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    Koolau Drive Inn

    4.0 (152 reviews)
    Open 10:00 am - 8:00 pm

    Koolau Drive Inn Photos

    KOOLAU DRIVE INN ATMOSPHERE

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

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    Recommended Reviews - Koolau Drive Inn

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    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!

    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

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    1 month ago

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    8 months ago

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    2 years ago

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    5 months ago

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    2 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Tony N.

    Tony N.

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    7 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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    1 year ago

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    3 months ago

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    2 years ago

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    9 months ago

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    1 year ago

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    4 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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    9 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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    1 year ago

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    7 months ago

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    9 months ago

    Business owner information

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    Tony N.

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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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    10 months ago

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

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    10 months ago

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    5 years ago

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    10 months ago

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    2 years 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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    2 years ago

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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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    7/16/26 We are so…read morehappy to have been able to come try Adela's country Eatery today! Thanks to so many yelpers for the recommendation! Adela's is definitely worth the drive out. We were worried about the long wait so checked out the website and put in a phone order. We ordered the yummy Pork Malunggay noodles and Ube with Shrimp and Garlic sauce! The pasta noodle texture is seriously on point! I would make the trip over and over again. Sooo good! Millie is the sweetest! She took our phone order and helped us from arrival to departure. Upon arrival, we let Millie know we phoned in our order, and wanted to pick out some cheesecakes and drinks Togo! Such hard decisions. We ended up with Ube and Lychee Cheesecakes and both were delicious! We love supporting small businesses! The ambiance is so welcoming! They were so busy and for such a small establishment, was pushing a lot out of this tiny space. No seating inside, small bench outside so please be ware. Many were eating in their vehicles! Can't wait to come back!

    You must try Adela's, especially if you're a pasta lover. In-house made with local ingredients…read more It's a walk up place so be prepared to order and go. Short drive from Kailua was easy Food was amazing and can't wait to go back. My dinner partner isn't a pasta fan but loved it too. I got the Ulu garlic butter sauce with mushroom and chicken. It lasted me two meals!! The other was ube pasta with garlic butter sauce with brisket. So delicious. Service was simple. Aunteh has a microphone headset so pay attention and you'll know what's up and when your order is ready. She's very sweet and so are the other staff.

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    Adela’s Country Eatery - We're so grateful to share that we've been named #7 on @Yelp's 2024 Top 100 Places to Eat in the US! Mahalo for all your love and support!

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    Adela’s Country Eatery - Fresh handmade Ulu and Moringa pasta

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    Waiahole Poi Factory - Side of poi

    Waiahole Poi Factory

    3.9(149 reviews)
    1.8 mi
    $$

    I absolutely love Waiahole Poi Factory it's one of those true local gems that feels like home the…read moremoment you arrive. Everything tastes authentic and full of aloha, but my favorite has to be the poi ice cream with warm poi at the bottom. That mix of warm, earthy poi with cold, creamy ice cream is something so unique and unforgettable. It's the kind of dessert you can't really find anywhere else, and it really shows the beauty of traditional Hawaiian food with a modern twist. The whole experience feels special, from the food to the laid-back, old-style atmosphere. Please open more locations in Honolulu town we need this kind of local flavor closer to the city!

    Yesterday, my boyfriend and I ate at Waiahole Poi Factory in Windward Mall. We both ordered the…read morecombo plate with laulau and kalua pig. Unfortunately, we were very disappointed with the food. The kalua pig was dry, and the laulau lacked flavor, rice was hard like it was sitting in the pot all day. The poi was white with chunks throughout it and did not have the fresh taste we were expecting. Overall, the entire plate tasted like it wasn't fresh, and the poi was especially disappointing. We had heard good things about this place from friends and were excited to try it, but our experience did not live up to the recommendations. Sadly, we will not be returning.

    Photos
    Waiahole Poi Factory - End of food court by the mall entrance.

    End of food court by the mall entrance.

    Waiahole Poi Factory - Squid luau and kalua pig combo

    Squid luau and kalua pig combo

    Waiahole Poi Factory - Kalua Pig and Lau Lau

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    Haleiwa Joe's - Prime Rib ($52.95) - Medium Rare!

    Haleiwa Joe's

    4.1(3.2k reviews)
    1.7 mi
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    Such a fun place and the staff was AMAZING! When i told them we were here to celebrate a wedding…read moreanniversary, they jumped into action. I wanted to make sure there was no fight over the bill, so they took my card at the front desk and made sure our waitress understood the task. There was happy hour at the bar, so we started there and the bartender was so fun and friendly. The drinks were so yummy too. Ambience was stellar as they sat us outside with a view of sunset. All the dishes were were perfectly done. We had fish, prime rib, chicken, appetizers, all were so good. The $80 prime rib might seem steep but it was the most popular dish at the table. That anniversary meal was perfect. Highly recommend and so worth it. Will be back!

    I would say that Haleiwa Joe's is a strong 3/5!…read more The views from the restaurant are AMAZING, especially as the sun goes down, and the wait is definitely worth it if you enjoy taking a walk around the premises; BUT if you don't like waiting for more than 45 minutes (we waited about an hour and 20 minutes for a party of 5 at 6PM), a crowded waiting area, crowded eating space, and an extremely small parking lot, this may not be the place for you. I also would say that the price for food is a little pricier for my liking for the taste. The food isn't exotic, but it did taste good and their bread and guava butter were my favorite part of my restaurant experience! If it wasn't for the service, I would've given the restaurant a 3/5. Despite the long line/wait, the staff was actually really interactive and proactive with the parties they were serving, which we really appreciated! I didn't feel like we were waited long to get our food, eat, and get our check at the end, which was so perfect. It was a great first time at Haleiwa Joe's, but I'm not sure if it'll be a repeat for me! If you're in and want an amazing view for dinner though, this is great!

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    Haleiwa Joe's - Interior

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    Koolau Drive Inn - burgers - Updated July 2026

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