Aloha Food Factory

Hawaiian restaurant · Alhambra

Aloha Food Factory

Hawaiian restaurant · Alhambra

4

2990 W Valley Blvd, Alhambra, CA 91803

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Aloha Food Factory by @TheInfatuation
Aloha Food Factory by @TheInfatuation
Aloha Food Factory by Kat Hong
Aloha Food Factory by null
Aloha Food Factory by null
Aloha Food Factory by null
Aloha Food Factory by null
Aloha Food Factory by null
Aloha Food Factory by null
Aloha Food Factory by null
Aloha Food Factory by null
Aloha Food Factory by null
Aloha Food Factory by null
Aloha Food Factory by null
Aloha Food Factory by null
Aloha Food Factory by null
Aloha Food Factory by null
Aloha Food Factory by null
Aloha Food Factory by null
Aloha Food Factory by null
Aloha Food Factory by null
Aloha Food Factory by null
Aloha Food Factory by null
Aloha Food Factory by null
Aloha Food Factory by null
Aloha Food Factory by null
Aloha Food Factory by null
Aloha Food Factory by null
Aloha Food Factory by null
Aloha Food Factory by null
Aloha Food Factory by null
Aloha Food Factory by null
Aloha Food Factory by null
Aloha Food Factory by null
Aloha Food Factory by null
Aloha Food Factory by null
Aloha Food Factory by null
Aloha Food Factory by null
Aloha Food Factory by null
Aloha Food Factory by null
Aloha Food Factory by null
Aloha Food Factory by null
Aloha Food Factory by null
Aloha Food Factory by null
Aloha Food Factory by null
Aloha Food Factory by null

Highlights

Hawaiian eatery known for macadamia nut pancakes and kalua pig  

Featured in The Infatuation
Featured in Eater

2990 W Valley Blvd, Alhambra, CA 91803 Get directions

alohafoodfactory.com

$10–20 · Menu

Information

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2990 W Valley Blvd, Alhambra, CA 91803 Get directions

+1 626 308 0215
alohafoodfactory.com
affalhambra

$10–20 · Menu

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Last updated

Aug 16, 2025

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@infatuation

The 17 Best Restaurants In Alhambra

"Located in a little shack right at the end of the 710, the menu at this homey Hawaiian spot is filled with hearty, affordable dishes that hit particularly well after a long night out. The kalua pork is moist and smoky, and the Hawaiian Breakfast (served all day) comes with three eggs and a protein (we like it with Portuguese sausage). But what you should be focusing on here are the macadamia nut pancakes. Although we have no idea what exactly is in the sweet, fluffy, ambrosia-level cream they top them with (the menu simply reads “secret cream sauce”), we do know it floods our brain with so much serotonin it might biologically be a problem." - brant cox, sylvio martins

https://www.theinfatuation.com/los-angeles/guides/the-best-restaurants-in-alhambra
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@eater

The 11 Best Hawaiian Restaurants to Try in Los Angeles | Eater LA

"One of the few Hawaiian restaurants in the San Gabriel Valley, Aloha Food Factory has been serving homestyle favorites in a blue-brick shack off the 710 freeway since 1994 — even fending off extinction in 2021, when predatory developers planned to turn the beloved Alhambra institution into a car wash. Don’t miss the macadamia nut pancakes, a short but mighty stack slathered in a “secret cream sauce” (their words) that tastes like a big, ol’ dollop of cream cheese frosting made of whipped bananas and a Jack Johnson song." - Kat Hong

https://la.eater.com/maps/best-hawaiian-food-restaurants-los-angeles
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@infatuation

Aloha Food Factory Review - Alhambra - Los Angeles - The Infatuation

"Although Aloha Food Factory’s name makes it seem like their food is being produced on an assembly line, what’s actually coming out of the kitchen couldn’t be further from that. Located in a little shack off the 710 in Alhambra, the menu here is filled with hearty, affordable dishes that are made exactly the way you’d have them in the 808. The kalua pork is moist and cooked to perfection, and the Hawaiian Breakfast plate, which is served all day and comes with three eggs and a protein (we like it with Portuguese sausage), is what every child in Hawai’i eats with their family on a Sunday morning. But what you should be focusing on here are the macadamia nut pancakes. Although we have no idea what exactly is in the sweet, fluffy, ambrosia-level cream they top it with (the menu simply reads “secret cream sauce”), what we do know is that it floods our brain with so much serotonin it might biologically be a problem." - Kat Hong

https://www.theinfatuation.com/los-angeles/reviews/aloha-food-factory
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@eater

Alhambra’s Beloved Aloha Food Factory Hawaiian Likely to Be Demolished - Eater LA

