Amigos, Lahaina

Wharf Center, Lahaina, 808-661-0210

1 Lengua taco, and 1 tacos al pastor $6

Better not say ewwww. I eat tongue, and lots of other animal parts too. If you are going to talk sustainability, I am going to talk about how we should be utilizing all of the animal if we are going to kill it to eat it. Hot dogs don’t count.

Here’s how I first did it: I walked up to order and asked them if the lengua is good. While the server eyed me up to see if I was joking, he offered, “you can try it.” I said yes, he said something in spanish to the dude cooking, who in turn looked at me and laughed. Server hands me a small cup with the lengua, it is delicious. I order one lengua and one al pastor, because al pastor is food of the gods marinated and roasted pork, garnished with onions and cilantro. Simple and delicious. The two dudes proceed to laugh some more, talk some more in Spanish, and hand me a reciept. they can’t figure out why one white looking girl has any business eating such ethnic food. But if you want food adventure and to expand your palate, you are going to have to taste the world around you.

Lengua tastes like beef. What a surprise right, but filet, tri tip and ground beef all have a beefy taste so why not the cows tongue too? The texture is soft, and there is a lot of flavor like the meat has been sauteed with aromatics and seasoned well. It is chopped into small size pieces, so in case you were picturing a corn tortilla around a slab of cow tongue you can just quit that now. I would ask about the preparation if i spoke spanish, as it was they couldn’t stop giggling at me. Now that I always order the lengua they have stopped laughing. Next up: cabeza taco.

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Aloha Mixed Plate

1285 Front St., Lahaina, 808-661-3322 @ampmaui

Shoyu Chicken Mini Plate – $3.95

The mini plate is a very special phenomenon of the plate lunch, its half size. Also known as a hobo. If you are strapped for cash but still want plate lunch goodness this is your compromise. At Aloha Mixed Plate they actually have several mini plate options ranging from $3.95 to $5.95, like the loco moco, teri beef, breaded teri beef, mahi, and the hamburger steak. For a some beautifully seasoned proteins, a scoop of rice with a bit of cabbage this is eating like a king for a paupers price. Your main sacrifice from a regular plate is the omition of any mac salad, and one less scoop rice.

Mini plates are also excellent for portion control and keeping the calories down if you are into that kind of thing. Guilt free dining if you will. I have also found that the service is fast. My take out arrived before I could send out a text message, and I am pretty fast with a smart phone. Aloha Mixed Plate has a beautiful ocean front view and an outdoor deck dining room, so take in the beauty of the west side coastline while you dine on a dime.

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Sunrise Cafe

693 Front St., Lahaina, 808-661-8558

Teri Chicken Sandwich $7

The Sunrise Cafe is right on Front Street behind Lapperts. For such a little joint they sure serve big portions. The chicken sandwich is no exception. Over six inches on a big soft wheat roll. Warm chicken breast chunks smothered in a thick teriyaki sauce with lettuce and tomato. Sometimes it features thin carrot shreds, sometimes its cucumbers, or sprouts. It comes with chips or a green salad, pasta salad or fruit. The salad is fresh greens with slices of cucumber and tomato. Their dressing is delicious. Its a simple small cafe, but they are trying to keep prices real on Front Street.

Sunrise also does an eggs benedict for about $8. A terrific option for the brunch lunchers. Two poached eggs over They are a small locally owned cafe, with perfect proximity and views of Lahaina harbor.  It is very casual dining, plastic tables and chairs around the cafe. If you are taking it to go you can call ahead.

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Lahaina Cafe

843 Wainee St., 808 667-6655

$5 lunch special, $3 breakfast

Lahaina Cafe has one of Lahaina’s most extensive menu. Serving American breakfast, Vietnamese cuisine and dim sum, through 4am is one the facts that makes them stand out among West Maui Spots. Their menu is huge, and though I have tried many things, including the dim sum which is excellent, I love their barbecue chicken. It has an excellent sweet caramelized crust, the seasoning is light and lets the fresh herbs and veggies stand up around it. I have had it with vermicelli noodles and jasmine rice either way is delightful, vietnamese dishes always feature fresh salad, vegetables and herbs, they aromatic and delicious.

Lahaina Cafe is fairly new to its spot at 843 Wainee St. next to Nagasako General Store, but the proprietor Q has been in business of feeding Lahaina folks great food for many years at Bamboo Bar and Grill. What Lahaina Cafe does for their lunch special is take three items off of their regular menu and transforms them into the specials of the day. Monday’s specials were BBQ chicken, pork chop, or chicken stir fry. Call to find out what the special is they run everyday from 10 am to 2 pm. Lahaina Cafe has a nice size dining room.

Another great deal that deserves mention is the $3 breakfast. Two eggs, two pieces of bacon and your choice of hash browns, rice or toast. Hearty, straightforward and filling.

