A favorite of Waikiki hotel workers for its late hours (11 PM-2 PM daily), this restaurant on the 1st floor of an obscure budget hotel has a hearty, country-style menu with a few island touches (tropical-fruit pancake syrups, fresh grilled fish), and a permanent line out front.
Reviewed by cathyking from California on 4/29/09
My husband and I went visited (their new location, 343 Saratoga Rd, not 1911 Kalakaua) their new location, after going to there old location any time we were in Hawaii. We were really pleased to find, that they had the same menu and the exact same prices! The new location is a two story building, that feels like old Hawaii, they even have these great historical pictures of Hawaii throughout the restaurant.
This location has a more open air feel. We actually went twice so far... once we waited with the mobs of people waiting to get in in the morning, but then we found out they just opened for dinner, from 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM, so last night we went in the evening. That's one thing great about this new location, it is much closer to the heart of Waikiki, so it was only a 10 minute walk from our hotel (Royal Hawaiian). In the evening, there was no wait, and it had a great relaxed feel. Nothing like having breakfast for dinner (only on vacation)!
I would suggest trying to go in the evenings, if you need somewhere to eat that's filling, delicious, and economical. I think this won't be a well kept secret for long... I don't think many people know they don't have to wait in the morning lines, they can come back at night and just really enjoy the atmosphere.
My husband fell in love with the Ahi and Eggs, so I'm sure we'll have to come back at least one more time before we go home.
Reviewed by kkiku from Honolulu on 5/21/07
The service here is terrible and a bad representation of Hawaii's Aloha Spirit.
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