Tag Archives: Pono Hawaiian Grill
Santa Cruz County food/drink closures & changes, as of March 21, 2020
photo by Liz Birnbaum of The Curated Feast
As I mentioned in my post Thursday, I am doing what I can to share information during the Coronavirus pandemic. Hoping this helps those of you who are either buying groceries or ready-to-eat food and drinks, and also helps the local business owners. Unfortunately I’ve already heard of one closing because of the health crisis: the restaurant/pub 99 Bottles of Beer on the Wall announced Thursday it would be closing for good because they wouldn’t be able to survive this.
I wanted to also mention, for staying healthy, that Capitola’s The Vitamin Center is taking phone orders and offering curbside pickup. Call 831-462-4697 after 10 a.m. daily except Sunday.
Please forgive any mistakes in these listings, as it’s a constantly changing situation. Email me at tara@santacruzfoodie.com if you have information to share, that I can add to future articles. I’ll provide more listings in a couple days.
Grocery stores (listed alphabetically)
- Costco: hours are 9 a.m.-8:30 p.m., seniors and vulnerable customers can shop Tues & Thurs 8-9 a.m., https://www.costco.com/
- Grocery Outlet: hoursare8 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily, https://groceryoutlet.com/store-locator
- New Leaf Community Markets: reduced hours 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, https://www.newleaf.com/
- Shopper’s Corner: as of March 21, they had not reduced hours (still 6 a.m. – 9 p.m.). For seniors and vulnerable guests, they will take your order via email (shoppers.statements@gmail.com) and shop for you Monday-Friday, & call when ready to pick up—when you email your list, include your name & phone #. http://www.shopperscorner.com/
- Staff of Life: reduced hours 9 a.m.-8 p.m., seniors 60 & older can shop at 8 a.m. from Monday-Friday, https://www.staffoflifemarket.com
- Target: reduced hours at stores including Capitola & Watsonville (8 a.m.-9 p.m.): https://www.target.com/store-locator/find-stores
- Trader Joe’s: reduced hours: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily, https://www.traderjoes.com/
- Safeway: reduced hours depending on location, https://www.safeway.com/
- Whole Foods: reduced hours 9 a.m.-8 p.m., seniors 60 & older can shop at 8 a.m. https://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/stores
Farmer’s Markets – these are currently open:
- Downtown Santa Cruz Wednesday
- Aptos/Cabrillo College Saturday
- Westside SC Saturday
- Live Oak Sunday
Restaurants & other food vendors
- Alderwood: reopening March 24 with takeout and delivery menu, alderwoodsantacruz.com
- Bad Animal Books: Wednesday, Friday, & Sunday from 4-7 p.m., take-out “family meals” with curbside pick up. Emergency first responders get a 50% discount. Order at badanimalbooks.com.
- Bagelry: closed for the foreseeable future
- Bittersweet Bistro: open Wednesday-Sunday noon-7 pm for take-out, curbside pickup, and delivery (to Aptos on orders over $100), bittersweetbistro.com.
- Blue Bunny Tacos: closed until further notice
- Café Mare: takeout/curbside and delivery, 831-458-1212, http://www.cafemare.com/
- Charlie Hong Kong: noon-9 p.m., takeout (curbside pickup). They will cater & deliver to serve first responders, medical/hospital staff & government workers, charliehongkong.com
- Chocolate: takeout/delivery daily 4-8pm. They use DoorDash for delivery — menu is updated on DoorDash every day at noon, and there are daily specials Delivery info is at https://www.doordash.com/store/chocolate-santa-cruz-284767/ & pickup info is at https://chocolatesantacruz.com/wine-list/
- Colectivo Felix: Friday and Saturday empanada delivery to Santa Cruz residents, possibly adding soup next week (check site Monday), https://colectivofelix.square.site/
- Crow’s Nest: takeout daily with curbside pickup 11:30 a.m.-8 p.m., also Beach Market next door 9 a.m.-8 p.m., http://www.crowsnest-santacruz.com/
- Dharma’s: closed for the foreseeable future
- East Side Eatery from Pleasure Pizza: 11 a.m.-8 p.m., takeout/delivery only, with curbside pickup for online orders, pleasurepizzasc.com
- Full Steam Dumpling: Thursday-Sunday noon-5 p.m., takeout with curbside pickup (at Santa Cruz Food Lounge), (626) 549-5574
- Home: takeout with curbside pickup, taking phone orders between 1-6pm, 831-431-6131, homesoquel.com
- Ideal Bar & Grill: Daily noon-6 p.m., takeout food plus brewed coffee and espresso drinks, are available. Orders can be placed in person at café or at 831-423-5271. Only 2 guests at a time will be allowed in Ideal for pickup. www.idealbarandgrill.com
Kianti’s: takeout with curbside pickup, or delivery, https://www.kiantis.com/ - La Posta: takeout with curbside pickup, lapostarestaurant.com
- Lago di Como Ristorante & Pizzeria: takeout/delivery including free delivery to limited areas, menu with family-size options through April 7, lagodicomoristorante.com
- Laili: takeout/delivery, lailirestaurant.com
- Linda’s Sea Breeze: 8 a.m.-1 p.m., takeout, cash (ATM available) or check, 831-427-9713
- Nick the Greek: takeout/delivery, nickthegreeksj.com/locations
- Olive Garden: doing takeout and delivery,https://www.olivegarden.com/order-togo
- Panda Express: takeout and delivery, pandaexpress.com
- Pasatiempo Golf Course: MacKenzie Bar & Grill is closed until further notice; Hollins House is doing take-out dinner. thehollinshouse.com/restaurant
- Persephone: take-out menu available Fridays and Saturdays (may expand in future). Menu will change week to week, see https://www.toasttab.com/potter/v3
- Pono Hawaiian Grill: closing downtown location for the foreseeable future
- Pretty Good Advice: takeout daily 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
- Shadowbrook: closing until at least April 7.
