Locohana Tropical Grill, Beach Haven NJ
Sitting on the shores of Long Beach Island, New Jersey lies a vibrant teal building covered in tropical decorations enhancing the restaurant. At a closer glance there are metal planters overflowing with colorful flowers in shades in bright pink and green. Joyful conversations from various families and children screeching with laughter playing games fill the air as smooth reggae music plays from the overhead speakers. Approaching the window to order a wave of Caribbean spices comes through, giving customers a preview of what they are about to order. Locohana Tropical Grill has become a local hub for community engagement, exquisite dining, and bringing new experiences and flavors to Long Beach Island.
Tiki toss, corn hole, and picnic tables
Locohana Tropical Grill, formerly called “Biggy’s Beach Grill”, is a small family owned restaurant on the shores of Long Beach Island, New Jersey right in the heart of Beach Haven. Cars zooming up and down the boulevard creating the bustling atmosphere of summer at the jersey shore. A long gray wooden deck lays below the order counter with pots of white flowers on the edges and string lights lay overhead that will later be beaming as the sunsets over the bay. Summer is peak time for business for all seasonal restaurants in Long Beach Island, so it is not unusual for lines of people to wrap around the restaurant, impatiently waiting to satisfy their cravings they have been waiting for all year long. Having only outdoor seating makes the restaurant highly interactive. Cornhole boards lay in the shell coated parking lot waiting to be played by families, hand painted tikis by the valued staff decorate the stumps in the parking lot, and a towering handcrafted tiki toss sits on the side as small children cry out in laughter trying to win.
Logo
When looking around there is a definite influence of "island time". For description of the cuisine, "After traveling to various tropical places such as Xuma, Mexico, the Bahamas, etc. I wanted to pull inspiration from all the different kinds of food I have tried and bring a new kind of Caribbean fusion restaurant to Long Beach Island. "joyously declares owner Mike Dunkin as he reminisces on his travels. While there are four primary owners, the face of the main Locohana is Mike Dunkin. Mike is a Navy veteran who, since his time in the military, chose an entirely new path and risked it all on his vision. On sight you will see a tall white man with long dreadlocks and tattoos greeting every customer with outstanding service. He sets the bar high for the staff on the quality of customer encounters that should be given, expressing that “each customer should walk away feeling like they had an engaging, cheerful conversation.”
Long Beach Island, NJ
What makes Locohana so unique is the quality of food, made to replicate flavors from exotic islands. Sitting on wooden benches about to take the first bite, the flowing wind from the ocean breeze blwos across customers faces as a distant scent of the salt air lingers and waves faintly crash in the background. The clientele is not exclusive to large touristing families, people of all ages come to Locohana for the magnificent meals and relaxing atmosphere, “even locals say they feel like they’re on vacation when dining at Locohana and they live here year round.” a local staff member expresses with glee.
On sight, the food has vibrant sauces cascading across them in a unique squiggle design accompanied by sides of yellow island-rice, Caribbean seasoned corn, and crisp salad. Each bite has a burst of flavor followed with a kick of spice. Dining at Locohana is more than a typical chain restaurant, leaving there as a customer you feel like you are a part of the "crazy family", which is what the restaurant name means, everyone is one happy crazy family coming together on one island. To find out more visit Locohana. 
Variety of some foods served at Locohana
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