Food is good when you can get it but it seems like their hours are not exactly what's posted anywhere. I dont know how many times I've gone by here during their posted hours to find that it's closed, even placed an online order during 'open' hours and it was closed when I came to pick it up.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 3
Steve Chizmar
I frequent this place an awful lot
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Adam QK
A unique island experience, a must treat for yourself.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Preston Juvenal
It’s an out door food truck experience. I Had the fish tacos and she had the shrimp tacos. Fish was bland and cold, but throughly cooked. Cilantro lime sauce is great. Shrimp was tasty warm and well seasoned. The slaw on each was a positive addition. The tortilla was cold. Cold flour tortillas should not legal to serve and still call it a taco, it’s a wrap at that point. Dudes, let those tortillas hit the grill for at least 30 seconds per side, two flips, get puffy, then you got something tasty. We’ll try again.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 5
Ashlea Wilson
Disappointed and Won’t Be Returning
I used to love Kai Joe’s. I discovered it three years ago and it quickly became a must-visit spot every time I came to Oak Island (which is often, since I have family nearby). Sadly, that’s no longer the case.
Over the past few visits, the quality has dropped significantly. The last two times I’ve eaten there, the food has been incredibly disappointing. The meat is watery, soggy, and has the texture and taste of something you’d get out of a crock pot. It wasn’t even hot—just lukewarm at best—and so runny that it soaked right through the cardboard takeout box. that shouldn't be the case for two tacos.
On top of that, the atmosphere just doesn’t make up for the food anymore. It’s not worth it to sit outside and battle flies just to eat room temperature crock pot meat. You’d think at the very least they’d install air conditioning in the bathrooms or set up fans to help keep the flies away. But nothing.
They’ve also changed their ordering process—now you’re required to order two tacos instead of just one, and they don’t tell you that until after you’ve already ordered.
I genuinely used to rave about this place, but after repeated letdowns, I won’t be back. I really hate that it’s come to this, but it’s no longer the Kai Joe’s I once looked forward to.
Tamra Laughter
Wonderful food, great service been coming for years always perfect
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Burrito, Mel's Shrimp Nachos
Julie Lopez
Food is so good
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Burrito
Lauren Gustafson
Wow! We loved our food here so much. A real OKI gem. The Big Mamma steak burrito was amazing and my husband says his fish tacos were his favorite in NC! The perfect beach day lunch spot. Can’t wait to come back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Burrito
R K
UPDATED to 1 star following the owner's rude review below. In reply....I only leave negative reviews when they're deserved. My wife and I were trying your establishment for the first time tonight. We walked up to your counter and after the cashier removed her beatsbydre, we placed an order for two chicken quesadillas. One of the cooks then yelled to her "no more chicken or cheese". Little surprising a taco restaurant was out of cheese and chicken.
But thanks for the offer.
Shredded cheese found on aisle 12
Avery Kovicak
The tacos and quesadillas here are to die for! I've been here a bunch over the years and I swear their food just keeps getting better. Personally I would recommend the chicken quesadilla because I am a quesadilla girly but I've tried most of the menu and its all very delicious. It's also locally owned which is always a good thing!
Vegetarian options: Something I love about mexican resta
Parking: Small parking lot but not usually hard to find parking.
The food can be really good, but it’s also inconsistent. Today’s quesadilla had huge chunks of unshredded chicken, which was odd. The salsa tastes like Pace salsa. I would also recommend ordering online since it’s a lot faster than in person (very slow for a taco hut). I always want to love this place since it’s the only taco restaurant on the island, but wish it was more consistently good, with more options to choose from.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 3
Jack Brody
Disappointed by entire experience. Charged an announced 50% upcharge for requesting half shrimp, half chicken on a $13 burrito which was normally $13 for either chicken or shrimp, and it was going to remain just 50-50 protein. No extra shrimp on top of the chicken, so it made no sense, as I told the cashier. Finally was called to pick up my order. Just about to drive off when I thought to check, and it was some other guys order. Wasnt even busy. Was just him after me. Returned it. Picked up my burrito. Got down the road and thought, i really should check to see they actually put half shrimp in it. Nope. Not only no shrimp, but put in salsa I spevifically asked them to NOT include. So had to go back again...to get my money back. Infreakinbelievable. Don't know if it was the restaurant (well, take out shack) or just the sorrieness of the employees hired. Def won't be returning.
