Polihale Beach: End of the World

Hamburger hankerin':                

 There seems to be no end to the controversy over who invented the hamburger. Not that I dwell on this obscure subject too often, I'm just saying...everyone has a theory. No mater it's origins, the current form of beef patty, bun, lettuce, tomato, onion and maybe pickles is an international favorite. A truly American standard. Just ask the people of Seymore, Wisconsin where you can attend the annual "Burger Fest", claiming one of the possible fathers of the current day hamburger  (Charlie Nagreen). Doesn't really matter to me who started it, as long as I can get one when I want one.

So often as I tool around the island I get one of those hankerings for a good old burger. And though there are few local burger joints on Kaua'i (No White Castles or In-N-Out Burger),  I have found my way to most of them over the years. Today we'll tackle just three of them:

The biggest local chain of burger joints on Kaua'i is BUBBA's.

As Bubba puts it: where the burger is "Always juicy, never greasy - where the food is hot,  the service is cold,  and the music is too DAMN LOUD!"

Read all the signs on the walls, very funny

Yes, Bubba's has a unique marketing concept... like it's famous tag line: "We cheat tourists, drunks and attorneys". But that, and great burgers brings people to the door, and sells a boat load of T-shirts, hats and tank-tops!

These authentic old-fashioned burger joints (since 1936) serve up burgers from $4 for a small 1/6 Lb single patty burger...to a full 1/2 Lb 3 patty Big Bubba. Don't forget to order the Frings: half fresh onion rings and half fries. Oh yum... and if you want gluten free, they'll replace the bun with a lettuce wrap. The Teriyaki burger is very good and they serve one of my island favorites, Chili and Rice bowl (ask for cheese and onions!) Only $4.50! This meets the island standard for "Broke da Mouth"!

Order the Frings

At Bubba's they "Relish your Buns", butt if you want lettuce on your burger, you have to ask.  Lettuce is "shipped in from the mainland: sometimes it's real good, sometimes its not so real good - however, it's always real expensive"!

Chili and Rice

                  There are 3 Bubba's on Kaua'i: Hanalei, Kapaa, and Poipu.

Our next Burger stop, one you will probably drive right by on the Kuhio Highway, in fact you may drive by a couple of times it's so small and hidden, is on the East side, in Anahola: Duane's Ono Char Burger!

Slow down...you'll drive right by it

Ono Burger is truly a roadside shack...but stop there anyway. It's a favorite of locals and visitors as well. A family run, one-of-a-kind business since 1975,  Ono Char Burger offers over 14 different burgers on its menu. The combination possibilities seem endless, like the endless summer of Kaua'i itself.

Owner Leilani Cord and her husband "Rip" Cord (Yes that's his real nick-name) says "We encourage people to get their burger the way they like it" according to the Garden Island interview,  she recommends the homemade Teriyaki sauce and blue cheese...together...Oh Yum again! The two sauces compliment each other. I am a fan of the Cheddar Burger and, of course anything with grilled pineapple on it!

Simple Cheddar burger

These are flame-grilled burgers and you can taste that in each burger. Each beef patty is seasoned with Leilani's Sea Salt blend. Add any combination to your burger...cheddar, grilled pineapple or avocado...they will gladly make your burger the way you want it.

Ono Burgers are reasonably priced, as Hawaii goes.  A 1/4 Lb burger will cost about $5.15 and there are plenty of other options on the menu to choose from also. Don't expect the best burger you ever had, do expect a good burger (with lots of trimmings to choose from) at a fair price.

Try the Local Girl or Local Boy... with Teriyaki sauce, grilled pineapple and either Swiss or cheddar cheese. Or Duane's Special: Thousand Island dressing, pickles, onions, sprouts, cheddar and Swiss cheese! Bring you appetite and a large mouth!

I chased the chickens away... sorry

You can eat outside on the cement tables, some with umbrellas, and all with chickens, roosters and even a couple of cats roaming by your table. Don't be surprised at a wait for your food. There is frequently a line to order, or locals waiting for orders that they called in.

Local Kine

Finally on todays burger tour, we head to South Shore...Koloa. This is truly a "Local Grinds" place and also easy to miss. Sueoka's Snack Shop in the heart of Old Koloa Town.

Also lots of good foods inside Sueoka's

Started in 1918 in the small Koloa Japanese Plantation camp for the sugar plantation field laborers, this burger shack also features local style mix plate lunches. It sits beside Sueoka's Market,  right off the parking lot.

The line may be long, but that's a good sign

The prices are unbeatable in this South shore tourist area. A small single burger is only $2.95, but you'll need at least two if you're an adult. Still very affordable to feed a family here. And it's a good place to grab a meal and head out to the beach, or back to the hotel room since there is no seating here.

Burgers are simple and average tasting. If you are really hungry get a local style plate lunch. Kuala pig, Teri beef plate or salmon special if they have it.

small kind, order at least 2

Sueoka's Snack Shack has average service, not too talkative servers (may seem unfriendly, but mostly just very busy) and a strict cash only burger.

Next time you are on island and have a burger hankering....hope to see you at one of these local hangouts!

Aloha.....TT