Da Local Boy
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We visit Hawaii every few years as one of our favorite destinations for culture and dining, and Da Local Boy completely knocks it out of the park when it comes to replicating what the islands have. The servings come out very large and can easily feed two people; since it's about 40 minutes from our home we order a little bit of everything from the menu. There are combination plates that contain a variety of meats, or you can order a larger serving by going with the specific item. Our favorite was the huli huli chicken; beautiful smoky flavor and tender meat which paired well with the rice and macaroni salad. Everything was delicious and we can't wait to go back, highly recommended if you need an authentic Hawaiian fix! Best, Charlie
Holy wow I can understand why this spot is so popular! If I lived nearby I'd be here all the time!! We got two different meat platters to sample everything and I'm so glad we did because I'm still dreaming about the Huli huli chicken and the short ribs. Spam musubi was also on point and the Mac salad was bomb. Also enjoyed trying some Hawaiian drinks!
We love coming here whenever we need to get our Hawaiian food fix! It's a cute little storefront, and parking was pretty easy, we found plenty of parking along the train tracks. We came on a particularly hot day, and their AC was definitely working overtime because it was pretty warm inside. Maybe they're just trying to give you the full experience of enjoying your food in Hawaii, heat and all! LOL The staff were wonderful and very attentive. We ordered the loco moco and the Chicken Katsu & Pork Belly, which was supposed to come with Kalbi Ribs, but unfortunately, they had run out. :( Their food is always on point and delicious. They also have this bottle of vinegar sitting on the table that is SO good! You must add it to everything, it really takes the food to another level!
Chicago has amazing and authentic food but finding a good/authentic plate lunch and poke has been hard until now. Felt like I was grabbing lunch at a place in HI. The vibe is also awesome with a great reggae playlist and welcoming staff. Literally every single bite was so good but my favorites had to be the short ribs, chicken katsu, and poke. These mac salad was a little sweet but it definitely worked well especially with the heavier mains of the plate. Poke was really fresh btw and def had my eye on the poke nachos so gotta go back! Def a must try for anyone craving real Hawaiian food in Chicago!
It's been a little over a year since I've been back. Today, I ordered the Katsu+Kalbi combo. I think the Kalbi was the star of the show. Perfect color! And the taste was definitely there. The servers are nice and attentive. A friendly casual environment with Hawaii vibes for ambiance.
If I could give Da Local Boy 10 stars I would. That's how impressed I was with their food. Their restaurant is small in size but large in flavor. My husband and split the poke nachos. This was a huge plate and was loaded with really big chunks of tuna. The nachos were fried wantons and the sauce and avocado just added to the experience! We liked Da Local Boy so much we brought our friend with us a week later. I highly recommend Da Local Boy!
WOW! This food was so good it had me dancing in my seat. Upon walking in, we were greeted immediately and with the restaurant pretty full, they still accommodated our party of 6 and moved some tables around! (Much appreciated). The ambiance is perfectly balanced with a beautiful mural on one side and on theme furniture. We got Garlic Furikake Fries (not pictured) that came out hot, well seasoned, and crispy, with a dipping sauce! 10/10 No regrets. Then, we got the Aloha Plate, Da OG Plate, and Kahuna Fried Rice. The Hulu Huli Chicken is phenomenal and I highly recommend. The Pork Belly had such great flavor and the right amount of salt! The Pulehu Short Ribs were the star of the show for me. If you go, I also recommend upgrading the white rice that comes with the plates to Garlic Rice. Add a Fried Egg on top for that extra balance of flavor!!
Da Local Boy is a delightful gem of a restaurant that serves flavorful dishes inspired from Hawaiian cuisine. I have been here once and enjoyed my dining experience. This restaurant is welcoming, has a cozy atmosphere, and friendly service. Their menu variety is good and the pricing is reasonable. Since it was our first, we took our time ordering the food. We started off with one order of Spam Musubi which was yummy. Then, for entrées, we got a Poké Bowl, Da OG Plate, and Aloha Mixed Plate (see my photos). The Poké Bowl was fresh and flavorful. The Da OG Plate had delicious and flavorful Huli Huli Chicken and grilled Pork Belly. Both were on point with the flavor and texture. Nicely cooked and delicious. I had the Aloha Mixed Plate and the beer battered fish and Pulehu Short Ribs were quite tasty, especially the ribs. I also had the Huli Huli Chicken that was really good. It was an awesome meal overall and we enjoyed it. We received good service and the food made us want to come back for more (which we will). Da Local Boy is a great addition to Highwood's culinary scene. You got to check it out.
