‘Spirit of aloha’: Brother-sister duo bring taste of Hawaiian barbecue to NYC

NEW YORK (PIX11) – Ever wanted to visit Hawaii?

Well, a taste of Hawaii is coming to New York City at the end of 2024 as a brother and sister team up to open three Hawaiian barbecue spots.

“We’re incredibly excited to bring the flavors of Hawaii to New York City,” said the franchise owner, Henry Engel, on opening L&L Hawaiian Barbecue in the city. “We’re not just serving food — we’re sharing a piece of Hawaii’s culture, warmth, and spirit of aloha.”

The new restaurants will be located:

In Manhattan

• 201 Allen St., Lower East Side, expected opening date at end of October 2024
• 2128 Second Ave., East Harlem, expected opening date in November 2024

In Brooklyn

• 902 Broadway, Bushwick, expected opening date in December 2024

“These new locations are all about diverse, comforting flavors that feel like home for many, whether they’re familiar with island cuisine or trying it for the first time. We look forward to being part of the community and bringing a taste of the islands to the heart of NYC,” Engel added.

Henry and Sephra Engel, the franchise owners, are siblings from Oahu, Hawaii.

Matthew Euzarraga is a multimedia journalist from El Paso, Texas. He has covered local news and LGBTQIA topics in the New York City Metro area since 2021. He joined the PIX11 Digital team in 2023. You can see more of his work here .

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