La Birria — known for its birria tacos — just opened its second brick-and-mortar restaurant.
The business was founded in October 2020 by chef Arturo Silva and Justin Mizufuka. Its trailer used to be in the parking lot at Pearlridge Center; the business relocated to Pearl Kai Shopping Center as a storefront (it’s in the former space of Monarch Poke).
“We were originally looking for a prep kitchen; we were transporting everything from downtown (from our store there),” business owner Justin Mizufuka says. “We’re happy to be here.”
Since its opening in 2020, La Birria has expanded to one food truck, two brick-and-mortar restaurants (Downtown Honolulu and Pearl Kai), one operating franchise and one franchise that’s opening soon, according to Mizufuka. The business’s first franchise — located at Windward Mall — opened in late February and is celebrating its grand opening this Friday, April 10, with live mariachi music.
The business was built on a simple yet streamlined philosophy — take one item and execute it better than anyone else, according to Mizufuka. The business model was inspired by In-N-Out Burger’s focused menu.
The menu focuses on taco packs of different sizes. The eatery’s birria queso pack ($14) is a signature dish; it includes three queso birria tacos with cheese and consommé. Those who want a spicier option can brave the hell fire tacos ($14), which include two tacos with pickled jalapenos and consommé.
“I use a smoked ghost pepper blend (for the hell fire tacos), so it has a slight smokiness to it,” says chef Arturo Silva. “It has the heat, but it also has a lot of flavor.”
Other dishes include birria ramen ($14), 12-pack birria queso tacos ($52) and the Mexican roulette ($55). The latter is a fun party pack option comprising 11 queso birria tacos with one hidden hell fire taco in the mix.
The eatery’s agua fresca ($5) and horchatas in various flavors ($5 to $7) are sure to quench the heat from the hell fire tacos. We’re partial to the cold brew horchata ($7); Silva says the strawberry horchata ($7) is the eatery’s newest flavor and most popular option.
The business also features private dining and catering; previous offerings include signature taco party packages, three-course and five-course dinner experiences and fully customized event menus.
Next up: The business is currently working on offering its tacos at SKY Waikīkī, one of Honolulu’s premier rooftop venues.
“It’ll be for late night, so after a certain time, they will only do birria tacos,” Mizufuka says.
CONTACT
La Birria
Pearl Kai Shopping Center
98-199 Kamehameha Hwy., ‘Aiea
Instagram: @la_birria_hi
Open daily, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
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Kelli Shiroma Braiotta can be reached at kelli@alohastatedaily.com.