I'm not sure why there aren't more Hawaiian restaurants around Chicagoland because I find Hawaiian cuisine to be delicious. Even if we don't consider its rarity, Da Local Boy is a winner in every category. The prices are very fair for the enormous portion sizes, the decor is fun and appropriate, the service is friendly, and food is phenomenal both in flavors and textures. The only possible criticisms are that the space is a bit small for how popular this spot gets, and the parking in the area can be a bit limited around popular meal times. The food here shines, making it worth a special trip -- both again for the rarity but also the quality. For me, the poke nachos are a must order item, just the perfect mix of large chunks of tuna with super crispy wontons, fresh avocado, and a good helping of sauce. Amongst friends, we've agreed that this is a must order item. The huli huli chicken is also unreal in flavor and texture. Besides being marinated and sauced well, the chicken is melt in your mouth tender while simultaneously having a delicious crisp skin. Think brick chicken, but with more flavor and a much better price. The rice and macaroni salad that accompany this are also well done -- and feel more like a core part of the meal rather than an afterthought. The grilled pork is pretty good as well, though I kind of wish it wasn't sliced as thin, as certain pieces felt a bit dry. The spam musubi with a light touch of furikake also provided a flavorful, fun dish to accompany the other delicious items I tried. Overall, delicious and consistently surprises me with the quality of the execution and bold flavor combinations. This is on my top places to visit in the area and has never disappointed.
Poke nachos were unexpectedly superb! They used fried wontons which are delicate but crispy. Tuna poke cubes are chunky. I had the katsu and ribs combo. The chicken was well done but not dry! Probably the moistest fried chicken breast I ever had. Large portions as well. Definitely recommended. Packaging can be made compostable that is why 4 stars only. Also, the staff could be more attentive. We were looking in their direction as we were ready to order and was hungry. Instead they chose to clear the table next to us. There wasn't anyone else on the floor and it was 12:30pm. We came from a walk so were so ready to eat. Also, one of my friend's complaint was when she asked if they have ice, they said yes. Then they asked if she want ice, lol. Naturally. The intuition is barely there.
Was looking to try something new and was pleasantly surprised by Da Local Boy! We got the Aloha Mixed Plate (swapped the rice for fries -- small up-charge but totally worth it) and Braddah Paul's Plate. Portions were way bigger than we expected, so we had leftovers. The chicken was juicy with a nice char, the fries were crispy and seasoned well, and the mochiko chicken + pork belly combo on Paul's Plate had great flavor, the poke was fresh, everything hit the spot! The restaurant has a great vibe, clean, bright, and the music is at the perfect volume so my spouse and I were able to talk and enjoy our lunch. Staff were attentive and really friendly. Overall, a great experience.
A long overdue review since we've been long time fans, we were SO excited to hear that they were opening a brick and mortar last year. We've been back so many times and have introduced so many of our friends to it. Our most recent visit was today where we stopped in for brunch. They've now added items to the menu to offer a more table side experience and we had an incredible time. We started with the spam masubi and the bbq skewers. It was the perfect bite and truly reminded us of our favorite bites in Hawaii. For my entree I opted for the Poke bowl with included their poke of the day, and today it was the ahi. There was plenty in the bowl and it absolutely hit the spot! I usually get their oh Bruddah plate to have a combination of a bunch of my favorite things. There's nothing like the comfort of Hawaii here in the north shore. Can't wait to come back and get my next fix!
