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Monday, August 20, 2012

THE WHOLE OX - HONOLULU, HAWAII

THE WHOLE OX
HONOLULU, HAWAII

THE WHOLE OX
327 KEAWE STREET
HONOLULU, HAWAII
808-699-6328
HOURS:  Monday thru Saturday 9:30 AM - 3:00 PM
                 Monday thru Saturday 5:30 PM - 9:30 PM
EMAIL: hello@wholeoxdeli.com

The Whole Ox on Keawe Street near Ala Moana Blvd opened to long lines and rave reviews.  The concept of using all parts of locally raised pigs from Maui is the mainstay of the menu.  The restaurant itself is more like warehouse space with wood bench seating on the inside and outside patio.  The menu is hand written on a giant chalkboard over a self service counter.  After reviewing the board, we decided to try a few items and share them.  The waitress asked if we had ever tried their burgers.  I said no and she suggested we try one.  One Dry Aged Burger ($11) was ordered.  We followed the burger with The Street Grinder ($10) and a Porchettabrutit, Doug ($10).  The food was ready in just a few minutes.  I heard them call my name and made my way for the counter to pick up the plates.  Wow I thought, these plates are pretty bare.  Basically the sandwich thrown on a plate and thats it.  My friend said they should throw on a few chips or pickle.  Anything to fill the plate considering the price.  The Dry Aged Burger was thick and juicy.  Cooked to a perfect medium.  Juices oozed from the meat that sat atop a fresh bun with just a bit of Caper Aioli and grilled red onions.  The beef has a totally different taste than a regular burger.  The Aioli and Onions are lost in the taste of the beef.  You really have to want to enjoy the meat and not condiments when eating this burger.  My rating for food is basically the question "would I order this item again".  In the case of the Dry Aged Burger the answer is no.  Not for  eleven bucks.  The Street Grinder was a pressed sandwich with thinly sliced meats and a few pickle slices and piece of cheese.  Could not taste the cheese.  Again for ten bucks I would not order this sandwich again.  Really could not distinguish the tastes of the variety of meats.  The highlight of the lunch was the Porchettabrutit, Doug Sandwich.  Thinly sliced pork with some pork cracklings and fennel.  Did not taste much of the fennel but liked the sandwich.  It was however very small.  I want to return to the Whole Ox to try a few more menu items before I write this place off.  There are some other menu items that caught my eye and look very good.  They serve breakfast which seems to be very popular.  

PORCHETTA WITH FENNEL AND CRACKLINGS




GREAT WOOD CARVING AT ENTRANCE
DRY AGED BURGER WITH CAPER AIOLI AND RED ONION
DRY AGED BURGER DID NOT LIVE UP TO THE $11 PRICE
THE STREET GRINDER - MORTADELLA, HOT CAPPACOLLA, PROSCIUTTO AND GRUYERE 

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