Charley’s Thai Cuisine in Queen’s MarketPlace in Waikoloa Village is an authentic way to experience the flavors of Thailand. From curries to noodles to combination dinners, the food smells as delicious as it tastes. This casual restaurant may not have every amenity you can think of, but the service is efficient and the prices are affordable.
For all the other places where you can eat on the island (particularly those where items can cost three times higher than Charley’s), the value for the quality of the dishes is often what diners are most impressed with. The restaurant is clean, the staff is friendly, and the spices are calibrated to your palate.
Dine-In or Take-Out
Those who spend time in the restaurant are impressed by the colorful decorations and the smiles on the waitstaff. However, it’s also a nice spot for quick takeaway meals, which can be a relief for families or individuals who just want something easy at the end of a long day. Satisfying and near most of the major resorts, it’s often a go-to for people who are staying for more than a week.
The lunch specials are a major draw, as are the stir fries, appetizers, and soups. Desserts like caramel ginger ice cream and deep-fried bananas are as unique as they are delectable. Even the beverages, which include Thai iced tea and lemongrass iced tea, turn out to be the perfect complement to the fragrant peppers and spices in the meals.
When you’re at Queen’s MarketPlace and in the mood for Thai food, we recommend the following:
Me Krob
The crispy egg noodles in this dish make all the difference — the textural contrast between the stir-fried veggies and the crunchy starch is delectable. Add pork, tofu, shrimp, beef, mahi mahi, mussels, or chicken to round out your meal.
Pineapple Fried Rice
When you’re in Hawaii, you might as well celebrate one of its more famous fruits. This dish combines the heavenly scent of Jasmine with the sweet scent of pineapple. Try it with meat or seafood and breathe deep before every bite.
Sizzling Teriyaki Beef
This one is a fun dish to order when you’re in the restaurant, but just be careful not to touch the platter when it comes out! When your meal is shaking, it’s as fun to watch as it is to eat. The onions, mushrooms, beef and teriyaki sauce make for a savory combination.
Garlic Shrimp
Cooked in a curry coconut sauce, this dish is delicately spiced in a sauté pan and complemented with an array of fresh tomatoes and cucumbers. Add either Jasmine or sticky rice to it and feel free to save a little for a unique breakfast in the morning.
Mango Sticky Rice
Not everyone considers rice to be a dessert ingredient, but you might be surprised at just how well it can complement the tart and tang of the mango. While mangos can sometimes be associated with a more sour flavor, this menu item is anything but. (That being said, it’s also not overtly sweet either.)
Charley’s Thai Cuisine has managed to establish a loyal following due to its emphasis on quality and efficiency. When people are at a loss of where to eat — particularly if they don’t want to make a fuss — this is hands-down one of the more casual places if you’re in the mood for some Thai. Whether you’re in the mood for spring rolls or traditional pad Thai, you won’t be disappointed.
Insider Tips:
-Most patrons agree that the lunch specials offer the best value.
-Located in a shopping plaza, there’s plenty of parking and it’s near many of the most popular resorts in the area.