We go out of our way to eat here when we're in the area. Great friendly service, huge portions for good prices and most importantly AMAZING food that tastes just like the islands. Lives up to all the hype. It's casual inside and you'll often see active duty military eating here - consider buying them lunch to thank them. We will be back over and over again! read more
I had really high hopes for Da Local Boy. I've been excited to try this place for a long time given all the high reviews but unfortunately, it was pretty disappointing. We ordered the Aloha Plate and chicken lumpia. The lumpia was soggy, super tiny and just wasn't good. The Aloha Plate was also much too sweet for my taste, and the meat felt pretty standard--similar to what I'd expect from a typical Korean BBQ meal. I usually love mac salad, so i was especially looking forward to that, but unfortunately, it was pretty underwhelming as well. The most disappointing was the service. Service was incredibly slow and not attentive at all. read more
1 month ago
Yes, I would definitely and have been driving 50 minutes to come here to eat! I absolutely love this place! Nate & Diane are so sweet & the best. It's always a good vibe coming here! Such a cute spot to dine in at and they have a cute back drop to take pictures as well. Service is great and once you order, the food comes out pretty fast. I love getting the poke nachos & either the garlic shrimp or the combo plate. You also can't go wrong with the chicken as well. Basically, everything is good on the menu! Brunch is also available, which I need to come back for! read more
2 months ago
We visit Hawaii every few years as one of our favorite destinations for culture and dining, and Da Local Boy completely knocks it out of the park when it comes to replicating what the islands have. The servings come out very large and can easily feed two people; since it's about 40 minutes from our home we order a little bit of everything from the menu. There are combination plates that contain a variety of meats, or you can order a larger serving by going with the specific item. Our favorite was the huli huli chicken; beautiful smoky flavor and tender meat which paired well with the rice and macaroni salad. Everything was delicious and we can't wait to go back, highly recommended if you need an authentic Hawaiian fix! Best, Charlie read more
Holy wow I can understand why this spot is so popular! If I lived nearby I'd be here all the time!! We got two different meat platters to sample everything and I'm so glad we did because I'm still dreaming about the Huli huli chicken and the short ribs. Spam musubi was also on point and the Mac salad was bomb. Also enjoyed trying some Hawaiian drinks! read more
We love coming here whenever we need to get our Hawaiian food fix! It's a cute little storefront, and parking was pretty easy, we found plenty of parking along the train tracks. We came on a particularly hot day, and their AC was definitely working overtime because it was pretty warm inside. Maybe they're just trying to give you the full experience of enjoying your food in Hawaii, heat and all! LOL The staff were wonderful and very attentive. We ordered the loco moco and the Chicken Katsu & Pork Belly, which was supposed to come with Kalbi Ribs, but unfortunately, they had run out. :( Their food is always on point and delicious. They also have this bottle of vinegar sitting on the table that is SO good! You must add it to everything, it really takes the food to another level! read more
Chicago has amazing and authentic food but finding a good/authentic plate lunch and poke has been hard until now. Felt like I was grabbing lunch at a place in HI. The vibe is also awesome with a great reggae playlist and welcoming staff. Literally every single bite was so good but my favorites had to be the short ribs, chicken katsu, and poke. These mac salad was a little sweet but it definitely worked well especially with the heavier mains of the plate. Poke was really fresh btw and def had my eye on the poke nachos so gotta go back! Def a must try for anyone craving real Hawaiian food in Chicago! read more
2 months ago
It's been a little over a year since I've been back. Today, I ordered the Katsu+Kalbi combo. I think the Kalbi was the star of the show. Perfect color! And the taste was definitely there. The servers are nice and attentive. A friendly casual environment with Hawaii vibes for ambiance. read more
If I could give Da Local Boy 10 stars I would. That's how impressed I was with their food. Their restaurant is small in size but large in flavor. My husband and split the poke nachos. This was a huge plate and was loaded with really big chunks of tuna. The nachos were fried wantons and the sauce and avocado just added to the experience! We liked Da Local Boy so much we brought our friend with us a week later. I highly recommend Da Local Boy! read more
18 days ago
2 months ago
WOW! This food was so good it had me dancing in my seat. Upon walking in, we were greeted immediately and with the restaurant pretty full, they still accommodated our party of 6 and moved some tables around! (Much appreciated). The ambiance is perfectly balanced with a beautiful mural on one side and on theme furniture. We got Garlic Furikake Fries (not pictured) that came out hot, well seasoned, and crispy, with a dipping sauce! 10/10 No regrets. Then, we got the Aloha Plate, Da OG Plate, and Kahuna Fried Rice. The Hulu Huli Chicken is phenomenal and I highly recommend. The Pork Belly had such great flavor and the right amount of salt! The Pulehu Short Ribs were the star of the show for me. If you go, I also recommend upgrading the white rice that comes with the plates to Garlic Rice. Add a Fried Egg on top for that extra balance of flavor!! read more
