absolutely delicious. My friend ordered the Hawaiian BBQ Chicken and let me have a bite and it was also delicious. Not at all dry and a good amount of sauce. There was a decent crowd in the restaurant but the service was quick. I loved seeing all of the different "Aloha Maid" drinks in the refrigerator - again it just felt like an authentic hole-in-the-wall Hawaiian restaurant.
(4)
Marie S.

I cant believe I havent reviewed this place... its one of my ultimate favorites !! If I go too long without Aloha Eats - I start getting the shakes.. haha. Anyways - the serve up a mean Hawaiian style BBQ plate. My favs are the beef short ribs and the chicken katsu. Finger lickin good. And with a plentiful side of carbs - white rice and damn good macaroni salad. I was really quite surprised just how good their macaroni salad is. Sometimes I find myself going to town with the macaroni salad (and neglecting my beef or chicken). The entree portions are ginormous, so expect it to last you a few meals. I adore this little joint. Now if only they made the Kahuku spicy garlic shrimp from the shrimp trucks ....
(5)
Kimberly C.

I have to admit, I'm weary of cheap food...if you can cook me a whole chicken, macaroni salad and rice for a few bucks, I wonder what kind of life that chicken might have led...or if it's even chicken...BUT my husband lived in Hawaii for many years, so we slid on our Locals slippahs and headed out for a taste of the islands. I got the mini chicken katsu plate which was really enough food for 2. The katsu was good, I especially loved the sauce. The macaroni salad (which was raved about by many other yelpers) kinda tasted like chemicals...all in all, we had a fun time...I have a feeling we will be heading back soon for spam musubi and haupia.
(3)
A F.

Good and reasonably fast food served with a warm island smile with a side of curry and a nod to Spam. Large portions packed in styrofoam to-go containers are eaten at the very fast-food table arrangement. As value propositions go, a slight disconnect between the menu pricing (8-9 for a main) and the environment. But my BBQ beef was toothsome and the double scoop of rice left me full so I'm not unhappy. But the $25 for 2 had me scratching my head a bit.
(3)
Emily K.

Not bad, not great. I ordered the Mixed plate with BBQ chicken, ribs and beef. Of the three, I only liked the BBQ beef, which was excellent. The ribs seemed to be 75% fat and gristle and 25% meat and not well separated at that, so I really only could shave off a small section of actual meat to try. The chicken was dark meat chicken, which I wasn't expecting (doesn't say the BBQ chicken is dark meat on the menu- just the chicken katsu) and don't care for anyway. The chicken too was really fatty and kind of dry. Didn't eat much of it. Thankfully, the portions were HUGE. I was able to get completely full just eating the BBQ beef, white rice, and DELICIOUS macaroni salad. I enjoyed 1/3 of what I ordered, and if I ever go back will probably just go to get some macaroni salad to go. Because it was the shiz.
(2)
Grace L.

Still a happy fan of this place, but I tried the curry chicken katsu today and it was fairly peppery. They put a mass amount of black pepper in the curry, making it slightly spicy. Perhaps not the best choice here. However I found the apple iced tea here that I like in Hawaii, so refreshing!
(4)
S F.

Great Hawaiian food, plate lunches. This is as close as you can get to great Hawaiian "plate lunch" as it gets. Friendly, fast service. I'll be coming back!
(4)
Burgundy I.

Review for Hawaiians: Ho cuz, check dis out. Me and da oddah hawaiians was cruising at one summah concert near da bean trying to make like we was home jamming outside da shell. Da kine wen buy me one BBQ chicken/ katsu mixed plate from Aloha Eats, said it wuz jus like L&L's. Ho, nah. I going try 'em so I wen order regulah mixed plate all rice no mac salad yeah cause I stay on one diet. Ho da buggah was grindz. Had choke chicken and katsu. Da portion stay bigger den 2 L&L plates. Dey wen give plenny katsu sauce too. I only wen grind half cause I stay on one diet yeah and was going go save da rest for afters. But den I thought nah, da buggah so good I jus going eat 'em so den I jus wen pound da oddah half. Wen I was pau, I wen small kine pass out from one majah kanak attack. Dis place stay awesome. Translation for Mainlanders: Hello there fellow Yelpers, please read my review on Aloha Eats. Aloha Eats is excellent. One day, my fellow Hawaiians and I went to a summer concert in Millenium Park. It was reminiscent of the times when we would picnic outside of the Waikiki Shell and listen to summer concerts for free. My friend was gracious enough to buy me a BBQ chicken/chicken katsu mixed plate from Aloha Eats. He said it was just like L&L's plate lunch and thought I would really enjoy it. "Really?" I exclaimed. I certainly missed Hawaii's plate lunches so I ordered a regular sized BBQ chicken and chicken katsu mixed plate. I have been trying to watch my weight and, rather than consuming the hydrogenated fats found in macaroni salad, I opted for an extra scoop of rice. It was ridiculously delicious. There was an abundant portion of BBQ chicken and chicken katsu- easily equivalent to 2 L&L plate lunches. I simply couldn't imagine how I would finish it all. A common problem that I find with chicken katsu plate lunches is that they often come with an inadequate portion of katsu sauce. Aloha Eats did not have this issue as I had enough sauce for my chicken katsu and even an additional amount leftover for my rice. Since I was on a diet, I decided to only eat half of my delicious meal and to save the remainder as a treat for another future meal. However, the BBQ chicken was so tasty that I couldn't resist eating my leftovers. After such a delicious meal, I was completely full and decided to spend the rest of the evening enjoying the music with my eyes closed. Aloha Eats is a superb restaurant.
(5)
Kyle D.

So i work about a block or so away from this place and ever since i stated my new job all my co-workers have told me about how good the food is and that i need to go. well finally i did get a chance to have a meal here. Ive never had Hawaiian-fusion food before so i was a little scared at first since it was something brand new to be but im so glad i did try. i belive i got what was called the double chicken. i got 2 kinds of chicken(teriyaki and Katsu which is breaded) and these 2 huge portions of chicken sit on a mound of steamed rice. OMG it was so good. there was so much food i had a nice meal later on at home that night. seriously 1 portion of food can feed atleast 2 ppl if you had to. the sitting area wasnt hug but had enough seats, so if you plan on going there for lunch go early, its really the only places open for lunch in its area and it does get busy, right as we got our food a huge group of ppl came in and took up the rest of the seating that they could handle. i plan on going back next time i get a chance.
(4)
Adam L.

Went back and got the chicken. Much better, IMO. I'd highly recommend it.
(4)
Matthew A.

I was totally not expecting such good food when I stopped by while walking past the other day. And such big portions! I would almost make a special trip to this place to try it again.
(4)
Missy M.

I just wasn't happy with my meal. Chicken was rubbery. You feel like crap after you eat that kind of food. However, I liked the fried and breaded shrimp.
(2)
J T.

Is it true? Plate lunch in Chicago? Really? Rumor has it that (for those of you from Hawaii) these guys are actually from L&L, and their recipes are damn near exact. The saimin's not exactly my favorite, but will suffice being 5,000 miles from Oahu. The chicken katsu is ON PAR, and you can always get Aloha Maid juice here. Yes, for the price of a six pack in Hawaii, you get two cans here, but it's considerably cheaper than shipping it. Oh, and they deliver! Sign me up.
(5)
Molle M.

Just went for the first time yesterday. I ordered the chicken combination plate with the BBQ chicken and the Katsu Chicken. The serving size was huge. I probably could have split it with someone. I preferred the BBQ chicken. The breadcrumbs were overwhelming on the Katsu chicken. The menu has many options even for the picky kids.
(4)
John B.

Maybe I ordered the wrong dish...I went for one of the beef dishes and the meat was really tough, so tough it was hard to even eat. I was just looking for some good cheap eats and this was a huge disappointment. It's the only place on the long strip of clark that I've only eaten at once. Very disappointed.
(1)
Eliot J.

i really like this place. i'm not sure where else you can find hawaiian cuisine in the city, but everything i've had here is great. affordable food and plentiful servings. the macaroni is GREAT! great small spot for lunch or dinner. if you're in this part of lincoln park, go to this restaurant.
(4)
Chris O.

Maybe my expectations were too high from all these reviews... I really wanted to like the place, they have a friendly vibe, relatively cheap prices for the amount of food you get, (its an INSANE amount that is literally bursting out of the Styrofoam box) and a diverse menu which represents some authentic Hawaiian islander food. But the food itself was simply sub par to me. I ordered the seafood combo and it was similar to fried shrimp joints or various soul food take out places in the south side, simply greasy eats. On another occasion i ordered the BBQ combo and the kalbi or bulgogi wannabe stuff they had was mostly fat pieces, I'm Korean so I'm pretty versed on Korean BBQ and this simply pales in comparison. The katsu was decent but I'm not going to frequent a place for katsu. And finally, why are people raving about the mac salad here? It's simply a bunch of mayo mixed into the macaroni, as far as I can see/taste, which of course, is the main ingredient for many pasta salads but i found the taste too simplistic and lacking any creativity. The coleslaw they threw into my seafood combo was laughable at best, tasted like grass. Anyhow, if you're an aspiring sumo wrestler or don't care about decreasing your life expectancy by a decade or so, come here often!
(2)
Ron C.

Macaroni Salad, Rice, and plenty of meats and seafood. YUM-MY. I loved everything on the menu here. Despite the cheapness of the food, and the simple (kind of dingy) decor, the food is just the way I love it- simple and GOOOOODDD. The Kalbi was fatty and fresh, and the pulled pork and cabbage was super tasty. The only complaint that I have is that the portions are way too HUGE. That's not usually a complaint, but I felt a bit constipated afterwards, it's nice they serve everything in a to-go box though. The prices were extremely affordable, and I just can't wait to go back again!!!
(4)
Karl A.

My favorite neighborhood takeout place! Awesome, cheap, delicious, and friendly people :-)
(5)
Paul K.

Always looking for cheap food that has quality and quantity aloha grill is the place to be. The katsu's (chicken or pork) is awesome and it towers over the rice. Loco Moco is another dish that seems like it could be made at home but is so worth it ordering it here. It's just rice with burger meat steaks and an egg with gravy over it. It's good, and definitely filling. Teriyaki's are all really good too. To simply put it, it's worth going and trying it out AT LEAST once. You'll be on this site writing the exact same thing!! GO TRY IT!!
(5)
My B.

This is the closest I can get to Hawaii again without having to put on a hula skirt and the coconut bra. :) i'll take what I can get and this will more than suffice! The combos are great, but not for those watching their waste lines. Ohh what the hey.... go for it. You get a lot of food for their price and the people are friendly.
(4)
Pamela L.

My boyfriend turned me on to this place a couple months back, I never would have tried it on my own. We've dined in once and had carryout several times. The carryout service is great, but they have a $10 minimum order, which can be a little difficult for a single girl to match on a weeknight, but not impossible! They are usually to my apartment quicker than the time quoted. The food is excellent... I recommend the grilled Mahi, but if you want tartar sauce, you gotta remember to ask for it. Their Hawaiian mac salad is very yummy! The prices are great, most if not all meals for under $10, plus they have 1/2 portions of many of their main dishes. Great for lunch or dinner, I highly recommend it.
(4)
Steph F.

i love spam therefore i love the aloha grill. so much that i brave the subzero temperatures and walk 5 blocks - into the wind - just to sink my teeth into some spam musubi. if i was extra hungry, the plate meals are totally sweet as well. speedy, smiley, friendly service. great portion sizes. if you eat in, they bring the food to you. they don't have to, but they do. :) mahalo, aloha grill, mahalo.
(5)
Henry C.

Got the regular famous Katsu Chicken and it was lots of food! Get the mini if you don't have a huge appetite. it was delicious but there were just much more crust than actual meat. Very unhealthy. I probably will come back and try something else next time.
(3)
Joon M.

My sister took me here recently & I really enjoyed the food. We had the Chicken Katsu & it was delicious. I plan to go back to try several items on the menu....except for the SPAM dishes. Call me judgmental, but I am horribly prejudiced against the existence of SPAM. Other than that, they food was yummy.
(4)
Jacqueline S.

I love the spam masubi from here! The Hawaiian BBQ mix plate wasn't that great - the meats seemed a bit fatty and there was way too much of it. The grilled mahi and fried shrimp are good. I especially like the macaroni salad. My boyfriend always gets the loco moco. Parking is a bit of a problem though so we order take out sometimes.
(4)
Lara M.

This place may be as good as it gets for me. I was "in between apartments" for a small while a couple years ago and found myself bedding down at a hostel on Arlington only a few blocks away from this miracle. After moving away and finally living somewhere with a lease and not as often cycling roommates, I made a serious decision. I needed an excuse to make the trek from Hyde park or in the case of more recent days Uptown to Aloha and so I joined the church! Church choir to be more exact. This gave the perfect reason to stop in Thursday nights before close for some bbq or fried Mahi Mahi and a chat with a friendly guy behind the counter wearing an Iron Maiden t-shirt with really nice hair. It could get a little embarrassing though, drooling throughout choir rehearsal. However, my life changed radically again and I found myself living in Ireland for an extended amount of time and my memories faded of Aloha and its postcard perfect eats. That is until yesterday. I was craving lox and had trekked down to Einsteins for a bagel when I passed my old friend. Needless to say we will be getting reacquainted post haste.
(5)
Sarah P.

Had lunch at this place and was impressed. Having Spam on the menu scared me from this place at first. But, the bbq beef is great. The mini plates are even large portions! Served with cole slaw, macaroni salad, rice and meat it is a very filling meal. Flavor of the meat was good. It is a small place, so can be difficult to find a table. I will go back.
(4)
Kathryn M.

Well with over 200 reviews and an average of 4 stars, I might be wrong on this one, but I'm just not a fan of Aloha Eats. I went with one of my friends who was interested in having Aloha Eats cater her engagement party (they don't do delivery on large catering events, so it would have to be picked up). We each ordered a couple different things so that we would have a well balanced opinion and we pretty much decided that either we just don't like Hawaiian food or it just wasn't very good. I had the chicken katsu and barbecue chicken, she ordered a few other options, but I don't remember exactly what. The basic theme was that our food was tasteless. All of the food comes served in one big glob in a styrofoam container, which grosses me out. I like all my food separated and not touching thank-you-very-much. So that was a bummer for me from the get go. Also, while it wasn't very crowded, it took a long time to get our food. The cashier was super fun and rocking out to Britney Spears, which might have been the best part of the whole experience.
(2)
Calvin K.

Cheap prices, great food, hefty portions, and nice people! nuff said...
(4)
Alex z.

Just had their double chicken and mango ice-cream, it is great! I have never been disappointed in this place. In fact! Since I double parked outside, the guy came out to my car to drop off my order. This place is a gem, visit to see for yourself!
(5)
Paul C.

Dreadful. If this is what they eat in Hawaii, why are they all so fat?
(1)
Bryant C.

DON'T DO IT! I have given this place the benefit of the doubt and tried it 3 times. Absolutely horrible food quality. (think worse than a crappy Chinese place). Food is dry and boring. Need to smother it in their sauces which they make you pay extra for if you want more.
(1)
joanne y.

this place just piles the food on your plate. what's so great about this place is that they serve the food in styrofoam containers because they know you'll need it eventually. so, it's convenient too! it's a low-key, laid back kinda place which is nice and comfortable. the prices are reasonable for the amount of food they give you because they obviously anticipate you'll be eating it again for the rest of the day. i have an aunt living in hawaii and i know they eat a lot of spam there so i was delighted to see that they served that mystery meat. yum!!! this will be the place to go if i'm hankering for some hawaiian eats.
(4)
Anita M.

If only there would be one closer to the suburbs I would seriously have aloha eats everyday! My favorite is their macaroni salad and teriyaki chicken as well as their katsu. I have never been disappointed from the many times I've been there. You definitely get more than your money's worth here because the portions are huge. I've had hawaiian in the suburbs (not so good) and california (wonderful) and have to say for Chicago, this is the best hawaiian food here!
(5)
Joel T.

While the decor is sparse, the food more than makes up for it. I can't speak to how authentic everything is, but it is definitely good food. If you're not sure what to get, try the mixed bbq plate. It will give you a taste of what they're good at. My personal favorite is the bbq beef plate. For the adventurous, try the Spam musubi. If you're looking for fast food, but something out of the ordinary too, this is the place for you.
(4)
Maria L.

First, I must admit my complete ignorance of Hawaiian food. Roy's doesn't count. That said, I noticed a good number of possibly-Hawaiian-looking folks while lunching here today. I had the breaded, fried tofu-mmmmm. My friend loves the BBQ chicken. I like the option of "mini-plates"- they're not so mini. The fries were actually yummy (I didn't want the macaroni salad- too much of that crap in my past! Thanks, Midwestern mom!). I need to explore the menu more, but I was very pleased with the sauce that came with my tofu- spicy, sweet, and just good! I was dipping my fries in it, mixed it with the white rice, and of course, the tofu....I'll go back and try other stuff!
(4)
Brian S.

Very novel Hawaiian BBQ food. I've never really had Hawaiian before this, so I don't have much to compare it to, but the food was excellent. The beef is a little fatty, but that just brings that much more flavor to the party. The combo plate is definitely the way to go. Aloha also has the best burgers in the area - they have an interesting seasoning on them. It's VERY casual - almost like a fast food joint - and perfect for lunch from which you can take home leftovers for dinner. Try the plates, but skip the curry sauce. And please, do yourself a favor and try the spam just once :)
(4)
Rebecca B.

i was so excited to find a hawaiian grill in the midwest! aloha eats is a warm and cozy little place lincoln park. the dude behind the counter was super friendly and helpful. my boyfriend & i ordered the "double chicken combo" which came with bbq chicken, katsu chicken, rice & macaroni salad. it was more than enough food for two people. the katsu chicken was a little dry, but the bbq chicken was great. we also got two spam masubis, which were the biggest masubis i have ever seen, haha. overall, aloha eats had a good atmosphere, good service, & good food. definitely worth a trip.
(4)
Lj L.

Good food, great prices, and huge portions...what more could you ask for? Definitely money well-spent!
(4)
Morgan B.

Really good food and you get your money's worth. I got the double chicken and it was really good, a lot of food though. My friends got the BBQ chicken and the other got the beef and those were really good too. Strong recommendation.
(4)
steve h.

i would ALMOST consider moving into Lincoln Park just to be closer to Aloha Grill. its that good.
(5)
Ryan K.

I've tried this place twice. Didn't care for it either time. There are too many good options in the vicinity to give it a 3rd go round....
(1)
Lisa L.

Great price for a big and tasty lunch. Always great eats.
(4)
Kristin C.

Definitely a great place to grab take-out. The flavors are great and the price for the combo plate is incredibly reasonable. Great portion sizes too -- enough to have for lunch the next day. At first It felt a little awkward to have a scoop of macaroni salad right next to the rice, but I suppose it is a Hawaiian bbq place, and the macaroni salad was very good. Staff is unbelievably friendly!
(4)
Darryl J.

This is a Hawaiian Plate Lunch place (which is basically Hawaiian soul/comfort food). I decided not to rate it until I had Hawaiian plate lunches in Hawaii (where I live now), and these guys make it better than some places in Hawaii. It would be nice if they had Poki, but then again, they're not on the ocean. It's good for a plate lunch since the family is from Hawaii. Plus they're really nice people; always good to support the local establishments.
(3)
Al K.

I have been eating at this establishment since it first opened up a few years ago. Most often times restaurants put their best foot forward but eventually begin to fade in terms of quality. This establishment has done the opposite. Their quality, portion size and price have remained virtually the same if not imporived. I can easily say i've been there 20+ times and never had a bad experience. My only complaint is that they haven't opened up more locations across the city. I recommend that you try everything on the menu at least once.
(5)
M. C.

I must admit...the first time I got food from here, I wasn't that impressed. I guess I was just expecting the BBQ Chicken to be more flavorful. I mean, the menu says "marinated in our home-made teriyaki BBQ sauce." However, what you get it are somewhat dry pieces of chicken with little-to-no sauce on them. However, the Chicken Katsu has more than made up for any shortcomings. It's sort of a variation on fried chicken strips, and I guess it's sort of an acquired taste, but oh, is it addictive! I tend to be a white meat type of person, but strangely, I prefer the original menu version made of dark meat. Not only is the chicken and the dipping sauce great, but the rice is a nice accompaniment, and the macaroni salad is out of this world. The portions are ridiculously huge (especially for the price-point), so I always have leftovers. And this may sound strange, but I prefer to eat the leftovers cold. Oh, and I must say....leftover Chicken Katsu is one of my favorite things to eat after I get home from the bars or even the next morning.
(4)
Alice S.

Okay, so im kind of torn. I've definitely had my good days and bad days with aloha eats. I always order it for carry out and when i get home, its always a surprise because they're a bit inconsistent. I always order the Short rib plate and some days my order will be loaded with beef, and other days, it will have like two short ribs and 3 strips of the bones... =( sucks, but lucky them, my favorite part is eating that chewy, fatty portion around the bone. still, i would rather they gave me the ENTIRE short rib, rather than the scraps... i AM paying them, you know? but still, i return, because im a hungry korean girl, and aloha eats is a great way for my to get my kalbi fix (aka the bbq short ribs). something comforting about the short ribs, rice, and mac salad. i'll keep going back, but i wish they'd give me what i pay for~
(4)
Susan A.

conscientious toward customers with dietary restrictions - esp vegetarians. the tofu katsu is delicious!!! i have always wanted to try chicken katsu, but without the chicken...and this place had it! great value.
(5)
Darryl T.

I was in Hawaii earlier this year and this place outdoes Zippy's (which is not too hard). They have all of your local favorites, from pork or chicken katsu (plain or curried), to spam musubi, to saimin, to eggs and portugese sausage (they get the sausage from California). I agree with everyone else that the portions are HUGE. I can be a big eater and it says something when I can't finish an order in one sitting. The other reason to go is that it is family-owned and operated--they came from Honolulu.
(4)
Nate H.

I grew up in Hawaii and can vouch that this place is legit. The owners are from Aiea and they run this place just like a real plate lunch spot. My only complaint is that you have to buy two Spam musubi per order ... that's just crazy. Prices seem high, but they probably don't do the same volume as an L&L in HNL so I'm fine paying the premium. Overall very stoked to have this place in the Windy.
(5)
Andy G.

I first had plate lunch with my good friend from Kona in January of 2002 - and still can't get enough. For under $7 you get some of the best takeout in the city. I'm partial to the Chicken Katsu or the BBQ Chicken (get the mix plate if you can't decide.)
(4)
Billy B.

Like everyone else has said, the portions at this place are absolutely huge! The first time I went here I remember looking at the menu and having no idea what to order. The food is pretty different, and the macaroni salad that comes with everything is out of this world. My favorite is the BBQ chicken, Chicken Katsu, or Curry Beef. Man, it is so good. If your looking for a change, this is a good place to stop.
(4)
Ross F.

Authentic Hawaiian Plate Lunches- the prices are reasonable and I love the Korean Short Ribs...
(5)
Toni S.

mini barbeque beef is the way to go!!!!
(5)
Nikki C.

if you're yearly SPAM craving hits you when you least expect it, this place has to have the BEST Spam ever!!! Why? What makes the spam here more magical you ask? Do the laws of physics cease to exist in the Aloha Eats kitchen which help make the SPAM slices magical? ...I think NOT, but the price of $1.10 for a single 1/4 inch slice of salted pork shoulder and ham meatloaf, the official meat of Hawaii makes it so, at least it does in my mind;p lol (i love me some spam, and even more so in mass quantites with some eggs, and splashes of syrup MMMMMmmmmgood:) But I give this place its stars for the Chicken as I had the surf and turf combo choosing the chicken of course.... which came with your assorted breaded and deep fried pieces of shrimp and i believe mahi mahi, but was rather dry and overdone to tell. THough the shining star here is as told in other reviews is the chicken, very tasty and juicy as dark meat should be. Not great if you're in mile 8ish during the chicago marathon, but worth a quick stop for some carbs and protein inbetween happy hour drinking sessions among the many watering holes around the area.
(3)
Elizabeth R.

By far the grossest food I have ever eaten in my life. Actually threw away $20 worth of food from here cause neither my husband or I could stomach it. We got the mixed bbq and chicken katsu. It all tasted the same though, which was no flavor except for this weird taste that all I could think of was the zoo. So I basically felt like I was eating the zoo. Yuck! It was so unhealthy and greassy too. I'm not even a healthy eater but this was just too greassy and nasty for me. Eww, I am just getting grossed out thinking about it. If I wanted bland, unhealthy food I should have just thrown some crap in the deep fryer and it would have tasted the same.
(1)
Megan B.

Let's get one thing straight: I fucking love carbs. The mac salad and rice are great. I usually get the loco moco, cause I LOVE THE GRAVY. You could cover anything in that gravy and it'd be heaven. Hell, give me a cup of that gravy and I'll drink it. Then, I tried the chicken cutlet. SO FREAKING GOOD. Today I got the BBQ mix plate. Not a fan of the rib or the chicken but loooooved the BBQ beef. Great stuff, and great portions for the price. Love it.
(4)
Aldwin C.

They give you a lot of food for the price. I'll go back for those spam on rice. I'll skip the pulled pork. I'm more used to the bbq pulled pork in Kansas or St Louis.
(3)
Andrew T.

This place is the bomb for value (price/quantity comparison) and taste!! The curry sauce is VERY cinnamon-y, the bbq sauce is tangy, the teriyaki is glorified soy sauce so i recommend the money sauce aka Gravy... Get the chicken cutlet and you will never look back, they pack that box tighter then well, you know what... and the macaroni salad is not just filler, it's actually pretty tasty. If you are veggi like these wicker park hipsters I saw, you may like the tofu musubi, think tofu nigiri on the stuff that Roger Clemens wasn't taking... It's HUGE...
(5)
A C.

I like this place! they have chicken katsu, and SPAM!!!!! Yummy! How often do you find a restaurant that serves span with eggs over rice! Definitely recommended!!!!
(4)
Doug H.

So far all I've had is the Spam Musubi however the food has been great every time I've had it. The atmosphere is very chill which I really like where you can just kickback and hangout with friends while enjoying the food. Location is awesome too cause after you eat, you can always go next door for cupcakes for something sweet.
(5)
Chris S.

I am not gonna lie. I was a bit let down. A solid four star rating. A craving for Hawaiian food for the past 3 years (No Hawaiian cuisine in Northern Virginia). The Short Ribs were mainly fat and lacked flavor. The BBQ chicken was the highlight but out of the three-meat combo I ordered, cook gave me the least of the best stuff. The chicken was average. You have to request for egg in dish, does not come with entree automatically. It was ok to itch my 3-year Hawaiian scratch but if I wanna put lotion on my Hawaiian fix then I need to go to the islands or Rutts in Cali.
(3)
Eric P.

When I heard hawaiians were known for their love of spam... that did it for me! I had to search for a hawaiian place so i can overpay to eat something from a can that is already ready to eat... Yes its mysterious, yes only God knows where it came from, but its SPAM! If you don't like then this place aint for you. But yes I went into this place with low expectations but when i saw they had the traditional rice boxes... I knew this was a gold mine! I had their Hawaiian BBQ Mix Plate - $8.85 BBQ Beef, Chicken, and Beef Short-Rib... yes three meats, yes not mysterious, and no its not your typical american bbq, its teriyaki style and korean style bbq. And goodness it was massive and beautiful! Oh the variety! Came with rice and mac salad which wad delicious. I also had the traditional hawaiian Musubi which is simply rice and span sandwich wrapped in seaweed. I thought it was okay, a whole lot of rice, small strip of spam and barely was dressed in seaweed. Make it at home, a lot cheaper. But yes overall great food and looking forward to another trip soon!
(4)
Edgar K.

I used to live down the block from Aloha so, as recently as 3 months ago, I could be found stuffing my face with Hawaiian BBQ every week... it's hard to pass up heaps upon heaps of delicious food for cheap. What to order? Well that all depends. My roommate swears by the Spam Musubi, but for those who aren't thrilled at the prospect of eating fried canned meat with 500% of your daily value of sodium, I'd highly recommend any of the combination plates. The Mahi is decent, the the Chicken is always juicy and tender, and the BBQ Beef melts in your mouth. Generally speaking, the mini-plates will fill you up, and the combination plates will put your waistline in serious conflict with your belt. Oh, and one final important note: don't you dare substitute out your macaroni salad. The restaurant might not frown upon it, but I sure as hell do. There are starving children in Ethiopia dreaming of eating your macaroni salad from Aloha. Also, me. And i will haunt your dreams should I ever find you, the non-macaroni salad eating patron of Aloha Eats.
(5)
Albert O.

Reminds me of when I live in Hawaii. If you want the taste of local hawaiian food it's a must go. From mix plate to curry katsu, and local moco.
(5)
Cory A.

Portions are big at this place, so be hungry! I'm not sure that I would really call this true Hawai'ian food, because having been to Hawai'i and eaten the local fare, I'm not reminded of anything I once had eaten. As well as most of the Hawai'ian staples that you'd see the locals eat are not even on the menu. Not even the common ones. But don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that the food is bad. It's nicely cooked and very flavorful, I just think it should be called Hawai'ian American Fusion instead. I had the Chicken Katsu last time and it was nice, but it was literally a fried chicken breast with a "Hawai'ian" sauce to dip it in, white steamed rice, and macaroni salad. The price is pretty good too, and so is the service, so I'll be back. I'd just like to see some real Hawai'ian food on the menu.
(3)
Chris E.

Overall a positive experience. I lived in Hawai'i for about 6 months, so I had certain expectations. Aloha Eats satisfied those expectations. I ordered the Double Chicken combo and my friend ordered the BBQ Combo. Both plates come with shredded cabbage, white rice, and macaroni salad. Hawaiian food is superheavy on the starches. While you can sub fries for the rice and Mac, I suggest trying it at least once.
(4)
Leah C.

comfort food, hawaiian style... aloha offers simple, straight-forward meals- a different take on meat and potatoes (sub-in other carbs = rice, fries and macaroni). this vegi's options were obviously a bit limited but i am grateful they kept us in mind ;) the macaroni salad that accompany the plates contain tuna so it's not truly vegetarian. i was told that they could subsititute peas and carrots. i instead opted for the tofu masubi and a side of broccoli/carrots/garlic-- much more substantial. the masubi is similar to nigiri-sushi (not maki-rolls) on steroids-- a huge block of rice topped with lightly battered tofu and held together by a strip of seawood. the vegi katsu sauce is a bit spicy and salty but in moderation, helps flavor the white rice.
(3)
Michael H.

I've been to Hawaii several times and this place is better than some places there. The chicken katsu and short ribs are must haves. The portions are large, so the half sizes are perfect.
(5)
Liza A.

Just found this place this past weekend and am so happy! Came back from a trip to Hawaii with some serious blues and wanted some Hawaiian comfort food and that's exactly what I found. My friends had the loco moco and they loved it, tasted just like on the island and I had the Kuloa pork which was very good. The owner was so nice we just chatted about our recent trip. Will definitely return!
(5)
Gabe L.