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Commercial Mexicana Store

840 Wainee St, Lahaina, 808-661-6193

10 am to 8 pm

Chile Relleno ala carte $5.95

Enchiladas ala carte $2.50

This little mexican store is like shopping in Mexico, lots of import goodies. But they also have a hot food section where you can get the special creations of the Jalisco style influenced Mexican cuisine they create. Jalisco is a state in Mexico, maybe more well known for its tequila production or the town of Puerto Vallarta, and Guadalajara. If you have ever travelled through Mexico, you will notice that the same cuisine items vary a bit from region to region, and each state will have their specialties.

Their Chile Rellenos have a following, if you don’t get there pre-lunch rush, you might not get them at all. The chiles are stuffed with cheese and the egg batter around them is all puffed up and plump. They are served with a red sauce poured over and it has carrots and onions and so much flavor. By themselves the rellenos are $5.95 but if you want the plate for 2 bucks more you get rice and beans. They always have enchiladas as well for $2.50 each. The hot foods line has other options that change daily, and you can make a killer combo plate if you are willing to spend more.

Oyaku Tei Burger

Five Lunches for Five and Change (or Less) in Central Maui

Oyaku Tei

Oyaku Tei Cheeseburger Deluxe $2.65

Oyaku Tei is a little hole in the wall old school okazuya. They serve breakfast and lunch and their misoyaki butterfish is excellent. They are very reasonably priced but if you just have a few bucks in your pocket their Maui Cattle Company Cheeseburger deluxe is the way to go for just $2.65. Their handmade beef patty is always served with with lots of melted cheese, crisp lettuce, nice ripe tomato and a thick slice of onion. Its simple and delicious. Their dining room is cozy just a few plastic tables and chairs. Most of the time there are already seniors parked their eating their favorites and watching tv. It is a mom and pop shop through and through with family photos, and the kids hanging out regularly. I usually drop in and order to go, but today they informed me they deliver to anywhere in Kahului and Wailuku. Even better!

Stillwell’s Bakery

Stillwell’s Bakery Quiche and Roll $5.95

This quiche is off the hook. The first time I tried it was at Hawaiian Village Coffee and I begged the proprietor to tell me where he was getting it. Then I went straight to the source. The roll that it comes with is also a real treat, it is a white cottage bread with macadamia nuts in it. The filling has ham and onion and bell pepper, and the texture is so smooth, its more like a custard then any other quiche I have come across. Stillwell’s also has a side soup and roll for $4.95. Their soup changes day to day but they are always good, the office favorite is the corn chowder that is really good and hearty. Of course you will also probably tempted by their island famous banana cream pie, or cream horns so you might want more than five bucks in your pocket before entering.

Bento Box Combo TJ's Warehouse

TJ’s Warehouse

TJ’s Warehouse Combo Bento $5.75

TJ’s Warehouse is a modern day okazu-ya wonderland with the chops to prove it. Not only do they provide pre-packaged bento goodness to the masses who know about this place, but they also have a hot food line of specials daily in case you want to pack your own. Their food always sells out. They have plenty to choose from in the five dollar range in their bento case, try unagi, udon, combos, mochiko chicken, gyoza and more. They also do specials from time to time, like last week’s teriyaki chicken bento and fountain drink for $4.99 so keep your eye out for the sign on the wall too. While you are here they also have an asian market, japanese imported foods, and local produce. The building also houses Maui Chemical and Paper Supply so you can pick up miscellaneous office supply and paper goods. Now they are also selling propane too. Its one stop shopping at its most random.

Da Smoothie Shack Sandwich

Da Smoothie Shack

Da Smoothie Shack Shaka H&C $5.95

Its truly difficult to recommend a sandwich in Central Maui and steer clear of a corporate deli environment and stay in the price range of five dollars. While Da Smoothie Shack is not a deli, and certainly not the italian deli I am praying will someday open in Central Maui, they are serving good healthy food for a good price out of their little shack. All of their sandwiches except for the prosciutto come in at $5.95. The Shaka H&C is Virginia Ham and Muenster cheese plus tomato and lettuce. They also have a veggie, tuna, salami or caprese. You know you are in Maui when the fresh fruit smoothies cost as much as your sandwich.

Royal Island Drive Inn Chinese Broccoli and Pork

I don’t know if they do this in the Mainland but over here in the islands we love to name take out places the “drive inn” when there is really no car service, theatre or drive through of any sort. Plus I don’t know where the Inn comes in because that usually denotes lodging. By the way L&L was one of the first to do it, but now they have more or less dropped the ‘drive inn’ portion of their name in branding. That being said, places named Drive Inn are usually serving awesome local food, even if you have to go inside and order, don’t let the name fool you. Royal Island Drive Inn is no exception. Their One Item Plate for $4.95 means you can choose from many of their fresh made dishes that day, like sesame chicken, sweet sour pork, chinese broccoli and pork, charsiu, zuccini and chicken, and you get the choice of chow mein or fried rice. This restaurant is totally family owned, and serves a great breakfast for under 5 dollars too.

GOOD TIMES WITH GYOZA & GIRLFRIEND GOSSIP

I’m lucky. Lucky in that my best gal pal (besides a great listener) is a foodie like no other. She’s literally always got the scoop on the best eats and what to order and recently turned me on to Queen Ka’ahumanu’s Ramen Ya.

