There's a saying about island life that if you don't bring it with you, don't expect to be able to get it. Fitting this caveat it's quite likely that Maui's version of your hometown favorites might let you down. For years I searched for a bagel, slice of pizza or rack of ribs that replicates what New York, Chicago or Kansas City has to offer.

Travelers can easily overlook these lapses since they will return home in a week or two, and rush back to their favorite haunt where they will satisfy their pent up culinary urgings. Locals and part-time residents, however, are required to feed the longing with extended discussions about the foods we crave, like soldiers in a fox hole heartsick for their sweethearts. From there we usually resort to either cooking the favored foods ourselves, or going to bed hungry.

When I first moved to Maui I had a laundry list of things that I wished they had here but didn't. It's not that I wanted to change Maui, after all there's another saying that suggests, "When in Rome, do as the Romans do." During the honeymoon phase of my island residency I easily forgot about pizza because I found poke! The longing in my heart for a good bagel was quickly dismissed by my first taste of malasada. And who needs ribs when you can have kalbi beef or laulau pork?

As with most new diversions, the novel soon became routine and the same old longings returned. Wondering about what I wanted for lunch one day I remember announcing I'd pay a thousand dollars for a real Chicago style hotdog. It can get that bad.

Fortunately, many of the missing comfort foods have shown up on island over the years. Here's a quick primer of gems I've unearthed:

Barbeque!

In the Honokawai Shopping center, hiding out in an unsuspecting nacho restaurant, you can now order up a pretty authentic version of Texas barbeque. Slow smoked and well seasoned, the brisket, pulled pork and barbeque beans are nearly as satisfying as a dip in Barton Springs on a hot Austin, Texas day.

Pizza!

Vinny's Pizza produces a decent New York style thin crust pie. Located in the back of the shopping center behind Ace Hardware in Lahaina, they also deliver and sell by the slice if you care to drop by in person.

Bagels!

Sorry to report I'm still waiting for someone to produce the real thing on Maui, but the "everything" bagel offered at the Foodland bakery fares a close second.

Italian

If you live in an urban area on the mainland, you know good Italian food. It is, after all, the most popular cuisine in the world. Although you can't expect "little Italy" in Maui the Meatballs and Penne pasta at David Paul's Lahaina grill is fabulous. David Paul's is famous for their exquisite, upscale, exotic dishes but I know and love it as the best place to get a fabulous meatball. Penne Pasta in Lahaina on Dickenson Street is another unsuspecting outlet for really fine Italian fare.

Should a sudden taste for home strike during your visit to paradise, try one of my suggestions to sate your appetite. Just don't expect to
find a Chicago style hotdog sporting peppers, celery salt and the glow in the dark relish. Yet.