Hang Ten Dude! I don't actually know what that means, I assume that's how they talk in Hawaii. I've been here a few times (once accidentally, don't ask), and it really fills you up for the price. The meat is good. The fish is good. The rice is rice-like, which is good. No real complaints, but not blown away since I can make a lot of this at home. If you want, come over, and I'll prove it.
(3)
Chris M.

Since I am going to Hawaii in a week (hahaha, yeah suckas!!) I decided I'd take a dip into Aloha Grill to check out some Hawaiian delicacy. What I found was alot of white rice.....alot. White rice was everywhere and in everything we ordered. We ordered the musubi's on recommendation from someone who reviewed Aloha on Yelp, and they weren't too good. I didn't think Spam really meant SPAM, but it did. I have never eaten Spam before, but apparently they like it in Hawaii b/c it was on Aloha's menu more than once. The BBQ chicken musubi was okay, but the Spam I am not sure I liked as much. And of course, there was the abundance of white rice underneath. The small plates I think is where it's at. BBQ Beef and Katsu Chicken were both very tasty. The meat is dark on the chicken, but its breaded so you can't really tell. But the darkness is what gave it that extra tenderness. The beef looked like Italian Beef but had a very sweet flavor to it. I'm not all about sweet meat, as I like it straight up, but this was delectable to me. Both dishes were served with macaroni salad (yummy) and a huge scoop of WHITE RICE!!!) GEEZ, okay on the rice. I like rice and all, but there was too much of it. Could they give you something else with it? Or maybe just nothing else with it so I don't feel as bad about not eating it all.
(3)
Marlon V.

Never disappoints. Everything on the menu is dee-lish. It's as close you're going to get to Hawaii. The staff has been great everytime I've been there so far. I wish they had more to there menu or maybe a featured dish of the month, but I guess why mess with something that is already great.
(4)
Lina Y.

We got the mini portion, which you should since the portions are huge. We got the bbq short ribs and the chicken katsu, because were not fans of pork and going to a Hawaiian restaurant probably wasnt the best idea. They both came with macaroni (a cream base, almost like an alfredo) and white rice. The chicken was cut into tender size portions and the bbq with fat and bone. At least I can say i tried the place. For all you pork fans, im sure this place hits the spot.
(2)
Illi F.

first time going here today and I could not have asked for a better place to spend my sunday afternoon. First of all, as a serial spam consumer, I needed my fix and the spam musubi satisfied my sodium-ridden appetite. I ordered the Spam loco which is a dish served with 3 slices of spam, eggs (however you want it) with a generous serving of gravy and a side order of macaroni salad. Not a big fan of macaroni salad, but the one here is a particular exception. Its a perfect compliment to the salty spam goodness. They also serve Aloha Maid, which is an all natural fruit drink that is imported from Hawai'i. They come in 7 or so different flavors, all island fruit (passionfruit, guava, strawberry, etc.) and best of all, its made with all natural cane sugar!!! Deeelicious. The food is delicious, the staff are friendly and posters of all things Hawaiian pinned on the walls bring a homey nostalgic feeling. Come and enjoy some Hawaiian fare! and get a taste of the islands!
(5)
Lydia P.

What an awesome surprise! I never thought to stop in here, as I'm a vegetarian and the whole "Hawaiian grill" thing didn't seem like it would work well for me. However, when our first nighttime destination was closed, my boyfriend and I walked down Clark Street to see what wasn't. Lucky for us, Aloha Eats was open. As I looked at the menu, I was hard-pressed to make a choice. It all looked delicious, and the prices are great. I ended up ordering a garden burger, he got the Spam saimin, and we split an order of the tofu katsu, complete with mac salad and rice. So! Good! The garden burger (all of $3.95) was delicious, as expected, and served simply with lettuce, tomato, onion, mayo, and ketchup. My boyfriend loved his Spam soup ($4.95). The tofu katsu was a huge amount of food for $7.75, but it wasn't a problem for us. The four large tofu pieces were fried in panko breadcrumbs and served with the yummiest sauce ever. The mac salad was great. We left satiated and very pleased. I'll absolutely be back. How else will I find out how good everything else is?
(5)
David W.

We just happened upon this little Hawaiian plate lunch spot while walking to see the Blue Man Group through my old neighborhood. The food is authentic (but it's not Hawaiian or Japanese people -- just good "local" plate lunch food) . The fact we could get a spam musubi snack during the walk had us coming back the next day for lunch. Good food, friendly owners - no ka oi for Chicago's Clark St.!
(4)
Nancy F.

I love Ryne D's review of Aloha Eats because that is how I can relate... went to U of I and was introduced to hawaiian bbq and macaroni salad from L&L. Sadly it did not do well (i think it was too early to introduce hawaiian food in the Champaign, IL area) and closed down. After graduating and moving back into the city, I was introduced to Aloha Eats! I can now satisy my craving for hawaiian bbq and katsu. They have a lot of combo plates (regular and mini size) so you can get a mix of what you want or you can just get a simple order of your favorite dish. I haven't tried out their curry and noodles yet but i might venture onto it when i get sick of the hawaiian mix plate (hawaiian bbq chicken, beef and ribs) or chicken mix plate (hawaiian bbq chicken and chicken katsu).. but not sure whens that going to happen. the mini size is enough for 1 person and the regular can feed 2 people - perfect size for lunch so you don't experience food coma.. maybe for dinner you might want to opt for the larger portion and eat it all yourself... yum. this place gets 5 stars because its the only hawaiian place in the city! roy's doesn't count because the setting is just totally different. aloha eats is where you go for a quick, cheap, delicous bite and roy's is the "i just got a FAT raise so let's celebrate" type of place. and i don't think roy's will serve you spam.... :) aloha eats is a perfect weekend lunch or takeout place - there arent too many tables in there to sit so if you have a large party going in the weekends, you might need to squeeze tightly together.
(5)
Nicole C.

Nothing makes me happier than grilled meats and rice. We stopped in here on a whim and some good things we had herd for people who work in the area. 12 was the perfect time to eat here, it seemed that we beat the rush, which is always nice. The actual dinner plates are huge, I had no idea. So next time I think I'll go with a mini. They also have a couple different kinds of musubi, which I am excited to try. I got the BBQ plate, and it was very good.
(4)
Marisa A.

This place is really convenient if you want to have a casual meal or pick up something to take home. The give you lots of food for the price-- I can't imagining finishing a full plate! And they get points for having Sriracha on hand. I should note that I'm not a fan of Hawaiian food. I lived in Hawaii for a couple years (so what if I was 8... I don't forget what I eat) and was never into it. I want everything to be less sweet and way spicier. But anyways, I think Aloha Eats is a pretty accurate representation of Hawaiian food. I didn't like the BBQ beef at all.. bad quality meat and wayyy too sweet. The fried shrimp is pretty good, I think it's butterflied and comes with a yummy tartar sauce.
(3)
Sarah Rylee F.

I love this place!! I recently went to hawaii and have been missing it since i returned to the mainland. the food is great and I highly reccomend the musubi's. its 4 bucks for 2 handrolls that you really only need 1 to be full. i prefer the chicken. the only reason they got 4 instead of 5 is i wish there was a little more selection that were a little bit more hawaiian. i feel like a couple of their dishes are tweeked to be a little more mainland-ish. but the service was fast and friendly and I've already sent a bunch of my co workers there... HIGHLY RECCOMEND!
(4)
Jason C.

I was fortunate enough to be at the University of Illinois when L&L Hawaiian Barbeque was on campus. It was here that I discovered the righteousness of spam musubi, macaroni salad, chicken katsu, loco moco, Hawaiian BBQ short ribs, and grilled mahi mahi. The flag flew half-staff when they closed down in Champaign but when I moved to Chicago, I was happy to find the reincarnated form of L&L in Aloha Eats. For first timers, I would recommend going with the spam musubi (think of sushi, except instead of fish it's spam) to start off and the mini chicken katsu plate (breaded chicken cutlets with gravy) served with rice and macaroni salad. Unless any you have a gigantic appetite, the mini plates will suffice. Ok, I know most of you that haven't had spam are thinking it's gross/it's all the other processed parts of the animal/it's mystery meat. Who knows if it's but Hawaiians live and die by it, so why not try it - you're at a Hawaiian place after all! I'm glad this place isn't close to me. If that were the case, I would definitely be reliving my college days by eating lunch here every day, carrying 20 more pounds of chicken katsu in my belly.
(4)
Nick M.

Ordered the BBQ chicken, and it is more of a teriyaki, which was surprising and pleasing. It was enormous, and well worth the money. The chicken itself reminded me of Sarku in the mall, except higher quality. Very tasty. The macaroni salad was also very good, but the chicken stole the show. The only downside was the warmed instead of steamed cabbage, which I found to be rather useless. Other than that a very good meal.
(4)
Jay S.

Been here on 2 occasions and both times were because I was starving and wanted to eat something fairly quickly. First time I got the Spam Musubi because I was craving spam at 8 pm for some reason. That definitely hit the spot but of course it wasn't anything mind blowing. Second time I got the BBQ Short Ribs and it was ....ok. Just ok. I didn't really like the macaroni salad and would substitute that next time.
(3)
Darren F.

good food and OK service. the chicken katsu was really good and the bbq ribs was decent, some of the ribs was kinda chewing. the price is cheap and the portions was pretty big.. sometimes the katsu would be a little dry and sometimes it would be perfect so its a hit or miss.. its a good place to come eat once in a while.
(3)
Pam R.

I ordered a mini and i couldn't finish all of it! Got so much food for what you pay for and the service was fast. Unfortunately, there isn't much space to eat and i went with a larger group and we all had to stand and wait for seats and sit separately. The food was great though & i will def. be returning!
(4)
Melanie V.

Three words: Spam and eggs!!! Very good food. Awesome canned, fruit drinks.
(5)
Tica W.

I was born and raised in Hawaii and anytime I want plate lunch favorites I come here. Ive had everything on the menu but I usually order the Hawaiian BBQ mix plate with an extra side of mac salad. This is the real deal.
(5)
Valery P.

One of my fave lunch places in Lincoln Park area. Make sure to order the Hawaiian soft drinks and their lunch minis when you're there (My fave is mini katsu /bbq beef). The only cons for me is Parking, but they do have a parking validation now at the nearby grocery store. They also have the low-carbs menu which is pretty slick for people who want to stay in shape during the summer.
(4)
BRANDI H.

PROS: -When you're 3000+ miles away from Hawaii, this is the best Hawaiian food you're going to get -Teri beef, fried shrimp/mahi -Large portions -They have a Portuguese Sausage plate that I want to try. -Reasonably priced CONS: -The Hawaiian Sun (or maybe they were Aloha Maid?) are about $1.85 a can! -No poke :(
(4)
Kenneth C.

This is a quite a good place to grab lunch. For the most part the menu consists of a good mix of korean/japanese lunch dishes. The bbq chicken and short ribs were quite good. Portions were large for the more expensive versions. The guy at the register was friendly and clearly is trying to create a Hawaiian style lunch place (successfully I might add). I want to give it 4 stars, but the problem is simply the location. It's right down the street from Del Seoul which has a more interesting menu. And Crisp isn't too far away. Any place else and I might have bumped up its score. Summary: very good lunch spot, but menu mostly consists of standard Korean and Japanese style fare.
(3)
Bridget M.

I am no expert on Hawaiian food, I have however eaten at L&L many a time so perhaps I'm no novice either. Perhaps. The helpings are generous; yet I am somehow baffled at how Asian and Asian related cuisines tend to get the rice to entree ration so wrong, Aloha Eats was no different. However! I welcome skimping on the rice in place of more meat since, being the good little Asian girl that I am, I have plenty of rice in my fridge at home. I waited about 10 minutes for my order to come out. Took our pork katsu, double chicken (bbq chicken and chicken katsu), and spam musubi back home. I found the chicken katsu superior to its pork counterpart. The flavor of the bbq chicken was just ok. Neither the macaroni salad nor their fries were anything to write home about. The bbq sauce was lackluster. All in all, not what I had hoped for, but not terrible.
(3)
Tuyet H.

My boyfriend and I wanted to try some Hawaiian food, and I heard about this place. We wasn't sure what to order, we asked the girl at the cash register but she wasn't much of a help. We order the fried steak chicken and bbq beef. The portion was a lot bigger than I thought. After eating only half of the portion we were full. At first we thought it wasn't as bad as the place look, although I was a little worry when I saw how dirty the kitchen was. Not to my surprise, both of us got a stomach ache and end up puking. That will be the last time we go there.
(1)
Ripley W.

I lived in Hawaii before I moved to Chicago, so I've definitely had my fair share of plate lunch. I really wanted to give 5 stars, and I'm usually not so ridiculously picky, but I have to be in this case. Wait for it.........They don't have Aloha shoyu OR Hawaiian Sun canned drinks! I'm sorry, but this is totally unacceptable for any Hawaiian place. It's like being in a magical place that makes 1,000 different kinds of french fries, and they serve them with generic ketchup. Give me my Heinz, and give me Aloha and Hawaiian Sun! The food itself is awesome. The teri sauce is sweet, the beef is fatty, the Spam is salty - just like in Hawaiii! They even have saimin. The kalua pork could be a little bit saltier, and it would be nice to get a single piece of Spam musubi, but I'm cool with having to order 2, because I take the 2nd one home and make a modified Loco Moco from it. Anyway, I love this place and eat way too much there. I just wish they had Aloha and Hawaiian Sun!!!!!!!!!
(4)
Mike T.

I've eaten here a few times and I think the food is very tasty. I enjoy the macaroni and the short ribs and the variety of different things you can order. I've had one of their curry dishes once and I thought the portions were way too much for me to finish. The only issue is that the seating is very limited so if you have a large group, good luck on finding seating. The area has a lot of popular restaurants to eat at but I would rank Aloha Eats pretty high.
(4)
Shawn Z.

Stumbled on to this place when we were in the neighborhood and I was very pleasantly surprised. We had a great loco moco and kalua pork, both of which came in very large portions. It's a small place, with a fun environment and friendly people. I would definitely go back.
(4)
Julia D.

I knew I was addicted right away. The stuff is too good, packed with flavor. The first time I had saimin there I couldn't stop thinking about it till the day after. Also, the counter guy with a beard was really nice and welcoming.
(5)
Samra M.

Cheap Hawaiin food! lol I really want to go back for some chicken katsu and chicken bbq. And for dessert you can go next door to molly's and get a cuppie cake :). The owner is very nice and so are the workers. It's a 5 min wait for food depening on what you get. The first time I had it i fell in love and craved it at the weirdest times. A must try.
(4)
Rebecca L.

I enjoy the Chicken Katsu Plate lunch as there are good portions and tasty for what it is. I've also tasted the Mahi burger which was also yummy. Parking in the area isn't easy but the restaurant itself is nice little place to go to. This place makes me wish there were more Hawaiian eats in the city.
(4)
Kristi T.

As authentic as you are going to find this far east of Hawaii. All of the curries are good. The pork katsu is a little thin. I might try the chicken next time. Kalua pork and the spam musubi always a fav. They even have cans of Aloha drinks and haupia! We will def be back!
(4)
Kathy K.

BBQ beef with rice was really good. I'll be back.
(4)
Kevin R.

After several vacations to Hawaii I fell in love with Hawaiian food. I used to live in Denver and we had a local L&L Hawaiian BBQ that I visited once a week or so. When I moved I was sad to see that Chicago of all places didn't have one. Then I found this place. It's equally as good and is a good substitute for the L&L's in Hawaii. The Chicken Katsu and Chicken Katsu Curry are spot on. The Macarooni salad is just as good as any other Hawaiian place. Which makes it the best you'll ever have. I was disappointed a little bit in the Kalua Pig. It wasn't as plentiful as it is at most L&L's. The flavor was good but the portion was really tiny. Need to give it another try. I took a friend with me who had never eaten Hawaiian Food and he raved about it all the way home.
(5)
Jasmine N.

Yummy chicken katsu! I j'adore you. I love how they have large sizes and "mini" sizes so I can get a variety of food for the same price.
(4)
Bada Bing L.

Straight from Hawaii, huge scoops of food directly towards your hunger. Your stomach will be filled with rice, some sorta cabbage thing, creamy macaroni salad, and tasty sweet beef. The fat Hawaiian guy physic will be explained by this colossal combo of ingredients. You can get these either on a plate, on a bun, or over rice. Even the mini plate options are a ton of food. Theres a lot of proteins, but I would say the bbq beef is the best.
(4)
JS T.

I've had Aloha Eats a few times now--like some of the other reviewers, I had a slight case of food poisoning afterwards, but nothing too hazardous. The food at best is okay. I could marinate and cook the meat better myself. The short rib sauce has too much sugar and it had a layer of burnt sugar on the surface, which made it taste slightly unpleasant. The chicken and bbq beef are all tenderized too much so that the meat is almost too mushy. The rice doesn't have the right consistency of sticky Japanese rice. All in all, for 9 dollars, I could have eaten something much better. Although I also understand having a location in Lincoln Park means they need to charge a little more to keep up the rent. I'd rather use that 9 dollars to get real short rib or bbq beef at a Korean restaurant.
(2)
Wayne P.

This place is ideal if you are a person who wants good food for a good price. It is nothing o_ver the top, but the BBQ meat is what I come here for. Whether you order the BBQ beef, chicken, spare ribs, or the mix plate, you cannot go wrong. Some other delights are the Spam Locco and the chicken katsu. You are given large portions so either work up an appetite beforehand or prepare to take some home and eat for your next meal. The atmosphere is simple and the service people are ok people. College people love it to death and is worth a try at delivery at least (_8^(1)
(4)
Janet L.

Another one of those restaurants near Clark and Deming that I just had to try. After revisiting Molly's cupcakes, I walked next door to Aloha Eats and was a bit overwhelmed by the menu. I don't think I've ever had Hawaiian food before, but I think I'm a fan :o]. The guy at the cash register was very helpful since I couldn't decide which type of chicken dish I wanted. I tried the BBQ chicken mini-plate, which was more than enough food for lunch. It was a good price, and I enjoyed the chicken with the rice. The macaroni salad is pretty tasty, especially since it has just a hint of tuna flavor (but not too much). They have a wide selection of imported Hawaiian juices, and I tried the strawberry-guava, which was also yummy! I definitely want to come back again to check out the other dishes, like the katsu :o].
(4)
Alanna K.

I went to Aloha Eats my first time ever tonight. My mom and I went, and for one thing, I couldn't believe how tiny the place is considering how big their food is! haha Anyways, I ordered the Kalua Pork, and my mom had the BBQ Short Ribs. I just LOVED it all. This place is such a nice change of food. Oh, and I got BBQ chicken musubi and SPAM Musubi to go. We ended up taking quite a bit of food home, but it was so delicious. For one thing, I love that they have just plain white rice, and the mac salad. It's definitely the kind of plate lunch that most asians are accustomed to. That's a good thing though, because you don't find that a lot anymore. Plus the portions are HUGE and it's reasonably priced...which is something you also don't see that often. All I have to say about this place, is it just has some good food. It's not all fancy, and it's pretty simple, but sometimes those places are the best! It seems to me that you pretty much get what you see on the menu...there's no real surprises here, so don't expect something totally fancy. I'm not gonna lie, some people might not like it, because they might expect more. The food is "plain" but not PLAIN as in TASTELESS. It's definitely TASTY, it's just like a good homecooked meal; there's no thrills, just good food. I will definitely be back and try the Saimin and Curry!
(5)
Sylvia I.

I was sooo disappointed in this place. I was really craving Hawaiian food (especially since I got married and honeymooned there last year) and was so excited to find this place. I even drove out of my way to come eat here for dinner... I ordered the mini plate of short ribs that came with rice and mac salad. The short ribs were really fatty and the mac salad didn't seem fresh. I felt really unhealthy and slightly naseous after eating here. I would definitely not come back.
(2)
Dave N.

Their meat is of excellent quality. We order from them for work all the time. I bring everyone who visits me in Chicago to eat at Aloha. They're very nice and always get big orders right. Their ingredients are of very high quality.
(5)
susan f.

I am amazed that this place has a four star rating! I had the BBQ chicken, which essentially was a boneless, skinless, greasy pan fried chicken thigh--a far cry any true Hawaiian BBQ and really, just yucky. The rice was good. Aloha, Aloha Eats--'not even tempted to give it another shot. Mahalo. (I just read other reviews which noted a sauce on the BBQ chicken--mine was completely dry. Hmmm...perhaps they forgot to add it.)
(1)
Rebecca H.

Service was good, but the food wasn't. We got our food quick and the price seemed cheap. But ugh, the food! Yeah, the macaroni salad is good IN COMPARISON to how bad the meat is. Both the chicken and beef were outrageously fatty and grisly. The sauces were good, but I couldn't get over how fatty the meat was. We ate the rice and sauce and threw the rest away.
(2)
Cheech M.

I can understand the allure of the restaurant, but it's just not for me. The dishes aren't anything special, and the last time I went there they ran out of their Spam Musubi. I've tried the chicken katsu, spam musubi, and the portugese sausage plate. None of the plates were stellar. The pricing is pretty fair, considering you get big servings. Just not one of the places that I would have a craving for, if that makes sense.
(2)
Vincent L.

This place. this place. THIS PLACE IS SOOO GOOD!!!!!!! I figured this would be your typical slightly modernized Hawaiian american fusion places and be flavorless. But, I was wrong. This place 1) serves amazing portions, Like I was full from eating it and it was only one order (that's pretty amazing) 2) the flavor of foods were savory and everything was fresh 3) the vibe of the place is nice and comfortable. I LOVE THIS PLACE. that is all.
(5)
becki s.

I want to give this more than 3 stars because my BBQ beef was sinfully delicious, but the fat coating on my lips is too thick. It feels like super tasty lip gloss...and my belly feels like its greased up for a fun night...if you know what I mean....::yuk:: haha But all in all, this place has great food. The BBQ beef was tender and very thiny sliced. The Loco Moco, which is a heart attack in a Styrofoam box, consists of 2 hamburger pattys, drenched in brown gravy and topped with 2 eggs... oh the boyfriend loved it. Try this place, you will more than likely love it, but you may not like the feeling afterwards!! My suggestion, take a long walk. It made me feel better :)
(3)
Dennis J.

I heard such good things... I really wanted to love it..... BUT, it didn't happen. Maybe I went on a bad day?.... The batter that the shrimp and fish were fried in tasted kinda weird. The rice was so sticky that it was almost the consistency of pudding. The beef was so/so All together kinda flavorless. I did love the Hawaiian drinks, the place was spotless, and the service was excellent.
(2)
Daniel W.

This is my favorite place to eat in the city. Spam musubi and chicken katsu are heaven. Plus, they have rice/spam/eggs on the menu, which is my go-to breakfast meal (thanks, Filipino mom), which is awesome.
(5)
Brenda C.

This place is so amazing I have considered moving closer so they can deliver and I can have easier access!! Yes it's that serious. I looooove this place. Especially the BBQ beef with Sriracha sauce. The BBQ mix combo is a great plate to try your fist time. Then you can decide what you like best! It includes beef, chicken and a spare rib. The mac salad is delicious! Never had better mac salad. The portions are big. I'm a little obsessed with this place.. I go about 2-3 times a week and I don't live close. Try it! Hopefully you'll love it as much as I do.
(5)
Gladys C.

**Formerly known as Aloha Grill, they changed it to Aloha Eats due to Legal issues.** It's a small take-out place with tables. If you stay and eat, they bring your food, already in to-go boxes on a tray with plastic silverware. The service is always consistent. The peeps are nice and the portions very generous. The prices are reasonable as well. There's a good number of tasty choices - the plate lunches comes with rice and mac salad (which is awwweeesooomee!). I like the combo plates since I can never choose - the Double Chicken (teriyaki BBQ chicken and katsu chicken) is never a bad choice. The sauce that it comes with is super yummy. For a lighter option, they have mini plates which will also filled you up just fine! I always have to pick up a musubi as well - it's a thick block of rice, seasoned with teriyaki sauce, topped with tofu or spam (I usually get one of each) and wrapped with nori. Super good snack! There's also curry plate lunches, saimin (noodle soup), burgers, salads and dessert!
(4)
Ashley M.

I've been here a few times with my boyfriend who loves the place. It took awhile for me to warm up to the food though. I really enjoy the shrimp and he always gets the bbq chicken which I enjoy now too. The service is fast and the food is awlays piping hot. Worth a return trip!
(4)
Joel C.

Love this place! Small, but fairly quick service for dine-in and carry-out. I've been to Hawaii and the food here tastes just like it does in Hawaii. The Portuguese sausage I'm told is brought in fresh daily from Hawaii. The food is awesome!
(5)
Da J.

Generally I'm a huge fan of Hawai'ian food. Maybe it was just what I ordered, but I found it to be just OK. Perhaps I should try something spam-a-licious next time I'm in the neighborhood. Portions are definitely generous!
(3)
MJ d.

I had a craving today. It had been awhile since my last Aloha Grill/Eats experience. Chicken Katsu is great!! I don't know how they fit a whole chicken in that to-go box for only $8?? I remember tasting my friends' BBQs and teriyakis and they were equally delicious. Try double dipping the katsu in chili sauce. Yum! I'm saving the other two-thirds for dinner tonight. Hint: If you have a little time (more importantly, patience), reheat katsus with the toaster oven. They turn out just as crispy. Unfortunately parking is almost impossible to find so walk or El it if you can...and it's too bad they don't deliver to River North.
(4)
Carly O.

Hmmmm....grilled meat over a heap of steamed white rice and a scoop of the most delicious macaroni salad EVER? Yes. Please. Aloha Eats is THE best place for a quick bite when you're not feeling hotdogs, sandwiches or tacos and want something fast, delicious and filling. Everything is good. No lie. I'm a sucker for the BBQ beef. But the short ribs, curry, hamburger in gravy and even cheeseburgers are great. I'm fairly certain I could eat Aloha eats at least once a week and never get sick of it. Yeah, it's that good.
(5)
Kyung P.

The interior could use a bit of a make-over, but the food is where it's at! Go for the pork katsu - you'll have enough food for 2 whole meals. The $4 noodles can't be beat! It's a great alternative to your typical fast food joint. Yummy!!!
(5)
Sara B.

I was addicted to this place....I try to limit my intake now for fear of becoming re-addited. :-) I don't get here so much really because I moved... When I order I usually go with the double chicken special (Sometimes I go with the BBQ Mix) with some macaroni salad and a side of grilled Spam... Yes, that's right Spam...it's huge in Hawaii and I have always loved it. so to get it out at a restaurant is really kinda cool. Now, if i can only get this place to open another location a little further west...Logan Square definitely has some retail space open since Pollo Loco left. :-)
(5)
Y V.

As a Filipino, I have to admit...I really do enjoy eating Spam. So when I saw that Aloha Eats actually had Spam on their menu, I got excited... lol. I've been to Hawaii a few times and Aloha Eats definitely serves authentic plate lunches. Now, it's nothing fancy, but it's what the locals eat. I've tried their Hawaiian BBQ Mix Plate, which includes BBQ Beef, Chicken, and Beef Short-Rib, 2 scoops of rice, and 1 scoop of macaroni salad (yes!!!). The chicken was boneless thigh meat, very juicy, and had lots of flavor. The bbq beef was similar to Korean bulgogi, very tasty! Don't be a food snob and try the Spam Musubi! I'll definitely go back
(4)
Matthew L.

Its good, and its nice to try something different (kind of), but when you are in Lincoln Park with infinite dinning options, Aloha can only muster a mediocre score. Worth a stop on by and a try because you will enjoy your meal, you just won't be wow-ed.
(3)
Luke S.

Chicken Katsu!!!!!!!!! What have you done to my life?!?
(5)
Lauren K.

This place is my absolute favorite. I have to go here atleast once a month despite leaving 10+ miles away. I'm in love with spam and I always get their spam, eggs, and rice. I enjoy the chicken katsu as well. This place is so good the people are super friendly and at first I was like "wow kind of expensive for fast food" but the portions are so generous that I decided its actually not expensive at all. LOVE LOVE LOVE ALOHAAAA!!!!!
(5)
Steve R.

Mini chicken katsu, extra crispy and an order of spam musubi - enough for 2 and damn it tastes good. The hawaiian canned drinks are money too.
(5)
Nic T.

Got dragged back here again. Ordered the same overly fat, greasy, flavorless chicken because this is the "best" thing on the menu. Reading all these multiple star reviews make me sicker than eating at Aloha Eats. It's pretty obvious that they cater to a faux-foodie crowd that will support anything that isn't "corporate swill".
(1)
Victor P.

Love the burger steak...reminds me and wayyy better than the Filipino Jollibee's burger steak. Looks like we don't need Jollibee in Chi. :)
(5)
Christina B.

JUST got home from dinner here on a whim. Immediately greeted with a really friendly "hello!" and a "take your time and let me know if you have any questions". We had a few questions and he was great about answering them. I also loved the music! I felt instantly at home hearing Kings of Leon come on! I love that they do substitutions because I can be a picky eater sometimes. Also, my boyfriend dropped his fork and as he was picking it up off the floor an employee was already at his side with a new one! The food is really good but really simple. Food is served in styrofoam to-go containers so that makes it easy to eat what you want and go. Our faithful server was even at our side with a bag for our boxes before we asked! We joked he must be clairvoyant! Both my boyfriend and I were pleased and there was enough food so that we will have it for lunch tomorrow!
(4)
sheena r.

thank you jeebus for sending us aloha eats. i've been craving some hawaiian food like mad, and when i finally got around to checking out aloha eats, i was ecstatic. i ate hawaiian food in california too many times to count, and since i've been back, i've been without my delicious bbq chicken and macaroni salad. so now that i've found aloha eats, i am saved. yes, parking is a bitch in that area, but it's totally worth going around and around 3 or maybe 4 times to find parking. the bf and i went on a thursday night around 8, and there were only a couple people inside waiting for their takeout. we checked out the menu, and i opted for the double chicken plate which had bbq chicken and chicken katsu, along side rice and mac. the bf went with the bbq mixed plate: chicken, kalbi and beef. and we also ordered spam musubi as well. i am not a huge spam eater, but if it's in musubi form, i will eat it and enjoy. we sat down and waited for our food, watching as a few people came in and out for their take out. our food came out served in take out containers, which is totally understandable. the portions are HUGE! i barely ate half, and had to take the rest to go. it was all sooo good. the bbq chicken didn't skimp on the flavor. the spam musubi, tasty. and the chicken katsu, wow. it was good. i'm not normally a katsu fan, mainly because its usually bland, and not crispy. but this, this was tasty and super crispy! i was so happy to find that there is hope for me and katsu. i tried some of the bf's kalbi and bbq beef. both excellent. the beef oh the beef. i will definitely be ordering the mixed plate next time. but that katsu haunts me, telling me that i want it again. something i've never experienced before. so we shall see. because there will be a next time. and a next time. and a next time.
(5)
Alex R.

This place is great -- if you know what you are ordering. Basically, anything ending in "katsu" is delicious. I would stay away from the sandwiches though. They aren't bad, but you might as well order something awesome (with Spam).
(4)
Susan F.

