Ken's House of Pancakes
Restaurant · Hilo ·

Ken's House of Pancakes

Restaurant · Hilo ·

Macadamia nut pancakes, burgers, stews, and island favorites

pancakes
diner setting
large portions
friendly service
loco moco
hawaiian island favorites
oxtail stew
house-made syrups
Ken's House of Pancakes by null
Ken's House of Pancakes by Photo by alchen_x/Flickr
Ken's House of Pancakes by null
Ken's House of Pancakes by null
Ken's House of Pancakes by null
Ken's House of Pancakes by null
Ken's House of Pancakes by null
Ken's House of Pancakes by null
Ken's House of Pancakes by null
Ken's House of Pancakes by null
Ken's House of Pancakes by null
Ken's House of Pancakes by null
Ken's House of Pancakes by null
Ken's House of Pancakes by null
Ken's House of Pancakes by null
Ken's House of Pancakes by null
Ken's House of Pancakes by null
Ken's House of Pancakes by null
Ken's House of Pancakes by null
Ken's House of Pancakes by null
Ken's House of Pancakes by null
Ken's House of Pancakes by null
Ken's House of Pancakes by null
Ken's House of Pancakes by null
Ken's House of Pancakes by null
Ken's House of Pancakes by null
Ken's House of Pancakes by null
Ken's House of Pancakes by null
Ken's House of Pancakes by null
Ken's House of Pancakes by null
Ken's House of Pancakes by null
Ken's House of Pancakes by null
Ken's House of Pancakes by null
Ken's House of Pancakes by null
Ken's House of Pancakes by null
Ken's House of Pancakes by null
Ken's House of Pancakes by null
Ken's House of Pancakes by null
Ken's House of Pancakes by null
Ken's House of Pancakes by null
Ken's House of Pancakes by null
Ken's House of Pancakes by null
Ken's House of Pancakes by null

Information

1730 Kamehameha Ave, Hilo, HI 96720 Get directions

$10–20

Order delivery
See Menu
Restroom
Accepts reservations
Popular for lunch
Popular for dinner
Cozy

Information

Static Map

1730 Kamehameha Ave, Hilo, HI 96720 Get directions

+1 808 935 8711
kenshouseofpancakes.com
@kens_house_of_pancakes

$10–20 · Menu

Features

•Restroom
•Accepts reservations
•Popular for lunch
•Popular for dinner
•Cozy
•Family friendly
•Good for groups
•Good for solo dining

Last updated

Jan 17, 2026

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@eater
391,688 Postcards · 10,992 Cities

The 16 Best Restaurants in Hilo, Hawai‘i | Eater

"Ken Pruitt and Bonnie Twitchell opened Ken’s House of Pancakes in 1971, when it was the only 24-hour business on the east side of the island. In 1990, under the ownership of Lindberg and Frances Ching, it received a much-needed face-lift but remains a storied icon, with framed celebrity photos on the wall featuring guests like Dwayne “the Rock” Johnson and Oscar the Grouch. Ken’s has long been a favorite spot for university students seeking a late meal after studying for finals or celebrating the end of a semester. Large groups often visit for diner-style breakfast, lunch, and dinner, including pancakes (try the banana mac nut chocolate chip). For especially hungry customers, there are “sumo-size” meals, offering hefty portions of local favorites, like the Sumo Loco, which consists of 2.5 pounds of hamburger on top of six scoops of rice, served with three Spam patties, three eggs, and brown gravy. Prices are reasonable, and portions — no matter the stated size on the menu — are generous. Though Ken’s has shortened its hours, it remains a slice of Hilo history and a rite of passage for UHH students." - Maya-Lin Green

https://www.eater.com/maps/best-restaurants-hilo-hawaii
Ken's House of Pancakes
@eater
391,688 Postcards · 10,992 Cities

The 29 Best Diners in America | Eater

"A blue-collar Hilo institution since 1971, this 24-hour-origin diner serves massive portions of island favorites—banana-and-coconut-topped pancakes, 'sumo' loco moco with sliced Spam and brown gravy, saimin, teri-burgers, and Portuguese sausage and eggs—inside a groovy interior of burnt-orange booths and swiveling bar stools. Its warm service and comforting local flavors make it a beloved stop for residents and visitors alike." - Eater Staff

https://www.eater.com/23753457/best-diner-restaurants-america
Ken's House of Pancakes
@afar
25,132 Postcards · 3,702 Cities

"Pancakes and Island Breakfasts We walked into Ken's House of Pancakes and instantly felt the small-town diner experience wash over us like the waves in Hilo Bay. Classic coffee cups with Ken's logo splashed on the side, massive stacks of pancakes, and plates of the loco moco sat on tables full of people enjoying their morning. The large restaurant serves up local food and local culture. With daily specials and warm waitresses, you will feel exactly like you are in a Hawaiian country town."

