Favorite Local Ono Grinds Fast Food Style on Oahu & the Big Island

Ok, maybe not always fast, but still talkin’ yummy stuff here, people!

Best Ono Grinds Evah!

Statewide

1. L & L Barbecue – Statewide/Mainland

Simply the best Curry Katsu Chicken anywhere! Ask for extra curry if you’re a smart one. And they really do make the best mac salad around. Been trying to copy their recipe for years. Unsuccessful, and they won’t share 🙁  The rest of the menu is pretty ono as well.

L & L Barbecue

2. Foodland (Poke!) – Statewide

OMGoodness! The spicy poke bowls are to die for! Foodland is known statewide for consistently having some of the best and freshest poke around. Ask for samples, the staff behind the counter are always happy to accommodate. On your poke bowl, ask for warm rice and all the toppings. Oh my!

Foodland Spicy Poke

Oahu

3. KOA Pancake House – Breakfast – Oahu

Looking for just a good fill-your-belly breakfast? You found the right place. Simple menu but always consistent and delicious. That good (and cheap!!).

KOA Pancake House

4. Leonard’s Malasadas – Oahu

For you mainlanders, this is Hawaii’s version of the jelly donut. Except sometimes Malasadas have meat or veggie fillings. So, scratch that, not really a jelly donut, but you get the idea. Could be jelly, could be meat…all good, brah. Let’s just move past that. Open mouth, insert Malasada, bite, chew, savor, swallow. All better. Now that wasn’t so hard, was it? Mmmmm, delish. Bet it was your first meat donut. Hehe. Main bakery is in Kapahulu near Waikiki, but you will see Leonard’s Malasada Wagons all over the place. Stop. Just stop.

Leonard’s Malasadas

5. Boots & Kimos Homestyle Kitchen – Breakfast – Oahu

Located in Kailua, this café is known as probably the best breakfast place on the island. I’m quite sure that the other offerings on the menu are fab, but their signature dish is the mac nut pancakes. Cancel any plans you had that day because you won’t make them after you inhale those pancakes. Nap…lol…you’ll need a nap. Word.

Oh my!

6. Greek Corner – Lunch/Dinner – Oahu

This little café is in the University district. I’ve hit every Greek place on the island and this place is the real deal! The Gyros and Baba Ganoush are smack-yo-mamma good. Really.

The Greek Corner

7. Gina’s BBQ (Kalbi short ribs!) – Lunch/Dinner – Oahu

So, no one does better Kalbi than moi, but I will (reluctantly) give it up for Gina’s since y’all aren’t invited to my own backyard. Kapiolani and King is where they dig in. If you haven’t had island-style Korean Kalbi short ribs, you haven’t lived. Sweet, spicy, tangy, salty, just pure delish. That good!

Korean Kalbi Short Ribs

8. Hank’s Haute Dogs – Lunch/Dinner – Oahu

While technically not “local” island food, who doesn’t love a great dog?? Every kind of yummy frank available that you could ever dream of. My fave is the Friday Special ~ the Lobster Sausage Dog. Any other day but Friday? I’ll take the Hawaiian Portuguese with mango mustard. Hot Dawg Heaven. Hank’s for the win!

Hank’s Haute Dog’s

9. Pho 808 – Lunch/Dinner – Oahu

This little bitty joint is located in Kapolei Shopping Center. I’ve had faux pho, and then I’ve had Pho! I don’t waste my time on other places anymore. Why bother? This stuff is like liquid medicine. Better than chicken soup if you are sick (or…God forbid…hungover). I’m a traditionalist, always the meatball for me, but my daughter loves the seafood pho. Never disappointed. Their Vietnam Sammies are tasty, too. A+

808 Pho

10. Eat the Street – Oahu

Every last Friday of the month is Eat the Street’s gift to your tum tum tummy! Don’t eat for a week prior or you’ll be sorry. 40 lunch wagons and vendors here to feed you! Don’t miss. AAAAAAAAmazing :)) (That’s a double smile in case you didn’t notice).

Eat the Street

Big Island

11. Da Poke Shack – Lunch/Dinner – Big Island

On Ali’i Drive in Kona, call me biased, but consider Da Poke Shack your Holy Grail of poke. I’ve never had better. This place is ridiculous! Even earned the #1 in Yelp 2014 Top 100 Restaurant list! In the entire United States! Go early because they only use fresh catch from Honokahau Harbor, and when the day’s supply is gone, it’s gone. Try the Pele’s Kiss. Makes me swooney just thinking about it!

Da Poke Shack small kine selection

12. Punalu’u Bake Shop – Lunch – Big Island

This lovely little find is on your trek to Volcanoes National Park in Na’alehu, the southernmost point in the United States. Stop now. Don’t go any further without eating first. Trust me on this. The food in the park is no bueno. An off-the-hook bakery and fan-damn-tastic plate lunch going on here. Eat now or forever keep your peace. Translation, no grumble, Brah. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.

Punalu’u Bake Shop

13. Hana Hou – Big Island

Also in Na’alehu is the Hana Hou, which I highly recommend for dinner on your way back to Kona from Volcanoes National Park. Wonderful home cooked meals. On the weekend the line is out the door! Lunch and dinner both, it’s almost always packed. Don’t miss the Lilikoi Lemonade. After your meal, try one of their amazing desserts from their own bakery. Must. Do.

Hana Hou Na’alehu

14. Ken’s Pancake House – Big Island

If comfort food is what you’re hunting, then Ken’s in Hilo is where you’ll find your prey. A huge menu with everything from local delights to traditional downhome diner grinds. For real…so much to choose from. Specials every night of the week. Yum.

Ken’s Pancake House

15. Hiyashi’s You Make the Roll! – Lunch/Dinner – Big Island

When there is always a line out the door, you know it’s a great bet. None better here. While probably not the best sushi you’ve ever had, this little gem has been a local favorite (and mine as well) for years now. It’s a little hole in the wall located in the Kona Marketplace on Ali’i Drive – it’s not easy to find.

Hiyashi’s You Make the Roll

Fresh, terrific combinations are the name of the game here. You can also make your own combos in a roll. Why don’t all sushi bars do this? Mostly 8 piece makis for about $4.50 each. It just doesn’t get better than this if you are a sushi lover. Call your order in early (if you are lucky, they will answer the phone, but rarely between 11:30 am and 1:00 pm). This is my #1 must go when I hit Kona. On a daily basis. Yup. That good. Try the Ninja Star Roll. Mmmmmmm.

16. Big Island Grill – Big Island

Kailua Kona. If you are looking for the place that is so ono and consistent that almost every table at lunch is local construction workers, then BIG is your destination. Those boys know a good meal when they see one. Everything local from monster Loco Mocos to crater sized Saimin bowls to fab Katsu, here is where you want to park for good local comfort food plate lunch. Portions are very large, so plan on skipping your meal before or after. You just won’t have room.

Big Island Grill

17. Queen K Tesoro (Korean Chicken!) – Big Island

Across the street from Honokahau Harbor, you will see what appears to be a simple gas station. You wouldn’t think that a gas station on Queen K would be a local fave, but then you would be wrong. I have never had better Korean Chicken than they make here. Ever. The Musubis are legendary too, and it just gets better from there.

Queen Q Korean Chicken

Early mornings before the charter boats launch are crazy busy, but don’t drive by without stopping in. Grab some grub for a picnic at Kua Bay or wherever you are headed from there. I typically walk in for a soda and walk out with a huge bag of food I just could not resist. Crazy good chow.

So make your list and check it twice. Food in Hawaii is like early Christmas!

Nom nom nom…