This is the best food place ever, everything is great. When i drive down there the workers are awesome.

My Yelp buddy - Li Y. sure knows her grindages!!!! After spying da pics, & reading Li Y.'s review of Penny's Drive In on Yelp..........I was totally SOLD!!! Gurl, you sure know your grindages!!!! I mean, HOW CAN GO WRONG??? 1. Plate Lunch = Good 2. Rice = Good 3. Curry = Good 4. Chicken Katsu = Very Good 5. Runny Egg = Like my Yelp buddy - John K., would say.........."an egg on top makes everything better!" True, so true...... 6. Da buggah was CHEAP @ ($5.95), yet da buggah was ONO too! So I made my way down to the Sand Island industrial area today for lunch with my coworkers. Penny's Drive In is just next door to a dog store called Pawpals. Although Penny's has a few tables where you can eat inside, it's basically a cafeteria take out joint. Upon walking into Penny's, we were greeted right away, and upon looking over the wall menu, I already knew what I wanted to eat, as I wanted to eat what my Yelp buddy - Li Y. had eaten. But as I looked all over the wall menu, I finally found out that the Katsu Curry Loco Moco was served as a breakfast special from 5 AM to 10 AM. I was kinda bummed, as we came here during lunch, but good thing my friend asked the lady if we could get this special during lunch time, and she was nice enough to do that for us. Whoo Hoo! What I can I say about da grindz! I gotta tell you straight up that the Katsu Curry Loco Moco is a solid (4), but I had to bump it up a point cuz da nice lady wen' hook us up! Like I said before......... 1. Plate Lunch = Good 2. Rice = Good 3. Curry = Good 4. Chicken Katsu = Very Good 5. Runny Egg = Like my Yelp buddy - John K., would say.........."an egg on top makes everything better!" True, so true...... 6. Da buggah was CHEAP @ ($5.95), yet da buggah was ONO too! 7. And da nice lady wen' hook us up!!!!! PARKING - Finding parking here can be a bit rough, but we were lucky enough to secure a parking stall just in front of the restaurant. I noticed a lot of people that came here mostly walked into this place, but of course they looked like they worked in the industrial area anyways. Looking for a great deal? Check out Penny's Drive In @ the Sand Island industrial area. read more

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Make sure you bring cash when you visit this place. Cash only! They do have an ATM inside. Came in for lunch one day, you're greeted by friendly aunties working behind the counter. Styrofoam lunch plates stacked on the pass-through ready for the cooks to put the entrees. A small crowd gathered in front of the counter and in front of the entrance - you might need to wait outside. Old school menu hang on the wall. The typical plate lunches - you know the Beef Curries, da Beef Stews, shoyu chickens, roast pork/beef and pork adobos. My first time here, I chose to have pork adobo - cuz.. you know. The pork adobo plate was tasty and good portion! Really tender pork and the onions gave it a nice touch! I might try the roast pork next time, came in big portion! read more

Penny's Drive In - Pork Adobo - Hawaiian Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

About once or twice a year I have a craving for one of Penny's caloric cholestorol filled breakfasts and none other will substitute. This is the place where truck drivers and construction workers come because they know they will get more than one can handle portions. One order easily feeds me for breakfast AND lunch. It's also the place where everyday people come for some good ole home cooking! The last time I came here I saw the ladies behind the counter greet one of their regular older customers as he entered through the door. With no one with him he ordered food for 5 or 6 meals! The counter gal explained to me that he always buys for him and his mom for two or three days worth of food. Nothing fancy. You will find comfort in their beef stew, their chicken katsu, pork chops, and their awesome breakfasts. Breakfast specials include their famous locomoco, chicken katsu moco, lup chong and eggs, and my personal favorite their chicken katsu curry moco...maybe once or twice a year! Penny's is located at the beginning of Sand Island Road, just beyond Y.Hatas and before the Lunch Box. Go and you will find some of the friendliest counter gals. Free parking right in front of the building. read more

Penny's Drive In - Hawaiian Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Great cheap eats! Home made corner beef hash and pork adobo fried rice are always good. The Katsu Curry Moco was also tasty! read more

Penny's Drive In - Katsu Curry Moco - Hawaiian Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Hole in the wall where you least expect one. When you drive down Sand Island Access Road you have many local grinds to choose from. 6am and getting off the freeway viaduct and figured I would grab some breakfast since my stomach was so empty. I thought of going to Lunch Box but my hunger wanted to frolic so I parked and Yelped Penny's Drive-In (one n) and saw great reviews about $5 plate deals. They rose the prices since then but $5.95 plus taxes is still a deal to me! I seen Katsu Moco, Chicken Curry, and omelettes on the specials menu but decided to order their made in-house corned beef hash. I am glad I did. It was made the way I like it and it was so flavorful that I did not even need ketchup. It comes with eggs (you choose how u like em) and a mountain scoop of rice. All for $5.95...n mind u this local establishment is Cash Only. This place is also small and gives off a cozy home vibe since you see stools and different tables and chairs which is nice to see that they made use of the space inside for dining in guests. It reminded me of a hole in the wall in WA state. They also bake pies and cakes which are sold by the slice. If you also need an energy drink, they got those, too. For u early birders, as long as here get here by 10am u can score on the best breakfast/brunch meals in town! They have lunch items as well, so i hope to come back and try more of their dishes! read more

