Overview
Surf N Salsa is a North Shore food truck stop in Waialua that serves made-to-order Mexican and broader Latin dishes. For travelers, it stands out as the kind of place you go for a casual, filling meal after the beach rather than a sit-down destination.
The Google Places record identifies it as operational at 67-106 Kealohanui St in Waialua, and the current website aligns with that same business name and food-truck identity. I did not find a major identity conflict; the main drift issue is that some third-party sources still place it generically in “Haleʻiwa,” which is understandable for North Shore searches but less precise than the Google address. (surfnsalsa.com)
Cuisine & Specialties
The menu is firmly in the Mexican/Latin lane, but it is broader and more truck-friendly than a narrow taco stand. It leans on burritos, tacos, plates, fries, nachos, quesadillas, empanadas, and other hearty build-it-around-a-protein dishes, with a noticeable emphasis on grilled meats, seafood, and large, shareable portions. The website also says the food is made with local fishermen and farmers in mind, and the menu supports both meat-heavy and vegetarian paths. (surfnsalsa.com)
- Overall menu style: Mexican and Latin street-food-style plates with burritos, tacos, plates, chimichangas, nachos, fries, empanadas, sopes, and quesadillas. (surfnsalsa.com)
- Notable dishes / specialties:
- Fish Burrito. (surfnsalsa.com)
- Surf Break Burrito. (surfnsalsa.com)
- Surf & Turf Burrito. (surfnsalsa.com)
- Carne Asada Plate / Taco Plate / Carne Asada Fries. (surfnsalsa.com)
- Chile Verde Burrito and Fajita Burrito. (surfnsalsa.com)
- Empanadas, including chicken, beef, and potato & cheese. (surfnsalsa.com)
- Price range / spend expectations: Google lists it at price level 2, which usually suggests moderate, not cheap-fast-food pricing. Review comments describe the food as fairly priced, and one North Shore write-up specifically mentions a Tuesday special of five street tacos for $8, though that special should be treated as a dated anecdotal signal unless confirmed on visit. (kapionews.com)
- Dietary usefulness / limitations: There is a real vegetarian path here, with soyrizo, veggie burritos, veggie tacos, and vegetable-heavy options. The menu is not especially strong for restrictive diets beyond that; it is still primarily a tortilla-and-meat kitchen, with dairy and beans appearing often. (surfnsalsa.com)
Notable Features & Ambiance
This is a casual outdoor food truck setting rather than a conventional restaurant room. The website describes an outdoor patio, pet-friendly seating, and Tuesday live music, and traveler reviews back up the picture of a relaxed courtyard-style stop with outdoor tables and a post-beach feel. (surfnsalsa.com)
- Service model and seating style: Food-truck ordering with outdoor seating; one review describes a permanent food truck in a courtyard with limited parking. (tripadvisor.com)
- Atmosphere and decor: Informal, surf-town, patio-centric, with “island vibes” on the official site and occasional live music mentioned in secondary coverage. (surfnsalsa.com)
- Amenities / practical features: Pet-friendly patio, online ordering, catering pickup, and Tuesday Taco Night from 6–8 PM with live music according to the website. (surfnsalsa.com)
- Best fit: A beach day lunch, a relaxed North Shore dinner, or a casual group stop where big burritos, fries, and tacos are the point. (surfnsalsa.com)
- Weaker fit: Travelers seeking a polished indoor dining room, quiet fine dining, or highly controlled timing may find the food-truck format less convenient, especially if parking or lines are an issue. This is an inference from the venue type and review descriptions. (tripadvisor.com)
History & Background
There is not much publicly documented founder or chef history in the sources I found. What is clear is that Surf N Salsa presents itself as family-owned, rooted in Latin recipes, and positioned as a North Shore local stop with some identity built around surf culture, community, and patio dining. (surfnsalsa.com)
Review Sentiment Snapshot
What People Love
The recurring positives are straightforward: people like the flavorful Mexican food, large portions, fresh chips/guacamole, and the sense that it is a satisfying North Shore stop after time at the beach. Multiple sources also describe the staff or vibe positively, and the website leans into the same warm, social setting. (surfnsalsa.com)
Common Gripes
The main caution is convenience rather than food quality: it is a truck/courtyard setup, so parking, lines, and seating availability can be limiting. That concern appears in traveler reviews and is consistent with the venue type. I did not find strong, repeated complaints about the food itself; the negative evidence is lighter than the positive evidence. (tripadvisor.com)
Practical Visitor Tips
- Google Places lists hours as Monday–Saturday 10:30 AM–8:30 PM, closed Sunday. That is the best current baseline, but truck operations can still change, so same-day checking is wise. (surfnsalsa.com)
- Expect a casual walk-up food-truck experience, not formal table service. (tripadvisor.com)
- Parking is described by reviewers as limited, so arriving earlier in the meal window may be easier than showing up at peak lunch or dinner rush. (tripadvisor.com)
- Tuesday Taco Night and live music are a meaningful draw if they are still running as posted on the website. (surfnsalsa.com)
- The menu is broad enough that groups can mix burritos, tacos, plates, fries, and vegetarian choices without much trouble. (surfnsalsa.com)
Verification Notes
- Official name aligns across Google and the website: Surf N Salsa. (surfnsalsa.com)
- Address in Google Places is 67-106 Kealohanui St, Waialua, HI 96791; some third-party references loosely call it Haleʻiwa, likely because it is a North Shore destination rather than because of a true address conflict. (tripadvisor.com)
- No phone number was available in the Google Places payload provided. (surfnsalsa.com)
- Operational status appears current as of the latest Google data and website crawl. (surfnsalsa.com)
Sources
- Google Places / place details for Surf N Salsa —
https://maps.google.com/?cid=14968822682486362099— retrieved 2026-04-02. Most useful for identity anchor, address, hours, rating, price level, and operational status. - Surf n Salsa official homepage —
https://www.surfnsalsa.com/— retrieved 2026-04-03. Most useful for ownership tone, outdoor patio, pet-friendly note, Tuesday Taco Night, and online-ordering / catering signals. - Surf n Salsa official menu —
https://www.surfnsalsa.com/menu— retrieved 2026-04-03. Most useful for the actual menu structure and notable dishes like burritos, plates, tacos, empanadas, fries, and vegetarian options. - Tripadvisor listing for Surf N Salsa —
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g60647-d10107293-Reviews-Surf_n_Salsa-Haleiwa_Oahu_Hawaii.html— retrieved 2026-04-03. Most useful for traveler-facing descriptions of the courtyard setup, limited parking, and basic food style. - Jamie O’Brien article, “7 Must Visit North Shore Food Trucks” —
https://jamieobrien.com/articles/7-must-visit-north-shore-food-trucks— retrieved 2026-04-03. Most useful for recurring reputation themes, live-music ambiance, and reported specials such as taco night. - Kapi‘o News, “5 Must-Try Food Trucks on the North Shore” —
https://kapionews.com/index.php/2022/03/24/5-must-try-food-trucks-on-the-north-shore/— retrieved 2026-04-03. Most useful for a detailed review pattern around burritos, carne asada fries, horchata, and a value-oriented Tuesday special.
