Hilo...good restaurant lunch or deli/picnic.

[marilynbn]

Just wondering where in Hilo is there a good, inexpensive place to eat lunch after exiting the Volcano National Park. Or a good deli place to pick up food to go. We will be heading south from the park down to Ahulani pools. Thanks Marilyn

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[JudyOh]

Come on guys, somebody should have an answer, you'll be helping two of us out at once!

[SweetEmi]

I'll look when I'm there in May...but until then I have no idea, sorry!

There's a place in town that locals love to go to - wanna know about that? [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]

Emi

NCL Star-08/31/03 in Hawaii!
NCL Star-11/13/04 to Mexico!
Alaska summer 2005!

[JudyOh]

Sure!

[bug_dan]

Not sure why, but we always stopped at the Volcano House for lunch. Nothing more than sandwiches, hot dogs, that type of thing. Not exactly a gourmet meal, but it kept the hungries away until we were back on the ship.
I'm sure they also serve meals but we never wanted to take that much time out of the day.
BTW if you are heading south from the Park, you are not going towards Hilo. I really don't remember any restaurants in that direction until you get around to the Kona side.

Dan

Infinity Panama Canal 10/17/2004

[SweetEmi]

Dan: That's where they had me stumped, was going south from the Park.

Ok...there's a restaurant called Ken's House of Pancakes. It isn't just a breakfast place though I'm sure they must serve it. If you're really hungry or a couple of people want to share, order a Sumo Saimin. They used to bring it out with lots of fanfare through the whole restaurant. [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif[/img] It is HUGE! They have good ol comfort type food like honey-kissed fried chicken and smaller sizes of saimin, but the food is good and reasonable. Not fancy, but sit-down.

Oh...it's on the corner of the highway that goes to the airport, mall, and zoo and the one that heads into Hilo town. I'll get better directions if you need it.

Aloha!
Emi

NCL Star-08/31/03 in Hawaii!
NCL Star-11/13/04 to Mexico!
Alaska summer 2005!

[marilynbn]

My plotted course from Volcanoes Park is to take 11 back to Kea'au and then head south on 130 toward Pahoa maybe eat there? Godmothers or Luquins? then continue down to 132 and end at 137 and find Ahalanui Pool. How's that? Any one ever do this? Are these viable places for lunch or is there a deli along this route? Marilyn [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gif[/img]

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[spleen93]

I have never done this and don't know anybody who has. But I'll be very interested about how it turns out if you do this. Please let us know!

Spleen

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[SweetEmi]

Well...I just looked at a map to see what you are talking about Marilyn and we will be staying in Kurtistown at the end of May for a little vacation, which is right there at the junction of 11 and 130. So...I copied what you posted and I'll try to see if I can do what you want to do and let you know!

Emi

NCL Star-08/31/03 in Hawaii!
NCL Star-11/13/04 to Mexico!
Alaska summer 2005!

[marilynbn]

You are a DOLL, thanks sweetEmi!!

Hey, can I assume from another post that you are a nurse? I am too!
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[SweetEmi]

No...not a nurse, a transcriptionist. I started going to nursing school a couple of years ago but I couldn't finacially handle it. But, all is good. They need us transcriptionists too! [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]

Emi

NCL Star-08/31/03 in Hawaii!
NCL Star-11/13/04 to Mexico!
Alaska summer 2005!

[Guest]

Just got back from a land-based trip to the Big Island. Ken's House of Pancakes was recommended by so many people. But it just didn't sound that great. Pancakes, you know....
It really should have a different name but it has been an institution there for so many years, I understand, and is so popular.

Well, we finally made it there and only sorry we didn't go sooner. Right on the corner of Hwys 11 & 19. Enter off of 19. Probably closer to "NWesterly" in direction.

Most sincerely gracious and friendly staff-everyone each time we visited. Great large menu, food, reasonable. Less than a mile from the pier and a mile from the airport.

In Hilo, it's either fast food joints or Ken's for routine dining. I won't bother looking any further next time I go back.

Sammy

[SweetEmi]

Ken's is definately on my schedule for this week! Not sure what I can eat there on my diet, but I'll find something.

Emi

NCL Star-08/31/03 in Hawaii!
NCL Star-11/13/04 to Mexico!
Alaska summer 2005!

[marilynbn]

Thanks Sammy for your review. We will be looking for lunch fare. Does Ken's menu have lunch items, sandwiches etc..? Thanks again Marilyn

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[SweetEmi]

Ken's has everything...similar to a Denny's menu - but like homemade. Try the saimin with those meat sticks (chicken I think but I forget what they are called). And the honey-kissed fried chicken, Yummm! But not on my diet, I'm afraid. I'll try to get a menu this weekend.

