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    Lees Hawaiian Islander

    3.4 (339 reviews)
    Open 12:00 pm - 9:30 PM

    Lees Hawaiian Islander Photos

    LEES HAWAIIAN ISLANDER ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Good for kids
    Dogs allowed

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    Reviews With Photos

    Hawaii Four Oh
    Bob A.

    First time we have ever been here since we were little. Same decor. [[HIGHLIGHT]]the ambiance makes you feel like you're on the islands.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] The service was impeccable, very friendly. Food was hot & very, very delicious. can't wait to go back!! [[HIGHLIGHT]]Very clean.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Great place!

    Steamed dumplings
    Patricia Z.

    What a unique experience! [[HIGHLIGHT]]The decor makes you feel as though you are on a Polynesian Island.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] The service was very good. We came for the first time after seeing multiple videos on Tiktok. [[HIGHLIGHT]]It is a large room, they have an upstairs.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] From what I know, there are no reservations. We had the Mongolian beef (not my favorite) the dumplings were good and the spare ribs and egg foo young was good. If I come back, I would order something else.

    Hawaii sunset! So delicious

    Hope they never close! This place is iconic ...the decor and vibe is like none other. Tiki huts to sit is so fun!! The pu pu platter is amazing and so is their other food! Drinks are delicious! Service was good but the waiter never came back to our table after serving us I had to ask for containers for take out and also walked up to the register mysel

    Peak tiki sadness
    Michele W.

    I haz a sad. A tremendous one. I don't know why I can't find my many prior enthusiastic 5-star reviews and updates for Lee's, because I have been their biggest cheerleader and strongest defender for years. Their shrimp with lobster sauce, Hawaii beef, egg roll, fried noodles with duck sauce and hot mustard, have long been my designated Execution Day meal. I have patronized Lee's here in Lyndhurst and in its long-shuttered Clifton location since the late 80s. When I lived in. Nutley, I ate or ordered takeout about once a week. Since moving to CA in January, 2000, every flight home is scheduled around their operating hours. I dine there alone frequently because friends and family are not enamored with their food. On occasion, I manage to persuade them with the promise of karaoke and turpentine-strength tropical drinks that come in a coconut shell with four straws. You must understand, we have endless options for delicious, authentic, regional Chinese cuisine in the San Francisco Bay Area. And I mean, all over it-- the cities, the suburbs, the questionable neighborhoods. What we don't have, is the delicious Americanized "Polynesian" cuisine that I grew up with in Fair Lawn, New Jersey. We had Bamboo East--close enough to walk to for lunch during elementary school, have an egg roll and a bowl of wonton soup, and get back for the bell. We had Ho-Aloha where I did, the majority of my underage drinking, downing Maii-Tais and Rum Runners. We had Chan's Waikiki near the Paramus Park mall, and we had Jade Fountain--in the malls and in Clifton. Even EWR had great "Cantonese" food in C terminal when it was dominated by Continental Airlines, In California, we have "tiki bars" with admittedly, excellent drinks, and mediocre "egg rolls," which we East Coasters know are actually rice paper-wrapped, celery-dominated deep fried "spring rolls," filled with soggy, insipid vegetables, which never passed my lips voluntarily during my 32 years in Jersey. So here is why I am sad. At first, I was happy! I'm in town for the Fair Lawn High School Class of '85 reunion, not feeling very well today. My incoming flight was quite delayed, so I was unable to make my requisite stop on the way to the hotel I saw that I could actually get my mandatory Lee's order from GrubHub. I thought, "This is great! There is a microwave downstairs, and a fridge in my room. Tomorrow, I will pick up some tinfoil and big Ziploc bags, and bring some of my favorites back home to California. That is where the happiness ends. I can forgive the fact that even though I checked the "include napkins and utensils" box, *and* added a note that said, "please make sure to include the napkins and utensils," alas, my bag was devoid of them. But that's not the problem... The problem, my dear friends, was the quality of the food. At last visit, in the fall, I believe, I didn't think things tasted quite the same, but still felt nostalgic. Of course I was going to give them another chance. I regret to say that the complaint that have other reviewers have lodged over the past few years, are now also mine. Starting with the Hawaii beef, which I confess I usually begin eating in the car: it is now tough, liking its distinctive, cumin and turmeric flavor, and just tastes like vinegar. The spareribs are dripping with grease, which led me to not even open the shrimp toast. The eggroll tasted like it had been heated up in a toaster oven and there was none of the juicy bites of roast pork and baby shrimp that I love so much. I did not open the chicken in foil either. The egg drop soup was fine, but I have saved the unforgivable travesty for last... the noodles are now mass produced and packaged. This is where I was actually looking forward to greasiness! Lee's noodles were like none other. They were wide, bubbly, crispy, and tasted like heaven when dipped both in the hot mustard and duck sauce. I would often ask for an extra bag to take home to California. This just hurt my soul. I know there had been talk of selling the place in recent years, and on GrubHub, it is the *New* Lee's Hawaiian Islander, so maybe it's finally happened and the business is now more focused on the bar and karaoke which I know it had become its bread and butter. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Over the past 15 years there have rarely been many other patrons when I visited during the day, and they used to do a booming lunch business.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]Many a pupu platter flew under the ceiling, mounted outrigger canoe while water fell down the rock wall while we sat in sea shaped booths under taxidermied pufferfish.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] This is by far the longest review I have ever written because it's the closing of a chapter in my life. Thank you, Lee's, for 35 years of making me a little happier. I shan't forget you.

