Big Island Grinds

Seriously, where else can you order a $3 beer and get this kind if spread?

Kim’s, I <3 you!

Readers have been telling me that Maona has some mean grinds. Finally made it here! A little 2-man operated lunch counter right next to the Farmer’s Market.

Their menu is simple but looks so good! Unfortunately, they were already out of rice. They are known to have some good plate lunches so we were bummed.

We just went for some sandwiches. Blackjack burger ($6.50).

Mahi burger ($6.50).

The covers on these plates could barely stay closed. Huge burgers and huge amount of crispy homemade fries. My burger was thick and juicy with a nice spice rub. Nice grill marks. Best $6.50 I’ve spent on a burger! Bev’s mahi was super fresh and perfectly seasoned. Only thing is that it could’ve used a little more mahi.

Definitely will be back for their plate lunches!

Love Island Natural’s ahi bento and poke! These guys make eating healthy taste good. Lightly breaded tender pieces of ahi over brown rice with a tasty teri sauce. The beauty is all of the little sides… juicy shitake mushroom, curry tofu salad, and even little pretty edible flowers!

The poke is from their amazing salad bar, which definitely requires a post on its own. Their produce section is also fantastic. We come here at least twice a week for lunch and their produce.

Island Naturals Hilo Market & Deli
http://www.islandnaturals.com
1221 Kilauea Avenue, Hilo, HI 96720
(808) 935-5533

Nori’s has always been one of my favorite places to have a great bowl if saimin. Unfortunately, it’s like their broth is getting saltier and saltier every visit!

This is one of my favs: small saimin and burger combo. Nori’s burgers are always awesome… freshly made thick juicy patties. Once in awhile the saimin broth is just right and drinkable, but lately, like on this visit, it was so salty I could only eat the noodles.

Nori’s please taste your broth before sending it out. I love everything else about you!

Last time I’ve been to the Kaikodo building was about 5 years ago when Restaurant Kaikodo was still open. The food was great and the ambiance super nice. Sadly, they ended up closing and it’s been empty for awhile, until Uncle Don’s Ohana Grill opened up just a few months ago.

Don’s Ohana Grill is taking a different approach: local, casual, affordable. So the important part… How’s the food?

First up we were given some fresh baked bread with lilikoi butter. It was dense, with an almost biscuit-like flavor… not yeasty but more like a soda bread. Not a big fan of the bread and the lilikoi butter didn’t really help either.

Humongous portion of deep fried butterfish with a sweet miso sauce (~$16). The fish itself didn’t have much flavor and the sauce was not anything special. Rice was overcooked. Veggies were cooked well, though.

This was their special: 8oz rib eye with shrimp tempura (~$24). Figured how can you mess up a ribeye steak? Easy! Serve it lukewarm, thin, and with an overly sweet bbq sauce over it. Shrimp tempura was very doughy and oily.

I was really trying to like this place since it caters more for the locals with reasonable prices but they really need to step up the quality of their food. To be fair, I’ve heard good things about this place from others, so maybe we went on a bad day. They also serve breakfast and lunch.

Would love to hear any other reviews of this new place. I wish them the best!

Uncle Don’s Ohana Grill
60 Keawe St., Hilo HI
(808) 961-5551

No matter how many times I’ve been here before, I still feel nervous ordering. You need to know what you want to order. Man, da pressure is a lot for an indecisive guy like me!

I always refer tourists here for a great lunch… you know, somewhere the real locals eat. But if even I’m intimidated ordering here, I feel bad for the uninitiated! I just hope to help a little bit. I’m not even sure if I’m doing it right myself, but so far so good.

How for order at Hilo Lunch Shop:

1. Get here early! Before 11am, or else the best stuff will be sold out.

2. Know what you like order before stepping in the door. Or at least be ready to be experimental.

3. No cut in line or else you going get mean stink eye! The line may wrap around to the right so be sure to know where the line starts. Be nice. It can get pretty crowded.

4. Once in line, check out the food and finalize your order as much as you can in your head. Listen well to the people ordering to get a feel of everything and what’s good.

5. When you get near the sushi and musubi on the left, your turn is near. You can do this! A helpful and very efficient (a.k.a. not very patient) lady will yell “Next!”. If the person in front of you already ordered, make eye contact with her and make your first choice… Quick

6. Order a musubi (or 2), or a few maki sushi. You need rice with this salty tasty cuisine. They have anykine. Most popular it seems is the spam or plain musubis and sushi. They have a great maki sushi which uses mustard cabbage instead of nori. Their cone sushi is well done. I prefer keeping it simple with a plain musubi or some sushi.

7. Order some main items. Just choose what looks good to you. Ask questions if needed but keep it short. If you will be eating this later for a picnic or want something easy to pack, you may want to choose drier items. Otherwise, anything goes. My favorite must-haves is the nori chicken and fishcake. Other amazing items are their tofu cakes, fried chicken, breaded ono, and any of their tempura. You can’t go wrong with any of these.

8. On the far right, don’t miss their choices of pickled veggies and salads. These all go great with their food. I chose some pickled mustard cabbage this time. For a real plate lunch get a scoop of mac salad.

9. Your practically done. You’ll be asked “fork or chopstick” then you pay! Cash only.

10. Now head to the beach, and grind!!!!

Hope this helps people. Follow these steps and you will not hear, “No sushi for you!!”. Feel free to add on any recommendations yourself.

posted with an iphone (including photos)

Hilo Lunch Shop
421 Kalanikoa Street, Hilo, HI 96720
Phone: (808) 935-8273