The original Coconut’s Fish Café in Maui, Hi., is a hole-the-wall seafood dive with a line out the door most days. Last winter, the first Texas location opened in our neighborhood.
“This was a unique opportunity to bring Hawaiian fare that’s different from what people normally find here,” says owner Tim Brasher.
The restaurant is famous for its fish tacos topped with a heaping mound of coconut milk-based coleslaw and mango salsa.
Don’t be fooled by the fast-casual vibe, though; the menu also offers dishes that could go for $28-$30 at a high-end restaurant, Brasher says. The traditional Hawaiian ahi poke is an elegant stack of raw ahi tuna sprinkled with green onions and soy sauce on the side.
Coconut’s brings in mahi-mahi, ono and tuna from west coast suppliers three times a week and cuts the fish daily. All of the dressings and sauces are made in-house every day. The sweet and spicy Thai chili sauce, which comes with the coconut shrimp appetizer, is a fan favorite.
“It’s created its own following,” Brasher says. “They’ll eat it on a Ritz cracker.”
The restaurant also is part of the healthy fast food trend in Preston Hollow, using ingredients such as grilled white fish and brown rice. Coconut milk replaces mayonnaise in the special coleslaw recipe, and many dishes are gluten-free.
Coconut’s Fish Cafe
5600 W. Lovers
469.729.93463
coconutsfishcafe.com
Ambiance: Tropical
Price Range: $7-$15
Hours: 11 a.m.-9 p.m. daily
Did you know? The restaurant is named after the founder’s cat, Coconut.
