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Food|Restaurants

Get Back To Basics At This No-Frills Restaurant Hiding Out In Hawaii

Ethel's Grill in Honolulu is a popular hole-in-the-wall eatery known for its homestyle Asian cuisine and unique menu items.

Published Aug 12, 2019

Written by 

Megan Shute

We all know you should never judge a book by its cover, but the same rule applies when it comes to judging a restaurant’s food by simply looking at the building’s appearance. Whether an eatery features cramped seating, a hard to find location, cheap food, a dated storefront, or prefers to serve their food out of a truck, many of our favorite restaurants in Hawaii could easily be classified as hole in the wall spots —including this no-frills eatery.

Welcome to Ethel’s Grill, a timeless hole in the wall eatery nestled on the ground floor of a cinderblock walkup near the docks in Kalihi.

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トルネコ/TripAdvisor

This bustling neighborhood institution tucked away in Honolulu is may not look like much — from the exterior or once you step inside, for that matter — but is known for their tasty homestyle Asian eats.

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Opened back in the 1960s by its namesake, Ethel’s gained wild amounts of popularity in the 1970s when Ryoko and Yoichi Ishii took over: not everyone could pronounce "Ryoko" correctly and called her Ethel instead.

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tonchan555/TripAdvisor

The menu reflects the Japanese-Okinawan-Mexican-local heritage of the owners and is a creative mix of local-style comfort food and unique mashups, like their chicken liver and kimchi stir-fry.

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Ivan S/TripAdvisor

Topped with soy-marinated garlic chips, the seared ahi sashimi is legendary, but that’s not all you’ll find on the menu here.

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トルネコ/TripAdvisor

Try their steak with chimichurri sauce, furikake chicken, or the Okinawan-inspired taco rice, made with layers of ground beef, lettuce, shredded cheese, and rice topped with a fried taco shell.

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Though this cash-only eatery may not look impressive, the constant lines out of the door will entice you and the homestyle Asian cuisine is sure to keep you coming back again and again.

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Address: 232 Kalihi Street, Honolulu, HI 96819

Ethel’s Grill is open from 8 a.m to 2 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday

. They are closed Sunday and Monday. Don’t forget to bring cash! What's your favorite Hawaiian hole in the wall? Share your go-to gems in the comments below!

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Food|Restaurants

This Charming Restaurant In The Heart Of Maui’s Upcountry Is A Hawaii Dream

Kula Bistro in upcountry Maui offers homestyle Italian comfort food in a charming, family-friendly setting on the slopes of Mount Haleakala.

Updated Apr 17, 2024

Written by 

Megan Shute

Kula Bistro — the most charming restaurant on which you’ll ever lay eyes — sits in the pastoral upcountry Maui on the slopes of Mount Haleakala in Kula. When most people think of Hawaii, it’s the gorgeous island of Maui that comes to mind. With a plethora of beach resorts, outdoor activities, world-class beaches, and diverse geography, the Valley Isle is perhaps the most popular tourist destination in Hawaii. And for good reason – the island is home to countless incredible attractions, natural wonders, awesome adventures, and uninterrupted natural beauty. Let's check out some Kula Bistro photos. This eatery is downright dreamy!

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Nestled on the slopes of Mount Haleakala en route into or out of Haleakala National Park, Kula Bistro Maui serves up fresh flavorful cuisine in a casual, family-style setting.

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Specializing in homestyle comfort food with an Italian flair, pastas, pizzas, and paninis are always an excellent option when dining at Kula Bistro.

Kula Bistro's charming atmosphere perfectly captures the ambiance of a traditional Italian trattoria — with a casual island flair, of course.

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The spacious dining room is perfect for an intimate date or a large group of friends.

Open daily for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, this all-day BYOB eatery serves up some mouthwatering food from the Kula Bistro menu.

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Whether you’re filling up for a day of adventure on white chocolate macadamia nut pancakes or a loco moco…

...devouring a roasted turkey and avocado panini or the Ahi with purple potato mash and grilled vegetables...

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...or finishing your day with a serving of shrimp linguini or a classic rib eye steak. Delicious!

