How to Nab Great Dining Deals in Maui

This all started about a year ago when, being a deal hunter by heart, I first noticed a number of restaurants responded to the economic bubble burst by offering discounts and specials, especially for kama`aiana. I started assembling a list of said specials and sharing it weekly via email. My friends liked it and shared it with their friends which only egged me on.

Soon the deals newsletter expanded into dining reviews, notices of upcoming events, photos of food, and screeching to a halt for garage sale signs – oh, sorry that had nothing to do with What’s Cooking Maui but everything to do with the start of all this – the downturn in the economy. I may be willing to wear recycled clothes but the last things I’ll scrimp on or compromise is the quality of the food I eat. To me, it’s easy to decide where you tighten and where you should spend –inside vs. outside – one matters, one doesn’t. Spend your money on food preferably shared somewhere. That way, you’ve got your health, you got your friends; you let the rest ride.

Since starting WCM we’ve expanded the staff by two ( sometimes four when they are up to it) but lately there are so many specials flooding the dining scene we can barely keep up! Fortunately, this week Maui Times helped us out by presenting their own Taste of Maui special food edition in which they list what they’ve deemed as the top 25 dining deals around Maui. They rightfully admit there’s is not a comprehensive list; in fact, they’ve only scratched the surface of what’s out there, deal-wise. I’m passing along their suggestions and adding WCM notes to further expand upon their recommendations. Hey, we’re just here to help one another!

For the original Maui Times article and comments look here.

I’o
505 Front St., Lahaina
The deal: Half off entrees for Kama’aina daily in September
WCM Says: We love I`o! We told you all about this one!

Gian Don’s Italian Bistro
1445 S. Kihei Rd., Kihei, 874-4041
The deal: Pay by the time of night, Thurs., 4:30-9:30pm
WCM Says: The earlier you arrive the cheaper it is. Clever approach to a money-saving special.

Pacific Whale Foundation
300 Maalaea Rd. #211, Maalaea, 249-8811
The deal: Half-price sunset dinner cruises every Sun. through Nov.
WCM Says: Great way to get out on the water for an inexpensive 3-course meal, even though the whales won’t surface for a few more months.

Lahaina Grill
127 Lahainaluna Rd., Lahaina, 667-5117
The deal: Half-price entrees every Mon. in Sept., 6pm-close
WCM Says: We love Jurg and the entire Lahaina Grill staff, menu, wine list and ambiance. Reviving the Kama`aina special is just what the Doctor ordered. See full feature on this and WCM’s exclusive interview with Mary Swiger!

Diamonds Ice Bar and Grill
1279 S. Kihei Rd., Kihei, 879-9299
The deal: Buy one, get one half off
WCM Says: Well advertised and on our list to review soon.

PS: Another ice bar, Maui Brewing Co, also offers some great menu deals, as does their friends at Maalaea Harbor, Beach Bums.

Matteos Pizzeria and Italian Restaurant
100 Ike Drive, Wailea, 874-1234
The deal: Half off pizza and wine by the glass
WCM Says: Happy to learn about this one! Matteo’s is awesome!

S&Q’s Coffee & Shave Ice Shack
Rainbow Mall, 2439 S. Kihei Rd., Kihei, 344-6598
The deal: Buy any drink over $4 and get a free breakfast sandwich, Mon. & Thurs., 7am-12pm
WCM Says: This is cool – usually you buy the food get the drink free but I guess when drinks are $4-5 smackeroos it’s okay to toss in a sandwich. Sounds like a great early morning deal.

PS: How about Los Pelones’ ½ off breakfast entrees?

Ruby’s
275 W. Kaahumanu Ave., Kahului, 248-7829
The deal: Buy one entrée, get one free
WCM Says: Perfect for when you’re playing Auntie for the keiki, since kids love this 50’s style diner. They love the hotdogs and hamburgers, shakes and little put-together cardboard choo-choo trains. They love the giant gum balls hurtling down a loop-de-loop track before popping out of the machine directly onto the floor so you have to buy another one (whilst you secretly stuff the supposedly contaminated ball into your own pocket for later. Heheh…) In other words, great fun for kids and kids at heart.

