Kevin’s Two Boots

Kevin is such a nice guy and he is passionate about his food. I can sit and chat with him for hours (and have!)
I am in love with is parmesan garlic ranch dressing which he will sell you by the jar. It is real garlic so NO wimps. Just don’t eat this on date night because you will be alone!
He does an organic chicken plate as a special that is one of my favorite things. I think he should make that a regular menu item although I suspect it has to do with availability.
Love the corn bread, great with honey and butter.

We ordered the Jambalaya at the Hawaiian Food truck event and it tasted like the kim chee fried rice that we cook at home instead. I was expecting something better, but we arrived later in the afternoon so maybe that could have made a difference.
They sold a half of a plate lunch size for $ 5 at the event, which was average.

Now if the thought of New Orleans style BBQ isn’t already tantalizing, imagine the spices that go into their meat. HROOM! Catching the tail end of the Kevin Two Boots feature on the KHON morning news (as you can see my favorite source for buzz eateries), I went ahead and emailed Manolo Morales regarding the 411. He didn’t disappoint.
Took me while to make it here because not only is he open only 4 days out the week (Tuesday thru Friday. He does a culinary program at KCC during the weekends) but he is also all the way out in Wahiawa. If you drive up California Ave, past the Goodwill onto the crossing street, you’ll see a line forming around a graffitied wagon come lunch time. Though make a note that on Thursday, he is somewhere in the Waipio Costco parking lot.
So glad he offers combination plates. Prices here range from 8 to $ 12 (cash only). I went ahead with the ribs, BBQ chicken and jambalaya. Aside from his current menu, overhearing talk of him expanding with lemon spiced chicken and dry rubbed ribs was a potential precursor to my return. I was so excited about the food at hand, my friend and I did a quantum leap to the nearest park (no tables near wagon) and dug in.
As for the chicken and ribs, it didn’t have that slow cooked n’ smoky meat appeal. Tasted more like it was slapped on a grill, then later splattered with (I’m assuming) his homemade sauce, even if it tasted store bought. Flavor-​wise, it wasn’t bad but still lacked the quality that only open fire pits provide. Of course I’m not hating on this style of preparation but when you say southern style BBQ… right? The jambalaya was the worst part. It was watery, more like a thick rice and vegetable soup than a starch. Pass.
I personally think the only reason why Manolo gives this place such praise is because he is tight with Kevin. I know because Kevin Two Boots told me so. Sorry but I think Two Boots BBQ should rename themselves to Kevin’s Grill.
2 ½ stars (the ½ only because the chicken was tasty)
Kevin’s Two Boots lunch wagon in Wahiawa/​Waipio