Da Local Boy is a delightful gem of a restaurant that serves flavorful dishes inspired from Hawaiian cuisine. I have been here once and enjoyed my dining experience. This restaurant is welcoming, has a cozy atmosphere, and friendly service. Their menu variety is good and the pricing is reasonable. Since it was our first, we took our time ordering the food. We started off with one order of Spam Musubi which was yummy. Then, for entrées, we got a Poké Bowl, Da OG Plate, and Aloha Mixed Plate (see my photos). The Poké Bowl was fresh and flavorful. The Da OG Plate had delicious and flavorful Huli Huli Chicken and grilled Pork Belly. Both were on point with the flavor and texture. Nicely cooked and delicious. I had the Aloha Mixed Plate and the beer battered fish and Pulehu Short Ribs were quite tasty, especially the ribs. I also had the Huli Huli Chicken that was really good. It was an awesome meal overall and we enjoyed it. We received good service and the food made us want to come back for more (which we will). Da Local Boy is a great addition to Highwood's culinary scene. You got to check it out. read more
4 months ago
I'm not sure why there aren't more Hawaiian restaurants around Chicagoland because I find Hawaiian cuisine to be delicious. Even if we don't consider its rarity, Da Local Boy is a winner in every category. The prices are very fair for the enormous portion sizes, the decor is fun and appropriate, the service is friendly, and food is phenomenal both in flavors and textures. The only possible criticisms are that the space is a bit small for how popular this spot gets, and the parking in the area can be a bit limited around popular meal times. The food here shines, making it worth a special trip -- both again for the rarity but also the quality. For me, the poke nachos are a must order item, just the perfect mix of large chunks of tuna with super crispy wontons, fresh avocado, and a good helping of sauce. Amongst friends, we've agreed that this is a must order item. The huli huli chicken is also unreal in flavor and texture. Besides being marinated and sauced well, the chicken is melt in your mouth tender while simultaneously having a delicious crisp skin. Think brick chicken, but with more flavor and a much better price. The rice and macaroni salad that accompany this are also well done -- and feel more like a core part of the meal rather than an afterthought. The grilled pork is pretty good as well, though I kind of wish it wasn't sliced as thin, as certain pieces felt a bit dry. The spam musubi with a light touch of furikake also provided a flavorful, fun dish to accompany the other delicious items I tried. Overall, delicious and consistently surprises me with the quality of the execution and bold flavor combinations. This is on my top places to visit in the area and has never disappointed. read more
4 months ago
Poke nachos were unexpectedly superb! They used fried wontons which are delicate but crispy. Tuna poke cubes are chunky. I had the katsu and ribs combo. The chicken was well done but not dry! Probably the moistest fried chicken breast I ever had. Large portions as well. Definitely recommended. Packaging can be made compostable that is why 4 stars only. Also, the staff could be more attentive. We were looking in their direction as we were ready to order and was hungry. Instead they chose to clear the table next to us. There wasn't anyone else on the floor and it was 12:30pm. We came from a walk so were so ready to eat. Also, one of my friend's complaint was when she asked if they have ice, they said yes. Then they asked if she want ice, lol. Naturally. The intuition is barely there. read more
Business owner information
Da Local Boy L.
Aloha Sheyenne…
11 months ago
Was looking to try something new and was pleasantly surprised by Da Local Boy! We got the Aloha Mixed Plate (swapped the rice for fries -- small up-charge but totally worth it) and Braddah Paul's Plate. Portions were way bigger than we expected, so we had leftovers. The chicken was juicy with a nice char, the fries were crispy and seasoned well, and the mochiko chicken + pork belly combo on Paul's Plate had great flavor, the poke was fresh, everything hit the spot! The restaurant has a great vibe, clean, bright, and the music is at the perfect volume so my spouse and I were able to talk and enjoy our lunch. Staff were attentive and really friendly. Overall, a great experience. read more
26 days ago
We ordered 3 plates. The Kahuna Fried Rice, The Surf and Turf, and Pork Belly. The food tasted good until we noticed two out of the three plates had a hair in them. read more
5 months ago
Business owner information
Da Local Boy L.
Aloha Eilleen…
A long overdue review since we've been long time fans, we were SO excited to hear that they were opening a brick and mortar last year. We've been back so many times and have introduced so many of our friends to it. Our most recent visit was today where we stopped in for brunch. They've now added items to the menu to offer a more table side experience and we had an incredible time. We started with the spam masubi and the bbq skewers. It was the perfect bite and truly reminded us of our favorite bites in Hawaii. For my entree I opted for the Poke bowl with included their poke of the day, and today it was the ahi. There was plenty in the bowl and it absolutely hit the spot! I usually get their oh Bruddah plate to have a combination of a bunch of my favorite things. There's nothing like the comfort of Hawaii here in the north shore. Can't wait to come back and get my next fix! read more
4 months ago
4 months ago
Went on a Friday evening around 630 pm. Seated immediately and order the Poke Nachos along with the Huli chicken. Nachos were great, but the standout was the Huli chicken. Sweet, juicy, perfect char and skin crisped just right. Servers was attentive but not overbearing. Great experience! read more
5 months ago
Mother's day at Da Local Boy. Food never fails to impress. Huge portions. Very tasty. Cooked just right. Everything was fresh off the grill. Highly recommended...great to know the quality, size and service is still topnotch and has not changed from the food truck days. read more
Business owner information
Da Local Boy L.
