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    Koolau Drive Inn

    4.0 (150 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 groups
    Dogs allowed

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    Recommended Reviews - Koolau Drive Inn

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    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!

    Tammy A.

    Omg CHECK THIS PLACE OUT! Spotless little family run place! Everything was prepared fresh and you could taste it in the food. We got mochiko chicken, shrimp and broccoli noodle plate, miso ramen and cheeseburger and wrinkles fries for my picky son. Hahaha Generous portions and everything was mouth watering! In a little unassuming strip mall across from the beautiful Byodo In temple. Go see them... you won't regret it!

    Fried chicken wings
    Reyna A.

    They have re-opened and so far their menu looks mostly the same. I ordered the seafood platter & fried chicken wing plate. I did not order ahead so the wait time was moderate. Fiod quality, portions, prices & taste are how I remembered it. Prices might be slightly higher, not sure. It was very busy today. Lots of seats and big tables. Nice a/c. Pleasant staff.

    BBQ short rib plate, chicken and katsu combo, healthy garlic shrimp, chicken teriyaki plate

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    18 days ago

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    14 days ago

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    2 years ago

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    4 months ago

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    5 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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    2 months ago

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    2 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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    10 months ago

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    7 months ago

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    2 years ago

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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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    2 years ago

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    7 months ago

    Business owner information

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    1 year ago

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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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    9 months ago

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

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    9 months ago

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    1 year ago

    Clean restaurant with friendly staff. The mochiko chicken is my favorite as well as the spicy chicken wings and garlic ahi!

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    1 year ago

    Fast food service. For a drive in it was pretty nice. The food was reasonably good as well.

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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 2 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 15 reviews

    Read more highlights

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    Whiskey Smoke 808 - $21.00 Bbq Pork Rib Plate (with three ribs).

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    4.4(483 reviews)
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    We sampled: Loco…read moreMoco bowl - Regular size with brisket 2 choice plate: - Brisket - Pork rib Comes with 2 sides: - Smoked mac and cheese - BBQ beans Nachos - Size small with brisket Pork rib was great but if I had to choose one, I'd go with brisket. It was tender and moist, which is hard to find because most are really dry. The cuisine at this restaurant is reminiscent of mainland style BBQ. 26 photos should be included with this review.

    What's up 808 and visitors to the 808,…read more This BBQ is excellent plus, we enjoy our experience at Whiskey Smoke 808. Literally we ate everything on our plates with that in mind, we almost ate up our plate as well. The customer service was fantastic. Excellent plus they cater to our needs and then also some dietary restrictions that were easily adjusted. I ended up ordering the beautiful pulled pork nachos, which were fantastic made with an excellent brilliant taste and cheese sauce, which they make on site themselves and also utilizes it in the macaroni and cheese. I was more than pleased with this restaurant. Highly recommend it and will definitely be coming back again when we visit the 808. The environment gives classic barbecue restaurant lots of good art on the wall lots of good high-quality vibes thank you guys so much and really appreciate what you're doing.

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    Jolene's By The Bay - Kaneohe - Pastrami Salad..pastrami so soft and tender.

    Jolene's By The Bay - Kaneohe

    4.0(220 reviews)
    3.2 mi
    $$

    Jolene's has been a really great place to relax and eat after a hot day of golf. They recently…read moreupdated the menu to offer several new items that I've been trying, and they're all winners. I especially love the sweet potato waffle fries, that are now offered on the HH menu. The candied pork belly and fish and chips are two of my new favorites. They also just added a new item, Sweet and sour spare ribs, much like what you'd get at your favorite Chinese restaurant. I ordered it as a take-out, and it was provided in two separate containers; one with the rice and pickled veggies and the other holding the spare ribs with a ton of sauce. There actually was too much sauce, and I suggested that they reduce the amount so it doesn't overwhelm the overall dish. The flavor is really good, and what you'd expect of you crave that sweet, tangy flavor. Another new favorite for my list.

    Jolene's is peak indulgent comfort food. The entire menu is filled with crave-able meals that reads…read morelike a textbook of delicious culinary creations: different types of loco moco, variations of fries, brisket, burgers, melts, I could go on. Everything is so rich and delicious. Why aren't more people thinking to put chowder on top of waffle fries? This particular location is right next to the Bayview golf course and driving range. There is both indoor and outdoor seating, and a lot of people are there with their clubs before or after golfing. It's a very relaxed environment. You can order on a QR code menu or with a server, and the food comes out pretty quick. Plenty of parking available in the parking lot.

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    Jolene's By The Bay - Kaneohe - Inside

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    Jolene's By The Bay - Kaneohe - Pastrami Salad

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    Café Kalawe - Cherry cobbler - good!

    Café Kalawe

    4.7(642 reviews)
    2.3 mi
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    I remember when this place was a Zippy's, and then Dean's. I think I went to the Zippy's once…read moresince my parents lived down the street. But when my niece was out here, she stopped by and said the food was really good. They also had live music. So when I found myself heading home from my parents, I stopped here to eat cause I was starving! I entered and it was a little busy so it took a while for the friendly server to come give me a seat, and she apologized. The menu is pretty extensive with a lot to choose from. I decided on the Hapa Loco Moco, a corned beef patty and a hamburger patty. I also asked to sub the kim chee fried rice, which is extra. I also ordered a side of mac salad, which was good, but different. But the Hapa is really good! Rich gravy over it all. I do wish there was more corned beef than potatoes in the patty, but it was good. I do recommend getting the kim chee fried rice because it's AMAAAAAAAAAAZINGLY delicious! So full of flavor! The service was great! Lots of locals coming in as I was getting to leave. Great place to come to! Mahalo Cafe Kalawe!!!

