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Lots to Love

Cover Story

February 13, 2022

Story By: Kyle Galdeira | Photos by: LAWRENCE TUBUDLO

Surf-N-Turf Prime Rib and Snow Krabby Cake Combo ($41.99)
Corporate executive chef Dennis Franks smiles with a packed plate.

As the Los Angeles Rams and Cincinnati Bengals get ready to kick off what is expected to be an exciting Super Bowl this afternoon, Big City Diner is ready to help tackle game-day cravings and solidify Valentine’s Day plans with a stellar lineup of pupu platters and meal packages.

The iconic eatery has made a lasting impression on multiple generations of diners with its locally influenced cuisine since 1998, and features restaurants in Kailua, Kaimuki, Pearlridge, Waipio and Windward Mall.

Before settling in for the big game, pick up a Big City Diner pupu platter at one’s favorite restaurant location — order online or call ahead (please allow at least an hour for preparation). The AFC vs. NFC Pupu Platter ($69.99) includes guava barbecue baby back rib bones (eight), spicy guava barbecue chicken wings (10 pieces) with blue cheese dressing, panko-breaded calamari (8 ounces) with wasabi aioli dipping sauce, roasted garlic bread (eight pieces) with cheddar and Jack cheese, and Japanese panko-breaded fish (three pieces) with two sides of tartar sauce and fresh lemon all in a 2-inch full foil pan atop shredded cabbage and garnished with ti leaf.

The AFC vs. NFC Pupu Platter ($69.99)
This platter is full of all of your game day favorites.

The larger Super Bowl Pupu Platter ($89.99) features the same items and accompaniments, but includes 12 or more rib bones, 10 wings and six pieces of the ono fish to go, along with the 8 ounces of breaded calamari and eight pieces of garlic bread.

Big City Diner is also the ideal destination for Valentine’s Day meals to go. The Valentine’s Prime Rib Family Pack ($224.99) serves four to five people and includes 3.5 pounds of USDA Choice Hawaiian rock salt prime rib, 2 pounds of large roasted garlic mashed potatoes, oven-roasted vegetables, large Caesar salad with local roma tomatoes, Snow Krabby Cakes topped with sweet chile-aioli (five pieces) and assorted fusion-flavored macarons for dessert. Guests must order online or call quickly as at least 24-hour notice is required to secure the prime rib family pack from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 14.

Also available today and Valentine’s Day is the Valentine’s Breakfast Family Pack ($84.99), which serves four to six people; please allow at least 30 minutes for preparation after ordering online, by phone or at the restaurant. This meal package includes 10 pieces of Ani’s Awesome Cinnamon Bread French Toast, four pieces of homemade breakfast bread pudding with haupia cream sauce, scrambled eggs (made with 10 eggs), 10 pieces of grilled Portuguese sausage, five pieces of Snow Krabby Cakes topped with sweet chile-aioli and six scoops of steamed white rice (upgrade to Uncle Danny’s Fried Rice for $7.47, or kimchi fried rice for $8.97).

Brunch and dinner specials are also available today and tomorrow from 11 a.m. until they sell out at all Big City Diner locations. The USDA Choice Hawaiian Rock-Salt Prime Rib plate ($34.99) includes a hearty 12-ounce portion of slow-roasted prime rib crusted with Hawaiian rock-salt spice and served with au jus, creamy horseradish, roasted-garlic mashed potatoes and fresh sautéed vegetables. Surf-N-Turf Prime Rib and Krabby Cake Combo ($41.99) takes diners on a mauka-to-makai feast as the aforementioned prime rib and accompaniments are supplemented with two crispy Snow Krabby Cakes.

Diners may add a small green salad for just $3.99 more, and are encouraged to pair the special meal with Robert Mondavi Private Selection Pinot Noir ($8.50 per glass, $29 for a bottle).

Breakfast fans can look forward to today’s Valentine’s weekend special Snow Krabby Cake Eggs Benedict ($16.99, served through 3 p.m., or until sold out) with poached local eggs served on two Crispy Snow Krabby Cakes topped with creamy hollandaise and sweet chile drizzle on a grilled English muffin. This special dish comes with a choice of golden hash browns, Paniolo Potatoes, steamed white or brown rice and assorted fresh fruit.

46-056 Kamehameha Hwy, Kaneohe, HI 96744

108 Hekili St, Kailua, HI 96734

3565 Waialae Ave, Honolulu, HI 96816

98 Pali Momi St, Aiea, HI 96701

94-800 Ukeʻe Street, Waipahu, HI 96797

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