Maecee’s Pastele Shack

When I was pregnant and living in the states, this is what I craved. Not this truck in particular, but pastele in general. I used to think that Miki’s was the only place to get a good pastele from consistently. I saw the sign for this place while driving to Wal Mart and was intrigued but didn’t have the time. A few weekend later, my aunt brought some home. It was awesome.
Now, I know that a traditional pastele only has one olive in it from what I’ve been told. But I have always had them with several olives in it (and I like it like that), so I guess this is the local Hawaiian style pastes…
So for me, the taste was definitely on the money. It was pretty greasy in that when you unwrap it the oils go everywhere, but for a taste like that it can easily be overlooked. They have a regular version and a spicy hot version. We tried both. I like a little spice in my food, but this was just a little too much for me. I felt like the spiciness took away from the real taste of the plantains and other spices in the mix. So I definitely recommend the regular over the spicy unless you are a super hard core spicy lover then go for it.
We ended up catching them again one weekend and ordered a whole bunch for our family. They had something like pastele soup which I was thinking about getting, but decided against as I already was ordering so much. I think I want to try that next time though. For the size and quality of their food, I think it was a good price, in fact, dare I say an amazing deal?
The only thing that I don’t like about this place is that I never know when they are going to be there. So it’s a bit cumbersome to drive out there for it and they aren’t there. But I love their pasteles so much I am going to give them 5 stars anyways.
I will most definitely come here again whenever I see them set up in the park’s parking lot.

My fiancé, my mom, and I didn’t care for the pastele stew. There was a bunch of oil sitting at the top, the potatoes seemed too raw in the middle, and the taste wasn’t appealing to any of us.
The Spanish rice was better, and we ended up eating just that.
We bought some pasteles, but we didn’t get a chance to eat them, so I can’t comment on that yet. I heard good things about them, so my hopes are a little high.
Anyways, best thing is that the woman I dealt with was super nice, and answered all my questions and helped me, all while staying pleasant. Lol.
Ps. Will definitely update once I eat those pasteles.

I found Maecee’s truck not in kailua, but in pearl city, parked at the park on Kuala road off from Waimanalo home road, and decide to try it:
2 mild pasteles with Spanish rice — 5 stars — after trying pasteles from other trucks, and not caring for it, i decided to try it again, and for $ 12, I ate the best tasting pastele I’ve tried so far with lots of flavor and ingredients mixed in it. It was still steaming hot after taking it home. It came with a container full of Spanish rice with a combination of ingredients (beans, olives. etc) mixed in to make it a satisfying and delicious meal.
The food truck lady was very friendly and nice. I’d definitely be back for more.

I’ve only had Pasteles a few times in my life and only pasteles made by my husband’s late aunt, Aunty Dolores. Aunty Dolores’ pasteles were the moistest and tastiest! Needless to say, when she passed away — I didn’t think I’d ever taste another pastele as good as hers.
I kept hearing about how good Maecee’s pasteles were and wanted to try. I finally got a chance to try her pastele and OMG — they are WONDERFUL! Moist, tasty and oh so ono!!! I will definitely return again… And again and again!
Now to find a exercise class that I can commit to, so that I can keep coming back for more!

Nice size pastele! Ono Spanish rice! Tasty pastele stew bowl — everything is made from the heart and is full of flavor. You can find them in God’s Country (Kaneohe & Kailua) and Pearl City before Wal-​Mart. Your belly will not be disappointed

Well read all these reviews. So I took their advice an went down to the pastele shack. Bought 6 spicy ones got 2 rice an 2 stews. Well I have to say they were huge, the rice was awesome an the stew was fantastic. People you need to stop by, an visit these lovely ladies.

Maecees Pastele Shack easily gets a 5-​star rating! Pasteles are so moist and delicious, Im addicted. I always buy extra to have in my freezer to hold me over until I get a chance to visit them again. Sometimes, however, they dont make it to the freezer because we end up eating them all too quickly! My favorite is the spicy, but the mild is ono too! Visit them at one of their convenient locations soon! Youll become addicted!

