Their food is very flavorful, their marinated meats are delicious and probably one of the best I've had in a while! Except minus some stars for price and service. Expect to pay $10+ for a small plate that probably will not fill you. Their portions seem very skimped compared to the cost they charge. Service is not really existent to begin with because you order and pick up yourself but the cashier behind the register doesn't listen well. There's a lot of confusion/back and forth to a point where I just stopped trying to clarify my question.
TJ T.
This place always hits the spot, prime downtown location in the heart of downtown. The actual spot is low key and has an endearing "hole in the wall" feel. The service is decent, sometimes the spot can be packed out from the neighboring city hall or SJSU crowds. Onto the food, this spot does not disappoint, whether I dine in or order via DoorDash, the food always seems made to order and the portions are great. Kalbi plate is great, the meat is marinated to perfection and packed with Hawaiian flavor, the beef ribs are out of this world, so tender and they melt off the bone. Definitely a good spot to hit up if you're up for some fire Hawaiian food.
Jing F.
Thank you fellow Yelpers for recommending this place. Their Hawaiian bbq did not disappoint!! I ordered their ribs and yes it was delicious. The mac salad though is not what I am used to . I expect it in a sweeter side and should have been..you know...like Hawaiian style. I am still a fan and will go back to try other stuff in their menu. This place is next door to Tostadas.
G R.
Hands down the best Hawaiian Food in San Jose!!
Ken L.
Matiki is certainly the place to go if you have that sudden craving for some good ol' Hawaiian bbq. The place gets packed the moment clock strikes twelve. Finding a spot during lunch time requires both patience and luck. Short ribs: the meat had this jerky-like texture (semi-dry) that required going down that full-barbarian path - hands. The ginger based marinade was slightly on the sweet side, but matches perfectly with the two scoops of rice. After weeks of vegetarian diet, my body's tolerance for fatty food dropped significantly. While I crave that second serving of short ribs, two more days of indigestion just not something I enjoy. Mark my words, I'll be back to sample the big kahuna plate!
Andy L.
One of the restaurants that closes late, I decided to go to Matiki Island BBQ. Luckily, I was able to order before a ton of guys randomly came in but I still had to wait a bit. Being basic I got the #1 Sam's/Beef Rib Plate. What is odd is that they give both mac n cheese and green salad but only one or the other. I love the the beef ribs. Though I felt that there could have been more meat on the stick, the beef itself taste so good. It's really easy to eat, the burnt look makes it crisp, and it was never lacking in flavor. Matiki Island BBQ is a solid Hawaiian BBQ restaurant to get around Downtown San Jose
Rosa Rodriguez
Super good authentic food great portions overall satisfied.
Samantha T.
Ordered delivery right now. Opened the box and my whole 17$ kalbi rib plate is gone. Really???? I only ordered one main plate and some sides. They missed the whole reason I ordered the food!!!! First time and last time.
Charlene C.
Today is the 21st day of my no land animal meat lifestyle. I ordered here through Yelp Grubhub a month ago. I read the reviews about the beef ribs and at the time all I wanted was to bite into some juicy thick succulent beefy ribs and yeah I wanted to suck on that beef bone like a Hungry German Shepherd. I ordered that with steamed vegetables and Hawaiian macaroni salad and steamed jasmine rice. I sat and waited and watched mukhbangs on you tube to Get ready for my delivery. This place did not disappoint. The beef ribs had a char on them and it was so tender and succulent. Lovely BBQ taste. I was in heaven. Thinking about it has me reliving the orgasmic beefy moments. Drool. I need a shower after writing this review to calm my inner meat demons and revert my thoughts to tofu, vegetables And the occasional sea creature like shrimp. God save me from the meat demons. Remember so delicious it will satisfy your inner dinosaur/carnivore.
Cary Y.
