L&L Hawaiian Barbecue, which specializes in Hawaiian comfort food, opened its fifth Colorado location recently in Boulder. The company, which was founded in Oahu in 1976, serves barbecue chicken and beef bowls, Kalua pork, chicken katsu and other dishes.
But it bases its menu on something called the “Hawaiian plate lunch,” which the restaurant’s owners describe as two servings of rice, macaroni salad, plus a choice of protein. “This dish dates back to wage laborers in 19th-century sugar plantations and pineapple fields, who brought rice and other leftovers to work in compartmentalized tins,” L&L said.
“Lunches were often shared, resulting in a harmonious mix of home recipes from Japan, China, the Philippines, Portugal, Korea, and even New England.”
L&L’s menu also includes other uniquely Hawaiian dishes like: Loco Moco, which consists of hamburger patties served on rice, with brown gravy and fried eggs; and Spam Musubi, which is grilled Spam, served on rice and wrapped in dried seaweed.
The Boulder franchise, at 2323 30th St., is owned by Matt Coty and Jazmin Brooks. L&L also has two locations in Aurora, one in Denver and one in Colorado Springs (with a second Colorado Springs store coming soon). The company currently has more than 225 locations in 15 states.