Best places for plate lunches on the Big Island? (Kona side) (Honolulu: hotel, restaurant)

[abefroman99]

What are the best places for plate lunches on the Big Island? (Kona side)

Will be at a resort but don't mind a 30-45 minute drive.

[Honolulu21]

On my trip to Big Island last January, 3 of us stopped at the Manago Hotel which is in South Kona. My friend who had previously suggested Kilauea Lodge which was some of the best restaurant food I had in a long, long time, suggested this place after we finished touring the City of Refuge.

My friend told me to order their pork chops which the hotel is known for. I did and the pork chops were delicious! The food is served kind of "local" Japanese style in that the rice comes in a big container in which you help yourself using a rice paddle to put it in your chawan bowl(rice bowl). The waitress brought out 3 side dishes for the 3 of us to share. One was chicken long rice, another local style macaroni salad, and finally these beans cooked in shoyu and sugar.

The pork chops were really good. Breaded, fried and juicy accompanied with a side of delicious pork brown gravy. My other two friends are semi vegetarians and ordered fish, which they both liked, but it didn't WOW them like my pork chops did for me.

[hotzcatz]

Hmm, dunno as if the Kona side has that many plate lunch type places. The whole Big Island isn't as plate lunch friendly as Oahu is. When we go to the Kona district, we usually eat at either Costco (since that's usually the reason we are going to that side of the island in the first place) or sometimes Genki Sushi since it's fun. Can't particularly even think about a plate lunch truck anywhere. There is an L & L's over in the shopping center on the other side of Kailua from Costco, though. They have plate lunch. It might be called Keahou shopping center, but then again, it might not. It's the one halfway up the hill at the far end of Kailua.

[Dreaming of Hawaii]

I suggest the Pine Tree Cafe. It's at the Kohanaiki Plaza, on Huikoa Drive, which is the next street north of the turn-off to Costco. Just a couple of miles south of the airport on Highway 19. The first business you see from the highway is Kona Mountain Coffee. The Pine Tree has a HUGE menu with lots of local-type food. Nothing fancy, but the food is good.

[AlohaHuey]

Originally Posted by Dreaming of Hawaii

I suggest the Pine Tree Cafe. It's at the Kohanaiki Plaza, on Huikoa Drive, which is the next street north of the turn-off to Costco. Just a couple of miles south of the airport on Highway 19. The first business you see from the highway is Kona Mountain Coffee. The Pine Tree has a HUGE menu with lots of local-type food. Nothing fancy, but the food is good.

Second that. The crispy skin huli huli chicken is delicious.

[WindRide]

I know it's a chain, but I love L&L. The Kalua Pork with Cabbage is my favorite. That being said, the best Kalua Pork we've had was at a street fair in HOVE. A pint container crammed with pork and rice for $2.00. Amazing. Definitely need to learn to make my own.

I'm going to check out the Pine Tree Cafe when we get there in August. I'm drooling at the thought of the huli huli chicken.

[Honolulu21]

Originally Posted by WindRide

I know it's a chain, but I love L&L. The Kalua Pork with Cabbage is my favorite. That being said, the best Kalua Pork we've had was at a street fair in HOVE. A pint container crammed with pork and rice for $2.00. Amazing. Definitely need to learn to make my own.

I'm going to check out the Pine Tree Cafe when we get there in August. I'm drooling at the thought of the huli huli chicken.

Its easy if you have a crock pot. Get a pork shoulder or butt roast and brown it on all sides. Put it in the crock pot with a half cup of water, Hawaiian salt to taste, a teaspoon or so of liquid smoke and 2 green Ti leaves that you've sterilized beforehand by pouring boiling water on it, and cook on low for 8 to 10 hours.

[WindRide]

Originally Posted by Honolulu21

Its easy if you have a crock pot. Get a pork shoulder or butt roast and brown it on all sides. Put it in the crock pot with a half cup of water, Hawaiian salt to taste, a teaspoon or so of liquid smoke and 2 green Ti leaves that you've sterilized beforehand by pouring boiling water on it, and cook on low for 8 to 10 hours.

Thanks! Or, I guess MAHALO!