mmmmmm meat! Chicken, Pork, Beef, Spam, Hot Dogs, Sausage...... This is pure, unadulterated comfort food. Don't go here if you are a vegetarian (although there are some veg options). Don't go here if you want small portions. Don't go here if you are on some sort of lame diet. Go here if you want a huge portion of yummy food that make you feel good! Go here if you are looking for an instant remedy for that hangover you are nursing. Go here if you need to fill your belly BEFORE you head out to provoke the inevitable hangover. We have been regulars at Bamboo Grove since it opened (I'll let you try to figure which of the aforementioned reasons brings us back to BGHG over and over). We love the people. We love the ambiance (especially the live music Thursday through Saturday). Mostly, we love the food. As I mentioned, BGHG is a mecca for meat lovers. There are too many combinations to mention, so I will tell you what we order. We LOVE the Auntie's Shoyu Chicken made spicy with Sambal sauce. It is a delicious combination of sweet and spicy. Besides the bounty of meat options, there is the macaroni salad. Ah! The macaroni salad (THIS may be the reason I return to BGHG). Each of BGHG's "Grinds" comes with the Hawaiian staples, a scoop of rice and a scoop of macaroni salad. This "Mac" is practically nothing more than macaroni and mayonnaise, but there is something addicting about it. In fact, I always forgo the rice and make my order, "all Mac, please!" (dieters beware!) Typically, we dine in at Bamboo Grove (because the service is super speedy) , but they also offer a full-service catering service that we have used for personal and corporate events. The food is always just as delicious, and there is always more than enough to feed an army! One last thought...in these difficult economic times, we are all looking for a good value when dining out. Bamboo Grove definitely fits the bill. You can feed a family of four for under $50 without forgoing that pint of beer and glass of wine (always much needed after a long work week) while listening to some great live entertainment!
(5)
Michelle H.
I was born and raised on Oahu, HI, and this has to be the WORST Hawaiian food I have ever had. I fail to understand any good reviews for this place, except perhaps the atmosphere, which is nice. The food is awful per local Hawaiian standards- most of it...dry chicken dishes, stringy ribs, super greasy kalua pork, and most of all - the worst hamburger steak I have ever had. The gravy is a wierd sweet concoction and the hamburger was absolutely flavorless. The noodle dishes taste awful...period. As far as shoyu chicken goes, theirs is horrible, and shoyu chicken is so easy to make..how can you possibly mess it up? I should know, because I have been making my own for years, based on my Mom's recipe. Because it was one of the original Hawaiian restaurants in Portland, in addition to Noho's, we have eaten at this place several times on our own over the years, in addition to two catered lunches at work. After my first so-so experience, I hoped that each meal I consumed here would improve. No such luck. I have tried nearly everything on the menu, and have been disappointed every single time. After giving them so many chances to improve the quality of their food, I give up. I will never eat here again. This is the worst example of local Hawaiian food ever...
(1)
Brittany W.
They got my order wrong!!! And I couldn't be happier :) I ordered the spicy chicken teriyaki and they brought me spicy korean chicken. It was wayyyyyy good. I loved it so much I knew I got the wrong dish, and wasn't going to say anything, but I had to find out what I was actually eating so I can get it next time. Would have given the full 5 stars but the mac salad was over mayo-y for my taste which is half the reason I go to Hawaiian. Bonus for the refillable P-O-G tho!
(4)
Eric L.
Everything you've heard about the food here is true. Portions are huge and great value for the dollar. My girlfriend and I love this place, but this evening constituted one of the worst service experiences we've had ever. We showed up just before 5 for an early dinner, and were the first people in the door. Our waitress sat us, and what would become the norm for the rest of the meal, disappeared for 10 minutes, and when she did reappear, she was more interested in gabbing with the woman who had come to place a to-go order than take our order. She finally did, and then went back to helping the to-go people. During this time, we observed several people waiting at the front get annoyed and leave without ordering, our drinks taking another 10 minutes to arrive, and a Father with his daughter getting seated and then ignored. Not the best service to this point, but we really enjoyed their food...enough to stay regardless of the wait. Our drinks were delivered and my girlfriend's lemonade was little more than water with a slice of lemon in it. She tried adding some sugar to taste, but it still wasn't adequate. When this was mentioned to the waitress, she remarked "I thought it looked off, but would you like to try another glass?" Next, our appetizer came up to the window, and there it would sit under the heat lamps until the rest of our food was ready, yet another 10 minutes. At that point I should have grabbed the plates myself. Our waitress finally served us our plates, and upon the first bite, everything was either luke warm or cold. I set my fork down and waited for her to come by. The father/daughter table had yet to have their order taken, and she dropped their waters off and I asked for boxes. I wasn't going to have them remake the food to have it sit under the heat lamps for another 15 minutes, or just microwave it when I could do that myself at home. She was more than happy to give us some boxes, but the thought never occurred to her to ask why we were going to leave immediately after the food was dropped off. That was the last interaction we would have with her. She, nor the other waitress asked us how our food was, or how we were enjoying our meal, more attention was being paid to the to-go orders than the sit down customers. The chicken dish the father ordered had been sitting under the heat lamp for 5 minutes by then. We left before knowing whether their food had been delivered either. I left a note on the napkin saying how we had been treated, that our food had been served cold, and we would be taking it home to eat. If you bring the appetizer plates out, you should serve it before the actual meal, not after the main courses had been set out. If someone says the lemonade lacks taste, don't comment that you thought it looked off, and offer them another glass of the same. If you're going here, you're best advised to place a to-go order, as that seems to ensure to limit your staff experience, while enjoying the food, which is very good.
(1)
Sharon M.
Really good food here, but the Hawaiian owner doesn't seem very happy to see his customers. When we were there last we were hoping for Kahlua Pig and I mentioned we were off by one day and he snapped, or grunted rather at me. It felt like we were bothering him to be there. Usually the service is friendly and helpful. Perhaps I'll call ahead and take my food to go next time.
(3)
Mc G N.
this will be my last meal. i thought those words, and i will live that life. i would eat here every day if i could. i would be a sumo. and a bad one. loincloths are not my style. therefore, no daily gorging. this time i had loco moco, and it was plate lickingly good. the burger patty tasted like real cow meat. not pressed TVP. great grilled flavor, and sitting at the little bar in back, and having plate after plate of amazing foodgasm.
(5)
Jen R.
* Great ambiance * Delicious Food * Big Portions * Good clean Location * Good Terriyaki Sauce, and they have extra on the table..they don't charge extra for it like some other places! Love the terriyaki chicken, and always get the terriyaki beef. Just tried their Ahi Poke, and it was good. Desserts good, drinks good, same staff every time!! I have brought in sooo many different friends and family here! Its a jem
(5)
Andrew S.
Best...restaurant...EVER. Hands down THE best Hawaiian food I've ever had. Heck, the best FOOD I've ever had. The Kalua Pig is unbelievably good and the mac salad is the best around. I literally wish I could eat here every day.
(5)
Lizzie B.
I was really excited to try Hawaiian food, as I never have had the experience before. The restaurant is relatively tiny, and decorated with a nice island feel without coming off as cheesy. As a former vegetarian of 10 years, I still can have a hard time with certain types of cuisine - this is definitely one of them as it's very meat-centric. I debated back and forth on what to get, and finally decided to be adventurous with the kahlua pig sandwich. Pork was the last meat frontier I have finally crossed back into eating-with trepidation. This was some damn yummy pork! Finely shredded with lots of flavor. My dining companion, who is Korean, was not impressed with the kimchee since it was not very crisp. And his chicken and rib plate left much to be desired. The overwhelming flavor was burnt ash. We topped of the meal with the pineapple sorbet. The presentation was neat: a hollowed out pineapple half frozen with the sorbet packed inside. The flavor was pretty mellow, and there was no raspberry coulis topping as described on the menu. Service was super prompt and accomodating; so extra points for that. I would go back Thursday through Sunday for the kahlua pork, otherwise I would skip a return visit to this place.
(3)
Glenn G.
I read the great reviews and was craving some Hawaiian, so I surprised the Mrs with a date night and drove up to Portland. The lady on the phone told me to take the exit for some street a few exits up on I-5 and made it sound like the place would be easy to find. I took the exit and got lost. When I called back, the hostess told me she didn't know the part of town I was in (somewhere over by OHSU after I tried to ask directions from someone at a store). When I asked for her to put someone on the phone who could direct me, she said something about it being a full house tonight in an attempt to avoid giving me directions. I lost my temper...here this wench gets me lost, then she won't help me find my way to her business so I can spend my money there? What the heck!
(1)
Brandon C.
Great place for lunch. Lots of choices. I like the fact that they have different sizes for a lot of the meals so that way everyone can choose what portion they want. Great tasting food. Very authentic. I think their mac salad could use. Little work. Overall great place to eat but i have to say it's more worth the drive to Vancouver to eat at Hawaiian Style Grill.
(4)
Josh B.
The portions this place provides are out of control. Never have I been anywhere near close to finishing a dinner here. Infact the last time I was here after eating the Yakisoba Noodles I could not fit all my leftovers into the box they gave me, Yes, my leftovers warranted two boxes... The staff is friendly and always attentive even on the busy nights. A decent beer and drink selection too with a good number of house drinks. There is no parking lot but I have never had a problem finding a spot less then a block away. Probably not the best place for vegetarians, but a fun house for carnivores! I grew up with 1/2 of my family being Hawaiian and have spent a good amount of time on the islands, this is the real deal for sure and is truly the best Hawaiian Restaurant in the Portland area. The owners seem to really care about this place and it shows! My only complaint is that is there is no AC, so on hot days, it can really get warm inside... Other than that, Come Hungry!
(4)
Jeff T.
Sitting in PK Thai around the corner, I always wondered why there were all these people in lolo shirts in the area. Sad to say it took me so long to actually look and see that Bamboo Grove is there. While, I'm not partial to lolo shirts myself, it is a bite of the Islands. The mac salad is legit and I'm a huge fan of the kihei ribs. I have to limit myself from going there or I'll have to buy some lolo shirts to hide my growing girth.
(4)
Renae S.
SO GOOD!!!! i finally ate at noho's but it didnt even compare to bamboo.Im not a fan of mac salad but theirs is delish !very big portions
(5)
Bryan A.
I was introduced to Bamboo Grove when I moved here and we had an instant love affair. I bring all of my out-of-town guests here. It's a must try. I love all their dishes (grinds), especially teriyaki anything and kalua pork (which is only available Friday and Saturday). Most people who like macaroni salad like Bamboo Grove's, but I'm not one of those. They'll substitute another scoop of rice or a green salad of passing quality.
(5)
Mike K.
Great Hawaiian plate lunch. I had the grilled mahi mahi and it tasted like steak, not fish. The service is stellar and I'll definitely be back to check out more of their menu. My friend had the loco moco and it looked dankest of all. I like everything about this place.
(5)
Erin M.
My boyfriend LOVES Hawaiian food, and when I heard good reviews for Bamboo Grove, I thought it would be a great way to make him happy. We stopped by this 100 degree++ weekend, and of course Bamboo Grove felt especially tropic without air conditioning. At least it was a few degrees cooler than being outside. I was pretty impressed with the decorations, it felt very Hawaiian and I loved being there (despite the heat). We ordered : *Vegetable Lumpia ($3)- four egg roll type appetizers, which are greesy and generally bad for you. Lumpia usually has meat in it, and these rolls were thick enough in diameter to seem like egg rolls. The dipping sauce added spice, but I probably wouldn't order these again *Ahi Sandwich with macaroni salad and grilled pineapple ($8.00)- The tuna was decent, somewhat lacking in flavor as well as cut. This restaurant depends heavily on the sauces- mayo, etc for flavor. Wayyyy too much mayo in the mac salad. Grilled pineapple was delicious though *Loco Moco (med, $9.50)- rice, topped with hamburger and eggs, and COVERED in gravy. Way too much gravy, so much we had to slop it off onto a plate. Just overboard. Overall, this was a fun restaurant but we will probably try a few other Hawaiian diggs before we return.
(3)
Stayshuhh G.
LOVED this place! I always worry Hawaiian restaurants are going to be corny and filled with hula dancer dolls and leis everywhere, but this place seems authentic and definitely not over-the-top. The food and drinks are delicious, fast and excellent to take home for lunch the next day. Many items let you choose what size you want ("small" is large, "medium" is huge, "large" is ridiculous). Prices are great, service is laid-back and genuine. I just moved to Portland 2 months ago and have been here 3 times. It's gooooood.
(5)
Felicia L.
I love this place. Their chicken dishes are soooooo good because they freshly grill the meat, mmm, bbq... And their workers are very friendly! I also have an odd love of spam (perhaps my NoPo upbringing?), and their spam musubi is the best I have found in Portland! I suggest the teriyaki chicken, and any of their veggie meat mixes. BTW -- you likely will never need a size larger than small, because their portions are HUGE, but if you do go larger, left-overs are always yummy!
(5)
Mike N.
The four star rating is based on multiple experiences. If I would have written this review based on my first time, it would have been five stars plus. I cannot imagine somewhere that offers bigger portions. Order a small to be satisfied but mediums and larges are worth it for the extra meal. Over time, the place is still good food but never lives up to how remarkable it was the first time I ate there. But, I live in the area, and the Hawaiian barbecue smell alone, makes me happy for Bamboo Grove's existence. If you have never been, it is a must.
(4)
Steve C.
A fun, funky Hawaiian restaurant in Johns Landing. You must go here on a Friday or Saturday and have the Kalua pork. You must. You owe that to yourself because you've earned it. You deserve it. If you don't believe that, I will send Stuart Smalley to your house. If you get the medium size Kalua pork, you'll have enough for a whole second meal later. If you get the large size, you may end up needing medical attention, but it will be worth it. Washing the pork down with a Hawaiian Mudslide (I think that's what they call it) is not required, but if you're not the designated driver, why not try five different kinds of rum in a 32oz glass? It will be worth it. Other stuff they make is good, too -- I can recommend the teriyaki chicken -- but if you're there on a Friday or Saturday, start with the Kalua pork. Really. End with the Kalua pork, too, if you want. I won't judge you. I give Bamboo Grove four stars only because you will probably need Immodium later. BUT IT WILL BE WORTH IT.
(4)
Kristine P.
If I had to chose between NoHo's and Bamboo Grove.. NoHo's would win only because their Korean Chicken is juicier and less tough. Other than that, their portions are perfect, the mac salad was delicious, and the service was stellar.
(3)
Kenneth H.
Huge portions of mediocre quality Hawaiian inspired fare. It is hard to decide what size you should order, but just remember that everything they serve does pretty good on the leftovers/re-heating the next day scale. I didn't feel like I overpaid, but I certainly felt like I ate here for quantity not quality.
(3)
Brie P.
Lots of food. Meet over cooked. Service friendly.
(2)
stephanie w.
My gramma and I were looking for a place to eat in my new neighborhood. The realtor told us about bamboo grove, it was spot on! We shared a mahi mahi sandwich with a side of cold macaroni salad. I am glad my gramma can't eat leafy greens, I would never have chosen the mac salad as a side because I have never had a good one before. This was so yummy, I wanted more! The mahi mahi tasted super fresh, and the guava lemonade was the perfect balance between sweet and tart. I will be coming back for more.
(5)
Sean B.
Great food. Great location. Friendly staff. Doesn't get much better.
(4)
Savanna F.
I heart this place. I used Yelp to weed out the good from the bad and I was not disappointed. There were several weeks when we were there at opening time on a Saturday or sSunday to get our fix. The Shoyu Chicken is super delish. I love the macaroni salad. My boyfriend lived in Hawai'i for 4 years and he can't believe how authentic this place is. The manapuas were a little dry but that might have been a bad day for them. Can't get enough of the teri sauce either. Portions are HUGE so if you get the medium size you'll probably have left overs for another full meal. The moco loco is good, the portugese sausage and rice and the teriyaki chicken, all super tasty. Probably the thing I'll miss most about Portland.
(5)
Kurt S.
YUM! Been going here for years. We always end up getting the same thing because it's so f**ng good. Spicy Korean Chicken (emphasis on spicy) and Auntie Shoyu's Chicken. They also have some of the BEST macaroni salad this side of the Mississippi. Great service and FAST takeout. Eating in is very nice too. Fridays they usually have live Hawaiian music. YUM YUM YUM UPDATE (5/13): I'm sorry to report that somethings happened to their macaroni salad and not in a good way. It is definitely NOT THE BEST any longer. Not sure what they did (started buying it?) but I hope they go back to their old recipe. This stuff kinda tastes like.... Resers.... But, the rest of the food is the bomb.
(4)
Samantha S.
Great atmosphere, amazing food & drinks!!! Plus they have a happy hour and drink specials daily. Ordered the pulled pork (which is available Thursday- Sunday) it was amazing. We have already gone back twice!!
(5)
Becky S.
The service was bad, they were understaffed. The worst part was out of our party of 12, 5 people got seriously ill from eating there. Be warned.
(1)
Jill G.
I have been to this restaurant 2 times and would go back in a heartbeat! I had the auntie shoyu chicken and it was scrumptious! Plenty left to eat later and the mac salad was yummy too! Will definitely go back!
(5)
Katie K.
The boyfriend started taking me here when he lived off of Corbett, and it is sooooooo goooooood, I'm almost (almost!) sad we moved across the river. First, the food is aaaaaaawesome, and, as everybody points out, comes in HUGE portions. We usually split an appetizer and a small combo platter. The Shoyu chicken is delish, as are the Korean ribs. I was very happy digging in with my bare hands for the ribs, chopsticks for the chicken. The appetizer we get? The sea salt poke (kind of a cross between sushi and ceviche). It's actually better than the stuff I had in Maui...though the Hawaiian Iced Tea was definitely better on the islands. The beers on tap are mostly Hawaiian brews, which means that if you like over-priced, tasteless lager, you'll be happy. Otherwise, stick with the bottled beer. It's a dollar less and you can at least have some Deschutes. The decor is standard tiki, and there's always a surfing movie showing (with the sound off). The seating area is small, and, as a popular place, you might have to wait a little bit before seating. The outdoor patio is great in the summer, and closed in the winter (I think). I believe they take reservations for large parties, which I'd definitely recommend. They do have call-in take-out (glory of glories!), and their happy hour specials are quite good, 4-5:30 or so. Service is pretty decent, no frills.
(4)
Sara D.
Ehhh...I dunno. I used to really like this place. It's not like anything has changed, but after eating there last night I probably won't be back anytime soon. Don't get me wrong, the food here is pretty good. It's just so much of the same thing. I guess the plate of meat and starch no longer does it for me. This girls gotta have greens or somethin! I usually order the Korean chicken, which has always been delicious, but everything comes with rice and macaroni salad. I guess you can sub a green salad for the mac salad which is definitely what I'll be doing if/when I go back. Maybe I just wasn't in the mood for it, but my chicken didn't really hit the spot, and there were actually a few big hunks of fat/gristle in it (eww). My guy ordered the Kahlua pork last night, and that was great. I ended up wishing I had ordered that and a salad. The atmosphere is cute though, the servers have always been nice and when they play live Hawaiian music it adds a charming touch. The prices are pretty reasonable and my boyfriend loves their food, so we'll probably be back at some point, but I'm not itchin to hurry back. I just think the initial sparks that flew between me and the Bamboo Grove are fading. Oh well, we had some good times.
(3)
Monica V.
Until we visited Bamboo Grove, my experience of Hawaiian food was limited to the stuff they have in strip malls in Arizona, so obviously I'm no expert on things Hawaiian. Having said that, the food was absolutely fabulous and the service was friendly, welcoming and top notch. Almost every review here mentions the macaroni salad and with good cause - it IS amazing. We'll definitely be going back - the kahua and teriyaki grilled chicken were fabulous!
(4)
Lisa S.
Dinner last weekend was amazing! Great service. Started with the ahi sashimi - could have made that an entree. Large portion and very fresh taste. Highly recommend the teriyaki pork and teriyaki chicken. Even the five-year old liked it. Macaroni salad is about as authentic as it gets - husband couldn't wait for this one and talked about it for days before heading here. They also have a back room that seats 40 or so for large group events.
(5)
Alex M.
Large portions of delicious healthy food at very reasonable prices in a festive casual environment, and live music to boot. Looking forward to my next visit.
(4)
Sara V.
OMG! This place is sooooo good! We eat here every so often and just love it! The pulled Kahlua pork is to die for!!! And their homemade macaroni salad is the best I've ever tasted. They have great desserts and drinks too. The wait staff is always friendly and attentive. And as if this place couldn't get any better, they are very inexpensive. They usually have an artist performing traditional Hawaiian music somewhere in the restaurant. My husband and I both love this place and highly recommend it!
(5)
Daryl C.
Ono kind grindz! Can't go wrong!! We used to drive up from Salem regularly and bring our guests there.
(5)
Emily L.
Wowza, where do I start? The teriyaki sauce is a thing of magic. I could probably put it on anything, and if not for judgmental stares, I'd probably just bypass food and drink it. I have had their tuna stir fry (with said, magic teriyaki) and it makes your toes curl in a way that is usually reserved for people who are overly enthusiastic about food. I know I've eaten other things here, but it's really the tuna teriyaki stir fry that's standing out, and that's typically all that I'll order. As others have mentioned, the portion sizes are gargantuan, so it's a good spot to visit with another person. Also, they might have the most darling litle patio for cocktails in the summer (and the cocktails are gooooood). If you're a tiki buff, this will be right up your alley. Challenge yourself to drive down MacAdam by The Pet Loft any day after 5 and you can SMELL how amazing the food is. Do it!! :-)
(5)
Lusha K.
The Kalua pork is amazing, order the large one so you have leftovers. If you like slippers, long board beer and a taste of Hawaii hit up this spot. Spam musubi is wonderful and try one of the tropical margaritas. This place has a comfy feel and the staff is always laid back and very nice. The portions are large and the price is reasonable. We go back often.
(4)
Cody W.
The best Kahlua Pork in town --too bad it's not served every day. Quality grinds, particularly the Loco Moco. Portions have dwindled just a wee bit post-recession. Ownership & most of the waitstaff are very nice & accomodating --there is one bad apple. Great atmosphere on Friday/Saturday nights with Hawaiian music. Bottom line, this is *the* place for Kahlua Pork in PDX.
(4)
Scott H.
Just ate their for the first time and had the beef teriyaki grind. It was good! Very flavorful meat. I'd say this is a fine place for lunch as the portions are huge, though a bit more expensive than what I would typically pay for lunch. The side dishes were rice and macaroni salad, both fine, and the service was adequately friendly.
(3)
Kitty K.
One of our favorite restaurants! The shoyu chicken is the bomb!!!
(5)
Kim I.
I just got back from Hawaii and I am going to go to Bamboo Grove right now because I am missing the islands already. It's raining and depressing here so at least the food will cheer me up. I always get the combo plate with half terri beef and half shoyu chicken, yummmm! All they need to n their menu is Shave Ice then I would eat there everyday! Service is pretty slow, they could pay more attention to their customers, but the food is so good and the portions are awesome, i'll keep coming back!
(4)
Casey L.
The grilled teriyaki chicken #31 here is charred to perfection. They give huge amounts & the mac salad is good too. The Kahlua pork sandwich is also a great choice for a Sunday lunch. The best Hawaiian food I've had so far!
(5)
Mido U.
after reading the reviews and seeing the pictures of the food, we were excited to try. however, we were unfortunately disappointed. service is super slow. she was nice, but clearly overworked being the only server there. she had to seat guests, tend to tables and buss them!!! people who came in were waiting 15 minutes to get seated, no that there weren't seats, but she was just so busy. we went at 1230 on saturday and it was packed. when paying, didn't even think of using a credit card. just left cash and left because waiting would have been another 15 minutes. food was OK. maybe we got the wrong things. the shoyu chicken was super sweet which was odd. my gf had the loco moco. the loco moco the egg was overcooked and not runny like how it should be. the gravy was probably the best part. would like to try other menu items, but probably wont go back unless they get another server and the poor service kills it for me.
(2)
Eric S.
As long time fans of Noho's on SE Clinton St, our expectations were high. Bamboo Grove was surprisingly good. In fact, it's our favorite Hawaiian-style spot in PDX now. Food is delicious. Teri-beef, Auntie Shoyu's Chicken, the bomb Mac, + Yakisoba Noodles w/house sauce are go-to's. Large plates. Fair service. What pushes it past Noho's: beer, booze, patio seating, and a more spacious, aloha feel.
(4)
Matthew H.
Dude. The helping sizes here are totally my style. I wish we had better plate lunch up here in Seattle, more along the lines of this. But don't fear, if you worry about your waistline you can always opt for a smaller portion of whatever you get. Had a chance to dip in here while they had music playing in the back which was very nice. I left to Corvallis after this and about fell asleep due to a loco moco hangover. Props to the owner and the staff for creating a place that could possibly be the sole reason why I want to stop in Portland!
(5)
Kevin M.
the shoyu chicken is the must have. huge portions. sit in the back room (you might not know its there unless you look) and listen to live Hawaiian music and dancers. fun!
(3)
Chad R.
As a child of Corvallis, where Local Boyz is an institution, Bamboo Grove is a similar style family feel place. I've taken a work lunch there (Very Busy) and today went on a spur of the moment thing. Even at 2pm on a Saturday it was pretty darn busy and the staff is wonderful. I had the Cucumber Namasu and can't recommend it highly enough. Then I went to my staples of Shoyu Chicken and Kihei Ribs. A small portion was more than enough for me. Thank goodness I walked some of that off on the way home. As a coy ploy to eat there again soon, I left my hat...
(5)
Melissa C.
Great food and huge portions. The small is more than enough for a meal plus enough for leftovers
(5)
Steven C.
Kavika is a god
(5)
Paris O.
Ive struggled with 3 or 4 stars here. I got the teriyaki pork and my girl friend got the teriyaki chicken. we substituted the macaroni salad, for green salads. the salads were, bottom of the barrel gross white chunks. ya know, none of the good green stuff. the guava vinaigrette however, was super tasty and helped hide the POOR lettuce selection. our meals DID come super fast, and super hot. at first sight of my dish, i thought...really? did you pick the worst possible piece of pork in portland? it was visibly gristle ridden with what seemed like few 'good' pieces to choose from. my girlfriends chicken looked a bit better at first sight. there was definitely visible gristle...but overall, not too shabby looking. now, on to the flavors. we both noticed that you could ask for your order spicy. we requested the 'homemade' spicy sauce on the side. i say, 'homemade', because the server stated that it was just the 'rooster sauce', sriracha. i thought, better than nothing. come to find out, it was actually sriracha, with a little add ins, and very tasty. overall the pork tasted A-MAZING. as did the chicken. the rice was well cooked and the cabbage bed it was all laying in, was a nice compliment to each dish. im choosing to give them only 3 stars due to the POOR MEAT SELECTION. i choose to buy all the expensive meat...you know, the new seasons stuff. COMPLETELY understanding the restaurant business, and knowing they cant provide that, unless we want to pay for it...but this meat was bottom of the barrel. dont get me wrong, these flavors rocked my face. but the meat was sub-par! portions are BIG.
(3)
Maria H.
Best Hawaiian restaurant in Portland! Only gave it four stars however because their mac salad could use less mayo.
(4)
kekai c.
Bamboo Grove should be on the must visit list of Portland eateries for anyone who has a desire for great tasting Hawaii food! So, I found out about this place from some friends of my mom's who were having a get together here to celebrate the Princess's birthday (Bernice Pauahi Bishop). Since then, I've been back two times both of which which I came with an appetite and left feeling happily content. The portion sizes come in three choices (small, medium, and large), with small being enough to satisfy any regular person, medium enough to share between two people, and large...better ask for a to-go plate! My friend and I shared a medium combo plate of Teri beef and Kalbi for $15 and it fed us well. It came with two scoops of rice and one scoop of mac salad, with about three pieces of each of our requested meat. For those that share the plate and love rice, a side of rice may be a good idea, but seriously the meat was so tasty I savored my last bites even without rice. Another great thing about this place is the live Hawaiian music that they have on Friday and Saturday night. The two "Anakalas" entertaining had a mixed repetoire of Hawaiian and hapa ha'ole songs that reminded me of my days working in Waikiki. For those of you wanting to celebrate with a large group there's a large room in the back you can rent that holds maybe 20 or so. In conclusion, I'll say it again... Bamboo Grove should be on the must visit list of Portland eateries for anyone who has a desire for great tasting Hawaii food!
(5)
Alan J.
I've never had Hawaii food, but Bamboo Grove is delicious. I had the Korean Ribs, and they were really good. They were the perfect mix of sweet and savory. They came with white rice and a really good macaroni salad. Eating at a Hawaiian place required a sweet drink too, so I had the Mai Tai, and it was pretty good. I took a bit too much time on it, so it was a little watered down by the time I got to the bottom because the ice had all melted, but that was my fault. The service was great - the server generally left us alone until she saw that we needed refills or help. We were catching up with friends so she left us alone while we had a nice long chat after the meal. I'd highly recommend Bamboo Grove, and definitely plan to visit there again.
(4)
Maile K.
Super good Hawaii food for Portland, it definitely compares to Oahu. The service was really nice and they handled our big party really well. The portions were shareable and everything went well together!
(5)
Travis B.
I used to live in close so proximity was part of the equation, but I've tried a number of other Hawaiian restaurants and none quite stack up. This place is still worth the drive.
(5)
Whitney O.
This is my most absolute favorite restaurant of all time! The portions are huge! I usually order the large because I know it will last me two more lunches. When my mom first brought me home leftovers, I thought it was shredded pork, but it was chicken. I don't know if this sounds crazy, but the Auntie's Sho's chicken tastes like pork! I think that's an amazing feat in it's self. Now, every time I go there, that's all I order. The meat melts in your mouth. The macaroni salad is to die for and the sticky rice is delectable with the special sauce. The $13 large plate gets you: a mound of meat, 3 scoops of sticky rice, and it's either 2 or 3 scoops of homemade macaroni salad. If this restaurant is anything like Hawaii, count me in!
(5)
Chin W.
Awesome food and experience. I haven't been to Hawaii but i thoroughly enjoyed the food. The service was friendly and prompt without outrageous prices. Will definitly be back
(4)
Dan H.
Great choice for local-style grub in Portland. Single visit was well worth it - huge portions and excellent food. Will be back for sure!
(4)
Lizzie V.
The Kahlua pork, macaroni salad, and white rice is served Sun-Thurs and apparently not on the written menu, but is so worth getting. The large (about $13) served my husband and I to the brim, and with ample leftovers for a whole other meal. We'll see who gets the leftovers... The server was a gem, and ladies, it is located next to Here We Go Again consignment store, which has some fun stuff to sort through before or after your meal. Enjoy!
(4)
Vic V.
Very close to Noho's in menu, price and food quality. A little more variety on their menu and larger seating area give it a small edge.
(4)
Holy-foo' X.
[After all these years still a very solid 4.5 star rating] Yeah, it's a little spendy, compared with similar joints (Big Kahuna, Aiea's, its former sister-franchise Noho's...). Yep, the service can be a little uneven--- sometimes it's been quite slow even when ours was the only group in there. Finally, I wish it were open later; as a graveyard worker, heck, I wish it were open all night! But from ownership/mgt. standpoint, I'd consider that a GOOD complaint! Off hand, I can't think of a single place I've ever eaten---even the ones like Bamboo Grove, where I've gone back over and over b/c I loved 'em-- where the service didn't at least occasionally suck. With that out of the way, let's discuss all the reasons to LOVE the 'Grove... 1.) Behemoth portions (they call it Bla-lah). Remind me, fellow yelpers, why this is ever a BAD thing? You all HAVE heard of doggie bags, yes..? Delicious leftovers for days to come is sorta something to look forward to, dontcha think...? Caveat: I personally try to remember to avoid the mac salad at all costs--- first, 'cos it's tantamount to declaring war on my poor, unsuspecting body. But also, it doesn't seem to 'keep' nearly as well as a leftover... 2.) Unbelieve bbq. Having played football in college w/quite a few Islanders, I know very well how they got so big and strong. Low and slow, is the way to do bbq right--and at Bamboo Grove I've never had a dish-- be it beef, chicken, pork or fish-- that wasn't super juicy, tender, and just right. 3.) Korean Combo Platter. Loco Moco. If they served just these two glorious dishes on their menu (w/regrets to the Kalua Pig, which is a very close #3), I'm convinced they'd still be every bit as successful as they are now. I'll bet there are plenty of folks who have been to B.G. many times already, having never tried either of these All-Universe platters. Go ahead. Try one these. Heck, try 'em both. See if they don't add at least one star to your previous rating! They actually each deserve their own separate star for excellence, but there's still one more crucial aspect to cover..... 4.) Cozy atmosphere and B-A-R. The grub is so filling that I can't imagine having more than one, MAYBE two glasses of beer w/dinner. It's just so very nice to have that little something extra, along w/the music, etc, to add to the ambience (Kahuna's, are you taking note?). Eating out on the porch, on a lovely warm summer night is a damn fine experience. Too bad they're not closer to the water.... Mahalo, Bamboo Grove! I sometimes dream of you. "But even when I dream of you, the sweetest dreams would never do, I'd still miss you, baby, and I don't wanna miss a tha--aaaang...."
