GREAT EATS HAWAII: ROYS HAWAII KAI - 4TH OF JULY CELEBRATION

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

ROYS HAWAII KAI - 4TH OF JULY CELEBRATION

THE ORIGINAL ROYS

4TH OF JULY CELEBRATION

HAWAII KAI, HAWAII

What can I say about Roy Yamaguchi. He has proven himself as one of the greatest chefs and businessmen in the history of Hawaii. From his single restaurant in Hawaii Kai where it all started in 1988 to a national chain of 31 restaurants across the U.S. Japan and Guam. Do you think this success has changed Roy? I don't think so. He spent all day at his 4th of July Celebration on the lawn fronting his restaurant. Dressed in jeans, t-shirt and slippers, Roy dined on a jumbo hot dog and mini Waygu Beef Burger like the rest of us. Maybe even of enjoyed a cold one too. We have been blessed to secure a nice table under a beautiful tree outside of the restaurant on the lawn. There is also dining inside on the 4th, but we love to sit outside where you get a front row seat for the fireworks that begin at 8:00 pm. The doors open at 5:00 pm so you have a full three hours to enjoy a wide variety of food that is at self serve stations placed on the lawn and throughout the inside restaurant. Waiters also bring the food to your table non stop if you do not want to get up. Lemonade and Root Beer Floats are free but any other beverages are sold at regular restaurant prices. The cost for the 4th of July Celebration at Roys is $65 for adults and $30 for children. This is a lot of money but really worth it if you want great parking, lots of food and a front row seat for the fireworks. Roy's 4th Party just takes all of the stress out of watching fireworks and getting in and out quickly. Let me say something about the staff at Roy's. Probably the best trained and most professional in the industry. They are trained well and understand service. This is a trademark of any Roy's restaurant and even evident at an indoor/outdoor bbq on the 4th of July. I started with a plate of Roy's BBQ Ribs. Hands down some of the best in Hawaii. Smokey and sweet and always falling off the bone. The Mac N' Cheese was average. The Lobster Dog is cute but really doesn't deliver lobster taste. Don't really know what it taste like. Cannot describe it. I liked the Chili with Rice, but we all felt the Chili had a little too much Chili Powder. I loved the Mahi Mahi Burger. Nice pieces of Mahi lightly fried in a Furakake crust and topped with cole slaw. You really got to love Oysters to enjoy the Fried Oyster Sandwich. I took one bite and said no more. Wife said the same. My daughter and her friend had a jumbo hot dog. Looked delicious and they finished the whole thing even after eating plates of everything else and about four orders of cotton candy. Everyone loved the Grilled Corn on the Cob. Coated in butter and something sweet. Roy's Crab Cakes as usual were a big hit. Filled with lump crab and veggies and lightly battered with panko and fried to perfection. Loved the Shrimp Skewers and Fresh Oysters with a light vinegar relish. These made us forget about the Fried Oysters. By this point I was stuffed to the max when the waiter came by with an entire platter of Waygu Beef Mini Burgers. They looked spectacular. Juicy beef topped with cheese, lettuce and tomato. I went for it. One bite and I wished that I would have started with the Waygu Burger. I was so full and wanted more. Juicy and delicious. By this time I was relaxing with a nice glass of vino and ready for the fireworks. Here comes the waiter again. This time with a platter of fresh Hawaiian Ahi Sashimi. Bright and silky. Oh man, I just had to try this too. Went down like butter. Simple perfection. Raw tuna to end my meal. The kids enjoyed tons of Cotton Candy, Watermelon, Brownies and Ice Cream to end their day. When the fireworks began, a large crowd from inside the restaurant came out onto the lawn. We were happily sitting at our great table under the tree thanking the lord and Roy's for an incredible evening. Click link below to view 2012 Roy's 4th of July Celebration

http://greateatshawaii.blogspot.com/2012/07/roys-hawaii-kai-4th-of-july-celebration.html