Hawaii is home to dozens of fantastic regional and ethnic cuisines, but it’s fair to say that food from the American south isn’t very well represented. Molly’s, situated perfectly in the military town of Wahiawa, is a great outpost of southern food in this southernmost state.

While Molly’s has obviously slimmed down their menu to deal with a largely deployed clientele, the restaurant soldiers on with some of its featured dishes, notably the barbeque ribs. It’s the side dishes, though, that sets Molly’s apart.

It’s here where I finally got to understand what it was that my Florida-born wife loved so much about food back home.

The only southern-style barbeque joint on O’ahu. The food is wonderful, but the menu has been steadily shrinking for the past couple years. What is left on the menu, however, is a joy.

Molly, the owner of the restaurant, is actually around quite a lot. She actually waits tables. You have to love a place with such dedicated people behind it.

You have to try the hush puppies. And I’m just delighted that I can get fried okra anywhere west of the Mississippi. The sides are why I go to Molly’s.