Lees Hawaiian Islander
768 Stuyvesant Ave, Lyndhurst, NJ, 07071
Lees Hawaiian Islander Menu
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Visit below restaurant in Lyndhurst for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Lyndhurst for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Lyndhurst for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
768 Stuyvesant Ave
Lyndhurst, NJ, 07071 - Phone (201) 939-3777
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :12:00 pm - 10
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : Yes
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Divey, Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
Categories
Chinese Cuisine
The popularity of Chinese food in America can be adjudicated by the appearance of China Town in many major cities in the United State of America. The popular trend of ordering or opting for Chinese take away food isn't unknown in America. Chinese take away food comes to rescue when you're too tired from work or too exhausted to cook. No one can resist the temptation of eating spicy noodles, shrimp, chicken, beef or pork cooked in the sweet and spicy sauce. The cooking method of authentic Chinese food is a lot different compared to what is served in America.
Generally, Chinese use dark meat small bones and organs to cook dishes but this changes when you are eating American-Chinese fusion food prepared using white boneless meat cooked with broccoli, carrots and onions. Back in China, the food is less spicy and oily as they favor steaming and braising method for cooking the most popular dishes. So, if you have a taste for authentic Chinese food, then try finding a real Chinese restaurant in the city. You can also try the most popular fusion Chinese food like Pecking Duck, Chicken Feet, Hot Pot, Shrimp Dumpling Soup, Mapo Tofu, Wontons, Chop Suey, Egg Rolls and not to forget Fortune Cookies.
There are not many restaurants in America serving authentic Chinese food. A little research on Restaurant Listings directory can help you locate the best Chinese restaurants in the city. Chinese cuisine is continuously evolving, and you can find a variety of dishes categorized as the food for lactose intolerant, gluten intolerant, vegan, vegetarian, and diabetic friendly. So, if you have a group of friends with different taste patterns, save the hassle and visit the nearest Chinese restaurant in your city.
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Desiree D.
Really tacky, trashy, but fun place to come. Enjoy the scenery thats a toss up between a Hawaiin and Chinese paradise. Anything from tiki to dragons to fortune cookies. The menu is not that large--vegetarians beware! also, its pricy for what it is. Its basically chinese food thats over charged. Service is not that good--the servers who are dressed in your cliche Hawaiin attire, run around and are slow. Drinks are strong and are the norm price at bars ($7.50-10). Plus side? Free kareokee every Friday night starting at 9. Right in the middle of the dining room!
(3)Asahi H.
I wish I can give a zero star. It's 2015 and I'm here eating at this restaurant right now as I am writing this review. I want to start off with the dishes. Plates, cups, tea pot etc. Is all dirty. Already made me not want to eat. The food is not good either especially for the price? DEFINITELY NOT WORTH IT. You will definitely leave the restaurant dissatisfied. I recommend get food at a Chinese take out or somewhere else because the food quality really is NOT good. The drink was ok. Hardly any liquor at all. I had the piña colada, costed me 8.50 with no liquor in it. While I took a sip of the drink it made me think more of "is the cup dirty?" Than trying to enjoy my time. The canned fruit garnish looked old or sat around for days. Didn't eat it at all because it was so soggy and the color was not right. What frustrated me is me thinking how dirty the dishes were majority of the time. Our waiter seemed intoxicated which had my friends and I question the service and the professionalism as a waiter. The kitchen side of the restaurant had an open door out side of the building, made me wonder does all the bugs and flies freely go into the kitchen?! Made me wonder how their inspection is and you see how dirty the kitchen is too. I am never picky when it comes to restaurants or food but this was just awful... Also the tap water tasted very very acquired. Took 1 sip and I was very displeased. Made my friends try it to make sure maybe I was over reacting and they all agreed on the taste of the water. It tasted like a mixture of cleaning products, with lemon, with flat seltzer water. I'm sorry but never again. I hate having to feel unsatisfied after a long day at work and just wanted to try somewhere ok or nice with friends and catchup while eating but the fact we couldn't even catch up because the place made us feel upset, and we felt like we totally wasted our money. We couldn't even leave tip because everything was not right. We all couldn't believe how this place is still running business. This restaurant made me want to cook more at home than going out to eat. You be the judge of this place but I guarantee you will be dissatisfied.
(1)Kelly G.
Increidble atmosphere, great people, amazing service! Tons of fun. Go go go!! Steve is the sweetest. Food is absolutely delicious.
(5)Yvonne J.
Worst food ever. I left feeling unsatisfied and sick from the MSG. MSG Side Effects: Some people find that consuming MSG, especially in large quantities, can trigger various side effects and symptoms, including (but not limited to): Headaches Nausea Dizziness Rapid or irregular heartbeat Flushing or excessive sweating Skin rash Numbness Intense thirst Lethargy or sleepiness Ringing ears Tingling in the mouth I wouldn't go back if I was paid to!
(1)Dawn G.
This place has been around since 1972, and it looks exactly the same! But that is a good thing. The decor is awesome, as is the staff. The grumpy singing waiter, the hostess, all part of the charm. Ask for a tour of the upstairs, gives you a great view of the dining area. The specialty drinks in the hawaiian cups, and of course paper umbrellas are delicious, and packed with alcohol! Just don't go expecting the food to be great, expect just somewhat good. The plates and utensils while clean, are showing their age. Chips, scotches, etc... Go for the atmosphere and you'll have a great time! Kareoke on Friday & Saturday nights, good for the family.
(3)Jess P.
This is a really fun restaurant. I came here on a Saturday night and the restaurant had a decent sized crowd. Upon arrival we were asked if we had reservations, we didn't and the woman at the front of the house said she didn't have a table for us because we didn't have reservations, however, the man who was also at the front of the house said that there was a booth open and even though someone did reserve it, instead of having us wait, he said we could take the booth and they would figure out where to seat the other party with the reservation. The decorations are great - if their goal is to deliver a cheesy Hawaiian atmosphere, Lee's definitely does just that. For drinks I ordered the Flaming Virgin, which comes in a unique bowl-like cup and there is a flame inside drink. It was pretty tasty and not nearly has strong as the Zombie, which I also tasted but I definitely would not be able to finish. As an appetizer my table got the Pu-Pu Platter, which came with chicken wings, ribs, shrimp toast, fried shrimp, beef skewers and mini eggrolls. The eggrolls are standard Chinese take-out style but a bit tastier than the ones you get at your local take-out place. I've never had shrimp toast before and I was pleasantly surprised at how good it was. I was also a fan of their fried shrimp. The other options on the platter were okay. The rest of my table liked the beef skewers but I wasn't really impressed. As a main entrée I got the Beef Kew which came in a brown sauce and had chunks of steak, broccoli, and bok choy. Very delicious dish. I'd probably order it again. The steak is really flavorful. We also got pork fried rice for the table and it's one of the best fried rice I've tasted. We didn't get desserts, but we were there for karaoke night and it definitely adds to the experience. The crowd is either local enough that they've probably seen/heard every bad singer out there that you won't embarrass yourself or too into their dinner that they won't pay attention. Once you've had a few drinks, you will fall victim to being tempted to sing karaoke in front a restaurant-full of people. Overall, this is a restaurant experience that I think everyone should go through at least once. The service is nice and you are often checked up on. The prices aren't too bad. The drinks are plenty strong + with the right people you will have a good time.
(4)Dr M.