(5)
Gary L.
Fun place to get your Hawaiian spirit of Aloha back. The good: Kahlua pig was moist, flavorful and seasoned like home-made. The lemonade hit the spot. Live Hawaiian music in the evening will take you back to the islands. Service was efficient and friendly, the owner warm and inviting. Some help needed: The chicken was a bit dry. The Spam musubi would have better if the meat was fried and the rice had some seasoning-vinegar, salt and sugar. Large portions will satisfy the hungriest in your party, and the prices are fair.
(4)
Leah H.
Although I'm aware that places like Roxy's have the best Hawaiian food, I am turned away by their focus on chicken. Generally speaking, I don't eat poultry at all. So shoyu chicken really does nothing for me. I don't care how good it is. I went to Bamboo Grove because I noticed their non clucking menu options. I went with a plate of ribs. Two different flavorings. While the seasoning wasn't bad, the ribs were horrifically gristly. They were fairly tender but tasted mostly like fat. My only assumption is that Bamboo Grove skips on meat quality. Which is unfortunate. My companion got the shoyu chicken (of course) and seemed pretty not okay with how sweet the dish was. He spent most of the meal trying to figure out where the sweetness was coming from and not enjoying the meal. I mean...the meal wasn't terrible. It just wasn't what I would consider to be "good." I'm holding hope that the kalua pork is as good as the other reviews say. I love love love pork but it was not being offered the day I was there. Although if it truly is there only remarkable dish, you might think that they would try to serve it everyday.
(3)
Jay H.
Just moved into the neighborhood and stopped here to pick up dinner on my way home. Ordered the shoyu chicken, which was fine. Nothing special, as far as shoyu chicken goes, but it was good enough and satisfied my craving for sweet salty meat and lots of carbs. The only real turn-off was the prominent sign explaining how they will only do a maximum of two separate checks per table. In my opinion, that's just ridiculous, especially in this day and age when almost everyone wants to pay with a card. There's some explanation about how it's to make sure the servers can be efficient and streamline service for everyone, but since 99% of restaurants manage to divide bills up in whatever way the customers want and still manage to serve all the other people in the restaurant, I find this pretty dubious. Frankly, I don't care what the reasoning is, to me it shows a lack of respect for the customers and if they're not willing to provide this basic service I have to wonder where else they'll fall short. So, while I'll probably keep coming here occasionally for food on my way home from work, I'll never suggest it to a group.
(3)
Ophelia Y.
Ordered the two-item combo for take-out, and it definitely hit the spot. Creamy, rich mac salad, a healthy portion of rice, tasty Kahlua pork, and Korean ribs! The extra sauces are well worth it - light and sweet - the perfect addition to our meal! Take-out was fast, and property packaged to make it home without a spill!
(4)
Shanyn L.
I usually love this place, good food for a great price. But... Today I met my husband and brother there they had been waiting about 10 min when I got there and they had already told waitress they were ready to order. I arrived right behind a large party and we sat and watched the staff fold napkins while we waited for someone to take our order. After another 10 min, of waiting with no service we got up and left. Really disappointing!
(1)
Peter T.
Had a most excellent meal from them via Delivered Dish. Have to say their pig (pulled pork) is some of the best I have had. We also had the poke and cuke salad, both really great. Some of the most authentic Hawaiian I have had in PDX!
(4)
Bob H.
Short story - skip this place. I am a big fan of Hawaiian food. So much so, I would overlook sticky tables and bad service. Bamboo Grove was not great food in general so the sticky table may have pushed me over the edge. I had lunch there today since I was in the neighborhood. The server met me at the door and asked how many in my party while having a conversation with another customer. I respond just me (no response from him)! He then grabbed a menu and sprinted out of sight to a table in the back room like he was trying out for the Olympics. When I made it to the back room looking lost, someone kindly reunited me with my menu. When "speedy" came back to take my order he just hovered like he was ready to dash off for another 100 meter menu relay event. I opted for a green salad instead of the mac salad with Kahlua pig. I guess I should have been specific on the color of green salad. The pale green salad was accented with rotting lettuce dark green and yellow. You know, like the salad you forgot about in the rotter drawer of your refrigerator that is now semi-liquid. I pulled out the more "colorful" pieces an put them aside. I get that salad is perishable and goes bad. When I have done this before, the attentive server notices and makes it right. I guess at Speedy's pace, it was a blur. Though plentiful, the Kahlua pig was dry and not very flavorful. I ate less than half when I realized I have a less picky 15 year old boy. My water was good! Bill came to $12.00 FYI I seldom write a review. I previously have always given a place multiple chances to account for a bad day. I felt compelled to review this place since I will not be going back. In a town where the choices for a meal are virtually endless, it is a shame retail space was wasted on this spot.
(1)
Katie S.
Yummy!!! We got two plates and it fed all 8 of us (four kids!) great service and good food. We'll be back!!
(5)
Lily L.
Kimichi, Spam Musabi, Kuala Pig, and Korean chicken were all dishes I shared with my boyfriend. The bill came to around 24. We were both very full. Kimich was like $4, and it was served into a small dish. To be honest, I would skip it, since the portion size made it felt like a rip off. Also, for an appetizer, it wasn't their specialty. Spam Musabi, was priced at $5, there were 4 pieces. It had a piece of cooked egg and spam inside. The cut of the spam was very thin, it could been cut twice as thick. Then our main dish was a small combination plate, priced at $14, it came with a side of rice and macaroni salad. My boyfriend and I didn't not really cared for the macaroni salad. I literally ate one piece, and I could tell you it was bland, not even a slight salty flavor. The kaula pig was delicious, it was very moist, and same with the korean chicken. Service itself was ok, nothing phenomenal. We were seated, and promptly got our food served. We went Saturday before dinner rush and they were out of hibachi ribs. Last time we came here which was about 2 years ago, the kuala pig wasn't that great. I might conclude, they might just have off days.
(4)
Alexis C.
I love this place! The kahlua pork is SO EXCELLENT, especially smothered in the sweet teriyaki sauce. And I love it when restaurants have variable serving sizes--for the kahlua pig, 'small' is enough for one hearty eater, 'medium' is enough for a hearty eater and a more moderate eater to share and lick the plate clean, and 'large' is enough for 2 to share and still have about a meals' worth of leftovers! The service is usually pretty decent, the staff is always friendly... they do get SUPER busy though, and its a pretty small place, so definitely expect to wait if you're going on a Friday or Saturday evening! It's a little easier when the weather is warm and the deck is open though.
(5)
Olivia T.
It was a hot summer night and we wanted to eat out at a restaurant with AC. We called Bamboo Grove and they said, they have AC. Woohooo! Score! Hawaiian food + AC = heaven. We drove there, parked, walked in and....... no AC. They have fans and air, but it's not cold inside. It was warm, but the place smell soooooo good. We decided to stay. We ordered Lumpias and Spam Musubis for appetizers. They were delicious appetizers and I'm a HUGE fan of Spam...call it what you want..SPAM is da bomb. For our entrees, my DL got the Loco Moco that I didn't even got to try (he ate it so fast...like a vacuum cleaner :) ). Akemi & I shared a plate of Combination BBQ platters. We ordered LARGE size and when the food came out, we wished we ordered Medium. The portion was HUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUGEEEEEEE. The good thing that comes along with the huge portion is the taste of the food. I love the BBQ meats in the combination platter and the Macaroni salad was delicious. Hawaiian food is not the same without the Mac salad. The price is about what I expected for Hawaiian food. It's not in the $ category, it's more in $$ category. Is the food worth the price tag? Yes and no. Yes if it's cold outside and you want to eat out at somewhere warm, no if it's hot outside and you want to eat out at somewhere cool because they don't have AC.
(4)
Carissa G.
I LOVE Bamboo Grove Hawaiian Grille. I was born and raised in Hawaii and Bamboo Grove is some of the best Hawaiian food I've EVER had, including Hawaiian food from Hawaii! The portions are huge, the food is delicious and it's fairly inexpensive for what you get! I personally like to get the Hawaiian BBQ pupu platter (teriyaki pork, portugese sausage and shoyu chicken) with rice on the side, but everything on the menu is so good! They even offer vegetarian options for those who don't eat meat. My only qualm is that they don't accept more than 2 credit cards, so if you're going with a large group of people, don't forget to bring cash.
(5)
Delilah K.
Always a favorite place to go and love sitting on the deck. We order a few items (in the Large size) and switch plates cuz' everything is so dang good. Last visit was a Saturday afternoon. Nothing like a soft breeze, chill music and good people. Only thing missing with my coconut sorbet was a hammock.
(4)
I K.
Bamboo Grove is hands down the best Hawaiian food available in the metro area. They have a wide variety of foods, from spicy, meaty, deserts, drinks, and sides. By far my favorite item on the menu is the Macaroni Salad. The veggie menu is excellent and contains really good descriptions of the ingredients. The Iced tea is also very unique, definitely worth asking about if your into iced-tea. A typical meal at this place is huge, definitely recommend planning to take a left over container and making 1 or 2 other meals out of the left overs. The table service at the restaurant can be slow during busy times, outback especially when a live band is playing service can slow down a bit. The eating experience can take a long time and its definitely a good spot for a date or family get together. The outdoor porch is nice in the summer time as well. On busy weekend days there can be a long line or crowd so plan ahead if you have something to get to afterword. My friends who eat the meaty items really enjoy the pork dishes. Definitely about time i put in a review on this place after coming here for quite a while. Don't miss out give it a try.
(5)
Jesse E.
Great food at a good price. While it is more expensive I easily get two meals out of it and my girlfriend gets three. I recommend 25 1/2. It is a combination of stir-fry vegetables and your choice of meat. I recommend the korean chicken. I have also tried the kalua pig, it is traditionally quite salty but I still enjoyed it.
(5)
Orian I.
We came here for a team dinner. The service was excellent and fast. The menu is pretty diverse. the spam musubi was thumbs down-on a side note, i suppose i will never find good spam musubi sad face. so onto the good stuff. - The portions are huge you weren't kidding! - The cocktails i got were a nice pour and tasty. - the service was on point and friendly and quick - the space is a nice and can accommodate a larger group for dinner What I had was the combo plate with hibachi ribs and Korean ribs. The rice was good, the mac salad was a little more mayonaisy then i like but a large dose of siracha fixed that. The Korean ribs were sweeter than i like but were good, kind of like meaty jerky? tasty though. the hibachi ribs were excellent. more charcoally and just salt and peppered. I also tried some of my team mates dishes, the mahi mahi was ok nothing spectacular. the yakisoba was just kind of sad, but standard.lots of cabbage, limp noodles and flavored only by terry sauce. the shoyu chicken is shredded and salty and tasty nice with the combo platter and man they heap it on. I want to go back and try their kalua pork on the weekend.
(3)
Chris S.
Best Teriyaki in town. The portions are huge. Their small is larger than the average size portion anywhere else. Ordered the large once and it would have fed 3 average Americans, or 300 orphans. Good service, full bar. A great spot during the summer with a few outdoor tables. Need a place for a laid back business lunch, this is the place. They get 5 stars from me.
(5)
Lance R.
Best mac salad around!
(4)
Dave M.
A little slice of Aloha right here in sunny Portland. Great food and drinks and its always a mini vacation when we get down to Johns Landing. absolutely a gem.
(5)
c b.
The food is spot on YUM every time. The ambience is super chill, acoustic Hawaiian filled the packed restaurant with a devil may-care vibe last Saturday. No reservations but owner Dave squeezed a bunch of tables together for our large group. It was magic, thanks Dave ;) Imbibed with the Hawaiian Iced Tea and enjoyed old standby's: auntie shoyu's chicken, korean-style ribs & teriyaki pork. We had kids of all ages silently wolfing down their meals. I ordered 5 large combos and the waitress suggested a more affordable way to order the same food. (Nice huh?) It was plenty for our group of 14. Great place for a family gathering. When the wet weather quits the patio will be stellar! Go enjoy some ALOHA.
(5)
Jen K.
I haven't eaten in the restaurant but had them cater a dinner. They were great to work with over the phone and the food was ready and waiting when we arrived. I ordered the Big Kahuna Platter which comes with four grilled meat items over noodles. They say perfect for a hungry party of four, but it was a ton of food for $60. The Kihei ribs, spicy Korean chicken and mac salad were especially good.
(4)
Kip L.
I've tried this place 5 times now and can't seem to ever get a solid meal. We live about 1.5 blocks away from the restaurant and I am always encouraged by the smell of freshly grilled meat but ever meal that we've managed to get lacks that "fresh off the grill" taste/texture. Years ago I lived around the corner from Local Boyz (now Noho's) and so I know that this cuisine can be excellent.
(2)
Parker P.
The shoyu chicken is really good, but sometimes a little overcooked/burnt-ish. Maybe not the best service in the world.
(4)
Mark A.
The place was nice. Service was excellent. They called our party of 6 a large crowd so they would not separate our checks into anything more than two. They said they can't, I say they won't. The Kahlua Pork was good, the loco moco was great, & the teriyaki beef was like beef jerky: Flavorful & chewy. I loved their spring rolls & spam roll-ups. Excuse my lack of memory on the exact names. It was Friday so green beers were on sale so that was a plus. The Mac Salad was way creamy which I personally love. I would not change it a bit. Overall I enjoyed myself quite a bit. 3-stars might be a little harsh, but hey whatever. PDMA
(3)
Adam E.
Warning: The portions are huge! Don't be afraid to share a large portion between two people. I went to Bamboo Grove for the first time last night and was very pleased. They had live music and an atmosphere makes you feel as if you have just stepped off a beach of Hawaii. It was very busy, the staff was friendly, working hard while maintaining the aloha spirit.
(4)
Erica B.
I LOVE this place. Ok the atmosphere is a little cliche & the lighting sucks but I still love it. The best part...the Passionfruit Margarita!! One of my fave cocktails of all time. Also, I stopped eating meat about a year ago & their grilled Mahi-Mahi sandwich is great when I get those cravings for a smokey, grilled meat flavor. Mac salad is awesome too but really rich & creamy.
(4)
Annette V.
This place is very close to my house and I've had the opportunity to eat here 3 times. Every single time, I gorge and feel guilty afterwards, but they really serve up some decent food. The decoration is bit much and you feel a bit cheesy here but if you ignore it and concentrate on finishing your healthy portioned food, you'll be ok. Wish they had AC and better ventilation though. It always feels like a smokehouse in here and I sweat through my meal. Mac salad is ok, not the best or worst. Last time I had the kalua pork which was a real winner. Ribs are also tasty, wouldn't recommend the burger though. 2/3 times I was here, live music was present-nice treat with your meal. And oh...they have the best candies to finish your meal off with...pina colada tasting and oh so good...I try to grab a few as I waddle out the door each time :)
(4)
Heidi C.
Bamboo Grove is one of my favorite restaurants in Portland. They have great food. I have had multiple different plates here and they are always delicious. They sometimes even have a live Hawaiin band that play on the weekends which adds a nice touch. my only complaint is the service is usually slow here.
(4)
Cynthia J.
Where do I begin?? The food? The portions? The staff?? All amazing! I've had a serious craving for Hawaiian food for a while now (I am refusing to go to the Hawaiian place by my house- no loco moco, c'mon, and you call yourself a Hawaiian restaurant) and I had to run errands in the area. I walked in and ordered a take-out order. Knowing that I was waiting for the food, the staff was SUPER helpful and quick! I ordered the kim chee, Hawaiian style poke, Kalua pork, 'da other' saimin and a lilikoi iced tea (not all of this was for myself, I swear). I mentioned I was taking the bus and the waitress was immediately like, "let me get you a box instead of a bag so its more stable!", "we can split your saimin into two bowls so it has less of a chance to spill", etc. She also refilled my iced tea while i was waiting. It was awesome. The real treat was when I got home. The portions were HUGE. I saved the kalua pork and poke for my bf and I dove into my saimin and kim chee. The portions of the saimin were so large that when I put both containers together, I had to use a serving bowl I use to entertain with. HUGE. The homemade kim chee was great. When I couldn't eat anymore, I dumped it in my saimin. Best Idea Ever. Stuffed myself and still ended up with a full container for the next day. The poke was a beautiful bright pink color- gorgeous. And they did such a great job trimming the fish- there were no fatty strips running through- absolutely great quality of fish. The kalua pork was delicious. My bf and I both made sandwiches with it and still had more to spare (which is okay by me!). All in all, this is a great option if you need to kill some cravings for some local food and can't afford the plane ticket. I can't wait for my next trip to Bamboo Grill!! (loco moco then!!)
(5)
Tony D.
I was blown away by how amazing the food tasted. They were extremely busy and were still able to have our food out in a very timely manor.
(5)
Laura C.
I'd heard about this restaurant for awhile so when it came up in conversation recently, I talked the friend who mentioned loving it, into going with me. She said that her and her co-workers eat lunch there on a regular basis, so I knew it had to be good. She was right about the portion sizes; they were HUGE! We got the wrong order from our server, but that could have been out fault. My friend is quiet as a mouse so the server may have mis-heard her. Within 5 or so minutes, the item we were sharing came out, piping hot and fresh. We split the grilled teriyaki plate 9which comes with white rice and macaroni salad) - that easily could feed 3 lesser pigs. We finished most of the meal - but only because it tasted so good. I got to take the leftovers home, because my friend doesn't like to re-heat meals. Her loss. The bartender didn't have gingerale - which is required for the drink I wanted - so she made it up. I was very happy about that :-) The restaurant itself isn't very big, but we didn't have a problem getting a table because we went really early. I hear they have a back room for catered events as well. Regardless, the food is so good, it's worth the wait.
(5)
Mills M.
Best plate lunch in Portland. I've tried a few others around town, but I think this is my favorite. It is the closest thing to the islands that I have found. Their mac salad is great, and the only one I've found that tastes anything like what I had in Hawaii. And don't forget the POG juice. I have tried Ohana's - it just wasn't as good. But I am always on the hunt for something better. There is street parking only, but I have never had any trouble finding a spot right out front. If you don't know how to park, you might end up walking a block. Probably a good thing to burn off those calories.
(5)
Katherine B.
Excellent. The closest thing to the island right here in Portland. The portions are large and I recommend trying everything.
(5)
J V.
Auntie's Shoyu Chicken and Korean Chicken. My perfect carnivore protein fix. I get those dishes with out the mac salad, since I'm not a mayo fan. Always friendly staff and I love the surfing movies that they show. Makes me want to go to the beach.
(4)
Matt L.
strikingly delicious, if I were in the neighborhood I'd no doubt have made multiple trips already... as it is, my first trip was delectable, featuring a rib sampler (and all ribs sampled were juuuuust right!) and a drink that combined 7-up, tequila, and likely midori, which is basically one of the eight or so perfect meals I could imagine. I can't see any reason not go back... and soon!
(4)
Jessica G.
Will never come back here! I just left after waiting for an entire hour after we ordered our food. After a full half hour after we ordered, our waitress finally stopped by and claimed they were "behind" and had some random excuses why that was happening. She did nothing to try to make us more content, or any of the customers waiting for that matter. And she was not willing to tell anyone when the food would be ready. I heard the people at the table behind us say when they finally did get their food that it was completely cold and that they were really disappointed. Here is when it gets beyond unacceptable... After a full hour went by I asked her if she could please give us a time frame as to when our food would be ready. She said no she could not! And I asked her if she could please find out because I had to get back to work (I have a job that isn't stoked on two hour lunches... imagine that!) and that we would have to leave soon. Her reply was unbelievable.... "I don't care if you DO leave!" I informed her I would be writing a yelp review and we left without eating. I have eaten here before and thought it was okay Hawaiian food, nothing to write home about. I have worked in the restaurant industry before and totally understand that sometimes things happen and get delayed. But I also learned that first and foremost, you must make the customer happy if you want them to come back to your restaurant. After this, I wouldn't touch this place with a ten foot pole. If you enjoy bad attitudes, cold mediocre Hawaiian food, and terrible (actually, inappropriate) customer service, this is the place for you. We stopped at Subway on our way back to the office because I was starving. I was extremely satisfied with their service and my sandwich.
(1)
Nai S.
This is the place to go for lunch and be able to take it home for dinner. Great food and amazing portions. Pros: Portions, Prices Cons: The stuffed feeling after
(4)
Matt J.
This place came highly recommended but didn't nearly live up to the hype. The chicken dish we had was decent, the spam and egg sushi bearable, but everything else was instantly forgettable. Save your money and try somewhere else. Only big positive I saw was that the portions were enormous. I've seen a few reviews here mentioning the maccaroni salad - all it was for me was pasta and mayonaise. As a southerner, it was one of the worst tasting maccaroni salads I've ever tasted. Don't buy the hype.
(2)
Annie T.
Oh my goodness! Talk about heaven on Earth! We just had Bamboo Grove cater our company picnic at Mt. Tabor park in Portland, the food was so amazing I don't even know how to describe it. If you're looking for the best food, Hawaiian or not, this is the place to go. Three days later I can still remember the sweet taste of the chicken... oh my, I have got eat some more!! And the sooner the better!
(5)
Joseph H.
The best Hawaiian food you'll find, regardless of what Island you're on. Bamboo Grove delivers gigantic portions of food at reasonable prices. Those portions just happen to be about the best Hawaiian style BBQ you can find. They consistently deliver so well from their grill I never oder anything else! Ribs, spicy Korean Chicken, Rib Eye (real rib eye), Kahlua Pig, and salted or sweet meats round out an extensive list. There's two pages of other choices on their menu, but the "grinds" is where it's at. A large can easily feed two people and I've actually shared it with four on several occasions. It sounds like I'm bragging about the size of the food, I'm not, their grill needs to be tasted and savored. It's something special and there's only one other place in the state (Ohanna's) that can even come close to what they're doing. Drink's are a little pricey and the menu is a limited if you're a vegetarian, let alone if you're vegan. (good luck). Here's a tip for you, scramble your mac salad into the rice and douse it with their house made teriyaki sauce. Trust me, if you give in to the temptation of Huh-why-EE, you'll be back time and again. You'll just be sad when you can't find a grill like the Bamboo Grove when you're actually in Hawaii.
(5)
Zato I.
I come up to visit once a year for a week, I found this gem i will be back for some soul food. I like it alot here, be careful the large portion is for a big appetite, enjoy highly recommended
(4)
J M.
As usual, went there on a busy Friday night. The service was great. I was a little dismayed that they called a party of six a 'large party'. This meant that we were not allowed to sit outside or have our checks divided. This seemed a little snobbish to me. Given the amount of patrons, I guess they can do what they want. Now for my snobbishness - I've eaten in Hawaii and this didn't quite live up. It seemed to be more of a Korean/Hawaiian joint rather than anything authentic. That said, the food was still very decent. I wouldn't say that anything was great, but it wasn't disappointing either. The portions were generous and the price was on-point. The loco-moco was average though I was disappointed to see only one egg for two burger patties. The spare ribs were a little overdone for my taste. The kahlua pork was nicely done. Overall, I'd say this place is worth a try, but I've actually found a different, local Hawaiian restaurant that I like better. (also, the bathroom is tiny and hard to get to with the line being right in front) Still, a mild thumbs-up.
(3)
Kim D.
Auntie Shoyu's Chicken and Teriyaki Beef are among our faves. Of course the macaroni salad is the key - makes the whole meal! It takes us a good hour to make it to Bamboo Grove but still we often make the drive up for dinner. Plus, anytime we're up for an appointment in the PDX area, we call for dinner to go and it's always hot and ready. (Be sure to ask for the macaroni salad to be boxed separately!) The kids love it, we love it and are even happier when the bill comes and it's so reasonable! The portions are HUGE and leftovers reheat wonderfully!
(5)
Krystal O.
I don't like to give out five stars often. But I had THE best macaroni salad of my LIFE here. The teryaki Chicken that I have been smelling for the last year and a half (I work down the street) did not leave me disappointed. Very flavorful, cooked wonderfully, and a giant portion for the price. The waitstaff was very nice, cheerful, and prompt! I will eat here again, and I even bought one of their cool tee shirts! =D
(5)
Becky P.
I have eaten here twice and loved, loved it each time! Simply delicious food!
(5)
Becka L.
Delicious Hawaiian food, great ambience. Ate here this last weekend with my husband's siblings for dinner. The restaurant itself is a little bit dark for my tastes, but I was also told that the patio dining (when sunny enough) is wonderful. There was also live music that evening, with ukeleles and singing - very relaxing, traditional music - nothing blaring or anything that would cause indigestion. My husband had the Kalua Pig, which from what I could see was a serving of shredded chunks of pork, wonderfully and not too heavily seasoned. I think that this is only served on Fridays/Saturdays and is enough food for two meals. I had the Hibachi ribs, the small plate, which was nicely peppered and grilled perfectly - the meat was just this side of cooked, which I love. I'm sure they'd cook them more if that was your preference, but it was really tender and flavorful. The small plate came with four good-sized ribs, and all of the dinners come with rice and a really good macaroni salad. It was nice to see that they had put some actual thought into the salad - most restaurants that serve macaroni salad just throw mayo, S&P in, but this one had more fun stuff. Altogether a quality, relaxing restaurant with friendly service and a laid-back atmosphere. If I lived in Portland I would probably come here every two weeks!
My best friend knew I was in need of some local food rehab so we stopped at Bamboo Grove after she picked me up from PDX. We both grew up in HI so of course our standards are pretty high when it comes to Hawaiian food. We ordered margaritas for starters...which were rimmed with yummy li hing powder. I ordered the Kalua Pig plate and she had the Kihei Ribs. The ribs were sooo delish! I'm usually too lazy to fight with ribs and opt for the boneless dish, but this was well worth it! The char and sweet marinade was excellent. My kalua pig was ok, not fabulous by any standards. The staff was super friendly and the waitress admitted she accidentally gave us a disc on our drinks...NICE. I would definitely recommend this place to any Hawaii transplant that is homesick, I think this trip will hold me over until the next time I'm actually in HI.
(4)
John G.
Amazing! We don't have Hawaiian food like this in Chicago!
(5)
JS U.
With a great casual ambiance and 'Hawaiian friendly' table service, the food is really top notch, but what put this experience over the top for me was the kalua pig. Kalua pig is not always available on the menu, apparently and I haven't had it since I was a kid living in Hawaiian. This was one of those rare instances when something I remembered as a kid was as good if not better experiencing as an adult. OMG, it was a foodgasmic experience! The pork was perfectly smoked and seasoned and really seemed to just melt in my mouth, like a good slow roasted pork should do. It was a nice treat to be able to purchase a 2 lb. container of frozen kalua pig to take home too. Bamboo Grove is my new halekulani or 'house of heaven'!
(5)
Ian M.
Horrible service! Waited in front for 10 minutes without 1 word said by an employee to wait or how long the wait will be. Will not be back
(1)
Kizzie S.
Macaroni Salad, and a river of Teriyaki sauce swimming on and around it is pure bliss for my taste buds. I get the "medium" sized Chicken Teriyaki and its enough to eat and take home extra. They do not go light on the meat. The servers and owners are very friendly. I wasn't too fond of the Kahlua Pork, probably because I was comparing it to the one I had in Hawaii..It was way too salty....But everything else is delicious. Parking sucks but its that way in general over in that area, no lot, street only.
(5)
CaLiLu H.
Noho's is in serious danger of being pushed aside by Bamboo Grove. I love Hawaiian food and always in the mood to try something new so when my gal pal suggested this place of course I said yes! First of all, BG is a lot bigger than it looks so even though we came here at a prime dinner time on a Friday night we were seated promptly and even had the opportunity to listen to live music. We shared a combo plate of Kihei ribs and Korean short ribs and both were delicious. Our huge portions came out with scoops of rice and perfectly seasoned macaroni salad. I can eat a lot and this was a great deal and can be shared with more people! To drink I had the guava lemonade and it was refreshing and delicious! For dessert, we shared the coconut sorbet which was served in a coconut half shell. Service was friendly and fast and our server had great suggestions. I wanted to order the yakisoba to-go for my husband who's been craving some but the kitchen had already closed so this will be a great opportunity to bring him back to try other things on the menu.
(5)
Deren T.
Very ok! not super authentic... but maybe in a good way, everything tastes more or less the way you'd expect, but with better meat used... which is a weird gripe... but part of the charm of hawaiian food is the price... and that's way out of wack with what you'd expect... between 50% and 100% more than i'd pay at someplace like L&L... better in most cases for sure, but more expensive.
(3)
Michael V.
I live in a house with four Hawaiians and one other Oregonian. Interesting enough, it was the roommate from Oregon that introduced me to Bamboo Grove. The portions are HUGE, but they definitely come at a reasonable price. Went for a large combination platter to-go which includes two entrees, white rice, and mac salad for $18. I ended up getting Kihei and Kalbi ribs and switched my white rice out for more mac salad. The ribs were really juicy and flavorful with some fat on the edges. (: The mac salad was also EXTREMELY DELICIOUS, especially with a douse of teriyaki sauce! My arteries are still crying from all of the mayo in the mac salad, but I'm happy for the most part :D One order is like a serving for two (or three in my case). Sooo tasty, but really something you should only eat once in awhile--unless you want to end up like Iz....too soon? I love Bamboo Grove and will definitely come back for some more aloha goodness. :P OH, and there was a guy playing the uke there! How cool is that?!?
(5)
Richard R.
After receiving some input on the best Hawaiian places to go in Portland, I decided to venture into not the best place mentioned, Bamboo Grove, because of it's proximately to my bamboo hut (yeah, my house). We had reservations at 6:30, were seated at 6:30 and didn't see the waitress until 6:43. Not really complaining, just making an observation that 6:15 - 7:00 on a Friday is not the best time to go if you're in any hurry (they have takeout by the way). Plus, once we placed our food and drink orders it all arrived there within 5 minutes. For appetizers we had Two Spam Musubi (yum) and Cucumber Namasu (just fine); for main course we had Hibachi Ribs (not bad) and Kalua Pig (yum). Some of oiliest, or juiciest depending how you look at it, meats I've had in a while. Both came with a couple scoops of rice and the mayo-heavy potato salad. I'm not going to rush right out to Bamboo grove in the next few weeks, but it will be revisited from time to time.
(3)
karen c.
We recently had our rehearsal dinner at Bamboo Grove and were extremely happy with everything. They let us reserve their back room "Tiki Room" and didn't ask for a down payment or anything, though we were more then willing to. We chose to do it buffet style so everyone could try different things. Our server was Heather and she was fantastic. Our families can be a bit chaotic and she was able to get us everything we needed and quickly. They continued to bring out more food as people ate through what was out and even brought to-go boxes out when we were wrapping up so all of our guests could bring some home. And trust me, there was more then enough for everyone to take home lunch for the next day. The back room decorations are fun and it is great for kids. I highly recommend having parties (30 or less) here. Space, food and price are great!
(5)
h p.
my best friend lives in the neighborhood and often frequents this joint... must say... not a huge fan of korean ribs but bamboo grove does not disappoint- wow, finger licking good! also, i never try the random coleslaw/macaroni salad sometimes served with meals at restaurants... maybe because i was hungry that day... i'm glad i tried the macaroni salad because it was delicious!
(4)
Dean H.
I've heard such good reviews about the place and since I literally live within walking distance, why not try it out......mistake. WAY over hyped. Yes, the portions were big, etc. but the food was "no big deal". Macaroni salad was essentially mayonnaise with a little other flavoring. My chicken dish (so uninteresting I forgot which one) also came with two large globs of rice (unimaginative) and the mass of chicken pieces was overwhelming and boring. Also the service kinda sucked. I grew tired of the "you guys" expression real quick. Do women (our server) in their twenties have such a limited vocabulary that they repeat the same phrases to every guest that they address, regardless of age?? I'm all for informality and familiarity but enough is enough!! I almost felt like a cow at slaughter the way I (we) were being herded along to order/rushed. Granted the place was a little busy but come on! My advice, go to Hawaii, you'll appreciate it more and probably even enjoy the Spam, as is.
(1)
Stephanie C.
hey not bad! delicious, authentic hawaiian food. like the variety. sorry vegans and veggies, but the meat is amazing!! kihei ribs are foodgasmic. oyako donburi not bad either. comforting and satiating. decor is cute and festive w/o being too over the top. cute tiki room in the back with live music thurs-sat or sun. drinks and desserts looked delicious, though we didn't indulge this time around. oh well, we'll be back for sure!
(4)
JEWELS K.
Love this place! Food is delicious, you get a large amount for a decent price. Cannot wait to go back again, SOON!
(5)
Landon K.
yikes. bad, expensive bento. somehow even the rice isn't good. we paid $9 for a chicken bento.
(1)
Chris O.
Pretty good Hawaiian food in very generous portions! They do get crowded and it took a little while to get the food but the service is good overall and they have a good selection of beer and house made cocktails to keep you happy. I went with a combo kalbi and mixed veggie plate, which was very tasty. If you want Hawaiian in a sit down service style then do check them out, best I've had in town yet.
(4)
Laura Y.
Love this food. Last year went on a mission for the best Hawaiian food in town to order for an event. This place won hands down. Hint. Order more and take it home. Just as good the next day. Best Kahului pig!!! Live music too on sat night!!!
