Name: Tsukenjos Lunch Wagon
Address: Between the Honolulu County Munincipal Bldg and public parking area. Just ewa of King and Alapai streets.
Call: 597-8151 (Lunch House location)
Plate Lunch Prices: $3.00 - $5.25
Hours: 10:15am to 2:15 pm
Macaroni salad alternative? Toss salad
Specialties: Hawaiian Plate variations (Fridays)

AND I SEZ:

Tsukenjos is another in a long line of plate lunch establishments that have been around for decades. Their original Cooke street location (Next to Queens BBQ) is the home base for two lunch wagons, the County Bldg. location being the one I visited. Its location must be a gold mine for Tsukenjos- right next to the County Municipal Building and close to City Hall.

What's interesting about the Tsukenjo Lunch Wagon is the wagon itself. Unlike most lunch wagons, they use a larger " one stop lunch shopping" vehicle that is sort of a cafeteria on wheels. There is a counter area that runs the length of the wagon, you stand at the left and work your way to the right.

You start from the left by looking at the menu, placing your order, grabbing a beverage, snack, sandwich, chips, etc., get your lunch and then get your condiments from an area at the end all the way to the right. It reminds you of school days in the cafeteria as you see the endless line of anonymous faces going from left to right with clockwork efficiency. One of their strengths is the variety of stuff you can order- 10 sandwich variations, assorted snacks, 10+ varieties of plate lunch.

Enough of the asthetics. How is the food? Not bad, decent,but not outstanding. The luncheon meat/pork chow mein plate was pedestrian, pretty much what you would expect. The chow mein was average, not real tasty like at some other wagons. The noodles were a little overcooked- could be because I went around noon. The luncheon meat consisted of 3 thin triangular slices. (Remember now- there is a difference between lunchen meat and spam.)

My lunch partner that day RK had their shoyu chicken. While the portions were pretty good, the chicken was also average. According to RK, he would consider ordering it again, if in the area. The rice was also on the firm side.

On the other hand, there was always a line of people so they must be doing something right. Don't be late- most of the selections will be gone by 12:30. On the day I was there the Mayor of Honolulu bought his lunch at Tsukenjos. This has to be a statement about the food...... or the location. But hey! The price is right, and if you get there early enough you can probably get a specialty item. Don't hesitate to ask someone in line about what's good. You can't go wrong!

Tsukenjos Luncheon Meat with Pork Chow mein, toss salad

Food: 1/2 Didn't get to try a specialty item.

Service:Nice- willing to answer questions.

Atmosphere: Nice location- lots of places to sit and grind.

Value: 1/2 The food is decent and priced accordingly. It has a great location- right next to a ton of civil servants. Great variety of grinds bumps it up 1/2 can.