06/28/09

Great all around

by LoneStrGal

We went there for my 50th birthday on a Saturday at 1:00 p.m. It was already crowded and we probably had about an hour wait; which is the norm from what I had read on other reviews. We had a party of 20 and they crammed us all together to where we were bumping elbows but we made it work by spreading out around the ends of the tables so it wasn't too bad. The waitress was EXTREMELY nice. I believe her name was Anna (she was pregnant). She was awesome and very friendly. The food...I had their chicken chile relleno and OMG it was delicious!! My daughter had the tubular steak taco which was good as well. The atmosphere was great. Very relaxed. It's well worth the wait once you get seated.

• Pros: Great food; great atmosphere
• Cons: The wait, but well worth it

05/05/09

Deceptive Wait Times

by CSMobileUser

Been to Hula Hut 4 times now and each visit has been more dissapointing than the last. First and second time were decent enough with service being lackluster on the second visit. Service and wait illusion were less acceptable on my third visit. Upon my final visit, tonight, wait was quoted as 15 to 25 minutes and after 35 we asked where we were on the list. Were told we were next on the list so we sat by the front counter. While there we watched two other identical parties seat indoor (our request based on shorter wait times) during the next 15 minutes. There were also four adequate tables within easy view open during most of the 15 minutes we spent sitting at the counter. Also witnessed a member of a party of four come to the counter who said they'd been waiting for 90 minutes (I don't doubt this as they were sitting near us at the bar). While the food is good for the price, the atmosphere is fun and the location can't be beat the deceptive wait time ruins it for me. If you've got two or three hours at your disposal for dinner then Hila Hut is great!

05/02/09

ONE WAITRESS CAN RUIN IT

by heathercade

My family has moved to Austin - I live in Dallas. We try to go to Hula Hut when I visit.

I was recently there & we really didn't have a problem w/ the wait because we felt that it was worth it. We sat at the outside bar for awhile, no one came to the table so my friend ordered at the bar, but remained at the table.

A waitress named Lauren - just came over & glared at us when she saw that we had ordered at the bar & not from her. The irony is, it is the customers, that should be mad. We just found it funny that she walked to every table but ours to ask if they needed anything. When we got the table- I did tell her THANKS FOR THE SERVICE.

The waiter at the table was much better, but we were already irritated by that point. I hope she is not still working there when I get back to Austin.

• Pros: Austin Landmark
• Cons: Long wait,, rude waitress named Lauren

02/09/09

Great Way to Spend an Evening on the Lake.

by dizfactor

This is truly one of my top 5 restaurants in any city I have been in. The food is spectacular, the location is awesome, the drinks are fantastic and the atmosphere is fun. Plus its a good place to buy a "Keep Austin Weird" t-shirt. You really can't go wrong with the food here, every dish I have had is good. If you are a fajita person, then you can't go wrong here, and they have several different kinds that are unique. The drinks are excellent, and I would recommend the Texas Martini. Where this restaurant shines though is its deck that extends over Lake Austin. Its great for lunch when you can see the full lake, but its even better at night when you can watch the sun go down, and see the lights across the lake at night. It makes for an ideal setting for a meal. The deck is heated so it is good year round and you don't have to worry about getting cold while you are on it. Parking is a little tricky, but there is a large lot up the hill and across the street. There is a little shuttle that is available for those that fear they can't take the hill. If you are visiting Austin then you would be best served adding this restaurant to your list of stops.

• Pros: Great Food, Location, and Drinks
• Cons: Parking

11/02/08

perfect sunset

by perfectfitwhit

This was the first place I ate at when I moved to Austin and I keep going back for more! The scenery is beautiful and the service is great. I'm never disappointed with the food- the Shiner fajitas are excellent! I'm also very picky about my salsa but I have no complaints there. Even if you're just looking for a place to have a few drinks, it's great to just go sit on the dock, have a beer, eat some of the free chips and salsa and relax.

• Pros: scenery, great food, good service
• Cons: usually long wait for table at dinnertime

07/23/08

Best family friendly place? Are you kidding me?

by ohyeahlach

This place is like the Oasis, you go for the view and the atmosphere but the food. We had the appetizer platter and not one thing was good. We're shocked that chuy's owns this place! The queso was like water it was so runny.. service mediocre at best.

Not sure why this place was voted best family friendly place. There were overserved patrons everywhere (duh it''s on the lake). Didn't seem clean either so I'm dumbfounded on how it ended up voted high for families. The view is pretty though so I can see some of it's appeal. Next time I will go for drinks only.

• Pros: On the lake w/ a nice view, valet parking
• Cons: Food!

07/08/08

Great experience

by tweeter44lb

I think jnbruns just got cut when he tried to get in a frat and now he's angry with the world. But Hula Hut is a great location with food I'd rate 7.5 out of 10. It's good, a little pricey but it's a good experience and fun to go with a group.

• Pros: Fun experience with family co workers or friends
• Cons: A little over priced

02/18/08

Worst Dining Experience of my Life

by jnbruns

Bomb this location. The food was terrible, and it was so loud from all the little frat-boy-rich-kids yelling at each other, I couldn't hear myself chew. I hardly ever got a refill, and it took 45 minutes to get a seat. This is where Austin's Bourgeoisie go to feel quaint amongst the commons; euthanize yourself before eating here.

• Pros: It's a lakeside location, so it's easier to drown yourself.
• Cons: You want to drown yourself.

The outdoor bar over Lake Austin is the place to be at this popular beach-themed restaurant.

by Joshua Hinsdale

In Short
Inside, surfboards, mounted fish and Hawaiian and Mexican tchotchkes adorn the walls. The outdoor bar, built over Lake Austin in a large, 360-degree, thatched-roofed hut is a hot spot for sipping margaritas. Patios are shaded, but tanning is also a pastime. After a day at the lake, groups of friends sample coconut shrimp and tubular tacos, or fusion favorites like mango and poblano chili quesadillas or grilled salmon tacos.

07/18/07

Only worthwhile if you can sit outside

by majavita

I used to love Hula Hut. Now I have a toddler and I absolutely hate having to wait a minimum of 1 hour (off-peak) for a table and then sitting my little one in their High Chairs. These chairs are disgusting. I once asked staff to please clean it off for me. He simply passed the stinky towel he had on hand and left a bunch of rice in the creases of the chair. Terrible! I always have to scrub them off with disinfecting wipes and they end up black! So, for me it is only worthwhile if we can sit outside, it is a lovely day and we are not starving. Foodwise, I recommend the Puau Platter. Wonderful Tres Leches dessert.

• Pros: Lake View, Happy Crowd, Yummy Platters
• Cons: Filthy, Long Wait