This place was soooo cheap!! :) I got a cheeseburger and macaroni salad (how daring, i know!) The burger was small but really good and not greasy at all. It had a lot of flavor for being just a plain cheeseburger. The macaroni salad was kinda bland but the single scoop was a nice size! It was fast, but I really need to try everything else on the menu. They even have SPAM! Obviously, because Hawaii is SPAM's biggest fan. They have grilled or fried Mahi Mahi too and they have different sets of plates you can get for different prices, depending on how hungry you are. They also have all of those fun fruit juices in a can!
(4)
Claire S.

I looove Aloha Eats! I've been coming her for a couple of years now and I'm finally getting around to writing a review. I can't comment on the authenticity of the food because I really don't know. What I do know is that their tofu katsu changed my life. I am constantly craving this perfectly breaded and fried tofu. The sauce that accompanies it absolutely amazing as well. I substitute the mac salad for fries (the mac salad isn't vegetarian). What I've always noticed is that the employees here are very accommodating to dietary restrictions and there's a guy that works at the front desk who is always super friendly and marks my sauce container with a sharpie to distinguish it from my boyfriend's non-vegetarian sauce. Also, if you call for carry-out, it's pretty much ready in 10 minutes. Overall, great restaurant! I'll be sad to leave the neighborhood in a month...It won't stop me from visiting this little gem though!
(4)
Michael L.

Forget what I ordered but my plate came out with all different kinds of meat stacked about three inches high. Good place to get hawaiin food.
(3)
Shalene M.

Good food at OK prices. :o)
(3)
Albert K.

After visiting Hilo, Hawaii, sometimes I get a craving for a heart-attack plate lunch and head to Aloha Eats. And it's just as delicious as it was in Hawaii. If you get a double plate you will have leftovers, or you'll eat the whole thing and fall into food coma, like I do. Their BBQ chicken is tender and flavorful, chicken katsu is crispy, and BBQ beef (basically Korean kalbi-style) is delicious. And the sides are substitutable, so feel free to choose your favorite carbs, (rice, macaroni salad, fries). Rice is just plain white, but the fries and macaroni salad are tasty. The passionfruit drinks are not to be missed, either. It's just an amazing deal; they could charge a lot more because they give you so much food. The "Franchise Opportunities" sign piqued my interest, but I would need a quadruple-bypass every week if I owned my own Aloha Eats. Don't fear the SPAM!
(5)
Anne Marie J.

That was the worst fried mahi, fried shrimp, fried scallop, etc dish I've EVER had. It tasted like it was marinating in 1 week old frying oil that should've been changed 6 days prior. The batter they used seriously only had the taste of the oil and the batter to seafood ratio was about 2:1. The only reason I gave more than 1 star was because we also had the BBQ platter - it was good since it reminded me of those quick and easy dinner my Filipino parents would make at home: fried or bbq meats served with rice - nostalgic! Had I only eaten this dish, I would give this place 3 stars for fast and friendly service and cheap eats.
(2)
Rebecca Huicha K.

YUM! CHEAP! What else can you ask for?! Sure the meat isn't the best quality but the katsus and chicken are good. the macaroni salad is sooo delicious! The mini is the perfect quantity :)
(4)
Justin B.

the only Hawaiian place I know of in the area, I LOVE Aloha Eats, never ever had a bad experience ever, staff is super informative and friendly. Oh, and make sure to try spam musubi at least once!
(5)
Ron R.

"Tofu Katsu so good, makes you want to slap yo momma!!" *no mommas were hurt in this review*
(5)
Timothy W.

Let me preface this review by saying I'm always skeptical when people recommend the mini portion saying it will suffice your appetite. I went here by myself on a Saturday afternoon and was happy to see open tables. The location was definitely a plus for me because it was only a few blocks from my gym and the neighborhood always has a nice crowd - and by nice crowd I mean a lot of PYTs. I got the mini Chicken Katsu and a slice of fried spam. The wait was about 10 minutes for my food and I was anxious to dig in. The chicken was lightly breaded, not too crunchy except its somewhat difficult to cut with the plastic utensils but not a big problem... I did however, want to just drop the utensils and eat the breaded strips of chicken with my hands, but after surveying the room and seeing that no one else pulled crap like that, I decided not to endulge my dirty Texas boy ways. The food was excellent and the sauce that comes with it is great too, still I added some extra cock sauce (siracha) for some extra zest. It came with one scoop of rice and a nice little side of macaroni salad (very tasty). The macaroni salad was a nice follow up after using the spicy Siracha on my chicken. Anyways, at some point in the meal I leaned back in my chair and took a deep breath thinking about how full I was when I noticed I was only halfway done! Now I'm not exactly in the business of talking to myself in public but I did mutter a "F--- this is a lot of food" to myself. The portions are great and the food was delicious, I'll definitely be coming back. Mini Chcken Katsu and Fried Spam were less than $7 including tax.
(4)
Nate C.

Well its been awhile since I ate here but was I glad nothing has changed. The food is still as good as the first time I came here and the portions are still super filling. This is one place I can go to and feel like I'm back in Hawaii for some great Island food.
(4)
Daniel C.

Huge portions, excellent service, consistent food, served quickly. For me, I find the less common menu items are better. A lot of people like the BBQ beef...for me its not my favorite. Good Options: Fried Mahi: Super moist and flavorful. Sorta like Hawaiian fish and chips. Loco Moco: Beef patties with eggs (get them over medium) and an awesome brown gravy. Portuguese Sausage: Super flavorful sausage, sliced thin. Order it charred. It comes with eggs and rice. And if you like curry...you have to try their homemade curry sauce. It is sooo good...not quite Thai curry and not quite Indian curry. You can order as part of the meal or on the side as an extra. I also always get fries instead of mac salad...the salad is good, lots of mayo just isn't my thing...
(4)
Christine E.

After wanting to eat here for a long time, we finally headed out to Aloha Eats today (though I got confused when it was said that we'd be going to Aloha Grill, but I guess there were legal issues with the original name). Anyway, I wasn't disappointed. Everyone really liked their food, the spam musubi was just perfect. I used to live in Long Beach where there were a lot of Hawaiian places close by, and I've been looking for a Hawaiian place here for a while. The only thing preventing Aloha Eats from getting 5 stars is the limited menu. I was looking for loco moco and a combo plate that involved kalua port (which I don't like with cabbage). Other than that, it's good stuff!
(4)
Jen L.

For quick and friendly service, try Aloha Eats for Hawaiian food. Food is 4/5 but the service is always so awesome. Also, you really get bang for your buck - a mini plate is enough for one person.
(5)
Mark P.

My favorite for quality cheap eats. Can't go wrong with any of the BBQ plate lunches. Curry also has a nice flavor. Big fan of the Loco Moco- so bad for you, but sooo goooood.
(5)
Sydney K.

Aloha Grill has good for in huge portions for cheap prices - a great combination. The traditional Hawaiian plate includes two scoops of rice, one scoop of macaroni salad and one scoop of your entree. Sound too formidable for your appetite? Order the mini plate with only one scoop of rice and less of your entree.
(3)
calivanilla c.

mmmm, aloha grill - i think i'm addicted to their mini bbq chicken plate. it's delish to wash it all down with some pineapple/orange soda too :) a bit of a cafeteria feel w/its red trays & styrofoam containers but i wouldn't have it any other way. it's definitely one of my favorite, low-key, casual, affordable, good-grub, neighborhood spots. it will most definitely be one of my 'must-visit' places when i'm back in town.
(4)
Rick V.

Back in the 1940s and 1950s, 'authentic Polynesian cuisine' (if there really is such a thing) meant American-style Cantonese food and Mai Tais at Trader Vic's or the like. Real Hawaiian food has always been heavy on starch (taro, breadfruit, etc.) and meat or fish cooked barbecue style. Aloha Grill carries a modern update of that, the island 'plate lunch' which has reached beyond Hawaii to the rest of the Pacific and even the shores of Lake Michigan. Now all they need to do is open a stand at the beach for the windsurfers. The plate lunch is available in different variations in Hawaii, common ingredients being rice, macaroni, beef or chicken, Spam and sometimes kimchee. Aloha's offerings are pretty authentic, with the exception of kimchee (something I'm hoping they'll start selling soon). Try the 'Loco Moco', a favorite of surfers, which consists of 3 hamburger patties, rice, macaroni, eggs cooked to order, and brown gravy over the top.
(4)
Brian O.

i love their sweet and spicy tofu and rice, but whats the deal with the styrofoam disposable crap? they need to provide reusable plates and forks for people eating in because its a huge waste that every portion served equals a pile of trash.
(3)
Julia B.

The food really didn't reming me of Hawaii. They tried to be unique and have certain Hawaiian dishes but I think its a very hard thing to pull off. The place in general is decorated cute and some of the food is ok but nothing too great.
(2)
Randall R.

Love this place, cheap and lots of food, it checks my boxes. Have had the katsu, but really dream about the chicken BBQ. And the mac salad works well as a side. The mini plate is just right for lunch. I need to try the beef next time. A local favorite, I recommend.
(4)
Catherine Z.

YUM. If you're looking for a no-frills comfort meal with a slightly unique Hawaiian twist, look no further! We got the mini plates for lunch and they were more than enough food, and we came in pretty hungry. I'm typically not a huge fan of sweet-savory dishes, but the BBQ beef was extremely flavorful and not tough. Likewise, I don't usually order katsu as I find it to be nothing special, but Aloha's katsu was SO IMPRESSIVELY CRISPY. Best katsu we've had. I was pleasantly surprised and will definitely be returning for both these dishes. We also got the spam musubi (comes with 2 for just under $5) - it's pretty typical musubi, and comes with a lot of rice which makes it really filling. They recommend that you try their plates with the classic Hawaiian macaroni salad before considering substituting for fries, and I echo this. I really enjoyed the salad and it paired well with the food. I don't know what authentic Hawaiian food is supposed to taste like, but I feel like Aloha Eats does a great job with delicious comfort food.
(5)
Andy N.

Aloha to me and these big portions! Fantastic Hawaiian here in Chitown. I grew up eating katsu from my parents making them, to ordering a large tray in from our local Chinese restaurant during family gatherings. There is something about a nice fried piece of chicken cutlet that just gets the job done, and that's one of the best items here at Aloha. I ordered a mini chicken katsu box ($7) along with fried spam musubi ($5). Yep, you heard me, FRIED SPAM. While it was supposed to be mini, the chicken katsu came out to be a lot of food for just one meal. The battered chicken in panko flakes was fried nicely- not too heavy or burnt where you could no longer taste the meat. The macaroni salad was very creamy but not overpowering, making it a great side. As for the musubi, that in itself was a meal. I can't say that it was that different from a regular spam musubi, so I'd save the extra calories and go with the basics. Never had spam before? Now would be the perfect time to try it. Only negative thing I'd say is that they were a bit stingy with their katsu sauce. They only include it if you order some kind of katsu, and will charge you $1 for more (esp those that want the sauce but didn't order anything fried). Usually stores offer these up for free, but oh well... minor detail in an overall great lunch. Keep doing your thing Aloha!
(4)
Jackie M.

In Chicago wise, this would be the closes place to get Hawaiian local food. I really like the idea of mini plate versus the large plate lunch. There is a good variety of entree. They also have the Aloha soda!! Overall, i think it's okay for Hawaiian food. (The real thing in Hawaii taste way better). spam musubi - Made to order (my usual carryout). it's 2 for $4.65 with overload of rice. It's aite. Chicken katsu - very generous portion of katsu. It's really crispy and chicken was juicy. Make sure you dip it with the sauce! Mac salad - One scoop for $1.60 or 2 scoop for $2 something.... Or it comes along with the plate lunch. It's okay for Hawaiian salad, almost close enough to the legit Hawaiian mac salad. I would come here for comfort Hawaiian food :o)
(4)
Mai P.

This was my first time eating Hawaiian in a Chicago a few years ago, and I'll be honest, I wasn't entirely sold. I think it was the grease that took some getting used to but since then I've eaten Hawaiian in several other places and looking back, Aloha Eats got it right. Now that I've evolved to a pro-grease stance in that "let's food splurge every so often", this is my review: I ordered the Chicken Katsu and a side of macaroni salad. The Katsu was nicely breaded and paired nicely with the cold macaronic salad. The macaroni salad was a hearty serving size that ended up as a large enough amount for left overs. My personal favorite was the spam musubi because of the nice blend of salty ham flavor juxtaposed with the more mild rice. These also make great grab and go snacks when you're running out the door! The service was friendly and the interior wasn't anything fancy but it had a booth to fit my friends and the cost was just right. If you're in the mood for something off the beaten path and like a little fried protein in your life, come here. You'll definitely get your money's worth!
(4)
Connie H.

Tried the chicken katsu plate and the kahlua pork plate. I was hoping that the kahlua pork would taste similar to the kahlua pork I tried in hawaii, but it said "our version of kahlua pork" which already made me hesitant. I tried it out nonetheless. It had too much cabbage (in proportion to the meat) and the meat was pretty bland. I definitely wouldn't get it again. However, the chicken katsu was amazing (perfectly fried, very crunchy) and came with a sweet sauce that was perfect for it. You can opt for a brown gravy instead of the sauce, but I'd totally recommend the sauce. I'd definitely come back for the chicken katsu plate. It made me still want to rate this place 4 stars despite the Kahlua pork. Each plate was huge, by the way... came with 2 scoops of rice and 1 scoop of macaroni salad (which was delicious too). We had tons leftover. I bet each plate could feed 2 people. Also, the staff seemed really nice. They had a malfunction with the cashier or something and made the line wait slightly longer than usual. The cashier offered 10% off for everyone who was waiting in line at the time. Too bad we had already gotten our food, but it was a nice gesture to see. :)
(4)
Louis F.

These are the ono grindz that take me back to da hanabata days. My partner is native Hawaiian and grew up on Oahu, and he confirms that this place is serving delicious authentic Hawaiian street food a.k.a. plate lunch. We have been here many times and I wish we lived in a world where we could eat here every day. I appreciate the many Hawaiian articles and artifacts on the walls that are great to look at while dining inside or waiting for a carry-out order. The prices are cheap and generously matched to the heaping amounts of delicious food you get in your styrofoam containers. Don't think that the use of styrofoam is only to cut cost, this is how Hawaiian is served up on the islands! Not only is this the only place in Chicago that you can find Hawaiian classics, but they are delicious too. I had never had many of these dishes before, but they're great for Hawaiians and Mainlanders alike. We've had the musubi (rice and spam wrapped in dried seaweed), chicken katsu, saimin (wanton noodles in chicken broth), Portuguese sausage, teriyaki BBQ beef, kalua pork, and loco moco--all served with rice and macaroni side in a combo platter--and I would highly recommend them all. If you are afraid of Spam, then this is the perfect opportunity to unburden yourself from your fears of canned meat with this Hawaiian favorite. MMM!
(5)
Andrew C.

Love this place! I am not Hawaiian, but half Chinese\White. This food reminds me of the food that I had growing up. I have probably been here 20+ times and I keep coming back. I think a lot of people think this way too because it's always packed with other Asian people when I come. I recommend the chicken katsu and bbq beef combo. It's huge so come hungry. Also, if you are looking to cut carbs they can remove all the starch and replace with peas and carrots upon request. Also they have an off-menu carb free plate which is even bigger than the katsu bqq combo.
(4)
Carolina N.

I love Aloha. I just love it. Everything here is amazing. The chicken katzu, bbq chicken, shrimp, and the pork katzu are my faves. I always substitute the rice for MORE macaroni salad; I'm obsessed with it. Keep it real Aloha! Love ya!
(5)
Rosa J.

I realized that my review isn't statistically, objectively, or scientifically as valid as it should be since I'm no connoisseur of Hawaiian cuisines. Nevertheless, I'm pretty excited for the food I had tonight. Based on my experience, Aloha Eats has my repeated businesses. They have a huge menu, and some items are vegetarian friendly, such as the tofu katsu as part of the mini-plate menu. I went with the Loco Moco (hamburger patties, rice, gravy, eggs, and macaroni salad). I asked my eggs to be done over-easy like I always do on anything. They have a few items that contain seafood; however, most of the are consisted of some kind of protein, especial the spam. I know spam isn't everyone's cup of tea, but if you're in love with this legendary WWII military base food, you more likely will enjoy the food from this joint. While my Loco Moco was delicious, especially the macaroni salad, I liked hubby's tofu Katsu a lot. There was a garlicky dipping sauce that came with. Let me tell ya: that sauce was great with fried tofu and rice as well. The decors, honestly need some work. It's a small space. Although individual gallery pieces are cool and interesting, putting them altogether makes the entire venue look tacky and incoherent. I guess that one (1) star deduction came into play because Rosa J. isn't satisfied with the way the store looks. Well, you can ignore me if you're not decor-picky; everyone is entitled to his/her opinion. My suggestion is to try one of the Hawaiian Maid can drinks. They have different flavors and the price fluctuates based on the current market. I had the guava flavor, and I liked it!
(4)
Lillian C.

Wowowowowow. My reaction trying this place was "no wonder Hawaiians are fat!" Entrees come out quickly and hot. Spam katsu musubi- EAT IT! It's a deep fried, panko crusted piece of spam on top of warm sushi rice. This appetizer / side is large enough to be someone's entree. The minis are also sufficiently sized - don't let the small clamshell fool you. It's packed to the top with food! I had the BBQ beef which is like this super sweet, mild version of Korean bugolgi. It's served on top of a bed of cabbage to make you feel a little bit better devouring this carb bomb meal. The sushi rice is just the perfect texture and temperature. I could seriously eat this all day (thank god I don't live here, obesity here I come!) The Mac salad is definitely interesting- it's savory (no added sugar apparently) with a lot of white pepper. The only thing I can knock is that it's all served on foam regardless of whether you're dining in or not. Back where I live, foam was just banned!
(5)
Ben A.

Ordered the chicken katsu with side of fries and rice. I wasn't exactly sure what Hawaiian food is or how it is prepared. I was slightly intrigued. I learned chicken katsu is basically chicken thighs pounded out super thin and breaded with panko crumbs on steroids and deep fried. The result is extremely crunchy chicken. Seriously, it's extra crunchy, like Captain Crunch cereal crunchy where the roof of your mouth is in shreds. Servings are pretty big. It was just ok, nothing outstanding. I didn't even finish the meal. -1 point There were a lot of menu options which contained Spam. Inside seating is minimal and no restroom. -1 point
(3)
Diana J.

Spam masubi: way too much rice! Spam was dried out too :( definitely not like what you get in Hawaii. You get two pieces for $4.55 which is a meal in itself if you like rice. BBQ mixed plate: Mac salad was ok, heavy on the mayo. Chicken was moist and good, as well as the beef and short ribs. $12.10 and enough to share with two ppl. Overall just OK for the price and taste. Rice was also kind of dry and hard. Would not go out of my way to eat here.
(3)
Tim M.

Since I had moved from Los Angeles, I had searched for a place to fill the void that was L&L Barbecue. Lo and BEHOLD! Aloha Eats satisfied all of my cravings! The food is fantastic and the menu is vast and plentiful. DO NOT pass this place up!
(5)
Linda S.

Aloha Eats has been a favorite for a few years. Hawaiian street food isn't the tropical, pineapple-ish food you may be thinking. It's meat, steamed white rice, cabbage and macaroni salad. It's addictive. As much as I would love to write a review with a wide breadth of the menu, I cannot. They have spam dishes, curry dishes, hot plate burger patty meals, etc. etc. However, we order the combo plate - katsu chicken and bbq beef. Every. Single, Time. There is enough food to feed 2 adults and still have leftovers. Each combo comes with 2 meats of your choice, 2 scoops of white rice, one of macaroni salad and cabbage as a bed for the meat. It's fantastic. This is a small, family owned establishment. These folks are legit Hawaiians. I drive up to the city from Northwest Indiana to try new restaurants, and this is one of the very few that we continually return. No bathrooms (there is a handy Starbucks across the street). An added bonus is it's right next to Molly's Cupcakes. Perfect!
(5)
Roger M.

Let's get this straight, this is NOT haute cuisine nor was it ever meant to be (curses on the person who tries to "elevate it"). Dependable Hawaiian plate lunch with a lot of Japanese influence (teriyaki plates, katsu, musubi, ramen, et al) that is heartwarming, comfort food. Katsu (tenkatsu) is the standout as are the BBQ plates (which are really teriyaki), with mounds of shredded cabbage, rice and macaroni salad. Sriracha-heads appreciate the endless flow of bottles and condiment cups near the counter. Staff is always friendly and will explain what you don't understand. Extra reasonable and extra satisfying.
(4)
Joe P.

Unfortunately, it being winter time, I couldn't wear my "Locals" in today. So the best I could do, was imagine myself, in traffic of course, on Kamehameha Highway, waiting to get home on Lakeshore Dive so I could eat my chicken katsu and spam musubi. It was great, nostalgic, & I think a little better quality than the islands do it (say, for instance, at L&L). what I had so far has been spot on--and up next time, kalua pork.
(5)
Jenny Y.

Aloha Eats was my introduction to Hawaiian food. Since I have no point of comparison, I can only say that the food is yummy, but has low nutritional value. It's also a mystery to me why Styrofoam containers make it a Hawaiian thing. The seating area is casual, with a few cafeteria style tables and a bar height counter by the window. I've always felt too guilty ordering their popular entrees like katsu chicken and spam musubi, but have tried from a friend's plate - and they are as delicious as they sound. To balance out my guilty pleasures, I usually order the grilled salmon, which doesn't sound like anything special, but they make it really well with just salt and pepper (unless there are secret spices??)? Everything comes with a big scoop of white rice and macaroni salad on the side, and this macaroni salad is super addicting! If they gave me two or three scoops, I'm sure I can just as easily finish it and round out a very happy belly.
(4)
Vaidehi T.

I am no way a connoisseur of Hawaiin food, neither have I ever tried katsu. But hubby and I were pretty excited to try out this place. Hubby got the mini tofu katsu with a side of fries as the macaroni salad was not entirely vegetarian. I got the chicken katsu salad. Lets start with the chicken katsu salad - the salad was super cold. As in it-hurt-my-teeth-to-bite-into-the-tomato cold. The salad was lettuce, a couple of slices of tomatoes and cucumbers which came with Italian dressing in a pouch. The chicken was covered in panko and deep fried - it was very very crunchy. Not a fan at all of the dish. The tofu katsu was more flavorful. It was also panko-ed and deep fried but somehow tofu tasted a lot better because the texture of the tofu was softer. In any case, eating plain white rice withe deep fried tofu/chicken was a little strange. Maybe katsu isn't for me!
(3)
Amy H.

When I step into the restaurant, it smells like a next pimple. It was fried on fried on fried. Also, I don't think they believe in greens; there were no vegetables in any of the people's plate. It's carbs on top of carbs. OK, now onto the good part. The Chicken Katsu was so good. It had that panko bread in and it was so crispy. That was good by itself. The macaroni salad was okay but that's only because I don't like mayonnaise. Overall, go to try something different. You don't see a lot of Hawaiian restaurants in Chicago. Keep in mind, though, that this is a heavy meal. Come hungry!
(3)
Joe V.

One of my favorite spots to eat in Chicago! Best Hawaiian food in the city! Favorite dish is the Loco Moco!
(5)
Crystal L.

Being from the midwest I feel that you can't find any good Hawaiian restaurants. Let me rephrase that - you can't find any legitimate ones. Most places I've been to tend to think that if you throw a few pineapples and spam on anything that automatically makes it Hawaiian. Let's not go there. This places is legitimate. I've tried almost everything on the menu but my favorite will always be the Chicken Katsu plate. There's something about their sauce and how they bread the chicken...it's not hard, but it's not soggy. It's perfect and when topped with the sweet sauce it's beautiful! However, every time I've been here (although I may be my own fault since I only go in the summertime) it's been SO WARM. It's unbearable even when I sit absolutely still. That's my only complaint. Good food and variety. Good prices. Best for takeout because it's in an AMAZING location in Lincoln Park.
(5)
Joel O.

Great food and portions at a reasonable price. Can't go wrong with the chicken katsu. I always get the mini plate and is more than enough.
(5)
Bernadette S.

it isn't often you find hawaiian food, especially if you are in the midwest. The food is pretty good and offer the comfort foods that you would find at the food trucks/mom and pop shops/plate lunches in hawaii. We opted to try their loco moco, saimen and the hawaiian short ribs, and the spam musubi. It was good portions for the 4 of us. Everything tasted good, but i felt that there was too much rice in the musubi and the spam was cut too thin. I always look for the mac salad when eating hawaiian plate lunches, and theirs was pretty good! There are tables inside, good to seat maybe 10-12 people at most.
(3)
Christine H.

With the raving reviews on Yelp, I really expected more. Slightly disappointed, but maybe I'll just order something different next time. I ordered the mini chicken katsu plate and despite the mini in the name, the portion was a good size. Definitely bang for the buck. The chicken katsu is unlike the seasoned katsu that I'm used to at Japanese restaurants. In fact the chicken is flavorless, and most of the flavor comes from dipping it into the sweet and savory sauce that the meal came in. The macaroni salad was not my favorite. Too creamy for my taste. Next time I'll probably get something with spam or one of the saimin instead of the chicken katsu.
(3)
Kiana E.

Yes. Just yes. Tried Aloha the other day for the first time, and I'm mad at myself for not doing so sooner. I tried the BBQ combo plate which was enough for leftovers (though I wanted to eat it all in one sitting...) The BBQ chicken and beef are both super delish. Short rib is also good, but I liked the other meats better. The mac salad is prime, and I normally don't like plain rice but it complimented this dish so well. My friend got the chicken katsu and BBQ chicken and wasn't crazy about the katsu but loved everything else. Also, the strawberry guava juice was great. I would definitely recommend trying it at least once. Just wear loose pants.
(5)
Sarah P.

This is a small establishment with roughly 10 tables. The staff are very friendly and make suggestions for newbies to Hawaiian food. I have to say I was not too impressed. The loco moco was like salisbury steak and gravy that I used to eat as a kid. Very plain, very fatty, I swear it was the same at the Encore frozen dinners I used to make when I was 13. The chicken teriyaki was decent, and the shrimp plain ol' fried. I have to admit the teriyaki tasted like the kind one gets from the bottle at the grocery store. The mac pot was very plain, alotta mayo. I'll have to try more plates before upgrading. It wasn't bad, it just reminded me of dishes I made when I was a kid and had to cook for myself. Not the greatest as far as freshness and quality, but good because it was fatty and predictable. At this point I'd say Ono Kine Grindz in Milwaukee, WI has Aloha Eats beat.
(3)
Sean H.

the L&L bbq of chicago. every review covers everything maybe one would want to know. here's a new fun fact: you can order to-go from here through Postmates . There is a high delivery fee but that's because you're hiring someone to Order The Food For You and then Drive It To Your Apartment. That's how I ate from aloha eats the first time. With the first-time discount we saved money ordering deliveryinstead of visiting the place! maybe we'll visit it some day. i imagine that it has an interior playing quiet agreeable music. maybe that dream will shatter one day. if you're an agreeable person who in general likes what the kind of food they serve here, you'll probably like aloha eats
(5)
Dan K.

I had a small plate of the short ribs. I found the rib portion kind of small even for a small plate. The meat was flavorful but a bit fatty even for short ribs. They were a bit pricey for what it was. side items were kind of odd. I never eat rice and macaroni together... not a fan of Coleslaw. .. Is this a Hawaiian thing? I might come back for Sai min ..I wish they had a seafood Sai min.
(3)
Eric M.

The food at this place is great. I regularly come in for the chicken katsu and teriyaki chicken. They are always perfectly cooked and the katsu has just the right amount of crunch. I also highly recommend the curry sauce...if you are a curry person, it is to die for! But my gripe about this place has nothing to do with the food, it has to do with the cleanliness. It is absolutely filthy inside the restaurant. The surface of everything is sticky (tables, counter, ketchup squeeze bottles). There is dirt visibly caked onto the tables and walls. Gnats and fruit flies constantly bother you during your meal. That's no surprise though with the sticky surfaces and hot, humid air that's always inside. Come on Aloha, spend some time and resources to thoroughly clean the place and paint where necessary.
(2)
Risa H.

Only one venture here so far to try the spam saimin, but great place and very intriguing menu. Also very reasonable prices!
(4)
Shirley H.

For some reason, I thought hawaiian food was popular in Chicago, but looking through yelp for other hawaiian restaurants, I'm not seeing any... When my cousin and I went to chitown a couple years ago, this was bookmarked as one of the places we had to stop by. We spilt the bbq combo plate, which came with chicken and korean ribs, a side of rice and the best macaroni salad you'll ever eat. We also ordered two spam musubi. There was a bit too much of rice for me in the spam musubi, but delicious regardless. We also got a guava drink that was room temperature (ick!). This place is pretty much a hole in the wall and unfortunately does not have a restroom inside, so if you have to go, you better hold it or go into another eatery/coffee shop.
(4)
Inae J.

This place is my go-to for comfort Asian food. The different foods aren't particularly outstanding or of excellent quality, but their chicken katsu, spam musubi, and macaroni salad hit the spot when I need my Asian food fix. Their chicken and pork katsu could use a higher meat-to-breadcrumbs ratio, and sometimes you can taste the heaviness of the oil. The spam musubi could also use a higher spam-to-rice ratio, and the large amount of rice can taste bland. But still, can't complain for the amount of food you get. All in all, I wouldn't come here for good, quality Hawaiian food; but I do come here once every few months, for my Asian comfort food. ALSO - no bathroom. It's actually a reality and a problem, and a part of life that I have to accept. But it annoys me every time.
(4)
Some G.

Decent food decent rice and chicken I've tasted WAY BETTER terriyaki based chicken come to the burbs!!! Joy Terriyaki son
(1)
Samantha B.

We stopped in because we had just eaten elsewhere and weren't full. We knew rice would fill us right up! The atmosphere is really chill and the service was friendly. Hawaiian food isn't too common up here and that's why this is a treat. I can never have enough loco moco! If you're in the neighborhood swing in a try this place. Notes about other reviews: if you don't like rice don't bother showing up here. Hawaiian food is centered around this staple. Over half your dish is going to be rice. Also, they use plastic silverware (like most Hawaiian palaces). Don't be surprised when it breaks because you're treating it like actual silverware.
(4)
Sasha K.

I've been to many places that represent the meaning of Hawaiian food sold here. Of all places Chicago is one of many who actually represent the flavor and taste of hawaii that is all the way down to their Mac salad. If your ever in Chicago this place is a must try. Their teriyaki beef is just right. Not to salty or not to sweet. Their katsu is just like any Hawaiian restaurant in Hawaii. The people kept are amazing and it feels like I'm at home.
(5)
Hannah H.

My friend and I came here for a late dinner. We each ordered off of the Mini Plates, which comes with a smaller portion, a scoop of rice, and a scoop of their Mac salad. My friend had the Mini Short Ribs - this was marinated well, a little sweet but savory at the same time, but a little too fatty. I had the Mini Hamburger Steak, which was their miniature version of an authentic Hawaiian dish - on-the-premise, hand-made hamburger patties covered with gravy. The meat patties were extremely salty - the gravy was fine, and eating with the rice seemed to minimally offset the saltiness, but it was just too much salt, even for me! I wasn't a fan of the mac salad as I think it might have gone bad and had a funky taste to it. Aloha Maid (that comes in different flavors) was actually quite refreshing and nice - don't forget to ask for a cup of ice; the Strawberry-Guava was wonderful. +overly salty!!! +Aloha Maid beverages - Strawberry-Guava
(3)
Sabrina C.