"Alhambra’s 27-year-old Hawaiian restaurant, Aloha Food Factory, may be forced to close when its lease ends at the end of this month. The 18,000-square-foot corner lot that it shares with the fast-food restaurant Ernie’s Burgers will be razed to make room for an automated car wash, according to development plans filed with the city of Alhambra. Aloha Food Factory co-owners Aaron Luong and James Kuang are encouraging customers, through the restaurant’s Instagram account, to attend the public hearing at Alhambra City Hall on June 7 at 7 p.m.; they hope a strong showing will discourage development plans, or at least prolong the project while a new location for the restaurant can be found. “The one thing I’m hoping is that enough people come [to the hearing] or virtually voice their opinions to just impede the car wash for now,” says Luong. “That way we can maintain the operations at the original location and build enough experience [and] resources to get us looking into more locations that bring this homestyle experience of Hawaiian food to a broader spectrum.” Betty and Ernest Tom opened the beloved San Gabriel Valley institution at the corner of Valley Boulevard and Cabrillo Avenue in 1994. In addition to serving island fare, including loco moco, Spam musubi, and macadamia nut pancakes, the couple made it a point to provide customers with the Hawaiian spirit of ohana (family). When citywide and statewide stay-at-home mandates forced the restaurant’s dining room to close last March, Luong and Kuang stepped in as official partners to help the founders, who are in their 70s, navigate the pandemic. Luong and Kuang, whose backgrounds span engineering, business, and real estate, had met the Toms years ago while dining at the restaurant. They brought the mostly analog Aloha Food Factory into the digital age when it reopened last August, with a new online ordering system and third-party delivery services. On May 26, Betty learned that long-rumored plans to open a car wash at the site of Aloha Food Factory was imminent when two signs advertising the public hearing were erected in front of and on the west side of the building. “These two guys came in and said, ‘We need to put up these signs,’ and I go, ‘What?’ So that’s the first time I even heard of it,” she says. “We started 27 years ago from zero to be one of the top Hawaiian restaurants. It’s been my dream to have it go on forever.” The lot’s owner, Malcolm Arakelian of M.A. Properties, says an automated car wash would be an “ideal” use for the property, but he’s keeping his options open for now. “We’re developing, so we want to improve the land as opposed to having old asphalt and everything,” he says. However, Arakelian is not considering keeping the two existing restaurant tenants on the lot; he’ll either develop the land or sell it. The restaurant’s pending closure has motivated customers to eat their fill of kalua pork before it’s too late. “This past weekend, it was double the amount of normal traffic on our already regularly busy weekends,” says Leong. Though the outcome of the public hearing is yet to be determined, Leong is scouting vacancies along Valley Boulevard for an additional location just in case. Arakelian will determine the restaurant’s leasing terms beyond the end of the month if the planning commission approves and proceeds with the car wash at the June 7 meeting, Leong says. “We’ve always been in the black, so we’re very fortunate,” says Betty. “Now our business is booming and now we’re facing this situation and everyone is sad. People are going to be disappointed, but I just feel like we need to go on somehow because everybody loves our food.”" - Cathy Chaplin

https://la.eater.com/2021/6/3/22464057/aloha-food-factory-alhambra-hawaiian-restaurant-development-plans-car-wash
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Chris Walker

Google
Drove from Whittier to try the pancakes and French toast after seeing them on TikTok. Seems like a place where I would like to eat at all the time. I had the French toast with macadamia cream and it was everything I hoped for. My wife had the pancakes. Both meals were cooked perfect and smothered with goodness. I would make the 25 min drive again anytime.

Joe Soria

Google
I wanted to like it, I really did. But just some things about the food and service that kinda left me bummed out. I went to AFF around two weeks ago after a brief hike, so I came with an appetite. Me and my buddy both ordered an Island Plate with different entrees, he got chicken and I got beef. He also ordered the spam musubi and I the macadamia nut pancakes. The food unfortunately was the disappointing part of the visit. The only food item that we ordered that was hot was the spam musubi. The beef, chicken, veggies, even the pancakes were pretty lukewarm at most. The beef especially was disappointing because it was very chewy, pieces of fat were still on the beef so I had to chew a lot in order to not choke. The decor is nice and fitting for a restaurant and the flavors of said lukewarm food were good. I just couldn’t get past the temperature of the food and the chewy beef.

James Hsu

Google
Good Hawaiian food. Better than L&L. I feel like menu has been reduced from what I remember years back. Still, the macadamia pancake is worth coming here for.

Jorge Pinto

Google
It was the first time we went to this restaurant. And it was absolutely great! The plates are filling and delicious, and the portions are good as well. The staff were nice, and the atmosphere was cozy and nice. The prices are reasonable. I'll definitely come back here!!!

M. Ort

Google
Service was ok. Pancakes were ok, they were loaded with some type of pudding. I really enjoyed the coffee and sausage. I would like to go back to try different lunch entrees and their shaved iced.

Sarah Durnesque

Google
Generous portions, delicious food! Didn't end up getting what I came for (the macadamia pancakes) because I got distracted by other tasty options. Will have to come back for more!

Jeff Cruz

Google
Good breakfast spot. Simple, homestyle interior. Additional seating outside. The Hawaiian style food was good. Definitely the recommend the loco moco. Big portions too. Service was good. Friendly staff. Small parking lot on the side.

