The Tropical Themed Restaurant In Arizona You Must Visit Before Summer’s Over

In a landlocked, desert state like Arizona, summer vacation dreams often feature pristine beaches, a salty ocean breeze, and cool waves flowing in and out. It’s a paradise for many that often comes with a hefty price tag and an hours-long plane ride.

Well, you won’t have to travel that far to experience the tropics in Arizona, sort of. Today, we’re going to take a look at one Arizona restaurant that gives you a chance to experience a little piece of the islands at your convenience.

Aloha Kitchen is located in southern Mesa near Alma School and Guadalupe Roads, a favorite that brings the flavors of the tropical state into the desert.

The restaurant, like most other Valley eateries, is hidden away in a strip mall with just a brightly painted window hinting at the delicious meals inside.

Aloha Kitchen is 30 years old but when you walk inside, the splash of bright colors, an ocean mural, and the happy faces all around keep it feeling young and fresh.

You'll always be greeted by smiling faces here! Place your order and get ready to chow down on some seriously good food.

The most popular dishes here are the mixed combo plates: your choice of protein served with rice, macaroni salad or tossed salad, and a slice of fruit on the side.

Since present-day Hawaii features a mixture of Hawaiian, Asian, and American peoples and cultures, you'll find that the food reflects that mixture as well. Many of the foods here are Japanese (like the teriyaki and katsu), Korean (bulkogi), and Chinese (saimin), in addition to American favorites. However, on certain days of the week, you'll find Hawaiian specialties like pork laulau and kalua pig.

Manapua is one of the most popular items here. A Hawaiian version of cha siu bao, it is a steamed bun filled with barbeque pork. One bite and your life will change for the better!

Other favorites include the saimin noodle soup with Japanese fishcake, Spam musubi (a sushi-inspired treat), and poke.

These are meals the whole family will definitely love! Most people opt to dine in but you can also order your meals to-go or, if you have a large family, try the catering options.

Aloha Kitchen is located at 2950 South Alma School Road in Mesa. For more information about their hours, menu, and catering options, check out their website.

In the mood for a plate of seafood? Read some of our favorite suggestions for oysters, fish and chips, and crab legs in These 10 Restaurants In Arizona Have The Best Seafood Ever.