Hawai'i's Best Restaurants

	2006 'ILIMA AWARD WINNER - BEST CASUAL RESTAURANT: PEOPLE'S CHOICE
	Every year, Advertiser readers are asked to vote for their favorite restaurants in the 'Ilima Awards poll. Meanwhile, our in-house food experts debate to select the critics' choice 'Ilimas, primarily focused on restaurants recently reviewed or revisited. With a few exceptions, categories change each year to keep readers interested and keep the winner list fresh.

BEST CASUAL RESTAURANT: PEOPLE'S CHOICE
Big City Diner

One of Big City Diner's specialties is its baby back ribs with a guava glaze. The restaurant also offers a selection of beverages from its bar.

Big City Diner

The Big City Diner folks call what they do "local comfort food" with a Pacific Asian focus. This means such signature items as Grandma's Incredible Kim Chee Fried Rice, Mama-san's Meatloaf, Paniolo Chicken Salad and, at breakfast, French toast made with Ani's cinnamon bread. The quartet of restaurants are busy at lunch and dinner and for weekend breakfasts; service is fast and cheerful.

Four locations: 3569 Wai'alae Ave., Kaimuki, 738-8855; 108 Hekuli St., Kailua, 263-8880; 1060 Auahi St., Ward Entertainment Center; 94-800 Uke'e St., Waipahu. Hours: Kaimuki: 7 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday, 7 a.m.-midnight Tuesday-Thursday, 7 a.m.- 1 a.m. Friday. 6:30 a.m.-1 a.m. Saturday, 6:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday. Kailua: 7 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday-Thursday, 7 a.m.-midnight Friday-Saturday. Ward: 7 a.m.-midnight Sunday, 7 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday, 7 a.m.-midnight Tuesday-Thursday, 7 a.m.-1 a.m. Friday-Saturday. No reservations. VS, MC, AX, DS. No checks. Breakfast and lunch: $. Dinner: $$.

Legend:

VS: Visa
MC: Mastercard
AX: American Express
DC: Diners Club
DS: Discover Card
JCB: JCB Card
Olioli: Olioli Card

$$$: Pricey; entrées mostly more than $17
$$: Moderate; entrées $10-$16
$: Budget-friendly; entrées mostly less than $10

Checks: Local checks and travelers’ checks only

Past 'Ilima Award winner

"Cheap eats" restaurant

"Local classic" eatery