Penny's Drive In - Corned beef hash plate comes with two (it's hiding underneath). All for $5.95. - Hawaiian Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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I haven't been to this place in over 5 years and the food tastes just as I remember it. The service has definitely improved. It used to be a lunch wagon (truck) and turned into a whole in the wall diner. They are known for their Beef Stew and pickled onions. It gets really crowded in the early morning and lunch time with blue collar workers. Parking is limited and gets pretty tight around there time as well because they bring their big trucks. It's one of the few "mom and pop" operations still around. I recommend visiting here at least once. read more

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If I could give this place 0 stars I would for sure. Lady hesitated for minutes to give me my change, I'm sure she just intended for me to forget and walk away. As I stand there for 5 minutes literally in front of the cashier she yells at me to move out of the way of the register, I tell her I'm still waiting for my change! Rude. Funny thing is, my intention was to put all the change in the tip jar but definitely not after that. Good job lady, your service is sh!t. read more

Penny's never disappoints with good food and super tasty! Try the roast pork with gravy all over! No forget, pickled onions! Da Best! I never spent no more than 3 minutes in this place! It's a small space with about 3 tables. They cater to mostly truck drivers and working guys from the area so service gotta be FAST!!! read more

Very pedestrian, above average eatery. They have a reasonable menu and offer breakfast as well. Good thing is they offer the lunch menu during breakfast hours. read more

Average plate lunch in size and taste. Hamburger Steak and Hamburger Curry were ok. Pickled onions were ono and the reason I rounded up from 2.5 stars. Worth the extra charge. No big value at $11.52 read more

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Great service and ono food!! Plates come with ono pickled onion too! For those of you that don't know, they also accept credit/debit card now! There's no need to worry about taking out cash. read more

This past month I wanted to eat Beef Stew from Penny's Drive-in...But from my Hanabata Days I remember eating Beef Stew Plate from the original Penny's Lunchwagon at Sand Island before the Park was created...My Dad would catch Opae & pick Ogo then we would get Beef Stew Plate ($1.00) with Mac salad & Pickle onion from Penny's Lunchwagon...Happy to say Penny's Drive-in still serve the Hanabata Days Beef stew with the same Mac salad & Pickle onions,,,ONO!ONO! Please Check Penny's Drive-in for old school comfort Food....Aloha! read more

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The best. Customer service probably the best. They remember you and your name. Their fried rice is super ono and reminds me of my grandmothers read more

Food was reasonable priced, the setting was fun, clean, and customer service was friendly and efficient!.

Another morning go to. Call ahead to just grab and go. They also have a variety of sandwiches to take with you as an extra. Adobo fried rice is regular fried rice and adobo added, that was a little different. Their regular fried rice plates are awesome. Price is right even after the pandemic. read more

Who sells a mini plate for $10! Jack up your prices, then past them onto your loyal customers is just sad way to be treated after all the years. I understand the COVID situation which is why I and others come through your doors to support you with our business. But I feel you only want to empty our pockets to fill yours. We too are struggling. Help us to help you. No rip us off. read more

Ono food and great service! All the food and prices are on point. Beef stew, beef curry, hamburger curry, and all the roasts are super ono. Their garlic chicken is also mayjah too. Definitely worth the try, won't disappoint. read more

The roast pork and roast beef plate are winners. Don't forget the pickle onions. That's pretty much the only two I get over here. They serve the meat on the rice. Plenty of meat and Mac salad but the rice seems like one scoop versus two. Not sure why. It's like a thin bed of rice. If I bring it home, I usually just add another scoop rice ‍. Regardless, good stuff for reasonable price $12 something regular plate. read more

Penny's is good local grindz with some Hawaiian food options. That's good because Helena's and Young's Fish Market should not be my only choices by where I work. The lau lau was good as well as the beef stew. No lomi lomi that day so I was sad. Their signature pickled onions were solid. This is a good option for Sand Island folk. read more

Penny's Drive In - Hawaiian plate with pickled onions - Hawaiian Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Mediocre food. I just got one question... WHY YALL RICE ALWAYS COLD?! I just don't understand why every time I get a plate from here, their rice is ALWAYS COLD. Food is ok. Not all that cracked up to be. People hype this place so much. read more

