Succulent deliciousness. Â The scampi is divine.
Love the openness of the Kahuku location. Â Unfortunately in Haiewa, we were swayed by the Yelper's review of the wannabe Cajun truck. Never again, we were distracted for a bland minute but Giovanni, we are back and we are yours.
Sorry you are no longer selling your marinade. Sob.
SCRIMPS!!!
Gotta have the shrimp truck shrimp if you're visiting the islands... It's the hype right now & let.me.tell.you, it is WORTH the hype!
Giovanni's is located just on the side of the main Kamehameha highway on North shore. It literally is a truck with a little area of tables that you can sit to eat.
They have a few options of plate flavors to choose from. I got the Shrimp scampi plate and CJ got the hot and spicy plate. All plates come with a good amount of shrimp and a hefty serving of rice. YUM!
****CASH ONLY PEOPLE!****
I can't remember exactly how much, but according to other yelpers it is about $13 a place (I could've sworn it was more expensive but whatever)
They call out your number and voila! Deliciousness is served.
Be aware, that you have to unshell the shrimp yourself (I'm asian so I could pretty much do it in my sleep, CJ is still learning how to get a little seafood dirty). The shrimp scampi plate is freakkin' amazing. CJ couldn't handly the hot and spicy shrimp -- I don't blame him, my mouth was on FIYA when I ate it, but it's soo good that I kept eating it.
We could've shared a plate because there was a good amount of shrimp, however, being the fatties that we are, we still ended up eating every last little bite off the two plates.
Overall, just as delicious as I thought it would be... but for the price, meh.
Soooo....this place is okay, I went twice once with a friend and once alone. I liked it but I don't know if it's really worth the drive.
It's pretty hard to miss, there's a big truck with a seating area right in front of it that's got a huge roof over it. If you have a sharpie you can sign on the truck as with everyone else has.
The full size order is about $13 and they're also CASH only. A must try has to be the shrimp scampi, it's their most popular choice. You can also get a half size plate for half the price. Each one comes with rice.
The spicy......well....let's just say if you ate it in say Las Vegas you'd have just entered hell and aren't coming out of it. Not only will your mouth feel like it's on fire, you'd probably end up sweating a lot if it's not cool out!
They have other foods and small shops around as well, but I didn't visit those.
Every time we are in Hawaii we make the drive to this Shrimp Truck! And it's always worth it, we love the garlic on the shrimp scampi.
Make sure to bring cash ($13) and lots of hand wipes! We went during the week and there was a line but we got the food quickly. I've come on the weekend and you have to wait in longer lines and then wait again for your food.
Giovanni's in Kahuku is my all time FAVORITE shrimp truck, anywhere!
I went two weeks ago at 6 p.m. Â I was afraid they might be winding down and might be spotty on the availability but fortunately I was very wrong. Â We got a full sized Shrimp Scampi and a half-sized one as well. $13 + $6.50.
One bite into the shrimp, after savoring the garlic/butter coating, Â and I was transported to ...somewhere way beyond shrimp heaven! Â So worth the drive. Â Every time I come up here I say the same thing. Â So worth the drive!
The lemon wedge with the shrimp and rice was well, the icing on the heavenly shrimp cake. Â
If you love garlic, lots and lots of garlic--on your shrimp, in your shrimp and on your rice, Giovanni's IS the best. Â Go, get yours ...in Kahuku.
super flavorful and tasty but not worth the 1 hour drive from waikiki. Â however, i do recommend trying this place at least once. Â there is casual open outdoor seating but flies were getting all over me (and one landed on my garlic rice. boo!). Â shrimps are not de-shelled so be prepared to put in a little work. a communal sink is located at the back of the seating area. and arm yourself with plenty of napkins!
get the shrimp scampi. lemon butter comes a very close second.
i'd definitely go again - if i wasnt the one driving. :)
cash only.
The other trucks in same lot are way better: nellys, Thai, and kalbi.
The shrimp is okay we tried the scampi and the spicy. The spicy is very spicy which I liked but there's not enough salt on either plate, very bland, lacking much flavor beyond garlic and heat.