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Each item on the extensive menu is crafted using only the highest quality, fresh and local ingredients, and it shows.

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We also enjoy the creative designs in every entree.

Don’t fill up too much on pasta, though!

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You will also find a decadent selection of homemade desserts and pastries crafted daily.

Whether you’re driving up to visit the nearby Haleakala National Park or making the trip simply to enjoy a mouthwatering meal, this out-of-the-way eatery is well worth the effort it takes to get there.

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Just look at the view from the window!

Kula Bistro offers more information on the website. Have you enjoyed some of this delicious food? What do you think? Please let us know about your experience in the comments below.

If you’re headed to Maui’s upcountry to visit Kula Bistro, make a day trip out of it and visit at least a few of these 13 hidden gems. And while you're out wandering around, find a beautiful Vrbo in which to stay.

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https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/hawaii/upcountry-maui-hi/

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Food|Restaurants

The Hidden Gem Seafood Spot In Hawaii, Quinn’s, Has Out-Of-This-World Food

Quinn’s Almost By The Sea in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, is renowned for its fresh seafood and local charm.

Updated Mar 18, 2024

Written by 

Megan McDonald

If you're looking for the absolute best seafood in Kona, Hawaii, you need to head straight to Quinn’s Almost By The Sea. Located on the Big Island, this local hangout is the place to go for fresh seafood. Open late and with breakfast on Sundays; it’s the place to go if you’re in Kailua-Kona.

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On the Big Island and looking for the best seafood dishes around?

A cozy outdoor dining area with wooden seating, plants, and a stone wall backdrop under a wooden roof.
Quinn's Almost By The Sea / Facebook

Head to Kailua-Kona, where you’ll find the infamous Quinn’s Almost By The Sea. This popular hangout is frequented by locals and tourists alike because the food is so good.

Locally owned and operated since 1972, these guys know what they’re doing.

A colorful salad with grilled tuna, shrimp, cucumbers, red onion, and a small cup of dressing on the side.
Quinn's Almost By The Sea / Facebook

They’re located in the heart of downtown, right across from the pier. Their commitment to quality means that you’re getting the very best every time you eat there.

The menu is filled with items like Sashimi, Fish Sandwiches, and mouthwatering Fish Tacos.

Two plates of food: one with golden fried fish, fries, and pickles; the other with a club sandwich and more fries.
Quinn's Almost By The Sea / Facebook

Grab the Catch of the Day, Seafood Special, or go big with the Captain’s Platter. There are so many different types of seafood you’ll have to come back again and again to try them all.

And if someone in your party doesn’t love fresh seafood, there are tons of other options to choose from.

Two plates of baked spinach dip surrounded by toasted bread slices, garnished with herbs and cheese.
Quinn's Almost By The Sea / Facebook

Grab comfort food favorites like wings, spinach artichoke dip, pork egg rolls, and more. There is something for everyone on this menu.

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Every day they have lunch, dinner, and drink menus.

A refreshing cucumber jalapeño cocktail with a salted rim, garnished with cucumber, next to a bottle of 21 Seeds.
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It’s the perfect spot to meet some friends or catch the games on one of the large televisions inside the restaurant.

Quinn's is closed Wednesday and Saturday so make sure you keep that in mind when you are planning your visit.

A wooden bench in front of a teal wall with a sign reading "Quinn's Almost By The Sea" and colorful plants nearby.
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This is one place you won’t want to miss if you’re craving seafood on the Big Island.

A colorful salad with tuna, mixed greens, cucumbers, croutons, and various vegetables, topped with green onions.
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Whether you’re craving the fresh local Mahi Mahi, Ono, or Ahi, this place is the place to go. Swing by the next time you’re in town!

Claiming one spot has the best seafood in Kona is not even remotely possible, but Quinn’s will always be one of our favorites. Have you ever been to this seafood spot in Hawaii? What did you think? Was it amazing? Let us know with a comment!

Are you looking for more great restaurants in Hawaii with fresh fish near you? Check out these popular restaurants in Hawaii that are worth waiting in line for.

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