Popeye's Chicken on Dillingham

[scrivener]

That Popeye's still has a drive-through. I really like the chicken there, but I really dislike the service. And I hate to say this, but I dislike most of the clientele, too. I think it says unpleasant things about me to admit this.

[lavagal]

That Popeye's still has a drive-through. I really like the chicken there, but I really dislike the service. And I hate to say this, but I dislike most of the clientele, too. I think it says unpleasant things about me to admit this.

Yeah, what a little snot to not want to hang around people who don't practice safe hygeine! (I think this says unpleasant things about me, too, but you can bet I bathe daily and brush my teeth even more!)

[manoasurfer123]

That Popeye's still has a drive-through. I really like the chicken there, but I really dislike the service. And I hate to say this, but I dislike most of the clientele, too. I think it says unpleasant things about me to admit this.
Scriv does have a point there...

I only ate at the Popeyes there once on dillingham....

As I was leaving... "Brah... you get a piece of chicken you can spare..." from someone out by my car!

Never went back!

[SusieMisajon]

Can someone tell me what you guys are talking about?

[manoasurfer123]

Can someone tell me what you guys are talking about?
um...read the post from the beginning!

[SusieMisajon]

um...read the post from the beginning!
I did. But it doesn't say much, about the clientel, at Popeye's. What's wid dis?

[helen]

I suspect that maybe it's your settings that control the thread age cut off. Go into User CP, then select Edit Options and look for a setting for titled Default Thread Age Cut Off. You can change it to Show all threads or some other value that you feel comfortable.

[scrivener]

Yeah, what a little snot to not want to hang around people who don't practice safe hygeine! (I think this says unpleasant things about me, too, but you can bet I bathe daily and brush my teeth even more!)
It's not just that, but people there tend to be very noisy, messy, and rude. I also hate the way employees, during their time off, hang out in the dining area, joking loudly with their coworkers behind the counter. There's just a general lack of consideration for the customers there, and the customers act as if they aren't entitled to it.

[dick]

Weird.

I go there every so often when I'm in the area and have yet to experience such a distasteful crowd... spilling our red beans and rice on you...

Maybe it would be best to stay away if it's so offensive?

[craigwatanabe]

It's a kind of localness about a place that can make it either cozy or uncomfortable.

As for a commercial establishment, employees do need to conduct themselves in a professional manner and that includes when they are in their uniforms and on the clock. Their mannerisms reflect the establishment and the company for which a reputation is built upon. Unprofessional mannerisms don't fare well with any business.

But as Dick did mention that if it is unbecoming to you then you should and will find another business to patronize. Unfortunately for the business, it's their loss not the customer's.

That's why there are codes of conduct rules that all customer service employees typically follow. Failure to comply usually means reprimand or termination depending on the severity of the violation.

Normally you won't see employees eating in the same area as the customers (unprofessional at the least) and chit chat is kept to a minimum. These are standard protocals found in most employee handbooks when dealing with the public.

Some places choose not to follow these guidelines and they probably have lower employee/manager retension rates than others that do.

Zippy's is always a cheerful place to visit (albeit the one on Kilauea avenue in Kaimuki can be a challenge at times) and they do seem to pick some very nice peope to work with. But as Scrivener did also mention, some areas can be a challenge for a corporate image to be placed into especially when there are cultural differences such as how people eat and where. In some cultures it's rude not to eat amongst your guests.

But that's what "clientele" is about. Everyplace has a different definition of what being polite and professional is meant to be. Unfortunately to some another's interpretation can be offensive to others.

Srcrivener, I believe is trying to be politically correct instead of referring to the locale of where that Popeye's is located directly and the kind of regulars that patronize that establishment. If you look around that area you'll know what I mean. The people you see there are of a different social style than his and to him it can be offensive or intimidating.

When you hear someone saying stuff like, "Yeah da fucka wen dis me wen I wen slap his head so I wen punch his bitch ladat, hoa dat bitch was feelin it all day". Yeah that's really what all customers really want to hear from the food handlers that just served or cooked their "eat-in" meal. Doesn't digest very well either. But to some it's normal conversation. To others...well...kinda nasty.

[SusieMisajon]

Hawaii has changed alot, I see. So has EVERYBODY there. Wow.

