Hawaiian in Denver

14221 E. Cedar Ave. Aurora

303-340-8824

L & L Hawaiian Barbecue is a Big Island phenomenon, a locals-only Honolulu hangout gone franchise. Lunches and dinners are done plate-style, resulting in a mountain of Pacific Rim picnic grub: chicken katsu with macaroni salad and sushi rice, roast pork, huge Spam handrolls called musubi. Lovers of cheap, fun fare, be there -- and early, because the line snakes out the door and the few tables in the space fill up quick.

8 articles

Aloha Hawaiian Barbecue

8623 Washington St., Thornton North Denver

303-227-6800

Barbecue, Hawaiian, Menu

Color photos of menu items clutter the front window of this little shoebox Hawaiian joint in suburban Thornton, offering the promise of a filling, comforting and inexpensive meal inside -- a Spam musubi here will set you back less than the price of a cup of coffee elsewhere. Aloha's interior leans strongly toward the Spartan, with little decor other than a Hawaiian state flag and orange bench seats reminiscent of a 1970s burger shack. But it's a clean and lively space, with enticing aromas of sweet marinade rising from hot grill surfaces in the kitchen. Best bets are the teriyaki-style barbecued meats such as beef short ribs, chicken and steak, all rich and sticky with dark glaze. A side order of housemade kimchi will add just enough fire and funk to heavy but satisfying plate-lunch specials. Don't forget to say "Mahalo!"

2 articles

Aloha Poke Co.

3501 Wazee St. North Denver

720-862-0011

Hawaiian

Hapa Sushi Grill & Sake Bar

3030 E. 2nd Ave., #105, Denver Cherry Creek

303-322-9554

Sushi, Hawaiian, Best Of

Hapa Sushi is essentially a fusion restaurant, offering sliders, nachos and Fuji-apple-and-bleu-cheese salads on the one hand, poke don, kanpyo maki and a small spread of sashimi on the other. It caters quite deliberately to rookies, actually naming a section of the menu "Beginner Sushi Rolls," which is followed by "Intermediate" and then flows right into the house specials — many of which are named after something sexual. But while Hapa is a fun place, there's also undeniable talent in the kitchen. This Hapa spinoff has been altered to fit the Cherry Creek aesthetic: Black and silver chic artfully permeates the corner spot. Too bad the only place to safely get your dance groove on while the DJs spin is in front of the hostess station.

1 event 13 articles

Kona Grill

3000 E. 1st Ave. Central Denver

720-974-1300

Hawaiian, Pan-Asian, Menu

3 articles

L&L Hawaiian Mixplate

5650 S. Chambers Rd. Aurora

303-766-4950

Hawaiian, Menu

Ohana Grille

2045 Sheridan Blvd. Edgewater

303-232-0787

Hawaiian, Menu

3 articles

Ohana Island Kitchen

2563 15th St., Denver Highland/Lower Highland

303-718-6580

Hawaiian, Critics' Pick, Best Of, Readers' Choice

In 2016, before there were poke chains popping up all over the place, Louie and Regan Colburn brought the Hawaiian specialty to Denver. What started as a takeout window at the now-closed Truffle Table soon moved into a permanent home across the street in LoHi, where Ohana continues to serve poke in its pure form, letting the high-quality fish shine; there’s also a small selection of other island favorites like kalua pork and Spam musubi.

25 articles

Poke City

8101 E. Belleview Ave. Southeast Denver

303-862-9941

Hawaiian, Menu

1 article

S'ono Grinds

900 Auraria Parkway Downtown Denver

303-953-9147

Hawaiian, Menu

1 article

Tai Tai Japanese

5078 E. Hampden Ave. Southeast Denver

720-287-4321

Japanese, Hawaiian

Twin Fin Poke

2720 S. Colorado Blvd., #704 Southeast Denver

303-534-7653

Hawaiian, Menu

Hawaiian in Denver

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