When you simply cannot decide between sweet and savory delights, satisfy both cravings with a visit to Tobi’s Shave Ice & Poke in Paia. Their eclectic mix of Hawaiian favorites lets you savor all the best flavors before continuing on your North Shore adventures. With its Puka board out front, their cute storefront on Hana Highway is well worth the trip all on its own, as is their service that’s always absolutely bursting with aloha.
At this restaurant, every day starts with the hunt for the freshest seafood by the owner’s beloved husband. They put just as much care into sourcing all their other ingredients, too, so they can always serve up the best of the best. Using those items, they handcraft every menu item right when it’s ordered. So, you can always count on fresh, bold flavors in every bite – and a bit of a wait before getting to enjoy your selections.
As the kitchen staff masterfully whip up each menu item, you can take a few souvenir photos with the Puka board. After that, stand downwind of the mister to cool off or try to snag a table. Their seating is rather limited, however, so it might prove difficult to grab a spot. Fortunately, you’re close to several excellent beaches, so you can take your items over to the coast to enjoy your meal with a view.
Expect every last item to come out of the kitchen looking just as good as its tastes. Their plating presentations leave nothing to be desired, while their flavors will have you planning your return trip in an instant. Their portions are generous, too, so you’re sure to walk away feeling stuffed to the gills. Since their savory dishes come in takeout containers, they’re easy to pop in your hotel fridge for later. The same doesn’t go for their shave ice, so make sure to leave enough room to finish your sweet treat.
Definitely try their:
Shave Ice
For a quintessential dessert all your own making, go with the Shave Ice, for sure. Available in small and large sizes, this treat begins with mochi balls or vanilla ice cream on the bottom if you wish. Over that, they put their soft shave ice and up to three syrup flavors of your choice. Then, you can add li hing mui powder or snow cap over the top.
Poke Salad
When you want to enjoy fresh fish at its finest, get the Poke Salad. You’ll need to select your poke flavor of choice from their seven options, including Ceviche with coconut, lime, and chili flakes. After that, they’ll put your poke over fresh greens and add two scoops of rice on the side. Want mac salad instead? Just let them know.
Shoyu Chicken Plate
The Shoyu Chicken Plate always gets rave reviews, and for good reason. This dish starts well before you arrive as the bone-in chicken thighs cook low and slow until rich and tender. When you order, they put two thighs on the plate with two scoops of rice covered in furikake. A green salad dressed in Miso-Mayo and wonton chips gets added to the plate as well right before serving.
Since many people find the shave ice plenty refreshing on its own, there’s only a small variety of drinks on hand, including bottled water and soda. For the best flavor experience, you can get a can of Aloha Maid Juice instead. Available in Island Style Orange, Pineapple Orange, and Strawberry Guava flavors, this juice packs a powerful punch of flavor in every sip. They serve it up ice cold and ready to enjoy, too, so treat yourself with this awesome drink whenever you want to quench your thirst.
Insider Tips:
-Although streetside parking is the norm along this strip of the Hana Highway, the shop has its own private parking lot in the back. So, check back there for a spot before traveling up and down the road looking for a place to park.
-Want poke for later? Buy it by the half or full pound.