The Shack Mililani: Still Serving Up One of My Favorite Burgers!…read more
BLUF (Bottom Line Up Front): The Shack has been a favorite of mine for years, and I was happy to discover that the Mililani location is still going strong! My Shack Cheeseburger was every bit as good as I remembered, and the onion rings were fantastic. Unfortunately, my wife's Philly Cheesesteak was a greasy disappointment. Still, I'd absolutely return for that burger!
The Details: Years ago, when I lived in Kailua, I used to walk over to The Shack fairly often to grab a good burger and a couple of cold beers. It was one of those neighborhood hangouts I really enjoyed, so I was disappointed to learn that the Kailua location had closed, along with the other Oahu locations. Thankfully, The Shack in Mililani is still around!
The place has that familiar, laid-back island sports bar atmosphere. Lots of wood, a little tiki influence, TVs showing sports, and a casual, open-air setting. There's a small bar inside, but we chose to sit along the exterior where we could enjoy the island breeze. Much more my style!
Service was friendly and they stopped by often to refill drinks and check to see if we needed anything.
Naturally, I ordered my longtime favorite, the Shack Cheeseburger ($13.99). If you've never had one, imagine a big, juicy cheeseburger with all the fixings, topped with a split Portuguese sausage! Yes, a cheeseburger AND Portuguese sausage together! It might sound a little unusual, but trust me, it works! The smoky, slightly spicy sausage adds something special to an already delicious burger. I absolutely loved it, just as I remembered!
We also shared an order of onion rings ($9.95), which were fantastic! Beautifully golden, crispy, and exactly what I want when ordering onion rings. I'd happily order those again, too.
Unfortunately, my wife's Philly Cheesesteak ($13.99) was another story. Reading the menu description, it sounded wonderful. Grilled ribeye, sautéed mushrooms, onions, bell peppers, and melted cheese on a French roll. What's not to like? Well, unfortunately, the grease...!The meat and vegetables were so oily that she could barely eat her sandwich, and what little she did eat ended up upsetting her stomach. That's a real shame because it certainly looked promising when it arrived.
So, we had two very different dining experiences at the same table. I thoroughly enjoyed my burger and onion rings, while my wife was understandably disappointed with her meal.
Final Thoughts: Despite the disappointing Philly Cheesesteak, I'm giving The Shack four stars because my meal was excellent, and I still love the relaxed atmosphere. Would I come back? Absolutely! In fact, I'd make a special trip to Mililani just to enjoy another Shack Cheeseburger!
If you're in Mililani Town and craving a good burger, give The Shack a try. And if you're feeling adventurous, get the one with the Portuguese sausage! Some things are just too good to forget, even after all these years!
Aloha!