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Da Kine's Plate Lunches

2400 Historic Decatur Road, San Diego, CA - (619) 581-5613
Posted By Michael Stern on 6/20/2009 10:03:00 PM
Belen Ishii, who owns Da Kine’s with her husband Nelson explained to us that the name of the restaurant means “the stuff” in Hawaii’s pidgin English. Beyond that, she couldn’t really explain the logic of the name, except to say that Da Kine is a phrase that is true and pure Hawaiian.

This Hawaiian cuisine is not romanticized Polynesian; it is working-person’s plate lunch. Mrs. Ishii told us that citizens of the 50th state love to eat large portions of Kalua pig, which is a super-soft kind of steamed/barbecued pulled pork mixed with faintly pickly cabbage; they eat chicken Katsu and soy/sesame marinated ribs; and they eat Spam. Hawaiians love Spam in all forms, and you will find it on Da Kine’s menu cooked with eggs, sliced into twigs in the Saimin soup, and as a big rectangular flap of pinkness atop a tube of sticky rice that is wrapped in seaweed like a jumbo hunk of sushi. Recently, Roadfooder Malia wrote to tell us that this dish is known as Spam musubi to Hawaiians who "eat it all the time."

These truly unusual meals are served without pretense or ceremony, on paper plates with plastic utensils. Place your order at the cash register and wait for your number to be called. Meanwhile, find a table, preferably outdoors, with a view of the ocean, beyond the nearby motels, then carry your own tray of food. When finished, you can dispose of your plate in handy garbage cans situated around the patio.

There is a second location of Da Kine’s at 1635 Sweetwater Rd, Suite H, National City, CA 619-477-8494.

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4 - Overall: One of the Best - Worth a Trip
Overall: One of the Best - Worth a Trip
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To us, this looked like an Hawaiian trompe l'oeil: spam and rice wrapped in seaweed to resemble sushi. In fact, an eagle-eyed Roadfood user named Malia wrote to tell us that it is the popular Hawaiian dish known as Spam musubi.
"To us, this looked like an Hawaiian trompe l'oeil: spam and rice wrapped in seaweed to resemble sushi. In fact, an eagle-eyed Roadfood user named Malia wrote to tell us that it is the popular Hawaiian dish known as Spam musubi."
Michael Stern





Teriyaki chicken and beef plus kalua pig were all included on this sampler meal we toted back from the service line.
"Teriyaki chicken and beef plus kalua pig were all included on this sampler meal we toted back from the service line."
Michael Stern


A picnic table, a paper plate, and the San Diego sun all add to the goodness of this excellent crisp-cooked mahi-mahi.
"A picnic table, a paper plate, and the San Diego sun all add to the goodness of this excellent crisp-cooked mahi-mahi."
Michael Stern


Earthy kalua pig is here teamed up with a rich and hearty loco moco (burger and brown gravy with a fried egg on top). Scoops of rice and macaroni salad are the traditional accompaniments.
"Earthy kalua pig is here teamed up with a rich and hearty loco moco (burger and brown gravy with a fried egg on top). Scoops of rice and macaroni salad are the traditional accompaniments."
Dale Fine


Service at Da Kine's is do-it-yourself. Study this menu on the wall, place your order and pay, then carry your food to a table on the patio or indoors.
"Service at Da Kine's is do-it-yourself. Study this menu on the wall, place your order and pay, then carry your food to a table on the patio or indoors. "
Michael Stern


Low prices, honest food, and a breezy attitude make Da Kine's an estimable Roadfood destination.
"Low prices, honest food, and a breezy attitude make Da Kine's an estimable Roadfood destination."
Michael Stern



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