You scored on that dirt cheap Maui vacation package and landed on the “Valley Isle” without withdrawing what’s left of your 401k. Sunbathing, swimming and romantic sunset strolls are free, last time I checked anyway, but you’ll still need to appease that growling belly of yours. On Maui’s west coast, arguably the priciest resort zone in Hawai‘i, finding affordable grub that doesn’t involve drive-thrus or value menus presents a challenge.
On my last trip I stayed in Kahana (north of Ka‘anapali) in a condo with a full kitchen. Determined to pinch pennies, I planned to do most of my own cooking and dutifully stocked up on groceries. Eighty bucks and a stack of dirty dishes later, I abandoned the do-it-yourself meal plan. Vacation is for doing nothing, not for doing chores. I consulted the resort’s front desk jockey on cheap local grinds.
CJ’s Deli & Diner, hidden in a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it Ka’anapali strip mall (the Fairway Shops) off busy Honoapi‘ilani Hwy (SR 30), is former Maui Westin executive chef Christian Jorgensen’s labor of love. The juicy burgers, mile-high sandwiches and fresh salads ($8-$9), all listed on colorful chalkboard menus, are a cut above the usual deli fare. Break
fast is fantastic (try the fluffy hotcakes or gravy-slathered “Loco Moco”) and the dinners (salmon, mahi-mahi, pot roast, etc), while a tad pricier ($11), are flavorful bangs for your buck. For dessert, I further rotted my sweet tooth with one of the impossibly rich macadamia nut Hana Bars. We ate at CJ’s twice and the only bummer was the hummus and veggies appetizer. You’ve been warned. CJ’s has a casual dining room with simple wooden tables, high ceilings and free wi-fi access. If you’re taking a Road-to-Hana day trip, the deli whips up a great picnic box lunch ($12) and will loan you an ice chest for the day.
At Maui’s far west end, in the Kapalua resort area, I found the Honolua Store, a general store housed in a classic wooden plantation-style building. Originally opened in 1929, Honolua added a full-service takeout deli in 2007. Tourists an
d resort employees searching for bargain ono grinds have been going wild for it ever since. The deli is run by another hotel restaurant defector, Romeo Arruiza, former chef at the Westin Ka‘anapali.
Tasty plate lunches (Kalua pork, white rice and mac salad) will set you back $6.25. A gourmet 9-inch pizza runs $12. And for a $7 pittance you can feast on one of Maui’s best burgers, a thick beefy-flavored patty topped with crispy bacon, gooey cheese and a grilled slab of sweet pineapple. In these parts, you can’t beat that, especially when you consider a miserable micro waved Big Mac combo costs $6 at the McDonald’s in Kahana.
CJ’s Deli & Diner (AAA rated 1 Diamond), 2580 Keka‘a Dr, #120, Ka‘anapali. (808) 667-0968. Open daily 7 am-8 pm. Honolua Store, 502 Office Rd, Kapalua. (808) 665-9105. Open daily 6 am-9 pm.
-Eli Ellison