Too noisy on Friday and Saturday. The place has never been busier, but the food quality suffers for it. Stick with the pupu platter and the fruity drinks and you'll survive.
(2)Hope T.
LOVE LOVE this place. The décor is so tacky it is terrific.. I have been coming here since childhood and NOTHING has changed. The food is surprisingly good and you can't beat the prices. The owners are friendly and service is fast. I would recommend this as a must try.
(4)Carmen B.
Will neverrrrrrrr go back .. Mediocre Service .. Until the damn bill came .. I realized I gave to much cash .. So I asked the waiter to bring Me the check so they ring up the correct amount lil FuK'R going to tell the tip was included on the bill .. And debating the fact I owed more .. Food not even that good .. Don't even waste your time go to another Hawaiian restaurant this one totally suck ass
(1)Cynthia D.
Our family LOVES Lee's Hawaiian Islander! I've been going there since I was a kid and my husband & I have always brought our kids there for special occasions since they were really little. Now they are 26 and 20 and still going with us! We went in for my husbands birthday last night and were thrilled at the crowd inside, it was bustling, like old times. -The noodles and duck sauce are absolutely additive, we go through at least 2 bowls. You have to get a Pu Pu Platter to start, it comes with a little fire to roast the appetizers over and it is always the hi light of the dinner. -I love the chicken and broccoli, the chicken is so tender and the broccoli is perfectly cooked. My son loves the beef and broccoli for the same reasons. -My husband and daughter get the steak Somoa (it's not on the menu, it used to be but not anymore, but they will still make it for you if you ask very nicely) it's 3 tender, perfectly cooked steaks with pea pods and onions in a delectable sauce....absolutely tender and delicious! -The Zombies and Mai Tai's are perfect drinks and they always make a Shirley Temple for the kids when asked. This place is like a landmark and I hope it's around for many more years. Yes it's "tacky" but that's its charm. Other places work hard to seem retro when this restaurant is an original....give it a try if you haven't been there before!
(5)Kathy S.
Friday and Saturday karaoke!! I have no Idea how the food is here but The drinks are banging and if you just want to have a fun night on a Friday or Saturday this is the place. I hate karaoke but whenever I am here somehow I end up enjoying myself!!
(3)Daniel T.
A fun restaurant, my dad tells me the place hasn't changed since the 70's and it looks that way. Went here for a birthday and it was a fun time, service was good, atmosphere was good, but the food was just OK. For the price the food should have been a little better than what it was. The drinks and apps were enjoyable. The atmosphere and service are a 4 The food is a 3 If I could give this place a 3.5 I would. As a local restaurant I would check them out once just for the novelty alone.
(3)Damian O.
This place is quirky on the inside. Needs a bit of a makeover but it's quite charming. The food was very nice and the atmosphere was fun. After dinner is where it went down hill. The waiter added quite a large tip to the bill and asked our 80 year old grandad to sign off on it. When we asked for this to be changed he wasn't very helpful and then told us it takes 10 days for that to happen. We asked for the manager and this was sorted quickly. Trying to get a drink after the bill was signed off was impossible. We never actually asked for the bill either. It was karaoke night and we wanted to enjoy the atmosphere and have a few more drinks. This was a shame for us and the restaurant as we would have had another few hundred dollars in booze. The table wasn't cleaned off and was pretty disgraceful after dinner with a large group sitting there. Where did our waiter go????? Who knows!!!! Food was good but the experience was under par and a bit shady. Unfortunate after a good start.
(2)Monika D.
BIRTHDAY GIRL GOES OUT TO KARAOKE, IS ATTACKED BY ZOMBIES If life came with headlines, this would have been mine last Saturday. Reserved a table for 10 to celebrate my belated birthday with drinks and a whole lot of kitsch and karaoke. We only ordered the pu-pu platter which left much to be desired but this review isn't for the food, it's for the experience. At least, what I can remember of it. Haven't been here in about 8 years but remember having a great time doing "Rock Lobster" during their karaoke night. The drinks, from what I recall, always seemed to me to contain some kind of hallucinogenic. Only took one Zombie to completely wreck me. That, or I truly am a lightweight. So given that memory I decided to come back again with friends and family to enjoy some Zombies during their karaoke night Saturday, from 9pm to 1am. Place has not changed. Luckily, it seems to have been dusted since the last time I've been here! Our table was waiting for us and the service for drinks was speedy and attentive. I only wish that the umbrellas and fruit skewers came with every drink but after the first one, those little details went out the window. Drinks were as strong as I remember and given the awesome company I was in and all the fun of participating and watching others do karaoke.... I ended up drinking nearly 3 Zombies! That allowed me to sing two duets, Blondie's "Call Me", and the infamous "Don't Go Breaking My Heart" where I channeled my best Kiki Dee. I think that last part would have been funnier had I been channeling my best Elton John. Maybe next time. And there will be a next time! If it's your birthday, let them know when they come around. Then one of the servers will take you to the middle of the floor and sing to you. Two other ladies were celebrating their birthdays that night and our server serenaded us with "What A Feeling" as he took turns dancing with each of us and actually copping a feel here and there. Good times! No really, my cheeks still hurt. Not sure if from laughing or being pinched. Can't wait to go back soon with a smaller group and camp out during karaoke, sipping on a Zombie, in one of their corner booths complete with a thatched bamboo roof!
(4)Adam D.
This place is psychedelic. That's really the only word I can think of to describe the decor, which also happens to be the best part about the place. The service was rude, though I sense it's a cultural thing, and the food was mediocre at best. My coworker and I went here for lunch, sat down, each ordered water and a lunch special, and the bill came to just over $12. The wonton soup was okay, but the meat in the lunch specials was swimming in their respective sauces and nothing tasted fresh. We were the only customers here at noon on a Monday. At one point, our server decided to sit down at a table in the empty dining room and eat his lunch while we were eating ours (not at our table). Awkward? Unprofessional? Again, maybe it's a cultural thing, but it was off-putting. The one saving grace here is the prices. On the same token, I don't know how this place stays afloat. Again, our lunch bill came to just over $12 TOTAL and we were the only people here at noon. So, if you're looking for cheap, mediocre Asian/Polynesian food in a quiet, exotic, possibly awkward environment, Lee's is the place for you.
(2)William A.
After months of saying we would go there, we finally went and it was everything I expected it to be. The decor is unchanged since the 1970's and that is a good thing. The waitstaff was attentive and friendly and the food was exceptional. My wife imbibed in a pina colada and I knocked down several Cokes, but only paid for one (not bad, free refills on soda). We did the wonton soup, pu pu platter appetizer because, like another reviewer said..."because you have to". I opted for the broccoli in garlic sauce and while it was sweet and spicy, the spice was just enough to light a fire in my mouth and dissipate almost immediately. I will definitely go back again and again and again....
(5)Nat G.
Recently returned here. And it's been a while. However, I was very disappointed. They recently repainted, and I drove by with a family member and said "Hey, let's go back." The inside remains the same. Honestly, I've always liked the decor. But the tables were sticky, the mixed drinks were not what they used to be. One of us got wine, and it tasted like it "came from a box" (think cooking wine). The service was slow and unattentive, though our server and the host were both friendly. The really, REALLY disappointing aspect was the food. The food was just bad. I used to like this place, but after my last experience, I would be hesitant to go back. I hope management reviews this and makes some changes. This place is unique, and it's a shame to see it going downhill.
(1)Dennis M.
