Meet Jason Manolian of Flyin’ Hawaiian Food Truck and Catering

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jason Manolian.

Jason, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Wow… how I started.. not really sure about how I started, I do know what and who inspired me to get to where we are today, which is hopefully, looked upon as a team who strives to deliver a little aloha to each and every one of our Flyin Hawaiians. Yeah, I have done the majority of your “everyday” kitchen and restaurant jobs, I’m not a culinary grad, a corporate chef, classically trained, none of that, My first real job(besides a quick Golden Arches stint) was washing dishes at Roy Yamaguchis Hawaii Kai location in 88 I believe, I saw the beginning of what is now a pretty impressive empire, not to say I want that nor feel I could achieve that, what I can and hopefully do achieve, putting out a product made with aloha, a product that a family of five will pay for and smile when they eat it. So, through the years, lots of them, lol! I did lots of things, eventually I ended up in Portland, OR, met my wife and to make a crazy long story short, somehow, I ended up writing a business plan, while working for Tower Records, got a loan (from my Dad) what! It was a good business plan, the part about the partner that robbed us, I left that out, so we moved forward at the age of 26, I was running a neighborhood bar and grill, it was sink or swim. I had my childhood friend who had also felt the wraith of said thief, we developed a great scene at our little spot and were always tinkering with different menus and specials and what not. The bar had a tiny little kitchen but we made it work, after a good run, we sold, partnered up with the guy I bought the first spot from, took over a breakfast and lunch cafe with an attached full service bar. This is where I really developed the menu that you will, generally see on the truck today, we revamped the kitchen completely, and really took pride in what we were doing. At the same time, the food truck craziness was in full swing in Portland, the revolution had started for sure and well I couldn’t resist.

My business partner and I found a truck and the Flyin’ Hawaiian was born, we ran the cafe for a bit longer, but decided to go full time with the truck before long. The experience gained in Portland, the people we worked with, some, actually, a lot of them still rocking it out, I wouldn’t imagine being able to buy that. So, after the truck was running for a couple years, we made the decision to sell the truck, decided to keep the business name and what not, who knows I thought. It was time for a change, family needed it, my son was starting high school, we thought he would have better opportunity here in AZ, being a baseball player, so we packed up and headed south.

After working for Whole Foods as a craft beer buyer and bar area team member for a couple years, I decided to pursue the food truck game again, we had an amazing truck built and here we are today. I should also say my love for good food comes from my mother, she never failed to have a good meal for me and I saw the joy in her face when myself or others enjoyed her offerings. She is the same way today, passion, flavor and love, lots of aloha, so yeah, nothing really exciting. But I always say, I try to do what I do and do it well, that’s all I can control. This is why I don’t type, I ramble, this could be a novel eventually.

I almost forgot the whole damn reason that I live Aloha! Lol! I moved to Hawaii with my mom before high school, this changed everything for me, I was so comfortable, so not intimidated, so welcomed, so received with so much of thing called aloha. I met friends, most of who are my brothers and sisters in life today, the parents, grandparents, uncles, aunties, cousins, neighbors of these friends, they spread much aloha in the form of food and of course beer, lol… some of my most amazing memories as a kid in Hawaii are those chilling at the beach or in a buddies driveway, wherever really, it didn’t matter. As long as it was happening, we would always have food, good food, we all took pride, no matter if it was plastic fork or no fork, paper plate, it’s a way of life in Hawaii, a state of mind. Nothing I describe can do justice the amazing childhood that place provided me and the aloha state of mind that I will have forever.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
No road is ever smooth in this business, I have had tons of struggles, I have been taught some tough lessons for sure, the big struggle for me has been reeling in my big thoughts, things are always easy when you dream them. Now, we just keep it simple, we do what we do and we strive every single day to bring aloha to the streets of Phoenix and it’s surrounding areas.

Please tell us about Flyin’ Hawaiian food truck and catering.
We are a food truck specializing in Hawaiian style Plate lunch and other island style specialties. We provide food for street stops, festivals, catering, corporate stops, etc.

From what I know, we are known for our traditional plate lunch, with steamed white rice, topped with furikake, homemade Hawaiian style macaroni salad and our teriyaki chicken with Kalua pig and cabbage, teriyaki beef and chicken Katsu coming in a close second… lol! I like to also think we are known for having a lot of aloha, a lot of fun, putting out a good product, being reliable, giving our best to every stop. What am I most proud of, not sure, we have a long way to go to accomplish some new goals, but we have come so far, I guess I would say. The fact that my original employee and might I say, the best Food truck counter gal in the world, is still with me, from day freaking one, three years in almost and she has given her all every time she works. Laney is the face of our truck for sure and she has earned that spot and my most recent proud moment… one of my best friends from Hawaii is now working on the truck, living in Phoenix, we are so in sync, Jesse has stepped up and it’s been an amazing experience. Thirty plus years, I’ve been rolling with this cat. Things are pretty cool right now, I feel the momentum for us. What sets us apart, not sure, our customers would have to answer that, what I hope, everyone who approaches the truck, customer or not, gets a good vibe, a feeling of aloha and they’re always welcome.

Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
Plain and simple, growing up in Hawaii, cruising at the beach and learning how to live the life of an islander, it’s a way of life, a feeling, those times, they were the best… sandy beach, staring down the barrel of a shore break at the setting sun, then gathering at the house of a braddah or sistah, enjoying some hamburger stew or some grilled fish, rice, poke’… yep, pure aloha is my favorite memory.

Contact Info:

• Website: Www.flyin-hawaiian.com
• Phone: 503-380-8363
• Email: www.flyinhwn503@gmail.com
• Instagram: @flyin_hwn
• Facebook: @flyinhwnfoodtruck
• Twitter: @flyinhwn503

Getting in touch: VoyagePhoenix is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.