Honolulu Airport Vicinity

[Eat_Nopal]

If you are ever "stuck" in the vicinity of the Honolulu Airport... or on a long layover.... you can do MUCH better in the surrounding neighborhood than having Airport grub. The area is industrial & might seem dicey for those visiting from elsewhere... but its perfectly safe and there are lots of inexpensive eateries catering to both the Blue & White Collar crowds with very decent food. This is my rolling list... and I hope my fellow Oahu based hounds will join in as well.

Ninja Sushi (a local chain I believe) has quite good sushi & other Japanese fare at rock bottom prices. I've had good luck with the Spicy Tuna Bento box ($8), as well as their Katsu Curry.. and a variety of Nigiri & cut rolls.

Ba Le is a vietnamese place that puts out a top notch Pho... the House Special ($6) has Rare Beef, Steak, Meatballs & Tendon along with the usual noodles & garnishes. They also make a nice, fresh squeezed lemonade.

Henry Loui's is a tripy Plate Lunch place that reminds me of old schoole inexpensive Steak Houses around Chicago. The Short Ribs (in a light Teriyaki marinade) are absolutely delectable (particularly if they are cooked Medium... the perfect combination of browning & tenderness).

That is it for now... I am sure the list will grow over time.

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Ninja Sushi
550 Paiea St # 118, Honolulu, HI

Henry Loui's Restaurant
2850 Paa St, Honolulu, HI 96819

[lexdevil]

Went to Mitch's last night on a layover and it was as good as you've heard. A tip for those on layovers: Mitch's is one block from the Alamo car rental. We just hopped on the free Alamo shuttle both ways. Our waitress thought it was a great idea and was surprised that no one else has done this before (or at least that no one else has mentioned it).

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Mitch's Fish Market
524 Ohohia St, Honolulu, HI

[Eat_Nopal]

On a recent lunch at Henry Loui's, they offered a daily special whole Moi steamed Chinese style that was amply superior to equivalent Chinese inspired steamed Fish dishes at Roy's, Orchid's and a few other mid level places.

[lizziee]

Absolutely go to Mitch's - freshest fish but only 13 seats. They do take reservations - a must and BYO only - a liquor store around the block and only 3 minutes from the airport.

Pics here:
http://lizziee.wordpress.com/category...

[Eat_Nopal]

10 minutes from the Airport en route to Central O'ahu you can find the Aeia branch of Verbeno's dishing out solid, inexpensive Italian cuisine in a comfortable (nice enough for a business lunch) environment.

The Clams Florentine are quite good... the blanched Spinach have great texture, the creamy, garlicky sauce is excellent, the bacon.. well its bacon... the clams are small but who cares its all about the sauce flavored with a little bit of clam.

The Melanzane was okay but not chow worthy.

The Multiple Orgasm a la Eat_Nopal is the way to end the meal. (The M.O. is a "cake" made of 3 layers of Gelato held together by a bottom of fudge... the Eat_Nopal component is a side of double espresso to pour around the "cake").

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Verbano Pastaria
98-151 Pali Momi St Ste A2, Aiea, HI 96701

[akq]

I personally almost always make a bee-line from the HNL airport to the lunch counter at Liliha bakery for a grilled tuna and cheese sandwich or a fried egg sandwich + cocoa puffs (or a Chantilly cake). YUM.

I also love the Ba-Le chain (the food at each one is slightly different, imo, and I don't know about this particular one) especially the vietnamese sandwiches and egg rolls. YUM. I also used to love their chicken pho.

I didn't get to eat at Uncles, but my family said good things about it on my last trip.

[kbinsted]

I always send friends to La Mariana on Sand Island when they're stuck at the airport. It's worth the taxi ride for the ambiance alone - tiki times ten. The food... well, the poke's great, as were the edamame last time I was there.

Go while you can - it's expected to close soon.

[KaimukiMan]

La Mariana has shown up a few times on chowhound. the food isn't bad, often pretty good, never great. They generally do a passible job on fish. And you can't match the ambiance anyplace.... i keep expecting Mrs. Howell or MaryAnn to walk through the door at any moment.

Just off sand island access road (right hand side) a hundred yards or so before the bridge (not actually on sand island).

[Eat_Nopal]

Between the Airport & Downtown along Nimitz... rather than strictly Airport vicinity... you will find Uncle's a local favorite seafood joint. Clean, airy, a bit asceptic... but extremely fresh seafood... no frills... appropriately priced. The Ahi Poke tower with Guacamole, Rice, Sea Weed and Chips was good (with lots of fresh Ahi chunks)... the catch of the day Fish & Chips was among the best I've tasted.

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Uncle's Fishmarket & Grill
1135 N Nimitz Hwy, Honolulu, HI

[KaimukiMan]

good to know, i have always chosen Nico's over Uncles after just walking into Uncle's once and leaving because of the smell of old fish. I will give it another try.

[Eat_Nopal]

That is funny... my co-workers frequent Uncle's over Nico's for the same (but reverse) reason =)

[Bill Hunt]

We looked closely at Uncle's, but went with Nico's instead. Still, Uncle's had a good look to it.

Recently, there was a review, that did not paint Uncle's in a good light. Still, if EN recommends it, and it DID look good, I'll give it a go.

Hunt

[Eat_Nopal]

Eh... its kind of a "if you are in the vicinity" type place... it wasn't special enough to get out of your way for.

[ML8000]

Bob's Big Boy and Koa Pancake House.

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Bob's Big Boy Family Restaurants
2828 Paa St, Honolulu, HI 96819

Koa Pancake House
930 Valkenburgh St, Honolulu, HI

[kbinsted]

I didn't know there was a Koa Pancake House on that side! Is it the same gang as the one in Kaneohe? Their vinha d'alhos (sp?) is to die for, especially with poached eggs and fried rice.

