Aloha 'aina Bbq - Puunene

I?ve been to over 20 BBQ joints on the mainland and this place blows them all away, no joke! Don?t let the ?food truck? turn you away because this place will MOST definitely have you coming back for more. The meats here are the best I?ve ever had and I?m not exaggerating! I love the vibe and friendliness of the staff, the location is oceanfront and it?s right off the highway on the road to Hana. Such an easy place to get to with great parking and they have live music on theweekends (call to verify what night) and all the keiki come to play around the garden area while the band singer plays. It?s adorable! I?ve tried their plates with the BBQ ribs, Kailua pork and brisket and all of it is so tasty, juicy,TENDER and falls right apart! You can tell they?ve all been slowly cooked to perfection, even the side salads and tater tots are super fresh and different, not your ?plain Jane? sides.The salads have super delicious flavors and swag to themand the tots are always hot with a perfect seasoned salt on them. We just moved to Maui 5 months ago from California and have been here 4 times already, but I could seriously eat here every week. Surprisingly the grass fed burger is myABSOLUTE FAVORITE! It?s so juicy and has the best flavor I?ve ever had. It?s hands down the best burger I?ve ever had. There?s sautéed mushrooms, grilled onions, sharp cheddar and SUPER TENDER pork belly- not needing to chew and grind toget through the meat. The patty is hand-made, delicious, big and juicy! What I love is that they take their time to place the ingredients perfectly on the burger with every bite in mind. It?s not a super messy or sloppy burger whereeverything falls out with one bite, but instead every bite is perfect. I even love the side dill pickle and hot tater tots SOOO much! I?ve been stuck on this burger the last 2 times we?ve gone there. I can?t wait to come back!!

In a word, AMAZING!! The location is a little out of the way but it is 100% worth going out for. The smoked huli huli chicken is easily the best non fried chicken I have ever had. The brisket loco moco is also not far behind. No lines and plenty of covered benches to eat at. It won?t be long before this makes all the lists so give it a try before the crowds!!!

Without exaggeration this is some of the best BBQ I?ve ever had. We got everything on the menu- brisket, pork belly, chicken, burger- all amazing. Even down to the pohole salad and the tater tots. Really great. If you?re coming back from Hana this is a great way to end your trip. I?d eat here again in a heartbeat.