Ono Returning With Sand Pit, Hawaiian Shots And Floral Leis
When they make their long-awaited North Loop return this month, the owners of Ono Hawaiian Plates will have much more room, their own bar and other fun features that weren’t possible in the former food hall where it all started, North Loop Galley.
They’ll also have an expanded food menu when they open either next Tuesday or Wednesday (May 19 or 20) at 337 North Washington, on the ground floor of Dock Street Flats.
“We are very excited,” said co-owner Jess Kelley, “We’re very blessed to be back in the North Loop.”
You’ll feel the Aloha vibes the moment you enter their large patio in the front with thatched umbrellas, strings of café lights overhead and a sandbox they’re calling “the beach.”
“We’re doing packages out of there,” Kelley said. “You can go sit in the sandbox, pretend you’re on the beach. Like, six people, put a cooler of beer and other drinks inside, in the middle and you can hang out.”
Those who order Ono’s specialty drink, “The Punchy,” will also get a floral lei to put around their neck. “The Punchy is going to be our house shot,” said bar manager Billy Knudson. “It’s gonna be citrus vodka with actual Hawaiian Punch, and then we top it with tropical Red Bull.”
They hope the sight of people walking around the neighborhood in leis will draw more attention to their business.
As for the food, “we’ve got our regular plate lunch that everyone knows,” said Kelley, “and then in addition, in the evenings, we do what we call our pāʻina menu. And that’s in Hawaii, ‘party menu.’ More shareable plates for groups of friends to come in, have some drinks, share some food.”
Inside, where the walls are lined with murals of Hawaiian beaches, there’s seating for about 124 people. At this point, they plan to be open six days a week, Tuesdays through Sundays.
And Kelley made sure to point out that the patio is dog-friendly.
By Mike Binkley, North Loop volunteer