[manomin]

It is the same people. The Koa over here is always crowded, I've never
been but have been tempted. This is in beautiful Kaneohe.

[KaimukiMan]

I've been to the one in Kaneohe, it is good. Have to try the one on Valkenburg. The old Moanalua shopping center really did a lot of growing and modernizing over the past several years. Lots of new places to eat there.

[manomin]

Silly question but what should I order there? I know they are only open until
2 so it's mostly breakfast/lunch. Any suggestions? I trust you K-man!

[KaimukiMan]

been twice and both times the friend i was with insisted i have the macadamia pancakes. he was buying, so why argue. both times they were really good, but i am curious to try some of the other items, just haven't been curious enough to drive over the mountain to find out...

such misplaced trust... although Eat Nopal forgave me for leading him astray in Haleiwa.

[Eat_Nopal]

Address for Ba-Le

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Ba-Le Sandwich Shop
3131 N Nimitz Hwy, Honolulu, HI 96819

[Eat_Nopal]

I tried Nimitz Bar-BQ today (Korean)... not a bad option. I had a "Local Favorite" of Kal Bi Beef & "Hot Chicken"... it is served with a tiny Miso Soup (Good... very flavorful yet clean tasting), Panchan (3 dishes... the Kim Chee was blah & murky, the seaweed was okay, the cucumber was very good), 2 scoops of Rice, 1 scoop of brined Bean Sprouts, 1 scoope of brined Cabbage salad... and 1 scoop of Macaroni salad (I guess we can call this a Koreanesque Plate Lunch?)/

> Kal Bi beef 4 oz steak... palatable but unremarkable
> Hot Chicken... a good 8oz of pounded Breast & Thighs, marinaded in a slightly sweet Chile Paste... juicy, charred, well seasoned & flavorful... imho this was very Chow worthy.

Portions are VERY generous... I know I was in trouble when the 300lb Hawaiians in the next table over were leaving food on the plate. Oh yeah... all that good food was $8

One more thing... the food is not particularly spicy so you might want to ask for additional chiles.

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Nimitz BAR-BQ House Restaurant
3131 N Nimitz Hwy Ste 117, Honolulu, HI 96819

[curiousgeo]

Does anyone know if Byron's has a good bento? Lately when traveling we have been getting Zip Pacs to eat at the airport. They are kind of overpriced and just ok, but better than most airport choices. Since Zippy's is open 24 hours it is easy and convenient to stop by.

So I'm wondering if Byron's would be a good alternative and hopefully tastier. Thanks.

[Eat_Nopal]

Ninja Sushi is just across the street from Byrons... and has a variety of Bento's... but I am knew here... so I am not sure if you are asking about Local food that is simply packed into a Bento for better traveling?

[KaimukiMan]

I've never noticed bento on their menu, but with that menu board, and the number of "specials" taped to the window, I couldn't be positive

[KaimukiMan]

thanks EN, a few additions below. Not quite sure I would call Henry Loui's a "plate lunch" place, more of a casual restaurant from what I remember, but it was good.

Generally plate lunch consists of a protein (main food), two scoops of rice and a scoop of macaroni salad, preferably served on a paper plate.

[Eat_Nopal]

Thanks KM for the clarification... could we label Henry Loui's as Hawaiian Diner fare? The style of dining is Diner-ish but with a combination of dishes & sides that seems very particular to Hawaii.

[KaimukiMan]

works for me.

[Eat_Nopal]

Regarding Byrons... do they have Fried Egg sandwiches (or any other place in the vicinity)?

Gracias

[KaimukiMan]

no fried egg sandwiches, maybe you can get them to make you an egg burger on toast with no meat patty.

[Eat_Nopal]

One of my co-workers had an equally good idea... order a BLT and ask for an additional Fried Egg... it was very good, although I was surprised they serve BLTs on Buns.. do you know if they have sliced bread?

[KaimukiMan]

i know i have seen toast on the menu, i assume it is sliced bread, but who knows, maybe it is a toasted bun.

[KaimukiMan]

Here are a couple of additions:
(someday I'll figure hout how to use that bookmarking feature)

Mitch's Sushi Bar
524 Ohohia St.
This is not a fancy sushi bar catering to well heeled Japanese tourists. At the same time it has a good variety of excelent quality fresh sushi at fair prices.

Da Big Kahuna
550 Paiea St.
Best to get there before 2pm, this place makes their own dough for pizza, bread, and the infamous garlic cheese balls and they sometimes run out. The sandwhiches are huge, either beef or pork, shredded and mixed with bbq sauce (tomato not teri). There are only a few tables, and it is generally crowded.

Byrons Drive-in:
3297 N. Nimitz Highway
Easier to get to from Paiea St, this Honolulu eatery has been dishing up plate lunch, burgers, breakfasts, and Loco-Moco's for decades. There is an outdoor seating area in the back. Definitely not fine dining, but some good local kine grindz.

In addition to these three, the Honolulu Airport Hotel has a restaurant named Willoughby's that has surprised a few of my friends with their food and service. I've not had an occasion to go, so I can't give a first hand recommendation. I understand that there is a Ruby Tuesday's at the Moanalua Shopping Center, but haven't been there yet either (Valkenburgh St.), there are a host of fast food places in the shopping center as well. Sam Snead's Tavern, across the street from the Shopping Center, is Hawaii's only outlet of that chain. I've only been to a couple of functions there, the buffet they served the group was passible, but not great. I have no idea what the menu is like in the dining room.

[Eat_Nopal]

Locations

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Mitch's Fish Market
524 Ohohia St, Honolulu, HI

Big Kahuna Pizza
550 Paiea St # 134, Honolulu, HI

Byron's Drive Inn
3297 N Nimitz Hwy, Honolulu, HI 96819