Mulligan’s on the Blue
100 Kaukahi St., Wailea, 874-1131.
The deal: 2 for 1 pupus and half-off drinks, daily, 4-6pm
WCM Says: All early bird specials share a similar benefit – perfect for when you get off work early and want to be home for prime time. Cheap easy, sociable, forget your workaday cares — just don’t overdo it on the half-priced drinks.

PS: For many more super Happy Hour and Pupu Specials reported on WCM:

Check these out!

PSS: Loads of Early Bird Food Specials as reported on WCM (exact times vary by restaurant). They are on the WCM calendar, too, so check there.

Lulu’s, Lahaina -50% off all food
Sands of Kahana – second entrée 50% off
Round Table Pizza, Kihei, Kaanapali – buy 1 get 1 ½ off
Ruth’s Chris Sizzling Prime Time Special, Lahaina, Wailea – $40
Ruth’s Chris Happy Hour – ½ off appetizers
Sansei, Kihei, Kapalua – 25% off entire menu
Joe’s Bar and Grill, Wailea – BOGO on entrees
Jacques, Paia – 50% sushi rolls
Tropica, Kaanapali – 20% kama`aina food
Kai Sushi, Ritz – ½ off before 6:30 p.m.
NEW!! Rusty Harpoon – Power Hour – Half off Entire menu 6-7 p.m.

Pho Saigon 808
Wharf Center, 658 Front St., Lahaina, 661-6628
The deal: Buy one special entree, get the second half off, Tues. & Sat.
WCM Says: I think Maui Times said this one best: You can never go wrong with pad Thai and curry.

Sansei
1881 S. Kihei Rd., Kihei, 879-0004
The deal: Half-price sushi, Sun.-Mon., 5-6pm for kama’aina; twenty-five percent off sushi, Tues.-Sat., 5:30-6pm
WCM Says: This deal’s been offered forever so it’s not really new or the result of economic downturn. It serves to pack ‘em into a place that would already be packed without the special. To note: last Sunday we arrived at 7:30 p.m. , and there was still an hour wait.

PS: Kai, next door at the Ritz, also offers Kama`aina ½ off superior sushi until 6:30 p.m.

Polli’s Mexican Restaurant
1202 Makawao Ave., Makawao, 572-7808
The deal: Buy one taco plate or burrito supreme, get one half-off
WCM Says: That’s almost as good as Taco Tuesdays! Okay, even better!

PS:  Los Pelones at the Cannery Mall does a dynamite Taco Tuesday with loads of topping and choices of fillings plus half off second breakfast entree daily, so does Fred’s in Kihei.

Dog and Duck
1913 S Kihei Rd, Kihei 875-9669
The deal: Buy one entrée, get one half off; buy three appetizers, get one free
WCM Says: We’re really digging the buy two get one free appetizer specials being offered at various places. If you have two people and three appetizers, you’re generally set for dinner.

PS: There are similar specials available at Maalaea Grill and Pioneer Inn!

RB Steakhouse
4465 Honoapiilani Highway, Lahaina, 669-8889
The deal: Half price pupus, $2 drafts, $3 cocktails, 3-6pm daily
How to work it: Start with a $2 draft of Widmere Heffewizen and pair it with the escargot—expertly prepared in garlic butter and bearnaise—for $4.50. Please, don’t be one of those food sissies who say they don’t eat snails; the French really know what’s up. After that you can easily cruise through the $3 cocktails or a glass of wine with the lobster artichoke fritters, a shrimp cocktail or the half-pound clams—or simply more beer.

PS: They might not have snails on the menu, but Rusty Harpoon, Dollies Pub, Sands of Kahana,  Canoes, all have half price pupus, $2 Drafts and $3 cocktails during happy hour. In fact, so do many others on this list of Happy Hour and Pupu Specials

Big Wave Café
1215 S. Kihei Rd., Kihei, 891-8688
The deal: Buy one, get one free daily, 5-6:30pm
WCM Says: Nice place to stop in for early bird specials.

