Burger Guide. 02.

Who doesn't love a good burger...and the french fries that go with it?

All burgers are not created equal; however, everyone's tastes and preferences differ as well. Therefore, this burger guide is less of a review and more of a compilation of places to grab a burger on O'ahu.

Of course, I'll certainly let you know if I loved or disliked a something, but don't take my dislikes to mean it's a bad burger. I'm just super picky about my meats (sorrynotsorry), so give it a try!

KUA 'AINA SANDWICH

66-160 Kamehameha Hwy, Haleiwa

Kua 'Aina serves up one of my favorite burgers...and fries! No fussy sauces, just a good burger. Added bonus is their shoestring fries. So ono!

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JOHNNY ROCKETS

91-5431 Kapolei Parkway in Kamakana Ali'i Mall

(Also Pearl Highlands, Pearl City)

I probably had one of the worst burgers at Johnny Rockets. I wanted to love it since I've seen them on TV and the restaurants were new and fun...but something was off. I tried their signature Rocket Single burger which was loaded with way too much special sauce to begin with. I'm not sure if gamey is the right word, but the meat just tasted bad. Next!

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W&M BAR-B-Q BURGER
3104 Waialae Avenue, Honolulu 

Another absolute favorite is the "Royal" at W&M. It's always a treat because of it's limited parking and faraway (from me) location. There's something about a no frills, plain 'ol burger in that plain wrapping paper...did I mention it's very reasonably priced? Their fries are nothing to write home about, and many people love their crab flavored (macaroni) salad, but for me it's all about the burger!

the "royal" hamburger includes lettuce, tomato, onion, and cheese.

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MC DONALD'S

Okay, okay...just including McD's for kicks. But in all seriousness, I've never had a bad burger from McD's. They also have the best fast-food fries, in my opinion. I usually get plain hamburgers or cheeseburgers but will splurge on a Big Mac once in a while (minus that third bun). What's your go-to here?

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THE SURFING PIG

3605 Waialae Avenue, Honolulu

The Surfing Pig signature is a bacon-burger blend topped with bourbon onions, smoked gouda cheese, and citrus aioli. Fancy. And delish. Definitely a splurge in terms of calories/fat/cholesterol, etc, but worth it. 

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KAILUA TOWN PUB AND GRILL

20 Ho'olai St, Kailua

A friend claimed this was one of the best burgers he had, so I had to try it. I can see why guys like it...it's a lot of burger, about an inch thick, lean and on the firm side. Pretty good, but not in my top five.

Did you see any you'd like to try?

In case you missed it, check out:

Burger Guide 01

Travel Tip | How I Save on Food

Vacations and staycations can be costly!

In addition to airfare and hotel accommodations, there's entertainment, food and gratuity, transportation and parking. It's likely that your hotel is in a touristy area which means

higher prices all around.

Ilikai Hotel

Quick story: We went to California/Disneyland one year and stayed with family. We had home cooked meals EVERY NIGHT. While I truly appreciated the hospitality and the money I saved, I also wasn't able to dine at any of the restaurants I'd been wanting to try.

Ruth Chris Steak House, Waikiki Beachwalk

For me, food is a big part of the travel experience, and I love trying recommended places, new-to-me places and local fare when available. And, of course, you'll want to hit up those instagram-worthy spots! But all these meals and snacks add up for a foodie like me.

Saw these donuts on instagram.

So how do I stay within budget?

Swap out one meal a day. 

By that I mean I'll have one "home" meal a day.

Here are a few ways:

1)  Look for hotels that offer free breakfast.

Even a continental breakfast is good enough to hold you over until a mid-morning snack or lunch. It beats the pricey coffee + scone from the coffee shop in the hotel lobby everyday. 

$12 coffee + pastry from the hotel lobby.

2)  Bring a few groceries to the hotel room.

I always bring the following non-perishable items to the hotel for a weekend staycation:

(Vacationing away from home? Make a run to a local grocery store.)

- a loaf of bread

- almond butter packets

- a small jar of honey

(Goober peanut butter + jelly combo works, too!)

- bananas

- packets of tuna

- squeezable mayonaise 

- bottled water

A recent stay at Turtle Bay Resort. Tuna sandwiches were perfect after a morning of swimming!

Peanut butter + jelly sandwiches and a banana are great for breakfast before you head out for the day. This also makes a great snack.

Tuna sandwiches make a quick lunch if you're back at the hotel for a rest.

If I pass by a store on the way back to the hotel, I'll grab yogurt, OJ, and fruit which are all great for breakfast or a quick snack and will fit into the small room refrigerator.

Traveling with young children? Stock up on snacks that you can throw in your bag, as impulse food purchases when kids get fussy add up!

This is what breakfast looks like before we head out for the day.

3) Opt for a suite with a kitchen.

With research and planning, it's possible to get a great deal on a suite. With the addition of a kitchen, you can prep all the quick breakfasts and snacks in #2, but now you have the option to cook.

A piece of fresh fish (or steak) from a local market + a packaged salad is a simple and easy dinner.

