One day in October, Kaua‘i resident Susan Ann Allyn was driving in Kapa‘a when she noticed a lime-green delivery van for sale on the side of the road. She pulled over to check it out and immediately liked the potential
One day in October, Kaua‘i resident Susan Ann Allyn was driving in Kapa‘a when she noticed a lime-green delivery van for sale on the side of the road.
She pulled over to check it out and immediately liked the potential for it.
Allyn purchased the van and the rest is culinary history.
After eight intensive months of preparations including installing a commercial kitchen, she turned the van into a lunchwagon in order to sell various shrimp concoctions under the Savage Shrimp moniker.
Allyn opened Savage Shrimp on May 27 next to Otsuka’s Furniture Store, which rents out a vending space for her lunchwagon. Allyn moved to Kaua‘i from O‘ahu in 1997.
“There are a lot of shrimp trucks on O‘ahu,” said Allyn. “In the spring of 1999, I had heard that they were selling fresh Kaua‘i shrimp and I thought, ‘Oh gosh, I want to do something with the fresh Kaua‘i shrimp’ here. I started looking for a location on the west side (of Kaua‘i) for three years but I couldn’t negotiate a lease. So then I decided to start a lunch wagon, like they do over there on O‘ahu. That’s how I got here (at the Otsuka’s location).”
According to Allyn, the Kaua‘i community has been receptive towards her business.
“It’s been great,” she said. “Right now, most of my customers are local people. I haven’t really tapped into the tourist market. It’s a really good product.”
Allyn prepares “Kekaha Scampi” and “Bajia Scampi” on her menu.
The Kekaha Scampi features 12 fresh shrimps, marinated in a classic, scampi sauce with olive oil, garlic, lemon, wine and spices. The Bajia Scampi also features 12 shrimp sautéed with coconut milk, cilantro, orange juice and Garden Isle tomatoes.
Both items run for $9 for a full order although customers have a choice of half orders for $6. Allyn also serves Hawaiian Sun beverages at the business.
“Right now, I am only preparing the shrimp two ways,” said Allyn. “But in the future, I hope to expand the menu to four items including shrimp cocktail and chowder and fried shrimp. I really love to cook and enjoy customer service.
“My goals are to offer the best quality food with the freshest quality ingredients and to have fun.”
Allyn was born in Texas before she moved to O‘ahu in 1968. From 1984-97, she worked at D’Amicos Italian restaurant on O‘ahu.
Currently, she also works two nights a week at Hukilau Lawai restaurant in Kapa‘a. Savage Shrimp is open Thursday through Sunday from 11 a.m. until closing (when she is out of shrimp). For more information about Savage Shrimp, contact Susan Ann Allyn at 742-7081.
Business Editor Barry Graham can be reached at 245-3681 ext. 251 or mailto:bgraham@pulitzer.net
