The locals know the best places to "grind". Here's some of our favorites and you can check them out on the LOCAL EATS.
Kaleo's Bar and Grill - 15-2969 Pahoa illage Road, Pahoa (808) 965-5600 - This restuarant is "big Islands" best kept secret. Service was outstanding. The wait staff is friendly and responsive. But its the food that was amazing. Fish special was light with a excellent white wine sauce. I would not miss this treat!!
Luquin's Mexican Restaurant - Exceptional mexican food with great local vib. I like the carnitas tacos and margaritas. Down town Pahoa Phone: 808-965-9990
Kalapana Village Cafe - This is the place to eat before heading out to see the lava flowing into the ocean. Great fries, burgers and salads at the end of the road. This just opened in March 2008 and the owners are aiming to please.
Suisan - (808) 935-9349 85 Lihiwai St, Hilo, HI 96720 - If you want to cook up some fish, this is the best fish market on the island!! A mainstay on the tourist and restaurateur circuit is this century-old fish market, which is best known for its morning fish auction. Local fishermen display their catches to dozens of wholesalers and restaurant owners. All kinds of fresh fish are auctioned off while curious tourists look on. The auction is held every morning except Sunday. The market is a great place to buy fish without having to bid. The selection and quality are both good and the prices tend to be low. In addition, a number of specialty seafood items are available.
Verna's in Hilo - For good fast food you got to try the Korean fried chicken or for big eaters the Pastele Special. "If No Can - No Can. If Can - Verna's"
Charley's Thai Cuisine - Waimea Center 65-1158 Mamlahoa Hwy #9, 885-5591 must try the Tum Yum soup and mango salad!!
The Big Island Candy Company was established in 1977 to manufacture and market fine quality macadamia nut candies and cookies using 100 percent Hawaii-grown macadamia nuts and Kona coffee, island eggs, real butter and high-grade chocolate. Try to go when a big tour bus is there and you will get lots of free samples.
Tex's Drive In - Hwy 19 in Honoka'a (808) 775 0598. You can get a donut anywhere, but when in Hawaii you need to get a malasada - a puffy Portuguese doughnut without a hole, rolled in sugar. And if you want a malasada, you need to motor up to Tex's. It's an unpretentious local institution where the residents seem to put up nicely with the tourists. Tex's also serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. If you want, you can get a spam and rice with pretty much anything you order, if you're feeling adventurous.
Kiawe Kitchen in Volcano (808) 967-7711. This small eatery is a great place to stop for hot soup or fresh salad after viewing the volcano. The pizza is excellent (all fresh ingredients) but pricey. The service is great. I'd recommend the insalada caprese and a bowl of soup for lunch.
My brother likes Donna's Somkn BBQ Shack in Kea'au Village Market, 982-7075, with great BBQ plates and hoagies.
If you are desperate, the closest food to our place is Blain's in Orchidland center. The only thing I get is the grilled chicken on sourdough, I buy chips at the hardware store since the fries are really weak. If you are unlucky, you'll see a fight among the patrons, which happens about twice a month.
If you want to eat at the Bungalows, our favorite meal is barbecuing Korean marinated short ribs from KTA Superstores, fresh corn from the stand behind the KTA and a Cucumber-Papaya Salad, click for recipe.
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