Healthy eats at your favorite local diner

Fire-Roasted Portobello Mushroom Salad ($12.49). FILE PHOTOS

Since opening in 1998, Big City Diner has become a go-to gathering place, attracting customers with what owner Lane Muraoka likes to call “local-American comfort food.” Launched by Muraoka, who got his start in the restaurant industry as a dishwasher, Big City Diner quickly gained popularity and now has six locations throughout the island.

Serving up breakfast, lunch, dinner and late-night fare, Big City Diner has a wide, varied menu that comprises diner classics alongside local favorites.

Samurai Li-Hing Lemonade ($4.99) L. TABUDLO PHOTO

But if you’re thinking that you can’t stay on your diet while at a diner, you’ll be happy to hear Big City Diner also has a selection of healthy eats, including salads that utilize fresh — and local, when possible — ingredients. Options include Fire-Roasted Portobello Mushroom Salad ($12.49) with portobello mushroom sliced on a bed of organic mesclun greens, chopped romaine, diced roma tomato and sweet red onion. It’s all topped with croutons, Parmesan, red onion rings and fresh lemon, and it’s served with Big City’s signature ancho-chile dressing.

Another option is Paniolo Chicken Salad (big, $12.99; “not so big” $9.29), which features a spicy mix of lime-marinated grilled chicken, sweet roasted corn, chopped roma tomato, diced red onion, real cheddar and jack cheeses, tri-colored chips, fresh cilantro and homemade salsa.

Paniolo Chicken Salad (big $12.99, “not so big” $9.29). FILE PHOTOS

To stay cool in the summer, Muraoka also recommends Big City Diner’s signature Samurai Li-Hing Lemonade ($4.99), a refreshing lemonade infused with mint and li-hing mui.

Here’s some more great info about Big City Diner: The restaurant offers an all-day breakfast menu daily.

Big City Diner

Ward Entertainment Center
1060 Auahi St., Honolulu
591-8891
Sunday-Thursday, 7 a.m.-10 p.m.; Friday-Saturday, 7 a.m.-midnight