Lil T Cup Cafe in Aiea

Turkey & Bacon Guava Jam Burger

Looking for a new place to lunch, I found Lil T Cup Cafe on Yelp. Located in Aiea Town Square, Lil T Cup Cafe serves up coffees, cold brews, lattes, teas and matcha as well as sandwiches, musubis, and plates. The cafe also offers Lil Tea Time at a special launch rate of $27/seat. Tea Time is offered 8am-3pm on weekdays, and 10am-3pm on Saturdays.

On our visit, we spoke with cafe owner Marisa and she recommended the Turkey and Bacon Guava Jam Burger made with house made bacon guava jam. My friend got Da Betty - a cheeseburger with bacon guava jam served on toasted sourdough. We both enjoyed our sandwiches and the bacon guava jam was definitely the highlight.

Da Betty

Spacious dining area

What's also impressive is the size of the dining area where you are welcomed to hang out. According to their website, Lil T Cup Cafe exists for the community: to uplift local artisans, support underrepresented voices, and offer a space where kindness, creativity, and care lead the way. Check out their IG for community events. 

Lil T Cup Cafe
99-080 Kauhale St # C4-C5
Aiea, Hawaii 96701-4116

Closed Mondays and Sundays

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Dragon Burger in Midtown Eats

 

Yuzu Kosho Burger

I finally made it to Midtown Eats, a huge dining hall located at The Park on Keeaumoku that is home to thirteen eateries and a bar. There are so many great dining options, but I love a good burger so I decided on Dragon Burger. 

Dragon Burger features Kyoto-style smash burger patties and flavors served on milk-bread buns. They offer 4 types of burgers with their most popular being the Yuzu Kosho burger. The burger was juicy, delicious and full of flavor. The fries were also very good. They serve only 150 burgers a day and no burgers on Wednesdays when it's limited to ramen. They are open daily from 11am to 2pm and 5pm to 8pm.

Lots of seating in front of Dragon Burger

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Seven Brothers - Kahuku Sugar Mill

We've gone to Seven Brothers in Haleiwa and Laie multiple times, but for the first time, we went to the Kahuku Sugar Mill location.

Since I don't eat burgers, I got my usual Keiki Grilled Cheese (which comes with fries).

Keiki Grilled Cheese

I always have to get the Crazy Fries, which are topped with caramelized onions, cheese, and their house sauce.  

Crazy Fries

Seth's Seven Brothers Cheeseburger

Seek's Deep Blue

The Seek's was topped with bacon, Swiss, bleu cheese, ranch, BBQ sauce, and house sauce.  

Shem

The Shem consisted of guac, bacon, American cheese, and the house sauce.  

The fam loves the burgers.  

Service was amazing!

Seven Brothers Kahuku Sugar Mill
56-565 Kamehameha Hwy

Kahuku, HI 96731

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Visit Nevada: Shake Shack

Shake Shack is always a good option for quick, but good fast food.  I don't eat burgers, so I usually order a chicken sandwich, but this time I decided to try the 'Shroom Burger - a fried portobello stuffed with cheese!

'Shroom Burger

It was so delicious - I would definitely order it again.  

We also got various other burgers, as well as a bunch of sides and sweet treats (I finally tried the frozen custard!). 

You can opt for single or double patties, and customize the burgers with various toppings (for extra). 

Bacon Cheeseburger

Avocado Bacon Cheeseburger

Onion Rings

Parmesan Fries

Shack Stack

Cheese Fries

Chocolate Frozen Custard

Shake Shack always satisfies!

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Burgers & Burritos Hawaii

I rarely eat burgers, but I tried a burger at Burgers & Burritos Hawaii when they opened their brick & mortar on Kapahulu a few years ago, and I was a fan.  They have since closed their shop and can be found at various farmers markets throughout the island.  We recently got some burgers & burritos and more when they were at the Mililani Farmers Market (Sundays).   

Chili Verde Plate

1K (Classic) Burger

The Classic Burger was topped with cheese, lettuce, tomato, onions, and house dressing.

Steak & Eggs Breakfast Burrito

"Hawaiian Burger"

The "Hawaiian" Burger had bleu cheese, bacon, pineapple, lettuce, pico salsa, aioli, and mustard.

