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So the second stop on the shrimp truck taste test and as always I prefer Giovanni's. Although this time it was a little harder to taste the garliciness because I still has the overwhelming taste of Fumi's in my mouth. What I like about Giovanni's garlic shrimp is the crunchy garlic bits that are served on top the rice that give it a nice flavor.
It is also not drowning in butter like Fumi's and although $1 more per plate, I feel its not a big deal. However, this time that I went the shrimp was overcooked, which wasn't great tasting, but it's still my favorite shrimp to eat, until I find a better one.
We stopped by on the way around the North Shore one day. It's pretty much two trucks and a bunch of tables and makeshift tents. I thought it was okay. It's shrimp fried in butter with loads of garlic. I was pretty excited to try this since you pretty much put those three things together it sounds like a can't miss 5 star experience. For me, it was just one of those things that just didn't add up. It was something that looks better on paper than reality. It was really busy and most of the tables were full unfortunately. When we finally sat down the tables were dirty. Think of it like camping somewhere where's it's always busy. Anyway, I did sign my name on the front right fender too!
Parking is right off the road in a makeshift dirt lot. Make sure to look when you get back on the highway because traffic is speeding past there all the time.
One thing you should get while cruising out in that area is some Kahuku corn. It's sold by side of the road vendors and it's cheap. Steam that stuff up and it's really good!
I think Famous Kahuku Shrimp Truck is better. Giovanni's is too oily, the shrimp was overcooked, the shell was sticking to the shrimp, there's always a line, and they don't have mac salad.
I do like the fact that they serve their plates with lemon and they pour garlic oil on your rice, but after a few bites of the oily rice, you get kind of sick of it. I appreciate their generous use of garlic, but the shrimp was a real let down.
I was contemplating between this and Fumi, I saw Fumi charged $12 and lots of tourists were brought there, so I went with my gut and curiousity to try Giovanni Shrimp Truck. Since I usually can hold spicyness well, I ordered the Hot and Spicy Shrimp for $13 (a dollar more expensive than Fumi's)
Boy, was it spicy as hell, I almost wanted to wash the shrimp with water, but I didn't!!! I endured it and unfortunately I hardly tasted the garlic, I wished the garlic would be stronger. I have to agree tho the shrimp was really huge, each one of them. and yes, the best way to eat it, peel them off with your hands, you'll enjoy the meal even more =)
Also like to point out that the bathroom there was very clean too, that's really good since you have to wash your hand after the meal. Also they share the shaded seat with a Shaved ice truck, which I didn't try tho, so this rating simply just for Giovanni's. Will I return? Hmm.. probably to try other Kahuku's truck, but definitely not Giovanni's. Oh, one last thing, this place is CASH ONLY!!!
WOW THIS PLACE IS OVER RATED!!! we got all four things on the menu and the best one was the garlic shrimp but that doesn't mean its all so great like everybody is saying I think its just fine period.For the hot and spicy shrimp you got to be kidding me right?IT NOT SPICY AT ALL!! this spiciness is child's play folks!also to be honest it taste like crap,its like they put tabasco sauce and some wet chili and vinegar which made it taste like eating something sour and some pure chillies eek!For the hot dog it nothing special at all I can go to costco and I think it would be better.Last the plain shrimp with butter on the side was shrimp butter and rice thats it!! quoting from reviewer Rania L "People must be out of their freakin minds for loving this place" HAHAHA that is what I am thinking !!
Up on the north shore, near Turtle Bay, you'll find Giovanni's Shrimp truck. It's a landmark and heck of a drive from Waikiki, but it's one of those places that I recommend - as a former local girl.
Hubby got the spicy shrimp and couldn't finish it because of the hole it was burning in his belly. So unless you can handle crazy hot food, like Habanero peppers, seeds and all, stick with the milder fare, like the garlic shrimp scampi. Fortunately the portions are large so I ended up sharing my garlic shrimp with him. This is one dish that is seriously, finger lickin good. We ordered two coconut waters from the vendor next to Giovanni's and had a feast. Sure, it's pricey, but seriously, what isn't expensive in paradise?
Butter + Garlic + Shrimp = GOOD. That's a 1st grade hawaiian math problem for you. It's not a hard formula - so you can't really give Giovanni's a whole lot of culinary credit. But it's still damn good!
