Saturday, December 31, 2011

Moose McGillycuddy's Pub & Cafe

Moose McGillycuddy's is a pub and cafe located on Lewers St. in Waikiki, on the island of Oahu. There are two other locations on Maui (one in Lahaina and the other in Kihei). The Waikiki branch came first (in 1980), followed by Lahaina (1983) and Kihei (2005).






From 7:30 a.m. to 11 a.m., breakfast is served. Moose McGillycuddy's is home to the "Moose Omelette Challenge," as featured on the Oahu episode of "Man v. Food Nation." The challenge ($23.95) consists of "12 large eggs, bacon, sausage, mushrooms, onions, & melted cheese served with breakfast potatoes and toast." If you finish everything in one hour or less, you'll get your name on their Wall of Fame and a free souvenir T-shirt.

The challenge has likely been there since the Waikiki doors first opened over 30 years ago. I saw several plaques honoring the hundreds of winners. The first winner came in 1980. February 1984 brought one of the challenge's youngest and lightest champions (an 11-year-old boy weighing 72 pounds). Among the fastest to complete the challenge: a man eating everything in about 8.5 minutes!





The first winners of the Moose Omelette Challenge!




The most recent winners!
(photo taken in early December 2011)
If you want a normal breakfast, try their "Moose-Cakes." You can get coconut syrup or maple syrup, and even an option for bananas, macadamia nuts, or pineapple toppings. They come in single, short stack, and full stack sizes (anywhere from $3.50 to $9.95, depending on what you get). But heck, consider their "Big Stack Attack" ($9.95 to $10.95; three eggs on three pancakes, served with bacon) if you want a ton of carbs and protein.

Heck, even the "Hawaiian French Toast" ($10.45) sounds awesome: traditional French toast with three thick slices of Portuguese sweet bread, dusted with powdered sugar, served with choice of bacon, ham, or sausage.

I arrived around noon on a Monday. Since I just missed breakfast time, I opted for one of the pupus (appetizers). I got the BBQ Pork Sliders ($10.45): juicy pulled pork mixed with their house-made BBQ sauce, served on three Hawaiian sweet bread rolls. It came with a side of thinly sliced cabbage to put inside each slider.

BBQ Pork Sliders
(Moose McGillycuddy's Pub & Cafe)

I loved the extremely juicy pork, which also possessed a smoky flavor (kalua pig, anyone?). The tangy BBQ sauce complemented the pork -- and I'm glad it wasn't totally caked in BBQ sauce so I could still appreciate the meat. The sweet rolls were a unique touch that you won't find much (if at all) on the mainland. Light, very fluffy, and even toasted a bit on the inside.

Since it's in Waikiki, parking is hellish if you come at the wrong time. But if you're one of the lucky ones who can just walk here (or get dropped off), I'd try this place out.

From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Moose McGillycuddy's has "Early Happy Hour" with $3 Moose Mai Tais. Their Happy Hour from 4 to 7 p.m. has various drinks for $3 or $4. Furthermore, each night has special offers, only from 4 p.m. onward.

Mondays: Free wings with any two entrees, burgers, or sandwiches
Tuesdays: "Tacolicious Tuesdays" (kalua pig, chicken, mahimahi, calamari steak, or shrimp)
Wednesdays: Burger and fries for $6.95
Thursdays: "Pasta Night" (any two pasta dishes for $18.95)
Fridays: All-you-can-eat Fish and Chips ($13.95)
Saturdays: Steak Night (8 oz. steak, fries, and slaw for $13.95)
Sundays: "Fajita Fiesta Amore" (steak/chicken fajitas for two for $19.95)

Moose McGillycuddy's had friendly service as I waited for my order. Check this place out and try the food (and drinks) for yourself! 7.5/10

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