Ono Hawaiian BBQ

2013 Update

We’ve been going to Ono from time to time over the years.  The food is consistently good.  The fried seafood is a particularly good value, given how much fish & chips costs elsewhere.  You can get the occasional flier with coupons.

My favorite dish is the chicken katsu, but I recommend getting a combo as otherwise the flavors get boring.

2005 Review

In the last year or so a plethora of Hawaiian BBQ restaurants have opened in San Leandro. While the first one to open, Aloha BBQ, was quite good, all the other ones we’ve tried since have been a disappointment. Ono Hawaiian BBQ, which recently opened in Palma Plaza, is somewhat better than the rest, though still not as good as Aloha.
We got take-out from there a couple of weeks ago, and we went for the Hawaiian BBQ Mix ($7.30), which included chicken, beef and short ribs. The meat was of similar quality to the other places: low. The beef and short ribs were fatty and chewy, while the chicken had hints of that weird, canned-chicken-like consistency that I find so unappealing. It seems almost universal at Hawaiian restaurants, so I may just have to conclude that I don’t like Hawaiian food. That said, I did enjoy the spicing of the meats.
I’m willing to give Ono another try, but I’ll probably try something different.
Update 10/14. I went to Ono for lunch today and I got a mini-plate of the chicken katsu (about $4.50) It was a very generous portion for being a “mini”. The chicken was that reconstituted kind I mentioned before, but the weird texture wasn’t as apparent under the breading. The breading was light and yet pretty dry. By itself the chicken was boring, but the katsu sauce improved it. I’d get it again on a pinch.
I ate in the restaurant which is quite nicely appointed with granite-style tables and modern light-wood chairs. All the food is served in styrophone take-out containers, which makes it hard to cut and eat.
Ono Hawaiian BBQ
13808 E.14th St., Suite C
San Leandro, CA
http://www.onohawaiianbbq.com/

7 responses to “Ono Hawaiian BBQ

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