Jennifer Rivera

Google
It was my first time here, and I really wanted to try the pancakes. I sent a picture to my friend, and she called me immediately, pointing the hair lodge in the pancakes. I told the staff they were really nice and offered me a refund or remake. I said remake since I didn't even get to try them, but I feel like the refund should have been offered either way since I did have to wait 30 min just for the pancakes.
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Kathy M.

Yelp
The service is always great and their food is plentiful, flavorful, and the price is reasonable! The ambiance is casual and they have tables to dine inside and out. The noise level is average. During the week, between 3pm and 5pm, if you order a plate, you get a free soda fountain drink. Their famous for their macadamia nut pancakes and their homemade potato mac salad! Their short ribbon is MASSIVE! They also have shaved ice! They have a VERY small resroom. Can't fit a wheel chair inside. I will always come back!
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Wells L.

Yelp
I've been here twice already and got pretty much the same thing both times and was pretty pleased overall. I usually get he plate lunch with chicken katsu and char siu. The chicken katsu is amazing, perfectly crispy and juicy. I do wish they gave you a little more when getting it as part of a 2 entree plate though. The Char siu is not at all like Cantonese char siu. It's almost like shredded pork with the clear/brown sweet sticky sauce marinated ALL the way through the meat. It's not red at all and more sweet than normal char siu. The quantity is large, I don't eat a ton, but do get two full meals out of this plate lunch. I've also had the spam masubi and macadamia nut pancakes. The masubi is delicious, I love that they add some sauce to the rice. I don't love the form factor, but I get over it. The pancakes are amazing though. Definitely too much for one person, but they are perfectly bouncy and dense at the same time. The cream top honestly tastes like boxed vanilla pudding, but still delicious. Seating is plenty and unpretentious. The only super annoying thing is they never pick up there phone even during business hours. I tried to call ahead once and they never picked up their phone despite being open. If you want to order ahead, you'll have to do it on their website, which isn't easy if you're driving and just want to grab and go.
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Luke L.

Yelp
Aloha Food Factory has been a long-standing Hawaiian restaurant in Alhambra since 1994. The restaurant changed ownership in May 2020 and survived a battle in 2021 when predatory developers planned to demolish it and turn the site into a car wash. [Parking]: There's a small and free private parking lot located behind the restaurant. [Atmosphere]: Cozy outdoor patio and a relaxed Hawaiian vibe inside the restaurant. [Menu]: Check in on Yelp for a free Hawaiian Sun drink with plate purchase. They also offer shaved ice. According to their website, they are best known for their Macadamia Nut Pancakes (available in 2 or 3 pieces) and Kalua Pig (entree option). Loco Moco and Spam Musubi are also listed as popular dishes by Yelp. Customers can choose between the breakfast plate (2 eggs over a bed of rice - served all day) or the plate lunch (rice, veggies, and a scoop of mac-potato salad) with each plate including 1 or 2 entrée choices. There are 18 entrée options to choose from. *** Plate Lunch 2 Entrees (Loco Moco [served with 1 egg on plate lunch] and Kalua Pig - $17.50 + $1.50 extra for Loco Moco): I ordered to-go and the staff forgot to include utensils and my free Hawaiian Sun drink. The loco moco had a solid hamburger patty with good gravy sauce and the Kalua pig tasted like BBQ pulled pork. The steamed vegetables were surprisingly good with a hint of sweetness from the teriyaki sauce. The mac-potato salad was spot on - rich, buttery, and slightly sweet. Generous portion & enough for two meals. *** Great food with some items arguably 5-star worthy, but make sure to double-check your takeout order & have your utensils and drinks in the bag.
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Travis P.

Yelp
This place serves up some solid Hawaiian food. I went in early at 9:30 am to grab some breakfast. When you enter you feel like you're in a Hawaiian Shack. You place an order at the front and either do take out or take a seat. Most things are self service including water, condiments, and utensils. I ended up getting these dishes. 2 Entree Lunch Plate (Loco Moco & Lau Lau) - I paid extra for these two premium items and they were pretty good. I felt like they gave a good amount of gravy for the loco moco and I never tried a lau lau before. The lau lau came on a separate bowl since it was like it's own thing. Super tender and flavorful. The hamburger patty on the loco moco was on the tougher side but it was delicious. (4/5) Macadamia Nut French Toast - This is where it's at. Recommend getting the toppings on the side because they give you a lot. Flavors were on point and everything tasted good together. Definitely a specialty here. (5/5) Iced Coffee - There something special about the coffee here. It has a nice taste and is different than many of the coffees you might try somewhere else. Refreshing in the morning! (5/5) Overall I enjoyed this place and would be back just for the Macadamia nut French Toast/Pancakes. They have many different entrees to choose from for the plates so I definitely want to be back to try out some of the other ones as well. Nice spot to satisfy the Hawaiian food cravings! Parking - They have a small lot but might be full if it gets crowded. Note - They have a yelp check-in to get a free Hawaiian drink if you purchase any plate.
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Madeline B.

