BYU–Hawaii students differ on their opinions of the best Mexican food on the island, but all bemoan the relatively slim pickings.
Megan Farris, a freshman from Texas studying education, said, “I haven’t had any [Mexican food] for over a month. I suppose there’s Taco Bell, but that doesn’t count.”
Students aren’t the only ones to notice the lack of Mexican food on the island. Dr. Helena Hannonen, a business professor from Finland, has taught at BYU–Hawaii for 9 years and said, “You can’t get good Mexican food on this island, you have to make it yourself.”
Hannonen has been all around the world with her work and experienced the best of what South American food has to offer. When asked what is the closest to getting to the real stuff, Hannonen said the best place to go is El Mariachis in Kaneohe “by the old gas station.”
Tania Ontiveros, president of the Latin American Association and a senior from Chihuahua, Mexico studying exercise sports science, said, “I don’t like to eat Mexican food in America. It’s not the same. It’s just tomato sauce. They make it more so Americans like it.”
Michelle Arellano, a senior from Mexico City studying psychology, said common places like Chipotle and Café Rio don’t quite add up to legitimate Mexican food. “Café Rio is too sweet. You need charcoal to cook the meat and in particular the meat is too sweet,” said Arellano.
Omar Maldonado, a sophomore studying exercise sports science from Arizona, together with Ontiveros and Arellano, listed their top five restaurants on the island with semi-authentic Mexican food.
- Luibeunos - Haleiwa
- El Mariachi’s - Kaneohe
- North Shore Tacos - Hauula
- Surf & Turf Tacos - Honolulu
- Killer Tacos - Other side of Haleiwa
Alyssa Troyanek and Emily Halls, two seniors studying international cultural studies from Arizona, said Mariachis and Luibuenos are near the top best Mexican restaurants on the island.
Referring to Luibuenos, Troyanek said, “It’s subpar compared to other places and I don’t think it should have the number one spot.” However, they both agree the restaurant called Surg’s Mexican Food should claim the number one spot on the list.
Halls said, “It’s a hole in the wall, but it’s got freaking good food.” Ontiveros said students can make Mexican food in their own home if they can’t afford the gas money. She said, “My mom sent me salsa, beans, and the spices. We always cook tacos, enchiladas and virtually anything that has to do with tortillas.”