I had visited this restaurant often when I had a guest before the covid. This restaurant has a great ocean view and it was a great joy to eat something nice food while enjoying the great view. However, once the covid hit the island, I was not able to visit the restaurant. Before the covid, this one was my favorite restaurant in Kona since my guest always liked here.However, the covid changed every thing including this restaurant. They now serve the food on the paper plate, and you need to make an order from the front desk. You also need to pick up the food. You do every thing except cooking. (Even we had to wipe the table by ourselves since it was wet)Okay! I can understand well of this because of the covid. They are short of the staff, and they probably try their best to put the restaurant on the right track.Then they also need to think of the price or their service. They said that the server will come to take our order for the drink. However no server came up to us even after the food came. Eventually the server came and took our order for the drink, but the drink did not come finally. They said that the fountain machine does not work properly. I was thirsty but I was not able to ask them to get me some water since they were super busy. Even we did not get any service, we paid the full price including the tip. When I made an order, I had to pay first and I assumed that the service will be fine. However it was horrible.I brought a guest to the restaurant but I was very sorry to my guest. I was so disappointed by Sam Choy, and I will not bring any guest to here anymore for this year. Probably I will try to find another alternative restaurant for my guest.
Such great views, but such average service and greasy food. Even a couple of drinks cannot make up for a below average forgetful waiter and good that was dripping with grease. Pick up the fish, grease drips, taste the fried rice, burnt soy and grease, and the beef teriyaki tasted like grocery store sauce with chewy meat... Hohum!
I would give negative stars if I could. We've lived in Kona for 26 years. Prior to the pandemic, the prior owner (Sam Choy does not own this place the owner pays to him for use of his name), the food was good. Fresh fish, great steaks, chicken, etc. Now? They have tacos. ribs, chicken and poke. NO FISH dinners! That's about it. The poke was fishy tasting, old and tough. The ribs were mostly fat. Paid well over $27.00 dollars per plate and this was the worst dinner we've had in over 26 years. Drinks were watered down. I asked for a martini up and got lemon water over ice. No vodka.
Found this place by accident as it was in a shopping center we were at. Decided to pop in for an early dinner. This was an open air restaurant with amazing views of the ocean and sunsets. It is a very casual dining experience. The way you order is kinda strange. One person takes your order for appetizers and drink then when you want food you go up to the register and order it. Not sure why they do it that way but whatever. We had the garlic shrimp and fish tacos, both were fine. Food was quick to arrive. The food served its purpose and I would recommend it as a solid choice. We found dining out in Hawaii was kinda challenging, maybe due to July 4th holiday or covid but many places we tried either their kitchens were closed certain days or they only had food trucks because they had no help. This place at least was a solid choice
Monday had the place to ourselves for lunch after the rush. Kim made delicious cocktails and provided spot on service and recommendations. Better calamari here than Charleston! Delicious ahi bruschetta and hubs loved the burger topped with pork. Kim was friendly and attentive and we look forward to going back before our trip ends.
We were looking for a sit down meal outside of the Kona busy streets and found Sam Choy to be a great find. We each had blackened shrimp tacos followed by chocolate cheesecake. Their portions are well sized and their prices are modest. The food is well presented on paper plates and the environment is fun. The restaurant is covered but open air. We'll certainly return !
My wife and I celebrated our 46th anniversary at Sam Choy's last night, June 20th. They made special arrangements for us which was very nice of them. The evening was very enjoyable, and the sunset was beautiful. It was more crowded than I had anticipated on a Monday night which just shows how popular it is... We had a great time and want to give Sam Choy's a really big THANK YOU FOR A WONDERFUL EVENING.
You order food and drinks separately. Basically a fast food restaurant. We ordered drinks at happy hour which were still pricey. Did not taste like there was any alcohol in it. Food was just terrible. Got the shrimp tacos the tortilla was old and hard. Shrimp tasted like it was not cooked. Got very sick after eating here !!! Down right terrible !
Friendly staff, great drinks, amazing view, and solid happy hour snacks.It blows me away how many of these reviews for this place shun their serving style. Be open, be on island time, if you treat the waitstaff with the respect they deserve they will happily help you.The spring rolls with Korean bbq sauce were yummy, the calamari was in a shape I’ve never experienced and had a wonderful sauce to accompany it.The view was great. We spent our visit enjoying watching different ships cruise along the coast.
This is the perfect place to enjoy a drink, great food and unbelievable views. We are visiting Kona and stumbled on the reviews of this place. The drinks are amazing and happy hour is from 2-6pm. Ahi bruschetta was delicious. Blue Hawaii drink was very refreshing. We ordered chili lime shrimp for dinner and was delighted with it. The paper plates, plastic ware and unusual ordering style was different. Do not let it be a deterrent. Go and enjoy!