When coming up with a name for her business in 2019, owner Celine Chong was intentional.
“The name ‘Celine’s Best’ was chosen with purpose,” she says. “I didn’t want to be tied down to just one type of food. I wanted the freedom to share my favorite eats — my ‘best’ picks — and allow the menu to grow and change as I grow. That flexibility is what makes this small business special to me.”
Celine’s Best launched in 2019 and primarily focused on waffle dogs. To this day, customers can get waffle dogs ($12 each) with a variety of toppings like chili cheese, cheesy bacon, teri mayo and Triple C (chili, cheese, chipotle). The cheesy bacon ranch waffle dog is one of the bestsellers, according to Chong.
“As the journey continued, fries and nachos were added as the menu grew,” she says. “I wanted to share the foods I truly love eating and take a chance on something different, hoping they (customers) would enjoy it, too.”
The business’s newest menu item, tater wands ($12 each), were the result of “a little moment of rediscovery,” according to Chong.
“While cleaning out storage, I found a brand-new wand waffle maker that had been sitting there for years,” she says. “I’d been brainstorming what new item to add this year (to my menu), and suddenly, it all clicked. After lots of ideas and testing, tater wands were born — shredded potatoes with a cheesy crust, crispy on the edges and soft on the inside, just like a hash brown.”
Customers can choose from six topping combinations — cheese, teri mayo, cheesy barbecue, cheesy garlic, chipotle barbecue and cheesy bacon ranch. The wands are available in their original (plain) form as well.
“Cheesy garlic is currently the favorite, teri mayo is a close second, and cheesy bacon ranch is quickly climbing the charts,” says Chong, whose personal favorite is the chipotle barbecue.
Celine’s Best can be found at various events like What the Truck?! at Waikele Center, New Wave Night Market at Kapolei Golf Course, and Village Night Market at Pearlridge Center. For updates, follow the business on social media.
“I’m so excited for everyone to finally try our tater wands and, hopefully, make them their new favorite,” Chong says. “We’re also getting ready to launch one more menu item soon, so keep an eye out. There are so many great things coming for Celine’s Best in 2026. I’m grateful for every customer who’s supported my small business along the way.”
CONTACT
Celine’s Best
Various locations
Instagram: @celinesbest
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Kelli Shiroma Braiotta can be reached at kelli@alohastatedaily.com.