[pzarquon]

Fascinating. I've definitely noticed a distinct and different "clientele" at Popeye's Chicken, but wouldn't call it distasteful. I figured any discomfort I felt was mostly my problem (I certainly don't blend in, in my downtown aloha attire!), and since they did serve me chicken (mmm!) and let me eat it, I obviously worried more about it than they did.

So the people there are comfortable with each other. And know each other. The place has a feel of being its own community, or a hub of one. I'm just not part of it.

Such a casual attitude about loitering or language or whatever is probably not good "customer service" by the usual textbooks, but it certainly doesn't seem to hurt business any. As I often also notice a lot of military and other groups (now I'm being PC) there, I can only assume that to many, the "clientele" and energy of the place is even a comfort to some, a place to seek out that's not like Zippy's or other local or Mainland restaurants.

I've taken my wife and kids there as a treat several times. Apart from a sporadic nearby "F-bomb" (that I notice more than the kids do), we've had no complaints. Besides, rude people and bad language can be just as prevalent at other eateries, despite the supposedly different "clientele."

If you don't like it, don't go. Lobby Popeye's corporate to put a restaurant in Pearl City or Waikele. More chicken for me in town!

[Pomai]

Try go to the Hawaii Kai Costco. I've had some pretty RUDE experiences there on MANY occasions.

Just this past weekend, I stood in line with just a single bag of Hot Dog Buns. THAT'S IT. All the lines were packed. When I stood in line, the guy in front who had a FULL CART of groceries looked back at me then turned away and didn't even bother to offer to let me in front of him.

How many times I've let people in front of me who had single items. I guess Karma doesn't always work when you're dealing with jerks. ZERO Aloha spirit.

:mad: :( :confused:

[LikaNui]

Try go to the Hawaii Kai Costco. I've had some pretty RUDE experiences there on MANY occasions. Just this past weekend, I stood in line with just a single bag of Hot Dog Buns. THAT'S IT. All the lines were packed. I feel your pain. Been there, done that. But thankfully, I heard that Costco is finally going to do something they've needed to do for a long time -- install an Express Lane.
The sign will read:
100 items or less.

:D

[LikaNui]

Hawaii has changed alot, I see. So has EVERYBODY there. Wow. Yeah, and I ran into one guy from France recently and he was a total jerk. So France has changed a lot, I see. So has EVERYBODY there. Wow.
:rolleyes:

Generalizations are silly.
:p

[speedtek]

Try go to the Hawaii Kai Costco. I've had some pretty RUDE experiences there on MANY occasions.

Just this past weekend, I stood in line with just a single bag of Hot Dog Buns. THAT'S IT. All the lines were packed. When I stood in line, the guy in front who had a FULL CART of groceries looked back at me then turned away and didn't even bother to offer to let me in front of him.

How many times I've let people in front of me who had single items. I guess Karma doesn't always work when you're dealing with jerks. ZERO Aloha spirit.

:mad: :( :confused:

Costco doesn't care about single item purchases. They want you to buy more because that is their $$$. They don't make money on people who buy one item unless it is a $2000 TV! I have grumbled many times and got that answer. Sometimes you might get lucky if the customer service line is empty and they send you there.

[Pomai]

Costco doesn't care about single item purchases. They want you to buy more because that is their $$$. They don't make money on people who buy one item unless it is a $2000 TV! I have grumbled many times and got that answer. Sometimes you might get lucky if the customer service line is empty and they send you there.I don't think the guy standing in line in front of me worked for Costco.

[tutusue]

[...]When you hear someone saying stuff like, "Yeah da fucka wen dis me wen I wen slap his head so I wen punch his bitch ladat, hoa dat bitch was feelin it all day". Yeah that's really what all customers really want to hear from the food handlers that just served or cooked their "eat-in" meal. Doesn't digest very well either. But to some it's normal conversation. To others...well...kinda nasty.
While in line at Long's Waianae yesterday I overheard a conversation by the family in front of me eerily similar to your example, Craig. The profanity coming out of the wife's mouth was atrocious. The husband didn't say a word. It made me extremely uncomfortable, mainly because their child was present. The child mentioned to her grandma how her parents always fight...and added, "There they go again.". I finally got out of line, in favor of another check-out stand.

