There was a time when eating food off of a truck was relatively uncouth. For many years, food trucks were staples of construction sites and late-night eats, thanks largely to the fact that most of them served tacos and other Mexican food.
In recent years, food trucks have become much more mainstream and gourmet, much to the delight of gourmands everywhere. Despite the smaller kitchen, places like 808 Grill can whip up some world-class cuisine. Don’t mind the styrofoam to-go box – it’s what’s on the inside that counts.
While other trucks try to have an expansive menu, 808 Grill keeps it really simple. A handful of main entrees, some tasty appetizers, and that’s it. You won’t need to spend half an hour deciding what to try. If necessary, you can just get one of each item. If you do go that route, we highly recommend visiting with friends – not to share, but so that you have some extra arms to carry everything.
Rather than give a few highlights, we can go straight down the entree menu. 808 Grill is famous for its fish, which is about as fresh as you can find anywhere. You can choose between:
Mahi Mahi
It’s hard to find a high-class Hawaiian restaurant that isn’t serving Mahi Mahi, but that doesn’t mean everyone cooks it to perfection. The chef at 808, however, knows how to handle this fish and lets it speak for itself. Since it’s pan-seared, it has a delicious crispy outer layer that wakes up your tastebuds from the first bite.
Ahi
Since Ahi tuna is not as flavorful as Mahi Mahi, the chef fries it in a panko-breaded crust. The star of this dish, however, is the kalamansi ponzu sauce, which ties everything together. You’re going to want to ask for more, believe us.
Kalbi Ribs
If you haven’t had Korean kalbi ribs before, here is an excellent place to start. Kalbi is a traditional dish that’s hard to mess up, meaning that most places taste more or less the same. 808 Grill, however, manages to stand out from the pack.
Slider of the Day
Sliders are perfect for sharing, but you won’t want to once you get a bite. Since this dish is always different, you have to follow 808 Grill on social media to know what to expect (talk about slick marketing). Some past examples include mac n’ cheese sliders, brie and bacon sliders, and fondue sliders. Is there anything better than ground beef and melted cheese?
Insider Tips:
-The best way to find out what’s going on at 808 Grill is to check their social media feeds. While the truck doesn’t move, the chef does private events and catering, which can affect the hours of operation.
-If you’re feeling adventurous, try the slider of the day, but come early because they usually sell out fast. 808 also offers a poke bowl of the day, depending on which fish is freshest.