At 13$ a plate this was not very good value.
Ignore the hype, pass on the shrimp trucks, hit the other ones.
I've tried 2 shrimp trucks and this is the best. Small sample size, yes, but the garlic shrimp has tons-o-butter and tons-o-garlic. And two scoops of rice and a lemon slice. $13 for 12 plump shrimp. Depending on your age the garlic may stay with you for a long time. But it's worth it. Just delicious.
I didn't even mind peeling the shrimp, which usually bugs me, because they were worth the effort.
We also tried the spicy shrimp but it was too spicy. It warns you it is so I would never ordered it, but one of our party could handle it. I didn't order it so I don't knock them for that dish.
They have a sink at the back of the eating area so you can wash off afterwards. And just 2 mins. up the road are the shrimp ponds but you can't really see anything.
It's pretty much an hour to get there from anywhere so I'd only go if we find our way back there for PCC or another destination but I'd stop by again.
I've died and gone to garlic shrimp heaven! The shrimp here is divine! They have 4 options: scampi, spicy, lemon butter, and a hot dog. The scampi is the signature dish and worth every bite. At $13 a plate, it's pricy for 12 shrimp and 2 scoops of rice, but your taste buds won't care. Check in for a free drink, too!
Expert tip: the wait times for the rest room are ridiculous. Plan accordingly. Also, save room for other goodies such as roasted corn, fried bananas, and shaved ice!
Butter, garlic, shrimp...delicious. Â
Pour that sauce on some rice, and you're good to go. Â I will say that our shrimp was a tad bit overdone. Â A bit tough. Â Delicious nonetheless. Â We also got a plate of the spicy shrimp, and it was way too spicy. Â I like it hot, but here I just tasted hot sauce. Â That was a bummer. Â
The plates were about $15 each, which wasn't too bad considering there was a generous amount of shrimp on it. Â
Worth trying at least once.
I didn't know what to expect going to this food truck, all I knew was that it was a very popular place for locals and visitors to go to. Â Its a permanent food truck at a cross road on the north side of Oahu. Â They sell freshly cooked shrimp plates and some other stuff on the menu, but the thing you go for is the Shrimp. Â I actually forget what I got, but all I know it was piping hot freshly cooked in garlicy butter goodness with the same sauce over rice. Â The truck ain't much to look at, but when we got there near lunch time, the parking lot was full, and the benches in the picnic area were packed. Â Here's a tip, if you Yelp Check in you get a free drink to your meal. Â I'm not a huge peel the shrimp fan, but something like this you don't miss and it was awesome! Â If you are the adventurous let's go off the tourist beaten path type of person, go here!
Review Source:Okay so don't hate me.
If you like shrimp scampi, come here.
I guess it's cause I'm not a huge fan of shrimp scampi and I should've probably tried the other plates but I guess I'm hella Filipino where I like to dip my shrimp in some kind of vinegar sauce or super Haole that I like to eat my shrimp scampi with pasta.
I've been here twice hoping it'd grow on me and I really tried hard to like this place but I just can't. The plate to me is okay and I feel like I've tasted better. I hate to say this but I don't think it's worth the drive out to Kahuku.
The service is fast and efficient, I suggest you come here before lunch time or after 1pm before all the tourists come and the line gets long.
It really is a preference taste, I just prefer sautéed shrimp.
This places makes the list of MUST EAT if you're in Oahu. Â I love that they have half servings, so perfect for a tweener meal or snack :)
These shrimp are plump and oh so succulent.