[tutusue]

[...]How many times I've let people in front of me who had single items. I guess Karma doesn't always work when you're dealing with jerks. ZERO Aloha spirit.[...]
Ah, but Karma can be repaying your Costco good deeds in other areas of your life. It's not always tit for tat...so to speak...no pun intended...well, you get the drift! :D

[helen]

It's been years for me since I have been to that Popeye's Chicken on Dillingham.

That and Wendys need a location in either downtown or close to Ala Maona.

[craigwatanabe]

My wife works as a HeadStart manager in Papaiko here on the Big Island and boy she hears stuff that'll curl her hair from them little tykes to the teachers and I mean pre-schoolers.

Stuff like, "I goin kill you fukka afta I cut your throat bitch" Imagine some 4-year old telling that to his teacher after being reprimanded for hitting another kid.

But to the parents of that child, that's they way they threaten the kid after beating them up if they disobey them.

But back at Popeye's on Dillingham (thank you administrator for making a new thread on this one)...my former business partner used to run that particular Popeye's (Lad Panis). He's from Waipahu. He used to hire a lot of immigrants because they could appreciate the kind of hard work it takes to be in the back frying chicken. Maybe that's why there were a lot of cultural differences that may seem intimidating to others.

One day he asked me if I wanted to try doing chicken after I told him I wouldn't work for any fast food restaurant. After an hour hovering over that vat of hot oil, getting my fingers burned from dipping the chicken inside I had a greater respect for the cooks in the back.

Lad taught me how to properly lay down the chicken in the fryer so you push the wave of hot oil away from you instead of splashing the oil onto your fingers. But as Lad said, "It ain't chicken without the skin", how true.

As for Costco and line protocal, if a person doesn't want to let you in first it's their perogative. But really to expect them to do so and then don't is a bit arrogant on the part of the single item holder for assuming that. Kinda like saying, "how rude of you not to hold the door open for me so I can pass by inconveniencing you and everyone else".

Yes he was rude in not letting you ahead, but it was also a bit arrogant for you to expect it. Moot point in my book, you both got what you deserved. He goes to Hell for being rude, and well you were arrogant. :D

[Pomai]

Yes he was rude in not letting you ahead, but it was also a bit arrogant for you to expect it. Moot point in my book, you both got what you deserved. He goes to Hell for being rude, and well you were arrogant. :DThanks Craig. Now I'm arrogant.

O.K. So that means whenever you want to get in a lane of traffic, if someone doesn't let you in even though there's room for it, that means they have the right because it's their lane, and you're being arrogant for expecting to be let in?

All I was getting at was COMMON COURTESY. What's arrogant about that?

I don't EXPECT people to have Aloha Spirit, but it certainly is disappointing when it's not around. :(

[craigwatanabe]

Hey we are all arrogant at times but to expect something from somebody when they don't have to can be arrogant. In your case yeah maybe he didn't exercise common courtesy however it's also courteous not to expect either.

I don't think the comparison to letting someone in a lane of traffic is a fair one either. If there's room and he's signalling at least he's asking for permission to merge in.

While you were standing in line did you ask him if you could cut in front of him (and basically that's what you would have done) or did you just do the mind meld thing and expect him to read your thoughts?

And what of your facial expressions? Was it one of "jeez I gotta stand behind this bugga until he buys all his stuff". A facial expression with a thought like that could make you appear to look inconvenienced and you will get a likewise look back.

Once at Longs Drugs I let this elderly lady move ahead of me while she had only a small basket of goods to buy. There was nobody behind her so I figured no big deal right? Well right afer her purchase another person came up with just a bottle of soda so I figured whatever and let that guy in. He never said thanks or anything but just plopped his money on the counter, picked up his change and left without saying a word to anybody. Inconsiderate teenager.

But when it was finally my turn to pay, two more people show up with single items after moving over from a slower checkout register and they asked me if they could cut in. I promptly ignored them and began unloading my stuffed shopping cart. Maybe they didn't see the two others I let thru or the way the last guy treated both me and the cashier, but they definately got this impression that I was the jerk here for not letting them in ahead of me.

Maybe this guy at Costco was standing in line long time when you came up behind him. But for whatever reason he used not to let you in, it didn't matter because he was ahead of you and not behind you as in a car trying to merge in.

