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Sunday Night Delight at South Shore Tiki Lounge
After seeing South Shore Tiki Lounge absolutely buzzing the night before in Kalama Village, my wife and I decided to give it a try. We half-expected the same lively scene on a Sunday night, but it was surprisingly mellow – perfect for a relaxed evening. We were immediately welcomed with a warm smile and the invitation to "sit anywhere," so we naturally gravitated towards the patio where live music filled the air.
First, drinks! I opted for a Beach Bum Rum, a tropical concoction of Malibu Melon, Midori, mango, and lemonade that instantly put me in vacation mode. My wife, ever the fan of local flavors, loved her Maui Brewing Company Dragon Fruit seltzer. Then came the appetizer: crispy fried calamari that arrived with an unexpected, yet delightful, surprise – fried pickles! The tempura breading was incredibly light and crispy, making every bite of calamari and pickle perfectly crunchy and incredibly flavorful.
Given South Shore's reputation for pizza, we couldn't resist. Our waitress was fantastic, letting us mix and match a small pizza half-and-half. One half was the hearty South Shore Combo (red sauce, pepperoni, Canadian bacon, Hawaiian sausage, mushrooms, green peppers, red onions, and black olives). The other half was the intriguing Sweet Kalua (BBQ sauce, kalua pork, pineapple, and green onions), offering a satisfying play between sweet and tart. The thin, crispy crust was spot on, and they did a stellar job of splitting the flavors right down the middle. My only small note is that the sweet oil from the Kalua side did migrate a bit, affecting the tips of my savory half. If you're as particular about your pizza flavors as I am, you might consider ordering separate small pizzas to avoid any flavor mingling.
Despite that minor detail, our experience was truly enjoyable. We had a great time and would certainly return to South Shore Tiki Lounge on our next visit!