Dining — bargains

By Robert Bone
Special to The Advertiser

You’ll get your best deal by far by buying your own food in supermarkets -– outside Waikiki, anyway, that is.

Besides that, remember that Hawai'i is part of the U.S.A., and many of nation-wide fast-food emporia will also have Hawai'i addresses -– except on Moloka'i and Lana'i, anyway. The kids, at least, may be glad to find McDonald’s, Burger King, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, and other familiar franchises.

For some more original choices, however, here are some inexpensive choices, island by island.

OAHU

Honolulu

• The Makai Market at Ala Moana Shopping Center. It's almost an international supermarket with booths and stands serving foods from several regions and countries.

• Auntie Pastos, 1099 S. Beretania Street. Noisy, but serving Italian food at fair prices.

• I Love Country Café, 451 Piikoi St. Very popular with locals, especially at lunch time. Perhaps more practical for carry out than eat in.

• Mekong, 1295 S. Beretania St., and Mekong II, 1726 St. King. These two Thais are inexpensive favorites. Reservations usually required, and make sure everyone knows which one you’re meeting at.

• Yum Yum Tree, a local chain, offering wide-ranging fare at Ward Center. Standard American fare with some local specialties, like Portuguese bean soup.

North Shore

• In Rural Oahu, near Haleiwa, Jameson’s By the Sea, 62-540 Kamehameha Highway, is perhaps a little more expensive than the above choices. But it’s a delightful, outdoorsy choice for both lunch and sunset dinner and cocktails.

• Not far away is Kua Aina Sandwich, 66-214 Kamehameha Highway. It’s always crowded, but for good reason. Only a few tables, so try taking out these giant hamburgers and eating them at a nearby beach park.

KAUAI

Lihu’e

• The traditional bargain in Lihue is Hamura Saimin, 2956 Kress St. Specialty, of course, is Saimin, that wonderful Japanese noodle soup, more often called Ramen in Japan.

• Duke’s Canoe Club, 3610 Rice St., offers a wide dinner selection in an oceanside location, next to the Kauai Marriott hotel.

• Brennecke’s Broiler, across from Poipu Beach Park, offers steaks, chops, salads, pizza, etc.

Ele’ele to Hanapepe

• Between the villages of Ele’ele and Hanapepe, the Green Garden Restaurant is another venerable institution. It’s famous for lilikoi chiffon pie.

Kapa’a

Taking the northern route, many stop for lunch at Bubba’s Burgers, which is just about all they have. Look for it on the highway in Kapa’a. For a wider choice, try the nearby Ono Family Restaurant, particularly famous for local breakfasts.

MAUI

• True bargain dining is difficult on Maui. Nevertheless, there are a few choices if your demands are as modest at your budget.

Lahaina

• In Lahaina, look for Cheeseburger’s in Paradise, 811 Front Street.

Kahana

• For dinner, try to find Roy’s Kahana Bar & Grill at 4404 Hanoapiilani Highway, in Kahana. It’s a little more upscale, but not as pricey as the headquarters restaurant in Honolulu.

Makawao

• In "Upcountry" Maui, near Makawao, search out the Hali’imaile General Store. Truly gourmet lunches and dinners at prices somewhat above the "steak and chop" joints, but well worth the difference.

MOLOKA’I

Kaunakakai

• Several addresses in tiny Moloka’i won’t put a dent in your wallet. In downtown Kaunakakai, go the rear of the Kanemitsu Bakery to find the tiny restaurant. Uncomplicated hotel fare is available under the banyan tree at the Pau Hana Inn. The Molokai Pizza Café, on Wharf Road, is popular with the locals, too.

LANA'I

With a couple of super-deluxe resorts, Lanai has a deservedly expensive reputation. So dedicated budget diners may want to avoid those and head for the three-quarter-century old Hotel Lanai for steaks and seafood grilled over a kiawe wood fire. Even less expensive fare is available at the coffee shop entitled the Blue Ginger.

THE BIG ISLAND

Kona Coast

• You won’t find inexpensive dining along the prestigious Kohala Coast, where some of the world’s most well known resorts are established. If you drive "up mauka" from the Hilton, however, you’ll find the village of Waikoloa, site of the Ocean Bar and Grill, a relatively economical choice.

• In the village of Kailua-Kona, however, look for the Ocean View Inn, across from the Kailua wharf. At last report, it still served Chinese, Hawaiian, and American fare.

• Maybe a tad more pricey, but offering a wide selection in nice surroundings is the Kona Ranch House at the corner of Kuakini Highway and Palani Road. And for Mexican food, try Reuben’s, a new branch of the Hilo favorite at 75-5711 Kuakini Highway.

Hilo

• In the city of Hilo, Reuben’s Mexican is at 336 Kamehameha Ave. Similarly, Maui Tacos (even though it’s on the Big Island) in the Prince Kuhio Plaza also has south of the border fare. For Cantonese cooking, try Sun Sun Lau, 1055 Kinoole St.

• For Japanese specialties, the Osaka is still ichi ban at 762 Kanoelehua Ave. For all around, All-American fare, the local favorite is Don’s Grill, 485 Hinano St.

Travel writer Robert W. Bone is a journalist, editor and photographer. He is the author of "The Maverick Guide to Hawaii."