When you walk in it's like walking back in time. The decor hasn't changed in decades, it's quite possible the frier oil hasn't been changed either. It's a classic local place you have to visit at least once. I admit growing up this was the place to go late at night. The drinks are good; the food is par with other take out / fast type Chinese food.
(3)Marcy O.
We always love lee's we have been going there for many years! The food is good and I always have special items I always order like the classic pu pu platter but my favorite is the steak Polynesian. Sometimes it's hit or miss on the cleanliness of the establishment but we will never stop going and the staff is always friendly and happy to see us!
(4)Manny B.
Been coming here for what it seems like FOREVER !!!! Consistent is what I have to say. Was great then and great now . I highly recommend Lee's !!!
(4)Stephanie S.
This place is great! The atmosphere is the right mix of cheesy and classic. The food is only decent, but the drinks are awesome! They don't skimp on the alcohol. The servers can be a good time - might even start singing with you. Definitely a place to check out!
(4)Beth B.
Awsome. This place is so much fun, but you need to bring your entertainment. Went with a great group of friends; mixed with a few Mai Tai's and Zombies. Everything you want in a Tacky Tiki Lounge. A great hidden gem.....
(4)Rebecca K.
Okay, so every now and then my husband and I go wild and crazy and say, "I'm in a silly mood. Let's go to Lee's!" Please notice that we never said we were in the mood for excellent, great, or even mediocre Chinese food...we said we were in a silly mood. Going to Lee's really isn't about the food, it's about the experience...and the experience there is like none other! Okay, when I walk into Lee's I can't help but feel like an anachronism. It's like I am walking into one of those cheesy theme restaurants from the 50s. I have no idea how long Lee's has been there, but I am willing to bet not a damn thing has changed since they opened their doors. The same kitschy tropical silk flowers, the same blowfish chandeliers, the same bamboo paneling...it's all there. It's everything you could imagine a Elvis Hawaiian movie could be...and so much more (the more could quite possibly be the thin layer of dust all these novelties are encased in, but lucky for us they keep the lights down). It's like a post-apocalyptic Tiki Room. My favorite thing about the decor, has to be the remnants of the waterfall wall in the main dining room. The entire wall is one big ass floor to ceiling waterfall. Now, I'm wiling to bet 40+ years ago, it was a magnificent sight...now, it's just a sad,rocky-looking, silk flower laden, wall with small little leaks dribbling down from it. But you know what? I still think it's one of the most freaking awesome things I've ever seen in a restaurant. If you have kids, the restaurant itself will be entertainment enough for them. FYI- your waiter will probably speak some very broken form of English. When I say 'very broken', I mean he will probably screw up your drink order and respond to any questions with nothing more than an incoherent mumble...actually it will probably be more like a grumble. Hey, as long as I still get some fruity, tropical, strong-handedly poured drink in a Tiki glass...I really honestly don't give a rat's butt. The waiters there are generally very nice and the service is decent, but be forewarned that there are a few there who have some language barrier issues. You'll get your standard pot of tea and fried 'Chinese Chips' with duck sauce and hot mustard (my favorite). The food here is definitively okay. It's not great, it's not terrible...but again, you're not here for the food. I will say that the kids meals are a deal. They get soup, rice, and my kids always get the chicken nuggets, which aren't like traditional chicken nuggets...but they really like them anyhow. Lee's is all about the experience. It's something you have to try at least once, just to say you've been there. It's one of those once in a lifetime WTF kinda experiences. I gave it 4 stars based solely on my approval of its tacky, kitschy ambiance. You'll be so mesmerized by images of Elvis movies and Brady Bunch special episodes (or strong drinks) that you won't even notice the food. Enjoy!
(4)Thomas L.
I use to go to the Lee's in Clifton. Love the place and then it burned down. Turns out, the cooks ended up here. The Hawaiian foods is great, but I love the Cantonese food. Best shrimp and lobster sauce around. Over pork fried rice? Incredible. Kinda hard to get there now, but I save this for father's day and my B-day
(5)Heba A.
Broccoli with the oyster sauce was heaven!! Food was great.. Drinks were even better. My top recommendations are love potion and zombies. Staff seems a little weird.
(4)Brian M.
Average food, but unique and good for being drunk and wanting to sing karaoke at a place that will have a limited crowd that won't judge your singing. This place is a relic, weird Hawaiian atmosphere that looks like a cheap version of the line for Disney's Jungle Cruise. This place is basically a unique dive bar where you can taste exotic drinks and sing karaoke. I have never really seen this place busy not even on a weekend night, so it's a good place to come with a group of friends and sing karaoke. It tends to be an after party type place. The food here is actually not too bad. It actually seems like it's a bit more home made than the traditional takeout Chinese place. However, who knows how fresh it is. I came here one time for lunch with a coworker and we were the only ones there, and our lunch was $5 each. Who knows how this place stays open.
(3)Jake S.
Food is mediocre chinese with some polynesian choices. Nothing that will blow your mind, more like "bar food" chinese, no complaints. You're not there for the 5 star cuisine though, it's the ambiance and karaoke (and zombies!). Drinks are STRONG, be careful! Zombies 1, my wife 0. It wasn't too busy when we went on a saturday night and service was VERY quick. I was actually surprised how quick we got our food and drinks. Everyone really enjoyed the pu pu platter (appetizer sampler) which came with a flaming bowl in the center. General Zou's (same as general tso's) was ok, a little chewy. I had something with chicken, green peppers and peanuts and it was very good. The fried rice was very good as well. Karaoke was incredibly fun, and the staff came and sang happy birthday and what a feeling from flashdance to my wife. Great time, will definitely be back!
(4)Lorna B.
Very mediocre Chinese food, definitely not Hawaiian in anyway except for how they title the menu. Friday night had some interesting karaoke performances :). Overall fun when you go with a great group.
(2)Daniel R.
So this place has some good and some bad. Definitely not for someone that takes themselves too seriously. First the good, the drinks are STRONG especially the zombies but they can give you a crazy hangover from the crap liqueur they use. The food is ok, the chicken and broccoli is good and they have a steak ap thats good. The poo poo plater is alright some good and some no so good. The karaoke is hilarious especially on a few zombies. The staff can be straight up rude, but they have a few nice old waiters. Overall I like the place and enjoy going with big groups of people for Karaoke.
(3)P M.
Had dinner, not bad but not great either. Had dinner upstairs and it's very hard to get the waiter for beverage refills. Seems he's doing the upper floor by himself. And it's taking equally long to get the check and for him to take payment. As for the atmosphere, it could use a little updating. It's fun with the karaoke.
(3)Tracy C.
Awful food. Very pricy. I ordered the 18 dollars Hawaiian four"o" and expected to get fresh Hawaiian dish. But I even got tarred grilled beef and "Chinese BBQ pork chunk "in my plate. And it tasted like the 7 dollar to-go stirfry dish I can get in every Chinese restaurant. I felt very bad about taking my husband there because of the coupon.
(1)Jamie R.
