Just "found" this place while in Hilo on vacation. I love their hotdogs and I get them from Don…read moreQuiote, but they're way cheaper here (I saved $2 per pack). I got 3 hotdogs, 2 pork roast (they're good too, but hard to find on Oahu), and laulau (should have gotten more). Will be back next time I'm in Hilo/Big Island. Very friendly and helpful staff.

I bought the frozen mild Portuguese sausage at a small Roadside grocery store. I was so pleased…read morethat it is lean and very tasty. I will definitely buy more next time. I visit the big island.

The KitKat bags looks old and when I checked they expired three months ago. After we left I saw the…read morecandy my kids' got expired 4 months ago. I didn't know you were allowed to sell expired food. Nice smaller selection of specialty jerky, but I guess just check the expirations dates before you buy anything.

I wanted to try their Filipino Adobo Jerky and it was very very dry. I wouldn't recommend it.read more

"You can die anytime, but living takes true courage." -- Kenshin Himura…read more What a wonderful health food store & gift shop. If you're wondering: "Locavore" is a person whose diet consists only or principally of locally grown or produced food. Add a bunch of uniques gift ideas by Big Island artists and life is complete. Located in the heart of old town Hilo on Kilauea Avenue is where you'll find Locavore or as locals will know it's next to Ben Franklin. The staff of Sam and Audrey were genuinely kind and welcoming. I was most impressed with their knowledge of products and pride in what they had to offer. My sister (who I was visiting) purchased fresh non-GMO produce and pickled namasu. Since I was visiting Hilo I chose unique stickers and postcards to take home with me. I really felt a warm peaceful vibe while browsing around The Locavore Store. On a Sunday afternoon it was filled with curious customers. Health conscience hippies, those looking for island arts & crafts, and a few locals living la viva Locavore lifestyle. What a fab gem in old town Hilo. Til next time... Pls follow my adventures IG: @eric_travel_guru

They offer local products from smaller businesses which is a really nice touch. Staff is friendly…read moreas well.

When in Hilo, two must stop places are Two Ladies mochi and George's meat market! Back before 9/11…read moreever took place, we would stop at George's with our cooler bag and stock up on prepared meats (oxtail being my favorite) and head back to Oahu. Once 9/11 occurred it made stopping at George's a little more effort so that we could get frozen meat back home without ice. However, George's came up with their absolutely delicious thin beef jerkies and that has been a must buy ever since!! And now, they have the best snacks and energy bars! I've not been able to go lately but a friend of mine was gracious enough to offer to purchase for me and bring it back to me!! I feel ever so lucky to have bags of beef jerky and energy bars in my hands!! Hoping to get to George's myself soon!!

Have been a fan of crispy beef jerky since the first time I had it on Oahu a few years ago…read more George's Meat Market, you have spoiled me for all other brands. If George's isn't the oldest, original crispy beef jerky, it's certainly one of them. Reading reviews dating back since 2010 referencing their crispy beef chips, they have had many years to perfect their product. And it's true, once you try George's crispy jerky... paper thin, crispy like a chip, deliciously flavored... you won't want any other! There are one or two labels I do enjoy from Oahu still, given the choice... I will choose George's! So happy that Stacey, proprietor of George's, mentioned they can ship. Give them a jingle and get your supply now! So far I have limited my consumption to what I can fit in my suitcase. Traveling friends were laughing when they saw half my suitcase filled with George's crispy beef jerky. After making pre-arrangements with Stacey, my small reunion group was able to taste a number of flavors of crispy jerky. Stacey was so nice and accommodating. It's a good thing as, after gathering a bunch of crispy jerky, energy bars, and other snacks we must have spent about $300. And I will continue to send people over to George's for the most delicious treats and meats. I have tried just about all their flavors. My favorites being the spicy chili pepper and shoyu, their bulgogi Korean bbq, and their sweet char siu flavored crispy jerky. Ohh but wait, they also have really delicious energy bars. And if your lucky enough, grab a container of gummie candies which are kicked up with lemon peel bits. Meats, tender and marinated. ...Whatever your craving, get it at Georges!

Started in 2009 for the communities of the North Hilo and Hamakua Districts it has gone through…read moremany phases and still keeps bringing the Goodness of the Land to Local people and a few tourists. For Vendors it was free for 15 years and now it's $30 per year. It's fun and right next to Hakalau Veterans Park with it's large field, ball park and jungle background. Best Thai food around, organic vegies and fruit, and baked goods galore.

