Oli’s Kitchen Brings All-Day Breakfast to University Avenue

Blink once while driving down University Avenue, and you might miss this new addition to Puck’s Alley. Oli’s Kitchen opened just before Christmas with a full day’s worth of local favorites. Breakfast classics such as eggs, waffles and pancakes are followed by lunch and dinner plate lunches, including garlic chicken, steak and spicy shrimp, plus handheld items like Korean-style burgers and shoyu chicken sandwiches.

As a breakfast-loving UH student without a car, I was thrilled to find out that Oli’s Kitchen does breakfast all day and just down the road from campus. Here are four dishes I tried, starting with what I liked most.

Photo: Vanessa Hathaway

Peanut Butter Banana Stuffed French Toast, $12.50

If you’re curing a heavy hangover, this is the perfect start to a day of self-care. The toast has a subtle crunch that contrasts with the softness of the banana cream filling, and a peanut butter drizzle complements the banana flavors. Butter and syrup are on the table if you want more oomph or moistness, but I’m a sweet tooth, and from the first bite, I’m completely satisfied with the sweetness level.

Photo: Vanessa Hathaway

Mediterranean Avocado Toast, $10.95

This is lighter fare, offering simple flavors that satiate my inner health nut. The toast is slathered with pesto, avocado, diced tomatoes, feta cheese and micro greens with balsamic glaze. The balsamic hits first, then the creamy avocado transitions me into a world of freshness and texture. Initial appearances prove deceiving—while I worry that the single piece of toast won’t fill me up, the copious toppings leave me comfortably full.

Photo: Vanessa Hathaway

Breakfast Scramble, $16.95

This dish combines scrambled eggs with potatoes, Spam, Portuguese sausage, bacon, peppers, onions and cheddar cheese. The fluffy eggs with the sweet-salty meats and crunchy vegetables bring me right back to Sunday morning breakfasts my mom made for me growing up. With a splash of Tabasco, this delivers warmth for my taste buds and my soul.

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Photo: Vanessa Hathaway

Loco Moco, $16.10

It’s everything you’d expect—a large homemade hamburger patty, an egg cooked any style (although if you’re not getting over-easy or sunny side up, you’re doing it wrong), rice and loads of homemade gravy.

There is, however, one exception: the gravy. Do not order this expecting the classic loco moco appearance or flavor. Oli’s gravy has a thinner consistency and is made with chicken broth instead of the traditional beef stock. Simmered for hours with herbs, mushrooms and butter, it has a subdued, smoky taste. Although it may not be da kine from L&L or Liliha Bakery, the unexpected sweetness of the patty with the silky yolk and smoky gravy are a pleasant surprise—so pleasant, in fact, that while I still prefer a classic loco moco, I order this again on my second visit, and I’d order it on my third.

Parking at Puck’s Alley; first hour is free with validation. Open daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., 1099 University Ave., (808) 387-0457, oliskitchenhawaii.com, @oliskitchenhawaii