Love this place, i get the burger and fries for 8$, the amount of fries they give you for 3 dollars is amazing, the barbeque ribs are also very good but could use more meat. The spamasubi is amazing too.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: French Fries, BBQ, BBQ Short Ribs, Macaroni Salad, Spam Masubi
Anthony K.
One of those hidden gems , fair price for the quality of food. Family owned, old school interior from our 90s early 2000s. Great service!
Sasha Z.
Good munch tasty grass Delicious Nutrition and Healthy and cheap. you really get good Hawaii Plates for a good price
David K.
low frills, family run, local Hawaiian food spot that is still affordable and gives you tons of food, highly recommend
Tracy P.
We ordered two minis and a regular plate. The proteins were all very good, but the macaroni salad was lacking in flavor. Also wish broccoli was offered with all the plates, but that is on me for not reading the menu more carefully. Food safety wise is where they lose a lot of points. I asked for no macaroni salad (my daughter has an egg allergy), and it was added to her meal anyways. We were the only customers there, so it wasn't busy. On our way out, we asked for a plastic bag to carry out our leftovers. They didn't bother taking off their gloves when handing it to us, even though they had been handling raw chicken. There was literally a piece of raw chicken skin hanging off the bag.
Jillian C.
Been coming here for years and this place is still the best Hawaiian food in the area. You get the best bang for your buck here. Prices have gone up which is to be expected but the portions have never changed. You still get a whole lotta food that can feed you for more than one meal. Recently, I ordered the chicken Katsu regular plate with all mac salad, we had rice at home. This plate fed myself, my 3 daughters n there was still some left to pack for the hubby's lunch for work the next day. I love that the chicken isn't too beaten, it's still very meaty and not flat at all. Fam favorite for sure. Party trays are amazing and a good deal as well. Definitely coming back. I hope this place never leaves. It is a mom & pop shop and they do only take cash so be prepared. If you're ordering for party trays, be ready to pay in full prior to pick up. But it's definitely worth it.
J Villa
The food is very good, and the portions are huge. You can see the ladies cooking everything and nothing is frozen, all fresh meat being cooked.CASH ONLY!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Diane A.
This is my definition of a hole in the wall hidden gem. I love Hawaiian BBQ. I've been to a bunch of chain locations for L&L, Ohana and others, with varying experiences. I was in the area and placed my order on the phone and was greeted with a very no-nonsense lady who didn't even take my name. I just believed that she knew what she was doing. When I arrived, I realized it was cash only. So I drove to the nearest Wells Fargo (about a mile away) to pull out some money. When I got back, the lady at the counter realized that a delivery driver had taken my order. She apologized and said they'd make the food fresh for me. Luckily I wasn't in a hurry. 10 minutes later, my BBQ mix plate and chicken Katsu with all rice (no Mac salad, my son doesn't like it) was ready. She already had the sauces and utensils in the bag. She offered me a free Hawaiian Sun drink for my extra wait. I drove the 25 minutes home. It was tough to not try and pick at the food on the drive because it smelled so good. The food was still warm when we got home and dug in. The chicken katsu was still crispy on the outside and crispy on the inside. The bbq beef, bbq chicken and kale ribs were juicy and so flavorful. The Mac salad was nice and saucy (not dried out). So while this place is not super modern, and the customer service can be a little brusk, it's everything I expected it to be. I'll be back to try more dishes.
Kim N.
My kids love Hawaiian drive inn. Food is consistent and affordable. But remember it's cash only!
South City Special! Pretty sure I've gotten every menu item here over the years, their Chicken Katsu is particularly delicious because they use thigh meat. The ladies behind the counter work super hard to get you the high carb low price meals you desire. Two item combo, chicken katsu bbq short rib, all rice.Parking: You're not going to find parking in front, Park at Fart and Spinal.
Classic affordable hawaiian food out here. Crazy that it is still CASH ONLY, but you can't complain much since it's so cheap. The service is good, I saw them give some juice to a little kid for free. I don't recommend eating there, theres only two tables and people just sit on there to wait for their foods. My Order: Musubi - Classic and you truly can't go wrong. Teriyaki Chicken/Beef Sandwich and fries- Is so good, you might have to order two because it's THAT good. Curry anything - Was not my favorite, definitely was missing some flavor. (Surprisingly have not had their loco moco though)
Jelly T.
The food is made fresh and fast! This shop is run by 2 sweet old ladies. Their food is delicious and portions are generous. Bbq chicken is a little salty but flavorful, the katsu was crispy! Prices are amazing in this time and I would def come back to try their other menu items. It's a hole in a wall spot but worth getting.
Kayla
The paleolithic manner in which I just demolished my food just now probably set the human race back a few decades lmaoThis place is excellent. Super well priced, the portions are INSANE, the service is quick, and the quality is awesome for the price. I got the chicken katsu, and the crunch did not disappoint. This is definitely the kind of place you go to when you’ve got an appetite.Some tips: BRING CASH, bc this place is cash only, and definitely ask for two sauces if you get the katsu bc that stuff is like the nectar of the gods ??
Food: 5
Service: 5
Joe B.
Meh. I want to like this place. I've visited over the years in hopes it raises the bar. Pork bowl, 3 stars due lots of pork but very little sauce provided (more katsu sauce costs extra); Loco Moco, 3 stars because it's not exceptional; short ribs, 3 stars because it's not bad and a bit salty. The eating area feels like the 80s fast food. Cash only. Friendly people. Yeah, I'll visit again to see if it gets better (I won't hold my breath).
