Recently one of my editors asked me to recommend my favorite O‘ahu food trucks. While one has since closed (boy do I wish the MELT crew had given me a heads up when I interviewed them!), these mobile eateries take “plate lunch truck” to a new level.

INFERNO’S WOOD FIRE PIZZA
951 N. King St., Honolulu; occasionally on the move | Infernospizzahawaii.com | 808-375-1200 | twitter.com/infernopizzahi

The Story:
After Jonathan Wong and Kyle Okumoto experimented with pizza recipes fired in a modified Weber charcoal grill, the two former local construction guys were inspired to start Inferno’s Wood Fire Pizza, a mobile pizza truck, last summer. Initially, Wong and Okumoto planned to cater special events, but now they have a spot on Kapi‘olani Boulevard, making your choice of pie for breezy alfresco dining.


What’s Special:
They top chewy, crispy kiawe-fired dough with the real stuff—fresh mozzarella, San Marzano tomato sauce and parmesan-reggiano cheese—then spin out inventive meat and vegetable combinations. If you’re lucky enough to be first in line, each 12-inch pie is ready in just five hot minutes.

What to Order:
I often judge a joint by the plain cheese pie, and this one definitely passes the test. I’m also a fan of spinach, garlic and tomato, while others scarf down classic pepperoni, hint-of-fennel Italian sausage and mushroom, or the smoked brisket special. The owners? They’ll take anchovy and arugula, please.

HONORABLE MENTIONS

Shogunai Tacos. Global fusion tacos, including Greek lamb, Korean short rib, Italian pork, Indian chicken korma, and just Mexican. shogunaitacos.com / twitter.com/shogunai_tacos

Gee…A Deli On Wheels. Made-to-order New York Style sandwiches once served at their brick-and-mortar Kailua deli. Corner of Kihapai and Ho‘olai, Kailua; Tuesday-Saturday 11am-3pm. **Sometimes they do go M.I.A.


Go Where They Gather
  • Most O‘ahu trucks roam, so it’s best to follow them on Twitter or Facebook
  • Some do gather downtown near the courts, Restaurant Row, and Ward Avenue
  • Discover more O‘ahu food trucks on the Street Grindz website.

 

Eat the lotus @ literarylotus.com