Uncle Bo’s Pupu Bar and Grill in Oahu
by Sarah McClure
When I travel, I always chat with locals about the best things I should experience, places I should see and restaurants that are unique and run by locals. During my last visit to Oahu, “Uncle Bo’s” kept coming up in conversations, so we decided to take an evening and check out this popular, best-kept secret.
At first glance, Uncle Bo’s Pupu Bar and Grill may seem like a dive bar in a sketchy part of town, however, I encourage you to find a paid parking spot right across the street and head in for some amazing service and unique dishes. Visitors to Honolulu will have an easy time getting here, as Uncle Bo’s is on historic Kapahulu Avenue, just a few blocks from Waikiki.
But wait! What is Pupu? Pupu is a Hawaiian word for appetizers, snacks or finger foods, similar to the traditional Spanish tapas.
So now that you know where Uncle Bo’s is located and what you’ll be eating, let’s head inside!
The bar is brightly lit and gorgeously sparkly with top shelf drinks that can cost hundreds of dollars for a 1 ounce shot.
No, we did not order any of the wildly expensive shots.
But I did discover a new favorite drink, the Lychee Martini!
Since this was our first visit, we relied heavily on our server’s recommendations. She was fun to chat with, ensured our drinks never ran dry and our bellies were full. We ordered 4 plates of pupus to share and were delighted with all of them!
Uncle Bo’s Dynamite Shrimp is coated with a parmesan panko crust and then tossed in a garlic chili aoli.
This does have a bit of a kick, but not overwhelming for a spice-weenie like myself!
Bo’s Big Nachos are piled high with ham, kalua pork, onions, mushrooms and mozzarella cheese.
Caprese Toast Bites are Hawaiian sweet bread smothered in slices of mozzarella, tomato and basil with a mushroom topping.
At first, everyone's favorite was the shrimp. Then the Kalua Pig Sliders arrived and were the main hit. We ended up ordering 2 plates!
The pork is sweet with a pineapple BBQ sauce and served on a toasted sweet taro bun with a bit of cole slaw.
And then dessert… always dessert! Hobos are warm taro beignets served with ice cream and honey sauce. These are fabulous!!
Following suit with the restaurant’s unique style, the restrooms are sensory overload! Be sure to check them out.
I am so happy we decided to head off the beaten path and try a local gem. When you’re ready to plan your visit to Oahu, please reach out for complimentary vacation planning services and we can work to get you a reservation at Uncle Bo’s Pupu Bar and Grill.
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