Nothing could be finer...than Big City Diner...

Recently my mom has asked me to take her to her weekday appointments at the Rehab Center at Pearlridge. As it's still summer, we'll take the family and figure it's a good time to get out to that side of the island (and we can run errands after). Since her sessions end very close to the lunch hour, we usually eat lunch right after. Lately, we've been eating at Big City Diner. It's a nice place that's family-friendly with diner style food with some local favorites. They have five locations and this is their newest location at Pearlridge. The Pearlridge location is not big but it's close by and it's located right on the corner across the parking lot from Toys R Us.

Here's the inside...really clean...really looks like a diner...


I've been going to BCD ever since they opened their first location in Kaimuki. It was great back then... Their burgers were soooo awesome and you could order it done any way you wanted. Then one day, we were informed that you could only get your burgers well done because it was some kind of health regulation with the state (side note: for a brief time, they offered you a waiver to sign if you didn't want to have it well done). Now, it's posted in the menu that you can only get it done that way :( It's Ok, I guess...

The food is good w/ample portions...we've tried a lot of the pupus...Wings Over Kaimuki (spicy guava bbq wings), Calamari Tempura Strips w/Garlic wasabi aioli, Ray Chan's Island Style Poki (has a secret sauce), Soybeans w/Hawaiian Spice Sauce are a few items we like...and don't forget garlic fries, which are heavy on the garlic. Haven't tried the big salads but the side house salad is a good mix of spring greens...none of that iceberg stuff, even has shredded beets on it, which sweetens it...and you gotta try the house vinaigrette...we even dip our fries in it... Burgers are good (but remember they come well done), order them with garlic fries instead of regular(for a small extra charge)...but don't forget the breathmints! Popular entrees are the Mamasan's Monster Meatloaf and Uncle Danny's Fried Rice...want it spicy?...then order Grandma's Incredible Kimchee Fried Rice...either way, you get a mountain of fried rice, enough for two... We usually don't order dessert but the selections are supposed to be good. Breakfast is also a popular meal here (7am-10:30am M-F, till 11 am on Sat/Sun/holidays), featuring some great fare...(I usually order fried rice, the all occasion food, I guess)

This time, we ordered the Calamari Tempura Strips (my daughter loves these), the Uncle Danny's Fried Rice (my wife and youngest sharing), my mom ordered a Super Combo (served 11-3 weekdays) 1/2 smoked turkey & cranberry sandwich & a house salad for $7.99 and I felt a need to be healthy so I got a specialty sandwich, the Upcountry Veggie Sandwich. This sandwich is good...the first time I got it I was pleasantly surprised that it was so tasty...it's got California Avocado, Japanese Cucumbers, Organic Baby Greens, Carrots, Lettuce, Tomato, Red Onion, Jack and Cheddar Cheeses, Topped with Roasted Corn & Fresh Salsa on Whole Wheat Toast. Whew! Can you say that fast? Service that day was quick...we got our food in no time at all...

...the house salad w/house vinaigrette on the side..


...super combo...1/2 turkey sandwich w/house salad...


...calamari tempura strips w/garlic wasabi aioli...


...uncle danny's fried rice...


...upcountry veggie sandwich...


...closeup on the sandwich contents...


This place is popular with the late nite crowd and even more crowded on the weekends as everyone comes here for breakfast. Be aware that there is a brunch menu on the weekend, not a lunch menu and there is another menu for late nite. The menus can be viewed here.

OK, so I ate healthy...gives me an opportunity to snack later :)

Big City Diner
Pearlridge Shopping Center East (Phase III)
Next to ToysRUs and Bank of Hawaii
98-211 Pali Momi Street
(other locations in Kaimuki, Kailua, Ward & Waipio)