Message: | We really enjoyed sampling local fare at take out places. We usually tried stuff like kalua pig, teriyaki chicken/beef, Korean ribs, etc. I'm getting these addresses off of Bigbook, and unfortunately I can't confirm these addresses since I don't remember the street names but it's a start. Here were our versions of 4-star local fare:
1. Like Like Drive Inn Restaurant (745 Keeaumoku Street, Honolulu, HI 96814, (808) 941-2515) is great for the late night crowd, I think they're open pretty late if not 24 hours. I had the saimen, which is always a good fallback if you're not sure what to eat, and it's just plain good comfort food. My mother-in-law tells me they have great oxtail soup, but it's a special so they don't have it everyday.
2. L&L; Drive Inn -- it's in the Ala Moana Mall, NOT in the food court (which in itself is VERY intimidating) but it's on the perimeter, facing the parking structure (more like in the parking structure).
3. Keneke's -- this was local food at its best. I'm not sure if I'm spelling it right and couldn't find it on Bigbook, but it's on the main highway that will take you to North Shore. It's about halfway from Honoloulu to North Shore. It's a white dilapidated shack on the side of the road. I know, bad picture, but I've found some of the worst looking places serve the best food. And this place was no different. Best kalua pig on the island, and believe, I tried them all.
4. Also on the way to North Shore, there is a graffitti'ed van on the side of the road that sells shrimp. Don't worry about the graffitti, it's encouraged, they have a box of pens by the order window so you can scratch your initials on the van too. They serve shrimp about a dozen different ways and we had the hot garlic shrimp. All of the shrimp is served with rice. Very good! But we were full from Keneke's and then couldn't eat that much unfortunately.
Hope these suggestions help. I hope you can find the latter two places, they were probably the best!
Have fun and good luck. |