La Bamba

My favorite Mexican restaurant in Hawaii. I’m from southern CA and it’s it’s hard finding a decent Mexican restaurant here. La Bamba fills that void. The parking is bit inconvenient but still worth going to.

Best salsa in the city.

I was really really disappointed with this place — basically the only nice thing I can say about the food is it was not cold. Otherwise, it was bland and boring, not to mention expensive. Way way too expensive for what it was — worst Mexican I’ve had on the island, and that’s saying a lot.

The lamb chimichanga and guacamole are amazing. The chimi came in a set of 2, which makes sense because it kept the meal interesting and gave you a chance to mix and match different meats.
If you like guacamole in general, try a large order and get some extra chips. If you run out of chips just use a damn spoon because it’s really good.

This place sucks. I ate there several weeks ago and I can’t believe they are still in business. The salsa had no taste unless you consider tomato sauce out of the can good salsa. I ordered a plate with two chicken tacos. The chicken was bland no taste. The service was crappy the lady had no personality and it took a very long time to get our food. I would never go here again. I prefer Just Tacos, Cholos, and Azteca over this place. Don’t waste your money.

I was not a big fan of this place. When I compare it to other mexican restaurants I have eaten at, Mexico, Azteca, Compadres (when it existed), and Los Chapparos, this place was not too good to me. Of course I am aware that different areas in Mexico cook their food differently so this may be why. It reminded me more of the Americanized Chilli’s restaurant that we all know. In my opinion, the food was okay but if you would like to eat authentic tasting food, try any other ones that I listed above.

My stepfather is from California and his family makes terrific mexican food so i’m really picky about the restaurants here. i could never find one that even measured up to the restaurants in california and La Bamba is the closest one I’ve found yet.
It’s a small, clean, cute place and it’s BYOB which is convenient because safeway is right across the street.
i always have to get a large order of guacamole when i go and that’s the first thing i order. it’s great – not too salty, and it’s chunky, just the way i like it. it’s basically just chunky avocados and tomatoes and cilantro. YUM. the salsa is good too.
and i should probably branch out more but i always end up getting the chicken enchilada plate and i’m never disappointed. it tastes fresh and homemade and the rice is the best i’ve had at any restaurant in hawaii yet. i’ve never tried anything else, but i’ve gone with friends and they’ve ordered different things and have loved them too.
the prices are reasonable and the service is pretty fast. you really can’t go wrong

Recently did office takeout from here. They’re ok and prices are good. The Enchilada plate was yummy, loved that it came with a salad! the salad dressing was great, more Italian tasting than anything, but it was Great!

«Meh. I’ve experienced better» seems to sum it up perfectly. Actually, I would give La Bamba 2.5 stars. The food is okay. Of course, it’s nothing compared to the Mexican cuisine available in Southern California. But for Hawaii, it’s not bad. Chips and salsa are served complimentary, but it’s $ 2.50 extra for a refill. I got the 2-​choice plate for $ 12 which came with an enchilada, tamale, refried beans and Mexican rice. I’ve definitely had better Mexican rice. Other than that though, the dish was okay. A 3-​choice plate is available for $ 15, or «dinner plate» selections are available for $ 17. If you ask me, it’s a little expensive for basic Mexican food. The guacamole was probably the best item on the menu. We brought our own bottle of wine, and the restaurant provided cups free of charge. As far as the décor goes, it could use a lot of help. The restaurant has a lot of potential to be a «cute» hole-​in-​the-​wall Mexican cantina, but it doesn’t appear the owners have any «vision» for it. It’s very bright inside, the walls lack any color, and the music sounds like a Mexican funeral. The waitress also could also use a little spunk. All in all, I don’t think I’ll be returning to La Bamba.

The food here is OK I guess. You can do better if you go to La Familia or Taco’s & More, but if you are in town it is probably your best bet. This restaurant is clean, great & friendly service and decent portions. Again, the food is OK, but not outstanding…

it was ok… we came here for lunch last week. it’s a small place and you have to park on the street or park across at the safeway parking lot.
i had the potato tostada which was good. i thought their salsa could taste better though. i have the most amazing recipe for salsa message me if you want it!!! lol the guacamole was pretty good.
i still haven’t found the best mexican place here yet… it might be hard for hawaii!

Moved to Honolulu in 1988 and a little after that found La Bamba. Greatest and still the best Mexican food around the area and a nice walk from Waikiki. B.Y.O.B.
With the downturn in tourism, there are less choices as Mi Casa Taqueria on Monsarrat Ave. & Compadres in Ward Center are now shuttered.

I really like this place, I’ve eaten here tonight and I thought it was great! I just loved their shredded beef enchiladas and their appetizers are great too! Thumbs up! Everybody must come here and eat good mexican restaurant for sure:) I will definitely come here more often, of course! I’ve forgot to mention that you must park at Safeway b/​c there’s no parking around the area except for Safeway!

