Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    John's World Famous Hawaii

    4.4 (88 reviews)
    InexpensiveHot Dogs, Food Stands
    Open 1:00 pm - 8:00 PM
    Updated 1 month ago

    Order John's World Famous Hawaii Takeout or Delivery

    John's World Famous Hawaii Photos

    JOHN'S WORLD FAMOUS HAWAII ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?

    You might also consider

    More like John's World Famous Hawaii

    Recommended Reviews - John's World Famous Hawaii

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    John's Chicken Dogs - John styled minus the sauerkraut
    Aida F.

    I've lived here for seven years and walked past this hot dog stand countless times. Every time I walk by the owner Jon smile and say hello, every time. And on one of my last walk in Waikiki, I got on of his hotdogs. John and his staff were incredibly welcoming. He's originally from Philly, and as someone from the East Coast, I immediately felt that warm hospitality. John is so sweet, he even offered me the hot dog on the house... completely unexpected, but a true reflection of John's demeanor. I went with the chicken hot dog "John style" (well that is everything but the sauerkraut). I wasn't hesitate about the mustard because I'm usually not a fan but the staff insisted it was more like Dijon mustard anyways. The hotdog was loaded, flavorful, and way better than I expected for someone who usually keeps it simple with the toppings. The bun broke down a bit from all the toppings, but that was to be expected with all the toppings loaded on there. You can't beat the location, it's right outside the Ilikai by the lagoon though the service alone makes this an easy five stars. I'm really happy this ended up being one of my last food experiences living in Hawaii. I'd be eager to see John and his staff again if I return.

    Very conveniently located at Hilton by fireworks.Only reason I didn't give 5 stars is because it's $15 a hotdog.But I'm not mad at ya.

    Mic V.

    I was at the Duke Kahanamoku Lagoon with my kids and we were really hungry. This hot dog stand was the closest option to us. I thought the sign said Hawaiian Hot Dog... but it's actually just a hot dog in Hawaii, lol. It tastes exactly like a regular hot dog. The size was decent. There are a lot of toppings to choose from, which was great. It's rather pricey for a simple hot dog.

    Jumbo beef hot John's Beef Jumbo Dogs
    Andrew A.

    World famous? I couldn't say, but what I can say is HE SHOULD BE! I got the jumbo beef hot dog and got it John's way which from the looks of it was all the sauces minus bbq sauce and then onions, jalapeños, and relish added. I'm assuming John was the owner who helped me out and he is so friendly that it makes the experience even better. It was a bit tricky to find the place but next to the lagoon at the Hilton Waikiki. He has a giant yellow sign you can't miss. If you're in the area you HAVE to give this place a try. It's absolutely worth it.

    John's booth at the festival
    Darcy W.

    I had the opportunity to try John's World Famous Hot Dogs at a local festival off of Waikiki Beach. I had looked up this festival and saw his picture, so I knew it was meant to be! John and his crew could not be nicer! I loved the hot dog and all the fresh toppings! If you get a chance to try one of his hot dogs I know you will love it too!

    Tommy C.

    힐튼 앞 불꽃놀이(하절기 기준 매주 금요일 20시) 보면서 먹으려고 포장 주문함. 핫도그 안에 잔슨빌 소시지가 들어가고 소시지는 3종류 (치킨, 야채, 소고기) 맛있었음

    Irene M.

    Happy National Hot Dog Day... What better way than to enjoy a yummy right along the beach and you can do so thanks to John and his World Famous Hot dog as it's brightly yellow sign you can't miss is right outside the back of Ilikai and if you can't find parking you can stay in your car right beside the tent and they will take the curbside order from you. I was lucky to have found a spot and was surprised to see that it's not only the Beef Jumbo is available but Chicken and Veggie as well all at $10 which i found was a bit steep but it does come with a lot of topping which you can have (ketchup, yellow mustard, spicy mustard, sauerkraut, relish, jalapeño, cheese, onions and barbecue sauce) quite the choices though for me is the ketchup, mustard and jalapeños it was a hearty bite. Love the vibe as the staff is very friendly and quick...if you pay cash is $10 straight but tax is included with credit card payment. Thank you!

    Megan S.

    Came here for an afternoon snack and this hit the spot! All toppings were free and was pretty filling.

    Menu
    Nadine C.

    Hot and freshly grilled hotdog in Waikiki, Honolulu, Hawaii... I parked at the free parking lot at the beach behind the Ilikai Hotel and saw John's World Famous Hawaii. The tent is located in the parking lot next to Hilton Hawaiian Village's man-made lagoon. We looked at the menu, and Peter asked, "What toppings?" I answered: everything except jalapeños and hot mustard. Peter didn't want ketchup, so we ended up with onions, mustard, and relish. The best part about this small business is John. He's very welcoming, friendly, and efficient! His smile and personality are probably the keys to success. The hotdog was juicy and deliciously moist. The smokey flavor and hot-off-the-grill temperature are winners! If you're in the area, check it out! There are vegan options, too... and more toppings such as cheese, sauerkraut, mayo, and BBQ sauce!

    Jessica S.

    Seriously amazing and got to meet the infamous John, himself! All the fixings provided for your hotdog needs. Plus, John also sells really cool shirts that are exactly like the logo and what John wears! You can't go wrong with stopping by and grabbing yourself a hotdog, chips, and a coke! John is a super nice guy and very friendly, he's been in the hotdog business for close to 20 years. Support local business and grab yourself a hotdog!

    John's WORLD Famous Hot Dogs.  With onions, of course! Near the marina, outside Hilton Village.  If you're from Philly...you'll love them.

    See all

    1 month ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of John S.

    John S.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 month ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of John S.

    John S.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Matt H.
    0
    16
    15

    5 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of John S.

    John S.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of John S.

    John S.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    10 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of John S.

    John S.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of John S.

    John S.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Chuck M.
    47
    252
    183

    2 months ago

    Excellent hot dogs with very friendly service. We went back 3 times during our trip.

    Business owner information

    Photo of John S.

    John S.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of John S.

    John S.

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 5
    Love this 4
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Darcy W.
    2582
    492
    1532

    1 year ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of John S.

    John S.

    Helpful 7
    Thanks 4
    Love this 5
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of John S.

    John S.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of John S.

    John S.

    Helpful 13
    Thanks 0
    Love this 10
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of John S.

    John S.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of John S.

    John S.

    Helpful 34
    Thanks 7
    Love this 34
    Oh no 1

    2 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of John S.

    John S.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of John S.

    John S.

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of John S.

    John S.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of John S.

    John S.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Monica G.
    213
    10
    0

    9 months ago

    Super good! Food is amazing, fast service, great ambiance right by the lagoon! John is super friendly as well!

    Business owner information

    Photo of John S.

    John S.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    The hot dogs were absolutely delicious and full of flavor. The service was friendly and attentive. I'll definitely be coming back soon!

    Business owner information

    Photo of John S.

    John S.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Mark A.
    511
    10
    3

    7 months ago

    Not worth $13, but it's targeted for tourist in the area. $2 Costco hotdog beats this, even bigger hotdog than this.

    Business owner information

    Photo of John S.

    John S.

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of John S.

    John S.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Q D.
    50
    56
    49

    1 year ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of John S.

    John S.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of John S.

    John S.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of John S.

    John S.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of John S.

    John S.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of John S.

    John S.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Pricy. I couldn't tell the difference in taste. Usually I can get a specialty sausage at this price.

    Business owner information

    Photo of John S.

    John S.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    good service nice lady she helped us out and are very kind to customers there is no better service out here come here now

    Business owner information

    Photo of John S.

    John S.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of John S.

    John S.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of John S.

    John S.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of KJ C.
    0
    10
    1

    1 year ago

    Good hotdogs and great service! We will definitely go back. John is super friendly and the location is convenient.

    Business owner information

    Photo of John S.

    John S.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of John S.

    John S.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of John S.

    John S.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of John S.

    John S.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of G F.
    2
    11
    7

    2 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of John S.

    John S.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of John S.

    John S.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Lily W.
    1
    30
    11

    2 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of John S.

    John S.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of John S.

    John S.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 3

    John's World Famous Hawaii Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - John's World Famous Hawaii

    No chili dogs on the menu? What's a hot dog without chili?

    Thanks for your inquiry. We have featured chili dogs during winter months and will consider adding it again next winter.

    Are you always by the lagoon behind ilikai or do you move daily?

    Thank you for asking. This is our new regular spot. We are there daily, weather permitting, unless we are involved in major events such as the First Friday, Taste of Oahu at Aloha Stadium, Waikiki Block Festivals, and the Artfest Waikiki monthly… 

    View All 4 Questions

    You might also consider

    Sam's Kitchen

    Sam's Kitchen

    4.0
    (1.4k reviews)
    1.2 mi
    $$

    Well we didn't know what to expect at first but lemme tell you. This food was so delicious, fast,…read moregreat service. I got the spicy teriyaki tofu salad plate and that was so good. My husband got spicy ahi with a half order of matsuri style shrimp with rice and Mr. loved it. This place upheld and exceeded its standards. The ambiance was very relaxed.

    Hawaiian garlic shrimp is a iconic local dish, not technically traditional Hawaiian food, featuring…read moreshell-on shrimp tossed in a pungent garlic-butter sauce, heavily popularized by North Shore, Oahu food trucks since the mid-1970s. With the recent flood happening at the end of March, and our trip being in early April, going to North Shore wasn't advised. While we have some great Hawaiian garlic shrimp spots in Arizona, we had to at least try to get some garlic shrimp while on Oahu. We gave this place a try just because we were already in the building. It wasn't a choice we made prior because honestly, I would have suggested trying a more well-known spot like two miles away, haha! We shared a $14 Shrimp with Original Garlic sauce on it and made it a combo with rice, a scoop of potato mac salad, and regular salad, $14 + $6. Sam's Kitchen was okay. I would have loved to have the shell-on but this place does not offer shell-on shrimp. Still, they make a decent garlic shrimp.

    Photos
    View of the pool from our table.
    View of the pool from our table.
    Orig garlic shrmp & tery-garlic steak
    Orig garlic shrmp & tery-garlic steak
    Glass of wine

    See all

    Glass of wine
    Waikiki Garlic Shack

    Waikiki Garlic Shack

    4.4
    (153 reviews)
    1.3 mi
    $$

    *This comment is noted for the general seating area and unrelated to the business: The public…read moreseating area for all of the food trucks has roaches around the area. There are the tiniest baby roaches in the crevices of the picnic table due to the buildup of gunk and I saw them crawling around the table and larger ones on the ground which made me gag. Just be cautious if you choose to sit there.* Food 5/5 This is actually the best spicy garlic shrimp I've ever had. We had the "highly rated" North Shore shrimp three years ago and the way they serve it to you isn't very appetizing. However, this shack, chef's kiss. The presentation and the flavor was all there. My partner's platter was half short rib and half garlic shrimp. (Fries/drinks from a different location.) Service 5/5 The staff are friendly and very hardworking. They were very quick to get me a plastic bag when I asked. 100000% coming back.

    I'm hoping tonight was just an off night. I've had this garlic shrimp now 3x. I was so excited to…read morehave garlic shrimp again today but this was not the same spicy garlic shrimp I had the past couple times. This was more chipotle ish with maybe some sort of minced onion than the spicy garlic shrimp I had the past two times. I didn't eat here when it was Angry shrimp because they mixed onion and mushrooms with shrimp or something and I was looking for Garlic shrimp. I have the picture from last weeks garlic shrimp. Last week it tasted like it had fish sauce in it with spices and garlic, etc...tonight it literally tastes like bbq seasoning mixed with chipotle seasoning and chili onion. I'm not writing this review to bash this shrimp truck because I think they are very nice but more so as constructive criticism...to hopefully keep their recipe consistent. People want the flavor of Garlic shrimp without having to go to the north shore. These other seasonings just didn't cut it for me:(

    Photos
    Food truck "court" including the angry shrimp!
    Food truck "court" including the angry shrimp!
    #1 Angry Shrimp
    #1 Angry Shrimp
    Miso butterfish with braised mushroom and onion sauce, arugula, and rice

    See all

    Miso butterfish with braised mushroom and onion sauce, arugula, and rice
    Dimsum Village

