Expanding Horizons: New restaurants and expansions
BY ALTHEA ENGMAN Journal Staff
With a mission to serve authentic Mexican Cuisine with a twist of island flavor and the goal to make people happy through food, Maui Tacos brings a taste of Hawaii to Guam and opened its doors at the Village of Donki on May 28.
Nina DeDios, managing partner, tells the Journal that the inspiration for Maui Tacos happened during a trip to Kailua, Hawaii.
“I came across this small shop after hiking and just started thinking about how it would do well in Guam,” DeDios said.
She adds the theme suits Guam and when Donki Village came along it just seemed to make sense. The idea was simple. And everyone loves tacos, she said.
Nina DeDios, managing partner. Maui Tacos poses in front of its restaurant location at Don Don Donki. The menu includes made from scratch Mexican cuisine like birria quesadillas, shredded chicken, pork adobo, and horchata that range from $6.49 to $16.99 a dish.
“We also have some of our own creations like fish tacos, aloha juice, mango drink, shrimp tacos and most importantly our homemade salsa bar with five salsas to choose from,” DeDios said.
DeDios said their Maui Tacos is made in house from scratch, a specialty that doesn’t rely on pre-made products.
For first time goers, DeDios said she’d recommends the carne asada noting the “fantastic taste and great value.” However, she also highlighted the Hawaiian BBQ Pork, which is underrated but particularly delicious on nachos.
DeDios added that Maui Tacos is “here to serve people, and make people happy but we are human,” expressing the restaurant's commitment to customer satisfaction. DeDios assures the community that if there is something a customer is unhappy with, please ask for a supervisor to assist you, social media has become so toxic and damaging to food businesses these days and the people who run these groups have no concern for truth or the effect these negative comments have on family-owned businesses.”
For updates and specials, visit its Instagram page @mauitacos.gu.
Some local favorites that have been established for years are also expanding their presence and adding more locations. Froots, known for its health-conscious menu that includes fresh smoothies, salads, and wraps has opened a second location down at the Agat Point Commercial Center. This new location, which opened its doors on May 25 allows non-military personnel to get their hands on what Froots has to offer.
Froots employee, Jonessa poses for a picture at the Hågat location ribbon cutting ceremony. Christine Baleto, the owner, said “this has been a dream of hers and her husband’s since the franchise started in 2009.”
“We were born and raised in the South and have also raised our kids in the South,” Baleto said. “This is not only a business investment, it's an investment from our heart.”
The restaurant used to have two locations, one at the Agana Shopping Center which shut down several years ago, and one at the Andersen Air Force Base. The AAFB location remains open. For updates visit its Instagram page @froots.gu.
Sen. William Parkinson; Sen. Roy Quinata; acting Gov. Joshua F. Tenorio; Dennis M. Flores, president and international head for Europe, Middle East, Asia and Australia, Jollibee Foods Corp.; Joseph Chua, investor, Heavenly Foods, Inc. dba Jollibee Guam; Rowena Chua, wife of Joseph; Therese Kamm, general manager, Agana Shopping Center; Hiker Repalda, regional market head, JFC; Dominic Rowell O. Reyes, marketing head – Europe, Middle East, Asia and Australia, JFC; Louie Chua, managing director, Jollibee Guam; and Michael Klepp, shopping center and retail operations consultant, Agana Shopping Center. Photos by Althea Engman Jollibee opened its long-awaited second location at the Agana Shopping Center on June 27. The popular Filipino fast food joint launched its first Guam jolly location at the Micronesia Mall in 2019.
During the ribbon cutting ceremony Dennis Flores, president for Jollibee Foods Corporation of International Business, teased community members in attendance by sharing his happiness about the second location and saying, “to the next five stores here.”
For updates visit its Instagram page @jollibee.gu. mbj