The garlic scampi is finger licking good. Â If it's your first time eating it, you will either a) return to eat it again during your trip or b) make a mental note to eat here again on your next trip
You never knew shrimp could be so delicioso. (except see below)
Tip: Â There's a spicy shrimp recipe as well, and it's labeled "VERY HOT. NO REFUNDS" Â But, I think it was mislabeled. Â It should say "VERY SOUR AND STRANGE TASTING. NO REFUNDS"
had this twice again on my last trip, and only because i didn't have enough time for a third. haha!
top 3 places to eat on o'ahu, that's for sure. i crave this shrimp year-round as i live in southern california, so this time i took my boyfriend here for his first time. we drove by other shrimp trucks on our way to giovannni's and i pointed out how empty the seating area was.. he's very skeptical about hyped up places, but giovanni's didn't disappoint!!
washed our hands in the sink at the back end of the seating area before jumping back in the car for the long drive home. just what we needed!!
i also found my name under the counter when he ordered.. it was dirty and tropical weather-worn since i signed it a year and a half ago. it was the icing on the cake for me! :)
a hui hou, giovanni's!!!
Like everyone else, I wanted to see what the hype was all about at Giovanni's. Service was quick, making me think that everything was already pre-made and ready to serve.
The sauce was good, the shrimp not as easy to peel as other places I've been to. Tried some of the spicy sauce on the side, and boy, it's spicy! I'll admit my review's a bit biased, as I tried Geste Shrimp Truck on Maui first (and find it superior). I'd have Giovanni's again though, it was all-in-all tasty.
Ooh....YUM! Our family has been visiting this little truck for several years when they only had a little tarp canopy like the ones at the swapmeet and dirt with giant puddles when it rained. Today the same little truck is still putting out the best shrimp in Kahuku! If it's your first time, get the garlic shrimp! This is probably the only place where their food, flavor and servings are consistent day after day, year after year!
Tips:
Know what you want before you stand in line.
Bring a marker pen and leave your mark. It's fun to see where people are from.
Lastly...
Clean off your table when you're done 'cause your mama don't live there!
I've been to the North Shore's food trucks 3 different times on 3 separate vacations and I think my standards are a bit high. As they should be if I am spending about $15 for a plate of shrimp. Now don't get me wrong, the shrimp was good. Why it lost two stars was because:
1. The shrimps were a bit on the tiny side. I've gotten larger ones at other trucks
2. The macaroni salad was so disappointing. There was no flavor.
3. The flavor of the garlic sauce on the shrimp just wasn't enough for me. I wanted more spice and I wasn't getting it.
4. SUPER crowded with a crazy long bathroom line.
If you want the best bang for your buck go to Romys. I was not disappointed there.
Can one of the best shrimp dishes I've ever tasted really come from an old truck? Â I probably wouldn't believe it unless I tried it for myself.
I ordered both the garlic/scampi and hot & spicy shrimp plates. Â Both were good but I'd probably lean towards the garlic/scampi and just ask for the hot sauce on the side next time. Â
The shrimps were simply prepared letting the freshness of the shrimp be the star of the dish. Â The sauce that they cook the shrimp in had such a depth of flavor even though the two main ingredients are probably only garlic and butter. Â You can tell they really pay attention to detail here by looking at how they've cleaned and deveined the little critters. Â Driving all the way to the North Shore is worth it just for these shrimps!
Quick tip, there's another smaller vendor close by that had awesome grilled sweet corns. Â It tasted like the corn has just been harvested but the best thing about it is the mix of butter/secret seasoning that is spread over the corn after grilling. Â It's a sweet accompaniment to the savory shrimp dish.
My first trip to Hawaii, and 4th day of 7, and all I hear is I have to go to North Shore and try Giovanni's...tried it...and I do not see the big deal. Then again, this was recommended by my not-so-foody friends who tend to fall for every bandwagon establishment. But for $15 a plate with a sparse amount of shrimp...me thinks not. Don't get me wrong, it's good...not $15 good, and definitely not worth the hype that everyone seems to be raving about. I should've known better...and to be quite honest, I've had the same if not better quality at restaurants for the same price, but at least double the quantity of shrimp.
Try at your own risk people, but if you are a foody, stay away!
Had to get the shrimp scampi at Giovanni's during my visit to the North Shore!
Cash only!!
Don't forget to check in on yelp to get a free drink! Otherwise, it's $1.50.
