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    Koolau Drive Inn

    4.0 (156 reviews)
    Closed 10:00 am - 8:00 pm

    Koolau Drive Inn Photos

    KOOLAU DRIVE INN ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Good for kids
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - Koolau Drive Inn

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    Reviews With Photos

    Cheeseburger Deluxe
    Wayne I.

    If you're craving a solid burger without hitting up the big fast-food chains, check out the burger at Koolau Drive-In. The regular burger is under $6, and for just $1.50 more you can make it a deluxe--totally worth it. And do yourself a favor... get the fries. They only come in one size, and it's HUGE. Perfect for sharing (or not ). Super easy to find, plenty of free parking, and a great local spot when you want something tasty without breaking the bank.

    Mini chicken, Katsu and curry
    Glenn N.

    Huge menu large selection can take you a while to figure out what you want to eat. Everything from Chinese food to local plate lunches they make really good noodle dishes here. There is around six tables that seat between 4 to 5 people, each so dining in is an option. Service is always great. They cook everything to order so calling in an order really helps. The food here is pretty consistent and the quantity that they give is huge! Literally can feed two people with the mini plate. Might go to is either the chili and Katsu or the chicken katsu and curry place. Plenty of parking. This place can get a little crowded especially during dinner time. I would be either go off hours between lunch and dinner around 4:00 PM or after the dinner rush around 7 PM.

    Most beautiful strip mall view ever!
    Dennis R.

    Tried this place last time I was in Oahu, and it was so amazing that I knew I had to come back! Both times I had the kalua pig and lau lau combo, and both times it was SO GOOD! Both dishes were tender, moist, and bursting with flavor! I'm back home in CA daydreaming about this dish right now, lol! Customer service is quick and friendly, and honestly, this strip mall has to have one of the most gorgeous strip mall views anywhere on earth! I'll make sure to visit again next time I'm in Oahu!

    Curry pork katsu
    Karen M.

    We stopped for lunch during a visit to Byodo-In temple. The menu offers a large variety of options so there is something for everyone. We went with a curry pork katsu platter and a mixed grill platter. The katsu was a bit too crunchy for our taste but the curry sauce was good. The mixed grill platter was very good with a generous amount of meat. Service was friendly and efficient and there were plenty of clean tables to dine-in.

    Storefront
    Nadine C.

    Takeout Dinner from. Kaneohe, O'ahu, Hawaii... Realizing that I didn't really eat breakfast or lunch, I decided that I should get some dinner. I wanted to go somewhere different, but not too far away... How about Ko'olau Drive Inn at Ko'olau Center? Ko'olau Center is across the highway from Valley of The Temples. Ko'olau Drive Inn is across the parking lot from McDonald's and the (closed) Ko'olau Theater. The shared parking was easy because Subway, Times Coffee Shop, and Temple Valley Chinese Restaurant were closed already. That's why everyone was at Ko'olau Drive Inn! The staff were efficient and cleared the crowd quickly! There were enough tables and chairs for customers to sit and wait. Most people did takeout like me - even though the place was bright and clean! I got the Hamburger Steak plate and Shrimp Broccoli with noodles. The three hamburger patties were homemade. I could taste the seasoning in the hamburger and found some gristle... LOL! I liked the gravy and mushy rice since I was so hungry! Even the Mac salad was okay! The shrimp broccoli was pretty good because of the garlic flavor and thinly sliced carrots and onion. The broccoli was not raw, and it wasn't well done, but just right! I was too full to finish the noodles! I'll return when I'm starving again!

    Found a bug in the mac salad!
    Doug Y.

    The mochiko chicken is very good. If you're familiar with chicken karage it tastes very similar. They give a lot and def can make 2 meals of it. I wouldn't eat it all the time bc its greasy. Nice stop after the. Byodo Temple and I don't think a lot of people know about it. Found a bug in my mac salad! I'll give them a pass this time but that wasn't sightly.

    Menu
    Katalina T.

    I've been coming here for years they only got better and the place looks amazing! The service is quick and the foods so yummy!

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    19 days ago

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    4 months ago

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    8 months ago

    Delicious and yummy food. I got the BBQ mix, the chicken was very delicious as well as the mac salad.

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    7 months ago

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    4 months ago

    Business owner information

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    Tony N.

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    2 years ago

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    10 months ago

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    5 months ago

    Wonderful and welcoming service! Delicious food. I loved the kalua pork and cabbage. Even our picky eaters were happy!

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    1 year ago

    The food here is always delicious and the service is quick and friendly! So many choices and all are delicious!

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    1 year ago

    Great food and service! Been a customer for almost 20 years and never disappointed in the food.

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    1 year ago

    Mochiko chicken all French fries! Almost every week! Our go to - friendly service always!

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    Page 1 of 4

    Ask the Community - Koolau Drive Inn

    Google maps shows this place is permanently closed is it true?

    They are temporarily closed after a car drove through the front entrance on 1/13/2020. Once they are able to get things inline and repaired hopefully they will reopen soon afterwards.

    View All 3 Questions

    Review Highlights - Koolau Drive Inn

    Their mochiko chicken and chicken katsu are well done with a tasty crispy exterior, not too oily or soggy.

    Mentioned in 16 reviews

    Read more highlights

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    I've been to this Mahaloha Burger location on Hekili Street, only once, and it was a few years ago…read more Mahaloha Burger, if I recall correctly, first opened a location in Waikiki...andI've been there and in the Ala Moana Center Lanai Food Court. Burgers are similar in quality - these are grass-fed, local ( Big Island ) beef burgers - to some of the upscale, fast casual burger places that have opened in recent years on Oahu. Dining area is small but there is a mezzanine for additional seating. I got takeout...the #8 Loco Moco Burge

    Yumalicious... Who…read moredoesn't love a burger I can get quite bougie when it comes to my dream build where I do love cheese and to get saucy though no pickles or onions for me but please add some lettuce and tomatoes and make it messy! After a brief time spending the day in Kailua it was time for lunch and it was Mahaloha Burger for us and with some parts of Kailua biggest challenge is parking but these merchants on Hekili Street which is right across from Kailua Town Center does have it's own parking in the back is very convenient when you're unable to find street parking. Though quite small the vibe of this restaurant is just adorable lots of statement of Aloha some are fun and cheesy, I ordered the most popular item #9 Mushroom Swiss with fries though I was tempted with the many of their specialty fries is always yummy along with any of their dipping sauce. We're given a buzzer though it took no time to receive our order and gosh what a lovely burger cooked perfectly but you know what would make it better...dine in during their "Happy Hour" weekdays only from 3pm-5pm it's $2 off any burger or hot dog and $1 off specialty fries and yes they also have beer...cheers to this play filled with Aloha. Thank you!

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    Café Kalawe - Cherry cobbler - good!

    Café Kalawe

    4.7(655 reviews)
    2.3 mi
    $$

    Love this restaurant & the staff are always so nice! They also have live music playing on Sundays…read morewhich is nice and different. I've dined in before but recently ordered take out. I appreciate that they have online ordering & a drive thru! The food is always good and filling! Love the variety on the menu and love going here!

    Support Local, Support Small Business!…read more This is a nice cozy Family-owned business. Not only a Diner/Restaurant but also has Merchandise and a hub for local made products. Also, on the Weekends you have Live Music while you eat. The menu is catered to the Local Hawaiian-American Breakfast, Brunch, or Lunch taste. It is pretty large as you could order Breakfast from open to Close at 2 PM. From simple Eggs, Rice, & Meat; Omelets, Pancakes & Waffles, to Plate Lunches, Sandwiches, and fresh Fruits and Desserts. On the Menu, some are marked as Popular Dishes, like mines Hapa Loco Moco Bowl: Hamburger patty and Corned Beef Hash Patty in Loco Moco form. Since it is covered in gravy and the egg, you only can tell the meat is cutting into or looking for it while eating. I'm glad Mac Salad or other sides are Ala Carte or sold separately because I was stuffed after eating it. Service was awesome! Staff was nice and friendly. I saw one was willing to talk story to a table who was asking about the Business'History. Only complaint and drop a Star is Beverage Refills. While family got Coffee refills, I vaguely remember Water refills and more important was my Drink (Raspberry Iced Tea) even though it was a Big cup, no one checked if I wanted more. (I would have taken 1/2 glass full towards the end or topped off depending when they asked.) 2nd time here, if it wasn't a family outing and good time the first time, I would only return if the fam wants to come here again for Brunch/Lunch after we pay our respects to family at Valley of the Temple the nearby Cemetery.

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    H & T Burgers

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    3.6(252 reviews)
    1.8 mi
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    The family always go for the burger combos, but daddy was hungry! Got the mixed plate and bruh it…read morewas soooooo good!! So much food, couldn't finish it. Shout out to the Aunty at the register and the two girls preparing the food!! Super nice and friendly!! Thanks again, definitely will be back for that mixed plate!!

    Tucked inside the mall, H&T Burgers ended up being the perfect lunch stop for my son and I. It had…read morebeen years since my last visit, but stepping up to the counter instantly brought back a wave of nostalgia. Long before it became H&T Burgers, I remember this spot as an Orange Julius back in the mall's early days so it's pretty special to see how it's evolved while still holding onto its charm. The space itself is small and casual, with just about five tables inside, but we lucked out and grabbed a seat right away. What really stood out from the start was the service. Sallie at the register was incredibly friendly and welcoming, making the whole experience feel even more enjoyable. Now, let's talk about the food. I ordered the #1 Teri Burger combo, and it absolutely delivered. The teri patty was generously smothered in that sweet, savory teriyaki sauce, layered with fresh lettuce, tomato, and mayo all tucked into a soft bun. I upgraded to the teri fries (only $0.50 more, totally worth it), and we even added another teri burger on the side because...why not? The best part? That first bite tasted exactly how I remembered it. Juicy, flavorful, and unapologetically messy (in the best way possible). You know it's a good burger when you don't even try to keep it neat. It's the kind of meal you just dive into and enjoy without overthinking. H&T Burgers isn't trying to be trendy or over-the-top & and that's exactly why it works. It's consistent, satisfying, and full of that comforting, local-style flavor that keeps you coming back. Safe to say, it won't be years before my next visit again.

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    H & T Burgers - Counter

    Counter

    H & T Burgers - Teri burger and teri fries combo (drink not in picture)

    Teri burger and teri fries combo (drink not in picture)

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