Are you looking for a chill place to hang out and satisfy all your cravings at the same time? If so, you’ll love to take a trip over to the Hilo Town Tavern. A true local favorite, this beloved watering hole goes big on the flavor in the creation of all their menu items. They specialize in truly decadent bar food, of course, like Chili Cheese Fries, Wings, Chicken Tenders, and Burgers galore. But they have many surprisingly sophisticated offerings on their menu as well, like their rich and flavorful Blue Cheese Ribeye.
Their full bar allows you to take your meal to the next level if you wish. Their talented mixologists happily serve up whatever suits your fancy, including imaginative cocktails. They have tons of excellent draft brews available as well, like the ever-popular Fire Rock Pale Ale from the Kona Brewing Company. If you’d like to keep it simple, you can get your brew in a bottle or tall can instead. They even have tropical, lemonade, berry, and iced tea hard seltzer available on the regular.
While their food and drinks keep bringing people through the doors all on their own, their entertainment sweetens the deal considerably. On Tuesday nights from 6:30pm to 9:30pm, they welcome local musicians to come play on their stage, resulting in a packed dining room every time. Karaoke, billiards, art walks, and many other activities keep the fun going all throughout the week as well.
To avoid missing out on all the top entertainment acts, make your reservations well ahead of time by giving them a call. In fact, it’s almost always a good idea to book your spot because you never know how busy it will be when you arrive. If you just want to fly by the seat of your pants instead, be prepared to wait up to 45 minutes for a table.
Don’t miss out on the:
Wings
No matter what flavors you want to enjoy, the Wings promise to come through in a big way. You can get them in grilled or fried, and then coated in your flavoring of choice, like Hawaiian Chili Pepper Garlic, Lemon Pepper, Caribbean Jerk, and so much more. Get anywhere from 6 to 48 wings, depending on just how hungry you are – and if you’re willing to share.
Chongs
A winning creation all their own, their Chongs always manage to hit the spot, easily keeping you coming back for more. This delightful dish lands somewhere between a chimichanga and a meat pie – and the fillings change all the time. So, ask your server what they have on tap at each visit, and then decide if you want to kick off your meal with this signature delight.
Crispy Cheeseburger
For a burger experience unlike anything you’ve ever tried, go with the Crispy Cheeseburger. This dish starts with a ¼ or ½ pound patty placed on the grill until it reaches your desired level of doneness. Then, they pile on the cheddar cheese, letting it spill off onto the flat top to get crispy fried. Once the cheese is crisp, the cheeseburger lands on the bun along with slaw, onion, tomato, and their tasty tavern sauce.
They switch up their dessert options often to keep things feeling fresh. They usually have at least one ice cream pie on rotation, however, like their decadent Homemade Mocha Mud Pie. This classic treat starts with a crisp chocolate crust plus a thick layer of mocha ice cream. Over that, they add a big scoop of whipped cream and a generous drizzle of chocolate fudge.
Insider Tips:
-If you’d like to skip straight to devouring your food, call in your order before leaving your hotel room. They’ll have it all boxed up and ready to hit the road when you arrive.
-For a quieter dining experience, grab a seat out on the patio.