Poi Dog pops up with Huli Huli sauce and local, flavorful events

When Chef Kiki Aranita launched her latest Poi Dog sauce this summer, Huli Huli, the at-home Hawaiian condiment purveyor also kicked off a series of pop-ups and collaborations to celebrate the latest offering.

That series lead Aranita’s Huli Huli Sauce to head to Joe’s Steak + Soda Shop in Fishtown, the Venezuelan hotspot Autana, and even the East Passyunk venue known for British fare, Stargazy. This weekend however holds a new slew of opportunities for the sauce.

The Huli Huli Summer Tour will be returning to Art in the Age, (Philadelphia’s only bar and tasting room, bottle shop and home bar supply), plus, there will also be collabs with two other local favorites: Kismet Bagels and Hale & True Cider Co.

Firstly, this Saturday, Aug. 26, Aranita will be on-site at AITA for the Poi Dog Days of Summer, where Poi Dog’s Huli Huli Summer Tour overlaps with Art in the Age’s charitable Dog Days of Summer programming.

As a release states, from 2 to 6 p.m., Poi Dog fans are invited to stop by to enjoy Huli Huli Hot Dogs, Salmon Shoyu Poke, and more – plus, Art in the Age will be serving up unique cocktails made with Poi Dog’s Chili Peppah Water in addition to the charitable, hot dog-inspired Weenie Martini.

Highlighted menu items include the Peppah-Rita aka a Hawaiian-inspired cocktail crafted with tequila, pineapple juice, lychee syrup and Poi Dog Chili Peppah Water, the Huli Huli Hot Dog made with Poi Dog’s Huli Huli pineapple-based BBQ sauce on top of an all-beef hot dog cooked in shoyu on a potato bun with pickled red cabbage, and black sesame seeds, and the before-mentioned Salmon Shoyu Poke which boasts Verlasso salmon seasoned with shoyu, sesame oil, ginger, green onion, mac nuts and Hawaiian alaea red salt, served with rice.

While at Art in the Age for the pop-up this weekend, Philadelphians can also try the gluten-free and vegan Luau Rice Bowl with CPW Tofu, aka Chili Peppah Water crispy tofu atop Kiki’s famous collard green luau (coconut creamy) served with rice. There’s also a Mac Salad Side option for $5 that boasts mayo, a touch of potato and carrots.

This weekend (Aug. 25 to 27) also marks the second-to-last installment of the Dog Days of Summer, in which Art in the Age donates $5 from every Weenie Martini ($17) sold to Morris Animal Refuge. As the release describes, the unique libation is made with potato vodka (re: potato bun), tomato-infused dry vermouth, pickle brine, celery bitters, sesame oil, and topped with a skewered sliced tomato, cornichon, and a hot dog wheel.

This Saturday, Aug. 26 and Sunday, Aug. 27, beginning at 8 a.m., Huli Huli-heads can also stop by Kismet Bagels to pick up a Huli Huli Chicken Salad Sammie ($12) on buyer’s choice of premium Kismet bagel at both locations in Rittenhouse (1700 Sansom St.) and Fishtown (113 E Girard Ave.)

The weekend of pop-ups continues on for Poi Dog with Hale & True Cider Co. this Sunday (Aug. 27) from 3 to 7 p.m. With this specific activation, Philadelphians will be able to try the Salmon Shoyu Poke, the Luau Rice Bowl with CPW Tofu and the mac side salad plus two new items: The Huli Huli Hale & True Hot Dog made with Poi Dog’s Huli Huli pineapple-based BBQ sauce on top of an all-beef hot dog cooked in Hale & True cider on a potato bun with pickled red cabbage, and black sesame seeds, and the Ginger Bibingka & Apple Butter, aka a ginger butter mochi topped with a dollop of apple butter.

In addition to all of the pop up fun, Aranita who grew up on the island of O’ahu, is raising funds for those gravely impacted by the devastation of the Maui fires, especially local restaurant and hospitality workers. From now until the end of the month, Poi Dog will be donating 10% of all sauce proceeds to World Central Kitchen’s Maui Relief Fund.

There will also be two collaboration dinners happening in the fall to benefit the same efforts. The first will be on Sept. 22 at the artisanal tablescape, flatware, and event curation company, Citrine (the address will be provided for those who purchase tickets) directed by Alex Cahanap.

With this event, $50 from each ticket sold will directly benefit Chef Hui, an O’ahu-based nonprofit that connects chefs, food industry workers, and farmers with resources needed to fuel Hawaii’s agricultural and culinary scene, the release states.

Admission to The Maui Dinner is $150/person and there will be two seatings with a capacity of 20 people each, held at 5:30 and 8:30 p.m.; with the five courses highlighting some of Aranita’s “most beloved dishes inspired by her childhood and adolescence spent in Hawaii”, as well as a signature welcome cocktail, and live music. Tickets and an RSVP link should be available soon.

Then, on Sunday, Sept. 24, Aranita will be joined by chef Ari Miller, who will host a 5-course dinner at the Seaview Hotel & Golf Club (401 S New York Road, Galloway, New Jersey). From 6 to 9 p.m., guests can indulge in a Hawaiian-inspired dinner and welcome cocktail inside the Seaview Hotel’s. Fifty tickets will be available, and all net proceeds will be donated directly to the Maui Food Bank.

To find out more about what Poi Dog has to offer this weekend and beyond, visit poidogphilly.com