#12 Ige's Restaurant & 19th Puka

Ige's Restaurant & 19th Puka

Aiea

Category: Gourmet Burgers

Menu Item: The "Classic" Cheeseburger

Price: $8.49 (including fries)

Burger Size: 1/3 lb (~5.3 oz.)

Bun: White

Cheese: American

Toppings: Lettuce, Tomato, Onion, Pickle Spear, Ketchup, Mustard

Description:

Ige's Restaurant and 19th Puka. The name of the restaurant tells you two things: One, It's local, and two, it's a sports bar. I wasn't really planning on doing a burger review for this place, but since I saw "Classic" Cheeseburger on the menu, I decided to give it a shot. Also, I haven't really thought of doing reviews on the burgers that are served at bars but I noticed that every bar I have been to usually has a burger as one of its top food items, so I might try some out for the next few reviews.

The first place to utilize toothpicks

For this review I ordered, yep you guessed it, yet another version of the "Classic" Cheeseburger. So far, no two of the "Classics" have been the same so I don't really understand why restaurants don't just put their name on it. Just call it Ige's cheeseburger. And honestly, this one deserves its own name. The first thing that stood out to me was that the burger came pre-cut in half and had toothpicks holding each half together. From all the reviews I have done, I have seen the burger fully assembled and half assembled, but never fully assembled, cut, and ready to eat. Just a little thing that makes the meal more enjoyable.

Homemade Goodness

The burger came on a white bun and was topped with cheese, lettuce, tomato, onions, ketchup and mustard. It also came with a pickle spear on the side. The burger patty itself was perfect. It had a nice texture, crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. It was also very soft and had a homemade taste to it. Usually, if I feel like I could make the burger myself, I wouldn't like it, but this time I could really appreciate it. They had just the right amount of toppings that didn't take away from the the flavor of the burger patty. Each bite melted together in my mouth and was delicious. As for the fries, they were just okay. Reminded me of those plain fries from The Counter, but the burger made up for it.

Nothin' fancy, just fries...

Verdict:

Ige's "Classic" Cheeseburger was cheap, delicious, and came out pretty quickly. I really enjoyed the homemade taste of the burger. The only minor negative thing about it would be the size. It's one of those burgers that you keep eating because of how good it tastes and it seems to disappear quickly. It wasn't too busy when I went there, but overall it seemed like a nice, chill place where the locals would hang out. If you ever make it out to this area, grab a beer and enjoy the cheeseburger. Auryte!

Grade: B

Ige's Restaurant & 19th Puka

98-761 Oihani Place, Aiea, HI 96701

(808) 486-3500

Mon-Thurs,Sat: 5-9PM, Fri: 5-10 PM, Sun: Closed

http://www.igesrestaurant.com

A. Where to Next? + Manda Guest Blog!

Well. Football Season is here. And being the good fans that we are, Sunday mornings are now dedicated to watching Eagles [and Cowboys GO DALLAS] games...so our blog will probably be slowing down for a bit. I'll compensate by putting other yummy burger things up! :]

So we've already hit the mega-trifecta of Oahu Burger joints: The Counter, Teddy's, and Kua'Aina. Now we'll probably be going to all these smaller restaurants, not so well known but with a reputation for tastiness!

1. Forty Niner Restaurant, Aiea

I've lived in Pearl City/Aiea my entire life, and I have never tried the food at the Forty Niner yet. It's not that the food is bad (it's actually got quite the reputation with the old-timers!), its just...I dunno. I've got plenty of excuses that range from the parking to the fact that it looks so hole-in-the-wall-sketchy. Imagine my surprise when I hear that they supposedly make a pretty good cheeseburger! I actually got scoldings from my grandparents cause I haven't eaten here yet, so if I take Brandon on our usual cheeseburger tasting, then that's two birds with one stone. Win.

2. The Alley Restaurant Bar and Grill, Aiea

One more in Aiea! It makes sense, since we're here all the time anyway. I don't know why didn't do this earlier. But anyway, I always knew Aiea Bowl had its own restaurant, but I've never eaten a meal there. Everyone I know goes here just for the "tasty chicken" so we'll see if they make a good burger as well.

3. I Love Country Café

How many "I Love Country Café" places are left on this island? I know there used to be one at Kahala Mall and there used to be one near Ala Moana, but that one is still closed/closed down cause of the fire a couple years ago! [I cheated. I looked on yelp and apparently, there are a lot.] This one (in the NEX food court) is the only one left that I know of. This burger is supposed to be tasty in that healthy, "local" kinda way. If that means teri-sauce, I know Brandon won't like it (I agree. Teri and cheese...is sorta..like W&M. HAHA). Even if the fries are freaking AMAZING, he'll probably give another teri-burger a...D at best. And I dunno, I have an ominous feeling about teriyaki and this place. Oh well. I want one of those giant slabs of banana bread that they sell at the register.

----------

K those were the 3 main ones I had in mind. More of the Take-Out variety then Gourmet...until I went to Ala Moana last weekend! Brandon and I bought pots and pans from Macy's. I swear, nothing will ever beat their One Day Sale. But anyway,

4. Panya Bistro

Name sounds kinda familiar? Its that Japanese bakery on the Sears side of the mall. Its neighbors with Longs, Victoria's Secret, and Genki sushi! Their baked goods are all nice and flakey. :] It wasn't until I was reading the Ala Moana magazine that I knew about their "hand-crafted" burgers. From the picture, I'm guessing something similar to MOS Burger (I MISSED OUT ON MOS BURGER WHILE I WAS IN TOKYO), a Japanese burger joint.

[THERE USED TO BE A MOS BURGER in Hawaii but I missed it! :(]

K that's all. We went to Teddy's again since our last post, and I swear to the Burger Gods, that that is my favorite burger on this island. So far. ;]