Da Local Boy

We are incredibly grateful to The New York Times and @kevinthepang for including us in the Top 25 Restaurants in Chicago! We are still in awe and feels so surreal! We wanted to take a moment to express our heartfelt gratitude and thank you to our amazing team whose hard work and dedication have made this achievement possible. We couldn’t have done it without you all. And of course, to our loyal customers/Ohana, this recognition is truly for you. Your support means the world to us! It is truly an honor to be recognized by such a prestigious publication. Your acknowledgment not only boosts our team’s morale but also inspires us to continue providing exceptional dining experiences for our guests. We appreciate your support and the work you do in Highlighting the culinary scene. Thank you once again for this incredible recognition. Mahalo Nui Loa🤙🏽 Da Local Boy Ohana #newyorktimes #top25 #top25restaurants #bestchicago

We are truly honored to be part of the Asian American Pacific Islander series presented by the legendary @stevedolinsky . It’s a privilge to be feautured alongside his penultimate story, which has made a significant impact on small Asian Pacific Islander business owners and has beautifully introduced and highlighted Hawaii’s Culture to a wider audience in the Midwest! We at @dalocalboy Ohana extend our heartfelt congratulations as you embark on your next journey at LEVY. Wishing you all the best, and thank you for everything. A Hui Hou! #eatchicago #aloha #aapi #nbcchicago #thefoodguy

Brudda Paul’s Plate from Da Local Boy in the Chicago suburb of Highwood, IL. #foodie #foodreview #hawaiianfood #flavorexplosion #viraleats #foodstagram #nomnom #droolworthy #yummyeats #comfortfood #eatwithme #foodiesunite #instafood #foodieadventures #tastethealoha

The Loop isn’t exactly known for food that moves you….but Da Local Boy just changed that. Named one of the New York Times’ 25 best restaurants in Chicago, this family-owned Hawaiian spot is serving something the city doesn’t get enough of…..real, soulful, island comfort food. And I’m telling you right now this was my favorite meal of the year so far. I ordered: 🔥 Braddah Paul’s Plate (mochiko chicken, pork belly, poke) 🔥 Aloha Mixed Plate (huli huli chicken, short ribs, beer battered fish) 🍚 All with rice + mac salad Let’s break it down… The huli huli chicken is unreal. Charred, sticky, caramelized with a soy-ginger-pineapple glaze that hits sweet, savory, and smoky all at once with insanely juicy meat underneath. The mochiko chicken might be the most addictive bite in Chicago right now. Light, crispy rice flour crust with tender marinated chicken and finished with a sweet-savory glaze and wasabi aioli that cuts through with the perfect kick. The poke is clean, simple, and done right. Fresh ahi, shoyu, sesame. No heavy sauces just balance and quality. The mac salad. Best I’ve had in my life. Creamy, tangy, slightly sweet….the kind of side that turns into the star. But what makes this place hit different is the story… Owner Nate Domingo lost his chef job during the pandemic and started cooking Hawaiian plates for coworkers at a car wash just to buy baby formula. That turned into a pop-up….then a truck….then a full restaurant and now one of the best meals in Chicago. If you’re looking for something different in Chicago. Something real. Something you’ll actually crave again. Save this. Send it to someone. Go try it. 📍 Chicago Loop + Highwood 💬 Have you had Hawaiian food like this before?

Da Local Boy has been one of my favorite spots in the Chicagoland area for a while now, and I genuinely get excited every time I go. Hawaiian cuisine done with real care and real flavor - you can taste the effort in every single bite. The fact that they just opened a second location in the Chicago Loop means more people get to experience what I’ve been raving about. Critics and foodies are catching on, and honestly, they deserve every bit of it. If you haven’t been, make it a priority. #312reviewer #DaLocalBoy #HawaiianFood #ChicagoLoop #ChicagoFood​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Mahalo Nui @infatuation_chi for recognizing us as one of the top lunch spots in Chicago. We are truly honored to receive this acknowledgment and appreciate and are so grateful for your support. This means so much to us and we look forward to continuing to serve and share the Aloha to our amazing community! #eatchicago #chifood #downtown #chicago #chitown

Went to the @dalocalboy out in Highwood. We got the spam masubi and poke nachos for the apps. We ended up getting mixed plates so we can try everything! We got the Bruddah Paul’s plate that had the mochiko chicken, grilled pork, and more poke and the chicken katsu and short ribs. Everything was 🔥🔥🔥

VELORIA COFFEE: Our Story & Journey We’re stepping into something new. We were trusted to build something from the ground up. Veloria has always been about building with intention— not just creating drinks, but creating something that truly belongs in the space it’s served in. When @dalocalboy started building out their downtown location (335 S. Franklin St), they trusted us to help start their coffee program. Not just for beans— but for flavor, balance, and the overall experience. So we started where we always do— with flavor. We’ve been developing a cold brew made specifically for them, built on our Veloria Lodi Blend and layered with the flavors we’ve been refining over time. Something that feels like us— and fits them. This is what it looks like when it starts coming together. Coming soon to their downtown location. Be the first to try it when it drops. Tag someone you’re bringing with you. 📍 335 S. Franklin St Find it at Da Local Boy If you’re building something and want your coffee to be just as intentional— we’re here to help. #veloriacoffee #worldsokayestbarista #itsnotacompetition #supportlocal

Mahalo @lisashames for writing such a beautiful article about our story. Your ability to capture the essence of what we shared means a lot to us. We appreciate the time and effort you put into it, and we’re soo grateful to have our story told so thoughtfully. To our dearest Ohanas, we will forever be grateful! your unending love and support is unbeatable! Mahalo Nui and Thank you sooo soo much for being a part of our journey. You folks inspire us to strive for the better and all of this recognition wouldn’t be possible without every single one of you. From the bottom of our hearts, Thank you so much All the love, Da Local Boy Ohana Read the full article here: /2026/04/15/da-local-boy-the-loops-hawaiian-food-hotspot-named-one-of-nyts-best-restaurants/?fbclid=IwdGRjcARMzidleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEeXD08lPv8JhWxVnPP-ffTPSbdCReGLmGCYr0Jd8MU4z5i5UHmji0daGCURAw_aem_qH5SIkmTCoJKrZi0PuLWOg

Island flavors in the Midwest 🌴🔥 @dalocalboy Da Local Boy did NOT miss 🤤 Spam musubis ✔️ Huli huli chicken ✔️ Short ribs ✔️ Mac salad + rice = the real MVP Every bite felt like a quick trip to Hawaii… no passport needed ✈️🌺 Two spots to hit: Da Local Boy Save this for your next foodie run 👀 Tell me—what’s your go-to Hawaiian plate?! 🍍👇 #chicagoeats #hawaiianfood #yelpchicago #IslandVibes #napervillemoms

Hawaiian food in Chicago . . . . . . #chicago #chicagofood #chicagorestaurants

🌺🌊 hawaiian food @dalocalboy …downtown lunch plate…whattt?!!!