Business & Tech

A Taste From the Islands

L&L Hawaiian Barbecue in Lakewood brings islander cuisine to the suburban Towne Center strip mall. Feel the warm environment and delicious food at this uncommon chain restaurant.

A visit to the islands is as close as when you’re hungry in Lakewood.

This establishment brings Polynesian cuisine to the Lakewood Towne Center and is sandwiched between and .

Life seems easygoing at L&L. A young group of cashiers greeted me. Ruen Esparza, the restaurant’s cook, diced up meals on a styrofoam plate in the kitchen. Yes, things are easygoing. But they're effective, too.

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L&L delivers ethnic food rich with flavor. The food portions are hefty. They're referred to as a lunch plate. I barely finished my BBQ beef ($7.75 with two scoops of rice and macaroni salad).

The beef was tender, sweet and didn't have much fat. I doused my rice with soy sauce and poured teriyaki sauce onto the meat, adding more juice. I dipped my meat lightly in chili sauce for a spicy kick.

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A friendly greeting and the smell of traditional Hawaiian food are the first two things you notice when walking into L&L. A warm breeze and friendly greeting are the first two things you notice when stepping off the plane in Hawaii.

Notice the subtle differences.

L&L was formed in 1976 on Liliha Street in Honolulu, HI. In 1999, it expanded operations to the mainland. It has been in Lakewood for four years. People across the world—from New Zealand to Japan—are eating L&L's Hawaiian-style food.

From the old Hawaiian tradition of kalua & Lau Lau combo ($11.50) to the BBQ mix plate ($8.95), flavorful meat is the feature. The loco moco (savory homemade hamburger patties over rice covered with brown gravy and topped with eggs) is a staple on the islands and featured on the menu. You can even do a spam and egg sandwich ($3.25 single, $5.95 double).

With its tropical atmosphere and island background music, L&L brings visitors close to Hawaii.

Aloha!


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