Chicken in a Barrel

Would give a zero star if possible. Good was super over rated. Not good. I don’t know how this place has 4 stars? I am a foodie from Maui and I usually can not loose with a 4.5 star Unilocal review but this place did it. Cool place and vibe. Done eat the food. Stick with their foo foo drinks and you are good to go.

My husband loved this place! The chicken was pink inside and I wanted it a little more done. They said that’s the way the smoke it and wouldn’t cook it more. I just couldn’t get myself to eat it, but the hubs loved it.
Weird location in a shack on the street with picnic tables. But after our swimming and riding bikes, it was the perfect stop in place.

In the land of sweet glazes and asian marinades, Chicken in a Barrel stands out like a Kauai rooster crowing outside your window at 4am. This is evident from the street as you turn into the little parking lot, and the distinct aroma of woodsy smoke and charring meat waft through your car on a tropical breeze. I’m not sure, but judging by the cowboy hats hanging in the kitchen, requisite side of chili, and no-​sauce pit bbq style, these are some Texas outlaws laying low in Kauai. I ordered up the quarter chicken, which is served with brown rice and chili. The chicken’s skin was about the same color as a North Shore lifeguard, with little hints of flavorful blackened char here and there. Underneath that smoky, fatty skin was some of the juiciest chicken I have ever had. The meat was permeated with that simple but complex woody smoke flavor, and it was so soft and tender that someone without teeth could have eaten it. I’m talking fall-​off-​the-​bone tender. The chili was mild and hearty with a tangy tomato flavor profile, and yes, it had beans in it. The brown rice was earthy and spot on, and it provided that little bit of starch you need to break up the bites of tender chicken and warm chili. The best part — the ocean is about 100 feet away, and there are all kinds of places to eat including a nice grassy area by the water.

We had heard about this place so expectations were high, and they did not disappoint. The chili was amazing. We went big with two of the sampler meat platters. Great Bbq taste, not too smokey.

Good bbq chicken but the brown rice it comes with was more appreciated by the chickens. Just ordered the number one and there was plenty of chicken. They were all out of cornbread and fish for tacos. And that was at noon. Oh well! Tasty and very moist chicken and good bbq sauce.

I was in Kauai last winter and came here multiple times. One time I met Nicky, one of the owners who was very friendly. So here it is one year later and of course, i am back at Chicken in a Barrel. This time I am warmly greeted by Jake, Brinn, Keoni and Mike who says he is black. I am not sure why Mike told me that because I noticed that right away.
The chicken was just as I remembered except for the rich darkness of the skin. I don’t know how they do that without burning the meat but it is great. Add the various sauces and it is mucho ono. I will be back.

Had this not come recommended by a friend, I would have walked right past. Sketchy as hell. The chicken is cooked in barrels as old as god but whatever they do to it, it is beautifully moist and delicious. You won’t be disappointed. Maybe sick, but not disappointed.

I met the owner of this establishment, he was such a great guy. one of the BEST bbq places i ever ate at, I’ll see you guys again in may or november.

What do you do when you drive pass a chicken cooking in a barrel?
You cross the street and eat!!! :D It’s not like the chicken can cross the street to you. No matter how fast you’re going, you stop. It smell heavenly! And it’s also a parking lot like area with few other food trucks next to it. Order your chicken, go to the next truck/​stall, get more food.
The chicken is super tasty! I overbought them every time! This place has been around for a whole. At least a good six years from what I recall.
The chicken plate is always good. Smoky and tender. Comes with Mac salad and brown rice! They also have ribs, short ribs, beef, chills and even hoagie! I usually get the chicken for two! Double everything for $ 16! Pretty good deal.
Order and walk around that lot for more food. Or check out the ppl going hardcore in that cross fit right next door! The beach is right there too! Many pretty things to look at :)

We loved the food here but we all agree that our favorite part of our meal was the service! Kaoni and Mike have the best personalities! They were very accommodating when it started to rain. We laughed a lot and had a good time despite the weather.

I was pretty pissed about how things went down here. We asked if the beans could be substituted out for cornbread for one of our dishes and the kid at the register said yes. He then went on to charge us $ 4 extra for cornbread right in front of us. We then asked him what the hell is going on and his response was corn bread cost more. The corn bread on the menu cost four dollars. Are you telling me your beans cost nothing… because that’s what your logic is dictating. But that is beside the point — its called a substitute for a reason — you get this for that. you don’t charge someone double in hopes that they won’t say anything just because we’re tourists. I ended up letting it go because I was on vacation and I didn’t want to bother with the hassle.
The food, although wildly raved about on here, sucked. The ribs where the size of my thumb and the pulled pork and shredded beef were bland and tasted the exact same.
I hope the extra $ 4 you took from us was worth this review.