I can't say enough wonderful things about Lee's. Last night I had my birthday party there. I am not someone who can afford to pay to cater it for all of my friends, so it was one of those parties where everyone splits the check. I ended up having 40 guests in all. The staff there was on the ball and made table captains and split us into 4 checks so there was no confusion at the end of the night or anyone caught paying more than they should. The staff was accommodating- I had to change the reservation from 25 people to 40 a few days before the party and they put us upstairs. It was fabulous, we had it basically to ourselves, we got to mingle and get up and down without bothering other people around us. We danced, we sang along with karaoke downstairs and applauded from the balcony when our friends were performing, Never once did any member of the staff get flustered or lose their cool with such a huge group... I know how hard it can be to serve a large party like that. Not to mention, the rest of the restaurant was packed as well. In fact, they were charming and lovely. One of the waiters even sang to me for my birthday (a true highlight of the night) The food: I had a pu-pu platter (a total must there) in all of its flaming glory. I also split with some friends the Chicken Mauna Loa and pork fried rice. The servings were plentiful and the food was super tasty. It isn't anything gourmet, but it is just fun and tasty food. Things that are fried but not heavy. It was a delightful surprise. The decor. LOVE THE KITSCH! It is like you are transported back into the late 60s early 70s because I am sure that the place hasn't changed since then, and I don't want it to! Driving up to the place you might not think much of this windowless place, but the inside has all of the fun tiki items, like waterfalls, masks, canoes on the ceiling.. it won't disappoint. I chose to make my party a luau theme, and aside from giving leis to my friends and hair flowers to the ladies, the place was already perfectly decorated. Finally the drinks: Zombies, Piña Coladas, Blue Hawaiians, Mai Tais, Flaming Virgins. They come in Tiki glasses, adorned with fruit and umbrellas and they pack a punch (especially the zombies- seriously, you feel it even after one of those) They are tasty and fun. My only complaint was the gentleman who did their Karaoke. He didn't have a clear rotation and a lot of my friends left without ever singing. He was also crabby with some of my friends, pulling the microphone away from them. In addition to that, he sang a few times. I think as a KJ you should only sing if you have a slow rotation. He was very nice to me, but I still think it is worth mentioning. I will say that I did voice my concerns to the management, and they were on the ball with that as well. (That is why they still get the full 5 stars from me) It should be noted that they do karaoke every Friday and Saturday night, I will be going back with a smaller group to give it another shot. If you are looking for a fun night out, go to Lee's. If you are looking for some yummy food, go to Lee's. If you are looking for a great place to hold a birthday bash, go to Lee's. If you want to dine in a place with a fabulous and attentive and friendly staff, go to Lee's. If you love Kitsch, go to Lee's. You know what, just go to Lee's you'll be glad you did.
(5)Laryssa W.
I came here on a Saturday night for my friend's wedding anniversary party. We had a huge table reserved. On Friday and Saturday nights, guests come for the free karaoke, which takes place right in the middle of the restaurant and starts about 9 PM. When I was a kid, my parents used to take me to the Clifton location, which burned down a few years ago. I had never been to the Lyndhurst location before, but it looks a lot like how I remember the Clifton one: with Hawaiian-themed decor, white Christmas lights, waiters dressed in Hawaiian shirts. Instead of bread, the waiters give guests fried wonton strips, duck sauce, and spicy mustard for the table. These things are addictive! We kept asking for more for the table. The drink list is fun; the restaurant has an extensive menu of tropical drinks that are served in Hawaiian-themed glasses with tiny umbrellas and pieces of watermelon skewered on a toothpick. I ordered a Mai Tai, which was tasty and refreshing. The menu has Chinese and Polynesian selections. Everything is moderately priced, and the portions are huge, which means you'll probably be able to take a lot of it home. I ordered the veggie lo mein. For less than $8, I got a huge plate of lo mein with mushrooms, bean sprouts, and water chestnuts. The lo mein wasn't too greasy or salty. I was able to eat about half of it before feeling stuffed. Everything that my friends ordered looked delicious. People got sweet and sour chicken, pepper steak, dumplings, egg rolls and a few other Chinese dishes. I heard good things all around. Our waiter was charming and very accommodating. He came around with the water pitcher many, many times, and was always asking if anyone wanted more drinks. They did a great job dealing with our party of 18. Our waiter even serenaded the happy couple with a love song. He loved to dance. I will definitely take more friends to this place. If you're looking for a unique dining experience and yummy tropical drinks, I definitely recommend Lee's Hawaiian Islander.
(5)Mariana M.
Warning! Don't eat here for the love of God! The food is gross! If there was a 0 star option I would give it. Last time I was there with others I ordered the duck something and couldn't even eat it. The duck was hard and sauce was a glutenous red mess. I know good Asian food and this is laziness at its best. The place is super outdated but if the food was at least decent I would be able to forgive that. Not only is it in edible but its expensive. Not even alcohol helps and that is saying something. Only positive was that our server was a nice man but I couldn't understand a word he said and neither did the rest of the table. We just nodded lol. Oh and drinks were decent. Karaoke is a sham where the hosts sing most of the songs (old school mediocrity style) and make the rest wait. When you finally get to sing you can't hear anything because sound balance is nonexistent. How about getting a freaking monitor so singers don't sound like dying cats!!! In conclusion if you want to go somewhere where you can get trashed and make fun of people this is your spot. If you want a decent meal with friends, good drinks, and a fun karaoke experience this is not the place for you.
(1)Doug K.
Well I really wanted to like this place, but it was not good. The decor, from the bar to the restaurant, felt great to me because i like stuff thats kitsch like that. We joked in advance about wanting to sit in one of the hut-type booths, and then asked to be seated in one. It was extremely dark in there. The waiter seemed a little odd, asking if we wanted anything to drink FROM THE BAR. The noodle chips we were given were the highlight of the meal, and the tea was also enjoyable. Some people ordered drinks, which were garnished with maraschino cherries and pineapple, which seemed to have gone past their time. I ordered the Hawaiian Four-O, which was supposed to come in "flaming rum sauce" and someone else ordered the Chicken Mauna Loa which was supposed to come in "flaming piquant sauce". Neither came flaming in any way. All but one of us was served their dinner at the same time, the other coming five minutes later. Upon being served, we were told that the restaurant and kitchen were closing in ten to fifteen minutes. My dish came with chicken, lobster, 'filet mignon', and roast pork. Shockingly, the pork was the most edible part. The rest of the meats were simply not good at all. After we were told they were closing so soon, some people came in, were seated, and ordered food. Confusing. We were also asked many times if we wanted more drinks FROM THE BAR, even when being handed the paid bill back to sign. So weird.
(2)James C.
This place is lost in a time warp. Its really a chinese food spot with a Hawaiian theme which is fine by me. The exterior has the ugliest orange facade you have ever seen. I thought we were going to the Gatorade factory at first glance. Anyways, onto the service. Now I grew up in Little Italy/Chinatown, so having eaten in my fair share of spots on Mott St, I know that most chinese waiters have zero personality. As the case with most stereotypes, this held up 100% to be true @ Lees Hawaiian as well. So his demeanor did not bother me at all. Onto the food. It is solid basic chinese food. I asked the waiter what one chicken dish was and he said well its chicken with hot peppers and some other stuff. Again I knew what I was dealing with so I let it go. There are those few times that you are craving something very specific in your head and when they actually bring out a dish exactly how you imagined it would be, well its just a very satisfying meal. I ordered chicken cantonese style. This dish was 5 stars. It was a perfectly deep fried, sliced up chicken cutlet served on a bed of bok choy and broccoli in a brown sauce with a side of fried rice. Awesome and delicious. I actually went back the next day and got it again (to go). Now it is out of my system and I can stop thinking about it all day. If you are in the area, go get this dish. If not, forget about this spot. Lees Hawaiian - Aloha!
