Three’s Pūpūs are Named “The Best” on Maui. Here’s Why!

It’s been a great few weeks here at Three’s.  We’ve been delivering on some epic catering events, enjoyed an amazing Food Network debut and now, we’re stoked to be voted Best Pūpūs from MauiTime.  Doesn’t good news come in “Three’s?”

Three’s Bar & Grill wins Best Pūpūs for 2017 from MauiTime! Photo courtesy of MauiTime.


Going out for pūpūs, Hawai‘i’s word for appetizers or tapas, is a longstanding tradition in our state.  We’ve crafted our diverse pūpū menu to appeal to everyone.  It’s value-driven, fun and chef-inspired; with everything from wings and quesadillas to fresh-shucked oysters and sushi! We offer great deals on them during Three’s double happy hours, between 3 and 6 p.m. and again from 9 to 10 p.m., seven days a week!!

So here are a few of the favorites:

Kalua Pork Quesadilla

Kalua Pork Quesadilla, a longtime favorite on Three’s pūpūs menu.


It’s an original — our very first menu item, in fact!  The BBQ Kalua Pork Quesadilla features spiced Maui Gold pineapple and mango chutney, cilantro aioli and peanut ginger slaw. We rolled out this item at a wedding expo back in 2008, when we had just started our catering company. It’s near and dear to our hearts and is a real crowd pleaser. It’s sweet, smoky, and of course, CHEESY!!

Bacon-fried Brussel Sprouts

Bacon-fried Brussel Sprouts, available at Three’s and featured on Food Network’s Diners, Drive-ins and Dives!

Another must-try appetizer is our Bacon-fried Brussel Sprouts.  Seriously, give ’em a shot! Brussel sprouts are a hot item on the trendy foodie scene, so we wanted to reinvent our own version.  These brussels are wok-fried with bacon, garlic, ginger and carrots, then glazed with kimchee-balsamic and garnished with shaved Parmesan.  They’re SO addicting, you may even catch a glimpse of them on our Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives episode this Friday, July 21 at 6 p.m.!!

Panko-crusted Ahi Roll

Panko-crusted Ahi Roll, among the top appetizers at Three’s Bar & Grill.


We’re known for our epic sushi at happy hour, but one item that definitely defines us is our Panko-crusted Ahi Roll.  It’s a fresh sushi roll with local tuna, avocado and cucumber,  panko-breaded and flash-fried, served over a Thai curry butter sauce and drizzled with unagi glaze.  It’s crazy yummy!!

The list of deliciousness goes on to include items like Sweet & Spicy Lettuce Wraps, Hurricane Fries, Coconut-crusted Shrimp, Fish Tacos and Three’s Wings.

And what better place to enjoy those pūpūs than in our newly-renovated Surf Lounge?!  Our bar was recently extended and the whole space was revamped with 15 additional seats and more T.V. screens to give you more room to enjoy your food and drinks.

Some of Three’s favorite pūpūs and beer, displayed on the new mango wood table in our Surf Lounge.


The MauiTime awards are voted on by our community.  We’re honored to feel the love, because it tells us people are stoked on our food.  By the way, it’s worth mentioning our sister eatery in Kīhei, Fork & Salad, just won Best New Restaurant, getting the news on its one-year birthday!  At Three’s, we’ve worked really hard to create a very special happy hour, which won Best on Maui two years in a row, along with many runner-up mentions.  It’s nice to know our pūpū menu gets that sort of recognition.

Our staff deserves a huge shout-out.  Every one of our employees, from our kitchen to front-of-the-house to bar staff, has helped build Three’s into what it is today. They all contribute in their own ways, whether sharing ideas for the day’s next special, getting delicious food to your table efficiently, or crafting hundreds of cocktails at the bar during happy hour, our team is straight-up amazing!!  Thanks to them, and thanks to YOU, our loyal customers, for your continued support!

“Three Cheers” to our New Bar Space!

Cruise on in to our Surf Lounge at Three’s, and you’ll notice a big difference these days.  We’ve transformed our charming little bar nook into a sizable drinking destination!

In less than two months’ time, we’ve expanded the usable space in our lounge, replacing the old black granite counter top with sustainable Hawaiian mango and mimosa wood, adding 15 additional seats, building mahogany wood back bar shelving with LED lighting, and featuring crown molding finishes. We’ve even installed two more flat-screen T.V.s, and moved our big screen against the wall to accommodate more viewing.

The new bar is absolutely stunning, and creates a beautiful focal point in our surf lounge that all patrons can enjoy. You can grab a drink while waiting for a table, or get comfy and chill a while to enjoy our award-winning happy hour, cheer on your favorites sports teams or check out the latest surf contest on T.V.!

We’re proud to be recognized for our great happy hours, 3 to 6 p.m. and 9 to 10 p.m. daily, and aimed to incorporate a “trendy bar vibe” along with all our food and drink specials.  We wanted our guests to sit at our bar and feel relaxed enough to drink and dine right there if they feel like it!  So we designed it to be gorgeous, welcoming, functional and accommodating.

The entire process took one-and-a-half months from inception to final installation.  Chef Jaron led up the project management, which included design concepts, pulling required county permits, orchestrating trade teams (lighting, stainless steel, electrical work and additional carpentry needs), equipment selection and graphic art design.

Chef Cody, who gives you the tour in our video, was the “master builder” of it all, from framing wood to fabricating sheet metal to epoxying bar tops.  He crafted the bar off-site in three separate pieces, so it could be moved in on a moment’s notice, without disrupting business.

This was no easy task, but as usual Cody and Jaron managed to pull it all off, using their math skills to fit the new pieces in place, and Three’s didn’t even have to close during the process!

We couldn’t have done this without our amazing team’s support.  Three’s front-of-the-house manager Lauren helped us design the operational functionality of the bar, as well as the artistic aesthetics of it. From color scheme to drink-making efficiency, her years as a Three’s bartender came in handy when making final calls or tough decisions.  Tom, our go-to commercial carpenter, built the beautiful custom backbar shelving, and Wiki Wiki Electrical wired it all up!

Join us at Three’s and see our remodel in person!  Our old bar had only eight seats; this new space seats 23!!  It was important for us to create a comfortable area for guests waiting for tables or just joining friends for a pau Hana.  This space is made for YOU!

The added seats are also a significant feature with our upcoming Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives episode set to air Friday July 21st (at 3 p.m. Hawai‘i time!); we are anticipating a bump in business and want to accommodate all of our customers. Come have a seat in our surf lounge and check it out!