Georgia: Where To Go For Island-Inspired Hawaiian Food
As an enthusiastic foodie, I thought I had experienced it all. But recently, I was introduced to a new cuisine flavor that nearly knocked me off my chair. We may be over 4,000 miles from Hawaii, but you can still find great Hawaiian food in Georgia.
Though I was out of state I was kindly taken to a restaurant last weekend that specifically served “Hawaiian Street Food.” If you are unfamiliar with these flavors Hawaii Magazine and Serious Eats describe items such as Huli Huli Chicken, a Hawaiian-style barbeque, Musubi, Garlic Shrimp, and Poke as items that are traditional to this cuisine. Furthermore, they qualify as must-try items if it is your first experience.
“Hawaiian food culture incorporates ingredients and inspiration from all over the world, adapting them to the island way of life,” Serious Eats explained.
The flavors are distinct in such a menu. There’s fantastic blend of sauces, spices, and even citrus tones. Serious Eats also explained how the best restaurants that feature Hawaiian foods are often cooking up items that are frequently eaten by local residents on the islands. They describe them by saying their “roots tie islanders back to Asian food cultures, the bites that present the bounty of the surrounding sea in its freshest form, and those beachside snacks that embody the idea that everything tastes better outdoors.”
At the street food establishment I visited we shared orders of these classics, Shoyu ahi poke bowl with seaweed salad, garlic shrimp, Chicken Katsu with grilled pineapple, and garlic white wine buttered Mahi Mahi.
Wondering if this meal option could become a regular in my routine as opposed to something I sought out on a particular trip, I immediately began researching if this cuisine was properly available in the area.
Options For Great Hawaiian Food In Georgia
While there are certain franchises that do touch upon these flavors and certain menu items, here we will dive into more authentic places that are not chains.
Lucky for us, there is one place that is so obvious that it seems too great to be true. Located at 2801 Washington Rd in Augusta, you will find Hawaiian Style BBQ. They are open every day at 11AM. Their menu has all of the classics full of flavor in addition to a long list of appetizers and “Sammiches.” Even their side dishes are on brand with items like Cabbage Kimchi and Hawaiian Sweet Rolls.
Next, we’ve got Rae’s Coastal Café. They are located at 3208 W Wimbledon Dr. While they don’t necessarily brand themselves as Hawaiian-specific, they do cook up a lot of island inspired plates like coconut fried shrimp and blackened Mahi Mahi. Given they are not far from the Masters, they create a specialized menu each year while the tournament is going on.
