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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Freezing rain in Rogue Valley possible early Sunday morning ... Armed protesters occupy Malheur wildlife refuge building ... Highway 42 to reopen Sunday after landslide ... Freezing rain in Rogue Valley possible early Sunday morning ... Armed protesters occupy Malheur wildlife refuge building ... Highway 42 to reopen Sunday after landslide ... DINING Island Grindz serves up Hawaiian specialties Comment MailTribune.com Writer Posted Apr. 24, 2015 at 12:01 AM Posted Apr. 24, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Social News As the Rogue Valley’s weather heats up, ship out to Island Grindz in White City for an icy-cold treat. Downpours and hail storms on a recent weekday couldn’t deter me from Hawaiian shave ice, a rain-or-shine specialty at this former drive-up coffee stand. The chill only heightened my appetite for a hearty helping of island-style comfort food, better known as plate lunch. Having sampled my fair share of plate lunch and other Hawaiian specialties, both at their source and on the mainland, I knew what to expect at Island Grindz, which dubs its version “bento.” Lots of carbohydrates — rice and pasta — lay the foundation for the typical plate lunch, topped with grilled and sauced meat. Chicken costs $7, steak $8 and a combination of the two runs $10 at Island Grindz. In lieu of Hawaii’s beloved macaroni salad, green salad is a side-dish option at Island Grindz. Or order the chicken bento with grilled vegetables to skip the other side-dish choice. For an extra $2, I requested the double chicken with macaroni salad, which I expected to handily feed both my husband and me. But first a snack that stood little chance of making it home. Island Grindz combines cream cheese and imitation crabmeat for its “ono roll,” selling two for $5. Cigar-shaped, the ono roll’s long, narrow dimensions ensure that the flash-fried wrapper is crunchy all the way to the scalding-hot filling. After devouring an entire roll and a good portion of the other, dipped in cilantro-spiked sweet-chili sauce, I reluctantly saved a few bites for my husband. After all, I still had my coconut-flavored shave ice to enjoy, more once I reached the scoop of vanilla ice cream at the bottom. A small shave ice costs $2, a large $3. I waited to sample the main dish until arriving home, where I wouldn’t have to eat from more paper containers. Not only did the double chicken satisfy two adults for lunch, it supplied plenty for my toddler to try. The tender dark meat was nicely grill-marked and coated in just the right amount of a teriyaki-type sauce. Because the brown rice lent a nutty sweetness to the dish, more sauce would have been overpowering. But white rice may have benefited from a bit more flavor. The macaroni salad also came off predominantly sweet. Some very finely diced vegetables in the mayonnaise-based dressing made for a harmonious texture. Despite the generous dusting of black pepper, I would have preferred more savor in the salad to contrast with the rest of our meal. Island Grindz Bento is located in a former drive-up coffee stand adjacent to the Grange Co-op’s White City store at Highway 62 and Avenue G. Hours are from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. weekdays. The eatery is closed on weekends. Specials, such as coconut-curry chicken and banana lumpia, are announced on the Island Grindz Bento Facebook page. — Sarah Lemon MailTribune.com Writer Posted Apr. 24, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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