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    Howard’s

    5.0 (33 reviews)
    Closed 8:00 am - 2:00 pm
    Updated 3 months ago

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    Seafood and sausage gumbo!
    Lauren M.

    Located in Alakea Plaza (on Alakea and Hotel, next to AC Hotel), Howard's has delicious lunch specials! It used to be a small convenience store, but they took over that space. My favorites? Seafood Gumbo (normally Wednesdays) and Taco Salad (normally Fridays)! Be sure to call ahead to see if they have! You can call after they open at 8am and then pickup your food between 11am- 1pm. They also have some snacks as well as a fridge of grab-and-go sandwiches and salads. Cheers to Howard's!

    Beef Stew
    Cassandra H.

    I've had this place on my lunch list for a while since I work downtown but it's rare that I actually go out to eat. I finally got to try so I checked their IG first like other Yelpers suggested and their special was beef stew and clam chowder. Since I take a late lunch around 1 pm I called ahead to make sure that they had beef stew left. The man who answered said they only had minis which was fine with me. I took a short walk there and it was a really tiny store in the lobby of the Alakea Corporate Tower. For the mini it came out to just under $15. I believe the only difference between a mini and regular from pictures I've seen is that the regular comes with a side of corn and Mac salad. The mini portion was very generous and I was able to make 2 meals out of it. The stew was flavorful and the meat was fall apart tender. It looked like they do have some ready made items and drinks for sale as well. They also open for breakfast. They do have some seating outside of the building but I decided to go back to my office to eat. I will be back to try their other items in the future.

    Chinese chicken salad
    Angela W.

    I haven't actually been to Howard's in person but we have been ordering lunch from them recently because it's so good and affordable. From whatvI understand this is a hole in the wall under the escalator. Parking is basically non-existent as this is downtown and they probably rely on foot traffic from the offices during the weekday only. Every day their menu is different but there is some kind of rotating schedule of specials. For instance, they only have nachos every 3 weeks. I wait with baited breath until then as the last time I tasted my co-worker's nachos it was amazing. Very homemade, large portions. I've had 4 salads and all were super yummy: Italian, beet, and Chinese chicken salad and taco salad. The portions are huge. Just wish they could post their daily menu on Instagram or a website.

    Beet Salad
    Lily F.

    I love this place which serves great food with good portions and affordable prices. My favorite is beet salad with pieces of chicken. I haven't been able to try some of their daily specials which are posted weekly on their IG page but I hope to.

    Portuguese bean soup
    Crystal R.

    Tucked away in a little corner of the Alakea building is this amazing little shop. I have heard of this place from my fellow colleagues multiple times but never had the chance to try their meals out until recently and now I begin to regret not going here sooner! Their menu always changes daily and depending on what is on the menu and the time you head over there, you might miss out as they make only a limited amount. And that is what makes this place so good. The owners definitely take pride in putting out their meals as you can taste it in every bite. I had the chance to try out their Portuguese Bean Soup and their famous Seafood and Sausage Gumbo (both times I ordered, I was the last one to get it). Both dishes were jam packed with savory flavor with a medium to hot kick of spice. I'm all for the spice so that definitely made my taste buds go crazy! Service is amazing too! They are super friendly to everyone and welcome all to a friendly atmosphere. Since this is a small little shop in an office building, there isn't a place to dine in. But luckily you can either eat outside or take it back to the office for you to indulge. As mentioned, their menu changes daily so it is best to check out their Instagram page for their menu. If there is something you really want, I suggest you either go early or phone it in to secure your order. Overall this is a great find and I can't wait to go back to try out what other home cooked meal they will be offering.

    Seafood and Sausage Gumbo
    Justin R.

    23AUG2023 I got "Seafood and Sausage Gumbo" from Howard's. I believe it's the best "Gumbo" on island. It reminded me of how SF food truck gumbo use to taste before it started tasting like cigarettes. I told my wife I wouldn't be too critical despite coming from a place that is very famous for the dish. I was actually pretty impressed with the the thickness and color of the roux. It was almost like a gravy. There is no right way to make gumbo (inside joke) so I was delighted to see they DID NOT include tomatoes in theirs, but it does have okra. Once again the portion was generous and I was happy with the offering. Their Gumbo definitely put the other area Gumbos to shame (easily). P.S. I hear they run out pretty quick, so if you are interested it's probably a good idea to call ahead of time and make sure they still have it before you make the frustrating trek through the city in vain.