(5)
Kara H.
I am from Hawai'i, and this is my go to place for awesome food from home. They have great food...my boyfriend LOVES (understatement) their shoyu chicken and I always get their ribs. Best Hawaii food place in Portland!
(5)
Tara C.
You'd swear you were actually in Hawaii, based on the food and decor at Bamboo Grove! I found this spot on my last visit to Portland and liked it so much that I had to go back on this trip. It looks very much like some beachside cafe (complete with patio) that you would find on the North Shore, and the food is legit. They have a great little happy hour and the drinks are tasty too. I think both times I had some sort of guava and vodka cocktail. On our first visit, we started with veggie lumpia off the happy hour menu. Tasty, and a generous portion! For my main, I had the combination meat plate and I chose the kalbi rib and the kalua pork, while my brother had the chicken katsu special. A tip: the Small dinner size is HUGE; unless you're a starving giant, you will be plenty full and probably still have leftovers with the Small or Medium. I really enjoyed my plate, which also came with a scoop of white rice and scoop of mac salad. The mac salad is quite creamy and a bit sweet, but still tasty. Both meats were tender and flavorful. My brother's katsu cutlet was large, crisp, and delicious. On our visit this week, I, my brother, and his girlfriend shared the Hawaiian BBQ Pupu platter; it came with Teriyaki pork, shoyu chicken, and Portuguese sausage. It's rare that I say this, but that was almost TOO MUCH meat! (Would eat again) I gave the Loco Moco a try, while my brother had the saimin noodles (Auntie Size), and his girlfriend had the shoyu chicken plate. The saimin was flavorful and piping hot, though I think it could've had a bit more char siu. My Loco Moco was pretty good, except the gravy was a little sweet. I would prefer a gravy that's a bit more savory, but I still liked it. I had plenty of leftovers to take home, as did everyone else. So if I'm craving a taste of "aloha", Bamboo Grove is a great place to get my fix and pretend it's a sunny day on the beach, instead of a rainy night in Portland. I will be back!
(5)
Coreene C.
Very good food! Portions are perfect! The Mac is delicious! I've had many meals there and have only one time where the chicken was dry.
(4)
T H.
I definitely recommend the Kahlua Pork. Absolutely fantastic!
(4)
Y M.
Bamboo Grove USED to be good. They cooked everything to order. In the past 2 years, I've dined there a few times and quality has went downhill. All the meat is precooked. It sits and drys out. When you order they just reheat on the grill or pan for stir fry dishes. Take a peek into the kitchen and you will see precooked meats stacked on the grill waiting to be reheated when ordered. You can obviously tell by the look and taste how dried and overcooked it is by the time you are served. This is a shame for what they charge. I asked the waiter and that person confirmed precooked meats to be true saying it saves time. Very sad for a higher priced authentic Hawaiian plate that could and was so much better. Get back to your roots Bamboo and quit cutting corners. You charge a premium price and your diners deserve a premium product that should be above and beyond the Teriyaki joints. Bring back your Aloha spirit brah.
(1)
Lindsey B.
Great food, great atmosphere, amazing music! Definitely order the spring rolls. The macaroni salad is to die for, along with the passion fruit cheesecake. I'll be coming here a lot more often!
(4)
Star S.
The food at Bamboo Grove is DELICIOUS. My husband and I love the Kahlua Pork and frequently drive from Hillsboro to eat at Bamboo Grove; it's just THAT good. We also stop by many times when we're just in the area. This is the best Hawaiian food I've had in the Portland area and it's always delivered on the flavor. We usually share a medium-large between the two of us, depending on if we want leftovers or not. The husband loves to add a bit of sambal to his portion so that he gets some extra spice. We also occasionally add the poke or spam musubi to round out the meal. I would give this place 5 stars because the food is THAT good, but the past few times we've been in, the service has been lacking. 3 times ago, we ordered Kahlua Pork with extra rice and no mac. The server brought us... Kahlua chicken with mac and rice. He didn't write down our order when he came to our table and I think that was the issue there. 2 times ago, I placed an order over the phone for Kahlua pork with extra rice and no mac. The order was to go. I picked up the food and headed back to my car, so that I could drive back home to Hillsboro. I decided that I couldn't wait 30-45 minutes for a bite so I opened up my food in the car to eat a forkful or two. Again, they had given me... Kahlua chicken instead of the pork. I had to go back inside to get it replaced. This time, the server looked at the order receipt and it clearly said pork. The kitchen plated the wrong dish. We went again yesterday and ate inside. We ordered our food and I hoped that it would be correct. I was sitting facing the service window and saw our food come up and sit there for a few minutes. Our server walked by twice, once to help another table and another to seat a new customer. She never even looked at the service window that I could see. After about 5 minutes, another server walked by and saw our food in the window. He brought it to our table and everything looked great! My husband and I each had a glass of ice water and a soda. My husband finished both of his drinks midway through his meal and waited patiently for our server to come by again so that he could get refills. After about 5-10 minutes, our server came to the table in front of us, 2 adults and a baby, and refilled their drinks. We figured that we were next. As soon as she dropped off the other table's drinks, she immediately turned around and headed back to the kitchen/back room area. She didn't see me trying to flag her down. After another 5 minutes, she finally came back to our table. We were done eating by this point but she asked if we wanted refills and brought them to us. It was just a serious delay in even checking on us to see if we needed anything more. I'm sure she was busy with other tasks, because there were only 4-5 tables in the whole restaurant. There could be a lot of improvement in the customer service here.
(4)
Sophiea T.
Mahalo Bamboo Grove! Delicious food- HUGE portions. I suggest getting the small combo plate. It comes with your choice of two meats, rice, and macaroni salad. It's alot! The spam musubi comes 4 to an order and were pretty big. We've been here several times and enjoy the teriyaki beef, yakisoba, korean shortribs, and lumpias. They have outdoor seating, beer and cocktails. A word of caution- they will only split a check 2-ways so if you're bringing a group of clients who each need a receipt for reimbursement, you're screwed. Other than that, great place!
(4)
Chelsea K.
The luau pork is excellent. My favorite is the grilled Korean chicken. Macaroni salad time!
(5)
Jody J.
If you are craving the food of the luau but don't want to spend the money to fly to one, this is your next best choice. Kahlua Pork, Teriyaki Chicken, Rice, Mac salad..... You get the idea. :-) Fun beachy decor, extensive menu, great prices and super service. The portions here are good size too. I've had takeout from here many times and it's ready in a flash. They even asked me if I wanted water while waiting. It's all Street parking here so during dinner time you may have to park down the road. For seating they have two indoor dining rooms, an outdoor deck and a small bar. I love their teriyaki chicken, rice and mac salad. This comes in a small, medium and large size and a medium clearly can feed two people. The chicken is char grilled.... Yummy. I have also been that company events where they have catered and they do a wonderful job. Give them a try! 2015-71
(4)
Ace E.
Love it! I've been coming here for happy hour for years. Finally made it on a Sunday for Mother's Day. The portions are generous and very good. For selection of meat preparation such as bbq'd, grilled, slow cooked, marinated and all types of meat choices including fish and spam (of course) this place is tough to beat. Definitely rivals the best Hawaiian bbq restaurants on the islands! They have a full bar with a selection of tropical cocktails, beers and soft drinks and a family style atmosphere. Their outside deck has about 6-8 tables among the bamboo paintings and shade cover.
(5)
Nicole B.
Bamboo Grove is Ono! We've tried a handful of Hawaiian restaurants here in Portland, and I'd have to say Bamboo grille is probably our favorite (so far)! We came in on a sunny afternoon. We were the second party in the restaurant. The lunch rush had died down. Sat outside on the patio. Had a few bird friends joining in, hoping for us to leave them some lunch. We ordered the loco moco medium sized with eggs over easy and the combo plate of kalbi ribs and kalua pork. Everything was excellent. On point. The gravy was perfect. Eggs running over the beef patties. The kalbi ribs had a great marinade. The kalua pork had the right touch of smokiness. Some tend to over do the liquid smoke. We had plenty of food, that we didn't need dinner that night. They have a few beers from Hawaiian breweries. If you're a carnivore and love hawaiian, the bamboo grove is a must. A restaurant on the mainland, that will reflect island hospitality and cuisine!
(4)
Nikee W.
Whoa, glad I caught the weekly Yelp email blast this week! This place was listed as a top spot for Hawaiian, which I have always wanted to enjoy but have yet to get into. Most the spots i've tried are just flat out gross! Bamboo grove however was bringing the A-game with excellent and prompt service and delicious food. My husband got the Kahlua pork sandwich, which was so delish! He liked the pork arriving on the side so he could taste a few bites before piling it in between the buns. I had the Korean chicken and it was soooooo good! My kiddo stole a few bites too. We ordered the little one the Shoyu chicken and rice which was crazy sweet but totally up his ally. The rice was steamed perfectly, they had an awesome teriyaki like sauce and chili spread to use and the mac salad was rich and creamy and not just noodles in mayonnaise. My only complain is the lack of shave ice!
(4)
Dave K.
Some caveats for my low rating: I'm a vegetarian, and that probably doesn't compute with Hawaian food. Take my review with a grain of salt. But bring your own salt here. That said, --if you want to get a crazy huge amount of bland unnuanced food for a good price, then this is a good value. Clearly lots of the reviewers like it here. But I found stuff bland, overly sweet, or too reminiscent of food from the 1970's. The lumpia were soggy, the stirfry tofu and veggies really unpleasant--the tofu had a pallor of the dead to it. When you eat here, it's all about squeezing a bunch of soy or teriyaki sauce on your food table side. Really? Service was fine and decently attentive. Got there 5 minutes before the rush, so that helped.
(1)
Robert M.
When most dishes come with a scoop of rice and a serving of macaroni salad, you know you're at a Hawaiian restaurant. Serving sizes for many dishes at Bamboo Grove come in small, medium, or large. I ordered a small, and it was the biggest lunch I've had in ages. Mounds of food filling the plate...what decadence (or is it just ohana). Service is excellent and attentive. I had Auntie's Chicken on this visit, and it was very sweet with ginger. On a prior visit, I had teriyaki chicken, which was excellent. Good selection of beer on tap as well, featuring Hawaiian beers. Wish it was closer to home, then I would come more often. Regardless, I need to keep it in the top of my mind, and stop by anytime I'm in the John's Landing area, or if I just need a little Hawaiian ohana. Mahalo, Dave.
(5)
Clay D.
Attended the Raleigh Hills concert in the park tonight and this place had a food tent. All the food was awesome and the people who worked there had the best customer service and were friendly. Can't wait to hit up the restaurant! Even if the food was terrible I would had given four stars based on the employees and level of service. Thanks!
(5)
Allison R.
Wowzers, this place is great! My friend recently had a party for her hubby and ordered all the food from Bamboo Grove. I volunteered to pick it up since I lived close by. I had not yet been here but I have seriously been missing out. David, the owner was super nice and introduced himself behind the counter. And since I had two boxes full of food, the waiter guy and his strong muscles helped me take it out to my car. Thank god, because I would have dropped it all and ruined the party. Anyway, the food. Wow, tasty! My favorite was the Kalua Pig and Macaroni Salad. But we also had the Mahi Mahi and sweet & Sour stir fry with chicken. It was all delicious. I even had second helpings of the pig. Oink Oink. Glad I went to pick up the food here because now I know where it is, and I will most definitely be back. #Foodporn
(5)
Courtney D.
So it was a calm Saturday afternoon and I was visiting Portland. The friends we were with suggested ordering take out from the Bamboo Grove. We called in our order and they said it would be ready in 15 minutes. I ordered the teriyaki chicken/teriyaki beef grilled grind with the side of rice and macaroni salad. My husband ordered the Shoyu chicken grind with the rice and macaroni salad. Mine was pretty good. The portions were very large (I got the small size too) and the beef teriyaki was better than the chicken although the beef wasn't cut up and you needed a steak knife to cut it yourself. I tried my husband's Shoyu chicken and it was so delicious. Way better than my choice so I decided to eat that one instead. The chicken was cooked to perfection and had just the right amount of sauce on it. The Shoyu chicken was also a tad sweet which I thoroughly enjoyed. We also got an extra side of macaroni salad which no one even touched since our normal plates came with so much food. The rice was also good and they do charge you for extra sides of sauces but don't worry it won't break the bank. If I lived in Portland I would definitely frequent this place, as my friends who lives there doesn't least twice a week. But since I don't I will just have to wait until my next visit.
(4)
Breylan D.
This place is great! Awesome service, tasty food, friendly atmosphere. We love it. I usually get the korean pork, but I've had their chicken and a few other items on the menu - quality is consistent. If you're in the mood for Hawaiian, this is a must.
(5)
Doug R.
This place has gone downhill both food and service equally. My wife ordered tofu with eggs, rice and Mac salad. The tofu was a deep fried hard Uneatable nuggets with no flavor at all. She left it uneaten. Waiter took her plate and ask nothing. My teriyaki chicken was ok, a little burnt but eatable. Ordered rice but no Mac salad and got Mac instead. I'm going back to my old standard Noho's on Clinton.
(1)
Brad N.
Flavorful food, a nice atmosphere (at least out on the patio) and excellent Hawaiian food with friendly service. Not a vegetarian restaurant for sure. Try the #32 with Korean Chicken and get it spicy. A single large portion will feed two to three adults.
(5)
Carrie W.
WOW! This place is awesome. First our waitress was GREAT. We told her it was out first time there and asked for some thoughts on what to try. She brought out a sampler of different meats so we could taste! That was a really nice way to start and make good decisions. I had the kalua pig with rice and mac. salad. The pork was tender and deliscious. The rice was pretty good and the mac salad was creamy and decadent. My dining partner had the Korean ribs and LOVED them. It was a great experience. We went on a Sunday afternoon and it was peaceful and relaxing. LOVED it and can't wait to go back. I got the medium sized plate and for myself would get the small in the future (unless I wanted leftovers).
(5)
Kami H.
First found them at the Hawaiian festival several years ago. Was hooked ever sense. Service has always been good and the food has been as well.
(5)
Stan S.
Always awesome. Delicious grinds, great service. I've eaten here about half a dozen times when I just happened to be in the area around lunch. I believe I've tried something new each time (pretty unusual for me) and have thought each meal fantastic. Their mac is out of this world. Only downsides are very limited street parking and slightly sticky tables that could use a cleaning with a good degreaser - you can't just wipe off tables with a wet towel and expect that to be enough over time. You need to use a cleaner from time to time (try Superclean from Bi-Mart).
(4)
Todd H.
I know you will walk in this place and think five stars really? But wait looks can be deceiving. As you will surely notice by the line out the door or the full tables as you come in something is going on here. As soon as you sit down you realize well its not the furniture. But wait there is more. You order one of the drinks and this is where it starts. Its about the food and the drinks. There are three different sizes of food to order. Really if you want leftovers order any size larger than then medium. A small is more than enough food for one. The entertainment is found in the waiters that well kmow you are in for some good eats but seem to have a reluctancy to nominate something off the menu. Instead they tell you about other Hawaiian delicacies they favor. The real joy for you as the customer is when the plate hits the table. Its a mountain of meat. Surrounded by rice and macaroni salad piled high. Honestly once i started eating i didnt care what it looked like. I had to slow down and remind myself to chew rather than shovel it in. Just stop to breathe have some conversation and enjoy your meal every once in a while. I shall return.
(5)
Ryan W.
Great grindz! Takes me back to the islands. Service was great--They had live local (hawaiian) music on Sat eve when me and the wifey went for dinner. We split the large 2 meat (teri chix, kalua pork)-- we took some home and I have a huge appetite. The mac salad was AMAZE and fresh. You can tell its fresh because it doesn't have that acidic taste you get from the store bought stuff. You can tell the cooks/chefs take great care in their food. Placed was PACKED on a Saturday night-- not 45 min wait packed, but packed like "oh this must be good packed" A+. We'll be back!
(4)
Steve J.
Ambiance was rockin! Awesome bamboo covered patio. Food was really good, and smelling them grilling the food before it came out was a nice touch. I ordered the moko loko and my wife ordered the teriyaki chicken, both were amazing in presentation and taste. Will definitely be returning!
(5)
Byron Y.
Way overpriced, teriyaki chicken and steak are excellent. I can get the same at Joy Teriyaki which is just as good for half the price. And the $3.50 iced tea is a bit on the ridiculous side as well.
(2)
Evan S.
Im a sucker for hawaiian food, but I have eaten at a lot of places and this is still my fav! Great for catered events, they did our construction work party and it was a hit with the guys
(5)
Nicole C.
This is by far THE BEST Hawaiian food I have ever had in my life! It is seriously delicious, you have to try it! The teriyaki beef and shoyu chicken are definitely my favorites. You will not be disappointed!
(5)
William C.
As others mentioned, very large portions. I ordered a large two meat option with my partner and some spring rolls. The spring rolls were not necessary as the plate we ordered was ample for the two of us and we both have fairly large appetites. The pork was delicious and flavorful, service was quick and friendly. Noticing some people wrote negative reviews, not sure if that is really fair to the restaurant as the complaint seems to be more related to a dislike of the type of food being served here and not indicative of the restaurant's quality. From my limited experience eating Hawaiian food, it does not offer extremely complicated flavors. So if that's not your thing you may want to go elsewhere.
(4)
Luke B.
It had been a couple years since I went to Bamboo Grove last and I had forgotten what a great eatery this little place is. I forgot how great it is to get a plate heaped with marinated chicken, ribs, rice and of course a big pile of macaroni salad. Very generous portions. One of the few places I have brought leftovers home from. Go with the right attitude. It is a fairly small place and at peak times it can be busy. Because it is fairly small, they don't have servers and bussers everywhere, so sometimes service can be spotty. I haven't ever gotten "bad service" here, but don't pass up a refill when they offer. Don't be put off here, like I said, service can be spotty at times,but it isn't "bad". I'm so glad I got reacquainted with this culinary gem again. If it wasn't for the spotty service this would be five stars for for its good food and great portions. I will be back!
(4)
Erin K.
About a year ago we had Bamboo Grove cater my sons Birthday but the food was awful. Yakisoba was dry, Pork and Chicken Teriyaki had no sauce to it and the green salad we ordered they forgot to give us dressing for it. When we called to advise them of this mishap we were told, 'Oh sorry not sure what happened" So needless to say we figured we'd give them another try cause as I stated above, they used to be 'Da Bomb"!!! My mom and I ordered a Large Kehei Rib plate (to share), a plate of poke' and Spam musubi. The ribs was $19.00 and only had 6 pieces of ribs, 2 scoops rice and one lump of mac salad that was all mayonaise. The poke' had no taste and came with a piece of white paper on top, which when we brought to the attention of our waiter all he said was, "oh so you want another one?". Ummm....Yeah!!! When we got our poke' back it had absolutely no taste at all. We also ordered the spam musubi to go and it came out with our meal. When we asked for them to put it in to go containers they got a bit irritated. I hope they get things together because us locals from Hawaii know what good food is and willing to pay the price but gotta get this place back to where they used to be.
(2)
Jaymie P.
Love this place! Haven't been able to find authentic Hawaiian restaurant since I left Maui! Great service, yummy food! More spam in the musubi please, mahalo! Can't wait to go back! Cheeeeheeee
(5)
Thomas M.
Do you like Korean BBQ? You should. If your vegetarian, no worries. There is plenty of delicious awesomeness to be had. I bet you can't resist ordering half their menu to take home after your first plate is finished.
(5)
Mark S.
This was my second time here. The first time the chicken was burnt to oblivion, but this time the food was grilled perfectly. We got two medium meals to split between two people and had plenty of leftovers. Service and atmosphere is great!
(4)
Paulette L.
Ventured this way for some new Hawaiian food and it's not bad. Ambiance has a mom n pop feel to it, and the food reflects that. Typical decor, surfboards, Hawaiian pics, tropical plants etc. and service was pretty good, food came out quick. On to the food. First off, the kids franks meal is pretty good. I don't know what it is about those hotdogs but they are mighty tasty. I made the unfortunate choice of the Kihei ribs and shoyu chicken combo plate. But WAIT, don't get me wrong - both were very good and tasty, but together on a plate was waaaaaay too sweet for my tastebuds. The Kihei ribs were yummy, but a little on the chewy side. Shoyu chicken was yummy. Super tender and tasty but a little saucy. I have to admit tho after a while I needed something salty. Which brings me to the next dish... Hubs got the kalua pork and one of the ribs (can't remember which darn it) and his was excellent! The kalua pork was perfect and not too smokey, like most other joints. Hubby's ribs were friggin fantastic too if only I could remember which one. But his were chewy too, and really fatty. In hindsight, I would have ordered the kalua pig and Kihei ribs to blend sweet and salty. That would have been perfect. Oh and the Mac salad was "meh", and rice was good. Overall not too bad, we will probably come back. Though I would I highly recommend to the chef to get better cuts of meat for the ribs. It would have tasted 10 times better with less fat chunks, and if it didn't take me 5 mins just to chew it.
(3)
Nicole G.
1.5 rounded to 2. This place is unfortunately not good. I had the spam musubi and Korean chicken. Both were a disappointment. There was barely any spam in the spam musubi AND I suspect that they used low sodium or some other non-standard spam. The BLASPHEMY!!! Plus they used cheap low quality nori. Sooo junk. The Korean chicken was somewhat better but totally over cooked. Finally the macaroni salad was just this dish of random mayonnaise with some macaroni and black pepper. It's too bad that this place doesn't get that if there is no aloha in the preparation then the beauty and joy of Hawaiian food is lost.
(2)
John L.
The good is great but the service is so so. Every time I go they seem to get something wrong on the check, not the order but they always mess up on the bill. It is usually higher. Just always check. They can also be pretty slow but that's just part of the island feel i guess. But like I said the food is good.
(3)
Lindsay H.
Having a hard time finding a good Hawaiian place, I'm kind of picky. The specialty drinks here are good and the Kailua pork was great but the macaroni was sub par I was disappointed.
(3)
Michael R.
The food is amazing. The bbq & the smoker are both cranking out delicious beef, chicken & pork meats that are perfectly complimented by the teriyaki sauce & the fantastic macaroni salad side. Platters are big, & the Big Kahuna is enough for two families! The atmosphere is not nearly as good as the food, but get over it and get in there!
(4)
Sean R.
Ordered the Teriyaki Lunch Plate. Meat was slightly charred and very chewy. Obviously overcooked. Was starving so ate as much as I could tolerate. 2 stars for Macaroni Salad and Guava Lemonade. Seems to cater to regulars as staff not overly warm and fuzzy but courteous.
(2)
Iain M.
To be fair, this review is based upon walking in, being treated poorly, and walking out. I did see some of the food, and it looked good; but after being asked to sit at the bar for lunch when there were open tables in the same area, no thanks. Upon walking in, everything about this place says, "We don't want your business." It is far too small to accommodate what seems to be a popular concept (real Hawaiian food in Portland), they split checks only two ways, they are severely understaffed, and I saw no one of Hawaiian descent anywhere in the building, let alone in the kitchen. The greeter was the waiter, and he didn't have time to deal with anyone properly. There are just too many excellent Hawaiian restaurants in the Portland/Vancouver area to bother with what seems to me to be a recurring West Side attitude. Want some real Hawaiian? Try Patrick's Hawaiian Cafe in Vancouver or Ohana in Portland/Milwaukie. All the flavor, none of the attitude.
(1)
Nathan K.
Wow. I have been coming to this place for 5 years now. From the Spam Musubi to the delectable Loco Moco this place nails it. It's Hawaii on Macadam folks. A must eat Portland restaurant. Full bar and pleasant wait staff polish this already amazing experience.
(5)
Nancy O.
Hands down the best shoyu chicken in town!! I've searched high and low to find the best island eats- Bamboo Grove is most certainly a treat!!
(5)
Naomi P.
I've only gotten take out, but the kahlua pork is hands down amazing!!! The portions for the kahlua pork / other sets are generous and easily split between 2 people.
(4)
Aleju S.
Maaaan, whoever cooked my food tonight loves their job coz I can taste the love all over this pork teriyaki and kihei ribs combo platter! I'm picking up the meat and eating them with my hands like a caveman and I am in total bliss right now. Need to stop typing and keep eating!
(5)
Thuy N.
Serivice is great. Outside patio for a nice day. The food is good. My favorite is the Auntie's shoyu chicken! Portions are a good size and can be shared.
(4)
Molly B.
Ahhhhhh. I really wanted to like this place! SO disappointed. That was the worst spam musubi my husband and I have ever had - bland, mushy and...egg? Have had tons of musubi on the islands and have yet to see egg. Maybe it was so good that we devoured it before we noticed the egg. Who knows. This musubi was awful. I also ordered Korean chicken. It tasted mushy and BURNT. I couldn't get the taste out of my mouth! I hope I'm not still tasting it tomorrow. I will definitely not be back. So bummed.
(1)
Dustin R.
Good food, and LOTS of it! It's true what others say about portion control, a regular sized plate will give you leftovers for the next day! And the macaroni salad tastes great when you microwave it. The Korean chicken (spicy) is my favorite, but the ribs option and Portuguese sausage is great, too. Their order call in option is great when I'm in a hurry or just want to eat at home. I've eaten at quite a few plate lunch places in Portland, and Bamboo Grove is still my favorite! They only allow a bill to be split twice which is a bummer when you're there with a group. And waiter service can be slow during busy times.
(4)
Casey M.
Fantastic rice consistency. Ordered the kahlua pork and poured the special sauce that was on the table so create a savory sweetness. Musubi was spot on but should be grilled for more flavor.
(5)
Kimberly G.
The food is very good here. Needs to be a little hotter (temperature wise) but still 4 star quality. The customer service is the reason that I'm giving the full five stars. We had a little mix up with our order and Susan, the manager, took care of us. The best thing is...she had a smile on her face...a real smile. The food would've brought us back again but the remarkable customer service was very much appreciated. It is rare these days.
(5)
J L.
4.5 rounded to 4. We love this place! The yakisoba noodles are fantastic, the portions are beyond generous, the meat is always awesome - tender, smokey, and not too much sauce. The people are also very friendly. We haven't dined in - only phone orders and Delivered Dish orders. The only reason to bump down the rating is that there have been two orders where an order of meat was missing. But we spoke with Ashley on the phone and they more than made up for it on the next order. We have left overs galore that are fantastic the next day (and sometimes the one after that!). This place is our new obsession. . .
(4)
Cristen T.
Don't get me wrong; I'm not a Hawaiian connoisseur as I have only had it a handful of times prior to today. I know what I like though, and I like Bamboo Grove! The decor and service are both pretty great. Of course it looks how one might imagine a Hawaiian restaurant to appear. I loved our server; she was prompt, funny and friendly. My favorite thing was the fantastic music. My friends explained that they have music every Friday and Saturday night. It was so relaxing to eat the awesome, filling food and listen to some talented guys serenade the dining area with tunes. (One of my friends, who frequents this place a lot even said they offer ukulele lessons.) For the amount of food you are given, I think the price is pretty reasonable. I know I ate until I couldn't eat anymore and I have a ton of leftovers. I can't wait any longer to talk about the food... First off, the drinks. They serve the Kona Brewing Company's beer on tap as well as several cocktails and wines. As far as I could tell, everyone at the table enjoyed their beverages. The appetizers we got were delectable. I LOVE their poke salad. I tried it with the Hawaiian seasoning and it knocked my socks off. The tuna was so flavorful and I enjoyed the course salt that was sprinkled on the salad. It was pretty onion heavy though, so if you a hater of all that is onion, try something else. Our friends ordered a dish that reminded me of a spring roll. It was perfectly cooked on the outside and the inside melted in my mouth. SO GOOD! Our small group ordered a variety of dishes, including two combo plates with two different proteins. So I was able to try the Shoyu chicken, teriyaki pork, teriyaki beef and Kahlua pork. Also, they give you rice and some amazing macaroni salad. The food is stick to your ribs fatty but oh, the flavor! I really loved my meal and was excited of the large serving size because I have leftovers that will last me at least through tomorrow. Last but not least, the dessert. I don't usually have room for dessert but I often glance at the menu to see what they have to offer. I'm so glad I decided to do that at Bamboo Grove because I saw the heavens open and heard angels sing when I took a bite of their Coconut Cheesecake. I have never had a cheesecake that I have liked more than this one... I'm glad that this place is all the way over by Sellwood, because I think I'd be here every week for it!
(5)
Mary B.
We love it here. We have been to most Hawaiian places in the area and this is our favorite, especially on a Friday or Saturday when they have live music. We never come when we are rushed, only when we can enjoy a Coconut Porter or a Mai Tai. Why go to a Hawaiian restaurant in a rush? We find that we get the lots of bang for our buck here, which the Hubbs likes and I like their kim chee. It is essential. Veggies are an after thought, so don't even think about a salad or Veggie dish. Stick with the specialties; Kalua Pork or the ribs. The staff is friendly, maybe slow but who cares? Wish that they had a few better options for dessert, though.
(4)
Darren K.
The good here is really good but there service could improve. I like the good because it is reasonably priced and good sized portions
(4)
Kelsea L.
The Auntie's shoyu chicken, guava lemonade and the poke with ginger are the best!! Plus you can't beat the service. So friendly and welcoming
(5)
Nichole K.
Came here 3 weeks ago with my husband on a Sunday for dinner and had AMAZING service and delicious freshly cooked food. Why 1 star you ask? The following week we decided to go back on Sunday afternoon. Big mistake. When we walked in the sign said wait to be seated so we waited...........for 8 minutes! If there were alot of people waiting to be seated I could understand, however we were the only ones in line and no one was checking the entrance. When we were finally seated we ended up waiting for 20 minutes to have our order taken and the only reason it didn't take longer than that was because my husband called the restaurant and actually ordered our food over the phone as we sat at our table. Who knows how long it would have taken if he hadn't done that. About 10 to 12 minutes later our food came out to our table in take out boxes and in a brown paper bag. Apparently the waiter thought when we called the restaurant to order from our table we wanted take out. We informed him we didn't want takeout to which he replied "your killing me" I had to ask for plates which he seemed put upon to get. The final straw was the food itself. Not only was the food luke warm but it also was very obviously premade. The ribs my husband ordered were 80% gristle and not the freshly bbqed grisle that melts in your mouth but the day old hard chewy gnarly gristle, completely inedible. My food tasted nothing like what I had ordered the previous week, it didn't tase fresh and was overly sweet. I don't think we will ever be back which is sad because we had such a great experience the first time we came.
(1)
Cool Nutz X.
Great environment, good staff, and good food. In the spring and summer the patio is a great place to enjoy dinner and drinks. The menu has some great variety and the quality of food is great. This is a solid place to dine and even take people visiting the city. You won't be mad at all at The Bamboo Grove. The staff is always friendly and inviting.
(4)
Lisa J.
I had a friend that was a patient at OHSU several years ago. I offered to come up from Eugene and bring him some "non-hospital" food. I found this cute little restaurant on our beloved Yelp. Needless to say, he loved it. Time has brought change in my life and I moved to PDX several months ago. I never forgot Bamboo Grill and realized that I pass by it daily. I was actually looking for Here We Go Again Friday night and saw that Bamboo Grill was literally next door. I stopped and was greeted by a very nice young lady and perused the menu for something to take home for dinner. It would have only been ten minutes if I wouldn't have asked for a few extra minutes at HWGA. Upon my return, I found my order ready and was on my way. I ordered the Rib Sampler and a pulled pork dinner, that includes rice and yummy mac salad. I think my bill was $20 or so. The manfolk and I really enjoyed our dinner and still have leftovers, even though we shared our order. I'm not a fan of many Hawaiian food on the main island but I will definitely be back to the BG. It tastes like the food on Maui, really! Even though I didn't eat in the restaurant, I'm sure that the service would be great. They were doing a good amount of business when I was in but it was still a relaxing environment. BG is a little off the beaten track (Macadam) but worth tracking them down. If you want the real Hawaiian experience, have the Moco Loco. Yikes, a heart attack on a plate.
(4)
Robert B.
Best Hawaiian food I have had outside of Hawai'i! Our friends turned my wife and I on to this great establishment hidden in SW Portland years ago. The atmosphere is relaxing in that true Aloha spirit. Hawaiian music either live or through the speakers serenades you. Surfing or scenic Hawaii programs project from the televisions. Drinks are tropical and delicious, service is good, but the food is the clear champion here. A combo plate is the best option. A medium plate will satisfy the biggest appetites! I usually go with the Kailua Pork, Korean Chicken or Ribs etc. Each combo comes with a huge portion of rice and macaroni salad. The owners even have meat flown in from Hawai'i and special limited beers from Kona Brewing Company! This place tops the Hawaiian food list and about any other food list for Portland in my mind, even more so than some of those other well known places on the Eastside!
(5)
An'Merie W.
I started making a list of places to try around Portland area, this being one. I sat out on there patio small but cute and quaint. The food was so amazing, huge portions, great tender true grill smoky flavor. Honestly as I was sitting outside the air just filled with amazing BBQ smell for probably miles. I live in NE Portland and I will drive out to lake Oswego any day of week for this Hawaiian food!
(4)
Marie A.
