The Shrimp Shacks/Trucks The shrimp shack phenomenon began with a lost lease and a determined restaurateur. In 1994, when Giovanni and Connie Aragona couldn't renew the lease on their Hale'iwa deli, they began hawking their best-selling dish -- an Italian-style scampi preparation involving lemon, butter, and lots of garlic -- from a truck alongside the road. About the same time, aquaculture was gaining a foothold in nearby Kahuku, with farmers raising sweet, white shrimp and huge, orange-whiskered prawns in shallow freshwater ponds. The ready supply and the success of the first shrimp truck led to many imitators. Now, no trip to the North Shore or around the Island is complete without a stop for these delicious morsels.

	Giovanni's Original White Shrimp Truck says it all. Around for 11 years, this institution among North Shore shrimp stops is the oldest and best known, making Saveur magazine's 100 list for 2004. Started by the Aragona family, Giovanni's was sold to current owner Troy Nitsche in 1997. The traditional-style shrimp scampi plate ($11) has 12 de-veined Neighbor Island shrimp swimming in a succulent, mildly spicy sauce. We couldn't help eating all of the sauce-soaked two scoops of rice even though we were starting to feel the effects of the shrimp and butter. Location: Kahuku, near the sugar mill Phone:(808)293-1839 Times: 11 a.m.-6:30 p.m. daily (last order taken at 6:15 p.m.) Call first for latest up to date info if prices and times are important Kahuku location, six shaded plastic picnic tables set on gravel with requisite Hawaiian music. The Hale'iwa site offers three tables but no shade.
	Bright banana-yellow Shrimp Shack in Punalu'u is the cleanest and quaintest shrimp stop. Owner Irene Theofanis has operated it for 9 years and was featured on a Food Network special called "Beach Eats." Theofanis uses Kaua'i shrimp and believes they are cleaner because of their special diet and a well-controlled environment in plastic-lined pens with recirculated water. The quarter-pound of pan-fried garlic shrimp (at $9.75, the least expensive plate) equaled 12 pieces and arrived with rice and a choice of homemade cocktail sauce or garlic butter on the side. The shrimp packed just a bit of spicy heat, tasting as if they had been sauteed in a dry spice rub and lightly salted. Wash it all down with a liliko'i float ($1.75) or a cold beer from Kaya's next door. Location: Punalu'u, at Kaya's Store Tele:(808) 256-5589 Times:10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesdays-Sundays 11 shaded wooden picnic tables on a manicured lawn. Hawaiian music wafts in the background.