L&L Hawaiian Barbecue with Eugene Cordero

"L&L Hawaiian Barbecue with Eugene Cordero" is Episode 21 of *Doughboys*, hosted by Mike Mitchell and Nick Wiger. "L&L Hawaiian Barbecue with Eugene Cordero" was released on October 1, 2015.

## Synopsis

Actor, comedian, and newly appointed captain of #SpoonNation Eugene Cordero (*Other Space*, *Kroll Show*) stops by to share his love for island institution L&L Hawaiian Barbecue / L&L Drive-Inn. Plus, another edition of Flavor of the Week.

## Nick's intro

In the 19th century, Hawaii's sugar plantations were in desperate need of labor, and so an influx of immigration from Japan, China, the Philippines, Portugal, Korea, and more. As these cultures intermingled with each other, and with the island territory's native population, so too did their dishes and flavors. And so Hawaiian food became the original pan-Asian cuisine.

Sometime in the 1880s, inspired by the Japanese bento box, plantation workers collectively created the plate lunch: a heaping helping of rice, macaroni salad, and a protein such as teriyaki beef or char siu pork.

Nearly a century later, Hawaii, now a US state, and the plate lunch firmly ensconced in local food culture, entrepreneurs Johnson Kam and Eddie Flores, Jr. purchased a drive-in restaurant in Honolulu specializing in the dish. After growing it into a massively successful regional Hawaiian chain, they traversed the Pacific to the western United States in 1999, coining the term "Hawaiian Barbecue" to market the plate lunch to unfamiliar mainlanders.

The chain's expansion to the contiguous states was a success and they exploded throughout the American West. Today, there are 200 locations in places as far-flung as Texas, New York, New Zealand, and Japan.

This week on *Doughboys*: L&L Hawaiian Barbecue.

## Fork rating

	+ Mahi Mahi
	+ Fried Shrimp
	+ Chicken Katsu
	+ Rice and Macaroni Salad
 Mike Mitchell
	+ Rice and Macaroni Salad
 Eugene Cordero
	+ Short Ribs
	+ BBQ Beef
	+ BBQ Chicken
	+ Rice and Macaroni Salad
 shared
* Spam Musubi
* Portugese Sausage Musubi

Thus, L&L is a member of the Golden Plate Club.

## Flavor of the Week

Flavor of the Week is a segment where The Doughboys try different varieties of one brand.

For this episode, they have four varieties of Hawaiian Sun: Luau Punch, Strawberry Lilikoi, Mango Orange, and Pass-O-Guava Nectar.

They agree the Strawberry Lilikoi tastes like punch with a strong aftertaste of strawberry. They enjoy the Mango Orange Drink: Mitch thinks it tastes like an Orange Julius, and Eugene thinks it would be good with vodka. The Luau Punch tastes just like Hawaiian Punch. The Pass-O-Guava Nectar is friend of the podcast and Eugene’s wife, Tricia McAlpin's favorite and The Doughboys agree with her that it is the best one.

 Mike Mitchell
 Eugene Cordero

Hawaiian Sun Luau PunchHawaiian Sun Strawberry LilikoiHawaiian Sun Mango-Orange DrinkHawaiian Sun Pass-O-Guava Nectar

## Quotes

**Eugene**: Both of them are amazingly cool.

## The Feedbag

Now to my feedbag question. What level of service is perfect for you guys? Do you like to be talked to and asked about your day? A quick interaction with a smile? Curious.

 Mike Mitchell
 Eugene Cordero

## Related Episodes

* 93. Chicken Fight: Full Bird Region