Food · Today in Vegas · November 13, 2026
The Cal's Hawaiian Counter Closes Nov. 22 After 41 Years. Its Replacement Is Honolulu's Side Street Inn, a Bar Founded in 1992.
Side Street Inn is headed to downtown's California Casino, according to Vital Vegas. The Honolulu restaurant will open in early 2027 in the space Aloha Specialties leaves behind when it closes Nov. 22, 2026, after 41 years at The Cal, the Boyd Gaming property that markets itself with the slogan "Aloha Spoken Here."
Side Street Inn was founded in Honolulu in 1992 by Colin Nishida, who turned a neighborhood bar with sports and karaoke into a well-regarded restaurant, Vital Vegas reported. Nishida died in 2018. The name refers to Hopaka Street, a small side street near the Ala Moana shopping center, and the restaurant was featured on Anthony Bourdain's "No Reservations."
The restaurant is best known for pan-fried island pork chops, garlic chicken and its fried rice, made with bacon, Portuguese sausage, green onions, peas, carrots and char siu. Other favorites include kalbi short ribs, yakisoba, roast pork poke and fried chicken gizzards, served family style in large portions. Vital Vegas said it is unclear how much of the Hawaii menu will make the trip, though the pork chops and fried rice are expected.