Maui Chop House Brings Taste of Hawaii To Rocky Point

For years, Long Islanders have visited BBD's at 49 Route 25A for burgers and beers.

But now that it has closed, the community will have a chance to sample the flavors of Hawaii, with Maui Chop House opening in the gastropub's place.

Maui Chop House was brought to Rocky Point by John, George and Kevin Louis - three brothers whose family moved to Hawaii from Portugal in 1905.

"They landed in Maui to work the sugar cane plantations. For three generations my family lived on Maui and Molokai," John Louis said. "My oldest brother was born there before my parents moved to Long Island and the rest is history."

With all three brothers having worked in the hospitality industry, Louis said, "we hope to keep he location a hot spot not only for craft beer lovers but wine enthusiasts and foodies as well."

Louis said the Port Jeff Brewery brewed a special "Maui Time Porter" for the new restaurant.

And Louis said the restaurant's uniqueness doesn't stop there.

"We've even partnered with the Long Island foodies Facebook network.," he said. "We also offer a fairly extensive wine list that was written by an accomplished sommelier to fit our menu."

The menu's Hawaiian cuisine ranges from Luau Meatballes and Tuna Poke Bowls to Sage Brown Butter Pork Chops and Shoyu Chicken.

"With my family being from Hawaii, I grew up eating Hawaiian style cuisine my entire life and obviously grew to love it," Louis said. "The recipes we use here at Maui have been perfected over generations and feature fruit based marinades and sauces (mango, pineapple, passionfruit etc.). It is very unique and flavorful and there is absolutely nothing like it on Long Island or the surrounding area that I'm aware of. Its our hope that the unique menu items we offer from our 24 hour slow cooked pulled pork to our skirt steak with pineapple salsa to our Hawaiian sweet rolls for dessert will get people to try us."

Photos: Maui Chop House