More Spam Musubi: Second wave of Hawaiian barbecue about to hit Lexington
Get ready to say Aloha on the south side of Lexington: Big Kahuna Hawaiian BBQ is coming ashore soon.
Owner Harrison Ginsberg said he is adding a second location of his popular restaurant on Clays Mill. He hopes to open in February.
Ginsberg opened Big Kahuna in May 2021 at 904 Liberty Rd., serving Spam Musubi (fried Spam and rice wrapped in seaweed) and Katsu fried pork with rice and macaroni salad, known in Hawaii as “plate lunch” style.
The Liberty Road location is staying open, he said.
The second Big Kahuna will be going in at 3101 Clays Mill, in a former dress shop that is being remodeled to add a kitchen. It’s joining an interesting clutch of foodie places including DY Market Asian Grocery & Seki Restaurant, North Lime Coffee & Donuts, Crank & Boom Craft Ice Cream and Bluegrass Baking Co., among others.
Ginsberg said the restaurant will be small — only about 700 square feet — but will have indoor seating, as well as a large patio on the other side of Bluegrass Baking that customers can use in nice weather.
What’s on Big Kahuna’s menu
He said the second Big Kahuna will have the same menu with some possible additions. “We’ll probably add another vegetarian dish or side, and maybe add one more chicken item,” Ginsberg said.
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Hawaiian barbecue is a booming food category, based on the blend of Asian and island cuisine. It’s a little sweeter, with some spicy heat, and served with lots of carbs to absorb the kick. Besides grilled pork or Spam, fish and shrimp, either in panko or grilled, also are big components. Big Kahuna also serves a burger with grilled pineapple, bacon and Swiss cheese and Hawaiian barbecue sauce.
It’s been popular in Lexington because it delivers a lot of flavor for an affordable price, Ginsberg said. Most items are around $10.
“You get a lot of food,” he said. “We stay pretty busy, and a lot of customers on the south side have been asking for a location over there.”
The new restaurant’s hours likely will be the same — 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily except for Monday, when both locations will be closed, he said.
Big Kahuna Hawaiian BBQ
Where: 3101 Clays Mill Rd. and 904 Liberty Rd.
Hours: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily, closed Monday
Online: bigkahunalex.com
This story was originally published November 18, 2024 at 9:46 AM.
