Weight=182.2 pounds, Steps=13,320
This restaurant list is not a comprehensive one but includes those I actually visited during my travels to Hilo.
This restaurant list is not a comprehensive one but includes those I actually visited during my travels to Hilo.
Ken's House of Pancakes
Open 24 hours, Ken's is a local landmark and the definitive go-to place for locals. It is much more than a pancake place. The menu is wide and long...the portions are generous. Large menu for those that want a little variety. The food is good, but more like comfort food than anything.
The booths are original from the time it opened in the 70s. The place is busy but they move people through quickly. This is a classic Hawaiian diner with reasonable prices and a friendly wait staff.
Open 24 hours, Ken's is a local landmark and the definitive go-to place for locals. It is much more than a pancake place. The menu is wide and long...the portions are generous. Large menu for those that want a little variety. The food is good, but more like comfort food than anything.
The booths are original from the time it opened in the 70s. The place is busy but they move people through quickly. This is a classic Hawaiian diner with reasonable prices and a friendly wait staff.
Ponds Hilo
Ponds overlooks an "ice pond" where one can feed koi fish when seated in the area next to the water. Ducks come by asking for a bit of handout from the diners. The views are very tranquil. The pond is also a favorite for swimmers and kayakers.
The restaurant is not fancy but the prices on the menu tend to be on the high side ... most are $25 or above, and many $30 or above. I suspect that more tourists go here than locals. Many think that Ponds is a seafood oriented place but it is not...it has limited fresh seafood and many beef-related items on the menu. Many dishes are fried and no gluten-free options, if you are in that class.
The reviews of the food and service are all over the map, depending on your culinary experiences, but generally comes out as above average overall. Special theme menus on weekdays and local musician appearances keep the restaurant lively and fun.
Ponds overlooks an "ice pond" where one can feed koi fish when seated in the area next to the water. Ducks come by asking for a bit of handout from the diners. The views are very tranquil. The pond is also a favorite for swimmers and kayakers.
The restaurant is not fancy but the prices on the menu tend to be on the high side ... most are $25 or above, and many $30 or above. I suspect that more tourists go here than locals. Many think that Ponds is a seafood oriented place but it is not...it has limited fresh seafood and many beef-related items on the menu. Many dishes are fried and no gluten-free options, if you are in that class.
The reviews of the food and service are all over the map, depending on your culinary experiences, but generally comes out as above average overall. Special theme menus on weekdays and local musician appearances keep the restaurant lively and fun.
Kaleo's Bar and Grill
On Momi's birthday so we went to a local restaurant in Pahoa -- just few miles from the Kapoho tide pools and the hot pond. It is a moderately priced local joint in the very funky and hippy Pahoa town. The urban definition of "Kaleo" is someone who is independent and loves to do whatever he feels like and is awesome at it. Started eight years ago Leslie Lai, Kaleo's serves up good grub which caters to varying tastes: fish and chips, shrimp, pasta, salads, hamburgers and other meat dishes -- all with a Hawaiian flair. Popular with locals and tourists, it is nothing fancy but the Korean "Kal Bi" (spicy Korean beef short ribs, marinated and char grilled with small salad and rice) that we ordered was tasty. This family-friendly restaurant also has outdoor seating and is the place to go for "grindz" in Pahoa
On Momi's birthday so we went to a local restaurant in Pahoa -- just few miles from the Kapoho tide pools and the hot pond. It is a moderately priced local joint in the very funky and hippy Pahoa town. The urban definition of "Kaleo" is someone who is independent and loves to do whatever he feels like and is awesome at it. Started eight years ago Leslie Lai, Kaleo's serves up good grub which caters to varying tastes: fish and chips, shrimp, pasta, salads, hamburgers and other meat dishes -- all with a Hawaiian flair. Popular with locals and tourists, it is nothing fancy but the Korean "Kal Bi" (spicy Korean beef short ribs, marinated and char grilled with small salad and rice) that we ordered was tasty. This family-friendly restaurant also has outdoor seating and is the place to go for "grindz" in Pahoa
Queen' Court, Castle Hilo Hawaiian Hotel
If you are seeking a seafood feast on a Friday and are willing to dish out about $65/person (including tax and tip), then head to the Queen's Court Restaurant situated in the recently renovated Castle Hilo Hawaiian Hotel. After local investors purchased the hotel in 2010 for $17 million, the upgrades did away with the 1970s style dive bar aesthetic in favor of an open, well lighted dining area with free-standing tables.
For many years, the hotel has been serving up the buffet to satisfy patrons who are intent on a steamed crab binge. These are Alaskan snow crab frozen and shipped in by the crate load. They are served ready to go on the large serving trays after being given the usual steam blast treatment. The only gripes diners seem to have sometimes is that the "butter" dip next to the crabs is actually mix of butter and yellow margarine (hydrogenated soybean oil and flavoring). This faux-pas can be rectified by asking the helpful wait staff to bring a small bowl of melted butter.
The buffet spread includes roast beef, ahi sashimi (or something similar), lau lau, salad bard items, steam table fare, such as kalua pork and Chinese-style buns, and an array of calorific desserts. The price tag includes a never-ending flow of house beer and wine (emphasis is on quantity).
During the non-Friday feasts one of the items favored by diners is the Kalbi Medallions plate which is said to have a tasty soy-sugar-sesame marinade. Overall, reviewers rate this "fine dining" establishment four out of five stars. Chefs have come and gone ... some days it's hit-or-miss. Some complaints include items being served from pre-packaged frozen sources. The wait staff is very helpful and friendly.
The dining room's bright ambiance is enhanced by unmatched views of Hilo Bay and Mauan Kea. For details, view the current Friday night buffet menu here.
