Mean Da Chicken

We went to Marukai this morning and as we were driving out, bf saw smoking up in the air and chicken was roasting… bf said it is a good chicken place, not like the one at Costco…
I tried to give him a benefit of the doubt and stopped by. We got two halves chicken only for $ 10 and the chicken was delicious!!! We love the smoking texture and the skin was crispy enough without burning!
We will definitely be back!

The other Unilocalers are pretty much accurate in their descriptions. I can’t believe this place only has 8 reviews so far though. They’re always selling out early in the day and it’s such a great deal for good food I’d think they should have tons of reviews by now.
I know the last few reviews from last year say no credit cards but I think they accept them now. So if you’re out of cash but have your credit cards, you can still head over and get you some huli huli chicken!

Boy, do i LOVE this huli huli chicken. Open on Saturdays only, Mean Da Chicken gets the grill going early so you can enjoy a bagged meal in time for lunch. They’re located right off the main road, so the tent easy to find.
Each bag includes a half BBQ chicken, 2 musubis (rice wrapped with a strap of seaweed, your choice of drink (juices, soda, and water are available in coolers), and you get a choice of either kimchi or a bag of chips all for just $ 7!!! You can probably split a bag between 2 people. I got excited and ordered 4 bags for me and my family, but we ended up having a ton of leftovers to eat for the next couple of days haha.
The meals are perfect to bring to the beach to snack on, just don’t forget to bring napkins. They used to be cash only, but luckily they now take card using Square with a $ 10 minimum purchase.
If you haven’t tried Mean Da Chicken, make the trip over there and take a whif of that BBQ and just try to say no. It’s hard to resist.

Closest ive tasted to the real old time hulihuli chicken. Delicious. Rice balls are sort of tiny but its a good deal. Gotta try it and youll be coming back for more. Gonna try freezing it to see if still tastes good then dont have to wait for saturday…

Did I waste 30mins pretending I wanted crap out sport authority because the chicken wasn’t ready? Yes. Did I do a happy dance cause I got half a chicken, two rice balls, a bit of kimchi, and a bottle of water for $ 7? You bet your sweet ass I did. Will I saunter over here every Saturday when my grandpa goes to the winner’s zone across the street? Let’s not play games people.

Da Mean Chicken!
Eh, I mean…
M E A N — D A — C H I C K E N !
And fo da haole… It’s not a bad thing to be mean. In Hawaiian Pidgin it can be a good thing… «Mean» can be defined as «good» or «delicious» or «fashionable» or «nice to look at», etc., etc. In this case…
M E A N — D A — C H I C K E N !
…Means «ono» chicken! No, don’t expect a wild crazy hen running around! It simply means yummy Huli-​huli chicken!
Da Haole:
«Oh, I get it now. So, what’s a Huli?»
Aunty Moana:
«Hah? So stupid, you! Huli-​huli chicken is a grilled chicken dish in Hawaiian cuisine. Preparation involves basting the chicken constantly with a Huli-​huli sauce and slowly cooked via rotating over smoke. So, ’nuff questions and just go grine…»
I love the name of this place! So, sassy– funny for us locals, but we know what to expect by the name alone! Here’s what to expect from…
M E A N — D A — C H I C K E N !
WEA YOU STAY?
It is located in the parking lot of Sports Authority on the Makai-​side. You can’t miss it. Just look for the smoke and the tent. It’s right next to Summer’s Lava Dogs! I believe Saturdays only, but sometimes popping up in other locations. Look for the smoke! Da smoke, brah!
WUT DEY GET?
Chicken, durrrr! Okay, you can get DA Chicken Ala cart, half chicken for $ 4.50, or DA special called, DA BAG: half chicken, 2 musubis, chips, and can of soda for $ 7.00! Tax included!
HOW YOU PAY?
Cash only! This is a family operated company, so the cash register is a coffee can! Small bills appreciated. Don’t expect fancy!
HOW YOU EAT?
Caveman style!!! You have been warned! No utensils or napkins. So be prepared with your own fork, chopsticks, knife, wet wipes before you come here. Or, be content eating like Fred Flintstone!
HOW DA CHICKEN?
Da mean chicken is ono! Typical huli, but IMHO, not the best. I’ve had the types that fall off the bone from the smokers in front of KTA and I was somewhat disappointed with the consistency here. Not as moist as I would like, but in fairness the flavor was there! Again, it’s not bad, just good enough to satisfy! Just make sure to eat the skin!
So, yes not the best Huli-​huli I’ve had, but realize I’ve had it on every island in our great state! So, I’m kinda picky! I still fully support…
M E A N — D A — C H I C K E N !
I love these local businesses that try hard, so major points with me! I think it’s a great deal in comparison to what’s out there. So, no utensils, but there’s a couple of picnic tables shared with Summer’s Lava Dogs…
Caveman out!
Bruddah:
«Eh tita! Wea you stay?»
Tita:
«Hah?»
Bruddah:
“I get $ 5 dollah, wea we go eat?“
Tita:
«M E A N — D A — C H I C K E N !»
Bruddah:
«K, but gotta use ur shirt as napkin!»
Tita:
«KBYE!!!»
LIVE ALOHA…
Unilocal REVIEW #299

Great food and prices. Wish the chicken was bigger, but it is probably just as well because I inhale the ½ chicken in mere moments.

the first time i heard about Mean da Chicken was when i walked past Sports Authority backside in the daytime. n saw them pulling out racks of chicken, smoke coming out and everything. it was fresh off the grill and ready without having to wait another interval. smelled so good, but i didn’t have money that day. so i bookedmarked it, came back and bought a warm batch $ 4 for half huli chicken at lunch. was really good. u can tell the difference of flavor of huli chicken vs costco rotisserie. brought back fond memories of safeway and before. flavors still the same, especially if u like the burnt skin. it was a half chicken in a ziplock bag for eat there or togo. the day that i went they didn’t have any options of sides such as rice or mash potato. been looking for the hottest of hot habenaro sauce to go with it. i could see how their chicken could be a treat for kakaako residents! =)))

*Saturdays ONLY*
**Cash ONLY**
My usual Saturday consist of walking down to Kaka’ako Farmers Market, beach for a few hours, & finally grabbing lunch at Mean Da Chicken. I love Huli Huli chicken and used to only buy through my school’s varsity fundraisers, but now I can satisfy my craving every week!
Prices are unbeatable. $ 4.50 for half chicken (feeds one) and/​or $ 6.50 for half chicken, two musubi, kimchee, one bag chip and one drink (soda/​water). Amazing! My boyfriend and I will usually buy one bag ($ 6.50) and add one half-​chicken & we always leave perfectly stuffed.
They are located in the parking structure of Sports Authority/​Starbucks/​Jamba Juice so there is always plenty of parking, but make sure to get there early because they’ll run out! Great to take with you or eat right there on the spot. Yum!

My regular Saturday stop= Delicious!
$ 4.50 for half chicken and $ 6.50 for bag lunch, which includes half chicken, 2 musibis, a drink, and kimchee or chips.
SATURDAYS ONLY– First batch ready at 8-​ish AM and new batch every 45 mins– check with them to verify, but this is what it usually is.
The delicious sauce is available on-​the-​side, if you want more dipping sauce!