If you are staying in a hotel - you probably don't have access to a small kitchen. Sometimes - we find a fresh fish market and buy Ono or Mahi Mahi - and make our own sandwiches. (We're usually in a condo type place) Just saute the fish and toss it on a bun/roll - and add whatever you like.

The fresh fish places also sometimes have a counter for making fish sandwiches - or might be a good source to ask about where to find a good fish sandwich. One of my first trips to Hawaii - in the late 70's - a local friend of mine suggested I go by Tamashiro's fish market (in Hono) - and I did - and there were nine - yes - nine different grades of Ahi/Tuna.

http://www.yelp.com/biz/tamashiro-market-honolulu and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=caHHtduzO54

Here is another review for different places - and always like Roy's, even if on the upscale end, and also like Duke's for a fun place. http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/643639

And if you are driving around the island - up in Haleiwa - on the north shore - is Kau Aina - and they have also opened in the Ala Mona shopping center? http://onokinegrindz.typepad.com/ono_kine_grindz/2004/06/kua_aina_sandwi.html

On the north shore of Kauai - the Hanalei Dolphin has a fish case where they sell fresh fish - and check out their menu - as I think you can also get fish sandwiches there. http://www.hanaleidolphin.com/index.htm

In the nearby Princeville (shopping) Center - there are also some good lunch places.

We also stopped along the road - by Kapaa - on the road to Hanalei - at Fish Hut - and the were good. http://www.yelp.com/biz/fish-hut-kapaa

And in Kapaa - we loved the Bull Shed - for a great view/setting - but haven't been for years. http://www.castleresorts.com/Home/accommodations/mokihana?sid=1348

In Lihue - this is a fun place too: http://www.kauai-vacations-with-kids.com/kalapaki-beach-hut.html

And down at Poipu - by Baldwin Beach (once my favorite body surfing break - until the hurricanes took out a lot of the sand and changed the break) - is Brennecke's Broiler - also a fun place. We broiled our own steaks there - years ago - but not sure if they still do that. http://www.brenneckes.com/

We loved Savage Shrimp at Poipu. I really like the Aloha Shrimp - had it twice.
http://www.savageshrimp.com/

It is not exactly a "family run spot" but the Dolphin in Hanalei serves a nice fish sandwich with all the fixins.

The poke at Pono Market in Kapa'a is VERY ono.

The fish tacos at Pat's Taqueria (it is a trailer by the pier in Hanalei) are very good.

I think Brennecke's is a dump. The food was terrible and very expensive the last time we ate there.

Weke - thanks for the update on Brenneke's Broiler. Shame - as years ago - it was pretty good.

And hey - where or where is Sondoc and his recommendations?

About 10? minutes north of Poipu - is the charming/old/small town of Koloa - and the fish market there is just what I was talking about as a local type of "find:" https://plus.google.com/100598636785083496990/about?gl=us&hl=en#100598636785083496990/about?gl=us&hl=en


We also love the old style - Lappert's Ice Cream, and they have other cute/authentic places. http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurants-g60621-Koloa_Kauai_Hawaii.html



Also see:
http://www.gohawaii.com/kauai/regions-neighborhoods/south-shore/old-koloa-town

and for other small towns on Kauai:

http://www.to-hawaii.com/kauai/cities/

Kilauea Fish Market is family owned. Located behind the Coconut Market Place next to Trees Lounge and Islander on the Beach Hotel.

Don't know if they still have the Kilauea location open anymore since he and a few other businesses up there got sideways with the landlords.

Great fish wraps/burritos. Always seem to have fresh fish unlike the Fish Hut. Excellent ahi or ono salads. Grab it to go and maybe go eat it at Lydgate or Kealia.

If you do have a kitchen and want to make your own, some of the Dec/Jan returnees with kitchens stop at the side of the road at the Hanamaulu (Kuhio Hwy) and get the fresh fish from local fishermen.

tomsd....question for ye: have you been to Kauai this century? Seems like your posts are stories of when Kauai was still cooling then a bunch of Googled websites.

I hope you find the perfect ono sandwich and let me know if you do. I was on the same quest about a year and half ago. I love the ono burger at the Paia fish market on Maui but didn't really find that on Kauai. The following is from my June 2011 Kauai trip.

