In most neighborhoods, people find their favorite spots that become their go-to businesses. It might be the nearby coffee shop, the grocery store they run to for Friday night ice cream or a bottle of wine, or the drugstore they visit when they’re sick and need tissues and cough drops. Among the most beloved, though, are their favorite neighborhood restaurants. These places are often family-owned, small, and humble in décor, but the food is consistently good. Over time, it becomes a comforting routine, and the owners may even learn your name and throw in a free dessert or drink from time to time. Places like these make a city feel like home.
In my family’s neighborhood, we had a spot like that. Sadly, in what felt like the blink of an eye, it was gone. Honolulu BBQ, located on Bullard and West, was a favorite for many in northwest Fresno, as reflected in their glowing online reviews. When it closed, there were plenty of questions, but sadly, no answers.
Now, a new family-owned restaurant has taken its place. Although the cuisine is entirely different, the warmth and welcoming vibes remain. Lily’s Kitchen has opened in the former Honolulu BBQ location at 2020 W. Bullard in Fresno. Their promise is to “share the warmth of Mediterranean hospitality” through traditional and fusion-style meals made with fresh, locally sourced ingredients.
Lily’s is a takeout-only restaurant, though it does offer a rentable event space for special occasions like baby showers and birthdays. They provide online ordering for pickup and delivery, and they’re open Monday through Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. My coworker and I decided to give them a try for lunch last week, and I’m so glad we did!
We both ordered online for in-store pickup because we wanted to check out the place firsthand and see what the customer service was like. Our meals were promised within 20 minutes, and they were being finished up just as we arrived, right on time. The restaurant interior is simple, with a takeout counter and a bench for waiting, and there’s a banquet table behind a partition for events. For a takeout spot, the ambiance is modern and classy. The place smelled fantastic, and while it took a minute for someone to greet us, we were soon met with smiles and friendly service. We were handed the heaviest bags of super hot, freshly prepared food I’ve held in a long time. Lily’s definitely doesn’t mess around with portion sizes!
Back at the office, we eagerly unpacked our meals and were delighted with what we found. We both ordered chicken kabob plates—hers with roasted veggies and mine with salad (they were happy to leave out the cucumber for me, since I’m allergic). We also picked up a kid’s chicken and rice bowl for a friend. The portions were so generous that when another coworker returned from a meeting, I was able to share my meal, and we both had plenty for lunch. The chicken was perfectly cooked—juicy and not at all dry—and the marinade was delicious. The garlic sauce had just the right balance of zest and salt, making it perfect on everything, including the buttery and fluffy pilaf. The hummus was also fantastic, and I thoroughly enjoyed it with the pita bread.
If you’re in northwest Fresno and looking for a delicious, freshly prepared meal in generous portions, I highly recommend giving Lily’s Kitchen a try. I’m already looking forward to my next visit!
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