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Giovanni's and Macky's Shrimp Trucks, a closer look
Aloha!
4/6/09 - As far as North Shore Shrimp trucks are concerned, two of the Big Dogz' who've made the most noise so far have to be the long-time, nostalgic favorite, Giovanni's, and the spunky new kid on the block, Macky's. Both are excellent, and both carry decently-sized, delicious shrimp tails that are actually a bit similiar in both taste and price, although there are a few differences that we'll get to soon enough.
Wifey and I made the beautiful drive out one lazy weekday morning, enjoying the views all the way out through Waimanalo, Kailua, Kahaluu, and all the other little towns and districts before arriving at our destination. I like to hug the coast as much as possible, since the ocean is one of our greatest assets - that means forget about taking a left on Kam Hwy., at the Windward Mall! Instead of hookin' up with Kahekili Hwy and driving by the Valley of the Temples, I always go straight on Kam Hwy. and past Kaneohe Boat Harbor, with the famous sandbar within sight, as well. I wouldn't say it's the most spectacular stretch of road on the island, but it's still beautiful, nonetheless, and the ocean always brings a sense of peace and restoration, even while just driving by. Of course, even if you're not jumping in, it's always better to get out and feel the sand between your toes! Check out this shot from the stretch we woulda missed had we gone the other way!
Allright, allright... it's a whole lotta mud, as well... And I didn't even take off my slippers, either!
Looking for sand between the toe's, are we?
Allrighty, then:
Hey, isn't that.....???
That's right... It's Kelly Slater!!! This guy is, hands-down, the greatest surfer of all time, bar none! You can't really tell as much on video, where they only show you the best sets or the biggest wipe-out's, but seeing this guy out there live is like watching a teacher and his students, even in a competition like this, when everyone else in the water is a pro, as well! He charges waves like no other can, with a quiet, confident impunity, and takes off later than anyone else, too, dropping in on steep faces that few would ever dare tread. And he does it all in a style that's so fluid, so flexible, so natural that it seems he doesn't even notice that each set can snap his back in half as easily as a potato chip under my now sand-laden toe's!
Check him out coming down the face of this monster set. On days like this, I have no idea how anyone can survive out there, as you can literally feel the sand beneath your feet shake with each crash! My heart skips a beat just watching! It's all insane, I tell you!
These shots were actually taken a couple of years back, when wifey and I were still surfing almost every day. We'll soon return, but for now, we'll sit content with the views, and one last shot before we reach Kahuku Town and the open field near the Sugar Mill, where Giovanni's Shrimp Truck sits.
Yeah, I know, (TMI) too much information, but it was time for a bathroom stop and Kualoa Park, where the jagged cliffs of the Ko'olau Mountain Range sat as a stunning backdrop every bit as majestic as the surf!
Arriving about fifteen minutes before the 11am lunch bell, we just kinda hung-around, snapping some shots and enjoying the sun, which hasn't been the most cooperative these last several months! Global cooling sucks, sometimes, lemme tell ya!
I walked up to the wagon and asked for a shrimp plate, but didn't realize that it was only a smoothie truck, and that the real Giovanni's Shrimp Truck'd be pulling up in the next few minutes.
Sure enough, the real thing mosey'd on over, completing the second half of this popular mini-food court on the side of the road.
Wifey and I split a plate here, knowing that we'd soon be trying a plate from Macky's, as well. It was the same great taste I'd come to expect, with large shrimp tails all bathed in a delicious, buttery, garlic-laden sauce.
There are only a few different ways to order shrimp plates here, such in lemon/butter or hot 'n spicy. But by far, the only choice that fuels any competition at any shrimp truck on the island is the butter garlic, here called scampi. I always like a combination of the best two by ordering scampi along with some spicy-hot sauce on the side. See that layer of clarified luuuv on the bottom of the plate? I don't know how many calories are floating around in that mix (and I don't wanna know, either, lest I stop coming!), but when it somehow (I wonder how?) finds its way over the rice like the drippings of a hot teriyaki chicken or beef, then mixes-in with the spicy sauce and a healthy bite of sweet, succulent shrimp - it's all over, boy, lemme tell you!!!
