Memorial Day, summer and potlucks are coming up, which mean one thing — barbecue. If you don’t want to do all the cooking, these spots are ready to fire up the grill.
TEX 808 BBQ & Brews
TEX 808 BBQ & Brews is known for its fall-off-the-bone Texas barbecue. Its perfectly smoked meat is served by the pound in the form of sandwiches or plates, which come with a variety of sides to choose from.
Entrées include the double plate ($20.99) — which features two smoked meats (pulled pork, pork ribs, brisket, barbecue turkey or sausage), two sides (slaw, corn on the cob, mac and cheese, mashed potatoes and more), a dinner roll and pickles — smoked barbecue sandwich ($16.99), barbecue bowl ($14.99) and The Big Texan Sandwich ($18.99). The latter is TEX 808’s signature barbecue Cubano sandwich, which is complete with smoked brisket, pulled pork, pickles, cheese and mustard on a hoagie roll.
TEX 808 BBQ & Brews
Various Locations
Tex808.com
Instagram: @tex_808
Sunset Texas Barbecue
This Kakaako eatery is famous for its central Texas barbecue in Hawaii.
“We’re proud of our Texas heritage, and with our barbecue, we got nothing to hide, so nothing is sauced up prior to serving,” says Sunset Texas Barbecue owner James Kim. “Our low and slow-smoked, 100% authentic, central Texas-style barbecue is on actual pits that were custom made in Texas.”
Smoked meats include pulled pork ($26/pound), pork spare ribs ($30/ pound), beef ribs ($38/ pound) and more. Popular entrées include prime beef brisket lunch plate ($20.50) — which includes USDA prime grade brisket, two scoops of rice, two sides and either original or spicy sauce on the side — and pork belly lunch plate ($18.50). Sides like coleslaw, potato salad and cream corn are made from scratch.
“We use Creekstone Farms prime brisket ($35 per pound), which is halal/ kosher certified and contains no hormones,” Kim says.
Sunset Texas Barbecue
443 Cooke St., Kakaako
sunsetq.com
Instagram: @sunsettxbbq
Easy Que
Whether you’re in the mood for small bites for happy hour, brisket sandwiches or meaty barbecue plates, Easy Que has it all. Popular starters include kalua pig wraps ($11) and brisket burnt ends ($6). Burnt ends are unique to this restaurant and Easy Que often sells out daily.
For plates, choose from brisket ($23), pork belly ($18), kalua pork ($17), Portuguese sausage ($17) and more. Sides include mac and cheese, smoked Brussels sprouts, creamy slaw and baked beans, to name a few.
The eatery’s housemade barbecue sauces are also popular; flavors include Classic Over Easy (classic barbecue sauce), Kailua green (Thai curry, cilantro and shrimp paste) and Crackseed BBQ (li hing, dried fruit and vinegar).
Individuals sauces are available for retail.
Easy Que
767 Kailua Road, Kailua
808-762-3089
easyquehi.com
Instagram: @Easyquehi
Whiskey Smoke 808
Whiskey Smoke 808 officially opened its brick-and-mortar location last December; prior to that, the business was doing pop-ups and catering. The biz offers a variety of meats smoked in house, ranging from brisket and pork ribs to pulled pork.
The two-choice entrée plate ($20.80) is a customer favorite; brisket and pork ribs are the most popular selections. The plate also comes with two sides, pickled peppers and a complimentary barbecue sauce. The all-meat plate ($29.12) is perfect for those with hearty appetites; it includes a sampler of brisket, pork ribs, pulled pork and chicken. Barbecue sauces include coffee bourbon, guava chili pepper, lilikoi and vinegar mustard.
In addition to its barbecue plates, the biz also offers sandwiches — grilled cheese with brisket or pulled pork ($12.48) is especially popular — burgers and pupus like garlic Parmesan steak fries ($8.32), brisket or pulled pork tacos ($16.64), and brisket or pork belly burnt ends ($10.40).
Whiskey Smoke 808
170 Hamakua Drive, Kailua
808-861-7683
Instagram: @whiskeysmoke_808