    Liz R.

    Having a girl's day with the BFF and we couldn't make up our minds about where we wanted lunch until she, out of the blue said, "When was the last time you had Lee's Hawaiian?" MIC DROP! OMG I hadn't been in a good 15+ years and said LET'S GO! Walking in was nostalgic ... it looks exactly as I remember (which is great bur someone who's never been might not get it tho). We were seated in a fun booth and given time to review the menu which drinks were the first thing in order and boy did they deliver! The drinks packed a punch just like we remembered and were served in the iconic tiki glasses. We ordered shrimp toast, wings and the Hawaii 4 Oh and every single thing was SLAMMIN!!!! We took a bunch of leftovers to go and asked for some of their delicious fried noodles with homemade duck sauce as well. We will definitely be back bc they also have karaoke on the weekends and I can only imagine what a blast that is!

    Joe C.

    Dump - Strongest Drinks The Hawaiian decor in Lee's is pretty cool although it could use some cleaning and some updates. If the decor was updated and the food and service improved this place could be a goldmine. Right now the food is pretty bad and service is nothing to speak. They don't seem very friendly at all. Literally served us the strongest rock gut alcohol drinks I have ever had in my life. Usually I like good old fashioned strong cocktail but these were so strong that my wife went in the bathroom and threw up. We couldn't even finish them. Brutal Thanks

    Seafood Hawaii and Mongolian steak flambé
    Andersen S.

    [[HIGHLIGHT]]Lee's Hawaiian Islander had some great food and a fun vibe![[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Neither of us had been there in a very long time, and we both enjoyed going back.

    Inside
    Adam S.

    Went for lunch with my friend who was a little under the weather and wanted some soup She has never been and you can get soup anywhere but this place is fun It's more about the ambience then then the food She happens to be Asian so the 92 year old came over and we had a great conversation If you are looking for more than food a place to go

    Greg H.

    Had my birthday party there last week and it couldn't have gone better. [[HIGHLIGHT]]They were able to accommodate our large group (25 people or so) and everyone had a blast.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]Best karaoke this side of the Hudson![[ENDHIGHLIGHT]]

    The upstairs area!

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    2 years ago

    Food was so good! Atmosphere is very welcoming and the owners presence was very pleasant as well. Very great experience!

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    2 years ago

    had a wonderful lunch with great service and the food was abundant and delicious. recommend highly. Great atmosphere

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    Page 3 of 9

    Ask the Community - Lees Hawaiian Islander

    I am a Jersey expat living in CA. I time my flights to EWR so that I can drive my rental car straight to Lyndhurst for a PuPu Platter and Shrimp with Lobster Sauce. I heard a rumor Lee's is going out of business. Is it true?

    We just ate there at the end of December. It was the same as I remembered from 30years ago before moving to Ga. I would just call first to verify that they are open.

    Was this restaurant in Hoboken a long long time ago? In the 70s, I'm talking 50 yrs ago?

    Lee's Hawaian has been at same location in Lyndhurst for over 40 years.

    PSA: They are re-opening post Thanksgiving! I just called and talked to someone :) (11/16/21) How excited is everyone?

    I called today (December 16) and the man said they are planning to open tomorrow, Friday December 17, 2021!

    Is Karaoke still happening? If so, when?

    Friday & Saturday nights

    Has this restaurant closed for good?

    It was open a month ago in December. I hope not!

    I've never been here before. Can a single person be seated at the bar for drinks and participate in karaoke or is dinner required? Thanks

    Absolutely can sit at var & participate! If the Governor ever let's us do again!

