@fortunefoodfinds: "This deserves a ROUND of applause! Whether you're visiting or simply wanting…read morelocal grindz, HELENA'S HAWAIIAN FOOD is sure to make your trip and/or meal feel complete. Ordered our must-haves: Short Ribs Pipikaula Style, Fried Butterfish Collar, Luau Squid, Long Rice Chicken, Lomi Salmon, Lau Lau, Poi, Mac Salad, Rice, n' their complimentary Haupia, Onions, n' Salt. Food so Ono I highly recommend, this very well-known local Hawaiian eatery again n' again!" SERVICE: fast n' fully staffed INTERIOR: spacious with limited seating EXTERIOR: gets hot, have water n' benches available WAIT TIME: came on a Thursday afternoon n' surprisingly wasn't too busy. After joining the waitlist that you sign in through the provided iPad, I would say 30 mins before getting seated. PARKING: very small free lot in front, limited spaces OVERALL COMMENTS: haven't had Helena's in a while so I've been craving it. Each visit is satisfying n' the food is always so good. I can't remember the amount of pieces they used to give for a large order of Short Ribs Pipikaula Style, it seemed smaller this time, but either way you gotta order it along with the Fried Butterfish Collar. Their Luau Squid is so creamy n' delicious just like everything else, all Ono. You can't go wrong bc this is truly local Hawaiian food at its finest!

I visited Helena's Hawaiian Food while vacationing in Oahu. I haven't been to Hawaii in years and…read moreall my friends raved about Helena's. I had to try it for myself. I expected the restaurant to have a long wait time, but we got lucky. There was no wait and my family and I were seated right away. As soon as we sat down, we were served with cups of ice cold water perfect for the hot humid day. We ordered Menu B which came with Kalua Pig and Pipikaula Short ribs with your choice of sides which we chose rice. We also ordered another plate of the short ribs and added haupia and mac salad. I wish I got the server's name, she was so cool but she explained all the food and how to eat the side dishes. They served sliced onions with pink salt and that was delicious. The short ribs were thick, tender, savory and had the perfect amount of fat. The flavor was addicting. The kalua pig was really good, perfect amount of salt and smoke flavor. The mac salad really well with all the food we ordered and that alone was already good. The haupia for dessert was the best way to end the meal. Everything was just heaven. Parking was easy since it was during the week and early in the afternoon, but there is street parking. The restaurant was clean, all the workers were really nice, and very attentive from start to finish. My sister and I split the bill, so I paid my portion and added a tip. The person processing my payment told me they had refunded my tip because gratuity was already included. How awesome is that?! I'm sure many other restaurants wouldn't have mentioned it and would have just accepted the extra tip. That level of honesty and service is what keeps people coming back, and it's one of the many reasons I would highly recommend Helena's to my friends and family who haven't been there yet. I plan to visit Hawaii again before the holidays and I'm definitely going to be eating here again. Mahalo to everyone at Helena's!

So much aloha in this place. The hostess was friendly and cleared a table as our friends waited for…read moreus to arrive. Our server was informative and helpful. The restaurant is quite busy during weekday lunch, but the tables cleared pretty quickly. Two of us shared the sampler ($33.99 for pork lau lau, compared to $31.99 for chicken lau lau), although our server said that some individuals order it for themselves. The sampler came with lomi lomi salmon, squid lu'au, chicken long rice, poi, lau lau (pork or chicken), sweet potato and poi. It was filling for the two of us. We thought we might add something else à la cart, but we didn't need anything more. So good. We were surprised by the sweetness of the coconut milk in the squid lu'au. Everything was yummy! We were happy to have had such tasty Hawaiian food. Yay! There's a smaller paid parking lot in front of the restaurant. It was full, so we went to the parking structure behind. The restaurant validated for 90 minutes. Remember to scan the QR code in the parking lot after you park and to ask the hostess at the restaurant to validate online before you leave the restaurant.

When the tattoo artist tells you where to eat Hawaiian food... you listen!…read more While we were in Hawaii, we told my husband's tattoo artist that we really wanted to try some Hawaiian food. Not the touristy version. We wanted to actually experience some of the local food, and she recommended Highway Inn Restaurant & Catering. So of course, we had to give it a try! From the moment we walked in, the atmosphere felt very laid-back and comfortable. Nothing overly fancy or trying too hard. It had that relaxed, home-style feeling where you could just sit down, eat, and enjoy yourself. Now let's talk about the food! I had the BBQ chicken with rice and salad, and that chicken was so tender! The barbecue sauce was absolutely delicious, and surprisingly, that salad was GOOD too. I loved the dressing they served with it. The hubby went more traditional and ordered the Lau Lau with pork, which gave us exactly what we came for, a chance to experience Hawaiian food while we were here. But y'all... I have to mention something completely random. THE COKE! I don't know what was going on with that Coke, but it tasted like Coke used to taste back in the day! I kept saying, "Now THIS tastes like a Coke!" Sometimes it really is the little things. The service was great. Our server was friendly, attentive, and made the whole experience easy and enjoyable. No complaints at all. As far as value, absolutely worth what we paid. Good food, good portions, friendly service, and a relaxed atmosphere. 4.5/5 Would we go back? Definitely. Especially if we wanted another casual spot for Hawaiian comfort food. And shout-out to the tattoo artist because she definitely didn't steer us wrong on this one!

