Ethel's Grill

"Open since 1979, this neighborhood classic offers some of the best plate lunches on the island. Start with the ahi tataki, and then one of the staples, like Japanese hamburger steak heaped with a refreshing pile of grated daikon, or the mochiko chicken that’s lightly coated in rice flour—just one of the many variations of fried chicken you’ll find in Hawai‘i. It’s takeout only, so invite a bunch of friends with plans to take a 10-minute drive for a picnic at Kaka‘ako Waterfront Park—that way, you’ll have enough help to try one (or more) of the specials. A couple we’ve liked in the past: fancy-ish crab-crusted fish and sriracha ranch fried chicken. See? So much fried chicken." - Martha Cheng

"Ethel’s Grill has been serving truck drivers, politicians, chefs, and tourists near the docks for decades. Ryoko Ishii bought the restaurant in 1978 and never bothered to change the name. Today, her daughter and son-in-law serve comfort food that reflects their mixed heritage of Japanese, Okinawan, Mexican, and local culture. The seared ahi sashimi topped with soy-marinated garlic chips is a longtime classic, while the Okinawa-inspired taco rice — composed of layers of rice, ground beef, lettuce, and shredded cheese topped with a fried taco shell — is a more recent addition to the menu. Given its tiny dining room, Ethel’s continues to only offer takeout, which you can take to picnic at the nearby Kaka‘ako Waterfront Park." - Martha Cheng

Tony went to this small eatery with 2 chefs, Andrew Le and Mark “Gooch” Noguchi. They ate miso soup, pigs feet soup, tripe, taco rice (taco toppings and an over-easy egg on top of rice, which is an Okinawan specialty).