North Shore Oʻahu Food Trucks: Haleʻiwa to Kahuku

Coming from Waikīkī, it takes about an hour by car to get to the north shore depending on traffic. Begin in Hale’iwa on Kamehameha Highway. You’ll find several food truck parks here along with sit-down restaurants and shave ice stands. Sometimes food trucks can be easy to miss, as some are tucked off the road in nondescript parking lots, so keep an eye out for any signs. Keep heading north past Waimea Bay, Sharks Cove and Sunset Beach (where you’ll want to stop for haupia-chocolate pie at Ted's Bakery) until you reach Kahuku. It takes about 30 minutes with no stops, again, depending on traffic. This is where the majority of shrimp trucks are, although there are also shrimp trucks in Hale’iwa town. Don’t just head to Giovanni's — the most popular shrimp truck on the North Shore — and call it a day. You’d be missing out on a ton of good food.

You may hit traffic, since there’s only one main road. I recommend going early when food trucks first open or at off-hours. Try to avoid the weekends, otherwise you’ll hit long lines and packed parking lots.

Pebbles

Located in the same food truck lot as Giovanni’s Haleiwa, Pebble’s Soda Truck is where I go if I’m in need of cooling off. This baby blue food truck is essentially a drink truck, offering refreshing beverages like pineapple smoothies alongside lemonade, sodas and waters mixed with tropical syrups. I like the sparkling water with mango syrup and coconut creamer, because it’s light and crisp, although some might think it’s too sweet. It’s a pretty large size, so you definitely get value here. I could see kids enjoying the lemonades and smoothies.

• Location: 66-472 Kamehameha Hwy, Haleʻiwa, HI 96712
• What to order: Pineapple smoothies and tropical-flavored drinks
• Prices: Under $10
• Hours: 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
• Parking: Yes, $2 per vehicle

Big Wave Shrimp Truck

If shrimp is what you’re hankering for, definitely go to Big Wave Shrimp Truck. Hawaiʻi-raised Max and Jake Nowicki run the joint, which was featured on the Food Network’s “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives” in 2010 for its plate lunches. You can get the beloved garlic shrimp here, and there’s also spicy or lemon and pepper shrimp, all served with a side of Caesar salad. The seasoning is bold and flavorful, plus the shrimp have already been peeled, which makes it easier to chow down. You can also opt for coconut shrimp or regular fried shrimp. Or skip the shrimp altogether and go for steak, kalbi or fish and chips.

• Location: 66-521 Kamehameha Hwy, Haleʻiwa, HI 96712
• What to order: Shrimp plate lunch
• Prices: Ranges from $17.50 to $22 per plate
• Hours: 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
• Parking: Yes, parking lot for customers only

Ohana Yummy BBQ

If you can’t decide between sushi rolls, poke, Korean or local island cuisine, just head over to Ohana Yummy BBQ. This family-owned food truck features a vast menu of plate lunches like kalbi and meat jun alongside an array of poke flavors, and even sushi rolls. The karaage chicken and poke combo plate is a hearty choice, with the crispy chicken contrasting against soft bites of fresh ʻahi mixed with spicy mayo and jalapenos. The plate had plenty of poke and just a few pieces of chicken, but it was still enough to share between two people.

• Location: 66-235 Kamehameha Hwy, Haleʻiwa, HI 96712
• What to order: Poke bowls and plate lunches
• Prices: Ranges from $15 to $20 per plate
• Hours: 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
• Parking: Yes, free parking shared with Khankham Thai Food Truck.

Crispy Grindz Haleiwa

I was recently put onto Brazilian acai, and there’s no turning back for me. Crispy Grindz Haleʻiwa has those refreshing yet velvety bowls of frozen acai generously topped with fresh fruit, crunchy granola, bee pollen and a variety of other toppings to choose from. You can also order Brazilian street food favorites hard to find on Oʻahu, like pastel and coxinha. Both are fried, savory bites stuffed with meat or cheese that are perfect fuel after a long surf session, or to bring back into town.

• Location: 66-236 Kamehameha Hwy, Haleʻiwa, HI 96712
• What to order: Acai bowls, pastel and coxinha
• Prices: A small acai bowl is $10.00, and the street food items are less than $10 each
• Hours: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Parking: Yes, there’s a few spaces in front

Khankham Thai Food Truck

If you’re craving some spice, stop at Khankham Thai Food Truck. This hidden gem may be hard to find, as it’s tucked underneath a big tree, but it’s worth seeking out. The menu is massive, boasting smaller dishes like summer rolls and shrimp satay to the popular pad thai, spicy beef salad and drunken noodles. Portions are large, and dishes are flavorful enough to rival most decent Thai restaurants I’ve been to. A stand-out is their Thai-style take on garlic shrimp, cooked with a tangy, spicy sauce and served with rice. If it’s mango season, definitely order a mango sticky rice for dessert.

