TEX 808 BBQ + Brews Hawaii Kai
Casual Texas-style barbecue and brews spot in Hawaiʻi Kai with a waterfront setting, brunch, and live music. Expect smoked meats, beer, and a laid-back dine-in experience.
- waterfront setting
- brunch
- live music
- bar service
TEX 808 BBQ + Brews Hawaii Kai is a casual, full-service barbecue spot that brings Texas-style smoked meats to one of East Honolulu’s most scenic waterfront settings. What makes it stand out is the combination: brisket, ribs, and beer on the one hand, and a laid-back harbor-side setting, brunch, and live music on the other. It feels built for travelers who want a relaxed meal that is also a little bit of an outing.
What it does best
The strongest reason to come here is straightforward barbecue. Brisket is the headline, with ribs, pulled pork, smoked turkey, smoked sausage, and chili filling out a menu that stays firmly in smoked-meat territory. The kitchen also leans into local Honolulu tastes with dishes like brisket loco moco, poke nachos, and seared ahi, so it is not a narrow smokehouse in the purist sense. That broader approach makes it easier for mixed groups to find something appealing.
The food is best understood as Texas barbecue with an island-comfort-food twist. Sandwiches, bowls, and plate-style meals keep the menu flexible, and there are enough non-beef options to help when not everyone wants a heavy barbecue plate. Still, this is a meat-forward restaurant first and foremost, so vegetarians will find the options limited.
The feel of the experience
Hawaiʻi Kai is part of the appeal. The setting has a waterfront, patio-forward feel that suits both brunch and early evening dining, and the restaurant’s identity leans into that relaxed, social mood. It is the kind of place where a meal can stretch into drinks or linger with live music, rather than a quick, utilitarian stop.
That also makes it useful for travelers who want a dependable, casual sit-down meal in East Honolulu without sacrificing atmosphere. Happy hour, bar service, and later evening hours add to the appeal, and weekend brunch gives it a broader range than a standard barbecue joint. The overall effect is friendly and easygoing rather than fussy.
Tradeoffs to know
The biggest caveat is consistency. The barbecue has plenty of fans, but the brisket and sides can be uneven, and some diners come away feeling that the food is more Hawaii-adapted than deeply traditional Texas barbecue. That is less of a problem if the goal is a satisfying meal in a scenic setting, but it matters for anyone chasing a very specific Central Texas smokehouse experience.
Pricing also lands above plate-lunch territory. It is still a casual restaurant, but once drinks and sides are added, the bill can climb faster than travelers might expect from the “BBQ” label.
Who it is for
TEX 808 BBQ + Brews Hawaii Kai is a strong fit for families, casual groups, and travelers who want barbecue with a view. It works especially well for brunch, a relaxed dinner, or a sunset stop with food and drinks. It is less ideal for diners seeking high-end barbecue precision, a very quiet meal, or an ultra-authentic Texas-only approach. For the right traveler, though, it offers an easygoing East Honolulu dinner with enough local personality to feel distinctly Hawaiian.
