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Ono Kine Grindz brings a taste of the islands to Tosa

David Lau and Guy Roeseler bring the flavors of Hawaii to Southeast Wisconsin at Ono Kine Grindz. Photo By C.T. Kruger

May 18, 2011

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A visit to Ono Kine Grindz, the Hawaiian deli/grocery store in Wauwatosa, might, for many reasons, take you by surprise. First of all, it's rather unusual to find anything Hawaiian in Wauwatosa. Secondly, there's far more room inside than you might expect - warm and inviting room, for that matter. Third, despite the casual atmosphere, you're going to be treated like royalty - King Kamehameha, perhaps?

Opened in September of 2010, Ono Kine Grindz is the labor of love created by David Lau and Guy Roeseler, both former residents of Hawaii with decades of service industry experience between them. It was Roeseler's Brookfield upbringing that brought them back to the Milwaukee area, and it was the affordable storefront that brought them to Wauwatosa.

The name Ono Kine Grindz loosely translated means "delicious good food." What makes Ono Kine Grindz unique is that it is an eat-in deli that serves homemade "surf food," deli-style, in disposable containers. The prices are reasonable, especially since there is no tipping. The ingredients for anything on the menu can be purchased for home preparation.

But what makes the biggest impression when you visit Ono Kine Grindz is the overwhelming hospitality. It starts with "Aloha" when you walk in and continues through your dining experience or shopping trip.

"People are blown away by how friendly we are," Lau said. "Since we both worked in the service industry, we treat everyone equally, whether it's the little neighbor girl that stops in for a soda or someone who is staying for an entire meal."

The menu is somewhat limited but features an interesting assortment of Hawaiian favorites. It includes Manapua (a dumpling stuffed with pork) for $2.50, a Chili Plate for $5.25, Kobe Beef Bowl $6.95, Kalua Pork $6.95, Huli-Huli Chicken $7.95 and the Laulau Plate $9.50. Several items come as a plate lunch with rice, macaroni salad and slaw. There also are a variety of desserts made exclusively for Ono Kine Grindz, as well as Kona Coffee.

In addition to the regular menu items, Roeseler (a former chef and restaurateur) prepares his own island-inspired creations that change from day to day.

"Our goal is always to make ordinary food extraordinary," he explained. Ono Kine Grindz also offers catering for any occasion.

Given the scarcity of Hawaiian cuisine in Wisconsin, you'd think that Lau and Roeseler might have a bit of a challenge building clientele. Again, surprisingly, word of their venture spread quickly last fall and they found a customer base of about 300 Hawaiians in Southeastern Wisconsin.

"They gather here on Sundays. They're called 'ohana' which means family," Lau said.

With their generous hospitality, Lau and Roeseler will be broadening their ohana with every new customer.