A Kalua-Pig Haven

Sprout bagel sandwich ($7.49)

Two customers walk into Kono’s Honolulu location, which just opened a couple of months ago in Kapahulu, and say, “We needed to come in here because it smells so good!”

It’s the 12-hour, slow-roasted kalua pig that they smell, and it tastes as good as its smoky aroma suggests.

The establishment, which began in Haleiwa in the North Shore, has been selling its prized kalua pig in Famous Breakfast Bombers, sandwiches and plate lunches for 14 years. So, imagine the excitement when people heard that Kono’s was coming to Town.

Now, fans islandwide and tourists from Waikiki are able to enjoy rave-worthy items such as the B.E.A.C.H. ($9) sandwich. The acronym stands for bacon, egg, avocado, cheese and ham.

Kono’s makes sure to provide hearty meals for its customers, such as its loaded sandwiches, using fresh and quality produce in order to fuel the surfers, athletes, hard-workers and adventure-seekers that walk through its doors.

For those who opt not to have meat, there are various vegetarian and green-packed selections such as the Sprout ($7.49) bagel, which combines clover sprouts, creamy avocado, tomato, cucumber and cream cheese between a halved toasted “everything” bagel.

The concept behind bagel sandwiches and breakfast burritos is to create a grab-and-go option for patrons who want delicious food, but don’t have a lot of time. And, when there’s no time for food, Kono’s also offers smoothies and freshly squeezed lemonade and limeade, as well as coffee from Waialua, which is roasted in-house.

DEDICATED TO KONO’S

For customers eating in, they’ll observe Kono’s Honolulu shop is decked out in its famous logo of a pig on a surfboard, plus a wall with a budding collection of photos of customers and their surfing-pig tattoos. Anyone donning the distinguishable ink will get more than a photo, though, as Kono’s will give the true fan 25 percent off for life and induct them into the Tattoo Crew.

Take a bite into Chuns ($7.99), one of the Famous Breakfast Bombers, and it will make you consider getting that tattoo, after all. The burrito consists of a tortilla stuffed with that famous kalua pig, bacon, eggs, seasoned potatoes and jack and cheddar cheeses.

Kono’s

945 Kapahulu Ave., Honolulu (also in Haleiwa)
892-1088
Daily, 7 a.m.-2:30 p.m.