{USA} Local Food, a Hidden Gem Serving the Best Kalua Pork in Maui

On our recent trip to Maui, we stumbled upon this hidden gem of a shack called “Local Food”. It was on the way to our hotel and had great reviews on Yelp. We were a little skeptical when we saw that it was a little “shack” in an old strip mall with just two tables out front but we’re so glad we stayed and gave it a go!

Three words to sum it up – Best Kalua Pork!

Best Kalua Pork we’ve had in Maui! It’s tender, juicy, lightly smoky and lightly salted! Mouth watering! They serve it with rice and salad (instead of mac & cheese)!

After a week in Maui and trying many other Hawaiian restaurants, we have to say that “Local Food” is still the best place for Kalua Pork on the island that we’ve had! Even the frequently recommended Aloha Mixed Plate restaurant that serves similar dishes didn’t come close to the deliciousness of the kalua pork served by Local Food!

“Kalua” means “to bake in a ground oven” in Hawaiian. At its best, kalua pork is tender, juicy, lightly smoky and lightly salted — exactly how Local Food serves it!

The store was started about 7 years ago. It is run by a friendly couple named Menba and Victor. Their three kids help out as needed around the store. They are a friendly lot. They told us stories of how the buildings in the strip mall used to be a motel and how the parking lot used to be a swimming pool.

Menba mentioned that they also served Adobo, a traditional philipino dish, on some days. They didn’t have Adobo when we were there so we didn’t get to try it. Besides the kalua pork, we also ordered and enjoyed their lau lau and loco moco. The Kalua Pork was the best though!

Menba, Victor and their three daughters run Local Food.

Local Food is a little shack in a strip mall. Don’t judge it by its cover! Order the Kalua Pork!

A simple set up that serves delicious kalua pork plate lunch for $7!

Menu at Local Food. We highly recommend the kalua pork with cabbage!

Lau Lau is also delicious. Pork was tender and juicy!

Lau Lau was juicy and flavorful!

Their loco moco is served with fried rice and no mac & cheese. We welcomed the substitution of the mac & cheese with the salad (healthier option, definitely)!!

It was so good, we went back a second time to Local Food before we left Maui. This is a definite meal stop for us next time we’re back in Maui!

REMEMBER:

1. Local Food is located at 222 Papalaua St, Ste 202, Lahaina, HI 96761. Their phone number is (808) 667-2882.
2. We had the best kalua pork while in Maui at Local Food.
3. They also serve good lau lau and loco moco. We have not tried the other dishes, so we’re not sure how good the other dishes are.
4. “Don’t judge a book by its covers!”. Don’t get put off by the looks of the storefront. Order the kalua pork plate lunch and then make your judgement.
5. Local Food was started about 7 years ago by Menba & Victor.
6. If you’re in Maui, be sure to give Local Food a go!

Have you been to Local Food? What is your favorite restaurant that serves kalua pork in Maui?

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