Got the #1 Shrimp Scampi. For $13, you get 12 fingerlickin delicious shrimps & a scoop of garlicky rice along with a lemon wedge. They do have half portions!
Really worth my trip! The shrimp was ridiculously delicious and so was the rice. Yummy!!
If you come across Giovanni's on the North Shore, try it out! We had intended on going to another shrimp truck but Giovanni's was the first one we saw and we were not disappointed.
If its your first time, get the Shrimp Scampi! It is a huge serving enough for two people to share, or one really hungry person. I used my Yelp check-in to get a free soda. Luckily the day we went, they had a good location next to some other food trucks/stands. So, if people wanted to try other stuff out, they could.
This place is famous so expect long lines. The wait isn't that long though.
FYI- Its cash only here.
I am mostly posting because I want to be review 1300. So here goes:
THIS IS THE BEST SHRIMP TRUCK EVER!!
I also have never been to another shrimp truck. So please take that into consideration when you evaluate my earlier statement.
But seriously, every time I go to Oahu, I ask my friend (nicely) if we can go because it's absolutely finger-licking good. I mean it. Don't forget your napkins.
If you're not in the mood for the large plate, you can ask for a smaller half plate - which is slightly cheaper.
Also, we used the Yelp deal to get a free drink. Except try to remember this BEFORE you order a drink.
Enjoy!
Overrated! I rather go to Mackys any day! I only ate here because i had family visiting from California. The line wasn't that long & the wait was for the food was tolerable!
We ordered one of each: scampi, lemon butter, & spicy. It was whatevers. Nothing special. I don't know what the big deal is. The girl that gave me my order totally killed my vibe. That's why they only get 1 star! I asked for extra napkins & she rudely said, "i already gave you some!" And i said i know, but i need more. And once again she rudely said she already gave me some then stared at me like i was stupid. Whatever! Never coming here again!
Coming up on 1300 reviews, I'm sure there's nothing I could say that hasn't already been said.
I will say that I don't know when the structure was built so that diners can eat in the shade as well as wash their hands and faces at the sink as opposed to just going to the beach and jumping in to wash off (like I did last time).
Will also say that the Hot & Spicy does pack a little heat (keep in mind Thai spicy to me is mild) so there's no need to go asking for chili pepper water. And if you check in via Yelp, you get a free can of soda/juice.
Lots of vendors have set up shop nearby; the last time I was there, there was only a t-shirt vendor. Otherwise, driving through Kahuku, just look for the old beat up white truck on the beach side of the road. You can't miss it. The truck and the smell once they get started up cooking.
I had my number 2, hot and spicy. Nothing more need be said.
This place really needs no introductions so I'll just dive right in.
There are three options: Scampi, Spicy, and Lemon Butter. I've never heard of someone ordering the lemon butter, but I learned the trick is to order the scampi with a small cup of hot sauce on the side because, while I've heard their spicy sauce is good (I myself can't tolerate too much heat) you really are losing out if you don't have the massive garlic chunks smothering your experience.
In addition, there are side orders available (my brother doesn't like peeling shrimp so he always gets the garlic hot dog which is okay but definitely not a highlight). I think the hot dogs are $3.50 and you can get them on a bun or with [garlic-topped] rice. The shrimp plates are all $13 (tax included) and include 12 shrimp and two scoops of garlic-smothered rice or I think you can do a half order for $6.50 which is literally HALF of the regular plate (6 shrimp and one scoop of rice).
So ordering is pretty quick no matter how long the line is but it's the wait for the food to come out that kills me every time. After you pay, you're given a ticket with a number. Don't be shocked if your ticket has a number 88 on it and they're still calling 54 - I usually go a buy corn on a stick for $3 (baja style ftw!) at Uncle Woody's BBQ Corn which is in the same lot. I wish I could tell you what a good time to go would be so you don't have to wait for days but I'm pretty sure they NEVER have a lull in business.
