Da Kine’s Hawaiian Plate Lunch Spot Returns After 11 Year Hiatus

To the joy of diners who loved its local Hawaiian grinds, Da Kine’s Plate Lunches has returned with a new eatery on Linda Vista Road 11 years after closing its well-liked location on Mission Boulevard in Pacific Beach as well as an outpost in National City. Founded in 1997 by Hawaiian native Nelson Ishii, also known as “Uncle Nelson”, Da Kine’s has been operating as a catering outfit for the last decade but Ishii was convinced to reopen a brick-and-mortar restaurant after popular demand.

Da Kine’s original menu is back, featuring the chef’s recipes for teriyaki chicken with his signature sauce, smoked kalua pork with shredded cabbage, chicken katsu, and Korean-style ribs, baked fish, and classic loco moco along with Spam musubi and Polynesian-style mashed taro. All plate lunches come with two scoops of steamed white rice and either macaroni salad or a green salad.

A grand opening is scheduled from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, October 19, when all plate lunches will be half-off. Da Kine’s will extend its hours starting that weekend, operating from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday going forward..

Courtesy photo