Aloha Kitchen

This fast-casual Mesa lunch spot checks a lot of "classic hidden gem" boxes: strip mall location, beachy walls and window murals, several decades in business, super flavorful fare. Aloha Kitchen is, in fact, such a classic hidden gem that it is no longer hidden. It's been on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives and has a line out the door almost daily. Fame hasn't gone to the heads of Aloha Kitchen's friendly owners, though. The reasonably priced Hawaiian-style eatery (they throw in a little Chinese, Japanese, and Korean, too) still serves generous, hard-to-resist island food via simple counter service. We've often raved about the fried saimin (island-style noodles in a shrimp soup base). But don't sleep on the mixed plates, particularly the teriyaki chicken — black-edged, charbroiled boneless chicken marinated in special island teriyaki sauce, served with steamed rice and your choice of macaroni-potato salad or a small side salad. Have mercy. New Normal: Seating is limited inside, but we hear the takeout counter is busy but speedy with to-go orders.