We were looking for a good pancake place n a localite directed us to TipTop Motel's restuarant n sure their pancakes were xcellent, no decor but good breakfast.

Eggberts, Al and Don's (Smothered in papaya, bananas and pineapples), Dani's, Oki Diner(not an AuntieM fave but we've always had good stuff there) and Wake Up Cafe in Hanalei.

Some restuarants we tried on our trip:
Shrimp truck plate lunches were good trys in Kauai n Oahu.
Sandalwoods Restuarant in Hilo was Value for Money n gr8 location n food! Hang Loose Bar in Kona served gr8 Mai Tai's made with fresh squeezed juices.
Mama's Fish House Gr8 location, good food but $$$
Roy's in Kahana was value for money n good food, a bit noisy.

Tip Top?

Yes NO DECOR at all. Service is sort of like someone's house.

But pretty good food.

Eggberts is good.

Dani's is similar to Tip Top.

OKI Diner. First couple times it was great. Last time we went, not so good. I'd try it again though.

I love the Tip Top!
We liked Joe's on the Green too (thanks Kal).
-Bill

Oki Diner...ick. I don't enjoy eating anywhere that results in my having "digestive disorders" within an hour of dining.

Ono Family Restaurant in Kapa`a...yum.

TipTop -- never excellent, but some days are better than others. ;-)

And Kal...shhhhhhhhhh about WakeUp Cafe in Hanalei!!! That used to be our favorite spot, but now there's always a line to get in. Shhhhhhhhhhhh, Kal, shhhhhhhhhh!

AuntieM,
Ooops. Forgot. "Exnay on the Wake Upscray cafescray".

Forgot about The Ono!

We also loved The Olympic Cafe.

I know it's no a b'fast but have you tried The Whole Enchilada down by Kintaros? He's the old Taco Dude.
My Kapaa buddies are raving about his lobster tacos.

Lobster ravs...lobster tacos....oh my!

Kal:

Everytime I drive past their sign, I remember that you have recommended it. Now that you've told me they have lobster tacos, I'm salivating.

Are they open for lunch, or is it dinner only?

Dont forget Country Kitchen in Kapaa. I think they have the best breakfast on Kauai hands down!

Koa,
I do have to refresh my notes when I go back. How can you forget Ono on one end and the Country Kitchen on the other end?

AuntieM,
I berleive it's lunch and dinner but from what I recall, it's "The Dude's Hours". Open when open-closed when closed.
He was pretty reliable when he was The Dude in the Marketplace, tho. That's why it was sad to see him leave.

I hope the place that took over The Dude's place in the Mktplace, Ono Loa, is still open. Good grub too.

Lunch sometime between 12-30 and 1-17?
Mucho mahalos and 19 mo' days! \/

Kal:

Bring a jacket -- we've had unseasonably cold weather for the past few days. Overnight temps here on the north shore are dipping into the mid-60s; daytime highs are stuggling to reach 75 -- with blustery winds.

Okay...I know that everyone on the mainland is laughing...but really, we're all bundled up here. Brrrrrr!

Yes, Kountry Kitchen (do they use K or C?) in Kapaa, although for atmosphere, I preferred it before the latest remodeling (sems like they squeezed in more tables). But for sure, filling bkfasts that made three generations of the family happy..
Eggbert's was a disappointment last June. Flies everywhere, service slow and indiferent (beyond laid-back)lots of cigarette smells floating in from the outside diners who smoke. And speaking of food at Coconut Marketplace, the fish stand place was terrible The smallest piece of fish I've ever seen atop a few pieces of lettuce. Had to eat another lunch! And Aloha Kauai Pizza, which I always enjoyed, was no longer ono.
The entire Marketplace is sorely in need of re-modeling. What happened to that vibrant place I recalled so fondly from previous trips? Maybe there will be an infusion of money such as that at Kukui Grove(by Steve Chase I heard?).

CaliNurse:

Gotta agree with you about the sad condition of Coconut Marketplace. We tried Hula Girl for the first time just this week. Food was okay, but service was miserably slow. We had a gift certificate, so our bill was 50% off -- but I wouldn't rush to go again and I wouldn't push folks there.

As for Kukui Grove, it's looking beautiful. Food vendors now include Quiznos, Cold Stone Creamery, Jamba Juice, Starbucks, and due-to-open-any-day-now Genki Sushi (sushi floats by on boats; choose your own). We've still got McDonald's, and the Chinese and Hawaiian and Filipino and Korean places there, too. Oh, and the sandwich shop next to Macy's...something for every tastebud!