Merriman's Grilled Island Fish Burger $11.95 was my favorite. The roll was light and tasty, the basil aioli added a nice flavor and most importantly the tomato was ripe. Everything tasted fresh and the fish was cooked well. I had marlin which was the catch of the day. This was the only place that did not include sprouts on the sandwich. No fries included in the price. I thought their mai tai was also very good.

Keoki's Paradise Fresh Fish Sandwich $14.95. The catch of the day was opah and included fries. I liked the wasabi caper aioli. Cracked wheat bun was a little heavy but no complaints overall.

Hanalei Gourmet Fresh Island Fish Sandwich $14.95. While my teens headed to Bubba's for burgers, my husband & I sat on the porch next door at Hanalei Gourmet to sample another fish sandwich. This time it was ono on a standard bun with a lemon dill mayo and included fries. Semi-ripe tomato.

Kalapaki Beach Hut Fresh Fish Sandwich probably around $8 and did not include fries. Undercooked marlin, lettuce, unripe tomato and mayo. Sort of gross.

Kal - was on the Garden Isle as recently as 4? years ago - pretty much all over the island - as we do each time we are there - as we go for a week or more at a time. I/we have been probably 25 times before that - going back to the mid 70's and later - we bought a timeshare in Princeville - @ the Cliffs Club - during our Honeymoon in '86.

Is there some other information I have posted that you take issue with? Just trying to help the visitor with their options and they can check it out further when they are on Kauai.

And BTW - any place can serve a less than super meal - just depends on when you were there, who is the current chef or his/her backup - the owner, etc - so I wouldn't take any advice in here as gospel - but rather as a starting point.

Oops - forgot - the best Mahi Mahi I ever had was at the restaurant by the Fern Grotto - after our energetic 67 year young hostess - from Waimea town (3rd generation Hawaiian) - went into the kitchen - to talk to her friend - the cook (nobody local called them chefs back then) - and a while later - this marvelous - banana leaf wrapped Mahi appeared. Thick and tender. For an idea - see: http://www.worldfishingnetwork.com/videos/channels/members/banana-leaf-wrapped-mahi-mahi-220095.aspx but I prefer it mainly just to be the Mahi, with a little seasoning of your choice.

Also had a marvelous Ono wrapped in Banana leaves at a great restaurant - John Dominis - by Kewalo Basin in Honolulu - but think that has closed down. Also caught a beautiful 32 pound Mahi (called Dorado here in San Diego) - fishing out of Kewalo - and that night - we had a great fish fry at my classmate's place - on the beach over in Kailua. Had it cooked about 3 different ways - all very good.

Back to Kauai - our hostess' niece worked with my wife at UC Hastings/SF where I was going to law school - and during our first trip to Kauai - circa '76 - we had a super intro - being guided all over Kauai - including beaches that many people never visited. We also stayed a couple of nights in their Mauka cabin up at Kokee (Waimea Canyon) and had to chop our own wood for the hot water system and the cooking stove.

As for fish sandwiches - whenever I go into a local fish market - I check out the case and then tell them I/we are thinking about what we want. You can learn a lot by observing - which looks like the freshest fish - is there a big tray of say Mahi - and a small (maybe older) one of Ono - or Ahi/Tuna, whatever.

I also like to see what the locals are ordering and many times - they will ask the sales guys - what did you just get in?

Some places cut the fish for a burger right from a piece in the case but most of the time - it's already in the back - and may be fine - but not necessarily the freshest.

If we are buying a pound or two - and they don't already cut the fish burger from their case fish - I ask them to slice off a couple of pieces big enough for a fish burger and then have them take it to the guys cooking in the back.

Now - having said that - if they are cranking out a ton of fish burgers that day - the stuff in the back is probably fine - but I just like to check it out. Part of the fun/learning - since as noted - I also like go fishing and spear fishing when in Paradise.

wow

LOL. No issues taken so put your musket down Pops...Just asking.

Too many people have been there umpteen years ago and continue to post suggestions. One ***person*** was offering suggestions and posting websites too yet hadn't been there in years.
Just developing your "board cred", my friend. We can only hope to be songdocs!

But, are ye sure it was 4? years?

Uno mas...If I didn't know any better I'd swear you are/were a lawyer. Did you ever go to law school?

<We can only hope to be songdocs!>

That's hilarious!!!

Melissa -- I've come up with my perfect day exploring the North Shore. But rather than post it under a listing about Ono and fish sandwiches I'm putting it under a new heading so others will find it.

