You Make the Roll - Japanese, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

75-5725 Alii Dr, Ste D101, Kailua Kona, HI 96740

(808) 326-1322

Parking: parking lot

I read about this place online and thought it would be a good spot to have a snack.  If you head to the back of the boutiques and shopping centers and then take a left and another left, you'll find Hayashi's You Make the Roll.  It helps to look at the map before you wander through the shopping area. 

If you're from the San Francisco Bay Area, I would say this place is on par with Tani's Kitchen in Daly City. 

You enter the little shop and it feels a bit cluttered.  There is a refrigerator with drinks and lots of stuff going on behind the counter.  Once you order, you then step outside to wait for the food.  Plastic lawn chairs and tables are set outdoors for you to enjoy your food. 

Known for its very reasonable prices, many locals frequent this place.  As the name suggests, you have the option to choose the combinations that they have already put together or you can make rolls just the way you like it with a variety of components.  Note that they accept cash only. 

- Ahi roll - As you can see, the tuna is fresh and plentiful.  The ends are a bit sloppy, but it's a great value.  $3.50

- Ninja star roll - Spicy ahi, tempura shrimp, and avocado are centered in the roll.  The sesame on top is plentiful on the top piece, but the picture shows that there is less on the other pieces.  Good flavor and again, very fresh.  The ends were a little sloppy and could have been neater.  $5.45

While I only had two items, I found the food to be filling and ideal for a snack.  They closer fairly early, so you probably wouldn't be able to go for dinner, but it's a great place for a bite to eat.  The outdoor seating faces the parking area, so it's definitely nothing fancy - very hole-in-the-wall in nature.