This place has a great location, the staff were really friendly, and I liked the surfboards. My husband came here months ago with some business colleagues and had a great lunch. He was really disappointed the other night when we came for dinner. I really wish I had gotten a 5 star experience, but I did not. We ordered #38 with Korean chicken and Korean ribs. Their portion sizes for a medium entree is literally enough for two people. The chicken wasn't spicy and really dry - I could barely finish one bite. The ribs were good, but had a lot of gristle. Entrees come with two sides: white rice and macaroni salad. The rice was really dry and I tried saving it with their own teriyaki sauce, but it was a no go. Their teriyaki sauce tasted like sweetened soy sauce. The macaroni salad pained me. It's macaroni noodles with a few carrot shreds coated in mayonnaise - that's it. Do not order a house salad, it's literally a handful of bagged iceberg lettuce with shredded carrots in a bowl. The end. The Thousand Island dressing was bitter. The passion orange sparkling juice was good, tho. I'm sure this place would make most carnivores happy, the meat portions are huge.
(1)
Margaret B.
Tried this place for lunch today and wasn't disappointed! We ordered lunch for a work group togo - at least 9 separate orders - and they were super accomadating and fast! I got the shoyu chicken (small!) and holy portions Batman! A huge plate for a very good price. The chicken and mac salad are on point. I also got the spam musubi on the side and loved it! This is the new go to spot for lunch for my coworkers and I!
(5)
Jens J.
The screaming message at Bamboo Grove, located just off Macadam Ave., is that portions are huge. Order accordingly! The restaurant motif is Hawaiian, of course. On one wall is a surfboard with a piece of it chomped off, as if by a shark. When we came mid-Saturday afternoon, it was busy with nearly all the tables in the front dining room occupied. Curiously, they call most everything on the menu a "grind." JP requested the noodle broth Da Other Saimin in "Aunt" size on the recommendation of our waitress, who assured us the Aunt was plenty big. Nephew Andy, amazingly sporting a full beard at the mere age of 16, went with the Teriyaki Chicken. I asked for the Luau Style Kalua Pig. JP also ordered Two Spam Musubi as an appetizer for the table. Though our orders were a bit slow coming out because a big catering order was being prepared at the same time, our waitress apologized profusely for the delay. Most everything was excellent. However, I didn't get off on the musubi rolls, which were rice, scrambled egg and spam wrapped in seaweed. Sorry, but I just can't abide the taste of seaweed. That's part of the reason sushi rubs me the wrong way. My Kalau pulled pork was tender, seasoned well and appropriately salty. Though I only ordered the "medium" portion, the quantity was massive. Ditto for Andy's teriyaki chicken, which had a particularly nice sauce on it. However, we agreed the macaroni salad had far too much mayonnaise. The best dish was JP's Da Other Saimin. And as our waitress promised, it was mammoth. So if the Aunt is this size, just how big is the "Uncle"? The Da Other Saimin broth was delicious - containing cabbage, strips of fried egg and barbecued pork in addition to noodles. Bamboo Grove has dessert, including treats such as chocolate tartufo and coconut sorbet. But we passed. Confidentially speaking, I wasn't that hungry because I couldn't help myself and stopped at the Golden Arches in Centralia on my return from Seattle earlier in the day, instead of just waiting until I got to Portland to eat. Otherwise, I would have done dessert.
(4)
Allie G.
This is one of me and my dad's favorite restaurants! It's a little pricey, but we go there for special occasions. The ribs and chicken are amazing and the macaroni salad... me and my dad always get about 5 scoops to take home so we can keep eating it! It's SO GOOD! The portions are also very generous, I ALWAYS have leftovers which taste great late that night or the next day. The restaurant itself is also very cute and they have live music on Friday or Saturday nights I believe, which is really fun. If you are into Hawaiian food, this is a great place to check out.
(5)
Pork Chop Express R.
YUM. Everything was good here. The Macaroni salad is perfect. I'll be back again. Thank you.
(5)
Justin S.
Probably the best Hawaiian food I've had in Portland. The kalua pork is amazing, and I highly recommend getting it with the veggies in the 25 1/2.
(5)
Deja A.
Love coming to this place. Authentic Hawaiian food, great atmosphere and people. They serve huge amounts of food. The Large can literally feed two to three people. My boyfriend & I always shared a medium. Good prices and you can always take home your left- overs for the next day! You have to park on the street which can be crappy because its always packed but sooo worth it. They do have live music, time to time or it might just be weekends!
(5)
Jim S.
Authentic Hawaiian food and nice size portions.............OMG yeah! We always get the Kalua pork as a staple then try something new. So far soooo good. Song from the TV show Rawhide. Thank you. Now please enjoy in moderation :)
(5)
Saba A.
Best quality Hawaiian food in Portland! Their food tastes flavorful not greasy and the staff is attentive. They also have a full bar and live Hawaiian music some nights. The portions are HUGE! I usually order the vegetable chicken stir fry but they beef and chicken plates are great too. The mediums size plates are enough for two people in my opinion.
(5)
Misty A.
would of loved to try this place because I have had so many people tell me that it is amazing. However when you wait 15 mins and no one greets you it starts you off on a bad foot. I feel first impressions are the most improtant and this was a bad first impression. Sorry maby some day I will give you a second chance.
(1)
Shawn W.
Seems like the mac has changed? No flavor...And portions seems smaller I think...least the sides anyways....
(2)
Chan B.
I love the food here - especially the Auntie Shoyu's chicken. The music is great and soothing. The atmosphere is nice and I enjoy sitting outside when it's nice out. However, I am extremely disappointed in the lack of accessibility. I am young and appear able-bodied to many people, but standing for more than ten minutes can cause me to be bedridden in extreme pain for a day or more afterwards. There is often a wait when I come, but only one bench for seating, which has resulted in me standing for a long time before getting any service at all. Stairs, but no visible ramps to get into the doors.
(3)
Kyle A.
I've been here a handful of times and every time I leave fat, full and happy. A friend recently got married and had this company cater the wedding and I was wondering if it would taste the same. How would the food turn out and be transfer! Wonderful, they didn't miss a beat! If you've never been, I recommend you stop and grab a bite soon! Now I'm hungry!
(5)
Luke M.
I'll start with the only negative I can think of...the restaurant itself could be spruced up a bit. The food on the other hand...spectacular!! I've never had Hawaiian food and my first experience was a great one. Kalua pork was smoky, tender and delicious. Teriyaki beef was well seasoned. The rice was very good and I'm not a fan of rice. Macaroni salad was very tasty. Waitress was very friendly and helpful. I just wish they had a place like this in Columbus. This will be a spot I hit every time I come back to Portland. Kudos to you, Bamboo Grove.
(5)
Cody W.
Portion control is not recommended at a place like this. If you order the large Teriyaki Chicken, you are looking at a minimum of three meals. They must go through more to-go boxes than any other restaurant in the city! My favorite is the Yakisoba noodles with chicken added. They taste insanely good, and you can literally eat them for multiple meals after your initial order. They also have really great drinks. Their Mai Tai's are delicious, as are their other fruity Hawaiian drinks. I think that Bamboo Grove is the best Hawaiian food in Portland. I've had some others that come close, but none have ever topped this place.
(5)
Brittany H.
We were a bit let down. By all of the good reviews we were expecting amazing but ended up with mediocre. And with all of the yummy joints in Portland, mediocre just won't cut it.
(2)
Josh W.
Aloooooha!! Portland is opening our eyes to more and more fine cuisine every time we visit. This trip it was Hawaiian, and we found Hawaiian done right! We were greeted quickly and sat right away as we entered. While looking around enjoying the decor, we had a feeling this was going to be a bit more authentic than what we are used to. For starts, the people who were working were Hawaiian. We started off with a few drinks, I went for the "Green bottle special" that they have on Fridays. Whatever bottle of beer is green, the cost is $2.50. Shaka Bra....My wife had a "trade wind", consisting of raspberry liquor and vodka, with something else that's escaping my mind at the moment. It was refreshing cocktail. BG has an extensive menu, from "Between the buns Grinds" to sweet grinds, to grilled grinds, they have it all. We had a brief conversation with our server, she was very kind and helpful. We told her how impressed we were with so many options (considering what we are used to) and she brought out three samples for us to help us decide. She gave us Shuy Chicken,a sweet, succulent, shredded chicken that melts in your mouth. Kalua Pork was a nice tasting treat that grilled just right. Korean Chicken, a savory chicken cooked in garlic that was my favorite. My wife went with the combo....Kalua Pork and Korean Chicken. Smart move on her end. I was extremely sold on the Korean Chicken and went with a large order of that which included three scoops of rice, 2 scoops of Macaroni Salad and a few pounds of Chicken (or at least it seemed). One of the largest servings I've encountered, in fact, one gentleman who worked there noticed my plate and blessed me and said, "And you do have a time limit!" I got a kick out of that, felt like I was Adam Richman at that point. Since food did win that battle, I have a great lunch waiting for me in the fridge. Our service was immaculate, food was delivered quickly and more importantly, we loved all of it, the atmosphere was great and the vibe the employee's put off was very positive. We are moving to PDX soon and finding good grinds like this is exciting!! This will be our "Hawaiian Spot" while looking for other good eats in town. Mahalo Bamboo Grove!!
(5)
Dan S.
Stopped here for a quick early dinner on our way out to the gorge. And quick is an understatement! Their service was so fast! (and they could tell we were in a hurry) My friend and I both had the 'small' portion of the Kalua pig, rice, and mac salad. I mean, what else do you order when you want Hawaiian food. I say 'small' because it was a severe understatement. Not that I'm complaining, the more Hawaiian food the better I always say! Especially for only $10! Excellent pig, but not the best I've ever had. I reserve 5 stars for the best pigs!
(4)
Monica B.
They're always delicious! Feels like you're eating on the island. I usually get the Kalua pig & guava lemonade. Mai Tais are great and so is the Loco Moco. We had my husbands bday party there so make sure to bring cash for big groups because they will only take a max of 2 cards. Enjoy!
(5)
Ryan Y.
Expensive and mediocre Hawaiian food. Tasted better in Portland. Doesn't represent Hawaii very well. Cute and friendly staff. That's all that is going for them.
(1)
Pui S.
I ordered # 38. combination platters med ($16). Huge portion & very very yummy!
(4)
Wendi C.
OMG!!! Ate here on Thursday, ordered the Korean chicken and their #34? the ribs. Damn they were soooooooo good!!! I had cravings for them the next two days. Hands down, so far the best Hawaiian joint I have been too. Def two thumbs up for the service (food came out fast) and the big portion of food. The atmosphere was also very relaxing. The AC was so nice since it was super hot that day. Anyways I am def coming back and will be a regular. Keep up the good work guys!!!!!!
(5)
Kevin S.
Last night part of the party got here about 8pm. The waitress was so accommodating and nice and made sure the ones that came later were taken care of! I haven't eaten here for years (moved out of state) and it was phenomenal as always! Teriyaki beef, spicy Korean chicken, yakisoba noodles with tsoyu (sp) chicken were all wonderful. Khaula pig, macaroni salad and rice.... Yeah - we ordered it all and it was a table of food.... So much wonderful food...drinks were fantastic. If you eat here, your eyes are gonna roll in the back of your head with enjoyment and pleasure with each bite. This is my favorite place to eat in Portland.
(5)
Sarah R.
Three of us came here on a Road trip from Lake Tahoe to Seattle. We all grew up in Kona and were really craving some local food. This hit the spot and we were more than impressed with the taste and authenticity. We shared the large combination plate with teriyaki beef and kalua pork and added a side of Korean chicken and an extra scoop of Mac salad. All were great and the mac salad was done perfectly. This was more than enough food for 3 and we came hungry and even left with a to go box. Doing it this way brought our total to 12 bucks each after tax and tip, which was a lot better than the price of ordering individual plates. Service was good and the decor made us feel right back at home. Just wish we didn't have to get back on the road or we would have enjoyed a few Kona brews that were on tap.
(5)
Brooke P.
The food itself is nearly five stars. The best Hawaiian I've had in PDX and probably anywhere else. The only food-related drawback is that its heavy/rich quality always leaves us kind of moaning on the couch afterward, clutching Tums, but that's mostly our fault for eating the entire more-than-generous portion. The service is pretty inconsistent, ranging from pretty good to fairly brusque during the busiest nights. Fairly friendly on average. Casual atmosphere. Good beers. Parking's a pain, but that's true for anywhere in John's Landing. Highly recommend the shoyu chicken and kahlua pork. And the delicious house teriyaki sauce. I don't like most teriyaki but this stuff is my jam. This part is relevant ONLY to take-out, so disregard if dining in: The take out can be inconsistent in the execution, so I reco being very clear and checking the order before leaving for napkins, any sauces, utensils and to make sure it's what you ordered...once it came in flimsy cardboard take-out boxes (instead of the regular clear plastic clamshells) that were soaked through and leaking by the time we got to the car, which created a huge, sticky car mess. Another time, the house teriyaki sides (which are DELICIOUS) which we had specifically ordered were left out. When I mentioned it, the waitress said she was the one that took the order and I hadn't ordered them. AWKWARD (and incorrect...I totally get that people forget things and I've been guilty of it but that time, I had in fact ordered it, confirmed my husband who heard me do it). She seemed put out but comped them rather re-run the card. I would much rather just pay the extra dollar for the sauces which I ordered or go without than be passively called a liar or moocher attempting to game the sauce system. This wasn't enough to make us quit our habit...like I said, the food is great. I just send my husband to pick it up now. : )
(4)
Lauren W.
This is my favorite spot of Hawaiian food in Portland. Friendly staff, fun atmosphere and awesome Auntie Shoishu chicken!!!
(5)
Brian P.
The service at lunch still has not improved. It takes a full two hours for lunch, and thats if youre paying by cash with exact change. Why they wont address the service staff is beyond me.
(1)
Andy B.
Best Hawaiian food in PDX because they're from the Islands! Friendly staff, amazing food and a good ambiance. I love this place.
(5)
Laura H.
Kim chi is pretty good here, better than I had expected. Poke comes in 3 seasoning flavors, Hawaiian is delish. Market price, but fair. Portions are ginormous! A small is more than enough for one person with a big appetite. Service is good for being lightly staffed. Full bar, good drinks, and a great selection of beer. Great for big parties. And they cater! They also have live music. :)
(4)
David L.
Just like my homestate woulda made em! :)
(5)
Meredith H.
Terrible. Today I found 8 pieces of glass in my poke, the service was poor and it was way too expensive for what I got.
(1)
EmKay B.
Guava margarita not so much. Rib sampler yum. Kalua pork too chopped and gnarly and dry...good mac. Portuguese sausage great. Overall, mixed review. Maybe if I'm neighborhood, otherwise I'll stick to NoHo's.
(3)
Connie C.
Sometimes I'm just a laze ball and as we drive home from work, stuck in traffic, I am suddenly in a mad rush to find something nearby on yelp so that I'm not stuck cooking dinner when we get home. While waiting in Sellwood bridge traffic on Macadam, I found this place. I can always go for some Hawaiian and today is no different. We stepped into this seemingly unnoticeable place to find a cute little bamboo grove outdoor seating area and a place with surfboards and all. We ordered Auntie's Shoyu Chicken and Teriyaki Beef both in medium. Then tacked on a yakisoba (only available in the large). All to go. The food came out fast and super duper hot! The bag had to have weighed like 15 lbs! It was crazy. We gave it its own seat in the car. The sauce ended up spilling into the bag, which was no fun, but we were still excited to try it all. The chicken was delish though a tad sweeter than normal teriyaki style chicken. The teriyaki beef was really good and tender and flavorful. The mac salad was creamy. We barely even made a dent in the yakisoba there was so much. We literally ate the left overs for 3 more meals! So, yea it's a bit pricy, but there is so much food! Since our "banning" of Ate-Oh-Ate (for another day/review), this place will definitely be our next go to Hawaiian.
(4)
Rosalea P.
I literally drool when I think about this place! We stumbled upon it as a lunch spot pretty soon after moving into our new offices in the Water Tower, and we try to visit at least once every couple of months. The spam musubi is delightful, and the Auntie's chicken is to-die-for, as is their "mac salad". As my co-worker says, "It's better than anything has a right to be when it is in the shape of an ice cream scoop!" Seriously good. Go there. Don't stop, don't collect $200, just go!
(5)
Eric M.
Had the combo with shoyu chicken and Korean ribs and it was delish. I guess the one thing I would say is it is kind of expensive. For lunch paying 16 bucks is a little much.
(4)
Sun F.
Three dining rooms are not the only surprise guests encounter upon entry. The wait staff is phenomenally friendly and the food is even better than that. My husband and I enjoyed grilled chicken and shredded pork entrees with rice, macaroni, and shredded cabbage sides. The aromas....w--o--w! There is no way you can dive in without appreciating the scents of deliciousness before your first forkful. And the portions are, well, let's just say you won't leave hungry and you'll take home 1/2 your platter for leftovers the next day. The prices are incredible, the atmosphere is casual and relaxed, and we can't wait to return. Be advised: they close early, so plan ahead to enjoy a Hawaiian feast right here in Portland.
(5)
Kellie W.
Service was terrible. I asked for medium spice on my Korean chicken and it was WAY too spicy. I also subbed green salad for the Mac and it was so rotten I couldn't eat it. I won't ever come back here.
(2)
Teri C.
I'm stumped. At the risk of being a "Debbi Downer" I have to ask...what do people see in this place?? With Portland being such an amazing food Mecca the Bamboo Grove is a mystery. I went there with my parents for lunch. It was a Monday around 11:45. They were already busy and there was only 1 server along with the bartender who I think was the owner. Considering that the server was the only one seating and serving she did a great job but with as busy as they are they should consider adding to their staff. The menu is extensive but the plates we found to be lack-luster at best. I ordered a veggie stir fry that turned out to be about 2 cups of broccoli with a few pieces of carrot and onions on a bed of raw cabbage with a very light Teriyaki sauce (Gluten free however). There were also two scoops of white rice (brown was not an option). Since I passed on the Mac and Cheese I was offered a side garden salad. To my surprise the garden salad was a bowl of pre-mixed Iceberg lettuce - I did not think that junk existed in Portland! My mom ordered basically the same thing as I did but instead she got the Pineapple Veggie Stir fry - again, same as mine but loaded with what seemed to be canned Pineapple. My Dad had a pork sandwich that turned out to be a half-size after he finished trimming all the fat and gristle off of the meat...no comment. I guess someone in this most amazing food city needs to help keep Food Service of America open - leave the farm fresh, local great quality food to the rest. Sorry guys - there's just too many great options, it's time to up your game! I could see this place in the middle of the U.S possibly and it might be a hit but not here???? p.s. there were no photos taken - we did not feel it was even worth it
(1)
J B.
Yakisoba noodles are awesome! Huge serving, could have fed the four of us with leftovers. Kalua pork and shoyu chicken were really good!
(5)
Brian C.
This place is awesome! The portion size is huge and the price is reasonable. I love the Auntie Shoyus chicken and better than that is the macaroni salad. They have a great selection of beer to wash down all the delicious food. Bamboo Grove also caters and have a space in their restaurant for groups too. A must stop when you are in the area.
(5)
Vi B.
If you haven't been here before, GO. This is essentially Hawaiian food at its most fatty and delicious. The portions are HUGE so unless you haven't eaten in two days (and plan to scarf it all down in one sitting), plan to have some food to bring to lunch the next day. It is a bit expensive if you're just stopping in for lunch alone, but a great date place for two. And you're in for a treat if you arrive when their guitarist is there- prepare for dinner and a show!
(4)
Jeremy B.
My office made a visit to the Bamboo Grove in late December for our 2013 Christmas dinner/party (a group of 16 of us). We were very disappointed - We paid $500 for a full roosted pig, which was cold and very dry. Not one of us enjoyed the meat. We also tried to order a number of their specialty beverages and they were out of a lot of them (both beer and cocktails). It was very disappointing!! The only reason I am giving them 2 starts (vs 1 star) is because we got good service from Sam our waiter and because the sides were good. But paying $500 for something we had to throw away, will keep us all from making another visit.
(2)
Joni M.
Sooo disappointed! We had heard this place was the best so we decided to try it. Teriyaki chicken was (1) burned and (2) did not taste like teriyaki. Shoyu chicken was bland. Service was mediocre. Overall assessment: junk! The saving grace was that the beer was nice and cold (even with the chipped glass).
(1)
Don B.
You can always count on consistently delicious food, large servings, good service and a great time...live music even. We showed up without reservations for 13, it was busy and my bad for not making a reservation but their reply was...we'll make it work! 30 min later we were seated and the food was delicious ... Teriyaki pork yum.
(5)
Cara S.
This was tasty, but are not fabulous. Portions are huge. I prefer Ohana because of their salad option and the meat has a bit more flavor.
(3)
L M.
Felt just like being back home on the Big Island, having spam musubi and loco moco in among the surfboards. Quick, too. Loved it!!
(5)
Jean R.
Had the combination platter of hibachi ribs and teriyaki chicken... Good portion for the price... Food was great, but horrible service.
(3)
Monica A.
When Bamboo Grove first open, I frequent it for lunch and remembered it as one of the best local food places that is reasonably priced. I went there a few days ago excited for some local flavors and was a little disappointed that the flavors were not how it used to be. I had the korean chicken and it didn't have much flavor but the char after taste lingered in my mouth for hours. The mac salad needed salt and pepper. I've had awesome meals here and love the vibe so I'll most likely try them again and hope that it was an off day.
(3)
Chels J.
Huge portions, drowning in teriyaki sauce (yum). For some reason I don't love it enough to give it 4 stars. The food just doesn't blow me away. It's a great value - especially if you order the medium or large which is just a couple dollars more than the small - you get like 2 or 3 meals out of that. The take out gives you enormous portions as well. They have live music which is nice on the weekend.
(3)
Brett L.
This place is the best Hawaiian Food in portland. Very Authentic. Every dish I have tried is great, but my favorite is the Kalua Pork (Smokey, but not greasy). The portions are ENORMOUS! Most dishes come in small, medium, or large portions. Order the large and you will be eating for three nights, no joke...
(5)
Peter F.
Bamboo grove is delicious and has a very large variety of items that come in huge portions. You have to plan on taking food with you (which I love) or splitting a meal with a friend. I usually end up getting the large size of whatever I order because it is only a few dollars more for quite a bit more food. Since I plan on taking some home with me anyway, I might as well get the bang for my buck. Their mac salad is amazing! Most meals come with two large scoops of rice and a large scoop of mac salad but you can substitute those things for each other for no charge. I usually get 3 scoops of mac salad and make my own rice. The one thing that really bums me out about Bamboo Grove is they are often severely understaffed. The staff seems to get a little irritable and will sometimes forget about you if they become very busy. I go there quite often so a lot of the staff recognize me now & have been taking better care of me, but I have had my fair share of tough experiences there. Everything I've had there has been amazing except for the Ahi Tuna & it makes me sad because I love Ahi Tuna. It is quite a bit more expensive and both times I've had it, the fish was way over cooked and not seasoned very well. In my opinion, you should think of this place as an incredible Teriyaki joint. Stick to the basics (chicken, Kaluha pig, beef or tofu). Those items have always been delicious and have pleased me much more than their eccentric items. Not to mention, they are much more affordable. Definitely go to Bamboo Grove, but go on a bit of an off hour or weekday. You will get better/more friendly attention and have your food much quicker. Ordering it to go is also a great option there, especially if it is a busy night. They put to go orders at the top of the list and take care of you as soon as you come to pick them up. One last thing, if you like hot sauce, have them give you a side (it is free) because it is absolutely delicious and completely made from scratch. Cheers
(4)
Brittany P.
Food is the best! Combination platters are the best deals. The bar tender kinda sucks at giving drinks but the food makes up for it...
(5)
Lindsey R.
My boyfriend and I pride ourselves on being good at home cooks. Always trying to make new things. He is always asking me to make Hawaiin type cuisean. SO for his birthday I decided to take him to Bamboo Grove. He was in love.... the food is amazing. We each order the Larger sized plates and end up eating them for days! I have tried many things off the menu and its all amazing! We will be customers for life!! Who knows maybe one day they will be catering our wedding ;)
(5)
John E.
Ladies and Gentlemen... The Doobie Brothers! When the sun comes up on a sleepy little town Down around Macadam Boulevard And the folks are risin for another day round about their homes The people of the town are strange And theyre proud of where they came Well, youre talkin bout Bamboo Grove Oh ho, Bamboo Grove ************************************************* Okay, Okay, I know it was a cheap and easy laugh but I just had to do it. So, early in the week a friend of mine wanted to get together and talk about some charity fundraising dealings and rally dealings and he suggested the Bamboo Grove. We had met here a year ago or more but honestly I couldn't remember what the place was like. Was that a good thing or not? Well, being an adventure eater I was up for the challenge and we had his people call my people and we went to lunch. It's not easy to find, kind of tucked away off Macadam and sandwiched between other buildings. Parking is fend for yourself on the street but I was able find something within one block. I walked back and opened the door and hit with the pleasant odor or grilling meat and a hint of teriyaki. The narrow entry way opened into a small seating area and more seating was visible in another room to the back and a patio outdoors. It was really a nice little place, very comfortable. I wasn't in a rib mood so I went with the typical teriyaki chicken, medium size, which came with two scoops of rice, a scoop of macaroni salad and a about a half chicken worth of meat! What must the large look like!?! (see photos) The chicken was cooked perfectly which a slight char to the edges and a good teriyaki flavor that was not overwhelming like other places. There was added teriyaki sauce on the table along with soy sauce for the rice if you wish. The rice was sticky and thick, the way good Hawaiian rice should be. The macaroni salad was "oh my god" good. Indescribable. Try it. Now! For what you get, and it is a lot, the prices were quite good. My medium teriyaki was $11.00. I ordered a passionfruit iced tea which was $2.50, a little steep (ha! get it? "steep"?!?) and really didn't taste as good as I thought it should, as a matter of fact I think it may have been turning but I am not sure. I like iced tea, I know iced tea, and this wasn't good iced tea. Saying that, I would try it again if I was told it was fresh. In the end we had a great meeting, had some laughs in a comfortable casual atmosphere and ate very well. A successful business lunch by an standard.
(4)
Frank K.
Was kinda reluctantly dragged here. Most "Hawaiian" places just run some ribs past you with a pile of rice and a surfboard screwed to the wall over a bar. Well, this place has that, but the service is lavished on a bunch of Haoles with real, GREAT style and class. Unknowingly, we went on a Sunday and I recomend that move HIGHLY!! PuPu's are discounted and "Bloody Malias" are only $4 each.. WOO-HOOooooo!! Good food too!! I'm not much of a Linguisa or Spam guy, but everything was purty good!! Our delightful waitress brought us a sampling of some menu highlites which helped us all narrow down our aims. Great move there.. We all got a broad spectrum of the menu and in TRUE "Western Style" nary a discouraging word was heard. 'Smatter 'o fact, most ALL finished their plates but me, sending my leftovers home with some happy volunteers. Soon after they carried me to the car, and ensconced me in the front seat, from which I was squired home. I hit the bed like a torpedo and buried myself into a peaceful, palm lined cove on a Hawaiian Beach and drifted off to an untroubled, pleasantly swept away sleep complete with coconuts and Leis washing up with seafoam against my dreams.... ~SIGH~ Thank Gawd Monday was a Holiday!!
(4)
Aaron W.
I ordered a small "Auntie's Shoyu Chicken" ($9), a healthy portion of boneless, shredded shoyu chicken with a scoop of white rice and a scoop of macaroni salad. I got my food pretty fast, about 5-7 minutes after placing my order. The shoyu chicken was pretty good, but too sweet for my liking. I will say it was moist, shredded well, and flavorful. I also liked the small bed of shredded cabbage underneath the chicken. While I was given a small packet of soy sauce with my food, I did not want to add any more sodium to this dish. I would have also liked a brown rice option. Good mac salad, but just wish it was served colder (my serving was virtually room temperature). Good menu, looks like Hawaii guys run it (or at least work there).
(3)
Elle S.
Kanak attacks every time!!! We drive from Sherwood and its always worth the drive. Authentic tastes of Hawaii :)
(4)
Alex M.
Super good. The mac salad is prime time. They had this one ginger chicken as the special one day woo. I usually get the korean chicken and the hiachi ribs. The portions are huge to. They also got the best mints out of every restaurant in the game.
(5)
Erik C.
The food is quite good and it has a comfortable atmosphere. My family of 5 goes here quite regularly and if you are looking for a great meal, get the Yakisoba noodles with some Kahlua pork... literally feeds my whole family. This place does not disappoint.
(4)
Karen K.
The price and proportion blew my mind. Of course the food is also amazing. You can order anything from the menu and will enjoy it. I normally do not order appetizers but every time I go here I must order the poke! It's so delicious! The Mac salad is very good. The meat dishes are also good. The best part? You know it's real Hawaiian when there's spam on the menu! Love!
(5)
Jovanna P.
This place really understands ohana. They are always friendly and welcoming. The food is great and portions are huge. My favorites are the shoyu chicken and kalua pork. They catered my wedding in 2009 and people still talk to me about how great the food was. I usually order to go but they also do have a great beer list.
(5)
Jenni D.
A-L-O-H-A!!! This is absolutely legit Hawaiian cuisine. If anyone reading this has actually been to Hawaii (or a Broda or Sista's home), then you know what REAL Hawaiian food should taste like. This place is ridiculously authentic, and I more than enjoyed my "Small (but Large)" Kalua Pork plate for lunch this past weekend. The sun was out, so it was nice to be able to sit on the patio. I also slyly forked a bite of my husband's Shoyu Chicken... MMMMMmmmm, delish! I can't wait to go back.
(5)
Chad J.
This 2-star review is mainly concerning the service at this place. I called in an order to pickup - they said 15 minutes and I showed up in that time. Horrible street parking wasn't a great first impression, but that is not the biggest deal. I walked in and waited almost 5 minutes for someone to come to the counter and ask what I was there for. When they went to grab my order they said "it looks like we've lost your ticket, sorry about that!" So after waiting for help for much too long, my order hadn't even been started and was not expedited as I sat there for about 15-20 minutes waiting. I was charged full price. You would think that's the worst of it right? Nope! I got home to find that almost all of the sauce from the dish had leaked out of the container and into the paper bag in a huge puddle mess starting to come through the bag causing my food to be super dry with little sauce to work with. AND they gave me a scoop of rice when I specifically asked for no rice, just macaroni salad. Several strikes later, all of this made for a pretty terrible experience, with the only positive being the great tasting macaroni salad and bits of the stir fry that still had sauce on it. I may try it again, but if it's anything like this last visit, I won't even bother.
(2)
Amanda K.
This place is pretty good! Not amazing, not horrible, "pretty good" is entirely appropriate. I had high expectations for this place, as I have friends who describe Bamboo Grove as the be-all end-all of Hawaiian food in Portland. They were mostly met. Pros: -Close to my house in SW, where there are not a whole helluva lot of dining options. -Close to the liquor store, so you can purchase a make-up buzz for what you lost on $14 worth of pineapple juice and triple sec on the rocks @ the restaurant. -The kalua pig was seerrrrrrrriously tasty. Not as "melt-in-your-mouth" as I would've liked, but the flavor of the pork was on point. -The teriyaki beef was the jam. It tasted like re-hydrated jerky, which sounds bad but it's not meant to be. I don't eat red meat hardly ever, so when I sampled my friend's dinner, I was pleasantly surprised. -The portions are HUGE. I don't really have any pointed "Cons" for the place, but we did wait 25 minutes to be seated only to discover that there were at least half a dozen empty tables further back. I know they were busy with a 12-top birthday party, but there are other customers waiting to dine too. Also, I didn't think their macaroni salad was anything to write home about. Too much green onion or something. I kept having to add salt and chili paste to bring it up to flavor-speed. And at the risk of getting mugged by the ultra-faithful fanbase this place has..............I think Ohana's Hawaiian Cafe is bettter! Shoot me if you must, but you can't beat the creamy scoop of rice and the salty, savory kalua pig laced with braised cabbage. And their mac salad is better, too. Great restaurant, and I'll definitely be back! I want to check out their happy hour. It doesn't quite measure up against the other joint, though.
(4)
Kim F.
Delicious!!!! Really friendly service even though they were busy. The ribs were soooo good (all types). If we lived near here we decided we would come at least weekly. Great atmosphere, authentic food, incredible service. Highly recommended.
(5)
Jennifer W.
I just came here recently to try this place out. They open on Sunday which is pretty nice. Their menu looks pretty good and yummy but glancing to their daily special wall, i found out that they have kalua pork served all the times! I just had to try it! I ordered small size kalua pork with rice (it came with 1 scoop of rice and 1 scoop of macaroni salad). They have medium and large size too which I can't fathom how big those will be! the small size itself is already a good serving for 1 person. The pork was cooked pretty good, tender and juicy. Not too salty too! I'll definitely be back again to try their other menu.
(4)
Christina B.