Yelp
We were looking for a place not too far from cal State LA where we were seeing a concert. Aloha food factory fit the bill. We each had a 2-item lunch plate. Hubs had loco moco and teriyaki chicken. I had cha su pork and Kahlúa pork. Each plate came with a large scoop of rice, some stirfried vegetables and a small container of potato salad. Each plate was enough for two so we packed up leftovers to eat for dinner the next day. Food was really good and flavorful. The gal behind the counter who waited on us was very nice. The place is clean and, there is plenty of parking. Super happy with our dinner.
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Katie C.

Yelp
Took me so long to try out this place and it did not disappoint. Food portions are huge and extremely affordable. We ordered breakfast take out. Will become one of our go-to places. Macadamia Nut Pancakes- best pancake texture I've ever had, soft and fluffy with a light chew. Macadamia Nut sauce was just right, wasn't too sweet or thick. Large portion, their pancake is the size of a dinner plate. Loco Moco- beef patty was done well, wasn't over done and dry at all. Sauce was savory and well seasoned. Katsu Chicken- breading wasn't too thick. Fried to perfection, crispy and light. Chicken was tender. Braised Beef Short Rib- savory, sweet, rich flavorful goodness. Wasn't too fatty either. Beef was tender fall of the bone.
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Justine D.

Yelp
So cute and cozy in here. Was craving Hawaiian food on a hot day. I appreciated the Yelp check-in special which was a lychee Hawaiian sun. Super friendly staff and good prices. This place has a hole-in-the-wall feel and is very casual. We got the spicy garlic shrimp plate and poke. This is one of the first times that a restaurant has given enough wanton chips for the amount of poke (tuna). It was fresh and hit the spot. The shrimp were not very spicy but were also fresh and yummy. It was pre-shelled so there was no mess. I've had their macadamia nut pancakes before and they are delicious.
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Dan M.

Yelp
First time here 8/22/24. Had to try the moco loco. (Meat, rice, and egg) Left stuffed. The location is really small, but a cool spot to grab a bite on the run. The staff are friendly.
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Melissa N.

Yelp
You have to try the macadamia nut pancakes! My family and I love coming here for breakfast. I think we've tried everything on the menu. The food is good, the service is fast and the staff is very friendly.
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Fanny S.

Yelp
Their loco moco meat was too tough, with not enough gravy and too much rice. It's quite different from what I had in Hawaii.
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Nhi H.

Yelp
Casual sit down restaurant with great authentic food and friendly staff. Best lau lau I could find in the 626. My mom had been craving it since we went to Hawaii once years ago. They cook the pork until juicy and tender while wrapped in both Ti and taro leaves (tip: take out the long stripey Ti leaves before you eat). The soft taro leaves also add depth to each bite. The macadamia nut pancakes were bouncy (maybe there's rice flour?) and tasted great with an included side of custard. If you get the small, it still comes with 2 huge thick pancakes. They smelled amazing on the ride home. The staff were super nice and they remembered my name. They also have some events coming up including monthly fire performances?? Can't wait to go to one in the coming months.
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Derrick T.

Yelp
Although the place is small and cozy, it's easily one of the best Hawaiian spots I've been to. It operates on a counter-service basis with limited seating, but the food more than makes up for it. We ordered the pancakes (two is plenty unless you're sharing with four or more people). They were fluffy, and the cream on top was deliciously balanced--not too sweet. For my entrée, I had the spicy chicken and pork combo. Both were packed with flavor, tender, and perfectly cooked. I also tried the musubi. While it didn't have a ton of spam, the flavor was great and not overly salty. I highly recommend this place for anyone looking for affordable, flavorful eats and who enjoys supporting small, locally-owned businesses.
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Hanna Y.

Yelp
Macadamia Nut pancakes from here are the BEST!!! Shareable and delicious! The lunch plate was good as well, but I wish there was more protein. The place is small so beware of coming here during peak hours. There is seating both inside and outside. Workers are all nice and accommodating.
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Fabrizio P.

Yelp
Bomb, bomb, bomb food. Definitely recommend the Moco plate. And the Macadamia pancakes are real tasty. You can't go wrong with this place.
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Teresa L.

Yelp
Such a cute little place. We came here on Saturday morning and placed and order for take out. We got the spam musubi, macadamia nut pancakes and the loco moco. Everything came out quick, hot and tasty. The place is cute and cozy and they have parking available on their lot.
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George M.

Yelp
Love the food, the pancakes were amazing enough to share. We had so much leftovers. Have to put in my rotations of places to eat. Service was fast, for fresh food. The location felt as though we were at a stand In Hawaii.
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Matt D.

Yelp
Hawaiian food is one of my favorite cuisines, so when I heard about Aloha - I Had to try it! They are super generous with their portion size! We opted in for the Spicy Chicken (Hot) and the Portugeous Sausage. This was really, really good. I don't think the spicy chicken is all that spicy, but I also have a huge spice tolerance. I tried their famous Macadamia Pancakes and there is no shortage of the volume they give - these are massive! I'm personally not a pancake person, but if I was, then I'm sure I would love these. Their workers are super nice so make sure you give them a tip to support the local business! The restaurant itself looks like an older-style Hawaiian themed store.
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Darylynn D.

