I know, you thought Wendell's had the biggest laulau. (A laulau is a traditional Hawaiian dish, typically pork wrapped in taro leaf.) Well, Kuhio Grill is home of the one pound laulau. You can read about Kuhio Grille history here kuhiogrille.com/about.ht... My first visit, we went for breakfast and enjoyed that so much... we went back for dinner the same weekend ....and I had one of the best dishes I've had on the island. I seriously felt like I should walk into the kitchen and compliment the chef. (I didn't). It looks ... strip mall blah.... from the outside. Anyway, it's nice and cool inside, generic diner decor with a few interesting touches. A beautiful portrait of an old Hawaiian man tending his taro patch in Waipio Valley at the turn of the century. I asked the waitress about it and she said it was the owner's grandfather and the photo has been reproduced in the Smithsonian (or something). For breakfast I had the taro corned beef hash. It was interesting and delicious. My friend had the french toast... which was good but unmemorable. For dinner my friend had the teri beef dinner which he said was the best teri beef plate he's had on the island yet. I had a special of beef and tomato over crispy noodles and this humble dish was one of the most delicious things I've eaten on the island. Finally we ordered this kind of boring-looking haupia custard square of dessert and WOW this was delicious and again, one of the best desserts I've had on the island. I thought my friend was crazy to order it but after a few bites I was like "OMG this is really good" and WHOMP it was gone. Yeah, you're going to pay a few dollars more here than at a plate-lunch drive-in place, plus tip, but we thought it was well worth it. Service was friendly and efficient, particularly the busboy who had a warm Aloha spirit. My friend who knows stuff says they have great tempura.... when i told him i didn't see it on the menu he told me it's a separate menu you have to ask for. What did I feel could be improved? The restroom was just OK. Oh yeah, also I think $4 to substitute fried rice is too high. Mashed potatoes tasted boxed. And finally, I loved the house Oriental dressing but on one night, I suspected it gave me a bad MSG hangover. So, if you are sensitive to MSG you may want to talk to your server about that issue. read more

I was very disappointed in this restaurant. I ordered the grilled fish and I am unsure what I actually got. The service was good (which is how it warranted 3 stars) but when I got my food I asked the waitress what it was: she laughed and said "not grilled fish." A manager came over at my request and said they could remake my meal, but I'd have to pay double as I would have gotten two meals. I said "you can take this one back." She declined saying that they couldn't absorb the loss. In fairness my daughter enjoyed her meal, and they did give me a ten percent discount of my approximately $20 "fish." I do wish they told me what I actually got, but they danced around the subject and I didn't eat it. read more

Pork Cutlet, Ate Three bites FAt Fat And FAT,, told the server it was all fat she left came back and the cook said it was all meat, my expression REALLy? Then she replied when I eat it? I don't give a 2 pieces what you ate, all I know is what? How ? Who ? WHY? how do you tell a customer oh I thought I was the paying customer, guess NOT!!!! Who? are you Lovally owned or foreigners acting like Hawaiian, cause no Hawaii would say the cook said!!! she or he would say oh auntie sorry can I get you something else!!! right!! RIGHT!!! now WHY? am I writing cause all the excuses in the world would never never never eat there again!!!! and promise to tell everyone I meet no no! no no! read more

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Kuhio Grille in Hilo, and it was an outstanding experience from start to finish. The staff were incredibly attentive and genuinely kind, making us feel welcome and well cared for. The food was fantastic--everything we tried was flavorful and cooked to perfection. But the real standout was the lilikoi cheesecake. I can't say enough about how amazing it was--creamy, tangy, and absolutely unforgettable! To top it off, the prices were very reasonable, especially considering the quality of both the food and service. If you're in Hilo, don't miss Kuhio Grille--it's a true gem! read more

I have been to many food establishment with in Hawaii, but to come back to a place 5 times in 1 week is not typical of me. The food here is awesome, I got a different meals each time because I thought that something had to suck or find something wrong. I was wrong this place is deffinatly a 5 star rating. The cooks are mean... and the workers are super friendly haven't see one not smiling or that they were having a bad day. Seems like they all like to come to work and enjoy what they do. Awesomeness highly recommended!!!!! read more

You know this place is great when you're one of the few ha'oles in the place. I have a hard time saying no to a teri-burger and mac salad, but the fried rice is also slammin. I haven't had anything here that I didn't like. You can tell this place is a family run place, and everyone is so nice. I will always visit when I'm in Hilo. read more

Food was excellent you got to try muffin or a biscuit they call it and have it cut and grilled very delicious eat it while it's still warm on the way to eat it. Service is very good best on the island. Ambiance go sit outside what a beautiful view of Mauna Kea. read more

It was so yummy. It was a lot of food for the reasonable price. My son & I should have shared a plate. But we had food to take home & that was fine. I will definitely go back again. read more

Great local food place to sit down and have a good meal. Never go wrong ordering the fried rice.

Go! Funny staff. Great food. Huge portions.

Laulau for days! One pound of local yumminess!

The food and service was both great.

not my style! greasy and tasteless.