- Soif: takeout with curbside pickup, Tues-Sat 4-8 p.m., soifwine.com
- Surf City Sandwich: 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m., takeout or delivery, see surfcitysandwich.com.
- Tortilla Flats: closed until further notice
- Tramonti: takeout and delivery, 11:30 a.m.-9 p.m., 831-426-7248, http://www.tramontisantacruz.com
- Vim Dining & Desserts: closed until further notice
- Zameen: all branches will be closed through at least March 22.
Get info for more downtown SC restaurants, & other downtown SC food/drink venues, at https://downtownsantacruz.com/downtown-delivered
Breweries & wineries
- Big Basin Vineyards closed the Boulder Creek and Saratoga tasting rooms until further notice.
- Humble Sea Brewing Co. is to-go only.” Hours are Monday-Thursday 2-7 p.m. and Friday-Sunday noon to 7 p.m. Visit humblesea.com.
- Sante Adairius is offering to-go sales, from noon to 6 p.m. daily. Visit rusticales.com.
Follow me on:
Twitter @santacruzfoodie
Instagram @tarafatemiwalker
Facebook @santacruzfoodieexaminer
Santa Cruz County food/drink closures & changes, as of March 19, 2020
photo courtesy of HOME web site
Hi everyone – I wanted to help share some information in this unprecedented environment. As this is constantly evolving and I don’t have the time or resources to gather everything at once, I am starting with one list today & including hours where I have them.
I will add a second list soon, with more in each of these categories, and try to do revised and/or additional lists in the days to come. I wish you all continued good health.
Please email me at tara@santacruzfoodie.com if you have information to share, that I can add to future lists/articles (I have some more ready to share but if I keep typing I will never finish & be able to share these).
Grocery stores
- New Leaf Community Markets reduced hours: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, newleaf.com
- Trader Joe’s reduced hours: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily, traderjoes.com
- Safeway: reduced hours depending on location, safeway.com/
Farmer’s Markets – these are currently open:
Downtown Santa Cruz Wednesday
Aptos/Cabrillo College Saturday
Westside SC Saturday
Live Oak Sunday
Restaurants
Alderwood: reopening Tuesday with takeout and delivery menu, alderwoodsantacruz.com
Bad Animal Books: Wednesday, Friday, & Sunday from 4-7 p.m., take-out “family meals” with curbside pick up. Emergency first responders get a 50% discount. Order at badanimalbooks.com.
Blue Bunny Tacos: closed until further notice
Charlie Hong Kong: noon-9 p.m., takeout (curbside pickup). They will cater & deliver to serve first responders, medical/hospital staff & government workers, charliehongkong.com
Dharma’s: closed for the foreseeable future.
East Side Eatery from Pleasure Pizza: 11 a.m.-8 p.m., takeout/delivery only, with curbside pickup for online orders, pleasurepizzasc.com
Home: takeout with curbside pickup, taking phone orders between 1-6pm, 831-431-6131, homesoquel.com
La Posta: takeout with curbside pickup, lapostarestaurant.com
Lago di Como Ristorante & Pizzeria: takeout/delivery including free delivery to limited areas, menu with family-size options through April 7, lagodicomoristorante.com
Laili: takeout/delivery, lailirestaurant.com
Nick the Greek: takeout/delivery, nickthegreeksj.com/locations
Panda Express: takeout and delivery, pandaexpress.com
Pasatiempo Golf Course: MacKenzie Bar & Grill is closed until further notice; Hollins House is doing take-out dinner. thehollinshouse.com/restaurant
Pono Hawaiian Grill: closing downtown location for the foreseeable future
Shadowbrook: closing until at least April 7.