Best Hawaiian food I've ever had in Portland. We were seated right away. The service and food was just as fast, which was especially appreciated on a short lunch hour. The chicken katsu was amazing- only served on Thursdays as a special. We also had the pork and Korean ribs. Definitely going to make this a regular treat! :)
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
S T.
mmmmmm meat! Chicken, Pork, Beef, Spam, Hot Dogs, Sausage...... This is pure, unadulterated comfort food. Don't go here if you are a vegetarian (although there are some veg options). Don't go here if you want small portions. Don't go here if you are on some sort of lame diet. Go here if you want a huge portion of yummy food that make you feel good! Go here if you are looking for an instant remedy for that hangover you are nursing. Go here if you need to fill your belly BEFORE you head out to provoke the inevitable hangover. We have been regulars at Bamboo Grove since it opened (I'll let you try to figure which of the aforementioned reasons brings us back to BGHG over and over). We love the people. We love the ambiance (especially the live music Thursday through Saturday). Mostly, we love the food. As I mentioned, BGHG is a mecca for meat lovers. There are too many combinations to mention, so I will tell you what we order. We LOVE the Auntie's Shoyu Chicken made spicy with Sambal sauce. It is a delicious combination of sweet and spicy. Besides the bounty of meat options, there is the macaroni salad. Ah! The macaroni salad (THIS may be the reason I return to BGHG). Each of BGHG's "Grinds" comes with the Hawaiian staples, a scoop of rice and a scoop of macaroni salad. This "Mac" is practically nothing more than macaroni and mayonnaise, but there is something addicting about it. In fact, I always forgo the rice and make my order, "all Mac, please!" (dieters beware!) Typically, we dine in at Bamboo Grove (because the service is super speedy) , but they also offer a full-service catering service that we have used for personal and corporate events. The food is always just as delicious, and there is always more than enough to feed an army! One last thought...in these difficult economic times, we are all looking for a good value when dining out. Bamboo Grove definitely fits the bill. You can feed a family of four for under $50 without forgoing that pint of beer and glass of wine (always much needed after a long work week) while listening to some great live entertainment!
(5)Michelle H.
I was born and raised on Oahu, HI, and this has to be the WORST Hawaiian food I have ever had. I fail to understand any good reviews for this place, except perhaps the atmosphere, which is nice. The food is awful per local Hawaiian standards- most of it...dry chicken dishes, stringy ribs, super greasy kalua pork, and most of all - the worst hamburger steak I have ever had. The gravy is a wierd sweet concoction and the hamburger was absolutely flavorless. The noodle dishes taste awful...period. As far as shoyu chicken goes, theirs is horrible, and shoyu chicken is so easy to make..how can you possibly mess it up? I should know, because I have been making my own for years, based on my Mom's recipe. Because it was one of the original Hawaiian restaurants in Portland, in addition to Noho's, we have eaten at this place several times on our own over the years, in addition to two catered lunches at work. After my first so-so experience, I hoped that each meal I consumed here would improve. No such luck. I have tried nearly everything on the menu, and have been disappointed every single time. After giving them so many chances to improve the quality of their food, I give up. I will never eat here again. This is the worst example of local Hawaiian food ever...
(1)Brittany W.
They got my order wrong!!! And I couldn't be happier :) I ordered the spicy chicken teriyaki and they brought me spicy korean chicken. It was wayyyyyy good. I loved it so much I knew I got the wrong dish, and wasn't going to say anything, but I had to find out what I was actually eating so I can get it next time. Would have given the full 5 stars but the mac salad was over mayo-y for my taste which is half the reason I go to Hawaiian. Bonus for the refillable P-O-G tho!
(4)Eric L.
Everything you've heard about the food here is true. Portions are huge and great value for the dollar. My girlfriend and I love this place, but this evening constituted one of the worst service experiences we've had ever. We showed up just before 5 for an early dinner, and were the first people in the door. Our waitress sat us, and what would become the norm for the rest of the meal, disappeared for 10 minutes, and when she did reappear, she was more interested in gabbing with the woman who had come to place a to-go order than take our order. She finally did, and then went back to helping the to-go people. During this time, we observed several people waiting at the front get annoyed and leave without ordering, our drinks taking another 10 minutes to arrive, and a Father with his daughter getting seated and then ignored. Not the best service to this point, but we really enjoyed their food...enough to stay regardless of the wait. Our drinks were delivered and my girlfriend's lemonade was little more than water with a slice of lemon in it. She tried adding some sugar to taste, but it still wasn't adequate. When this was mentioned to the waitress, she remarked "I thought it looked off, but would you like to try another glass?" Next, our appetizer came up to the window, and there it would sit under the heat lamps until the rest of our food was ready, yet another 10 minutes. At that point I should have grabbed the plates myself. Our waitress finally served us our plates, and upon the first bite, everything was either luke warm or cold. I set my fork down and waited for her to come by. The father/daughter table had yet to have their order taken, and she dropped their waters off and I asked for boxes. I wasn't going to have them remake the food to have it sit under the heat lamps for another 15 minutes, or just microwave it when I could do that myself at home. She was more than happy to give us some boxes, but the thought never occurred to her to ask why we were going to leave immediately after the food was dropped off. That was the last interaction we would have with her. She, nor the other waitress asked us how our food was, or how we were enjoying our meal, more attention was being paid to the to-go orders than the sit down customers. The chicken dish the father ordered had been sitting under the heat lamp for 5 minutes by then. We left before knowing whether their food had been delivered either. I left a note on the napkin saying how we had been treated, that our food had been served cold, and we would be taking it home to eat. If you bring the appetizer plates out, you should serve it before the actual meal, not after the main courses had been set out. If someone says the lemonade lacks taste, don't comment that you thought it looked off, and offer them another glass of the same. If you're going here, you're best advised to place a to-go order, as that seems to ensure to limit your staff experience, while enjoying the food, which is very good.
(1)Sharon M.
Really good food here, but the Hawaiian owner doesn't seem very happy to see his customers. When we were there last we were hoping for Kahlua Pig and I mentioned we were off by one day and he snapped, or grunted rather at me. It felt like we were bothering him to be there. Usually the service is friendly and helpful. Perhaps I'll call ahead and take my food to go next time.
(3)Mc G N.
this will be my last meal. i thought those words, and i will live that life. i would eat here every day if i could. i would be a sumo. and a bad one. loincloths are not my style. therefore, no daily gorging. this time i had loco moco, and it was plate lickingly good. the burger patty tasted like real cow meat. not pressed TVP. great grilled flavor, and sitting at the little bar in back, and having plate after plate of amazing foodgasm.
(5)Jen R.
* Great ambiance * Delicious Food * Big Portions * Good clean Location * Good Terriyaki Sauce, and they have extra on the table..they don't charge extra for it like some other places! Love the terriyaki chicken, and always get the terriyaki beef. Just tried their Ahi Poke, and it was good. Desserts good, drinks good, same staff every time!! I have brought in sooo many different friends and family here! Its a jem
(5)Andrew S.
Best...restaurant...EVER. Hands down THE best Hawaiian food I've ever had. Heck, the best FOOD I've ever had. The Kalua Pig is unbelievably good and the mac salad is the best around. I literally wish I could eat here every day.
(5)Lizzie B.
I was really excited to try Hawaiian food, as I never have had the experience before. The restaurant is relatively tiny, and decorated with a nice island feel without coming off as cheesy. As a former vegetarian of 10 years, I still can have a hard time with certain types of cuisine - this is definitely one of them as it's very meat-centric. I debated back and forth on what to get, and finally decided to be adventurous with the kahlua pig sandwich. Pork was the last meat frontier I have finally crossed back into eating-with trepidation. This was some damn yummy pork! Finely shredded with lots of flavor. My dining companion, who is Korean, was not impressed with the kimchee since it was not very crisp. And his chicken and rib plate left much to be desired. The overwhelming flavor was burnt ash. We topped of the meal with the pineapple sorbet. The presentation was neat: a hollowed out pineapple half frozen with the sorbet packed inside. The flavor was pretty mellow, and there was no raspberry coulis topping as described on the menu. Service was super prompt and accomodating; so extra points for that. I would go back Thursday through Sunday for the kahlua pork, otherwise I would skip a return visit to this place.
(3)Glenn G.
I read the great reviews and was craving some Hawaiian, so I surprised the Mrs with a date night and drove up to Portland. The lady on the phone told me to take the exit for some street a few exits up on I-5 and made it sound like the place would be easy to find. I took the exit and got lost. When I called back, the hostess told me she didn't know the part of town I was in (somewhere over by OHSU after I tried to ask directions from someone at a store). When I asked for her to put someone on the phone who could direct me, she said something about it being a full house tonight in an attempt to avoid giving me directions. I lost my temper...here this wench gets me lost, then she won't help me find my way to her business so I can spend my money there? What the heck!
(1)Brandon C.
Great place for lunch. Lots of choices. I like the fact that they have different sizes for a lot of the meals so that way everyone can choose what portion they want. Great tasting food. Very authentic. I think their mac salad could use. Little work. Overall great place to eat but i have to say it's more worth the drive to Vancouver to eat at Hawaiian Style Grill.
(4)Josh B.
The portions this place provides are out of control. Never have I been anywhere near close to finishing a dinner here. Infact the last time I was here after eating the Yakisoba Noodles I could not fit all my leftovers into the box they gave me, Yes, my leftovers warranted two boxes... The staff is friendly and always attentive even on the busy nights. A decent beer and drink selection too with a good number of house drinks. There is no parking lot but I have never had a problem finding a spot less then a block away. Probably not the best place for vegetarians, but a fun house for carnivores! I grew up with 1/2 of my family being Hawaiian and have spent a good amount of time on the islands, this is the real deal for sure and is truly the best Hawaiian Restaurant in the Portland area. The owners seem to really care about this place and it shows! My only complaint is that is there is no AC, so on hot days, it can really get warm inside... Other than that, Come Hungry!
(4)Jeff T.
Sitting in PK Thai around the corner, I always wondered why there were all these people in lolo shirts in the area. Sad to say it took me so long to actually look and see that Bamboo Grove is there. While, I'm not partial to lolo shirts myself, it is a bite of the Islands. The mac salad is legit and I'm a huge fan of the kihei ribs. I have to limit myself from going there or I'll have to buy some lolo shirts to hide my growing girth.
(4)Renae S.
SO GOOD!!!! i finally ate at noho's but it didnt even compare to bamboo.Im not a fan of mac salad but theirs is delish !very big portions
(5)Bryan A.
I was introduced to Bamboo Grove when I moved here and we had an instant love affair. I bring all of my out-of-town guests here. It's a must try. I love all their dishes (grinds), especially teriyaki anything and kalua pork (which is only available Friday and Saturday). Most people who like macaroni salad like Bamboo Grove's, but I'm not one of those. They'll substitute another scoop of rice or a green salad of passing quality.
(5)Mike K.
Great Hawaiian plate lunch. I had the grilled mahi mahi and it tasted like steak, not fish. The service is stellar and I'll definitely be back to check out more of their menu. My friend had the loco moco and it looked dankest of all. I like everything about this place.
(5)Erin M.
My boyfriend LOVES Hawaiian food, and when I heard good reviews for Bamboo Grove, I thought it would be a great way to make him happy. We stopped by this 100 degree++ weekend, and of course Bamboo Grove felt especially tropic without air conditioning. At least it was a few degrees cooler than being outside. I was pretty impressed with the decorations, it felt very Hawaiian and I loved being there (despite the heat). We ordered : *Vegetable Lumpia ($3)- four egg roll type appetizers, which are greesy and generally bad for you. Lumpia usually has meat in it, and these rolls were thick enough in diameter to seem like egg rolls. The dipping sauce added spice, but I probably wouldn't order these again *Ahi Sandwich with macaroni salad and grilled pineapple ($8.00)- The tuna was decent, somewhat lacking in flavor as well as cut. This restaurant depends heavily on the sauces- mayo, etc for flavor. Wayyyy too much mayo in the mac salad. Grilled pineapple was delicious though *Loco Moco (med, $9.50)- rice, topped with hamburger and eggs, and COVERED in gravy. Way too much gravy, so much we had to slop it off onto a plate. Just overboard. Overall, this was a fun restaurant but we will probably try a few other Hawaiian diggs before we return.
(3)Stayshuhh G.
LOVED this place! I always worry Hawaiian restaurants are going to be corny and filled with hula dancer dolls and leis everywhere, but this place seems authentic and definitely not over-the-top. The food and drinks are delicious, fast and excellent to take home for lunch the next day. Many items let you choose what size you want ("small" is large, "medium" is huge, "large" is ridiculous). Prices are great, service is laid-back and genuine. I just moved to Portland 2 months ago and have been here 3 times. It's gooooood.
(5)Felicia L.
I love this place. Their chicken dishes are soooooo good because they freshly grill the meat, mmm, bbq... And their workers are very friendly! I also have an odd love of spam (perhaps my NoPo upbringing?), and their spam musubi is the best I have found in Portland! I suggest the teriyaki chicken, and any of their veggie meat mixes. BTW -- you likely will never need a size larger than small, because their portions are HUGE, but if you do go larger, left-overs are always yummy!
(5)Mike N.
The four star rating is based on multiple experiences. If I would have written this review based on my first time, it would have been five stars plus. I cannot imagine somewhere that offers bigger portions. Order a small to be satisfied but mediums and larges are worth it for the extra meal. Over time, the place is still good food but never lives up to how remarkable it was the first time I ate there. But, I live in the area, and the Hawaiian barbecue smell alone, makes me happy for Bamboo Grove's existence. If you have never been, it is a must.
(4)Steve C.
A fun, funky Hawaiian restaurant in Johns Landing. You must go here on a Friday or Saturday and have the Kalua pork. You must. You owe that to yourself because you've earned it. You deserve it. If you don't believe that, I will send Stuart Smalley to your house. If you get the medium size Kalua pork, you'll have enough for a whole second meal later. If you get the large size, you may end up needing medical attention, but it will be worth it. Washing the pork down with a Hawaiian Mudslide (I think that's what they call it) is not required, but if you're not the designated driver, why not try five different kinds of rum in a 32oz glass? It will be worth it. Other stuff they make is good, too -- I can recommend the teriyaki chicken -- but if you're there on a Friday or Saturday, start with the Kalua pork. Really. End with the Kalua pork, too, if you want. I won't judge you. I give Bamboo Grove four stars only because you will probably need Immodium later. BUT IT WILL BE WORTH IT.
(4)Kristine P.
If I had to chose between NoHo's and Bamboo Grove.. NoHo's would win only because their Korean Chicken is juicier and less tough. Other than that, their portions are perfect, the mac salad was delicious, and the service was stellar.
(3)Kenneth H.
Huge portions of mediocre quality Hawaiian inspired fare. It is hard to decide what size you should order, but just remember that everything they serve does pretty good on the leftovers/re-heating the next day scale. I didn't feel like I overpaid, but I certainly felt like I ate here for quantity not quality.
(3)Brie P.
Lots of food. Meet over cooked. Service friendly.
(2)stephanie w.
My gramma and I were looking for a place to eat in my new neighborhood. The realtor told us about bamboo grove, it was spot on! We shared a mahi mahi sandwich with a side of cold macaroni salad. I am glad my gramma can't eat leafy greens, I would never have chosen the mac salad as a side because I have never had a good one before. This was so yummy, I wanted more! The mahi mahi tasted super fresh, and the guava lemonade was the perfect balance between sweet and tart. I will be coming back for more.
(5)Sean B.
Great food. Great location. Friendly staff. Doesn't get much better.
(4)Savanna F.
I heart this place. I used Yelp to weed out the good from the bad and I was not disappointed. There were several weeks when we were there at opening time on a Saturday or sSunday to get our fix. The Shoyu Chicken is super delish. I love the macaroni salad. My boyfriend lived in Hawai'i for 4 years and he can't believe how authentic this place is. The manapuas were a little dry but that might have been a bad day for them. Can't get enough of the teri sauce either. Portions are HUGE so if you get the medium size you'll probably have left overs for another full meal. The moco loco is good, the portugese sausage and rice and the teriyaki chicken, all super tasty. Probably the thing I'll miss most about Portland.
(5)Kurt S.
YUM! Been going here for years. We always end up getting the same thing because it's so f**ng good. Spicy Korean Chicken (emphasis on spicy) and Auntie Shoyu's Chicken. They also have some of the BEST macaroni salad this side of the Mississippi. Great service and FAST takeout. Eating in is very nice too. Fridays they usually have live Hawaiian music. YUM YUM YUM UPDATE (5/13): I'm sorry to report that somethings happened to their macaroni salad and not in a good way. It is definitely NOT THE BEST any longer. Not sure what they did (started buying it?) but I hope they go back to their old recipe. This stuff kinda tastes like.... Resers.... But, the rest of the food is the bomb.
(4)Samantha S.
Great atmosphere, amazing food & drinks!!! Plus they have a happy hour and drink specials daily. Ordered the pulled pork (which is available Thursday- Sunday) it was amazing. We have already gone back twice!!
(5)Becky S.
The service was bad, they were understaffed. The worst part was out of our party of 12, 5 people got seriously ill from eating there. Be warned.
(1)Jill G.
I have been to this restaurant 2 times and would go back in a heartbeat! I had the auntie shoyu chicken and it was scrumptious! Plenty left to eat later and the mac salad was yummy too! Will definitely go back!
(5)Katie K.
The boyfriend started taking me here when he lived off of Corbett, and it is sooooooo goooooood, I'm almost (almost!) sad we moved across the river. First, the food is aaaaaaawesome, and, as everybody points out, comes in HUGE portions. We usually split an appetizer and a small combo platter. The Shoyu chicken is delish, as are the Korean ribs. I was very happy digging in with my bare hands for the ribs, chopsticks for the chicken. The appetizer we get? The sea salt poke (kind of a cross between sushi and ceviche). It's actually better than the stuff I had in Maui...though the Hawaiian Iced Tea was definitely better on the islands. The beers on tap are mostly Hawaiian brews, which means that if you like over-priced, tasteless lager, you'll be happy. Otherwise, stick with the bottled beer. It's a dollar less and you can at least have some Deschutes. The decor is standard tiki, and there's always a surfing movie showing (with the sound off). The seating area is small, and, as a popular place, you might have to wait a little bit before seating. The outdoor patio is great in the summer, and closed in the winter (I think). I believe they take reservations for large parties, which I'd definitely recommend. They do have call-in take-out (glory of glories!), and their happy hour specials are quite good, 4-5:30 or so. Service is pretty decent, no frills.
(4)Sara D.
Ehhh...I dunno. I used to really like this place. It's not like anything has changed, but after eating there last night I probably won't be back anytime soon. Don't get me wrong, the food here is pretty good. It's just so much of the same thing. I guess the plate of meat and starch no longer does it for me. This girls gotta have greens or somethin! I usually order the Korean chicken, which has always been delicious, but everything comes with rice and macaroni salad. I guess you can sub a green salad for the mac salad which is definitely what I'll be doing if/when I go back. Maybe I just wasn't in the mood for it, but my chicken didn't really hit the spot, and there were actually a few big hunks of fat/gristle in it (eww). My guy ordered the Kahlua pork last night, and that was great. I ended up wishing I had ordered that and a salad. The atmosphere is cute though, the servers have always been nice and when they play live Hawaiian music it adds a charming touch. The prices are pretty reasonable and my boyfriend loves their food, so we'll probably be back at some point, but I'm not itchin to hurry back. I just think the initial sparks that flew between me and the Bamboo Grove are fading. Oh well, we had some good times.
(3)Monica V.
Until we visited Bamboo Grove, my experience of Hawaiian food was limited to the stuff they have in strip malls in Arizona, so obviously I'm no expert on things Hawaiian. Having said that, the food was absolutely fabulous and the service was friendly, welcoming and top notch. Almost every review here mentions the macaroni salad and with good cause - it IS amazing. We'll definitely be going back - the kahua and teriyaki grilled chicken were fabulous!
(4)Lisa S.
Dinner last weekend was amazing! Great service. Started with the ahi sashimi - could have made that an entree. Large portion and very fresh taste. Highly recommend the teriyaki pork and teriyaki chicken. Even the five-year old liked it. Macaroni salad is about as authentic as it gets - husband couldn't wait for this one and talked about it for days before heading here. They also have a back room that seats 40 or so for large group events.
(5)Alex M.
Large portions of delicious healthy food at very reasonable prices in a festive casual environment, and live music to boot. Looking forward to my next visit.
(4)Sara V.
OMG! This place is sooooo good! We eat here every so often and just love it! The pulled Kahlua pork is to die for!!! And their homemade macaroni salad is the best I've ever tasted. They have great desserts and drinks too. The wait staff is always friendly and attentive. And as if this place couldn't get any better, they are very inexpensive. They usually have an artist performing traditional Hawaiian music somewhere in the restaurant. My husband and I both love this place and highly recommend it!
(5)Daryl C.
Ono kind grindz! Can't go wrong!! We used to drive up from Salem regularly and bring our guests there.
(5)Emily L.
Wowza, where do I start? The teriyaki sauce is a thing of magic. I could probably put it on anything, and if not for judgmental stares, I'd probably just bypass food and drink it. I have had their tuna stir fry (with said, magic teriyaki) and it makes your toes curl in a way that is usually reserved for people who are overly enthusiastic about food. I know I've eaten other things here, but it's really the tuna teriyaki stir fry that's standing out, and that's typically all that I'll order. As others have mentioned, the portion sizes are gargantuan, so it's a good spot to visit with another person. Also, they might have the most darling litle patio for cocktails in the summer (and the cocktails are gooooood). If you're a tiki buff, this will be right up your alley. Challenge yourself to drive down MacAdam by The Pet Loft any day after 5 and you can SMELL how amazing the food is. Do it!! :-)
(5)Lusha K.
The Kalua pork is amazing, order the large one so you have leftovers. If you like slippers, long board beer and a taste of Hawaii hit up this spot. Spam musubi is wonderful and try one of the tropical margaritas. This place has a comfy feel and the staff is always laid back and very nice. The portions are large and the price is reasonable. We go back often.
(4)Cody W.
The best Kahlua Pork in town --too bad it's not served every day. Quality grinds, particularly the Loco Moco. Portions have dwindled just a wee bit post-recession. Ownership & most of the waitstaff are very nice & accomodating --there is one bad apple. Great atmosphere on Friday/Saturday nights with Hawaiian music. Bottom line, this is *the* place for Kahlua Pork in PDX.
(4)Scott H.
Just ate their for the first time and had the beef teriyaki grind. It was good! Very flavorful meat. I'd say this is a fine place for lunch as the portions are huge, though a bit more expensive than what I would typically pay for lunch. The side dishes were rice and macaroni salad, both fine, and the service was adequately friendly.
(3)Kitty K.
One of our favorite restaurants! The shoyu chicken is the bomb!!!
(5)Kim I.
I just got back from Hawaii and I am going to go to Bamboo Grove right now because I am missing the islands already. It's raining and depressing here so at least the food will cheer me up. I always get the combo plate with half terri beef and half shoyu chicken, yummmm! All they need to n their menu is Shave Ice then I would eat there everyday! Service is pretty slow, they could pay more attention to their customers, but the food is so good and the portions are awesome, i'll keep coming back!
(4)Casey L.
The grilled teriyaki chicken #31 here is charred to perfection. They give huge amounts & the mac salad is good too. The Kahlua pork sandwich is also a great choice for a Sunday lunch. The best Hawaiian food I've had so far!
(5)Mido U.
after reading the reviews and seeing the pictures of the food, we were excited to try. however, we were unfortunately disappointed. service is super slow. she was nice, but clearly overworked being the only server there. she had to seat guests, tend to tables and buss them!!! people who came in were waiting 15 minutes to get seated, no that there weren't seats, but she was just so busy. we went at 1230 on saturday and it was packed. when paying, didn't even think of using a credit card. just left cash and left because waiting would have been another 15 minutes. food was OK. maybe we got the wrong things. the shoyu chicken was super sweet which was odd. my gf had the loco moco. the loco moco the egg was overcooked and not runny like how it should be. the gravy was probably the best part. would like to try other menu items, but probably wont go back unless they get another server and the poor service kills it for me.
(2)Eric S.
As long time fans of Noho's on SE Clinton St, our expectations were high. Bamboo Grove was surprisingly good. In fact, it's our favorite Hawaiian-style spot in PDX now. Food is delicious. Teri-beef, Auntie Shoyu's Chicken, the bomb Mac, + Yakisoba Noodles w/house sauce are go-to's. Large plates. Fair service. What pushes it past Noho's: beer, booze, patio seating, and a more spacious, aloha feel.
(4)Matthew H.
Dude. The helping sizes here are totally my style. I wish we had better plate lunch up here in Seattle, more along the lines of this. But don't fear, if you worry about your waistline you can always opt for a smaller portion of whatever you get. Had a chance to dip in here while they had music playing in the back which was very nice. I left to Corvallis after this and about fell asleep due to a loco moco hangover. Props to the owner and the staff for creating a place that could possibly be the sole reason why I want to stop in Portland!
(5)Kevin M.
the shoyu chicken is the must have. huge portions. sit in the back room (you might not know its there unless you look) and listen to live Hawaiian music and dancers. fun!
(3)Chad R.
As a child of Corvallis, where Local Boyz is an institution, Bamboo Grove is a similar style family feel place. I've taken a work lunch there (Very Busy) and today went on a spur of the moment thing. Even at 2pm on a Saturday it was pretty darn busy and the staff is wonderful. I had the Cucumber Namasu and can't recommend it highly enough. Then I went to my staples of Shoyu Chicken and Kihei Ribs. A small portion was more than enough for me. Thank goodness I walked some of that off on the way home. As a coy ploy to eat there again soon, I left my hat...
(5)Melissa C.
Great food and huge portions. The small is more than enough for a meal plus enough for leftovers
(5)Steven C.
Kavika is a god
(5)Paris O.
Ive struggled with 3 or 4 stars here. I got the teriyaki pork and my girl friend got the teriyaki chicken. we substituted the macaroni salad, for green salads. the salads were, bottom of the barrel gross white chunks. ya know, none of the good green stuff. the guava vinaigrette however, was super tasty and helped hide the POOR lettuce selection. our meals DID come super fast, and super hot. at first sight of my dish, i thought...really? did you pick the worst possible piece of pork in portland? it was visibly gristle ridden with what seemed like few 'good' pieces to choose from. my girlfriends chicken looked a bit better at first sight. there was definitely visible gristle...but overall, not too shabby looking. now, on to the flavors. we both noticed that you could ask for your order spicy. we requested the 'homemade' spicy sauce on the side. i say, 'homemade', because the server stated that it was just the 'rooster sauce', sriracha. i thought, better than nothing. come to find out, it was actually sriracha, with a little add ins, and very tasty. overall the pork tasted A-MAZING. as did the chicken. the rice was well cooked and the cabbage bed it was all laying in, was a nice compliment to each dish. im choosing to give them only 3 stars due to the POOR MEAT SELECTION. i choose to buy all the expensive meat...you know, the new seasons stuff. COMPLETELY understanding the restaurant business, and knowing they cant provide that, unless we want to pay for it...but this meat was bottom of the barrel. dont get me wrong, these flavors rocked my face. but the meat was sub-par! portions are BIG.
(3)Maria H.
Best Hawaiian restaurant in Portland! Only gave it four stars however because their mac salad could use less mayo.
(4)kekai c.
Bamboo Grove should be on the must visit list of Portland eateries for anyone who has a desire for great tasting Hawaii food! So, I found out about this place from some friends of my mom's who were having a get together here to celebrate the Princess's birthday (Bernice Pauahi Bishop). Since then, I've been back two times both of which which I came with an appetite and left feeling happily content. The portion sizes come in three choices (small, medium, and large), with small being enough to satisfy any regular person, medium enough to share between two people, and large...better ask for a to-go plate! My friend and I shared a medium combo plate of Teri beef and Kalbi for $15 and it fed us well. It came with two scoops of rice and one scoop of mac salad, with about three pieces of each of our requested meat. For those that share the plate and love rice, a side of rice may be a good idea, but seriously the meat was so tasty I savored my last bites even without rice. Another great thing about this place is the live Hawaiian music that they have on Friday and Saturday night. The two "Anakalas" entertaining had a mixed repetoire of Hawaiian and hapa ha'ole songs that reminded me of my days working in Waikiki. For those of you wanting to celebrate with a large group there's a large room in the back you can rent that holds maybe 20 or so. In conclusion, I'll say it again... Bamboo Grove should be on the must visit list of Portland eateries for anyone who has a desire for great tasting Hawaii food!
(5)Alan J.
I've never had Hawaii food, but Bamboo Grove is delicious. I had the Korean Ribs, and they were really good. They were the perfect mix of sweet and savory. They came with white rice and a really good macaroni salad. Eating at a Hawaiian place required a sweet drink too, so I had the Mai Tai, and it was pretty good. I took a bit too much time on it, so it was a little watered down by the time I got to the bottom because the ice had all melted, but that was my fault. The service was great - the server generally left us alone until she saw that we needed refills or help. We were catching up with friends so she left us alone while we had a nice long chat after the meal. I'd highly recommend Bamboo Grove, and definitely plan to visit there again.
(4)Maile K.
Super good Hawaii food for Portland, it definitely compares to Oahu. The service was really nice and they handled our big party really well. The portions were shareable and everything went well together!
(5)Travis B.
I used to live in close so proximity was part of the equation, but I've tried a number of other Hawaiian restaurants and none quite stack up. This place is still worth the drive.
(5)Whitney O.
This is my most absolute favorite restaurant of all time! The portions are huge! I usually order the large because I know it will last me two more lunches. When my mom first brought me home leftovers, I thought it was shredded pork, but it was chicken. I don't know if this sounds crazy, but the Auntie's Sho's chicken tastes like pork! I think that's an amazing feat in it's self. Now, every time I go there, that's all I order. The meat melts in your mouth. The macaroni salad is to die for and the sticky rice is delectable with the special sauce. The $13 large plate gets you: a mound of meat, 3 scoops of sticky rice, and it's either 2 or 3 scoops of homemade macaroni salad. If this restaurant is anything like Hawaii, count me in!
(5)Chin W.
Awesome food and experience. I haven't been to Hawaii but i thoroughly enjoyed the food. The service was friendly and prompt without outrageous prices. Will definitly be back
(4)Dan H.
Great choice for local-style grub in Portland. Single visit was well worth it - huge portions and excellent food. Will be back for sure!
(4)Lizzie V.
The Kahlua pork, macaroni salad, and white rice is served Sun-Thurs and apparently not on the written menu, but is so worth getting. The large (about $13) served my husband and I to the brim, and with ample leftovers for a whole other meal. We'll see who gets the leftovers... The server was a gem, and ladies, it is located next to Here We Go Again consignment store, which has some fun stuff to sort through before or after your meal. Enjoy!
(4)Vic V.
Very close to Noho's in menu, price and food quality. A little more variety on their menu and larger seating area give it a small edge.
(4)Holy-foo' X.
[After all these years still a very solid 4.5 star rating] Yeah, it's a little spendy, compared with similar joints (Big Kahuna, Aiea's, its former sister-franchise Noho's...). Yep, the service can be a little uneven--- sometimes it's been quite slow even when ours was the only group in there. Finally, I wish it were open later; as a graveyard worker, heck, I wish it were open all night! But from ownership/mgt. standpoint, I'd consider that a GOOD complaint! Off hand, I can't think of a single place I've ever eaten---even the ones like Bamboo Grove, where I've gone back over and over b/c I loved 'em-- where the service didn't at least occasionally suck. With that out of the way, let's discuss all the reasons to LOVE the 'Grove... 1.) Behemoth portions (they call it Bla-lah). Remind me, fellow yelpers, why this is ever a BAD thing? You all HAVE heard of doggie bags, yes..? Delicious leftovers for days to come is sorta something to look forward to, dontcha think...? Caveat: I personally try to remember to avoid the mac salad at all costs--- first, 'cos it's tantamount to declaring war on my poor, unsuspecting body. But also, it doesn't seem to 'keep' nearly as well as a leftover... 2.) Unbelieve bbq. Having played football in college w/quite a few Islanders, I know very well how they got so big and strong. Low and slow, is the way to do bbq right--and at Bamboo Grove I've never had a dish-- be it beef, chicken, pork or fish-- that wasn't super juicy, tender, and just right. 3.) Korean Combo Platter. Loco Moco. If they served just these two glorious dishes on their menu (w/regrets to the Kalua Pig, which is a very close #3), I'm convinced they'd still be every bit as successful as they are now. I'll bet there are plenty of folks who have been to B.G. many times already, having never tried either of these All-Universe platters. Go ahead. Try one these. Heck, try 'em both. See if they don't add at least one star to your previous rating! They actually each deserve their own separate star for excellence, but there's still one more crucial aspect to cover..... 4.) Cozy atmosphere and B-A-R. The grub is so filling that I can't imagine having more than one, MAYBE two glasses of beer w/dinner. It's just so very nice to have that little something extra, along w/the music, etc, to add to the ambience (Kahuna's, are you taking note?). Eating out on the porch, on a lovely warm summer night is a damn fine experience. Too bad they're not closer to the water.... Mahalo, Bamboo Grove! I sometimes dream of you. "But even when I dream of you, the sweetest dreams would never do, I'd still miss you, baby, and I don't wanna miss a tha--aaaang...."
(5)Gary L.