Best chicken on the island. (Yes, we tried others said to be the best also). Nice people, owned by decent people who seem to hire nice people. Had a better reception here than at some expensive restaurants.
Dining outdoors on picnic tables with umbrellas. No public restrooms.

The chicken was fantastic but the rest of the meal was just okay. The baby back ribs were tough and the pasta salad was dry. Both BBQ sauces were dynamite and the chili beans were a unique side.
The staff was extremely friendly and the ordering process smooth.

This place is incredible! The chicken is very moist and flavorful. The beef and ribs are also extremely good. I wasn’t too fond of the pork but I’m usually not a fan of pork so that’s not against them.
The staff is so attentive and laid back. I’m definitely going back!

This review needs very little because you just have to pass by Chicken in a Barrel and it’ll convince you with SMELLS to go eat there.
Smoked chicken holy moly.
That dipping sauce is key.
Get it.
Easy parking.

Very good food! I really appreciated the simple small talk the cashier made with me, asking me about my trip and where I’m from. It’s funny these guys have better customer service then that shitty Olympic Café who apparently can’t be bothered to even give the most minimalistic service.
Anyway, the pork tacos are amazing. It’s not the cheapest place to eat but it is worth it!

Guaranteed to put
you in a meat coma
in Kapa’a
After eating Ahi poke and grilled fish for 5 days in a row for dinner we figured we would eat some land animals. Driving up and down the Kapa’a strip, I eyed Chicken in a Barrel as a place I wanted to try, and that time had come.
It is a small place and I remember seeing smokers out front one early morning on the way to Hanalei so this place is legit. The menu is pretty basic with beef, pork, and chicken with these wondrous meats being served on plates with chili and brown rice, burritos or tacos, a la carte, or hoagies.
I went with the sampler with shredded pork, shredded beef, a rib, and a chicken quarter. Tip, get at least 3 containers of hot BBQ sauce for the sampler. The pork is was very tender, the beef even more tender, the rib slid right off the bone, and the chicken was a quarter piece with some breast and leg. The chicken breast was a tad dry but the dark meat was nice and tender. The spicy BBQ sauce solved the issue with the breast.
The sampler has enough food for two people but if you plan on sharing you might want to get another side. They serve locals and haolies, no worries bruddah.

BBQ BBQ BAAAAAR-​B-​QUEEEEE! I cannot express in more exclamation points the tastiness of Chicken in a Barrel. Noms to the nth degree, the meat is mouth watering, juicy, and done right. Funny how I initially was feeling obligated to eat vegetables before deciding to come. So glad I went with meat instead. This meat will override any feelings of guilt you might have about eating a whole and varied diet. I ordered the chicken and ribs combo (#4). Certified man handled and man made, Chicken in a Barrel does not skimp out on their portions. They gave me a whole leg of a chicken and two ribs. It was enough to feed two people. Get the sampler if you want to feed a family of four. That meal was breakfast across three mornings for us.
Anyway, the chicken was delicious. Though, I prefer the ribs. The meat just falls apart. Combine that — scratch that — douse that meat in bbq sauce and you are one happy camper.
And, Kama’aina discount!

This is some of the best food we had in Kauai… And some of the best BBQ we’ve ever had. A guy at the pool recommended we try this place, so we headed on up and we did not regret it! They have food smoking alllllllll day. The first time my husband and I shared the sampler plate. It’s huge and plenty big enough for two people. Only downside is there is only one rib but you can always order an extra rib if you plan to share! Everything was good, but when we went back for Round 2 a few days later we stuck with the ribs and pork only. Those were my two favorites. It was way too much food, but we saved the leftovers. Chili was also great and brown rice was cooked well. I LOVED the spicy BBQ sauce. It’s soooo good.
If you’re in Kauai, stop by this shack!!!

Surprisingly good. Thought it’d be a tourist trap, but the chicken just came off the bone. The BBQ sauce was tasty. I wish the «Hot» was actually hot, but can’t complain. The BBQ Ribs were also decent. Not the best I’ve tried, but the chicken is definitely up there. The mac salad is a 3/​5, chicken 5/​5, and BBQ ribs ⁴⁄₅.
Ironic that there are a lot of chickens running around while we eat the chicken. Would come here again as the chicken is top notch.