American

Bob’s B-B-Q

1366 Dillingham Blvd. (842-3663) Daily 6am–10pm. Entrees: $2.50–$13.25. MC, V.

The prices here are easy on the pocketbook–you can order a burger and fries for under $6 and walk away full. But cheap fare aside, the food that comes out of the walk-up kitchen is stick-to-your-ribs good food. The portions are big, the food is fresh and there’s something for everyone. Bob’s will even give you a breakfast better than most restaurants in town. Don’t visit Bob’s for ambience–eat here because you like good food with a semi-Southern flair. Eat here because you’re hungry.

– Kawehi Haug (6/6/07)

Downtown

Hawai’i State Art Museum, 250 S. Hotel St. (536-5900) Mon.–Sat. 11am–2pm. Entrees: $9.50–$14.95. AmEx, Disc, MC, V.

The bright and spare cafeteria-like eatery on the ground floor of the Hawai’i State Art Museum is the most necessary addition to the downtown lunch-scape. It promises fresh, locally grown, no-frills fare; and it delivers. Quiches, antipasti and panini are the building blocks for ultra-fresh plate lunches that come served to go in earth-friendly take-out containers that are guaranteed to break down naturally within 80 days. Talk about guilt-free eating–not only are you satisfying your hunger with bright orange-carrot hummus, you’re supporting a movement to save the Earth. Who knew you were so aware?

– K. H. (8/8/07)

Duc’s Bistro

1188 Maunakea St. (531-6325) Mon.–Sat. 5am–10pm. Entrees: $20–$32.95. AmEx, MC, V.

The little restaurant on Maunakea Street is as unassuming as it is surprising. Duc himself is the gracious host that greets and seats you. Start with the Kobe beef tartar, a tender mound of pink beef minced with lemon, onions and capers and served with toast and a trio of condiments to spoon onto the build-it-yourself open-faced triangles. The throwback to the simple French preparation is a welcome deviation from the over-the-top treatment we’re used to giving seafood. Classicism is the common thread for the remainder of the menu, where French and Vietnamese dishes co-exist, but don’t commingle. The Vietnamese dishes are clean, fresh and fragrant. The French dishes are hearty and rich.

– K. H. (10/3/07)

‘Elua Restaurant

and Wine Bar

1341 Kapi’olani Blvd., (955-ELUA) Lunch Mon.–Fri. 11:30am–2pm, Dinner Daily 6pm–10pm. Entrees: $12–$38. AmEx, Disc, MC, V.

‘Elua, the Hawaiian word for “two,” is the theme of the culinary collaboration between Donato Loperfido and Philippe Padovani. The two opt for a dual menu in which one part –the part with the French-inspired dishes–belongs to Padovani and the other to Donato, where his Italian heritage is splashed all over the page. Here, the experience is in eating as much as it is in the food itself, which means that you should allow a few hours for a meal. All the comfort and familiarity of gasthaus food, with the delicacy of a French gourmet.

– K. H. (8/15/07)

Food for Thought

66–472 Kamehameha Hwy., (780-7928) Mon.–Sat. 11am–6pm. Cash only.

For the owners and patrons of Food for Thought, being “green” means more than just organic, local ingredients–it also means handmade, homemade and slow-made. Along with delicious food, this wagon offers 100 percent biodegradable and compostable packaging. The falafel pita wrap is especially satisfying–light and crispy on the outside, steamy and savory on the inside. The Ho Farms cherry tomatoes make several dishes pop with juicy joy and as one patron says, “these sprouts are so good, they make me want to laugh.”

– Carlie Singh (4/2/08)

Giovanni Pastrami

227 Lewers St., Ste. 118, (923-2100) Daily 7am–Midnight. Entrees: $7.95–$14.95. AmEx, Disc, MC, V.

With its Peruvian glass tiles, concrete bar and golden-toned banquettes, the place looks more like a modern mid-scale Italian trattoria than a deli, pizza parlor or sports bar. There are a few reasons to visit, the first being its roast brisket and jack cheese grilled sandwich. Giovanni Pastrami takes a bit of a deli detour with a full breakfast menu that is served all day until midnight. The restaurant’s signature crab cake eggs benedict has the potential for a good twist on an old classic. Your best bet is to choose something you can’t get elsewhere–it’ll make it worth the trip to the strip.– K. H. (9/5/07)

Hank’s Haute Dogs

324 Coral Ave., (532-4265) Mon.–Fri. 10am–5pm, Sat & Sun. 11am–5pm. Cash only.

We’re talking good, solid, all-beef franks that are no more harmful than your hoity-toity slices of say, mortadella. The menu is all hot dogs, with a few sides like French fries (bistro-thin and twice-cooked to perfection) and onion rings, made with sweet Maui onions. His classic dog (the Chicago) anchors the menu, and is made with Vienna brand all-beef franks. Gourmet dogs run the gamut from meat-on-meat to no meat at all (”No Dog,” an all-veggie sandwich).

– K. H. (8/22/07)

Ige’s 19th Puka Restaurant

& Tavern

98–761 ‘Oihana St., (486-3500) Mon, Wed & Thu 3pm–10pm, Tue 3pm–9pm, Fri 3pm–11:30pm, Sat 3pm–11pm. Entrees: $8.49–$14. AmEx, MC, V.

Although the tavern has a honky-tonk feel with live bands belting out tunes and line dancing diners, the family dining area is filled with all ages and groups. The dinner menu offers four different daily entrees with the choice of two sides. In particular, the saimin deluxe has a taste to die for. The 1940s original broth is taste-fortified wit different flavors of pork, kamaboko, mustard greens, and shredded cabbage topped with green onions. Good food, good music and a very friendly staff with good service–it’s the place to and relax in the ‘ohana spirit.

