Whipping up great food comes naturally for Reecie B’s owner Charisse “Reecie” Freitas. In fact, you could say that the craft runs in her blood. Her dad, Augie Crespo, is known for his Filipino plates, while her mom, Marilyn Crespo, worked at a lunch wagon back in the ’50s. And then there’s Charisse’s grandma, Magdelena Garcia, who had a Filipino-American restaurant in the early ’60s.
So, it comes as no surprise that Charisse would eventually find her way into the restaurant industry. She and husband Alfred Freitas III, who’s also a whiz in a kitchen, launched their food truck in 2020 after a couple of years on the pop-up and farmers market circuits.
Charisse brings to the mobile table delectable Filipino dishes (her mom is the truck’s designated lumpia maker), while Alfred contributes his Hawaiian food acumen.
It’s true local-style eats from the boneless kalbi french fries ($13) and wonton nacho chips ($13) to the ahi poke bowls ($13, spicy or shoyu) and garlic chicken wings ($13).
A special kanak attack plate ($15) comes with wontons, kalua pig and ahi poke, topped with lomi salmon. Or, indulge in a Filipino favorite with the lechon kawali ($13).
Reecie B’s also boasts a slew of Puerto Rican plates. Pro tip: Get the combo plate ($16) that comes with Gandule rice, pastele and pastele stew.
“We make it our own flavor,” shares Charisse.
The “we” she speaks of is her entire family, hanai ohana included, who all have a part in the food truck.
“This is a tight-knit, family-run business,” Charisse says. “Our dream is to have a legacy for my kids.”
Find Reecie B’s at these locations this month:
• Wednesdays, 3-7 p.m., Ka Makana Alii center court
• July 17, 4-8 p.m., Windward Mall’s Ohana Nights, upper level parking lot
• July 16-17 and 23-24 at Kapolei Walmart.
For updates, follow Reecie B’s on Instagram (@reeciebs).
Reecie B’s
808-478-8582
reeciebs.com
Instagram: @reeciebs
How to pay: Cash, credit card, Venmo, Apple Pay, Cash App
How to order: In person, Instagram, online (catering only)