'Ono Kine Grindz

Jane's Fountain

It was an overcast day and almost 2:30 pm.  I didn't want to drive too far to get something to eat, and the first thing that came to mind was saimin.  I could have gone to my favorite place, Palace Saimin, but I wasn't sure if they were open.  Instead of driving down there only to find it closed, I decided to go somewhere closer to home.

Jane's Fountain is a 5 minute drive from my apartment and has been around for quite sometime.  Since it's in close proximity to my grandmother's house, I remember paying a few visits to this place when I was much younger. 

Stepping inside the shop, you find that it's filled with lots of red-orange vinyl that's used to cover the seating.  There's a counter with a non-working soda fountain to the left and in back, the entrance to the kitchen is just below the neon clock on the wall.  There's also a jukebox in front, though I've never heard it playing any music.  Nostalgia anyone?

When I arrived, I heard the other customer's talking about the grill just having been cleaned, so obviously that meant no barbecue sticks for me.  Here's what I ordered, the large won ton min (US$4.40).

This won ton min was topped with luncheon meat, char siu, kamaboko (fish cake) and chopped green onions.  The broth was almost clear and practically flavorless.  After a few sips though, I noticed that it was actually quite salty.  Did this mean lots of MSG?  The noodles were great -- still firm, just the way I like them -- and there were quite a few won ton floating around in the bowl, about 6-8 pieces I'd guess (I didn't count).

The won ton were OK tastewise, but I thought that they didn't have enough filling in them.  Wouldn't you agree?

I've had other things to eat here a Jane's before with most of the food being on the average side rather than being good or great.  The service here is iffy at best, with the waitress taking 10 minutes to bring me a glass of water, even after I had asked twice (it wasn't busy).  At more than $4.00 for a bowl of mediocre won ton min, I don't think I'd make the trip out here next time.

Jane's Fountain
1719 Liliha Street
Telephone:  808.533.1238

Masu's Massive Plate Lunch

It's the weekend and once again it's plate lunch time.  This time from an old favorite, Masu's Massive Plate Lunches.  Home of the truly "massive" plate lunch, this place has been in business for over 30 years.

Inside the shop, there are quite a number of tables.  Along the far wall, you'll see the "Wall of Fame", which is covered with pictures of "local" celebrities that have stopped in for a bite.  When I arrived yesterday, it was quite empty...

It was probably empty because most of the day's specials were already sold out.  No hamburger steak, no mahi...sheesh!  And I thought I was early...it was only 1:00 pm.  Oh well, I should have known that everything is normally sold out by 11:30 am.  Since I didn't get here early enough for one of the daily specials, I ended up ordering the old stand-by, Masu's Aloha Weekend Special (US$6.80).

In this huge plate lunch I got the following (clockwise from top left):  one lau lau, a scoop of macaroni salad, a huge piece of baked Spam®, two shoyu (soy sauce) hot dogs, kalua pig, and two teriyaki chicken thighs all over two scoops rice!  Now if that isn't massive, I don't know what is!

The lau lau was a bit on the average side flavor-wise, I guess this has to do with the exclusion of that huge chunk of fat that's usually there (a pre-requisite for cooking this) and the salted butterfish.  One thing good about this lau lau is that within the steamed taro leaves lies lots and lots of lean, fork-tender beef.  See for yourself...

The macaroni salad, shoyu hot dogs and baked Spam® are all pretty much standard and are OK.  The kalua pig, which is normally cooked in an imu (pit in the ground filled with hot stones), had a very smoky flavor and was quite delicious.  The teriyaki chicken was nicely flavored, neither too salty or too sweet, and was very tender and juicy.  The meat practically melted in my mouth.

Did I finish it all?  No way!  I ended up taking half the plate home for later.  I also picked up a menu with all of the daily specials listed on it so that I can decide when I'll be here next AND call in my order ahead of time!

Masu's Massive Plate Lunch
1808 Liliha Street
Telephone:  808.524.4260

Liliha Bakery

Liliha Bakery has been in business for over half a century, and more than 40 of those years, have been spent at its current location at the corner of North Kuakini and Aipaako Street.

When I arrived at the bakery yesterday (at about 5:00 pm), there was a huge crowd that was waiting in line to order.  I pulled a number (I was number #76, they were on #63) and waited for my turn to order. 

If you ask anyone about this place, the first words out of their mouths will be "coco puffs".  Guaranteed!  And that's exactly what I was there to buy (US$.90 each).

The puff pastry is filled with a sort of chocolaty filling (similar to chocolate pudding) and topped with a healthy serving of the bakery's legendary chantilly frosting. 

The chantilly frosting is similar in flavor to buttercream frosting, but is much richer and more buttery.  One taste and you'll be hooked.  I guess that's what makes this the bakery's biggest seller.  In fact, they've been known to sell several thousands of these little puff pastries daily!

Liliha Bakery
515 North Kuakini Street
Telephone:  808.531.1651