Mahalo Nui Sir for the positive feedback. we are glad you folks…
11 months ago
This is a small, cozy eating establishment. Waiters are super nice and accommodating. I got the mochiko chicken and enjoyed it a lot - it's delightfully crunchy on the outside but soft and juicy on the inside. Their macaroni salad is delicious as well. It can get busy and I hear from friends that it can sometimes take a while to get a table. Plenty of free parking available in the area. read more
11 months ago
This spot recently has been on my radar and yep, def going back lol. We actually got a lot to share as the portions are pretty damn generous! We got take out but when I went in to pick up the food made a mental note of how comforting and charming this place is. No frills, just a couple tables but cozy! The flavors of every single thing we had were perfectly balanced. All their entrees fortunately come with a little side of their macaroni salad and, oh man, what a hell of a side!! And then there were those Poke Nachos Such a novel idea but the combination of tortilla chips and poke did wonders. Yep...I'll be back. If their fake out was this fresh I can't wait to do a dine in!! read more
Was passing by in the area and saw this place on google and WOW, truly enjoyed everything we had. So flavorful, and the portions are also so generous! I haven't had much Hawaiian food but by far, this is the best that I've had in Illinois. read more
2 months ago
1 year ago
5 months ago
1 year ago
Just love love love this restaurant! It reminds me of being back in Hawaii when I can't be there. If you are hesitant on what to order, the Huli-Huli, Katsu Chicken, and short ribs won't disappoint and will have you coming back for more! Spread the word and the love! Come down and give it a try! It will soon become a recurring fab read more
Had to update that we have been to their storefront many times now and their food truck countless times. EVERY SINGLE TIME it is spot on. We absolutely love the food and it takes us back to our times in Hawaii. Everyone who works here always is happy to help. The owners are so sweet and passionate about what they do. We cannot express how much we love supporting this business! The storefront is absolutely beautifully decorated and has perfect relaxed vibes. Exactly as if you were in a cafe in Hawaii :) They deserve all the success ! You will not regret trying them out. Our favorites: Poke nachos (so fresh!) Poke bowl (YUM) Pulehu short ribs (to die for!) Mochiko chicken (crunchy and flavorful) Everything else we have tried has been amazing as well!!! read more
4 months ago
2 years ago
They soft-launched brunch today! We tried the ube panckes, French toast, banana macadamia nut pancakes, and moco loco. Everything came out beautifully, and while my girls thought they would prefer the sweet stuff, it was the moco loco that stole the show! Now we have to go back to try all the other savory options. I'm posting the brunch menu picture and soon they will be open many days starting at 9am. I'd suggest calling first to make sure they are open until Yelp updates the hours. read more
4 months ago
1 year ago
This place is absolutely delicious and is my new obsession! I came here recently and tried the skewers, spam musubi, and the Da OG Plate Combo. Every dish was packed with flavor and perfectly cooked. The plate combo was an amazing. It came with generous portions of chicken and pork belly, along with a side of rice and creamy mac salad. There aren't many places in the area serving Hawaiian food this good, so I'm really glad I found this spot. The restaurant has a cute and chill vibe that totally fits the Hawaiian theme, and located right next to the Metra station. The staff was also super friendly and attentive, which made the experience even better. I'll definitely be coming back and bringing friends and family next time! read more
1 year ago
as someone born and raised in Hawaii, this place offers authentic local flavors and preparation! I ordered the katsu moco, crispy, saucy, and delicious. the poke nachos were really good too and the wonton chips were light and good contrast in texture for the poke. portions are definitely meant to share waiter and staff was very friendly and checked in on us when needed. the restaurant offers indoor, outdoor seating, plays island music and is decorated with casual, inviting, hawaiʻi decorations read more
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Ask the Community - Da Local Boy
Can I order a poke bowl online?
Yes. Google "Da Local Boy", click the location you want to order, on the right side, you can select "order pickup" or "order delivery". Nowadays, most food places can be ordered remotely/virtually, if they are up to date in their business…
Can you eat in the restaurant or is it carry out only?
Yes you can eat inside. There are tables and chairs.
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Why does Yelp recommend reviews?
4 reviews that are not currently recommended
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