Amenities
Service options
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Takeout
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Dine-in
Popular for
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Lunch
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Dinner
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Solo dining
Accessibility
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Wheelchair accessible entrance
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Wheelchair accessible parking lot
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Wheelchair accessible seating
Offerings
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Coffee
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Comfort food
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Quick bite
Dining options
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Lunch
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Dinner
Amenities
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Restroom
Atmosphere
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Casual
Payments
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Credit cards
Children
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Good for kids
Parking
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Free parking lot
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Free street parking
Best WLM Reviews
Service was good, it's a walk up and order/pay with open seating and a server providing your food. The staff is friendly but only gave 4 stars on service and atmosphere because service is staggered, meaning your friend will receive their food before you.
(Just an observation not a knock because that's expected at a walk up, order and pay)
The rice was over cooked , I typically like my rice soft but this was not right.
The meat was too salty. The mac salad was good.
The food was good. The lemonade was excellent and so was the service. Everyone was nice from the cashier to the server. I heard the lady in front of us trying to order no Mac salad all rice, but they told her the specialties cannot be substituted which is sad because she was from Hawaii and it’s always about the rice.
Ai Pono has sparked quite a bit of debate in the food community, with some critics claiming it doesn't serve authentic Hawaiian cuisine. Honestly, I had my doubts, especially after seeing a guy on Instagram vehemently dispute its authenticity. However, when my family and I arrived in Durango, we were in desperate need of a satisfying meal and decided to give it a shot. After all, what could be more comforting than a taste of home?
There were three of us, and we opted to share a couple of dishes, starting with the Da “Korean Zombie,” which was a delightful medley of flavors. It featured tender Korean short ribs, crispy Korean chicken, meat jun, rice, kimchee, and a side of mac salad with bean sprouts. We also ordered the classic katsu, served with mac salad, rice, and katsu sauce.
Although the restaurant was bustling and the service was a bit slow, we understood it was a busy time—good things come to those who wait! I can’t say if it was the warm company of my cousins or simply the fact that we were starving, but we moped it!
Overall, the food was genuinely good and brought a taste of aloha to our table. The Ambiance was cute, while the service could use a little polish, the vibrant dishes made the wait worthwhile. I recommend giving Ai Pono a try, regardless of the controversies—sometimes, you just have to taste for yourself!
My son told me while I was on vacay not to come back to Hawai'i until I try Ai Pono.
I like the challenge and finally went.
I had the Dirty Lickin Korean Chicken. Impressed by its name but the flavor was not there. I was so disappointed. But the Mac salad wasn't too bad. The meat jhun pretty good and the short ribs were yum!
At least I got to try a new experience! The scenery was nice in a very nice hotel...
Check it out for yourself - you may find something you think is awesome!
This spot was the most unique out of the other options in eat your heart out so I decided to give it a try.
Ordered the guava chili chicken because it sounded interesting and I was told it’s the most popular item on their menu. I paired it with a can of passionfruit Hawaiian Sun.
Overall I thought the meal was okay. For the chicken, I unfortunately didn’t get any of the guava flavor and it was not spicy. It tasted more like a salty teriyaki sauce. The chicken was nice and crispy although there were some bits of chicken that were a bit dry and chewy. The meal came with rice, Mac salad, and slaw. I thought the meal had too much rice and could’ve done well with some type of sauce to make the plain white rice easier to enjoy. The Mac salad was bland and all you got was the mayo flavor. The slaw was also bland and was essentially plain coleslaw without any dressing.
On a positive note, I liked the decor of the space which paid homage to Hawaiian and notable people of Hawaiian descent. The space was clean and the staff was friendly and helpful. My order also came out quickly which I appreciated.
Would I drive all the way to Ai Pono just for this food? Probably not. But if you’re here and looking for a place to eat, I’d recommend giving it a try. Like most reviews, make sure you have time. There is always a line even during the week. When I was there, even hotel staff were in line.
The atmosphere is my favorite part of this restaurant. Local music, the wood, the pictures, it makes you feel like you’re back home.
The food is delicious. Typical plate lunch portion sizes but with Vegas prices so be warned it’s not a cheap place to eat.
Employee attitude, I typically don’t base my reviews off of service because that can change dramatically depending on the day and hour you go but for some reason, no one seemed happy there. When you think about the Aloha spirit, you immediately think of a smile. It’s easy to bring local Hawaiian food off the island but the Aloha Spirit can’t be manufactured.
They have this Thursday special called the “TUPAC “ plate with any 2 items on the menu of your choice as a mixed plate! Now go ahead and let me know if this plate is worth $20 damn dollars!!! One HALF CUT BURGER MEAT WITH ONE ONION AND GRAVY AND 3 PIECES OF KATSU CHICKEN LOL WHY CASINO RESTAURANTS FLOP! OVER PRICED FOR NO REASON SO DISAPPOINTED BECAUSE THE REVIEWS SAY OTHERWISE! MY 3 PIECE CHICKEN WAS SO DRY WITH NO SEASON!!!!! SMH FOR $20 DAMN DOLLARS! DONT RECOMMEND UNLESS YOUR HUNGRY AND DRUNK AND DEPRESSED YOU LOSS ALL YOUR MONEY GO HERE! THE SPIRIT IS SO WELCOMING BUT THS FOOD IS 5/10???? LOOK AT MY HAMBURGER MEAT NO GRAVY ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE PATTY????????♀️????????♀️
The outside of the restaurant is what brought me in, and who can go wrong with some classic Hawaiian comfort food? Well, the looks were a bit deceiving on this one. While the themes, style, and music were spot on, there was much to be desired in the taste of the food.
The rice was cold, the macaroni had almost not flavor, and the meat though covered in gravy was dry. The gravy was the saving grace, adding in the needed savory element to the dish before dousing everything in soy sauce.
It may have been what I ordered, but out of your options in the food court, there may be something more appetizing.
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