Whenever I go to the Windward side of Oahu, I always make it a point to stop by Boots & Kimo’s Homestyle Kitchen. This Kailua restaurant has been a popular staple for breakfast for both locals and tourists. In 2005-2006, Boots & Kimo’s was featured in Honolulu Advertiser’s ‘Hawaii’s Best Restaurants’ in the Breakfast category.
I usually only have time to go on Saturday or Sunday mornings for breakfast, the restaurant’s peak serving times. During weekend mornings, expect to wait anywhere from 30 – 60 minutes depending on how many people are in your party. As soon as you drive to Boots & Kimo’s, you already see a crowd waiting outside this tiny hole-in-the-wall restaurant. Parking is available on the street.
We went on a Saturday morning, and as usual, there was a mass of people in front of the restaurant waiting. However, the wait wasn’t too bad – about 30 minutes – probably since there were only two of us. A change that the restaurant has made since I first starting eating there is now, a server comes outside to give you a menu and take your order while you are waiting. When our table was ready, they quickly brought our drinks and our food came out almost immediately after.
Although Boots & Kimo’s is a homestyle kitchen, you almost feel like you’re in a sports bar when you walk in. The walls (and ceiling!) are filled with sports memorabilia, including a large collection of Wheaties boxes featuring various athletes.
Boots & Kimo’s is best known for their macadamia nut sauce. Rumor has it that this sauce is so popular that the Betty Crocker Company wanted to manufacture it. They also have great omelettes (they even have one called “Pakalolo Omelette”) and delicious sugar cured bacon. That morning, we decided to order a Sugar Cured Bacon Omelette (made with extra lean crispy bacon smothered with Haleakala Swiss cheese), Huelo Paniolo Omelette “Boots & Kimo’s Favorite” (corned beef, Kula onion, tomatoes, & melted Haleakala Swiss cheese), and a short stack of Banana Pancakes with Kimo’s Macadamia Nut Sauce.
The Sugar Cured Bacon Omelette was really simple, but the bacon is so good and crispy that you wouldn’t want anything else to take away from its flavor. The bacon and cheese is really all you need. The omelettes are served with a choice of starch.
The Huelo Paniolo Omelette “Boots & Kimo’s Favorite” had a bit more complexity to it. This omelette is great for corned beef fans, like many locals are. When I go out to breakfast, my favorite is corned beef hash, eggs, & rice. At Boots & Kimo’s, it’s like you’re getting all of that and then some.
Last, but definitely not least, came the short stack of “banana mac” pancakes. This is what everyone goes to Boots & Kimo’s for and is a definite must-try. The banana pancakes are extremely soft. If you don’t like bananas, they also offer plain pancakes. Kimo’s Macadamia Nut Sauce is light, creamy, not too sweet, and has a somewhat frothy consistency. The sauce almost reminds you of melted macadamia nut ice cream. With the combination of the soft pancakes and creamy sauce, it just melts in your mouth with every bite!
The most criticism that this restaurant has received is about the service. The staff is not the friendliest and customers feel a bit rushed while dining there. Expect to hear staff yelling out orders. Despite this, Honolulu Advertiser has still described Boots & Kimo’s as “Inexpensive, with lots of aloha.” Dine there and decide for yourself.
Final thoughts: On the day that I went, the service was mediocre. The food, everything else aside, is always onolicious. If you’re on the Windward side and want a breakfast made with lots of fresh local ingredients, try Boots & Kimo’s. The macadamia nut sauce alone is worth the trip!
| Service: |   |
Average |
| Food: | |
Above Average |
| Atmosphere: |  |
Below Average + |
| Overall Value: | |
Average |
Boots & Kimo
131 Hekili St Kailua, HI 96734-2866
Phone: 808.263.7929
Hours:
Tues-Fri 7:00am - 2:00pm
Sat-Sun 6:30am - 2:30pm
CASH ONLY
Other Popular Reviews:
Oh, those pancakes look soooo yummy! I love that they’re so drenched in sauce that I can barely see any pancake! This place sounds like it’s definitely worth a shot =)
The picture of the pancake is calling me!! =) Def. would try it when Im in the Windward side!