Manago Hotel - Captain Cook, Hawaii

The Manago Hotel first opened for business in 1917.  It's been upgraded and remodeled (a little) since then, but the hotel, for the most part, retains the quaint charm that makes this a place that is not to be missed on a visit to the Kona side of the island.  Located a short drive away from Kailua-Kona in the town of Captain Cook, the Manago Hotel overlooks Kealakekua Bay and is in the midst of the town's coffee farms.

The restaurant is located just inside a small door off the lobby of the hotel.  There is a porcelain basin right outside the door so you can wash your hands before entering the dining area.

As we walked through the door, I recalled a familiar scene of years past.  Dozens of hungry people eating, talking and enjoying the food.  The atmosphere here reminds one of a family party, everyone seemed to be having a great time.  The was just one table available in the entire place, at the far end of the restaurant near the windows.

The menu is posted on the wall, and hasn't changed much from the last time that I was here.  There are a few breakfast items, and a few more items on the combined lunch and dinner menu. 

After we had place our order, the waitress returned with these four dishes (clockwise from top left): kalua pig with cabbage, macaroni salad,  limu tsukemono, and a huge bowl of rice.  These were all included with the meal, just in case you're wondering.

When placing our dinner orders, we decided that we would share because we both wanted to eat the same two dishes.  First to arrive at the table was the pork chops (US$8.75).

Two thick, bone-in pork chops arrived on a platter with just a little of the pan juices on the plate.  Cutting into one, I discovered that while tender, the pork chop still had a lot of bite to it (good).  The juicy, pork chop was simply seasoned -- salt, pepper and maybe just a little garlic -- but extremely flavorful.  After I was done with my piece of pork chop, I couldn't help but gnaw on the bone just a little.

The last dish to arrive was the pan-fried butterfish with ginger miso sauce (US$10.00).

Instead of having this served nitsuke-style, braised in a shoyu/sugar sauce, we opted for the pan fried version with the ginger miso sauce on the side.  I have to say that this was an excellent choice.  The slightly sweet and buttery flavored fish was lightly coated with flour before being pan fried until browned on the outside.  The subtle flavors of the fish were further enhanced by salty spiciness of the ginger miso sauce.  I was almost tempted to order more.

The Manago Hotel has been serving the residents of Captain Cook, as well as the rest of the Kona coast, for more than half a century.  I have no doubts that people keep coming back because of the casual and friendly atmosphere, the homestyle cooking and the excellent service.  All in all, the Manago Hotel is a great value and a place that I will continue to visit everytime I'm in the area.

Manago Hotel
82-6155 Mamalahoa Highway
Captain Cook, Hawaii
Telephone:  808.323.2642
website

Comments

[RONW]

Excellent travel log Reid. From the neon lights sign on the front of the hotel at night to the pan-fried butterfish.

[Kirk]

Looks great Reid - Looks like the Manago hasn't changed much; that's a good thing. Never left there disappointed or hungry!

[Kyle]

Reid,
Don't forget to mention Kona Chips right next door to the Manago Hotel (you did pick up a bag of Furikake Chips, didn't you?)

Kyle

[Gail]

My favorite spot on the Big Island since the Hilo Hotel closed years ago. Brings back some very nice memories. Mahalo nui loa.

[Reid]

Hi RONW,

Thanks. I'm glad you like the photos. I love the Manago Hotel. It's somewhere that I visit everytime I'm in Kona. The butterfish was really tasty.

Hi Kirk,

The Manago Hotel has a great track record for consistency. The service here is excellent as is the food. No wonder they are always full. And yes, it hasn't changed much since I first started coming here either.

Hi Kyle,

ARGH! When I went to the Manago Hotel on Saturday night, Kona Chips was already closed...and sadly, they don't open on Sundays! Bummer...I didn't even have a chance. I really wanted those furikake chips too. *sigh*

Hi Gail,

This is one of my favorites, and probably the best local style restaurant in the Kona area. I'm glad it brings back memories for you. It does for me too!

[AugustusGloop]

I love it when you can agreeably pool menu choices with your dining companion! Two meals for the price of one!

[Reid]

Hi AG,

Exactly. What made it easier was the fact that there was a piece of each on the plate. That way, the meal was split evenly.

[James]

Reid, that looks like one great meal! This is another place I've been to only when I was a kid, but it looks like I've been really missing out. I keep hearing of their legendary pork chops. It's great that they include limu & kalua pig/cabbage with the meal. I gotta go kona side more often!

[lance]

When I first looked at the pork chops picture, I thought, "Oh no, look at the oil on the dish! Has the pork chops changed? Sorry Reid." Man, I'm glad it was the juices from the pork chops. The pork chops are as good as it ever was.

Just the side dishes with some poi and you got a meal in itself. That limu tsukemono looks for delicious.

During a photo trip while in college many years ago, I rented a room upstairs. It had a public bath and restroom and the bed blanket was those thin ichy military blankets. What an experience. I was told before the rooms were used by young single imigrants that worked on the sugar cane plantation and construction guys from Oahu that did "short stay" jobs on Kona side.

[lance]

Just read what I wrote and I don't want to scare people way from staying at Manago Hotel, as the rooms upstairs might have changed since my college days some 30-plus year ago. Since then, they have built a hotel building in the back with a view towards the ocean.

[Reid]

Hi James,

The pork chops are great. The seasoning is perfect. I could have probably eaten another one or two! =)

The sides change all the time from what I remember, but the basic menu stays the same. If you are going for dinner, they close at 7:30 pm, so try to get there about 7:00 pm if you do go. That way, you'll have a good chance of getting a table right away and not having to wait.

Hi Lance,

Actually, the building in the back is more modern. If you stay in the main building, I believe that you will still have to share a bathroom with other guests. So no, you're not scaring anyone. In fact, it is almost like staying in a hostel.

The pork chops were as delicious as I remember...and yes, I wish I had a bowl of poi. *sigh*

[matt]

i loved this hotel and its restaurant. the lack of TV and phone was a major plus, and the quiet was so nice