The food is delicious, made to order, and the entire staff, including the cooks are Mexican. Also, you know the food is authentic when you see a large percentage of their customers are Mexican, and hear them speaking in their native tongue among themselves and with the restaurant staff. read more

Place was packed at 6:30 p.m. on a Tuesday night! Luckily, by the time I ordered, they had cleaned a table. I've only been here a handful of times and I've never remotely seen it this busy! Great food as always! read more

El Maguey - Carne asada burrito - Mexican Near Me - Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

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one of my favorite Mexican places when I'm in Kona. Everything is bomb. I always get the steak, shrimp, n chicken fajitas and steak quesadilla. read more

Beef tacos were extremely salty and chicken tacos were extremely dry. Mexican tacos have sazón and these had none of that. Being Hispanic and trying these were horrible. read more

I have loved coming here over the years. I have enjoyed the great food and decent prices. I ordered two veggie tacos. As I was eating, I bit into something hard and sharp. I pulled out a staple. Super bummed. read more

El Maguey - Staple I pulled out of a taco I was eating. - Mexican Near Me - Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

After a long day of exploring the island we were in the mood for Mexican cuisine. We found El Maguey. When you walk in, you have to stand in line and order at the counter. Then you take a seat and they deliver the food to the table. It is a little bit awkward. I had the taco combo. Three tacos - carnitas, chicken and carne asada. They were OK. Not real tasty but not bad tasting. Just kind of blah. However, surprisingly, the refried beans tasted very good. My wife had the taco salad. It was good sized and full of meat. However, there could've been more lettuce and even some tomatoes would've been great. Again, it wasn't bad... Just kind of blah. The restaurant is fairly small. They're only a few tables inside. However, it appeared fairly clean and inviting. They do charge a processing fee if you use your debit/credit card. I think that is such a rip off. If I lived on the island, I would ensure to find a different Mexican restaurant. However, it worked in a pinch. read more

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Amazing called for take out and delivered on time we got the tacos, taquitos and nachos, great flavor BIG portions and would definitely return read more

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The food was absolutely horrible...I am a food snob and few people said that this place has tolerable Mexican food....the beans were absolutely tasteless, the rice tasted like it had msg in it....the street tacos were swimming in oil....this food has no resemblance to real Mexican food....if you are from the west coast particularly sw do NOT even go near this place....well, Colorado has good Mexican food as well.... read more

authentic mexican food made fresh! came on a thurs PM, just before closing and all the tables, only about a dozen, were all occupied. Took my food to go, and stopped in the parking lot to taste test a bite and that was good! mopped a good bit of it up, before I drove off with the remanders for a sit down meal. They've got good mexican beer too! read more

Food is still great! They were just a little slow, but everything came out hot and delicious.

I grew up in New Mexico. This place takes me home. Mexican food out here is few and far between, and good Mexican food is even rarer. Service is always fantastic and if you dine in, you'll forget you're in Hawaii - which is a great escape sometimes. read more

Love the food! The waitstaff is wonderfully helpful, professional and kind. Definately would recommend.

Exactly what we were looking for. Excellent food and friendly people. Small businesses with lots of good vibes.

Soo yummy! Usually pretty busy which is always a good sign! Perfect for a quick lunch or dinner! Good size portions and not as much $$ as eating on Ali'i drive read more

We order carne asada plate and shrimp and steak fajitas really good food for Mexican type and in Hawaii, we recommend it. read more

El Maguey - Mexican Near Me - Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

Best authentic Mexican food! Too bad the prices keep going up and they still charge for a basket of chips and salsa. Still darn great chili rellenos! read more

Was amazing! Highly recommend. They were fast and efficient. 8.7 out of 10.........................

Our favorite Mexican food spot. We always order to go but I believe they have dine in. Burritos (wet and regular) & enchiladas are amazing. Food is made in a timely manner and overall service is great. We take out at least 5x a month, 10/10 recommend. read more

I visited El Maguey back in March for lunch. Mexican food isn't always the best outside of California but I'm happy to report that El Maguey was great. I got carnitas nachos and I wasn't disappointed by its size. It was too large even for me! The meat was great, the Guacamole was good, and the nachos were topped to the brim. The horchata was good. Service was standard and the atmosphere fine. I wouldn't hesitate come here if you're craving tasty Mexican food. read more

El Maguey - Carnitas Nachos - Mexican Near Me - Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

Excellent food and lots of it. The service staff was friendly and the food came out hot and yummy. The place is clean. A little updating/wall painting would help the ambiance, but we came for the food, so not a big deal. I had chili verde burrito and my partner had the carne asada and shrimp fajitas. read more

Delicioso. Of all the choices for Mexican cuisine that Kona has to offer, El Maguey has to be one of my faves! Their enchiladas and Chile relleno are my go-tos. Green sauce is also a must...and so pretty too. I appreciate the fresh veg, the 'ono guacamole, and last (but certainly not least), that flavorful Mexican rice -- it has a nice crisp that doesn't overwhelm the palette, but definitely stands out from the rest. Check 'em! read more

