The strip running mauka from Waikiki past Leonard's Bakery and Rainbow Drive-In. Plate lunch, malasadas, Side Street Inn pupus and Waiola Shave Ice.
Rainbow Drive-In on Kanaina Avenue in Kapahulu Honolulu has slung plate lunches since 1961, founded by Seiju and Ayako Ifuku and now voted top loco moco by Hawaii Magazine readers.
Signature: Loco moco, Mix plate, Boneless chicken plate
Order: The loco moco mix plate with chili and the boneless chicken on the side.
Tip: Open 07:00 to 21:00 daily. Cash-friendly window; no inside seating, eat at the parking-lot picnic tables.
Ono Seafood in Kapahulu Honolulu is the family-run poke counter that fishes shoyu ahi, spicy ahi and tako preparations from the refrigerated case for grab-and-go bowls.
Signature: Shoyu ahi poke, Spicy ahi poke, Tako poke
Order: A two-scoop shoyu ahi and spicy ahi bowl with rice.
Tip: Closed Sundays and Mondays, 09:00 to 18:00 otherwise. No inside seating; eat at the picnic table or take it to Ala Wai Park.
Rainbow Drive-In on Kanaina Avenue in Kapahulu Honolulu has slung plate lunches since 1961, founded by Seiju and Ayako Ifuku and voted top loco moco by Hawaii Magazine readers.
Signature: Loco moco, Mix plate, Boneless chicken plate
Order: Mix plate with loco moco, BBQ beef and boneless chicken.
Tip: Open 07:00 to 21:00 daily. No inside seating; eat at the parking lot picnic tables.
Zippy's Kapahulu in Honolulu is the 24-hour diner of the local Higa-family chain that sells over 110 tons of chili per month, founded by Francis and Charles Higa in 1966.
Signature: Zippy's chili, Zip Pac, Saimin
Order: A bowl of Zippy's chili and rice, plus a Zip Pac bento on the way out.
Tip: Open 24 hours, dine-in and drive-through. Napoleon's Bakery counter at front holds apple napples.
Ono Seafood in Kapahulu Honolulu is the family-run poke counter that pulls shoyu ahi, spicy ahi and tako preparations from the refrigerated case for grab-and-go two-scoop bowls.
Signature: Shoyu ahi poke, Spicy ahi poke, Tako poke
Order: Two-scoop shoyu ahi and spicy ahi bowl with rice.
Tip: Closed Sundays and Mondays, 09:00 to 18:00 otherwise. Take it to Ala Wai Park.