Huli Huli Flavor, Hana-Worthy Stop

"What a memorable meal! The huli huli chicken had an amazing smoky flavor, and the fresh salad was just as impressive. It had a local ingredient that I had never tried before, and I wish I could find it back home because it was so good. After seeing Gordon Ramsay recommend this place, I was worried it wouldn’t live up to the hype—but it absolutely did. The laid-back, beachside atmosphere made the experience even better. Definitely worth the stop. Highly recommend!"

"I ordered the combo with chicken and ribs. The ribs were decent but nothing special. The chicken was definitely overhyped and reminded me of a rotisserie chicken. The sides were a bit disappointing as well. I wasn’t a fan of the peas in the mac salad, and the rice was clumpy. On the positive side, the view was absolutely beautiful. However, there were quite a few flies, which made it difficult to enjoy the meal. Overall, I found this place to be overhyped. The scenery was the highlight, but the food was just average."

"If you’re looking for the definitive "Road to Hana" experience, skip the fancy resort dining for a day and pull over at Koki Beach for some of the best Huli Huli chicken you will ever have. After hours of navigating those famous hairpin turns and lush rainforest canopies, emerging into the open air at Uncle Russell’s stand feels like finding a hidden treasure. The first thing that hits you isn't even the view—it’s the scent. The mesquite smoke from the grill drifts across the road, mingling with the salt spray of the Pacific. We tried the chicken and were blown away; it was perfectly charred, juicy, and coated in that iconic sweet-and-savory Huli Huli sauce that tastes like pure Hawaii. Eating a hot, fresh plate while sitting on a piece of driftwood is a world away from a standard restaurant, and frankly, it’s much better. The scenery here is unparalleled. If you look to your left, you’ll see the striking contrast of the deep red sand and the massive cinder hill, **Ka Iwi o Pele**. The rich, rusted red of the cliffs against the vibrant turquoise of the ocean and the white foam of the surf is a visual masterpiece. It’s the kind of spot where you’ll want to put your fork down every few minutes just to take in the sheer scale of the landscape. Between the ocean breeze, the sound of the crashing waves, and the incredible food, this was easily the highlight of our entire drive. If you see the smoke rising from the grill, do yourself a favor and stop. It’s more than just a meal; it’s a memory."

"Got there at 1050 before they were suppose to open up at 1100, waited nearby and chilled by the ocean until 1110. People started to show up but the place was no where near open. No one knew when or if the place was gonna open up. A local with tour group went up and started a line in front, that's when everyone started to follow suit snd form a line after them.. there were workers there but no one said anything... didnt start serving until 1145ish Asked for the ribs and chicken combo, but was told only they had pork and chicken. Asked when the ribs would be available, they told us they didnt know...... As soon as I paid and walked to the table with the food, they served ribs.. why was it so hard to ask the cook when the ribs were ready... Ended up paying 30$ each for the chicken/pork combo.(60$) But really wanted to try the ribs, so I went back on the line and ordered only rib plate... they gave me rib and chicken combo instead for 20$... didnt find out until I got to the black sand. Ended up just eating the 2 piece of ribs that they gave... Overall.... the food was meh... the hype wasn't really worth it."