Review - Millie's Deli & Snack Shop in Hilo

My son and I write reviews for one of our local papers.  Sometimes the places we visit are considered fine dining, sometimes they are snack shops or eateries.....but we always go in unnanounced and anonymously.  We never identify ourselves until after the meal, if then, and sometimes just a phone call a day or two after the visit is enough to get the information needed.

We visited this nice little place yesterday and were favorably impressed.

The feeling is retro when you enter Millie's Deli & Snack Shop. It takes you back to a simpler more innocent era immediately as you walk in.

The décor is 50's and spotlessly clean. An eating counter with low red covered bar stools runs along one mirrored side wall. The floors are large black and white tiles and the tables are covered with red and white gingham patterned oilcloth. Old fashioned signs decorate
the pristine white walls and old toys, cookie jars and artifacts are on display all around. A couple of small tables for two are placed outside the storefront.

Located across from the cold ponds at Reid's Bay at `the gateway to Keaukaha', Millie's menu is extensive and offers many of the old traditional lunch and light snacks and a bit more than expected.  There are so many choices that you need to read the whole list posted on the wall behind the counter before you can decide.

Anthony chose an Asian Chicken Wrap with lettuce, tomato, cucumbers, peanuts and bean sprouts dressed with an oriental dressing in a spinach flour tortilla wrap. The serving was generous and the chicken was delicious and very moist.

I chose Millie's Pasta Salad ($5.75) which consisted of pasta bow ties, thinly sliced bits of carrots, red bell peppers, tomatoes, generous portions of artichoke hearts, black olives, and pine nuts served over loose leaf lettuce, dressed with a combination of Italian
and Caesar dressing and liberally sprinkled with Parmesan cheese. A single nasturtium blossom, which is edible by the way, was used as garnish for the salad.

Both our choices are marked on the menu as Millie's Signature Items and we were pleasantly surprised that they were served on china dishes with stainless flatware and not the expected disposable containers and utensils.

We chose a Green Tea smoothie for Anthony and Mocha Cappuccino frappe for Sonia. They were so thick an iced tea spoon was provided with them.

Our dessert choices were the Apple Pie Bread Pudding and a Lemon Bar.

Anthony considers himself a bread pudding connoisseur and orders it often when we dine out. He rated Millie's Apple Pie Bread Pudding as superb. Served hot, the top was slightly crunchy, the inside filled with perfectly cooked apples. The generous portion was sprinkled
with cinnamon, laced with vanilla and caramel sauces and topped with whipped cream.

Service is prompt and friendly. Orders can be called in and Millie's offers take out or delivery. They also offer catering services. While we were there, we noticed a steady stream of traffic for order pick-ups.

For a delicious lunch or snack in a pleasant and clean atmosphere we recommend Millie's Deli & Snack Shop `at the gateway to Keaukaha' in Hilo, Hawaii.