In a quiet Kailua shopping center on Oahu, Easy ‘Que proves that Central Texas barbecue and Hawaiian flavor make an unexpectedly perfect pair.
This couple-owned barbecue restaurant was launched by Nik and Jennifer Lodendahn, who already ran the beloved Kailua breakfast spot Over Easy, as an expansion into smoky, slow-cooked meats with a distinctly local twist.
Since opening, this Kailua barbecue restaurant has built a devoted following for dishes that merge Southern smokehouse tradition with island ingredients like kalua pork and li hing mango. 🍖
How Easy ‘Que won Kailua’s hearts
Easy ‘Que won over Kailua by treating barbecue as a canvas for local flavor rather than a strict Texas transplant.
The kitchen smokes meats the traditional Central Texas way in a Southern Pride smoker, then pairs them with island-inspired sauces like the tangy Crack Seed barbecue sauce and the herbaceous Kailua Green sauce, a mix of Thai green curry, vinegar, and cilantro.
That fusion of Hawaii barbecue technique and local seasoning gave the restaurant an identity no mainland smokehouse could copy, and it’s exactly what turned first-time visitors into devoted regulars. 🌶️
What sealed Easy ‘Que’s reputation as a Kailua favorite was the way it elevated a beloved local dish, the loco moco, into something worth lining up for.
The slow-cooked brisket loco moco, layered with brown gravy, rice, and mustard pickles, quickly became one of the most talked-about entrees on the island, praised by local food writers as “the star of the show.”
That willingness to reinvent classic local comfort food while staying true to real smokehouse technique is exactly why Easy ‘Que earned its spot as a genuine neighborhood institution. 🍚
Food Highlights
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Kalbi Brisket: Slow-smoked beef brisket finished with a tangy, Korean-inspired kalbi glaze for a sweet-savory crust.
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Kalua Pork: Traditional slow-cooked, shredded pork served with the restaurant’s signature Kailua Green sauce.
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Pork Belly: Rich, house-smoked pork belly served plate-style with mac and cheese and crispy tater tots.
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Three Little Pigs Sandwich: A triple-pork sandwich piling bacon, Portuguese sausage, and kalua pork together, topped with crispy fried onion strips and classic BBQ sauce.
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Huli Huli Chicken: Grilled chicken glazed in a classic Hawaiian huli huli marinade, a longtime local barbecue favorite.
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Burnt Ends: Caramelized, deeply smoked brisket point cuts prized for their tender texture and bold smoky flavor.
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Brisket Loco Moco: Slow-cooked brisket over rice, topped with house-made brown gravy, sous vide eggs, and mustard pickles.
- Pork Belly Benedict: House-smoked pork belly and sous vide eggs with traditional hollandaise over Filipino pandesal rolls.
Atmosphere
Easy ‘Que keeps things casual and lively, a “beer, bourbon, BBQ” concept with both indoor and outdoor seating that suits Kailua’s laid-back energy. 🌺
The space feels relaxed enough for a weekday lunch but lively enough for a weekend brunch crowd chasing Bloody Marys and mango mimosas.
It’s the kind of spot where the smoky aroma alone tells you exactly what you’re in for.
Bottom Line
Visit for the Central Texas-style smoked meats, the creative island-BBQ fusion sauces, and a can’t-miss brisket loco moco. Add a laid-back Kailua setting and a genuinely inventive brunch menu, and Easy ‘Que earns its place as a true local favorite. 🌴
Address:
767 Kailua Rd, Suite 106, Kailua, HI 96734
📞 (808) 762-3089
🕔 Open Wed-Thu 4 PM–8 PM, Fri 4 PM–8:30 PM, Sat 11 AM–8:30 PM, Sun 11 AM–7 PM (closed Mon-Tue)