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    Puka Dog

    4.0 (3.4k reviews)
    ModerateHot Dogs, Hawaiian
    Open 10:00 am - 7:30 pm

    Puka Dog Photos

    Business Info

    PUKA DOG ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Dogs allowed
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - Puka Dog

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    Reviews With Photos

    Lemonade
    Magda G.

    It's located across the street from famous Poipu Beach. Perfect, where you can grab your hotdog and enjoy the beach. There was a long line outside and we're lucky to have come around noon when the building gives its shade. We probably stood outside for about 20 minutes before we got to the inside. Once you get to the inside, you wait to order. They only allow a few amount of people inside. It gives you plenty of time to choose your style dog. We got the lava with the Kauai special sauce (habanero with mango sauce). It wasn't overly spicy, but it had a good bite. The bread is fluffy and the condiments make it juicy. The lemonade is fresh squeezed and refreshing. I really enjoyed my hotdog on the beach.

    Veggie dog & regular hot dog (shaved ice from place next to Puka Dog)
    Madison O.

    The 1st time we got our hot dogs it was alright, but the line was also very long (we waited almost an hour) so I think it was just rushed. The 2nd time we went right when it opened and waited about 5 minutes and the hot dogs were amazinggg especially with the pineapple relish! So yummy and perfect paired with the shaved ice. It's in a perfect location close to Poipu beach where you can eat it at picnic tables.

    Polish sausage w/habanero sauce, mango relish, and Lilikoi Hawaiian mustard
    Tai N.

    Originally this was the only place on my food list for Kaua'i. I wasn't expecting to come visit this island already, so I definitely had to check it out when I had the chance. GETTING THERE If you're visiting Po'ipu beach, it's right off the strip along the water. It's a mostly straight forward drive from Lihu'e. It's about 30 min from LIH airport. PARKING Good luck...parking is absolutely atrocious when I went. There was many parking areas available, but they were all full. You'll spend about 10-15 min driving around just to find a spot because everyone is there for the beach. AMBIANCE Honestly, not much to say here. Its a small spot on the corner of a building. There's nice beach vibe decor inside with a drink bar on the side and some available merch for sale. There was no seating available. There were so many people that you hardly had any room to stand. SERVICE The wait time is crazy. So when I went, the wait time from the end of the line to the front door was about 30 min. Once I'm inside, the line to order was about an additional 15 min. Luckily the food took only about 5 min. So once you order, you're good! There were plenty if covered benches at the park across the street, so that's where I went to eat. FOOD There are many combinations you can have, but I trusted my gut and went with: polish sausage, habanero sauce, mango relish, and Lilikoi Hawaiian mustard. You can't really go wrong with the mango/habanero combo. They just pair so well together. Anyways, it was delicious! It was sweet, spicy, and savory. I thought the breading was going to be too much, but it really balanced out the flavors. I really enjoyed every bite. My friend got pretty much the same thing, but with the pineapple relish. It was also delicious and very similar to the mango. The pineapple was a hint sweeter and makes it a bit less savory imo. OVERALL I actually enjoyed it quite a bit. The line is very intimidating, but it moves at a pretty good pace. I would honestly come back if I'm ever in the area. Mainly because I'd like to try more combinations and it's a great snack to have that's not too far from the beach. I recommend checking it out if you're a first timer and exploring the area, but I wouldn't drive out of my way just to go there.

    Polish dog with their lilikoi mustard and coconut relish
    Chrissy D.

    Puka Dog runs like a well oiled machine. There's a line but it moves steadily and inside they have an organized team in different stations cranking out different tasks. I sampled the coconut and papaya relish both were equally tasty but picked the coconut for its textured coconut meat. The Polish dog was extra juicy and the lilikoi mustard sealed the deal. The 1/2 sugar lemonade is freshly made and afterwards we got Koloa rum shots to jazz it up! Love that they're near the beach, makes for a tasty treat!

    Derrick J.

    While visiting Kauai my brother-in law suggested we go to Puka dog while we were out. Upon arrival the line was out the door. I'm a very traditional hot dog person so the thought of options like pineapple relish didn't sound appealing, but i decided to go for the full experience. I settled on the Polish sausage, with mild sauce, and pineapple relish and paired it with a fresh lemonade. My only regret is I didn't get a chance to go back before our vacation ended. The wait was worth it for sure. The pictures may not be flashy but the food was great.

    Puka dog Kauai mango relish (left) puka dog pineapple and coconut relish (right)
    Nate R.

    Puka Dog was well worth the wait in line! Once we got inside, it was clear they had an awesome system in place to keep the line moving quickly and efficiently. We really enjoyed our meal, and now I understand why water is such a hot commodity there! The different flavors of relishes are a total game changer and take the hot dog to another level. The spicy garlic lemon sauce was the perfect finishing touch and something I won't forget. I honestly think I'll be dreaming about this hot dog every time I have a regular one back home. A must-try when visiting Kauai!