If you are seeking a seafood feast on a Friday and are willing to dish out about $65/person (including tax and tip), then head to the Queen's Court Restaurant situated in the recently renovated Castle Hilo Hawaiian Hotel. After local investors purchased the hotel in 2010 for $17 million, the upgrades did away with the 1970s style dive bar aesthetic in favor of an open, well lighted dining area with free-standing tables.
For many years, the hotel has been serving up the buffet to satisfy patrons who are intent on a steamed crab binge. These are Alaskan snow crab frozen and shipped in by the crate load. They are served ready to go on the large serving trays after being given the usual steam blast treatment. The only gripes diners seem to have sometimes is that the "butter" dip next to the crabs is actually mix of butter and yellow margarine (hydrogenated soybean oil and flavoring). This faux-pas can be rectified by asking the helpful wait staff to bring a small bowl of melted butter.
The buffet spread includes roast beef, ahi sashimi (or something similar), lau lau, salad bard items, steam table fare, such as kalua pork and Chinese-style buns, and an array of calorific desserts. The price tag includes a never-ending flow of house beer and wine (emphasis is on quantity).
During the non-Friday feasts one of the items favored by diners is the Kalbi Medallions plate which is said to have a tasty soy-sugar-sesame marinade. Overall, reviewers rate this "fine dining" establishment four out of five stars. Chefs have come and gone ... some days it's hit-or-miss. Some complaints include items being served from pre-packaged frozen sources. The wait staff is very helpful and friendly.
The dining room's bright ambiance is enhanced by unmatched views of Hilo Bay and Mauan Kea. For details, view the current Friday night buffet menu here.
Dragon Kitchen Sushi:
The Dragon Kitchen is a hole-in-the-wall restaurant houses several food stands or kitchens. What is a hole-in-the-wall restaurant? It is cramped and has a few number of seats, probably less than 20. Some think it must be at least a little dirty with fluorescent lights and formica tabletops. The food served is relatively inexpensive and they are not always well known, except to the locals.
The brown rice sushi stand is the one we like to eat at. Modest prices and reasonably good sushi served with brown rice--a better alternative to white rice from a nutrition viewpoint. Both rolls (maki) and handrolls (temaki) are available. The cold soba noodle salad is a good add-on. My favorite was the avocado and ahi sushi roll.
The tables in this joint are a bit grimy but don't let that slop you -- takeout is an option. The selection sushi and sashimi is limited but adequate. Unfortunately, if you like copious quantities of ginger, it is an extra price for a very small amount. It can a short wait as there are only one or two persons behind the counter. It is a cash-only place.
Finally, eating advice from the Dragon Kitchen owner as shown on Facebook:
"Let me introduce the traditional way to eat healthy in Japan which is quite famous for its longevity. It is very very simple, easy and effective.
1. Chew it very well.
2. Eat up to 80% (of your stomach) - Do not eat till you get full.
There are so many kinds of diet plans in America. But unfortunately, there is no perfect diet plan that works to every single person. But then, how can I find the diet plan that works the best for me? Do I need to try all those kinds of diet out there one by one? How long should I try each diet to find out that it actually works for me or not?
It might be a good start to eat healthy by taking the Japanese traditional diet that teaches you how to eat and how much to eat. You might find yourself already being healthy before you find a best diet plan that tells you what to eat.
I myself eat ANYTHING. In addition, I am a heavy carbo eater. Probably 70% of what I eat is carbo. I am 48 years old, and my weight has not changed for the last 25 years, always around 125lb and there is no health issue. I just do not eat too much. That's it. And I chew it very well when I eat. Try to stay away from overeating, something too sweet, something too salty and something too oily.
Happy life to everybody."
The Dragon Kitchen is a hole-in-the-wall restaurant houses several food stands or kitchens. What is a hole-in-the-wall restaurant? It is cramped and has a few number of seats, probably less than 20. Some think it must be at least a little dirty with fluorescent lights and formica tabletops. The food served is relatively inexpensive and they are not always well known, except to the locals.
The brown rice sushi stand is the one we like to eat at. Modest prices and reasonably good sushi served with brown rice--a better alternative to white rice from a nutrition viewpoint. Both rolls (maki) and handrolls (temaki) are available. The cold soba noodle salad is a good add-on. My favorite was the avocado and ahi sushi roll.
The tables in this joint are a bit grimy but don't let that slop you -- takeout is an option. The selection sushi and sashimi is limited but adequate. Unfortunately, if you like copious quantities of ginger, it is an extra price for a very small amount. It can a short wait as there are only one or two persons behind the counter. It is a cash-only place.
Finally, eating advice from the Dragon Kitchen owner as shown on Facebook:
"Let me introduce the traditional way to eat healthy in Japan which is quite famous for its longevity. It is very very simple, easy and effective.
1. Chew it very well.
2. Eat up to 80% (of your stomach) - Do not eat till you get full.
There are so many kinds of diet plans in America. But unfortunately, there is no perfect diet plan that works to every single person. But then, how can I find the diet plan that works the best for me? Do I need to try all those kinds of diet out there one by one? How long should I try each diet to find out that it actually works for me or not?
It might be a good start to eat healthy by taking the Japanese traditional diet that teaches you how to eat and how much to eat. You might find yourself already being healthy before you find a best diet plan that tells you what to eat.
I myself eat ANYTHING. In addition, I am a heavy carbo eater. Probably 70% of what I eat is carbo. I am 48 years old, and my weight has not changed for the last 25 years, always around 125lb and there is no health issue. I just do not eat too much. That's it. And I chew it very well when I eat. Try to stay away from overeating, something too sweet, something too salty and something too oily.
Happy life to everybody."
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