Gulick Delicatessen

It's not often that I find myself having lunch at a local delicatessen or an okazuya.  My main reason for not visiting okazuyas more often are the operating hours.  Usually these shops open early and close early, most often times opening at the crack of dawn and closing shortly after lunchtime -- or they close once the food runs out.  Today, I was fortunate to be in the vicinity of Gulick Delicatessen.

Gulick Delicatessen is a small shop on Gulick Avenue near School Street.  If that sign hanging above the sidewalk was gone, you would probably not guess that the shop was there.  The building was rebuilt a while back, and if you had seen the old shop, it would have been much harder to find.  It was a small wooden structure, much like the homes that surround it.

For those of you that are unfamiliar with the local usage of the word "delicatessen", it's the same as an okazuya.  And what is an okazuya?  It's a type of shop that serves many different types of side dishes.  Musubi (rice balls), fried chicken, tempura, chow funn and shoyu hot dogs are just some of the more common dishes these places serve.  The items are all reasonably priced, so it's a good option for all of us who like to have a variety of things to choose from.

When I got to the shop at about 11:45 am, there were quite a few people there waiting to order their food.  However, at Gulick, unlike at many other okazuyas that I've been to, there are many people behind the counter to help you so the wait isn't very long.

The very first thing you do, is step up to the counter and take a look at all of the food on display.  Then, as your stomach starts growling, you make your selections while the counter help piles your selections into a take-out styrofoam container.  Finally, it's time to eat!  It's fast and it's simple, but the best part is getting to choose your dishes.

Today, I chose the following (left to right, starting in front) -- fried chicken thigh (US$1.35), corned beef hash patty (US$1.35), vegetable tempura (US$.75), and nori musubi (US$.75).  In total, this plate come out to US$4.20.

The chicken thigh was fried to a perfect golden brown.  Inside, the meat was tender and juicy, just the way I like it.  The corned beef hash patty was huge, much larger than any I've had at an okazuya before.  The only thing I didn't like about this was that it was a bit sweet.  I wonder why?  The vegetable tempura was nice and crunchy. The added benefit was that it had just come out from the deep fryer and it was well-drained, which meant that it wasn't oily or greasy.

Over the years, I've sample most of the dishes on offer here, and though there have been a few missteps, you can count on most of it to be quite good.  The food is priced similar to many other okazuyas, ranging from a little over US$.50 to US$4.00, but what makes this place worth visiting is the counter help.  They are quick, helpful and efficient...and I've never had to wait for more than a couple of minutes for assistance.  That really means a lot, especially since parking is so scarce in this mostly residential neighborhood.

Gulick Delicatessen
1512 Gulick Avenue
Telephone:  (808)847-1461

Comments

[AugustusGloop]

Speak or yell? I can barely hear you from here... =P

[babe_kl]

goshhh so delicious!! the fried chicken looked yummy...

[Naomi]

I heard that Gulick Delicatessen was recently damaged by a fire. Glad to see they're still doing good business as usual, as I would like to try over there sometime soon! I love okazu-ya's, but I have to agree, their hours are somewhat inconvenient for me...adds to their "old-time charm," though.

[Reid]

Hi AG,

Yell? I don't think you'd be able to hear my all the way over there in Sydney! How's about a bull horn? =P

Hi babe_kl,

The fried chicken was indeed yummy. I liked the fact that all of the food was warm and that the chicken was well fried with crunchy skin (I know I shouldn't have eaten it) and juicy meat. Mmmmm.

Hi Naomi,

Welcome to my blog. I heard that as well, but when I was there, you really couldn't tell that anything had happened. Yes, the hours they keep are quite inconvenient. I visit okazuyas less since my favorite place, Naka's, closed down a little more than 5 years ago. It's since been replaced by Ray's Cafe. By the way, I wish that Gulick was still in the little wooden building...now that was "old-time charm".

[husky9]

that looks good

[MBS]

I miss home!