Breakfast and Brunch on the Big Island
Photo by alchen_x/Flickr
Ken's House of Pancakes

Maneesh J

Google
Loved their macadamia nut pancakes. Make sure to get them with the coconut cream on top. The other dishes were good although nothing extraordinary. Service was fast. Coffee was good, but they do not serve espresso.

Angel B.

Google
This place makes you feel like home. I really enjoyed the vibe and how they decorated for Christmas. Highly recommend the oxtail stew and the loco moco — both were super comforting and exactly what we wanted after a long day. People here are so friendly. Our server was the sweetest lady: warm, attentive, and just made the whole experience better. She even gave us a sticker with our checkout/order paper, which was so cute. And being able to dine in before 9pm is such a huge plus. We got there at 8:50pm and they still welcomed us in for dinner, which we really appreciated.

Steph C.

Google
Wow! Even the non-Sumo portions are huge! Two of us split three pancakes and an original loco moco. The waitress let us split to get one of each pancake - mac nut, coconut, and banana. All three were good but I think mac but and banana were the best. The three syrups just made it all even better. The loco moco was great, our first one. The waitress recommended extra gravy and that was a great move. The Vietnamese iced coffee was all right. Just a great diner overall. It's fun to see all the photos of people that finished a sumo plate. Everyone that worked here was friendly.

Bashaer M.

Google
Ken’s Pancake House is such a gem — a classic diner with that nostalgic, welcoming feel. The walls are filled with photos of famous visitors and local personalities, which adds so much character and a sense of history. It’s open bright and early at 7 AM, making it perfect for an early breakfast before exploring Hilo. I really appreciate that they offer half portions — such a thoughtful option for smaller appetites or anyone who doesn’t want to feel overstuffed. The Loco Moco is hearty and comforting, and the pancakes with house-made syrups are an absolute must-try — the guava syrup in particular was heavenly! The only thing I wish they had were some dairy-free milk alternatives for coffee, but otherwise everything was fantastic — great food, quick service, and that true local-Hawaiian warmth you can’t fake.

Cam W

Google
Ken's nailed every aspect of our late night dinner! The food was fantastic (my banana's foster french toast was incredibly indulgent and delicious, my girlfriends omelette was perfectly cooked, and the pancakes were fantastic especially with the house made syrups), the ambiance and the vibe of the restaurant is incredible and feels like a time capsule to decades ago, and the service is seriously some of the best I've had anywhere in the world. Our server, who I forgot to ask their name, was incredibly sweet and made us feel right at home. Her suggestions were great and her attitude honestly made our night. Ken's House of Pancakes rocks and, in my opinion, is a must visit if you are in Hilo!

austin G.

Google
Drove in to town for the farmers market. Stumbled upon this place to grab some breakfast before. Holy WOW! So good. Great portions. Awesome syrups! Would definitely recommend. 11/10

Jean D.

Google
Favorite dining experience on the island. Just was nostalgic even though I’ve never been there. Felt like an institution and was nice to capture a glimpse of local vibrancy and culture. Portion size is huge here and we ordered a special chorizo omelette, small side of macadamia pancake. While the hubby took regular size pancakes. Taste was good and portion size is really really big. Service was very welcoming and was a great representation of the Aloha spirit. Local institution must stop by.

Linda H

Google
I ordered a three stack of pancakes. I asked for one of each. The macadamia nut, the coconut, and the banana. The server was happy to comply. All were very good. Sadly, could not finish them all! Very good service. 

Edmund Y.

Yelp
First and foremost the service provided by our Waitress Jeriah was outstanding. She is very knowledgeable, patient, and friendly. We ordered the Seafood, Lup Chong Omelette and she had the kitchen split it in half for us. The Omelette is so delicious with fluffy scrambled eggs and huge crab pieces. Top that off with their homemade hollandaise sauce and you can only smile after the first bite.
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David H.

Yelp
Definitely da most popular local breakfast joint on Hilo side. Was as busy as always. Solo cruising this time around and auntie hooked it up w a spot at da bar top. Just ordered portugee sausage + hash browns + scrambled + pancakes... IYKYK. No matter what ya order, you'll definitely leave full so bring some pants w some zippahs or sweats or da kine
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Punahele K.