    Judy C.

    Instagram search led me here Puka Dog, few reels had this as the top 5 places on Kauai. I was curious to find out for myself what a Puka Dog is all about. hehe. Wonderful hubby added Puka Dog to our list of adventures and this was the last stop before we the drive back to our hotel in Lihue. Puka Dog has a shop shared with another business, walk to the back of store. Hmm what do I want in my Puka Dog, Puka means hole in local Hawaiian terms. Very creative idea of eating a hot dog. How do your order a Puka Dog? Pick your dog ( Polish or Veggie) Pick your sauce ( mild, Jalapeno, Hot Chili, Habanero, Pick your relish and mustard. I went with Polish, Jalapeno, and the traditional , they were busy so the wait for my Puka Dog was about 10 mins. Love the location as we walked over to the beach, took in the views, waited for Sea Turtles but no luck while enjoying our Puka Dog. & the verdict- the hubby said he would be happy with Costco's $1.50 hot dog or the classic one on Maui @ the mom and pop shop that we always make a stop for in on our way to Kula. I agreed with him. It was tasty, loved the soft bread bun and I can at least say that we got to try Puka Dogs on Kauai. Keep in mind These Puka Dogs are not cheap, they are now $13.50. & does not come with chips or drinks.

    Yikhwan D.

    I came here 5 minutes after it opened. A few people in front of me so i didn't have to wait at all! The hot dog was a good mix of spicy (garlic sauce), sweet (the relish you pick), and salty(with their house mustard ). The flavor of your hotdog will change depending on your combo of sauces, obviously. I think its definitely worth it to go once, since its such an iconic place, but i wouldn't go again if i had to stand in line.

    Danielle R.

    Come early, leave full After many friends recommended Puka dogs, we couldn't wait to come here! We arrived around 1 to get in line, and waited about 45 minutes. Luckily the line was shaded so it wasn't terrible. We finally got our turn to go inside and wait in line. The ambiance was super welcoming and relaxing. When we got to the front of the line, we ordered 3 hot dogs to share between the 2 of us (definitely could have just had 2) and each got a lemonade. The lemonade was tasty and refreshing and the Puka dogs were AMAZING. We got the mild, spicy and lava spice level sauces. Honestly the lava spice wasn't super spicy, the server described it as hot Cheetos. The different relish's were amazing. I loved the coconut and pineapple best. If I lived here I'd be in trouble because I'd come back many times!

    Puka dogs
    Joe R.

    This place was recommended as a "must try" when visiting Kauai by several people. Upon arrival, it seems that certainly is the case, because the line stretched around the building! The restaurant is small, but very busy and they've got their quick service down to a science. The puka dogs were absolutely amazing, and came with a variety of choices. You get to start with a polish sausage or veggie dog, followed by your preferred spicy sauce, choice of fruit relish, and whether or not you want to add their Hawaiian mustard, which is absolutely delicious! The dogs are pretty good size and extremely filling. While the 45 minute wait wasn't exactly ideal, I'm super glad we gave this place a try!

    Puka dog with lilikoi mustard and mango relish
    YJ L.

    What a fun experience! The line was long, but with a buddy, it goes by fast. There's a separate line for the shaved ice, so don't stand in the wrong line! While standing in line, I could see how much effort and care goes into the products. The buns are lightly toasted, but if something isn't satisfactory, it isn't served. (I'm assuming burned or a torn bun that won't properly hold the sausage?) The sausage itself didn't feel very special. It was overshadowed by the lilikoi mustard and the mango relish I chose. I do wish I went with the classic yellow mustard... I was convinced to get a different mustard by the cashier because they said it would be like eating a mango with yellow mustard. Honestly, with everything being so sweet, I think it would have had the perfect flavor to cut through the sweetness. Shoulda gone with my gut. Also, the spiciness levels feel negligible because the sweetness and creaminess of the garlic sauce overpower any spice that could have existed--at least for the second-level spice sauce. If you wear your Puka Dog shirt, you get a free lemonade (for life)! Cute concept! I would have gotten merch if there were more designs and colors, but they only had black and white. Last thing: while standing in line, you can see the workers making the lemonade from scratch! They even shake it up in a cocktail mixer type container and squeeze every lemon for each made-to-order lemonade! Fun to watch!

    Camille D.

    Puka Dog is a delicious treat after a long day at the beach! I ordered a polish dog with spicy garlic sauce and pineapple relish- very heavenly and worth the wait! You get free lemonade when you buy a shirt ( can't help it). You come up and order then you pick it up at the front. No seating inside but across the road is Poipu beach which has plenty to enjoy your dog and drink. It brings a nice end to your day on the South side of the island.

    Shelby P.

    I get why this is a staple here. Very good. The sauce paired much more nicely than I thought it would. Sausage is high quality. Wait time is a little crazy and seems like it should move faster. Get there early! Customer service was great and they had wonderful suggestions. I got the coconut and chili. It could be a bit spicer but overall great.

