【Hawaii Food】Big Island Food Diary

We spent most of our time adventuring (and driving) on the Big Island and didn’t get to have many sit-down meals. So, what did we eat? Here’s our Big Island Food Diary.

Luquin’s (Pahoa)

Our lava hike tour guide recommended Luguin’s Mexican Restaurant to us once he heard that we were staying at the Pahoa area. He told us Luquin has the best Margarita and Mexican food. Sold.

Yay, free chips and salsa! They were SO GOOD.

Actually, too good that by the time I remembered to take photos, there were only crumbs left.

Luquin’s menu.

Of course, I couldn’t resist ordering the Margarita that our tour guide raved about. It was lovely! Although, to be honest, um, I, um, had never had a Margarita before. Haha. I vaguely recall that the waiter asked whether I wanted salt, on the ice or straight up – I really didn’t know better so I just answered randomly and was glad that I liked what I ordered.

Except I later read it on Tripadvisor that they’re famous for their Margarita with li hing mum (plum) powder on the rim instead. I wish I had ordered that!

I loved the fajita, the hotplate really brought out the aroma of the spices. The fish looked dry but was surprisingly tender.

Overall, I was extremely pleased with our meal at Luquin’s. The food was delicious, the atmosphere was homey and the staff were friendly. If I had another day on the Bis Island, I would definitely visit it again.

{Luquin's}
Address: 15-2492 Pahoa Village Road, Pahoa 
TripAdvisor: https://www.tripadvisor.com.au/Restaurant_Review-g60603-d509232-Reviews-Luquin_s_Mexican_Restaurant-Pahoa_Island_of_Hawaii_Hawaii.html
Website: (not very helpful) http://www.luquins.com//#_=_

Cafe 100 (Hilo)

Cafe 100 was on my Big Island “to eat” list, but we almost didn’t have time to come.

On the last day, we had a morning flight to catch from Hilo and we didn’t have any breakfast plan. Hmm, should we take a detour and get takeaway from Cafe 100 before the airport? What if we missed the flight because of this? What if we got to the airport early and regretted not risking it? Oh the dilemma.

I was so glad we did this!

(And didn’t miss our flight.)

Cafe 100 specialises in one thing: Loco Moco, Hawaii’s signature comfort food.

I didn’t have much time to study the menu, so I just ordered on a hunch. Well, this Kilauea Loco seemed like a glorious variation of the traditional loco coco, and I liked the drawing – Kilauea Loco, I pick you!

My photos don’t do the loco moco justice, so I guess you will just have to take my words for it: The texture of the rice was cooked just right (moist but not sticky) and it paired perfectly with their special Hawaiian gravy sauce. I can have this for breakfast every day! If you are gonna try loco moco on the Big Island, look nowhere else.

{Cafe 100}
Website: http://cafe100.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Original-Loco-Moco-738679766225614/

Buba Gump (Kona)

I quite like the setting of Bubba Gump, it’s got that American steakhouse atmosphere. Except, instead of steak, it serves shrimps, lots and lots of shrimps.

The service was great and it was a breeze sipping my cocktail on the porch waiting for the sun to set over the Pacific Ocean. The overall experience was nice, but there was no wow factor in the food that we ordered.

{Bubba Gump}
Website: http://www.bubbagump.com/index.asp
Location on Big Island: Kona 
Other locations in Hawaii: Honolulu (Oahu) and Lahaina (Maui)

Splasher’s Grill (Kona)

Splasher’s Grill was right next to our Kona accommodation and it was packed in the morning with at least 5 groups of people waiting for a table outside in front of us.

The menu.

The atmosphere was beachy and the meals were massive, Mike and I could have ordered one to share and would still be full. Breakfast came with complimentary Kona coffee in the white jug on every table; oversize Heinz tomato sauce and tabasco on the side – It was a brunch experience quite different than in Sydney.

{Splasher's Grill}
Website: http://www.splashersgrillkona.com

 

Pele’s Kitchen (Pahoa)

Peel’s Kitchen in Pahoa caught my eyes with their cute hand painted signs.

  

The menu.

I tried loco moco for the first time at Pele’s. It wasn’t bad, but not something I would order again.

Our brunch with complimentary pasties (5 pieces! So generous).

{Pele's Kitchen}
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PelesKitchenRestaurant/

 

L & L (near South Point)

We stopped by L & L to get some food in our tummy after the long drive from Kona to Kahaluu Beach to our next stop South Point. To be honest, we only came into L & L because there was nothing else to eat in the area.

I gotta say it didn’t look very appetising at all. However, surprisingly, the BBQ and the rice was actually not bad. Come to think of it, L & L is quite a good alternative to big fat greasy burgers and fried chickens when you just want something fast and simple.

This time, we remembered to just order one to share.

{L&L Hawaiian barbecue}
Website: http://www.hawaiianbarbecue.com

 

There are a lot more to do, see and eat in Hawaii – continue reading for more of my Hawaiian holiday:

Big Island

• 【Kona】.::You, me, palm tree and sunset::.
• 【Kahaluu Bay】.::Snorkelling in the nature’s aquarium::.
• 【South Point】.::The southernmost point of the United States of America::.
• 【Punaluu Beach】 (aka Black Beach Hawaii) .::Bah bah black beach have you any turtles::.
• 【Mauna Kea】.::Sunset able the sea of clouds::.
• 【Hawaii Volcano – Lava tour】.::WE POKED RED HOT LIVE FLOWING LAVA::.
• 【Nature’s Cottage】.::a very unique Airbnb experience::.
• 【Tide Pools】.::Crystal clear champagne tide pools::.
• 【Big Island Food】.::Bubba Gump, Splasher’s Grill, Pele’s, L&L, LuQuin’s, Cafe 100::.

Oahu

• 【Hanauma Bay】.::Snorkelling before the sun comes out::.
• 【Chinaman’s Hat & Kualoa Ranch】.::The ocean’s hat and Jurassic Park::.
• 【Polynesian Centre Luau】.::Hula without coconut bikini?::.
• 【Dole Plantation】.::Sweet pineapple and delicious Dole Whip ice cream::.
• 【Oahu Food】.::Teddy’s, Helena’s Hawaiian Food, Duke’s at Waikiki, Giovanni’s Shrimp Truck, Macky’s Shrimp Truck, Ted’s Bakery, Popeye, Ramen Nakamura::.
• 【Airbnb】.::A very chic retreat::.