Fun place to get your Hawaiian spirit of Aloha back. The good: Kahlua pig was moist, flavorful and seasoned like home-made. The lemonade hit the spot. Live Hawaiian music in the evening will take you back to the islands. Service was efficient and friendly, the owner warm and inviting. Some help needed: The chicken was a bit dry. The Spam musubi would have better if the meat was fried and the rice had some seasoning-vinegar, salt and sugar. Large portions will satisfy the hungriest in your party, and the prices are fair.
(4)Leah H.
Although I'm aware that places like Roxy's have the best Hawaiian food, I am turned away by their focus on chicken. Generally speaking, I don't eat poultry at all. So shoyu chicken really does nothing for me. I don't care how good it is. I went to Bamboo Grove because I noticed their non clucking menu options. I went with a plate of ribs. Two different flavorings. While the seasoning wasn't bad, the ribs were horrifically gristly. They were fairly tender but tasted mostly like fat. My only assumption is that Bamboo Grove skips on meat quality. Which is unfortunate. My companion got the shoyu chicken (of course) and seemed pretty not okay with how sweet the dish was. He spent most of the meal trying to figure out where the sweetness was coming from and not enjoying the meal. I mean...the meal wasn't terrible. It just wasn't what I would consider to be "good." I'm holding hope that the kalua pork is as good as the other reviews say. I love love love pork but it was not being offered the day I was there. Although if it truly is there only remarkable dish, you might think that they would try to serve it everyday.
(3)Jay H.
Just moved into the neighborhood and stopped here to pick up dinner on my way home. Ordered the shoyu chicken, which was fine. Nothing special, as far as shoyu chicken goes, but it was good enough and satisfied my craving for sweet salty meat and lots of carbs. The only real turn-off was the prominent sign explaining how they will only do a maximum of two separate checks per table. In my opinion, that's just ridiculous, especially in this day and age when almost everyone wants to pay with a card. There's some explanation about how it's to make sure the servers can be efficient and streamline service for everyone, but since 99% of restaurants manage to divide bills up in whatever way the customers want and still manage to serve all the other people in the restaurant, I find this pretty dubious. Frankly, I don't care what the reasoning is, to me it shows a lack of respect for the customers and if they're not willing to provide this basic service I have to wonder where else they'll fall short. So, while I'll probably keep coming here occasionally for food on my way home from work, I'll never suggest it to a group.
(3)Ophelia Y.
Ordered the two-item combo for take-out, and it definitely hit the spot. Creamy, rich mac salad, a healthy portion of rice, tasty Kahlua pork, and Korean ribs! The extra sauces are well worth it - light and sweet - the perfect addition to our meal! Take-out was fast, and property packaged to make it home without a spill!
(4)Shanyn L.
I usually love this place, good food for a great price. But... Today I met my husband and brother there they had been waiting about 10 min when I got there and they had already told waitress they were ready to order. I arrived right behind a large party and we sat and watched the staff fold napkins while we waited for someone to take our order. After another 10 min, of waiting with no service we got up and left. Really disappointing!
(1)Peter T.
Had a most excellent meal from them via Delivered Dish. Have to say their pig (pulled pork) is some of the best I have had. We also had the poke and cuke salad, both really great. Some of the most authentic Hawaiian I have had in PDX!
(4)Bob H.
Short story - skip this place. I am a big fan of Hawaiian food. So much so, I would overlook sticky tables and bad service. Bamboo Grove was not great food in general so the sticky table may have pushed me over the edge. I had lunch there today since I was in the neighborhood. The server met me at the door and asked how many in my party while having a conversation with another customer. I respond just me (no response from him)! He then grabbed a menu and sprinted out of sight to a table in the back room like he was trying out for the Olympics. When I made it to the back room looking lost, someone kindly reunited me with my menu. When "speedy" came back to take my order he just hovered like he was ready to dash off for another 100 meter menu relay event. I opted for a green salad instead of the mac salad with Kahlua pig. I guess I should have been specific on the color of green salad. The pale green salad was accented with rotting lettuce dark green and yellow. You know, like the salad you forgot about in the rotter drawer of your refrigerator that is now semi-liquid. I pulled out the more "colorful" pieces an put them aside. I get that salad is perishable and goes bad. When I have done this before, the attentive server notices and makes it right. I guess at Speedy's pace, it was a blur. Though plentiful, the Kahlua pig was dry and not very flavorful. I ate less than half when I realized I have a less picky 15 year old boy. My water was good! Bill came to $12.00 FYI I seldom write a review. I previously have always given a place multiple chances to account for a bad day. I felt compelled to review this place since I will not be going back. In a town where the choices for a meal are virtually endless, it is a shame retail space was wasted on this spot.
(1)Katie S.
Yummy!!! We got two plates and it fed all 8 of us (four kids!) great service and good food. We'll be back!!
(5)Lily L.
Kimichi, Spam Musabi, Kuala Pig, and Korean chicken were all dishes I shared with my boyfriend. The bill came to around 24. We were both very full. Kimich was like $4, and it was served into a small dish. To be honest, I would skip it, since the portion size made it felt like a rip off. Also, for an appetizer, it wasn't their specialty. Spam Musabi, was priced at $5, there were 4 pieces. It had a piece of cooked egg and spam inside. The cut of the spam was very thin, it could been cut twice as thick. Then our main dish was a small combination plate, priced at $14, it came with a side of rice and macaroni salad. My boyfriend and I didn't not really cared for the macaroni salad. I literally ate one piece, and I could tell you it was bland, not even a slight salty flavor. The kaula pig was delicious, it was very moist, and same with the korean chicken. Service itself was ok, nothing phenomenal. We were seated, and promptly got our food served. We went Saturday before dinner rush and they were out of hibachi ribs. Last time we came here which was about 2 years ago, the kuala pig wasn't that great. I might conclude, they might just have off days.
(4)Alexis C.
I love this place! The kahlua pork is SO EXCELLENT, especially smothered in the sweet teriyaki sauce. And I love it when restaurants have variable serving sizes--for the kahlua pig, 'small' is enough for one hearty eater, 'medium' is enough for a hearty eater and a more moderate eater to share and lick the plate clean, and 'large' is enough for 2 to share and still have about a meals' worth of leftovers! The service is usually pretty decent, the staff is always friendly... they do get SUPER busy though, and its a pretty small place, so definitely expect to wait if you're going on a Friday or Saturday evening! It's a little easier when the weather is warm and the deck is open though.
(5)Olivia T.
It was a hot summer night and we wanted to eat out at a restaurant with AC. We called Bamboo Grove and they said, they have AC. Woohooo! Score! Hawaiian food + AC = heaven. We drove there, parked, walked in and....... no AC. They have fans and air, but it's not cold inside. It was warm, but the place smell soooooo good. We decided to stay. We ordered Lumpias and Spam Musubis for appetizers. They were delicious appetizers and I'm a HUGE fan of Spam...call it what you want..SPAM is da bomb. For our entrees, my DL got the Loco Moco that I didn't even got to try (he ate it so fast...like a vacuum cleaner :) ). Akemi & I shared a plate of Combination BBQ platters. We ordered LARGE size and when the food came out, we wished we ordered Medium. The portion was HUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUGEEEEEEE. The good thing that comes along with the huge portion is the taste of the food. I love the BBQ meats in the combination platter and the Macaroni salad was delicious. Hawaiian food is not the same without the Mac salad. The price is about what I expected for Hawaiian food. It's not in the $ category, it's more in $$ category. Is the food worth the price tag? Yes and no. Yes if it's cold outside and you want to eat out at somewhere warm, no if it's hot outside and you want to eat out at somewhere cool because they don't have AC.
(4)Carissa G.
I LOVE Bamboo Grove Hawaiian Grille. I was born and raised in Hawaii and Bamboo Grove is some of the best Hawaiian food I've EVER had, including Hawaiian food from Hawaii! The portions are huge, the food is delicious and it's fairly inexpensive for what you get! I personally like to get the Hawaiian BBQ pupu platter (teriyaki pork, portugese sausage and shoyu chicken) with rice on the side, but everything on the menu is so good! They even offer vegetarian options for those who don't eat meat. My only qualm is that they don't accept more than 2 credit cards, so if you're going with a large group of people, don't forget to bring cash.
(5)Delilah K.
Always a favorite place to go and love sitting on the deck. We order a few items (in the Large size) and switch plates cuz' everything is so dang good. Last visit was a Saturday afternoon. Nothing like a soft breeze, chill music and good people. Only thing missing with my coconut sorbet was a hammock.
(4)I K.
Bamboo Grove is hands down the best Hawaiian food available in the metro area. They have a wide variety of foods, from spicy, meaty, deserts, drinks, and sides. By far my favorite item on the menu is the Macaroni Salad. The veggie menu is excellent and contains really good descriptions of the ingredients. The Iced tea is also very unique, definitely worth asking about if your into iced-tea. A typical meal at this place is huge, definitely recommend planning to take a left over container and making 1 or 2 other meals out of the left overs. The table service at the restaurant can be slow during busy times, outback especially when a live band is playing service can slow down a bit. The eating experience can take a long time and its definitely a good spot for a date or family get together. The outdoor porch is nice in the summer time as well. On busy weekend days there can be a long line or crowd so plan ahead if you have something to get to afterword. My friends who eat the meaty items really enjoy the pork dishes. Definitely about time i put in a review on this place after coming here for quite a while. Don't miss out give it a try.
(5)Jesse E.
Great food at a good price. While it is more expensive I easily get two meals out of it and my girlfriend gets three. I recommend 25 1/2. It is a combination of stir-fry vegetables and your choice of meat. I recommend the korean chicken. I have also tried the kalua pig, it is traditionally quite salty but I still enjoyed it.
(5)Orian I.
We came here for a team dinner. The service was excellent and fast. The menu is pretty diverse. the spam musubi was thumbs down-on a side note, i suppose i will never find good spam musubi sad face. so onto the good stuff. - The portions are huge you weren't kidding! - The cocktails i got were a nice pour and tasty. - the service was on point and friendly and quick - the space is a nice and can accommodate a larger group for dinner What I had was the combo plate with hibachi ribs and Korean ribs. The rice was good, the mac salad was a little more mayonaisy then i like but a large dose of siracha fixed that. The Korean ribs were sweeter than i like but were good, kind of like meaty jerky? tasty though. the hibachi ribs were excellent. more charcoally and just salt and peppered. I also tried some of my team mates dishes, the mahi mahi was ok nothing spectacular. the yakisoba was just kind of sad, but standard.lots of cabbage, limp noodles and flavored only by terry sauce. the shoyu chicken is shredded and salty and tasty nice with the combo platter and man they heap it on. I want to go back and try their kalua pork on the weekend.
(3)Chris S.
Best Teriyaki in town. The portions are huge. Their small is larger than the average size portion anywhere else. Ordered the large once and it would have fed 3 average Americans, or 300 orphans. Good service, full bar. A great spot during the summer with a few outdoor tables. Need a place for a laid back business lunch, this is the place. They get 5 stars from me.
(5)Lance R.
Best mac salad around!
(4)Dave M.
A little slice of Aloha right here in sunny Portland. Great food and drinks and its always a mini vacation when we get down to Johns Landing. absolutely a gem.
(5)c b.
The food is spot on YUM every time. The ambience is super chill, acoustic Hawaiian filled the packed restaurant with a devil may-care vibe last Saturday. No reservations but owner Dave squeezed a bunch of tables together for our large group. It was magic, thanks Dave ;) Imbibed with the Hawaiian Iced Tea and enjoyed old standby's: auntie shoyu's chicken, korean-style ribs & teriyaki pork. We had kids of all ages silently wolfing down their meals. I ordered 5 large combos and the waitress suggested a more affordable way to order the same food. (Nice huh?) It was plenty for our group of 14. Great place for a family gathering. When the wet weather quits the patio will be stellar! Go enjoy some ALOHA.
(5)Jen K.
I haven't eaten in the restaurant but had them cater a dinner. They were great to work with over the phone and the food was ready and waiting when we arrived. I ordered the Big Kahuna Platter which comes with four grilled meat items over noodles. They say perfect for a hungry party of four, but it was a ton of food for $60. The Kihei ribs, spicy Korean chicken and mac salad were especially good.
(4)Kip L.
I've tried this place 5 times now and can't seem to ever get a solid meal. We live about 1.5 blocks away from the restaurant and I am always encouraged by the smell of freshly grilled meat but ever meal that we've managed to get lacks that "fresh off the grill" taste/texture. Years ago I lived around the corner from Local Boyz (now Noho's) and so I know that this cuisine can be excellent.
(2)Parker P.
The shoyu chicken is really good, but sometimes a little overcooked/burnt-ish. Maybe not the best service in the world.
(4)Mark A.
The place was nice. Service was excellent. They called our party of 6 a large crowd so they would not separate our checks into anything more than two. They said they can't, I say they won't. The Kahlua Pork was good, the loco moco was great, & the teriyaki beef was like beef jerky: Flavorful & chewy. I loved their spring rolls & spam roll-ups. Excuse my lack of memory on the exact names. It was Friday so green beers were on sale so that was a plus. The Mac Salad was way creamy which I personally love. I would not change it a bit. Overall I enjoyed myself quite a bit. 3-stars might be a little harsh, but hey whatever. PDMA
(3)Adam E.
Warning: The portions are huge! Don't be afraid to share a large portion between two people. I went to Bamboo Grove for the first time last night and was very pleased. They had live music and an atmosphere makes you feel as if you have just stepped off a beach of Hawaii. It was very busy, the staff was friendly, working hard while maintaining the aloha spirit.
(4)Erica B.
I LOVE this place. Ok the atmosphere is a little cliche & the lighting sucks but I still love it. The best part...the Passionfruit Margarita!! One of my fave cocktails of all time. Also, I stopped eating meat about a year ago & their grilled Mahi-Mahi sandwich is great when I get those cravings for a smokey, grilled meat flavor. Mac salad is awesome too but really rich & creamy.
(4)Annette V.
This place is very close to my house and I've had the opportunity to eat here 3 times. Every single time, I gorge and feel guilty afterwards, but they really serve up some decent food. The decoration is bit much and you feel a bit cheesy here but if you ignore it and concentrate on finishing your healthy portioned food, you'll be ok. Wish they had AC and better ventilation though. It always feels like a smokehouse in here and I sweat through my meal. Mac salad is ok, not the best or worst. Last time I had the kalua pork which was a real winner. Ribs are also tasty, wouldn't recommend the burger though. 2/3 times I was here, live music was present-nice treat with your meal. And oh...they have the best candies to finish your meal off with...pina colada tasting and oh so good...I try to grab a few as I waddle out the door each time :)
(4)Heidi C.
Bamboo Grove is one of my favorite restaurants in Portland. They have great food. I have had multiple different plates here and they are always delicious. They sometimes even have a live Hawaiin band that play on the weekends which adds a nice touch. my only complaint is the service is usually slow here.
(4)Cynthia J.
Where do I begin?? The food? The portions? The staff?? All amazing! I've had a serious craving for Hawaiian food for a while now (I am refusing to go to the Hawaiian place by my house- no loco moco, c'mon, and you call yourself a Hawaiian restaurant) and I had to run errands in the area. I walked in and ordered a take-out order. Knowing that I was waiting for the food, the staff was SUPER helpful and quick! I ordered the kim chee, Hawaiian style poke, Kalua pork, 'da other' saimin and a lilikoi iced tea (not all of this was for myself, I swear). I mentioned I was taking the bus and the waitress was immediately like, "let me get you a box instead of a bag so its more stable!", "we can split your saimin into two bowls so it has less of a chance to spill", etc. She also refilled my iced tea while i was waiting. It was awesome. The real treat was when I got home. The portions were HUGE. I saved the kalua pork and poke for my bf and I dove into my saimin and kim chee. The portions of the saimin were so large that when I put both containers together, I had to use a serving bowl I use to entertain with. HUGE. The homemade kim chee was great. When I couldn't eat anymore, I dumped it in my saimin. Best Idea Ever. Stuffed myself and still ended up with a full container for the next day. The poke was a beautiful bright pink color- gorgeous. And they did such a great job trimming the fish- there were no fatty strips running through- absolutely great quality of fish. The kalua pork was delicious. My bf and I both made sandwiches with it and still had more to spare (which is okay by me!). All in all, this is a great option if you need to kill some cravings for some local food and can't afford the plane ticket. I can't wait for my next trip to Bamboo Grill!! (loco moco then!!)
(5)Tony D.
I was blown away by how amazing the food tasted. They were extremely busy and were still able to have our food out in a very timely manor.
(5)Laura C.
I'd heard about this restaurant for awhile so when it came up in conversation recently, I talked the friend who mentioned loving it, into going with me. She said that her and her co-workers eat lunch there on a regular basis, so I knew it had to be good. She was right about the portion sizes; they were HUGE! We got the wrong order from our server, but that could have been out fault. My friend is quiet as a mouse so the server may have mis-heard her. Within 5 or so minutes, the item we were sharing came out, piping hot and fresh. We split the grilled teriyaki plate 9which comes with white rice and macaroni salad) - that easily could feed 3 lesser pigs. We finished most of the meal - but only because it tasted so good. I got to take the leftovers home, because my friend doesn't like to re-heat meals. Her loss. The bartender didn't have gingerale - which is required for the drink I wanted - so she made it up. I was very happy about that :-) The restaurant itself isn't very big, but we didn't have a problem getting a table because we went really early. I hear they have a back room for catered events as well. Regardless, the food is so good, it's worth the wait.
(5)Mills M.
Best plate lunch in Portland. I've tried a few others around town, but I think this is my favorite. It is the closest thing to the islands that I have found. Their mac salad is great, and the only one I've found that tastes anything like what I had in Hawaii. And don't forget the POG juice. I have tried Ohana's - it just wasn't as good. But I am always on the hunt for something better. There is street parking only, but I have never had any trouble finding a spot right out front. If you don't know how to park, you might end up walking a block. Probably a good thing to burn off those calories.
(5)Katherine B.
Excellent. The closest thing to the island right here in Portland. The portions are large and I recommend trying everything.
(5)J V.
Auntie's Shoyu Chicken and Korean Chicken. My perfect carnivore protein fix. I get those dishes with out the mac salad, since I'm not a mayo fan. Always friendly staff and I love the surfing movies that they show. Makes me want to go to the beach.
(4)Matt L.
strikingly delicious, if I were in the neighborhood I'd no doubt have made multiple trips already... as it is, my first trip was delectable, featuring a rib sampler (and all ribs sampled were juuuuust right!) and a drink that combined 7-up, tequila, and likely midori, which is basically one of the eight or so perfect meals I could imagine. I can't see any reason not go back... and soon!
(4)Jessica G.
Will never come back here! I just left after waiting for an entire hour after we ordered our food. After a full half hour after we ordered, our waitress finally stopped by and claimed they were "behind" and had some random excuses why that was happening. She did nothing to try to make us more content, or any of the customers waiting for that matter. And she was not willing to tell anyone when the food would be ready. I heard the people at the table behind us say when they finally did get their food that it was completely cold and that they were really disappointed. Here is when it gets beyond unacceptable... After a full hour went by I asked her if she could please give us a time frame as to when our food would be ready. She said no she could not! And I asked her if she could please find out because I had to get back to work (I have a job that isn't stoked on two hour lunches... imagine that!) and that we would have to leave soon. Her reply was unbelievable.... "I don't care if you DO leave!" I informed her I would be writing a yelp review and we left without eating. I have eaten here before and thought it was okay Hawaiian food, nothing to write home about. I have worked in the restaurant industry before and totally understand that sometimes things happen and get delayed. But I also learned that first and foremost, you must make the customer happy if you want them to come back to your restaurant. After this, I wouldn't touch this place with a ten foot pole. If you enjoy bad attitudes, cold mediocre Hawaiian food, and terrible (actually, inappropriate) customer service, this is the place for you. We stopped at Subway on our way back to the office because I was starving. I was extremely satisfied with their service and my sandwich.
(1)Nai S.
This is the place to go for lunch and be able to take it home for dinner. Great food and amazing portions. Pros: Portions, Prices Cons: The stuffed feeling after
(4)Matt J.
This place came highly recommended but didn't nearly live up to the hype. The chicken dish we had was decent, the spam and egg sushi bearable, but everything else was instantly forgettable. Save your money and try somewhere else. Only big positive I saw was that the portions were enormous. I've seen a few reviews here mentioning the maccaroni salad - all it was for me was pasta and mayonaise. As a southerner, it was one of the worst tasting maccaroni salads I've ever tasted. Don't buy the hype.
(2)Annie T.
Oh my goodness! Talk about heaven on Earth! We just had Bamboo Grove cater our company picnic at Mt. Tabor park in Portland, the food was so amazing I don't even know how to describe it. If you're looking for the best food, Hawaiian or not, this is the place to go. Three days later I can still remember the sweet taste of the chicken... oh my, I have got eat some more!! And the sooner the better!
(5)Joseph H.
The best Hawaiian food you'll find, regardless of what Island you're on. Bamboo Grove delivers gigantic portions of food at reasonable prices. Those portions just happen to be about the best Hawaiian style BBQ you can find. They consistently deliver so well from their grill I never oder anything else! Ribs, spicy Korean Chicken, Rib Eye (real rib eye), Kahlua Pig, and salted or sweet meats round out an extensive list. There's two pages of other choices on their menu, but the "grinds" is where it's at. A large can easily feed two people and I've actually shared it with four on several occasions. It sounds like I'm bragging about the size of the food, I'm not, their grill needs to be tasted and savored. It's something special and there's only one other place in the state (Ohanna's) that can even come close to what they're doing. Drink's are a little pricey and the menu is a limited if you're a vegetarian, let alone if you're vegan. (good luck). Here's a tip for you, scramble your mac salad into the rice and douse it with their house made teriyaki sauce. Trust me, if you give in to the temptation of Huh-why-EE, you'll be back time and again. You'll just be sad when you can't find a grill like the Bamboo Grove when you're actually in Hawaii.
(5)Zato I.
I come up to visit once a year for a week, I found this gem i will be back for some soul food. I like it alot here, be careful the large portion is for a big appetite, enjoy highly recommended
(4)J M.
As usual, went there on a busy Friday night. The service was great. I was a little dismayed that they called a party of six a 'large party'. This meant that we were not allowed to sit outside or have our checks divided. This seemed a little snobbish to me. Given the amount of patrons, I guess they can do what they want. Now for my snobbishness - I've eaten in Hawaii and this didn't quite live up. It seemed to be more of a Korean/Hawaiian joint rather than anything authentic. That said, the food was still very decent. I wouldn't say that anything was great, but it wasn't disappointing either. The portions were generous and the price was on-point. The loco-moco was average though I was disappointed to see only one egg for two burger patties. The spare ribs were a little overdone for my taste. The kahlua pork was nicely done. Overall, I'd say this place is worth a try, but I've actually found a different, local Hawaiian restaurant that I like better. (also, the bathroom is tiny and hard to get to with the line being right in front) Still, a mild thumbs-up.
(3)Kim D.
Auntie Shoyu's Chicken and Teriyaki Beef are among our faves. Of course the macaroni salad is the key - makes the whole meal! It takes us a good hour to make it to Bamboo Grove but still we often make the drive up for dinner. Plus, anytime we're up for an appointment in the PDX area, we call for dinner to go and it's always hot and ready. (Be sure to ask for the macaroni salad to be boxed separately!) The kids love it, we love it and are even happier when the bill comes and it's so reasonable! The portions are HUGE and leftovers reheat wonderfully!
(5)Krystal O.
I don't like to give out five stars often. But I had THE best macaroni salad of my LIFE here. The teryaki Chicken that I have been smelling for the last year and a half (I work down the street) did not leave me disappointed. Very flavorful, cooked wonderfully, and a giant portion for the price. The waitstaff was very nice, cheerful, and prompt! I will eat here again, and I even bought one of their cool tee shirts! =D
(5)Becky P.
I have eaten here twice and loved, loved it each time! Simply delicious food!
(5)Becka L.
Delicious Hawaiian food, great ambience. Ate here this last weekend with my husband's siblings for dinner. The restaurant itself is a little bit dark for my tastes, but I was also told that the patio dining (when sunny enough) is wonderful. There was also live music that evening, with ukeleles and singing - very relaxing, traditional music - nothing blaring or anything that would cause indigestion. My husband had the Kalua Pig, which from what I could see was a serving of shredded chunks of pork, wonderfully and not too heavily seasoned. I think that this is only served on Fridays/Saturdays and is enough food for two meals. I had the Hibachi ribs, the small plate, which was nicely peppered and grilled perfectly - the meat was just this side of cooked, which I love. I'm sure they'd cook them more if that was your preference, but it was really tender and flavorful. The small plate came with four good-sized ribs, and all of the dinners come with rice and a really good macaroni salad. It was nice to see that they had put some actual thought into the salad - most restaurants that serve macaroni salad just throw mayo, S&P in, but this one had more fun stuff. Altogether a quality, relaxing restaurant with friendly service and a laid-back atmosphere. If I lived in Portland I would probably come here every two weeks!
(5)marko m.
You know, I've heard some really bad comments about this place and honestly I just do not think it is warranted at all. We've stuck to just the grilled stuff with the Asian/Hwan flair - so maybe that is the key. On that segment, it is on par with the best HI food I've found in Portland including noho's (in fact, I think bamboo has better mac salad). Drinks are cheap, service has always been friendly and helpful without being fawning (in fact, waitress pointed out if we re-arranged our order it would be more food for a $5 savings --- note to owners, that $5 of advertising pays off in huge loyalty and return business). Décor is a little average, but not bad and given the area competition - actually at the higher end of the spectrum.
(4)Nel O.
My best friend knew I was in need of some local food rehab so we stopped at Bamboo Grove after she picked me up from PDX. We both grew up in HI so of course our standards are pretty high when it comes to Hawaiian food. We ordered margaritas for starters...which were rimmed with yummy li hing powder. I ordered the Kalua Pig plate and she had the Kihei Ribs. The ribs were sooo delish! I'm usually too lazy to fight with ribs and opt for the boneless dish, but this was well worth it! The char and sweet marinade was excellent. My kalua pig was ok, not fabulous by any standards. The staff was super friendly and the waitress admitted she accidentally gave us a disc on our drinks...NICE. I would definitely recommend this place to any Hawaii transplant that is homesick, I think this trip will hold me over until the next time I'm actually in HI.
(4)John G.
Amazing! We don't have Hawaiian food like this in Chicago!
(5)JS U.
With a great casual ambiance and 'Hawaiian friendly' table service, the food is really top notch, but what put this experience over the top for me was the kalua pig. Kalua pig is not always available on the menu, apparently and I haven't had it since I was a kid living in Hawaiian. This was one of those rare instances when something I remembered as a kid was as good if not better experiencing as an adult. OMG, it was a foodgasmic experience! The pork was perfectly smoked and seasoned and really seemed to just melt in my mouth, like a good slow roasted pork should do. It was a nice treat to be able to purchase a 2 lb. container of frozen kalua pig to take home too. Bamboo Grove is my new halekulani or 'house of heaven'!
(5)Ian M.
Horrible service! Waited in front for 10 minutes without 1 word said by an employee to wait or how long the wait will be. Will not be back
(1)Kizzie S.
Macaroni Salad, and a river of Teriyaki sauce swimming on and around it is pure bliss for my taste buds. I get the "medium" sized Chicken Teriyaki and its enough to eat and take home extra. They do not go light on the meat. The servers and owners are very friendly. I wasn't too fond of the Kahlua Pork, probably because I was comparing it to the one I had in Hawaii..It was way too salty....But everything else is delicious. Parking sucks but its that way in general over in that area, no lot, street only.
(5)CaLiLu H.
Noho's is in serious danger of being pushed aside by Bamboo Grove. I love Hawaiian food and always in the mood to try something new so when my gal pal suggested this place of course I said yes! First of all, BG is a lot bigger than it looks so even though we came here at a prime dinner time on a Friday night we were seated promptly and even had the opportunity to listen to live music. We shared a combo plate of Kihei ribs and Korean short ribs and both were delicious. Our huge portions came out with scoops of rice and perfectly seasoned macaroni salad. I can eat a lot and this was a great deal and can be shared with more people! To drink I had the guava lemonade and it was refreshing and delicious! For dessert, we shared the coconut sorbet which was served in a coconut half shell. Service was friendly and fast and our server had great suggestions. I wanted to order the yakisoba to-go for my husband who's been craving some but the kitchen had already closed so this will be a great opportunity to bring him back to try other things on the menu.
(5)Deren T.
Very ok! not super authentic... but maybe in a good way, everything tastes more or less the way you'd expect, but with better meat used... which is a weird gripe... but part of the charm of hawaiian food is the price... and that's way out of wack with what you'd expect... between 50% and 100% more than i'd pay at someplace like L&L... better in most cases for sure, but more expensive.
(3)Michael V.
I live in a house with four Hawaiians and one other Oregonian. Interesting enough, it was the roommate from Oregon that introduced me to Bamboo Grove. The portions are HUGE, but they definitely come at a reasonable price. Went for a large combination platter to-go which includes two entrees, white rice, and mac salad for $18. I ended up getting Kihei and Kalbi ribs and switched my white rice out for more mac salad. The ribs were really juicy and flavorful with some fat on the edges. (: The mac salad was also EXTREMELY DELICIOUS, especially with a douse of teriyaki sauce! My arteries are still crying from all of the mayo in the mac salad, but I'm happy for the most part :D One order is like a serving for two (or three in my case). Sooo tasty, but really something you should only eat once in awhile--unless you want to end up like Iz....too soon? I love Bamboo Grove and will definitely come back for some more aloha goodness. :P OH, and there was a guy playing the uke there! How cool is that?!?
(5)Richard R.
After receiving some input on the best Hawaiian places to go in Portland, I decided to venture into not the best place mentioned, Bamboo Grove, because of it's proximately to my bamboo hut (yeah, my house). We had reservations at 6:30, were seated at 6:30 and didn't see the waitress until 6:43. Not really complaining, just making an observation that 6:15 - 7:00 on a Friday is not the best time to go if you're in any hurry (they have takeout by the way). Plus, once we placed our food and drink orders it all arrived there within 5 minutes. For appetizers we had Two Spam Musubi (yum) and Cucumber Namasu (just fine); for main course we had Hibachi Ribs (not bad) and Kalua Pig (yum). Some of oiliest, or juiciest depending how you look at it, meats I've had in a while. Both came with a couple scoops of rice and the mayo-heavy potato salad. I'm not going to rush right out to Bamboo grove in the next few weeks, but it will be revisited from time to time.
(3)karen c.
We recently had our rehearsal dinner at Bamboo Grove and were extremely happy with everything. They let us reserve their back room "Tiki Room" and didn't ask for a down payment or anything, though we were more then willing to. We chose to do it buffet style so everyone could try different things. Our server was Heather and she was fantastic. Our families can be a bit chaotic and she was able to get us everything we needed and quickly. They continued to bring out more food as people ate through what was out and even brought to-go boxes out when we were wrapping up so all of our guests could bring some home. And trust me, there was more then enough for everyone to take home lunch for the next day. The back room decorations are fun and it is great for kids. I highly recommend having parties (30 or less) here. Space, food and price are great!
(5)h p.
my best friend lives in the neighborhood and often frequents this joint... must say... not a huge fan of korean ribs but bamboo grove does not disappoint- wow, finger licking good! also, i never try the random coleslaw/macaroni salad sometimes served with meals at restaurants... maybe because i was hungry that day... i'm glad i tried the macaroni salad because it was delicious!
(4)Dean H.
I've heard such good reviews about the place and since I literally live within walking distance, why not try it out......mistake. WAY over hyped. Yes, the portions were big, etc. but the food was "no big deal". Macaroni salad was essentially mayonnaise with a little other flavoring. My chicken dish (so uninteresting I forgot which one) also came with two large globs of rice (unimaginative) and the mass of chicken pieces was overwhelming and boring. Also the service kinda sucked. I grew tired of the "you guys" expression real quick. Do women (our server) in their twenties have such a limited vocabulary that they repeat the same phrases to every guest that they address, regardless of age?? I'm all for informality and familiarity but enough is enough!! I almost felt like a cow at slaughter the way I (we) were being herded along to order/rushed. Granted the place was a little busy but come on! My advice, go to Hawaii, you'll appreciate it more and probably even enjoy the Spam, as is.
(1)Stephanie C.
hey not bad! delicious, authentic hawaiian food. like the variety. sorry vegans and veggies, but the meat is amazing!! kihei ribs are foodgasmic. oyako donburi not bad either. comforting and satiating. decor is cute and festive w/o being too over the top. cute tiki room in the back with live music thurs-sat or sun. drinks and desserts looked delicious, though we didn't indulge this time around. oh well, we'll be back for sure!
(4)JEWELS K.
Love this place! Food is delicious, you get a large amount for a decent price. Cannot wait to go back again, SOON!
(5)Landon K.
yikes. bad, expensive bento. somehow even the rice isn't good. we paid $9 for a chicken bento.
(1)Chris O.
Pretty good Hawaiian food in very generous portions! They do get crowded and it took a little while to get the food but the service is good overall and they have a good selection of beer and house made cocktails to keep you happy. I went with a combo kalbi and mixed veggie plate, which was very tasty. If you want Hawaiian in a sit down service style then do check them out, best I've had in town yet.