Because the shells are split down the back, it's not so hard dealing with them. All's you gotta do is pinch firmly near the tail, and the meat comes right out (at least most of the time!). Though some love the taste-infused shells, I usually find them a bit too calcium-crunchy, although I do love the legs, which soak-up all that taste but are much softer. Whatever method you so choose to engorge, it's hard to go wrong with a Giovanni's Shrimp plate, for sure!
Continuing-on towards Haleiwa Town from Kahuku, you'll pass right by the shrimp farms that started this whole shrimp-truck trend. Interestingly enough, I found out today, for the very first time, that only a handful of trucks actually use the shrimp found here in these ponds, even some that are located near-by! That may be a fact that destroys the novelty of it all, especially for tourists, but taste-wise, I don't think it really makes all that much of a difference, to tell you the truth. In fact, wifey and I used to buy these shrimp whole from places like Fumi's, who does use them and are located right next to these ponds. However, wifey found their bright-red guts, or miso, which she loves so much, not nearly as good as regular versions of store-bought shrimp. Try buying them whole, and you'll see what I mean. I have no idea how the guts get so pretty. Places like Macky's and Giovanni's only sell tails, so it doesn't really matter, anyway.
Skipping the massive ponds, we continued-on into Haleiwa Town, where on the far side (closer to Waialua) sits a collection of trucks housing not only shrimp but also a Thai foods wagon, as well. I hear its pretty good, but haven't yet tried it.
Macky's is found in the dirt lot area next to 7-Eleven, with a similiar set-up to Giovanni's, meaning a big 'ol tarp tent and a decent amount of park bench-style seating arrangements.
Actually, there's another Giovanni's truck on the other side of 7-Eleven, just a stone's throw away, as well. Just FYI.
I remember coming to Macky's a while back and not being as impressed as I was with Giovanni's. Although I found Macky's shrimps slightly larger, plumper, and of a better quality over-all, I couldn't help but prefer the stronger garlic-butter taste of Giovanni's. Nowadays, however, it seems both the size difference and taste of the shrimps themselves are more evenly matched, although Macky's does give a few pieces less than Giovanni's, filling the extra room on the plate with a light vegetable salad. Macky's also has a distinctly red coloring to their shrimps, probably from the addition of chili.
The new-comer does deserve a lot of credit, as it's been been gaining a lot of steam recently, as winner of the 2005-2006 Battle of the North Shore Shrimp Trucks at Turtle Bay, and also declared as Best Shrimp Truck of Honolulu, 2007, by Honolulu Magazine. Truth be told, I you won't be dissapointed with either choice. Unless, that is, you're the type that gets gross'd-out by the excessive use of oil or butter, in which case you won't enjoy either of them! But no worries, even for you, as you can always get boiled versions - you poor things...
One thing I definitely like more about Macky's is their spicy sauce. Giovanni's sauce has more of that Mainland-style, picante/vinegar kick to it, while Macky's version is more of a Southeast Asian chili oil-style than anything else. (7/1/10 Up-date: Giovanni's has definitely changed their spicy-hot sauce, and this time, I love it even more than Macky's!!! That just seals the deal for Giovanni's as top dog even more, at least in my book! Oh, and they have also poured a concrete slab at the Giovanni's truck on the Kahuku side of Haleiwa, so you don't have to eat on dirt anymore!) I have no doubt that each camp sends over spies to sample the competitor's plates, just to make sure no one gets left behind with something new, which always makes for less differences over-all. I guess the same goes for any kind of competition, ey? Just look at international basketball and baseball! Think we'll ever see another Dream Team?
And so, in summing up... Although I still think Giovanni's is Top Dog, Macky's has definitely closed the gap to a large degree. To confuse the issue even more, I'm sure there may be some degree of discrepency with consistency issues on both sides, as I know that this plate from Macky's was definitely better than what I remember earlier. Aaah, just try both of 'em! They both rock!!!
And so, on one of these particularly stellar Hawaiian summer days, remember to make the trip on-out and make a judgement for yourselves! It's a gorgeous drive, especially now as summer approaches. No waves to speak of, but hey, the water's crystal-clear and enticing as ever - and the shrimps are a'waiting! Lucky we live Hawaii!!!
Take care and Aloha till next time!
Aku
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