GREAT EATS HAWAII: KISS MY GRITS

KISS MY GRITS

HONOLULU, HAWAII

A friend of mine recommended Kiss my Grits over a month ago. Totally forgot about it until we were driving by Puck's Alley and my memory kicked in. We decided to stop in for lunch. Kiss my Grits is located in the back parking lot and cannot be seen from the street. It is a very small place that delivers big on authentic Southern Food. We arrived to find the small dining room packed with a few people waiting. There are three tables outside that were also filled. We waited patiently and were rewarded with a nice outdoor table that was cool and comfortable. The inside seating area was a bit warm and very crowded. Tables are packed tightly so that you get to know your neighbors whether you like it or not. The star of the show is the food, but the guy in the front of the house who's name is Hector made the show. Hecter talks with a slight Southern twang and makes everyone feel comfortable here. He is a gracious host who understands how customers should be treated. Makes you feel at home and takes the time to make sure you are happy with everything on the plate. We started with the Brunswick Stew ($2.50 cup). This is a thick tomato based stew with shredded chicken and pork. Corn, Lima Beans and Potato add texture and richness to the soup. Hector told me that the stew cooks for two days before it is served. Loved it and wish I had a gallon of it in my fridge. The Shrimp Po Boy ($12.95) was absolutely delicious. The shrimp is very lightly breaded and bathed in cajun spices. Served with lettuce, tomato and onion. The shrimp were delicious on their own. The Po Boy is served on a baguette that is really too much bread for the sandwich. We loved the sandwich but not all the thick bread. Served with Cole Slaw, Hush Puppies and a Deviled Egg. The Carolina Chopped BBQ Sandwich ($9.95) can be ordered North (vinegar and red pepper sauce) or South (tangy mustard sauce). I went with the North. Was surprised to see that the BBQ Pork was not served with BBQ sauce. I guess this is a Carolina thing. I liked the BBQ pork but would have preferred it with some BBQ sauce. I added some chili water and hot sauce that was on the table. Still wanted BBQ sauce. The sandwich got a bit soggy and fell apart. The pork was good though. The sandwich is served with Cole Slaw, Hush Puppies and a Deviled Egg. The Deviled Eggs are good but really nothing special. My wife loved the Hush Puppies served with sweat butter. She packed up all the uneaten ones and took them home along with the butter. I liked the Cole Slaw. A bit of a vinegar kick. The Sweet Melissa's Egg Salad Sandwich ($7.95) is served on toasted bread. The wife said it was bland and tasteless. The Smokey Mac-N-Cheese ($5.50) was a huge hit. Flavor bomb of cheeses and topped with fried onions. The entire table loved the Mac-N-Cheese and I think you will too. Finished the meal with Cornbread ($2.00) that was served with the best Apple Butter I have ever tasted. My daughter does not like apple sauce but devoured the Apple Butter and even put it on her watermelon that was complimentary. There is so much on the menu at Kiss my Grits that I want to try. They have Crab Cakes, All you can eat Popcorn Shrimp, Fried Chicken, Ribs, Chicken Fried Steak, Pimento Cheese Sandwich, Oyster Po Boy, Fried Shrimp, Fish and Oysters, Fried Green Tomatoes, Biscuits and Gravy, Meatloaf, Fried Okra, Collards, Black Eyed Peas and Candied Yams. All this plus some home made Sweet Things like Cold Oven Pound Cake with fruit and creme, Chocolate Peanut Butter Brownies, Bread Pudding and Banana and Nilla Wafer Pudding. Oh yes, I will be back. Maybe for dinner.