Romy’s

There we were in a van filled with four kids, my sister, and her boyfriend. We were on a mission to find some garlicky shrimp that would soon end our hunger and satisfy our taste buds.

On the island of Oahu, Hawaii there are many places you can get food to eat. If you love the gracefully delicious combination of shrimp and garlic Romy’s is the place to go. On your way to this little red shrimp shack on the side of the road north from Honolulu, you’ll find yourself on quite the drive. It almost gives you an excuse to say, “Why not?!? Let’s drive around the whole island!”

That’s what my family and I just did. On a beautiful day like this, it only made sense to indulge in yet another adventure with the sun shining down on us surrounded by the bluest clear sky. The drive to this shrimp shack is one of the most beautiful drives I’ve ever been on.

You’re on a road surrounded by Palm trees, tropical flowers, hills that were covered with bright green grass, and the shimmering ocean waving at you as you drive by. The further you drive you find little stops that will lead you to fruit stands filled with bananas, mangoes, coconuts, and papayas. In the horizon, you’ll see tiny houses surrounded by fences which gives the area a rustic feel. Within these fences you’ll hear cows mooing in the distance. Once you pass these farmlands you’ll find yourself driving by a lush field full of pineapples as the breeze catches your hair.

Trying to stop my hair from flying I caught a glimpse of my nephews in the back seat silently asleep on each other’s shoulders. Sitting next to me on my left is my niece who tries to teach me how to play sing along patty cake. I must say I almost got the hang of it until the sight of wind turbines caught my attention to my right.

Shortly on your left, you’ll stumble upon a little red shrimp shack next to a little pond full of tiny fish, surrounded by grass.  There will be rows of picnic tables next to the shack and a red truck that will hold a sign with their name across it, “Romy’s Kahuku Prawns and Shrimp inc.”

You’ll see a long line full of people trying to order shrimp to their likings. I must suggest that thirty minutes before you arrive to the shrimp shack to call in and place your order or you will be waiting at least thirty to foury minutes to put your hands on these mouth watering shrimp.

The cool breeze will take the heat off your face. The air is filled with the aroma of garlic and shrimp, mixed with the scent of grass. Music will be heard from the shack and to the right of it there will be a little water pump guzzling away. Across the street is a farm that sells pizza, sandwiches, and ice cream. If you like, they also offer farm tours. After a while you’ll hear your name being called in the distance in the middle of cars driving by.

Our excitement started to increase as we all got up and quickly washed our hands in the sink provided for us. You’ll get a styrofoam box filled with rice, garlic, and succulent shrimp with the shells and head still in tacked. My family does it the traditional Filipino way and dig in with our hands. All of us sitting there silently pulling the heads off and sucking off the garlicky buttery goodness. These shrimp literally melt in your mouth.

Satisfied, we all got up and washed our hands off what would smell of garlic and shrimp for the rest of the night. We throw our trash away and continue on our adventure around the island.  At this point the sun started to set, the colors of orange and purple quickly started to fill the sky.  The kids falling asleep to the music playing in the van and me wondering when the next time I’ll be able to eat these shrimp again.

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