This is a great Hawaiian food joint, esp if you miss Hawaii! The spam musubi is great and the chicken katsu was really good. They give sides too like macaroni salad (yum!) and the regular portions are big. But there is an option for smaller sizes too, which is what I normally do. Great to go with friends. It's a very casual setting.
(4)
K C.

BBQ chicken mini costs$6.96 total. Chicken was sizzling hot and tasty, but rice was a little old and hard. Overall, this place is not bad.
(4)
Alfred L.

This place always hits the spot. After moving to the east coast, I always have to stop by this place whenever I visit home. I recommend the Chicken Katsu/BBQ Beef combo and there is more than enough food to bring home for leftovers.
(5)
Eric C.

I've been to Hawaii (several times) and this place is legit. After significant research, I conclude that there is nowhere else like it in Chicago. The food is authentically greasy, the portions are huge and the prices are very cheap. Given the small location and the fast-food qualities of the food, call ahead and take it to go.
(4)
Tina Z.

One of my favorite places to eat in Lincoln park! I usually get the BBQ chicken plate and it is delicious! The chicken is nice and chewy, not overcooked at all. There's a lot of flavor. The plate is very big and I've never finished it all so if you're not too hungry you may want to try the mini plate. I've also tried their burgers and they're average but for the price they're amazing! Their spam musubi is also great! Two might not seem like much but they are very filling. A little salty but that's what you expect from spam. I've gone multiple times already and I don't plan on stopping. They also take part in Belly points and have nice deals for multiple check ins.
(5)
Kelsea D.

I ordered the chicken katsu with a side of macaroni salad. I'm very open to new things but this was tangy in the wrong way, cold and rubbery. I ate the macorni salad and threw away the rest
(2)
Nancy H.

I've been meaning to come here for years. Had I paid a visit prior to eating real fast food in Hawaii, I probably would've given Aloha Eats 4 stars. However, the loco moco gravy was a little thick. Overall, it tasted good, but it was not great like the mother of all loco mocos at Da Kitchen in Maui - the Notorious B.I.G, baby babayyy! Also, even though the chicken katsu was crispy, it was borderline chewy. Caused so much tension in my temples that I needed to take a break from chewing. Bonus points for offering spam musubi, though, as that's what I've been looking forward to! But it didn't taste that great or maybe it had been wrapped in plastic for too long. (Cuz really, how can you mess up fried spam?) Would've been great if they offered a spam & egg musubi... Vegetarians, don't be scared away by how many times I've mentioned "spam" in this review. They offer a few tofu options too. Now back to spam... story I overheard at the next table: Guy 1 says to Guy 2 that he was considering ordering xyz cuz of the spam, but he got abc instead. Guy 2 said, "You could've gotten spam on the side." Guy 1 responded, "But what would it go with as a side?" I gasped to myself. Boy, please. Spam goes with EVERYTHING. We came here on a Sunday around 1 PM, and there was a line about 5 people deep. In addition to some pick-up orders that were called in prior to our arrival, we probably waited a good 20-30 minutes for our food. Aloha Eats stays true to "island time."
(3)
Barak G.

NEVER GOING THERE AGAIN! These guys need to learn how to behave with people that come there often. I believe in supporting local businesses, and I gave them many opportunities. They were rude to me several times, in person, over the phone. I am a small business owner and I would never allow to any of my staff, nor myself, to treat clients like this, even if the clients may be wrong. But here they just do not care, they think I have to eat there and I will come back no matter what... The product is equal to the people that provide it, and the product might be good, but if the people that prove it do not know how to behave, its not worth your time. I wish the owner and his restaurant good luck, I will NOT go there again!
(1)
Tony M.

I agree with Barack G. He is totally right. This place has very good food, and I was even going to post a raving review about the food after getting takeout today since I've got a cold and didn't want to walk today. It was not in the cards. When I call for the first time, the young guy who answers is rather nice and explained how GrubHub got their delivery information wrong. No sweat. I'll pay the delivery charge because I like the food. He says its cash only and it will be btw 35-45 minutes "more or less. I call them back exactly 12 minutes later to change this to pick up since I was going to be in the area due to a change of plans. He said "sorry guy, the driver left 5 minutes ago!" Huh? You quoted me 35-45 minutes and you're telling me that the food left your restaurant within 7 minutes of me placing the order? Something here isn't right. I reiterate the time frame he gave me and his excuse is "but I said more or less." Okay bro, just because you say more or less doesn't mean you guys can just show up a whole 20-25 minutes earlier than you originally quoted. The guys just says " sorry bud." And I am now stuck having to race to the nearest ATM to get cash out for the driver. So the driver calls me as I'm taking money out and he has a super thick Asian accent and can't understand a word he's saying. But I gather that he's the delivery guy and I say clearly that I am on my way to the apartment, which is a block away. He says "NO YOY GET HERE NOW!" Um, excuse me? No mister sister, you do not demand me to do anything. Needless to say I hang up on him and use my hard earned money to goto a restaurant that actually appreciates its customers. The manager called me back, asking why I'm not answering the delivery guys calls, I tell him why and the horrible experience I'm having and that because of this he can cancel the order and I will not be back. Instead of trying to apologize about the situation and recover me as a customer, he just says "okay" and hangs up. Yep, probably the worst representation of a true Hawaiian culture. Mahalo, Aloha Eats for helping me make my decision to give my money to your competition. Aloha!
(1)
Kyle H.

KATSU KATSU KATSU. My god the katsu. Simple, crunchy, and delicious. Oh, and the BBQ beef next to it (pretty sure it's bulgogi style?) is also great. This reminds me of lunches near my college campus when I lived in Tokyo. Come here hungry.
(5)
Connie Y.

Pretty good place...good tasting, cheap, simple food. My friend and I ordered the mini plates (the chicken katsu and the BBQ beef). The chicken wasn't dry and didn't taste overly oily and the beef was quite tasty. The macaroni salad that mine came with was also very good.
(4)
Brian M.

First time trying Hawaiian food and oh man did this place do it right. I got the loco moco with rice and carrots and peas along with the burger patties and the eggs. It's like the most perfect comfort meal I could have wanted. You mix everything up and let the runny egg yolks mix into the rice with the brown gravy and the burger patties. And for all around 10 bucks you get pretty stuffed. Definitely coming back here to try all the other Hawaiian foods this place has to offer.
(4)
Moe T.

Mediocre at best. The chicken katsu was the best part and that wasn't even that good. It was crispy and fried well but the amount of meat is deceivingly little and the sauce that came with it wasn't very good. The BBQ beef easy pretty bad to be honest. It had a flavor of burnt teriyaki or BBQ sauce throughout. Probably one of the most disappointing meals I've had in Chicago
(2)
Scott N.

My friend got a sampler platter. It was good. Well, the chicken was good. The rest was meh. I got the salmon, trying to be healthy. It was a LOT of food! I ate the first piece pretty much alone. It was okay. The second piece I started to pair with the macaroni salad. Well, by golly that was a taste sensation! I read good things about this place .We ended up here because a nearby sushi place we expected to be open was not. Aloha Eats was a good substitute to the sushi we hoped for. Would we go back? Well, if we lived in Chicago and had all the options available to us... probably not. Aloha Eats would not be our go-to restaurant.
(3)
Sarah Y.

When the mood strikes for the stuff that you shouldn't tell your personal trainer about, Aloha Eats delivers, but doesn't exceed. I enjoyed the katsu chicken, and made sure to get some curry sauce to go with it. It was a good decision. I wouldn't get the beef again, and would trade it to try the short rib next time. Other reviewers have noted that the food is a bit salty, which can certainly be the case if you have a lighter palette. Spam musubi was a bit unbalanced because it had much more rice to spam ratio than I prefer.
(3)
Cindy W.

I love no frills places that serve their food in take out containers. I got so much value from my meal at Aloha. The chicken Katsu was a solid, safe choice. I loved how crisp the chicken was when it was freshly fried plus the portions are gigantic! Definitely enough to feed me for three meals I'm sure but I felt tired eating it after the third strip. It's nothing new after that. The macaroni salad was underwhelming. It just felt like cold mayonnaise drenched macaroni... Nothing special. The rice was a bit soggy and overdone as well. Not a fan. However, a ten dollar meal lasting me 3 days? Can't really beat that I'd you're going for quantity not quality. Just wished I knew about the mini platters though...
(3)
Kara B.

Came here with a friend who led our group here. The food is amazing. Everything I have tried has been great. Spam isn't my thing so I can't comment on it but everything else is amazing. The guy who works the counter is friendly and helpful. Great little restaurant.
(5)
Cynthia C.

I've been a loyal customer of Aloha for the past 10 years. They are always so consistently good!!! Keep up the great work! Your combination bbq pork/chicken katsu dish is phenomenal. :D
(5)
Mohammed A.

Amazing! We tried the chicken musubi and the BBQ mixed plate, replacing the bbq chicken with chicken katsu. Both dishes were flavorful, hot, and best of all took us back to Hawaii! Service was good and quick. Seating was easy to get even though we showed up at 12:30. This will be a go-to spot anytime we crave Hawaiian!
(4)
Ashley C.

My favorite freakin' place to eat in Chicago. I love you, Aloha Eats!!! The chicken katsu is my regular- mini when I have a regular appetite; full plate when I'm starving. The mini is enough food for the average adult although I'd love some more rice. Didn't expect to love the macaroni salad but I do love it from this place!
(5)
Mike O.

Great Island food found here on the main land. The Portuguese Sausage is great but not as good as grandma's. The box lunches are huge and you can't beat the price. You can even pick up some Aloha Maid Juice. Always go for the Guava Juice, always. The place is small and if you're unlucky you won't get a seat. That's really the only complaint I have for this place. I'm still giving it 5 stars though, because you can't find another authentic box lunch restaurant in the city. Dat Guava Juice Doe.....
(5)
Eric H.

Their portions are pretty fantastic. One "plate" is enough food to feed two people for two days. Their BBQ plate was great, it came with rice and macaroni salad. The girlfriend got chicken Katsu, which was really good, it was kind of like fried chicken. This place is no frills, it's not a fancy establishment, but it's none the less a gem in the neighborhood. They only have a few tables, and the majority of what they do is take out. Everything they do is simple and great.
(5)
Mikaela M.

Good food but the Spam Katsu Musubi had TOO much rice
(4)
Sarah C.

I heard about this place and couldn't wait to bring my friend. It's a cute little place. It was hard for me to get amped about the food. It was good, don't get me wrong, but the place was really talked up for what it was. They give you enough food to feed a small developing country. I wolfed down the macaroni salad for sure. I guess I just wish there was more flavor packed into all of it. I'll go back the next time I have a killer hang over. That grease will soak it right up!
(3)
Laura C.

Best burger you can get in the area for such an amazing price. Their beef sandwich is really good, and I usually get two because I can't get over the flavor. Their portions are generous, and the quality is consistent. I've tried several things from here, and have liked all of them. The staff is friendly and quick, and they've never gotten my order wrong.
(4)
Mark Y.

Ho Braddah!!! Tanks Ah!! Legit Hawaiian grinds dis far from home. Oh man sooo grateful!!! Mixed Plate fo Eva!!!!!!
(5)
Elson M.

Warning: the place is closed on Mondays. If you're looking for authentic islander food in Chicago, look no further. Growing up on an island, I definitely grew up loving the food. Great for the soul. Their BBQ chicken lunch plate is always great. The meat is really soft and full of flavor. If you don't like big portions, you can always go with the mini. It's also close by to Molly's :P. I will say the downside to this place is having no bathrooms. I run over to Starbucks across the street. This is why the place gets a 4. The food is a 5/5 for me though.
(4)
Daniela A.

I frequent this place often and alway carry out the BBQ Beef Plate. The macaroni salad is delicious and the portion size is fair for the price. I end up getting two meals out of the $11 I spend. My one complaint is that the beef has gotten considerably worse in quality. Many pieces are fatty or grisly to the point that I can't eat it. It is truly unfortunate as the seasoning is out of this world. Also, the staff is friendly and fast. They have a unique menu for Chicagoland and I would hate for them to not be as successful as possible.
(3)
James L.

You can't get Spam Musubi anywhere in the city. Or at least I haven't found a place until Aloha Eats! Went there with a couple friends to check it out. The place was small but the food wasn't too bad. BIG portions but wasn't spectacular food. Quantity over quality here but sometimes that's what you want. As for the Spam Musubi.... It was good. Not great. Too much rice. It fell apart as I was eating it too... But I'd come back to eat more...!
(3)
Julianne Z.

This place specializes in Hawaiian BBQ and I was not disappointed! When I came here, I ordered the beef short ribs combo plate, which comes with a side of cabbage, macaroni salad and rice. If you mix everything together it tastes absolutely delicious! The meat is juicy and fresh, and it is a huge plate! I also have to rave about their spam masubi. Spam cooked in soy sauce and then put on top a block of rice, wrapped in seaweed. I do think they put a little too much rice in this and it takes away from the overall flavor, but it is still really good. The place is really small and it is on a street with a bunch of great food. I think this is a great place to grab a quick dinner and afterwards, you can go to Molly's!
(4)
Tom Y.

Reminds me of Maui. Friendly staff, hawaiian decor, and delicious food on par with what you would get in Hawaii. Can't go wrong with the mixed plates. Huge portions. No complaints.
(5)
Johnny M.

Typical Hawaiian BBQ. Not the shit you get back in the islands or even on the West coast, but it's close. Especially since I don't think there's another HBBQ place in Chicago, anywhere. Guess its just a W.Coast type of thang. Anyway, I'm just glad this place is here. The BBQ chicken could use a tad bit more marinating :) Love the musubi and mac salad of course! Just an fyi, the mini plates have a ton of meat in them so if you're thinking it'll be smaller portions, it really isn't. I think they just give you less rice and mac salad.
(4)
Jack L.

I love Hawaiian food! I had a crazy hankering for some one day and found this place on yelp. I live kind of far from it in west loop, but decided to make the trek with a friend. We ordered the Musubi, who doesn't love spam and rice? Also had the steak and chicken platters with cabbage on the side. Food was great and cheap. Had enough food to bring home as leftovers. The funniest/weirdest thing I will point out about this place is that they did not have a bathroom. They ask you to go across the street to starbucks or something. Go for great food at a reasonable price!
(4)
Crystal H.

Ate here yesterday and ordered the chicken katsu and bbq beef combo.. It was delicious, inexpensive and has huge portions so you need to come here very hungry.. I will definitely come back.. The beef reminds me of how kalbi taste like so yummy..
(4)
Daniel N.

You get the hookup here if you get the dinner portions. The quantity you get is the good part, the feeling you get inside after eating that much is the bad part. The food is real good for the most part, it's nice to try some Hawaiian food in the area. The Chicken Katsu is nice and crispy and the short ribs are tasty. There is just some weird feeling you get from eating the food afterwards, probably just from the combination of the fatty meats and the mac salad that comes with each meal. The spam masubi is legit here, and the size of one is great for a snack. I come here about once every 1-2 months and that's enough for me.
(3)
Kris G.

Aloha Eats is one of my roommate's favorite places to eat. I have to admit, this place is a great deal for your money. If you want to fill yourself up for very little money, this is a great choice ( i got a drink, 2 hamburger steaks, rice, and macaroni salad for about $7). In fact, compared to a lot of places at this price point, I think this is a really good pick. I'm not familiar with Hawaiian food, but if this is a good example of it, it is great comfort food. However, nothing on the menu felt fresh or remotely healthy. I feel like there would be plenty of fresh fruit or fish options to choose from, but everything was mostly loaded with carbs and very salty. I got the hamburger steak mini plate that come with rice and macaroni salad. The hamburger steaks tasted like meatloaf in gravy. That may sound unappetizing, but I liked it fine. The whole thing reminded me of a TV dinner or frozen meal, however. For some that's very nostalgic, but for me it was more of an unexpected element to the food. the rice tasted really good when mixed with the gravy. I didn't care for the macaroni salad because it was like a macaroni and coleslaw mixture--but I bet many would like this combo. The place is tiny, but the staff are really nice and the people who come and eat here also feel like a very nice and laid back crowd. At the end of the day, this isn't a place I think I would go back to based on the quality and flavors of the food, but I definitely see myself craving that warm, comfort food sometime in the future and would probably come back for that.
(3)
Kendrick W.

Being from Hawaii I typically have high standards about my "Hawaiian" food and most places miss the mark. Aloha eats is about as solid as they come. Friendly staff, folks from Hawaii and most importantly good food. The chicken katsu is great, the breading isn't too thick or too thin. The bbq beef is on point and the mac salad just right (not a blob of mayo). And of course you can get your great Hawaiian Sun drinks even if they are overcharging a bit for them. Admittedly I haven't had the saimin yet which will be the true test, but I'll be back.
(4)
Mark N.

Ultimate dive experience!hawaiian style!Pretty good servings!service was pretty good and manager was friendly!food was tasty,and it can surely satisfy your cravings!I was a little disappointed on the macaroni salad,they could do better,but overall the food was good!Only downside was they dont have rest room and their dining area is very limited but you can always take it to go!
(3)
Chante G.

Loved the macaroni salad and the staff was very personable. Will definitely be back!
(5)
Jerry C.

I frequent Aloha Eats because of its the perfect example of good food for the right price. You get 2 scoops of rice and 1 scoop of mac salad along with a large portion of protein for around 10$. While they dont have the most extensive list of protein options, I think they do the styles that they have very well. There is a sweet profile in the marinade/sauce for most of their chicken/beef that goes along really well with the creaminess of the mac salad. If you want something more on the salty savory side, try one of their spam/loco moco options. While its not upscale or gourmet, its good food at a large portion for a great price.
(4)
Sarah B.

I had an hour to kill between dropping off wedding flowers, so decided to check out some food. I decided on Aloha Eats after wandering around for 15 minutes. It was cute, and the menu looked good. I decided on the Curry Tofu Katsu. It was delicious. The rice was perfect and the macaroni salad was awesome. The curry sauce was great and the tofu was a fun combination of super crispy outside and tofu-y inside. I can't wait to go back, but really sad that I probably won't be able to, since I'm moving to Minneapolis.
(4)
Steph U.

Still same rating, but I was considering giving them 1 star solely because of their curry! It's so incredibly salty!! It's also really expensive $10+ for chicken katsu with a curry sauce. The curry has no taste other than salt. It's slightly spicy, but not like the tasty kind of spicy, but rather just burn your mouth spice. The only reason I'm not giving this place 1 star is because everything else is edible. I'm mainly disappointed by the prices and this curry is no exception. Everything needs to be dropped by at least a couple bucks.
(2)
Jaclyn L.

I had a huge craving for Hawaiian BBQ and was surprised when this was the only one restaurant popped up in my Yelp search. Being a California transplant, I know and appreciate my little Hawaiian BBQ joints. Aloha Eats hit the spot and satisfied my craving, but wasn't actually that amazing. It's like a pirate stuck at sea for years who gets on dry land and hooks up with the first thing he sees at the dirty tavern on shore. Sure he knocked boots, but it might not have actually been that great - but it got the job done. That's how I feel about Aloha Eats. I got my Hawaiian BBQ fix but in comparison to what I've had before, it was meh. I called in for a take out order of spam musubi and bbq chicken. They said my order would be ready in 15 mins and they were definitely fast and accurate with their timing. Awesome job on that part! Overall, the food was fine, I just had a couple complaints about it (but I totally understand that these are my personal preferences and I'm just whining). First, the spam musubi has way too much rice. WAY TOO MUCH. It was essentially a brick of rice with a piece of spam on top. It tasted good but the rice to spam ratio was way off balance. But seriously, calm down with the rice, Aloha Eats! The bbq chicken was okay. I'm not sure what authentic Hawaiian bbq is supposed to be, but I do know what I enjoy, and I prefer some sauce on top of my bbq chicken. There wasn't any sauce, but the chicken was still flavorful and juicy. I just could've used some glaze/sauce on top. The macaroni salad was incredibly disappointing. Usually it's my favorite part but theirs had too much white pepper. I will probably come back to Aloha Eats the next time I have a hankering for some Hawaiian....mainly because I will take what I can get since beggars can't be choosers, haha. I guess this is the beauty of having a monopoly on the Hawaiian BBQ market in Chicago.
(3)
J C.

This place never disappoints the chicken katsu and bbq beef I highly recommend! Oh and the macaroni salad to compliment the beef! The spam is eehh plus its kinda pricey for one slice.
(4)
Karan C.

My first time trying Hawaiian food so I have no reference scale. I had the smoked pork and cabbage, mac salad and the SPAM! Everything was excellent. The owner/manager/cashier is very friendly and I was impressed by the depth of Hawaiian cuisine. On a side note, they have a cheeseburger under 5$. Why do people go to Mcdonalds down the street?
(5)
Jen R.

I suppose I just don't get this place. The reviews may have left me expecting more but I found it greasy and not that tasty. I had the Hawaiian BBQ chicken and it was fairly standard. The place also gets really cold with the door opening constantly and it being a small place. The food took quite a long time considering we were the only ones there when we initially ordered. Also, they ask you take out/dine in- but still served it in styrofoam boxes for dine in, so why ask?
(2)
Van C.

Whenever I go here, I always get the mini BBQ short ribs. This place is the bomb. I also recommend the spam musubi. It's a bit pricey but it's in a nice neighborhood. I love it here! :)
(4)
Danny M.

This place was on my to try list for a while, but my friends kept on saying this place is just okay. That explains why I haven't stopped by here sooner. I came in with my friends on a weekday and it was not busy. We ordered chicken katsu, bbq beef, spam musubi, and the hawaiian bbq mix plate. I felt like everything we ordered was just okay. The spam musubi was really good, which is surprising because it sounds/look so simple, yet it's so good. The portions are huge, especially if you get the chicken katsu. I would definitely recommend getting a combo plate with this or getting a mini one. Overall, my friends were spot on with this place being okay. I would still come back in the future and try other things.
(3)
Reecie B.

The short rib here is sooooo good. It is pretty pricey though (I usually pay $20 for the dinner and soft drink). Unfortunately there aren't any other Hawaiian restaurants in the city so I guess we're stuck paying a premium. The service is just ok. The lady who is always there when I come in is not friendly at all. She isn't rude though so it's not like she is a deterrent. Despite the food and parking hassle the food keeps me coming back!
(4)
Kamil M.

Been coming here for over 8 years know. best Hawaiian food around. My favorite are chicken Katsu, short ribs BBQ and spam masubi, their macaroni salad is amazing. Food is always fresh and yummy. The place is good for small groups.
(5)
Sonia B.

If you want a taste of the Hawaiian Islands, this is the place to go! Everything from the spam masubi (One of my favs), chicken katsu, combo plates(containing mac salad, short ribs, bbq beef, chicken and rice), loco moco is yummy! I don't think you can go wrong! Make sure to order one of the Hawaiian juices to wash it all down! Mahalo!
(4)
Brett F.

Who knew? I've been missing out for years. Hawaiian plate lunch is where it's at, bitches. For a meager price you get A LOT of food. And it's yummy food. And it's prepared fresh on the spot food. And it's the food of Hawaiians. And Hawaiians know what's good. And it's next door to Molly's Cupcakes. Which I also just discovered. Like an idiot. So many good things. All in one day. But by far the combination of macaroni salad, white rice and a gorgeously-glazed BBQ chicken - white meat only - (mini portion, thank you) was best. When I'm feeling adventurous, I'll be having Musubi. Spam wrapped in rice wrapped in nori. All the locals are doing it. And soon me. Maybe.
(5)
Pyro P.

Came at 9pm (closes at 10pm) on a weeknight across the city for the much hyped spam wasubi but was told that it was too late to make that order. BUYER BEWARE of the limited menu if coming to this restaurant near closing time. NO BATHROOMS for paying customers so make sure to use the restroom at the Starbucks across the street as I was told.
(1)
Dinah T.

Good food for the price u pay. Made to order so you'll wait a bit but worth it. BBQ mix plate so good. Will go back again. Wish they have pork adobo on menu. Place is small 7 tables. Went during lunch not too crowded. I'd go back here again.
(4)
Emy F.

I have never had "Hawaiian" food, so I can't honestly tell you this is the best I've ever had or it's just like "that thing I had when I was on vacation". I was so interested in this place and each time I walked by, I was on my way to dinner so it's been about two years, BUT I made it. So I had the Kalua Pork because it sounded like something that was very Hawaiian. Of course I love Katsu and BBQ, but it's about trying something different. The people behind the counter were very nice and I love that you can watch the cook make your food from scratch. You end up waiting about 10 minutes for your food, but that's better than waiting 30 seconds and having awful food. Hawaii is all about being laid back or so the TV tells me, so don't come in here having a hissy fit for waiting. The service again is nice and the environment is very clean. Can we all have a meeting about that macaroni salad though? It's so mayo-y and bland, why does everyone die over it? Maybe some of these people are carb starved, or maybe it was a bad macaroni day. Either way, it was yuck and if you love the macaroni from this place we should go together so you can have my portion. See, I'm considerate. Onto the pork. Okay, so the word that I would say I felt when I opened up my tray was really confused. It's described differently from what I expected, I was expecting something borderline sweet. This pork is savory. Not salty, but very very savory. After a few bites I had to take a break because I think my palate was confused. It wasn't gross or awful, but the pork has such a strong taste it forces you to eat small amounts. Great diet food seasoning. Would I come in here again? Yes, but I would try the "small plates" until I found my absolute favorite thing.
(4)
MC B.

Love love love going to aloha eats! Can never go wrong with the chicken katsu or the spam musubi! With any dinner plate they always give big portions so I always split with someone. They have mini plates as well. They sell Hawaiian drinks that I have to try as well as the sriracha lollipops. Overall I'm never disappointed when I come here and the location is great because Molly's cupcakes is next door! Definitely a must try!
(5)
Kim B.

You really let me down, Aloha Eats. I was looking forward to having some Hawaiian food: spam musubi, macaroni salad and loco moco. I'm not sure how they managed to mess up these simple items but they did. The spam musubi had way to much rice AND the rice wasn't even cooked properly, it was too dry. The macaroni salad and gravy on the loco moco had no flavor at all. If you've ever been to Hawaii or had real Hawaiian food, do not come here, you will be disappointed.
(2)
Connie M.

Portions are huge and prices are pretty good for the amount of food you get. However, the food is just alright. The spam masubi was pretty good but the ratio of rice to spam and seaweed was a little off for me. I also got a bbq chicken which comes with rice, cabbage, and macaroni. The chicken was a little dry. As for service, the man working there was really nice and he seemed very genuine :)
(3)
Efrain F.

This place is delicious get the combo it comes with a little bit of everything. Enough for two meals.
(5)
Thomas T.

After hearing about this place for a while, decided to finally go here since I was already going to watch Blue Man Group afterward, so figured this would be a quick and easy dinner that's close by. First the area is nice but it was packed at 6pm on a tuesday. Drove around for about 15 minutes before I found a spot and still had to walk 2 blocks. So unless you get lucky, be prepared to walk. Walking in, it has a really laid back atmosphere which I liked. Kind of small though, only 5 tables to sit at. There were people behind me in line that left because they had no where to sit. So you'll have to get lucky there too. The gf and I split the bbq beef and chicken katsu combo. It's like 11 bucks for a pretty good amount. Chicken Katsu was bomb, I definitely recommend that. It was extra crispy which I liked and you could tell it was freshly made. The bbq beef was alright, nothing special. Also got the Spam Musubi and that was eh. I mean I like spam and rice, but paying 2.50 for one just seems a little too expensive to me.
(4)
Haley C.

So happy I stumbled upon this place!! I love the mini plates- still a ton of food and cheaper!
(5)
M. S.

Maybe I enjoy Hawaii too much - Maybe there should be an ABC store at every corner. Aloha's portions are generous and the island tastes are great. The spam musubi is always a great treat.
(5)
Elleen P.

I came here with a couple of my friends for a late lunch, around maybe 2-3 pm. There were few people there, and we could easily find a seat and order without a line. Service was great, the guy behind the counter was friendly, obliging, and helpful. He also speaks Mandarin with the older guy (father, maybe?) and it was funny being able to listen in on his conversation as he was trying to mask what he was saying with a cultural barrier. (I'm onto you.. jk) Anyways, I shared an order of spam musubi and a BBQ chicken plate with my friend. Let me just start off with this -- portions are HUGE. Think a standard large to-go box, filled with rice, macaroni, and BBQ'ed chicken. I ate one spam musubi first and it was so big that afterwards, I didn't really have the stomach to eat the BBQ chicken first. I would say it was a pretty good meal and it wouldn't hurt to give this place a try. Try to share with a friend or something, and don't order two -- unless you're prepared for a food coma. BBQ chicken was alright, the chicken was not really barbequed at all, just cooked with a nice marinate. Spam musubi was pretty good.
(4)
Andre W.

I can't believe I have not written a review on this place yet as I have been here numerous time due to the fact I live a few steps away. I have been to Hawaii and I am not sure this place serves up a typical hawaiian dish. The peeps behind the counter are usually good in helping people if they are not sure what to order. I usually get two things: the Hawaiian BBQ plate or the Hawaiian BBQ mix plate which includes BBQ Chicken, BBQ Beef & BBQ Beef short ribs. The short ribs have very good, sweet flavor...love it! the chicken & beef is very good as well. All plates come with 2 scoops of rice and 1 scoop of macaroni salad. The portions are usually a nice size so I always have leftovers when I order. You can also order smaller sized plates for a lower price as well. This place is one of my favorites in the area.
(4)
Rod D.

When you want a taste of Hawaii, just come to Aloha Eats. It definitely reminds me of a local Hawaiian joint that my wife and I visited while in Hawaii for our honeymoon. What I love even more than just the delicious food is the fact that most of the staff is from Hawaii or is very knowledgeable about the Hawaiian culture and could answer most if not all your questions about their food choices/selection. Whenever I go, I usually get the combo plate. It has to die for macaroni salad, short ribs, beef strips, grilled chicken and rice. Its enough food for 2 meals. My wife is very content with getting their spam masubi. If you don't know what that is, just imagine a maki sushi roll but the topping is made out of spam. YUM! Another popular dish which takes my wife and I back to Hawaii is the Locomoco. It's like a fried rice type dish with gravy on it. OMG, my mouth is starting to water as I type this! A huge plus is it's right next door to Molly's cupcake restaurant. You get a delicious meal at Aloha Eats and take a couple steps down to get dessert at Mollys. Can't go wrong with a little Aloha Eats if you're in the neighborhood!
(4)
Kanani E.

I love this place. It reminds me of Hawaii !! I always get the double chicken plate ...
(5)
J B.

