There’s a building in my neighborhood that houses a random gathering of businesses: a pawn shop, pizzeria, beauty salon, pho restaurant, cigarette shop, and a suspicious looking neon sign that I swear is a brothel. Yes, the area is a little sketchy but nevertheless, I love my hood. I love that every convenience is within easy walking distance and I’m a big fan of walking to neighborhood businesses to support the local community.
Anyway, Amina Pizzeria is a newcomer occupying a tiny space in this building on Kalakaua Avenue. The tenant turnover of this space is so high that my husband and I thought we’d better check it out while we have the chance. I think the place is designed for mostly take out orders, but they do have 12 seats if you prefer to eat in, and there is a parking lot behind the building (entrance off Fern Street).
We ordered:
- Amina’s Combination Pizza ($18.95 for a 14″ pizza)
- Spaghetti with Mushrooms in Creamy Garlic Sauce ($8.95)
- Garden Green Salad ($5.25)
Amina Pizzeria - Amina's Combination Pizza
Amina Pizzeria - Spaghetti with Mushrooms in Creamy Garlic Sauce
Amina Pizzeria - Garden Green Salad
I’m actually sorry that I couldn’t write a better review because I really want to support local restaurants. The meal started out good with a large, fresh salad served with a yummy herb dressing. But I would skip the pastas next time - the spaghetti was dry like it’s been sitting for a while. The pizza has a thin crust and tasted fine. It’s probably a matter of preference, but I prefer a softer, chewier dough to the Amina crust which tasted a lot like pre-manufactured pizza crust you find in the refrigerated section in supermarkets. For almost an identical menu offering, I prefer La Pizza Rina on South King Street.
OVERALL: COULD BE BETTER
PRICE RANGE:$6.95-$8.95 for 9″ Pizzas, $12.95-$18.95 for 14″ Pizzas, $6.95-$10.95 for Pastas, $7.95-$8.95 for Calzones, $5.25-$7.25 Salads. Also available are Sub Sandwiches, French Bread Pizzas, and Garlic Rolls.
MY BILL: $40.00 for two
RETURNING?: After a while we’ll probably check it out again
Amina Pizzeria
(corner of Fern Street and Kalakaua Avenue, across from Martini Zoo)
1694-E Kalakaua Avenue
Honolulu, HI 96826
808.949.3548
Sat-Thu 10:30a-9:30p
Fri 3:30p-9:30p
あれま！
ずいぶんとお値段がはりますこと！
高いのにありがと～！
さっちはけっこうおいしいとおもいました。
Ｙｏｕはふわふわクラスト派なのね。なるほど。
Gosh, I never even really notice those hole in the wall places like this one.Too bad the food wasn’t better! At least you gave them a shot…I would probably be too weary to try it.
Altho I HAVE tried La Pizza Rina…I did like that place. Sounds like I should just stick to that one instead. 
La Pizza Rina is one of Matt and my favorites.
I love the spaghetti with their homemade sausage, and have heard that their salad dressing is great. It’s always good to visit new places, though!
hahaha i just noticed.
“i love my hood” too!
it is so sketchy.
Erin: Yes, this one is really hole in the wall. Although I recently found out there is another Amina Pizzeria in Kailua that’s supposed to be good. I wonder if they’re the same owners…
Kristen: I love La Pizza Rina too! Maybe we should do them one GNO.
Sachi: I love our hood even with all the strip clubs and brothels. One reason I love it is because it’s so close to you guys and Dean guys.
Hey but the bread was really good and the pizza was similar to La Pizza Rina. So I think probably their Calzones or bread dominated dishes could be great.
You’re totally right – the bread was good. Next time we’ll try the Calzones.