Side Street Inn

Moneyball: None really. A decent place to take out of towners to introduce them to local food because it's more....toned down local food.

Makes: Service for me has been good. The last one even gave us extra garlic chicken because the first order to her standards was too small! Much nicer than the Ala Moana one (seen roaches on the INSIDE). Relaxed atmosphere. Food comes out quick.

Misses: food is def not great, Uncle Bo's across the street and Home Bar are much better alternatives, but all 3 miss on parking. It's unfortunate, so many great businesses in Hawaii that are shackled by poor parking. Sometimes you gotta wait for a long time to get seated.

Food: I would only say the porkchops are a must. Kalbi was tough, kim chee fried rice is good but way better at home bar (My fiancee's is still #1!), ahi poke is better from foodland, garlic chicken is ok (sugoi's better) but really, breaded and fried topped with spicy garlic sauce how can you go wrong? Nalo greens is good, escargo, yakisoba, but again, nothing special. The peanut butter crunch dessert though, that, is a must.

I feel like I need to put a DISCLAIMER for dining here:
If you are just a few minutes over your paid time in the parking lot, your car is gone, towed, because there are tow trucks waiting in the dark under the trees. So if your food is taking long, or your server is taking 20+ mins to run your credit card, go put more money in. Don't think to yourself, "they should have my card back any sec now it has already been 15 minutes I'll just wait another 30 seconds." No. $165 tow. I think Waikiki Towing rents out spaces in the Monarch Hotel parking lot on the 2nd floor so they can charge a multilevel car storage fee. Cash only. Side Street Inn said it happens and that they will remind their servers to be quick running the credit cards. Some people don't like to valet, and that lot is the closest to Side Street. I don't think it's good business to deal with companies like Waikiki Towing just hawking the parking lot that's only half full at 9pm on a weekday. I think it would be more inviting if they did not have Tow Trucks waiting, or better communication to let us know that the check will be another 10 minutes so go add more to your parking...the bummers of being tight with money I guess...

That said, it's a better atmosphere than home bar for out of town guests, and usually a shorter wait/cheaper than Uncle Bo's, and I guess out of town guests won't know what good local food is anyway, 3 stars if never have the tow truck hawks.

Make sure to make a reservation. This place is always crowded after 5:30pm. They have a liitle bit of everything. Make sure to get a fried rice, fried pork chops and Chinese Chix Salad.

Definitely a "family style" restaurant! Be prepared for a lot of food. My first visit to Side Street, I ordered the Pan Fried Island Pork Chops and "Side Style" Fried Rice. Way too much food for a single person dining alone. I have to say the fried rice was excellent and when I visit Hawaii (every 3 months), I need my fried rice fix. Best Fried Rice I have ever eaten!

As stated above, I also ordered the pork chops. The portion is enormous, however they were too dry for my taste. Luckily, they have more items on their menu. The sautéed mushrooms are delicious, the Puleha Short Ribs and BBQ Baby Back Ribs are awesome!

The servers really take care of you.

You will enjoy your meal at Side Street, that I can assure you.

Make reservations to avoid long waits.