Hula Hut was for many years known as Chuy's Hula Hut, but Chuy's sold their interest sometime around 2011. They describe their food as "Tiki-Mex," and the location has more of a focus on general tropicalia than classic Polynesian Pop.
Two thumbs Down!! Way down!! UGHH!!
Ridiculously poor customer service/None...have to get yore own silverware, get yore own chips n salsa, get yore own water...whats the point in goin out to eat??
Never again...Once, shame on them...twice...shame on me.
Take care n god bless
I came here before the tiki bug bit me and returned to find it still a great place for day drinking. It’s more of a beach shack vibe than dark, hidden tiki bar...but I like being outside sometimes. The food is great. They have souvenir glassware and it’s on water! You can dine inside or out on the pier. I know tiki snobs won’t recommend this place but I do!
While I agree that this is not really a traditional tiki bar, I thought the food was delicious (had the Hawaiian Fajitas), and the service was excellent. I had the Kraken Moku drink, which, was certainly not the most amazing tiki drink I've had, but, tasted good after a long day and a flight.
It is a great place, very popular (all ages, families, etc.), the view is fantastic, the atmosphere was fun, the food was great, the drink was ....well...simple, but, satisfying. I had a great time, and was glad that it was on this site, because otherwise, I would probably never had known about it, and will definitely be back.
As was said before, there is a separate drink menu, which you may need to ask for (or grab from a nearby table).
Two thumbs Down!! Way down!! UGHH!!
Ridiculously poor customer service/None...have to get yore own silverware, get yore own chips n salsa, get yore own water...whats the point in goin out to eat??
Never again...Once, shame on them...twice...shame on me.
Take care n god bless
I came here before the tiki bug bit me and returned to find it still a great place for day drinking. It’s more of a beach shack vibe than dark, hidden tiki bar...but I like being outside sometimes. The food is great. They have souvenir glassware and it’s on water! You can dine inside or out on the pier. I know tiki snobs won’t recommend this place but I do!
While I agree that this is not really a traditional tiki bar, I thought the food was delicious (had the Hawaiian Fajitas), and the service was excellent. I had the Kraken Moku drink, which, was certainly not the most amazing tiki drink I've had, but, tasted good after a long day and a flight.
It is a great place, very popular (all ages, families, etc.), the view is fantastic, the atmosphere was fun, the food was great, the drink was ....well...simple, but, satisfying. I had a great time, and was glad that it was on this site, because otherwise, I would probably never had known about it, and will definitely be back.
As was said before, there is a separate drink menu, which you may need to ask for (or grab from a nearby table).
I had a really good time at the Hula Hut. The setting was much more open and bright than your typical tiki bar, but it was a neat change of pace and made for a pretty lively atmosphere. It's set alongside a river, so allows for great views along the waterfront. The food portions were great and there was a big selection to choose from.
The crowd felt like "normal" people (rather than a typical tiki bar), but - tiki bars are meant to be enjoyed by all! :)
One thing to note is there are drinks available on the regular food menu, as well as a separate (more extensive) drink menu. I ordered my drink (which I wasn't in love with) before seeing there were more cocktails to choose from!
I have no idea what the place is like today. I was there in 1997 and thought the place was great. Good food and drinks. Sitting under a thatched tiki umbrella on a dock with a cool breeze blowing in off the lake. It's sad to hear the place took a dive.
I really don't like this place at all and don't think it should be considered for this website. It's basically a Mexican restaurant with a view of the water and some tropical decor. The drinks are mostly tequila based and I don't think their rum selection gets any grander than Bacardi, Malibu and Captain Morgan. Food with a Hawaiian flare includes fajitas with a couple rings of canned pineapple on top. Avoid if you're looking for an escapist environment or tiki drinks.
Lei Low in Houston!!! These people know what they doing!!! I just thought I'd throw that out there for all the kool kats and kitten in Texas. You can always look me up for a drink at my backyard tiki lounge if you're ever in the area as well.
Hula Hut is a restaurant and bar but not a Tiki Bar. The decor is Tropicalia, and not Tiki even though there are lots of Tiki's there. Someone else said that there aren't many Tikis here, but maybe they got more since then. I love the decor, it is fabulous. Lots of Tiki decor mixed with other things that are tropical but not Tiki. The decor is reminiscent of the Mexican Caribbean with oilcloth tablecloths, palm trees, tropical flowers, grass umbrellas, thatched roofs, with nice hula girl figurines and Tikis. The deck is fabulous because it's on Lake Austin. The food is OK, but the Fried Avocado Tacos on Tuesdays, are divine. The menu has Mexican dishes, American food, and dishes with a tropical flair, like Coconut Shrimp and Mango and Cream Cheese Quesadillas. The prices are very reasonable. When I am there, I feel like I am on a tropical island, so I love the place. The bar has a few Tiki drinks on the menu but the rum is run of the mill and they don't know what Falernum is. Not a Tiki bar, but a decent restaurant and bar, with fantastic atmosphere.
Hula Hut is a restaurant and bar but not a Tiki Bar. The decor is Tropicalia, and not Tiki even though there are lots of Tiki's there. Maybe they got more since the last person reviewed this place. I love the decor, it is fabulous. Lots of Tiki decor here mixed with other things that are tropical but not Tiki. The decor is reminiscent of the Mexican Caribbean with oilcloth tablecloths, palm trees, tropical flowers, then add hula girls and Tikis. The deck is fabulous because it's on Lake Austin. The food is OK, but the Fried Avocado Tacos on Tuesdays, are divine. The menu has Mexican dishes, American food, and some dishes with a tropical flair, like Coconut Shrimp and Mango and Cream Cheese Quesadillas. The prices are very reasonable. When I am there, I feel like I am on a tropical island, so I love the place. The bar has a few Tiki drinks on the menu but the rum is run of the mill and they don't know what Falernum is. Not a Tiki bar, but a decent restaurant and bar, with fantastic atmosphere.
I agree with Rosstafari--not a tiki joint, but seriously--there really isn't much in ATX--even the rest of Texas. So you take what you can sometimes ;)
Great location on the lake, so it's worth a visit for sure.
Love this restaurant, and love Chuy's, but you could hardly call it tiki. Has a few scattered carved tikis around, and a vaguely Polynesian theme... sort of. Calls itself Polynesian-Mexican, whatever that means. Still, good food, great place to eat on the river, and a really good coffee house next door. One of my favorite places to eat in Austin.
Ridiculously poor customer service/None...have to get yore own silverware, get yore own chips n salsa, get yore own water...whats the point in goin out to eat??
Never again...Once, shame on them...twice...shame on me.
Take care n god bless