    Seafood Gumbo...
    Henry R.

    Have eaten here a few times...it's one out go to places when we are at work. I usually get the same stuff, that's my downfall...they chicken salad and taco salads are pretty darn good but my favorites here are the chowders and the seafood gumbo...both are full of delicious ingredients that just make it feel like a home cooked meal. The gumbo has lots of sausage, shrimp and okra....it's just damn delicious. They only have daily specials so sometimes they sell out...but the chowder and gumbo are worth it!

    Avocado toast (before 10am) and yogurt parfait (greek yogurt, strawberries and blue berries and honey by choice).
    Pua S.

    Avocado toast is my favorite they also make great salads and have great healthy Snack options. Every Now and again I treat myself to their Desserts when they have it i love lemon bars and theirs is good. Prices are so good for being in town!

    Thursday Lunch Special!
    Mikey K.

    Never disappoints always Yummo's & Onolicious great amount of food for the price awesome place & great service

    Strawberry Ice Cream Slushy, Grilled Cheese, Salad, & Tomato Bisque
    Kyle M.

    O'ahu is filled with amazing eats and hole in the walls. However, inch for inch, all things considered, Howard's tops them all. COVID-19: Traci and Troy wear masks at all times, and keep Howard's clean and tidy. SERVICE: Traci and Troy, the owners, are the nicest, friendliest, and warmest people you can come across. They are so welcoming, they make friends with everyone in the building. RESTAURANT: Howard's is a tiny, unassuming spot. It is located on the ground floor (NOT lobby floor) of 1100 Alakea Street, a high rise business building in Downtown Honolulu. It is easy to miss because it is tucked in a corner on the side of escalators, opposite the elevators and to the left of the escalators when walking in the front doors of the building. Howard's is take-out only without any seating, but you can sit outside in the building's courtyard or at tables down the block. FOOD: The menu changes every day. It typically includes salads, sandwiches, a daily soup, and a daily main entree. All of the salad dressings are homemade and amazing. My favorite is the blue cheese. The soups range from lobster bisque to clam chowder to seafood gumbo. They are thick, earthy, and soul-warming. The entrees range from furikake salmon to chicken luau to kalua pork nachos. Every dish is homemade and reminds you of eating at your mom's house. You can taste the love and care in every bite, including the side dishes. The preparation and execution is spot on. The portions are generous and leave you feeling happy and satiated. OVERALL: I've eaten Howard's around fifteen times and I've loved every dish! I love supporting these locals and feeling their love. Stop by Howard's for your lunch hour in Downtown or to grab food for the beach. They also provide catering, which is just as quality as the regular menu!

    Corn Chowder
    Sheryl S.

    Corn Chowder on Mondays... delicious! This was a $6 size. They also have a $7 and $14 size. The larger one is great to take home and will feed 2 people easily.

    Hamburger steak
    Mark S.

    Nice little lunch spot inconspicuously located in an office building. All the entrees I've tried has been good and the portions are generous. There's usually a few entrees of the day and they post their menu weekly. I like the panini's and soups they often have and the spaghetti salad that comes instead of mac. The family that runs it is also really nice.

    Taco salad with pico de gallo and tortilla chips

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    2 months ago

    'Ono food! Great price and good quantity! Love it! You're missing out if you don't try their specials!

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    3 years ago

    The service and the food is good. The workers there are really nice. I come here when I'm working around the area.