Marilyn: Aren't you the one I'm supposed to try to figure out if you can do a specific itinerary in Hilo? I have it printed out and in my purse with my list of things I want to try to do while I'm there. (Never mind I see above that you are the one!! lol)

Aloha!
Emi

NCL Star-08/31/03 in Hawaii!
NCL Star-11/13/04 to Mexico!
Alaska summer 2005!

[marilynbn]

Emi-LOL you are too funny! I think that was a while ago. Thanks for the "Kens" info. I will definately try there for our lunch in Hilo. This was the last meal that I had to figure out. I'm soo excited, we'll be off in 26 days! I've now started my tanning regimen to get a good base before we hit the islands. Thanks again... Marilyn [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gif[/img]

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[spleen93]

Usually, the BBQ sticks with saimin are teri-beef sticks or teri-chicken sticks. Don't know if Ken's calls them something special or not though. [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img]

Spleen

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[Guest]

Marilyn

We never had lunch at Ken's because we had a large breakfast and were out and around the island during the day but am positive they would have a good lunch menu. They seem to do a great job on everything.

The one part of the menu we frequented at night was the "small stuff" section I think it was called. All about $5.95. Mahi-mahi (fixed differently from the cube one usually gets); Teri beef and Teri chicken....2-3 other meals. Plenty for us and good. I think the same menu is used all day. I know breakfast is served 24/7. Homemade pies.

It's just a great Denny's-type restaurant and from what I can tell, there aren't many of that type in Hilo. I know the dinner houses we saw were very expensive and we paid a high price for a mediocre prime rib at one.

Sammy

[marilynbn]

Thanks everyone! It sounds like "Ken's" is the place to try! Marilyn [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gif[/img]

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[KapohoTwo]

marilynbn,

You are planning the correct route from the volcano to the Ahalanui hot pond. But, you do not want to go all the way back into Hilo to eat lunch at Ken's. There is a little burger/pub type place in Keaau called Charley's. Or you can continue on to Pahoa (there are no eating places between Keaau and Pahoa) where there are plenty of places to choose from. Luquin's is always good for reasonably priced Mexican. There is also a 7-Eleven in Pahoa where you could grab sandwiches, etc. Another idea is the Pahoa Natural Foods grocery store (kind of tucked back on a side street just off of the main drag). They have all kinds of delicious "to-go" stuff...some of their cakes and desserts are to die for!! They also have selections of salads, soups, sandwiches and entrees type stuff from the buffet-type table. You could take the food to the hot pond. There are brand new pavillions and picnic tables at the hot pond. There is nothing along Rt. 132 except Papaya farms, and the only thing along Rt. 137 is a small community....where I live!!

[marilynbn]

Kapohotwo, Thank you so much for this info! I didn't realize that we would be going in the wrong direction from the volcano to Ahalanui pool to get to Ken's. If you are familiar with the pools can you tell me are they difficult to find/get to? Are they worth the trip? Thanks again Marilyn [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gif[/img]

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[daWoods]

Marilyn, if you're going to do any golfing on the islands, try to focus on your putting.
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[KapohoTwo]

The hot pond is easy to find. You probably have found it on a map..and it is right on Rt. 137. It is a state park and you will see several signs along the way from Pahoa. When you make the right onto 137 you will see a sign that says 2.5 miles (I think) to the hot pond. Right before the hot pond you will see a charming little charter school....just a few huts nestled under palm trees, and there is usually a school bus parked out front during school hours. After the school, you will see the hot pond parking lot on your left(and additional parking across the street, if that lot is full). There is a row of port-a-potties in the parking lot. There is also an outdoor shower in the park. The side walk will lead you right down to the pond. Pick a spot to leave your towels and stuff and head into the pond. There are several sets of steps to enter the pond. Use the handrails on the steps as the steps can be slippery. If the ocean is spilling over the breakwater at the mouth of the pond, the pond may be a bit cooler, but it will still be a lot warmer than the ocean. Also, depending on the tide, the water may be too high to stand in the middle of the pond. I ususally bring a pool noodle so I can be VERY lazy and just float around. My husband always brings his snorkle mask...there are pretty fish in the pond. It is definitely a great experience...especially for us living so close by. It is great to ease our aching muscles after a day of doing yard work or whatever!

[marilynbn]

KapohoTwo thank you so much for this info. It is really hard to find out anything about this place and I just happened upon it in one guide book. I really look forward to it now! Mahalo Nui Loa,
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[spleen93]

KapohoTwo - thanks for the information! And welcome! Always good to have more locals here!

Spleen

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