Ono Hawaiian Plates to Open in Former Guacaya Bistreaux Location This Fall

Chef Warren Seta and Jess Kelley - photo credit Twin Cities TPT

The new 337 N Washington Avenue location, which was formerly home to Guacaya Bistreaux, will offer an expanded dining experience with seating for approximately 80 guests indoors and up to 60 on the outdoor patio.

Ono Hawaiian Plates, the fast-casual restaurant known for its authentic Hawaiian cuisine, has announced its return to the North Loop. Owners Chef Warren Seta and Jess Kelley, partners in both business and life, will open their new location at 337 N Washington Avenue, just a stone’s throw from their original North Loop Galley location.

Ono Hawaiian Plates first opened in 2019 within the North Loop Galley, quickly gaining a loyal following for its hearty and flavorful offerings, including the classic ”Plate Lunch,” a staple in Hawaii, reflecting the diverse cultural influences of the islands, comprised of protein such as katsu chicken or kahlua pork, two scoops of rice, and a scoop of macaroni salad. Before the food hall's closure in May of this year, the team successfully expanded to add a larger space at United Noodles in January 2024, which significantly expanded their kitchen for growing catering and take-out operations, alongside a 40-seat dining area. 

The duo will continue to operate their United Noodles location, affectionately dubbed “Ono Central.” Updates are underway at the new North Loop space, and the team hopes to be opening by the end of September.

“We made a lot of magic happen from that original 200-square-foot stall, and we were thrilled to have such an amazing reception from the neighborhood, and then from far beyond. We have so many stories of people driving quite a distance just to get some of our food. Now, we’re doing weddings and catering to sports teams and corporate groups. We’ve grown so much. It’s incredible, and we feel so blessed to have this opportunity to return to the North Loop.” Jess Kelley

The new North Loop location will offer Ono’s famous plate lunch specials for dine-in or take-out during the day, followed by a festive Tiki-themed Happy Hour. Evenings will feature a “Pāʻina Menu.” (pronounced pah-ee-nah) Per Chef Seta, “In Hawaiian, pāʻina translates to meal, or a small party with dinner. The word evokes a sense of gathering and connection, especially through shared food. This menu reflects how locals truly eat in Hawaii – everything is created to be shareable. We also call it ‘pu pu,’ which really means it’s great food for grazing as you relax and enjoy time together, and everything can be enjoyed family-style. Ohana is the Hawaiian word for family, and it’s at the heart of everything we do.” 

Chicken Katsu

Ono Hawaiian Plate lunch

Pupu Platter

There will be a full bar serving classic cocktails, beers on tap, and throwback Tiki drinks. The Pāʻina Menu will feature shareable dishes such as Sizzling Kalbi ribs, Poké flights, whole fried Hawaiian Snapper, Confit-stuffed Miso Crepes, Lumpianadas (Filipino  Empanadas), and a variety of salads and sides.

While their offerings are centered around Hawaiian comfort food, Chef Seta and Jess Kelley bring a wealth of experience from their backgrounds in fine dining and top-tier hospitality. The couple met while working in the high-end restaurant and resort world in Honolulu, and moved to the Twin Cities a decade ago to be closer to Kelley’s family, bringing with them a desire to share their favorite flavors and the spirit of aloha.

“Our goal has always been to offer the very best version of our favorite foods, those that everyday Hawaiians know and love. It’s a hodgepodge of dishes and flavors with different influences that all came together in the islands, and somehow all work beautifully together. We offer big portions, a great value, and share the spirit of the place we love. We can’t wait to add to our team and welcome both old friends and new ones to this wonderful space.” Chef Seta

Updates and details around the opening will be shared on Ono’s website, Facebook and Instagram.