April 30, 2007
Lunch on the Waianae Coast
My post office is located in a strip mall that I have to pass as I return home from anywhere off of the coast. Since most of my work is “off of the coast” it’s very convenient for me to stop there at the end of each work day. It’s also quite convenient that there are a Chinese take-out and a Korean barbecue take-out just steps away. Too convenient actually, considering my dietary limitations! But, hey, every now and then you just have to indulge, you know what I mean? I did that recently and thought I would share the experience with you.
The Korean barbecue place is just a little glass-front hole-in-the-wall, but it’s clean and bright. The man and woman who run it (probably a husband and wife, but who am I to pry?) are always courtesous and greet each customer as if they are ever-so-pleased that you’ve chosen their estabishment for today’s lunch.
The menu is amazing, and everything is priced right for the working-class popluation of our community.
Here’s how it works. After I’ve made my entree and size selection from the menu I step up to the counter. I’ve eaten much more adventurously since I moved to Hawaii, but I’ll admit that a lot of the local vegetables and side dishes don’t appeal to me. Still, most places carry a few things that suit my picky tastes. On this day I selected corn and some potatoes basted in a sweet and savory sauce. My server first filled about half of the large section of the take-out box with rice (everything in Hawaii comes with “two scoops rice,”) and then nestled my side dishes into the little partitioned-off corner wells.
She whisked my half-full tray into the kitchen where my entrees were being prepared. I sat at a small cafe-style table and “talked story” with other hungry patrons while I waited. Yes, women here do wear flowers behind their ears on a daily basis and yes, that’s a year-round wardrobe on display.
My neighbors and I exchanged a few pleasantries: The day was feeling a little muggy, but the fishing has been good lately and no, they wouldn’t mind at all if I put their picture on my blog. We were just getting acquainted when that nice lady behind the counter let me know that my lunch was ready. I’d selected a mixed plate:
The portions are generous. I ate half of the katsu with a little rice for lunch. My leftover dinner that night was filling, but there was still enough of everything left for my lunch the next day. That was Friday and Saturday. My sensitive digestion is stull suffering from the fried foods, but, well, sometime you just gotta have something totally ono! Eh, bra! So good it broke da mout!
And, oh - I should have mentioned: these local plate lunch places are all called drive-ins. No, you can’t drive in, but there you have it.
This post has been entered inthe The 14th Carnival of Cities for May 21, 2007.
[tags]Hawaiian plate lunch, Korean barbecue, food, take-out, life in Hawaii, Hawaii, photos[/tags]
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April 30th, 2007 at 5:44 pm, kat Says:
That looks so yummy! I’m hungry now…LOL
April 30th, 2007 at 6:47 pm, Elizabeth Says:
That chicken katsu looks DELICIOUS!
April 30th, 2007 at 7:23 pm, skeet Says:
Shucks, Kat! I should have popped the leftovers over to your place isntead of scarfing them down myself, lol!
April 30th, 2007 at 7:26 pm, skeet Says:
It’s totally ono (delicious!) Elizabeth. Chicken Katsu is my favorite local take-out. I ususally get a single entree mini-Katsu, but I thought the full spread would make a better post, lol! Always thinking of my readers, you know! ;0)
April 30th, 2007 at 10:36 pm, allysther Says:
Oh, Skeet, you have no idea what you have done to me with this post!
My favorite is chicken katsu curry. Zanla bumped into your photos this morning and before I could find them he offered to take me for curry chicken tonight. It’s not the same, but it’s what I have, and he knew that my craving would spike!
Oh man, and shoyu potatoes….
I think that dinner tomorrow night might have to be my pale imitation of your plate lunch. With mochi for dessert.
April 30th, 2007 at 10:39 pm, allysther Says:
Oh, and thank you again and again and again for sharing your life with all of us. I smile every time I see what fun you are having in this space.
May 1st, 2007 at 12:47 am, skeet Says:
Aw, my sweet Allysther - and Zanla & the little man! I think you’re missing the food almost as much as I’m missing you! One of my clients, a malahini, was asking about barbecue last week. I started to tell him about the place in Wahiawa (the one with a name I can never remember, blast it!) and almost started crying because it made me remember good times with you! Bless Zanla’s sweet heart, though, for filling in the gaps that can be filled!
I hope my stories and photos help instead of making the longing more painful. We just gotta get y’all back here where you belong. Huggles & snuggles all around! Miss you!
May 1st, 2007 at 2:37 am, allysther Says:
We did have fun at Molly’s! Though I must say that it is Mom’s who will always have my vote.
Your stories help so very much. They remind me that Hawaii was more than just an amazing dream. We lived there. We had wonderful experiences. We had friends who loved us. It is good to know that it is all still there, and that when we do get back our friendship will still be strong.
I know I sound sappy, but some of the best memories I have star you. I miss you….
http://www.hawaiidiner.com/reviews/review.php?review=31
May 1st, 2007 at 4:35 am, kate Says:
Skeet, I enjoyed reading about your meal … and seeing what the year-round clothes look like. I’m envious!!
May 1st, 2007 at 10:34 am, Whim Says:
Yum that sounds good!
May 1st, 2007 at 9:09 pm, skeet Says:
@ Allysther -Shoot, getting all teary-eyed again. Miss you all so very, very much!
I inspected CeeCee’s house a couple of months back. He’s the preacher-guy that runs Mom’s. I need to get over there & let him feed me soon, adn I’ll pretend my favorite short guy is sitting there, right between us, eating his rice, lol!
May 1st, 2007 at 9:12 pm, skeet Says:
Kate, it’s only a flight away. Get yourself in gear and you, too, can live a life of decadent leisure in a tropical paradise. :0D
May 1st, 2007 at 9:15 pm, skeet Says:
Whim, it’s really my favorite local meal, but, of course, can’t do it too often. We’ll pick some up on the way home from the airport when you come visit, lol! :0D
May 20th, 2007 at 1:43 pm, mrscrumley Says:
That looks really good! I like the pictures too.
May 21st, 2007 at 1:45 am, Chattanooga Is Home » See 7 States and the world: the 14th Carnival of Cities Says:
[…] presents Lunch on the Waianae Coast posted at skeet’s […]
May 21st, 2007 at 11:50 am, Evelyn Says:
I miss Waianae Drive Inn! *Sniff!* Their food was the best! It’s been too many years. I’m a Waianae High School grad and I am stoked to find a blogger on my old stomping ground!!! OMG! We have GOT to connect! Whatchya doin’ Friday? What business? Where?
May 21st, 2007 at 1:00 pm, skeet Says:
Alli, you haven’t lived until you’ve had a local plate lunch, I promise you!
May 21st, 2007 at 1:02 pm, skeet Says:
Sqeeeeeeee! This is too exciting! Can you come to Waianae? We’ll get a plate luch & go sit at Pokai Bay or something! Oh, this is to totally, awesomely cool! A Hawaii blogger with a Waianae connection! I’m stoked!
May 21st, 2007 at 1:21 pm, BW Says:
Nice piece.
Food looks awesome, you should sell the photos to the owners :o)
May 22nd, 2007 at 7:58 am, Jami Says:
Hi Skeet! I’m visiting with Carnival of Cities and I’m so glad you submitted a post. I love the personality you show through your blog, and your meal looks delicious. I hope your digestion recovered quickly!