Manager Ryan Souza offers up the “Trust Us Special” with Krazy Rice ($17) from Kau Kau Grill’s food truck.
At Kau Kau Grill, the concept is simple: serve ono food coupled with quick, friendly service and without any unnecessary frills.
Manager Ryan Souza explains that the restaurant takes pride in “making the best food around, from ribs to shrimp. We’re a small hole-in-the-wall, so we have to prove ourselves with great food.”
“Trust Us Special” with Krazy Rice ($17)
The eatery was launched by owners Miles Oyasato and Ty Takishita in 2013 and offers delicious local-style cuisine at both its restaurant in Mapunapuna and via a popular food truck along Ala Moana Boulevard at Pier No. 2.
With its convenient locations situated in industrial areas, Kau Kau Grill caters to everyone from construction workers and first responders to office workers and nearby residents. On a recent Dining Out visit, two travelers from Texas explained that they came straight to Kau Kau Grill from the airport to get “some of our favorite local food.”
Fried Saimin Combo with Teri Chicken ($10)
Everything on Kau Kau’s menu is made in house, and the freshest ingredients are used across the board. Even the popular Krazy Rice ($3 or $1 for a single scoop or substitute as part of a plate) is made at the restaurant with a special blend of barbecue sauce and spices to turn what is usually a mere side dish into something to crave.
“People will look on Google to see who has the best ribs, and even when they arrive at the airport, they come straight here,” Souza confirms. “Local people love our food — they keep coming back.”
Two Choice Combo ($19 with short ribs and poke)
The business offers customizable dining options, including Two Choice Combo (starting at $15; pictured here with short ribs and poke for $19). The plate lunches are served with rice and spaghetti mac salad, and are packed with so much tasty food that it’s difficult to close the lid on the plates.
Kau Kau Grill is home to many local staples such as Smoked Meat ($10; pictured here with Krazy Rice for $11) cooked to perfection and smothered with onions. The Fried Saimin Combo ($10; pictured here with Teri Chicken) features a hearty bed of delicious noodles prepared to order.
Smoked Meat with Krazy Rice ($11)
And for the ultimate Kau Kau Grill experience, pick up a “Trust Us Special” ($15, $17 with Krazy Rice), which is loaded with succulent Barbecue Baby Back Ribs — a signature menu item — and Garlic Shrimp.
“Trust me, you have to come and try the ‘Trust Us’ plate,” Souza says. “The Garlic Shrimp is cooked perfectly, and our ribs are to die for — they fall right off the bone.”
For more information, and to see more of the delicious selections available, follow the restaurant and its experienced culinary team on Facebook and Instagram (@kaukaugrill).
Kau Kau Grill Does Catering, Too
With menu options for the entire family, Kau Kau Grill is the perfect choice for catering. Manager Ryan Souza notes that the restaurant can take care of large orders to assist with everything from graduation parties to corporate meetings and even tailgate parties and potlucks. To find out about the various options available from the skilled culinary team, call 722-5919.
Kau Kau Grill
RESTAURANT
852 Mapunapuna St., Honolulu
476-5888
Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
FOOD TRUCK LOCATION
Hawaii Foreign Trade Zone, Pier No. 2
521 Ala Moana Blvd., Honolulu
284-8293
Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Honolulu, HI 96813
Honolulu, HI 96819
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