When locals crave some delish, authentic island-style barbecue in Honolulu, they head straight to a bright red food truck parked along Kalākaua Avenue.
Trydis BBQ has become a Waikiki staple, serving up smoky, tender meats that blend Southern barbecue traditions with genuine Hawaiian hospitality.
This locally owned operation doesn’t just feed hungry beachgoers—it creates an experience that keeps people coming back for more, one generous plate at a time. 🔥
How Trydis BBQ Won Locals’ Hearts
Trydis BBQ earned its reputation through a tried and true formula: exceptional quality, massive portions, and service that makes customers feel like family.
The owners perfected the art of Southern-style barbecue while adding that unmistakable aloha flair that sets island cooking apart.
Word (and smoke) spread fast among both locals and visitors who discovered this fun food truck.
Customer reviews consistently praise the melt-in-your-mouth texture of the meats, which spend hours getting kissed by smoke and homemade marinades.
The generous plate lunch format—piled high with rice and mac salad alongside your choice of proteins—delivers incredible value that resonates with locals who know good food when they taste it.
What truly sealed Trydis’s place in Honolulu’s heart was the genuine hospitality radiating from this family-run business.
The staff takes time to offer samples, make recommendations, and ensure every customer leaves satisfied.
This personal touch, combined with food that consistently exceeds expectations, transformed first-time visitors into devoted regulars.
The bright red food truck became more than just a place to grab lunch—it evolved into a beloved community gathering spot where people connect over seriously good barbecue. 🌺
Food Highlights
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Ribeye Steak: This showstopper arrives perfectly seasoned and cooked to a gorgeous medium-rare, with each bite delivering rich, beefy flavor that makes customers understand why people drive across the island specifically for this dish, served with all the classic Hawaiian plate lunch fixings.
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Beef Short Ribs: These fall-off-the-bone beauties get slow-smoked until the meat practically dissolves on your tongue, with a subtle sweetness from the marinade that perfectly complements the deep smokiness, creating that addictive combination that defines authentic Hawaiian barbecue at its finest.
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Creamy Garlic Shrimp: This island favorite features plump, juicy shrimp swimming in a luscious garlic sauce that customers describe as life-changing, with just a hint of coconut milk adding tropical richness that pairs beautifully with the fluffy white rice underneath.
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BBQ Chicken: The tender, juicy chicken gets marinated in homemade sauce before hitting the smoker, resulting in meat that’s perfectly seasoned with a gorgeous caramelized exterior and staying incredibly moist inside, making it a consistent crowd favorite among locals.
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Smoked Chicken: This smoky variation takes chicken to another level with hours of low-and-slow cooking that infuses every bite with rich wood-fired flavor while maintaining that signature tenderness, served with a side of tangy barbecue sauce for dipping or drizzling.
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Tuna Mac: This unexpected menu star combines creamy macaroni salad with quality tuna in a way that locals absolutely love, offering a refreshing contrast to the heavier smoked meats while still delivering that satisfying comfort food experience that keeps customers ordering it again and again.
Atmosphere
The vibe at Trydis BBQ embodies that perfect casual Hawaiian food truck experience.
The bright red truck sits in a lot alongside other vendors near Waikiki Beach, creating a lively outdoor dining scene.
There’s no pretense here—just picnic tables, ocean breezes, and the intoxicating aroma of smoking meats that draws people in from blocks away.
The laid-back atmosphere lets you grab your massive plate, find a spot to sit, and dig into serious barbecue without any fuss.
It’s the kind of place where you might show up in your beach gear, still sandy from the shore, and feel completely at home.
The friendly staff adds warmth to the experience, treating everyone like ohana whether it’s your first visit or your fiftieth.
What sets the atmosphere apart is that genuine island hospitality—the owners close on Sundays for ministry, reflecting the family values that guide their business.
This isn’t just another tourist trap.
It’s a real local operation that happens to serve food so good that visitors make it a must-stop destination during their Hawaiian vacation.
Bottom Line
You should visit Trydis BBQ because it delivers authentic island-style barbecue that locals genuinely love, with generous portions, unbeatable prices, and flavors that perfectly blend Southern smokehouse traditions with Hawaiian heart—all served by people who truly care about every plate that leaves their window.
Address: 1958 Kalākaua Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815
📞 (808) 782-0184
🕔 Mon-Thu 10 AM–9 PM, Fri-Sat 10 AM–9:30 PM (closed Sun)