Yelp
I had the breakfast plate with fried chicken. The breakfast plate comes with 2 eggs and choice of sauce (either sweet sauce or teriyaki sauce). There's a lot of food with just this dish. The chicken is covered in batter and you can choose how you want your eggs cooked. The chicken was good and the entire dish was decent. When you park and you're entering the restaurant there's a sign that says 'macadamia pancakes' so I definitely added the short stack (2 pancakes) to my meal. I had a few bites of the pancakes so I can enjoy the fluffiness and taste of the dish. The pancakes were huge and topped with cream and macadamia crumbles. Really tasty. Of course, I wasn't going to finish this during my visit and I took it home. After eating the chicken the following day I decided it was very oily because of the batter and the way it was cooked. The pancakes were still okay. I'm a little saddened because I really thought I would be wow'd by this place, but I wasn't. It wasn't bad or anything I just higher hopes. I would still come back and try the other items on the menu.
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Katherine N.

Yelp
Aloha!! I couldn't get enough of Hawaiian food even though we just got back last night from O'ahu/Kona island. Since reading Ada's and few other yelp reviews, I just had to give this place a try across town and it did not disappoint!! Well, it sure beat the luau food we had!! This place is the next best place to eat hawaiian food, if you can't make it out there. Service was great and food was delicious!! The ambiance was like an old Taco Bell turned Hawaiian. Lol. I love it. It has the Hawaiian vibe in the country side!! They just need some chickens running around. Lol. I ordered the double stack of the macadamia nut pancakes for taste and the raves; and I also got the breakfast plate with two eggs over easy with teriyaki chicken and kahlua pork. And then got a dish with noodles and cha shu for my folks, and I also got the Hawaiian Suns and the Hawaiian shaved ice for my dessert!! It was delicious!! The pancakes were fluffy with macadamia nuts on top. I forgot to take a pic of that!! I'll be back to try others for sure!! But attached are my pics!! Way to go Aloha Food Factory; happy that you're here!! MAHALO!!
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Lauren S.

Yelp
Been passing by this place for years, always see it going to and coming home from LBC. Finally went in for a Saturday morning breakfast and it was absolutely delish! We were able to sit right away, it's not a huge restaurant, very casual, homey. You walk up to the register and order and pay right then. They bring it to your table. The Laulau was L E G I T. 100% get the macadamia pancakes to share. It's literally layered hot cakes with creamy custard and worth the calories. Musubi was ok, will definitely, definitely be back. We also enjoyed the spam "sticks" , Portuguese sausage, the other sweet pork meat (forgot the name) eggs and rice. All the breakfast platters were very generous servings. They have coffee and allllll the Hawaiian Sun flavors..A++++
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Angel L.

Yelp
I've never been to Hawaii but if all the food tastes like it does at Aloha Food Factory than I need to plan a trip very soon! I haven't dined in in a while but take out is always just as delicious. If it's your first time I definitely recommend the cha siu and macadamia pancakes. The cha siu is sooooo good, sweet and savory. The meat isn't dry and pairs so well with the macaroni, rice and veggies. Yum. The macadamia pancakes are sooo good, huge too. It's not too sweet and is such a treat! Double yum. Employees are usually really chill and friendly. There's indoor and outdoor seating, and a heating lamp outside. If you're ordering a plate, check in on Yelp and get a free Hawaiian sun drink! This spot is such a gem in the neighborhood and I'm so happy that they're still open. Highly recommend!
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Roxanne K.

Yelp
Customer service was good! Nice portion, didn't have to wait too long to get the food. First time trying a loco moco so I can't really comment on the taste but it was good to me. The Mac was more like a potato salad than anything! Self serve for the condiments and water. LOVED the shaved ice.
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Victoria C.

Yelp
Finally decided to make a trip here after hiking on a Saturday morning. Came here for lunch, but the parking lot was full so just parked on the street. Walked in and there wasn't a wait, so just ordered at the counter and sat down. Ordered a small Macadamia Nut pancakes which came with 2 pieces and also a 2 item breakfast plate that consisted of loco moco and Kahlua pork. Then I checked in for a free hawaiian sun drink, which you can pick the flavor from the fridge. The food took about 15-20 mins to cook. Ate the pancakes first and was quite delicious! Pancakes were soft and the cream was perfect .. not too sweet and loved the nuts on top. Each piece of pancake was pretty big, so good thing only ordered a small. The plate wasn't too impressive. Tried to cut up the loco moco with the plastic knife that was provided and it was a difficult task. I had loco moco at other Hawaiian restaurants a long time ago, but I don't recall if loco moco patty is supposed to be this hard and dry? I would assume it should be a bit more tender. The kahlua pork was a bit salty and a bit dry. Other than the pancakes, the plate did not impress as much as I'd thought. Hoping to stop by again next time and try the char siu that other reviews raved about. Oh, they also ran out of Haupia so hopefully next time it'll be available
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Austin B.

