Quickly working in the kitchen of his popular Eastside taqueria, chef Monico Martinez smiles and nods to a never-ending stream of locals who pass by his kitchen window. They flash shakas and shout compliments for a meal well made. 

 

Quality and presentation go hand in hand for Monico. As he intimately prepares every dish with fresh, local ingredients, his hands-on approach allows him to create little pieces of art with each dish.

 

Monico, an Oaxaca native, moved to Kaua‘i in 1993. A foodie since his childhood, he has held various jobs in the restaurant business and took the plunge ten years ago when he opened Monico's Taqueria in Kapa‘a.