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    3 years ago

    If you are debating on coming here, just pull up fr, this place bomb. Furikake salmon is

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    Love this place! Traci and Troy are the best and everything is delicious

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    Nico's Pier 38 - Crab Cake Burger

    Nico's Pier 38

    3.9(4.8k reviews)
    1.3 mi
    $$

    Walk-in, grab a menu and pick your table, then head to the register to order your food. This…read moreplace has a great vibe. There's a gift shop and a full bar....sounds risky. I got the poke bowl, hubby got fish n chips. Food came out quick. The salad dressing was fresh and zippy, even quite umami. Quite delish - wait, not really... it's fricken awesome! The fish n chips came with one large filet of fish and chips. Not sure what kind of fish but it's dense and meaty. I took a bite and 'oh wow" escaped my full mouth. Great place, great food, definitely a place to come back to.

    Although the menu is a bit limited and ranging from almost 25 bucks for fish and d chips to almost…read more40 for a little steak, this place has always been a treat to stop in just for the usually excellent service and the fresh quality of all presentation. So, when a hair was found in my daughters cheesecake it was a bit shocking! The waiter recognized the grotesque error in production and immediately ask is she wolike another slice. She agreed and was presented with the hair free 8.50 version. It is common practice to not only provide the option of replacing the product for the customer but to remove the charge for the hair laced food from the bill. This action not only expresses the restaurants remorse but signifies their desire to keep you as a returning customer. Unfortunately this did not occur nor was any Kama' Aina discount applied (resident discount). Curious to know if the assumption that we, African Americans, are not aware of the rights a d wrongs in the service industry. Nonetheless, as a travel provider for tourists here in Hawaii, I will not longer recommend or refer tourists to Nico's pier 38 from this day forward. So sad. I expected more from this Honolulu establishment.

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    Inside

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    Special of the Day - Snapper with a basil cream sauce on a bed of brown rice

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    Da Seafood Cartel

    Da Seafood Cartel

    4.6(579 reviews)
    6.9 mi
    $$

    @fortunefoodfinds: "SEAS DA day! A Steak Quesadilla, Fish + Shrimp Taco, n' Da OG Tostada (blue…read morecrab tobiko spread, ceviche, n' avocado) from DA SEAFOOD CARTEL in Aiea. Authentic Mexican seafood n' ingredients so fresh, that right there is a definite yes!" SERVICE: friendly n' fully staffed INTERIOR: limited seating; can get filled up quickly EXTERIOR: same as inside, limited seating that is covered. Looks like it could have previously been a gas station. WAIT TIME: came at the right time, was helped out immediately. Line grew as soon as I ordered. Food came out staggered, but fast. Maybe 10 mins for everything. PARKING: few spaces to the side of restaurant n' a free lot to the right when facing OVERALL COMMENTS: the last time I had them was at the Kaka'ako Farmers Market in 2024 so we were due for a visit. The steak quesadilla is really good, has a nice char to the meat, filling is packed with steak n' cheese, easy enough to share, salsa that comes on the side is spicy; a lil' goes a long way. The mixed taco is yuMmmy n' loaded with 2 good size pieces of fried fish n' 2 large fried shrimp. The textures are crispy from the beer batter n' crunchy from the slaw. The chipotle aioli tops it off perfectly by adding in the creaminess. Da OG tostada is seafood freshness on a tortilla chip. The ceviche is very well made, has all the flavors coming through n' underneath that is the blue crab tobiko spread that adds another level of excellence. The avocado is the cherry on top completing the dish. Happy with everything we ordered!

    Have been meaning to check out this spot for a minute but just hadn't been able to until today…read more I stopped by here at 11am on Saturday after a hike. It was "crowded" in that there is a very limited dining area and out door seating area. We managed to snag a table by asking another couple if they were using both of their tables which were put together. Fortunately they weren't. If you're outside, it's also super loud because of the traffic. Probably goes without saying but if you're on a first date or whatever perhaps not the most ideal spot. So we stood in line. Make sure to grab a menu while you're there if you don't have it pulled up on your phone. I ordered fish taco (singular)...i guess they don't do three for whatever like many other places do. That's fine. My date ordered the Tostada de Atun (tuna). And then I ordered a 16oz ceviche to go. I guess I assumed the ceviche would be fish, but i think it's shrimp. Everything was tasty, especially the ceviche. If it was regular fish ceviche, it would have been 20/10. I'm not a huge fan of shrimp and it was still a solid 9/10. The fish taco was fine, if a bit under seasoned. And I think my date enjoyed her tostada. Would totally recommend this place to anyone.

