Hawaiian Barbecue Debuts This Week In Katy

Move over, poke — this week, iconic Hawaiian chain L&L Hawaiian Grill will open its doors in Katy, bringing an entirely different island favorite to the area.

The restaurant announced the opening date for its first Houston-area outpost at 2404 Texmati Drive in Katy on Facebook. Founded in the Honolulu neighborhood of Liliha in 1976, the chain operates multiple locations in Hawaii, and brought its first restaurant to the mainland in 1999. Since, it’s embarked on a massive expansion, opening locations in Washington, Nevada, Colorado, Tennessee, Texas, and New York, among other locales.

For those unfamiliar with the chain, it’s known for Hawaii’s take on a barbecue-based plate lunch. Grilled or fried proteins, like chicken katsu and barecue short ribs, are served with two scoops of rice, and chilled macaroni salad, a ubiquitous Hawaiian side. Cheeseburgers, kalua pork, and fried shrimp are also along with the menu, along with Loco Moco, the combination of hamburger patties, fried eggs, brown gravy, and rice that is one of the state’s most famous dishes.

L&L Hawaiian Grill is expected to debut in Katy on Friday. Eater has reached out for more details on the restaurant’s hours of operation.