Makai Grill: Las vegas

If you know, you know: in Las Vegas, when the homesickness kicks in—or when you just want one solid, no-fuss plate that tastes like comfort—Makai Island Grill is one of those go-to stops that feels like a quick lunch run back home, but right here in the Ninth Island.

Makai isn’t trying to be fancy. It’s that local-style, fast-casual Hawaiian BBQ energy where you walk in already knowing the mission: pick your rice, pick your sides, pick your meats, and leave with a plate that can handle both your appetite and tomorrow’s leftovers. The vibe is laid-back and family-friendly—good for a lunch break, an after-work scoop, or that “we no like cook tonight” kind of dinner.

The Makai way: build your plate, your style

What makes Makai easy (especially if you’re bringing friends who don’t know Hawaiian plate lunch culture yet) is the menu flow: it’s straightforward, and it scales from “I just need something small” to “I’m feeding the whole crew.”

On their online ordering menu, Makai lists these core plate sizes + prices:

• $5 Mini (1 rice + 1 meat, limited options) 
• Small — $7.99 (1 rice + 1 side + 1 meat) 
• Protein Bowl — $10.99 (2 rice + 2 meats) 
• Medium — $12.99 (2 rice + 2 sides + 2 meats) 
• Large — $15.99 (2 rice + 2 sides + 3 meats) 
• Salad (1 meat) — $9.99 / Salad (2 meat) — $12.49
• Kids Meal — $6.00 (comes with a small Dole Soft Serve) 

That’s why Makai works for everybody: the picky eater can keep it simple, the big appetite can stack proteins, and the “I like try everything” person can go large and mix it up.

What to order (the “first-timer” hits)

If you’re writing this for da9thisland.com/ readers, you already know the classics matter. Here’s the talk-story way to describe it:

• Chicken Katsu: crispy, crunchy, and built for that katsu sauce moment (this is the safest “first plate” for anyone).
• Teri Chicken: the sweet-smoky local staple—easy, reliable, always slaps.
• Kalua Pork: that salty, slow-cooked comfort that tastes like somebody’s party table.

And if you’re feeling more “Hawaiʻi snack bar” than plate lunch, Makai also lists poke by the pound on their menu. Example pricing shown online:

• ¼ lb — $5.00
• ½ lb — $10.00
• ¾ lb — $14.99
• 1 lb — $19.99

That poke option is clutch for your content because it photographs clean: clear container, glossy fish, and instant “local food” credibility.

Venue vibe: quick, clean, and built for everyday life

Makai is the kind of spot you can pull up in slippers energy—order at the counter, grab your plate, and either dine in quick or take ’em to go. It’s not a nightclub, it’s not trying to be a “concept.” It’s a steady neighborhood food stop—perfect for families, work lunch runs, and “let’s meet somewhere easy” link-ups.

Their location pages commonly show closes at 9PM and opens at 10:30AM messaging (day-to-day hours vary, so check the specific location page before you roll out). 
Their Instagram bio also notes open 10:30am–9pm across locations. 

Catering: the “feed the crew” side of Makai

Here’s where Makai becomes a real Ninth Island resource: catering. If your Vegas circle is anything like ours, there’s always a birthday, graduation, baby lū‘au, tailgate, church thing, or work party coming up.

Makai’s Toast catering menus show medium pans (feeds roughly 6–12 when paired with sides) like:

• Teriyaki Chicken (Medium) $50.99
• Chicken Katsu (Medium) $50.99
• Mochiko Chicken (Medium) $52.99
• Kalua Pig (Medium) $52.99

And large pans (feeds roughly 14–20 when paired with sides) like:

• Teriyaki Chicken (Large) $80.99
• Chicken Katsu (Large) $80.99
• Mochiko Chicken (Large) $85.99
• Kalua Pig (Large) $85.99

For content, this is gold: big trays, stacked plates, sauce drizzle shots, and that “party table” spread that screams Ninth Island.

Quick Facts: Locations (Las Vegas / North Las Vegas / Henderson)

(All listed on Makai’s location pages with phone numbers.) 

• Blue Diamond & Decatur — 5095 Blue Diamond Rd, Suite 125, Las Vegas, NV 89139 • (725) 204-1749 
• Charleston & Valley View — 3851 W Charleston Blvd, Ste 120, Las Vegas, NV 89102 • (725) 214-6551 
• Ft Apache & Tropicana — 5165 S Fort Apache Rd, Suite 150, Las Vegas, NV 89148 • (702) 982-6200 
• Losee & Centennial Pkwy — 6520 N Losee Rd, Ste 120, North Las Vegas, NV 89086 • (725) 735-4556 
• Maryland Pkwy & Tropicana — 4700 Maryland Pkwy, Suite 140, Las Vegas, NV 89119 • (702) 202-6815 
• Rocks Springs & Lake Mead — 1932 Rock Springs Dr, Las Vegas, NV 89128 • (702) 586-4218 
• St Rose & Paseo Verde (Henderson) — 2560 St Rose Pkwy, Suite 190, Henderson, NV 89074 • (725) 251-2179 
• Tropical Pkwy & Centennial Center — 7930 W Tropical Pkwy, Suite 140, Las Vegas, NV 89149 • (702) 201-1934 

Here you go — clickable social links for Makai:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/makaiislandgrill/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/makaigrill/
• Website: https://makaigrill.com/
• (Alt FB page): https://www.facebook.com/Makaigrill2/