Great food, great price great service.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Love this place, i get the burger and fries for 8$, the amount of fries they give you for 3 dollars is amazing, the barbeque ribs are also very good but could use more meat. The spamasubi is amazing too.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: French Fries, BBQ, BBQ Short Ribs, Macaroni Salad, Spam Masubi
One of those hidden gems , fair price for the quality of food. Family owned, old school interior from our 90s early 2000s. Great service!
Good munch tasty grass Delicious Nutrition and Healthy and cheap. you really get good Hawaii Plates for a good price
low frills, family run, local Hawaiian food spot that is still affordable and gives you tons of food, highly recommend
We ordered two minis and a regular plate. The proteins were all very good, but the macaroni salad was lacking in flavor. Also wish broccoli was offered with all the plates, but that is on me for not reading the menu more carefully. Food safety wise is where they lose a lot of points. I asked for no macaroni salad (my daughter has an egg allergy), and it was added to her meal anyways. We were the only customers there, so it wasn't busy. On our way out, we asked for a plastic bag to carry out our leftovers. They didn't bother taking off their gloves when handing it to us, even though they had been handling raw chicken. There was literally a piece of raw chicken skin hanging off the bag.
Been coming here for years and this place is still the best Hawaiian food in the area. You get the best bang for your buck here. Prices have gone up which is to be expected but the portions have never changed. You still get a whole lotta food that can feed you for more than one meal. Recently, I ordered the chicken Katsu regular plate with all mac salad, we had rice at home. This plate fed myself, my 3 daughters n there was still some left to pack for the hubby's lunch for work the next day. I love that the chicken isn't too beaten, it's still very meaty and not flat at all. Fam favorite for sure. Party trays are amazing and a good deal as well. Definitely coming back. I hope this place never leaves. It is a mom & pop shop and they do only take cash so be prepared. If you're ordering for party trays, be ready to pay in full prior to pick up. But it's definitely worth it.
The food is very good, and the portions are huge. You can see the ladies cooking everything and nothing is frozen, all fresh meat being cooked.CASH ONLY!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
This is my definition of a hole in the wall hidden gem. I love Hawaiian BBQ. I've been to a bunch of chain locations for L&L, Ohana and others, with varying experiences. I was in the area and placed my order on the phone and was greeted with a very no-nonsense lady who didn't even take my name. I just believed that she knew what she was doing. When I arrived, I realized it was cash only. So I drove to the nearest Wells Fargo (about a mile away) to pull out some money. When I got back, the lady at the counter realized that a delivery driver had taken my order. She apologized and said they'd make the food fresh for me. Luckily I wasn't in a hurry. 10 minutes later, my BBQ mix plate and chicken Katsu with all rice (no Mac salad, my son doesn't like it) was ready. She already had the sauces and utensils in the bag. She offered me a free Hawaiian Sun drink for my extra wait. I drove the 25 minutes home. It was tough to not try and pick at the food on the drive because it smelled so good. The food was still warm when we got home and dug in. The chicken katsu was still crispy on the outside and crispy on the inside. The bbq beef, bbq chicken and kale ribs were juicy and so flavorful. The Mac salad was nice and saucy (not dried out). So while this place is not super modern, and the customer service can be a little brusk, it's everything I expected it to be. I'll be back to try more dishes.
My kids love Hawaiian drive inn. Food is consistent and affordable. But remember it's cash only!
Restaurantji Recommends
South City Special! Pretty sure I've gotten every menu item here over the years, their Chicken Katsu is particularly delicious because they use thigh meat. The ladies behind the counter work super hard to get you the high carb low price meals you desire. Two item combo, chicken katsu bbq short rib, all rice.Parking: You're not going to find parking in front, Park at Fart and Spinal.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: BBQ Chicken Plate, BBQ Chicken Combo Plate, Chicken Katsu, Portuguese Sausage Masubi, Teriyaki Chicken Masubi, BBQ Short Ribs, Chicken Katsu Masubi
Classic affordable hawaiian food out here. Crazy that it is still CASH ONLY, but you can't complain much since it's so cheap. The service is good, I saw them give some juice to a little kid for free. I don't recommend eating there, theres only two tables and people just sit on there to wait for their foods. My Order: Musubi - Classic and you truly can't go wrong. Teriyaki Chicken/Beef Sandwich and fries- Is so good, you might have to order two because it's THAT good. Curry anything - Was not my favorite, definitely was missing some flavor. (Surprisingly have not had their loco moco though)
The food is made fresh and fast! This shop is run by 2 sweet old ladies. Their food is delicious and portions are generous. Bbq chicken is a little salty but flavorful, the katsu was crispy! Prices are amazing in this time and I would def come back to try their other menu items. It's a hole in a wall spot but worth getting.
The paleolithic manner in which I just demolished my food just now probably set the human race back a few decades lmaoThis place is excellent. Super well priced, the portions are INSANE, the service is quick, and the quality is awesome for the price. I got the chicken katsu, and the crunch did not disappoint. This is definitely the kind of place you go to when you’ve got an appetite.Some tips: BRING CASH, bc this place is cash only, and definitely ask for two sauces if you get the katsu bc that stuff is like the nectar of the gods ??
Food: 5
Service: 5
Meh. I want to like this place. I've visited over the years in hopes it raises the bar. Pork bowl, 3 stars due lots of pork but very little sauce provided (more katsu sauce costs extra); Loco Moco, 3 stars because it's not exceptional; short ribs, 3 stars because it's not bad and a bit salty. The eating area feels like the 80s fast food. Cash only. Friendly people. Yeah, I'll visit again to see if it gets better (I won't hold my breath).