Yelp
tl;dr this casual Hawaiian brunch-ery offers a delicious twist on diner fare and service with a smile In a Los Angeles suburb best known for its standout Chinese food, Aloha Food Factory is change of pace. The breakfast-centric Hawaiian cafe has been an Alhambra favorite since being founded by Betty Tom back in 1994, and the beloved shop has even narrowly avoided a pandemic-time demolition. After shifting hands to new co-owners, the restaurant continues to lean heavily into the features that popularized it in the first place; namely, a focus on smiling service and deliciously unpretentious eats. The pastel, surfboard-studded shack makes an immediate impression along an otherwise bland block of Valley. The interior is equally kitschy, offering a diner-style setup with plenty of in-your-face Hawaiian motifs. The whitewashed walls are decorated with woven palm frond crafts and island-themed knickknacks. The open kitchen to the left is pasted with patterned wallpaper. On the right, a line of booths sits underneath a bamboo hut-style overhang. Every table is decked with soy sauce and a woven basket of plastic utensils and napkins. Modern pop with an island flair echoes around the room. Aloha is sure to have customers, even early on weekday mornings -- but the weekend brunch crowd fills every available table. I've visited a few times, and I've had the opportunity to sample a wide selection of Aloha's menu (now, my partner and I have perfected our shared order: a two-entree plate lunch with Kalua Pig and whatever other entree strikes our fancy, with a single pancake side). First, I must mention Aloha's signature dish: the Macadamia Nut Pancakes. These enormous, made-to-order hotcakes take up nearly the entire frisbee-sized plate. They are slathered with a rich, not-too-sweet cream and then sprinkled with diced macadamias. The pancake itself springy and fluffy. On the savory side, you can't miss the Kalua Pig. Every tender bite melts in your mouth with an addictive blend of richness and salt. The bone-in Beef Short Ribs are another lip-smacking protein; be sure to ask for both the tangy Hawaiian BBQ sauce and the rich gravy. Also interesting, albeit a bit adventurous, is the traditional Lau Lau -- pork and fish wrapped in taro leaves and then stewed. A few less memorable entrees include the Loco Moco (a baseball-sized burger smothered in rich gravy), the Char Shu (barbequed pork in a sweet sauce), and the Katsu Chicken (panko-crusted, fried, and served beside a tangy sauce). Between the Breakfast Plates and the Plate Lunch, the latter is an easy choice -- the hearty side of veggies sports a tasty teriyaki sauce, and the small scoop of dill-forward macaroni salad will leave you clamoring for an extra order. Despite being a takeout-style operation, service is surprisingly engaging, and staff members take the time to greet dine-in customers, bring beverages, and bus dishes. Platters start at $15 (with a surcharge for additional and premium proteins), but a couple can reasonably fill up on a single plate with a side or two. For a crave-worthy brunch that won't break the bank, Aloha Food Factory has earned its reputation as an Alhambra staple.
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Mika C.

Yelp
Back here again to say how good this food is ‍‍‍ so happy to have bomb Hawaiian food so close to me and for such an affordable price. THANK YOU GUYS!!!! The best!!!
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Kris T.

Yelp
Their macadamia nut pancakes are a must try! Super fluffy and flavorful, but the cream is the best part. Their savory entrees are always delicious. I had the char shu pork, and it was the perfect balance of salty and sweet. One of the best breakfast spots in LA!
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Thomas H.

Yelp
If you're looking for a place that serves hearty, delicious food with generous portions, look no further! This Hawaiian and breakfast eatery is a hidden gem. The menu has a great variety, from classic Hawaiian dishes to all your breakfast favorites. Everything I've tried has been flavorful and cooked to perfection. The portions are definitely on the larger side, so you leave feeling full and satisfied. Highly recommend stopping by if you're in the area!
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Ali K.

Yelp
If you want authentic Hawaiian food, it is incredible here. The loco moco was sublime. I can't wait to come back and try more items! Expect a line to order, food took a normal amount of time to be ready. Huge portions!
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Kathy X.

Yelp
I picked up a large order of the macadamia nut pancakes, which has 3 large pancakes in it. They are super light and fluffy with a nice bite to it. The topping is creamy and not too sweet, and they're super generous with the topping portion too. The macadamia nuts adds a nice crunch! Great pancake option if you have a craving for something sweet in the morning!
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Lydia P.

Yelp
First time here - had a homey and delicious experience. The macadamia pancakes were huge and good for sharing- very delectable and fluffy without being overly sweet. Also shared the locomoco which was rich and delicious as well as the spam musubi. Service was efficient. Would come back!
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George C.

Yelp
Great service, Fantastic Food Located in West Alhambra on Valley Blvd right by the Y in the road Aloha Food Factory professional friendly people... Thank you George
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Victoria L.

Yelp
This was a random stop to start a day off and we were sonhappy to have started our day with this meal. It was good portions and it reminded us of being in Hawaii even though we were in Alhambra. They serve the hawaiian canned juices and those definitely hit the spot too. I got the teriyaki beef and my husband got the pork with rice and it paired perfectly. It is a small spot with awesome customer service. I definitely recommend stopping here to try their items.
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Yan W.

