GREAT EATS HAWAII: CAFE LAUFER

CAFE LAUFER

HONOLULU, HAWAII

We were heading to the University of Hawaii Mens Basketball game vs Fresno State and decided to stop at Cafe Laufer for dinner before the game. We entered from the parking lot side near Big City Diner. As you enter the restaurant from this entrance, you are immediately welcomed with a hallway of boxes and supplies. The entire hallway leading to the seating area is filled with junk. Looks terrible. The junk ends and there are around six chairs for people to sit out when waiting for a table. There is a counter and employees but they didn't take time to greet us or explain the process for ordering here. The menus are posted on the pastry displays in front. You stand there along with everyone else and look over them. Then you order right there at the counter. You order, but don't pay your bill until you are finished eating. Then you go back to the counter and pay. The menu includes Sandwiches, Soups, Salads, Pasta, Burgers, and Special Entrees such as New York Steak and Beef Shank. I went with the Daily Soup and Sandwich. Tried the Minestrone Soup with Vegetarian Sandwich. Soup was a bit bland and the Veggie Sandwich had no flavor. Just sprouts, carrot, cucumber, tomato and cheese on a French Roll with small amount of Mayo. This sandwich needed a kick like some of the salad dressing or something else to give it some taste. We tried the Pasta with Garlic Creme Sauce and Chicken. Wow...this plate of pasta was so over sauced that it was difficult to get on the fork because of the thick, dense sauce. Flavor was good but there was just way too much sauce overloaded on the pasta. The Soup and Sandwich Combo came with a small house salad. The salads were a mixture of the greens that every restaurant in Hawaii is serving these days. I am so sick of these greens that I cannot stand eating one bite of them. Just give me regular Iceberg or Romaine Lettuce PLEASE!!! We entered Cafe Laufer just past 5:30 pm on a Saturday. They were already out of the Daily Special Salmon and Meatloaf. By the time we finished dining there was a line of about 6-8 people waiting near the pile of boxes. This place definitely has a following. Many come for the pastries and cakes that are made fresh daily. You can bring your own beer or wine to Cafe Laufer. I saw several tables enjoying a bottle of wine with their meal. I need to go back to this restaurant and try a few more items and the desserts before writing it off. Prices are a bit high. Our tab for pasta, house salad and a veggie sandwich was around $40 without tip.