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    ʻUmekes Express Hilo

    4.7 (20 reviews)
    ModeratePoke, Food Trucks
    Open Open 24 hours

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    Grilled ahi fish tacos is a MUST!
    Sha J.

    BOMB DOT COM! Boss decided to treat us for lunch, Umekes Express it was! Their ahi fish tacos are so good. I haven't really ordered anything else.

    Fish and chips
    Brenda R.

    This is the best place to eat fish and chips. I'm not a fish person but I make an acceptance for this it is so good. There fish taco's are also good. I'm

    Poke Nachos
    T N.

    'Umekes has two local restaurants located in Kailua-Kona and one in Kamuela. We, living on the Eastside, have gone to the one in Kona several times whenever we visit the Westside. Now to have a food truck express in Hilo!! Now is one of my favorite lunch trucks to go to when I'm in Hilo. Located in the parking lot of Safeway. Their menu is small and simple to order from. The quality is the same as their restaurant's, ONO!!! Prices are a little pricey, but you get quality and better than Burger King! My favorite dish is the Avocado Poke Nachos. The chips are deep fried won ton. This nachos plate is just too ono to share! Service is very friendly. Lots of parking because you're in the Safeway parking lot. Don't expect to have a place to sit and eat. You can at the outside tables of Safeway.

    Pastele Plate with 2 scoops gandule rice and bacalao salad.. Need I say more?!
    Jay W.

    Congrats on making top 2 for food trucks gang!!! No doubt the food is always fresh and ono!! Mahalo for all the killah grinds and laughs #OffDaHook #SoOno

    Annique P.

    Here on vacation so I had to stop by! Food is so delicious, fresh, and fast! I had the poke bowl with mac salad, and my family had fish tacos/fish nachos so we all somewhat sampled each other's lunch. Staff is extra friendly and patient especially when I had no idea what I wanted to order and asked tons of questions. I would definitely recommend this place to anyone and will definitely be back in the future!!

    Nicholette D.

    You'll never look at fish and chips the same when you leave this place! Ahi Tempura... so delicious!!! When we fly in from Maui, this is the FIRST STOP!

    Fish tacos

    I found Umekes Express outside Safeway on a Wednesday afternoon and tried it on a whim. The menu is simple, 8 items, and the plates run $11-$15 depending on what you order. I went with the fish tacos. Ordering was fast, and the food was prepared quickly compared to most food trucks in the area. Tacos were legit, especially for Hawai'i, but not 5 star. The fish was fresh and generous, but the batter was a little thick where it didn't cook quite as much as it should. A little less batter or a little more time in the fryer should do it. I loved the aioli and mango salsa and avocado. I also liked the fried onions, but there were too many of them. Finally, the tortilla didn't taste very fresh. Standard issue for Hawai'i. Overall, though, a positive experience and I would like to visit again to check out the poke.

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    6 years ago

    Everything we've tried has been #SoOno! I recommend the fish tacos, but we haven't been disappointed in anything we've ordered.

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    Shauna R.

    Thank you and we love that you’re our regular from day 1!

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    Ask the Community - ʻUmekes Express Hilo

    Review Highlights - ʻUmekes Express Hilo

    Amazing poke nachos and fish and chips and the folks were super nice as well!

    Mentioned in 5 reviews

    Read more highlights

    Jackie Rey's Ohana Grill Hilo

    Jackie Rey's Ohana Grill Hilo

    4.3
    (1.3k reviews)
    0.6 km
    $$

    When we lived in Kona, we would frequent the Jackie Reyes there. The food was good, but for the…read moreprice, the entire experience - not even the old, nonfunctional classic car out front - was worth it. BUT, the Jackie Rey's in Hilo has now become our go-to fine restaurant in Hilo town. The building is classic. An old town Hilo bank, with the vault intact. High ceilings, comfortable tables and decore and an artistic antique wooden bar that would be a gem in the crown of any European city. The management and personnel are the most wonderful people. Always happy to accommodate you in the best way they can. After one kamaaina visit the servers will know your name. They'll make you feel welcome and that you are a part of their experience too, something that is nearly impossible to find in other town dining. They have rewards programs for kamaaina which includes a point system that gives you significant savings on your next visit. The food is first rate, from the pupus to the main dishes to the desserts. Sauced and presented in five star fashion, without feeling pretenious. We will be their peskiest and most loyal customer as long as we are in the area. Kudos to Jackie Rey's Hilo.

