Sometimes, nothing but a big, juicy burger will d0. Lucky for us, Kalapaki Beach Hut in Lihu‘e serves up fresh, flame-broiled beef burgers all day. The tiny eatery opened, which opened its order window in 1990, serves items from their
Sometimes, nothing but a big, juicy burger will d0. Lucky for us, Kalapaki Beach Hut in Lihu‘e serves up fresh, flame-broiled beef burgers all day. The tiny eatery opened, which opened its order window in 1990, serves items from their breakfast and lunch menus all day.
The upstairs dining room offers views of Kalapaki Beach if you look past a paved parking lot.
The restaurant offers a menu filled with breakfast items, burgers, sandwiches, salads and smaller keiki items.
Kalapaki Beach Hut is known for its burgers, which come in seven mouth-watering varieties. The chef starts with a 1/4 pound of all-natural (and never frozen) island beef and serves it on a taro bun.
All burgers are made to order and can be served with a variety of toppings, including jalapeños, green chilies, teriyaki, cheddar or Swiss cheese, pineapple, bacon, mushrooms and blue cheese.
I sampled the “Aloha Classic,” which was topped off with tomatoes, red onions, lettuce, teriyaki, pineapple and cheddar cheese, and served with two slices of speared pickles.
The burger was top-notch. The patty was thick and juicy and not overpowered by seasoning.
For $2.50, diners can get an order of French fries to munch on the side.
I lucked out and was served a basket of freshly made fries. The thinly cut fries were hot and crispy, and fry enthusiasts won’t need a side of ketchup to wash these down.
Their lunch menu offers other grilled sandwiches, including grilled cheese, tuna melt, veggie combo, teriyaki chicken, ono fish and a veggie burger.
These sandwiches are topped with fresh veggies, including sprouts, cucumbers, tomatoes, red onions and lettuce.
In addition to the lunch menu, Kalapaki Beach Hut also serves hot breakfast all day. The restaurant’s Breakfast Egg Sandwich ($5.95) is your typical breakfast plate of bacon or Portuguese sausage and eggs and cheese.
The Loco Moco ($6.95) offers the island’s favorite heart attack-in-waiting plate of rice, hamburger, egg and gravy.
I tried a “super” order of Portuguese Sweet Bread French Toast ($6.95).
The chef used thick slices of sweet bread cooked to a golden brown, which were topped off with powder sugar and served with a side of butter and maple syrup. I opted for scrambled eggs. They came out light, fluffy and moist.
Kalapaki Beach Hut is open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, and the best part is you can come in your swimsuit and slippers.
The restaurant is located at 3474 Rice St. in Lihu‘e (or just look be on the lookout for a giant anchor out front). For more information call 246-6330.