Your expectation was to cut in front of him because of your minimal purchase and when he didn't, you judged him. That to me is arrogant. But don't feel incensed with it because we all display arrogance to another every now and then. You don't have to say or display it. Just thinking of retaliation is a form of arrogance. We're all guilty...even me for calling you arrogant as well. The truth can hurt but the reality is if we all here weren't friends of sorts, we wouldn't be telling each other to be less of an ass to the people we encounter. A good friend tells it like it is so we don't have to hear it from the next person we judge as a jerk.

I don't think you meant it to be arrogant but that's the way it comes across to others. Like I tell my kids, it's not all about "you", it's about how you conduct yourself amongst others because they will determine if those doors will open for you or not. The litmus test is how you would feel if someone expected something from you without asking.

If I'm standing in a shopping aisle looking for something and another customer is breathing down my neck expecting me to move and they don't even say, "excuse me" I'll just keep on looking because either I don't know they're there or they expect me to simply move because of their presence. both of us are displaying some level of arrogance, both of us are arrogant. But both of us are holding our ground waiting for the first one to blink. The winner is always the one who's either more arrogant or in my case, too focused to see that I'm blocking someone else and my deaf ear didn't hear the curt, "Ahem".

And when they finally move past me in a huff I tell them, "and a nice fuck you too asshole". Yeah that was arrogant but it was worth going to hell for it :D

[Pomai]

Craig, you made some good points.

So what is your assessment regarding Scrivener's dislike with Dillingham Popeye's clientele?

Some might immediately take offense to his statement, especially if they're regular customers there.

I must say, along with the many (what I consider) rude Hawaii Kai Costco experiences, the GOOD experiences interacting with other customers in that store far outweigh the bad, which is why I continue shopping there. ;)

[craigwatanabe]

Craig, you made some good points.

So what is your assessment regarding Scrivener's dislike with Dillingham Popeye's clientele?

Some might immediately take offense to his statement, especially if they're regular customers there.

I must say, along with the many (what I consider) rude Hawaii Kai Costco experiences, the GOOD experiences interacting with other customers in that store far outweigh the bad, which is why I continue shopping there. ;)

Mahalo Pomai for being so courteous to me :D My assessment on Scrivener is that he's a very sophisiticated kind of person who has demanding tastes for the things he enjoys...almost eclectic. Is that bad? Not necessarily but the clientele may have felt offended by his remarks.

One thing I did do while living in Honolulu was preferring the Hawaii Kai Costco over the "then" Salt Lake Costco only because of the "clientele". While in the Salt Lake Costco I would encounter families where the kids are foul mouth as well as the parents. But you don't see that kind of behaviour at the Hawaii Kai Costco. But you do see arrogant customers at Hawaii Kai only because of the specific clientele. At Hawaii Kai you find the rich arrogance. At Salt Lake you find the poor arrogance. Either way both are arrogant but at least the rich arrogant ones I can tell my kids don't ever act like that around anybody. At Salt Lake it's hard to cover up the ears of my kids when da modda is whakkin her kids all the while spewing more filth than the Ala Wai sewage spill.

But we need arrogant people so I can point them out to my kids as examples of what not to be in life. :)

[bitachu]

A couple of comments:

A. Yeah about the line in costco...seems kinda bad that you thought the guy in front of you was being rude. The guy was friendly or didn't show much courtesy..but still he didn't do anything wrong...Kinda like offering your food to other people while eating...it would be nice..but not necessary.

B. BAck to the point...I do feel that popeyes is kinda ghetto..but you could say that about lots of restaurants in the area. Personally I love popeyes and I hope they make more.

C. My buddy used to work at the popeyes in waimalu(now is genki i think). Yeah it was kinda bad then. Employees did hang out in the main area..that and loud music. Probably just some bad management rules allowing certain conduct.

D. Zippy's on the other hand is a very strict work place..having worked there for 4 years during highschool i understand that they had specific rules and conduct.

E. Swearing and vulgar language has just become more acceptable in the mainstream society. Its just how it is. I might swear with my buddies..but if we are at a restaurant or where kids are near by i usually mention it to everybody....Its all part of that moral decay of our society that the religious nuts/republicans are always talking about.