(3)Jenn L.
Went in for ablate lunch with my boyfriend Sunday afternoon. Only ones in the place everything was great. We were talking and eating and then suddenly felt rushed.. We will go back great place...
(2)Phil D.
Great meal and drinks and really reasonable. I really missed this place and the great atmosphere hasn't changed a bit from the 70s. I'd recommend to anyone. One of my favorites! I love coming back to Lees
(5)Thea K.
Highlight of my week ...no, year. ...No, life. The decor was amazing, the food was great, and the karaoke was hilarious. The drinks were strong and came in funny tiki glasses.
(5)K B.
This is not Hawaiian food. This is strip mall Chinese food with tacky, but fun, Hawaiian décor. The food is worse than your local Chinese take out. There are "Polynesian" choices but nothing authentic. Spend your money on the drinks.
(1)Brandon K.
If not for some of the interior decor, this would rate 1/5. The exterior of the building is a blazing orange that, on an overcast day, will blind you. Inside, it's mildly impressive. One wall of the main dining room has several rock fountains into what is supposed to be some sort of tropical lagoon. Except that the lagoon smells. The whole place has kind of an old-water smell, which I'm guessing is from the lagoons. It obviously needed to be cleaned or something. Outside of the weird smell from the lagoon, the interior is pretty cool. Lots of tikis, pearl and blowfish lamps, bamboo, etc. We visited on a Sunday afternoon at like 2pm, and no-one else was in the place. After bringing us our drinks and food, our server sat in a booth almost opposite and just watched us. While I'm sure he was intending for this to indicate his willingness to get us anything at any time, it felt a little more on the creepy side. He was an older gentleman who gave off the vibe that he didn't like his job and/or didn't like us and/or was clearly going through the motions. Food wasn't great. Not terrible, but not great. A little high priced considering the quality, but that is usually par for the course with some of these vintage tiki joints. Drinks were pretty good. I had two Mai tais and my lady had a Headhunter and a mai tai. We did enjoy the booze. While I really wanted to love this place, the weird vibe from our waiter and the weird smell from the lagoon were the ultimate turn-offs.
(2)David Z.
Great for nostalgic atmosphere and a night out with your gal. Big fan of the noodles and dips plus the platter
(4)Stephen D.
My girlfriend and I came her for drinks/dinner at around 5:00pm on a rainy Sunday. There were 2 other couples in the restaurant, we decided to sit at the bar. The restaurant does have a noticeable "scent," a mixture of aquarium and county park in Spring. That did not deter us from enjoying one of the tastiest beverages around, the Flaming Virgin ($6.50) a Rum and pineapple based beverage served in a large bowl cup with a flaming lemon rind. The bartender was very nice and helpful with any questions, we ordered the Spicy beef with veggies; very delicious a good balance of veggies and beef, and 2 egg rolls; a tad oily but great portion size and flavor. More than enough food for 2 people. We were very impressed by the food, considering the decor is a little off-putting most people would be deterred , but that's what makes it special. For $35 we had 3 drinks,1 entree and 2 egg rolls, you can't get that anywhere else. Places like this don't exist anymore, you come here for strong fruity drinks, unauthentic Chin-erican food, spicy-ness, and a forgotten era. Don't be shy., and don't let other reviews deter you. Lee's is a place everyone should visit at least once, if not for the MSG at least for the strong tacky cocktails!
(4)Franco C.
Campy Cool. This place is almost a caricature of itself. Lee's is owned by a guy named, appropriately enough, Mr. Lee. He is an absolute hoot and we had so much fun there that we almost had to stay - the drinks are absolutely the most potent things you will ever get for under $7. The food is pretty good- I'd say it is really Chinese even though they are going with the whole Polynesian theme. Lee's is old and in dire need of sprucing up. It smells musty, it looks dingy and with all the hokey totem stuff around, you have to laugh. It reminded me of that old Brady Bunch episode when they went to Hawaii. In spite of the mustiness and the completely shoddy bathrooms, the place rocks totally. I defy you to have a bad time there - If it wasn't so far away I'd go like every week. A must hit if you want to try something different. Prices are real cheap and parking on the side of the place.
(4)Louis R.
The parental units dragged me here in order to show me a bastardized version of my heritage. 1970's Oahu is my heritage? And let's not kid ourselves, mom and pop, this shiz is chinese food. If you think this is authentic polynesian fare, I gotz a bridge to sell ya. This place looks, smells and IS old. The service is slow because the servers are old. I wouldn't sully the essence of my hawaiian shirts by wearing them in this place. Thanks mom and pop. Don Ho is turning in his watery grave....toes on the nose style.
(2)Keith M.
Okay so i found this great place with the help of the internet. I saw pictures online and read reviews. They were pretty balanced with the reviews. Some loved the place and some just plain out hated it. I wanted to try out something new so i chose this place. I brought my 3 friends with me last night. Based on the reviews, people rated the islander zombie exotic drink 5 out 5 stars. Knowing me, i always order the best sellers in restaurants. In which i did. Our waiter, was the kindness china man with a funny personality. I can say china man because i do have 25% of china man in me. So back to the kickass islander zombie drink. It had pineapples in it so anyone allergic to pineapples, i wouldn't recommend ordering it. The china man had commented the islander zombie is the strongest drink in the house. We all got 2 rounds of the zombie. It tasted great! We had also ordered 2 orders of the Pu Pu Platter. It had egg rolls, fried shrimp, bbq and wings. That too was delicious. I wouldve never expected that kind of food and service from a place that looks like a strip club on the outside and a mob rendezvous ambience in the inside. Definitely coming back in soon!
(5)Mark I.
Screw all these bad reviews. This place is gold! It's like going into a time machine back to the 60's. Strong yummy drinks and karaoke on the weekends!
(5)Janice L.
I came for my friend's party one Friday night, we had 3 huge tables. We sit down and ask if we can split the bill and open our own tab at the table as there will be a bunch of us (many of whom we don't know closely enough really and we were only getting drinks). The waiter told us they don't split checks. He brought the manager over who again told us we can't split checks because she doesn't want to deal with putting it on like 5 different cards were her words. Fine, so we say we'll go to the bar, when we said that, they then went, "If you get drinks at bar, you cannot sit here!!!" Fine. So, guess what? That table sat ... empty all night and it wasn't like a full restaurant. The drinks are a bit pricey at like $7-10 each and I had about 6-7 (yup) ... so let me just say those drinks sneak up on you HARD. I was out all night and the next day trying to rid my body of the booze. HAHA So, yeah, they're pricey but they are strong and do not taste strong (even though many of them tasted alike). At the bar, the bartenders were MUCH nicer than the wait staff. They started a tab for us and even with their limited english, tried their best. Eventually I began just speaking Chinese to them and even got a free drink from the bartender after last call (THANK YOU!!!). So that brought the stars back up after my terrible experience earlier in the night. Also, bathrooms are quite clean and the decor (though old and dusty) was interesting. Also, we were definitely the drunkest loudest people there I think. Haha. And karaoke is always funny to watch and cheer your friends on!
(3)Chris P.
I can only assume that the fans/apologists of this place are blessed with strong stomachs and terrible eyesight. Lee's saw its best days when Carter was in the White House, and I suspect they're still serving egg rolls made around the same time. They'll cheerfully serve you Mai Tai garnish pulled from a pile of dirty dishes in the corner of the dining room. Heaven knows what goes on in the kitchen. Unless you absolutely, positively need to lose a dress size by tomorrow, eat elsewhere!
