




Big Wave Shrimp
About
A Taste of the North Shore
When you find yourself cruising through Haleiwa on a mission to see the winter swells, the scent of sizzling garlic butter acting as a beacon usually means you have arrived at Big Wave Shrimp. This isn't a place for white tablecloths or formal service; it is the quintessential North Shore food truck experience where you sit at weathered picnic tables, occasionally dodging a persistent local chicken looking for a stray bite of rice.
The Signature Garlic Experience
The menu is laser-focused on what they do best: shrimp. The signature garlic shrimp plate is the standard-bearer here, featuring large, shell-on crustaceans smothered in a pungent, buttery garlic sauce that demands you use every bit of the provided scoop of white rice to soak up the excess. If you prefer a bit of heat, the spicy shrimp provides a slow, creeping burn that balances perfectly with the sweetness of the fresh catch. It is messy, hands-on eating at its finest.
Why Locals and Surfers Keep Coming Back
The atmosphere is dictated entirely by the island pace. You will likely wait in a short line while listening to the distant rumble of trucks passing by on the main highway, but the transition from ordering at the window to receiving your styrofoam tray is seamless. It is ideal for those who have spent a morning in the ocean and need a high-calorie, flavorful refueling before heading back to the beach. Note that parking can get a bit tight when the surf report draws a crowd, so keep your eyes peeled for a spot in the gravel lot. It is unpretentious, straightforward, and arguably one of the most reliable stops for a casual lunch in this corner of Oahu.
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Amenities & Features
Location
66-521 Kamehameha Hwy, Haleiwa, Hawaii, 96712-1625
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Reviews
Showing 6 of 382 community reviewsIsabella IssaGoogle Maps
Recently
10/10 best food i’ve had since i been out here. The ladies that work in there are so sweet and kind. Best experience. I can’t rave about it enough! Wayyy better than the other tucks!
Siawosh EskandariGoogle Maps
Recently
Great garlic-flavoured shrimp. It's probably the best place to try it on the island. By the end of the meal, when the garlic is well-infused in the rice, it's a wonderful morsel of food.
Clarissa ConnellyGoogle Maps
Recently
Came here because they were open later than other shrimp trucks after we finished a long hike to Kaena Point. This was the most delicious shrimp I’ve ever had wow. Honestly incredible! They were fast, had tons of seating, huge pro was they are open later. Mahalo!
E LGoogle Maps
Recently
Supposedly better than Giovanni’s shrimp truck? Can’t compare as I’ve only tried here. I really liked the shrimp here! My fav was lemon & pepper, then spicy, then garlic & butter. Portion was pretty generous & loved that they allowed you to do half & half flavours. Also the pineapple that they give you, WOW it’s the best pineapple I’ve ever had!!! There’s benches for you to eat at & plenty of parking
Vancity NessieGoogle Maps
Recently
We ordered two types of shrimp platters: the garlic shrimp and the lemon pepper flavors. I love garlic but I find they ended up putting waaay too much garlic and it became overpowering, the shrimp was also extremely oily and it got very messy while trying to peel the shell. The lemon pepper shrimp was our favorite, it had a perfect balance between being slightly peppery and zesty at the same time - and it was not greesy at all. The rice was very bland and had no flavor at all. Overall, we had a positive experience dining here.
Anish Thakkar (Doc Thakkar)Google Maps
Recently
Amazing family-run food truck that's been around for 20 years. We got the garlic shrimp plate (of course) and the teriyaki bone-in short ribs plate. Both were excellent and generous in terms of portion. I got double salad to avoid the mound of rice, and ate every single bite with gusto! The buttery garlicky coating on the shrimp was truly amazing, and the sticky sweetness of the beef ribs were welcomed. Condiments include hot sauce and soy sauce I believe. About 17-20 bucks per plate. Only issue were the plethora of flies and birds trying to get a taste of your food while dining at one of their tables - but that can't be helped!
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Frequently Asked Questions about Big Wave Shrimp
Common questions from diners about Big Wave Shrimp in Haleiwa.
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