(4)Laura Y.
Love this food. Last year went on a mission for the best Hawaiian food in town to order for an event. This place won hands down. Hint. Order more and take it home. Just as good the next day. Best Kahului pig!!! Live music too on sat night!!!
(5)Kara H.
I am from Hawai'i, and this is my go to place for awesome food from home. They have great food...my boyfriend LOVES (understatement) their shoyu chicken and I always get their ribs. Best Hawaii food place in Portland!
(5)Tara C.
You'd swear you were actually in Hawaii, based on the food and decor at Bamboo Grove! I found this spot on my last visit to Portland and liked it so much that I had to go back on this trip. It looks very much like some beachside cafe (complete with patio) that you would find on the North Shore, and the food is legit. They have a great little happy hour and the drinks are tasty too. I think both times I had some sort of guava and vodka cocktail. On our first visit, we started with veggie lumpia off the happy hour menu. Tasty, and a generous portion! For my main, I had the combination meat plate and I chose the kalbi rib and the kalua pork, while my brother had the chicken katsu special. A tip: the Small dinner size is HUGE; unless you're a starving giant, you will be plenty full and probably still have leftovers with the Small or Medium. I really enjoyed my plate, which also came with a scoop of white rice and scoop of mac salad. The mac salad is quite creamy and a bit sweet, but still tasty. Both meats were tender and flavorful. My brother's katsu cutlet was large, crisp, and delicious. On our visit this week, I, my brother, and his girlfriend shared the Hawaiian BBQ Pupu platter; it came with Teriyaki pork, shoyu chicken, and Portuguese sausage. It's rare that I say this, but that was almost TOO MUCH meat! (Would eat again) I gave the Loco Moco a try, while my brother had the saimin noodles (Auntie Size), and his girlfriend had the shoyu chicken plate. The saimin was flavorful and piping hot, though I think it could've had a bit more char siu. My Loco Moco was pretty good, except the gravy was a little sweet. I would prefer a gravy that's a bit more savory, but I still liked it. I had plenty of leftovers to take home, as did everyone else. So if I'm craving a taste of "aloha", Bamboo Grove is a great place to get my fix and pretend it's a sunny day on the beach, instead of a rainy night in Portland. I will be back!
(5)Coreene C.
Very good food! Portions are perfect! The Mac is delicious! I've had many meals there and have only one time where the chicken was dry.
(4)T H.
I definitely recommend the Kahlua Pork. Absolutely fantastic!
(4)Y M.
Bamboo Grove USED to be good. They cooked everything to order. In the past 2 years, I've dined there a few times and quality has went downhill. All the meat is precooked. It sits and drys out. When you order they just reheat on the grill or pan for stir fry dishes. Take a peek into the kitchen and you will see precooked meats stacked on the grill waiting to be reheated when ordered. You can obviously tell by the look and taste how dried and overcooked it is by the time you are served. This is a shame for what they charge. I asked the waiter and that person confirmed precooked meats to be true saying it saves time. Very sad for a higher priced authentic Hawaiian plate that could and was so much better. Get back to your roots Bamboo and quit cutting corners. You charge a premium price and your diners deserve a premium product that should be above and beyond the Teriyaki joints. Bring back your Aloha spirit brah.
(1)Lindsey B.
Great food, great atmosphere, amazing music! Definitely order the spring rolls. The macaroni salad is to die for, along with the passion fruit cheesecake. I'll be coming here a lot more often!
(4)Star S.
The food at Bamboo Grove is DELICIOUS. My husband and I love the Kahlua Pork and frequently drive from Hillsboro to eat at Bamboo Grove; it's just THAT good. We also stop by many times when we're just in the area. This is the best Hawaiian food I've had in the Portland area and it's always delivered on the flavor. We usually share a medium-large between the two of us, depending on if we want leftovers or not. The husband loves to add a bit of sambal to his portion so that he gets some extra spice. We also occasionally add the poke or spam musubi to round out the meal. I would give this place 5 stars because the food is THAT good, but the past few times we've been in, the service has been lacking. 3 times ago, we ordered Kahlua Pork with extra rice and no mac. The server brought us... Kahlua chicken with mac and rice. He didn't write down our order when he came to our table and I think that was the issue there. 2 times ago, I placed an order over the phone for Kahlua pork with extra rice and no mac. The order was to go. I picked up the food and headed back to my car, so that I could drive back home to Hillsboro. I decided that I couldn't wait 30-45 minutes for a bite so I opened up my food in the car to eat a forkful or two. Again, they had given me... Kahlua chicken instead of the pork. I had to go back inside to get it replaced. This time, the server looked at the order receipt and it clearly said pork. The kitchen plated the wrong dish. We went again yesterday and ate inside. We ordered our food and I hoped that it would be correct. I was sitting facing the service window and saw our food come up and sit there for a few minutes. Our server walked by twice, once to help another table and another to seat a new customer. She never even looked at the service window that I could see. After about 5 minutes, another server walked by and saw our food in the window. He brought it to our table and everything looked great! My husband and I each had a glass of ice water and a soda. My husband finished both of his drinks midway through his meal and waited patiently for our server to come by again so that he could get refills. After about 5-10 minutes, our server came to the table in front of us, 2 adults and a baby, and refilled their drinks. We figured that we were next. As soon as she dropped off the other table's drinks, she immediately turned around and headed back to the kitchen/back room area. She didn't see me trying to flag her down. After another 5 minutes, she finally came back to our table. We were done eating by this point but she asked if we wanted refills and brought them to us. It was just a serious delay in even checking on us to see if we needed anything more. I'm sure she was busy with other tasks, because there were only 4-5 tables in the whole restaurant. There could be a lot of improvement in the customer service here.
(4)Sophiea T.
Mahalo Bamboo Grove! Delicious food- HUGE portions. I suggest getting the small combo plate. It comes with your choice of two meats, rice, and macaroni salad. It's alot! The spam musubi comes 4 to an order and were pretty big. We've been here several times and enjoy the teriyaki beef, yakisoba, korean shortribs, and lumpias. They have outdoor seating, beer and cocktails. A word of caution- they will only split a check 2-ways so if you're bringing a group of clients who each need a receipt for reimbursement, you're screwed. Other than that, great place!
(4)Chelsea K.
The luau pork is excellent. My favorite is the grilled Korean chicken. Macaroni salad time!
(5)Jody J.
If you are craving the food of the luau but don't want to spend the money to fly to one, this is your next best choice. Kahlua Pork, Teriyaki Chicken, Rice, Mac salad..... You get the idea. :-) Fun beachy decor, extensive menu, great prices and super service. The portions here are good size too. I've had takeout from here many times and it's ready in a flash. They even asked me if I wanted water while waiting. It's all Street parking here so during dinner time you may have to park down the road. For seating they have two indoor dining rooms, an outdoor deck and a small bar. I love their teriyaki chicken, rice and mac salad. This comes in a small, medium and large size and a medium clearly can feed two people. The chicken is char grilled.... Yummy. I have also been that company events where they have catered and they do a wonderful job. Give them a try! 2015-71
(4)Ace E.
Love it! I've been coming here for happy hour for years. Finally made it on a Sunday for Mother's Day. The portions are generous and very good. For selection of meat preparation such as bbq'd, grilled, slow cooked, marinated and all types of meat choices including fish and spam (of course) this place is tough to beat. Definitely rivals the best Hawaiian bbq restaurants on the islands! They have a full bar with a selection of tropical cocktails, beers and soft drinks and a family style atmosphere. Their outside deck has about 6-8 tables among the bamboo paintings and shade cover.
(5)Nicole B.
Bamboo Grove is Ono! We've tried a handful of Hawaiian restaurants here in Portland, and I'd have to say Bamboo grille is probably our favorite (so far)! We came in on a sunny afternoon. We were the second party in the restaurant. The lunch rush had died down. Sat outside on the patio. Had a few bird friends joining in, hoping for us to leave them some lunch. We ordered the loco moco medium sized with eggs over easy and the combo plate of kalbi ribs and kalua pork. Everything was excellent. On point. The gravy was perfect. Eggs running over the beef patties. The kalbi ribs had a great marinade. The kalua pork had the right touch of smokiness. Some tend to over do the liquid smoke. We had plenty of food, that we didn't need dinner that night. They have a few beers from Hawaiian breweries. If you're a carnivore and love hawaiian, the bamboo grove is a must. A restaurant on the mainland, that will reflect island hospitality and cuisine!
(4)Nikee W.
Whoa, glad I caught the weekly Yelp email blast this week! This place was listed as a top spot for Hawaiian, which I have always wanted to enjoy but have yet to get into. Most the spots i've tried are just flat out gross! Bamboo grove however was bringing the A-game with excellent and prompt service and delicious food. My husband got the Kahlua pork sandwich, which was so delish! He liked the pork arriving on the side so he could taste a few bites before piling it in between the buns. I had the Korean chicken and it was soooooo good! My kiddo stole a few bites too. We ordered the little one the Shoyu chicken and rice which was crazy sweet but totally up his ally. The rice was steamed perfectly, they had an awesome teriyaki like sauce and chili spread to use and the mac salad was rich and creamy and not just noodles in mayonnaise. My only complain is the lack of shave ice!
(4)Dave K.
Some caveats for my low rating: I'm a vegetarian, and that probably doesn't compute with Hawaian food. Take my review with a grain of salt. But bring your own salt here. That said, --if you want to get a crazy huge amount of bland unnuanced food for a good price, then this is a good value. Clearly lots of the reviewers like it here. But I found stuff bland, overly sweet, or too reminiscent of food from the 1970's. The lumpia were soggy, the stirfry tofu and veggies really unpleasant--the tofu had a pallor of the dead to it. When you eat here, it's all about squeezing a bunch of soy or teriyaki sauce on your food table side. Really? Service was fine and decently attentive. Got there 5 minutes before the rush, so that helped.
(1)Robert M.
When most dishes come with a scoop of rice and a serving of macaroni salad, you know you're at a Hawaiian restaurant. Serving sizes for many dishes at Bamboo Grove come in small, medium, or large. I ordered a small, and it was the biggest lunch I've had in ages. Mounds of food filling the plate...what decadence (or is it just ohana). Service is excellent and attentive. I had Auntie's Chicken on this visit, and it was very sweet with ginger. On a prior visit, I had teriyaki chicken, which was excellent. Good selection of beer on tap as well, featuring Hawaiian beers. Wish it was closer to home, then I would come more often. Regardless, I need to keep it in the top of my mind, and stop by anytime I'm in the John's Landing area, or if I just need a little Hawaiian ohana. Mahalo, Dave.
(5)Clay D.
Attended the Raleigh Hills concert in the park tonight and this place had a food tent. All the food was awesome and the people who worked there had the best customer service and were friendly. Can't wait to hit up the restaurant! Even if the food was terrible I would had given four stars based on the employees and level of service. Thanks!
(5)Allison R.
Wowzers, this place is great! My friend recently had a party for her hubby and ordered all the food from Bamboo Grove. I volunteered to pick it up since I lived close by. I had not yet been here but I have seriously been missing out. David, the owner was super nice and introduced himself behind the counter. And since I had two boxes full of food, the waiter guy and his strong muscles helped me take it out to my car. Thank god, because I would have dropped it all and ruined the party. Anyway, the food. Wow, tasty! My favorite was the Kalua Pig and Macaroni Salad. But we also had the Mahi Mahi and sweet & Sour stir fry with chicken. It was all delicious. I even had second helpings of the pig. Oink Oink. Glad I went to pick up the food here because now I know where it is, and I will most definitely be back. #Foodporn
(5)Courtney D.
So it was a calm Saturday afternoon and I was visiting Portland. The friends we were with suggested ordering take out from the Bamboo Grove. We called in our order and they said it would be ready in 15 minutes. I ordered the teriyaki chicken/teriyaki beef grilled grind with the side of rice and macaroni salad. My husband ordered the Shoyu chicken grind with the rice and macaroni salad. Mine was pretty good. The portions were very large (I got the small size too) and the beef teriyaki was better than the chicken although the beef wasn't cut up and you needed a steak knife to cut it yourself. I tried my husband's Shoyu chicken and it was so delicious. Way better than my choice so I decided to eat that one instead. The chicken was cooked to perfection and had just the right amount of sauce on it. The Shoyu chicken was also a tad sweet which I thoroughly enjoyed. We also got an extra side of macaroni salad which no one even touched since our normal plates came with so much food. The rice was also good and they do charge you for extra sides of sauces but don't worry it won't break the bank. If I lived in Portland I would definitely frequent this place, as my friends who lives there doesn't least twice a week. But since I don't I will just have to wait until my next visit.
(4)Breylan D.
This place is great! Awesome service, tasty food, friendly atmosphere. We love it. I usually get the korean pork, but I've had their chicken and a few other items on the menu - quality is consistent. If you're in the mood for Hawaiian, this is a must.
(5)Doug R.
This place has gone downhill both food and service equally. My wife ordered tofu with eggs, rice and Mac salad. The tofu was a deep fried hard Uneatable nuggets with no flavor at all. She left it uneaten. Waiter took her plate and ask nothing. My teriyaki chicken was ok, a little burnt but eatable. Ordered rice but no Mac salad and got Mac instead. I'm going back to my old standard Noho's on Clinton.
(1)Brad N.
Flavorful food, a nice atmosphere (at least out on the patio) and excellent Hawaiian food with friendly service. Not a vegetarian restaurant for sure. Try the #32 with Korean Chicken and get it spicy. A single large portion will feed two to three adults.
(5)Carrie W.
WOW! This place is awesome. First our waitress was GREAT. We told her it was out first time there and asked for some thoughts on what to try. She brought out a sampler of different meats so we could taste! That was a really nice way to start and make good decisions. I had the kalua pig with rice and mac. salad. The pork was tender and deliscious. The rice was pretty good and the mac salad was creamy and decadent. My dining partner had the Korean ribs and LOVED them. It was a great experience. We went on a Sunday afternoon and it was peaceful and relaxing. LOVED it and can't wait to go back. I got the medium sized plate and for myself would get the small in the future (unless I wanted leftovers).
(5)Kami H.
First found them at the Hawaiian festival several years ago. Was hooked ever sense. Service has always been good and the food has been as well.
(5)Stan S.
Always awesome. Delicious grinds, great service. I've eaten here about half a dozen times when I just happened to be in the area around lunch. I believe I've tried something new each time (pretty unusual for me) and have thought each meal fantastic. Their mac is out of this world. Only downsides are very limited street parking and slightly sticky tables that could use a cleaning with a good degreaser - you can't just wipe off tables with a wet towel and expect that to be enough over time. You need to use a cleaner from time to time (try Superclean from Bi-Mart).
(4)Todd H.
I know you will walk in this place and think five stars really? But wait looks can be deceiving. As you will surely notice by the line out the door or the full tables as you come in something is going on here. As soon as you sit down you realize well its not the furniture. But wait there is more. You order one of the drinks and this is where it starts. Its about the food and the drinks. There are three different sizes of food to order. Really if you want leftovers order any size larger than then medium. A small is more than enough food for one. The entertainment is found in the waiters that well kmow you are in for some good eats but seem to have a reluctancy to nominate something off the menu. Instead they tell you about other Hawaiian delicacies they favor. The real joy for you as the customer is when the plate hits the table. Its a mountain of meat. Surrounded by rice and macaroni salad piled high. Honestly once i started eating i didnt care what it looked like. I had to slow down and remind myself to chew rather than shovel it in. Just stop to breathe have some conversation and enjoy your meal every once in a while. I shall return.
(5)Ryan W.
Great grindz! Takes me back to the islands. Service was great--They had live local (hawaiian) music on Sat eve when me and the wifey went for dinner. We split the large 2 meat (teri chix, kalua pork)-- we took some home and I have a huge appetite. The mac salad was AMAZE and fresh. You can tell its fresh because it doesn't have that acidic taste you get from the store bought stuff. You can tell the cooks/chefs take great care in their food. Placed was PACKED on a Saturday night-- not 45 min wait packed, but packed like "oh this must be good packed" A+. We'll be back!
(4)Steve J.
Ambiance was rockin! Awesome bamboo covered patio. Food was really good, and smelling them grilling the food before it came out was a nice touch. I ordered the moko loko and my wife ordered the teriyaki chicken, both were amazing in presentation and taste. Will definitely be returning!
(5)Byron Y.
Way overpriced, teriyaki chicken and steak are excellent. I can get the same at Joy Teriyaki which is just as good for half the price. And the $3.50 iced tea is a bit on the ridiculous side as well.
(2)Evan S.
Im a sucker for hawaiian food, but I have eaten at a lot of places and this is still my fav! Great for catered events, they did our construction work party and it was a hit with the guys
(5)Nicole C.
This is by far THE BEST Hawaiian food I have ever had in my life! It is seriously delicious, you have to try it! The teriyaki beef and shoyu chicken are definitely my favorites. You will not be disappointed!
(5)William C.
As others mentioned, very large portions. I ordered a large two meat option with my partner and some spring rolls. The spring rolls were not necessary as the plate we ordered was ample for the two of us and we both have fairly large appetites. The pork was delicious and flavorful, service was quick and friendly. Noticing some people wrote negative reviews, not sure if that is really fair to the restaurant as the complaint seems to be more related to a dislike of the type of food being served here and not indicative of the restaurant's quality. From my limited experience eating Hawaiian food, it does not offer extremely complicated flavors. So if that's not your thing you may want to go elsewhere.
(4)Luke B.
It had been a couple years since I went to Bamboo Grove last and I had forgotten what a great eatery this little place is. I forgot how great it is to get a plate heaped with marinated chicken, ribs, rice and of course a big pile of macaroni salad. Very generous portions. One of the few places I have brought leftovers home from. Go with the right attitude. It is a fairly small place and at peak times it can be busy. Because it is fairly small, they don't have servers and bussers everywhere, so sometimes service can be spotty. I haven't ever gotten "bad service" here, but don't pass up a refill when they offer. Don't be put off here, like I said, service can be spotty at times,but it isn't "bad". I'm so glad I got reacquainted with this culinary gem again. If it wasn't for the spotty service this would be five stars for for its good food and great portions. I will be back!
(4)Erin K.
About a year ago we had Bamboo Grove cater my sons Birthday but the food was awful. Yakisoba was dry, Pork and Chicken Teriyaki had no sauce to it and the green salad we ordered they forgot to give us dressing for it. When we called to advise them of this mishap we were told, 'Oh sorry not sure what happened" So needless to say we figured we'd give them another try cause as I stated above, they used to be 'Da Bomb"!!! My mom and I ordered a Large Kehei Rib plate (to share), a plate of poke' and Spam musubi. The ribs was $19.00 and only had 6 pieces of ribs, 2 scoops rice and one lump of mac salad that was all mayonaise. The poke' had no taste and came with a piece of white paper on top, which when we brought to the attention of our waiter all he said was, "oh so you want another one?". Ummm....Yeah!!! When we got our poke' back it had absolutely no taste at all. We also ordered the spam musubi to go and it came out with our meal. When we asked for them to put it in to go containers they got a bit irritated. I hope they get things together because us locals from Hawaii know what good food is and willing to pay the price but gotta get this place back to where they used to be.
(2)Jaymie P.
Love this place! Haven't been able to find authentic Hawaiian restaurant since I left Maui! Great service, yummy food! More spam in the musubi please, mahalo! Can't wait to go back! Cheeeeheeee
(5)Thomas M.
Do you like Korean BBQ? You should. If your vegetarian, no worries. There is plenty of delicious awesomeness to be had. I bet you can't resist ordering half their menu to take home after your first plate is finished.
(5)Mark S.
This was my second time here. The first time the chicken was burnt to oblivion, but this time the food was grilled perfectly. We got two medium meals to split between two people and had plenty of leftovers. Service and atmosphere is great!
(4)Paulette L.
Ventured this way for some new Hawaiian food and it's not bad. Ambiance has a mom n pop feel to it, and the food reflects that. Typical decor, surfboards, Hawaiian pics, tropical plants etc. and service was pretty good, food came out quick. On to the food. First off, the kids franks meal is pretty good. I don't know what it is about those hotdogs but they are mighty tasty. I made the unfortunate choice of the Kihei ribs and shoyu chicken combo plate. But WAIT, don't get me wrong - both were very good and tasty, but together on a plate was waaaaaay too sweet for my tastebuds. The Kihei ribs were yummy, but a little on the chewy side. Shoyu chicken was yummy. Super tender and tasty but a little saucy. I have to admit tho after a while I needed something salty. Which brings me to the next dish... Hubs got the kalua pork and one of the ribs (can't remember which darn it) and his was excellent! The kalua pork was perfect and not too smokey, like most other joints. Hubby's ribs were friggin fantastic too if only I could remember which one. But his were chewy too, and really fatty. In hindsight, I would have ordered the kalua pig and Kihei ribs to blend sweet and salty. That would have been perfect. Oh and the Mac salad was "meh", and rice was good. Overall not too bad, we will probably come back. Though I would I highly recommend to the chef to get better cuts of meat for the ribs. It would have tasted 10 times better with less fat chunks, and if it didn't take me 5 mins just to chew it.
(3)Nicole G.
1.5 rounded to 2. This place is unfortunately not good. I had the spam musubi and Korean chicken. Both were a disappointment. There was barely any spam in the spam musubi AND I suspect that they used low sodium or some other non-standard spam. The BLASPHEMY!!! Plus they used cheap low quality nori. Sooo junk. The Korean chicken was somewhat better but totally over cooked. Finally the macaroni salad was just this dish of random mayonnaise with some macaroni and black pepper. It's too bad that this place doesn't get that if there is no aloha in the preparation then the beauty and joy of Hawaiian food is lost.
(2)John L.
The good is great but the service is so so. Every time I go they seem to get something wrong on the check, not the order but they always mess up on the bill. It is usually higher. Just always check. They can also be pretty slow but that's just part of the island feel i guess. But like I said the food is good.
(3)Lindsay H.
Having a hard time finding a good Hawaiian place, I'm kind of picky. The specialty drinks here are good and the Kailua pork was great but the macaroni was sub par I was disappointed.
(3)Michael R.
The food is amazing. The bbq & the smoker are both cranking out delicious beef, chicken & pork meats that are perfectly complimented by the teriyaki sauce & the fantastic macaroni salad side. Platters are big, & the Big Kahuna is enough for two families! The atmosphere is not nearly as good as the food, but get over it and get in there!
(4)Sean R.
Ordered the Teriyaki Lunch Plate. Meat was slightly charred and very chewy. Obviously overcooked. Was starving so ate as much as I could tolerate. 2 stars for Macaroni Salad and Guava Lemonade. Seems to cater to regulars as staff not overly warm and fuzzy but courteous.
(2)Iain M.
To be fair, this review is based upon walking in, being treated poorly, and walking out. I did see some of the food, and it looked good; but after being asked to sit at the bar for lunch when there were open tables in the same area, no thanks. Upon walking in, everything about this place says, "We don't want your business." It is far too small to accommodate what seems to be a popular concept (real Hawaiian food in Portland), they split checks only two ways, they are severely understaffed, and I saw no one of Hawaiian descent anywhere in the building, let alone in the kitchen. The greeter was the waiter, and he didn't have time to deal with anyone properly. There are just too many excellent Hawaiian restaurants in the Portland/Vancouver area to bother with what seems to me to be a recurring West Side attitude. Want some real Hawaiian? Try Patrick's Hawaiian Cafe in Vancouver or Ohana in Portland/Milwaukie. All the flavor, none of the attitude.
(1)Nathan K.
Wow. I have been coming to this place for 5 years now. From the Spam Musubi to the delectable Loco Moco this place nails it. It's Hawaii on Macadam folks. A must eat Portland restaurant. Full bar and pleasant wait staff polish this already amazing experience.
(5)Nancy O.
Hands down the best shoyu chicken in town!! I've searched high and low to find the best island eats- Bamboo Grove is most certainly a treat!!
(5)Naomi P.
I've only gotten take out, but the kahlua pork is hands down amazing!!! The portions for the kahlua pork / other sets are generous and easily split between 2 people.
(4)Aleju S.
Maaaan, whoever cooked my food tonight loves their job coz I can taste the love all over this pork teriyaki and kihei ribs combo platter! I'm picking up the meat and eating them with my hands like a caveman and I am in total bliss right now. Need to stop typing and keep eating!
(5)Thuy N.
Serivice is great. Outside patio for a nice day. The food is good. My favorite is the Auntie's shoyu chicken! Portions are a good size and can be shared.
(4)Molly B.
Ahhhhhh. I really wanted to like this place! SO disappointed. That was the worst spam musubi my husband and I have ever had - bland, mushy and...egg? Have had tons of musubi on the islands and have yet to see egg. Maybe it was so good that we devoured it before we noticed the egg. Who knows. This musubi was awful. I also ordered Korean chicken. It tasted mushy and BURNT. I couldn't get the taste out of my mouth! I hope I'm not still tasting it tomorrow. I will definitely not be back. So bummed.
(1)Dustin R.
Good food, and LOTS of it! It's true what others say about portion control, a regular sized plate will give you leftovers for the next day! And the macaroni salad tastes great when you microwave it. The Korean chicken (spicy) is my favorite, but the ribs option and Portuguese sausage is great, too. Their order call in option is great when I'm in a hurry or just want to eat at home. I've eaten at quite a few plate lunch places in Portland, and Bamboo Grove is still my favorite! They only allow a bill to be split twice which is a bummer when you're there with a group. And waiter service can be slow during busy times.
(4)Casey M.
Fantastic rice consistency. Ordered the kahlua pork and poured the special sauce that was on the table so create a savory sweetness. Musubi was spot on but should be grilled for more flavor.
(5)Kimberly G.
The food is very good here. Needs to be a little hotter (temperature wise) but still 4 star quality. The customer service is the reason that I'm giving the full five stars. We had a little mix up with our order and Susan, the manager, took care of us. The best thing is...she had a smile on her face...a real smile. The food would've brought us back again but the remarkable customer service was very much appreciated. It is rare these days.
(5)J L.
4.5 rounded to 4. We love this place! The yakisoba noodles are fantastic, the portions are beyond generous, the meat is always awesome - tender, smokey, and not too much sauce. The people are also very friendly. We haven't dined in - only phone orders and Delivered Dish orders. The only reason to bump down the rating is that there have been two orders where an order of meat was missing. But we spoke with Ashley on the phone and they more than made up for it on the next order. We have left overs galore that are fantastic the next day (and sometimes the one after that!). This place is our new obsession. . .
(4)Cristen T.
Don't get me wrong; I'm not a Hawaiian connoisseur as I have only had it a handful of times prior to today. I know what I like though, and I like Bamboo Grove! The decor and service are both pretty great. Of course it looks how one might imagine a Hawaiian restaurant to appear. I loved our server; she was prompt, funny and friendly. My favorite thing was the fantastic music. My friends explained that they have music every Friday and Saturday night. It was so relaxing to eat the awesome, filling food and listen to some talented guys serenade the dining area with tunes. (One of my friends, who frequents this place a lot even said they offer ukulele lessons.) For the amount of food you are given, I think the price is pretty reasonable. I know I ate until I couldn't eat anymore and I have a ton of leftovers. I can't wait any longer to talk about the food... First off, the drinks. They serve the Kona Brewing Company's beer on tap as well as several cocktails and wines. As far as I could tell, everyone at the table enjoyed their beverages. The appetizers we got were delectable. I LOVE their poke salad. I tried it with the Hawaiian seasoning and it knocked my socks off. The tuna was so flavorful and I enjoyed the course salt that was sprinkled on the salad. It was pretty onion heavy though, so if you a hater of all that is onion, try something else. Our friends ordered a dish that reminded me of a spring roll. It was perfectly cooked on the outside and the inside melted in my mouth. SO GOOD! Our small group ordered a variety of dishes, including two combo plates with two different proteins. So I was able to try the Shoyu chicken, teriyaki pork, teriyaki beef and Kahlua pork. Also, they give you rice and some amazing macaroni salad. The food is stick to your ribs fatty but oh, the flavor! I really loved my meal and was excited of the large serving size because I have leftovers that will last me at least through tomorrow. Last but not least, the dessert. I don't usually have room for dessert but I often glance at the menu to see what they have to offer. I'm so glad I decided to do that at Bamboo Grove because I saw the heavens open and heard angels sing when I took a bite of their Coconut Cheesecake. I have never had a cheesecake that I have liked more than this one... I'm glad that this place is all the way over by Sellwood, because I think I'd be here every week for it!
(5)Mary B.
We love it here. We have been to most Hawaiian places in the area and this is our favorite, especially on a Friday or Saturday when they have live music. We never come when we are rushed, only when we can enjoy a Coconut Porter or a Mai Tai. Why go to a Hawaiian restaurant in a rush? We find that we get the lots of bang for our buck here, which the Hubbs likes and I like their kim chee. It is essential. Veggies are an after thought, so don't even think about a salad or Veggie dish. Stick with the specialties; Kalua Pork or the ribs. The staff is friendly, maybe slow but who cares? Wish that they had a few better options for dessert, though.
(4)Darren K.
The good here is really good but there service could improve. I like the good because it is reasonably priced and good sized portions
(4)Kelsea L.
The Auntie's shoyu chicken, guava lemonade and the poke with ginger are the best!! Plus you can't beat the service. So friendly and welcoming
(5)Nichole K.
Came here 3 weeks ago with my husband on a Sunday for dinner and had AMAZING service and delicious freshly cooked food. Why 1 star you ask? The following week we decided to go back on Sunday afternoon. Big mistake. When we walked in the sign said wait to be seated so we waited...........for 8 minutes! If there were alot of people waiting to be seated I could understand, however we were the only ones in line and no one was checking the entrance. When we were finally seated we ended up waiting for 20 minutes to have our order taken and the only reason it didn't take longer than that was because my husband called the restaurant and actually ordered our food over the phone as we sat at our table. Who knows how long it would have taken if he hadn't done that. About 10 to 12 minutes later our food came out to our table in take out boxes and in a brown paper bag. Apparently the waiter thought when we called the restaurant to order from our table we wanted take out. We informed him we didn't want takeout to which he replied "your killing me" I had to ask for plates which he seemed put upon to get. The final straw was the food itself. Not only was the food luke warm but it also was very obviously premade. The ribs my husband ordered were 80% gristle and not the freshly bbqed grisle that melts in your mouth but the day old hard chewy gnarly gristle, completely inedible. My food tasted nothing like what I had ordered the previous week, it didn't tase fresh and was overly sweet. I don't think we will ever be back which is sad because we had such a great experience the first time we came.
(1)Cool Nutz X.
Great environment, good staff, and good food. In the spring and summer the patio is a great place to enjoy dinner and drinks. The menu has some great variety and the quality of food is great. This is a solid place to dine and even take people visiting the city. You won't be mad at all at The Bamboo Grove. The staff is always friendly and inviting.
(4)Lisa J.
I had a friend that was a patient at OHSU several years ago. I offered to come up from Eugene and bring him some "non-hospital" food. I found this cute little restaurant on our beloved Yelp. Needless to say, he loved it. Time has brought change in my life and I moved to PDX several months ago. I never forgot Bamboo Grill and realized that I pass by it daily. I was actually looking for Here We Go Again Friday night and saw that Bamboo Grill was literally next door. I stopped and was greeted by a very nice young lady and perused the menu for something to take home for dinner. It would have only been ten minutes if I wouldn't have asked for a few extra minutes at HWGA. Upon my return, I found my order ready and was on my way. I ordered the Rib Sampler and a pulled pork dinner, that includes rice and yummy mac salad. I think my bill was $20 or so. The manfolk and I really enjoyed our dinner and still have leftovers, even though we shared our order. I'm not a fan of many Hawaiian food on the main island but I will definitely be back to the BG. It tastes like the food on Maui, really! Even though I didn't eat in the restaurant, I'm sure that the service would be great. They were doing a good amount of business when I was in but it was still a relaxing environment. BG is a little off the beaten track (Macadam) but worth tracking them down. If you want the real Hawaiian experience, have the Moco Loco. Yikes, a heart attack on a plate.
(4)Robert B.
Best Hawaiian food I have had outside of Hawai'i! Our friends turned my wife and I on to this great establishment hidden in SW Portland years ago. The atmosphere is relaxing in that true Aloha spirit. Hawaiian music either live or through the speakers serenades you. Surfing or scenic Hawaii programs project from the televisions. Drinks are tropical and delicious, service is good, but the food is the clear champion here. A combo plate is the best option. A medium plate will satisfy the biggest appetites! I usually go with the Kailua Pork, Korean Chicken or Ribs etc. Each combo comes with a huge portion of rice and macaroni salad. The owners even have meat flown in from Hawai'i and special limited beers from Kona Brewing Company! This place tops the Hawaiian food list and about any other food list for Portland in my mind, even more so than some of those other well known places on the Eastside!
(5)An'Merie W.
I started making a list of places to try around Portland area, this being one. I sat out on there patio small but cute and quaint. The food was so amazing, huge portions, great tender true grill smoky flavor. Honestly as I was sitting outside the air just filled with amazing BBQ smell for probably miles. I live in NE Portland and I will drive out to lake Oswego any day of week for this Hawaiian food!
