Giovanni's Shrimp Truck – Serving the Best Garlic Shrimp in Hawaii

When it comes to local comfort food in Hawaii, Giovanni’s garlic shrimp is a top contender for the most popular dish.

No other plate lunch can compete with their perfectly seasoned garlic shrimp.

Among the countless shrimp spots, Giovanni’s flavor is truly exceptional—one taste and you’ll be hooked!

I’m so obsessed that I find myself eating it at least once a week. Haha.

You should definitely stop by at least once during your stay in Hawaii.

The Most Popular Menu Item: Shrimp Scampi
The Hottest Dish in Hawaii: Hot & Spicy
Light and Healthy: Lemon & Butter
Giovanni’s Plate Sizes and Portions
Giovanni’s Has Three Locations
Giovanni’s: General Information
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The Most Popular Menu Item: Shrimp Scampi

Giovanni’s Shrimp Scampi might just be the most delicious food in all of Hawaii.

Just so you know, “Scampi” is their name for the garlic flavor, so be careful not to order a different flavor by mistake.

The original garlic sauce soaked into the plump shrimp is simply incredible!

Honestly, the rice and garlic sauce alone are satisfying enough. Haha.

Here’s a tip on how to eat it: many people peel the shells right away, but that’s a waste! The best part is the delicious sauce clinging to the shells.

The secret to enjoying it 10 times more is to first suck the sauce off the shells, and then bite into the shrimp while the flavor is still lingering in your mouth. ♪

Also, the garlic smell attracts a lot of flies, but if you squeeze the provided lemon over your plate, the scent repels many of them.

The Hottest Dish in Hawaii: Hot & Spicy

The menu says “No Refunds” for the Hot & Spicy shrimp. Haha.

This is because it’s so incredibly spicy that many people try to return it.

It’s honestly so hot it could be a punishment, so unless you’re a huge fan of extreme spice or want to challenge your limits, you should probably avoid this one!

Interestingly, even the staff isn’t sure why it ends up being so spicy.

The seasoning is very simple—it’s just shrimp sautéed in the same “hot sauce” they give you on the side when you order the Scampi, which by itself has a standard level of heat.

Perhaps being cooked and served piping hot makes it feel even spicier.

We recommend ordering the Scampi and getting some hot sauce on the side to dip it in.

Light and Healthy: Lemon & Butter

If you’re not a fan of garlic, be sure to try the Lemon & Butter.

The shrimp is boiled with a lemon flavor, giving it a very light and refreshing taste.

The slight saltiness and tartness of the lemon really bring out the natural flavor of the shrimp.

The accompanying butter sauce also pairs perfectly with the lemon!

For those with a shellfish allergy, don’t worry—there’s a garlic hot dog on the menu, so you can at least enjoy their delicious garlic.

You can even ask them to swap the hot dog bun for rice, and they’ll pour a generous amount of garlic sauce over it for you! ♪

Giovanni’s Plate Sizes and Portions

Giovanni’s offers two plate sizes.

The regular plate comes with 12 pieces of shrimp and two scoops of rice.

To give you an idea of the portion size, a regular plate is usually just enough to fill up an adult woman.

The half plate comes with 6 pieces of shrimp and one scoop of rice.

Both the price and the portion are exactly half. Haha.

So, if you want to try different flavors, ordering two half plates is a great option!

Giovanni’s Has Three Locations

In total, Giovanni’s has three locations in Hawaii.

The original truck is in Kahuku on the North Shore, the second is in Haleiwa Town (also on the North Shore), and the third is inside H Mart (a Korean supermarket) in Kakaako.

The two North Shore locations are food trucks, while the Kakaako branch is a storefront.

One of the famous traditions is that you can write graffiti on the truck, so be sure to leave your mark if you visit a North Shore location.

Just ask the staff, and they’ll lend you a pen!

The lines can get long, with waits of up to an hour even on weekdays. That’s why Aloalo Travel tours offer a complimentary food pickup service! ♪

Enjoy the delicious garlic shrimp without having to wait in line.

Giovanni’s: General Information

Name	Giovanni’s
Address	56-505 Kamehameha Hwy, Kahuku, HI 96731
Map
Hours	10:30 AM – 6:30 PM *Hours may vary by location.
Closed	Open daily
Restrooms	Available
Parking	Available (Free)
Locations	3 locations (Kahuku, Haleiwa, Kakaako)
Website	Official Website