– Walter Rhee (4/30/08)

Keoni By Keo’s

2375 Kuhio Ave. (922-9888). Sun-Sat. 7am–10pm. Entree: From $10–$15. AmEx, DC, Disc, JCB, MC, V.

While Keoni’s serves American and Thai cuisine for lunch and dinner, the true star is its breakfast with egg yolks, fluffy rice, succulent ham, and enough vegetarian options to keep the angriest of the granola crowd satisfied. The menu has all the standard local and mainland favorites–loco moco, Denver omelette, pancakes and bacon–as well a few surprises. Offering a rare combination of superior service, good food and reasonable prices with an atmosphere that can’t be beat, Keoni’s knows how to put a smile on any face.

– Rachel Brown (6/11/08)

Kona Brewing Company

7192 Kalania’ole Hwy. (394-56621). Mon.–Fri. 11am–11pm, kitchen closes at 9pm, bar closes at 10 pm. Entree: From $13–$19. AmEx, Disc, MC, V.

Stick around for dessert and your faith in beer as an ingredient might be renewed. The desserts–beer-infused offerings such as mango bread pudding with pale ale caramel sauce and Tahitian vanilla bean ice-cream with Black Sand Porter sauce–do a much better job of showcasing the beers and what they can do for food. When it comes to locally made brews, there’s really no competition. Add to those hand-tossed pizzas and there’s all the reason you need to choose Kona Brewing Company over Outback.

– Kawehi Haug (5/16/07)

Tio’s Garage & Taco Station

404 Ward Ave. (596-8359). Mon.–Thurs. 11am–10pm, Fri.–Sat. 11am–11pm, Sun. 4pm–10pm. Entree: From $8.75–$10.50.

Tio’s offers New-Mex cuisine with amazing spicy salsa–the kind of salsa that you shovel in your mouth and ask for a third basket of chips ordering your meal and being completely full by the time the entrees show up. The appetizers shine with flash fried calamari and the chile con queso. Dominated by reds and yellows, the room is airy, pleasant and fun, especially with the bushels of peppers on the walls and the Latin music pumping through the system. If you’re looking for a relaxing place to waste away an afternoon, Tio’s is the place to be.

–Ryan Senaga (1/30/08)

Cafe & Deli

Kalapawai Cafe & Deli

750 Kailua Rd. (262-DELI). Mon.–Thu. & Sun. 6am–9pm, Sat. & Sun. 6am–10pm. Entree: From $12.95–$14.95. AmEx, MC, V

Sitting right off of Kailua’s main drag, between KFC and Arby’s, Kalapawai Cafe & Deli is a cute, charming and quaint surprise. Part country cafe, part saloon-style eatery, it’s this island’s equivalent to Maui’s Hali’imaile General Store. The mostly southern-European-inspired flavors can be mixed and matched at whim, and always with rewarding results. The portions are kept in check–you won’t get mountains of food or family-sized platters. Who says you can’t have your steak … and fish and pizza and pasta … and eat it, too?

– Kawehi Haug (5/30/07)

Mix Cafe

35. S. Beretania St. (537-1191). Mon.–Fri. 7am–7pm. Entree: From $4.75–$8.90. AmEx, Disc, MC, V.

The bustle and din at Mix Cafe belies its smallness. Six tables for two and one table for six turn the long narrow space into a cafe that seats fewer diners than most people here have family members. The full staff–warm, friendly and charming–is always at your beck and call. Order the sandwiches with a side of country salad, potatoes and roasted veggies tossed with oil, vinegar and salt and pepper and you won’t miss the fried starch that we normally pair with our sandwiches. These aren’t your typical New York-style sammies. These are simpler and purer. Bread, meat, cheese and maybe a few veggies. Choose from three homemade sauces: spicy crab, creamy Portobello or sausage. Its breakfast menu is also certainly worth waking up for. The amazing waffles are in good company with Bruno’s signature omelette, a fritatta-like dish that’s chock-full of fresh veggies and the most surprising breakfast sandwiches that threaten to make an addict out of anyone who discovers them.

– Kawehi Haug (10/17/07)

Chinese

Aloha Bistro

444 Kanekapolei St. (926-8288). Mon.–Sun. Lunch:11am–2:30pm, Dinner: 5pm–9:30pm, Entree: From $12.95–$19.95. Disc, JCB, MC, V.

Along with the chopsticks and handle-less tea mugs, the restaurant offers few entrees over $20 and excellent service. The bus boy will zip over and exchange a half-full teapot for a fresh one, just to ensure piping hot tea throughout your meal. Presentation figures big into the bistro’s specialty dishes, the Seafood Taro Bowl: a medley of fish, squid and vegetables which comes in a delicate bowl of violet taro that soaks up the garlic sauce as you eat. Chinese tourists and islanders alike can find something familiar and comforting at Aloha Bistro: Good food, good prices and a staff that shouts in Cantonese.

–Rachel Brown (5/7/08)

Filipino

Marilou’s Restaurant

& Catering

70 Kukui St. (621-1196). Mon.–Sat. 9am–9pm. Sun. 9am–3pm, Entree: From $7.35-$9.50.

The allure of traditional Filipino cooking lies in the braising of meats slow-cooked for several hours to release the flavors. Each lunch/dinner combo comes with 4 items of your choice–pinapaitan, pinakbet (a soup with long green beans, few pieces of lechon-crispy fried pork, bitter melon, eggplant and tomatoes), dinguanan, pork guisantes, pork adobo, mungo beans or pork menudo. All items on the combo plates are savory. Banana lumpia and halo halo for dessert. Marilou’s is the place to go for a real comforting home-cooked Filipino meal.

–Walter Rhee (3/5/08)