Macky's Shrimp Truck

Lemon Pepper

Butter Garlic

Location: 66-632 Kamehameha Hwy., Haleiwa 96712 (Next to 7-11)

Phone: 808.780.1071

Website: None

Parking: Free ( Dirt lot )

Cost: $12 per plate - You can choose from Lemon Pepper, Butter Garlic, Coconut, Original & Spicy Hot. It comes with salad (with Italian dressing), a piece of pineapple, 2 scoops of white rice and of course 9 huge pieces of shrimp.

Hours: Everyday 10:30am-6:30pm

Why you should go: The shrimp is yummy!  On a crave-ability scale, I'd rate it an 8.  That's saying a lot since I'm picky about what I will eat for a second time. 

What to expect: We went on a rainy day.  Luckily they have covered seating.  

There are chickens running around trying to get scraps of food.  I suppose they know they are safe since they are not on the menu.  There are flies too.  It's Hawaii and insects thrive here.  Annoying, but not a deal breaker.

There is a 7-11 next door so if you are with someone that doesn't like shrimp they can grab something to eat there.  You can also get your drinks from them.  They have a wider selection to choose from. 

It does get messy so you may want to bring wet wipes. If not, they do have a sink with soap located on the side of the truck. 

**Information as of December 4, 2012

Kapiolani Community College Farmers Market

Young Coconut Juice

After you drink the juice they crack it open for you

Location: 4303 Diamond Head Road ( Parking Lot C )

Website: http://hfbf.org/markets/markets/kcc/

Parking: Free!!!!  We found parking easily and there were available spaces when we left.

Cost: Free!!!! (except for what you purchase)

Hours: Tuesdays - 4pm-7pm & Saturdays 7:30am-11am

Why you should go: It's a great way to get a taste local foods, see (and buy) local produce and try out other local products all in one place.  If you are visiting, this is a great place to shop for gifts.

What to expect: If you go on Saturday, go early!  We were there at 8:30am on Saturday and the crowds were ok.  By the time we left at 10am it was packed!  They also have straw mats available for you to use while eating. (See picture above) Great idea! 

We also went on Tuesday and there were a lot less vendors and tons of parking.  I think we were done walking around within 30 minutes.  

My experience: The only prepared foods I tried were the young coconut juice (see picture above), a banana spring roll, shrimp summer rolls and a chicken and vegetable spring roll all from the same vendor.  First of all, I grabbed the shrimp summer rolls from the bottom.  It was the coldest and I wasn't going to eat it right away.  The vendor wasn't too happy about that.  He blurted something out loud in his native language and ran over to where I was and started to move things around.  I didn't expect that sort of response and was a little shocked so I didn't even realize that there was no peanut sauce for the shrimp rolls.  I've eaten these numerous times and never had them without the sauce! Second, we ordered the coconut juice.  The juice tasted a little fermented and carbonated and it was warm.  The taste of the juice is not what I remember as a child. When we were done drinking the juice we took it back to them to get the meat out of the coconut.  Well,  it was hacked into thirds and we only received two pieces.  Hmmmm, I glanced over to the food area and saw them putting out coconut pieces that were packed in a to-go container.  Yuck!  That means that various peoples germs (from drinking the juice) is sitting on the meat!  Ewwwww! 

The banana spring roll was pretty good.  Slightly sweet and tangy.  You can't really go wrong with a fried banana.  The chicken and veggie spring roll was pretty good too. I was surprised that it was still crunchy when I ate it.  The shrimp rolls were disappointing.  No sauce and the skin was tough.  I won't be going there again.  I will have to go back and try out the other prepared foods.  To be continued...