    My wife and I went to Jackie Ray's this past Friday. We got a window table and was able to see the…read moreactivity across the street since it's was Friday downtown open market. If you dine here and are not a big person don't get a booth table as it's the most uncomfortable seating I've ever experienced. The seat is way too far from the table and I needed to lean forward and sit on the edge of the seat. I would recommend getting a table its chair so you be able to adjust yourself to the distance from the table. Server was just Ok and with them placing a water decanter on the table for refill they didn't come around as often. The decanter water has no ice so whatever ice you have in your cup to cool the water. Last time eating at this establishment was better and my only complaint was the window seats next to the picture window and the flys that was buzzing there. Only thing is again there were two big flies buzzing the windows and I had to waved them away. The doors are always shut and only when customers walk in could the flys get in. Staff should walk around before opening and get rid of them. We entered about 5:10 PM so it was opened for just 10 minutes and shouldn't have flys. Air conditioning was on but the temperature was a bit warm and a cooler temperature of maybe 10 degrees be perfect. I had the mochico Ono and it was just ok tasting but on the plate presentation was nice. My wife had the pork chops and she really liked it but said was just a little over cooked. I did try a small sample and to me it was just ok also. ambiance in the restaurant is nice and most of the staff were very attentive. The server we had wasn't and I needed to Get his attention to get my bill even though he had passed multiple times and didn't or should have noticed we were done dining. Probably not be dining again at this establishment again and do know of better dining spots in Hilo.

    Photos
    Clean and inviting. This is a historical bank building.
    Clean and inviting. This is a historical bank building.
    Ahi Tartare Happy Hour. Amazing. I could eat ten more.
    Ahi Tartare Happy Hour. Amazing. I could eat ten more.
    Passion Flow

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    Passion Flow
    Kula Shave Ice

    Kula Shave Ice

    4.8
    (435 reviews)
    0.2 km
    $$

    The best shaved ice I've ever had…read more Food 5/5 The Lava Flow is absolutely to die for. The haupia cream and lilikoi butter at the top with the strawberry infused ice was like heaven. The textures were all there. Service 5/5 Standard, nothing special. Ambiance 3/5 Outdoor seating area for all of the restaurants in the area. It was pretty crowded and the area isn't that clean. There's also lots of horseflies.

    We were visiting the farmers market, and we decided to do a smoothie bowl here. At first, I wanted…read moreto do the shaved ice, but the call of a smoothie bowl was too much to ignore. They have an amazing menu for shaved ice! They also have a great selection for smoothie bowls. I was honestly impressed for a shaved ice place to have so many options for smoothie bowls. Anyway, the employee who took our order was very nice and efficient. We even had substitutions we requested, and she was super cool and nice about it all. The tables allow you to people watch since the tables are right in front of the café and next to the farmers market. Also, little birds were very interested in the area and potential snacks, so that was cute to watch! Our smoothie bowls were excellent! Honestly, now that I'm back across the pond, I'm seriously craving another! Wonderful flavor combinations and very fresh. I wish I would've tried their other creations, but that just means something to look forward to for next time!

    Photos
    Half orange and half blueberry
    Half orange and half blueberry
    The Hapa (choc, coconut flakes, haupia ice cream) & The Local (love the local - lilikoi, soursop w ice cream
    The Hapa (choc, coconut flakes, haupia ice cream) & The Local (love the local - lilikoi, soursop w ice cream
    Their many accolades!

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    Their many accolades!

    ʻUmekes Express Hilo - poke - Updated July 2026

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