Makai Island Kitchen & Groggery - Santa Cruz

Makai Island Kitchen & Groggery Menu - Santa Cruz - Updated 9/12/2022
Menu and prices subject to change

PUPUS
Coming to you on a Tide of Aloha...

Hawaiian BBQ Pork Sliders $12
Tender pork shoulder, slow smoked in-house for twelve hours over applewood chips. Topped with Makai’s pineapple coleslaw and our original fruit-infused barbecue sauce. Served on decadent Hawaiian buns, with a side of our house-original mac salad.

Blackened Ahi Sliders $14
Ahi, the great global yellow fin tuna was a favorite of the Polynesians. They honored ahi as the giver of life, a rich source of healthy, lean protein. Makai serves it quick-seared with a blend of seasonings, topped with bean sprouts, a blend of greens and our signature wasabi aioli. Served with a side of our house-original mac salad.

Spam Musubi $9
In the tradition of Japanese omusubi, Spam Musubi is a modern adaptation of the popular Hawaiian delicacy. Makai’s pan-seared teriyaki musubi is layered with sushi rice, wrapped in fragrant, mouthwatering nori, and drizzled with our house-made dynamite aioli and sriracha sauce.

Coconut Prawns $13
Prawns dipped in batter and rolled in an aromatic blend of coconut, and panko bread crumbs. A delicious tropical treat, served with a sweet and spicy chili sauce.

Sweet Chili Wings $11
An assortment of chicken wings and drumettes served with a sweet and spicy chili sauce.

Poke Stack $14
A modern take on an old world favorite, offering bite-size morsels of soy-sesame marinated ahi tuna, avocado, and seaweed salad, served with light and crispy wonton chips.

Chicken Lettuce Wraps $14
Scrumptious pieces of roasted chicken breast, tossed with white cabbage, cashews, garlic and shallots in a delicate house-made secret sauce, and served with crispy iceberg lettuce cups.

Tofu Lettuce Wraps $12
Scrumptious pieces of seasoned tofu, tossed with white cabbage, cashews, garlic and shallots in a delicate house-made secret sauce, and served with crispy iceberg lettuce cups.

Guava-Soy Beef Skewers $15
Two marinated grilled skewers, layered with chunks of premium steak, onions, pineapple, and bell peppers. Served with rice, and topped with a house-made guava-soy marinade.

Teriyaki Prawn Skewers $17
Two marinated grilled skewers, layered with large prawns, onions, and bell peppers. Served with rice, and topped with a house-made teriyaki marinade. Gluten Free Upon Request.

Makai Surf n’ Turf Skewer Combo $16
The perfect union of our steak and prawn skewers. Two marinated grilled skewers, one with prawns, the other with steak, layered with onions, pineapple, and bell peppers. Served with rice, and our homemade guava-soy marinade.

Teriyaki Vegetable Skewers $9
Two marinated grilled skewers made with mixed vegetables. Served with rice. Gluten free upon request. Gluten Free Upon Request.

Crab Rangoon $15
Snow crab, cream cheese, spices, fried in a crispy wonton, served with a choice of sweet & sour sauce, or sweet chili sauce.

Steamed Edamame $5
Served with salt.

Pupu Platter $26
A selection of Makai’s delectable pupus, includes: 1 BBQ Pork Slider, 1 Blackened Ahi Slider, 1 Spam Musubi, 3 Coconut Prawns and Seismic Fries.

SOUPS

Aloha Corn Clam Chowder $6
Sweet yellow corn, clams, bacon, cream, shallots, celery, red onion, potatoes and spices simmered to perfection. Bowl also available for $9

SALADS

Seared Ahi Salad $18
Seared blackened ahi with mixed greens, sesame-candied cashews, avocado, pickled red onion, toasted coconut, served with light and crispy wonton chips and tossed with a miso-vinaigrette. Vegetarian and gluten free upon request.

