I thought I'd get back to my roots this week and do just "local kine grindz". One of the main reasons for starting the blog back in 2005 was to list all the places you could get local "stuffs" and food. Of course, soon enough L&L tried to take over the world, often with a very low quality product, and the intent seemed more of a money grab then anything else. Gladly, time has weeded out many of these places. I recall Eddie Flores Jr, the founder of L&L once stated in a interview that:
“In five to 10 years, we won’t call it plate lunch but Hawaiian barbecue,” he says. “Only old-timers will remember the plate lunch.”
Not so fast charlie......
Sadly, the last time I did a plate lunch week was almost 6 years ago! And all of those places have closed! Of course, Mo's has moved and become Homestyle Hawaiian. Still, six years since my last plate lunch week? I think much of it is due to, well, age. I just can't put it away like I used to, nor do I really want to eat that much food anyway.
The real impetus for this week occurred when I did drop by Homestyle Hawaiian and saw this sign on the register:
I recall slinking away with my Chicken Katsu plate in hand thinking, "my coconut wireless sure don't work like it used to!"
I even did some catering with Mo and he didn't say anything to me? What's up with that?
Anyway, I jotted down the address and I finally had some time to get down there this past weekend.
I guess this used to be a hot dog joint? When I arrived the place was already busy. Mo was happy to see me and told me it's been crazy busy since opening. He's training an all new staff....though he's got some pros with him. His two daughter's were there to help out. I remember when they were in diapers! I've been doing this blogging thing for too long now. Anyway, Mo mentioned that they've been selling out of everything daily and he's trying to get a handle on things....
The place was chaotic, but I got my order in and things settled down soon enough. Mo's little one had no problem with taking my order, a combination Korean Chicken and a Chicken Katsu with Gravy (aka chicken cutlet in local terms).
I saw Mo make my plate so I knew it was going to be what I was used to getting at the other location.
As I closed my plate, taking a good half of it home for dinner, Mo asked me what I thought. I told him from what I understand of the demographic in this location, "if you can keep up, you'll do great!" Hopefully he'll be able to do that.
Homestyle Hawaiian
1558 E H St
Chula Vista, CA 91913
Hours:
Monday 11am - 330pm
Tues - Fri 11am - 7pm
Saturday 11am - 330pm
A handy hint. Mo is a slow starter and takes a bit of time to warm up. I'd recommend getting there at about 1130, especially since he's training all new staff.
Nice to see that little place expand to another area - I haven't been to the old location in awhile but I remember it was always really tasty. We go down to CV every two weeks or so so I'll have to check out the new digs! I went to that place when it was a hot dog place... Hawaiian food will definitely be better.
Posted by: Mary | Monday, 08 April 2013 at 08:50 AM
Looks better than anything I can get over here.
Posted by: Kyle | Monday, 08 April 2013 at 09:24 AM
Funny Kirk, my son and I went to HH for lunch last week for the first time in a long time and saw the sign that another restaurant was opened. Good luck to Mo!
Posted by: Jack | Monday, 08 April 2013 at 09:25 AM
Wow - this location looks new and shiny, compared to the other one :-) Glad to hear that Mo is busy and doing well enough to open a second location.
Posted by: Sandy | Monday, 08 April 2013 at 12:35 PM
Check them out Mary! I hope you have a good meal.
Hi Kyle - Really? That's kind of sad.
Hey Jack - I hope they do well.....
Hi Sandy - Hopefully they can keep it that way.
Posted by: Kirk | Monday, 08 April 2013 at 02:15 PM
Ah ha! So that's what replaced that hot dog place (which used to be Submarina)!
Looks like I'll be checking them out really soon. the demographics there would seem to welcome this place (especially the Filipinos). good location too since it's next to a high school and the community college.
hope they last too because L&L really went downhill and that's what a lot of people associate with Hawaiian food.
Posted by: caninecologne | Monday, 08 April 2013 at 03:53 PM
Can't wait to try it! I love plate lunch!
Posted by: Food detective | Monday, 08 April 2013 at 05:50 PM
Nice update Kirk. I had katsu for an early dinner and your pics are still making me hungry, haha.
Posted by: Dennis | Monday, 08 April 2013 at 10:16 PM
Hi CC - I think they have the potential to do quite well.....
Hi TFD - You haven't been to the original location yet?
LOL Dennis!
Posted by: Kirk | Tuesday, 09 April 2013 at 06:07 AM
Demographic of this restaurant is Filipino?
Posted by: Rick Freitas | Tuesday, 09 April 2013 at 03:00 PM
mmm
Posted by: kat | Tuesday, 09 April 2013 at 05:51 PM
Hi Rick - I'd describe it as Asian Pacific Islander.
LOL Kat!
Posted by: Kirk | Tuesday, 09 April 2013 at 07:16 PM
If this shop existed in Sa.
Posted by: nhbilly | Thursday, 11 April 2013 at 08:53 AM
LOL Billy - You'd gain a lot of weight!!!
Posted by: Kirk | Thursday, 11 April 2013 at 08:56 AM
Wow, your plate lunch week is so inspiring, both main components of your combo plate look delicious!
Posted by: foodhoe | Saturday, 13 April 2013 at 05:04 PM
Hi FH - This is one of those places where you'll never leave hungry.
Posted by: Kirk | Sunday, 14 April 2013 at 05:59 PM