I still thought $13 was a bit high for a plate. I'd say $7-8 would be a more realistic price point. But hey, Gio's gotta make a living so I'm happy to contribute to that. I didn't try the 'spicy' shrimp, as it said "no refunds". That, to me, implies that it's stupid hot. I wasn't in the mood to be in pain, I wanted to enjoy the garlic butter in peace.
They have plenty of outdoor seating with shade. That was key on a 90 degree day, especially with our son in a stroller.
I wouldn't say it's worth driving to the North Shore just for this (I've known people to do this). But if you're in the area, it's def worth the stop. Plus, it's just a North Shore icon (like Matsumoto's).
Omg, are you serious, with this many reviews this place still got a whooping 4 stars. I just went here for lunch today and it was somewhat busy. The person who took our order was Bitchy and look like she wanna kick some ass. But luckily I'm much bigger than her. We ordered everything they had from the menu, they only have likes four things altogether . And the best dish was the scampi shrimp, the famous hot and spicy shrimps could have been a little bit hotter , as the menu and others reviewers mentioned, it supposed to be hot as hell. But it wasn't that hot at all.
i was excited to try giovanni's based on friends and reviews.
we each ordered the scampi plate with a side of the spicy sauce. the spicy sauce was a little too vinegar-y IMO so i was glad i didnt order the spicy shrimp. plus it was spicy hahaha the garlic was delicious with the rice!
the shrimp were smaller than i had imagined and it was tough to get the shell off. last year we went to ono shrimps and after having giovannis i prefer ono shrimps. i'll yelp that later.
there were plenty of tables but the flies were bothering me so we went to eat in the car with the AC on.
PS. if you are in waikiki and see those newspaper box thingies with the booklets.. grab the small one for oahu cuz it has a coupon for 1 free drink with the purchase of a plate at giovannis. its probably only a dollar for a drink but it doesnt hurt to take advantage!
there seem to be alot of these trucks on the side of the 83 in north shore. i had to try the official one that errone and their momma talks about tho...see in gilroy, u eat garlic and in kahuku(north shore) u eat shrimp....
long story short, best shrimp scampi i've ever had...if u love ur scrimp garlicky and juicy, this is the shrimp truck for u. damn those scrimps were good.
Was on the way to the pineapple farm and stopped by for lunch. 6 girls devoured 2 plates of Shrimp Scampi and 1 plate of lemon butter.
Get the Shrimp Scampi!
Kahuku Shrimp.... so good had to come back twice!
again........ BIG. JUICY. SUCCULENT. GARLICKY.
gotta eat it all with ur hands.... provincial style! and lick the sauce off ur fingers.... IT'S OVER!!!!!!!
so good........................
The shrimp are nice and juicy and full of flavor.
The special lady and I hit up this place after a few hours over at Chinaman's Hat. Any place that can pump out a cloud of garlic aroma for over a mile is going to be great in my opinion.
I went for the garlic shrimp, and as the GF doesn't like shrimp, she got the hot dog. She claims it was the best hot dog she's ever had. My shrimp were pretty good, but at roughly $1 each, I've had better. This place is literally feet from the shrimp farms, and they should be selling the shrimp at like 1/4 the price, but no dice. It is a bit of a hot spot so good for them being able to take advantage of market conditions.
This place is worth a stop if you are passing by, just so that you can form your own opinions. I'll probably be back, only because I probably won't be back in hawaii for a while.
Oh yeah, there is a chicken running around. He's pretty cool.
Paradise, Fresh Shrimp, and tons of garlic are a match made in vacation heaven!
A huge scoop of white rice topped with fresh shrimp that is harvested locally tons of garlic and lemon and some spice. You know how much I love my spice!
This is a real truck you guys, but the truck is extremely clean and food is served on paper plates, but you sit under a tent on picnic tables.
OMG...So flippin' good. Prices are pretty descent for seafood, and its cash only. Once you've gorged yourself go swim in the ocean and it's a day made in paradise.
If you stay in Waikiki this can be out of the way, its pretty close to Turtle Bay resort and where they film Lost.
Mahalo!
Giovanni's is the extremely popular shrimp truck located along the North Shore. A must have stop for most tourists, we decided to try Giovanni's over the nearby Sweet Macky's.
