Cafe Anasia

Cafe Anasia did not disappoint. I was skeptical at first when we walked up and the battered, old sign also said "Vietnamese Cuisine." I've never been to a Vietnamese place that made nachos. When we walked in, the layout was pleasing and comfy. Autumn had scored us a large table in the middle of the room. There were dart boards, pool tables, and that basketball game. The place looks fun! Our waitress, Amber, immediately greeted us and promptly brought cocktails out. The gang played some darts, waiting for the lollygaggers to arrive. I loved the long booth table that all 11 of us managed to squish into. They offered two kinds of nachos, one with chili and one with kalua pork. Everyone went for kalua pork, except for me and Traci who got one of each. When they came out, they were gorgeous with sour cream and dynamite sauce drizzled in eye pleasing patterns over the pile of cheesy nachoness. A few minutes into the devouring, Amber and the bartender (Jessie) brought out a round of shots on the house to thank us for coming in. They also brought a plate of salt and pepper pork chops to try. Everything was delicious! The dynamite sauce made every bite a semi-spicy, semi-sweet party in my mouth. 9 times out of 10, kalua pork wins for my favorite meat topping on nachos. This was not one of those times. Something magical happens when the chili and dynamite sauce mix together that does not exist on the kalua pork nachos. If you don't believe me, you'll just have to go and order one of each to try for yourself.


Don't forget to check out Grannysaurus' bonus loco moco review at the bottom of the page. I'll definitely be back to Cafe Anasia to try more of the delicious food they offer on the menu. The prices are reasonable, the staff is incredible, the food is tasty, and the ambiance is fun. Parking is limited, but I just walk or ride the bus so no worries there.

Nacho Friends!

Matt: (4.5) Solid.  RAD : People squeezing us in.  LAME : Parking Lot.  Topping to Chip Ratio : Perfect. Surprisingly great spot!

Tango Tango: (3.9) Nice Drizzle of sour cream and sriracha mayo.  Big plate could feed two.  RAD : Some of the friendliest/best service I have had in Honolulu!  Sauces are tasty!  Chips have good structural integrity.  LAME : It's cold inside.  I think the AC also prematurely chilled the nachos, liquid cheese.  Topping to Chip Ratio : 5-Chili, 3-Pork.  Was the kitchen running low on pig?  The chili was perfect but pork didn't have enough meat.  These would be God's own stadium style nachos!  Bar food, not a luxury nacho.  Bonus of $7 beer pitchers!  Huge beyond expectation.  So impressed!

Piggy: (3) Normal looking nachos.  RAD : I think the dynamite sauce gives a nice kick.  I love the pork chops and the seasoning.  LOVE the spicy Asian green onion sprinkles.  Love the loco moco, the burger is firm, the sauce is buttery and flavorful, changes my mind about this dish.  LAME : Ah would be nice if they use real cheese.  Kalua pork has meaty flavor, gets a bit too oily.  The chips were soggy very soon, maybe the AC is too strong.   Topping to Chip Ratio : Ratio is fine.  If there could be more varieties of topping it would be better, fresh made salsa?  Thanks for the LOVE PUNCH HIPPIE HOOCH!  Servers are cute and nice.

Nacho Libra: (3.5, I was more excited for the the kalua pork, but the chili was my fave of the two!) Big!  They look the same because the meat is under everything else.  RAD : Kalua pork is deliciously salty!  Thy dynamite sauce is unique.  I think it goes better with the chili.  LAME : All the toppings are on the top - I know it's fitting given that they are called "toppings" but empty chips are lame.  Topping to Chip Ratio : 3.5, the chili has more.  Great place for darts!  Love punch hippie hooch shots and salt & pepper pork chops were so tasty!

Nachos (with chili) - $8, Kalua Pork Nachos - $9

Shananigans: (4-chili, 3.5-kalua pork) Good portion, love the design of sour cream and dynamite sauce drizzled on top.  RAD : Dynamite sauce!  The chili and dynamite sauce combo is heavenly.  LAME : They are cold, probably a combo of all the cold toppings and over-aggressive AC.    Topping to Chip Ratio : 3.5, empty chips underneath the adequately covered top layer.  The bar was so cold for me.  I was actually happy to squish onto one table so I could get the body heat from others.  Our server, Amber, was fast and awesome.  The bartender, Jessie, was also amazing.  Can't wait to come back for more of the menu options.

Tequila Cat: (4, because they brought us free pork chops and shots) Looks like lovely goodness.  RAD : "Dragon Sauce" Super shot basketball game, awesome service, great tiny inclement weather crew, just enough.  LAME : Dim lighting, I'm blind.  Topping to Chip Ratio : 5, great.  Amazing service, thank you Amber and Jessie.

Roberto: (2) Piled high!  RAD : I like fake cheese.  LAME : Cold nachos. :(  Not enough pork, chip dust at bottom of nachos.  Topping to Chip Ratio : 3.  Great service!  Thanks Amber!  Darts!  Basketball!  Free Drinks!

 

Jaime: (3.9) Giant nachos for only $9.  RAD : The service!  LAME : Parking.  Topping to Chip Ratio : Fair, could have had more pork.  Very chill place.  Nice staff.  Exceeded expectations.

Sad, empty chips under the glorious top layer. 

Nacho Pun: (4, both had really great flavor) Presentation was on point!  They looked great all drizzled on top.  RAD : The dynamite sauce with the cheese and lots of jalapenos.  LAME : Very little kalua pork on the kalua nachos compared to the chili nachos which were loaded.   Topping to Chip Ratio : 4, chili nachos were loaded.  2, Kalua pork nachos were lacking kalua pork.  Shots were fun.  Lot's of tvs.  Seems like a fun place to have some drinks.

The aftermath...

Rashelle: (5) Diner presentation, awesome.  RAD : Sweet and tasty.  LAME : Not enough!  Topping to Chip Ratio : 4.  YUM!

Free shots to thank us for coming in!  LOVE PUNCH HIPPIE HOOCH

The danger of spilling toppings all over our dresses was REAL.

 

Nacho Granny: (4) Looks locolicious!  RAD : Burger is flame broiled!  Love punch hippie hooch!  LAME : Burger is kind of small, but super tasty  Topping to Chip Ratio : Rice, gravy, two eggs and a burger.  All about right.  Give it a 4, just because the burger was small.  I like this bar! I will be back.  Jessie and Amber are awesome.