Yes, Kal. I went to law school - at UC Hastings San Francisco - in the early/mid 70's and practiced for the Federal Govt for a few years before going into Commercial Real Estate.

And you? And Weke?

Uno mas - it was 4 or 5 years ago last on Kauai - and also stayed at my friend's place up at Waimea Bay on Oahu - and also visited Big Island on that two week trip - and we took my mother in law along - for a week of the trip.

But on all things Kauai - I bow to Songdoc. Double

I know Kal just returned from his annual January vacay to Kauai so his recos are always fresh and up to date.

I joined Fodors in 99 or 2000 for the express purpose of figuring out how to arrange a return trip to Kauai in 2001 and Kal provided some of the best advice along with many other Fodorites willing to share their info. This is what I love about Fodors!!!

Happy Anniversary!

So let me get this straight.

You're looking for onolicious ono fishes? I see that my favorite little fish market Dolphin in Hanalei has a new place in Poipu. Would love to hear a first hand review. When in Hanalei we stop by daily to check out the catch, and tour their walk in, which when the fish are biting can be pretty frickin cool in the cooler!

http://www.hanaleidolphin.com/index.htm

Love their ono salad - a take on tuna salad, as a snack on saltine crackers. That and some poke and pine makes one great day at the beach. They also make some rustic ono maki rolls ( ono as in yummy, not necessarily the fish itself)

One of our favourite fishes to grill is monchong. If you see it check it out. Nairagi is especially delicious raw if you happen upon it don't miss the opportunity the check it out.

On past trips, I've found Foodland in Kapa'a to have the best poke. Stop by and have a complimentary tasting.

And although it is part of a restaurant group, nothing tops off a day at Polihale or a hike up in the canyon then a post adventure stop at Keoki's for a fish sandwich at the bar during happy hour when the entertainment is heating up. Check their music schedule so you time it right.

Keep your eye on that winter surf from a distance if it's kicking it up. And don't forget about rogue waves!

Hawaiian fish porn!!!

Once had them ship about $500 of catch for a hawaiian feast of 7 fishes for Christmas Eve. Just click on the different fish names to check them out.

http://www.honolulufish.com/fresh-fish/nairagi/

Geez? Hastings? You never ever mentioned you went to law school in any of your posts, let alone Hastings. Wow. Congrats. I didn't know.

Me? I dropped out of hi school to became a poor southern sharecropper. We stow away on slow boats to China each year then hop ship in Hono then ride dolphins over to Kauai.

Lookin_g: Great site for listing Hawaiian Fish and also - what a great idea to order different types for a Holiday fish fry on the mainland.

I never knew Nairagi was really A'u - the name I had heard of for Striped Marlin. Had heard of the other fishes listed on the site - and tried most of them -- and loved Opakapaka (snapper) - perhaps the best being the time we were at the University Club in Honolulu - just so succulent.

And during the first week of our honeymoon - on Big Island before heading on to Kauai - a young chef - trained in France - had started his own place - just 4 tables on the deck of a beach condo by Kona (now closed) - and he made a great needlefish. Never had it before or since - but it was marvelous.

On Maui - have always wanted to try the Moi (aka - Pacific Threadfin) - at Moma's - but they don't always have it available. It's very hard to find these days (in the wild anyway - they do raise some on fish farms) - as are some of the other fish types. It's reportedly a very tender white Fish - once reserved for the Hawaiian Royalty/Ali - and sort of like a Monk fish? or maybe more like an Opakapaka?

http://www.seafoodsource.com/seafoodhandbook.aspx?id=10737418919

LOL Kal: Maybe that's why you are such a good fisherman?

there was no holiday fish fry, no need to chum the waters

Hodeedamnho, Big Guy! Calm down....you aren't the only one to ever go to Kauai...

The Dours are out.

Thanks a million for all the "fishy" info! Mmmmm I can already taste all kinds of fresh fish, especially Ono! Yay, great info here from you all! I will keep checking this in case anybody adds something. Hope I can read this thread on my Iphone while in Hawaii as well...haven't tried that yet!

Songdoc: I'm excited that you've come up with the perfect day exploring the North Shore...I will look for that post! Thanks!

Melissa, it's not fish, but our very own cafegoddess has a restaurant on Oahu. Rumour has it, she make the veeeery best haupia sauce for her french toast and pancakes.

Duke's in Kauai has Taco Tuesday's for $3 in the Barefoot Bar.