The shrimp scampi ($15) included two scoops of rice, hot sauce, and approximately 15 shrimp fried with shell on.
I found the shrimp to be very fresh, flavorful, and full of both butter and garlic. So why only 3 stars? While I thought Giovanni's was very good, I kinda expected more for $15. No macaroni salad? No other entrees except shrimp?
Overall, Giovanni's is quite good at what they do, but they're a one trick wonder. I like variety but the wait, crowds, and price left me wanting more.
Cash only.
A lil beat up, tagged all over food truck right across the street from the McDonald's. We battled heat, rain, flies to eat here, and it was worth every drop of sweat.
I ordered the shrimp scampi and immediately find myself licking every drop of garlic flavoring and butter off of the shrimp shells and my fingers. Now, that's what is meant by "finger licking good"!
Oh oh AND you get to put graffiti all over the truck, sweet. I wrote my stripper name on there and called it a day.
Giovanni's was my only shrimp truck experience on Hawaii and I wasn't disappointed one bit. I tackled a dozen pieces of the garlic shrimp scampi as an afternoon snack, and they were probably a bit overpriced , but well worth it considering the mild spiciness and garlic aftertaste flavors. I don't know how fresh the shrimp are, but shrimp is shrimp to me and they were definitely above par (and no, I'm not talking about golf).
We only stopped here because we were in the area. Its way overpriced, $13 for a dozen shrimp and rice. It's crappy farmed shrimp, not even wild. There is no price justification!! The lemon butter had no flavor. People must be out of their freakin minds for loving this place....
Driving....and driving some more passing up all the other shrimp trucks tricking us that they might be Giovanni's...then finally there it is!
Talk about yummy, yummy garlic shrimps!!
It was really worth the drive to North Shore to get these shrimps. I can't say much more then everyone else has just that if you are in the area...you need to check them out!!!
As everyone says it's a little pricey but I think it's worth it.
I just wish SHRIMP wasn't SO bad for you. That goes for BUTTER as well. Especially LOTS of it.
My girls got the SUPER SPICY HOT SHRIMP PLATES and they were sweating!!! I opted for the Shrimp Scampi and it was delish.
The plates are a little pricier than I expected, but that's Hawaii for you. There's a smoothie truck next door that serves li hing mui pineapple chunks that's well worth the four bucks for dessert.
The garlic shrimp is just AMAZING!! It's finger-licking good! Something about the garlic and butter is just so delicious. I also liked how the rice was cooked perfectly (by my Chinese standards). I just recommend eating in your car, if possible. When I went to Oahu in August 2008, we ate outdoors and it was just very difficult to eat because of flies flying around you constantly and also because the tables were kind of filthy. When I went back this past May, we rented a van and ate inside with the A/C on.
I highly recommend Giovanni's if you're visiting the North Shore. Just be warned that the places closes kind of early. I think 6 or 7pm? Also, the place is cash only.
...just adding a link...
North Shore Adventures Away From The Water
http://www.sfgate.com/...
Very excellent shrimp...1st time, so I went to get it, however I wouldn't go out of my way for it… Read more »
We were driving along the coast of the North Shore and we needed a snack. Everyone raves about shrimp trucks that line Kame Hwy. We stopped at the first one we saw and yup, it was NOT Giovanni's. We kept driving and low and behold, we found it!
You must...you MUST order the original scampi sauced shrimp plate! It's $13 for a dozen shrimp plus two scoops of rice. I think it's a rip but it was sooo delish! The rice is coated with fried garlic so it gives it a good crunch and flavor as well.
We also ordered the LEMON BUTTER shrimp plate and this was OK. The shrimp were just cooked normally with no flavor. There was a wedge of lemon and a cup of delicious fatty melted butter. You pretty much shell your shrimp, coat it with a bit of lemon and dunk it in the cup of butter. Then yup, there's your lemon buttered shrimp.
Go for the scampi. The end!
We drove all the way from Kailua to try this place out! I had the spicy shrimp plate and whooooo....it was hot!! For $13, you get a dozen deveined shrimp, 2 scoops of rice, and 1 lemon wedge! Goodness gracious, halfway through my meal, I didn't know whether it was the weather or the food, but I was sweating! By the end of it, the roof of my mouth was on fire, but I had to force myself to finish the last two shrimp to make our trip up there worth it! Ahhh...