Ok so I honestly didn't really want to to eat here but my gf convinced me it would be worth it. It is one of my favorite places here to eat now. I usually just get the Chicken Katsu platter.. the portions are awesome! Love the Macaroni salad as well. I gotta say though I really hate that slaw stuff they add in! Blah :( ... I usually try to eat some anyway as all the other things I'm eating are kinda greasy. I have this mindset that somehow its balancing things out (not likely) for the meal. Lol I don't think the stuff has any real nutritional value anyway. But they always say things that don't taste very great are good for you so its gotta be doing something somewhere. If anything its filling me up so I don't eat too much I guess. I recommend dining in, its never super crowded and they are pretty quick to get your plates out to you.
(5)
Lucy C.

I love how obvious it is that the guy at the register likes his job. There's something so easy going and fun about the entire atmosphere at Aloha Eats and it makes me want to come over and over again. Any and all of the BBQ meats are delicious; try the Hawaiian BBQ mix plate and substitute rice for another scoop of the mac salad.. My favorite is the chicken BBQ--perfectly seasoned and not at all dry-- and it's definitely a bang for your buck with these portion sizes. I just wish the BBQ short ribs had more meat and less bone. Also, you can never go wrong with spam musubi. Yuuuuuum Step next door for a cupcake and mug of intelligentsia coffee afterwards and consider your day made.
(4)
Jeffrey Z.

The staff was friendly, but unfortunately the food wasn't very good. The macaroni salad just tasted like mayonnaise, and the short ribs were mostly fat and bone. They also wouldn't even let me pay extra to replace the side with their broccoli side they sell separately. If there weren't so many other better places around it, I'd probably go back and try something else...
(2)
Elaina B.

I love Aloha Eats. It reminds me of my life on the islands. This is Hawaiian comfort food. Large portions, macaroni salad, sticky rice. The people behind the counter are friendly and willing to explain the menu and chat. A great place to have something a little different from your normal fast food place.
(4)
Andy M.

I swear, if I lived in Hawaii, I would be 300 lbs. I love pork, spam and all the other delicacies of the islands in the worst way. Aloha eats is a perfect example of the wonderful food Hawaiian culture has given us. My Wife thought A.E. was a carry out only establishment, so we picked up our order. There actually are a few booth's in the small restaurant, but in a way I'm kind of glad we took the food home. I wouldn't want to be seen in public gnawing on BBQ, short Ribs. I was literally in an OCD mania, trying to strip the meat off the bones. I did such a good job, my dog actually stood up and clapped. At least I made the dog proud. The Ribs came with a side of white rice and a delicious Macaroni salad. As if my entree wasn't enough, I ordered a BBQ Beef salad. The Salad was huge, and I ended up saving most of it for later. Here's the bottom line: I ate so much Hawaiian food that Don Ho rolled over in his grave. My meal from Aloha Eats was the perfect combination of delicious, Island food and American Gluttony. The food was amazing. I can't wait to go back.
(5)
Lily Z.

I came here with my boyfriend late at night. It was about to close soon, but we were table to sneak in a take-out order and eat inside. I haven't been to Aloha in a while, so it was nice to be back. However, there wasn't anything great. He ordered the combo with chicken katsu and teriyaki chicken. I got the mini short ribs. The chicken katsu was not good. It tasted as if it wasn't made fresh to order. The crust was overly hard and it tasted like it had been re-fried. It actually hurt the insides of my mouth to chew it. The short ribs were alright, but when I tried to cut them up, my fork BROKE. How embarrassing?! Also, my boyfriend ordered the spam musubi to go. He ate it the next day as a snack before work and he didn't like it at all. The service was nice and friendly, but the food just wasn't up to par. I know that we were coming in at the last hour, but it doesn't mean that we deserve any less. Sorry, I don't think I'm coming back here again.
(1)
Ryan M.

This place is a god damned GEM! My buddy convinced me to come here a few weeks ago. AND HOLY S***! I ordered the combination mixed plate with the chicken, beef, and shortribs. Got my plate and started eatin'. 2 minutes later I was in food coma bliss. I never set my fork down. Oh and the macaroni salad is the best you've ever had. I guarantee it.
(5)
Justin M.

This place wasn't bad by any means. I was excited they served fried tofu with a side of veggies. However, the veggies tasted like they just opened a bag of frozen peas and carrots and heated it up for me. The tofu was plentiful and good.
(2)
Jess L.

Aloha Eats is one of those places I miss in Chicago, even though I now live in NYC! Yummy options. Greasy goodness - but some healthy options, as well! I wish there was more to the in-house eating area, but they try to spruce it up with some Hawaiian decor.
(5)
Kekoa C.

Oh, Aloha Eats. How I want to love you so much! Growing up eating island food, Aloha Eat's menu, on paper, would seem to be my comfort food haven. Unfortunately, almost every dish I've tried seems to just miss the satisfying mark somehow. The BBQ Mix Plate gets you A LOT of meat - bbq/teriyaki chicken, bbq beef and short ribs. Of the three, I would say the chicken is the best. The bbq beef was marinated to a point where it simply tasted like soy/salt, and the short ribs were really tough for some reason. LocoMoco is one of my favorite dishes ever. A ground beef patty, topped with a savory gravy and a sunnyside up egg is simply heavenly...when done right. Aloha Eats efforts here are admirable. However, the patty was too salty, and the gravy simply lacked a depth of flavor. Now, I love me some spam, so how can you really mess up spam musubi? Well, by having the wrong spam to rice ratio. One thin slice of spam and 8-10x the amount in height of rice?! I couldn't even taste the spam there was sooo much rice! Even the teriyaki sauce didn't come through. Ok, just one more gripe. Spam, Eggs and Rice for over $8 with tax?! That's just plain extortion. I don't blame you, I blame myself to giving in to a craving after a run along the lake. That ish would be 3.99 at a McDonalds in HI AND come with portuguese sausage and a drink. Ugh. I mean, I'm sure at some point I'll be back because I'll be too lazy to cook rice and fry up some spam myself. But, I'm going to hate myself for it.
(2)
Eric K.

After seeing tons of social media posts and check-ins on Aloha Eats I finally decided to give Aloha Eats a try. I don't know how parking is usually but I guess we went on a bad day? We visited on a Sunday (parking meters were free all day) and parking was impossible to find it took us over 20 minutes to find a legal parking spot (plenty of residential parking that requires a permit.) Upon entering we were greeted. Thanks to Instagram and Facebook posts I knew exactly what to get. Spam Misubi, Chicken Katsu, and Teriyaki Chicken, and 2 Hawaiian soft drinks. Our order totaled up to $30. Food was prepared in less than 15 minutes, and these boxes were LOADED with food. Lets just say at Aloha Eats you really do get what you pay for. Chicken Katsu, perfect. Served with their Aloha Eats sauce which tastes good on everything. Teriyaki Chicken, perfect. Not too dry, meat was very tender and juicy. Spam Misubi, could be better but I'm not complaining there was a ton of rice, and the slice of Spam was huge. Soft drinks. I'm not a huge fan of sweet drinks; mainly a water drinker. But since the drinks were labled "imported from hawaii" I had to give it a try. Glad I tried it, tastes amazing, non carbonated juices, low in calories. Overall. Great tasting food. Great prices for the amount you receive. Very nice worker. They'll be getting a lot of business very frequently from me!
(5)
Bob W.

We love a good Hawaiian take-out place and Aloha Eats is a good one. Setup is essentially the same as every other Hawaiian place with some kind of meat served with rice and/or macaroni salad. Aloha Eats does everything pretty well, but I have to single out the BBQ beef which is essentially Korean Bulgogi and my favorite, the Kalua Pork. The latter is smoked to perfection and served with cabbage that just soaks up the smoky pork flavor. Now if they get just get that Hawaiian teriyaki sauce I recall from the west coast this place would be perfect.
(4)
Dermot M.

I was very excited to have a Hawaiian restaurant in my area when I first moved to the Lincoln Park neighborhood, as I thought it would provide a nice alternative for those times that I'm not really in the mood for the usual takeout food. Unfortunately, from the two times I've been here, I just didn't find the food very good. Some specifics: Pork Katsu - man, this is a lot of food. Generous portions of breaded pork, plain white rice, and macaroni salad. If you love this dish, this might be a good thing, but I didn't. The breading on the pork was a very thick, crunchy armor that did nothing to enhance the flavor of the unremarkable pork inside. The accompanying tangy sauce helps, but only a little. Heavily fried, so it doesn't take long to not feel very good about what you're eating. I found the macaroni salad to also be unremarkable. Fried Shrimp - exactly the same comments as the pork katsu, except replace "pork" with "shrimp." If I ever go again, I will stay away from the fried stuff. Hawaiian BBQ Mixed Plate - a little better, but all of the meats were mostly uninteresting. Like the above plates, served with plain white rice and macaroni salad. I mostly fail to see what makes the BBQ meats Hawaiian. If I go back, there are still two items I would like to try that could possibly slightly redeem the place for me: the moco loco and the spam musubi. However, my hopes are not high, and for now I give this place two stars.
(2)
Joan K.

I love this place! The chicken katsu place is SO BIG so I always get their mini plates but even then I could never finish it. The place is a bit small but Ive never really seen it filled up here theres no seats so it's fine. I love their macaroni salad as well. I come here whenever I crave & miss Hawaiian food!
(5)
Christina F.

I've been here a few times and always really liked what I got. The macaroni salad is tasty and so is the chicken, though sometimes it looks like McChicken chicken and I wonder what I'm eating. They give big portions too. But if you can get past a little mystery meat, it's really quite tasty. My bf got sick from it once though so we haven't been back since :(
(4)
Sheila K.

Came in for a late night snack after the ZooLights. We were at Molly's and had a cupcake there and was still hungry so we went to Aloha Eats next door. The plates are generously portioned and good. The burgers look appetizing and many other things on the menu. Friendly service. I would come here again.
(4)
Shaina K.

The portions are massive! One plate could easily feed two people. I got the chicken katsu, and the boyfriend got the BBQ sampler plate. Both of the portions were massive. I love the gravy that comes with the katsu. Side wise, each plate comes with a side of rice and macaroni salad (either of which can be substituted for fries) The macaroni is something worth trying, it's simple but tasty. The food took a while, but it came out fresh. Definately will be back.
(5)
Ronald B.

Went to Chicago for my birthday. I had been to Aloha Eats before so I decided to eat there again. The cashier was very friendly and we talked about some of the menu items while I waited. The food was ok. Kalua pig almost tasted like it was made in Hawaii. The chicken katsu was a little hard and the sauce was a little off. The spam saimin was pretty good but they used won ton noodles. All in all not too bad. Next time I visit Chicago I will probably eat here again.
(3)
Amanda Z.

Having never been to Hawaii, I had no idea what Hawaiian food entailed. My date suggested we pop in here for a bite while in the 'hood a few weeks ago and omghowdidinevercomeherewhenilivedsoclose???? But really, yeah, I know why I've not been here before recently. Had I tasted this hard fried pounded out chicken (dark meat always, guys, don't mess) and its delightful sauce and alternated spooned bits of the creamy macaroni salad into my mouth with the perfectly sticky rice, I would weight a deuce, maybe a deuce and a half. It's that good. My lunch date and I shared a chicken katsu plate. It was more than enough food for us (well, maybe we could've shared another side of macaroni salad), so much so that we were able to take home some chicken and heat it up for the next day. (Heats up pretty well in the oven, fyi.) The service is friendly, they have root beer on tap, and the food is just amazing, if you're a fan of all things fried crispy and deliciously. (Face it, if you're not, we're probably not ever gonna be friends. Like, ever.)
(4)
Rui L.

Get a combo and spam musubi to share with another person. Portions are huge and taste fantastic! Service is basically self serve which I'm ok with :)
(4)
Cassie V.

Returning to the mainland sucks, but Aloha Eats is a good bridge back to the lands of Kaluha pork. The closest thing to Hawaiian street food in Chicago. Similar to l&ls on the west coast without the mass production, chain factor. If you're new to Hawaiian food and are timid to try, start with the katsu chicken. However my favorites are Kaluha pork and loco moco with over easy eggs. Mac salad is the perfect side. And you MUST get the aloha maid to drink, don't forget to shake the can though. Mahalo.
(4)
Brad L.

Went here when we couldn't get into Toro Sushi after they closed for lunch. It looked good and had a good rating on Yelp so we tried it. We were all disappointed. I had the double chicken which had half fried chicken and half grilled. The cuts of chicken were the same in each and it was probably the worst cut of chicken you could buy. Well, not the worst, there weren't a bunch of tendons or anything, but it was very fatty and the fried portion was mostly breading. Macaroni salad is served with most dishes and is decent but nothing to write home about. My friends got the curry shrimp, a fish dish, and teriyaki beef and the only thing that was any good was the beef. The shrimp were no good and the fish was left untouched after one bite. Maybe I should have tried the Spam, but the dishes we sampled were not very impressive. Much better ways to spend your dining dollars in Chicago....bypass this place.
(2)
Grant S.

You want a taste of Hawaii? Come here. As a native of Oahu, this is honest to goodness everyday food in Hawaii. Is this "authentic" Hawaiian food? Not in the sense that the ancient Hawaiian people didn't eat this, but nowadays people eat this menu daily. Everything from the chicken katsu, to the spam musubis (both of which I recommend) is your average days meal. The portions here are huge, albeit pricey. So if you're hungry and want a real treat, this is your place to go. Real kids from Hawaii that go to school in Chicago go here for a taste of home. Illinois Tech's Hawaii Club comes here every semester as part of our programming. Keep up the good work. Coming back when I am in town =D.
(4)
iddells E.

We walked into the cute little restaurant and I noticed that they served spam....I LOVE SPAM!! I had many fond childhood memories of my mom frying up some generic spam because she was too tired to cook a real meal. Add a side of rice and perfection is created! I was a little hesitant to try the spam musubi...the rice and spam are alright, but when you wrap it up in seaweed, won't it taste all seaweedy? Anyways, I decided to get it...2 spam musubis for 4 bucks is a great deal. I loved it, the combination of the rice, spam, and seaweed was delicious! I also had the macaroni salad on the side which was quite tasty and light. I was stuffed and took the other musubi home. I nibbled on my friend's plate. I believed she got the Chicken Katsu.....that was good as well. We were new to Hawaiian food, but the gentleman behind the counter was very friendly and described the dishes pretty well and gave us some great recommendations. S.P.A.M. Don't you know that it's my best friend?
(4)
Shin M.

I got the chicken katsu with beef combo ($11.75+tax). The chicken katsu tasted pretty good with the sauce it came with. The beef had a very strong teriyaki taste but was still good! The macaroni was not bad. I replaced my rice with fries which were good too! The portion was very big too. Overall, a pleasant food experience. I'd recommend you give it a try!
(4)
David S.

Authentic and very tasty. I love the chicken katsu. You also get a lot of food for your money, so you can consider splitting an entree if you like.
(5)
Arthur T.

Yesterday was my second time at Aloha Eats and it is quickly becoming one of my favorite restaurants! The portions are huge and you can really get the most out of your money!! The restaurant itself is a bit on the small side so there isn't much seating available especially when it gets busy, but the food itself makes up for that! They also use the Bellycard app so you can accumulate points for free food and beverages!
(5)
Dina F.

So delicious. I have been here twice within two weeks of each visit. I make the excuse that I had to purchase and then pick up my glasses across the street. The food is great, hot and "craveable" so much so that I am trying to find excuses to go back to the neighborhood just to score some delicious Hawaiian sauce on top of my panko-crusted chicken. The BBQ is fantastic on whatever meat you choose.
(4)
John H.

Work right around the corner, thought I'd give it a shot today after seeing so many great reviews. Loved it will definitely go back, had chicken katsu with rice and macaroni salad.
(4)
Carrie P.

Love this place. The kalua pork is my favorite but the bbq meats are great as well. Macaroni salad is BOMB, especially with the pork. They give you a lot of food for your money. The folks behind the counter seem really nice, too. Good stuff.
(4)
Anna H.

I came here with my friend and we literally had a feast. But at least that gives me authority to review several of their items on the menu. But first and foremost, if you are a moderate eater, a "mini-plate" is more than sufficient. It comes in a small Styrofoam container, but they stuff is full of rice, macaroni salad and meat of choice. So you can get a pretty cheap meal and leave feeling very satisfied. The BBQ beef and short ribs are very tasty and my favorite. They are marinated the beef in a soy, garlic, seseme-esque sauce - very similar to Korean BBQ beef. The egg noodle soup with Spam was tasty as well. The broth had a nice flavor. Plus you can't go wrong with egg noodles and Spam. The chicken Katsu, I thought was just okay according to my palate, but then again, my palate requires a lot of spice. The chicken Katsu is chicken tenderized to a very thin slice, breaded and fried. It is served with BBQ sauce to add extra flavor. The fried shrimp was good and average. Nothing special. Breaded and fried, per usual. One thing I liked was that the breading was too thick. The macaroni salad is just macaroni pasta in a mayonnaise mixture. It was mild in flavor, pretty tasty and it complimented the meal pretty well in adding variety of texture. The ambiance was decent. Cute decor, clean. A good place to grab a quick bite with friends or by yourself. Not a good place for romantic dates or large parties. Don't come here if you want to stick to a healthy diet since the main menu items are breaded/fried or served with Spam. Come here for some good, fast and cheap food.
(4)
Carol P.

If you have every been to Hawaii, lunch plates are a big thing. Even Hawaii McDonalds had a big breakfast that has Spam and rice! You can find lunch plates all over in Cali and Vegas. This is the only place in Chicago to get one. I always get the Hawaiian BBQ Mix Plate. The meat is juicy and delicious. The Spam Musubi is good, but when can you mess up cooking Spam? There are also mini lunch plates too, if the regular size is too big. They have my favorite canned drinks from Hawaii I cannot find anywhere around here. But street parking is not great (of course for that area) and it is best to check their website or call to make sure they are open. I have gone out there without doing so and ended up wasting my time because they were closed.
(4)
Troy P.

Everyone I have introduced to this place has fallen in love with it. I stumbled on it in the rain one day and ended up eating two full meals while I waited it out. The chicken katsu is great to take home and their macaroni salad is the perfect match but a little sparse. Could throw another scoop in there. Great place to order take out or have a quick meal in the window on clark.
(5)
Mark B.

What is there not to love; great friendly service, huge portions, and unique choices. I spent $17 and ate for an entire week. Sick of burgers or shwarma, this is the place for you!!!
(5)
Patrick S.

Aloha Grill..Aloha Eats..I will forever be devoted to this place. Its the closest I will ever get to SoCal hawaiian in Chicago. Its a take out place..do you need anything fancier than styrofoam, and plastic ware? Come on! Only downside is that its LP since parking is a toss up at times. Any how..on to the good stuff. My go to meal for that, I havent eaten in days, last meal type quality: Chicken Katsu (dark meat) and short ribs combo plate FTW!!! 2 scoops of rice, I sub the mac salad for fries...side order of spam musubi when Im feeling extra frisky. This combo plate is not on the menu btw..but they make it for you if you ask for it; and of course if youre willing to pay for it (in more ways than one). Just talking about it..I need this in my life immediately. If you order this..get someone else to drive you or carry you. Its a recipe for instant food coma!
(5)
Johnny T.

There's something about gray skies that gets me hankering for Hawai'i. I wonder what. And while I haven't been there for many years (and didn't eat the plate lunch when I was there), katsu sauce can always turn my S.A.D. frown upside down. Wanting to make sure I was ordering correctly, I called the Queen of Hawai'i herself, Emi H, and had her walk me through the menu. After all, if you're going to do something, do it right. I hadn't been to Aloha Eats in years (just after it opened), so I didn't remember what I wanted. I just remembered that it tasted good. She pushed me toward the spam, but I couldn't do it. Spam musubi *is* rather tasty but that's about as far as I can take my spam eats. I just have too many mental blocks up to eat an entire plate of spam. So, knowing me, she compromised and told me to get the chicken katsu plate. I was leaning toward the curry plate but she told me what I needed what sweet katsu sauce and she needed to go because the woman works all the time and accomplishes mucho all over the big island. So, I hung up, ordered the katsu plate, waited an appropriate amount of time and headed home to chow down. I thought I might be pregnant. Not until I open the box and smelled the mixture of aroma did I realize that I *needed* macaroni salad in my life. Usually, the thought of mayonnaisey pasta makes me wretch. That day? I stirred it into my rice, placed it atop my chicken and then poured sweet sweet katsu sauce on top. I realize it sounds disgusting. Writing it even now makes me a little queasy. At the time, though. Slammin'. Slam.Min. From what I understand, Aloha Eats really benefits from having an authentic feel. They're not trying to be upscale or fusion. They're just offering Chicagoans a taste of what islanders chow down on on the daily. I can appreciate that. I can also appreciate the fact that I got enough food for two meals. Of course I ate it all in one setting but I didn't have to. Or, shouldn't have. Potato. Potatoe. Dead sexy. This is comfort food for the Vitamin D deficient. Prepare to see a lot of me, Aloha Eats. Winter's coming.
(4)
Dax R.

This is the place for cheap eats. Spam Masubi is awesome as they dont skimp on the rice..you get a brick of if with a nice thick slice of grilled spam on top. Also the short ribs are great!
(4)
Natalie C.

What can I say - this place combines spam, rice, fried eggs, and a DELISH macaroni salad which is simple yet wonderful. Very casual and laid back -- the restaurant seats probably all of 20 people. Both my boyfriend and I are big fans of Aloha Eats.
(4)
Somchai S.

After my first bad experience w a mini chicken katsu, i am now a convert. My cousin decided to grab dinner from this place and I accompanied him. He ordered me the spam musubi as a filler since i already had dinner. Needless to say it was delicious! i ate half within 5 minutes and was reaching for the second piece. The spam was marinated and had so much flavor that the amount of rice was just perfect. Everything was so good that I woke up the next day craving more Aloha Eats. So i ordered the mini short rib and spam musubi. When my food was delievered I could not believe how much they could fit in a little container. I had nearly 4 pieces of short rib. Unregretablly I consumed the entire thing and it was SO AMAZING! i am so glad they are less than a mile from my house!
(4)
Pascal M.

I think a song should be written about the Hawaiian Mixed Plate. Aloha Eat's is another great place on Clark that is doing something unlike anyone else in the city. They serve up delish, quick, and reasonably priced Hawaiian plate lunches. All their meats in the mixed plate are fantastic. Beautifully tender, juicy, and full of rich flavor. Can you go wrong with sticky rice? The macaroni salad is good too. I would love to try one of their curry dishes or perhaps get some catering by Aloha Eats. Aloha drinks are served too, which goes great with a nice to-go plate lunch. I love this food so much I have mastered sticky rice at home, I make a grilled pineapple huli-huli chicken, and my own macaroni salad so I dont have to make the drive. Any time I'm on Clark, i have to ask myself if I'm hungry. If so, Aloha Eat's is a front runner.
(5)
Reggie M.

Not bad. Their macaroni salad is the best. For what it is though it is kind of pricey. Learn to make Loco Moco yourself, it's really fucking easy haha. But if you're lazy and you're craving that gutbomb, come here.
(3)
Jeff S.

After hearing my friends talk up Aloha Eats for a while, I knew I would have to try it. Luckily, some of my friends were already planning on being in the area last night for some eats, so they invited me to join them. I had heard great things about the Loco Moco (rice, hamburger patties, fried eggs and gravy with a side of macaroni salad) and knew that's what I should try. Let's start off with the food; it was fine. Nothing offensive, but nothing that had me wanting to come back for more. The rice was slightly dry, the hamburger patties tasted like they had some non-beef filler, and the gravy was ordinary. The eggs over easy were cooked just right. All in all, I didn't feel like the ~$9 I paid was too much or too little for what I got. It was average. It wasn't completely satisfying. But I was full. It's generally easy to get a table here, although it seems like most people get their orders to go. Food came out pretty quick (~5 minutes) and it's your typical fast casual type of place. I'll go back to try some of the Hawaiian BBQ, but I don't see myself having a hankerin' for the Loco Moco anytime soon.
(3)
Jane S.

This is my go to destination when I can't decide what I want to eat. The food is prepared fresh and is really good. The Mix BBQ plate is probably one of my favorites at the moment. Chicken Katsu & Short Ribs are absolutely delish as well!! If you're getting the full size meal the portions are really really good. If you can't handle the full size dish or just want something smaller they also offer the mini-lunch plates, which I think is great!! I recommend this for everyone, whether you want to dine-in or take out.
(4)
Jimmy N.

I ordered the curry chicken Katsu plate lunch which came with 2 scoops of rice and 1 scoop of macaroni salad for $10 and change after taxes. This place has a lot of good things going for it. Firstly, I can't complain about the price, and, believe you me, I ALWAYS complain about food prices in the city (or anywhere for that matter). The portions are large enough for 2 people to share and spare, and I am saying this as a guy who doesn't think anything is big enough to share. The food is legit. The chicken had a crunch to it that I would never be able to duplicate at home. It was really really crunchy! The rice was normal medium grain rice which was something I can make at home but I am not gonna fault them for that. I would have preferred short grain rice, but that's more of Japanese style than Hawaiian style I guess. The macaroni salad was good. The only thing I didn't like was the curry. It was a bit too salty for me and didn't blow me away with flavor. It was passable yet unimpressive. I wouldn't order it again. Overall a very decent place, especially for the poor starving student. However, there was no magic for me, no memory lasting bite, no incentive to come back.
(3)
Kasim F.

My wife and I decided to go here with a couple of my friends from college a few days ago. We had never eaten Hawaiian food before and it had a few good reviews on yelp, so we decided to check it out. The restaurant was kind of small, but it provided a comforting feeling nonetheless. The place was relatively clean, aside from a few flies buzzing around here and there, but I'm assuming that is pretty difficult to manage given the summer heat these days. I ordered the chicken katsu and BBQ beef combo. Our food came out very promptly, so no complaints there. Although my meal did not look very appetizing, it actually tasted rather delicious. The beef was seasoned well and it was also tender. The breaded chicken was kind of plain, but they provided a nice dipping sauce to scarf it down with. The portions were huge, so that was an added benefit as well. I also had a wonderful strawberry guava drink from there. Overall, Aloha Eats is pretty awesome. Unfortunately I cannot claim that it is my favorite place in Chicago, but for the money, it is definitely an awesome joint to dine with a few friends.
(4)
Sus K.

The chicken and pork katsu are amazing. I always crave them. And their macaroni salad and coleslaw is bomb. It's a must try. And it's cheap. The only downside is they open at 11 so I can never get it before class. Womp. Womp.
(5)
Gary C.

I'm curious to how real Hawaiian food taste, because I'm going to go out and take a wild guess that Aloha Eats is Hawaiian fast food. Now, I'm not hating on Aloha because I'm totally a fan of the place. A couple favorite dishes of mine are the pork katsu [fried boneless-pork with a sweet sauce), bbq short ribs, and fried mahi mahi. Notice how two of the three mentioned are fried items =) The rice is, well, rice. So don't be hoping for some crazy super good rice. The fries are the same. Macaroni salad, however, is pretty darn good. The portion sizes for the plates are very large. They can definitely feed two stomachs. The mini plates are well portioned and are enough for a single eater. The menu is pretty big, even though it doesn't seem like it. I'd like to try everything on the menu at least once..so that should say something. Aloha gets the A.
(4)
Shannon M.

I'm not Hawaiian nor have I ever been to Hawaii, but the thought of partaking of a slice of the the Aloha State on a dreary day in Chicago sounded good to me, so I went here for lunch. The young guy behind the counter was friendly and laid-back and was patient as I perused the menu for a minute (and shed layers of clothes as if I was doing a striptease: it was hot as hell in there!). The menu is quite extensive, encompassing plate lunches, noodles, curry, musubi, burgers and more. I got the Double Chicken combination plate: chicken katsu (panko-breaded, fried and sliced chicken breast) & BBQ chicken with teriyaki BBQ sauce (a thin, sweet sauce with an Asian flair), plus sticky rice and macaroni salad. I preferred the BBQ chicken; the katsu chicken appeared to have been pounded flat, and once fried the thin meat had gotten rather tough. The panko breading was tasty, though, and did not get greasy or soggy. There's definitely a choice for everyone here; not sure if it's "no ka oi," but worth a try.
(3)
Alexa L.

Hawaiian food seems to be a rare find in Chicago. Aloha eats specializes in (1) cheap, (2) fast, and (3) huge portions. I believe that rice and macaroni salad comes with every plate and the serving size is definitely extra large - leaning toward too big. I agree with previous reviews: the macaroni salad was uninspired and tasteless. Additionally, I ordered the fried and BBQ chicken combination plate and the chicken that they used was clearly not great quality. Next time, I'm just going to order the fried chicken because the breading and deliciousness hides the meat quality better. As for ambiance, this is either a quick dine-and-dash location or a carry out location - the place has no character or coziness whatsoever. However, if you ever have a craving for Hawaiian-style fried chicken, macaroni salad, and rice while in Chicago - Aloha Eats is the place to go.
(3)
Kris L.

loco moco was perfection of hamburger, rice, gravy, and egg. macaroni salad is seasoned well w/perfect consistency. spam was fab (but spam is always fab...how can u mess it up?!) service is super nice and always prompt!
(4)
Kolyan D.

This is comfort food, plain and simple. Yes, there's styrofoam and plastic utensils, but also lots of food in each order. You'd have to be living in the middle of the Pacific to come up with those combos. Hamburger patties, fried eggs, and gravy? Spam, gravy, and eggs? BBQ beef, chicken, and short ribs? You also get scoops of white rice and macaroni salad with most of the entrees. Charlie Trotter's it's not, yet it works. You'll find many Filipinos dining there too, because it closely resembles Filipino food (according to my wife). Filipinos have a love for Spam as well. Every once in a while we get a hankering to go there and we always leave satisfied and full.
(4)
Rachel W.

Today we catered Aloha Eats again and it was just delicious. We tried the Chicken Katsu, which is strips of breaded chicken, and we got the fried Mahi Mahi. Both yummy, w/a homemade tartar type sauce. They threw in a container of Haupia, a coconut gelatin dessert....think coconut jello, but very cold.
(4)
Troy H.

ALmost seems like this is a jewel in an area where everyone else is in line and getting crappier food at other places. Love their sampler box, their macaroni is awesome (and I dont just eat ANYONE'S macaroni) and I get full every time.
(4)
Amy Z.

How this place managed to get 4 stars is beyond me. If you can't cook, I agree, this place would be like a haven. But if you can, this was nothing special. Chicken katsu was a disappointment. This is why Americans are fat/gain so much weight - this dish is pure fried (close to no) chicken... with rice. If you're craving this dish, I'd recommend downing a gallon of water if you plan to finish a dinner sized portion. Speaking of which, dinner portions are HUGE. Go for the snack portions unless you want to save leftovers for lunch. The mahi was moderate. Again, nothing special. Leaving this restaurant, I admit I have a very confused idea of Hawaiian food. Is this really what it tastes like? VERY Fried, BBQ or teriyaki with rice and a side of macaroni salad? Very bland.
(2)
Tim H.

