Overview
Kickshaws is a Kauaʻi food truck in Kōloa, on the South Shore, with a strong identity as a chef-driven stop rather than a standard lunch counter. The current Google Places record shows it as operational at 5371 Koloa Rd, with a very high rating and limited weekly hours, which fits the pattern of a small, destination-style truck rather than a drop-in all-day restaurant. (kickshaws808.com)
For travelers, the main reason to care is that Kickshaws is known for unusually inventive comfort food: burgers and sandwiches with science-forward techniques, house-made sauces, and rotating specials. It is also the kind of place where timing matters, because the truck’s hours are limited and the menu can change often. (kickshaws808.com)
Cuisine & Specialties
Kickshaws sits in a lane of inventive comfort food with Hawaiian and broader fusion influences. The official site and press coverage both describe it as “science forward” food, with chef Seth Peterson using technique-heavy touches and rotating ingredients to push familiar food-truck items into more elaborate territory. (kickshaws808.com)
- Overall menu style: gourmet food truck fare; burgers, sandwiches, and specials built around house-made components, with a lot of experimentation and frequent menu changes. The truck itself says to text orders to Seth, and ABC7 reported the menu can change weekly or even daily depending on what’s available. (kickshaws808.com)
- Notable dishes and specialties: the 100% Awesome Burger is the clearest signature item, described on the official site as an 80/20 chuck-and-bacon burger with pineapple-black pepper marmalade, cheddar, greens, tomato, aioli, and a toasted bun. Other repeatedly cited dishes include the Duckin’ Hot Toddy tater tots with duck confit and miso-chipotle honey sauce, and a jackfruit banh mi with coconut sriracha. Official and legacy sources also mention green tea-smoked yogurt, Gorgonzola foam, camel burger, and foie gras ice cream as examples of the more experimental side of the menu. (kickshaws808.com)
- Price range / spend: Google does not list a price level, but the published dossier and review coverage place it in the budget-to-moderate food-truck range. In traveler terms, expect a casual lunch purchase rather than a sit-down dinner bill, with value driven more by creativity and quality than by formality. This is an inference from the available sources, not a quoted price policy. (maps.google.com)
- Dietary usefulness / limits: the strongest support is for vegetarian and vegan-friendly rotating options, especially the jackfruit banh mi and other special menu items mentioned in coverage. At the same time, the truck’s identity is heavily meat-forward and experimental, so it is better for mixed groups than for strict dietary specialists. That balance is an inference from the menu examples and coverage. (bonappetit.com)
Notable Features & Ambiance
Kickshaws is an open-air food-truck stop in Kōloa, not a formal restaurant. The official site places it “in the Heart of Koloa Town Across from Sueoka’s Market,” and the broader coverage describes a casual park-like setting with picnic seating and a strong local/tourist mix. (kickshaws808.com)
- Service model and seating: counter-service at a truck, with outdoor picnic-style seating. The website also encourages texting orders ahead to the listed phone number, which suggests a made-to-order setup where waiting is part of the experience. (kickshaws808.com)
- Atmosphere and decor: playful, quirky, and unpretentious rather than polished. The truck’s own tagline is “not your ordinary truckin’ food,” and press coverage frames the experience as a “secret party” feel with science-lab creativity inside a small truck. (kickshaws808.com)
- Practical features: the location is easy to anchor in Kōloa town, and the site says the truck is across from Sueoka’s Market. The official site also lists periodic off-site appearances, which is useful if you are trying to track the truck beyond the main Kōloa location. (kickshaws808.com)
- Best fit: a relaxed lunch stop for travelers who want something memorable, especially food-focused visitors, burger seekers, and people comfortable with a bit of a wait. It also works well for a takeout meal you carry elsewhere. (bonappetit.com)
- Weaker fit: anyone expecting fast service, a formal dining room, or a broad all-day menu. The limited hours and made-to-order format make it a poor choice for impulse late-night eating. (kickshaws808.com)
