Buzz’s Hawaiian Grill

Take Me Here Using Metro Transit

Buzz’s Hawaiian Grill serves Hawaiian cuisine and culture with a focus on sustainable practices. As island culture is inherently concerned with the health of our oceans, Buzz’s Hawaiian Grill works to reduce its plastic waste footprint through a variety of strategies, such as using all compostable plates, cutlery, straws, and canned beverages. They don’t offer bottled water – only offer canned water – because of their commitment to the environment. Bottled water takes over 17 million barrels of oil a year to create, and the vast majority of water bottles are not recycled, wasting resources or creating litter. As a rule, none of the products sold at Buzz’s food are made from non-compostable plastics.

Buzz’s Hawaiian Grill’s traditional Hawaii plate lunches consist of a carefully portioned scoop of macaroni salad, two scoops of rice, and a protein – measuring each item on the plate eliminates customer waste. Their menu offers several different sizes, helping prevent food waste from going to the landfill. When asked where Buzz got the inspiration for his menu and sustainability, he warmly replied, “Hawaiian culture. This is how life is in Hawaii.” The menu is inspired by authentic Hawaiian family recipes and offers plenty of vegetarian and vegan options such as Lumpia spring rolls. “The carrots, cabbage, and bean sprouts were so flavorful we took the meat out and no one noticed” says Buzz in converting the spring rolls into a vegetarian option only. The Somen salad is another popular vegan dish to try.

Local favorites include the Tuna Poke Bowl and Musubi. Musubi is a family recipe, made with a layer of rice sprinkled with Nori Furikake (rice seasoning), a slice of Teri marinated SPAM grilled to caramelize the marinade, a slice of sweet egg pancake all wrapped in a sheet of Nori (sushi seaweed paper). The Tuna Poke Bowl sources line-caught tuna from Norpac, a Honolulu based supplier. Buzz only sources sustainable seafood and uses resources like the Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch AVOID list when sourcing seafood. Having lived in Hawaii for several years (he moved to St. Louis from Honolulu in 1986), he knows the effect that litter and plastics have on the ocean, which is why all of his service ware is compostable. He has little to no disposable plastic waste.  When working with larger scale distributors like US Foods, Buzz always requests that his supplier only offer him locally-sourced foods within 400 miles of St. Louis.

Buzz’s new brick and mortar location in Tower Grove East was renovated from the previous tenant, Steve’s Hotdogs.  He hires from the neighborhood, with 8 of his employees walking to work.  By knocking out existing structures, Buzz created more natural light and a more open and relaxing space. Authentic Hawaiian art lines the walls, with music and videos playing in the background to fully immerse you in a Hawaiian experience.  Interior plants, light blue hues, beautiful natural wood tables, and friendly staff make it easy to sit back and relax as you enjoy Hawaiian eats.

The new renovation also features all LEDs, ceiling fans, daylight sensors for outside string lights, a solar powered light for the smoker, energy star equipment, and new windows to help reduce energy consumption.  Buzz even uses rechargeable batteries, a cloud based time sheet for his employees, an all digital format for checking out guests, removing the use of printed receipts, and QR code readers and dry erase boards to display his menus, further reducing material waste.  Guests are required to select if they want utensils for takeout.

Buzz loves bringing an authentic slice of Hawaiian culture to STL, and enjoys seeing kids trying dishes they’ve never experienced before and coming back for seconds.  Check out the back patio for a chill vibe which has permeable pavers to help with water drainage. Be sure to follow them on social media to hear about upcoming specials and events.

Be sure to check out Buzz’s Hawaiian Grill’s schedule on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook!