Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Kandi's Drive Inn

    4.2 (52 reviews)
    InexpensiveJapanese, Hawaiian
    Closed 5:00 am - 3:00 pm

    Kandi's Drive Inn Photos

    Business Info

    KANDI'S DRIVE INN ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Loud
    Good for kids
    Outdoor seating

    You might also consider

    More like Kandi's Drive Inn

    Recommended Reviews - Kandi's Drive Inn

    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

    Bacon cheeseburger and chicken loco
    Alex P.

    We had the bacon cheeseburger and chicken loco plate and to say both were delicious would be an understatement. The bacon cheeseburger was so good we even ordered a 2nd one before leaving. The people working at Kandi's were very nice and welcoming. You could tell that a lot of locals come to eat lunch here as well. Very happy we happened to drive by on our way to the volcano! PS - cash only! Will be coming back

    Loco Moco Plate
    Logan S.

    Man, what you see is what you get, in the best way. While mainlanders and tourist visit the over priced and un flavorful haunts of the big island, don't miss your chance at a classic Hawaiian breakfast. Cash only. Chili peppa water. The loco moco is medium sized but priced accordingly. Everything is fresh and the place is always packed. 8 outta 10 stars. Mahalo

    Loaded with Teri beef, soft bun and winner sauce.  We came for slush float but no longer.
    Gail U.

    Was reminiscing about when we lived up the street in 1980 and Kandi's had a delicious and affordable slush float. It's cash only but shucks times have changed and what was once the best refreshment is no longer available. Got a Teri beef sandwich which was everything I could ant in a sandwich. Extremely yummy!

    Teriyaki meat, two scoops rice and macsalad.
    Reverend Pete S.

    Today while the Merrie Monarch Parade is still on my wife got me a takeout Teri Plate. Which I know the price is reasonable. And their service is great, cash only. And the Teri meat is tasty, tender and delicious!

    Menu
    Melody P.

    Closed today but Yelp said it's open. We've eaten here before good Grindz z good prices.

    Old school
    Andrew T.

    Best Teri Beef in Hilo. Perfect level of sweetness, garlic, and ginger. I actually prefer the mini plate (about $9?) because the mini box doesn't have compartments, so the Teri sauce gets to make love with the rice (lol). Excellent hamburger deluxe (about $5) as well. One day they just said "do you want some free fries" and handed us like 4 orders of free French fries. Score !!! The fries are good. I did come once for the afternoon burger deal advertised on a banner, but these discounted burgers did not include the deluxe version, and I would not go back for them. You want the Deluxe, and it's worth paying a little more for.

    Breakfast menu
    Shaun S.

    Kandi's is everything you want from a drive in. I've only been two times but Hawaiian fast food at its best. Time #1: Breakfast- me= egg and cheese on a bun. $5 Him= breakfast platter and 2 Bentos to go. Everything was eaten up! Fast food without it feeling like fast food. Walk up to the counter, order your food, pay in cash, get food, eat food, feel satiated. Time #2 Lunch Fish sandwich- fried square fish on a bun with lettuce, tomato, onion, cheese. Think of a fish o filet on steroids, that actually tastes good. Cheese burger- he said it was GOOD and would buy it again. Shared fries- fried to perfection, hot and crispy Dee-Lish-see-ohhh-so!!

    Mini bento

    See all

    10 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Stef G.
    54
    383
    22

    19 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    For cheap eats this is the place. Good sized portions. Great for a quick bite when you are hungry. The staff can be stinky.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Baron S.
    55
    53
    88

    16 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    18 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    15 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    13 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    A lot of choices for very reasonable prices! Must try the slush floats and classic fries. Don't forget to check out their specials!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Fantastic place!!! Have been going here for ages whenever we come to beautiful Hilo.(live in California) All that I order is GREAT!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Page 2 of 2

    Ask the Community - Kandi's Drive Inn

    Verify this business for free

    People searched for Japanese 773 times last month within 15 miles of this business.

    Verify this business

    Jackie Rey's Ohana Grill Hilo

    Jackie Rey's Ohana Grill Hilo

    4.3
    (1.3k reviews)
    3.1 mi
    $$

    Lobster tail, risotto and ribs were excellent. Great Service. Perfect place to spend my son's…read more16th birthday.

