A Hawaiian Restaurant Finally Opens in Philly Tomorrow

Poi Dog/Official

Kiki Aranita and Chris Vacca’s adorable Hawaiian food cart Poi Dog has come a long way since it first started doling out spam musubi and mochi nori fried chicken on Philly street corners and festivals. In its four years roaming the Philly food truck scene, it became Philly’s premier, and lone, Hawaiian option — no other chef or restaurateur in the city (besides chain-Hawaiian Roy’s, which closed back in 2010) ever gave a crack at the Pacific Island cuisine. But Aranita and Vacca saw a void in Philly’s food boom, and filled it full of Hawaiian plate lunches, tacos and Filipino desserts.

And like we promised back in December, they’re opening their first brick and mortar tomorrow at 102 S. 21st Street (the old Rotisseur space).

Still in soft-opening mode, store hours are Tuesday through Saturday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., weekend brunch goes from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday. The menu, for now, is still abbreviated — extended offerings and a “Hawaiian-style” brunch (details about it are yet to be disclosed) will roll out slowly over the next few weeks. Plus, they’ll integrate online food ordering over the next month. And for those of you with your heartstrings attached to the little food cart, don’t worry. It’ll still be functional for special events and catering.

Here’s the soft-opening menu:

Poi Dog [Foobooz]