I’m always intrigued by roadside food stands but never stopped until today, when I caught sight of golden chickens rotating over an open rotissierie on a trailer hitched to van on the corner of Kalaniana’ole Highway and Old Kalanianaole Road as Waimanalo turns into Kailua.

After completing my errand in Kailua, I carefully parked on the southbound side of the highway and walked over to this ingenious invention, which was built by Manny Derego, who quit his job as a truck driver and started Fired Up Huli Huli Chicken in January.

He and his wife, Candy, haul the van and trailer to roadside spots in Campbell, Kahaluu and Waimanalo/Kailua weekdays and weekends (check their Instagram @firedupchicken for where they’ll be on any given day). They usually sell about 60 birds a week and 112 on the weekends. They don’t take orders in advance, and thanks to word-of-mouth via social media and a faithful regulars, they often sell out within hours. Candy says one regular is told by his wife to drive from their Pupukea home and bring back chicken – after delivering a couple to their kids on the westside.

Here’s their menu:

• Whole chicken is $10; half chicken is $6
• Plate lunch with whole chicken, rice and corn is $12; half chicken plate is $8
• Water and soda $1

I took a whole chicken home and made some Guamanian red rice to go with it … the chicken was moist and Manny’s custom huli huli sauce is a perfect balance of sweet and savory. I’m a believer now – can’t wait to try the next roadside find!