Whenever we’re in Waimea, we have a particular place we like to stop. The reasons are simple: Fast, friendly service, good food, good prices, bright, clean atmosphere and, finally, a nice spot to relax.
By now, you might know which particular place this is: Gina’s Cafe.
This is one of those places where they want to make you feel right at home. That’s likely why it’s always busy for breakfast and lunch. They greet you with a smile, talk story, get the orders out quickly, and send you off feeling full and that your money and time were well spent there.
It has some personality, too.
The lineup can stretch out the door, onto the sidewalk, because you have to wait to order at the main counter. Don’t try to sneak in and grab a table and wait for the staff to take your order. That won’t happen. And people will not be happy if it looks like you’re in a rush and are trying to steal a table. Take a good look at the reader board and by the time it’s your turn, you’ll be ready, and the folks behind you won’t grumble about how slow you are. Keep everyone happy by being prompt and courteous.
There are some great deals.
The breakfast special, two scrambled eggs, one scoop of rice, seven little smokies, goes for $5. You probably can’t beat that anywhere on the island.
Well, maybe you can.
The Sunrise Sandwich, at $5.95, is excellent. It comes with your choice of meat, one egg, cheese and toast. This might just be the better deal around.
The Waimea Wave omelet, for $9.95, is enough so you come away satisfied, but not so much you come away with your belt needing to be let out a few notches. It’s good, too, with three eggs, ham and bell peppers, mushrooms and cheese, and two slices of toast.
If it’s lunch you’re after, the burgers are the best, ranging from $4.50 for the basic hamburger to $11.75 for the lava burger stuffed with cheese and topped with bacon, onion and more cheese and fries.
Specialty sandwiches include the BLT for $4.25, crispy chicken for$5.25 and a taro burger for $11.95.
Watch the reader board for “Today’s Special.” The other day, it was biscuits and gravy or $3 for a slice of apple pie. Can’t go wrong with either.
Gina’s Cafe does it right. And it doesn’t take long for your meal to arrive. If it’s really busy, people may be staring at you, waiting for you to give up your table. So, you might not want to gab for too long. But it’s there no lineup, sit, talk story, listen, and you’ll likely learn in a short conversation about all that is happening in town that day and the coming days. And you’ll get a great meal to boot. That’s how it should be.
Now, take that stroll around town and discover the rest of Waimea and all the shops out there. Tell them Gina sent you.
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Bill Buley, editor-in-chief, can be reached at 245-0457 or bbuley@thegardenisland.com.
Best spot on the west side!! Second to none!
Happy there’s a cafe there. Which Gina was this? There may be more than 1 there? I am for the small business owner. Funny…I was just going to suggest her, then I thought why this business? For the people. Gina the people person of course. Enough said.