I have found my reason for living ... ALOHA FOOD FACTORY!
Cook: "I can make anything you want."
Me (bubble thoughts): "anything"???
That's how it all started. I had to make a trip to Cal State LA and stopped for a quick bite before heading back to the office and decided to drop in at ALOHA FOOD FACTORY - a place known for its Hawaiin lunch specials (right around the corner where the 710 FWY ends in Alhambra).
Ok, onto the chow.
Ordered up a Hawaiian Classic Burrito (its really my own franken-creation). Spam, pineapple, Kalua pork, and wasabi and drenched in teri sauce. Sounds horrible, I know, but goes down so smoooooth. The nice salty, crunchy feel of the slightly charred spam mixed in with the sweet pineapple and pork ... all of it blended in nicely with the wasabi. Oh, and of course, the teri sauce just makes sure it all goes down the windpipe with ease. This was so damn good.
Topped off the meal with some Hawaiian shaved ice (weather was VERY cooperative today in SGV).
Some guy next to me was having a burger - gotta give that a try next time.
Highly recommend this place if you're in the area.
Check the link to the website below ... I'm headed to see my cardiologist now ...
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Thanks for the reminder, I haven't been for a while. I've never seen it crowded, and I've not seen it empty though either. It seems like most customers are regulars, and the atmosphere is homecooked, unlike a lot of the "fast food" feeling Hawaiian grills cropping up around. I need to get back asap.
Sounds like I need to look up Ohana-Hou Hawiian Grill also.›1 Reply-
re: MaryT
just went there last weekend and had char shu burritos with avacado. need to try their loco moco next.
as for ono grill on potrero grande...the best thing there is span katsu musubi! also try bachan's down the stree on the corner of potrero and arroyo. they have one of the best kalbi
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If you haven't tried the Kalua Chicken yet, you have too! It's AWESOME! Hooooo---soooo goood! For dessert, try the Works! Shave-Ice w/ red bean and ice cream. We love the restaurant and the owners-we feel at home when we're there! We're originally from Hawaii so we need our plate lunch fix every now and then. We've been to L&L, Aloha Cafe, King's, Bruddah's, The Loft, Seoul Grindz, tried different plates at the Ho'olauleas, you name it. We have a way to assess a Hawaiian Plate Lunch restaurant: the mac salad and Laulau has to be good! Aloha Food Factory is at the top of our list. L&L has the worst mac salad. Has anyone been to Ohana-Hou Hawiian Grill in West Covina? We watched Makena perform there recently - the food is good - nice restaurant - opened last year - nice people - the owners promote local and Hawaiian bands - they also feature Polynesian dance/dinner theater - check it out!
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re: sherrex8
You didn't mention Ono Grill on Potrero Grande in Monterey Park. Very small place but great food. They have a potato/mac salad that is delicious. Their chicken karaage(?) is excellent. They do a "volcano bowl" that's a favorite. They have opened another Ono Grill on Las Tunas also. Haven't tried that but same owners so I'm sure the food is good.
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Used to frequent this place years ago when it was one of a few Hawaiian restaurants around. It used to be a Taco Bell. Yes, the owners are nice and strive to put out the best Hawaiian food they can. Used to go for the Poruguese sausage and eggs and teriyaki burger. From what my native Hawaiian friend's tell me, Aloha Cafe in Monterey Park on Atlantic(next to Paul's Kitchen) is the best in the area maybe followed by Shakas on Garfield. The chain Hawaiian BBQ places aren't as bad as people make them out to be...that's what plate lunches are all about.
Want real authentic Hawaiin style food--Bruddah's in Gardena is it.›4 Replies-
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re: Pancee
Hi all,
The owner of Aloha Cafe is a friend of mine and I thought I'd pass the information along. Aloha Cafe has been closed for about a year but they are now opening a new location under the same ownership in downtown los angeles in little tokyo. It should be officially open sometime in mid March. They have a website too now. www.EatAtAlohaCafe.com Check it out for more info.-
re: ClaudeTheDog
According to the website www.EatAtAlohaCafe.com, Aloha Cafe is now open in Honda Plaza on 2nd St. in Little Tokyo. D'oh!--We were actually parked right across the street from Honda Plaza last weekend and didn't notice it. Has anyone been to this new location yet?
Aloha Cafe
410 E. 2nd St
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Click here for directions.Phone: (213) 346-9930
Hours: Open 10am - 9pm
Monday through Saturday
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That place is delicious, and the owners are SO nice too (I live in Alhambra and go there about once every 1-2 months.) I loved their spam musubi! (most of the other ones have WAY too much rice, in comparison to spam & nori) The freshly fried-to-order sesame chicken is awesome too.
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re: ipse dixit
Haha, actually didn't get around to that yet -- unfortunately I usually go there solo (and usually a to-go pickup over phone) so I consistently order spam musubi plus sesame chicken/kalua pig plate/fried rice ~ if I ever get around to trying a burger (or going with others) I'll let you know... though more than likely you'll be the one letting me know ;)
But yea, other "Hawaiian" spots in the area hold no candle to AFF.
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re: Jack Flash
The pig was good, not great in my estimation, but who could tell what with the spam, wasabi, pineapple and teri sauce. I usually like my kalua pig on the salty/smoky side. I doubt their version is made with an imu, but who knows (and honestly, who cares, the whole thing tastes so damn good).
I also think I spotted someone downing a bowl of poi, but couldn't be sure.
Shaved ice, while satisfying, just wasn't what you could find on the North Shore of Oahu ... never could find something comparable here in the states.
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