W&M Burger

W&M Burger is a classic, old fashioned burger place like I've never seen before. Here in Hawaii it's sometimes hard to find buildings, stores, apartments, and so on, with character. Most of the architecture here is screaming 70s and cramped-because-there-are-too-many-people-on-this-island. Charming, right?

W&M Burger looks like it came straight from a Wild West movie, except the squeaky, swinging doors have been replaced with an ordering window! It's wedged randomly between two larger buildings and set back from the road just far enough for about 6 - 8 parking spaces, two of which can be seen in this photo.

There's a small sign on the road side that I'd never before noticed in my life, despite the fact of knowing the restaurant existed! This road is Waialae (Why-A-Lie) Avenue - the main drag in our neighborhood and home to many great shops and restaurants which I hope to tell you all about in the near future.

Quit wasting time and order already! Just step up to the window there, the one on the right.

This sign will get you up to speed on your selections. It's not just burgers and fries, though, see the 3 types of cookies, veggie burger, and crab salad? They've never made it onto my order although I'd guess they're good, if W&M decided to put them on the already limited menu board!

Speaking of our new 'hood: Kaimuki. There's also a Goodwill where Bryce got that terrible RVCA shirt for just a dollar!

Our lunches came hot and in a brown paper lunch bag! Since there's no place at W&M to eat, we drove down the street to our next destination - the grocery store - and found a picnic table perfect for having lunch on. Yes, I tried a fry right out of the bag and consequentially burned the inside of my mouth as if it were filled with liquid hot magma!

My selection was the Royal Burger: a B-B-Que hamburger patti with lettuce, tomato, onion, and cheese. Any sane person would take the option to add bacon, right?

The buns come from a local bakery and are fresh, soft, and untouched by any cooking method or condiment. The burger itself is just the right size and packs a lot of grilled, delicious flavor, only to be blanketed by a nice slice of melted cheese and topped with crispy bacon strips. The fresh tomato, onion, and lettuce are refreshing and compliment the flavors perfectly. The french fries are hearty, salty, and addictive.

In a world where you can super size any of 15 different burger combo meal options, I suppose this is what burgers and fries used to [and should] be like! This burger was demolished by yours truly in just a few minutes.

Bryce also had the Royal Burger, but without bacon.

As we enjoyed our romantic lunch outside of the grocery store, a car's alarm began blaring in the adjacent parking lot. Bryce, always the shy and timid type, shouted "CAN'T YOU SEE WE'RE ON A DATE?!" I laughed so hard I cried.

That being said, W&M isn't for looks or show, it's a simple store front with fantastic burgers and fries. I'd recommend it for a lunch on the run or a last minute take home (and dish free) meal, although not a first date - wait until you're in the very comfortable stage.

You also get all the credit for passing this secret spot along to others: my friend Allison told me about it and I told Bryce. The reaction is always the same - how did I never notice this place before and why didn't you bring me sooner? I'm always glad to help.

W&M is just a few miles outside of Waikiki ( 3104 Waialae Avenue Honolulu, HI 96816) and I'd guess that no tourist ever stepped foot in its humble parking lot. Although, if they found out about it the lines would be awful.... on second thought - don't go here, it's awful! Let's keep this one a secret - you got that Guy Fieri?!