I've been in love with Aloha since it was Aloha Grill. In fact I stumbled in on their very first week in business and I've been a fan ever since. Thankfully I don't live that close and parking is always impossible to find or I might eat there every week, which, when your favorite plate is the Loco Moco (two scoops rice or fries and a scoop of mac salad topped with two Hawaiian style burger patties, brown gravy and two eggs any style), could be a very bad thing. I can't say I've tried everything but I've probably come pretty darn close. My favorites in no particular order are as follows: Double chicken plate (both BBQ chicken and chicken katsu) Chicken curry plate (katsu chicken with a curry flavored brown gravy instead of the sweet katsu sauce, GET IT WITH FRIES INSTEAD OF RICE, anyone who's everbeen to an Irish pub knows how awesome curry fries are) Kaluhu Pork (slow braised pork with cabbage, salty sweet and delicious. One time I actually had to pull my car over and dig into it because it smelled so intoxicatingly good I could wait until I got home) SPAM Musubi (kinda like a giant SPAM sushi 2-pack, I get this every time I go, one for now and one for later) I also really like their burgers (a tasty Hawaiian style patty with little bits of chopped onion in it and a flavor reminiscent of teriyaki) I always get a double scoop of mac with my burger rather than fries. some other items I have had in the past and enjoyed are the short ribs (Korean kalbi style) BBQ beef (thin sliced teriyaki style) Mahi mahi both grilled and fried, and the saimin noodles. you can also choose from an assortment of canned hawaiian juices and my favorite part of all is that they provide little to-go cups for you to mix your siracha with ketchup cause it tastes good on everything. Did I mention? the plates of food are big enough to feed a family? One of the things that I love most about Aloha is their unwillingness to compromise on the size of authentic Hawaiian plate lunch, yes their prices have gone up quite a bit over the years but the size has never ever gone down, we even asked the owner about the price hikes and he said that as food costs have gone up he would never consider down sizing the plates as so many other establishments have done, it just wouldn't be the real deal anymore if it were made smaller. Thankfully, for those with smaller appetites or smaller wallets they have more recently made mini plates available. (Just for a comparison, the prices of the mini plates are what the full-size plates cost seven years ago) even with the higher prices the majority of the large combo plates are still under ten bucks and you will easily get two meals out of it. I love Aloha. LOVE LOVE LOVE.
(5)
Pete D.

Not so bad, I remember Hawaiian delicacies to include poke and fresh sushi. That stuff is not on the menu, but if you like the fast food Hawaiian style this is the place in Chicago.
(3)
Shawday B.

My husband, living in Hawaii until he was 16 - is always on the lookout for good Hawaiian food. Luckily we are from California so we can find it everywhere, BUT that doesn't mean it's good everywhere. We have our favorite spots we frequent, but are always trying to new ones that have good reviews. Now, Chicago is one of our favorite places to visit. We frequent it for pleasure, but have the honor of being here for a month for some training for my husband's job (score!). The very first time we visited Chicago was in 2009. We drove by this place and decided to check it out and loved it from the beginning. Now that we are here on an extended (work) vacation, we've been hitting this place up like champs. Something like once a week. My husband had a 5 minute conversation with one of the guys who works there (maybe even manages the place), Paolo or Paulo (spelling?) and ever since then he addresses my husband by first name and shows us love every time we come in. The food is great, authentic Hawiian plate style lunches. The portions are large. I usually get the BBQ chicken full plate to have left overs, and last time we went (Friday). I decided to get a mini plate of chicken katsu... That thing was jam-packed! We're never disappointed when we go. As my husband says 'It's ono every time!'
(5)
Wesley H.

I think I have nothing bad to say about this place. The dude at the front was super friendly. He was a chatty McChatster (not in a bad way), and I personally like it when staff is really interactive. He gave a very detailed explanation of what he recommended when we were undecided, and gave reasons why. Plusss! We also eaves dropped on him talking to another table about the Hawaiian community in Chicago, and how they are distributed throughout the US. Interesting stuff. I ordered the Double Chicken combo, where you get grilled chicken breast and a chicken katsu with sauce, macaroni salad, two scoops of rice, and cabbage. For about $9, you get some pretty big portions. I think that's what sold me: the portion size. I felt pretty full after eating my order... and a third of my friends' order... cuz I'm a god damn garbage can. Really liked it. The macaroni salad has this not-so-macaroni-salad taste. I know, I'm really articulate right now. Anyway, it just didn't taste like the mayonnaisey sour tangy macaroni salad that (I guess) non-Hawaiian macaroni salad tastes like. It was much creamier and awesome. Went really well with the rice. The grilled chicken was delicious, very tender and juicy. The katsu was bountiful (see? articulate), so I had plenty to last me through the meal, with some good sauce to boot. Actually, I lied, I do have something slightly bad to say: the slices of cabbage were a pretty unwieldy. They were sliced into strips. Really long strips. They also were raw and large and just sorta got in my way when I ate things. I was digging through shit, and they kept getting all up in my space, cuz they were so large and long. Like, they'd flick across my food, cuz they're kinda bouncy and raw, y'know? And they didn't taste like much, they were just hard and crunchy. I really wanted to ask them, "why are you here?" But everyone knows, cabbage are shy and don't like to talk. True story. So right. I loved everything about the place, except the weird long large cabbage. Would totally go again.
(4)
Nate L.

Oh how I have missed you Spam Musubi! It's been a long time since I've had me some good ol' hawaiian food! After passing this place on my way to Del Seoul, I head to Lincoln Park for some good hawaiian grubbing. First, me think dis spam musubi got choke rice brah, me love to grind but da kine is going lolo with rice! Ok, enough with pidgeon language. Spam musubi has the hint of a soy sauce and it was delicious regardless. I smashed 2 of them for dinner and I was feeling good!. Also had chicken katsu and hawaiian bbq combo. Combo comes with 2 scoops of rice and a scoop of macaroni salad. Enough to feed 2 people for sure. I'm pretty big dude and there is no way I can finish this thing by myself in one sitting. Katsu is fried perfectly but to me, their sauce is little too sweet for me, it's ok though, I smashed them with sriracha sauce. Hawaiian bbq was just like korean bbq we used to get and they are also little too sweet for my taste, but I'm a freak who hates sweets, so it would probably be perfect for your pallet. I remember the days in hawaii when I was young, hungover and hanging with bok bok girls. But those days are gone, and I will definitely come back here for some more musubis!
(4)
Akemi W.

Hailing from Hawaii, we can honestly say that this is authentic plate lunch food! The mac salad, bbq mix, katsu...all legit. The kim chee is also super authentic and delish! The owner is super nice (turns out that his sister graduated from the same high school I did!) and the place is really clean. We will be eating here regularly when in Chicago!
(5)
Becky S.

I am a huge fan of Chicken Katsu Curry, and couldn't wait to try theirs after seeing the TV spot. The curry sauce was perfect - a little tangy and a little sweet. The chicken was mildly over-fried, but still very tasty. The rice was perfect, and the macaroni salad was creamy and delicious. I'd definitely recommend a mini-plate to anyone going in - my "Curry Plate" will feed me for at least 2 more meals!
(4)
Timi C.

Stumbled upon this place while walking around at the Lincoln Park Zoo and hungry. I had a mini chicken katsu (which was HUGE) and my bf had the pork/cabbage combination plate. My chicken katsu was on the heavy side with a thick fried breading. It was still good, but I was so full afterwards! The macaroni salad was very creamy and delicious with the rice.
(4)
Dennis S.

Even as a fan of Hawaiian plate lunches, I can't get excited about this place. Their kalua pork was adequate - good pork but overcooked tasteless cabbage and boring macaroni salad. The dÃ©cor is nothing special. Plastic utensils and plates - it's a carryout fastfood place. 3 stars - nothing bad about it, just nothing worth going back for. Unless you're desperate for kalua pork or spam. Mahi mahi is broadly available there days, so it's no big thrill to get their fish.
(3)
Alex G.

SPAM! Yes please. Thanks to the new Hawaii 5-0, my brother and I have started a weekly tradition of picking up a plate lunch/dinner and watching the show. The portions are great, the prices are fitting, service certainly has a sense of that Aloha spirit. The only reason I give 4/5 is because the take out containers are not conducive to transportation via bicycle. Run the risk of spilling delicious gravy from a loco moco in my backpack, or have cold food by the time I get home? Lose-lose situation. Since anything at Aloha Eats is definitely worth the price and more, I'd be willing to pay more for a seal-able container (which by nature will also keep the food warm for longer).
(4)
Donn A.

I don't deny that next to lust, gluttony is the deadly sin I am most guilty of. Hell, I'd even say that's a coin toss right there. So I thank Baby Jesus for Aloha. This place satisfies the glutton in me. Two Spam Musubis and either the barbecue or the Loco Moco and I am in deadly sin heaven. I'm talking here about the regular serving too, not those pretentious mini-servings for people watching their "diet." Listen to me, people. Size does matter. So go and make yourself some Pina Colada and make the trek to Aloha Eats. You may pass out from eating too much, but hey, at least you'll do it with a smile on your face.
(4)
Kathy S.

I've been wanting to try this place for a few weeks now but after reading a few reviews on people getting food poisoning, I thought it best if I saved this place for a Friday so I would have the weekend to recover if I got it too. However a few of my friends wanted to eat there yesterday so I thought why not? I let my boss know that I might not be in the next day and went on my merry way. I ordered the bbq mixed plate and spam musubi. I loved the bbq chicken the best with the spam musubi second, although I don't think I'll get it again as I can't justify spending money on something that tastes just like fried spam with rice, which you can easily just make at home. I also tried a piece of my friend's chicken katsu and I was not a big fan of the katsu sauce. If you want awesome katsu sauce, try the Kikkoman version...so good that you'll want to drink it. But overall I liked the food and will be back to try some of the other entrees next. I also didn't get food poisoning which was a huge bonus. Kathy: 1 Food Poisoning: 0
(4)
Jeremy W.

Good portions, good food (not great). I enjoy this in the neighborhood for a change of pace. The owner and his son are very nice as well.
(4)
Denrick B.

i gave the place another shot and had the katsu (chicken). The katso was actually OK, and the portions are rather large. The sauce was pretty good, but the breading was a bit too thick.
(3)
Tony M.

Big portions! You get your money's worth! Their chicken is marinated like the beef!
(5)
Jenny V.

yummy yummy yummy. in my tummy. i can't even begin to explain why i love aloha so much, it is just so different from other food places out there. The chicken katsu, is so simple but the katsu sauce makes it good and the mac salad makes the whole dish delicious, they compliment each other well. I don't get aloha that often so i jump at the chance to get it whenever i can. keep in mind that the plates are huge! if you have a smaller tummy opt for the mini plates, they are half the size. i can barely finish a mini on my own! try chicken katsu or bbq beef or the short ribs, yum they all are so good
(5)
Silvia R.

This is the first time I ever eat Hawaiian food and let me say I absolutely loved it! I ordered the combo plate which has a little bit of everything. Depending on your appetite it is enough food to share. The food was light and delicious and the prices are not bad at all. I will definitely be coming back, that's for sure.
(5)
Katrina L.

One Sunday morning, I was craving Hawaiian Mac Salad and decided to try Aloha Eats. Boy am I glad that we went there! We ordered Chicken Katsu Curry and Kahlua Pork with Cabbage. Each meal was ~$9 and it came with 2 scoops of rice and 1 scoop of Mac Salad (YYAAAYY!). I guess I should've read more yelp reviews because we were surprised by how much food we got - the portions were huge! I should've taken a picture because it was almost too much for the styrofoam containers. The chicken katsu was served separately from the curry sauce. I guess I am used to the curry sauce poured all over the katsu, but this time, it was in a container for dipping. The batter for the katsu was thick and crispy! Nothing that we've had before. Really good. . The kahlua pork was also delicious. Though, there was little bit more cabbage than I would've wanted, hence the 4 stars. Other than that, I was glad that it's not too salty, because I've had many salty kahlua porks. I still have leftovers which would probably last me for a few meals - YAY! I wish this place is closer to Evanston, because taking the train would take me forever! Though, I think it's worth the trek if I'm having severe Hawaiian food cravings.
(4)
Kim F.

Such a super fan of this place! They have amazing food and the register folks are always friendly. I go there for the bbq beef or hamburger steak. I will say that the katsu has a little too much breading for my taste, but that certainly doesn't diminish my love for the restaurant. They also have really awesome fries.
(5)
KuangYou C.

Actually I have no idea what the real Hawaiian food look like. There are many Japanese in Hawaii, so I think that's why the food here is like Japanese food. But in a less delicate way. If you have a big stomach, they provide you definitely big portion of food. I had Kalua pork and my friend had double chicken. Honesty, I think mine is good but not in a surprising way. I think double chicken looks better but i didn't try so I don't know if it is really good as it look like. I saw two girls next to us had BBQ rib and chicken. I will definitely try those next time.
(4)
Dave Y.

I LOVE Hawaiian BBQ and plate lunches, and this place is one of the first I've seen outside of the west coast or Hawaii. They have a pretty big menu, including musubis. Also glad to see they have the mini plates as well (smaller portions). Price is pretty reasonable, place is cool, and the food is quite good, especially for late night.
(4)
John C.

To Spam or Not to Spam?!? I dragged three round eyes and a few rug rats with me to this place after a freezing visit to LP Zoo. The portions are ridiculous, and we ordered way too much food! Unless you are starving, you can probably go with a mini plate versus a full plate. Between the four of us and the crumb snatchers, we got pork katsu, bbq chicken, bbq short ribs, and fried shrimp. All were good, but the bbq chicken stood out as the best. The short ribs were a little fatty, and bit too chewy. I probably won't ever get the pork or shrimp again. Too much fried action there. Surprisingly the mac salad wasn't awful. We are a bit leery of mac salad in general, but I ate mine up. So the great debate of whether or not to Spam. Paying to eat spam at a restaurant seems like a travesty. Aren't you supposed to eat that crap when you are dead broke? And not pay $7 for it at a restaurant? The great debate will rage on the next time I step into Aloha Eats.
(4)
Eileen Z.

Fast, inexpensive with generous portions, and the only place to get Hawaiian on the cheap in Chicago. Minus a few seafood entrees, everything on the menu is under $10. The plate and combination lunches come with rice and macaroni salad. The biggest prop I give them is for their consistency. Too many places I love suck after a couple rounds but not at Aloha Eats. Great food and great service. Can't go wrong with the spam musubi, the hawaiian bbq short ribs or the chicken or pork katsu. I usually order to-go but there is some seating available. Very limited. Luckily I've been able to walk here though, street parking on this end of Clark is very difficult.
(4)
Aaron L.

3.5* Chicken Cutlet 4* Hawaiian BBQ Beef 3* Hawaiian Short Ribs 2.5* Fried Mahi Mahi 2.5* Macaroni salad 2.5* White Rice
(3)
Ricky M.

This place is the bomb diggity. After hearing so much hype about this place, I finally tried out this AMAZING place for lunch. All I can say is, OUTRAGEOUSLY DELICIOUS. I cannot believe I've been in the dark about this place for so long. I ordered Double Chicken, a combo plate. The serving sizes there are far beyond generous. I got a lot of katsu chicken and BBQ chicken for 9 dollars. It was beyond marvelous. The place was very cozy and was overall perfect. GO THERE RIGHT NOW.
(4)
Ngoc H.

Yum! Consistent good food and friendly service and very fair prices. Get the BBQ mixed plate.
(5)
Linh N.

The food was decent. Nothing out the ordinary and the rice they gave us tasted old.
(2)
Doe L.

I love me some spam musubi! There's a little too much rice for my taste but oh well... better too much than too little! Plus I have nowhere else to get spam musubi... My favorite is the BBQ Chicken. It's not like American BBQ so don't expect what you would for ribs (ie dripping in bbq sauce). It's actually a big slab of tender skinless chicken with a subtle.... glaze? I'm not sure how to describe it. Either way, it's delicious and much lighter than the heavier stuff like the katsu.
(4)
Jeffrey B.

Best chicken katsu in town. Can't find a better place that sells spam musubi.
(5)
Shain C.

I don't quite understand all of the bad reviews of this place, but can only chalk it up to never having a plate lunch in Hawaii. And why you would order anything but the Loco Moco, Portuguese Sausage, or Kalua Pork plates is beyond me. The cashier was very friendly and helpful... son of the owner from what we gathered and we chatted about the islands for a bit. The Loco Moco is pretty hard to screw up I guess... rice, hamburger patties, eggs, and brown gravy... but I enjoyed the hell out of it's simplicity anyway. The wife had the Kalua Pork and was quite happy with it and the haupia. The macaroni salad was just like you'd expect from a Hawaii plate lunch and we enjoyed it. Sure it's kinda bland, but so is most Hawaiian food in a way. This is a culture where poi was a staple for crying out loud... the ingredients speak for themselves. (I was actually surprised to see curry dishes on the menu.) I'm not sure what people expect of "Hawaiian food" but I did enjoy the ignorant comments wondering how Hawaiians could be so fat eating such bland food. I guess it's something where either you get it or you don't. All in all, it's better than Zippy's... and I'll be back for the Portuguese sausage.
(4)
Matt P.

Eats is really great! I get the grilled Mahi, and tell myself it's super healthy for me. The guys who work there are really cool, and always ask me what I picked up at the comic store, because they're fanboys too. The serving sizes are huge, and it's just all really good stuff. The only bum part is that it's kinda small inside, but I've never had a problem grabbing a table. Aloha Eats is one of my top 5 favorite places to eat inbetween Fullerton and Wrightwood.
(4)
Kato t.

I used to know this place as Aloha GRILL! I love Aloha Grill, but I guess now it changed the name slightly. So, for those of you who have memorable dining at Aloha Grill, relax: it's still the same joint. It's a small quaint little place, like a fast food hot dog place but the food is tremendous! The price is reasonable, and what makes it all happen is the KATSU sauce, which seems to come with most of their dishes. It doesn't matter what I order, that Katsu sauce and the rice always meld into one tasty munch. Love this place, the name change didn't effect it, and the manager was a friendly dude.
(4)
John C.

If you like steam white rice with any barbecue meat then you will like this place. Start off with the barbecue mix plate, huge portions so split it with someone. The eggs with rice and Portuguese sausage is good and the loco moco is ok. If you don't mind spam try the masubi. LIMITED dining area and parking can be a hassle.
(4)
Nicole M.

LOVE THIS PLACE!! I wish I didn't live so far from it or else I'd eat it at least weekly. The macaroni salad is so yummy and creamy. I'm puerto rican so in my family we ate spam and i love it so the Spam musubi is favorite. A friend didn't like it but I guess it's a more acquired taste perhaps? i dno but this place is amazing if your thinking of stopping by here just do it you will not be disappointed! Oh & great prices!
(5)
Jessica S.

really good chicken and coconut dessert. macaroni salad was ok. white rice was bland, skip it
(4)
Steve L.

Their menu was very limited. I would have expected this would have meant the few items they do have would be better. I assumed incorrectly. Let's start with way food is served. I ate in the restaurant. I ordered a plate lunch. My meal was served, as all are in this venue, in a styrofoam to-go box with plastic utensils. Not on a plate, as I've had it in Hawaii. The katsu sauce was served on the side in another to-go container, and there was not enough for the dish. The pork katsu. Plenty of food? Yes. Fried to within an inch of it's life? Definitely. My jaw hurt when I gave up, about halfway through. This page, unafilliated with a restaurant, is what pork katsu should look like. closetcooking.com/2008/0â€¦ See how the pork appears to be tender? That's what you expect. The dish was bland. The sauce was bland. The macaroni salad lacked the texture and sauce of that found in a good plate lunch you get on the islands. The guy behind the register was nice, and suggested the loco-moco, but I really didn't want to try that on my first visit. I don't plan to make another one though, and have steered my friends away. Operating a fryer, once you have the knack, is fairly simply. If the pieces of food are of the same size, the oil fresh enough and at the same temperature, you can achieve consistent results with your product. Get the timing right, and it's pretty hard to mess it up. I'm sorry to say, I did not tip; a rarity for me. I didn't want any money going back to the cook for what I got.
(2)
Brenda F.

Having never eaten here before the staff were really helpful in making suggestions. I got a side of tofu katsu and the chicken katsu with rice and macaroni salad. I would definitely go back and try other foods on the menu. Good things: 1. Lots of food...very generous portions 2. Really good value for the money 3. Different sauces for the tofu and chicken were good and complimented the flavors 4. Macaroni salad was delicious! Bad things: 1. Macaroni salad was not so good later 2. Tofu was freshly deep fried and so hot I couldn't eat it for 10 minutes
(4)
Joanne L.

After years of hearing about aloha eats (previously aloha grill), i paid an aloha visit. First impressions: HUGE PORTIONS!! 1 order of katsu could feed 2 GUYS easily. (I came with 4 males that are ga-ga meat lovers..this place didn't disappoint) Entree recommendations: -BBQ chicken-tender meat -Chicken katsu -Pulled pork (enough for several leftover sandwiches) Small Dishes: -Spam musubi-heavy on the rice, tasty (best to eat it hot off the griddle) -Macaroni salad Noodles: (i didn't try it, but nice to see Siamin Noodles on the menu-loved this stuff in Hawaii) Fun tropical fruit juice options (canned)-guava, passion (takes me back to the island=) Special Notes: *Tiny place, order at the counter, eat & go type of setting. *no public bathroom. molly has a restroom and there's starbucks across the street=D Get your sweet Tooth fix at molly's cupcakes next door! (see my yelp review)
(4)
Joseph V.

My wife and I love this place! If you're looking to get a quick bite or just to pick up some good quality food, this is the place for you. Just don't expect a date place or parking. That's not what this place is about.
(5)
Ryne D.

Once upon a time, there was a restaurant called L&L Hawaiian Barbecue located in Champaign, IL. There, my friends and I would convene at least once a week to munch on chicken katsu, loco mocos, and cilantro soup. It was a glorious year, and we were blessed to have the only L&L east of Las Vegas (at the time). Then, suddenly, our beloved katsu was lowered to $2 an order, and we rejoiced. Little did we know what was to come. Shortly after the permanent discount, L&L posted they would be closed every Monday. Dark clouds rose over the horizon...and as the land of the University of Illinois flooded with our tears, L&L closed for good. But then, years after graduating and moving out to the city, I hear of a restaurant called Aloha Eats open up north. A full year after sampling their comforting Spam musubi, I finally make it up there for a first-person experience. The moco loco plate lunch is just as I remember it. Gigantic, piping hot, drowning in gravy, with a delicious scoop of macaroni salad on the side. No free cilantro soup, and it was a bit more expensive than L&L was, but those are minor complaints. Anyone a fan of Hawaiian food, Filipino food, Chinese food, or delicious food can find something to love here. And we all lived happily, and fattily, ever after.
(4)
Steve H.

I did not grow up eating Spam but I must say that the Spam Musubi had me intrigued enough to try and I fell in love with it! I prefer the BBQ beef everytime I walk in but will soon try more options on the menu. The staff is always friendly and I like the small restaurant feel because it is...well, small. Great food and I prefer the location (which is right next to Molly's Cupcakes).
(4)
Tommy H.

I'm not sure why this place has such rave reviews. no the food isn't bad, no the service doesn't suck, then why only 3-stars? i don't see what's so special about it.... maybe it's the only Hawaiian food place in all of Chicago? i had the pork katsu. it was ok, a little oily but nothing spectacular. i also had the spam masubi... too much rice and the rice was too soft.
(3)
Megan M.

After all the noise I heard about this place, I still can't find myself raving about Aloha Eats like everyone else does. The best part about it is the atmosphere. It's different. You almost feel like you've walked into a shack along a beach for lunch...cozy. The owner is such a great guy too, so down to earth. He radiates positive energy. Haha, ok...enough about the owner... Portions are gigantic and priced accordingly from $8-$11 a plate. The chicken katsu is more 'katsu' than actual chicken, but deep fried anything is delicious. I don't usually eat it, but I gave the macaroni salad a shot. Bleh, reminded me of why I don't like it. It could use some work. Spam musubi is a sooo good, but $4.50 for 2 slices of spam on top of rice wrapped in seaweed. Eh, it's pushing it. Feel free to mix and match for the combo plates, the owner is really accommodating. Uh oh, here I go again... So, it's worth a try, but nothing I salvate for.
(3)
Kaman T.

This place does not have a HUGE menu, but they do have some quality selections. My personal favs are the loco moco (order your eggs over easy!) and the kalua pork (smokey flavah!). Good portions even for lunch plate. Prices are decent. I'm not crazy about musubi in general so I didn't care for it. It just gets me too full for the main course. Overall, great place. :)
(4)
Ay D.

Aloha, I've loved you since I spotted Spam on your menu when I moved to Chicago years ago. Growing up Filipino, I know that Spam is a legitimate foodsource and not just a kitschy item for ironic hipsters. The fact the rest of their menu is a mottled Asian/Pacific Islander-inspired meat and starchy carbohydrate fest is just BONUS. I've only had the Spam Musubi a handful of times and didn't grow up with it prepared in this sushi-ish style, but it's good stuff nonetheless. My go-to items here are the mini plates (laughably named, as you can easily share this with a similarly hungry buddy) - especially the BBQ beef and BBQ chicken. Rice, macaroni, sliced cabbage, and your choice of meat? Yes, please. The fatty, delectable beef and the juicy, teriyaki style chicken are wonderful. One night in my broke early 20's led me to the happy discovery that $3 can buy sustenance that hasn't been sitting in the 7 Eleven for months or mysteriously concocted by Mickey D's or Booger King - the Hawaiian style hamburger. I take the criticism against this place for not being authentic enough or too simplistic with a grain of salt, or, better yet, a douse of soy sauce. Aloha Eats is comfort food, which isn't a slave to accuracy or complexity. It's a feeling, and Aloha feels so gooooood.
(5)
Oscar C.

So much awesomeness for very little money. Love their salmon dinner/meal. The macaroni salad is ridiculously delicious. Love this place.
(5)
Raul B.

I only came here for one thing and one thing only, Spam. Yes Spam that delicious "meat" that comes from a can. The one that American soldiers brought to Hawaii and Asia, The "meat" that can be made into anything. I ordered of course the Spam Musubi, which is a slice of Spam on top of a square bed of rice wrapped in seaweed. Delicious. It was so good, I didn't get to try their other dishes but I will next time I walk by right after I have their Spam mini plate.
(4)
Christina R.

Small, quaint, order at the counter, Hawaiian fast food joint. Ate here for the first time last night with a couple of friends. I thought it was delicious! We all ordered something different so we could taste the different dishes. We also all ordered mini plates because the lunch plates are big enough for at least 2 meals, if not more. I had the chicken katsu, one friend had the BBQ beef and another got the white meat BBQ chicken. It was ALL good! My katsu had a super crunchy breading, which is the perfect answer to a deep fried craving. And the tangy, sweet katsu sauce was a great compliment. I'd order the sauce on the side with any dish. My favorite was the BBQ beef, thinly sliced and had great flavor. I'll definitely be ordering that on my next visit. The mac salad was delish too, so make sure you get some on the side if it doesn't come with your dish. The place is small so if you plan on eating there, get there early to avoid the rush and ensure you get a table. All in all it's a great place to grab a tasty, quick bite or to take home and enjoy! I'll definitely be coming back soon.
(4)
Matthew V.

I ordered two of their hamburgers because I figured they were sliders due to the price. They are regular size, and one of the best hamburgers I have had in the city f
(4)
Sophia Q.

Tastes just as good as the food I had in Honolulu! I'm usually not even a fan of mayonnaise in general but their mac salad is delicious and comes with all the rice dishes. I've tried the Spam Musubi, BBQ Mix Plate, Fried Mahi Mahi, Katsu's.... and they are all very tasty. Even with the "mini-plates" I have left-overs for another meal! Thank goodness I live so close... So many other dishes I need to consume in my efforts to transport me back to the islands!
(4)
Cherisse G.

came on Monday late afternoon. basically the only ones there. I ordered the BBQ plate which included beef, rib tips , and grilled chicken. definitely wish there was more beef and the chicken was good but not great. it was served with two scoops of rice and macaroni salad. munched on my sisters katsu and grilled chicken and the katsu wad crispy and tender but lacks a kick of flavor. her fries tasted like they were fried with fish overall the place is clean and service is friendly but I wouldn't go out of my way to come here considering I'm from the southside. p.s. there is no bathroom
(3)
Lorie M.

Let me tell you.... the chicken katsu rocks! That's all I ever get & I love it. Very generous portions for the price. Staff is very nice.
(5)
Agnes P.

Came in here on a cold winter day and loved everything. I got the chicken katsu and ate every last bite. The macaroni salad was spiced perfectly and complimented any dish.
(5)
Sang H.

I'm definitely a fan of Aloha Eats. Its food that I'm used to and have had all my life. Spam = greatness, katsu is always great, and teriyaki is a gorgeous glaze for any meat. If you add rice to any of these items, you have a hearty delicious meal. Musubi is a waste of money, because it's so cheap to make, but might as well get it because it's so darn good. Helpful tip: do not take a heath conscious person, because they don't like the taste of spam, they think it's too salty. This disagreement may result in a lost friendship.
(4)
Marisa S.

ALOHA EATS INDEED! Been a big fan of this place for a while now and it never gets old. My personal favorite is the Mini BBQ Beef Plate. One scoop of rice, a scoop of mac salad and lots of perfectly marinated delicious beef will definitely get you full. Feeling brave and uber hungry? Go for the regular "lunch" plates or combo plates that are served all day long. Better yet, share a few plates between friends and try everything on the menu because it's all good! AND for you Hawaiians and Filipinos out there, where else can you find SPAM, eggs, and rice on a plate here on the contiguous 48? NO WHERE, but at Aloha Eats and your mom's kitchen. So if you're homesick and missing your mommy, have a little (or big) slice of home at Aloha! Some people might be saying... SPAM? Eww, gross but hey, it's not for everyone and that's okay! For the rest of you, their menu has a lot of different options! Try it all! Bottom line... It's cheap, filling, and delicious!
(4)
Elyse C.

I LOVE ALOHA EATS. Loco Mocos are consistently a filling and yummy plate and the mac salad is ungodly good. Worth checking out
(5)
Wei H.

Ok so i went back and try the shrimp katsu. It was better than the tofu katsu but the shrimp was very small :( Boyfriend had a spam noodle which he wasn't impressed by either. The soup base was very delish though.
(3)
Tiffany T.

If I needed to name a favorite place to eat in the city (as a person on a college student budget) I would have to say it's Aloha Eats. The first time I went there was probable a year ago and I actually had never heard about it before - My friend and I got stuck in the middle of a winter snow storm after going to the Urban Outfitters down the street and were trying to find a place to eat. We had walked into 2 other restaurants and were disappointed by their menu and were continuing down Clark but it was Aloha Eats that got us to stop. Let me just say, the owner is one of the friendliest people I have ever witness working. When we walked in, he greeted us so quickly (and really genuinely) and told us if we had any questions about the menu, just to ask. I ended up ordering the double chicken plate, imagining it'd be a literal plate with maybe 3 pieces of meat on it, whatever. I also switches the macaroni salad to the fries because I am not much of an adventurer and when I asked him about it he was just like 'no, trust me. get the salad'. So I did. No regrets. Jesus, even if I did regret it, I had like half a chicken's worth of meat on my plate to eat instead. And when I say plate, I mean like a styrafoam take out box like the one that I used to get from a Chinese buffet and would be able to share with my family of 4. The serving size is ridiculous. It'd be perfect for two people, maybe 3, if you're not that hungry or are friends with 2 people who eat like they're trying to fit into a prom dress. Some people say that this place wouldn't be that romantic for a date or anything... I feel like this would be significantly better than a Lady in the Tramp sort of moment with spaghetti. Anyways, I love this place. A new pro that I found out recently is that Aloha actually also uses the Belly card system which is fantastic. I love the fact that I can earn point and food just for stopping in... It's definitely working to draw people in since I am making treks down there way more often because I am so close to getting free things.
(5)
James L.

