Giovanni's Shrimp Truck
It's been said that Kahuku produces three things: shrimp, corn and football players.
If it's shrimp you want, there's no better place than a shrimp truck, and arguably no better shrimp truck than Giovanni's. Shrimp vendors dot the North Shore but watch for the Giovanni's sign, truck and crowds a few miles north of the Polynesian Cultural Center. The graffiti-covered truck is parked along the side of the road, flanked by sticky plastic tables and stray cats. If you want ambiance, head to Honolulu. If you want shrimp, you're in the right place.
The menu offers three shrimpy choices: scampi, hot and spicy, or lemon and butter. Two scoops of rice and a dozen juicy shrimp will set you back $12. Add a drink for a buck.
Let's start with the lemon and butter. It is fine. Compared to all the shrimp you've had in life, it is probably exceptional. Compared to Giovanni's scampi or hot and spicy, it is forgettable. Moving right along...
The hot and spicy shrimp comes with a stern warning, "No refunds!" Are you paying attention? They say that for a reason. I like hot but this is vinegary fire; a heat that climbs up past your nose and grabs hold of your eyeballs, squeezing them until they cry mercy. Unless you're into self-immolation, what you really want is the scampi.
The scampi is transcendental. Plump, juicy shrimp are drowned in butter and garlic. In fact, you'll briefly wonder if your plate contains more garlic than shrimp, but the caramelized garlic is so good that you won't complain. There's enough garlic leftover from the cooking that they spread it across the rice, too. The meal is messy and filling, but I can't get enough. I lick each finger in turn, and then with a discrete look around, lick the paper plate too. Sorry stray cats--this is all mine.
Yes, it's really that yummy.
Tourists take note: Giovanni's is well-positioned for a circle island tour. Start your day around 9am by driving up through Wahiawa and the pineapple fields. Grab shave ice in Haleiwa. Watch turtles and/or surfers on the North Shore then continue along towards Kahuku. Give or take lunchtime you'll be at Giovanni's.
Pull over and stop. You can thank me later.
Related:
→ Make shrimp truck shrimp from the comfort of your own home!
→ Nattokun offers a minimalist review.
→ Only scampi served on the day Reid visited.
THAT is on my list for next year's trip home! Will take your advice on the choices. :)
YES! another person sworn into the Giovanni-cult. Some people say the other trucks are better but I refuse to agree. And thanks for updating, I was waiting.
Oh I'm going to have to disagree on the shrimp from a truck thing, or at least offer a comparative story.
There's something to be said for standing on a dock in Biloxi, Mississippi and waiting for a boat to pull in. The shrimper swings over with a bag and a scoop, finds out how many pounds you want, and weighs them out by hand for a couple of bucks per pound. The little guys were in their cozy bottom-feeding homes about 40 minutes ago, and within the hour, you're back home cleaning, cooking and eating. Glorious.
Kat - you won't regret it.
Anuhea - I've tried a few other trucks and they were good, but there's something about that Giovanni's mystique...
Brian - There are no fresher shrimp than those from the dock, I agree with you there. Assuming Giovanni's gets theirs from the shrimp farms down the street (there are conflicting reports on this), they're pretty fresh as well. It is, however, the preparation that raises them above other shrimp. Having said that, I'd never turn my nose at your Biloxi shrimp either :)
I used to by jars of the Giovanni sauce to bring back to the mainland for making our own shrimp. I can not find the sauce anymore. I heard that they sold their brand and its now named some other name. Can you help me find out what it is so I can order some. Thanks much Rod
Rod, if Giovanni's sells sauce under a different name, I haven't heard about it. Sorry I couldn't be more help. -alan