Cheap, tasty and off-the-beaten-track

Believe it or not, SPAM is big here in the islands.  Yes, canned meat, of all things.  You can walk into any McDonald's or Burger King and order bacon, sausage or Spam with your breakfast.  Chili & rice is a big favorite, too.  Another local island specialty is a "plate lunch".  This is a plate with two scoops rice, one scoop macaroni salad and your choice of entree selection (for example, Korean chicken (our favorite!), marinated pork, seared tuna, etc.)

There are lots of free tourist dining guides you can pick up at the airport or grocery stores and you can find lots of fancy and plain restaurants everywhere.  However, here are several very local eateries you will never see listed on a dining guide, that we think are outstanding, inexpensive and "native":   

•       Kay's Kitchen at the Matsuyama Food Mart is as local as you get.  None of the tourists know about this place, because it doesn't even have a cafe sign or anything.  It's just a tiny little addition to the convenience store, but wow!  They have the best Korean chicken plate lunch of anywhere (fried chicken drummies with a special sweet sauce, two scoops rice and one scoop mac salad -- their mac salad has tuna in it.  They have grilled mahi-mahi sandwiches and even serve breakfast (which is also excellent).  You will see locals coming and going like bees in and out of here, so don't expect a seat (there's only four tables).  Get your food to go, go early, or wait for a place.   Get there before noon to ensure you get Korean chicken, 'cause they sell out quite often.  Entrees $3 - $8  (Location:   From the main highway 19, just a couple miles north of Kailua-Kona (between the Airport and Natural Energy Lab), take "Kaiminani Drive" inland and straight up the mountain a mile or two, to the stop sign and go right onto Mamalahoa Highway.  Immediately, Matsuyama's will be on your left.  OR ----- you can go up the mountain from Wal-Mart on Palani Drive and take a left on Mamalahoa Highway - Matsuyama Food Mart will be on your right after a ways- it's a little more confusing this way, but hey- where d'ya gotta be on vacation anyway?  Sight see on the way :)   ))
•      Big Island Grill - is always good food and one our family's favorites!  A local favorite, also --it's packed at noon, so get there early or late.   Located in downtown Kailua-Kona at Hanama Place on the north end of Kuikini Highway, it's very reasonably priced with "ono" food.  Pancakes, malted waffles, shrimp omelettes, sweet potato haupia cheesecake, coconut shrimp, Korean chicken, Teryaki Beef (John's favorite!)grilled fish, hamburgers, etc. Entrees $6 - $12
•      Don's Chinese Kitchen -    This is Big John's pick of choice.  You gotta know what to order and apparently it's House Pan Fried Noodles here made fresh to order.  Also if they have them, try the "mochi" balls.  They're kinda like doughnuts with either a sweet coconut center, or a sweetened adzuki bean center.  Located on Palani Drive, just down from the Wal-Mart on the north side of the road in a little strip mall, behind the Starbuck's and the Wendy's.  (The original Don's Chinese Kitchen is in Waimea on the main highway.)  While you're here at Don's, get dessert at the new GELATO place next door.   Holy cow, is it good - made fresh everyday, it's like ice cream, but not made with cream - owned by Italian family - you'll have to try some.  Also, ladies, check out Ross Dress for Less - lots of deals here!
•      Royal Thai Cafe -  there are several Thai places in town, but this one seems the cleanest, friendliest and has the best tasting food.  We like the fresh flowers on the tables and the salt water aquarium in the middle.  The meal indredients are just always so FRESH and crisp.  Kim's favorite meal here is a Thai iced tea, fresh basil rolls with peanut sauce and homemade plum sauce, and a bowl of Tom Kah Kai soup (hot & sour with lime and coconut milk, plus vegetables and either succulent shrimp or chicken).  Cup of soup $2.50, appetizers $5 - 8, entrees $7 - 13.  Located at the Keahou Shopping Center, (next to the Cinemas). Try going on a Friday for lunch.  Go early and you can catch amateur ukulele practice at 10, or you can get free ukulele lessons at 11, plus make your own flower lei for a quarter donation at the Keahou Shopping Center.   Then head for lunch at the Royal Thai.  There's also a free Polynesion Show every Friday evening there, too.  (Keahou Shopping Center is at the south end of Alii Drive, OR, take the main Highway 11 south from downtown Kailua to Kamehameha Ave.  This is a great little mile drive from the highway down to Keahou:  great views and lots of fragrant plumeria trees, so have your windows open! 
•     Hotel Manago - Located south of Kailua-Kona on Highway 11 in Captain Cook (makai side, or ocean side) about 20 minutes, it's an old hotel with a cafe.   (In fact, I think it's the oldest family owned hotel in the islands - the photos on the walls are very interesting)  Their pork chops were voted best in the islands by an Oahu food critic, and their grilled fish is excellent (they always have at least 5 kinds of fish to choose from).  They serve family style, with odd and simple shared bowls of mac salad, black eyed sweet peas, rice, vinegar sprouts, cucumber salads, pickled seaweed, etc. with the meal.  (Make sure you wander around a bit to see the Japanese garden and three foot long koi.)  Entrees $5-$12

FUN TIP:  don't be afraid to experiment and try new things!  Even in a supermarket or convenience store, try weird oriental candies and ice cream treats (like "melona" bars from Korea - that taste just like honeydew melon, or li hing mui flavored plums from Japan - pucker up!).  Some are icky, but many are downright good.  Half the fun is finding out and we invite you to just live a little, and have a ball!   We hope these little tidbits can help you enjoy the island a little better and we welcome feedback on any of our ideas, plus new ones you find on your own.  Maholo and aloha, we hope to see you there!  -----Kim, CWC

Our 3 favorite "touristy" eateries!

Bubba Gumps - Right on ocean only a couple blocks from our condo, you can watch boogie boarders while you stuff yourself silly with whatever kind of shrimp you want.  Lots of trivia and movie props from the film "Forrest Gump".  Colorful and eclectic - expect to pay $10 - 20 person here.

Outrigger Keauhou Beach Resort - Right next door to Kahalu'u Beach, we recommend you go to the "early bird" dinner as it's rather pricey here.  Their drinks are FABULOUS and their fancy chef creates the most perfect courses.  Our favorite thing however, is walking over to the bar area and looking over the railing into the tidal pools below.  The hotel shines big spotlights down into the ocean at night   One time in a 10 minute period, we saw 6 eels and about 30 big turtles roaming around - way cool!!!!  Night life under the sea . . . .ooooo, aaaaahhhh.

Kona Brewing Company  - Kim's favorite dark beer in the world - Kona Brewing Co. Stout with hints of coffee.     Yum, yum.  (They'll cut you off at two glasses, though, 'cause the alcohol content is like 15% or somethin')  Try all their weird beers - it's a blast.  Excellent gourmet pizza with weekend live entertainment.  (Hint, when they say the flavors are spicy hot, they MEAN it, holy cow.)   Look for coupons in the tourist guides.  Located a couple blocks up the hill from King Kam Hotel.