The Mahina Cafe' and What We're Eating in Hilo, Hawaii

We are still a little full.  We really ought to share lunches.  Pictured above:  The Mahina Cafe's Fish and Chips.  Below, please see the fish sandwich (fish of the day was ahi).  The Mahina Cafe is located at 82-6123 Mamalahoa Hwy., Captain Cook, Hawaii.  Phone is 323-3200.  This cafe used to be a Mexican restaurant that we just loved, and we were very sorry when it closed.  I don't know if I was holding a grudge, or what . . . but I was finally like why haven't we tried this place, yet?  Dummies.  It's delicious.  Go.  The fish above was done like a tempura which make it shatteringly crispy.  We're sort of picky about fries, too, and these were so hot and crispy that I had to help Mr. L with them.  Lots of them.  I had the fish sandwich (also ahi) and as you will see in the photo below, they did not skimp on fish.  It came with a ripe tomato (I hate it when they are unripe), lettuce, onion and tartar sauce.  I had the potato salad and it was great! I have never had potato salad with black olives and now I have to.  It added a nice, salty element to it.  The last delightful surprise was that the server brought us a malasada to share for dessert, free of charge, and it was really great.  They can be very heavy and greasy -- this one was quite the opposite.  We ate very late -- around 2:00 -- so that is why the place looks empty in the photo, but it filled up again as we were about to leave.  Bathrooms were spotless.  Kitchen looked spotless. The servers were really nice and efficient.  It was 91 degrees outside, according to our car, but inside it was cool and quiet.  The lemonade and iced tea hit the spot.  This will be a new regular stop for us. I hope you stop in.

Back to the business at hand:  This week's menus.
Sunday:  Pork Stew with Carrots, Potatoes, and Portobello Mushrooms Over Rice
Monday:  Couscous with Sausages and Zucchini; French Bread
Tuesday:  Ritz-Cracker-Coated Chicken, Yellow Squash, and Buttered Egg Noodles
Wednesday:  Portobello Mushroom Burgers and Fries
Thursday:  Tonkatsu, Rice, and Butternut Squash
Friday:  Salmon Patties and Buckwheat Noodles; Greens
Saturday:  Quesadillas with Cheese and Avocado; Pinto Beans


Let's hope this rain stops, pretty soon!  Have a great week, everyone.  -C. Ironing