Hawai'i's Best Restaurants

	2006 'ILIMA AWARD WINNER - BEST CASUAL RESTAURANT: CRITICS' CHOICE
	Every year, Advertiser readers are asked to vote for their favorite restaurants in the 'Ilima Awards poll. Meanwhile, our in-house food experts debate to select the critics' choice 'Ilimas, primarily focused on restaurants recently reviewed or revisited. With a few exceptions, categories change each year to keep readers interested and keep the winner list fresh.

BEST CASUAL RESTAURANT: CRITICS' CHOICE
Wahoo's Fish Taco

The first Island outlet of a California-based chain, Wahoo's was a natural to catch on with its skate and surf shop setting, hefty portions, Cal-Mex, Brazilian and Asian flavors. The tacos (crisp or soft) and burritos come with a variety of fillings — shrimp, steak, carne asada, black beans and rice and so on. If your appetite's small, munch some hot, crunchy taquitos. Or choose a rice bowl if you're not in a taco mood. The local franchisers — siblings Stephanie, Mike and Noel Pietsch — have plans to open up to 10 more Wahoo's, joining a family of some 40 locations nationwide.

Ward Gateway Center, 940 Auahi St. 591-1646. 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday-Saturdays. VS, MC, AX, DS. No checks. $.

Web site: www.wahooshawaii.com

Legend:

VS: Visa
MC: Mastercard
AX: American Express
DC: Diners Club
DS: Discover Card
JCB: JCB Card
Olioli: Olioli Card

$$$: Pricey; entrées mostly more than $17
$$: Moderate; entrées $10-$16
$: Budget-friendly; entrées mostly less than $10

Checks: Local checks and travelers’ checks only

Past 'Ilima Award winner

"Cheap eats" restaurant

"Local classic" eatery