Say “aloha” to your new favorite Hawaiian BBQ spot: Big Island Hawaiian BBQ, where everything is made to order using fresh ingredients. It’s like being in Hawaii...without having to pack, catch a flight, and shake sand out of your clothes. They offer so many different dishes, it’s hard to choose. Fortunately, their family meals feed four and come inclusive of rice, mac salad, shredded cabbage, and two proteins, like the popular kalua pork and chicken katsu (both great choices!). My personal pick? The Kalua Island Fries, because fries—especially with creamy sriracha mayo and a heaping helping of shredded, pull-apart pork—are always a good idea. For the main attraction, choose from katsu chicken curry, kalbi short ribs, spam & eggs, or loco moco, to name a few. I went with the Teriyaki Chicken Plate, and their sauce (all sauces are crafted in-house, btw!) was one of the best I’ve had. Portions are generous, so if you’re looking for something a little smaller, go for their “Make It Mini” plates; or, for littles, one of the kids’ meals. Oh, and don’t forget the appetizers! Because crispy shrimp, pan-fried potstickers, and lumpia are always a delicious idea.

— by Bella Nolen
Take your taste buds on an adventure with these island-inspired eats.

Big Wave Coffeehouse
189 Blue Ravine Road, Folsom, 916-351-5889, bigwavecoffeehouse.com
MUST-TRY: King’s Hawaiian Sliders (eggs, cheese, bacon or sausage) & Beach Sunrise Ono Soda (mango, pineapple, and coconut syrups mixed with Sprite and pink lemonade; topped with cream)

 

Milestone Restaurant
4359 Town Center Boulevard, Suite 116, El Dorado Hills, 916-934-0790, milestoneedh.com
MUST-TRY: Mainland Mai Tai (light and dark rum, pineapple, orange, orgeat, and lime; served frozen)

 

Poke & Boba
7610 Folsom-Auburn Road, Suite 190, Folsom, 916-510-1606, pokebobafolsom.com
MUST-TRY: Fumutoi Bowl (rice, ahi tuna, albacore tuna, unagi sauce, spicy mayo, cucumbers, pineapple, green onions, crab, masago, furikake)

Ramen 101
6694 Lone Tree Boulevard, Suite 200, Rocklin, 916-872-1407, ramen101.biz
MUST-TRY: Hawaiian BBQ Chicken Katsu (two scoops of rice, macaroni salad, steamed veggies, panko-crusted chicken)

Wow Wow Hawaiian Lemonade
3373 Bass Lake Road, Suite 100, El Dorado Hills, 916-293-8062, wowwowhawaiianlemonade.com
MUST-TRY: Mango Pineapple Flatbread (panini flatbread sandwich with mango hummus, cucumbers, sea salt, mixed greens, pineapple)