Shootz

When Rodeo 39 Public Market opened in Stanton back in 2020, Shootz was one of many small restaurants clustered in the left and back of the spacious food hall – a Hawaiian-style katsu and musubi specialist with a cute pineapple logo. Now occupying the largest restaurant space in the main hall (and with two locations outside of Orange County), Shootz is still serving the dishes that won fans years ago, just on a larger stage with dedicated seating.

The specialties – Kimchi Butter Katsu Chicken and Kimchi Butter Shrimp – are the sort of vaguely Japanese, ridiculously over the top treats that Hawaiian cooking tends to be known for on the mainland. For around $15 a serving, you get either a chicken thigh or six jumbo shrimp battered, then coated in a buttery, spicy Korean peppered sauce that is perfect for any spice fan, and only a little too much for the “keep it mild” crowd. A sandwich version of the chicken is also available, with a Hawaiian bun, and Spam Musubis are served in small portions (two-four pieces) for meat/sushi fans. Macaroni salad and/or steamed rice come with most plates.

If calories weren’t a thing, we’d eat Shootz every time we visit Rodeo 39: The shrimp and chicken plates are both essentially perfected versions of their concepts. This market has plenty of choices, but Shootz has earned its place at the center (rear) of the space, and is certainly worth sampling if the concept sounds appealing to you.