If you want an iconic, classic Hawaiian plate lunch experience, Rainbow Drive-In is the ultimate…read morespot. It's no-frills, old-school comfort food at its absolute best, and the portions are huge for what you pay. ​Ordered the Mix Plate and the classic Loco Moco, washed down with a Strawberry Slush Float. The Mix Plate gives you a bit of everything--tender teriyaki beef, crispy fried mahimahi, and boneless chicken, all smothered in their signature brown gravy alongside scoop rice and creamy mac salad. The Loco Moco is straight perfection: juicy burger patties over rice, completely covered in gravy and topped with a fried egg. ​To top it all off, the slush float is an absolute necessity--sweet, icy, and super refreshing in the Kapahulu heat. ​The order-at-the-window counter vibe and covered picnic tables make it feel like stepping back in time. Quick, cheap, incredibly hearty, and delicious. Must-visit local staple whenever you're in Honolulu!

There was something very right about this drive in!! I stopped by for a quick dinner with the fam…read moreand ended up enjoying this place a lot more than I thought I would. I didn't expect much from this small corner diner, but everything turned out real solid! The exterior is especially entrancing, with its bright, rainbow neon sign that glows out the darkness of the night! The hooded interior was clean and followed well with the rainbow theme, especially with its rainbow pastel, title wallpaper. I would also like to compliment the workers, who were very nice and approachable! We ordered the loco moco plate, mixed plate, and saimin. Both plates were very filling and came in huge portions! The plates are for sure a top choice if you want a nice, hearty dinner! I especially enjoyed my loco moco! The saimin was less filling and came in an instant noodle cup. Still yet, it wasn't half bad--and it actually seems like a fairly good piece if you are on a diet or budget; it wasn't as expensive as the other dishes and only came out as 220 calories! I also want to note that they have a variety of tasty dessert pastries and icee treats if you are looking for a treat after your dinner. Overall, I would say this is a great diner to try if you've got a big appetite and are looking for something to share with a friend or family! Great vibes and great Hawaiian plate meals!

OMG! This was a dining experience! So, the restaurant was closing so my friend said we should eat…read morethere! I didn't know that the servings were group sized!! I found so many things that looked great on the menu, to include fried gizzards, boneless Kal Bi ribs, fully loaded fried rice, Mac salad and other stuff I can't recall! So the TWO of us ordered way too much! We tried to eat as much as we could and ended up taking the rest home! Everything we ordered was delicious, so we knew we were going to eat good leftovers! The restaurant was a great place to go with a group to eat and watch sports! Our Waitress (I have to remember to get names) was a track star, she was running to and from several tables of groups to deliver food! I will go again if they reopen!

house fried rice - so good with great texture Kim chee -…read moregood pork chops - ok huge portions here - 2 dishes will feed about 3-4 people

Highly recommend this spot for anyone craving or wanting to try Hawaiian food. The service is…read morealways friendly whenever we visit. We love this place--it's been a staple stop for us whenever we're on the islands. Waiaole Poi Factory is a real gem, with local decor and feel throughout the establishment. Thanks for the years of memories made here.

I can't even count how many times we've driven by this place en route to the North Shore. Finally…read moredecided to stop by for lunch. While they do have a parking, I suggest just parking on the street and walking up to the place. Signs clearly direct you to which window you can order food from and another for food pickup/dessert only ordering. We opted for combo plate (kalua pork and chicken long rice) w/ a side of poi. Both the kalua pork and chicken long rice were tasty but wished we had ordered rice instead so that i could mop up the delicious fat from the kalua pork! Loved the haupia pudding but wished they would give you a bit more. For dessert we ordered the tahitian sweet lady which was delicious! Wasn't a fan of the salmon lomi as it was pretty fishy for me. As we waited for our food, we noticed a dessert chilling on the ledge and joked with my wife that it was likely ours. Sure enough after 10 mins, the ice cream guy asked the cashier whose it was and at that time was our number called. Sadly, the ice cream had already started to melt. Wished they wouldn't have prepared the dessert until after our food was ready. Would definitely head back for their plate lunches and to try the sweet lady of waiahole dessert.

