Call me crazy, but Ohana & Co Eatery’s loco moco entree made me return the next day with my husband so he could try it.
Perfectly cooked sunny-side-up eggs sat on top of a tender ground beef patty smothered in peppery brown gravy. Underneath the meat, my fork met sticky but flavorful steamed rice. Green onions rounded out the dish for a delicious meal. It gave me the comfort of home without being there. My husband agreed.
The quick-service Hawaiian restaurant is in the Red Mill Commons shopping center in Virginia Beach. It serves a popular combo plate with a choice of one or two proteins such as huli huli chicken (marinated and grilled), kalua pork (pulled) and teri (teriyaki) beef that come with steamed rice, macaroni salad and a house ginger salad. It also offers chicken katsu and gravy (Japanese curry) and a few other dishes.
The menu also includes a tasty selection of Aloha VB shaved ice, such as the Golden Dragon (dragon fruit, pineapple, mango and coconut cream).
Hawaii native Jacqueline Sarmiento has been selling shaved ice from her trailer since 2023. She comes from a family of entrepreneurs, so finding a brick-and-mortar was the next step. Her idea evolved sooner than expected once the space — which used to be Only at Renee’s — became available. Ohana opened in March.
The Spam musubi, a classic Hawaiian snack, at Ohana & Co in Virginia Beach. (Kendall Warner/The Virginian-Pilot)
I also enjoyed the Spam musubi, a classic Hawaiian snack. A slice of Spam came wrapped around seasoned rice and nori (seaweed). Together, they created layers of savory flavors and textures in each bite. I would eat that hand-held meal again.
However, I was on the fence about the poke bowl. I liked the simplicity of having only marinated ahi tuna, green onions and steamed white rice, but something was amiss. I added soy sauce to provide a umami taste. The contents were good, but not great.
The Howzit shaved ice at Ohana & Co: as warm and welcoming as the greetings it’s named after. (Kendall Warner/The Virginian-Pilot)
The Howzit shaved ice — named after the Hawaiian and South African greeting meaning “how is it?” “how’s it going?” or “hello” — upped the experience. The tropical treat consisted of POG (passion fruit, orange and guava) syrup, lilikoi (passion fruit) glaze, lychee jelly, vanilla ice cream in the middle and cream on top. Spoonfuls of gentle ice flake goodness dissolved on my tongue, making me daydream about a Hawaiian vacation.
Rekaya Gibson, 757-295-8809, rekaya.gibson@virginiamedia.com
If you go
Where: 2181 Upton Drive, Virginia Beach
Hours: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, closed Sunday, Monday and Tuesday
Prices: $4 Spam musubi, $15.50 to $20.50 entrees, $7 to $16 shaved ice
Details: ohanaandcompany.com, 757-998-8055
Dining and Cooking