    Dimsum Village

    3.9
    (57 reviews)
    2.5 mi

    The porridge was piping hot and the pork was very finely shredded, which I prefer over tough/chewy…read moreand sometimes fatty slices of meat, as is common at most places. The rice was smooth and thick. I wish there were more century egg bits. The broth flavor could have been a bit stronger, so I asked for shoyu. One order is good for two people. I also ordered shrimp dumplings. They were plump pieces of shrimp and a good size. The skin wasn't thick either. They weren't hot like the porridge was but it was fine coz then I could eat them right away. The hubs got some pork mochi. They were quite generously filled as well. The mochi was crispy and chewy. Everything was decently priced. It's a little stall in the Maunakea Marketplace food court, so mostly self-service over the counter. The uncle was kind and pleasant. Auntie was busy cooking/prepping in the back. We were there around lunchtime on a Sunday so they were probably getting ready to pack up as well. I'd try the fried donut and other dim sum items next time!

    Went to Mei Mei Chinese BBQ for a quick pick up & a couple stalls away heading…read more mauka ( mountain side) saw these good looking round sesame seed doughnuts in their display area. Jin Dui in Chinese ! Had to try some . They comes in three's .Got 2 coconut& one red bean filled. $ 5.00 for 3 They were soft once you bite into them& the fillings were the highlight.They are a dim sum shop so you can get all your goodies there. In the Maunakea Food court. Lot of stalls to pickup all kinds of different cultural foods! Service was fast & you can dine in the court or take out! Cash only!

    Photos
    Dimsum Village
    Savory ip chai filling includes chopped water chestnut and other vegetarian ingredients
    Savory ip chai filling includes chopped water chestnut and other vegetarian ingredients
    Pork Bao

    See all

    Pork Bao
    Hula Dog

    Hula Dog

    4.3
    (505 reviews)
    0.6 mi
    $$

    Amazing customer service and even better food! If you're in Waikiki this is definitely a place that…read moreyou need to try! I was staying in Ko Olina and it was still worth the drive to get it.

    Visiting this food truck was one of the highlights of our trip. The food was amazing and the owner…read morewas so welcoming that he made us feel special. We were hungry in the morning, so we arrived just after they opened. There was lots of parking. We ordered and while the Poi rolls were cooking we had a chance to chat with the owner Dennis. He described the extra effort that they put into every ingredient. Later after we finished eating, Dennis would bring bowls of freshly cut cantaloupe from a close-by market. It was perfectly ripe and one of the best that I have tasted. That is an example of the Aloha you will feel while visiting. I have been to Hawaii a dozen times and was never a fan of Poi because I never tasted a dish that was prepared properly. We went to a picnic the previous day that had a donut like pasty made with Poi and fresh Poi made at a local restaurant. They were both delicious and this totally changed my opinion. Based on that positive experience I wanted to try the signature Poi dog. We opted for the spicy version. It was so tasty with the matching condiments. If you are a foodie that wants to try something unique, be sure to give it a try. Dennis has a sister location in Waikiki that is managed by his partner Hong Banh-Mi sandwiches are one of my weekly lunch options when at home, so we were excited to plan a visit to Aloha Hot Dog and Banh-Mi for dinner!

    Photos
    Strawberry Lemonade and a Poi Dog!
    Strawberry Lemonade and a Poi Dog!
    Signature Poi Dog
    Signature Poi Dog
    Picture of the parking and seating area

    See all

    Picture of the parking and seating area
    Eat the Street

    Eat the Street

    4.3
    (7 reviews)
    1.6 mi
    $$

    Eat the street and getting continually better. The new location at kakaako waterfront park is way…read morebetter than the kewalo basin mainly because of the space. I did like the strung lights shaped like a big top tent at kewalo and some of the staging. But the variety of food, vendors and entertainment in kakaako is just exponentially larger. You have to recognize the progression of restaurant in Hawaii to appreciate it. This is where they start. Da spot for instance was a food truck, opened a restaurant near university after success and now is opening a second location at AMC. So support food stand and food trucks, they might be your next fine dining experience in the future. This is the place to do it. It has a very pincnic atmosphere, live music, drinking section, etc. you can appreciate it all. My latest fav is Istanbul Turkish cuisine. They have plans to open a brick and mortar place in Chinatown. The food they produce is really tasty. I'd love to see the stuff they make in a full restaurant. Come out, support, if you wish there were more of (fill in blank) types a restaurant, this is a good place to find a food truck and help them make it happen.

