My boyfriend and I leave tomorrow for Maui and Kauai. I've looked through past threads and see lots of restaurant reccomendations - I'm just not sure which are inexpensive. I have a few travel books but would rather hear from experience. We're on a budget, love to eat outdoors, and will pretty much eat any type of food. We're not snobs...we actually enjoy dive-y types of places that are off the beaten path. Thank you. Can't wait to get out of this cold!

Maui:
1. Cheeseburger in Paradise
2. Bubba Gumps

both are inexpensive and have outdoor seating on the water
<<enjoy>>

On Kauai, I always try to hit this little place in the Poipu area. I am pretty sure it is in the Poipu shopping village, in the center, beside an italian formal restaurant. I am not sure of the name, but it is charming and they have incredible homemade hamburgers and the breakfast is pretty good too. Very informal, a chicken walked past our table one time! Also, in the same small plaza is Roy's. I can't say enough about Roy's Restaurants. They are VERY expensive, but worth every penny. The food is incredible and well worth the treat. (Saw Nicholas Cage there one time)I have found on Maui there are no really cheap places in the general tourist areas but a true favorite of ours is the Maui Onion at the Renaissance in Wailea. It is an outdoor patio type place, with really good food, great service, generally quiet and serene witha nice view of the ocean. You can really relax here. Have a great trip!

Maui Onion and Roy's are great but NO WAY are they "cheap eats."

On Kauai for cheap eats:
Hamura's Saimen on Kress Street off Rice in Kihue. Tons of "local color."

Mark's Place in Puhi for plate lunches. (Way off the beaten path in an industrial park).

Locals flock to Bread and Deli next to Macy's in Lihue. Not much ambience but great sandwiches.

I second Hamura Saimen on Kauai.

For Maui: L & L Drive-ins are all over the island. Theres a good place in Honokowai called Okazuya Deli. Aloha Mixed Plate in Lahaina too. These are pretty cheap and have local kind food. Also Moose Mcguillicuddys in Lahaina but they have more standard food. Theres a place in Kahului (really hole in the wall) called Cupies. Cheap, local style food with lots of locals eating there.

After hearing good things about Aloha Mixed Plate in Lahaina, I must say that I was pretty disappointed with their food. Found it kind of bland tasting and nothing really special.

Loved Hamura Saimen in Lihue!

Duane's Onon Burger on the road to Princeville from the airport. Great burger sit in your Mustang rental with the top down. Turn the car around so you are facing "the sleeping giant". Don't forget to order the onion rings.

Kitnao's (sp) for sushi was very reasonable but not cheap. great quality

Bubba Gumps? Give me a break.

We ate a marvelous sunday brunch on Kauai called the Green Garden-$12 and very good food. Also try the barbeque Inn in Lihue and for breakfast go to ma"s in Lihue-a hole in the wall with a good breakfast real cheap!

For great breakfasts and lunches try the Camp House Grill in Kaleheo, not too far from Poipu. Great homemade biscuits for breakfast and their burgers and fries for lunch are fantastic. Also in Kalaheo, try the Brick Oven Pizza for some of the best pizza I have ever had. Lots of visitors return here year after year. You can't go wrong. Highly recommended.

Haemura's Saimen on Rice and Kress(I think it's actually on Kress) in Lihue. It's a joint for sure that only has counter seats and serves up saimen noodles with a variety of additions. It's a local place!

Maui: Believe it or not the best meal & best value we had last trip (last May) was Bubbs Gumps in Lahaina. It beat the pants off the fancier places. EriK's Seafood in Kahana is great for the early birds but I believe it has moved recently.
Have a wonderful trip.

I'm with Brenda - The Brick Oven Pizza is our favorite place on Kauai - great food, good prices.

Try the Tip Top Hotel/restuarant in Lihue for brakfast - Fantastic macadamia nut pancake - home of the original - looks like a dive - a great local place for breakfast.

Grilling Fresh Island ahi at your condo

Thank you all for your advice!
I've already printed this thread and it is coming with me in my suitcase.
Less than 24 hours...It's my first time to Hawaii and I can't wait! The weather forecast looks great too.
Will give a trip report when I get back.
Thanks to everyone (almost everyone) on this board for helping answer all my questions.
Aloha!

I enjoyed Bubba's burgers on Kauai...some people swear by Ono, but the wait was so long (45 minutes AFTER ordering), the burgers tiny & $$$ and frankly not that great.

On Maui, Safeway makes good sandwiches for $4.99.

CoachBoy

On Kauai, inexpensive and good:
Breakfast at "Joe's On The Green" in Poipu area at golf course.

Lunch in Koloa at Tom Kats.

Dinner at Brick Oven Pizza