Posts Tagged ‘Local Food’

On a recent trip to Kauai my wife and I stayed in Poipu and unlike our first trip to the Garden Isle, it was sunny all three days! After working up an appetite surfing just off of Poipu Beach (can’t remember the breaks name) we decided we needed to finally try this Puka Dog thing that we’ve heard about. There is one in Waikiki, inside the International Market Place, so I’m told, and I’ve seen pictures of their creations, but really needed to try one out.

So, after a quick shower, off we went to the Poipu Shopping Center to try out a Puka Dog. When we got there it was packed. A small little hole in the wall, they serve veggie or polish dogs in a very non-traditional way. Puka in Hawaiian means hole. And these hot dogs are literally pushed into a hole in small loaf of bread (the bun.) Top that off with some interesting fixings that aren’t what you’d normally find on

a hot dog (only mustard if you’re traditional) and you have yourself a puka dog.

The ordering process is pretty simple. You first choose polish or veggie, then choose what type of Garlic Lemon Secret Sauce you want, and finally you choose the type(s) of tropical or traditional relish that you want your puka dog bathing in. Hand them your $6.25, and you’re on your way to enjoying a uniquely Hawaii hot dog.

The Garlic Lemon Secret Sauce comes in original, spicy and hot. I went the spicy and although it was quite tasty it didn’t give it the spice I was looking for. Next time I’m going with the hot. Now the truly unique and interesting fixins come with the relish choices you have, the tropical ones. These come in mango, pineapple, papaya, coconut, banana, and star fruit. All of which don’t sound appetizing on a hot dog but I had to try them out. Besides, whats a puka dog without a taste of the islands? So I went with the mango and it did not disappoint!

The lemon garlic, mixed with the mango, and hot dog wrapped in a bun turned out to be a great treat. I’ll definitely be heading down into Waikiki to try it out.

Finally, I washed it all down with fresh squeezed lemonade. The girl at the counter was squeezing it right in front of us, mixing it up with sugar, water, and ice, and serving it up with a smile. It was delicious. And it fit in with my tropical relish flavored hot dog quite nicely.

The staff was fun, seeming to have a good time. The service was fast. The atmosphere was like a Jamba Juice made out of left over Hawaii Tiki attire and crowd kept on coming. It was a perfect lunch spot on our Kauai weekend getaway.

Downtown Honolulu has its share of unique eateries, but few offer gourmet cuisine for the price & pace of a fast food franchise.  3 Star Gourmet II, a hop skip away from the downtown Honolulu post office, has a menu chock full of goodies, though most every time I have dropped in the daily special snagged my attention.  Fortunately, I have heard testimonials from many downtown office workers of the wide variety of dishes available and their consistently good quality.

Open from 6:30 AM to 7 PM Monday thru Friday and 7 AM to 3 PM on weekends, 3 Star Gourmet II has mouth watering omelettes that cost a mere $5.75 or $6.25.  Many of my friends rave about the Seafood Omelette as well as the Daily Special.  All Omelletes are served with a choice of rice or hash browns or toast, and for an extra 50 cents one can add cheese or a vegetable.

Yummy MacNut Pancakes are a great way to start off the day, or one can choose Banana or Blueberry, for only $5.25.  A stack of buttermilk pancakes are only $4.25, or for $6.25 you can order 3-Star Pancakes with your choice of meat & eggs.  Children’s pancakes with meat & eggs are a terrific deal for $4.25.

There are a variety of meat & eggs combos for $5.75 to $6.25 for Grilled Mahi & Eggs (an island favorite) to $7.25 for Steak & Eggs, and once again there is a choice of rice or hash browns or toast.  Rounding out the breakfast menu are a variety of side orders, as well as juice and naturally coffee.

One thing that sets 3 Star Gourmet II ahead of the crowd is that they offer a choice of white or brown rice and, for me, their brown rice is wonderful — a nice slightly nutty taste and perfect compliment for every meal.

The lunch menu is extensive & inexpensive, beginning with an assortment of mixed green salads priced from $3.75 to $6.50 and including such treats as a Blackened Ahi Salad, an Oriental Salad w/ Chicken Breast Katsu, a Zesty Crab Cake Salad, and many others.  There are thirteen sandwiches on the menu ($3.75 to $6.50) including my personal favorite, Hot Pastrami on French bread.

There are fourteen items on their Main Entreé list, ten Pasta items, plus thirteen local plate items.  As if that is not enough to choose from, there are daily specials as well as the fresh fish of the day!  All are priced from $5.25 to $8.50, with only a few exceptions.  On my most recent visit I chose the slow cooked prime rib of beef for $10.25, and it was as good as if not better than the $20 0r $30 option at many dinner restaurants.  A thick though tender slab, a steak knife was not needed.  It was full of flavor and a very satisfying meal.

For those who worry about how their food is prepared, 3 Star Gourmet II has an open kitchen.  The cooks in their crisp, white shirts & aprons bustle around a spotlessly clean kitchen in full view when you are ordering at the counter.  There is no table to table service, though on a slow afternoon the ever-friendly staff is likely to deliver your plate to your table. Otherwise, be prepared to bus your own table.

3 Star Gourmet II opened in July 2009 at 810 Richard Street, the original 3 Star Gourmet is located at 1111 Bishop Street.  I have not eaten at the original, though I am certain it is equally wonderful, as it is owned by the same terrific trio, chefs & caterers.  You can contact Robert via 808-375-1629, Art via 808-216-3535, or Virgil via 808-277-6335 for more information.