History & Background
Kickshaws is closely tied to chef-owner Seth Peterson, whose background has been described in multiple sources as biology-plus-farming turning into a food-truck business built around culinary experimentation. Legacy coverage and the official site both frame the truck as a “science forward” project, and earlier reporting says the menu can include techniques and ingredients you would not normally expect from a food truck. That backstory still appears supportable, though some older writeups use more exuberant language than current primary sources. (kickshaws808.com)
Review Sentiment Snapshot
What People Love
Review patterns are strongly positive around two things: the food and the personality of the place. Travelers repeatedly praise the 100% Awesome Burger, the creativity of the menu, and the sense that this is gourmet-quality food coming from a casual truck. The friendly, hands-on service from Seth and family also comes up often in legacy coverage and tour coverage. (bonappetit.com)
Common Gripes
The main downside is wait time, and that complaint looks well-supported rather than isolated. Because the food is cooked to order and the menu can change often, the truck is not a fast option, and popular items may sell out. That tradeoff appears consistently in the available sources. (kickshaws808.com)
Practical Visitor Tips
- Hours are limited and not daily. Google’s current hours show Monday closed, Tuesday evening only, Wednesday lunch and dinner, Thursday lunch only, Friday evening only, and weekend closed. The official site also shows a schedule-oriented setup rather than everyday all-day service. (tripadvisor.com)
- Best chance for a smooth visit: go early in the service window, especially on the days it is open for lunch, because the place is made-to-order and waits are common. (bonappetit.com)
- Walk-in expectations: this behaves like a walk-up food truck, not a reservation restaurant. The website explicitly invites text-ahead ordering to Seth at the listed number. (kickshaws808.com)
- Location note: the main address is 5371 Koloa Rd in Kōloa, across from Sueoka’s Market, which makes it easy to orient yourself in Old Kōloa Town. (kickshaws808.com)
- What to order first: the 100% Awesome Burger is the safest signature pick, while the Duckin’ Hot Toddy is the most frequently cited “try this” side. (kickshaws808.com)
- Be prepared for variability: the menu can shift frequently, so the best dish on one visit may not be there on the next. (abc7news.com)
Verification Notes
- Official name, address, and phone align across Google and the official site: Kickshaws, 5371 Koloa Rd, Koloa, HI 96756, (808) 651-6750. (tripadvisor.com)
- Website on record is
http://kickshaws808.com/; the official page is accessible and active. (kickshaws808.com) - Google Places currently shows the business as OPERATIONAL. (tripadvisor.com)
- No major verification issues found, but the published source set suggests a truck whose menu and schedule can drift, so the hours should be treated as the most time-sensitive fact. (kickshaws808.com)
Sources
- Kickshaws official site —
http://kickshaws808.com/— retrieved 2026-04-03. Most useful for identity, official address/phone, current positioning, text-ahead ordering, and signature menu examples. - Bon Appétit, “The Rich Food Truck Culture Of Kauai” —
https://www.bonappetit.com/sponsored/story/the-rich-food-truck-culture-of-kauai— retrieved 2026-04-03. Most useful for concise third-party confirmation of the truck’s style, location context, and standout dishes. - ABC7 San Francisco, “The 'Tasting Kaua'i' food tour encourages visitors to support local Hawaiian eateries” —
https://abc7news.com/post/hawaiian-airlines-tasting-kauai-kickshaws-anakes-juice-bar/11680608/— retrieved 2026-04-03. Most useful for the menu-change cadence and the owner’s description of the food philosophy. - Tripadvisor Food Tour of Kauaʻi listing —
https://www.tripadvisor.com/AttractionProductReview-g29218-d15142564-or10-Food_Tour-of-Kaua_i-Kauai_Hawaii.html— retrieved 2026-04-03. Most useful for confirming Kickshaws’ continued role as a South Shore food-tour stop and its Kōloa address. - Google Places record for Kickshaws —
https://maps.google.com/?cid=925995202124731324— retrieved 2026-04-02. Most useful for operational status, current hours, rating, and place identity matching.