jan starling
Absolutely best Tacos and burritos 🌯
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Joey
Everything was fantastic. The food and service was really good they were out of some meats, but they still made it work!! The only thing I did not enjoy was the flies
Food is good when you can get it but it seems like their hours are not exactly what's posted anywhere. I dont know how many times I've gone by here during their posted hours to find that it's closed, even placed an online order during 'open' hours and it was closed when I came to pick it up.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 3
I frequent this place an awful lot
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
A unique island experience, a must treat for yourself.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
It’s an out door food truck experience. I Had the fish tacos and she had the shrimp tacos. Fish was bland and cold, but throughly cooked. Cilantro lime sauce is great. Shrimp was tasty warm and well seasoned. The slaw on each was a positive addition. The tortilla was cold. Cold flour tortillas should not legal to serve and still call it a taco, it’s a wrap at that point. Dudes, let those tortillas hit the grill for at least 30 seconds per side, two flips, get puffy, then you got something tasty. We’ll try again.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 5
Disappointed and Won’t Be Returning I used to love Kai Joe’s. I discovered it three years ago and it quickly became a must-visit spot every time I came to Oak Island (which is often, since I have family nearby). Sadly, that’s no longer the case. Over the past few visits, the quality has dropped significantly. The last two times I’ve eaten there, the food has been incredibly disappointing. The meat is watery, soggy, and has the texture and taste of something you’d get out of a crock pot. It wasn’t even hot—just lukewarm at best—and so runny that it soaked right through the cardboard takeout box. that shouldn't be the case for two tacos. On top of that, the atmosphere just doesn’t make up for the food anymore. It’s not worth it to sit outside and battle flies just to eat room temperature crock pot meat. You’d think at the very least they’d install air conditioning in the bathrooms or set up fans to help keep the flies away. But nothing. They’ve also changed their ordering process—now you’re required to order two tacos instead of just one, and they don’t tell you that until after you’ve already ordered. I genuinely used to rave about this place, but after repeated letdowns, I won’t be back. I really hate that it’s come to this, but it’s no longer the Kai Joe’s I once looked forward to.
Wonderful food, great service been coming for years always perfect
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Burrito, Mel's Shrimp Nachos
Food is so good
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Burrito
Wow! We loved our food here so much. A real OKI gem. The Big Mamma steak burrito was amazing and my husband says his fish tacos were his favorite in NC! The perfect beach day lunch spot. Can’t wait to come back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Burrito
UPDATED to 1 star following the owner's rude review below. In reply....I only leave negative reviews when they're deserved. My wife and I were trying your establishment for the first time tonight. We walked up to your counter and after the cashier removed her beatsbydre, we placed an order for two chicken quesadillas. One of the cooks then yelled to her "no more chicken or cheese". Little surprising a taco restaurant was out of cheese and chicken.
But thanks for the offer.
Shredded cheese found on aisle 12
The tacos and quesadillas here are to die for! I've been here a bunch over the years and I swear their food just keeps getting better. Personally I would recommend the chicken quesadilla because I am a quesadilla girly but I've tried most of the menu and its all very delicious. It's also locally owned which is always a good thing!
Vegetarian options: Something I love about mexican resta
Parking: Small parking lot but not usually hard to find parking.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Tater Tots, Firecracker Shrimp Nachos, Kids Chicken and Cheese Quesadilla
Restaurantji Recommends
The food can be really good, but it’s also inconsistent. Today’s quesadilla had huge chunks of unshredded chicken, which was odd. The salsa tastes like Pace salsa. I would also recommend ordering online since it’s a lot faster than in person (very slow for a taco hut). I always want to love this place since it’s the only taco restaurant on the island, but wish it was more consistently good, with more options to choose from.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 3
Disappointed by entire experience. Charged an announced 50% upcharge for requesting half shrimp, half chicken on a $13 burrito which was normally $13 for either chicken or shrimp, and it was going to remain just 50-50 protein. No extra shrimp on top of the chicken, so it made no sense, as I told the cashier. Finally was called to pick up my order. Just about to drive off when I thought to check, and it was some other guys order. Wasnt even busy. Was just him after me. Returned it. Picked up my burrito. Got down the road and thought, i really should check to see they actually put half shrimp in it. Nope. Not only no shrimp, but put in salsa I spevifically asked them to NOT include. So had to go back again...to get my money back. Infreakinbelievable. Don't know if it was the restaurant (well, take out shack) or just the sorrieness of the employees hired. Def won't be returning.
Absolutely best Tacos and burritos 🌯
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Everything was fantastic. The food and service was really good they were out of some meats, but they still made it work!! The only thing I did not enjoy was the flies
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Queso, Steak, Salsa
Cool taco place. Good food, highly recommend
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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