Fodor's Expert Review Honolulu Burger Co.

Owner Ken Takahashi retired as a nightclub impresario on the Big Island to become a real-life burger king. This modest storefront is the home of the locavore burger, made with range-fed beef, Manoa lettuce, tomatoes, and a wide range of toppings, all island-grown—and you can taste the difference. Go classic with a single hand-shaped patty, the meat loosely packed to let the juices run free, or one of Takahashi's creations such as the Miso Kutie burger topped with red miso glaze and Japanese cucumber slices. The Buta Kau Kau Burger—with bacon, black forest ham, house-made kalua pork, and barbecue sauce—is artery-clogging perfection. Don't forget the truffle fries. Get a milkshake, too.