Kehau's Kitchen has SERIOUSLY GOOD FOOD! If you don't know,…read moreBETTER ASK SOMEBODY! My 5 star review is paired with their professionalism, efficiency, and aloha! I was able to order a catering order for a big event and everything was on time and excellent. Communication was top notch and again, they delivered on flavor, presentation, and aloha. Go in person! Eat here! Or order out and share with your 'OHANA! Thank you Kehau's Kitchen! Thank you Dayna!

This was a happy find. It seemed that most people came in for Da Pua'a Meet the Poke Nachos. Kalua…read morepig on one side and poke on the other, all on top of fried won ton skins. Broke da mouth (It was soooo yummy)! $25 plus change. We also got a lau lau combo, also quite tasty. There are a couple of longer tables that you may have to share. Smaller tables along the walls. Strip mall parking. Scan the QR code on the table for the menu and order online. But when we visited, the server came to our table to take our order.

We were waiting for our hotel room to be ready and wanted to grab some food since we were starving…read moreafter the flight. I was so happy to found that the Musubi Cafe was located nearby. We ended grabbing the unagi musubi, shrimp egg musubi, and their poke. It is a super quick grab and go experience. Our total was 22.14, which I don't think is too bad. The flavors of the musubis are soooo good! Everything was made so deliciously and fresh. It could get a bit messy eating it though because of the sauce, so make sure to grab napkins! Overall, I was really happy to have stopped by here for some quick lunch!

This Musubi Cafe is one of my favorite spots to grab a quick bite. They're open around 6:30 AM in…read morethe morning, and surprisingly you'll find a long line inside this cafe. There are 2-4 seats in this space, but you won't find anyone sitting at this cafe. Usually, it is grab and go. I was impressed with their various options. They have salmon musubi, tuna mayo musubi, and many more. My personal favorite is the chicken musubi, and I would usually buy it before I go off on a big adventure on the island or after my swim at Waikiki Beach. The staff here are kind, patient, and friendly. I wish I knew they had a stamp card because they actually do. I buy from them a lot. Along with musubi and sushi, you'll find that they sell trinkets, bags, and other souvenirs. Be sure to come by. They are handmade and fantastic!

Poke was fresh and good! $15.89 ($29.99/lb) + extra white…read morerice $1.75 The new location is a bit complicated for me, but I would still go there if I'm in the area.

My #1 spot on Oahu. I can't believe I've never written a review for this place but it's finally…read moretime. Everytime I visit, I always try to stop by 2-3 times, even on a short trip! The Spicy Shoyu Ahi is to die for but all their other selection is amazing. You really can't go wrong with any choice!

Absolutely love coming here! At every visit, the staff are friendly, welcoming, and helpful in…read moredeciding what to order (ie plate vs pupu platter). The meats are cooked perfectly and are juicy deliciousness! The chicken is wonderful and so is the butterfish collar! My favorite! The pork was also amazing on a previous visit. The environment is welcoming and the windows open allows a breeze to flow through. There are bathrooms to wash up before and after eating with your hands. The stickers are spot on ~ 'Whatchu Smokin'?' Highly recommend if you love bbq and want something unique that can't be found in the continental United States (at least that I know of).

I've been on a burger binge recently. Figure I'd try this place. Service was okay, if you're on a…read moretime limit this may not be the best place to get food. The burger itself was light. Very tiny portion of Kim chee, and the greens. Taste was fine, but I doubt if it's in house made. Nice view to eat, inside there's lots of seating but was too hot for me.

3.5 stars We wanted…read moreto try authentic Hawaiian food and came across this spot. The owner was very friendly and took the time to recommend dishes for us, including the laulau and lechon kawali. We also ordered the BBQ short ribs. Overall, it was a good experience trying Hawaiian food, but it's just not really our type of cuisine. The laulau was quite dry, and the preparation felt more like meat that had been boiled or cooked in liquid, which isn't something I usually enjoy. The lechon kawali had a crispy pork belly texture, topped with something similar to a salsa, but it didn't suit our taste either. Unfortunately, the cabbage served with it also had some black spots, which was off-putting. The BBQ short ribs were the highlight of the meal and the dish we enjoyed the most. We appreciate the experience and the hospitality, but the flavors just didn't quite match our personal preferences.

Good local Hawaiian food restaurant. Street parking only. Small restaurant I believe it was Ono…read moreHawaii on Kapahulu before. Now it is named the Da Ono Hawaiian Foods. Either the owner or the manager seemed like a one man show. He was the server, bus boy, and chef. Husband got the pipikalua short ribs/he enjoyed. Sisters got the pork lau lau which came with sweet potato, rice or poi, lomi lomi salmon (more onion and tomato than salmon). i got the chicken lau lau, again stuffed with chicken, not enough taro leaves. The Haupia was smoky, so either burnt or something- inedible! Only six tables in the entire restaurant. The gentleman that was serving us I believe was also the bus boy, cook, server and cashier! Place is a hole in the wall with missing ceiling tiles and exposed panels above our table (gross!!). Sis loves this dive so we keep coming back!