"Local Food"

Tyler and I have become notorious for not being able to make a decision when it comes to deciding what's for dinner. We'll get in the car and drive until we come across something that seems just right - perfect atmosphere for our moods and great food for our bellies. We drove for over an hour once... ridiculous you say? You could say that but when we aren't in any sort of hurry, it seems normal.

We were on our way to what we thought was going to be the Highlands, not on purpose, but just because we were heading in that general direction. While we were at the intersection of Briarcliff and La Vista, we saw a little neighborhood joint called Waikikie Hawaiian BBQ. We've passed it a few times, and each time, have said to each other that we needed to try it - so yesterday, we did. We're suckers for local dumps that look 'pretty cool' from the outside.

This place was no dump and was truly a delicious gem! It wasn't tradidional barbecue like you would think. Having never been to Hawaii or ever eaten the food, I thought for sure it was going to be the standard shredded pork with some type of Hawaiian pineapple sauce instead of the conventional barbecue sauce. It turns out I was completely wrong. It was more of what I would consider Asian food.

Hawaiian "barbecuing" is considered "grilling." Their food is an East-West Pacific mix that was created in the 1920's by local lunch wagon cooks and small restaurants in the area. Plantation immigrants were brought to Hawaii from places like China, Japan, Okinawa, Korea, Puerto Rico and the Phillipines. With each new wave of culture came the plants and animals from those native lands. So their food has been influenced by numerous cultures over the years and was constantly changing with every new wave. It is a very unique cuisine created from a very diverse background.

It eventually developed into what they now call "Local Food." A typical Local Food plate consists of rice and meat covered in gravy, served with salt seaweed or chili peppers, sesame oil or soy sauce. Gravy is pretty much Teriyaki sauce and so is Hawaiian "ketchup." Not so sure I would put that one on the the burger, but I guarnatee you it's delicious!

Overall, I have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed my experience at Waikikie Hawaiian BBQ and loved learning about the food. The restaruant has been around since June 2006 and is about to celebrate 4 years in Atlanta. It was such a friendly and warm environment that I hope to go back to soon. The only other Hawaiian restaurant in Atlanta that I'm aware of is Roy's in Buckhead but I hear it's overpriced and not quite as yummy. Check out http://www.waikikie.com/ to learn more... Mahalo!