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I had a wet burrito today . It was really big and the sauce was really really good. Lo recomiendo.aloha

Food was decent. Carne asada and rice were good. Beans and chips just ok. Also, tortillas were forgotten on my pickup order. This is a maybe return. read more

This has to be one of the best Mexican places on island! I have been so obsessed with flautas, so I had to get the #10, which came with flautas, rice, beans, and salad. The flautas were quite deceiving. The meat looked pretty dry, but it was so juicy and flavorful. I loved the Mexican rice that it came with. The rice was chopped up, so it had extra flavor. It was a very generous amount of food. We also ordered the chips and salsa, and holy smokes was the salsa spicy! I think we had the medium spice, and it made my mouth feel like it was on fire. I would definitely go with the least amount of spice if you can't handle it well like me. When we came on a Friday night, there were no parking stalls. I think there was a party at one of the other establishments, but I was lucky enough to get someone's stall as they were leaving. There were a few open tables inside the restaurant. While it is a sit down place, you still need to go to the counter to order. read more

El Maguey - #10 flauta - Mexican Near Me - Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

Good Mexican food. Sweet people working here. Hot... VERY hot and cluster F@ck dining area. Needs a MAJOR refresh inside but... foods good! read more

Foods are surprisingly good. The portion is very generous. Parking is limit, unfortunately. The price of food are fare.

The Chile Rellenos is my fave. Consistently excellent, will keep on going back when our Mexican cravings kick in while in Kona.

Probably only the second time I've tested a Mexican restaurant in Hawaii, mostly because I just assume they all suck. Anyway took a chance on this place for lunch and yep, not good. Actually the owner is very nice hence two stars. But for $14 I got one chicken taco (dry breast meat, overly salty), one beef enchilada (again overly salty with a very acidic tasting red sauce), beans that were just ok and strange Spanish rice that was soggy. Anyway, sorry but can't recommend this place. read more

El Maguey - This is bad Mexican food - Mexican Near Me - Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

LOVE El Maguey! The fam favorites are the super nachos with chicken, the chimichangas, the flautas, taquitos & taco salads. My family does either steak, shredded beef or chicken for protein. We don't usually dine in because the seating areas are too small for my family. But lots of people do dine in. They are always very nice when we go there. The food is fantastic! For our little town I believe they have the best tasting Mexican food. The only thing we miss is them serving tongue. That was my husbands favorite! I also have to mention they make their own tortilla chips & have horchata!!!! read more

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Really hit the spot. Authentic and good - totally recommend -had the enchiladas and they were great!

This place has Wonderful service and the best food. We are always satisfied when we go eat here.

Cozy Family Small tables Clean Good seasoning Portions generous w meat value! Beans are whole pinto Selections of hot sauces read more

Great food run by very competent, cooks cashier and server. Delicious Chili Rellanos! 4/5 because no ground beef options. read more

Having lived in two of the greatest locations in the United States for Mexican food, it is tough to find great Mexican food in Hawaii. I prefer to make it myself unless I go to El Maguey. This is the kind of homemade style Mexican food we all wish we could enjoy more of.... i'm really grateful they are here putting their heart and soul into this beautiful food. read more

Excellent food. We have the guacamole to start. This time I had the chile relleno and carnitas taco plate and it will be my new go to. It was delicious! Staff is sweet and efficient. read more

Q we are I loved our meal and our time here. A neighbor told about this little hidden gem. The menu is full of Mexican specialties. Very generous plates, really cute little cantina. Service was very friendly and efficient. The Food was DELICIOUS, reasonably priced for kona . We will definitely be back when we crave good Mexican food read more

If you're looking for real deal Mexican in Kona - you've found it. The food is delicious and reasonably priced. Super casual place in local strip mall. Owned and run by Mexican family - authentic recipes - Nothing commercial or prefab - everything homemade. Staff super friendly. We will absolutely be back!! read more

had to wait a long time for our meal. then, when it came, it was just so, so. sides of beans were flat tasting & the spanish rice was glumped together, not separate & fluffy. however, our enchilada & chili fella o were good. they also charged you for the chips & salsa, which was not good. if u are looking for cali Mex food, won't find it here. but it's difficult to find it anywhere outside of California. read more

I really enjoy this restaurant a lot! It's a hole in the wall kind of place and you have to know where to look to find it. The restaurant is tiny but it has a nice feel to it. The wait staff is professional and attentive to customer needs. But really what you are here for is the food. The food is great! Very tasty and reasonably priced. Hope you check this place out. read more

Finally decided to try El Maguey (L-Magwee) and was really happy we did. I got the Fajitas and my wife got a chicken Burrito, take-out, and we were both very satisfied. Very tasty and large portions and we ate them at Old-A watching the sunset. I ordered extra wraps for the Fajitas and was glad I did because the portion was so large. Couldn't finish, but had it for left-overs the next day, and it was just as good then. Definately on our list for a return visit. read more