GREAT EATS HAWAII: HONOLULU BURGER COMPANY

Sunday, January 2, 2011

HONOLULU BURGER COMPANY

HONOLULU BURGER COMPANY

HONOLULU, HAWAII

There is one restaurant in Hawaii that I have eaten at more than any other in twenty years. It WAS called Mekong on Beretania. The Thai Food made famous by Keo was hands down my favorite restaurant for two decades. Mekong is now a burger joint called Honolulu Burger Company. While driving down Beretania today I just had to stop and see what my favorite restaurant spot had become. Well it has become a darn good burger joint. We entered to find a small line and most tables taken. We approached the counter where you order and were greeted by a beautiful smile and welcome from the gal working the counter. We all ordered the Cheeseburger with Lettuce, Tomato and Onion ($7.79). You can choose your bun, dressing, cheese and extra toppings such as Kim Chee, Bacon, Forest Ham, Jalapenos, Spam, Avocado or Pickles for $1.00 the Pickle add is $.25. You can also order speciality burgers such a a Hawaiian Beach Boy that includes Teriyaki Sauce, Glazed Ham and Grilled Pineapple. There is a Korean Big Bang Burger with Braised Korean Style Short Ribs, Ko Choo Jang Aioli and Kim Chee. There is also Honolulu Burger Company Favorites such as the "Poncho" Burger with Portuguese Sausage Patties with Grass Fed Beef Patty, Grilled Tomatoes and Sauteed Sweet Onions ($8.99). Teri-Kim Burger with Teriyaki and Kim Chee and a Loco Moco Burger with a Beef Patty topped with Crispy Spam, Over-Hard Egg, Brown Gravy and Bacon ($8.99). I want to try the Paniolo Burger next. House made BBQ sauce with fresh slices of Jalapenos and sauteed sweet onions ($7.79). The Blue Hawaii Burger is topped with bacon, gorgonzola, tomatoes and sauteed sweet onions ($8.79). All of the burgers are 100% Big Island Range Fed Beef. They also feature some great looking sandwiches like a Philly Dip Sandwich, Pastrami and a couple of monsters like "The Bull". Sliced Big Island Top Sirloin, Corned Beef and Pastrami stuffed between a French Roll and topped with cheese, onions, tomato and lettuce ($9.29). The "Meat" Sandwich starts with a 1/2 lb Big Island Sliced Beef, Kalua Pig, Black Forest Ham, Bacon, Corned Beef and Sweet Onions smothered in BBQ sauce and Horseradish Creme ($11.89). Now I gotta try this one. Also on the menu are some great French Fries; House Style, Sweet Potato, Blue Cheese, Garlic and Truffle. We tried the Garlic Fries ($3.99). They were cooked perfectly. Light and very crunchy with just enough garlic. Not overwhelming like other places. The Fries here are a 10. Now lets get to the Burgers. We chose Whole Wheat Buns and they were delicious. Light and not too much bread. Just perfect. I bit into my burger and it exploded with juice. I could taste the meat that was smokey grilled perfectly seasoned with salt. I loved this burger. Probably one of the best in Hawaii. Others said the burger had no tasted. I give this place a big thumbs up and cannot wait to return. For more info, visit the Honolulu Burger Company website at: http://www.honoluluburgerco.com/