Yelp
Aloha Food Factory has been in Alhambra for many years. They are known for delicious Hawaiian food and it was like comfort food for us. The place was small with some Hawaii decor. It does not look fancy but it was clean. Price was reasonable and their food was great! We ordered the following items today: Island plate (TWO) entrees with teriyaki chicken and fried fish ($16.50) macadamia nut pancakes 2 pcs ($6.99) Spam musubi 4 pcs ($5.50) Breakfast plate one entree 2 eggs with loco moco ($11.99) Breakfast plate one entree 2 eggs with kalua pork ($11.99) Fountain drink Diet Coke large $2.99 Hawaiian Shave ice ($3.50) Their portions were in generous size. The Island plate was huge and teriyaki chicken was flavorful and tender. Fried fish were also crispy as well. It also served with rice, veggies and Mac-potato salad. The mac-potato salad was so delicious. (4 out of 5) Macadamia nut pancakes were so addictive and yummy! The best pancakes in the neighborhood. highly recommended (5 out of 5) Spam musubi - they were not bad but nothing special to me (4 out of 5) Loco moco breakfast plate - the loco moco was good and I like the gravy and taste like local food in Hawaii or even better. Perfect with my 2 sunny side up eggs. (4 out of 5) Kalua pig breakfast plate- the kalua pork were moist and they were cooked to perfection. (5 out of 5) Hawaiian shave ice- wow big portion for $3.50 and we could pick 3 flavors (mango, watermelon and lime) and it was good and refreshing too! (4 out of 5) if you want to try delicious and traditional home-style Hawaiian food, you should give it a try and you will love it.
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Celine K.

Yelp
portions were huge and everything was prepared very fast. i loved the veggies and macaroni salad. it was my first time having loco moco and it was better than i had expected. the macadamia nut pancake was decent, i just wouldn't get the larger portion in hindsight.
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Monica R.

Yelp
Delicious food Great atmosphere and service! Sooo many food choices and the portions are amazing.
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Sue I.

Yelp
Came here for Sunday brunch around 10:30 and was lucky to beat the rush! We ordered all the top menu items - loco moco, Katsu, musubi. Unfortunately most of the food was overcooked. Only the pancakes were fluffy and delicious. Unfortunately I won't be coming back again. I think since they changed management, the quality of the food isn't the same.
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Peggy V.

Yelp
It's been a long time since I had Hawaiian food, so I decided to visit this restaurant. I ordered a small macadamia nut pancake, a teriyaki chicken plate, and hash browns. The restaurant's interior has a cozy, Hawaiian atmosphere with its decor. The small macadamia nut pancake was surprisingly large for its size. It consisted of two plate-sized stacks of pancakes with a generous amount of custard on top and a sprinkling of macadamia nuts. The pancakes were creamy, nutty, and fluffy, and I highly recommend sharing them due to their size. However, the teriyaki chicken plate was disappointing and not recommended. It included reheated frozen vegetables, steamed rice, and charred chicken with teriyaki sauce, which was dry and burned. I also ordered the hash browns, expecting them to be similar to "McDonald's," but they turned out to be a large plate of slightly crispy, unseasoned hash browns. I suggest slathering them with ketchup and black pepper. In general, the pancakes were delicious and reminiscent of a tasty cake. I may consider returning to this place, but I would have to bring others to share, as the portions are quite large.
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Rachelle F.

Yelp
This place was SO GOOD. The place may look unassuming, but if you know good food, you know the flashy/trendy spots don't always have the good food. I instantly got nostalgic walking up to this place, so I had a feeling it was going to hit. When I go to a new Hawaiian spot, I always need to try their laulau. This place had such flavorful laulau I melted lol they serve it with broth too, which was different than what I've seen in other spots, but damn was it good. We also got loco moco and obv had to try the macnut pancakes. Let me tell you... we finished EVERY BIT. I get flashbacks of the pancakes here lolll my bf never had authentic Hawaiian food before and I think this place has ruined it for him coz now he knows how good it could be lol Service was great, the staff at the front were patient with any questions we had. It was our first time here so we didn't know how big the portions were and what came in a combo etc.
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James K.

Yelp
Once again...I have to say this place is amazing. Met a friend here for lunch today. He got the wonton soup (pictured) and I got burger patties and eggs (not pictured). I've had the soup before and it's amazing. Haven't been let down yet here. It's a go to any time I'm in the area. Service is quick and always nice to be greeted with an "Aloha!"
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Alice Q.

Yelp
Macadamia Nut Pancakes with special cream ... our first time and didn't like the taste of the thick cream it tasted like raw batter. Asked to replace just the top as we had taken two slices to try. But then asked if we could just get a whole new order, was told that would cost them $. Actually shocking as we weren't asking for our money back.
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Seb F.

Yelp
Mahalo!!! You came to the right place!!! Pancakes are amazing with that custard sauce and nuts... THESE NUTS TASTE GREAT!!! no Maple Syrup bottles are allowed here... they SEGREGATIN!!! Alhambra spot is out there... but sometimes you gotta fly across Oceans to encounter breakfast paradises!!! The Menehune will thank you for coming here...!!! Aloha!!! Staff is super friendly ...
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Jacky B.

