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Kemp BBQ is a barbecue restaurant situated at 2000 Kalākaua Ave in Honolulu, Hawaii. The eatery specializes in classic American barbecue, offering hearty sandwiches and traditional sides. Signature dishes include the brisket sandwich, served with generous portions of tender smoked meat on a toasted bun, as well as the blt sandwich and baked beans. The restaurant operates from a food stand, creating a casual and approachable atmosphere where customers can enjoy quick, flavorful meals. The setup emphasizes simplicity and authenticity, with a focus on freshly prepared barbecue and straightforward accompaniments like pickles and coleslaw that enhance the main dishes. Kemp BBQ’s presence in a compact food stand adds to its local charm, providing a relaxed spot for both residents and visitors to savor well-crafted barbecue in Honolulu’s vibrant dining scene.
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Amenities & More
Service options
- Takeout
- Dine-in
Popular for
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Solo dining
Dining options
- Lunch
- Dinner
Atmosphere
- Casual
Crowd
- Tourists
Reviews for Kemp bbq
Review highlights
Based on 29 reviewsKemp BBQ in Honolulu is consistently praised for its flavorful and generously portioned barbecue offerings, particularly its brisket and burnt ends, which many reviewers liken to or even prefer over authentic Texas barbecue. The food is noted for its freshness, vibrant seasoning, and well-balanced accompaniments such as pickles, coleslaw, and potato salad that enhance the overall dining experience. Customers appreciate the friendly, courteous service provided by the staff, contributing to a welcoming atmosphere at the food stand. Recent management improvements have also been highlighted, with positive remarks on the updated look of the establishment and the inviting environment it creates. Overall, Kemp BBQ is viewed as a standout spot for barbecue enthusiasts seeking quality, flavorful dishes paired with attentive service in a casual setting.
Very good bbq. Fresh bbq with a toasted bun is a winner. Sandwich had an ample amount of meat on it. Added pickles really gave the sandwich a nice punch. Food stand owner was very friendly and courteous. Gave a sample of the Texas bacon which caused me to purchase a half pound of it. Good bacon to snack on. If I were a local this stand would be a weekly destination.
Best brisket I’ve had outside of Texas and better than a lot that I had in Texas!
I just got Brisket Sandwiches!!! It is a bomb, so scrumptious and full of flavors… The pickle add the perfect crunch and flavors burst… Coleslaw is super delicious, perfect mayo added and other stuff.. Potato salad is just so tasty and different…. Very tasty! Must try this place.. Secondly, the Gentleman was super nice and courteous, best service!!
Location under new management, and what a change! The shack looks SO cool, the food was delicious, and the staff was very friendly! Highly recommend the brisket sandwich. Looking forward to going again!
I made Kemp BBQ a second option when I went to the food trucks tonight. Big Mistake! Should have visited Dominique first! Pictured is a half eaten plate of Burnt Ends….which I had the wherewithal to take a picture of after devouring the first 2 pieces. Tender and delicious, a nice semi sweet ketchup based bbq sauce that’s homemade, and it was gone within seconds. I’ll be back and ordering a lot more next time. Hopefully some better pictures next time too.
The grilled ribs here are so delicious. I was captivated by the smaell. I will bring my famaly here to enjoy more
Delicious slice of pork. The guy who served me was super friendly. A gem in the middle of the city. If you're looking to eat something delicious, I'll definitely come back to try more from the menu. Ideal if you're on your way to the beach or just want to satisfy your appetite.
Texas bacon was amazing, we got 2 of the BLTs. We also tried the brisket, which was also fantastic. Melts in your mouth. Definitely recommend!
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