Good friends are good listeners who know good grindz.

From our very first venture there, I was already hooked–their fried rice haunting my hungriest dreams. To ensure it wasn’t a good-day fluke, I had to go back. Sure enough the grindz were not only consistent, I think they might have even improved.

While the entire menu is enticing, selection “A” seems like the steal of the century (all for under $9): a big bowl of ramen, a mound of killah fried rice (seriously, some of the best out there–flecked with pink fish cake) and four pieces of plump gyoza (gyoza so good it has me turning up my nose elsewhere) is more deliciousness than I–a clean-your-plate kind of girl–can handle.

The employees are ultra sweet and attentive (my root beer never sinking lower than quarter cup status) and every time I glance up, the hard working chefs from the open kitchen are smiling, observing us–as if eager to see our reactions to the fare.

While the food has a quality tastiness enough to make you “Mmm!” aloud, when they give us the bill, the prices have me feeling a little like I’m stealing. Thus, Ramen Ya has quickly become one of our new ‘spots’ to dish each other our latest love life gossip over yumminess that appeals to our local palate.

This just in! Max to Go has decided to move their opening day to next week, September 29th. Stay tuned upcountry eaters…

Find our Mauitime Dining Listing Guide Info Here

John and Cristine Graziano are putting down even more roots in Haiku. I covered their opening in April of this year, and enjoyed the easy going ambiance of this Haiku family friendly joint, you can see the article if you missed it. Now they have also renovated their lobby area to be a hangout for the underage crew with chess and backgammon. I really respect that knowing there is not much for you to do as a kid in the country, plus when your eating as a family, how kid friendly is that? No quarters needed, go play chess kids.

Now the newest idea of the Graziano’s launches today with their quick food take out counter open from 7am to 5pm. You can pop in in the mornings and get you coffee and breakfast (from bagels to burritos) at about $6. Lunchtime you can grab soups, salads, sandwiches and their fabulous pizza by the slice. They are making their great food fast and convenient for you. Maps and listing info link to Maui Time Weekly’s Dining Guide.

Here is the link to Carla Tracy’s Maui Scene article on them too.

BREAKDOWNS = BLESSINGS, WITH BUDDIES, BEER AND TORTILLA-WRAPPED BLISS

"Taco flavored kisses! Taco-taco, burrito-burrito!"

Sometimes even the shittiest of situations can turn out to be a blessing in disguise. Take, for example the current rear-wheel bearing mishap with Phat Tony’s vibrant VW, leaving him stranded near Baldwin Beach in Paia. A walk over to Charley’s in Paia to kill time at the bar–while waiting for me, to the Toyo rescue–resulted in a happy, chance meeting with some good Keokea Ultimate Frisbee buddies.

Our friends there to indulge in Charley’s Taco Tuesdays, we naturally joined in on the fun too. While my slightly drunk (thanks, Mike) photo does little to convey the true taco tastiness, the table’s foodie consensus was resoundingly positive–friends enjoying taco stuffings from bean to pork to chicken. The thumbs-up commentary says quite a bit, considering the conversation circled rather critically around other culinary topics. At just $2.50 a pop with Mexican beers just $3, this is a Tuesday hotspot worth checking out.

Mexican brew just $3 por you!

Think taco flavored kisses sounds gross? Yeah, you're probably right. But, I can't say the word 'taco' without singing the South Park tune

Little place, big taste!

“I’ve got a case of katsu!” Phat Tony groaned, stuffed after having devoured a huge plate lunch of the most ono chicken katsu (his, kindly substituted with teriyaki sauce vs. tonkatsu sauce), one giant scoop of rice and some mean mac salad.

The place was packed,always a good sign for an eatery, no matter how small (and it is, small), jammed with locals and tourists alike. Good signs (like, as already mentioned, a crowd well-past the lunch rush hour; or beef stew that looks and smells like my Dad’s best; or the batches of fresh, mochiko-battered fried chicken, seen being cut carefully in to strips from within the open kitchen) are all well and good, but we need none. We already know it’s the bomb!

Mmm... Katsu.

The only bummer about the joint is that all too often we show up only to find it closed. A family place, their hours seem a little loosey goosey. But you know what? That’s totally okay with me. I guess good things are worth being patient for, and tasty katsu comes to those wait.

Dude, that's a super big knife! Glad this dude was super cool!

Check out the Maui Time Weekly Dining Listing at:

http://www.mauitime.com/Listing-22259.112113-30806.112113_Ko_Ko_Ichiban_Ya.html

Rosa's Tacos in Wailuku

Their tacos are awesome! Authentic mexican preparation with really yummy roasted pork, or chicken or beef.

Jacob Shafer’s review reveals owner Amado Peralta is thinking of the future with his healthy, low overhead, passing the savings onto the customer mexican cuisine. I just feel lucky its so close to the office and only $3.50 a taco.

Sometimes they also carry enchiladas and tamales too. View their Maui Time Weekly dining listing and map here.