[craigwatanabe]

Its all part of that moral decay of our society that the religious nuts/republicans are always talking about.


But you said it, "Moral Decay" and unless that is acceptable it's a bad thing and something we should always try to reverse

[Pomai]

Mahalo Pomai for being so courteous to me :D My assessment on Scrivener is that he's a very sophisiticated kind of person who has demanding tastes for the things he enjoys...almost eclectic. Is that bad? Not necessarily but the clientele may have felt offended by his remarks.Isn't sophisticated and demanding tastes basic prerequisites for arrogance?

That pretty much fits the profile of those who are rich and arrogant.

Of course there's good and bad people everywhere, so profiling or stereotyping someone just because they just pulled up in an $80,000 Mercedez doesn't mean they're automatically an @sshole. I've had one guy who just got out of a car just like that offer me help with a large box I was loading in my car... exactly the kind of good deed I would teach my children to do.

[SusieMisajon]

Yeah, and I ran into one guy from France recently and he was a total jerk. So France has changed a lot, I see. So has EVERYBODY there. Wow.
:rolleyes:

Generalizations are silly.
:p
Nah...I think the French have always been that way. They're quite proud of it.

[SusieMisajon]

Are there some times, when Cosco is not so full of customers? And, would it be possible to go, at those times? It might not be so convenient, but you might have a nicer time.

[tutusue]

[...]Of course there's good and bad people everywhere, so profiling or stereotyping someone just because they just pulled up in an $80,000 Mercedez doesn't mean they're automatically an @sshole. I've had one guy who just got out of a car just like that offer me help with a large box I was loading in my car... exactly the kind of good deed I would teach my children to do.
This is a good point, Pomai. My dad was a self made man who never lost touch with what resided deep in his soul. I'll never forget while I was in high school, he bought either the 1st or 2nd year Jaguar XKE. He was driving me to a friends house when we came upon an accident; a car flipped over and down a hill. We weren't the first ones on the scene but my dad was the only one to scramble down the hill to help the victims. He stayed with them and when the ambulance guys lowered the stretchers to the car and loaded the victims, Pop assisted with carrying the stretchers up the hill. I can still see the determination to be of assistance and the compassion for the victims on my dad's face...even after 45 years. I guess it just goes back to "you can't judge a book by it's cover", huh? ;)

He was the kinda guy who would've loved the clientele at Popeye's and would have easily comingled with them. That also doesn't mean that others who are uncomfortable in that situation or find it distasteful are wrong or arrogant. They are who they are.

[Erika Engle]

It's not Costco's fault that the moment many people (of all types) set foot in the door of any of the stores, they:

1) forget how to stay out of people's way
2) seem to fail to realize there are even other people in the store (?)
3) need to leave their cart on one side of the aisle to examine an item on the other side -- standing two feet or so away so as to fully block passage by anyone else
4) seem to NEED to stop in the middle of a high-traffic area to ponder the meaning of life

There's probably more ... but those are my chief complaints. I hope I don't get busted by one of you engaging in one of those behaviors.
:o

[Pomai]

It's not Costco's fault that the moment many people (of all types) set foot in the door of any of the stores, they:
-----
4) seem to NEED to stop in the middle of a high-traffic area to ponder the meaning of lifeI swear I've almost taken the okoles off MANY Costco shoppers who do that! Here you are with that big honkin' wagon and suddenly aunty Tutu'e just STOPS inches in front of you.

Costco should should consider ABS brakes on their carts and traffic signals in their store. :D

Good thing Dillingham Popeyes doesn't have those carts. NIGHTMARES. :eek:

How is Popeye's Chicken anyway? The last time I ate there was ages ago and all I remember was it was way too crunchy and spicy for my taste.

[scrivener]

This is some of the best discussion we've had here in a while, all due respect to the banana-engulfing thread.

