(Tookout 10/30/24 WE @ 1:30pm and one previous time): Boston-style pizza in Hawaii... I'm game!
It was Game 5 of the 2024 MLB World Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees, and I wanted to stay home this time to watch the game, so I decided to walk to Hawaii Kai's Boston Pizza down at the corner for a simple dinner solution instead of walking to Kona Brewing Co. almost two miles away as I did for the previous two games. I loved pizza to no end and always attempted to try any parlor I found wherever I was at. And, this gave me the opportunity to further explore the cuisine in and around Hawaii Kai. As for "Boston" in the name, I couldn't find anything definitive why. Was this Beantown pizza worth a try out here on an island in the Pacific Ocean!?
PURCHASE
19" Meat Lover's Specialty Pizza w/Jalapeños ($33.38 + $4.78): Gigantic! Built with bacon, ham, Italian sausage, pepperoni, Portuguese sausage, and red sauce, in addition to jalapeños because I felt it needed some kind of vegetable, this gave me immediate meat sweats as I gazed upon it. With the option of having it sliced into 4's, 8's, or 16's, I chose the latter. I picked up my first slice and the weight of the toppings made it limp. Once I guided it into my mouth, the meatgasm began! Everything was fresh, and I was able to distinctly taste the bacon, Italian sausage and Portuguese sausage. The jalapeño added a nice contrast and spiciness. The crust was thin and needed to be thicker to handle all of the toppings. Surprisingly, it had a pandesal taste which I loved! I was able to make this last for a couple of days which saved me some money. However, this had to be the most expensive whole pizza I've ever bought. https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&start=24&select=6cEnt-6yLVVlR6lXTxzRsA
SERVICE
I entered, easily walked up to the front counter, placed my order with a tall young man, paid, and waited around for about 15 minutes before he called my name when my pie was ready. Everything was easy-peasy - mahalo!
PARKING (FREE; N/A this instance)
Located on a busy corner that shared the spot with a gas station and a 7-Eleven, there were a few spots. I walked, so this wasn't an issue. Otherwise, there were plenty of spots along the main residential drag of Pepeekeo Pl. but none along the high-trafficked street of Hawaii Kai Dr. - 'nuff said!
ATMOSPHERE, DÉCOR, AMBIENCE
Basically a takeout place with a couple small chairs/tables, some random stuff stored in a corner, a display case https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&start=0&select=FywKJ_8-bP32byoV3fZWWA where you also placed your order, a small waiting area https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&start=24&select=iwGdHN8fEm9NeBd3lWkSIw where one of the price boards https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&start=24&select=jNVReo8o6731fUd3d5Y43A was located, and an assortment of framed pictures https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&start=0&select=D6wP8WorlVtknanQrnuihQ of Boston sports teams hung on the wall. Decent natural lighting came through the front door and window while soul-sucking fluorescent electric ceiling lights filled in the rest. There were no TVs while a radio played music in the background. https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&start=0&select=khXJY1CEQ6dCggydX22MFA
ATTIRE
Totally casual, so I would normally be in a t-shirt, boardshorts, and flip-flops.
OVERALL
I loved the simplicity, straightforwardness, and proximity of Hawaii Kai's Boston Pizza that I would certainly return. The pizza's size was its attraction while the taste was fine but nothing special, the prices definitely on the higher end, and the service was but honestly nothing was a I found very good value based on the prices, service, and experience noted above (TOTAL paid experience was around $40.00 BEFORE any discounts and/or tip). And, they accepted my credit card of choice... AMEX! 4.0 STARS read more