This was my first time at Matiki Island BBQ, but it definitely won't be my last! That's saying a lot, since I was born and raised in Hawaii and have eaten more than my share of Hawaiian plate lunches. I ordered the Kalbi short ribs and I was really surprised at how delicious they were. Great flavor and very tender. Also the macaroni salad was some of the best I've had in the Bay Area. As an added bonus, they gave me extra teriyaki sauce to pour over my kalbi and rice. So good! The staff were also friendly and efficient. I would definitely recommend this place to anyone looking for a hawaiian plate lunch.
Apparently it's under New Management, but I never made it to the old place and just came here for the first time. It is so fresh and excellent,that though this is my first time it's definitely not my last! Customer service was great with the young girl at the counter ....her third day. The guys in the back just whipping out the great food, hot and fresh and ready to go! When I asked her a couple pieces of extra steamed broccolibecause I had only gotten one piece, they gave me a whole side of vegetables to go for no extra charge!! You got to check this place out.
Shivani S.
Hands down one of the best bbq spot in the bay! This place is better now compared to when it first opened. The meat is soOo good!! Love the char grilled taste with every bite! The Mac salad is delicious and so is the new items which was added to the menu. My go to is the pork BBQ plate and the Kalbi plate or combo for both! I know management has changed and it definitely shows cause the food is delicious and so is the portion of meat per plate. Can I please thank the genius chef who's grilling away in the back kitchen?! Hands down delicious! I'm hooked like an addict. I've been coming back on a weekly basis since its summer time and the love of bbq never quits! Thanks to the chef and the new manager for raising the bar after this place was closed for some time. I always get my food to go though but it's located a street over across City Hall next to a Thai restaurant. Definitely try the Kalbi or BBQ pork plate if you're around and grab some of their magic sauce to pour on the meat too. Thank you for coming back and better than before!
Josef de la vega
Great bbq for a decent price!!
Diana V.
This place is L E G IT Their BBQ is like the real BBQ. Not the type of BBQ you throw on a griddle. You can taste the char on the meat. Also, best spam musubi EVER.
Frank L.
Went back for the beef and it's delicious. I'd suggest only getting the beef or beef ribs with the beef slightly edging the ribs out due to just how good they are. However def do give the beef ribs a try if you are in the area and can come back.
Their food is very flavorful, their marinated meats are delicious and probably one of the best I've had in a while! Except minus some stars for price and service. Expect to pay $10+ for a small plate that probably will not fill you. Their portions seem very skimped compared to the cost they charge. Service is not really existent to begin with because you order and pick up yourself but the cashier behind the register doesn't listen well. There's a lot of confusion/back and forth to a point where I just stopped trying to clarify my question.
This place always hits the spot, prime downtown location in the heart of downtown. The actual spot is low key and has an endearing "hole in the wall" feel. The service is decent, sometimes the spot can be packed out from the neighboring city hall or SJSU crowds. Onto the food, this spot does not disappoint, whether I dine in or order via DoorDash, the food always seems made to order and the portions are great. Kalbi plate is great, the meat is marinated to perfection and packed with Hawaiian flavor, the beef ribs are out of this world, so tender and they melt off the bone. Definitely a good spot to hit up if you're up for some fire Hawaiian food.
Thank you fellow Yelpers for recommending this place. Their Hawaiian bbq did not disappoint!! I ordered their ribs and yes it was delicious. The mac salad though is not what I am used to . I expect it in a sweeter side and should have been..you know...like Hawaiian style. I am still a fan and will go back to try other stuff in their menu. This place is next door to Tostadas.
Hands down the best Hawaiian Food in San Jose!!
Matiki is certainly the place to go if you have that sudden craving for some good ol' Hawaiian bbq. The place gets packed the moment clock strikes twelve. Finding a spot during lunch time requires both patience and luck. Short ribs: the meat had this jerky-like texture (semi-dry) that required going down that full-barbarian path - hands. The ginger based marinade was slightly on the sweet side, but matches perfectly with the two scoops of rice. After weeks of vegetarian diet, my body's tolerance for fatty food dropped significantly. While I crave that second serving of short ribs, two more days of indigestion just not something I enjoy. Mark my words, I'll be back to sample the big kahuna plate!