Yelp 365 Challenge #23/365 Looking for a place that serves big portions, cheap prices, and friendly service? Search out the eating places near industrial areas. You'll find lunch trucks, small drive-ins or fast food. You'll also find Penny's Lunch Wagon Yesterday, I had to go to my honey's workplace because we ordered new flooring for our house (YESSSS). I had to stop by the bank and zeroed in on Penny's Lunch Wagon and the first thought that came to mind was... Roast Pork Plate As soon as I paid for the flooring, I called up Penny's Lunch Wagon to pre-order my roast pork plate. You either have the choice of big or mini. I chose the mini because the portions are still huge! Although they are called Penny's Lunch Wagon, it is actually a small place in a big building with other shops. Don't expect it to be fine-dining. This is a place where most orders are take out since everyone is usually on the go. If you do decide to eat there, there is a small eating area. The service is quick and friendly and the prices are cheap/reasonable. Note: CASH ONLY read more

Years ago a good friend of mine recommended I stop here if ever in the area for a good cheeseburger as I'm obsessed with them. And mentioned they had good plate lunches too. Let's just say I was not disappointed. Fast forward several years, husband and I were in the area and I had that light bulb moment of lets go to Penny's!! I totally forgot about this place! So happy we stopped! Hawaiian Plate-($12) Very good!! Love the beef stew; lau lau had good ratio; pickled onions; Kalua pig was small kine salty but good. read more

Penny's Drive In - Hawaiian Plate - Hawaiian Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

I haven't been here in a long time and it was nice to see Penny's Drive In still in operation. I love old school places like this that cater to the working class such as the commercial drivers who need a quick, cheap and filling meal that is ready in 2 minutes. It was a little after 1:00 when we arrived at Penny's and I was surprised that after I ordered my meals were ready in literally 2 minutes. My wife had mini roast turkey for $9.75. Cheap, but for $1 more we should have ordered the full plate. It was good but the complaint I have was that I prefer poultry gravy instead of the all purpose brown gravy. I ordered the tripe stew and turkey mix with pickled onions. Again the turkey was covered in brown gravy, but the tripe stew was good and the portions were heavy. There are so many items on the menu and the combinations are endless, so there is something here for everyone. I will return for the affordable breakfasts next. A lot of hearty breakfast items are priced under $6. read more

Penny's Drive In - Roast turkey tripe stew mix, $10.75 plus onions. - Hawaiian Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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Thank you my local Yelp peeps for introducing me to this place! This is place is my new addiction and the only place on the island with legit $5 plate lunches. If I were indestructible, I'd eat here every morning! Only thing you need to know 10 am. That's the time they stop having their $5 specials. This includes Katsu moco, Katsu curry moco, and loco moco. They also have homemade corned beef hash that they usually run out of by 10 as well for the same price. Each plate comes with a bed of rice and two eggs anyway you like. They use a dark beefy gravy and the curry has the perfect balance of flavors. I never liked local kind curries until I had theirs. The chicken is more like mochiko than katsu. It's bits of dark meat with skin left on to crisp, marinated, lightly battered, and deep fried to perfection. The beef patty in the loco moco is the best beef patty of all the hole in the wall plate lunches out there. It has a nice garlic, onion taste. The cherry on top is their French toast for $4! You can choose any meat with 2 eggs anyway. I don't know if anyone else does this, but I get a hamburger patty for the meat with gravy and throw it on my katsu moco plate for poor man's loco moco! read more

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What a disappointment. Pennys stands for the amount of money they put in to the food they serve you. Hang it up guys! Time to retire!

I go here if I need to eat breakfast during the weekdays. The fried rice plate is cheap and filling. For $5.50 you get two scoops fried rice (meat and onions no green onions) two eggs and 4 pieces bacon. The mini spaghetti is filling and cheap and comes with garlic bread (haven't had it in awhile though) All the menu items are reasonably priced and the service is friendly and efficient. Definetely a place to add to your list of cheap good food Usually I just go for the mini which is more than enough to satisfy. Spaghetti - is real good and comes with garlic bread Hamburger curry - always good Hamburger steak - good Fried Chicken - has unusual seasoning on it. =( read more

This spot has been serving Ono grinds since I was a kid! Best Roast Pork and of course you gotta have the Pickled Onions. They're only open For take out so best to call ahead because they can get crowded. They don't allow more then one person at a time, and they keep the place very clean and sanitized for the customers and their safety so I really like that! Friendly staff, good food, and great value! read more

If you like great food and a great price, this place is it.. It is easy to find off of Sand Island Access Road and parking in the front... The most amazing thing I like to get is their meatloaf with pickled onions and some Tabasco.. read more

Katsu moco is the bomb. It's more like mochiko chicken then chicken katsu but I guess mochiko moco isn't as catchy(?) The gravy is the dark brown style and a little on the salty side, but is still perfectly balanced. read more

