I'm finally done shopping. How about you? I thought I was done a week ago; then I remembered stocking stuffers. It's been a busy time. The house is a chaotic mess of craft projects, wrapping paraphernalia and a lot of daily clutter I've failed to deal with.
It must be Christmas.
Around the holidays I don't keep up very well. I tend to get sidetracked more than usual, trying to remember every thing and each person on my list.
This is why dinner at the Big Kahuna's Pizza-n-Stuffs the other night was a good solution. I submit that if turkey or roast or ham and all the trimmings is the ideal Christmas dinner, then pizza is the perfect pre-Christmas staple. It asks very little of you and offers a lot in return, especially if it's good pizza.
I was responding to a knock by the UPS man (the holiday "knock-and-run" technique) when I discovered one of those pizza fliers hanging on my door. I'm usually not impressed by these things, but this one caught my eye.
It's funny, I've driven past Big Kahuna's on 1300 South many times and never paid much attention. Reading the menu intrigued me, though. Someone has a sense of humor about pizza and isn't afraid to just start making up kooky recipes. So I thought it must be worth a try.
My husband and I sampled four personal-size pizzas. That's a good way to go if you just can't decide. Plus, at Big Kahuna's the price is right, with personal pizzas for $3 or $4 each. Great for the stressed holiday budget.
Reading the menu is a hoot. It's full of local island lingo. There's the "Haole," featuring chopped ham and pineapple. The descriptor mockingly reads "Hawaiian style." I tried this one. It's great for kids but offers little in terms of creativity. There are better ones to have than this old standby.
There's the "Mexican" (refried beans, chorizo, bacon and jalapeos), the "Texan" (beef brisket, onions, BBQ sauce), the "Kanaka" (kahlua pork, green onions, sweet BBQ sauce) and a host of other themed pizzas. The menu exclaims "ONOLICIOUS!" I tried the Kanaka and continue to rave about it three days later. It may not be traditional, but . . . wow.
In the favorites category, Big Kahuna's features such artery-clenchers as the "Sumo Special" (pepperoni, ham, Italian sausage, kahlua pork, bacon and vegetables). The menu says, "This one broke de' mouth." Besides the "Haole" and the "Kanaka," we tried the creamy chicken, which reminded me of a comfort-food casserole on crust, and the five-cheese white pizza, which was good but in dire need of garlic salt.
In the way of "stuffs," try the cheese balls. They're a baked gooey mass of cheeses and dough, and they're tasty with Big Kahuna's spicy marinara for dipping.
Big Kahuna's also makes pizza-esque desserts featuring cookie crust, pudding and toppings like pineapple, coconut and almonds. I tried both the "Moemoe Special" and "Da's Kokoleka." They are a total crack-up. Nothing stuffy or elegant about them at all.
I'm going to get back to Big Kahuna's. They're sort of "island style" (slow) in the kitchen, but the crust is terrific and the rest is not half bad.
Prices for personal size (6-inch) pizzas range from $2.45-$4.45, medium (12-inch) pizzas $6.95-$11.95, large (15-inch) pizzas $9.95-$15.95, sandwiches $3.25-$5.45, stuffs and dessert $1.25-$5.99.
Big Kahuna's Pizza-n-Stuffs
*** (out of five)
Hours: Saturday 10:30 a.m.-10 p.m., closed Sunday
Location: 38 E. 1300 South (between State and Main), 467-9555, fax 467-6242
Payment: major credit cards, checks
Reservations: none needed
E-mail: stephanie@desnews.com