One of the restaurants that closes late, I decided to go to Matiki Island BBQ. Luckily, I was able to order before a ton of guys randomly came in but I still had to wait a bit. Being basic I got the #1 Sam's/Beef Rib Plate. What is odd is that they give both mac n cheese and green salad but only one or the other. I love the the beef ribs. Though I felt that there could have been more meat on the stick, the beef itself taste so good. It's really easy to eat, the burnt look makes it crisp, and it was never lacking in flavor. Matiki Island BBQ is a solid Hawaiian BBQ restaurant to get around Downtown San Jose
Super good authentic food great portions overall satisfied.
Ordered delivery right now. Opened the box and my whole 17$ kalbi rib plate is gone. Really???? I only ordered one main plate and some sides. They missed the whole reason I ordered the food!!!! First time and last time.
Today is the 21st day of my no land animal meat lifestyle. I ordered here through Yelp Grubhub a month ago. I read the reviews about the beef ribs and at the time all I wanted was to bite into some juicy thick succulent beefy ribs and yeah I wanted to suck on that beef bone like a Hungry German Shepherd. I ordered that with steamed vegetables and Hawaiian macaroni salad and steamed jasmine rice. I sat and waited and watched mukhbangs on you tube to Get ready for my delivery. This place did not disappoint. The beef ribs had a char on them and it was so tender and succulent. Lovely BBQ taste. I was in heaven. Thinking about it has me reliving the orgasmic beefy moments. Drool. I need a shower after writing this review to calm my inner meat demons and revert my thoughts to tofu, vegetables And the occasional sea creature like shrimp. God save me from the meat demons. Remember so delicious it will satisfy your inner dinosaur/carnivore.
This was my first time at Matiki Island BBQ, but it definitely won't be my last! That's saying a lot, since I was born and raised in Hawaii and have eaten more than my share of Hawaiian plate lunches. I ordered the Kalbi short ribs and I was really surprised at how delicious they were. Great flavor and very tender. Also the macaroni salad was some of the best I've had in the Bay Area. As an added bonus, they gave me extra teriyaki sauce to pour over my kalbi and rice. So good! The staff were also friendly and efficient. I would definitely recommend this place to anyone looking for a hawaiian plate lunch.
Restaurantji Recommends
Apparently it's under New Management, but I never made it to the old place and just came here for the first time. It is so fresh and excellent,that though this is my first time it's definitely not my last! Customer service was great with the young girl at the counter ....her third day. The guys in the back just whipping out the great food, hot and fresh and ready to go! When I asked her a couple pieces of extra steamed broccolibecause I had only gotten one piece, they gave me a whole side of vegetables to go for no extra charge!! You got to check this place out.
Hands down one of the best bbq spot in the bay! This place is better now compared to when it first opened. The meat is soOo good!! Love the char grilled taste with every bite! The Mac salad is delicious and so is the new items which was added to the menu. My go to is the pork BBQ plate and the Kalbi plate or combo for both! I know management has changed and it definitely shows cause the food is delicious and so is the portion of meat per plate. Can I please thank the genius chef who's grilling away in the back kitchen?! Hands down delicious! I'm hooked like an addict. I've been coming back on a weekly basis since its summer time and the love of bbq never quits! Thanks to the chef and the new manager for raising the bar after this place was closed for some time. I always get my food to go though but it's located a street over across City Hall next to a Thai restaurant. Definitely try the Kalbi or BBQ pork plate if you're around and grab some of their magic sauce to pour on the meat too. Thank you for coming back and better than before!
Great bbq for a decent price!!
This place is L E G IT Their BBQ is like the real BBQ. Not the type of BBQ you throw on a griddle. You can taste the char on the meat. Also, best spam musubi EVER.
Went back for the beef and it's delicious. I'd suggest only getting the beef or beef ribs with the beef slightly edging the ribs out due to just how good they are. However def do give the beef ribs a try if you are in the area and can come back.