The much-loved local food truck Ono’s Hawaiian is taking a second run at a brick-and-mortar restaurant in downtown Shreveport later this summer, announcing a new home at a press conference in downtown Shreveport Friday afternoon. Ono’s will take up shop in the former PepitoXO location adjacent to artspace, the community gallery and event space operated by Shreveport Regional Arts Council (SRAC).
Owner Sione Maumalanga started Ono’s in 2016, finding fans at the Shreveport Farmers’ Market and Drug Emporium on E. Kings Highway before attempting his first restaurant location in 2019. The restaurant, located on Fern Avenue at Gregg St across from Ki Mexico, was hailed (by us anyway) as a grand step forward for the Shreveport culinary scene. It was not meant to be, however. Sione’s relationship with business partner Shane Rodgers soured less than a year later, and the restaurant closed one month before the COVID-19 pandemic.
Sione picked up the pieces of that experience, returned to his food truck roots, and experimented with other opportunities — competing in the Louisiana Food Prize in 2021 and 2024, conducting popup events such as Hawaiian-inspired brunches at the Shreveport Aquarium in 2023, and, perhaps most importantly, he developed a working relationship with highly-successful and celebrated restaurateur Gabriel Balderas, owner of El Cabo Verde and Zuzul Coastal Cuisine.
“I want to structure Ono’s like Gabe’s [restaurants],” Sione remarked. “Anyone who walks into his restaurants, by the time they leave, they come out a better person.”
Now, with more experience under his belt and under the tutelage of Balderas, Maumalanga is ready to take another shot at creating a dining experience in a more manageable space, which will allow for a focus on a quality experience. Ono’s will also have the privilege of becoming the primary food service provider for events that take place at artspace.
“I learned a lot from the first one. Luckily with Gabe’s guidance, I can look at how to do things the right way. This time, it’s been a lot easier,” Sione said, fighting back tears, “For the first time, it feels right.”
When it opens, Ono’s at artspace will join fellow eateries Abby Singer’s Bistro at the Robinson Film Center, Rhino Coffee, Missing Link, Pop-N-Pizza, and Angelo’s Deli in downtown’s West Edge Arts District.
“Our downtown is growing,” said Rebecca Bonnevier, the executive director of the Shreveport Regional Arts Council. “Thank you to our officials for making our downtown exciting and beautiful and a place that attracts people to come.”
“Anything that is successful is about relationships,” said Henry Price, president of the board for SRAC. “We have worked diligently to make sure that the next tenant of this space is a good relationship.”
Also of note at the press conference was SRAC board members’ recognition of the late Joe Kane. Kane was a longtime SRAC restaurant committee member and instrumental in penning the deal with Ono’s. He passed away unexpectedly at the age of 64 just days after the contract with Ono’s was signed in May.
“Your dream came true, Joe,” said fellow board member Havard Scott. “I know he’s smiling down on us right now.”
Ono’s at artspace, which is slated to open in August (just in time for Red River Revel and Prize Fest), will include many of Ono’s most beloved dishes, including the Chicken Katsu, Kalua Pig, Maui Burger, and Teryaki Chicken, among others. A full service bar will also be on deck, featuring all-new cocktails.
Photos by Felicia Kay.