*     *     *

Of course, nothing is set in stone, but at least you have options. If you love breakfast, have it! Then maybe enjoy a lite lunch at the room. If you want to try that cute lunch place you saw on instagram, go for it! Then skip the big dinner and grab a bottle of wine + cheese to enjoy on the balcony while watching the sunset. The idea is to save...so you can splurge.

Checklist:

Do you like dining out when traveling?

Or are you more about the activities and entertainment?

In case you missed it:

Burger Guide 01

Burger Guide. 01.

Who doesn't love a good burger...and the french fries that go with it?

All burgers are not created equal; however, everyone's tastes and preferences differ as well. Therefore, this burger guide is less of a review and more of a compilation of places to grab a burger on O'ahu.

Of course, I'll certainly let you know if I loved or disliked a something, but don't take my dislikes to mean it's a bad burger. I'm just super picky about my meats (sorrynotsorry), so give it a try!

BASALT

2255 Kuhio Ave, Waikiki

Voted best happy hour menu by me, you can get this amazing 4oz wagyu burger for only $5, add (perfectly cooked) fries for $2. That's a Waikiki meal for a steal! Did I mention they have good happy hour wines for $5 a glass?

*     *     *

CARL'S JR.

2140 N Nimitz Highway, Honolulu

The only Carl's Jr. on O'ahu happens to be in a gas station. It's weird to see the clerk ringing up a gas sale before taking your order. But anyways...the burgers are pretty good, big, but a bit too saucy for me. It's a mess to eat and your bun gets soggy.

*     *     *

TEDDY'S BIGGER BURGERS

7192 Kalanianaole Hwy, Hawaii Kai

(Lots of locations around the island, however, some are by owner, some are franchises. Haleiwa, Wahiawa (franchise), and Kailua are locations I've been to.)

Teddy's Bigger Burgers are made fresh to order. They go a bit overboard with their "specialty" burgers that their menu is overwhelming. Plus with all the add-ins to the burger, it can't be good for you! Stick to the basics and you'll enjoy a delicious burger.

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HONOLULU BURGER CO.

1296 S. Beretania, Honolulu

(plus various pop-ups around the island)

Kudos to Honolulu Burger Co. for keeping their menu local; their beef is free-range and grass fed here in the islands. They, too, have lots of "specialty" burgers which becomes overwhelming for a first-time visitor. Unfortunately, I don't remember anything about the burger other than it being pricey. Nothing special? No lasting impression? Hmmm.

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H&T BURGERS

46-056 Kamehameha Hwy, Windward Mall, Kaneohe

(Also Pearl Ridge Shopping Center, Aiea)

I ate here not knowing anything about this place other than a friend's high recommendation. Come to find out, they are known for their teri sauce which you can see is not only on the burger, but also drizzled on their fries. It was good! The burger was moist and flavorful, the fries were on the crispy side (which I like). It's a bit messy to eat, so grab enough napkins!

Did anything tickle your fancy? 

Would you try any of these?

Stay tuned for the next installment of this burger guide!

shave ice. aloha general store.

When it's hot outside, there's nothing more refreshing than a cold treat. Beach and shave ice just go together, and we almost always stop for shave ice on the way home from the beach. While there's plenty of options, here's my favorite place to go: Aloha General Store.

It's located in the north shore marketplace which is on the outskirts of the busy Haleiwa town stretch. Usually there's parking available, minimal wait, and, most importantly, the ice is good.

The menu is simple, as it should be. two sizes (kids or regular), add ice cream and/or snow cap (condensed cream), and a good amount of flavors to choose from. No fussy toppings or creations except for a couple of their signature combinations like their pineapple bowl.

A bunch of shave ice photos to follow, but my favorite combination is strawberry + vanilla with ice cream + snow cap.

What's your flavor?

Kids size is usually perfect for me.

Strawberry + vanilla with li hing powder; grape + vanilla with snow cap.

Grape + vanilla with ice cream.

Lots of fun trinkets inside. 

Lime + vanilla with snow cap.

*          *          *

parking: yes, free lot

bathrooms: yes

66-250 Kamehameha Hwy | Haleiwa, HI | 96712

Ali'i Agriculture Farms | Wahiawa, O'ahu

Looking for a family-friendly day of fun? Try fishing at Ali'i Agriculture Farms located in Central O'ahu. They have three ponds in rotation with tilapia, catfish, and carp (although no carp on the day we went), and they provide everything you'll need - a bamboo pole, bait, and a bucket should you want to keep your catch. It's $15/person or $3/non-fishing bystander.

Everyone fishes in the same pond, whichever one is in use that day. The large perimeter provides lots of space, but it can get busy! Within the first hour they opened, the entire perimeter was full of people!

one of three ponds in rotation.

the dough-like bait provided. 

It didn't seem like a lot, but we fished for a couple of hours and still had some left to share with others when we left.

this guy fought tough. i thought he was at least a 5 pounder for sure!

nope! just over a pound.

our cooked fish came with li hing pineapple, salad, and rice for about $14.

You can choose between fried or grilled (I asked for grilled, but oh well!) as well as a variety of sauces. I couldn't quite figure out the charges, but I believe there's a base price per fish (around $7) + additional per pound, and grilled costs more.

