MAUI - Seven days have passed since the first installment of the Tripulu Fish Taco showdown and, we’re back to bring you the final four contestants in this heated culinary competition. Last week’s entries all brought their best to the table but in the end it was the crew at Jawz Island Style Grill taking the top spot followed closely by Eskimo Candy fish market and café. This week’s entries all hail from the west side of the island of Maui and each has its own unique flavor and appeal making this a very close competition to say the least. So, without further ado, here are the final four contestants in the first ever Tripulu Fish Taco Showdown.

Hard Rock Café – In fourth place this week is Hard Rock Café’s fresh ono tacos. Known more for their clothing line than their quality food, Hard Rock’s fish tacos were surprisingly fresh and flavorful but fell a bit short when compared to some of the true heavy hitters in this competition. Though the fish tacos at the Hard Rock are made from fresh caught ono or mahi, the portion size was a bit on the small side and the price (even for the two taco plate) was the highest of any restaurant at sixteen dollars. Hard Rock’s taco’s come standard with cabbage, jack and cheddar cheese, pico de gallo, fresh lime, and a guacamole ranch sauce served up in flour tortillas with a side of red beans. I opted for a side of fresh avocado as well but, for the price, I would advise against this upgrade. Hard Rock’s tacos have the potential to be truly great but, as is the case with so many corporate eateries, the bottom line has taken precedence over a top notch product.

Honokowai Fish Market – Taking the bronze medal this week is the Honokowai Fish Market. Like Eskimo Candy, the fish market in Honokowai is part fresh seafood counter and part neighborhood eatery. The fish market offers grilled or blackened mahi tacos served up with lettuce, tomato, fresh lime, and red onion all on a corn tortilla. The tacos come three to an order and are accompanied by a side of guacamole and pico de gallo both of which are made fresh daily in house. The Fish Market has a very “local” feel and serves up some of the best Poke and fish sandwiches on the island but in the fish taco category it comes up a bit short. The mahi filets were a bit over seasoned and a bit over cooked and, in a competition as close as this, a bit is all it takes to keep you from the top spot. Though I would recommend a trip to the Honokowai Fish Market to anyone in search of some great seafood, you may be better off choosing something other than the fish tacos.

Lelani’s – Sitting in a very close second spot are the fish tacos from Leilani’s on the beach. Leilani’s is located in the upscale Whaler’s Village shopping plaza on Kaanapali beach and scores big points for their location and service as well as for their dynamite fish tacos. Though it’s a beachfront bar and restaurant that is primarily geared toward the out-of-towner crowd, any local in the know will tell you if you are in search of a truly great fish taco, Leilani’s has just what you’re looking for. Leilani’s starts with fresh Cajun spiced ono filets in a flour tortilla then adds cabbage, jack and cheddar cheese, pico de gallo, and a spicy sour cream sauce to top it all off. The ono filets in Leilani’s fish tacos are fresh and ample to say the least but if you happen to stop in for the happy hour taco Tuesday special, they instantly become one of the best meal deals on Maui. Couple this with a friendly wait staff (our server Holly was great despite the packed house) and a million dollar view and Leilani’s in Kaanapali is a must for anyone in search of a fantastic fish taco.

Now, before I announce the overall winner of this competition I would like to say that all of the entries in this competition brought world class fish tacos to the table. The quality of ingredients, flavor, and overall dining experience was so great across the board that it made choosing a winner nearly impossible. But, this is a competition and by definition there must be a winner so here are the overall top three tacos in the Tripulu Fish Taco Showdown:

Number 3: Leilani’s - Whalers Village Number 2: Jawz Island Grill – Kihei Number 1: Cool Cat Café – Lahaina

Cool Cat Café – Grabbing the top spot in the first Tripulu Fish Taco Showdown is Cool Cat Café located on Front Street in Lahaina. Cool Cat Café (known for having the best burgers on Maui) has secured the number one position in this competition by serving up absolutely flawless fish tacos in a friendly, fifties themed diner atmosphere that is unlike any other on Maui. C.C.C. starts with fresh fish brought in daily by local fisherman from the warf located directly across the street. The fresh fish filets are then seasoned with Cajun spices and topped with cabbage, sharp cheddar, and a spicy aioli that is borderline addictive. Each order comes with a side a freshly made pico de gallo and a slice a fresh pineapple which complements the taco’s spicy kick perfectly. Every ingredient, no matter how minor, is a fresh as can be and works in perfect harmony together. The staff at Cool Cat’s is friendly (as well as being heavily tattooed) and just as inviting as the retro fifties décor or the open air dining room. Owner Sean made mention of their fish taco superiority during a chat for a previous Tripulu article and, I can now say with some certainty that Sean was right, the best fish tacos in Maui can be found at Cool Cat Café in Lahaina.

In closing I would like to say thank you to all the restaurants who participated in this challenge. All of the entries were fresh and delicious and so closely matched that it made picking a winner nearly impossible. Each entry brought its own unique flare and flavor to the simple fish taco and, though some establishments were ranked higher than others, all are worthy of patronage. So, for those of you in search of the best fish tacos money can buy there is really only one word you need to know: Maui.