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    Page 2 of 86

    Ask the Community - Puka Dog

    What is the most popular relish option?

    Mango Relish (Kauai Special). But they're all good really.

    Do they have the mustard and sauces for sale?

    Yes

    Is there a hike near puka dog?

    The beach is right across the street with access to small trails with coastal views.

    Q for the restaurant - are the veggie dogs + bun vegan?

    Yes, they are! We just ate there last week. The garlic sauce isn't but the relishes are as well.

    Are the polish dogs all Pork or it has beef?

    Pork

    Are pets allowed?

    Must you have yours with you at literally every moment? To answer your question, no, they aren't allowed inside the deli.

    Are the buns vegan?

    Not sure if completely vegan; however the buns do not contain dairy or eggs.

    Are there any GLuten free options?

    Well, you could have the 'dog' without the bun. That's really the only food they serve.

    View All 9 Questions

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    Leong’s Market and Grill

    Leong’s Market and Grill

    4.0(228 reviews)
    1.2 mi
    $$

    Delicious hawaiian plates. I had the combo with both Kalbi ribs & Teri Chicken. The ribs were…read morefabulous but the chicken lacked any type of teriyaki flavoring. Served with rice and your choice of side. I went with the classic macaroni salad My dinner mates enjoyed the hawaiian plates although they were out of the laulau.

    Let me start off by saying I ate my entire plate of Teri chicken. It was tasty, but I was mostly…read morehungry due to the long wait. The chicken had a nice flavor and was nice and hot when it was served. The food was good, but not worth waiting over an hour in my opinion. You can make your own judgments, depending on how much time you have. We stopped by Leong's in Coconut Marketplace on a Sunday, which may have had something to do with the service. Plus, Kauai is a very small island and I was not expecting big city service speeds. However, it did take over an hour for us to get our food. That seems long, even for a small restaurant on a small island. We got to the restaurant and had to wait about 10 minutes for a table; not an issue. Once we got seated, we got water and coffee very quickly; not an issue. But when a large table (that was seated since we got to the restaurant) got their food after we had been waiting for 30 minutes, we started to get a little worried. The whole restaurant experience lasted about an hour and a half, and only about 20 minutes of that was eating. There were only two human waitstaff (and one robot which seemed kind of cool but mostly like an inconvenience to the workers), so I can understand somewhat. We also may have felt more pressured because we had to be somewhere after lunch.

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    Plenty of outdoor seating

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    Eating House 1849 Koloa - Roy's Original Szechuan Baby Back Ribs.

    Eating House 1849 Koloa

    4.2(1.7k reviews)
    1.3 mi
    $$$

    Tried out a new spot in Kauai…read more We were sat promptly. The service was good, clean restaurant. Server was very friendly. We ordered the spicy ramen and the butterfish and both dishes were excellent! The ramen had so many different layers of flavor and I now know why they call it "butterfish", very flavorful and rich for a white fish. The mushrooms were seasoned perfectly. Every bite curated to perfection.

    We've dined at the Eating House for many years. My husband and I run the Kaua'i Half Marathon every…read moreyear and we always do a staycation in the Koloa/Poipu area. This restaurant is always one of the restaurants we look forward to dining at. I love the ambiance. It's very homey for an upscale restaurant, and the view is spectacular especially if you go early enough to catch the sunset. The staff are very welcoming as soon as you check in for your reservation. I recommend that you make reservations ahead of time. One year we tried to walk in right when they opened and we were told that they did not have any tables available. I ordered the Slow Roasted short ribs, which is one of my favorites. The short ribs were so tender and seasoned very well. Each bite was flavorful. It paired well with the root vegetables and potato au gratin. The poi and the lomi tomato may sound like a strange pairing with the short ribs, but somehow it works. Overall it was a fantastic dish, and very rich to the palate if that is something you're in the mood for. My daughter ordered the Misoyaki Butterfish. I personally have never ordered it as a meal but I think that next time I will. It was so flavorful, and the Asian flavors were delicious. The Chinese cabbage and shiitake mushrooms paired well with the entire dish. The sesame chili sauce that comes on the side just tied everything together. I could not stop going back for more. My husband ordered the ramen and he loved the flavor of the broth. There was a nice spice to it that was not overpowering. Let's just say, he finished the entire bowl. We also ordered a regular chocolate soufflé and a peanut butter soufflé which were both delicious. I recommend them both. I knocked off a star because the waters weren't always filled when you needed them to be, and I found myself wanting more water but it took a while for the server to fill them. The plates weren't cleared readily (as you would expect) and we waited 20 minutes after our meal was completed for the soufflés. Usually the server would ask ahead of time if the table would like to order a soufflé because it takes about 20 minutes to bake. We told our server we wanted to order soufflés pretty much when we ordered our entrees. So I'm not sure why we waited so long for them. Overall, this is a fantastic restaurant and I highly recommend you dining here!

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    Puka Dog - hotdog - Updated September 2026

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