The Hawaiian food here is the only Hawaiian food joint that I know in Chicago. Everyone recommends it too like it's the best thing since slice bread. Unfortunately it's not. If you never had Hawaiian food, I understand while people will say that it's good (cause you never had it). If you ever had Hawaiian food and compared the two, this place will be like Chicago Public School lunch compared to, I don't know, mom's cooking. I'm not a picky eater just so you guys know but the food is not all that. If you ever have time, visit San Diego and try their Hawaiian food. That's where I first had mine but compared to places there, this comes close.
(3)
Alton D.

I don't know nothing about no Hawaiian Food, so I can't say if it was authentic. What I can says is that the food was tasty, plentiful and a good price. The dude behind the counter should teach a class on customer service. I totally recommend .
(3)
Jerry G.

Aloha Eats was concocted to indulge my love for food salty and sweet. Chicken Katsu dipped in their sauce always preps the stomach for a good night of going out while the BBQ Mix Plate may knock you out with its large servings of the best meats cuts this place offers. Once the sauce from the teriyaki and spare ribs drips on the white rice, my stomach is immediately satisfied. Must Have: - BBQ Mix Plate - Chicken Katsu - Anything Teriyaki Tip: - Dip into Molly's Cupcakes a few doors down to fill the space you left over for dessert.
(4)
Brent H.

Tasty but hardly a healthy option on the menu. Also, not very vegetarian friendly which is important for a mixed household like ours.
(3)
Frank R.

If you want to look like the late Oscar nominee Jocelyne LaGarde--who co-starred in the 1966 film version of James Michener's "Hawaii"--eat here. That should pack on the pounds. But even if healthiness of the food (or lack thereof) is of little importance to you, the quality is not up to snuff. Counter cashier was very efficient and friendly, paying attention to detail when it comes to side items and pointing out which were or were not vegetarian, which made my order healthier than it could have been, so thanks for that. My friend had the grilled mahi mahi filet sandwich, served artlessly in a bland bun with nothing but tartar sauce. Fries were good--and so they should be for $1.75! (Ditto for the sugary canned fruit drinks--not made with corn syrup, but mostly sugar nonetheless.) I guess if I had a real hankering for fried breaded tofu katsu with really good dipping sauce again, I'd go back, but a little goes a long way. At least when you see Spam on them menu, you know what you're in for. (Maybe that's the thing to go for, if I ate that, since they tout it so, but it's a line I probably won't cross any time soon.)
(2)
Peter L.

Oh baby. A great example of the trifecta of awesomeness -- cheap, huge portions, quality food. I take pride in my quantity-eating prowess, and so when I heard "I'd be impressed if you finished that" it was game over. After the chicken cutlet, macaroni salad, and rice were gone, I was definitely stuffed but was impressed that I didn't feel like I had to pass out on the nearest sidewalk bench. Food was flavorful and filling but not too heavy. We went back and got some chicken katsu to go... which I have been picking at and is delicious. Can't wait to come back and try some of their other dishes.
(4)
Becky D.

Very authentic and delicious! I've been to Hawaii and this was fantastic. I love the aloha drinks because they're different and yummy. Definitely would recommend the fried shrimp. It came with rice and macaroni salad that was very complementary.
(5)
Chris I.

BBQ Mix plate comination of meats and delicous for $9.85. I've been eatind here about two years and they are getting busier and busier. Music is does not fit Hawaiian ambience. Food served in styro foam with plastic utencils, not good for the environment.
(4)
Chris C.

My boyfriend and I had the Chicken Katsu a and curry chicken nd loved it. The portions at this place are ginormous and there's always leftovers to take home. Will definitely be back.
(4)
Eric X.

Yup people are right to like this place -- it's fairly authentic plate lunch food. The mac salad is mild but delicious. The BBQ beef was tender, flavorful, and rivaled anything I've had back on Oahu in the similar class of restaurant. Same goes with the grilled mahimahi (they are kind enough to sub grilled for fried if you ask in the combo plates). My one gripe is that they won't grill the shrimp. Fried shrimp isn't terribly Hawaiian if you ask me. I'm no expert, but I did live there two years and every shrimp place I ate at grilled, sauteed, or boiled. It would be awesome if they didn't fry the shrimp or had a grilled option like with the mahimahi. They should also put chili on the menu. Next time I go, I'm trying their Loco Moco. My favorite spot in Hono does Chili Loco Moco and it's freaking awesome. Oh also, even though it's not a korean BBQ style joint, since they offer kimchee, they should have kalbi sauce too. Sriracha is one of my all time favorite sauces in the world, but kalbi sauce goes better straight on meats. But none of these suggestions is a complaint. They do ono grinds right. Broke da mout and all dat...
(4)
Anthony S.

I ordered the Hawaiian BBQ chicken. The chicken was extremely fatty and had seemingly no BBQ sauce or seasoning. I had to add plenty of soy sauce (which wasn't included either) and I still ended up throwing it away.
(1)
Elisabeth C.

While I try not to eat here too often for fear of weighing five hundred pounds, Aloha offers really awesome Hawaiian plate lunches. As others have said, the portions are HUGE. If you don't want all that food they do offer smaller ones- the mini plates are the perfect size if you don't want all those leftovers. Their mac salad is awesome, their chicken katsu is perfectly fried and the sauce is divine (I'm not a fan of the tofu katsu sauce, it's too bitter for my liking, but the chicken katsu sauce is out of this world). Their barbecue and curry are also a good bet. Even their veggie burger is pretty tasty. My Hawaiian friend has given this place his 'authenticity' seal of approval, too. The kids behind the counter (seriously, they're really young- like high school age!) are actually really nice, and the prices are totally reasonable (especially for the super big portions). Delivery is reliable and the food arrives piping hot. I'm tempted to buy a franchise, take it back home to England and make myself a fortune!
(5)
David R.

I'm not sure when the name changed from Aloha Grill, but who cares what they call it? I returned from a vacation in Hawaii in April 2005 and discovered that someone was about to open a place in Lincoln Park to bring the Hawaiian "plate lunch" concept to Chicago. I tried it immediately and have been there 4-5 times since. The food is great and the portions enormous. You can substitute fries or extra rice for the macaroni salad (I dislike mayonnaise) although of course that lessens the authenticity of your meal. Every time that I've been there except the last one, the same guy has waited on me at the counter. I assumed him to be the owner, and he never fails to have the HUGEST smile on his face throughout the entire transaction. He must really appreciate the hell out of everyone's business. Attitude like that is priceless. He could charge an extra couple of bucks per meal, and I wouldn't care. If he's really the owner, good for him, and I hope the place makes him a mint. Keep up the good work, buddy.
(5)
Barbara D.

It's just so cool to stumble on a Hawaiian food place....a bit rare in this city. Whatever I had wasn't amazing but it wasn't bad either. They have big portions so go easy on the ordering. The place is small but it was cool sitting on the stools by the window watching the foot traffic on Clark.
(3)
Shannon B.

MMmmmm two scoops of rice and mac salad. I miss Hawaii.... I miss the beaches, I miss the mountains and most of all I miss the food. The fiance was born and raised in Oahu and has shown me the way of plate lunches. When we moved to Chicago we were thrilled to find a place that served "local" food. Its pretty good, no Rainbow Drive -In, but still good. It has helped the fiance's homesickness more than once. The portions are truly huge and the mac salad is love in scoop form. If you have never had a Spam Musubi, you must try it- I promise it is not as disgusting as you think. For the real Hawaiian experience go for the Loco Moco: egg, gravy and a hamburger patty over rice. Do yourself a favor and plan a long walk after your visit, you'll need it. I think this is the only restaurant in Chicago that serves saimin, reason enough to visit. If you are familiar with the Hawaiian version beware of broccoli- It was a bit of a shock to see. Here is the breakdown: * Wait staff: Pretty friendly. * Drink Menu: Well, no booze but several Hawaiian Sun juices. * Menu: Hawaiian as in "local," ethnic- not so much. If you want something more Hawaiian ethnic try the Kalua Pork and Cabbage. * Parking: Yeah, good luck with that. Possible street parking, but save yourself the headache and take a bus/cab. * Dress: Casual **This place has a tiny dining room so you might have to take it to go**
(3)
James C.

I havn't 5 stared a place on the first time...i'm not that kinda person! 4 stars for the amazing food and another for the service which I hear is top notch. My GF surprised me by bringing me the barby combo. She said that they were so nice and not that fake nice either. I have always wanted to try this place, but when its right near Torro its a hard sale. The chicken was top notch tender with a good taste! The bbq beef was just amazing (must order!). The short ribs were a little tough and fatty, wouldn't be my first choice. My GF ordered close to closing time and the food tasted so fresh and it wasn't just sitting around under some warmer plate. Cheap and wonderful..get it if you enjoy a nice bbq alternative!
(5)
Jinno H.

This place is great! I love the food. I try to try something new each time I eat here, bit nothing beats the chicken katsu!
(5)
Victor L.

People either seem to really enjoy Aloha Eats or really not enjoy it. Just to be clear, I am in the group that enjoy it a great deal! Hawaii is a place that is a melting pot for Asian people and indigenous Hawaiian populations, though what has resulted is a wonderful mix of cuisines that result in having everything Asians like to eat and putting it into a styrafoam box. The way that we (Asians) like fried chicken cutlets or curry, or spam! and loads of rice and macaroni, while having a side of instant noodles with more spam... it all culminates in Aloha Eats. Let me just say this: As far as it being authentically Hawaiian, I cannot say that. Though if you were to open an Aloha Eats in Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur or Singapore, I bet you the business would be roaring.
(4)
Daniel K.

Right off the bat I will say you get your money's worth coming in here. The portion you get are very big and worth around the 9-10 dollars you will spend here on a plate. I got the Hawaiian bbq mix plate here which consists of Hawaiian BBQ beef, BBQ chicken, and BBQ short ribs. Now me being of Korean descent, I cannot say no to BBQ short ribs. When the plate came out, it consisted of two scoops of rice, one scoop of macaroni salad, three big pieces of chicken, one slice of BBQ short ribs (which consists of three bones), and a scoop of Hawaiian BBQ beef over a bed of cabbage. The macaroni salad was just the way I liked it. It did not have an overpowering mayo or mustardy flavor. In fact, the flavor I got most out of it other than a little sweet and creamy was pepper-y (if that's a word) due to the black pepper that was sprinkled into the mixture. It was rather delicious. The Hawaiian BBQ beef was thinly sliced and had a lot of marinade flavor. The BBQ short ribs was the same thing: a lot of marinade flavor. It wasn't overdone, but it was done more than I liked it to be (however that's because how much it's cooked in the Korean culture which I know is slightly less than in the Hawaiian style so how well it's cooked as a bad thing). But what threw me off about this dish was the BBQ chicken. The chicken wasn't undercooked at all. The marinade was the same which made the chicken flavorful, but the quality of the chicken is what turned me off from it. Maybe it's because of when I use to do a lot of weight training/extreme college budgeting all I ate as protein was bargain priced chicken breast for about two bucks a pound. For the amount of protein in it, the price is a steal. However, the difference with this chicken is that they squirt artificial juices into this chicken as well as preservatives which gives it a stringier and mushier texture that after a little while can be very unappealing. The BBQ chicken here was that exact same texture. This made me believe that the chicken was probably refrigerated for a while or just of bargain price quality. By the time I got to the third piece of chicken I had to force myself to eat it because... you know, there are starving people in other lands and you shouldn't waste food. Other than the chicken, everything else I ate was fine and great for the price. Note to the wise: it's probably not the best to have this for the first meal of the day or as the first meal from eating clean and light for a while... because this will hit you HEAVY. Especially if you decide to eat the whole thing in one sitting.
(3)
Alice O.

I started coming here when it first opened and over the years got too busy to make the drive up to Lincoln Park to eat here. But I did manage to stop in yesterday and it's still just as delicious as it was back then. I would say that the pricing might have gone up slightly but I can't remember how much--its either that or I remember it being cheaper than it is. Either way, worth every penny. The large dinner plates have enough food for 2 people. My favorites are the short ribs and the beef, both excellent. If you are in the area it's great for a quick bite to eat.
(5)
Lucien H.

I love, love, LOVE Aloha Eats. Your food comes out fast, the portions are great and the service is very friendly. Even the mini sizes are pretty big in portion. I usually get the Loco Moco with eggs over easy. The yolk blends well with the gravy that comes on it. Lot of the dishes here are very similar to Korean dishes my mom used to cook for me as a kid. BBQ beef which is very similar to bulgogi, their short ribs are similar to Kalbi, and they also have Kimchi! Mm hmm. The Katsu's are really great too. I love the pork and the tofu ones. Very flaky and crunchy. Only thing that I didn't like were the curries and usually don't discriminate against any type of curry. I just didn't care for the flavors. Even if you're not a big fan of Asian food, try this place out. They have something for everyone here, Including your friends with a boring palette.
(5)
kelli s.

This is the worst crap I have ever ate. I got the mixed bbq plate which consisted of a mix of greasy, fatty, meat. It came with macaroni salad that tasted like pure mayo and nothing else, some tasteless rice, and some raw cabbage(which was the only thing that was edibile). Even the pop tasted weird. I think I ate about 4 bites before I had to walk to Five Guys to get the crap taste out of my mouth from this food!! I cant remember the last time I had this bad of a meal!!
(1)
Matt M.

A haiku: I'll order takeout Beef, shrimp, fish, and fries and then Go home and gain weight
(4)
J S.

I lived in Chicago for a year and I didn't have a car. It would take me 2 buses and a 10 minute walk to get here, but I did it anyway, as much as possible! The food is so delicious and it's definitely authentic Hawaiian food! It's owned by a family from Hawaii. Who knows why you would move from Hawaii to Chicago, but they did and I was SO glad they did. My personal favorite is the Portuguese Sausage, Eggs and Rice. It's so good! Obviously not the best thing for you, but delicious! My roommates' favorite, BBQ chicken (white meat) mini plate. also very good. And mini plate does mean it's smaller portions, but it will still fill you up. Another plus: Hawaiian Sun drinks =) only con: if it's busy, it's hard to find seating. I will miss this place very much.
(5)
Tony L.

I was happy to find a Hawaiian food place on my vacation here in Chicago (Lincoln Park), I had the combination BBQ short rib and seafood place and my girlfriend had the BBQ chicken plate. First my seafood was overcooked, so that was ruined but my short rib was dead on from what I remember in Hawaii. I use to live across an L&L drive in and it tasted the same. The BBQ chicken was more like a teriyaki than the BBQ I'm use too, but it was still delicious I did order the spam musubi to consume later and thought it just had a bit too much rice than I was use to. Still this is a gem, with cheap prices and lots of food, I would've given more stars if they didn't overcook my seafood and the fact that I had to run across the street to Starbucks to use the bathroom. Will be back when I'm back in town.
(3)
kay b.

3.5. let me tell you why: spam. i mean sure, it's stuff colonizing american soldiers brought it to hawaii and the philippines for cheap, mobile consumption. it's made of every part of the animal we wish not to say aloud, but spam musubi is the bestest ever. food is complex and what we eat can be problematic when we actually think about it. with all that said, salty salty soft meaty(though miscellaneous meaty) and the sponginess of rice is like home. the pork katsu, the bbq, it's all basic but it's all pretty tasty and in a neighborhood where hip japanese food reigns supreme though lacks individuality and family-run charm, aloha eats gives me a good comfortable hug. they don't skimp on the portions, the prices are fair, and the palate is given the amalgam of sweet, savory, and tangy glory that i dig dig dig.
(4)
Ken M.

I'm from Tokyo and spend about a month in Hawaii every year. Good food, good service. Just like eating in Honolulu. This place makes me very happy.
(5)
Padme A.

I too really wanted to like this place. I wanted to love the place. We we're in Hawaii a couple years ago and fell in love with local simple eats. When we found out there was one closer than an ocean away, we had to try it. Sorry to say, it was just OK. The son, a nice salesman at the counter was friendly, but not wanting to change the menu items. Substituton is not advised here. One of our FAVORITE food dishes in Hawaii was called a Kahlua Pork sandwich. We're not claiming to be Hawaiian food experts, but this was everywhere on the Islands. Especially good at Ken's Place on Maui. It's basically baked pork with BBQ sauce similar to a Pulled Pork Sandwich. They said they've never heard of that. They did offer a similar dish, but it had cabbage and wasn't a sandwich at all. Too bad, this is something we could eat once a week easily. Another thing missing was Poi. We know it's an acquired taste, but this should be on the menu. Not sure about the portion sizes either that another reviewer talked about. I've been back 3 times now and each time small portion sizes on three different items. Not cool for the money. We we're sold into getting the french fries as a side. The man behind the counter said it was something people come in for. Well... I'm not sure why, they were actually pretty bad. Many of the same foods and drinks can be purchased for half the price at Mitsuwa. So over all, it was nice to see Hawaiian style foods in Chicago, but not really a take back to the islands. We had better food at the Flea Markets outside the Aloha Stadium. Roy's is another Hawaiian place, but a much, much, more expensive place to eat.
(2)
Nana H.

Holy shit. This place is soooo good. like the reviewer below me, I almost considered moving to the east side to be closer to aloha grill- but alas i will NOT! They often cater events at the siskel, and i've them through catering alot. My first visit there was even better. I shared a combo meal with my boyfriend and we were both stuffed! I really like coleslaw, and their cole slaw was great, as was the chicken- even though i did have my doubt that it was processed chicken- it was still good...no, excellent!! I would have to say that, perhaps laying off the mayo would be good, i have felt alittle heavy afterwards.......
(5)
Joe S.

Where else can you get Hawaiian take out? BBQ pork as part of the mixed plate was a favorite...would recommend it as a stand alone plate lunch. Kalua pork may take some getting used to but it is good nonetheless.
(3)
Juliet H.

Recession? That does NOT apply here. This place is seriously, the bang for the buck. For those of you SPAM haters, don't worry, they have the Japanese "Katsu", which is a cutlet, and short ribs. I like this place because it reminds me of Korea. Everything is $5 and you leave full, with extras. I suggest the SPAM masubi(my favorite), or the pork cutlet little meal. Their "little" meal is enough for 1.5 people. It's a lot of food! It's a family owned restaurant so their service is good. Make sure you order that side of kimchi too! :)
(5)
Jay A.

Yum....taste of Hawaiian food! I've been to this place quite often. Spicy chicken was one of my friend favorites...it's a curry dish if I remembered correctly. Anyway, I always have BBQ ribs which is so GOODDDD. I tired fish burger once and perhaps you don't wanna try it. It's just like other fastfood chain...so stick with hawaiian dishes, flok : ) Pros: Good food @ good price in Lincoln Park Cons: Umm don't know yet ...(so far)
(4)
Billy C.

I am glad that I ordered mini plate. There was so much BBQ chicken on my plate that was very flavorful. A meal under 10 bucks that will fill you up.
(4)
Jinhee S.

everyone talks about how awesome their katsu is, but i only like to say how good their macaroni salad is. ive tried other places that have better katsu plates, but for the price, its inexpensive for how much you get. their spam musubi is just spam and rice with wrap of seaweed. their staff is always so sincere and welcoming.
(3)
Marianne S.

LOVE THIS PLACE! Good service, big servings. For some reason, I just can't finish it all! I have yet to try the other dishes, though. I always go fo rhte BBQ plate. People are nice too. Place is clean and simple. Always greeted with a smile. Good food, good service. I wouldn't mind coming here more often.
(5)
Evann G.

I didn't like this place as much as I wanted to. The chicken katsu was promising, and the sauce was good, and even the coating was good but the actual chicken was just sort of... whatever. Some pieces were really good, other pieces were sort of weirdly mushy. That said, I really enjoyed the teriyaki beef with the white rice, and the short ribs were pretty good too. The best part, though, is that all that food I mentioned above came together, and there was a ton of it. I ordered the BBQ mix plate and it was a CRAZY ridiculous amount of food, all for like $7.95. So you can't beat that for cheap eats if that's what you're into. The boy tried the teriyaki chicken, which was pretty good, and some sort of chicken soup which would have been even better if either of us had a cold. Still, there was only one thing I would come back for, and that was the macaroni salad. I seriously considered getting another order to go, it was fabulous. Everything else was decent, but forgettable.
(3)
Paul d.

I blame Disney for thwarting my perception of Hawaii as nothing but Lilo, Stitch and Elvis. We got take out last night. Granted, take out never tastes as good as when it's served piping hot on some nice porcelain. Regardless, we ordered the Double Chicken (BBQ Chicken and Chicken Katsu), Pork Katsu and the Spam Musubi (comes with two pieces). I had to throw that last one in there just because I had read about it week earlier about how Spam is such the craze in Hawaii and Spam Musubi was the delicacy. When I opened the plastic container, I was shocked to see what seemed like two nigiri rolls on steroids - it was just a Spam slice on a bed of rice held together by seaweed. It was pretty lackluster but I imagine it's just really their version of a ham sandwich. That could also just be totally ignorant - maybe their ham sandwich is really a ham sandwich.The chicken and pork katsu were good as well but nothing like the experience I had at L&L's back when I visited Champaign to relive my coed days (tear). Portions were large which were a plus. The macaroni salad didn't do anything for me - it was quite tasteless. Maybe through some pineapple chunks in there? Overall, I'd have to give it a three for now until I can try more of it later. Tip: Whenever I'm in Seattle I make it a point to visit a restaurant called Ohana - now that is some real Hawaiian cooking!
(3)
Char Y.

The WORST port katzu i have ever had in my life. It was VERY dry, to the point that it hurt my jaws to chew it. Imagine what it tasted like over night, like pieces of rubber. It was very disappointing since I heard and read so many good reviews of this place, and it did not live up to any of it.
(1)
Mark O.

Had the Short Ribs and the Chicken Katsu. Cost with tip (the counter guy was great) was about $24. Lots of food for sure, but the Katsu had a bitter taste without the sweet and sour sauce. I mentioned to the counter person that it tasted like bad frying oil. It was edible after removing the breading and dipping it the sause, but I threw most of the meal away. The ribs weren't much better, mostly bone and fat. It might have been an off night for this well-reviewed restaurant, but we won't be going back.
(1)
Martina M.

Nothing really special about this place. We went there last week, and I split the BBQ chicken with my sister. Her fiancee had BBQ plate which he couldn't even finish. The portions are really big but the food is very blend. The macaroni salad had a sweet taste (?!?) and the chicken came dry. I was kind of disappointed since it had such good reviews from other yelpers. Oh well, we all have different taste buds.
(3)
Frederica B.

Damn, this food is good. Damn, these portions are huge. Just, DAMMMN! So far I have gone here 4 times and all my experiences were positive. I have ordered the chicken katsu everytime. One bone I'd have to pick with the chicken katsu is that the last time I ordered it seemed a little fatty. But I hear most people like some fat on their meat? Not me, no fat whatsoever. Kimchi is delicious (it made me want to eat kimchi again).Service here is friendly, haven't had a problem so far.
(5)
Chris C.

My go to place when I just want to shove food down my throat. Double chicken is my favorite lunch plate.
(5)
Christian H.

So, I was surprised that this was not better. There had a nice selection and all, but even I wasn't impressed. First of all, the food was served in Styrofoam boxes. I would have expected something a little more like plates. There was a lot of food and the food tasted okay, but it wasn't anything I haven't had before. Here I thought it was suppose to be authentic Hawaiian food. Maybe it is cliche, but I didn't even have a pineapple with my rice, fish or teriyaki chicken. Would, I eat there again? Sure why not, but this time I won't expect anything over the normal tastes of fish and rice.
(3)
Laura N.

So different than anything else... and sooo damn good! Found it wandering around a few years ago and have introduced many friends to Aloha. I'm a huge fan of the mini (its NOT mini by any normal standards, I swear!) BBQ beef plate... and if you're feeling courageous, try the Spam musubu. Weirdly fantastic. Its totally one of those places you really won't eat from on a regular basis, but when my sister says "Hey Laur.... ALOHA!" we practically run down the street. Yup, its that good.
(5)
Brian J.

BBQ Mixed platter!! thats whatsup
(4)
Pamela S.

The only reason I give 4 stars instead of 5 is the portions...way too much food. I know - a stupid reason to underrate a great place, but still...a little less food and we'll all be a little less round... I got the mixed plate - excellent, my boyfriend had the bbq chicken - excellent. So that's that. I just wish it was a little more centrally located, like right across the street from my apartment or from work. Hint: open up a lakeview location and a river north location please:)
(4)
Agnes F.

wow, what a great value ordered the kalua pork (with cabbage) lunch plate and bbq combo plate there is enough food for 2 to 3 meals for each plate good tasting healthy food and reasonably priced, they should consider opening an outpost in the loop, we need lunch options like aloha there so badly!
(4)
Steven C.

Mm good hawaiian food I believe. Well, the only hawaiian food I've eaten in chicago. But one of my good friends there is addicted to it.. and the value you get there. I think this place stuck also because we have a running joke on pronouncing their name... which sadly is no longer "aloha GRILLLL!" Food is very simple.. I've only had hawaiian 2 other places- in berkeley, ca during Cal Hawaii Club's annual dinner... super good (they make their own food though), and a trendy place in monterey park, ca which has probably closed down since.
(3)
Bridget C.

I took my friend from Hawaii here and she was so moved, she was tearing up! She said it reminded her of Hawaii and she loved the mahi with macaroni. The owners are so sweet and love telling you stories about the islands! A great place in Lincoln park! Go there.
(4)
dallas c.

I was born and raised in Hawaii and moved to the mainland after college. If theres one thing i miss, other than the beach is the plate lunch. And this place does it right. The Chicken Katsu,Teri-Beef, Kalbi Ribs are all authentic. Tastes just like i was eating at Zippy's or L&L Drive in back home. Rice-sticky, mac salad-perfect, Portions are huge! if your a light eater, you may want to stick with the half-orders. Also lots of carbs due to rice and mac salad, so if your dieting, this aint the place for you. Ive even catered this place for my own birthday party and they delivered, even though i was out of the delivery area. Dont think there was even a scrap of leftovers at the end of the night. I swear i saw a friend try to drink the katsu sauce by itself. If they made Lau Lau, i would be there everyday.
(5)
Matt R.

I would encourage not listening to the negative reviews and checking this place out yourself. Aloha is by far my favorite place to get a quick dinner in Lincoln Park. I would guess the people that didn't like Aloha were either a. Hawaiian food snobs (but really?) or b. expecting something completely different. Aloha's food consists of some kind of flavorful meat, white rice, and macaroni salad. So if you want a salad, or some caviar, go elsewhere! The taste of the beef dishes is similar to Korean food and would be my recommendations! To top it off, the people working there are super nice. Check it out the next time you're hungry on Clark!
(5)
Megan K.

Mmm mac salad!! Delicious take out, huge slabs of meat, reheats well for leftovers. The Hawaiian BBQ and Double Chicken combo plates are good places to start. A friend of mine recently tried some of their seafood and was equally impressed. And I'm always surprised by how much I love the mac salad.
(4)
Mike W.

I LOVE this place. I've had better Hawaiian food (in Hawaii, SF and NYC), but I haven't found anything close in Chicago. Reasonable prices, huge portions, and great service. I like the BBQ Mix combo plate, or just the short ribs. It's definitely greasy, so not for the faint of heart or health-conscious - although I did take a group of friends who thoroughly enjoyed their grilled mahi mahi. One big minus though (although not enough to remove a star): no restrooms!
(5)
Hal C.

For the amount of food they give you at the Aloha Grill, the place is relatively cheap. I don't usually have enough food at the end to want to grab a bag and take the rest home, but it seemed like half of my order was left over when I got full here- and it was only about a 7 dollar meal. Aloha has more of the feel of a fast food type of restaurant rather than an actual sit down type of place, so it's not a place you'd take anyone on a first date or anything- but if you know someone that likes good Hawaiian food or BBQ, they will almost for sure enjoy Aloha Grill.
(5)
Giovanna B.

After eating at Aloha Eats, my intestines decided to throw an unsolicited surprise party; guest of honor: Me. But I blame my own physiological reaction towards highly oily/fatty foods for that painful soiree. I never had Hawaiian food prior to this experience, and in my naively stereotypical mind, I pictured brazed pork stuffed into a pineapple with a little umbrella fork sticking out of it being served by oiled-up men flipping flaming batons with their mouths as they walked on hot, molten lava. But it turned out to be a regular take-out joint, which was completely fine by me. The food was very, VERY greasy, but I guess that's what one should expect from deep-friend foods and rib-tips of which 75% of the meat is fat. This is not to say it wasn't good... I liked my ribs very much. The chicken katsu my friend ordered wasn't bad, though I didn't think it was phenomenal. My friend noted that the sauce that came with it tasted like McDonald's sweet-n-sour sauce, but I can't support that since I've never tried the latter. We got the mini-plates and still had food left for the next day, though I felt nauseated all of that next day and didn't eat it. My main attraction to this place was that it was cheap, and like I said, the ribs I got were pretty good and would recommend them to anyone who doesn't mind a little (or a lot of) grease. Would I go back? Yeah, if I'm around the area. I would like to try some of the seafood stuff next time, though I will stay away from the deep-fried menu.
(3)
Ben C.

I'm not a Hawaiian food connoisseur, but I probably am more familiar with the cuisine than most. A good number of my college friends were from Hawaii, so from eating with them I think I picked up a few things. Aloha Grill is excellent. I'm not giving 5 stars because, let's be real, it is a take-out joint. But I wholeheartedly give it 4 stars. The portions are big. When I used to live down the street, I would order the chicken combo plate and eat the chicken katsu (cooked to perfection and then served with the excellent sauce on the side) and save the BBQ chicken for the next meal. There are some people who might harp on the "quality of the meat." They use a lot of dark meat for their chicken dishes. They use it not because it's cheaper, but because it's more authentic. Most of the chicken katsu's I've ever eaten have used thigh meat... aka dark meat. (And btw, for all of you picky chicken eaters... if you did a blind taste test, I guarantee you'd like dark meat over white meat. And there aren't any real health benefits of white over dark, so stop being a chicken bigot and eat white or dark) The beef does have a high fat content. But honestly, that's what makes it taste so good. And I think my Hawaiian friends wouldn't even blink an eye at it. Again, I think Aloha Grill is going for a more authentic taste. Anyway, the people are friendly, and if you eat in the place it's bright and clean. I wouldn't go out of my way to eat here, but if you live in the area or are about to hit the bars on Clark, it's a worthy stop.
(4)
Katelyn G.