First: The Popeye's thing. As Craig quite accurately pointed out, I was trying to be diplomatic, but it's not the geographic location of the restaurant itself that creates a kind of incompatibility with my dining senses; it's the ethno-cultural, established norms of a certain demographic that likes the kind of food Popeye's serves that I find distasteful. Note that I did not say "wrong" or "classless." Just, different. When I said I dislike the clientele, what I really meant is that I dislike the clientele's dining behavior, and it's something I suspect falls somewhat short of racism but somewhere past intolerance. I consider myself a very tolerant man, but I'm picky about where I eat, as Craig correctly surmised. I understand that some people like to talk loudly during movies, and in places where that's common and accepted, I choose not to see movies. It is a judgment not on the people but on the behavior, and as Pz suggested, the best move is not to go if it bugs you that much. I usually dine alone, and am therefore trying to get work or reading done while I eat -- something that my mom taught me at a very young age is very, very rude. Those other Popeye's customers must think I'm horribly impolite.

It doesn't bug me enough to stop going, but it does bug me enough to be particular about when I go, and it does keep me away more often than it lures me in!

Second: Cutting in Line
I, too, often let people ahead of me when they've got one or two items, but sometimes I'm in a big hurry and don't think I can afford the extra few minutes. When people offer to let me cut when I've only got one or two items, I usually decline because I'm not in a hurry. Waiting is not such a bad thing when you're not in a hurry, as years living in Hilo taught me.

[jasonzzz]

Apparently, this thread was carved off from another one that focused on Zippy's. The context is not obvious since the preceding lead-ins are contained in the Zippy's thread.

In any case, it's not just the Popeye's in Dillingham that does this. I've visited many other Popeye's in many other states. I *do* love that Chicken! But 9 out of 10 of the ones that I've visited, the following are true: always placed in poor neighborhoods - and in the mainland states, distinctly where blacks reside and caters to the black clientele and tastes. It just seems a bit coincidental that the restaurant seems to be placed to attract a particular demographic. Anycase, I no longer bring my family into that restaurant because of all of that poor behavior and I don't need my kids learning any of that "live in person", I just do take out and still taste just as good.

That's not to say that only particular color of people behave badly. I've definitely noticed a chance in common courtesy and behaviour where swearing loudly in public seems to have become acceptable - from all sorts of people, but definitely especially the youths.

[jasonzzz]

That's neat, there are actually 4 other Popeye's in Hawaii, they are all on Naval properties though. BTW, I remembered there was one Popeyes on Keeaumoku about 2 or 3 blocks from Ala Moana long time ago. I think maybe they closed up around 82 or something. Anyone remember that?

[lurkah]

BTW, I remembered there was one Popeyes on Keeaumoku about 2 or 3 blocks from Ala Moana long time ago. I think maybe they closed up around 82 or something. Anyone remember that?
Sure do. They were located on the block fronting where Oahu Towing used to be, I think a little mauka of where Wal-Mart is now. My favorite there was Popeye's chicken curry stew bowl with rice.

[scrivener]

I think maybe they closed up around 82 or something. Anyone remember that?
Yes, but it was there at least through October 1986. I know this because it's where we picked up (from the drive-through) the food we ate during the great Game Six of the 1986 World Series. You non-baseball fans would know it at least from that two-part episode of Seinfeld guest-starring Keith Hernandez: "That, my friend, is one magic loogie!"

[helen]

That's neat, there are actually 4 other Popeye's in Hawaii, they are all on Naval properties though. BTW, I remembered there was one Popeyes on Keeaumoku about 2 or 3 blocks from Ala Moana long time ago. I think maybe they closed up around 82 or something. Anyone remember that?
I remember seeing a Popeye's in Scofield Barracks this year. And as far as the Keeaumoku location it used on the site where Wal-Mart sits now. Then it moved for a while to a location across the HMSA Building then it closed.

There was one for a while across the street from Pucks Alley.

[Da Rolling Eye]

That's neat, there are actually 4 other Popeye's in Hawaii, they are all on Naval properties though.
Nope. 5. One in Waipahu behind Sizzler. Been there several times and see a lot of the more "upscale" customers from further up Kunia Rd. I used to go to one in Temple Valley Shopping Ctr. when I lived in Kahaluu and one on Piikoi next to Schumann Carriage when I lived in town. Both are gone.
Btw, the Popeyes that used to be in Aiea/Pearl City moved to Waipahu.

Before going into Costco for shopping, I kinda psyche myself into a no-hurry mood. No problemo. Stop at all the sample tables and just cruise. I usually wear a "Grumpy" shirt from DL and always have a scowl on my face. No one ever asks me if they can cut in front. If they do it's usually because I made a slip and smiled. ;) :D

[lurkah]

I used to go to one in Temple Valley Shopping Ctr. when I lived in Kahaluu and one on Piikoi next to Schumann Carriage when I lived in town.
Wasn't the one on Piikoi St. called Pioneer Chicken?