    Update on Cafe Kalawe this is my first time here ever since they moved . This was Deans drive in…read morebefore and before that Zippy's. Day after Christmas took my sister and brother in law here for breakfast because originally we wanted to check another place but they were crowded. I ordered their Kim Chee fried rice omelette it was good came with toast or English muffin. I also ordered a side order of original pancake it was nice a buttery not bad . Nice amount of parking right in front of restaurant and they also have brunch items to choose from along with their homemade desserts . Unfortunately I was full from my breakfast didn't have room for dessert. Support local when in the area

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    Café Kalawe
    Café Kalawe - Zaifala top view

    Zaifala top view

    Café Kalawe - The Zaifala, highly recommended

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    The Zaifala, highly recommended

    Adela’s Country Eatery - #1 "Best Restaurant in Hawai`i" USA Today 2024 Readers' Choice Awards

    Adela’s Country Eatery

    4.8(3.8k reviews)
    2.0 mi
    $$
    Locally sourced ingredients
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    Located inside a gas station, the entrance vibe initially threw us off, but wow, Adela's absolutely…read moredelivered. We ordered the avocado pasta with Florentine and short rib, and it was heavenly. Easily one of the best flavor combinations I've had in a long time. Honestly, 6 out of 5. The portions are massive too, one plate can comfortably feed two people. We also tried the shrimp and the brisket. Both were very good, but the short rib dish completely stole the show. Everything was packed well and ready to go. My only suggestion would be to include more napkins and upgrade the utensils a bit to better match the quality of the food. The cheesecake, unfortunately, left a lot to be desired. Given how incredible the mains were, I had high expectations, but it didn't deliver. 2 out of 5. I'd skip dessert next time. Millie at the front was incredibly courteous and handled the constant stream of incoming orders calmly and professionally. There's no seating area, so plan for takeout and enjoy it somewhere calm by the beach for the best experience. Also, definitely order ahead by phone if you can. Wait times can easily reach 30-40 minutes depending on the time of day. Definitely a hidden gem, and I would absolutely come back again for the short ribs.

    I now understand the hype about Adela's and don't know why I haven't tried them sooner! It was a…read morelittle overwhelming because they had so many options to choose from but they do have suggested popular specials or just a make your own plate. Decided to try their moringa pasta with the lemon cream sauce and added some chicken for protein. I thought it was a bit much for $30 but given the hefty plate, this was easily 3 meals for me--well worth it in my opinion. The pasta was a bit over cooked but I really enjoyed the lemon cream sauce. A generous amount of chicken as well. Couldn't leave without getting some dessert, so got a calamansi lime cheesecake and the lychee cheesecake. I wish there was a stronger calamansi flavor to the cheesecake but the lychee one was delicious! Service was quick, you order what you want and they call you when your order is ready, if you want to explore around the area/wait in your car. I waited no more than 10-15 mins. There's no seating inside, so this is a grab and go type of place. Next time, I'll be sure to just call in the order and maybe request for the sauce on the side so my noodles aren't mushy.

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    H & T Burgers

    H & T Burgers

    3.6(247 reviews)
    1.8 mi
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    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.

    Daughter brought us home Teri burgers and fries for a late lunch. We've hear of H & T before and…read morewanted to try it. Yes, we had takeout and will take that into consideration with this review. Service was good, from what she told us, and the place was nice and clean. Ambiance, check. For the food, it was just ok. Teri burgers were a little too salty, even for Teri burgers, and the sauce was a thicker style. Flavor was ok and mayo was a bit too heavy. Fries were a little soggy but remember, we did take out and it was 30+ minutes before we ate so completely understandable. That's on us. Overall, it was just ok. Price and taste. Probably won't come back here, definitely not unless we are there and ate there. If not, there are a lot of just as good or better options closer to home.

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    H & T Burgers - Entrance

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

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    Pan's Kitchen - Vegetable omelet

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    4.2(210 reviews)
    1.9 mi
    $

    Instead of eating at Windward Mall we made a stop here instead. The outside is rather nondescript…read moreand with an odd mix of other businesses. I can see how parking could be a challenge but we got lucky finding a parking space and most of the customers were doing takeout so there is a lot of turnover. The menu is a good mix of local food. I felt like having fish so debated between the grilled mahi or a daily special of grilled ahi. Since it was a special I decided to get the ahi. I didn't know it was going to have a garlic and green onion topping on top. I like garlic so no problem for me. It came with 2 good sized portions of ahi, two scoops of rice, and mac salad. For the price ($14.99) I thought it was a good deal. Service was efficient and there is a good amount of tables inside. I would like to try other dishes to see if they do well with other types of food. We also ordered the teriyaki chicken bowl. I did not taste any but it looked good and included broccoli which is an upgrade over just having mac salad.

    This morning my friend decided to buy me breakfast since I pick her up from the airport . This…read moreplace was always on my radar and finally got to check them out . My sister been there before and she said it's cheap and they give a lot . Since it's Saturday it was pretty crowded we were lucky enough to find a table . My friend went up to order I ask her I wanted Eggs easy over w/ Vienna sausage. . They practically gave the whole can of Vienna most places only 4 - 5 pieces . The breakfast was very good and of course the company. Pan's Kitchen is located in the same parking lot of Enterprise car rental along with Nanko fishing supplies . Next time I will definitely have their plate lunches . Support local

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    Pan's Kitchen - Counter

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    Pan's Kitchen - Nice fish!

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    Koolau Drive Inn - burgers - Updated June 2026

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