Pat My Butter

kau kau bbq has held a special place in my heart for a few years now.  i lived in the international district only briefly, and yet every other night would find me in the line at kau kau, watching a man three times older and three times stronger than myself hack a duck or side of pork to bite sized pieces for my dinner.  a pound of roasted pig or barbecued ribs is only $6.95, as is half of a duck.  with rice and a side of plum or chili sauce, it’s the perfect dinner to hustle home in a plastic bag on a misting/freezing/windy winter night.

and yet, there’s also a dining room at kau kau, complete with a ginormous menu, much of which is not barbecue.  it’s worth flipping through, of course, and i intend to work my way through it over the course of my next 100 visits, but if you’re looking for a quick lunch and a good deal, just turn it over.  that’s where you see the lunch menu – the one that is $4.99.  included in the price is a soup, pork fried rice, vegetables, and your choice of barbecued meat (or an egg roll?).

now, let me be clear, this isn’t a gourmet lunch.  the floor around your table might be a little nasty, the plastic spoon in the chili sauce a little crusty (just with chili sauce!).  the soup is an un-delicious chicken noodle.  the steamed vegetables are steamed vegetables.  but the fried rice is generous and delicious and whatever bbq meat you choose will be fabulous.  i love the duck myself, with it’s side of spicy mustard and sesame seeds, but the bbq spare rib and roasted side pork are equally excellent.  and, um, it’s more food than you can eat for $4.99!