Living in the Aloha area, My wife and I often pass Lupe's Escape on our way to and from home. We finally decided to try it, and called in for a pick-up. I requested some beef fajitas, but was informed they don't carry fajitas (yeah, pretty lame for a Mexican restaurant). The hostess informed me on the phone that they did have been dishes that were very similiar to fajitas. I took her advice and ordered one order of beef colorado, and pork carnitas. I was informed that the food would be ready in 25 minutes for pickup. I arrived to the restaurant to find a open kitchen that was riddled with dirt, 7 cooks working in a 5x5 area that wasn't up to health code (happen to know a little about that), and the two waitresses seemed as though they were doing you a favor by seating you. I found it funny that the register had a sign on it reading ""please pay in cash, it helps us keep our costs low"". For a business to be open for 20 years, to still request cash payment usually means one thing. They employ illegal immigrants and pay them in said cash, not having to provide insurance and benefits (hey, who said they didn't save on their costs).
Now, on to the food. Worst crap I've ever laid my eyes upon. The ""carnitas"" was simply a pork roast sliced and served over rice, and the beef ""like fajitas"" was braised pot roast cubes with sauce.
Each of our meals came with a side salad, my wifes in an individual container, mine served in the sides container covered in sourcream and guac by the time I got it home, along with the salsa. They served store bought tortilla chips, and didn't even take the time to heat them for their customers.
If you go to Lupe's Escape, expect to be disappointed.
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