On our recent trip to Maui, we stumbled upon this hidden gem of a shack called “Local Food”. It was on the way to our hotel and had great reviews on Yelp. We were a little skeptical when we saw that it was a little “shack” in an old strip mall with just two tables out front but we’re so glad we stayed and gave it a go!
Three words to sum it up – Best Kalua Pork!
Best Kalua Pork we’ve had in Maui! It’s tender, juicy, lightly smoky and lightly salted! Mouth watering! They serve it with rice and salad (instead of mac & cheese)!
After a week in Maui and trying many other Hawaiian restaurants, we have to say that “Local Food” is still the best place for Kalua Pork on the island that we’ve had! Even the frequently recommended Aloha Mixed Plate restaurant that serves similar dishes didn’t come close to the deliciousness of the kalua pork served by Local Food!
“Kalua” means “to bake in a ground oven” in Hawaiian. At its best, kalua pork is tender, juicy, lightly smoky and lightly salted — exactly how Local Food serves it!
The store was started about 7 years ago. It is run by a friendly couple named Menba and Victor. Their three kids help out as needed around the store. They are a friendly lot. They told us stories of how the buildings in the strip mall used to be a motel and how the parking lot used to be a swimming pool.
Menba mentioned that they also served Adobo, a traditional philipino dish, on some days. They didn’t have Adobo when we were there so we didn’t get to try it. Besides the kalua pork, we also ordered and enjoyed their lau lau and loco moco. The Kalua Pork was the best though!
Menba, Victor and their three daughters run Local Food.
Local Food is a little shack in a strip mall. Don’t judge it by its cover! Order the Kalua Pork!
A simple set up that serves delicious kalua pork plate lunch for $7!
Menu at Local Food. We highly recommend the kalua pork with cabbage!
Lau Lau is also delicious. Pork was tender and juicy!
Lau Lau was juicy and flavorful!
Their loco moco is served with fried rice and no mac & cheese. We welcomed the substitution of the mac & cheese with the salad (healthier option, definitely)!!
It was so good, we went back a second time to Local Food before we left Maui. This is a definite meal stop for us next time we’re back in Maui!
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REMEMBER:
- Local Food is located at 222 Papalaua St, Ste 202, Lahaina, HI 96761. Their phone number is (808) 667-2882.
- We had the best kalua pork while in Maui at Local Food.
- They also serve good lau lau and loco moco. We have not tried the other dishes, so we’re not sure how good the other dishes are.
- “Don’t judge a book by its covers!”. Don’t get put off by the looks of the storefront. Order the kalua pork plate lunch and then make your judgement.
- Local Food was started about 7 years ago by Menba & Victor.
- If you’re in Maui, be sure to give Local Food a go!
Have you been to Local Food? What is your favorite restaurant that serves kalua pork in Maui?
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31 Comments
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Ohhhh! It’s been a few years since I’ve had Hawaiian food, and after reading this post I want some so badly. I’ve never been to Local Food, but if I’m in Kailua next time I’m going to check it out. Awesome photos!
Mark Wiens recently posted..Photo Favorite: Motorcycle Taxi Drivers Lining Up in Bangkok
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Sorry, meant to say Maui instead of “Kailua.”
Mark Wiens recently posted..Photo Favorite: Motorcycle Taxi Drivers Lining Up in Bangkok-
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I just got back but feel like I need to go back Maui just to eat the food! I totally know what you mean 🙂 We have yet been to Kailua and Kauai etc… i’m sure there’ll be some great hidden gems there too!
Idelish (Jeremy & Shirlene) recently posted..{Japan} Noboribetsu Jigokudani aka “Hell Valley”
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Wow! The food looks very delicious and colorful!
Sailor recently posted..Santhome High Road Chennai-
They sure are! We can’t wait till we go back!
Idelish (Jeremy & Shirlene) recently posted..{USA} Malasadas, a Must Eat in Honolulu, Oahu.
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I LOVE loco moco. We had it at least once a day during our recent trips to Hawaii. Its not health food, but perfect for when you’re on vacation!
Kris Koeller recently posted..Daily Photo: Parrot Cay Beach-
We’re so tempted to go to a hawaiian restaurant here in Seattle!!! I agree that loco moco is delicious, not really health food but PERFECT for vacations! Thanks Kris for taking the time to drop a note!
Idelish (Jeremy & Shirlene) recently posted..{Japan} Noboribetsu Jigokudani aka “Hell Valley”
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mmm…will have to try it the next time I’m there!!
jenjenk recently posted..Turkey: The Kind and Friendly Turks-
Absolutely! Let us know what you think after you try it!
Idelish (Jeremy & Shirlene) recently posted..{Thoughts} I got a postcard postmarked North Pole!
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It doesn’t look like much from the front, so it’s great that you shared it.
adventureswithben recently posted..Norman Love Chocolates: Tiny, Beautiful, Delicious, Expensive and Worth It-
The good reviews on yelp convinced us to stay and give it a go! We’re so glad we did!
Idelish (Jeremy & Shirlene) recently posted..{USA} Surfing with Goofy Foot Surf School in Maui
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Usually those shack places have the best food. They don’t bother wasting time with ambiance because they know it’s all about the food. 🙂 Nice find!
Christy recently posted..Red Tide Magic – Bioluminescence Captured With Video and Night Photography-
So true, Christy! They focus solely on the food and put all their effort and energy into it – that’s why it’s so good!
Idelish (Jeremy & Shirlene) recently posted..{USA} Surfing with Goofy Foot Surf School in Maui
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I’ve never been a big fan of food but this looks delicious!
Jeremy Branham recently posted..Fall colors in northern California: Hope Valley Autumn leaves-
Not a big fan of food? You’ve gotta start trying all the local food! It’s a whole different side of traveling and “local” experiences 🙂
Idelish (Jeremy & Shirlene) recently posted..{USA} Luxurious Grand Wailea in Maui
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Some of the best food we had recently when we were in New York was in tiny, hole-in-the-wall restaurants that could only cram in a few tables. We had the best homemade ravioli in a tiny place in Little Italy. It’s really worth it to seek out those small, local restaurants.
Jan Ross recently posted..Summing Up the Norwegian Jewel-
That sounds really good, Jan! We love italian food – sounds like a stop in the hole-in-the-wall restaurant in Little Italy is a must stop for us next time we’re in NY!
Idelish (Jeremy & Shirlene) recently posted..{Japan} Noboribetsu Jigokudani aka “Hell Valley”
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Have to agree, never judge by its cover! The best food I found while traveling is also one of those small places that tourists normally would not notice. ^_^ Love the loco moco photo…it made me hungry.
Annie – FootTracker recently posted..Monterey (5) One Devilish Treat @Lily Mae’s Cinnamon Rolls-
Thanks Annie! Reading this post made us crave all the food too! That’s our favorite part of traveling – discovering all the great food in the area!
Idelish (Jeremy & Shirlene) recently posted..{Japan} Noboribetsu Jigokudani aka “Hell Valley”
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I love little places like this and the food looks really good!
Laurel recently posted..Keeping Travel Memories Alive-
Thanks for the stumble Laurel! The food was definitely delicious – we can’t wait to go back!
Idelish (Jeremy & Shirlene) recently posted..{Japan} Noboribetsu Jigokudani aka “Hell Valley”
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