    When we lived in Kona, we would frequent the Jackie Reyes there. The food was good, but for the…read moreprice, the entire experience - not even the old, nonfunctional classic car out front - was worth it. BUT, the Jackie Rey's in Hilo has now become our go-to fine restaurant in Hilo town. The building is classic. An old town Hilo bank, with the vault intact. High ceilings, comfortable tables and decore and an artistic antique wooden bar that would be a gem in the crown of any European city. The management and personnel are the most wonderful people. Always happy to accommodate you in the best way they can. After one kamaaina visit the servers will know your name. They'll make you feel welcome and that you are a part of their experience too, something that is nearly impossible to find in other town dining. They have rewards programs for kamaaina which includes a point system that gives you significant savings on your next visit. The food is first rate, from the pupus to the main dishes to the desserts. Sauced and presented in five star fashion, without feeling pretenious. We will be their peskiest and most loyal customer as long as we are in the area. Kudos to Jackie Rey's Hilo.

    Photos
    Clean and inviting. This is a historical bank building.
    Clean and inviting. This is a historical bank building.
    Ahi Tartare Happy Hour. Amazing. I could eat ten more.
    Ahi Tartare Happy Hour. Amazing. I could eat ten more.
    Passion Flow

    See all

    Passion Flow
    Lehua Restaurant

    Lehua Restaurant

    4.5
    (127 reviews)
    1.7 mi

    Arrived at 6:30 PM on a Monday. 7 open tables...45% of the…read morerestaurant was open. A young lady dropped off water- didn't even acknowledge us... Order taken at 6:42 PM... Free bread and butter with Hawaiian Black Sea Salt= yummy Calamari- flattened steak (not tentacles or rings) lovely sauce 10/10 Crab Dynamite Skillet- 10/10 Shared the fried fish which was Opaka Paka that day. 10/10 The food here is always delicious. Sometimes the staff is not the most attentive. So really it more like a 4.5. The food is always on point. The drinks are always on point. The service somewhat on point. $200 meal before tip; 4 drinks, 2 apps, and 1 shared plate.

    My coworkers with Hilo family highly recommended this place and when in doubt, do as the locals do…read moreright? Located on the University of Hilo's campus, this seemingly farm to table restaurant has a lot to offer. We ordered the House Salad, Fried Kalo, Fresh catch (Opah/moonfish) over noodles, and fish over Bolognese. We went extra on the fish as we've been eating a bit heavy and some lighter seafood was in order during our Hilo trip. We also got the pickled mango martini and sangria. Everything was very fresh, with local produce making up the crisp salad and delicious pan fried fish over yakisoba style noodles. The fried kalo is definitely different, as it's hard to describe not being a potato, with a different texture being crispy, yet fluffy and starchy on the inside. If you like fried potatoes, its worth trying. The fish over Bolognese had some conflicting flavors, but the fish was again tasty and fresh. Both drinks were quite citrusy, with the mango martini being a bit too tart for me. Staff was polite and efficient. Live music also happens, but it adds to the atmosphere rather than taking over. Reservations can made online and there's plenty of parking.

    Photos
    Interior
    Interior
    House salad with balsamic dressing
    House salad with balsamic dressing
    Seared Ahi

    See all

    Seared Ahi
    Kuhio Grille

    Kuhio Grille

    3.6
    (491 reviews)
    2.5 mi
    $$

    After a long hike, this was exactly what we needed! The food was absolutely delicious, and the…read moreportions were huge, but perfect when you've worked up an appetite. Everything tasted fresh, flavorful. The service was just as impressive. Everyone was warm and welcoming, and our waiter was fantastic. she checked on us several times without being overbearing and made us feel genuinely taken care of throughout our meal. This was our first visit, but it definitely won't be our last. Between the incredible food, generous portions, friendly service, and beautiful views, this place exceeded our expectations. If you're in the area, do yourself a favor and stop by! you won't leave hungry or disappointed. Edit: Try their desserts!! we took it to go and immediately had to add this to our review

    Ordered the Kanak atak with beef and pork option and overall the experience felt a bit overhyped…read more The laulau was bland, while the kalua pork was somewhat salty but more flavorful. The poi had a pleasant texture, though the haupia was too sweet for our taste. We upgraded from rice to fried rice, which was fine but unremarkable. Surprisingly, the pickled onions and chili water were the highlights, adding the most flavor to the meal. Service was efficient but felt rushed and impersonal. Our waitress checked in, but did so while walking away, making the interaction feel routine rather than attentive. Overall, the food was ok, but not memorable enough for us to return.

    Photos
    Interior
    Interior
    Kanak Atak! Very good!
    Kanak Atak! Very good!
    Shitken skin!

    See all

    Shitken skin!

    Kandi's Drive Inn - japanese - Updated July 2026

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