Aloha, Mabuhay, and Welcome!

A quick introduction to me, Jaytee Asis! I started cooking at an young age helping Lola and my family in the kitchen during any family parties. Looking back into it now, I can vividly remember the laughter and smiles on everybody’s face when we’re all in there. Prepping lumpia, adobo, and other various Filipino foods. The best part of it all, was when the food was ready, everybody was coming to grab a plate and grab a good serving of the items that I helped create. The happiness and satisfaction in everybody’s eyes and spirit is a feeling that I can’t replicate through anything else.

Dakine Grindz was a concept that was born out of the COVID-19 pandemic. I was furloughed from my career at Wolfgang Puck Catering, and after about 2 weeks of doing nothing at home, I wanted to make something, anything, for somebody. I knocked on some of my neighbor’s doors and asked if they would like to buy a Hawaiian plate lunch. A few weeks later, I was making plate lunches for a Lexus dealership. Crazy right!

Now I don’t claim to be a Native Hawaiian nor to be from the island of Hawaii, but I do have family there! I have visited almost yearly since I was a kid, for my family and just because its an amazing place to be. One thing that has stuck by me is the Aloha spirit and what it means to the locals. They have stuck out their neck for one another and have always had each others back in their time of need. I grew up in Southern California, and to say at the very least, the culture here is well, different. A majority of times, it is about only looking out for yourself and only doing things that help yourself.

We at Dakine Grindz have a lot of goals that we hope comes to fruition. But our mission will always remain the same, we are here for the community. Our outreach hopes to bring a sense of peace and unity through food to those who work in the hospitality field, first responders, and other restaurant workers alike. We all deal with crazy shifts, undoubtedly impossible situations, that just manage to manifest themselves in the most inconvenient times, and sometimes just other people who push every button that shouldn’t be pushed. We hope to provide a space and meal that makes you feel like you just forget your problems for a few moments and find sweet bliss in that first bite you take.

Mahalo for taking the time to read through all of this! We have tons of stories to share and it is a personal mission of ours to get to know as many of you guys. Come grab a bite with us, and let’s get to know each other!