Food to satisfy all taste buds, cravings

Seafood Combo ($11.95, shown with barbecue chicken)

BY RANDY DELA CRUZ

It’s not often that you can get the best of two worlds in one location, but Fairwood Drive Inn & Pho 27 Cafe is one of those rare places that accomplishes just that.

Step into the eatery and you’ll find not one restaurant, but two, with Fairwood Drive Inn offering local-style take-out and Pho 27 Cafe catering to diners in a more upscale atmosphere that features Hong Kong and Vietnamese specialties.

Jai ($10.75, a la carte) FILE PHOTO

Located in the heart of Kaimuki at the Kaimuki Shopping Center, Fairwood Drive Inn & Pho 27 Cafe has been the go-to place for hungry appetites in the community and around the island.

Starting in 1995 in Keeaumoku, the dual restaurant has continued its rich tradition of delicious food at its Kaimuki location for the past six years.

At the Fairwood Drive Inn side of the restaurant, you’ll find all of your local favorites, such as, Honey Garlic Chicken ($9.95 regular and $7.95 for mini), Loco Moco ($9.50 regular and $7.50 for mini) and my favorite Grilled Ahi Steak ($11.95) served with rice and tossed green salad.

Regular-sized plates come with two scoops of rice and mac salad, while minis are served with one scoop, rice and mac salad.

Pork Chop Sizzling Platter ($12.95)

Another local favorite is the Seafood Combo with shrimp and fish tempura, fried fish, and your choice of barbecue chicken or teriyaki beef ($11.95).

Also, be sure to try the drive inn’s Jai ($10.25 with rice and $10.75 a la carte), which is a traditional Chinese dish that combines a savory fusion of black mushrooms, Chinese fungus, lily flower, snow peas, long rice and wong bok (Chinese cabbage).

Meanwhile, the menu at Pho 27 Cafe is equally packed with selected pho combos that includes wonton, chicken, char siu, oxtail and roast duck.

Don’t forget to try one of the cafe’s sizzling dishes, like its Pork Chop Sizzling Platter ($12.95), which is a generous cut of pork chop served with broccoli, tomatoes, french fries or rice, choice of three different sauces, black pepper, onion and tomato.