The Alley Restaurant

After hearing so much about their Tasty Chicken, I finally went to The Alley Restaurant at Aiea Bowl to see for myself just how tasty it is.

Everyone who told me I should try the Tasty Chicken did not steer me wrong--the chicken is super good! It tasted like it had a garlic-type sauce that reminded me of another restaurant's famous garlic chicken, but the Tasty Chicken was a bit spicier. Overall the Tasty Chicken was one of the best chicken dishes I've had anywhere in a long time.

DH ordered the Pulehu Steak and Onions and he really enjoyed his lunch too.

Although the food was really, really good, the service was not so good.

We arrived just before 11am, and it wasn't crowded. After we sat down at a table, the server brought us the menus. I already knew I was going to get the Tasty Chicken, and while DH perused the menu, one of the servers brought us water. In just a few minutes DH decided what he wanted to order, so we waited for the server to come back to take our order.

And waited.

And waited.

And waited.

There were two servers in back of us prepping some supplies on a table, and I thought for sure one would come and take our order since we looked ready, with menus closed, and several minutes had passed.

But nope. No one came.

Since it was our first time at The Alley, and the servers weren't taking our orders, I thought maybe we had to go up to the counter to place our order. So I asked the servers behind us if we were supposed to go to the counter, and they said "Oh, no." Then one of them came to take our orders after apologizing.

Unfortunately, even after we got our food it was a constant lack of service. Usually when we dine out, the servers notice when water needs to be refilled or that we're done eating and would like our check or a box for leftovers without having to ask.

But not at The Alley.

And it wasn't happening only to us.

I constantly heard other customers tell the servers how a drink wasn't received, or that an order was wrong, or they were done with their meal and wanted to get dessert or their check.

And it's not like The Alley was short-staffed.

It's unfortunate that the service was lacking, since the food is so good.

I would definitely take-out or cater from The Alley in the future, but until the service improves, I won't be dining in.