GREAT EATS HAWAII: THE WHOLE OX

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

www.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.