Big Island Grinds

A nice individual brought in lunch for our office today from some tortilla factory in Shipman Business Park (industrial area between Hilo and Keaau).

What’s the name of this place?? I’ve heard great things about here but all they said was a “Mexican place” or “tortilla factory”. Hopefully some of you guys can help me out.

UPDATE: This place is called “Emma’s”. Thanks guys.

Here is a pork quesadilla with beans, rice, guacamole, and salsa (hidden underneath). The tortilla is what seriously shined. It was the freshest I’ve ever had — very moist, super soft, and so delicious! The pork was tender and perfectly seasoned. Lots of gooey cheese smothered with some thinly sliced onions and peppers. The sides tasted really fresh too. Very satisfying.

These guys/gals (whoever they are) really know what they are doing. I hear you can also buy very cheap and good fresh tortillas here. So what’s the name of this place?

P.S. Thanks for lunch! It was great.

Sorry about the camera-phone pics (I didn’t have my camera with me).

Serving up Italian and Mexican food is a cute little hole-in-the-wall downtown restaurant called Aloha Luigi. The smell of cheese and garlic smelled so good in there walking by, I had to stop by to try a slice of pizza! Service was really friendly; the man serving us may have been the owner (Luigi perhaps?). Nice guy.

Delicious pizza. Super thin foldable crust, very tasty garlicky sauce, generous amount of gooey cheese. Crust had a nice crisp and bite to it, a different style than Pizza Hawaii, which has a chewier bubbly crust. I really loved the sauce on this… tasted kinda like a tomatoey shrimp scampi (I think it was because of the garlic).

I hope to come back soon so that I can try Luigi’s other offerings!

Aloha Luigi
264 Keawe Street, Hilo, HI 96720
Phone: (808) 934-9112, Fax: (808) 934-9113

Located right in downtown Hilo next to Hilo’s Farmer’s Market lies Reuben’s Mexican Restaurant. The restaurant is run by a wonderful Mexican family, and you can taste the love in all the food, which makes this place my favorite place for Mexican food on the Big Island. Reuben’s food taste so soo good, and their margaritas are very very generous with the tequila. I try to frequent here at least once a week.

Here’s the entrance to Reuben’s. Notice the help wanted ad. I want to apply just to learn how they make their food.

It was pretty packed on a Saturday night, so make reservations if you come after 7pm. They are closed on Sunday.

The bar with loads of different tequilas and beers.

Tequila shot menu.

I ordered my usual double margarita on the rocks. The double actually means 3-5 shots of tequila. I see them pouring it and they just keep pouring!

…

They serve salsa verde to every table. It’s very hot and flavorful. It goes great with their chips and with most of their dishes. One taste and you’ll know that this is no Taco Bell.

I ordered the beef nachos ($6.00).

The beef nachos are amazing. The beef is very tender and full of flavor, like they stewed it for hours. The chips are homemade and taste so crisp and fresh. I like to pour on the hot sauce and sprinkle pepper as I go. You don’t know how good this tasted since I missed lunch today!

From another visit, a Beef Enchilada with beans and rice ($7.00).

The beef enchiladas are very tasty with the same tender beef used in the nachos and the enchilada sauce is just wonderful, bringing everything together. The beans and rice are equally ono, too… the beans have a really rich moist flavor.

Paying…

Reuben also makes great chicken flautas, pork chile verde, guacamole, chile relenos, and more! The prices are very reasonable.

Thank you Reuben. See you next week.

Reuben’s Mexican Food
336 Kamehameha Ave
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
(808) 961-2552