Noho's Hawaiian Cafe

04/02/09

What Happened??

by orrechs at Citysearch

This used to be my favorite casual restaurant in Portland. 1. The macaroni salad was the best on the planet. 2. Their entrees were always the freshest, best quality. 3. With three different portion sizes you were sure to get a great value (not cheap, but a good value).

Is it a sign of the times that in order to cut costs, restaurants are forced to sacrifice quality, decrease portion sizes and omit special spices? Well, then, NoHo's seems to have followed this rule.

I have been visiting this establishment for 10 years--and have always ordered the same menu item (their #13). Recently, I have been to NoHo's 4 times in the last 2 months. And today's visit will probably be my last. I was willing to give them the benefit of the doubt, but no longer--4 chances is my limit. My takeout order was completely wrong (and I live over 30 miles away so going back was not an option), the portion sizes were 75% of their usual (the large size used to come with 2 mac salads and 3 rice. mine had 1 mac salad and 2 rice and the entree should have been called Hot and Spicy Onions), and the chicken had a funky smell and taste. And there was absolutely no spice whatsoever! It's like I received the wrong order, but since my other entree was correct (just overcooked and made with the lowest quality beef I have ever had--picture beef jerky), I knew they didn't give me the wrong order; it was just incorrect. I cannot continue to spend my hard earned money at a place that I cannot count on. This is a very sad day.

I don't know what has happened--new owner, new cook, new management, new business plan?? Someone made a bad decision, and in today's economy I think this bad decision is going to cost NoHo's their business.

NoHo's used to be consistently great. Now, they are consistently horrid.

Like I said, a very sad day indeed!

• Pros: Nothing. Absolutely Nothing!
• Cons: Everything! And I Do Mean Everything!

10/27/08

Worse food ever in Portland

by LeilaniK99 at Citysearch

So this is my first review on a restaurant - but I've been working in restaurants for years as a server. I've never felt compelled to write one, but I feel like I should warn you! My friend and I both have 3 month old babies.. so we figure, it'd be better if they scream outside than in this little restaurant and ruin everyones lunch, I asked to sit outside, and all our server said was "I'm not serving outside" Short and Rude.... Alright, so we sat inside. We sat there for probably 15 minutes before she came back to give us water... meanwhile she's dropping off food at the table next to us. They sat there for 5-7 minutes w/out any silverware and had to ask her for it!! So we get out waters, ...then have to ask to order our lunch. My friend asks how the macaroni salad is, and this girl just looked at her.......then says there's macaroni in it. Holy $&*^!! Really?? She takes our order, the food came up quick, which was great, and the food was good. Not really impressed w/ the bowl of iceberg lettuce that they call a salad, but everything else was good. I'm hoping that the owner or a manager reads this and realizes that they've gotta get rid of this girl. She was the only server there, short dark hair, we went in at about 1pm on Mon. Aug. 19 ......and she's wasn't just short and rude to us.. the place is small enough to hear what's going on at other tables too. One woman asked for a to-go cup for her iced tea.. and all the server said was "no cups" WORST SERVICE I'VE EVER HAD..... EVER. If I go back, it will be for take-out. The one star rating is for the service......I'd give a negative rating to her if I could... But I'd give the guys in the kitchen 4.

• Pros: nothing
• Cons: rude and bad food

08/19/08

Worse server I've ever had in Portland

by Beckaa at Citysearch

So this is my first review on a restaurant - but I've been working in restaurants for years as a server. I've never felt compelled to write one, but I feel like I should warn you! My friend and I both have 3 month old babies.. so we figure, it'd be better if they scream outside than in this little restaurant and ruin everyones lunch, I asked to sit outside, and all our server said was "I'm not serving outside" Short and Rude....

Alright, so we sat inside. We sat there for probably 15 minutes before she came back to give us water... meanwhile she's dropping off food at the table next to us. They sat there for 5-7 minutes w/out any silverware and had to ask her for it!! So we get out waters, ...then have to ask to order our lunch. My friend asks how the macaroni salad is, and this girl just looked at her.......then says there's macaroni in it. Holy $&*^!! Really?? She takes our order, the food came up quick, which was great, and the food was good. Not really impressed w/ the bowl of iceberg lettuce that they call a salad, but everything else was good. I'm hoping that the owner or a manager reads this and realizes that they've gotta get rid of this girl. She was the only server there, short dark hair, we went in at about 1pm on Mon. Aug. 19 ......and she's wasn't just short and rude to us.. the place is small enough to hear what's going on at other tables too. One woman asked for a to-go cup for her iced tea.. and all the server said was "no cups"

WORST SERVICE I'VE EVER HAD..... EVER. If I go back, it will be for take-out.

The one star rating is for the service......I'd give a negative rating to her if I could... But I'd give the guys in the kitchen 4.

07/23/08

GARBAGE GARBAGE GRABAGE

by LETSGOSEPDX at Citysearch

GARBAGE GARBAGE GRABAGE

Way over priced. Food was horrible, fatty, salty and greasy. The service was the worst! You would think we are used to bad service with the amount of hipster servers in that area. I had to ask 10 times to get water so I could choke down their food. I normally give a place 2 chances. First time was at a wedding they catered. After hearing the nightmare story they went though with Noho?s I would never recommend them to anyone. Now after eating the GARBAGE they call food I will never return to that dump again. Did I mention how dirty the place is?!?!

• Pros: never had to wait for a table because no one eats there they know better.
• Cons: everything about this place is a con!

10/31/02

Where's the main course?

by DonLentz at Citysearch

Nine bucks for an appetizer that they call lunch? I thought Polynesians like to eat? I like to eat and I walked away hungrier than when I walked in. Plus, they wanted me to cough up another buck or so to get a refill on Coke. What a joke. I say for $9 you ought to get full and maybe one refill if it's not too much trouble. The food was pretty good and for my three-year-old daughter it would have been a nice-sized kids meal but for an adult, no. To sum up, tastes great, less filling.

Don

• Pros: good for dieters, cute waitresses, can't think of one
• Cons: expensive, small portions, cramped