They make the most amazing food. I usually do not like my ahi cooked but they make the most amazing fried ahi. Everything is really really good here. It's a place a lot of local lunch crowd goes to pick up lunch. They don't serve dinner and because of covid there is no inside eating but they do have picnic benches adjacent to their parking lot. We drove from Waikiki twice to eat here. It was recommended to us by local friends who love to eat. The ladies running the place are really helpful and nice. read more

Penny's Drive In - Roast pork, garlic chicken and pork adobo. - Hawaiian Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Came in the morning when it wasn't busy, got me some golden fried chicken! It's really nice how convenient it is from my work place. They're Crispy on the outside juicy on the inside! Chickens are bomb! The only downside is that they don't take debit or credit cards, cash only! read more

Penny's Drive In - My golden crispy on the outside juicy on the inside chickens. They are bomb! - Hawaiian Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Penny's is such a good lunch find, especially for people who work on Sand Island! It looks a little deceiving in the outside, but inside is this place decorated with a lot of love. I've only been there a couple of times, but I appreciate the quality and price of the cheeseburger combo: a legit burger and fries with drink for $5.95!? I don't know if McDonald's can match that. Everyone inside is sweet, and they have their system going to feed the lunch rush as they come in. I'll be back when I have the hankering for an ono cheeseburger read more

I try to go here when I can. Always get the same plate lunch, sweet sour spare ribs with pickled onions. The pork adobo is okay and I used to alternate between the two but a after a couple of times, I noticed it was a little on the dry side. It's okay but just a personal preference that I like it little more "wet." But the spare ribs are spot on. And what puts this over the top is the onions and mac salad. read more

Terrible experience. First and last time. I phone ordered my food and the lady that answered the phone was rude and loud. She rushed me off the phone while I was trying to finish my order. Terrible customer service. I ordered a curry chicken kastu and it went straight to the trash. Wasted my money. Over cooked, curry was too salty, and the macaroni salad sucked read more

Been going here since I was a kid in the 80's, good people good food. Roast pork melts in your mouth, fried rice the right way! Where kanaka go who know good food! read more

The best roast pork left on island. My go to used to be Tsukenjo's, but since Grandma passed, food just not the same. Also miss Kewalo's lunch wagon good home made food. Friend took me here for lunch. Said the roast pork was good. Brought back many memories. I've since been back a number of times. For the roast pork. One day I went to late, and the roast pork was all gone. Ended up with the roast turkey. Was good, but not as good as the roast pork. Place reminds me of Tuskenjo's and Kewalo's. The good old days. People say the fried rice and loco moco are good. Maybe next time when they run out of the roast pork. The staff is always friendly. Even the cook comes out to talk sometimes. Service is fast. Reminds me of how old hawaii used to be. Miss the Tsukenjo's, Kewalo's, and Windy's. This, and Jane's Fountain, are the last of the old hawaii. As far as I know. read more

Fresh off the plane, my Dad was ono for a good plate lunch, Quick. We stopped at Penny's on Sand Island. He had the roast pork with sweet sour spare ribs, extra mac salad and pickled onions. I had the mini roast pork plate. The roast pork was cut in cubes, it was tender and delicious. I didn't care for the mac salad, they add sugar to it. His sweet sour spare ribs weren't as tender as the roast pork. Typical construction guys coming in for lunch. Service was friendly and fast. I would recommend this place but I'd like to try some other dishes before weighing in. They use to be a red lunch wagon and now they're a diner. About 4 small tables for a quick bite. Check them out http://tastyisland.wordpress.com/2008/09/11/kalihi-eats-pennys-lunchwagon/ read more

The fact that this place only has 27 reviews is sad. The truth is that Penny's is mostly frequented by the workers around sand island, but people need to know the beauty of Penny's roast pork. Smothered in gravy, when I was first introduced to this quaint hole in the wall I was skeptical. I mean, gravy makes everything better so is it dry? And, I need to order it with pickled onions? Why?! But I ordered it exactly as instructed: roast pork with extra gravy and pickled onions. BLEW MY MIND. This small hole in the wall makes an amazing roast pork. Moist and full of flavor, the gravy is there to enhance and not hide any imperfections. When you add the pickled onions the combination of sour and salty hit the craving only locals know too well. Without any prompt I also tried their strawberry guava cream pie. Also a must try, it's a unique treat that I have only found at Penny's. My only regret is not taking pictures- clearly I was distracted by the yummy goodness. read more

Cheeseburger deluxe = $3.66! The menu items and their prices just about knocked my socks off. Knowing how expensive food usually is in Hawaii, Penny's is a breath of fresh air in the Sand Island area. The hamburger patty was fairly plump juicy moist and tasty! Vegetables were fresh, cheese melted to ooey gooey goodness. Bun was fluffy. $2 makes it a combo...fries and drink. CASH ONLY. But will be back! read more