Yelp
Whenever we miss Hawaii we come here, our closest Hawaiian authentic taste Love the pancakes and loco moco. They are a must !
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Jessie Z.

Yelp
I would def say this place is authentic and provides you all you need for your hawaiin food needs. The portions are huuugee and food coma worthy especially if you eat in. Its a casual spot with a couple of bench like seating and quite small inside. You order at the counter and then pick up your food with mostly self serve. We tried various combo plates including the cha siu, loco moco, teriyaki chicken, katsu, poke nachos ( side), and macadamia nut pancakes. The cha siu is not the typical Cantonese style and more resembled corned beef or pork mixed with sweetened sauce and is more tender/broken apart than traditional cha siu. The loco moco was giiiant and def needed the gravy with the patty but the eggs were fried to perfection. The katsu was on the dryer side. I would recommend the teriyaki chicken as it had a nice bit of char on it. Although poke nachos were a bit more than a typical side, I would say the price is worth it if you get it to act as an entree. It wasn't too special in quality, but had a good portion and the wonton chips had a light crisp. Last of all, the macadamia nut pancakes were a great portion and had a creamy sauce with distinct bits of macadamia. They were on the breadier side. It's a filling meal for what u pay for and serves authentic food. I would def say flavor and quality is to casual side.
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Jessica Y.

Yelp
The restaurant has a parking lot. Went during lunchtime on a weekday. No issues finding parking. They have indoor dining. Plenty of tables. I ordered for takeout. Very easy to call in. I tried the breakfast plate with loco moco and lau lau, spicy garlic shrimp island plate, spam musubi, macadamia nut pancakes and the works shave ice. Everything was delicious!! The island plate comes with macaroni salad that was delicious, just super tiny portion. If you like mac salad I suggest ordering a side of it haha. Since I ordered for takeout the shave ice was a bit melty but likely eaten there no problem. This was super yummy, closer than Hawaii. Will definitely be a go-to spot.
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Leslie S.

Yelp
The macademia nut pancakes deserve it's own review. Please do yourself a favor and try these delicious, damn things. So worth the (very reasonable) price and drive if you're not close by. The cream is so sweet and heavy. Pancakes aren't fluffy but still soft and sturdy to carry all that weight on top haha. The restaurant is a small space/shack but also so cute and cozy. I love the chill environment and polynesian decorations. There are more seats outside as well. There is a good amount of parking so that's a huge plus! You have to order at the counter first so I like the speed and casualness of it too. I really need to go back and try other things on the menu. But I think it says a lot if I was happy with just my two giant pancakes and an egg on the side
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John R.

Yelp
We tried this place over the weekend and were pleasantly impressed. Friendly and attentive staff and dishes that were tasty and not found in any other places we're aware of. It's never heard of the pancakes with white sauce (though have since Googled it and found it's a favorite of people visiting Hawaii). It was really good, and if definitely order again.
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Wai L.

Yelp
Came in for brunch at around 10:00am on a Saturday. Super friendly staff welcomed us, directed us to the menus; order/pay at the cashier when ready. The menu is not huge but there are enough choices to ponder if it's your first visit, so maybe a more efficient way to order can be implemented without holding up the line? We found a table easily, and our order came out quickly. We enjoyed the neat and tasteful decoration and popular music. There is outside seating as well. Server was polite and efficient asking us if we wanted a plate for sharing: we ordered plate lunch with spicy chicken (hot) - this had a nice kick! And a small order of macadamia pancakes, with a side of Portuguese sausage. Needless to say - all delicious, and good sized portions enough to take home for another meal. Glad we discovered you today! Will be back for sure!
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Christine H.

Yelp
I had my eye on this place for a while now, so I was super stoked I got to try their food. It's a pretty small shop on a corner with limited seating. Nonetheless, the inside is homey and definitely has an authentic Hawaiian feel to it. I ordered the kalua pig bowl and my friend got the teriyaki beef bowl. For the price, I thought it was a pretty big portion. There was a large serving of rice and a nice portion of vegetables and kalua pig. I thought the kalua pig was slightly too salty for my liking, but it was balanced with the rice. The vegetables were cooking perfectly -- not too raw and not overcooked. I had a piece of the teriyaki beef and I thought that tasted really good as well. I definitely want to come back and try other items on their menu and get their shaved ice. I highly recommend trying this place if you're looking for some Hawaiian food! There's a parking lot available with plenty of spots. The people working here are also very nice. They work very quickly and brought out our meal within 10 minutes. Again, it is a small space, so there's not much seating inside. At the time I went, I saw some outdoor seating available. But overall, I had a great experience and I recommend giving this spot a try!
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A T.

Yelp
First time trying Hawaiian food and I got my food to go. The place is very cute and quaint, gives homey vibes. The food was great! I loved the macadamia pancakes, they are definitely worth visiting this place for and my plate was just as good. I would like to try a different entree next time though. The macaroni potato salad was fantastic! Overall, I will come back, it's worth the drive for me!