Huli Sue's

After a day at Hawaii Volcano's National Park, we drove to Hilo on the opposite side of the island around sunset and visited its tropical rainforest climate. Quite a contrast to the more arid side that we are staying on. For dinner, we stopped in the town of Waimea (which is also called Kamuela) at a restaurant called Huli Sue's that the excellent guidebook (Hawaii: The Big Island Revealed) we are using highly recommended. And we weren't disappointed! This is the kind of restaurant I would love to own one day. The decor is eclectic, casual, and comfortable. Best of all, the food is outstanding! You sit at picnic tables or long wooden ones with mismatched chairs. The walls are vibrant yellow and aqua, and colorful plates are hung around the dining room. There is even a red stove with gas logs. Great atmosphere! The guidebook raved about the pork ribs and banana cream pie, and we tried those items and more. Everything was terrific! (I hope we go back before we leave.) Andy and I had the fish and chips with mango salsa, Kris had the pork ribs (the meat wouldn't stay on the bone—she had to eat the meat with a fork), and Bob had a mixed barbecue plate with sausage, brisket, and pulled pork. The restaurant has three terrific barbecue sauces: Paniolo-Chipotle, Mandarin-Honey Mojo, and Crackseed (Chinese Dried Plum-Ling hi Miu). Our table's hands-down fave was the Paniolo-Chipotle. (By the way, paniolo is a Hawaiian cowboy. Don't worry, there isn't one in the sauce!) Andy and Kris LOVED the banana cream pie. I thought my vanilla milk shake was just okay, my one disappointment. This was a terrific find!

Fish and chips


Pork ribs


Mixed barbecue plate


Banana Cream Pie