Hula's Chinese Bar-B-Q, Chico CA

Very good service and the food is still just as tasty as always. This last visit was disappointing but that's because of luck. We ended up getting a very well used grill so the flavors of the last 30 people were added to our dishes. It's fine. I expect that, and it was pure luck that we weren't a little slower. The other grill was being cleaned as we brought our bowls up. Just have to take the cards as they're dealt!

Now normally I start with the negatives, so I'll put what I didn't love here first and get it out of the way.

Today was a fairly warm day and the AC in Hulas was just not cutting it for me. At were seated away from the ceiling fans, which didn't help.
Next, they were out of Modelo. A real shame and I ended up just getting Coors Light, for $5.50 a pint. This would be understandable, but this was a Friday, the first day of their work week. For lunch service no less. Somebody needs a taking to in management. Either than or the supplier needs a serious taking to.
Next, the price. Hula's has never been the cheap option but between the 5x+ upcharge for the beer and the high price of single-bowl lunch, we ended up paying $50 for lunch. Not an everyday mask for sure. I understand that California has ruined the cost of eating out but that's still a factor.
The chicken bok choy soup had a strange, chemical taste to it and was very peppery, so my mom, who has chronic dry mouth, want able to eat it and I just didn't love the taste, nor the disturbing lack of, well, chicken
Finally, it's been over 5 years since I read last in, and I get that Covid regulations ruined just about everyone who did self serve but the removal of lamb from the protein choices kinda sucks.
Last complaint: the fortune cookies were unwrapped and pretty stale, but who cares about the cookie?

Okay that's a lot of negativity but usually it's still hula's and it's still tasty. There were absolutely some improvements and they didn't get down on using two bowls. I'll explain that for the uninitiated soon.

The general feel of the place has survived Covid well. They always had a good sneeze shield over the ingredients, but they have improved multiple parts of the assembly. First, cheaper bowls that aren't going to shatter if they get dropped. Second, TRAYS! They're just the right size for your bowl and the squisher bowl.
Second: they added a nice hole-filled plate around the sauces. This is more a quality of life issue for the workers but it's nice they added it.

Now for you newbies, this is the part you want to read. You go in, get seated, order your drinks, and then the fun begins. You'll grab two bowls and a tray. Load up as much meat as you want, and don't be stingy. Now, take your second bowl and squish your meat slices down and add more! Then, and only then, should you pile on the delicious Shanghai noodles that come next. After that, add the veggies you want. Keto on mind they're all getting cooked together at some night be under done and some over. This is the trade off. Finally you come to the sauces. You might think that's enough teriyaki. You're wrong. Add some more. That's still not enough. Add more. Put chili oil in. It's not that hot. Dunk to the bottom of the garlic sauce and put some minced garlic on. Be brave you should see the sauces peeking over your ingredients. They will be cooked off.

Everything still tastes exactly as awesome as before the pandemic. Tip your cooks. Tip your waitstaff. They work hard, and despite the fact that California is unique in requiring waitstaff to be paid state minimum wage, it's still expected and you will want to come back.

Overall, if you're unfamiliar, it's basically like stir-fry that you design yourself. Definitely worth trying but be warned: it's addictive.

Something about the food is different post Covid, however Hulas will always be one of my favorites even if the prices are outrageous nowadays

Very friendly people work here. Delicious food, large portions. There were quite a lot of people during my visit. I liked everything, thank you for your business. Good luck to everyone in good deeds. I recommend to visit

Had a family dinner. It got really busy so waitress didn't come to check on us very much. 100.00 for 4 people. Just like everything else going up can't go there very often

Frustrated because I get my meal to go because I have a newborn baby. They stopped trying to fit your to go order in the box and will simply leave all of the veggies in the bowl and throw it away. It's very frustrating that this is their standard operating procedure when it's still a $20+ meal and my favorite part is the veggie.

Family friendly and our oldest has loved it for 15 years. Dinner is all you can eat - I have never finished a bowl in a sitting but having a teenager make multiple trips I find Hula's to be a great value.

You need to go here, but NOT if your "just not that hungry".

The food is awesome, and the staff are really nice, happy to help, and pleasant to be around. They are regularly swooping in and seeing how you're doing and if there is anything you need.

Great place, great food, great value.

One of my favorite favorite restaurants here in Chico absolutely love this restaurant and also they have amazing customer service

I've loved this restaurant for ever. Great food and service! Plus it's one of a kind, nothing even comes close in Chico.

Me and my GF went in for dinner and figured we would share a bowl because we are two small girls who usually share when we go out to eat with leftovers to take home. After we sat down with our food our waitress decided to let us know that the restaurant doesn’t allow guests to share and that she would have to charge us for two bowls. The line at this point was wrapped around the restaurant and we didn’t want to stand in it for the second time nor did we need or want any more food. We are two broke college girls so spending $50+ on one meal is heartbreaking for us, especially since we passed up red lobster for something different and a hopefully cheaper bill. I’m just saying that neither the chefs in line nor the hostesses said anything to us about the restaurant policy being no sharing while we were making our bowl and there were no signs to indicate this nor was there any obvious notification on the website which we checked before going inside. The food tasted like a rip-off and we didn’t even finish half of the bowl we purchased. We were beyond disappointed and won’t be going back.

They need to fix that AC, it is very unsafe in this 100 degree heat for staff and customers, I'm very disappointed in that fact they are open when something so important is not working Properly, I will not be going back till management fixes the problem nor will my people

This is my favorite resteraunt in the world. The food is so good and I could eat here every single day.

The new ownership is doing a fantastic job. I've been coming to Hula's for 30 years and it's nice to have them here still! There are some new little updates that have been made and the staff is always very accommodating.

I am gluten-free (not celiac) and was absolutely blown away by their team! When we first came in, we asked if they had gluten-free options. The hostess told us she would have the manager come to answer our questions as she wanted to make sure we had the most accurate information. The manager Logan came over to us a few minutes later. He was able to tell us what options were safe and was so very kind and accommodating. But he didn't stop there.at every step along the way of filling out bowls he kept checking in and making sure I didn't have any questions and he personally walked me through the sauces so I knew what I could add without issue. The most amazing part of the experience was when we got to the grills, the team was ready for us. The manager had given them advance notice we were in the line, and they proceeded to fresh clean the grills, the tongs, and their hands to make sure the grill had a reduction in gluten on it. The meal itself was tasty, and having a variety of fresh veggies and meat options in a very well managed and clean restaurant made the experience top notch. The wait staff were attentive, bringing fresh rice and lots of drink refills as needed. And I observed a team that was very engaged with the customers and worked hard to keep everything clean and organized. The fact that you have an option to do all you can eat or just one bowl for a reasonable price is also great. For someone who struggles to find delicious gluten-free options, this place was amazing, but the experience is what I can't get enough of. I recommend this place to anyone looking to have a great radiant experience and if you have dietary needs they are the place to go!

Food was good but when we got the bill back for 2 people it was 60 bucks. I don't care how bad inflation got. They over doubled their price. They forgot their place in this town

My favorite spot to eat Chico. I'm probably biased but this place is just too nostalgic for more to pass up. I really recommend trying it at least once, a fun fining experience.

The food always comes out excellent, the staff is always intentive, complementary appetizers is a plus and you always leave completely full and with leftovers. Those who don't like the food, simply haven't perfected the fine art of crafting the Hula's bowl.

Worth every penny.

Love that I can dine in and get VEGAN food while my friends don't have to. It's DELICIOUS! Could have used another water refill but overall was tasty and great!