While The Corndog Company of Hawaiʻi first opened in Kahuku in January 2022, its tent operation — which allows the business to participate in island-wide events — launched earlier this year.
“We get so many requests to be a part of events and celebrations; we are excited to finally be able to say, ‘Yes!’” says business owner Brittany Kurtz.
The business — at the time, located on the corner across from Kahuku High School — was inspired by the corndogs Kurtz would get when visiting her hometown in Utah.
“Everyone loves a good corndog,” she says. “They are nostalgic in every way. We wanted to bring that ‘moment of happiness’ to others in a unique way that doesn’t require a carnival, fair or festival to get one.
“We purchased the license from The Corndog Company out of Southern Utah,” she adds. “The license (versus a franchise) allows us to have some flexibility in menu and operating practices.”
The business’s trailer is still in Kahuku, but is now at the Kahuku Sugar Mill.
“We love being a part of the Kahuku community and have felt so supported by them over the years,” Kurtz says.
The menu features fried options like the Epic dog ($12) — a one-fourth pound all-beef corndog, served with chips — smokey cheddar dog ($12), and mini dog ($10).
“Our iconic specialty is the Epic dog drizzled with honey and mustard,” Kurtz says. “It’s nearly one foot long. The ‘dog to batter’ ratio is superb and the honey drizzle puts it over the top. We are known for our deliciously sweet and savory batter that is perfectly crispy and complements the hot dog in the best way.”
Meanwhile, the smokey cheddar dog features pork and cheddar sausage. The business’s “mini” dog is a regular-sized beef corndog.
“Our one-fourth pound pork and cheddar sausage is killer with the honey drizzle and sweet chili sauce,” Kurtz says. “While some love the corndogs most, we have a large audience who come for our cheese bombs ($8); they completely hold their own. Our cheese bombs are 6 inches of your choice of mozzarella or cheddar, dipped and fried to the same crispy perfection. They have the perfect cheese pull; they are incredible.”
The business also features desserts. Customers can choose from fresh pineapples with coconut syrup drizzle ($3), fried pineapples with coconut syrup drizzle ($6) or fried candy bars ($6).
“We introduced our fried Hawaiʻi pineapple, as recommended by friends, and our customers love it,” Kurtz says. “It tastes like a pineapple fritter — perfectly sweet and crispy, and drizzled with coconut syrup and sprinkled with powdered sugar. We also have our fried Milky Way or Snickers candy bars; they’re decadent in every way.”
Besides its Kahuku location, The Corndog Company of Hawaiʻi pops up at various events around the island. Previous events included Ono Grindz & Makeke at Wai Kai and What the Truck? at Waikele Center.
The business’s next pop-up will be at the Haleʻiwa Arts Festival on June 13 and 14.
“We know a corndog isn’t traditional Hawaiian food, but nearly everyone has a great experience with a corndog that takes them back [to a memory],” Kurtz says. “We pride ourselves on handing out a moment of happiness and making everyone’s nostalgic corndog dreams come true.”
CONTACT
The Corndog Company of Hawaiʻi
Kahuku Sugar Mill
56-565 Kamehameha Hwy., Kahuku
Instagram: @thecorndogco.hi
Open 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sundays to Thursdays, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays
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Kelli Shiroma Braiotta can be reached at kelli@alohastatedaily.com.
