We all know that the North Shore is crawling with shrimp shacks, serving up everything from coconut to garlic shrimp. Simply drive down Kamehameha Highway and you’ll run into a handful every few miles. But if your drive takes you to the town of Haleiwa, you may want to stop by Cholo’s, one of the few restaurants on the North Shore that serves up Mexican cuisine.
Every time I have been to Cholo’s the restaurant has been packed, and today was no different. Cholo’s offers seating inside and outside the restaurant, or at the counter of their margarita bar. Inside you’ll find the walls heavily decorated with art reminiscent of Mexico, in addition to dozens of crucifixes of many colors and styles. The seating outside gives you a chance to experience the Hawaii sun, while staying cool in the Haleiwa breeze.
Out seating for Cholo’s
Inside seating and the Margarita bar
One of the things I love about Mexican dining is the complimentary chips and salsa. Fresh homemade salsa is one of my favorite things to snack on, and Cholo’s serves up a pretty spicy blend of salsa and chips at every table. The only thing that I think would make this salsa better is a tad more lime juice or cilantro, but the flavor is pretty good the way it is.
Fresh homemade salsa
In true alignment with the small town feel of Haleiwa and the “aloha” spirit of the North Shore, service at Cholo’s has always been good. The staff is courteous and friendly, always diligent in the care of their customers.
The first order of business after being seated was to decide what margarita I was going to have. In the end I went with the house specialty Cadillac Margarita, which is a blend of 1800 Silver Tequila, Grand Marnier and fresh squeezed lime juice. Cholo’s offers their margaritas on the rocks or blended, and for this visit I opted for my drink “on the rocks.”
Cholo’s Cadillac Margarita, $8.50
The Cadillac margarita came in a glass with salt on the rim (you can request to have no salt if you prefer). The blend of Silver Tequila and Grand Marnier with the margarita mix made for a delicious beverage, with just the right amount of flavor and alcoholic kick.
Once my drink selection was settled, we waited patiently for our food to arrive. Food is prepared and served quickly at Cholo’s. Here is what enjoyed:
Chicken Taquito Plate, $8.75
For many menu selections at Cholo’s, you have the choice of ordering them ala carte, or as a plate. Plates include refried beans, Mexican rice, and salsa. The taquito’s at Cholo’s are offered with chicken or beef, and for my fiancee’s order she opted for chicken. The chicken within the taquito was tender, wrapped within a fairly crunchy exterior. The only thing negative about this dish was that the chicken was a bit bland, in need of a bit more seasoning. But the flavors of the salsa, guacamole, and refried beans does help to compliment the meal.
Cholo’s Carne Asada, $13.95
Listed under the “favorites” section of the menu, Cholo’s Carne Asada features tender strips of grilled, marinated steak. In addition the plate is served with fresh cilantro, guacamole, onions, tortillas, rice and beans. Wrapping the ingredients on the plate in the warm tortillas provides the eater with a package full of flavor. The marinated steak is seasoned well and remains tender even after grilling. All the flavors provided in this dish worked very well together, even just tossed together without the tortilla rolls. I enjoyed this order very much.
Final thoughts: The exciting and live atmosphere of Cholo’s provides an upbeat place to enjoy good Mexican food. Whether you’re just passing through or spending a beach day in Haleiwa, Cholo’s is certainly a stop worth making. Although the restaurant does not offer any fancy or trendy Mexican dishes, it does achieve its goal of providing great tasting “homestyle mexican” food. The efficient and friendly staff, combined with the music and other atmospheric compliments work to enhance your dining experience. I have dined at Cholo’s several times over the years, and it remains one of my favorite food destinations on the North Shore.
| Service: |   |
Above Average |
| Food: | |
Above Average |
| Atmosphere: | |
Above Average |
| Overall Value: | |
Above Average |
*Star ratings are based in comparison to similar establishments
Cholo’s Homestyle Mexican
66-250 Kamehameha Hwy Haleiwa, Hawaii 96712
Phone: 808.637.305
Tags: Hawaii Food, Hawaii Food Review, Mexican, Homestyle, Cholo’s, Haleiwa, North shore Oahu
Other Popular Reviews:
I really like Cholos too
I’ve been to Cholo’s twice and wondered both times why it was so crowded. I thought it wasn’t good at all. So, now I only got to Rosie’s Cantina, which I love. I guess it’s just a matter of what one likes.
I have been to Rosie’s once while out in Haleiwa for work. The one time I went there we had a negative dining experience, so I guess you can say I have the reverse thoughts about the two establishments.
Perhaps I should give Rosie’s another try!
I’ve always been curious about this place after hearing and seeing all their commercials. I just don’t get out to the N. Shore as often as I should. The cost of gas being a major issue.
Looking and reading about your orders, the dishes actually look quite authentic to Mexican cuisine than I would have expected of more a “Tex Mex” style from a trendy place like this.
On your next Mexican quest, I highly recommend Los Chapparos on Beretania Ave., just after Hawaiian Graphics on the Makai side. Excellent.
Great write-up, and glad to see you back in full food blogging force!
I’ve actually dined at Los Chapparos a couple of times before (though not since I’ve started food blogging). They have really good Mexican food and a great salsa mix, too.
I’ll be sure to stop by again soon and blog them!
My family loves Mexican!! But our trip to Cholo’s was disappointing. The salsa was bland, the food was just not very tasty; seemed to be missing that “Something.” The restaurant was busy and the service was sorta slow; it took a while to get our entree, and the food was getting cool. So the general family consensus was “let’s find another Mexican place next time.” So I have to give a “thumbs-down” to Cholo’s food. (Can’t speak for the drinks.)
Now I have to say that our visit to Killer Tacos last night renewed my faith in a local North Shore Mexican resource. Much better!! Longboard Burrito (with pork) spicy and tasty, and salsa/chips very good as well. DS had the nachos all the way with beef, and he had to defend his plate against the family invaders!
We was doing a cruise around the island. Were locals and wanted to check out Cholo’s. We were very disappointed. Not much selection for children. And , the first sign of what we were to expect arrived in the form of salsa, It was horrible way too much oregano!
Usually restaurants have a children’s selection that will appeal to their taste. We had split up burrito’s the the kids, they took one bite and decided that a liquid diet wouls sufiice, They ghated it and would not dare touch the rest of their meal.
The prices are way to high, and the food not at all worth it. There are far better food to eat in around Cholo’s. Save your Mexican flavor for California, and try out the many local plate lunces around the island. Far more more deliciuos, dirt cheap. $5 to $9 dollars for a big plate lunch of your choice, with a better selection.Where you see all the locals lined up for meals is the place to go.
They SUCK! I love mexican food, but not here.
Take my advice and eat somewhere else, you’ll Thank me for the advice if you eat there. Just not good, and the service leaves alot to be desired. Sorry Cholo’s you need alot of improvement in the food area.
I’ve been to Cholo’s several times and notice an incredible difference in quality between day and night. I think the “night” chef is way better!