Skip to content

Mexico Restaurant Brings Big Portions to School Street

Generous plates, a lively room and well-liked drinks make this longtime School Street Mexican restaurant a solid group lunch or dinner option.

By Kai Kealoha4.21,746 public ratings
Mexico Restaurant in Honolulu
Toti Liu (KLiam)

More photos

Food and interior photo 1 at Mexico Restaurant in Honolulu
Food and interior photo 2 at Mexico Restaurant in Honolulu
Food and interior photo 3 at Mexico Restaurant in Honolulu
Food and interior photo 4 at Mexico Restaurant in Honolulu
Food and interior photo 5 at Mexico Restaurant in Honolulu

Photos published by diners on Google, not AI generated.

What stands out

  • Generous portions with leftover potential
  • Friendly and prompt service
  • Lilikoi margaritas and micheladas
  • Spacious, lively dining area
  • Flavorful chips and salsa

Worth knowing

  • Chips and salsa cost extra
  • Some diners find prices high for the category
  • One serious complaint about menudo and restroom cleanliness

Suggested meals

Dishes that come up most in public reviews

  • Chips and salsa
  • Enchiladas

Worth a visit?

The public-review picture

Mexico Restaurant holds a 4.2 Google rating from 1746 reviews, pointing to broad approval with a few meaningful reservations. Recent public feedback most often praises generous portions, bold flavors, welcoming service and an atmosphere that feels both spacious and energetic. Several diners describe the food as among the more authentic Mexican options they have tried on Oahu.

The restaurant sits on North School Street and operates as both a full-service Mexican restaurant and bar. It appears particularly suited to casual lunches, group dinners and meals where leftovers are welcome. The official price level is mid range, although some reviewers consider the menu expensive compared with other Mexican restaurants.

What diners like

Portion size is the clearest recurring strength. The Mexican burrito is described as massive and well filled with beef, while combination plates and enchilada orders also appear substantial enough to stretch beyond one sitting. One review specifically noted that the portions made for leftovers, which helps offset concerns about pricing.

Chips and salsa earn favorable comments for flavor and preparation. Reviewers describe the chips as neither greasy nor overly salty, with a salsa worth ordering alongside them. They are not automatically included, however, and that has surprised some diners.

Drinks also stand out. The michelada receives especially strong praise, while lilikoi margaritas are highlighted as a memorable choice. Combined with the cozy bar and lively dining room, the beverage program seems to be a central part of the appeal rather than an afterthought.

Service and setting

Public reviews characterize the service as friendly, inviting and prompt. The dining room is described as roomy without feeling detached from the buzz of the restaurant, and the bar adds a cozier option for drinks or a more casual meal. The overall atmosphere appears upbeat and well matched to the large plates and combination meals.

That consistency does not extend to every visit. One reviewer reported disliking the menudo, becoming ill afterward and finding the restroom dirty. The same diner said the replacement dish was good, so the complaint reads as a serious but isolated warning rather than a dismissal of the entire kitchen.

Editorial take

Based on the available rating, menu references and review patterns, Mexico Restaurant is strongest when approached as a lively, portion-forward neighborhood standby. Combination plates, enchiladas and the oversized burrito fit diners seeking a filling meal, while margaritas and micheladas make the bar relevant in its own right.

Value perceptions vary. Prices may feel high for the category, and paying separately for chips and salsa can make the opening order feel less generous. Still, the large servings, generally warm service and well-liked atmosphere give the restaurant a credible case for lunch, dinner or drinks with a group.

Keep exploring near Honolulu

More from HI

Research-based review: our HI editor synthesized 1746 public reviews and the current 4.2-star rating, not an anonymous visit.