    I honestly had no idea about Eat The Street, I was bored and checking events on Yelp as always and…read morewas trying to find something fun to do that obviously had something to do with eating. We decided to spend our "Black Friday" here, event started at 4:00 p.m to 9:00 p.m at Kakaako Park but we ended up showing up at 6:00 pm. We honestly didn't have that huge of an issue finding parking and the event wasn't that crowded, I'm sure it had a lot to do with everyone being at the parade or staying home the sl day after Thanksgiving. I highly recommend you show up early cause eating in the dark is kind of a pain so we had to shine the light on our phones to eat. I ordered my first food at "Mega Load Burger", they had choice of sliders and the infamous pineapple bowl with your choice of shrimp, pork, or kalbI. You can even choose fried rice or macaroni and cheese instead, even though it was dark and I couldn't see my food I really enjoyed the flavor of my garlic and rice, they had chunks of pineapple at bottom which made it a little difficult to eat with a plastic fork, but I appreciate they didn't waste it. My boyfriend ordered what we thought was an elote or Mexican corn from "The Corn Project" it was very good but the corn was so small, was a bit expensive for $6. We finally decided to get drinks at "ICE HNL" we saw they had bloodbath drinks on Instagram but were out so we ordered the smokin drink love potion instead, which was good made a instagrammable photo. I also checked "Eat The Streets" page and saw Postmate and Aokis shaved ice was giving away free shaved ice! I thought it was a awesome way to give everyone some nice free treats, make sure you tip! As we were leaving I of course saw a table of donuts laid out! Modo donuts was selling mochi donuts for $2 each and I had exactly $4 left so I asked for cookies and cream and my boyfriend got the matcha flavor. I've never had mochi donuts in my life and I'm so upset I didn't buy more! It was so chewy and delicious my boyfriend tried to steal mine and I had to swat him away! Most business accept card but they have an ATM in the park Incase.

    Photos
    Bao Boys!
    Bao Boys!
    Tryin
    Tryin
    Franky Fresh! Shakes only tho!

    See all

    Franky Fresh! Shakes only tho!
    Oh’s Kitchen

    Oh’s Kitchen

    3.8
    (6 reviews)
    2.0 mi

    Tried Oh's Kitchen at the Waikiki Makers Market…read more Decent line but moved fast. BBQ skewers had a nice glaze and flavor--very similar to Filipino-style BBQ, which gave me a little taste of home. Ours weren't that hot since they had been sitting out for a bit, but still tasty. They have two sauces: Hawaiian BBQ and sweet & sour, both solid depending on your mood. The squid was just okay. They also had crispy spring rolls and fresh malasadas--nice options if you want something savory and sweet while walking around. Lowkey wish they had rice (that's just the Asian in me haha), but overall a good, quick bite while exploring the market.

    Grilled stuff on a stick. Hawaii's transient food scene in full action…read more One dude manning multiple charcoal grills cooking up a dozen or so different varieties of skewered proteins ranging from simple squid to lobster balls to less intimidating marinated pork and garlic butter shrimp. DIY service. Grab a disposable container and help yourself to the myriad of choices from the clearly labeled pans of skewers as they come straight off the fire. Pay then go around the corner and squirt on some unlabeled sauces from a selection of a few (guessing is part of the fun), wrap in foil and go. The "huli huli chicken" juicy, smoky, well brined throughout tasting exactly like its true whole chicken counterpart. The garlic pepper pork, juicy, tender, flavorful. The garlic shrimp, shell on, smoky grilled flavor besting any North Shore shrimp truck. $6.50 each. Skewers only. No sides. No carbs. Better cook, quality, and flavor than almost any of its transient grilling competition. Solid.

    Photos
    Oh’s Kitchen
    (Top) garlic pepper pork / (Bottom) "huli huli chicken"
    (Top) garlic pepper pork / (Bottom) "huli huli chicken"
    You reach and get your own

    See all

    You reach and get your own

    John's World Famous Hawaii - hotdog - Updated August 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...