    View All 9 Questions

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    Topaz Thai Restaurant

    Topaz Thai Restaurant

    4.0
    (534 reviews)
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    Slowly making my way through Jersey's Thai restaurants and seeing which ones stand out... Up next…read moreon my list was Topaz Thai in Belleville, a business that's been sitting in my Yelp collections for awhile. With plenty of positive reviews, I was excited to give it a try! This family-owned biz is on Washington Ave. Parking can be a little annoying since it's a busy street with metered spaces, but there's a small paid lot next door with a limited number of spots. I stopped by on a Saturday evening and was seated right away. The place felt cozy and casual with the charm of a mom-and-pop restaurant. The menu is full of Thai classics, and the lunch specials seem like a great value. Prices are reasonable too, with most entrees under $20. Whenever I try a new Thai spot, I like to get a few staple dishes that I've ordered countless times before. Consider it my unofficial Litmus test! I went with: *Mama Loaded Thai Tacos $11.95 [crispy shells topped with ground chicken, herbs, cilantro, nuts, ginger, and lemon] - Loaded is definitely the right word here. These crispy shells were packed to the brim with flavorful, well-seasoned ground chicken and toppings in every bite. They also served it with a bottle of their EXTRA spicy Thai chili sauce-and trust me, it lives up to its name. Just a few drops had my tongue on fire! They're not traditional tacos, but I liked the Thai-inspired twist on them. The unique flavors were a delicious start to the meal. *Chicken Rama Curry with side of Jasmine rice $16.95 [coconut milk, red curry paste, roasted peanuts, tamarind paste, and fish sauce topped with chicken & mixed vegetables] - The winning dish! The curry was so rich, creamy, and nutty. It was so good that I was tempted to pick up the bowl and drink every last drop LOL. The spice level started off mild, but the heat slowly built up after a few spoonfuls. *Chicken Pad Thai $15.95 [stir-fried thin noodles with egg, peanuts, scallion, bean sprouts, and tamarind sauce] - You can't skip Thailand's national dish! The noodles were perfectly cooked, and they didn't skimp on the protein. I got PLENTY of tender chicken in every bite. The only thing holding it back from being a 5/5 for me was the sauce. Pad thai is known for its balance of savory, sweet, tangy, and nutty flavors, and this was a little TOO sweet for me. The sugar overpowered the other flavors. I wish they had given me a lime wedge to brighten things up. Still, I enjoyed the dish overall and can see it being a hit for anyone who prefers a sweeter pad thai. *Mango Sticky Rice $12.95 [coconut sticky rice with fresh mango and coconut cream] - It's mango season, baby, so there's no way I was leaving without ordering this! The rice was warm, lightly sweet, and infused with a creamy coconut flavor. Absolutely loved the sticky and chewy texture. The mango was more sour/tart than sweet. A riper mango would've made this dessert even better, but this was still the perfect ending to a meal. As for the portion sizes? No complaints. I had leftovers to take home and still felt satisfied. The service was on point! Everyone was kind and attentive. The food came out quickly, so there really wasn't much waiting around. Topaz Thai, you made a strong first impression! Between the homey atmosphere, solid food, reasonable prices, great value, and friendly service, this spot easily earned a second visit. I'm excited to come back and try more menu items!

    While Chinese, Japanese, and Korean cuisines seem to grab most of the Asian culinary spotlight in…read morethe US, don't sell Thai food short. It is more than curries and papaya salad. The cuisine takes the perfect blend of spicy, acidic, sweet, and aromatic to form bold and dynamic flavors. Located right between Belleville Park and the Passaic River on a busy Washington Avenue, Topaz Thai is a beloved family-owned/family-run BYOB establishment known for its Thai cuisine. Upon entering as a first-timer, I was greeted by the owner's wife, Bankie, and led to a table by the window inside a cozy, warm, and welcoming dining area with minimal traditional Thai decor. I decided on the Pad Thai () with fried tofu accompanied by Thai iced tea (). The food was incredibly flavorful and fresh, using the best ingredients, resulting in the perfect balance of spices. Every dish is thoughtfully executed and prepared to provide an authentic taste. The tofu was perfectly cooked. Portion size was just right. The staff was warm, welcoming, and very attentive, which made the whole dining experience even better. Since I had the entire place to myself, I had the honor to speak with the cook/owner, Narit. Over the years, it has become a go-to spot for both locals and visitors seeking a genuine taste of Thailand.

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    All I have to say is... YUM!!! I almost ate my fingers! Thai Chili Ribs
    All I have to say is... YUM!!! I almost ate my fingers! Thai Chili Ribs
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    Lees Hawaiian Islander - asianfusion - Updated July 2026

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