"Shrimp truck!" our friend Yolanda cried. "I’ve always wanted to try it." At lunchtime, we needed a place to eat and figuring that she, the local, knew best, we followed her to a shady clearing off the side of Kamehameha Highway. Cars had parked in the dirt and picnic tables dotted the area. Four concession trucks, which looked so decrepit that they would remain there permanently, parked toward the back of the clearing.

"Is this it???" we questioned. It seemed as if the four trucks had created an impromptu food court of sorts in the makeshift clearing with the worn picnic benches serving as the dining area. As we climbed over tree roots and walked toward Giovanni’s Shrimp Truck, I realized that graffiti covered the truck’s exterior. Patrons scribbled notes on the truck to declare "I was here!"

My husband and I each ordered a plate of shrimp scampi. Within minutes, a voice from inside the truck called our name and our $12 lunches slid out of the window. Paper plates, doubled up to prevent unnecessary leakage, featuring two scoops of rice, piled high with about a dozen shrimp covered in sauce with large chunks of garlic, offered a tempting aroma. We dug in with gusto and cleared our plates promptly. $12 might seem rather steep for this meal, since we certainly did not pay for the ambience or service. No, this price covered the food only, no bells and whistles.

The menu also featured lemon and butter shrimp, as well as hot and spicy shrimp. We had considered the hot and spicy shrimp but the voice from inside the truck warned us that this level of spiciness would cause discomfort the next day. Considering we had little vacation time left to enjoy, we would prefer not to spend it in pain. All shrimp plates sold for $12. Some of our friends tried the garlic-covered hot dogs. While tasty, their responses were, "It’s still just a hot dog." Fair enough. Sodas cost $1.

While delicious, I felt that the price we paid did not warrant the flies or the dining area of which I was afraid. Hygiene, not a factor. I asked Yolanda if she felt this meal qualified as a good value. She assured me that any shrimp truck would charge the same amount, purely because of the number of shrimp in each serving.

Yes, the meal filled us up and still makes my mouth water as I think about it. It certainly merits a visit and as for me, the experience will remain a colorful memory for years to come. To get there, head toward the North Shore on Kamehameha Highway. The clearing is on the right, just at the beginning of Haleiwa town.