Ono Hawaiian Plates Announces Its Return To North Loop
It didn’t take long for the owners of Ono Hawaiian Plates to get back to this neighborhood. They were forced to leave in May when the owners of North Loop Galley abruptly announced the food hall’s closure.
But now they’re coming back in their own, much larger space, as they announced today in this release:
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn – July 10, 2025 –
Ono Hawaiian Plates, the beloved fast-casual restaurant known for its authentic Hawaiian cuisine, is excited to announce its return to the North Loop. Owners Chef Warren Seta and Jess Kelley, partners in both business and life, will open their new location at 337 N Washington Avenue, just a stone’s throw from their original North Loop Galley location.
Ono Hawaiian Plates first opened in 2019 within the North Loop Galley, quickly gaining a loyal following for its hearty and flavorful offerings, including the classic” Plate Lunch,” a staple in Hawaii, reflecting the diverse cultural influences of the islands, comprised of protein such as katsu chicken or kahlua pork, two scoops of rice, and a scoop of macaroni salad. Before the food hall’s closure in May of this year, the team successfully expanded to add a larger space at United Noodles in January 2024, which significantly expanded their kitchen for growing catering and take-out operations, alongside a 40-seat dining area.
When the opportunity arose to lease a larger space near their original stomping grounds, Chef Seta and Kelley seized it. The new 337 N Washington Avenue location, which was formerly home to Guacaya Bistreaux, will offer an expanded dining experience with seating for approximately 80 guests indoors and up to 60 on the outdoor patio.
The duo will continue to operate their United Noodles location, affectionately dubbed “Ono Central.” Updates are underway at the new North Loop space, and the team hopes to be opening by the end of September.
“We made a lot of magic happen from that original 200-square-foot stall, and we were thrilled to have such an amazing reception from the neighborhood, and then from far beyond,” says Jess Kelley. “We have so many stories of people driving quite a distance just to get some of our food. Now, we’re doing weddings and catering to sports teams and corporate groups. We’ve grown so much. It’s incredible, and we feel so blessed to have this opportunity to return to the North Loop.”
The new North Loop location will offer Ono’s famous plate lunch specials for dine-in or take-out during the day, followed by a festive Tiki-themed Happy Hour. Evenings will feature a “Pāʻina Menu.” ((pronounced pah-ee-nah) Chef Seta explains, “In Hawaiian, pāʻina translates to meal, or a small party with dinner. The word evokes a sense of gathering and connection, especially through shared food. This menu reflects how locals truly eat in Hawaii – everything is created to be shareable. We also call it ‘pu pu,’ which really means it’s great food for grazing as you relax and enjoy time together, and everything can be enjoyed family-style. Ohana is the Hawaiian word for family, and it’s at the heart of everything we do. ” There will be a full bar serving classic cocktails, beers on tap, and throwback Tiki drinks.
The Pāʻina Menu will feature shareable dishes such as Sizzling Kalbi ribs, Poké flights, whole fried Hawaiian Snapper, Confit-stuffed Miso Crepes, Lumpianadas (Filipino Empanadas), and a variety of salads and sides.
While their offerings are centered around Hawaiian comfort food, Chef Seta and Jess Kelley bring a wealth of experience from their backgrounds in fine dining and top-tier hospitality. The couple met while working in the high-end restaurant and resort world in Honolulu, and moved to the Twin Cities a decade ago to be closer to Kelley’s family, bringing with them a desire to share their favorite flavors and the spirit of aloha.
Chef Seta adds, “Our goal has always been to offer the very best version of our favorite foods, those that everyday Hawaiians know and love. It’s a hodgepodge of dishes and flavors with different influences that all came together in the islands, and somehow all work beautifully together. We offer big portions, a great value, and share the spirit of the place we love. We can’t wait to add to our team and welcome both old friends and new ones to this wonderful space.”
Updates and details around the opening will be shared on Ono’s website and social media.