Tropical Taco at a Glance
 It
all began with a green panel van more than 20 years ago
on Kauai’s north shore. In that van, Roger Kennedy
prepared fresh tacos, Fat Jacks, burritos, and
lemonades. Legend has it that, during the 1992
hurricane, Roger tied his van to a tree to keep his
investment from being flown away by strong wind. Another
version says Roger hid inside his van, deeming it was
safer there than inside his house!
After enduring Kauai’s heat for more than 20 years in
his little van, Roger Kennedy finally left his Taco
Wagon. He now serves tacos from a restaurant located
inside the Halelea Building in Hanalei. Other than
dining tables where patrons can now sit comfortably and
wooden floors, there’s also a porch/lanai where you can
hang out and watch the street scene below. In order to
preserve the wagon origins of Roger’s Mexican-themed
restaurant, some creative friends had a silhouette of
the old green van mounted on the wall between the
kitchen and the dining room. The taco wagon is now just
parked on the road, a sweet reminder of all its
beginnings.
Tropical Taco serves a wide assortment of tacos and
burritos. You can have your tacos deep fried or just
warm. Try their Fat Jack, which is a combination of
meat, cheese, and beans topped with tomatoes, lettuce,
sour cream, cheese wrapped in ten inches of flour
tortilla. Vegetarians can choose veggie Burritos or Taro
Taco, Tropical Taco’s latest addition. The taros used in
the taco are freshly gathered from Roger’s garden.
Each tropical taco is created for the Hawaiian appetite.
If you’re not too hungry, the size might be more than
enough for you. His tacos and burritos are heavily
sating Roger still warns his diners that his treats
should “not be consumed 1 hour before surfing.” Bring
your own favorite drinks or beer if you want to; Roger
still doesn’t serve any drink other than lemonade.
Tropical Taco Services (top)
- Serves tacos, burritos, and other Mexican dishes
- Started as a taco wagon
- Has been creating tacos for more than 25 years
- Serves lemonade only
- The new Tropical Taco restaurant includes a
porch where diners can people-watch
Tropical Taco Location (top)
Address: 5-5088 Kuhio Hwy # A, Hanalei, HI 96714
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Tropical Taco Reservations (top)
Reservations: call (808) 827-8226 or visit
Tropical Taco website and reserve online.
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