Category Archive

K’s Bento, $6 (fundraiser price)

Today our office made a bulk order of this bento from K’s Bento-Ya for a fundraiser held by a coworker’s friend. We paid $6 for it, but I think if you go there and get the same thing, it’s probably around $5.

There’s three generous pieces of Teriyaki fried chicken. The batter itself was excellent, almost tasting like Karaage chicken in style (due to the sweetness), but the boneless chicken underneath it was a bit overcooked and tough.

The hash patty was mostly mash-like potato, with very little corned beef in it. It was no better or worse than St. Louis Okazuya, yet either way, I’m still glad it was there for added variety.

The hot dog was just OK. At first bite, I thought it was a Vienna sausage due to the shape and texture, but after a few bites, it tasted, well, like a really cheap hot dog. lol

I really liked that egg-looking thing, which actually is made out of Tofu, with pieces of Kamaboko (fish cake) mixed in it. It had an almost custard-like texture, which indicates that it’s steam-cooked.

The two musubi were also just OK, and a gripe could be made for the lack of an Ume in the Nori Musubi. Gotta’ have da’ Ume, Aunty! As for the Maki Sushi, I’ve never been into this type, but the one here from from K’s was really good.. one of the best I’ve ever had of this genre.

Regardless of any of those shortcomings, I’d certainly welcome this Bento from K’s with open hands, chopsticks and mouth, if it were waiting for me on my beach towel after a long swim in the ocean. This type of bento tastes just as good at room temperature as it does piping hot, making it the perfect thing to pack for the beach!

Overall, we all gave it a unanimous 2 SPAM Musubi.

Bus’ em out, cuz!

K’s Bento-Ya
94-164 Awalau st. (Waipahu)
808-671-0160

Tasty Island Rating:

(2) Good. I’m glad I tried it. (Ono)

Related links:
K’s Bento-ya - Ono Kine Grindz review

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Recently, by highest recommendation from Diner “A”, I tried Zippy’s latest promotion at their take-out counter, the Teriyaki Meatloaf plate…

Zippy’s Teriyaki Meatloaf plate, $5.25

Wow. $5.25 for all that? Are you sure this is from Zippy’s? This dispels their “Jippo’s” nickname we normally give them. lol

Hey, this is ono!

The meatloaf itself has that classic sort of spongee “mystery meat” thing goin’ on, yet very “beefy”, and Zippy’s, a place I must say have perfected the art of brown and teriyaki gravy, does this meatloaf proud with the latter, drizzled generously over the star attraction, which is also smothered with sauteed white onions and green onion for garnish.

The savory-sweet Teriyaki gravy is a fantastic enhancement, and it takes the meatloaf in a whole nother direction, compared to the standard brown gravy, or ketchup, or whatever else you put on yours.

I wonder how Shiitake mushrooms would along with those sauteed onions on top? Hmmm.

Anyhow, this Teriyaki Meatloaf is a winner. Good job, Jippo’s, err, I mean, Zippy’s!

Zippy’s
www.Zippys.com

Teriyaki Meatloaf plate, $5.25 (take-out)
The Tasty Island rating:

(3) Very Good. Considerable of another visit or purchase. (Supah’ Ono!)

Yudi’s Deli - Falafel Platter, $9.99 (Click to view full size image)

There aren’t many restaurants on Oahu that feature Jewish cuisine. One hidden gem that does is Yudi’s Deli in Manoa Valley. I learned about Yudi’s - and the cuisine in general - through a coworker of mine who is Jewish.

After trying her home-made Latkes, I already knew this was food I could dig.

Shown above is a Falafel Platter from Yudi’s. It includes 5 Falafel, which are those meatball (but no meat; I think he uses fava beans and chickpeas) looking things, Babaganoush (how Yudi spells it), Hummus, 2 types of Cole Slaw, an Israeli salad (bottom left) and pita bread….

It shows only one pita here (pretty big and thick), but IIRC, it included two.

Like an appetizer, you put all that stuff on or inside the pita bread, in a cumbersome sort of way, but the overall combination of textures and flavors are fantastic. This is a vegetarian dish, making it a refreshing experience; not heavy.

Hopefully I’ll get around to doing a full review of Yudi’s soon.

Mahalo Diner “AC”!

Related Links:
• www.OahuKosher.com

BBQ Mixed Plate from Yummy’s, $7.50

Actually grindz had from several different days.

The BBQ mixed plate above is from Yummy’s Korean BBQ, located at the entrance of Don Quijote on Kaheka street, near Ala Moana. Yummy’s has locations all over Oahu.

This plate was indeed quite yummy. There was so much on the plate, I actually split and shared it with my girlfriend. The chicken especially had great char-grilled flavor, moist and tender, and the Korean BBQ sauce they use is excellent. One thing I always love about Korean restaurants - and Yummy’s is no exception - is the assortment of pickled vegetables to choose. The kombu and cucumber selection here tasted kinda’ like Namasu.

As you see, they share space with Bale Sandwich.

