What Comes Around...

February 28^th, 2011

Charlotte, NC

In my elementary school years I was involved in a boys group at church called the RA’s or Royal Ambassadors. Not unlike the cub scouts for that age group, it focused on development of character as well as growth mentally, physically and spiritually. One of our more frequent activities was taking one-night camping trips on some farmland owned by one of our RA leaders. It was on one of these trips that I was introduced to two things that would, ultimately, have a long lasting impact. The first…snipe hunting. I would spend many late, dark nights thereafter initiating others into the adventure of pursuing those elusive little rodents. The second…SPAM.

I was first served SPAM, sliced, sautéed in a skillet over a campfire and served on toast, by a fellow RA when I was 11 and he 12. I can remember watching that rectangular wad of compressed meat and binder splat onto the plate and then seeing it give way to a butter knife far too easily to be an actual meat product. I knew it was a bad idea before taking a bite but hey, I was with a loving and supportive group of boys that were between 10 and 13 years old – had I not tried it I would have been made fun of so badly I would not have been able to go to sleep because of the rapid-bottom-lip-movement. So I grinned, endured the taste texture and smell and then vowed never to eat it again. Simple.

A year or so later I went with my parents and bother on a little family excursion to Universal City in California. We were able to stay on the concierge floor of the Universal Hilton where, everyday, an afternoon snack was served. There would be various little treats and beverages, a pretty cool spread for a kid my age. One day there were these little rolls with rice on the outside and some kind of protein and vegetation inside. From what I’d seen on TV I knew that this stuff was sushi. And since I had recently read that the favorite food of Jason Gedrick, who played my favorite character of all time (Doug Masters), in my favorite movie of all time (Iron Eagle), was sushi, I was then bound and determined to try it and love it. Although it’s a little fuzzy nearly 2 decades later, I am pretty sure that my first foray into the Sushi arena that day in California was, a platter barely gas station worthy California Rolls. I decided very quickly that those “Hollywood” people were crazy to eat such horrible vittles and, again, made a solemn vow – this time to avoid the consumption of sushi, in any of its forms, ever again.

Thankfully, a few years later, I came to my senses, tried sushi again – at a very worthy and unfortunately now defunct temple to sushi called Tokyo in Charlotte, and I was able to find one of my most beloved food platforms. Sushi has opened my eyes to an entire world of flavors, textures and creatures that are rare to experience in most any other foods.

An enjoyment of SPAM, however, was not something that had come full circle. I had had no other reason, opportunity or inclination to venture back into the realm of potted meat. It’s just not a common “go to” in my life. For those who live in Hawaii, though, this is a different story. The love of “The Hawaiian Steak,” as SPAM is referred to often, is so dominant in the islands that it is on the menu at both McDonald’s and Burger King. It would then make sense that, on my first visit to Aloha Hawaiian BBQ & Grill in the White Hall Shopping Center on S. Tryon in Charlotte, I found something very interesting on the menu – SPAM Musubi. Literally an onigiri roll made with rice and sliced, warm SPAM. Do you really think I could say no?

I ordered one immediately and was amazed at what was laid before me. A thick layer or warm sushi rice and a freshly griddled slice if compressed ham, neither too thin nor too thick. Paired with a sweet and sour dipping sauce, it was quite incredible. The soft rice and chewy nori perfectly masked any possible textural unpleasantness created by the SPAM itself. The combination truly seemed to result in some umami characteristics. I will be ordering this again in the future.

The also have some other pretty incredible Hawaiian favorites. Chicken Katsu – pounded thin and breaded then fried to an awesome crispness. BBQ Chicken marinated in Hawaiian sauce – it stays very moist while on the charcoal. Kalbi Short Ribs - sweet and succulent. This little joint really has a lot to offer.

But in the end, there are 2 things that I once said I’d never try again that I have now come to love. Oddly enough they had to be combined for me so be able to say that about the both of them.  In an effort to save my son from a partially similar fate I have, at least, planted the sushi seed – which seems to be growing nicely.

Aloha Hawaiian BBQ & Grill

8107G South Tryon Street

Charlotte, NC 28286