[KirkK]

Man that Gulick Fried chicken is my second fave......next to Fukuya's....geez am I missing home right now.

[MrsT]

Finally some good tasting food..! looks yummy..!! i love a variety of food that you can choose from too.. but i must say.. that ours are much cheaper in Singapore.. which i'm sure.. you can vouch for that.. ;)

[jezz_jazz]

They have so many selections to tempt you.... the cost can really add up if you don't control yourself! Their corned beef hash patty is my favorite.

[Trisha]

I love Gulick. They have a big selection and their food is pretty good.

[AugustusGloop]

You forgot to write about the nori musubi! =P Sticky, sweet, vinegary and fresh?

I don't think we have any okazuyas here in Sydney town =( Mind you, I can just picture me going crazy... one of those, one of those, and ooh yes, that too... and that! And ooh that one. And that too... =P

[Ms. Transplant]

Is the house across the street still painted purple? LOL

*sigh* someone pointed me to your blog and being a transplant, I have started checking in regularly for your updates.

Enjoy while you can!! :-D

Ms. Transplanted to the Mainland

[rae]

Gulick Delicatessen! Now that's a blast from the past! Last time I had a Gulick plate lunch they were still in the wooden building. Glad they survived the fire and have many customers - too many mom and pop places have closed their doors.

[Reid]

Hi husky9,

It was really good! =P

Hi MBS,

I know what you mean, but then again, you can always come back to visit.

Hi Kirk,

The fried chicken at Gulick is so good isn't it? I like the seasoning that they use. In my opinion, it beats the chicken at Zippy's. BTW...like I mentioned to MBS, you can always come back for a visit.

Hi MrsT,

The food in Singapore is definitely cheaper, but I what I really like about okazuyas here is the variety. I like having a choice, and apparently, so do many others...especially if it tastes good.

Hi jezz_jazz,

You're right, the selection can be overwhelming at times. I usually try to limit myself to 4 or 5 items and I try really, really hard to stick to it. What makes it easier, is if I come when I'm not hungry. Otherwise, it would be so easy to go overboard.

Hi Trisha,

The selection at Gulick is good and the prices are pretty reasonable. Some of my favorites are the chicken and the corned beef hash patty. I also like the hamburger, when they have it, and the chow funn.

Hi AG,

I didn't mention the musubi because it was just plain, with just a small piece of umeboshi. If the rice is seasoned, it would be with just salt. This didn't taste like it had even that.

I'm sure you would go crazy in one of these shops just as I often have. I restrained myself this time because I went to lunch much earlier than normal...I wasn't too hungry at the time. Besides, I didn't want to have to empty my pockets and have to volunteer my services as a dishwasher. =P

Hi Ms. Transplant,

Welcome!

If you're thinking of the lavender colored house that was in Kalihi, it's gone...sadly. That eyesore was kind of endearing in a way. But I think you have the location mixed up because it wasn't across the street from Gulick.

Hope to hear from you again!

Hi rae,

It is a blast from the past for me too. It's not often that I get the opportunity to have lunch in Kalihi. I heard about the fire, but it must have been a small one because I didn't notice any damage to the structure at all.

You're right about a lot of places closing down. My favorite okazuya of all, Naka's on King Street, closed down in 1999.

[Pat]

Hey Whats up!! I been checking out your space for a few months now to check out all da local spots to grind at. I must admit i've had my share of stomach growling sessions during my midday check in. I first saw your page when I was googleing for a zippy's chili recipe. Keep it coming, da pics are great and you are finding some ono low key places too. I need to check em out.

Pat

[Reid]

Hi Pat,

Thanks for dropping by. I'm glad you're enjoying the site and I hope that you find my reviews useful. If you have any recommendations for me, please drop me a line.

Thanks again!

[Henry Kalani]

Gulick Delicatessen you not lying about a BLAST from the past. I also remember going there when was still wooden building and sooooooooo ONO food early in da morn. Hope last forever. No more even good lunch wagon(Ala Moana)
ALOHA