Bao Boys to make its Eat the Street debut

Grant Shindo,
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Back in June, @BaoBoysHI started following me on Twitter. The logo promised bao and bowls, two things I love, so I sent a direct message to find out when they were opening.

“Thank you for reaching out. Bao Boys is a project that myself (Tony) and Masa (Sauder) are looking to bring to the Hawaii scene soon. We make baos with a modern twist on the old fillings. We pride our self on using local produce and keeping everything fresh,” co-owner Tony Hollinrake wrote back.

Tony Hollinrake in his element, making delicious food and making those around him happy.

Tony Hollinrake in his element, making food that makes people happy.

Hollinrake invited me to taste his bao and talk story at his commercial kitchen at the Oahu Veterans Center in Salt Lake. Born and raised in Hawaii, he’s a front-of-house veteran of Sam Choy’s at Diamond Head, California Pizza Kitchen, Wolfgang’s and Yard House. He then moved around on the mainland from California to New York.

The Cheeto-chicken is just what you'd expect it to be, deep fried chicken dusted in Cheeto dust, picked red onions and micro greens.

The “Cheeto-chicken” is just what you’d expect it to be, deep-fried chicken dusted in Cheetos dust, picked red onions and micro greens.

While in New York, Hollinrake worked an event with Eddie Huang of Baohaus and experienced the East Village chef’s modern spin on the traditional bao. When he moved back home, Hollinrake decided to create Bao Boys, a pop-up aimed at simply creating fun, tasty food that’s portable.

Bao Boys calls this the O.G., their take on the traditional pork belly bao using crispy skin siu yuk, micro cilantro and crushed peanuts.

Bao Boys calls this the O.G., a take on the traditional pork belly bao using crispy skin siu yuk, micro cilantro and crushed peanuts.

Bao Boys aims to use as many local ingredients as possible and to support local farmers. They already have served at such events as Art + Flea and the Wounded Warrior Project. Now they’re ready for Eat the Street, which takes place tonight (Friday) from 5-10 p.m. at the Makers & Tasters in Kewalo Basin (1011 Ala Moana Blvd.). Here’s the full menu for tonight’s Eat the Street, which has a Korean theme.

Also in the Bao Boys arsenal are poutine (cheese and gravy fries), whoopie pies, cereal infused milk and cookies.

Also in the Bao Boys arsenal are poutine (cheese and gravy fries); whoopie pies; and cereal-infused milk and cookies.

Their bao are one for $5, two for $9 or a trio for $13.

Here's really how Hollinrake is when he's cooking. Always smiling, having fun and entertaining.

While cooking, Hollinrake is typically smiling, having fun and being entertaining.

Bao Boys
www.BaoBoysHI.com

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