Big Wave Shrimp

Walk up to the window at the colorful Big Wave Shrimp food truck and you’ll see Kawita Stacy ready to cook up a tasty plate of fresh isle shrimp.

Born and raised in Thailand, the mecca of street food, Stacy simply likes cooking. She’s been in the kitchen since her teens with her father at the helm. “My father taught me how to cook outstanding food since I was a teenager,” says Stacy. “I wanted to start a food business so I could cook delicious food for people.”

Big Wave Shrimp opened in 2005. Their Crunchy Shrimp plate was featured on Guy Fieri’s Food Network TV program, “Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives,” and is included in the website’s “Guy’s Top Eats in the Aloha State.” It’s made with large butterflied shrimp dipped in tempura batter and coated in panko before being pan fried. Customers get 10 pieces served with rice, veggies and a sweet-and-spicy dipping sauce. Other favorites are the Garlic Shrimp and Lemon Peppered Shrimp, plus find other items as well.

Each plate comes with a heaping dose of aloha and wishes for a healthy, wealthy and happy long life. “I’m always happy to welcome and greet customers who are kind to visit and trust us, and share conversation,” says Stacy. “People trust us by eating our food, so we do our best everyday.”

She says she eats the Spicy Shrimp because it’s her favorite. “It’s so yummy and broke da mouth!” says Stacy. Then adds, “But every menu item is delicious.”