If you want to trade up for a bigger fish, they'll scoop some out for you to choose from. They also welcome you to just come and eat, no fishing necessary!

*          *          *

must see: no, but fun nonetheless if you enjoy fishing.

parking: yes, free on site.

bathrooms: yikes, i don't remember!

good for kids: yes

approximate time needed: 2 hours, more if you plan to cook and eat your catch.

suggested items to bring: sunscreen, hat, chair, wet wipes, water.

tip 1: you will need to fill out a liability form. save time by downloading it and filling it out beforehand.

tip 2: they are open most holidays; make sure to check website.

what to do after: cool off with some dole whip at dole plantation. 

680 Whitmore Road | Wahiawa, HI | 96786

The Regency on Beachwalk by Outrigger | Waikiki, O'ahu

We decided to staycation in Waikiki as one last hurrah before the end of summer. I love the idea of having separate living and kitchen areas, so I was excited to find the Regency on Beachwalk by Outrigger, a boutique condo-hotel offering one and two bedroom suites.

The hotel was very modest, but it totally exceeded my expectations in many ways. The lobby was simple, with just a small counter, but served coffee and juice throughout the day. The staff was very friendly, and the young guy who checked us in (wish I got his name) was so helpful and provided exceptional service (and smiles) throughout our stay. It had a small self-park lot in the back which was very convenient if you needed to get to your car and three restaurants on the property.

Here's the awesome part. This condo-hotel doesn't have a pool, BUT since it is part of the Outrigger family, we were able to use the pool at Outrigger Reef Hotel, Outrigger's beachfront resort. It's literally 2 minutes down the street. It was like having all the benefits of a beachfront resort, but the quiet and less crowded comfort of a smaller hotel.

The 500+ square feet one-bedroom suite had a decent sized living area and dining area complete with full kitchen and a spacious lanai.

Second awesome thing: Free wifi. And not free junk wifi. Awesome wifi.

Although I only used the coffee maker, the kitchen came with a microwave, dishwasher, full-sized refrigerator, stove top, toaster, and all the glassware, utensils, and cookware needed.

The living area had a full sofa bed in addition to the queen in the bedroom. It also had a fun sliding partition that closed for privacy and opened to stay connected to fellow guests if needed. 

The bathroom had standard amenities including a hair dryer, lots of towels, and plenty of counter space. The large shower had a hand held shower head.

coffee + our own snack assortment.

This 'partial ocean view suite' did have a partial ocean view to the left. From here we had an awesome view of the Friday night fireworks.

City view to the right.

The bedroom had a dresser and TV plus lots of closet space on the right. Iron and ironing board were also provided along with extra pillows.

Pool at the Outrigger Reef Hotel.

OVERALL: I enjoyed my stay here and would definitely return. Other than a pool and wifi, I usually do not need other amenities. If you want beach views, room service, maid service, gym and pool amenities, this is not the hotel for you. 

PROS:

- Nearby self parking in the back of the hotel

- Excellent free wifi connection

- No pool of its own, but being an outrigger resort, you can use the pool at Outrigger Reef Hotel a few minutes down the street.

- Three restaurants on the property

- 5 minute walking distance to the beach

CONS:

-No amenities (pool, room service, etc.)

-Limited parking

*          *          *

The Regency on Beachwalk by Outrigger

255 Beachwalk

Honolulu, HI 96855

808.922.3871

'Iolani Palace | Honolulu, O'ahu

Up for a bit of Hawaiian history? Tour the palace that once housed Hawaiian royalty for a glimpse of what life was like in the late 1800s. You'll get a feel for how King Kalakaua and Queen Liliuokalani entertained guests and dignitaries, what they wore, which rooms they relaxed in, and where they dined prior to the overthrow of the monarchy in 1893. 

I recently had the opportunity to tour 'Iolani Palace as well as perform some community service work polishing and dusting some of the furniture (with white gloves on!). Below are a few snaps from my day, but it's worth seeing in person.

the dining room.

the toilet and tub (below)!

parties would take place here. guests would dance here, then move over 

to the dining room for dinner.

replica of one of the queen's dresses.

the gold room. they would play music here.

music player.

cute book stand with original books.

telephone.

king's office/den.

beautiful details on the ceilings.

telephone!

the office...official documents on the desk!

hidden parlor towards the back of the room. see it in the corner?

the king played cards with friends back in that room.

a book pulled out of the archives for cleaning. 

*          *          *

must see: yes, for hawaiian history

entrance fee: $20-27 for adults, $6 kids (under 4 free)

parking: yes, on grounds, also street parking

bathrooms: yes

good for kids: most areas have fragile items, no running or playing, etc, no personal strollers (you may use theirs)

concession: no as food or drink not allowed,

but there is a small gift shop

approximate time needed: 1-2 hours

suggested items to bring: camera. photography is allowed, but no video.

tip 1: take the guided tour. the docents are very knowledgeable and give you some fun facts you may not hear in the audio/self-guided tour.

what to do after: take a quick look around the state capitol. if you are here during the christmas season, check out the decorated trees at honolulu hale.

364 S. King Street

Honolulu, HI | 96813