(1)Nicole P.
Ok so I came here to a small 30th bday party with about 10 friends, and from the start it was a bit annoying. We had reserved a table in advance and when I had arrived on time, the table wasn't ready. For a good 30 minutes we waited. I could see if the place was packed but it was not. They had Kareokee going on that night and I was super excited for that. The lady doing it was nice but kind of older. I wouldn't pick her for my first choice to host Kareokee sorry to say. We seemed to wait a little while for our server to come and take our food orders was a bit of a pain because our reservation was late to begin with and the of course the additional 30 minute wait on top of that. When we did get our food, which was appetizers, some of was good but some wasn't. We had a bunch of poo poo platters lit up like a volcano on the table. Some of the stuff was a tad too greasy and lacked flavor. We were all planning to dinner there but after we had that literally no one at the table decided to get anything but drinks. We conversed and drank and sang some Kareokee and then was wondering where the waiter was so that we could eat bday cake. We literally asked him 5 times to get it. Mind you the cake was in a box on the table right next to us, so one of my friends got up brought it over and lit the candles. I felt like our party didn't matter to them because we didn't order more food. It could have been a much better experience in my opinion. I thought it was gonna be my new spot for some Kareokee. Negative.
(2)Damian D.
A trip and a half. Actually, if I'd been tripping I'd give it 5 stars. A throwback to the sixties Tiki culture and early Polynesian/American food. Really sweet South Sea cocktails, amusing but bordering on seedy Tiki bar décor, and wait staff in threadbare Hawaiian shirts that have seen it all-it really is a must visit place, even if the food is 'meh'. I can't imagine how much fun it would be on karaoke nights.
(3)Carrie H.
I haven't been here since the 70's and it looks exactly the same. As my friends said, "we feel like we're in an episode of the Brady Bunch". Tacky tacky, but I loved it! I knew what to expect and that's exactly what I got. Friday night and it was a little quiet Would have felt better if there were more people, but honestly the food was great! I had to order a zombie and another and another. For an appetizer we had the pu pu platter because you just have to! And it was the same food that was in it 30 years ago. Also tried the steamed dumplings and honestly wasn't a fan. The dough was too thick and they tasted like the kind I get from Costco in a bag. My dinner included vegetables which all tasted very fresh. 8 different meals ordered around the table and everyone seemed happy with their food. The waiters were attentive and friendly, and it was karaoke night so the regulars were there, but again - that's what I went there for. To have some laughs and have some fun. Great night and I can't wait to go back again.
(4)Karen S.
A friend of mine picked this place for lunch. HUGE servings, good drinks, cool deco, good service (we got leis and even serenaded after out meal) wasn't the biggest fan of the food I got the Hawaii 5-0 and there was more vegetables than protein. It was okay but pretty over priced for Chinese food. Egg rolls were fantastic! I hear they have a good karaoke night on Friday and Saturday nights that I may check out.
(3)MandA R.
As a previous poster said, this was probably some amazing place back in its prime. You could almost picture the gangsters and their girlfriends in pastel gowns tossing back mai thais while listening to Hawaiian Elvis songs. Sure, the decor is a bit tired and maybe it's not what is used to be, but I loved it anyways. My husband nearly crashed the car when he spotted Lee's. We were headed somewhere else but my husband has recently fallen in love with anything tiki. We sat at the small bar, perfect for people watching, and ordered a drink. The Zombie drink I had erased my brain, and hubby's mai thai was really good. Both served in authentic tiki style cups. You know the porcelain totem pole kind. We shared steamed dumplings which were great and enjoyed the complimentary won tons. If you're in the area you gotta go. In fact if my husband "runs out to home depot" too long one day I might find him here.
(3)Jenna I.
What is wrong with you people. Lee's Hawaiian Islander is the absolute best 1970s plastic flower tiki-themed windowless concrete kitsch fortress this side of Fiji. Not kidding, it's absolutely amazing, hilarious and flat out great. It's the type of setting that makes you feel like you should be in either a mob movie or a romantic comedy, it's so out of time and unique and pure New Jersey. I'm so glad places like this still exist, especially in the sea of bullshit hipster manufactured ironic tiki bars that are basically just one step to the left of TGIFridays. Or even worse, bullshit 'fusion' restaurants that try so hard to impress you with their stupid food concoctions that taste fine but mostly are just overpriced "you'll never guess what I ate" bragging rights. Down with the ironic reinventions, up with classic-ass cool places like Lee's!!! The food is fine- it's basically what you'd expect but honestly a bit better. They have some really neat sounding dishes and I'm excited to come back and try them all. They're also not super greasy or salty which I appreciate-- everything tastes fresh. I had a great pork fried rice, a great spicy chicken and peanut dish and a great mixed seafood dish, no complaints and no stomach aches. The drinks are great- also what you'd expect in a good way. The atmosphere here is key. If you don't like it, go back to PF Changs and get the hell out of New Jersey. (You know I'm not joking around because I'm a goddamn Brooklyn-born-and-raised girl who's *GASP* /defending/ New Jersey right now, but again, THIS IS SERIOUS BUSINESS.)
(5)Jack R.
I should submit 2 reviews on Lee's - one with 5 starts for pure hilarity and nostalgia and one with 1 star for just about everything else. Lol! So I settled for 3 stars. For the good - similar to a bar where "everyone knows your name", there is a following and you know the regulars from the occasionally curious. The regulars will table hop and say hello to each other, high-fives karaoke-ing, know the waiters by name, etc. This place is exactly as I knew it 20+years ago, seriously the same seating, decor, serving bowls, and probably the same servers! So for the bad and the ugly. The cleanliness is far from acceptable. My friend had a chewed piece of gum in her tea cup - she told the waiter and they just swapped it for another one. The pupu platter used to be the best thing, now it's kinda meh. The meat tasted like it had curry on it. Rice tasted old. Weird. Seats and floors were sticky. Mr. Lee at one point was spotted carrying in a bag of dunkin donuts. I could go on and on. But did we have a good time. Hell ya. The drinks were good, the atmosphere was kitschy and nostalgic. It's like a casino - no windows, no clocks, you have no idea how long you are sitting there and you don't care. Our waiter - Joe (although he told us it was Tom) was seriously rocked out of his mind but he was hysterical and kept us laughing the whole time. So ya go, be ready to be shocked by certain things, close your eyes, and have a great time!
(3)Carl K.
My favorite time to go to Lee's is for Friday night karaoke. The atmosphere and decor makes the whole thing feel like some Rat-Pack era dinner club, especially if somone belts out a Sinatra song. The hosts Linda and Marty have a pretty extensive song selection and the regulars are fun to watch. The crowd is friendly and there is always at least one birthday being celebrated. The food has gotten better recently, too. Not sure what they did, but it used to be inconsistent. My favorite is the boneless spareribs cooked well done. Most of the food (like the pu pu platter) is fried, so don't expect the most healthy night out. But you will have a blast if you go on a Friday when Linda is hosting.
(5)Chita D.