(4)Marie A.
This place has a great location, the staff were really friendly, and I liked the surfboards. My husband came here months ago with some business colleagues and had a great lunch. He was really disappointed the other night when we came for dinner. I really wish I had gotten a 5 star experience, but I did not. We ordered #38 with Korean chicken and Korean ribs. Their portion sizes for a medium entree is literally enough for two people. The chicken wasn't spicy and really dry - I could barely finish one bite. The ribs were good, but had a lot of gristle. Entrees come with two sides: white rice and macaroni salad. The rice was really dry and I tried saving it with their own teriyaki sauce, but it was a no go. Their teriyaki sauce tasted like sweetened soy sauce. The macaroni salad pained me. It's macaroni noodles with a few carrot shreds coated in mayonnaise - that's it. Do not order a house salad, it's literally a handful of bagged iceberg lettuce with shredded carrots in a bowl. The end. The Thousand Island dressing was bitter. The passion orange sparkling juice was good, tho. I'm sure this place would make most carnivores happy, the meat portions are huge.
(1)Margaret B.
Tried this place for lunch today and wasn't disappointed! We ordered lunch for a work group togo - at least 9 separate orders - and they were super accomadating and fast! I got the shoyu chicken (small!) and holy portions Batman! A huge plate for a very good price. The chicken and mac salad are on point. I also got the spam musubi on the side and loved it! This is the new go to spot for lunch for my coworkers and I!
(5)Jens J.
The screaming message at Bamboo Grove, located just off Macadam Ave., is that portions are huge. Order accordingly! The restaurant motif is Hawaiian, of course. On one wall is a surfboard with a piece of it chomped off, as if by a shark. When we came mid-Saturday afternoon, it was busy with nearly all the tables in the front dining room occupied. Curiously, they call most everything on the menu a "grind." JP requested the noodle broth Da Other Saimin in "Aunt" size on the recommendation of our waitress, who assured us the Aunt was plenty big. Nephew Andy, amazingly sporting a full beard at the mere age of 16, went with the Teriyaki Chicken. I asked for the Luau Style Kalua Pig. JP also ordered Two Spam Musubi as an appetizer for the table. Though our orders were a bit slow coming out because a big catering order was being prepared at the same time, our waitress apologized profusely for the delay. Most everything was excellent. However, I didn't get off on the musubi rolls, which were rice, scrambled egg and spam wrapped in seaweed. Sorry, but I just can't abide the taste of seaweed. That's part of the reason sushi rubs me the wrong way. My Kalau pulled pork was tender, seasoned well and appropriately salty. Though I only ordered the "medium" portion, the quantity was massive. Ditto for Andy's teriyaki chicken, which had a particularly nice sauce on it. However, we agreed the macaroni salad had far too much mayonnaise. The best dish was JP's Da Other Saimin. And as our waitress promised, it was mammoth. So if the Aunt is this size, just how big is the "Uncle"? The Da Other Saimin broth was delicious - containing cabbage, strips of fried egg and barbecued pork in addition to noodles. Bamboo Grove has dessert, including treats such as chocolate tartufo and coconut sorbet. But we passed. Confidentially speaking, I wasn't that hungry because I couldn't help myself and stopped at the Golden Arches in Centralia on my return from Seattle earlier in the day, instead of just waiting until I got to Portland to eat. Otherwise, I would have done dessert.
(4)Allie G.
This is one of me and my dad's favorite restaurants! It's a little pricey, but we go there for special occasions. The ribs and chicken are amazing and the macaroni salad... me and my dad always get about 5 scoops to take home so we can keep eating it! It's SO GOOD! The portions are also very generous, I ALWAYS have leftovers which taste great late that night or the next day. The restaurant itself is also very cute and they have live music on Friday or Saturday nights I believe, which is really fun. If you are into Hawaiian food, this is a great place to check out.
(5)Pork Chop Express R.
YUM. Everything was good here. The Macaroni salad is perfect. I'll be back again. Thank you.
(5)Justin S.
Probably the best Hawaiian food I've had in Portland. The kalua pork is amazing, and I highly recommend getting it with the veggies in the 25 1/2.
(5)Deja A.
Love coming to this place. Authentic Hawaiian food, great atmosphere and people. They serve huge amounts of food. The Large can literally feed two to three people. My boyfriend & I always shared a medium. Good prices and you can always take home your left- overs for the next day! You have to park on the street which can be crappy because its always packed but sooo worth it. They do have live music, time to time or it might just be weekends!
(5)Jim S.
Authentic Hawaiian food and nice size portions.............OMG yeah! We always get the Kalua pork as a staple then try something new. So far soooo good. Song from the TV show Rawhide. Thank you. Now please enjoy in moderation :)
(5)Saba A.
Best quality Hawaiian food in Portland! Their food tastes flavorful not greasy and the staff is attentive. They also have a full bar and live Hawaiian music some nights. The portions are HUGE! I usually order the vegetable chicken stir fry but they beef and chicken plates are great too. The mediums size plates are enough for two people in my opinion.
(5)Misty A.
would of loved to try this place because I have had so many people tell me that it is amazing. However when you wait 15 mins and no one greets you it starts you off on a bad foot. I feel first impressions are the most improtant and this was a bad first impression. Sorry maby some day I will give you a second chance.
(1)Shawn W.
Seems like the mac has changed? No flavor...And portions seems smaller I think...least the sides anyways....
(2)Chan B.
I love the food here - especially the Auntie Shoyu's chicken. The music is great and soothing. The atmosphere is nice and I enjoy sitting outside when it's nice out. However, I am extremely disappointed in the lack of accessibility. I am young and appear able-bodied to many people, but standing for more than ten minutes can cause me to be bedridden in extreme pain for a day or more afterwards. There is often a wait when I come, but only one bench for seating, which has resulted in me standing for a long time before getting any service at all. Stairs, but no visible ramps to get into the doors.
(3)Kyle A.
I've been here a handful of times and every time I leave fat, full and happy. A friend recently got married and had this company cater the wedding and I was wondering if it would taste the same. How would the food turn out and be transfer! Wonderful, they didn't miss a beat! If you've never been, I recommend you stop and grab a bite soon! Now I'm hungry!
(5)Luke M.
I'll start with the only negative I can think of...the restaurant itself could be spruced up a bit. The food on the other hand...spectacular!! I've never had Hawaiian food and my first experience was a great one. Kalua pork was smoky, tender and delicious. Teriyaki beef was well seasoned. The rice was very good and I'm not a fan of rice. Macaroni salad was very tasty. Waitress was very friendly and helpful. I just wish they had a place like this in Columbus. This will be a spot I hit every time I come back to Portland. Kudos to you, Bamboo Grove.
(5)Cody W.
Portion control is not recommended at a place like this. If you order the large Teriyaki Chicken, you are looking at a minimum of three meals. They must go through more to-go boxes than any other restaurant in the city! My favorite is the Yakisoba noodles with chicken added. They taste insanely good, and you can literally eat them for multiple meals after your initial order. They also have really great drinks. Their Mai Tai's are delicious, as are their other fruity Hawaiian drinks. I think that Bamboo Grove is the best Hawaiian food in Portland. I've had some others that come close, but none have ever topped this place.
(5)Brittany H.
We were a bit let down. By all of the good reviews we were expecting amazing but ended up with mediocre. And with all of the yummy joints in Portland, mediocre just won't cut it.
(2)Josh W.
Aloooooha!! Portland is opening our eyes to more and more fine cuisine every time we visit. This trip it was Hawaiian, and we found Hawaiian done right! We were greeted quickly and sat right away as we entered. While looking around enjoying the decor, we had a feeling this was going to be a bit more authentic than what we are used to. For starts, the people who were working were Hawaiian. We started off with a few drinks, I went for the "Green bottle special" that they have on Fridays. Whatever bottle of beer is green, the cost is $2.50. Shaka Bra....My wife had a "trade wind", consisting of raspberry liquor and vodka, with something else that's escaping my mind at the moment. It was refreshing cocktail. BG has an extensive menu, from "Between the buns Grinds" to sweet grinds, to grilled grinds, they have it all. We had a brief conversation with our server, she was very kind and helpful. We told her how impressed we were with so many options (considering what we are used to) and she brought out three samples for us to help us decide. She gave us Shuy Chicken,a sweet, succulent, shredded chicken that melts in your mouth. Kalua Pork was a nice tasting treat that grilled just right. Korean Chicken, a savory chicken cooked in garlic that was my favorite. My wife went with the combo....Kalua Pork and Korean Chicken. Smart move on her end. I was extremely sold on the Korean Chicken and went with a large order of that which included three scoops of rice, 2 scoops of Macaroni Salad and a few pounds of Chicken (or at least it seemed). One of the largest servings I've encountered, in fact, one gentleman who worked there noticed my plate and blessed me and said, "And you do have a time limit!" I got a kick out of that, felt like I was Adam Richman at that point. Since food did win that battle, I have a great lunch waiting for me in the fridge. Our service was immaculate, food was delivered quickly and more importantly, we loved all of it, the atmosphere was great and the vibe the employee's put off was very positive. We are moving to PDX soon and finding good grinds like this is exciting!! This will be our "Hawaiian Spot" while looking for other good eats in town. Mahalo Bamboo Grove!!
(5)Dan S.
Stopped here for a quick early dinner on our way out to the gorge. And quick is an understatement! Their service was so fast! (and they could tell we were in a hurry) My friend and I both had the 'small' portion of the Kalua pig, rice, and mac salad. I mean, what else do you order when you want Hawaiian food. I say 'small' because it was a severe understatement. Not that I'm complaining, the more Hawaiian food the better I always say! Especially for only $10! Excellent pig, but not the best I've ever had. I reserve 5 stars for the best pigs!
(4)Monica B.
They're always delicious! Feels like you're eating on the island. I usually get the Kalua pig & guava lemonade. Mai Tais are great and so is the Loco Moco. We had my husbands bday party there so make sure to bring cash for big groups because they will only take a max of 2 cards. Enjoy!
(5)Ryan Y.
Expensive and mediocre Hawaiian food. Tasted better in Portland. Doesn't represent Hawaii very well. Cute and friendly staff. That's all that is going for them.
(1)Pui S.
I ordered # 38. combination platters med ($16). Huge portion & very very yummy!
(4)Wendi C.
OMG!!! Ate here on Thursday, ordered the Korean chicken and their #34? the ribs. Damn they were soooooooo good!!! I had cravings for them the next two days. Hands down, so far the best Hawaiian joint I have been too. Def two thumbs up for the service (food came out fast) and the big portion of food. The atmosphere was also very relaxing. The AC was so nice since it was super hot that day. Anyways I am def coming back and will be a regular. Keep up the good work guys!!!!!!
(5)Kevin S.
Last night part of the party got here about 8pm. The waitress was so accommodating and nice and made sure the ones that came later were taken care of! I haven't eaten here for years (moved out of state) and it was phenomenal as always! Teriyaki beef, spicy Korean chicken, yakisoba noodles with tsoyu (sp) chicken were all wonderful. Khaula pig, macaroni salad and rice.... Yeah - we ordered it all and it was a table of food.... So much wonderful food...drinks were fantastic. If you eat here, your eyes are gonna roll in the back of your head with enjoyment and pleasure with each bite. This is my favorite place to eat in Portland.
(5)Sarah R.
Three of us came here on a Road trip from Lake Tahoe to Seattle. We all grew up in Kona and were really craving some local food. This hit the spot and we were more than impressed with the taste and authenticity. We shared the large combination plate with teriyaki beef and kalua pork and added a side of Korean chicken and an extra scoop of Mac salad. All were great and the mac salad was done perfectly. This was more than enough food for 3 and we came hungry and even left with a to go box. Doing it this way brought our total to 12 bucks each after tax and tip, which was a lot better than the price of ordering individual plates. Service was good and the decor made us feel right back at home. Just wish we didn't have to get back on the road or we would have enjoyed a few Kona brews that were on tap.
(5)Brooke P.
The food itself is nearly five stars. The best Hawaiian I've had in PDX and probably anywhere else. The only food-related drawback is that its heavy/rich quality always leaves us kind of moaning on the couch afterward, clutching Tums, but that's mostly our fault for eating the entire more-than-generous portion. The service is pretty inconsistent, ranging from pretty good to fairly brusque during the busiest nights. Fairly friendly on average. Casual atmosphere. Good beers. Parking's a pain, but that's true for anywhere in John's Landing. Highly recommend the shoyu chicken and kahlua pork. And the delicious house teriyaki sauce. I don't like most teriyaki but this stuff is my jam. This part is relevant ONLY to take-out, so disregard if dining in: The take out can be inconsistent in the execution, so I reco being very clear and checking the order before leaving for napkins, any sauces, utensils and to make sure it's what you ordered...once it came in flimsy cardboard take-out boxes (instead of the regular clear plastic clamshells) that were soaked through and leaking by the time we got to the car, which created a huge, sticky car mess. Another time, the house teriyaki sides (which are DELICIOUS) which we had specifically ordered were left out. When I mentioned it, the waitress said she was the one that took the order and I hadn't ordered them. AWKWARD (and incorrect...I totally get that people forget things and I've been guilty of it but that time, I had in fact ordered it, confirmed my husband who heard me do it). She seemed put out but comped them rather re-run the card. I would much rather just pay the extra dollar for the sauces which I ordered or go without than be passively called a liar or moocher attempting to game the sauce system. This wasn't enough to make us quit our habit...like I said, the food is great. I just send my husband to pick it up now. : )
(4)Lauren W.
This is my favorite spot of Hawaiian food in Portland. Friendly staff, fun atmosphere and awesome Auntie Shoishu chicken!!!
(5)Brian P.
The service at lunch still has not improved. It takes a full two hours for lunch, and thats if youre paying by cash with exact change. Why they wont address the service staff is beyond me.
(1)Andy B.
Best Hawaiian food in PDX because they're from the Islands! Friendly staff, amazing food and a good ambiance. I love this place.
(5)Laura H.
Kim chi is pretty good here, better than I had expected. Poke comes in 3 seasoning flavors, Hawaiian is delish. Market price, but fair. Portions are ginormous! A small is more than enough for one person with a big appetite. Service is good for being lightly staffed. Full bar, good drinks, and a great selection of beer. Great for big parties. And they cater! They also have live music. :)
(4)David L.
Just like my homestate woulda made em! :)
(5)Meredith H.
Terrible. Today I found 8 pieces of glass in my poke, the service was poor and it was way too expensive for what I got.
(1)EmKay B.
Guava margarita not so much. Rib sampler yum. Kalua pork too chopped and gnarly and dry...good mac. Portuguese sausage great. Overall, mixed review. Maybe if I'm neighborhood, otherwise I'll stick to NoHo's.
(3)Connie C.
Sometimes I'm just a laze ball and as we drive home from work, stuck in traffic, I am suddenly in a mad rush to find something nearby on yelp so that I'm not stuck cooking dinner when we get home. While waiting in Sellwood bridge traffic on Macadam, I found this place. I can always go for some Hawaiian and today is no different. We stepped into this seemingly unnoticeable place to find a cute little bamboo grove outdoor seating area and a place with surfboards and all. We ordered Auntie's Shoyu Chicken and Teriyaki Beef both in medium. Then tacked on a yakisoba (only available in the large). All to go. The food came out fast and super duper hot! The bag had to have weighed like 15 lbs! It was crazy. We gave it its own seat in the car. The sauce ended up spilling into the bag, which was no fun, but we were still excited to try it all. The chicken was delish though a tad sweeter than normal teriyaki style chicken. The teriyaki beef was really good and tender and flavorful. The mac salad was creamy. We barely even made a dent in the yakisoba there was so much. We literally ate the left overs for 3 more meals! So, yea it's a bit pricy, but there is so much food! Since our "banning" of Ate-Oh-Ate (for another day/review), this place will definitely be our next go to Hawaiian.
(4)Rosalea P.
I literally drool when I think about this place! We stumbled upon it as a lunch spot pretty soon after moving into our new offices in the Water Tower, and we try to visit at least once every couple of months. The spam musubi is delightful, and the Auntie's chicken is to-die-for, as is their "mac salad". As my co-worker says, "It's better than anything has a right to be when it is in the shape of an ice cream scoop!" Seriously good. Go there. Don't stop, don't collect $200, just go!
(5)Eric M.
Had the combo with shoyu chicken and Korean ribs and it was delish. I guess the one thing I would say is it is kind of expensive. For lunch paying 16 bucks is a little much.
(4)Sun F.
Three dining rooms are not the only surprise guests encounter upon entry. The wait staff is phenomenally friendly and the food is even better than that. My husband and I enjoyed grilled chicken and shredded pork entrees with rice, macaroni, and shredded cabbage sides. The aromas....w--o--w! There is no way you can dive in without appreciating the scents of deliciousness before your first forkful. And the portions are, well, let's just say you won't leave hungry and you'll take home 1/2 your platter for leftovers the next day. The prices are incredible, the atmosphere is casual and relaxed, and we can't wait to return. Be advised: they close early, so plan ahead to enjoy a Hawaiian feast right here in Portland.
(5)Kellie W.
Service was terrible. I asked for medium spice on my Korean chicken and it was WAY too spicy. I also subbed green salad for the Mac and it was so rotten I couldn't eat it. I won't ever come back here.
(2)Teri C.
I'm stumped. At the risk of being a "Debbi Downer" I have to ask...what do people see in this place?? With Portland being such an amazing food Mecca the Bamboo Grove is a mystery. I went there with my parents for lunch. It was a Monday around 11:45. They were already busy and there was only 1 server along with the bartender who I think was the owner. Considering that the server was the only one seating and serving she did a great job but with as busy as they are they should consider adding to their staff. The menu is extensive but the plates we found to be lack-luster at best. I ordered a veggie stir fry that turned out to be about 2 cups of broccoli with a few pieces of carrot and onions on a bed of raw cabbage with a very light Teriyaki sauce (Gluten free however). There were also two scoops of white rice (brown was not an option). Since I passed on the Mac and Cheese I was offered a side garden salad. To my surprise the garden salad was a bowl of pre-mixed Iceberg lettuce - I did not think that junk existed in Portland! My mom ordered basically the same thing as I did but instead she got the Pineapple Veggie Stir fry - again, same as mine but loaded with what seemed to be canned Pineapple. My Dad had a pork sandwich that turned out to be a half-size after he finished trimming all the fat and gristle off of the meat...no comment. I guess someone in this most amazing food city needs to help keep Food Service of America open - leave the farm fresh, local great quality food to the rest. Sorry guys - there's just too many great options, it's time to up your game! I could see this place in the middle of the U.S possibly and it might be a hit but not here???? p.s. there were no photos taken - we did not feel it was even worth it
(1)J B.
Yakisoba noodles are awesome! Huge serving, could have fed the four of us with leftovers. Kalua pork and shoyu chicken were really good!
(5)Brian C.
This place is awesome! The portion size is huge and the price is reasonable. I love the Auntie Shoyus chicken and better than that is the macaroni salad. They have a great selection of beer to wash down all the delicious food. Bamboo Grove also caters and have a space in their restaurant for groups too. A must stop when you are in the area.
(5)Vi B.
If you haven't been here before, GO. This is essentially Hawaiian food at its most fatty and delicious. The portions are HUGE so unless you haven't eaten in two days (and plan to scarf it all down in one sitting), plan to have some food to bring to lunch the next day. It is a bit expensive if you're just stopping in for lunch alone, but a great date place for two. And you're in for a treat if you arrive when their guitarist is there- prepare for dinner and a show!
(4)Jeremy B.
My office made a visit to the Bamboo Grove in late December for our 2013 Christmas dinner/party (a group of 16 of us). We were very disappointed - We paid $500 for a full roosted pig, which was cold and very dry. Not one of us enjoyed the meat. We also tried to order a number of their specialty beverages and they were out of a lot of them (both beer and cocktails). It was very disappointing!! The only reason I am giving them 2 starts (vs 1 star) is because we got good service from Sam our waiter and because the sides were good. But paying $500 for something we had to throw away, will keep us all from making another visit.
(2)Joni M.
Sooo disappointed! We had heard this place was the best so we decided to try it. Teriyaki chicken was (1) burned and (2) did not taste like teriyaki. Shoyu chicken was bland. Service was mediocre. Overall assessment: junk! The saving grace was that the beer was nice and cold (even with the chipped glass).
(1)Don B.
You can always count on consistently delicious food, large servings, good service and a great time...live music even. We showed up without reservations for 13, it was busy and my bad for not making a reservation but their reply was...we'll make it work! 30 min later we were seated and the food was delicious ... Teriyaki pork yum.
(5)Cara S.
This was tasty, but are not fabulous. Portions are huge. I prefer Ohana because of their salad option and the meat has a bit more flavor.
(3)L M.
Felt just like being back home on the Big Island, having spam musubi and loco moco in among the surfboards. Quick, too. Loved it!!
(5)Jean R.
Had the combination platter of hibachi ribs and teriyaki chicken... Good portion for the price... Food was great, but horrible service.
(3)Monica A.
When Bamboo Grove first open, I frequent it for lunch and remembered it as one of the best local food places that is reasonably priced. I went there a few days ago excited for some local flavors and was a little disappointed that the flavors were not how it used to be. I had the korean chicken and it didn't have much flavor but the char after taste lingered in my mouth for hours. The mac salad needed salt and pepper. I've had awesome meals here and love the vibe so I'll most likely try them again and hope that it was an off day.
(3)Chels J.
Huge portions, drowning in teriyaki sauce (yum). For some reason I don't love it enough to give it 4 stars. The food just doesn't blow me away. It's a great value - especially if you order the medium or large which is just a couple dollars more than the small - you get like 2 or 3 meals out of that. The take out gives you enormous portions as well. They have live music which is nice on the weekend.
(3)Brett L.
This place is the best Hawaiian Food in portland. Very Authentic. Every dish I have tried is great, but my favorite is the Kalua Pork (Smokey, but not greasy). The portions are ENORMOUS! Most dishes come in small, medium, or large portions. Order the large and you will be eating for three nights, no joke...
(5)Peter F.
Bamboo grove is delicious and has a very large variety of items that come in huge portions. You have to plan on taking food with you (which I love) or splitting a meal with a friend. I usually end up getting the large size of whatever I order because it is only a few dollars more for quite a bit more food. Since I plan on taking some home with me anyway, I might as well get the bang for my buck. Their mac salad is amazing! Most meals come with two large scoops of rice and a large scoop of mac salad but you can substitute those things for each other for no charge. I usually get 3 scoops of mac salad and make my own rice. The one thing that really bums me out about Bamboo Grove is they are often severely understaffed. The staff seems to get a little irritable and will sometimes forget about you if they become very busy. I go there quite often so a lot of the staff recognize me now & have been taking better care of me, but I have had my fair share of tough experiences there. Everything I've had there has been amazing except for the Ahi Tuna & it makes me sad because I love Ahi Tuna. It is quite a bit more expensive and both times I've had it, the fish was way over cooked and not seasoned very well. In my opinion, you should think of this place as an incredible Teriyaki joint. Stick to the basics (chicken, Kaluha pig, beef or tofu). Those items have always been delicious and have pleased me much more than their eccentric items. Not to mention, they are much more affordable. Definitely go to Bamboo Grove, but go on a bit of an off hour or weekday. You will get better/more friendly attention and have your food much quicker. Ordering it to go is also a great option there, especially if it is a busy night. They put to go orders at the top of the list and take care of you as soon as you come to pick them up. One last thing, if you like hot sauce, have them give you a side (it is free) because it is absolutely delicious and completely made from scratch. Cheers
(4)Brittany P.
Food is the best! Combination platters are the best deals. The bar tender kinda sucks at giving drinks but the food makes up for it...
(5)Lindsey R.
My boyfriend and I pride ourselves on being good at home cooks. Always trying to make new things. He is always asking me to make Hawaiin type cuisean. SO for his birthday I decided to take him to Bamboo Grove. He was in love.... the food is amazing. We each order the Larger sized plates and end up eating them for days! I have tried many things off the menu and its all amazing! We will be customers for life!! Who knows maybe one day they will be catering our wedding ;)
(5)John E.
Ladies and Gentlemen... The Doobie Brothers! When the sun comes up on a sleepy little town Down around Macadam Boulevard And the folks are risin for another day round about their homes The people of the town are strange And theyre proud of where they came Well, youre talkin bout Bamboo Grove Oh ho, Bamboo Grove ************************************************* Okay, Okay, I know it was a cheap and easy laugh but I just had to do it. So, early in the week a friend of mine wanted to get together and talk about some charity fundraising dealings and rally dealings and he suggested the Bamboo Grove. We had met here a year ago or more but honestly I couldn't remember what the place was like. Was that a good thing or not? Well, being an adventure eater I was up for the challenge and we had his people call my people and we went to lunch. It's not easy to find, kind of tucked away off Macadam and sandwiched between other buildings. Parking is fend for yourself on the street but I was able find something within one block. I walked back and opened the door and hit with the pleasant odor or grilling meat and a hint of teriyaki. The narrow entry way opened into a small seating area and more seating was visible in another room to the back and a patio outdoors. It was really a nice little place, very comfortable. I wasn't in a rib mood so I went with the typical teriyaki chicken, medium size, which came with two scoops of rice, a scoop of macaroni salad and a about a half chicken worth of meat! What must the large look like!?! (see photos) The chicken was cooked perfectly which a slight char to the edges and a good teriyaki flavor that was not overwhelming like other places. There was added teriyaki sauce on the table along with soy sauce for the rice if you wish. The rice was sticky and thick, the way good Hawaiian rice should be. The macaroni salad was "oh my god" good. Indescribable. Try it. Now! For what you get, and it is a lot, the prices were quite good. My medium teriyaki was $11.00. I ordered a passionfruit iced tea which was $2.50, a little steep (ha! get it? "steep"?!?) and really didn't taste as good as I thought it should, as a matter of fact I think it may have been turning but I am not sure. I like iced tea, I know iced tea, and this wasn't good iced tea. Saying that, I would try it again if I was told it was fresh. In the end we had a great meeting, had some laughs in a comfortable casual atmosphere and ate very well. A successful business lunch by an standard.
(4)Frank K.
Was kinda reluctantly dragged here. Most "Hawaiian" places just run some ribs past you with a pile of rice and a surfboard screwed to the wall over a bar. Well, this place has that, but the service is lavished on a bunch of Haoles with real, GREAT style and class. Unknowingly, we went on a Sunday and I recomend that move HIGHLY!! PuPu's are discounted and "Bloody Malias" are only $4 each.. WOO-HOOooooo!! Good food too!! I'm not much of a Linguisa or Spam guy, but everything was purty good!! Our delightful waitress brought us a sampling of some menu highlites which helped us all narrow down our aims. Great move there.. We all got a broad spectrum of the menu and in TRUE "Western Style" nary a discouraging word was heard. 'Smatter 'o fact, most ALL finished their plates but me, sending my leftovers home with some happy volunteers. Soon after they carried me to the car, and ensconced me in the front seat, from which I was squired home. I hit the bed like a torpedo and buried myself into a peaceful, palm lined cove on a Hawaiian Beach and drifted off to an untroubled, pleasantly swept away sleep complete with coconuts and Leis washing up with seafoam against my dreams.... ~SIGH~ Thank Gawd Monday was a Holiday!!
(4)Aaron W.
I ordered a small "Auntie's Shoyu Chicken" ($9), a healthy portion of boneless, shredded shoyu chicken with a scoop of white rice and a scoop of macaroni salad. I got my food pretty fast, about 5-7 minutes after placing my order. The shoyu chicken was pretty good, but too sweet for my liking. I will say it was moist, shredded well, and flavorful. I also liked the small bed of shredded cabbage underneath the chicken. While I was given a small packet of soy sauce with my food, I did not want to add any more sodium to this dish. I would have also liked a brown rice option. Good mac salad, but just wish it was served colder (my serving was virtually room temperature). Good menu, looks like Hawaii guys run it (or at least work there).
(3)Elle S.
Kanak attacks every time!!! We drive from Sherwood and its always worth the drive. Authentic tastes of Hawaii :)
(4)Alex M.
Super good. The mac salad is prime time. They had this one ginger chicken as the special one day woo. I usually get the korean chicken and the hiachi ribs. The portions are huge to. They also got the best mints out of every restaurant in the game.
(5)Erik C.
The food is quite good and it has a comfortable atmosphere. My family of 5 goes here quite regularly and if you are looking for a great meal, get the Yakisoba noodles with some Kahlua pork... literally feeds my whole family. This place does not disappoint.
(4)Karen K.
The price and proportion blew my mind. Of course the food is also amazing. You can order anything from the menu and will enjoy it. I normally do not order appetizers but every time I go here I must order the poke! It's so delicious! The Mac salad is very good. The meat dishes are also good. The best part? You know it's real Hawaiian when there's spam on the menu! Love!
(5)Jovanna P.
This place really understands ohana. They are always friendly and welcoming. The food is great and portions are huge. My favorites are the shoyu chicken and kalua pork. They catered my wedding in 2009 and people still talk to me about how great the food was. I usually order to go but they also do have a great beer list.
(5)Jenni D.
A-L-O-H-A!!! This is absolutely legit Hawaiian cuisine. If anyone reading this has actually been to Hawaii (or a Broda or Sista's home), then you know what REAL Hawaiian food should taste like. This place is ridiculously authentic, and I more than enjoyed my "Small (but Large)" Kalua Pork plate for lunch this past weekend. The sun was out, so it was nice to be able to sit on the patio. I also slyly forked a bite of my husband's Shoyu Chicken... MMMMMmmmm, delish! I can't wait to go back.
(5)Chad J.
This 2-star review is mainly concerning the service at this place. I called in an order to pickup - they said 15 minutes and I showed up in that time. Horrible street parking wasn't a great first impression, but that is not the biggest deal. I walked in and waited almost 5 minutes for someone to come to the counter and ask what I was there for. When they went to grab my order they said "it looks like we've lost your ticket, sorry about that!" So after waiting for help for much too long, my order hadn't even been started and was not expedited as I sat there for about 15-20 minutes waiting. I was charged full price. You would think that's the worst of it right? Nope! I got home to find that almost all of the sauce from the dish had leaked out of the container and into the paper bag in a huge puddle mess starting to come through the bag causing my food to be super dry with little sauce to work with. AND they gave me a scoop of rice when I specifically asked for no rice, just macaroni salad. Several strikes later, all of this made for a pretty terrible experience, with the only positive being the great tasting macaroni salad and bits of the stir fry that still had sauce on it. I may try it again, but if it's anything like this last visit, I won't even bother.
(2)Amanda K.
This place is pretty good! Not amazing, not horrible, "pretty good" is entirely appropriate. I had high expectations for this place, as I have friends who describe Bamboo Grove as the be-all end-all of Hawaiian food in Portland. They were mostly met. Pros: -Close to my house in SW, where there are not a whole helluva lot of dining options. -Close to the liquor store, so you can purchase a make-up buzz for what you lost on $14 worth of pineapple juice and triple sec on the rocks @ the restaurant. -The kalua pig was seerrrrrrrriously tasty. Not as "melt-in-your-mouth" as I would've liked, but the flavor of the pork was on point. -The teriyaki beef was the jam. It tasted like re-hydrated jerky, which sounds bad but it's not meant to be. I don't eat red meat hardly ever, so when I sampled my friend's dinner, I was pleasantly surprised. -The portions are HUGE. I don't really have any pointed "Cons" for the place, but we did wait 25 minutes to be seated only to discover that there were at least half a dozen empty tables further back. I know they were busy with a 12-top birthday party, but there are other customers waiting to dine too. Also, I didn't think their macaroni salad was anything to write home about. Too much green onion or something. I kept having to add salt and chili paste to bring it up to flavor-speed. And at the risk of getting mugged by the ultra-faithful fanbase this place has..............I think Ohana's Hawaiian Cafe is bettter! Shoot me if you must, but you can't beat the creamy scoop of rice and the salty, savory kalua pig laced with braised cabbage. And their mac salad is better, too. Great restaurant, and I'll definitely be back! I want to check out their happy hour. It doesn't quite measure up against the other joint, though.
(4)Kim F.
Delicious!!!! Really friendly service even though they were busy. The ribs were soooo good (all types). If we lived near here we decided we would come at least weekly. Great atmosphere, authentic food, incredible service. Highly recommended.
(5)Jennifer W.
I just came here recently to try this place out. They open on Sunday which is pretty nice. Their menu looks pretty good and yummy but glancing to their daily special wall, i found out that they have kalua pork served all the times! I just had to try it! I ordered small size kalua pork with rice (it came with 1 scoop of rice and 1 scoop of macaroni salad). They have medium and large size too which I can't fathom how big those will be! the small size itself is already a good serving for 1 person. The pork was cooked pretty good, tender and juicy. Not too salty too! I'll definitely be back again to try their other menu.
(4)Christina B.
Best Hawaiian food I've ever had in Portland. We were seated right away. The service and food was just as fast, which was especially appreciated on a short lunch hour. The chicken katsu was amazing- only served on Thursdays as a special. We also had the pork and Korean ribs. Definitely going to make this a regular treat! :)
(5)