Filling Up On Creative Combos

Let’s admit it, there are days when we want to eat everything in sight, from the doughnuts to the cookies, Cheetos, salad, chicken, crab, burgers, pasta and steak — we want it all! Greedy? I think not — just incredibly starving! For me, days like these are anything but few and far between, in fact they occur on a regular basis. Thank God for great genes!

This week my appetite and tummy were comparable to a bottomless pit, so of course combo meals were the only way to go, allowing me to have it all! Steak and seafood? Check. A plethora of Japanese favorites? Check. Burgers, fries and creamy shakes? Check. This week’s food adventure was a marathon of “Ono, You Know” marathons. And don’t think I didn’t eat to my heart’s content — because I did! Gym time, anyone?

Teddy’s Bigger Burgers

All smiles, I paid a much anticipated visit to this ’50s-themed hot spot that features the best in combo deals. Although the menu is rather simple, comprising of ono burgers, fries and shakes, this top-notch burger joint has it all when it comes to quality food and customer service. Co-owner Ted Tsakiris founded the eatery in 1998, and today with four locations islandwide, burger fanatics will agree that Teddy’s knows a thing or two about burgers — especially when it comes to terrific combos.

“We have many combo meals here that come with a burger, small fries and your choice of a small drink or shake,” says Matt Stula, operating partner of Teddy’s University location.

My favorite Teddy’s combo meal of the moment features the Double Trouble burger ($10.09 combo meal, additional $3.20 for shake), which also happens to be the burger of the month. Sandwiched between two potato buns is a double 5-ounce burger with American cheese paired with the usual suspects of lettuce, tomatoes, pickles and onions, topped with a special sauce.

“We also have chicken, turkey and veggie burgers, which you also can have in a combo meal if you prefer something other than beef,” Stula adds.

And here’s an inside scoop for you: The next time you find yourself at Teddy’s Bigger Burgers University location, opt for the University Burger combo meal ($11.35, additional $3.20 for shake) with tots, for a unique, but utterly tasty burger creation.

“This is a burger that our location specifically derived on our own,” Stula explains. “It consists of a teriyaki burger, a spud (hash brown), Cheddar cheese, veggies and our Kilauea Fire barbecue sauce.

“It has a nice crunch and a little fire to it, too.”

Personally, a combo meal from Teddy’s would not be complete without Teddy’s sinfully delicious Cookies n Cream shake — which also happens to be the shake of the month. It’s a match made in heaven alongside any of Teddy’s decadent burgers. Eat on!

Kobe Steakhouse & Sushi Bar

For a dining experience like no other, look no further than Kobe Steakhouse & Sushi Bar, one of my all-time restaurants of choice when it’s dinner and a show that I’m after! Located in the heart of Waikiki on Ala Moana Boulevard, this teppanyaki-style steakhouse is home to a friendly staff and upscale combo meals, presenting you with the best beef for your buck, whether it be USDA choice sirloins and tenderloins. However, if beef isn’t your cup of tea, how about some fabulous chicken and seafood to fill your stomach?

“Our chefs skillfully put on a show for our guests while cooking your food from start to finish right in front of you on the teppanyaki table,” says general manager Roy Nakamura.

If you’re an indecisive diner like I am and can’t seem to choose between steak and lobster, why not have both? The best of both worlds collide with the Steak and Lobster Combo ($45.95), Steak and Scallops Combo ($34.95), and the most popular Steak and Shrimp Combo ($34.95).

“The beauty of our menu is that you can get any combination you desire,” Nakamura says. “We’ve had people request for teri chicken and lobster combos before — you’re not limited to what’s on the menu!”

Here’s words of advice to take to heart: Be sure to come hungry, as with each teppanyaki dinner also comes a shabu-shabu soup (clear beef and vegetable broth), shrimp appetizer, pickled vegetables, assorted grilled vegetables, bean sprouts, rice and hot tea.

“Also starting today (Sunday) until the end of the month, if someone mentions Dining Out or Ono, You Know, we will offer our California Roll at a discounted price of $6 (regular $9 value) with the purchase of an adult teppanyaki dinner,” Nakamura says.

Now, that in itself is a deal that’s hard to beat! It may not be all smoke and mirrors here at Kobe, but one thing’s for sure, you can definitely expect a bit of smoke and a lot of onolicious grinds that you can’t get enough of!

Hinone Mizunone

I recently ventured to this family-friendly Japanese restaurant on South King Street during lunch hour and entered into an ever-bustling dining room, where loyal patrons were feasting on homemade local Japanese delights such as Teishoku lunches, udon, Japanese curry, curry/udon combos and more.

Fujio Food Systems is the mastermind behind this beloved eatery and opened the doors to Hinone Mizunone in April 2008.

Known for its ever-popular rice, exquisitely cooked in an old-fashioned pot, operations manager Eiki Tamaki says Hinone Mizunone also makes a name for itself with its delicious combination sets.

“We do offer signature combo meals here,” Tamaki states. “Combo meals are available for dinner from 4 to 9 p.m. and diners can choose from two entrees, including shrimp tempura, tonkatsu, saba netsuke, sizzling hamburger steak, broiled salmon, butterfish misoyaki, maguro sashimi, salmon sashimi and more,” he adds.

Combo meal prices range from $17.75 to $22.75 and also come complete with your choice of three side dishes (kimpira, cold tofu and kabocha eggplant, to name a few), two bowls of rice, a hot bowl of miso soup and tsukemono.

So, the next time your appetite leads you to Hinone Mizunone, expand your taste buds, and warm your stomach and soul with a variety of oishi (delicious) Japanese delights!