Where to Find Barbecue Brisket, Ribs and More This 4th of July
Reposting as a public service for this long weekend.
Editor’s note: A year after we published this roundup, three barbecue businesses of the 14 originally listed have closed. But Thomas Obungen’s post is still a robust, meaty guide to takeout barbecue for the coming three-day weekend.
This Lil’ Piggy brisket plate. Photo: Eric Baranda
Bada’s BBQ
Salt Lake
This pop-up in the parking lot of the Bougainville Flooring Superstore is a destination for plates of low- and slow-smoked barbecue brisket, ribs and chicken. Bada’s also offers up sides like mac salad and baked beans.
4478 Mala‘ai St., @badas_bbq
SEE ALSO: Your Guide to 4th of July Fireworks Shows and Entertainment on O‘ahu
CheeHoo BBQ
Waikīkī
A mix of Southern and Korean barbecue options from the Kūhiō Ave Food Hall are easy to pack for the beach. We spy kalbi ribs, smoked andouille sausage and baby back ribs, which can be had separately or all together on a combo platter.
2303 Kalākaua Ave., @cheehoobbqhi
Chicken & Brisket
Pearl City
What pairs well with smoked brisket? If someone says fried chicken, they’re probably right. Chicken & Brisket has just one option for barbecue, the smoked brisket, offered up in ways including sandwiches, combo plates and by the pound.
1000 Kamehameha Highway, (808) 784-1164, @chicken.and.brisket
Donnie’s Bar-Be-Que Smokehouse
Waipahu
Barbecue and soul food are besties in the food world, and Donnie’s brings them to Waipahu. Not limited to brisket and ribs, this smokehouse also has pork belly, pulled pork, turkey and jerk chicken too. When you add in fried catfish, gumbo and shrimp and grits, no one’s leaving hungry.
94-226 Le‘oku St Unit #2, (808) 888-2278, @donniesbbq
Easy ‘Que
Kailua
Photo: Thomas Obungen
We subconsciously think Kailua should be home to more barbecue spots, but it just isn’t. Thankfully, Easy Que fills the void with its version of Texas ‘cue, smoked onsite with a unique blend of wood chips. It’s the sauces that really help these smoked meats shine. Crackseed BBQ? Kailua Green (curry)? Give us those squirt bottles right now! All plates include two sides, which you can choose from among tater tots, mac and cheese, Mexican corn and more.
767 Kailua Road #106, @easyquehi
SEE ALSO: Easy Que brings bangin’ BBQ and dreamy dessert to Kailua
Hometown BBQ
West O‘ahu
Texas-style smoked brisket, pork belly, pulled pork and spare ribs are staples at Hometown BBQ. Plates include rice, red buttered corn and cheesy noodles. The “Dino” beef ribs make an occasional appearance and are worth sharing with a hungry crew, as is smoked kalua pig. You can find Hometown’s truck parked at ‘Ono Grindz and Mākeke on Thursday evenings in ‘Ewa Beach, Waikele’s What the Truck events on third Fridays and Pearlridge’s Village Night Markets on “most” Saturdays.
SEE ALSO: O‘ahu Adventure Day: 7 Hours in ‘Ewa Beach
L.A. Brisket
Ala Moana
Los Angeles’ L.A. Brisket is one of the better options in Ala Moana’s Makai Market food court with smoked brisket, pulled chicken, pulled pork and a smattering of hearty sides. Choose from à la carte portions, bowls or sandwiches.
1450 Ala Moana Blvd.
Sunset Texas BBQ
Kaka‘ako
Photo: Thomas Obungen
James Kim and his crew smoke up some of Hawai‘i’s tastiest Texas ‘cue. From lean and fatty brisket to pork belly, spare ribs, housemade sausages and the occasional beef rib, they’ve got the foundation right. Build your platter with meat by the pound and don’t forget to add on sides, especially the potato salad with a tangy kick of mustard to cut through those unctuous morsels.
443 Cooke St., (808) 476-1405, @sunsettxbbq
SEE ALSO: At Last, Sunset Texas Barbecue Is Opening in Kaka‘ako
Tex 808 BBQ & Brews
Multiple locations
With locations in Hawai‘i Kai and Moanalua, Tex 808 makes it convenient for folks to pick up Texas-style barbecue and a bunch more that offer a taste of the South. We’re talking brisket, pulled pork, St. Louis ribs, turkey and sausage, plus fixin’s that pull it all together.
This Lil’ Piggy
Kunia
Photo: Eric Baranda
Housed within Kō Hana Rum’s distillery, this trailer has a steady stream of customers, quite a few of whom go out of their way up Kunia Road for delicious barbecue with local flavor. Offerings include smoked Portuguese sausage, rotisserie-smoked shoyu chicken, local-style smoke meat and Texas-style beef brisket.
92-1770 Kunia Road #227, (808) 545-7449, @piggyhawaii
SEE ALSO: Follow Your Nose to Brisket and Baked Beans in Kunia
Whiskey Smoke 808
Kāne‘ohe
Photo: Maria Burke
Wood-smoked barbecue in Kāne‘ohe is a reality at Whiskey Smoke 808. I’ve had meetings around plates of juicy smoked brisket, saucy pulled pork, sausages sides and mean Coke teri cheeseburgers. The only work we got done was finishing our food, and that’s all you need to know.
45-1118 Kamehameha Hwy, (808) 861-7683, @whiskeysmoke_808
SEE ALSO: Found in Kailua Town: Smokehouse Barbecue With Windward-Side Roots
Thomas Obungen is the special projects editor for HONOLULU Magazine.
