Giovanni's Shrimp Truck — Restaurant in Oʻahu

Giovanni’s Shrimp Truck, a legendary staple on Oahu’s North Shore, lives up to its well-deserved reputation as a must-visit destination for food lovers. Known for its mouthwatering shrimp dishes, this iconic food truck offers a delightful and authentic Hawaiian dining experience that you won’t soon forget.

Located in the charming town of Kahuku, Giovanni’s Shrimp Truck is easily recognizable by its signature graffiti-covered exterior, where visitors from around the world leave their mark. The casual, laid-back atmosphere perfectly complements the delicious, no-frills cuisine served here.

The menu at Giovanni’s is simple but incredibly satisfying, featuring a variety of shrimp plates that highlight the fresh, local seafood. The most popular dish, and for good reason, is the Shrimp Scampi. Cooked to perfection with a generous amount of garlic, lemon butter, and parsley, the shrimp are plump, juicy, and bursting with flavor. Served with a side of rice to soak up the delectable sauce, this dish is a garlic lover’s dream.

For those seeking a bit of spice, the Hot and Spicy Shrimp is a must-try. This dish packs a punch with its fiery sauce, balanced by the sweetness of the shrimp. It’s perfect for those who enjoy bold flavors and a bit of heat. Be warned, though: the spice level is not for the faint of heart!

Another excellent choice is the Lemon Butter Shrimp, which offers a lighter, tangy alternative to the Scampi. The zesty lemon pairs beautifully with the buttery sauce, creating a harmonious blend of flavors that highlight the natural sweetness of the shrimp.

Beyond the incredible food, one of the unique aspects of dining at Giovanni’s Shrimp Truck is the communal seating area. Picnic tables under shaded tents provide a relaxed setting where you can enjoy your meal while soaking in the North Shore’s laid-back vibe. It’s also a great opportunity to chat with fellow diners, many of whom are eager to share their own travel tips and experiences.

One helpful tip for fellow tourists: arrive early if you can. Giovanni’s Shrimp Truck is incredibly popular, and the lines can get quite long, especially during peak meal times. However, the wait is well worth it. If you do find yourself waiting, take the time to explore the nearby shops and other food trucks in the area, offering everything from fresh coconut water to shave ice.

Another insider tip is to bring cash. While Giovanni’s does accept credit cards, having cash on hand can make the transaction quicker and smoother, especially during busy hours.

Giovanni’s Shrimp Truck is more than just a place to eat; it’s a culinary experience that captures the essence of the North Shore’s vibrant food scene. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a seasoned local, the unbeatable combination of fresh, flavorful shrimp and the charming atmosphere makes it a must-visit destination. Highly recommended for anyone looking to savor the true taste of Oahu’s...

My recent visit to Giovanni’s Shrimp Truck brought back a mix of nostalgia and slight disappointment. On the brighter side, their Scampi remains a star dish with a sauce that’s rich in flavor, justifying its somewhat steep price of $16. It’s a delightful treat for garlic lovers, albeit the accompanying rice didn’t share the same high standard. Unfortunately, the rice was a letdown—soggy, a tad cold, and the garlic within had a bitter aftertaste suggesting it might have been old or undercooked.

Moving on to the Hot and Spicy shrimp, it was more of a hot and sour experience, missing the fiery kick I anticipated. Those looking for a spicy thrill might find it lacking. Meanwhile, the Butter Lemon shrimp felt overly simplistic—essentially boiled shrimp swimming in a buttery lemon concoction. While the lemon did add a fresh zest, it felt like it could use more complexity.

The Macaroni Salad was decent, with a milder flavor profile that might appeal to those preferring subtler tastes. It was a pleasant side dish but didn’t stand out in the culinary experience.

Comparing to my previous visits, it’s apparent that the quality at Giovanni’s has seen better days. The ambiance also left more to be desired, as the constant buzz of flies around our meal was a nuisance that detracted from the outdoor dining experience.

In summary, while the Scampi sauce managed to capture my palate’s attention, the overall experience at Giovanni’s Shrimp Truck was underwhelming this time around. It’s a place riding on the waves of its past glory, but currently, it seems to struggle in maintaining the culinary excellence it...

We found this during my research on best places to eat on a drive around the island. This food truck is located in the Kahuku food trucks area. There is a large gravel lot so there was plenty of parking when we went on a Sunday afternoon. There are many many different food trucks here, but Giovanni’s was the one most recommended online. There was a decent line, but it moved very quickly. Once you order you are given a number and wait for it to be called. It took about 10-15 minutes. We got the standard shrimp scampi, the hot and spicy shrimp, and the lemon garlic shrimp. We also got a side of macaroni salad that was delicious. Each plate came with about a dozen shrimp in the order as well as rice. You do have to peel the shells, but the shells basically fell right off. The best was the shrimp scampi as it had a lot of flavor. The spicy one was good, but not that spicy, and our least favorite was the lemon garlic simply because the other two were so great! It just didn’t have as much flavor as the others. Between the two of us, we were so hungry from snorkeling earlier that we ate all of it! There is covered picnic table seating, or there are other picnic tables out and around with umbrellas on them, plenty were open and were shaded. Afterwards, there are some shops and tents set up around that we walked around and checked out. Overall we would recommend Giovanni’s to those who are shrimp lovers, as the shrimp were perfectly cooked, tender,...