GREAT EATS HAWAII: SAM CHOY'S ISLAND STYLE SEAFOOD GRILLE AND HAPA BAR

SAM CHOY'S ISLAND STYLE SEAFOOD GRILLE AND HAPA BAR

JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM

SAM CHOY'S ISLAND STYLE SEAFOOD GRILLE

3465 MAMALA BAY DRIVE

PEARL HARBOR, HI 96853

808-422-3002

HOURS: Monday thru Saturday 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM

Sunday 10:00 AM - 9:00 PM

www.samchoysseafoodgrille.com

Paradise found. A true little gem that I am so happy to share with my readers. Sam Choy's Island Style Seafood Grille on Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam is one of the best places for lunch in all of Hawaii. This is the kind of place you want Hawaii to be like. This is the real deal old Hawaii. On the beach, relaxed and in a setting that could be pretty much the same for the past twenty years or more. A real beach bar in Hawaii. Away from the hustle and bustle of Waikiki where they blare loud music and serve weak drinks with bright umbrellas in them. This is the place to kick back and enjoy a great meal or large frosted mug of beer with the men and woman who so greatly serve our country. Airmen, Fighter Pilots, Officers, Green Berets and Enlisted Men and Woman all here enjoying the best weather in the world perhaps before or after deployment. It was truly an honor to sit among our military and enjoy a glorious day by the water. And the food was good too. We started with the Tuscan Bruschetta ($6.95). Four toasted slices of bread topped with fresh Tomatoes and Basil, Garlic and Olive Oil. Served with some Balsamic that added flavor. Fresh, light and delicious. The Spinach and Artichoke Dip ($8.95) is served with Tortilla Chips and it is addicting. After one bite you want more. I don't even like Artichokes and I could have finished this dish all on my own. Loved it. My friends ordered the Fish and Chips ($13.95) and enjoyed a large basket of French Fries along with Panko Breaded Mahi Mahi Filets. Both loved it. I went for the Prime Rib Dip ($14.95). While $15 is expensive for any sandwich, this one packed some good flavor and filled me up. Served with some Cole Slaw that I liked because it was not over dressed with mayonnaise. The sandwich had some good Swiss Cheese and I really liked the Onion Ring touch. The service was excellent despite the fact that there was a large group that just arrived ahead of us. The General Manager was nice enough to let us know about the large party and made sure we had appetizers served first so we did not have to wait too long for food. We sat in the warm tropical sun and enjoyed cool Hawaii breezes as the table next to us hoisted large frosted mugs of beer. I wanted one of those mugs but was working. This means I must go back to Sam Choy's to enjoy a cold beer. Problem is this is the kind of place that once you sit down and go on Hawaiian time you won't want to leave. I can seem myself spending hours here enjoying the setting. If I could get Pearl Harbor-Hickam to shuttle me back and forth to my house, I would visit this little piece of paradise several times a week. Right now I am just thinking how I can get on base more often so I can bring family and friends here.

This is a hidden gem and TASTE OF HAWAII FAVORITE!