10.29.2010

Pounders Hawaiian Island Grill



About
473 S. Main St - map it!
Pounders is a casual Hawaiian joint that is open Mon-Sat 11-9. They serve up the good old rice with meat combo. They range from chicken cooked in various ways to traditional Hawaiian Kalua Pork, smoky, slow cooked pork and Locomoco, a hamburger patty on white, sticky rice with two eggs and smothered in brown gravy.

Menu
view menu!
The menu is split in half by meats + sides entrees and Pounders Originals. The meats + sides are combos of your choices of one, two, or three meats ranging from Kalua Pork to Papalani Chicken (a must try!) and a side of macaroni salad and rice. They also have burgers and other meat-lover-heaven goodness. The food is hearty and comes in large portions. I love that they have a balanced menu filled with "safeties" and more intriguing traditional Hawaiian food.

Price Range
The price ranges from $4.95 to $24.99 (but that's for like, 5 people). Kids can eat there for $2.99. I would say it's a bit pricey for what it is, unless you're willing to bump it up and share. Extra meat comes in a heaping to-go box, so that is totally worth it. For a meal for two, you can expect somewhere around $20 with drinks. Single person, anywhere from $7 to $12 with drinks.

Verdict - 3 stars
Hubby went out on a Friday night to grab Pounders to go and waited an HOUR for one order. There were groups there that came after him that got their order before he did. That definitely dampened our mood. We had the Kahuna, (an order of 3 meats, a side of rice, and a side of macaroni salad) with a side order of extra meat and extra rice. The Kalua pork was pretty dry and bland compared to the ones I've eaten before and the macaroni salad tasted strongly of bulk macaroni salad, the one eerily similar to the one that we served at Honeybaked Ham, scooped out of a huge white bucket and very mayonnaise-y. The rice was disappointing because there were so much meat but a tiny scoop of rice (like literally 3 tablespoons of rice) so if you're ordering for one, definitely get an extra scoop of rice (even though it's super pricey at $1.50 for the amount they give you). The Papalani Chicken was definitely our favorite- so flavorful! They were sold out of Kalbi and gave us two Teriyaki Chickens instead of the Pounders Chicken we ordered alongside the Kalua pork. So with a screwed up order, an hour of standing around wait time, and two tiny scoops of rice with bland Kalua pork later, we give it 3 stars for the Papalani Chicken alone. We'll try Pounders again sometime after the initial shock wears off.
Pounders Hawaiian Island Grill on Urbanspoon

10.01.2010

Pupusaria El Salvador

About
95 E 1400 N Logan - map it!
Pupusaria El Salvador is located kitty corner next to 5 Star party supplies and where Tummi Yummi's used to be. It's a quaint little family-owned place that serves great pupusas and amazing tacos. The prices are great and it's a thoroughly delicious and satisfying meal. They have food deals going on Monday through Thursday (which you can check out in the side bar on the right).

Menu
The menu is limited but each entree is delicious and any Mexican food lover will find a new love once they've had it. They serve pupusas, carne asada plates, tacos, and more. Pupusas are basically a corn tortilla stuffed with cheese and sometimes refried beans or pork (I always get everything in it) melted and steaming hot to fill or eat with curtido, a spicy, vinegar based coleslaw (no mayo) that is highly addictive. There is something here for everyone. Also, if you've never had agua fresca (fruit juice), they have it here and you should definitely order it.

Price Range
The price range is very affordable. They have deals going on from Monday-Thursday but even if you're not going on one of those days, you should definitely go (it only saves you a couple bucks). It's satisfying, soul-food that will have you coming back for more a couple times a week. It's a cute little grandma cooking up authentic food in the back, and you can't slap a price on that! It's great for get-togethers, a quick family bite out, or a casual date. I'm not exactly sure, but it ranges from $1.50 or so per taco/pupusa to $10 a plate.

Verdict - 4.4 stars
The hubby and I adore this place. The food is immensely satisfying and I just can't get enough of that curtido (it's probably the best curtido I've had yet), paired with their spiciest sauce on a pupusa doesn't get much closer to happiness for me. The tacos there are small but loaded with savory steak meat and top La Tormenta's tacos by tenfold. The Carne Asada plate is of actual steak, not like La Tormenta's super thin, questionable-cut of meat. It's definitely a different craving than Mexican, it's a pupusa craving! The owners there are super super nice and casual. You go in, sit down wherever, and order! Once you're done (sad!) with your meal, you pay up front. It's not as well rounded as La Tormenta in menu, but it shines in the differences. Definitely go and try the pupusas, tacos, and carne asada (and order extra tortillas if needs be, they're amazing), you'll see us there on a regular basis!

Pupuseria El Salvador on Urbanspoon