by Noelani Anderson
I decided to stop in for what I thought would be a drink and a pupu at Big City Diner's Happy Hour because I had been in for breakfast a couple weeks ago and was enticed by their advertisment of half off appetizers from 3-6 monday through friday. I figured it was worth looking into as it is a comfortable, spacious resturaunt with two locations in Honolulu (Ward Center and 10th ave Waialae in Kaimuki), and booth seats that could be perfect for the afternoon meeting or study session somewhere other than the library.
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noelani anderson / KA LAMAKUA Big City Diner on Waialae and 10th Ave. |
My hunt was not so happy. I went to the Waialae location with a friend on a friday afternoon, anticipating half off their sesame edamame, vegetable plate, cajun fries, calamari and poke. Our server was rather dull and when I asked him about the happy hour specials he informed me that in order to get half off pupus each person in your party must order two drinks other than juice or soda. Strike one. Their happy hour drink specials were limited to 50 cents off a 16 oz beer or a dollar off a 24 oz beer and $1 discounted wine, bumping the price of a glass down to 3.75. The flavored margaritas are not included in happy hour: strike two.
Although margaritas weren't on special I orderd one as they are still within my cocktail budget ($6). The mango margarita was tasty but defecient in what should be the most important ingridient, so I sent it back and the waiter had the bartender fix it up a bit stiffer, after which the margarita was appropriately refreshing. Meanwhile, we ordered a plate of chili fries which were $8.95 for a large portion, but nothing notable in terms of flavor.
The happy hour at Big City Diner striked out on a couple of bases – namely deceptive advertising and lame drink specials. However, the diner didn't strike three times, so it's not completely out. While I wasn't all that pleased with my experience I do think it could be the perfect happy hour for a group of people who have a couple hours to kill, are craving a couple of cold beers and have and appetite to take advantage of the 50% off pupu selection.
It may not be sunset on the beach but you'll get a lot of food and keep the cost down while kicking it in a comfy, diner setting with the classic Hometown American ambience. The afternoon specials run from three to six o'clock, but if you've got a big exam and need that last cram hour of studying paired with a solid meal that's under five bucks, keep in mind that Big City Diner runs an early bird full breakfast special for $4.99 served daily between seven and eight am.
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