Soif: takeout with curbside pickup, soifwine.com
Surf City Sandwich: 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m., takeout or delivery, see surfcitysandwich.com.
Tortilla Flats: closed until further notice
Vim Dining & Desserts: closed until further notice
Zameen: all branches will be closed through at least Sunday.
Breweries & wineries
- Big Basin Vineyards closed the Boulder Creek and Saratoga tasting rooms until further notice.
- Humble Sea Brewing Co. is to-go only.” Hours are Monday-Thursday 2-7 p.m. and Friday-Sunday noon to 7 p.m. Visit humblesea.com.
- Sante Adairius is offering to-go sales, from noon to 6 p.m. daily. Visit rusticales.com.
Follow me on:
Twitter @santacruzfoodie
Instagram @tarafatemiwalker
Facebook @santacruzfoodieexaminer
Santa Cruz holiday shopping: Gift card bonus offers for restaurants
Pono Hawaiian Grill is offering discount gift cards this holiday season
If you’re in Santa Cruz or Capitola and have some gift or stocking stuffer shopping to do, you’ll be happy to know that several restaurants are offering “gift certificate bonus deals” for the 2018 holiday season. Here are a few options – if you hear of any more, let me know at tara@santacruzfoodie.com so I can share with everyone, thanks!
Santa Cruz
Pono Hawaiian Grill (120 Union St.) – If you buy a $25 gift card, it costs $20. If you buy a $100 card, you get a $20 bonus certificate. The offer is valid until Dec. 31. For more information, call 831-426-7666 or visit ponohawaiiangrill.com.
Hula’s Island Grill: ((221 Cathcart St.): Purchase a $50 gift certificate and get a $10 card free to keep for yourself. Purchase $100 and get a $20 certificate free. Offer available until December 23. For more information, call 831-426-4852 or visit hulastiki.com.
Mission Hill Creamery (1101B Pacific Ave., 831-216-6421) is offering gift cards at a 20 percent discount. Purchase cards such as a $10 card for $8 or a $50 card for $40. The promotion is valid through Dec. 24. Visit missionhillcreamery.com.
Woodstock’s Pizza – Now through Christmas, for every $50 in gift cards you purchase, you get 5 free “Woody Bucks.” The Santa Cruz location is 710 Front St. Call 831-427-4444 or visit woodstockscruz.com.
Denny’s: customers who buy a $25 Denny’s gift card will receive $50 in coupons for future visits. The offer is valid through Dec. 25. The Santa Cruz location is 1515 Ocean St. Call 831-426-4628 or visit dennys.com.
Capitola
Paradise Beach Grille (215 Esplanade): Buy a $100 gift certificate for $80. Offer valid through Christmas. Call 831-476-4900 or visit paradisebeachgrille.com
Chili’s – If you buy $50 in gift cards, you receive a $10 bonus card to keep for yourself. The Capitola branch is at 1855 41st Ave. For more information, call 831-462-1813 or visit chilis.com.
IHOP – If you buy a $25 gift card, you receive a $5 bonus coupon. The Capitola branch is at 1549 41st Ave. For more information, call 831-475-0540 or visit ihop.com.
Happy holiday shopping & Bon Appetit!
Follow me on:
Twitter @santacruzfoodie
Instagram @tarafatemiwalker
Facebook @santacruzfoodieexaminer
Food Trucks A Go Go expands with weekly Westside Santa Cruz, Soquel & Scotts Valley offerings
An example of a poke dish from Pono Hawaiian Grill, whose food truck Holopono will be at local events July 26 and July 29. Photo credit: Pono Facebook page
Great news for local food truck fans: starting this week, Food Trucks A Go Go is going to operate weekly events in Westside Santa Cruz, Soquel and Scotts Valley.
First, the Westside SC details:
Starting July 26, there will be food truck lunch service every Tuesday and Thursday, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., at the Delaware Addition parking lot. This week, G’s Tacos and Zameen Mediterranean Food Truck will be featured.
Location: 2120 Delaware Ave.
Next, Soquel details:
Taco Tuesdays at Blue Ball Park (the nickname for Soquel’s Anna Jean Cummings Park) start July 26. Every Tuesday from 5:30-7:30 p.m., customers can buy special taco selections from local food trucks in addition to each truck’s signature dishes from their regular menus. This Tuesday, G’s Tacos and Holopono are confirmed. Pono Hawaiian Grill operates Holopono; there will be Hawaiian-style tacos plus nachos, salads, poke and more.