PS: Also try Five Palms down the street. Drink specials and half priced sushi and pupus from 3-7 p.m. Enjoy their sunset 3 course dinner special for only $29.95.

Ruth’s Chris Steak House
The Shops at Wailea, 874-8880; 900 Front St., Lahaina, 661-8815
The deal: Twenty-five percent off ala carte menu Sun.-Mon.
WCM Says: Think that’s good! There’s even more! They also offer ½ price appetizers at the bar and kama`aina specials.

Stopwatch Sports Bar & Grill
1127 Makawao Ave., Makawao, 572-1380
The deal: Buy one entrée, get one half-off, Wed.-Thurs., 5-8:45pm
WCM Says: Great deal on already well priced menu and wonderfully eclectic décor.

Mala Ocean Tavern
1307 Front Street, Lahaina, 667-9394
The deal: Half off food nightly, 8-10pm for Kama’aina
WCM Says: This place is really perfect for foodies on a budget because the menu is excellent, the location stellar and it exudes just a hint of class so you never feel like you’re hunting for a deal, though you are.

PS: Another classy joint where you can save face and cash, Merriman’s offers 25% off kama`aina food at the bar every night. Tuesdays you can sit with the gentry in the dining room and no one will be the wiser.

PSS: Buzz’s Wharf, the venerable harbor side stalwart in Maalaea, also dove into the discount dining scene recently. 40% discounts on select menu items for kama`aina from 8-10 p.m. daily.

Stella Blues Cafe
1279 S. Kihei Rd. #201, Kihei, 874-3779
The deal: Twenty percent off daily, 7:30-8:30am, 5-6pm
WCM Says: Classic early and earlier bird specials at reliable favorite.

Kau Kau Tin
2102 W. Vineyard St., Wailuku, HI 96793.
The deal: Call for daily deals
WCM Says: Before we can agree this is a top deal we have to see the actual deal and eat the food. You’re on your own to trust Maui Times on this one.

Kahului Ale House
355 E. Kamehameha Ave., Kahului, 877-9001
The deal: Half price beer-battered fish and chips all day Fri.
WCM Says: We like what MT said about this one:
How to work it: This one’s pretty foolproof: check the calendar to make sure it’s Friday, walk in, order the beer-battered fish and chips and eat them. (A side dish of beer is recommended.)

Maui Coffee Roasters
444 Hana Hwy, Kahului, 877-2877
The deal: $1 cappucinos after 2pm
WCM Says: Zzzzzz….zzz… huh? Oh, yeah, give me one of those.

Santa Fe Cantina
900 Front St., Lahaina, 667-7805
The deal: Half-price entrees every Sun. in Sept.
WCM Says: We’ve mentioned SFC’s specials many times. Specials also include a great happy hour and Taco Tuesdays.

Roy’s
4405 Honoapiilani Hwy, Lahaina, 669-6999
The deal: Buy one, get one free
WCM Says: Half off entrees from the king of Pacific Fusion cuisine? Sweet! But there’s more. Also take 25% off Classic Fusion dishes served at the bar and early birds in the dining room get a four-course prix fixe from 5:30-6:30 -  great value at $39. Wine is half off on Wednesdays, including cheapies like Esser Chard for $15 and monster’s like Shafer Hillside, normally priced at $450 for a mere $219, proving even big spenders like a deal now and then.

The Melting Pot
Lahaina Gateway Center, Keawe St., Lahaina, 661-6181
The deal: Four-course menu for $35 per person (minimum 2 people)
WCM Says: Nice change of pace and monthly ladies’ night out events keep the girls’ going wild.

Restaurant owners, please let WCM know if you have anything to add or change in the information included here.

