When Benjamin Buford “Bubba” Blue decreed that shrimp is the “fruit of the sea” in the film “Forrest Gump,” the people from the Shrimp Station must have agreed. It’s hard to miss the bright green building facing Kuhio Highway. It’s
When Benjamin Buford “Bubba” Blue decreed that shrimp is the “fruit of the sea” in the film “Forrest Gump,” the people from the Shrimp Station must have agreed.
It’s hard to miss the bright green building facing Kuhio Highway. It’s also hard to miss the mouth-watering aroma that it emits.
The Shrimp Station recently opened its doors in Kapa‘a, saving Eastside residents the trek to Waimea for a plate of savory shrimp.
The restaurant offers a menu of sautéed and fried shrimp, including a twist on an American favorite, the burger.
The Shrimp Station’s standout dishes are the sautéed ones. The base for most of its sauces is an olive oil and wine mixture, and most of the shrimp on the menu requires shelling, but that adds to the fun of the meal.
The savory and tangy Sweet Chili Garlic Shrimp ($12) offers 10 shrimp sautéed in olive oil, garlicand white wine and glazed with sweet chili sauce. The tangy glaze doubles up as a dipping sauce for the side of white rice or boiled potatoes that accompany the dish.
The Cajun Shrimp ($12) is also a winner, which includes fresh basil and a creamy Cajun sauce. Garlic lovers will relish the Got Garlic? menu option, which includes shrimps sautéed in — what else? — garlic.
On the battered side of the menu, the Shrimp Station offers Shrimp and Chips ($12), Beer-Battered Shrimp ($12) and Coconut Shrimp. The restaurant states it has “the best coconut shrimp on the planet,” a claim that is hard to argue with.
The shrimp and chips and beer-battered shrimp plates are accompanied by a papaya ginger tartar sauce that lends a light flavor to what could be a heavy dish.
The Shrimp Station is a perfect spot to grab a quick meal. If you plan on taking your plates to go, remember to ask for extra napkins to enjoy your messy, tasty meal.
The Shrimp Station has two locations on island. Their Waimea restaurant is at 9652 Kaumuali‘i Hwy. Its phone number is 338-1242.
Their Kapa‘a restaurant is at 4985 Kuhio Hwy. Reach them at 821-0192.
Both locations are open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.
Visit www.shrimpstation.com for more information.
Best Bet: Anything on the sautéed menu, particularly the Sweet Chile Garlic Shrimp ($12).
On a Budget: Shrimp Cocktail ($). The no-frills menu item is ideal for anyone to cure their craving for seafood.
Skip: The Shrimp Tacos ($). A dissapointing plate on a standout menu. The overkill of tortilla chips and bland flour tortillas add to the dish’s lackluster apperance. The grounded shrimp is delicious, but an overpowering, spicy salsa detract from its taste.