[lavagal]

Wasn't the one on Piikoi St. called Pioneer Chicken?

It was called Church's. Then it became Subaru. I don't know how tasty the Subaru is, though!

[cezanne]

Wasn't the one on Piikoi St. called Pioneer Chicken?
The one in Temple Valley was Pioneer Chicken too. I love Popeye's fried chicken. My mom always makes it a point to bring me home a Popeye's care package whenever she's gallavanting at the NEX or HickamEX. I love my mommy.

RE Cutting in line at Costcos:
Pomai: the guy was probably thinking "suffer crazy-guy-who-is-buying-only-one-thing-especially-on-the-weekend-at-Costcos !" Just playin'... :)

[jasonzzz]

It was called Church's. Then it became Subaru. I don't know how tasty the Subaru is, though!


Yeah, I remember that one Church's on Piikoi, used to eat there sometimes after school. Ate at Pioneer's too, but liked them less... To me they were all sort of KFC like. But Popeyes! whoo! that's different. KFC is still ok, but it just isn't the same anymore.

What about KC's waffle dog? My dad's useta bring home bags of the stuff, it was sooooo good.


Anyone tried Chick'fila, Kenny Roger's roasters, or Boston Market on the mainland?

[Pomai]

I really like Zippy's fried chicken. It has the perfect balance of seasonings, without being over-battered, with the perfect crunch. Can't go wrong with the Chili/Chicken combo.

In fact, if you like Zippy's fried chicken, you can buy the exact same seasoned flour in 5 lb. bags at Y Hata distributors on Sand Island Access Rd. Simply roll 'em in the flour and deep fry da' buggahz GBD.. winnahz!

[scrivener]

Anyone tried Chick'fila, Kenny Roger's roasters, or Boston Market on the mainland?
Chick Fil-A, though its name is the stupidest thing ever, is quite good! And its owners are HUGE supporters of my alma mater. Did you know that all the Chick Fil-A stores are closed on Sundays so the employees are free to go to church?

Boston Market: Very, very, very good. That stuff does not taste like fast food.

[lavagal]

I LOVE Chik-Fil-A. I always try to get one when I'm on the mainland. I also think Boston Market is very good for a family traveling and have to eat a meal out. Hits the spot: good food that almost tastes homemade.

[Da Rolling Eye]

It was called Church's. Then it became Subaru. I don't know how tasty the Subaru is, though!
Aaah. I do stand corrected. Church's had good chicken too. Same for Kahaluu's Pioneer Chicken. They also had fish and chips on their menu. Must be a senior moment. ;) Me thinks the Piikoi location was it's downfall. At certain times, it was just plain nasty trying to get in or out of the place.

[Da Rolling Eye]

I really like Zippy's fried chicken. It has the perfect balance of seasonings, without being over-battered, with the perfect crunch. Can't go wrong with the Chili/Chicken combo.

In fact, if you like Zippy's fried chicken, you can buy the exact same seasoned flour in 5 lb. bags at Y Hata distributors on Sand Island Access Rd. Simply roll 'em in the flour and deep fry da' buggahz GBD.. winnahz!
Good to have that option to cook our own. IMO, most Zippy's overcook their chicken till it's leather. Wahiawa Zippys seems to be notorious for that. I complained to the waitress and she told us that she gets complaints everyday. So the chicken is still overcooked. :confused: If we just gotta have Zippys fried chicken, we go to Mililani or Waipio now.

[Erika Engle]

Please stop talking about Y. Hata/MidCity Restaurant Supply's retail store on Sand Island Access Rd., the Web site of which can be found at yhata.com for store hours, driving directions, etc.
... and where great deals on all-kine stuff, esp. for your cooking/party/entertaining needs can be found.
I want it to remain "my little secret."

;)

Per a pre-Christmas Star-Bulletin story, there are also other restaurant supply stores that are open to the public. It was part of a series in our Features section ... maybe kitchen gadgets would be a good search term. Sorry I don't have the specific URL.

