LIHUE — The line which greeted Thomas and Marites Yano at 5 p.m. Thursday made Thomas smile. “This is all for her (Marites),” said Thomas, owner of Taco Del Mar. “She is from the Philippines and needs to boost her
LIHUE — The line which greeted Thomas and Marites Yano at 5 p.m. Thursday made Thomas smile.
“This is all for her (Marites),” said Thomas, owner of Taco Del Mar. “She is from the Philippines and needs to boost her self confidence. The reception we’ve gotten from people to the opening should give her a lot of self-confidence.”
Taco Del Mar opened its doors to the public Thursday starting with dinner service.
Blake Braun, born in Las Vegas, but living in Koloa, is familiar with Taco Del Mar.
“He wanted to be first in line,” said his mom Kathy. “In Las Vegas we have Taco Del Mar and Chipotle’s.”
“We stayed away from Chipotle’s because they serve alcohol,” Thomas said. “We want something that’s more family-friendly, and with healthy and nutritious food.”
Connie Oxentine was eager to try the fish taco, watching as the quality control instructors gave final messages to the crew of the restaurant across the way from Jamba Juice and next to Longs Drugs.
“We came because we saw they have ‘Mission Style’ burrito,” said Jodi Darby, a part-time Princeville resident. “We were shopping and just extended the shopping so we could try this. We had a vegetarian burrito and I must say, it was pretty tasty.”
Taco Del Mar also offers catering options.
Basically, it’s a taco bar where people have a choice of meat, a choice into the number of people being served, and can either pick up, have it delivered or have it delivered with service.
“We hosted a private event for the managers of the mall earlier in the day, and two tenants could not make the event because they had special meetings scheduled,” Thomas said. “We catered to them, and they really appreciated that.”
Jonell Kaohelaulii, marketing director at Kukui Grove, said the catering should be a hit with people, especially those who have to deal with overnight inventory.
Taco Del Mar will be open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., seven days a week.
A grand opening celebration is set for Feb. 22.
