Oahu's North Shore and overrated Cholo's

Well it was great 3 day weekend but back to work we go.  Lucky for me, my job allows me to travel the island to research different aspects of real estate.  Today's job was especially good because I had to go to the North Shore for some research.  I took along two other coworkers for the ride, Samantha or JuSaMee and Shane.  It's always an adventure with these two because they appreciate my craving for different places to eat. Our stop for lunch...famous Cholo's Mexican Restaurant in old Haleiwa town.

Old Haleiwa bridge

If you've been to Hawaii before this must be a memory jogger.  It's the old Haleiwa bridge.  I think it's a historical landmark or something, you always see it in movies or on the Travel Channel.  I just think it's bridge.

Well after a few more minutes of driving we finally reach our lunch destination.

Cholos

Yup, it's Cholo's.  If you ever picked up some kind of tourist mag, your bound to see an add for Cholo's Mexican restaurant.  Myself or my coworkers have never eaten here so it was a perfect time to see what the hype was all about.

Cholos chicken enchilada and taco

Here's my chicken enchilada, beef taco with beans and rice.

Cholos beef tacos

This is what Shane ordered.  He just went for the basic 2 beef tacos with beans and rice.

Cholos shrimp tacos

Samantha's original order was sold out so she opted for the shrimp tacos with rice and beans.

Cholos water

Overall rating for this highly advertised hype....mediocre.  In fact, Cholo's was honestly one of the worst Mexican restaurants I've eaten at.  The food seemed like they were from cans, the salsa choice was limited and stingy, the portions were tiny, and the prices were high.  If you want some better Mexican food in the islands, see some of my previous blogs.  This one is just a tad above Taco Bell status and I won't be returning.  Two thumbs down for me.

On a funny note, Sam was sooooo unsatisfied that she flipped her cup of water over beofre leaving.  This is a shot of her caught in the act.  Hahahaha.  Nah, it was an accident but still funny.

BTW, if you want to see some better food than this go check out Dennis' blog A.K.A. Datinman.  I love lamb and should have gone to someplace that served it other that Cholo's.  OK that's nuff, I'm just bitter.  On to the North Shore.

These are just some random pics along the way.  Shane was bored in the back so he got some spring breakers.

Waimea

Here's shot of world famous Waiamea Bay.  They only hold surf contests here when the waves are over 25 feet Hawaiian style.  What that means is that the back of the wave is around 25 feet long from top to ocean, the front face is usually double that height.  Outsiders be wary of the wave forcasts because they are bigger than you think.  This is also near the area where a Japanese tourist was murdered earlier this year by a exterminator by the name of Lankford.  For more info on this see Xeyli's blog.

Waimea rock

This is a famous past time at Waiamea bay.  Everyone climbs to the top of this big rock and jumps down about 50 feet to the water below.  It's very exciting but very risky, yet people still do it.  Doesn't the water look gorgeous?

Mokuleia beach park2

Lastly I leave you with a secret beach, my gift to you lurkers, that only the locals know about.  It's a beach on the North Shore that's away from the crowds but has all the amenities of a park, playground, basketball court, showers, bathrooms, and it's all in a nice neighborhood.  OK ready...shhhhhh...head to Mokuleia and turn down Aweoweo Ave. and you'll see this diamond in the rough.  Don't spread it though.  The waves are usually smaller here and it's great to just get away to.

Mokuleia beach park3

Still don't believe me?  Here's a pic of the park fronting the beach.

Mokuleia beach park

How's that?  Don't mind that metal pipe, just go to the right or left of it and swim and play without the crowds.

Well, we had to go to the bathroom and just so happened we were at this beach and they had a newly built restroom.  Nice stainless toilets and sinks.  Check out the next pic of the new stainless toilet...

Public toilet

YUCK!!!!!!  Some nasty bastard left a rose bud in there for me.  Hahahaha, LMAO.  I had to hold my breath and almost gagged taking a leak.  What surpises me is how long and straight that log is.  That's the only reason I took this pic.  BTW, where the f%^ is the toilet paper?  Sorry but I left it for the next lucky fellow 'cause I aint touching that toilet.  Well, hope you had fun.