Kalapaki Joe’s is definitely the sports bar of the Poipu area on Kauai. With more than 20 flatscreen TVs mounted all over the restaurant, die-hard sports fanatics flock to this joint for front-row seats to UFC fights, the Pro Bowl or other extreme sports.
We surfed in the area and decided to stop by for a quick bite to eat. After some of the fancier spots (hotels, restaurants, etc.) we had been to while vacationing on Kauai, Kalapaki’s laid-back vibe was a welcomed treat. We sat at a raised table by the window and enjoyed the sunset; not in a romantic way, though, since the sunset and chirping birds had been drowned out by ESPN commentators and several bouts of cheers. LOL.
We got a couple of appetizers before our burgers and salads. The food is like the typical American bar food, so nothing out of the ordinary but definitely tasty. My boyfriend took advantage of the happy hour (3 to 6 p.m.), which offers $2 domestic drafts, $4 import drafts, $2 off large drinks and $2 appetizers. Apparently, most happy hours in Poipu end at 5 p.m., so that’s why it gets pretty crowded here.
This is definitely not a gourmet restaurant, so don’t go here expecting it to be. Everything about it screams sports bar – from the buzzing old guys watching the fights to the Budweiser posters on the walls. Overall, a good place if you’re looking for a quick bite to eat at an affordable price.
KALAPAKI JOE’S
• 1941 Poipu Rd., Poipu, HI 96756 • 808-742-6366 • www.kalapakijoes.com
