Cary and Eddie’s Hideaway in Kahului has long been a local Maui favorite—especially with politicians. It’s where Councilwoman Charmaine Tavares recently kicked off her mayor campaign. At press time Upcountry council candidate Gladys Baisa was scheduled to hold a fundraising luncheon there on Feb. 23.
It must be the buffet.
Nestled behind First Hawaiian Bank, the restaurant offers a delicious variety of traditional American and Hawaiian foods along with a hearty salad and dessert bar. When the hostess seats you she presents you with a full menu. Of course, those familiar with Cary and Eddie’s are quick to hand it back and make their way to the buffet, which costs $20.99 per person.
I’m a fan of starting in the center of the main dining room, at the salad bar. The giant island is divided into two parts. The first holds your traditional salad fixings, lettuce, tomatoes, broccoli, etc. The other has a variety of prepared salads like potato, pasta, three-bean and cole slaw. While I enjoy a few greens before my main course, those of you who hate eating their vegetables will be happy to hear the buffet always includes beanless chili and a soup du jour.
Once you’re done with your first course or if you just can’t wait to dig into the real food, be prepared to make some difficult decisions. Cary and Eddie’s offers so many main courses you’ll have to make more than one trip. To the right of the salad bar there’s a table stocked with American food: on the other side, Hawaiian specialties.
The American is mostly stocked with barbecue favorites. Meat-wise you can choose from incredibly tender ribs, barbecued chicken, catch of the day and a local main entree like ham hock stew. There’s also a vegetable du jour and paniolo baked beans. When I ate at Cary and Eddie’s last week, they also offered a delicious spicy seafood dish loaded with clams, mussels, shrimp and scallops. The seafood was tender and the broth reminiscent of an herby bouillabaisse.
On the Hawaiian side of the buffet, the kalua pig and cabbage is dynamite. The cabbage is soft but still crunchy and the pork pieces fall apart in your mouth. The beef luau also has a perfect combination of greens and tender meat chunks. The teriyaki chicken tastes similar to the barbecued variety. Both of which are drenched in a mouth watering sauce that’s maple-sweet but still tangy. If you haven’t had enough or you’re still looking for more to try, you can help yourself to chicken lau lau, chicken long rice, or poi and lomi lomi.
They also offer a full menu with salads, prime rib, sandwiches and king crab legs, but really, you want the buffet. Political candidates come and go, but the buffet never disappoints. MTW
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