Caesar Salad $12
A traditional Caesar salad.
With Chicken $17. With Prawns or Steak $19. Gluten free upon request.

Papaya Salad $14
Mixed greens, pomegranate seeds, lychees, candied macadamia nuts, goat cheese and, fresh papaya, tossed in a house-made balsamic vinaigrette. Vegan upon request.

ENTREES

Kalbi Ribs $19
Incredibly flavorful, a perfect combination of sweet and salty, Korean Kalbi ribs are made with special-cut beef short ribs marinated in teriyaki and served with our house-original mac salad and steamed rice.

Hawaiin Mochiko Fried Chicken $17
Tender chicken thigh marinated in a gojuchang and mochiko rice flour marinade, and fried to crispy perfection. Served over rice with a tangy gojuchang aioli and sweet miso sauce.

Guava-Soy Bistro Steak $17
Tender as a lover’s touch, sweet and satisfying, Makai’s flank steak is basted with a house-made guava-soy marinade, and grilled to perfection. Served with rice and your choice of vegetable.

Tamarind Pua’au $16
Makai's version of the traditional Kalua Pork, or Lu‘au pua’au, featuring savory and tender pork shoulder, house-smoked over Applewood chips, shredded, served with our tamarind sauce and drizzled with our homemade dynamite aioli. Served with steamed rice and our house-original mac salad.

Poke Bowl $18
Fresh, and flavorful, Makai’s succulent poke bowl is a mix of soy-sesame marinated ahi tuna, edamame, cucumbers, seaweed salad, avocado, and lychees, served over rice and topped with our house-made sriracha aioli and crushed macadamia nuts.

Makai Burger $15
We start with a half pound of high-grade specially-sourced beef, add the best cheddar available, with kewpie mayonnaise (smoother, creamier, made with egg yolk only), surrounded by a sweet brioche bun, embellished with pineapple-jalapeno chutney. Served with French Fries. We’re happy to swap the bun for lettuce if you wish!

Makai Beyond Burger $16
Quarter pound vegan Beyond Meats patty, add the best cheddar available, with kewpie mayonnaise (smoother, creamier, made with egg yolk only), surrounded by a sweet brioche bun, embellished with pineapple-jalapeno chutney. Served with French Fries. We’re happy to swap the bun for lettuce if you wish!

Makai Pad Thai $15
Long rice noodles sautéed with large grilled prawns, cashews, red bell pepper, bean sprouts, carrots, cabbage, and fried egg, tossed in a delectable Thai sauce.

Pineapple Beurre Blanc Salmon or Mahi Mahi $19
Grilled Salmon or Mahi Mahi served with a velvety, sweet & tangy pineapple beurre blanc sauce, original housemade mashed potatoes, and fresh sautéed vegetables. Gluten free upon request.

Loco Moco $15
Hearty hamburger topped with fried egg and smothered with rich mushroom gravy on a bed or white rice. Hawaiian comfort food at its very best! Gluten Free Upon Request.

Pineapple Spam Fried Rice $12
Savory fried rice.
With Chicken $17.
With Prawns $18.

SIDES

Makai Mac Salad $3

Seismic Fries $5

Steamed Rice $2

Sauteed Bok Choy $5
Gluten Free Upon Request.

Sauteed Mixed Vegetables $5
Gluten Free Upon Request.

Garden Salad $5
Gluten free upon request.

Pineapple Coleslaw $3

DESSERT

Banana Pudding $8
Sweet and gooey, impossible to resist, enjoy velvety banana coconut cream pudding, a buttery vanilla wafer crust and perfectly ripened fresh chopped bananas.

Passion Fruit Strawberry Brûlée $8
Ask your sever for the special flavors of the day!

Berry Mango Pineapple Cobbler $8
Served with two scoops of vanilla ice cream.

Kilauea "Erupting" Molten Chocolate Cake $9
With Hot Raspberry Lava!

Coconut Gelato $5

Mango Sorbet $5

Vanilla Ice Cream $5