Huggo’s On The Rocks

75-5824 Kahakai Road

Kailua-Kona, HI 96740

This is now our go-to place for lunch when we arrive on the island.  Who doesn’t want to sit right on the water as soon as you are here?

Huggo’s on the Rocks opened in 1998 right next door to, you guessed it, our other favorite place, Huggo’s. Options for seating are at the bar where lots of locals like to hang out, in the sand or at a table a little further back.  No matter what you decide you have a view of Kailua Bay which is a happening scene with jet skis, cruise ships, sail boats and the occasional para-sailing.

He always gets a Mai Tai and she really, really enjoys their Margarita–enough that we often eat, drink, go walking and return for another round.

The Super Antioxidant Kale Caesar Lau’ai (salad) has kale, quinoa, edamame, cucumber, tomato, Maui onion, avocado and Caesar dressing. Adding the daily fish, which was Ono pictured here, is a perfect light lunch. You can also opt for chicken, lacquered shrimp or poke. The fish was a minute or so over cooked this time but it was still very good.

If you mention anything not right to the server they immediately fix the problem which gives them a thumbs up for service and taking good care of the customer. This salad will change your mind about kale, although one young server disagreed.  Haters.  Last trip here it was ordered two days in a row and with many other good choices on the menu, that says a lot.

Kona fish tacos in May, the first day, perfect.  The repeat the next day the tortillas wouldn’t hold up at all.  The server did her best to remedy the problem but they still fell apart.  Obviously ordering it two days in a row meant it was delicious anyway! Tacos include blackened Mahi Mahi, chipotle aioli, mango salsa fresca and cole slaw.

Guava BBQ Ka’Lua Pork Sandwich-Asian slaw, caramelized onions on a Hoagie Roll.  There are the other usual options for sides but it’s obvious more coleslaw.  Pineapple in the slaw adds that Hawaiian feel you’d expect.

This stay in Kailua we came back to On the Rocks on a Friday night when there was music. We were in the mood for tequila shots and of course good people watching.  Our server didn’t know what kind of tequila they had so went to ask the bartender and came right back with answers.  The band was called “Bottle of Blue.”  Customers enjoyed familiar classic rock and were up dancing.  Lots of lips in the crowd were moving to the lyrics.

We can’t recommend this place enough.  It gets all our stars for ambiance, service and food/drinks.

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