First Look: Chopchop Rotisserie, a New Restaurant in Waikīkī by 12th Ave Grill’s Kevin Hanney

The focus is more on the “chopchop” than the rotisserie.

January 20, 2020

Martha Cheng,

Photos: Martha Cheng

Tucked into the ‘Ewa side of Waikīkī is Hobron Lane, a neighborhood within a neighborhood. It’s a quiet enclave with almost everything one could want nearby: a post office, a convenience store (Food Pantry), brewery (Waikīkī Brewing Co.), dessert shop (Kulu Kulu), and small restaurants including sushi spot Chiba-Ken and, now, Chopchop Rotisserie. The fast-casual restaurant is Kevin Hanney of 12th Ave Grill’s latest venture: “All I’ve ever really wanted was a takeout place … I figured I better hurry up and do it,” Hanney says. To run the kitchen, he tapped Felix Tai, most recently executive chef of Pounders restaurant at the Polynesian Cultural Center.

Chicken pita wrap

When I think of rotisserie, I think of large hunks of spit-roasted meats—like a half-chicken or porchetta, along the lines of Lahaina Chicken Co. or Maui Mike’s—but those are not the offerings here. The focus is more on the “chop” part of the name than rotisserie, with sliced meats offered in plate, bowl or wrap form ($11 to $15 each). And even then, they’re shunted out of the spotlight by the sauces—ranging from pineapple chimichurri to hoisin barbecue to chili-miso mayo—which tend toward the sweet side and obscure the meats and vegetables.

Roasted shortribs with hoisin barbecue

Chopchop is in its opening weeks and the crew is still adjusting to the new equipment, so give it some time to settle in. But there will be specials such as a local chicken night this Friday (Jan. 24), when Hanney says Chopchop will offer plates of half a J. Ludovico chicken for $15, along with wine and beer specials (which include brews from around the corner). And when Hanney can find the staff, he hopes to open the restaurant for lunch as well, to welcome the neighborhood into its colorful, casual space for more hours of the day.

Sunday to Thursday 5 to 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday 5 to 10 p.m., Eaton Square, 438 Hobron Lane, #104, (808) 425-4268