Okay. So, I can’t say that I’m venturesome in palatine sense in any way. Although, I must say, as I’ve gotten older, my taste buds seem to be much more curious to other foods beyond those of which they have been familiarized through childhood exposure. Alas, I have been introduced to Puerto Rican food just within the past couple of years. Sampling first via home cooks, I was introduced to pasteles and gandule rice.
Well, fast forward to somewhat present time, my coworker friend told me about Maecee’s! I immediately thought, «It can’t be THAT good.» Boy! Was I mistaken! Don’t get me wrong. The others I’ve tried were extremely good, but Maecee’s is just… wow! I crave it and then get angry when I keep thinking about it… because I want to eat it so badly. It’s really THAT good.
The pasteles come in mild or hot for $ 3.50 each. The pastele is a traditional dish. The filling (the masa) is blended so well and savory with tasty pieces of pork mixed in and is wrapped in banana leaves, locking in all the flavors while it cooks. The pasteles are moist and flavorful. I always get mild, because I’m not a spicy kind of gal.
The Spanish rice? Good grief! It’s so full of flavor with soft white rice and yummy pork, and the freshness from the veggies really just gives it such a rich, mature taste… but doesn’t weigh you down. $ 5 for a pound of this goodness.
Now, their pastele stew bowl. Wow! Just… WOW! It’s like their delicious gandule rice and pasteles meet the world’s best beef stew and BOOM! Maecee’s pastele stew bowl. Their bowl comes with white rice with their pastele stew packed on it. Let me tell you: for $ 10, they’re NOT the least bit stingy with this bowl. It’s a lot! I love how meaty it is, but then you get a bite of the fresh cilantro (I think that’s what it is) and it just takes the flavors to another dimension. It really is just a well rounded dish.
I’ve never gone to their food truck, which is usually parked on Kapaa Quarry Road. So how have I been able to feast on their winning dishes? They deliver! Yes! They deliver to you if you order $ 40 or more! A bunch of us teachers at the school I teach at put our orders together for the next day or whatever, my friend texts Maecee’s, they confirm, and we get our food delivered to us at our school! Can’t go wrong!
When you’re going out to Kailua, check them out. If not, get a couple of friends together, plan on what you guys want to order, and just text/​call them, and yes! They’ll deliver to you guys!
A must try! Go get some! You won’t regret it!

Try da Pastele Stew! Must stop on the Windward side! Pastele is fat and add the Spanish rice and you are set for a family meal!

Stopped at every location to get our fix! Pear City heading to our west side family or just heading to the beach you can even get it to eat right there… Trust me you will so Ono good! No matter hot or mild!!! The tubs of Rice… Yummmmerz!!!
Ok the stew is broke the mouth!!! seriously… you going like take the cook home with you!
Besides all the Ono grinds!!! Nothin’ beats the ALOHA and the ‘Ohana style service you get!!! Always service with a smile … They talk stories with you and if you on regular they start for remember your name and order! How’s that one…
Kaneohe Kailua Pearl City and now they deliver! I have taken advantage of all! I Don’t usually write reviews with 5 Stars only if they are truly worth it!!!

Best Pasteles I have ever had. Huge and one is enough to be a full meal. Great proportion of olives, meat, green banana. My favorite is the spicy but mild is good too. The Spanish rice is out of this world. Several locations in Winward side. I believe if you have over $ 40 order they will deliver. I also LOVE the Pastele stew bowl it’s so big it can be 2 meals. If you don’t try it you don’t know what you are missing!

Hi,
I just saw this business on Unilocal.I have eaten here a couple time as it is right down the road. I have to say that i can easily give them the highest rating. Super cheap for the amount you get and bar none the best pasteles I have ever had.
Aloha
Eric

My favorite is the HOT Pastele! Don’t forget their Spanish rice!

I have been to Hawaii four times and every time I look forward to the best pastele’s on earth! Me and my family LOVE them! If you ever have an opportunity it is a MUST meal!!!

Every time I have work in Kailua I must stop and buy pastelle, rice and/​or pastelle stew. Best I have tried on the island.

I have been a customer for over 20years. Have been going to the Pearl City, Kapaa Quarry and Kaneohe locations. Shipped to my friends on the mainland and they love it.
Recently they added Pastele Stew and OMG I died and went to heaven. You must stop by and check them out! Prices are great too and this is no easy task ask I used to make them before., authentic Pasteles! Loaded with goodies.