Location: 461 Soquel-San Jose Rd.
Finally, Scotts Valley:
Starting July 25, there will be lunches for sale on Mondays and Wednesdays, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., at the Boys & Girls Club parking lot. This week, G’s Tacos and Zameen Mediterranean will appear.
Location: 5060 Scotts Valley Drive
After LaLi Kates of Aunt LaLi’s Mobile Cafe formed the business Food Trucks A Go Go last year, she launched a monthly food truck event at Scotts Valley’s Skypark. The community response was even better than she had imagined, and she was soon organizing a variety of events, sometimes on Friday nights and sometimes during Sunday brunch.
“We are so excited to be launching these new locations and present the unique and delicious food from our local food trucks,” shared Kates. “The food trucks will rotate to offer a variety of food options at each of the locations.”
At the end of this week, on Friday July 29, Food Trucks A Go Go is partnering with Event Santa Cruz for “Summer Nights & Edible Delights” 5-9 p.m. at the Delaware Addition. Admission is $3. The line-up includes: Holopono, Ate3One, G’s Tacos, Saucey’z, Conscious Creations, Humble Sea Brewing Company and Stockwell Cellars.
Follow me on Twitter @santacruzfoodie.
Pleasure Point Street Fair: family-friendly benefit with great food and drinks
Next Saturday is the fourth annual Pleasure Point Street Fair in Santa Cruz, with a variety of local food and drinks for sale. The event, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., on Portola Drive between 38th and 41st Avenues, has free admission.
The fair includes two stages with eight bands, a kids’ area, and nearly 100 vendors selling arts, crafts, and food.
Food and drinks include:
— Ate3One Food Truck: Philly Cheese Steak, Vegetarian Cheese Steak, Poke Nachos, New Bohemia Brewing Co’s Pulled Pork, Naughty Fries
— Pono Hawaiian Grill Food Truck: Poke Bowls with seaweed salad and rice, poke plate, 2 different fish, pork bowls: Kahlua pork, kimchi and rice, spam musubi, charsiu pork manapua, poke salad (3 different poke with seaweed salad, carrots and purple cabbage)
— Zameen’s Mediterranean Food Truck: gyro, red chili chicken wrap, pulled pork sandwich, roasted sweet potato wrap, strawberry and goat cheese salad, sweet potato fries.
— New Leaf Community Markets: Fresh Salads, Sandwiches and rice bowls
— Lucy’s Hot Dogs: Hot dogs and sausages
— Real Good Fish: Salmon/Avocado Poke, Smoked Salmon, Salmon Collars & Fins
— Santa Cruz Fish Company: Fish Tacos
— Conscious Creations: Acai Bowls, Coconut Water, Yerba Mate, Rice Bowls, Combo Plate, Wraps and Tacos
— Pleasure Point Business Association: Burgers and Veggie Burgers
— Expanded Beer and Wine Garden: New Bohemia Brewing Co’s lagers and New Leaf’s private label Pinot Noir and Chardonnay
— Misc: kettle popcorn, shave ice, organic cotton candy, vegan gelato, ice cream, donuts, dip n’ dots
The kids’ zone will includes crafts with Santa Cruz Children’s Museum of Discovery and Woodworm Party Store plus face painting.
Live music at the fair will include Americana, rock, blues, surf and reggae performers such as Coffee Zombie Collective and UTurn. Other highlights include a skateboard contest organized by the Santa Cruz Boardroom.
The nonprofit beneficiary of this year’s fair is the Jay Moriarty Foundation (last year’s was Surfrider; the year before that was the Santa Cruz Cancer Benefit Group). The Moriarty Foundation will receive $2,500. In addition, “Jay Week” features a different activity each day to support the foundation.
Here are some food/drink highlights:
- Mon June 20—East Side Eatery is donating a portion of the evening’s sales
- Tues June 21—The Hideout is donating a portion of the day’s sales
- Wed June 22—Zameen Restaurant and New Bohemia Brewing Co. are both donating a portion of sales (the latter via Pints with a Purpose)
- Thurs June 23—Chill Out Cafe is donating a portion of the day’s sales
The Jay Moriarity Foundation was created “in the spirit of legendary waterman Jay Moriarity to support local programs that improve the quality of life for our community and environment, and educate and assist our youth.”
Details: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Saturday, June 25
Location: Portola Drive between 38th & 41st Avenues
Follow me on Twitter @santacruzfoodie.