[lurkah]

Please stop talking about Y. Hata/MidCity Restaurant Supply's retail store on Sand Island Access Rd., the Web site of which can be found at yhata.com for store hours, driving directions, etc.
... and where great deals on all-kine stuff, esp. for your cooking/party/entertaining needs can be found.
I want it to remain "my little secret."
This is good stuff to know. I had somehow always been under the impression that Y. Hata, whose office and warehouse used to be located at Fort Armstrong back behind the old Gold Bond Building, was a wholesale-only grocery distribution outfit. This was also a company whose management seemed to be quite frugal in the way of buying any new equipment for moving their frieight, such as flatbed trucks and forklifts which dated back to the 40's and 50's, as they kept on repairing (they had a small repair shop run by two local Japanese WWII-era mechanics) the antiquated machinery instead of buying anything new. I remember all this because I used to tow and haul their equipment for them whenever they broke down. Dang, I wish I knew they sold retail back then.

[Erika Engle]

I remember all this because I used to tow and haul their equipment for them whenever they broke down. Dang, I wish I knew they sold retail back then.

I don't know how long ago you worked there ... I also don't know exactly how long they've had the retail operation, but it has been at least a few years.

I've got a few frying pans and other cookware/utensils from there; some have all-metal handles, but they also sell these "sleeves" that are like oven-mitts for the panhandle ... I purchased a super-large, super-inexpensive "woven wood" salad bowl from there that my friend coveted for a long time. Last time I went, they had 'em back in stock, so I bought her one. She was thrilled. It's a great store, but it's only open til noon on Sat. and closed on Sun.

Okay -- Popeye's Chicken. Red beans and rice. Yummy biscuits. Back on topic.
:D

[lavagal]

This is good stuff to know. I had somehow always been under the impression that Y. Hata, whose office and warehouse used to be located at Fort Armstrong back behind the old Gold Bond Building, was a wholesale-only grocery distribution outfit. This was also a company whose management seemed to be quite frugal in the way of buying any new equipment for moving their frieight, such as flatbed trucks and forklifts which dated back to the 40's and 50's, as they kept on repairing (they had a small repair shop run by two local Japanese WWII-era mechanics) the antiquated machinery instead of buying anything new. I remember all this because I used to tow and haul their equipment for them whenever they broke down. Dang, I wish I knew they sold retail back then.


Be careful when you buy actual food at this place. Buggy! I've found so much infestation there, that I no longer buy edibles!

[lurkah]

Be careful when you buy actual food at this place. Buggy! I've found so much infestation there, that I no longer buy edibles!
Wow, that's also good to know. Mahalo, LG!

[Erika Engle]

Wow - I've not had that experience.

FYI, I posted links to the story about the other restaurant supply stores and another one about kitchen gadgets (and alternatives) from the hardware store -- in a more appropriate thread.

[Kalihiboy]

They have a Popeye's Express at the Naval Exchange which I found out the other day non-military can buy food at any food court store, they even have a I Love Country Express place as well. Its all new, neat and clean so I will go back there again. However, you cannot shop there if you are non-military.

There is as noted a Popeye's in Wahiawa and in Kalihi on Dillingham. They also opened a Popeye's Express in Waipahu near the Sizzler and there is also one inside the Waikiki Trade Center that is an Express as well. I have heard Popeye's will be expanding here as well.

Also the Popeye's near Ala Moana was open even in the early 90's as I saw a commercial circa 1990-91 on an old videotape of mine.

As for Wendy's they are building a new one near Aloha Stadium (what is it with building all of these Wendy's near freeways??). Wendy's is also expanding here as well, I saw an ad they are opening one in Millilani and Wapio Gentry I think. I dont know what happened to the supposed Wendy's near Kahala Mall. The empty lot seems perfect for a Wendy's and again its near yet another freeway. They used to have one downtown about 10-15 years ago.

I, too would like a Wendy's in town somewhere. I wish Ala Moana foodcourt would have more mainland fast food restaurants like a Wendy's or Popeye's Express, I know the tourists would love it. But I have no problem with the local food they serve there either, just would like more variety and/or choices I guess.

KalihiBoy

[kimo55]

There is as noted a Popeye's in Kalihi on Dillingham.
which looks all bus. sign is broken. dun look appetizing.