Plantation Days - Buy a Brick and Restore the Smokestack

Lahaina Plantation Days, July 31^st- August 1st
This new event begins July 31st on the former Pioneer Mill site (near the smokestack off Lahainaluna Road) and runs for three exciting days. The event, sponsored by Lahaina Restoration Foundation, pays tribute to Maui’s plantation heritage and should be a ton of fun with all that’s planned.  Pioneer Days will feature entertainment by cultural groups and popular musicians, restaurant food booths, coffee garden, beer tent, a Kid’s Zone with nostalgic activities, historical displays and exhibits, a “Camp Reunion Tent” honoring those who lived and worked in the West Maui plantation camps, and a preview of the proposed Pu‘ukoli‘i Village project by Kaanapali Land Management Corp. Hours are 7:00 pm to 9:30 pm on July 30, and 4:30 pm to 9:30 pm on July 31 and Aug. 1 Admission on all three nights of the event is $3, seniors are $2 and keiki 12 and under are free. A special three day pass is available for $5.

11^th Annual Keiki Hula Festival, July 25 and 26th
One of my favorite simple pleasures in Maui is watching keiki dance the hula. This weekend Lahaina Cannery Mall celebrates the talent and grace of Maui’s keiki dancers at the 11th Annual Keiki Hula Festival. One of the best free things to do in Maui, the two-day affair will feature performances from the island’s most talented youth as well as Hawaiian artisans and crafters demonstrating lei making, wood carving and other traditional skills. For more information, call (808) 661-5304, or visit www.lahainacannery.com.

Coral Spawning at Maui Ocean Center, Friday, July 24,  6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
For something really new and different, sign up for the Coral Spawning Spectacle at the Maui Ocean Center this weekend. Under the light of a new moon, guests will have the rare chance to witness live coral spawning in the Discovery Pool, Hawaiians and the Sea, Surge Zone, and candlelit Living Reef, where rice coral will be illuminated by special red lights. There will also be complimentary desserts, coffee, and cash bar available.

Sounds like a great thing to do on Maui and definitely something you wouldn’t be able to do anywhere else!  Call (808)270-7088 to reserve. Admission is $27 for adults, $22 for children 3 through 12, with special discounts for kama’aina and aquarium members

Maui Calls, August 14^th, 6-10 p.m. Reserve Now!!
Maui Calls is the premiere annual fund-raiser in Maui. Top chefs and restaurateurs from all over the island are on hand to prepare signature dishes, some devised especially for the events. It works like this – you gather a group of friends together, meet at the event, nab a table, and make your way around the many food booths while sharing tips and critiques of what you’re eating.  There are so many choices you won’t be able to try them all, so comparing notes is a very important aspect of this event. Which of course encourages mingling with friends, old and new, who have gathered from all across the island to spend an evening together and raise funds for the Maui Arts and Cultural Center’s many programs and initiatives  A “must do” for residents and visitors alike. For more information and to reserve see www.mauiarts.org, or call 808-242-2787. Tickets are $175/pp.

Food News

Basil Tomato Italian Trattoria in Kaanapali, Maui, HI

Basil Tomatoes in Kaanapali is now open for lunch! Plus, they serve the award-winning burger that used to be available only at Johnny’s (which closed about a year ago). A sweet little restaurant that actually feels like an Italian tratorria with views overlooking Kaanapali golf course, it’s tucked away on the road leading to the Royal Lahaina Resort.

China Boat has completed their remodel and is now serving lunch and family style early bird specials.

Buzz Wharf now sells their world-famous prawns, grown in the family farm in New Caledonia! Available by the case starting July 29^th, you can pre-order now by calling 661-4600 or emailing Michelle at buzz.michelle@gmail.com. Cost is $88 plus tax for 8.8 lbs., including shells and heads. After cleaning you’ll end up with about 80-120 prawns, Learn everything you want to know about the prawns at www.markeaprawns.com.

Maui Prime offers a similar deal by flying in live Maine Lobster for about $10/lb. Call Cary http://www.mauiprime.com/contact.html at least two days in advance for delivery on Tuesday or Fridays.

Panda Express Now Open in Lahaina, HI

Panda Express is now open across from the new Lahaina Center. The drive-thru convenience lane offers on-the-go meal options when you’re sick and tired of sandwiches and burgers but got no time to sit and dine.

.