• Location: 66-235 Kamehameha Hwy, Haleʻiwa, HI 96712
• What to order: Thai spicy garlic shrimp and mango sticky rice
• Prices: Around $20 per plate
• Hours: 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
• Parking: Yes, free parking

The famous shrimp truck strip runs along Kamehameha Highway around the Kahuku Sugar Mill area, 15 minutes east of Haleʻiwa town. Five main trucks are worth knowing about; the rest are variations or copycats.

Giovanni’s Shrimp Truck (Kahuku & Haleʻiwa)

When talking about food trucks on Oʻahu’s North Shore, it’s tough not to mention Giovanni’s Shrimp Truck, the white truck graffitied with people’s signatures. Giovanni’s has trucks in both Haleʻiwa and Kahuku. Kahuku came first, Haleʻiwa came the following year. Since the 90s, Giovanni’s has been slinging out three types of buttery, garlicky shrimp with two scoops of white rice – the classic scampi, hot and spicy and lemon butter. Due to its popularity, Giovanni’s gets packed as the day goes on and the parking lot hits capacity around noon. I arrived shortly after 10:30 a.m., and there was already a short line. But since they have their system down pat, plates are served almost immediately. My shrimp scampi plate was piled high with enough shrimp to feed two people. However, these are previously frozen shrimp, so some may not think it’s worth the price tag. Be prepared to get your hands in your meal, as you do have to peel the shell off. There are picnic tables to eat at, just watch out for the many flies and chickens that will bother you as you eat.

• Two Locations: 56-505 Kamehameha Hwy, Kahuku, HI 96731 and 66-472 Kamehameha Hwy, Haleiwa, HI 96712
• What to order: Shrimp scampi
• Prices: $17.50 per plate
• Hours: 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Parking: Yes, $2 per vehicle (Kahuku)

Romy's Kahuku Prawns & Shrimp

This farm-to-truck operation relocated from its original spot near the old shrimp ponds to a roadside lot with large tents where you can sit down to eat. The Butter Garlic Scampi is the truckʻs signature dish, but the Sweet Kahuku Shrimp and Sweet & Spicy Prawns are also popular. The prawns from this truck have a reputation for being larger than other trucks serve, and are also the only ones with the head still on. In my opinion, the shoyu spicy dipping sauce is the real winner, helping to cut the rich butteriness. A single plate has the standard shrimp and two scoops of rice, but a combo comes with corn, salad and a drink. At Romy’s, you can also try some more unique dishes not found at other shrimp trucks, such as butter garlic edamame that’s great to share and a bone-in sunfish that’s been deep fried and served with two dipping sauces. Try to get here before the hunger pangs hit, as many people complain the food takes a long time to be prepared.

• Location: 56-1030 Kamehameha Hwy, Kahuku, HI 96731
• What to order: Butter Garlic Scampi, deep fried sunfish
• Prices: Around $12.75–$14.95 per plate
• Hours: Daily 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., closes at 3 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday
• Parking: Free lot on-site plus street parking (fills fast)

Jenny's Shrimp Truck

The underrated pick compared to Giovaniʻs, even though it’s just right down the street. These little crustaceans are the focal point of Jenny’s no-fuss menu, with a handful of options ranging from butter garlic, spicy, lemon pepper, spicy garlic, and fried coconut shrimp. There are also fried fish sticks, if that’s up your alley. Each plate comes with around nine butterflied shrimp, two scoops of white rice and a small side salad – the perfect amount for one hungry person. Some say the shrimp are smaller than at other trucks, but almost always cooked to a plump, juicy perfection.

• Location: 66-532 Kamehameha Hwy, Haleʻiwa, HI 96712
• What to order: Spicy Garlic Shrimp Plate, Coconut Shrimp and Butter Garlic Shrimp
• Prices: About $13–$16 per plate
• Hours: Open daily 10 a.m. to 6:15 p.m.
• Parking: Small parking lot

First time and want the classic: Giovanni's. It's the original and the reason the whole strip exists.

Skip the line and go to Haleʻiwa for the best: Big Wave Shrimp Truck

If you only have time for one stop: Do the classic North Shore shrimp trucks, but go to Haleʻiwa where you can find both Giovanni's (the OG) and Big Wave Shrimp Truck (my favorite).

If you have a full day: Do both. Stop in Haleʻiwa town for shave ice and poke, go to the beach and finish with shrimp trucks in Kahuku.

If you're traveling with kids: Haleʻiwa town is easier. The lines are often shorter and there is more food variety.

9:30–10:30 a.m.: Drive from Waikīkī to Haleʻiwa

10:30–11:30 a.m.: Visit food trucks near town center.

11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.: Have a beach day at Waimea Bay or go snorkeling at Sharks Cove (best in summer months).

1:30-2:30 p.m.: Drive to Kahuku, hit Giovanni's Shrimp Truck.

2:30–3:30 p.m.: Stop for chocolate-haupia cream pie at Ted’s Bakery near Sunset Beach and head back to Waikīkī before 4:00 p.m. to avoid traffic (although you will hit some at any time of the day).