Chris had the garlic shrimp plate and he said it tasted like a whole lotta butter!! It was good but very buttery!!
Let's get something straight: your eating food prepared out of a truck. Yet, like so many regional road-side stands, its as good as it gets. After what seems like an interminable wait with cooking garlic wafting along on the North Shore breeze, the garlicky, crunchy, buttery display on your paper plate is the ONLY thing you can think about.
Good luck trying to replicate the recipe, its the mission of more than a few foodies to recreate the same experience in their own kitchen, and as one of those, I can tell you that I believe the key ingredient fresh shrimp. Notice the shrimp ponds on the North Shore and you'll understand why your shrimp tastes better than any of the frozen stuff you are forced to buy because you do NOT have a shrimp pond. Alas..I also do not have a shrimp pond.
Eating at a shrimp truck is a true North Shore experience...and Giovanni's is my favorite (having sampled most of them). Note, however that there is much debate on which is the best and try them all for yourself!
So great! I suggest you get the garlic, and ask for a side of the spicy sauce for dipping. If you want to be totally prepared, bring a slew of those moist towelettes, because it's pretty messy finger-food.
MY FAV
garlic shrimp
WARNING
It can get messy - if you order the garlic shrimp, you will have garlic under the nails! Oh, and bring gum for after the meal!
OVERALL REVIEW
For $13, you get a dozen shrimp (pretty big in size) and 2 scoops of rice. The spicy sauce is great for the rice - I only used a little bit (i'm a mild kinda girl). I also tried the garlic hot dog, which was very good. My friend and I split these two plates and were full for the rest of the day. We did NOT encounter long lines or poor service.
SHRIMP SCAMPI -- dozen shrimp for $13, pricey, yes but...
DO IT.
This place is awesome! Keep you eye out there are plenty of knock offs.
This place gives you large shrimp with lots of flavor. Awesome if you like garlic. Great for a quick bite on your way to Sunset beach or Matsumotos. They offer quick service and cost affordable.
We had the Shrimp Scampi and the Wifey and I shared. It is a lot of food!
They lose one star for the bathrooms. Out side of that this place would rank 5 base on Taste, cost and quick service.
I got the scampi plate. #1. That and a coke was 14 bucks. It was just alright. It wasnt amazing. It was just shrimp. The rice was bleh. Some of the shrimp were not deviened well enough. I dont want to see a little black line of shrimp shit while Im about to dig in. I had to clean off about 4 out of the 12 to remove excess crap. It was tasty enough but I should have got the half plate for 6.50. I was glad I went and ate here once but I doubt I would ever crave it or seek it again.
Had to try this famous truck.
We didn't go to this location...we went to the other location in Haleiwa, which is a little south of Waimea Bay.
I ordered the shrimp scampi which comes with rice and a dozen shrimp. The first thing I noticed was the INTENSE garlic smell. I love garlic so I knew I would love this plate.
You MUST get your hands dirty to eat this plate! Don't even think about using a knife and fork! Get in there and peel those suckers!
They have benches surrounded the truck where you can eat. They even had a sink for you to wash your hands!
Definitely try this place. And don't forget to write your name or a message on the famous truck.
Cash only.
The reason I went to Giovanni's over all the other shrimp places near by was because I heard it was the 'original shrimp shack'. I regret basing my decision to eat here off that alone.
The workers here were extremely rude. You could tell that they hated working here. The lady who took my order gave me an attitude because she couldn't hear me. I figured I wouldn't let this one woman ruin my visit so I kept an open mind. After getting my shrimp, my fork and extra plate flew off the table so I went up to a different person working here and they seemed pissed off to have to hand me another fork and plate.
While eating, we were swarmed with flies which was really annoying. The trash bins were near by and that kept the flies even closer to us.
The two stars given for this place was for the food itself. I thought the shrimp tasted delicious but I'm sure I could of got good tasting shrimp and better service from one of the other shrimp shacks up the road.
mmm.... Giovanni's. Thinking about the dripping butter and chunks of garlic is making my mouth water. The shrimp here is damn good! When you first take a bite into the shrimp, you'll think.. "yum. this shit is good!" That's where you might give this place 4 stars. The 5 stars kick in when you continue to taste the garlic in your mouth and all you want is another plate of Giovanni's! We ordered the Shrimp Scampi and the Spicy Hot Shrimp. They were both good, but I definitely preferred the Shrimp Scampi. Of all the 5 star restaurants we ate in Oahu, I think we enjoyed Giovanni's the most.