Strawberry Lemonade

Follow them on IG to find out where they'll be!

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Carl OG3 Burger Shop

I don’t eat burgers as often these days, but I’ll always make an exception for a good smash burger. So when my running friend asked me to check out Carl OG3 Burger Shop, I didn’t even hesitate!

Located in Honolulu on Young Street, Carl OG3 has a fun twist: by day, it’s actually located in Japanese yakiniku restaurant that only operates at night, so during the day, you can find Carl OG3's smash burger shop, and by night, it transforms into Japanese B.B.Q. Yoshi—a Japanese-style yakiniku spot. 

Parking’s limited—just a few stalls out front—but we lucked out and found a spot. My friend got the Classic Cheeseburger (grass-fed beef), and I went for the Wagyu Cheeseburger (just a few bucks more), which is made with Snake River Farms Premium American Wagyu Beef. Naturally, I added a side of fries—burgers and fries just go together.

When our food came out, we were hyped—and it delivered. The burger was juicy, flavorful, and perfectly smashed, with a bun that held it all together like a champ.

The fries were fine, but nothing special. A little truffle salt or a creative dip would’ve taken them up a notch.

That said, Carl OG3 Burger Shop is a solid spot for a burger fix!

____________________________________

CARL OG3 BURGER SHOP

1316 YOUNG STREET

OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK

@carl_OG3_ojisan

 

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The Daley

The Daley is known for their smash burgers.  They have a very limited menu, with just a Daley Burger, Double Down, and a Beyond Burger, plus a few extras, so you know they mastered their craft when it comes to smash burgers.

The Kauai grass-fed beef burgers are topped with their signature Boss Sauce, as well as cheese and grilled onions.  

Everyone loved both the the beef burgers, including the Beyond Burger.  

Of course you must order a side of their Crinkle Cut Fries.

Order online to minimize your wait time!

The Daley
1110 Nuuanu Ave
Honolulu, HI 96817

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Visit California: In-N-Out Burger

It's common for us to stop at an In-N-Out Burger when in California.  We went to one in Redondo Beach, and the line was the longest I've ever seen for an In-N-Out.  However, there were two employees taking orders at the vehicles (vs having the drivers order at the speaker), so the line moved pretty quickly.

My personal go-to is the Animal-Style Grilled Cheese, since I don't eat a lot of beef.  It's so filling, and I don't miss the beef at all.

Others in my family ordered Cheeseburgers and Double-Doubles.  We also ordered regular Fries and Animal-Style Fries.

Animal Fries

In-N-Out Burger never disappoints!

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Visit California: Habit Burger & Grill

Even though I went to college in SoCal, it wasn't until years after I graduated did I try California-based Habit Burger & Grill, which happened to have a spot at the University of Southern California.  I loved it, and on our recent trip to SoCal I wanted to get food from there again.

They are known for their chargrilled burgers, but they also have chicken sandwiches, shakes, and more!

OREO Cookie Shake

Strawberry Shake

Tempura Avocado Wedges

Crispy Chicken Bites

Fries

BBQ Bacon Charburger

Charburger with Cheese

Sweet Potato Fries

We all loved the food.  The burgers looked fantastic!  The Crisp Chicken Bites were seasoned nicely, and very crisp on the outside and tender on the inside.

I tried the Tempura Avocado Wedges, and I really liked them!  My son, who shared it with me, liked the Sweet Potato Fries better. 

There are Habit Burger & Grill locations throughout the West & East coasts!

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Visit Salt Lake City: Crown Burgers

Crown Burgers is a Utah chain known for their namesake Crown Burger - a quarter pound hamburger with Thousand Island dressing, lettuce, tomato, onions, cheese, and loads of pastrami.

Crown Burger

Everyone in my family who ordered it loved it.

Bacon Cheeseburger

The burgers were enormous!

3 Piece Chicken Strips with Fries

Onion Rings

Fries

The location we visited was very busy, and other locations we passed by were also busy.  

The restaurants are clean, the food comes out quickly, the service is friendly, and the food is good!

Click here to find a location. 

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