Envision the most cheesiest 70's Hawaiian decor you can think of. THIS is where you'll find all of that...but guess what? I LOVE it!...and you'll love it too, damnit! The corner booths are set-up like faux tiki huts with a big conch shell hanging on top...it made me feel like a 5 yr. old in a Hawaiian playhouse...I was all giddy & whatnot. This place has been family owned since my friend can remember & the quality of the Polynesian/Chinese food has not changed. Really good food, decent prices...because it's family-run & mostly everyone knows each other, they make sure you're well taken care of. The alcoholic beverages were *eh*, but you're not there to discover exotic drinks...you're there to enjoy some good food, beneath a big ol' conch shell...as you wonder if your parents thought a joint like this was bad-ass back in the 70's. Lee & Me are homies...I'll let you be his homie too.
(5)K C.
Dont waste your time. Service took about 20 minutes - drinks took about 40minutes. They even forgot to bring one of the drinks. The drinks werent even that great. Everything came at different times. The food came out seperate times - 10 mintues apart. They brought out a steak med rare, realized they forgot to put the veggies on it, then 15 minutes later they bring it back out sizzling onto the hot pan causing it to then become very well done.- . The nicest thing about the place is the rock walls and water.
(1)Michael L.
Best chicken wings in Jersey!!! The zombies make you feel great too.
(5)Mike C.
Fun place with good food. It's a dive but a fun dive. One of those places that must have been super popular in the 60's and 70's hung on and is now retro cool. When we first moved to Lyndhurst I swear I thought it was an abandoned building. After looking it up it sounded like fun so we went to try it out and really had a good time. From the waterfall to the karaoke to the funny waiters it's a fun place to get some quality Chinese food.
(4)Gerard C.
Need a vacation for a few hours? Want to go to Hawaii but can't afford it? Want to impress someone from out of town? Then you must get a table in the center of Lee's and order rum.
(4)Marcus D.
This is a Chinese restuarant you would see in a mob movie. Very schlocky, sleek, slick South Seas decor,lots of bamboo and rattan, fake palm trees and running water over fake rocks. There is a damp smell about the place, but that lends itself to the "charm." We came here only for drinks since the staff warned us, several times, that they were closing in an hour. We opted to sit at the bar, on one of the black, duct-taped stools, hang out with the locals, and suck down a zombie, so strong that a second would have knocked you on your ass. It's definitely a must visit.
(3)Lori P.
Great place, food is good but not great. I keep coming back for the karaoke. The place is dated but the staff is dedicated.
(4)Mitch A.
This place is amazing! If you want a place where the food is almost not edible but has the most amazing and weirdest atmosphere, this is the place! I went here once and sang Leo Sayer, you make me feel like dancing. I was up on the chairs and people were going nuts. Definitely order the Zombie drink. They pronounce it "Yombie" ;) The decor hasn't changed since 1972, and there's probably more dirt in the light fixtures than on the ground, but that's what gives this place the character. Come here with a bunch of friends and you'll have a blast. I ended up kissing a cougar after I sang here. Watch out for the cougars! ;) The guy at the bar once told a girl that she couldn't get water. He said because people that do a lot of coke drink a lot of water, so she must be on coke! It's so classic, I love this place!
(4)Ethan M.
This is what I Do Not understand... how can anyone give this place a good review. I had the worst experience of my dining career at Lee's Hawaiian. Scary, from the creepy waiter that kept asking us to order drinks( when my wife was pregers) and smelled like he was drinking, to the entire vibe in this place. Don't go here please, there are much better places to eat. I would never visit this place again after the horrible experience we had. The food was horrible too. I'm a very honest critic, so that's why I Warn you. If you like dirty places to sit at a bar and drink. Fine. But if your looking for a good dining experience. Don't.
(2)Leslie C.
Absolutely terrible. Service was awful, smells even worse. And the food? Nasty. Drinks were warm and the server was strange. Gum stuck to everything, duct tape galore. $40 for untouched food. Waiter didn't even question why a party of 4 didn't eat anything. He did not understand when we told him the food was inedible. Did not care. Run from this place.
(1)William N.
Lee's Hawaiian Islander is one of my favorite restaurants in North Jersey. You would honestly think that you were in Disney World but this place is as real as it gets. Like Chan's in Ridgefield, Lee's is one of the few Polynesian style restaurants left in area. As long as you are comfortable with "to-the-point" waiters and the local Lyndhurst "old depressed guys" crowd at the bar, this place is a true gem. I, for one, think it adds to the atmosphere. The food is great and the decor is something out of the Brady Bunch. I would recommend the Pu-Pu Platter, and going there on the weekend for a more lively atmosphere.
(5)Dawn M.
We love this place for casual fun dining. Highly recommend panfried wonton, steak kew and butterflied shrimp with bacon. The place could definitely stand a renovation but so could my house! Good food good prices good times. We often stay awhile and get a few laughs out of the karaoke crowd. U generally always see a party table...its a good place to go for birthdays engagements bachelorette parties or any other happy occasion. If u live in the area u hafta try it at least once!
(4)Trey R.
I was brought here for a karaoke night. A tiny man belts out great songs. Otherwise mediocre. But that part is worth a trip.
(3)Andrea M.
I would give this place three stars but the condition of the place is awful. The food is good, as are the drinks and the theme would be great - if they steam cleaned, renovated and redecorated. You know how your clothes and hair absorb smells? Well, in this place you don't leave smelling like fried noodles, it's more like moldy basement. I do not know how a place that large could smell that dank and wet. Oh and the bathroom - I came out feeling dirtier. Use the ladies room and you should understand. This being said, I can only imagine the state of the mens room. The food is ok, but I have to wonder about the kitchen conditions because of the rest of the place. I don't know how it passes any kinds of inspections. Not the greatest.
(2)Jon N.
I was very happy when the owner reopened after 'Sandy'. If you're like me and was brought up on eating in NYC Chinatown, than you're always comparing any Resturant outside of NYC Chinatown. Well---, I like Lees very much. The food is as close as you're going to get north of NYC and if you know what you like as Chinatown, they will cook it for you.
(4)Janelle F.
I was excited to go here because of the fond memories I had of it as a little one, plus my parents loved it while they were dating (early 80s). Unfortunately I was very disappointed, the building itself needs some modifications. The decor is the same as I remember, cool but outdated. Now for the food an service ... the server is very straight forward took our app order an drink order an returned quickly with the drinks. We ordered the pu pu platter which was decent, except for the fact that the server burped as he set it down. Then the server only returned halfway into the app to take our dinner order. Got the entrees at all different times... rude. I got the garlic shrimp which were so over done they tasted like rubber and to top it off there were 2 hairs swimming in the sauce!!! They comped the meal and asked if I would like another, but I was so disgusted I wanted nothing else. Now they must have overheard that it was my sisters birthday and came out an sang to her an coughed all through the song, not covering their mouth. I am thoroughly disappointed an will not be returning unless there are major changes.
(1)Brad J.
If you come here on a night when they are doing karaoke, be warned the service will be horrible. I was recently here on a Saturday night and once the karaoke started it became clear that this place was horribly understaffed. The restaurant is quite large with a medium sized bar. They only had 1 bartender working and it took about 20 minutes to get a drink. Also of concern is that they cannot process credit cards at the bar. When a customer pays a bar tab with a credit card the bartender must leave the bar area to go to the cash register by the entrance of the restaurant then come back with the check. While waiting for my drinks at one point I struck up a conversation with a couple who said they practically lived at this place. They knew the staff by name and it seems that this is mostly family run and operated. This family happens to be rather old and not very fast at anything. The couple I was speaking with admitted that normally the service is decent but during karaoke it is horrible. Outside of incredibly slow service this is a decent restaurant. The restaurant is rather large and the atmosphere is better than average for the area. The food is average, but the prices are average too, so it works out. The drinks are above average, and obviously the karaoke is fun.
