Twenty years ago, before the inception of all the current sports bars on Kaua’i, there was one place everyone would go for good times, live sports and delicious food and drinks: Rob’s Good Times Grill. I am glad to report that some things have not changed. Rob’s is still the premier gathering place for good times.
Owners Lolly and Rob Silverman saw many changes throughout their 20-year tenure.
“We evolved,” Lolly said. “We used to be the original karaoke bar. We actually had the first satellite dish on the island for bars. This was when satellite dishes were 12 feet across.”
As the economy dove into recession, the nightclub scene began to spiral downward. Lolly and Rob put things into perspective and decided to focus their attention on the food aspect of their establishment. The Silverman’s have never looked back, and Rob’s serves some of the most onolicious grinds found anywhere on the island.
“Since we decided to refocus our efforts to food, we saw a more diverse clientele,” Lolly said. “It’s really nice. We see more families, more infants and more kupunas.”
Lolly and Rob treated Kaua’i Times to their onolicious specials. On the menu are: taco singles, nachos, pasta and barbecue ribs.
Head Cook David Fukushima took time out from his hectic schedule to give the spiel on the Grilled Cilantro Chicken Taco and Nachos, Baked Parmesan Chicken and Barbecue Ribs . Fukushima brings to the menu a wealth of experience and creativity that gives his dishes that onolicious kick.
“The Grilled Cilantro Chicken Tacos are $3 each,” Fukushima said. “They are served up ever day. Like the Grilled Cilantro Chicken Nachos ($10), the tacos are served with grilled chicken, diced tomatoes, sliced jalapenos, sliced olives and cheese.”
Another taco on the menu is the Tequila Shrimp Taco, also priced at $3. It is served with basil, fresh shrimp and avocado.
Fukushima explained how Rob’s has weekly pasta specials: “We always change up the sauce, the protein, the pasta. However, The dish always comes with garlic bread.”
The pasta special Fukushima ran for the week consisted of sun-dried tomato pesto, topped with parmesan-crusted chicken breast. Weekly pasta specials are priced at $12.50.
A dish that will appear on the menu in the near future is the barbecue ribs. It is priced at $10.
“The ribs have a sauce that’s made out of chipotle and coffee bean,” Fukushima said. “The ribs are braised, cut and grilled.”
All the specials were winners. The barbecue ribs will be a welcome edition to the menu at Rob’s. They are very tender and melt in your mouth, and for $10 you can’t go wrong.
After Fukushima departed, I met with Ed “Scooby” Coloma. Scooby is Rob’s sushi maestro, who sets up a sushi bar in Rob’s on Sunday from 1 to 9 p.m. and on Monday from 3 to 10 p.m.
I have heard a lot of good things from my friends about Scooby’s sushi, so it was an eye-opening experience to learn that Scooby doesn’t eat sushi. Regardless, after he explained his popular sushi dishes to me, my mouth began to water.
“One popular sushi is my deep-fried roll,” Scooby said. “I put some shrimp, crab, avocado. I roll it, put tempura batter, then deep fry it. It’s $12.50. I slice it into 10 pieces and drizzle it with unagi sauce and aioli mayonnaise.”
Scooby also has his Mushroom Bomber. It’s stuffed with shrimp and crab, then it’s deep fried. The Mushroom Bomber is also priced at $12.
“It’s one of my specials,” Scooby said. “It’s not on the menu, but just ask for it and I’ll make it for you.”
In all, Scooby has eight different types of sushi on the menu. They range from $7.50 to $12.50. Make sure to ask for his specials as well.
If you’re in the mood for karaoke, you’re in luck. Karaoke runs daily at Rob’s. Its hours are 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. on Sunday and Monday; and 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. from Tuesday through Thursday.
Live music is another treat at Rob’s. Artists such as Santiago Soto and Aldrine Guerrero perform live for your enjoyment. Catch live music Monday through Thursday from 4 to 6 p.m. and on Friday from 4 to 10 p.m.
For the sports lover there are 20 televisions situated throughout Rob’s, so feel free to make your way to Rob’s and catch the next live sporting event .
The good times have never stopped at Rob’s, and it’s likely to continue for a long, long time.
Rob’s Good Times Grill, located at 4303 Rice St. in Lihu‘e, is open daily from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. The kitchen is open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Visit www.robsgoodtimesgrill.com or call 246-0311 for details.