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    Da Seafood Cartel - Inside

    Inside

    Da Seafood Cartel - TOSTADA LA BASTA  Cooked shrimp, shrimp crudo, octopus, mahi crudo & ahi marinated in  Cartel sauce  on homemade tostada  chipotle aioli

    TOSTADA LA BASTA Cooked shrimp, shrimp crudo, octopus, mahi crudo & ahi marinated in Cartel sauce on homemade tostada chipotle aioli

    Da Seafood Cartel - Guacamole time!!

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    Kickin Kajun - 6 pounder - upgrade to King Crab

    Kickin Kajun

    3.9(874 reviews)
    1.5 mi
    $$

    Always love this place, don't know why their ratings are so low. My babe got me a renter and did…read moreall the leg work. To treat her, I took her to this spot since she saw it on tv in the morning and was craving for seafood boil. We got the 6 lb for the 2 of us, it's hella worth it. The seafood was really fresh, and the mix sauce in spicy was perfect. So good. We probably finished about 1/2 and my partner was about to face plant into the food. So we took the rest home. The service was amazing, the servers offered to open up the crab and lobster and they are pros. Didn't waste any parts and made it easier for us to enjoy. The ambience was loud but chill. We got a local lady sitting next to us and she naturally was loud. No complaints Caz we too busy mopping the seafood.

    We are on a mission.... To try some new spots our daughter loves. She just graduated from HPU this…read moreweek getting her Bachelor's in Psychology. And she wants to make sure we try all the spots she has eaten at the last three years Well, I have to say, the chef did his thing in that kitchen. As a chef myself I take my hat off to you sir! Job well down! Not many can handle the "Kajun" flavors. This was a good spot for the first stop this week! All I can say is there shrimp, mussels, catfish, crabs, rice etc,.etc. etc. it was all good! We will be back if she decides to stay for her Masters program. Ooooh one last thing! The fried Oreos were on beast mode! one order had four and ice cream with whipped cream! BOOM if you're on a diet don't even think about it! Certainly on point! Pray, Eat and Love because life is way too short! M&M

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    Kickin Kajun - Inside dining room

    Inside dining room

    Kickin Kajun - Eating Tools

    Eating Tools

    Kickin Kajun - Fried calamari | fried mozzarella cheese Sticks | fried onion rings | garlic fries

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    Ono Seafood - Shoyu Ahi...

    Ono Seafood

    4.5(4.6k reviews)
    3.5 miKaimuki
    $$

    We stopped by early hoping to beat the lunch rush and was able to find parking in the small parking…read morelot. Best poke we have had on Oahu. The shoyu poke was the most flavorful poke I have had. Service was friendly and quick. Highly recommend!

    My boyfriend and I wanted to eat a good poke bowl so we made a stop at Ono Seafood on our way into…read moreWaikiki. There are only a couple stalls in the front of the store so parking is not the greatest. Before you enter there are a few tables that you can sit and eat your food. Inside, it's pretty small so I can imagine if it gets busy the line can go out the door. Although, the line moved fast and they seemed to be very efficient. You can look at the menu board while you're waiting so you can decide what you want. They have all the poke choices on there and sometimes have specials posted on the glass where you order. I got the Hawaiian style and miso tako. I was hoping the Hawaiian style had a little more taste, but otherwise still good. The miso tako was my favorite! Yummmmm. My boyfriend got the Shoyu poke and spicy tako. His shoyu was really tasty! The only part I didn't care for so much was the long grain rice because it was just a tad bit dry. Otherwise, everything was good. I've tried their poke before when someone brought it to a get together but this was the first time I've made a stop here. Nice staff and very efficient + Ono poke!

    Photos
    Ono Seafood
    Ono Seafood - Hawaiian Style (front) and Miso (back) Ahi Combo...

    Hawaiian Style (front) and Miso (back) Ahi Combo...

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    Howard’s - desserts - Updated May 2026

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