La Bamba is a small family run, hole-​in-​the-​wall Mexican restaurant located right across the road from the Kapahulu Safeway. I am not sure whether the food is authentic, but it is freshly made and consistently good. Since it’s BYOB, we bring frozen Margaritas and a few bottles of Coronas on our visits.
I have been going to La Bamba for a few years now and have sampled many of the menu items. But I always go back to their Chimichangas, Chile Rellenos, and enchiladas. You get 2 chimichangas with a full order — I like to get one chicken and one beef. They are stuffed with shredded meat, fried golden brown, and topped with generous mounds of sour cream and guacamole, shredded lettuce, and chopped tomatoes. I pour some of their delicious house salsa on top for good measure.
My husband likes to get the 3 — item combo plate. At my urging, he gets the Chile relleno — a poblano pepper stuffed with cheese dipped in eggs, fried, then smothered with a red sauce, an enchilada, and a tamale. The rice and refried beans that comes with the entrees are always hot and delicious.
Service is not LaBamba’s strong suit. The waitress’ (it’s always the same one.) standard greeting is, «You want water?» And if she is in a really good mood, there is a decent chance that you might get a smile and a thank you from her. If you are looking for service with aloha, this is not the place for you. And if you are looking to eat there on a Saturday. This is also not the place for you. They are closed on Saturdays…
We are usually stuffed by the time we waddle out of La Bamba, but we have managed to stop by at Leonard’s to pick up a couple of Malasadas for dessert! I have noticed that the size of the orders have gotten smaller through the years, but I leave there very satisfied every time.

With so many tragic places opening up, i.e. Señor Frogs, I have to go back to my humble roots. I always find my favorite thing in a restaurant and stick to it, like my life depended on it.
The chicken and bean nacho’s at La Bamba are smothered with cheese and come with sour cream and guacamole. 8 bucks. Order an extra order of freshly made guacamole (fresh chunks of avocado, cilantro, diced tomatoes and salt) and you’re all set. This is the only thing I ever order here. I pick up a nacho, put some salsa, a lil dallop of sour cream, a heaping spoonfull of guacamole and CRUNCH! DEE-​LICIOUS! It’s really not difficult to make these nacho’s and guacamole at home so since I’ve moved, I’ll come here maybe once every two months.
Use to live across the street many many years ago and would frequent this place a few times a week. The dad cooks in the kitchen and I think the waitress is his daughter. Personality is not her strong point but she get’s your order correct, brings it out hot, always refills your water, and brings out toys for the kids to play with, while they’re dining.
Any place that offers B.Y.O.B. is «A» okay in my book. I come here to chill with friends, drink a couple negro modelos, and pound some fricken awesome nacho’s.
La Bamba’s is waaaay better than Torito’s, 2 knotches above Jose’s, Compadres is closed now but La Bamba blew them out the water, Diego’s waters down their sour cream, yuck, Cholo’s is too far and overrated, I mean at least they don’t have to blow whistles in your ear and give out goofy balloon hats to get some business. Talk about Señor Frogs, that place is tragedy on another level.

I remember when my parents used to take me to this tiny restaurant a stones throw away from a thai-​strip club. Life was different. The 80’s. Hawaii is kinda weird like that. La Bamba, a family run business, has a very comfortable feel when you sit at your table. I feeling of being at home for the first time. It was nice.
I remember the food there. Very delicious and fresh. I believe they made their own tortilla chips. The food today is a tad pricier than before, but the quality is still there to stay.
Not much else to say. BYOB and good Mexican Food.

I’ve tried a bunch of places for Mexican and this place is on my list of favs…
For starters, I’m a guacamole guy, and although I’ve had better, not in Hawaii. Chunky, chunky, chunky. Get 2 orders of this.
As far as the entrees, I’ve had the strip steak and it is in fact TENDER, I’ve also had a chimichanga, that was ok though.
What I give this an extra star for me is that this place is BYOB, we in Hawaii like that. Go to Safeway accross the street and get a 6 pack of Pacifico, perfect compliment with the Guacamole.

I have to agree with Mark, this place puts out some bad food. Won’t ever go back. Well if they were the only place to get food after the apocalypse…

I was so happy to try this place out today. I ordered a tamale/​chili relleno combo plate. Most places don’t allow combinations with chili relleno. (sucks!) The food was FREAKING good.
They didn’t mess around with any garnishes, in fact there were no veggies at all, unless you count the pepper in the relleno. The rice was moist, the beans were not too thick, and the tamale & chili relleno was just REALLY yummy. The plate came with a small container of salsa which I thought was pretty spicy. I ordered some chips to go with. The chips were my least favorite thing because they didn’t have salt on them and they tasted like they were fried in oil that wasn’t super-​fresh. However, they were satisfyingly crispy. The combo plate was enough food for 2 people and with the chips cost about $ 13.50. I think I’ll order take out again sometime and make a side salad at home; a perfect meal for 2.
I would rate La Bamba 5 stars except that the parking really sucks. Basically there’s no parking; I had to illegally park on the street in a No Parking zone, which is why I ended up getting take out instead of eating in. I see someone voted that there’s a private lot to park in. WHERE?! I’ll look harder next time.

i have lived in az, ca, NM, and mexico for 50+ years
this is the best mex food in hawaii, although the restaurant is small and out of the way: by the bank of hawaii Park in back of the tux/​deep dive shop/​.
Lamb instead of pork, all the dishes ar cooked to perfection/​food is on the mild side unless you ask for hott. one half block down is hawaiian liquor so byob /​always order a double guacamole every body i have told about this place agrees