Move over Chicago! Spam is the new bacon! Hawaiians love their spam and where else can you find a restaurant that does miraculous things with canned meat outside of Hawaii? During cold stretches like this week, Aloha Eats is what we all need. Japanese and Korean barbeque influences abound with tropical twists. Aside from the good quality, the portions are hefty as well. They have smaller plated options for lunch but they still fill you up. The cozy dramatic decor is a nice compliment to the hearty meaty options you will eat there.
(4)
Edward M.

i REALLY like Aloha Eats. not just by default because Aloha is the only place to get real hawaiian bbq. and not just because you get huge portions on the cheap. and not because it's right off the 36 and 22 and therefore really easy to get to. actually, that's the majority of why i really like it. i generally get the bbq mix plate, which ends up being one of those styrofoam takeout boxes PACKED to the ceiling of the upper lid with teriyaki chicken, short ribs, bbq beef, rice, macaroni salad and worthless cabbage (at least, from a caloric perspective). everything is great; the chicken is generally not as flavorful as the other parts but you get more chicken than anything else unfortunately. a couple things to understand before you go: hawaiian bbq is not healthy. it is really delicious and really comforting, but it is deadly. and aloha eats can run out of tables really quickly; it's more of a quick hangout and dinner with some buddies. but ultimately, great food and value. definitely a regular destination!
(4)
Jes L.

I must admit I've never been to Hawaii. Regardless, the food in this place was one small step up from mall food court food. I had the teriyaki beef, and it was good. I would imagine that this place would be perfect for the day after binge drinking when you need greasy meat and fluffy rice to sop up all the booze. But, the bottom line is it's not great enough to lure me on any given day. With so many other eateries to choose from on Clark St, it's just not stellar enough to be a fave.
(3)
Joseph O.

A lot of pluses and a lot of minuses equate a three-star rating. First, the pluses. The food, for the most part, is good. The plate lunch is a generous portion, and the mac salad is just the way I like it. For those familiar with Hawaiian bbq, you'll feel right at home. For those not, this is a reasonably priced excuse to try it. The place is clean and the counter people are friendly. The short ribs are excellent, but they aren't served like typical short ribs (you'll know what I mean when you see them) . I love the spam musubi. On to the minuses. I'm not a green crusader by any means, but this place could not possibly generate more useless garbage. EVERYTHING, even the food eaten on-site, comes in a styrofoam box. Regular plates and utensils would be very much appreciated. The musubi come wrapped in plastic. Why, and how are they heated before serving (since they look like they've been made in advance)? If they're made to order, why are they wrapped at all, unless they're to go? I am glad they increased the size of the nori. It used to be the width of a finger. I wish they would cover the spam with it, as the combination of flavors is what I enjoy. I thought the fried shrimp were substandard, and the plate lunches come with a ton of undressed shredded cabbage. Ugh. I want to address something that is a pet peeve of mine. The musubi is often referred to as spam sushi. The only thing the musubi have in common with sushi is that they're both made with rice. Musubi is made with plain white rice. Sushi rice is made through a long, laborious process. Musubi are about the size of the palm of a hand, whereas sushi pieces . . . well, you know. I don't know why this bothers me so much, but it does. This is a place that's worth going to, but not going out of your way for. The best thing is, Molly's is right next door!
(3)
Ji K.

I really love this place, and it's my tried-and-true bring-a-boy-and-make-him-happy lunch spot. And it makes me pretty darn happy as well. All the different cuts of meat (particularly everything on the Hawaiian BBQ Mix Plate) are tender, flavorful, and absolutely delicious. And recently, I brought my brother (who's had his share of Hawaiian food in California) here and he insisted I try the chicken katsu and the Spam musubi. Both were good-- but the latter surprised me. I'm not overly fond of Spam because it tends to be too salty, but a nice slice paired with a thick bed of rice, seaweed, and special sauce makes me a newfound Spam lover. I really adore the food here, and they give you so much of it that you're almost guaranteed to have some leftovers to enjoy later. Really good stuff . . .
(4)
Nancy L.

Absolutely authentic local Hawaiian plate lunch. I loved the portuguese sausage, eggs & rice among others, it was just like home. I was in Chicago for a week & traveled to Aloha Eats daily for onolicious grindz! Total comfort food for Islanders living on mainland.
(5)
aldrich b.

You can't find a lot of hawaiin restaurants around chicago, so I was really happy to find this place. The prices may seem a little steep for some fast food, but the portions are big and the food is delicious. Their plates include white rice, macaroni salad, and a choice of meat like bbq chicken, bbq beef, or my favorite....the loco moco. Yes the LOCO MOCO! It's 2 buger patties smothered in brown gravy topped with 2 eggs......oh, it's straigh FIRE! I would also recommend the spam masubi....think spam sushi, but bigger. I would give them 5 stars but they don't delivery to downtown, so i'm a little bitter about that. The restaurant itself is pretty small and has limited seating...but enough for a few friends, not big groups. Some cool hawaiian pics and art. My cousin made one of the are works they have hanging on the wall....and this had no influence on my review. The place is awesome, and the people that work there are friendly too.
(4)
Steve O.

MANNN! i love this place. Never been to hawaii therefore never had authentic hawaiian plate bbq. But this place is awesome. Everything is good here but I mostly get the bbq chicken, and kalua pork. Portions are ginormous! Under normal circumstances I would eat half and take home the rest cuz i'm a fan of left overs. But when i start munchin its all gone.. like man i'm stuffed n didn't even know it. Awesome place highly recommended.
(5)
Blanca J.

It was good had the bbq chicken it was really good loved the macarroni it came with, also had the mochi green tea it wasnt that good had better :)
(3)
Dillard R.

I still love it but the katsu sauce SUCKS! It tastes like water down sweet ketsup. Hey Chef try adding some worchester sauce and tabasco to the mix then it will be more like Hawaii style Katsu sauce...... mahalo! and 4 days try no cook da fish too long or going end up like cardboard . no matter what I still enjoy dropping in to satisfy my Hawaii plate lunch craving.
(4)
Jon J.

I had really high expectations for this place and I was a bit disappointed, actually. The rice and mac salad was good, as was my chicken katsu, but it didn't really blow me away with the "taste of the islands" as I had expected. I did like the BBQ beef, which tasted pretty much like bulgogi to me - so I can be happy with that - a cheap, enormous meal of bulgogi. Perhaps I'll upwardly-revise my opinion after a few more visits, but I just wasn't blown away. Good, but not awesome.
(3)
Minners N.

3.5 yelp starts. great for cheap eats. most dinner platters were about 7-9 bucks but included a lot of food. I tried the bbq mixed plate that included short ribs (think korean kalbi), beef (think korean bulgogi) and Hawaiian bbq chicken (think terriyaki chicken with a hint of pineapple) a huge portion of rice and a side of macaroni salad. All of the meat was great and cooked well. the macaroni was very bland. hubby tried the special which was mahi grilled and fried. both were very good. also tried the spam musubi- good but next time i will just try making this at home... bbq burger is just bulgogi in between two buns. pricing is good for what you get. limited, sticky seating. would probably come back for some cheap and filling eats.
(3)
Gerald F.

Formerly known as the Aloha Grill, Aloha Eats is one of my all-time favorite eateries in Chicago. You know a place is no joke calling itself Hawaiian when it serves Loco Moco, Portuguese sausage with eggs and rice, and the legendary SPAM Musubi! Take it from someone born and raised in Hawaii.... This is the REAL DEAL, authentic "home cooking" for a displaced island boy. "Eh! Jus coz get pineapple no mean da kine Hawaiian!" What I like to do is get the barbecue beef miniplate and order a side of kim chee. Pour the kim chee all over your beef and rice to spice it up! Da kine ono braddah! Wash it down wit' da cool guava juice and then cleanse your palate with the creamy haupia! Now that's local style grindz!
(5)
Ang R.

Very tasty. Love love love the BBQ chicken. The fried Mahi Mahi was so-so--I think I would get the Double Chicken next time, so I could try the Katsu. I also love that they serve each meal with cabbage, because I love cabbage. I didn't love the mac salad, because it seemed to have horseradish in it, which I think is one of the most disgusting tastes on the planet. Oh, and the sheer amount of food that you're getting here is insane for the price. Definitely worth it.
(4)
Whitney J.

What did I learn in my second (and third... and fourth....) trip to Aloha Eats? Don't get their food to go. It must have been the fact that my food burned through the Styrofoam container last time. I went back with my boyfriend because he's lived in Hawaii and was craving some L&L style grub. I've had the BBQ burger (not my fave), the Grilled Mahi (Love it) and the Chicken Katsu (much better than the pork) and now definitely consider Aloha Eats when I head out for some fast food-esque munchies. Plus the owner is super nice. I'm glad I gave this place a second chance.
(4)
K S.

I like this place, and I like the food, but it costs more than you think it would, but they give a ton and its tasty. Its fast food like atmosphere, but not fast. The macaroni salad is good, and usually i get two scoops of the salad and 1 scoop of rice, instead of two scoops of rice and 1 scoop of mac salad. I think they charge a lil extra, but can't remember exactly. I get the mix plate, can't remember exactly, but it comes with kalbi and some other meats that are tasty. The food is good, satisfying and next door to Molly's cupcakes.
(3)
Rach T.

I have eaten here a few times and really just come for the spam musubi. I don't think there are any other Hawaiian restaurants in the city so if you want it you have to come here! The musubi is yummy and a great snack or even a small lunch. We have also had the chicken katsu which is pretty good, but not as good as L & L's (and they're a chain!). They don't have the sauce like L & L does, and we really missed it. The mac salad is ok, a bit bland, but its macaroni salad...The lunch plate and dinner plate is a bunch of food for a decent price. Next time we are going to try the loco moco! The staff are all really friendly and that is always a plus!
(3)
Kee V.

I love this place because the food is almost the same as what my mom used to make when I was growing up. And no, I am not Hawaiian. The portions are big and served in take out containers, just like they do it in Hawaii. It looks like some people have complained about that aspect of the restaurant but that's how plate lunches come, deal with it! My usual is the Loco Moco Plate which consists of two hamburger patties, gravy and 2 eggs cooked to order. The tasty combination of all these things make me feels like a kid again. The spam musubi is also something I basically grew up eating too. I'm Korean and I've never met a fellow Korean who didn't grow up eating spam. It's a love/hate thing with people (I love it) but if you love it, Aloha Eats does a good version. It's individually wrapped and heated in the microwave when ordered. The macaroni salad is fine, nothing to really write about. It's a little heavy on the mayo for my taste. I doubt you'll leave hungry after eating here...they feed you like they want everyone to gain weight and look like a big Hawaiian
(4)
Matt W.

Apart from Dakine's in San Diego this is the closest you'll get to real Hawaiian food outside the island itself. The BBQ chicken and chicken katsu are both really, really excellent, as is the mac salad. My wife loves their kalua pork altho I personally don't care for it, maybe it's the cabbage. But we can both agree, the musubis are awesome. Everyone's right, the portions are HUUUUGE and you'll have leftovers no matter how big an appetite you carry.
(5)
Chris O.

Awesome. Just as good or better than the real thing in Hawaii. The BBQ pork was unbelievably tasty. Staff was friendly.
(5)
Cristiana S.

Yum. Yum. Yum! I'm weird and really like the taste of macaroni salad with my rice, but really, you've gotta love a place that doles out huge portions of meat and rice. Get the half-size if you aren't the biggest eater and don't want leftovers. I went with my bf and we got two regular portions and our leftovers combined was its own huge meal. We probably should have split. Great, inexpensive food! (Also, I actually didn't think the chicken tasted that much like teriyaki. I thought it had a nice grilled flavor.)
(4)
Samantha L.

Probably my favorite fast-food like place. They have yummy chicken katsu, and you get it so fast. Staff has always been friendly. I'm sure that the food isn't HEALTHY, but I feel better about enjoying their chicken katsu than I would about eating a burger and fries.
(5)
Pawel M.

After going to Hawaii I fell in love with the food. I worked in the area for a while and thought I'd give this place a shot. My first order out of the gates was the Loco Moco. It was good, really good. 2 hamburger patties with a sunnyside up egg ontop of rice and covered with gravy, it sound strange but when you mix it all together it's delish. Everytime I've gone there it has always been the same, good food that reminds me of what it was like over there. The grilled Mahi is great, and easily a hidden treat. Don't be a wuss and do yourself a favor by trying the spam, it's not what Monty Python made it out to be. The stuff they have here is made really well. I've gone sometimes in the middle of the afternoon, and the people there are always nice, and helpful with a smile. Always a relaxed atmosphere that really lets you enjoy your meal. Mahalo to them
(5)
Kenta Y.

Got the BBQ Combo this time, safe to say I like it better than the Double Chicken!!!
(4)
Daniel C.

This place is awesome! The portions are huge, with lots of meat, and prices are very affordable. My favorites are the chicken katsu, the moco loco (beef patties with eggs and gravy), and the grilled beef short ribs. Still have not tried the spam musubi though.
(5)
Eric V.

This place was one of our go-to dinner spots when we lived in Lakeview. Featuring an authentic Hawaiian plate lunch, my favorites include the Chicken Katsu, BBQ Beef, BBQ Chicken, and the Loco Moco. The food is always fresh and flavorful, and each plate comes with a great side of macaroni salad. Aloha Eats, you make my stomach happy.
(4)
kristen m.

I was soo happy to find this place because I lived in Hawaii for 6yrs and we use to go to a bbq place that tastes just like this. The first time I went here, I wasnt sure if they were going to get the macaroni salad right but sure enough even that is the same and I dont know what they put in it but its awesome. If your not sure what to order my fav is the bbq chicken and the katsu chicken it's really good and big enough to split with someone.
(5)
Robin W.

I do like the BBQ chicken with curry sauce, but I tried the chicken katsu today and wasn't really impressed. It was just fried breading and a sliver of chicken inside. They do give you a ton of food though! I always order the smaller plates and still have food left over. I have heard the beef and fish are also good, but haven't tried them. The sides aren't spectacular - the macaroni salad is bland, and they serve unseasoned white rice with each meal. The french fries are pretty good though, especially dipped in the curry sauce. So as I write all these negative things about this place, I am wondering why I ever go back... really I just go here for the grilled chicken with curry sauce and for something a little different every once in awhile.
(3)
Ke M.

Maybe it's because this was my only experience with Hawaiian food, but not super impressed. Good price and the food wasn't bad, just nothing special about it. I'm sure if you crave Hawaiian food it'll give you your fix, but I wasn't hooked enough to want to go back any time soon.
(2)
Vilay M.

Tiny spot for good food. I had to get the chicken katsu, so good especially with the sauce. the bf ordered a shrimp sandwich which sounds weird but it was really good. A patty with shrimp, fried. The service and location is perfect.
(5)
Stefanie I.

I was introduced to this place a few years ago and make it a point to venture into Lincoln Park just for this place. I usually get the Combination Chicken Plate. The Katsu sauce is outta control and the macaroni salad is always delicious. Even if you haven't tried Hawaiian food before, this place is good enough to try. Pretty basic food with some deliciousness added.
(4)
Natasha M.

The beef short ribs and tartar sauce are unbelievable. My boyfriend and I finally went to Aloha Eats, a place we've been wanting to go for a while. It was a very good place for students. Cheap, big portions and friendly service. I ordered fish and chips with amazing tartar sauce. My boyfriend ordered beef short ribs and fried fish combo for around $9. There were about 5 pieces of short ribs and 4 pieces of fish. HUGE portions! Surprisingly, the beef short ribs taste like Korean Kalbi. Very sweet, tender and elastic. The fried fish is simply amazing. Not too oily or dry or salty. The drinks are fun. There is a selection of exotic fruit juice, like Tamarind and guava juice, etc. I would go back to this place for sure.
(4)
Jeffrey H.

When I don't know where else to go with my roommate, we usually default to Aloha Eats. This is one of my favorite places to go when I need my Hawaii fix because of the decent prices and solid food. I usually order the mix plate (ribs, chicken, beef, 2 scoops rice, and macaroni salad or fries) or the double chicken platter. Chicken katsu is also very good, but I highly recommend trying a slice of grilled SPAM. OH MAN it's magical in the face. Not very healthy and simple to make, but my mouth explodes every time I eat a slice of that heavenly spam. Try it out.
(5)
amish s.

I have to say it, this place is the best! The foods not only great, but cheap as well. I regularly order the Grilled mahi mahi, or the grilled salmon plate, the quantity is enough for a sumo wrestler, and the fish itself just melts in your mouth :) The macaroni salad is always the delightful bonus! Ever since the first time I was taken here by some friends, I have been a regular visitor. The staff are as helpful as possible and the food has consistently been great. I fully recommend this place to everyone to come and eat, its wonderful.
(5)
Robert S.

The food at the Aloha is excellent! I don't think I've ever had Teriyaki BBQ quite like theirs. I haven't been to Hawaii, so I can't determine how "authentic" it is, but I really enjoyed the BBQ sampler. I tried the chicken, ribs, and beef. It came with yummy macaroni salad, cabbage, and white rice. I was also pleased with the price, although it was a little weird eating out of a styrofoam container. I can't wait to go back and try the Mahi.
(5)
Special K.

Great place for lunch, bad place for belly. I'll look closer for healthy options. Also just get the small size the plate portions are huge and I couldn't move afterwards. Its def nap time after the big meals there.
(3)
smilie d.

quaint place, good food and not at all pricey. Recomended by a friend, and I was not disapointed
(4)
E L.

Great Hawaiian lunch plates. Great food, cheap, fast, awesome service -- what more can a pacific islander ask for? Spam, maybe? -- Oh wait, they have that too. Hands down, my favorite counter restaurant in Chicago.
(5)
Aristotle P.

So there was this da kine local place in Kihe, HI where they served these traditional lunch boxes-which included either BBQ beef, chicken, breaded pork over rice, and a salad. Those flavors stayed with me even after returning to Chicago. And after my first visit to Aloha Eats, I felt as if I was back in the islands. The BBQ shortribs (re: cut Korean-style) are my favorite. The chicken and breaded pork are good it was the sweet and smoky flavor of the shortribs that brought back those wonderful island images. Take care! The full plates are just that. Full! If you're famished, this is the ticket. For first timers, I would suggest the half orders AND get an order of the Spam musubi. Okay... Spam musubi have three ingredients-rice, a slice of Spam and dried kelp wrap (nori). Again, the flavor is close to what I had in Kihe, HI but if I had one criticism of Aloha Eats' Spam musubi is that it had A LOT of rice, certainly muchmore rice than the Spam musubi I had in the islands. I recommend Aloha Eats. Inexpensive island flavors in the Midwest. Take a load off, wander into the nondescript dining space and enjoy. Mahalo!
(4)
peerapat c.

aloha eats. guilty. 2 aggravated battery charges on hunger. 1 murder charge. what can i say? if you got hungry, this is a great place to kill it. or at least to give it a serious beatdown hawaiian style. i've eaten here 3 times in the past week. the first time i tried the mixed bbq and my wife had the grilled mahi mahi. all of it was delish. a little too much fattiness on the short ribs, but for the price, i can deal with it. the second time, i tried the loco moco. two hand-packed beef patties with eggs any style (i had mine over medium) slathered in brown gravy and served over rice. mmmmmmm. the third time, i had the mixed bbq again. and again, just as hunger-cidal as the first time. for the tastiness, economy and gratuitous portions, this place is deadly. if it was open late-night, it might become the stuff of legends.
(5)
Foodie A.

The portions are a good size, yes. It's pretty inexpensive food for the Lincoln Park location, but if this is located somewhere else the price is just right. The guy behind the counter was nice and appreciative to your business. I had the Hawaiian BBQ mix and I thought the beef was lacking in flavor just a tad. The chicken was good and the macaroni. Don't mind trying this place another time.
(3)
Tiffany S.

Finally got to try this place today. Love it. Great hawaiian style plate lunches. Huge portions. Seriously, I could order one regular-size plate lunch and make three meals of it. All for under $8. I gotta go back soon..
(5)
R C.

LOVE this place. Having experienced Hawaiian food in Hawaii, Aloha Eats (formally Aloha Grill) in bustling Lincoln Park is the real deal (the owner is from Hawaii). I recommend the mixed BBQ plate or chicken katsu (with katsu sauce). I'm not a big fan of the cabbage which is served as a side but you might be able to substitute it for more rice if you ask. Aloha Eats isn't accessible by L but you can easily take the number 47 CTA bus and it drops you off a few stores away.
(5)
Melissa G.

When I was moving from CA, I knew I would miss Hawaiian BBQ. I didn't even know what Hawaiin BBQ was when I moved to CA! But I quickly became addicted, and this place is top notch. The owner is from Hawaii, and this is authentic. Cheap, yummy, large portions, and great!!
(4)
olivia p.

3.5 stars this time. that bland saimin really did them in last time. this time i shared a bbq mixed plate and a cheeseburger with my bro. much better than the saimin although i think next time i'll probably just get the bbq beef plate. that's what i really like. burger was just that. a burger. good but nuthin special. tried some of the chicken katsu and that was pretty good too. all in all, much better this time around.
(3)
Jay C.

Hawaiian plate lunch. Great portions, very reasonable prices, and the owners and staff are extremely friendly. I love their combo specials and I'm a fan of their breakfast sets. You'll have plenty to go around and a great on the go treat for a lunch along the lake or just sitting and taking in the views of Chicago.
(5)
Chien Y.

I worked in a deli for a month and couldn't eat deli meats for about two years. On the other hand, I worked at Aloha Eats for two months and I still eat there like it's my first time. Basically, I would wash my face with their Loco Moco if I could.
(5)
mike L.

Oh my...I can't describe how good the chicken plate lunch is, only to say that I almost never like chicken enormous portions, really enough for two meals! Not healthy, but worth every extra calorie
(5)
Jen S.

Food seems great, but is it possible to get food poisoning twice from the same place. Probably won't return again, but the staff is very friendly.
(2)
Leah J.

Boy do I love to eat! And nothing makes me happier than a combo of good food, decent proportions and cheap prices! As you'll know if you follow my reviews in the coming months, that I am not a big fan of eating out (or writing the details of my life for others to read online), so when I actually take the time to dish, it must be something worth dishing, good or bad! Aloha "Grill" didn't bring out the Hawaiian yerning I thought it would. Popped in on a Sunday evening. The two of us ordered 2 mini plates (Chicken Katsu and BBQ Beef). The Katsu was pretty good. Cripsy fried, yet tender, chicken strips battered in what appeared to be coconut. Yummy. It came with enough white rice and mac salad to keep the belly churning for a few hours. I loved the mac salad, that was the only thing I could finish. The BBQ Beef was ok. The marinade used was sweet. The beef tender, parts were a little to stringy for me to enjoy (fatty pieces scare me!) Thinking the mini-plates wouldn't be enough for the two of us, we ordered both the BBQ chicken and Spam musubi's. You get 2 musubi's per order. It's kinda like a huge sushi brick of rice topped with the meat/non-meat of your choice (spam, chicken or tofu) and rapped in seaweed. The spam was suprisingly ok. Fried, so it almost took on the flavor of real meat! All in all, it was decent. Nothing spectacular, but average sizes for a good price. Maybe I should have tried some of their seafood, I might be singing a different tune. Don't get me wrong, I'd come back, if only for the mac salad!
(2)
maria b.

Not that great. I have been about 5 or 6 times and always the same......... No taste, everything is the same. They do however have a very friendly staff.
(1)
A.S. V.

I didn't think this place had anything that seemed like authentic polynesian cuisine. Obviously it's fast food, and there's different standards, like EVERYTHING IS FRIED. To some people, that renders it inedible, but I'll give it three stars because people insist it's authentic for what it is.
(3)
Cathy H.

I love Aloha Eats! The food is really tasty and the portions are HUGE--a plate easily feeds two (and it's still a really big meal for two!). I really like the teriyaki chicken and the teriyaki beef, but I'm not such a huge fan of the short ribs (too fatty). Interestingly, the last time I went, I asked if I could get the BBQ mix plate (chicken, beef, and short ribs) but without the short ribs, and the cashier told me about a previously unknown (and as far as I can tell unlisted) BBQ chicken and beef combo plate for $8.40. It was tasty as usual. You can also replace the macaroni salad (not my favorite) with fries (tasty) and get veggies on the side (for an exorbitant price: $2.25). They do deliveries for $10 or more (no credit cards for delivery), and there's a standing zone at the north end of the street on Clark where you can park while you get your food. It usually takes them 5-10 mins to fill your order.
(5)
Kelly H.

I found this place by accident on my first trip to Chicago last November. being a former Hawaii resident currently living in PA state and possibly moving to Chicago, finding this place was something i hadn't imagined. it made me feel like i was back in Honolulu having a plate lunch. and, the people that run this place are so awesome. I stayed in the Lincoln Park area for the duration of my visit last year and ate there almost every night. i am going back to Chicago in October and will probably be there every night again. the menu is wonderful, the prices are good, the portions are huge, and the plate lunches are done right. the rice is just like how my mom would make. And, the spam musubi is awesome. i can't say enough about this place. i love it. The food tastes great, I loved their loco moco and the kalua pork. There are still more things i want to try when i return. and, they have Aloha Maid drinks too! amazing!
(5)
michelle p.

I love that I can get a plate lunch in chicago. The chicken is very good, and I always ask for 2 scoops of the mac salad. I didn't care for the Katsu, but most things on the menu are great!
(4)
Dave N.

This is one of my favorite spots in the city. I highly recommend the Hawaiian BBQ Chicken plate. It's boneless dark meat but you get a huge portion of it. You can get it with white meat if you prefer that. The owner/manager seems like a great guy and always makes good conversation.
(5)
Shannon S.

I was actually very impressed with Aloha. I didn't think I would like it when I was checking out the menu. This is one of my friends absolute favorite places to eat so she told me I had to try it. I ordered the mini BBQ beef which really wasn't that mini. It included the meat, rice and macaroni salad. All for under $5. Not a bad deal. By barbecue it is really teriyaki sauce (at least that is the flavor it tasted like to me). I wasn't a huge fan of the macaroni salad, but I don't really like it to begin with. So don't listen to me on that one. But I did feel it was a little weird to place it in the same container at the rest of the food. None the less, if you want to eat on a budget one nice, check out Aloha!
(4)
Kara M.

been here a couple of times, the food is good and pretty cheap. i always get the same combo chicken plate but i'm not a spam hater so i am thinking of venturing out next time.
(3)
Kristin L.

from the outside, it doesn't seem very impressive, but once you walk in you'll see that the atmoshphere is friendly, clean and festively decorated. the food is good, cheap and well-portioned, though it's served in a styrofoam container even if you're eating in. I had the grilled salmon special, served with macaroni salad and rice, which was delicious!! overall I'd say it's not worth going out of your way to eat here, but if you're in the area, definately check it out!
(4)
v m.

aloha eats employs very friendly folks. the food is very good, esp for the price. and the location/hours make it very accessible for most meals. highly recommended. (some of the entrees = way too much food for one person :)
(4)
Sam S.

Best plate lunch! Just like Hawaii! I've gain so much weight since I found them!!! Big portions, great prices!
(5)
Todd E.

This is real deal Hawaiian food - where plate lunch means starch and BBQ means teriyaki. So it's not for everyone, especially those who think Hawaiian means food should be served with pineapple and drinks with an umbrella. But for those who want the real thing, it hits the spot. It's a lot of food, so the "mini" plate lunches usually suffice for me. The mini chicken katsu is my favorite and I have heard good things about the mahi mahi burger as well. A really unique restaurant and always friendly service. Mahalo for reading!
(5)
Karen L.

This place is a small, casual restaurant that tries to be like a restaurant in Hawaii. I guess it is as close as it is going to be in Chi-town. They have different rice plates like Hawaiian BBQ chicken or Chicken Katsu that come with rice and macaroni salad. The food was good and the price is cheap! The drawbacks of the place is there is no bathroom and it is a little stale inside since it is more like a fast food set-up...order at the counter and eat out of styrofoam containers. The only thing it is missing that is truly Hawaiian is poi, which is gross anyway!
(4)
Timothy P.

I love the white meat chicken katsu. It is an awesome dish. Llove the location in Park West! I ate here many a time in college. This is a great place but it's kind of expensive but you get a lot of food.
(5)
Cynthia Z.

Yum! Spam Musubi, Mini Beef, with Hawaiian Macaroni Salad and rice, doesn't get any better than this!
(5)
Mary C.

I was so surprised to see authentic Hawaiian BBQ on the mainland, in Chicago no less. While it may not be traditional Hawaiian food, people in Hawaii definitely eat this type of thing. You will see roadside places just as small as this all over the islands serving up grilled Spam with the sides of rice and macaroni. Believe me, I have been over there lots of times and even know people who live in Hawaii. The hearty helpings are just as big as what you would get on the islands. I love that they offer Guava juice and have dishes such as Katsu on the menu. The decor is bright and simple with little splashes of Aloha spirit here and there. The man behind the counter is helpful and friendly.
(4)
Chris S.

Great traditional Hawaiian plate lunch spot (the only one in the city). Big portions so no one leaves hungry. Excellent food and you can't beat the price. There is no reason for you not to eat here.
(5)
Balki B.

Pretty good for what it is, but you loose a star for refusing to give me a side of Huli Huli sauce... bastards.
(3)
Michelle W.

Although the place is pretty small, the food and prices definitely make up for it. I have not been to Hawaii so I don't have any Island references or comparisons, is all I know is that is it good and cheap. $7 for fried shrimp and rice in a ginormous portion...okay in my book, no matter where you are from.
(4)
Allison W.

This food is incredible! I was hesitant to try it because Hawaiian food is not a priority of mine. Now it is! I ordered the Double Chicken which features grilled chicken (BBQ Chicken) and fried chicken (Katsu Chicken). Both were tasty and the dipping sauce with the BBQ Chicken was incredible. It was nice because the chicken was not slathered in sauce, but I was able to add the sauce to my liking. It came with about 3 whole chickens, an extra large serving of sticky rice, and a scoop of macaroni salad. Well worth the $8.50 I paid.
(4)
Nhu N.

i love this place, the people, the food, the price. everything.
(5)
Andrew P.

this place is friggin awesome. hands down, my favorite place to get hawaiian food, which is the closest thing to korean food i can find for the price. the mac salad is my favorite, although the chicken katsu and the bbq beef are a close second. all of their employees are super friendly as well. now if only it was easier to find parking...
(5)
Lizz Y.

I ate here for the first time today, and have to say I'm very impressed. I placed an order for delivery around 12:08, and was quoted a delivery time of 45 minutes. My food actually arrived 25-30 minutes later. I ordered the grilled mahi mahi plate and found it to be well worth the price, and the portion size probably could feed 2 easily. My boss ordered the Spam loco moco, and it left him satisfied. All in all a great place to go, just be careful not to eat more than you can handle.
(4)

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Address : 2534 N Clark St
Chicago, IL, 60614
Phone (773) 935-6828
Website https://alohaeats.com/
Click To Get Directions

Opening Hours

Specialities

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

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Aloha Eats

2534 N Clark St, Chicago, IL, 60614

Aloha Eats Menu

Saimin (noodle Soup)

Salad

Mini Plates

Plate Lunch

Curry Plate Lunch

Musubi

Burgers

Sides

Healthy Meal suggestions for Aloha Eats

Saimin (noodle Soup)

Salad

Mini Plates

Plate Lunch

Curry Plate Lunch

Musubi

Burgers

Sides

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