I even stopped by Blue Water Shrimp Truck in Waikiki before our flight back because I was hoping it would be as good as Giovanni's. Not as good, but it was worth a try! lol.
For those that rated Giovanni's Shrimp Truck anything less than a 4 or a 5... are you crazy? What are you expecting? Your eating out of a TRUCK for gods sake! The Shrimp Scampi is delicious!! A perfect combination of butter and garlic smothered shrimp. It doesn't get better than leaving the beach and hitting up a shrimp truck for some savory shrimp.
I wouldn't recommend the Spicy Shrimp. I LOVE spicy foods, but the spicy shrimp is average. I havn't tried any other flavors, but Giovanni's should only offer 1 item on their menu... Shrimp Scampi because there is nothing more delicious than it!
WOW, just WOW. I can't say enough about their shrimp scampi. That's all you need to get here. I don't think I've had better shrimp anywhere else. This is definitely a great dinner after a tiring day at North Shore.
By far the best shrimp I have ever had! Giovanni's offer 3 types of shrimp plates each having 12 shrimps with two scoops of rice. The flavors I like in order are the garlic, spicy and then lemon butter. Giovanni's also has fresh fruit smoothies and fresh sliced pineapple. If your staying on the opposite side of the island I highly recommend taking the scenic route as the one-hour drive is well worth the wait.
Garlic Scampi = A+++
Hot/Spicy = A++
Lemon/Butter = A
Fresh Fruit Smoothie = A
Fresh Pineapple slices = A++
My friends were raving about Giovanni's Shrimp truck all week as i missed out the first time they ate there. They said you get these dozen huge shrimps, slathered in garlic-butter scampi sauce and it was pure ORGASMIC! I was absolutely dying to try some!!!
The whole time i was in Hawaii, i thought about Giovanni's obsessively everyday! I almost bought a plate of fake Giovanni's but stopped myself! Finally on my last day here, after trekking out to North Shore and hiking Waimea Falls, I was excited to go find the white shrimp truck. Unfortunately, our GPS took us up a hill on a lil' detour as we GPS in Giovanni's Shrimp truck. Why would a shrimp truck be on top of a freaking hill??? Anyhow, after calling for direction- i was told it was somewhere off the kama-something highway, we finally found it!
You can smell the garlic scampi sauce once you open the car door. Once i got my plate, (sorry BF- i'm not sharing!) it was everything i envisioned and more! The shrimps were huge!!! You can see chunks of garlic in the mix. I added some hot sauce to my rice but beware- it's really spicy! I ate until there wasn't anything but shrimp peels and tails left. It was hands down the best $13 my BF ever spent on me!
Thanks again to Yelp, I'd have never found this lunch wagon without you!! I mean really people-there's more than 300 reviews for a lunch wagon-they got to be doing something right. And that something is the garlic shrimp. The shrimp were delicious! Worth it if you're in the neighborhood but it's a bit off the beaten path and I'm not sure I'd make a special long drive for it but it was dang good!
Words of warning, the bathrooms in the buildings off to the side are a bit scary.
Giovanni's has two shrimp trucks on the island, both on the way to the North Shore. We liked the shrimp here so much we have had it twice in one trip! They have four items on the menu (1) shrimp scampi; (2) butter shrimp; (3) hot and spicy shrimp; and (4) garlic hot dog.
Kevin & I have tried all but the hot & spicy. They are each good in their own respect but my absolute favorite is the shrimp scampi. Each plate comes with about a dozen jumbo shrimp and two scoops of rice. The garlic that is smothered on the shrimp makes the rice super tasty. Be careful, the shrimp comes shell on so get ready to get your hands dirty and bring the wet naps!
Haleiwa, HI
Category: Restaurants
Kahuku, HI
Category: Hawaiian
Kahuku, HI
Category: Seafood
Kahuku, HI
Category: Food Stands
Punaluu, HI
Category: Seafood
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