(2)Hash S.
The service is spotty, the menu hasn't been updated since the Ford administration and the drinks could peel paint off of a '73 Gremlin, but I love it with all my heart. It's one of the last remnants of Trader Vic's-style tiki culture and the last such establishment in this area since the Jade Fountain mini-chain and Bloomfield's Pu Pu Inn closed. The backlit photos of Polynesian islands, the wilting bamboo huts, the carved tiki god tumblers, the blowfish lamps -- they're all continuations of a great theme. I'll give you that this place is old, but as Stevie Wonder says, never is it dirty. They keep the place in outstanding condition and keep the American Chinese fare better than the area's average. The crab rangoon and lo mein are excellent complements to an evening of karaoke and comaraderie. Some people appreciate what this place and its longevity, but some don't. I'm just glad to see that there's been more of the former than the latter in recent years.
(5)Katia O.
Lee's Hawaiian Islander is a good spot to go. The food is reasonably priced as are the drinks. It has a 70s atmospere and karaoke on the weekend offers some mellow, but good entertainment. The waiters and service are very quick and you'll never have to wait long for a refill or request for anything. I highly recommend it. It's a happy vibe and a friendly place.
(4)Sasha M.
This is not my favorite pick but it is a funky atmosphere and for some reason my mother loves it. I will admit the food is great. I think we could use a little face lift though on the look of the place. It is a nicely prices restaurant, it is cute for a date, and I think my mother always has an entertainment coupon when we go.
(3)anita s.
I grew up in Lyndhurst This was our favorite place to come for birthday dinners and other celebrations. I am so happy they are still around the food is really good. Its a little dated but that is part of the charm.
(5)Robert M.
This place is a dump and the staff were rude and slow. The last time I went to Lee's was about 12 years ago and even though the food was mediocre at best it was a fun place. So today I take the family there and initially I was happy because there were no customers and this was at 4:30pm! One of the kids had to go the the bathroom and the one of the toilet seats had dried feces wiped on it, ok I use other stall and get the hell out of the br. Then it took a little to long for our waiter to take our order and when he did he mumbled something and I gave him our order. I had the Mauna Loa chicken which was a breaded old chicken cutlet with sweet and sour sauce! I asked to wrap up one if the kids meal and he was really annoyed and yanked the dish off the table dropping 2 pieces of chicken on the table and about 5 more on the floor! Then they give me the bill which was $78.00 , I put $100 on the bill plate and the waiter doesn't come back? Finally the guy who sat us down asked if we needed anything else and I told him yeah my change!!!! So out comes the nasty ass waiter with my change and he sits across from us at a table and was watching to see how much tip I was leaving! So I hid my hands as best as possible and put two fortune cookie papers on the tip plate and covered it with a napkin.....no tip at all. F this place, the food is disgusting and very low quality and the staff need attitude adjustments. DO NOT GO TO LEE'S.
(1)Kimberly C.
Ugh this place was terrible. First off the place is so dark and creepy. The restaurant is so outdated outside and inside. We had a rude snippy waiter. We ordered the pupu platter , was mediocre. Entrees came out , my one guest requested her dish (orange beef) not spicy. Yet it was so spicy , they came and demanded that it wasn't spicy. Whatever they took the meal and made her a new one not spicy. Myself and my other guest order the Hawaii Seafood. This dish was awful, obviously frozen seafood. As we concluded our meal we handed them our coupon from the newspaper. "20% off total bill" they were beyond annoyed and made it very obvious. They adjusted the bill and a man came back to the table demanding that we must tip in cash. This was not an issue as we intended to pay the bill with credit card and than tip with cash. But totally inappropriate the way he yelled at us. They were completely rude about the whole situation. When they came back with the credit card slip to fill out and sign , we noticed they charged us $10 more than the adjusted bill! We brought it to their attention. The guy disregarded what we were saying, talking over us and said we were wrong. The manager came over and said " what do you want ! " They voided the original charge and re charged the card the correct amount. They came back with the new slip to fill out and did not provide the void slip. Extremely annoyed at this point I demand the voided copy for my own sake. Not even a single apology. Arrogant assholes at this place. They know nothing about customer service. NEVER going back !
(1)Brianne Y.
I understand that some places can be so cheesy that you have to love it. This is not one of those places. The front bar area is cool, but just looking into the restaurant area is going to make you want to leave. The decorations are horrible, the food is the worst ever, and the old chinese waiters are terrible. I don't know if they're rude to be funny or just rude. I seriously don't know how this place stays open. Friday and Saturday nights they have karaoke, which draws a few groups of people. I can't imagine people going there on a normal night though. The old chinese men sing and dance to the karaoke, which is funny the first time, but gets old after that. I think that's the only thing that keeps people coming. And the drinks are good. But I suggest you just go to a normal bar.
(2)sunoak s.
The one star is for the decor, which is super cheesy but pretty awesome. The food was normal takeout Chinese food, even though they label some of the menu options as "Polynesian". The tables were dirty and looked like they had not been scrubbed clean in years. All of this would have been fine if the waiter had not been so nasty to us. When we asked for drinks, he nearly slammed them onto the table and in the process spilled our tea. I asked him what was in one of the dishes and rather then telling me, he just stared at me. The experience did not get any better when it came time to pay the check. Our bill came to $53 and some change, we gave him two $25 Visa gift cards and $4 singles. He waved the singles in front of us and rudely told us to "Pay 15% percent". My boyfriend and I just stared at each other in disbelief. As we were leaving, we were stopped at the front counter because the manager and our waiter were having trouble with our gift cards. Our waiter tossed the cards at us insisting that they had been declined. The manager, who was nice, explained that he tried to put $26 on the cards and they had been declined. We explained to him that they were gift cards and only had $25 on them, which is why we gave him two cards and $4 singles. I then noticed on the counter that the singles weren't there because the waiter had pocketed them. No joke, he took them out of his pocket and threw them on the table. I couldn't take it anymore so we left. Bottom line: Get takeout.
(1)Sara C.
I've been back to Lee's a few times since my last review for drinks, and it's always been mediocre. I like it because it's walking distance from my house and the fruity drinks are really fantastic and reasonably priced. But the staff is awful as ever, and I feel like they're getting worse. Last night I stopped by for a drink around 11:30 with a friend. I hoped to get a snack with it, I asked if I could get a bowl of pork fried rice, and the waiter basically shouted "NO. KITCHEN'S CLOSED." Okay... That's fine, but no need to yell at me. At 12:45, bartender came up to me and the remaining patrons in the bar and yelled "FINISH YOUR DRINK AND LEAVE, NOW." I don't know why these guys are so rude. They're so rude it's almost funny... But not quite. This place could be really great and a whole lot of fun if the staff was better, but their bad attitude can really sour your evening.
(2)Phil S.
I've been coming to Lees for many years and I like the décor. It is a fun spot, the staff is nice, the food is OK. I like it because it is local and I would recommend it.
(3)Ubu W.
We had to send back our pancakes for our Mu Shu because they were stale. Our waiter was borderline retarded. His manager was a dick who rushed us to sign the check because he needed his pen back. Loud kids and negligent parents rule the roost here. An otherwise nice restaurant with cute decor and decent food abjectly ruined by white trash, poor management, and piss poor service and quality control.
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