Next on the table…

Mini Bento from St. Louis Drive In, $4.50

Not to be confused with St. Louis Delicatessen (the Okazuya) located next door (different owners). I actually drove here yesterday to grab a Chow Fun and Tempura Okazuya plate next door at the Deli, but they were closed, and I was bummed. A sign on the front said they’ll be returning April 8th. Probably went to Vegas.

St. Louis Drive In has so many menu items, it’s mind boggling. I should have ordered the “Japanese Plate”, which includes Sashimi. That would have hit the spot.

St. Louis Drive In. The wood door to the left is the entrance to St. Louis Delicatessen, who were closed on this day. Shucks.

Located at the Makai-Diamond Head side of 3rd and Waialae avenue

Next up…

Corned Beef Sandwich combo from Zippy’s, $4.70

I can’t call them “Jippy’s” with this deal. They’ve amazingly underpriced themselves here with this massive Corned Beef Sandwich combo, which includes fries and a drink. This isn’t any canned or packaged stuff, but the real deal, piled with thick slices of freshly boiled corned beef and cabbage, laid upon an onion roll bun buttered with mayonnaise.

This is actually diner “E”’s dish, as he proudly holds it up here after taking a few bites…

“Hurry up and take the damned picture… I wanna’ eat!”

This is a special that occurs only one day out of the month, so you need to check their website when exactly it will be available again. As you see, he gave this a solid 3 SPAM Musubi (very good) rating.

Finally…

Supreme Pizza from Costco, $1.99

Another one of Diner “E”’s grinds of the day. What can I say? It’s a buck-ninety-nine. It’s pizza. It’s “Costco huge”.

Personally I don’t care for the crust on Costco’s pizza, finding it to be “spongee”. Neither do I like their sauce. On the cheap, I’ll take Little Caesar’s over them any day. Of course if it’s free I’ll eat it. lol

Looking at the prices here, I think I need to rename this site “Honolulu Cheap Eats”. DDL would love that!

Brandi’s Lunch Wagon - Hamburger Steak Plate (click on image to enlarge)

Here’s another filler post, digging deep into the archives of the past.

Actually, “filling” may be an understatement! Because of the outrageous size of the two burger patties on this Hamburger Steak plate lunch, we nicknamed this lunch wagon properly known as Brandi’s, “Hockey Pucks”.

Just look at the scale of those gravy-smothered ground beef delights in comparison to those standard-sized scoops of rice. Outrageous! And they were thick like hockey pucks as well. Both of ‘em. How about adding a fried egg or two on it? Then we’d have to name it the “Godzilloco Moco”. Or, “The Angioplasty Plate”.

You’re probably going to either say “That’s so wrong”, or “Bring it on!”

Going back in memory, I remember all their plates practically required two hands to carry, which easily had to have weighed in over a pound each. Choke, CHOKE grindz. IIRC, they were also good enough in flavor that we returned for an encore or two. So gladly they didn’t get smacked across the ice (or sand on the beach in this case) like a hockey puck.

Brandi’s Lunch Wagon used to be located on an access road behind Office Max in Kaka’ako. This was perhaps approximately 8 years ago. If you know of this lunch wagon, leave a comment on their whereabouts, either past or present.

Imagine the impending “Kanakattack” after “pounding” this poundage of a Hamburger Steak plate. ZZZ ZZZ ZZZ ZZZ

Matters of Taste - “The Reuben”: Corned beef, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, &1000 island dressing on toasted rye bread, $7.75

This is the first of what will become many more installments titled “Grindz of the Day”. A random brief of simply what myself and/or those around me have enjoyed eating for the day, with, or without going into details about the establishment or preparation method at hand. The creed being “Have Food. Have Camera. Have Keyboard. Will Blog It.”

Pictured above is “The Reuben” that Diner “E” sampled yesterday from Matters of Taste in Gentry Pacific Design Center on Nimitz highway, located just inside the main entrance. While he enjoyed it, he felt the price was a bit steep and stands by Kenny’s as having the best Reuben yet.

Lately for me, Friday’s have been all about fish, so I went with the Mahimahi plate from Zippy’s…

Zippy’s - Mahimahi plate (fries instead of rice), $7.00

Notice how I substituted fries instead of rice, which you can do by request at no extra charge. I do this to convert it from a plate lunch into a unique version of Fish ‘N Chips. Cool, huh?

It was very moist, tender and flavorful. Only thing I didn’t care for was that the panko crust was too crunchy and thick, which kinda’ defeated the delicate texture of the Mahi’.

It includes two packets of Kraft brand Tartar sauce, which is inferior to house-made sauce, but it works.. Actually, I’d much rather have Cocktail sauce, with that tomato-based Horseradish kick.

I’m also not a fan of shoe-string fries like those Zippy’s serves, but at least they’re cooked and seasoned perfectly and not overdone, which many places often do with this kind of cut.

Lastly, I opted for the tossed greens instead of Mac’ to offset the all that deep-fried goodness and keep the health factor in check.  At least psychologically it feels so.