Arrived around 7:50 am on Sunday and had no issues parking ($2 well worth it). The variety of…read moreMaku'u Farmers market is unmatched- gorgeous fruit stands, lots of prepared food stands. The papaya salad was so fresh and at ($9) for a whole quart so affordable and easy to share with friends. The papaya stand was my favorite one as she makes the salad fresh in front of you. The purple tapioca potato pudding was so dense and interesting, really rich and lovely to try. I was also blown away by the macadamia nut croissant ($6), the croissant itself was fine, flaky and well baked, but the macadamia nut butter frangipane filling for the croissant stole the show. It was so decadent and sweet I savored every bite of the croissant! The marinated goat cheeses from the goat cheese stand were the most delicious goat cheese I've had in my life. Super creamy, luscious, silky and with interesting flavors. I grabbed two spicy goat cheeses I was so obsessed. There is so much to see eat and try! Happy I got to experience the Maku'u Farmers Market

Maku'u Farmer's Market only operates on Sundays so its a great place to stop by especially when a…read morelot of establishments have limited hours or closed for the day. This is a newer Farmer's market and popular with locals compared to the Downtown Hilo Farmer's Market located at oceanfront. Remember to bring $2 cash for parking and come early because by noon, the lot seemed to be filling up fast and many cars were lining up on the freeway to enter.

Stopped for a quick bite on my way back to my hotel. Building is on the side of the road with only…read morea small sign. Recommend use GPS to help you navigate. Parking is very limited. Spaces were full when I arrived so I parked across the street in the lot for the park. Very casual place with small menu. There is a gift shop type area for local purchases and a fruit stand on site. I ordered a smoothie and pork tacos from the menu. Tacos were good. Smoothie was refreshing. Menu selection is small but with a decent amount of variety. I would recommend for a quick bite or a smoothie stop.

So Ono! After an…read moreamazing morning exploring the waterfalls near Akaka Falls, we stumbled upon this hidden gem of a country market and café -- and wow, are we glad we did! The menu might be small, but it packs serious flavor. The Ono sandwich was, well, *ono*! Perfectly cooked protein, fresh veggies, and a tangy sauce that brought it all together -- simple, fresh, and unforgettable. And don't even get me started on the Kalua pork tacos -- tender, smoky, and paired with just the right amount fresh tomatoes. The setting was relaxed and rustic, with just the right amount of charm. We grabbed a shaded table outside and enjoyed our food while soaking in the peaceful surroundings. It felt like we'd discovered a local secret. If you're in the area sightseeing or taking in waterfalls, do yourself a favor and stop by. Great food, and a perfect slice of island life. This place is a true treasure! Other: -$$ -Pay with card or tap -Parking all around -Shaded seating out side -one bathroom, up the stairs and to the right - local cats around

My husband and I have visited the big island many times and I was looking for things we haven't…read morealready done. When I found this, it looked interesting. It turned out to be fantastic. The food was incredible. It was interesting to hear how they use vanilla. I almost never order a grilled chicken sandwich because they're usually dry and boring, but this one was not. It was one of the best meals I've had this year. The tour portion was incredibly interesting. I learned so much about vanilla. All in all, I highly recommend this!

This is my second time doing this tour that includes a lovely meal. The last time it was about 8…read moreyears ago when it was family run and a smaller operation. Now that the family's owner's kids have grown up and moved away. They have lucked out by hiring an incredible do- everything- tour guy named Zach, who is just so filled with knowledge about the history of vanilla and the botany and post harvest detail details of the vanilla. He gives a fabulous tour that is very engaging for everybody. Zach is also incredibly jazzed up about cooking with vanilla and he and his family live on the property and he has been on board with the Hawaiian Vanilla Company since 2023. The have just become so immersed in the vanilla. He shares his recipes and findings with you via email after the tour if you're interested. He also serves up the luncheon which for us included either a vanilla black tea, unsweetened, or a vanilla lemonade or an on Palmer of the two and a starter of a vanilla, gee infused popcorn, followed by a Kristine with vanilla Gar masala and some other vanilla spices with the shrimp and then the main courseteriyaki chicken thigh, marinated in a vanilla a brioche bond made with vanilla and a holy, made with vanilla a salad topped with a balsamic vanilla dressing and a bunch of candied vanilla pecans. After you do the vanilla tour return to the main building and enjoy coffee with vanilla and Kareem and vanilla ice cream for dessert. I had been using the other sauce of the vanilla starter kit that I purchased the last time I talked about 10 years ago and I was very happy to get more beans and some tips on starting a new batch. They have a huge variety of extract made with different types of alcohol that you can smell and they also sell of course they are double strength extract, which is the bomb, but I prefer to make my own cause then I gotta tell everybody I made my own from their beans. It did rain when we were there but they provide umbrellas and if you don't feel like walking about 3rd mile on the hill too the vanilla growing area you can't get a ride in that six seater gator back-and-forth. I highly I recommend this tour!!!