It's worth it though. The wait is usually about 20ish mins (which, hey, is about how long you'd wait to receive your food at a regular sit-in restaurant) and they give you an extra plate along with your napkins and utensils for shells but be careful it doesn't blow away in the open area seating. Tables are picnic bench-style so make some new friends (or if you have a large party, you'll just have to wait a bit for a table to open up). There's a sink to wash your hands before and after and.. I'm pretty sure you'll want to use it after smashing your hands into all that garlic goodness.
People argue that Romy's or Fumi's have better shrimp but I'll always be partial to Giovanni's and always stop here when I'm in the area. Bring a sharpie and document your presence right onto the truck!
TIP: Check in on your phone and get a free drink!
Shrimp Scampi! Â The spicy shrimp wasn't as good and you don't get all the buttery garlic goodness drizzled on top of your rice. Â Skip the mac salad. Â Not very good.
Sit down, put your purse, phone, whatever on the pile of the napkins or the wind will blow them off the table.
It was really really great!
Nothing beats getting down and dirty with the shrimp scampi at Giovanni's!
The secret ingredients here are garlic, garlic AND garlic! Even though they marinate the shrimps in olive oil and "secret" spices, these babies are definitely finished off in BUTTAH.
Each $12 plate has a dozen shrimp, 2 scoops of rice and lemon slices. You can ask for hot sauce, but I like to fully taste the garlicky goodness that coats each shrimp (don't forget to suck the head!) Â You'll definitely be breathing garlic from North Shore to Honolulu and you know what??
It's totally ONO!
I know - I'm going to be slammed but I just have to report it how I taste it.
Shrimp - was mass produced, foreign caught and frozen and to top it off over-cooked and rubbery on the dishes we tried. 1.5 Stars
Scampi - tasted like a mix of margarine and butter to me with some cheap olive oil added in. Plus it had no wine/vermouth flavor which made the dish really lack in complexity. Personally I can make it much better and have had better in many restaurants. 2 Stars
Lemon Butter Shrimp - meh, nothing special again but I'll buck the trend and say it was better than the Scampi ONLY because the scampi was a piss poor imitation of real scampi. 2.5 Stars
Service - a little gruff, we were just another tourist eating shrimp. 2 Stars
Value - 2 Stars
Pluses:
The wait and organization seemed better than Romy's
Free Drin to Yelpers
OVERALL: Â 2 stars - It's more hype than anything and I would suggest Romy's down the road (still nothing spectacular but better quality shrimp and nicer employees)
The setting is outside and it is eternally crowded leading to-during-and after peak hours. Once you come expecting that, then you're good.
I'm personally a Romy's person, but Giovanni's does have their cult following. Also, my friends that were visiting from Japan specifically requested that we try here, so why not?
We had a group of 7 people and just played it aggressive to grab a table. It took about 5-10 minutes of waiting/hunting before we were able to grab a table.
The wait for the food was roughly 10 minutes. But any local person will tell you that a wait is included in the experience. It's always helpful to have friends to chat up with while you wait.
I personally would suggest the classic garlic shrimp. They were tasteful and delicious. My girlfriend had the spicy one, which was far messier, and less tasty. I didn't try any of the other foods but who needs to really?
Overall, it was a good experience. They have definitely improved from my previous experience and I would say it's right up there. Being that it's much more of a crowd favorite, take heed to the crowd and open your options to near by shrimp trucks if you aren't too keen on hordes.
I give Giovanni's my rating of 4 stars. Definitely a fan and I won't hesitate to keep this place an option on "North Shore" trips.
The 5 best restaurants in the 2015 Denver Restaurant Week
3,611 Views | Category: Denver
The complete list of 2015 Denver Restaurant Week businesses
1,972 Views | Category: Denver
The tourists' guide to Portillos: 5 must have dishes
3,318 Views | Category: Chicago
Pho = Pronounced "fuh" not "foe" for pho-king sake
2,915 Views | Category: Denver
Indulgery selected to exhibit at Collision Conference
2,987 Views | Category: Press Releases
Not Logged In
BUSINESSES
Local Businesses
Near Me
My Favorites
SOCIAL
Blog & News
MY ACCOUNT
Login
Register
Contact Us
Add Your Business