Yelp
Worst tripe stew I ever had. Burnt my mouth on the first piece of tripe then had an ice cold piece in the next bite. Poorly microwaved obviously. I mixed my stew to even out the temperature. Then dug out all the carrots that had black patches on them. They broke down in my mouth like they were old and limp carrots then stewed like a last resort to make a profit off of them. My husband felt bad and switched plates with me. He tasted it and notice it barely had any flavor as well and poured the Kim chi juice from his plate into the stew just to give it some sort of flavor profile along with some shoyu. $28 for microwaved flavorless tripe is radical. Our visit before that my daughter's Mac salad had gone completely sour and the peas were no longer green and turned brown on her Kalbi plate. We told the waitress it was rotten and she gave us a new scoop and it was no longer the same rotten batch they were serving people. I told my husband that's our last attempt going back to Ken's after those last 2 experiences. It's not hard to care about the quality of food in a high volume restaurant. Taste testing for proper seasoning, checking quality of produce and proper food rotation is not a big ask. Labeling cold containers so as not to serve spoiled product. It's mandatory. Also temperature gauges should be on hand for any line cook or chef to ensure something is heated properly. Those are not requests. Those are just standard kitchen practices.
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Kenneth J Gentry Jr K.

Yelp
Price is way too high. Ordered pancakes and asked to add bananas charged me $5 Added bacon $8 A burger and fries $20 Food was decent but not worth the price
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Yan Z.

Yelp
Food Service Cashier I came in with pretty high expectations for Ken's . I'd seen it recommended on YouTube and even on some local Facebook groups. But honestly, the food didn't quite live up to the hype. My friend joked, "This is basically Hawaiian Denny's" . My friend ordered pancakes with steak -- the steak was overcooked and pretty tough to chew. The pancakes were served with different syrups, and the coconut syrup was definitely the favorite at our table. I shared the Kalua Moco, which was okay but nothing really special. That said, the service was excellent. The servers checked in multiple times, made sure our drinks were always topped off, and were super friendly throughout. The only downside was the cashier at checkout, who dragged the whole great-service experience down a bit. Overall: food is just average, but the service makes up for a lot.
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Linda E.

Yelp
This is a good option for breakfast when staying in Hilo. Portions are a healthy size and a pretty good value. Lots of options to choose from on the menu. Service was friendly in a comfortable, diner setting and yes, I enjoyed their pancakes!
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Norbee F.

Yelp
I have to say this is a really good choice for breakfast. Especially when just arriving on the island. This place is only a mile away front the airport. My wife and I loved this place. We tried the ox tail stew for the first time and if you're a fan of Hawaiian style beef stew this is for you. The ox tail was really tender and flavorful. The ox tail pieces are really big and I wasn't expecting it. We also tried the da kwiki on da run was pretty good. A little messy but worth it. Had to eat it with a knife and fork instead on like a sandwich. I recommend this place. Service was great and people were really nice.
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Ana P.

Yelp
A consistently delicious local diner. So much history. Large variety of menu items, have not been disappointed by anything I've ever ordered here. Service is spectacular! Highly recommend
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Alexander G.

Yelp
On a recent day trip to Hilo, we all wanted to start our adventure with a hearty meal and decided on the classic Ken's. Despite being in town many times, it was my first here and I loved the experience. It's a quick drive from town, with parking and nearby street parking for busy times. It's also near the airport making it an easy stop. The decor is a mix of vintage and diner, with proudly local photos and memories. The menu is huge, but not as big as the portions! Check out the Sumo Menu for giant plates, finish one and get your photo on the wall. We opted for small fare; I had an omelette which was made to perfection and filled with protein and veggies. A friend had a short stack of pancakes, which was huge, and three types of tropical syrup made in house to try. Our server was dressed for the part and very attentive the whole time. It seemed most of the staff has been working there a long time. If you're looking for a fun local breakfast spot in Hilo, this is worth checking out!
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Jenna M.

Yelp
A very busy breakfast spot, and I can see why! Great food and awesome service to go with it. It can be loud as it's a packed house but everyone is having a good time. We came here twice in our week stay.. our favorite was the pineapple upside down cake-// omg it was delicious. They have a couple different areas for seating so when it fills up they can accommodate everybody. The parking lot can be tight though and can be hard getting out of it as it's next to a stop light. They have sumo meals that are HUGE and you get a free shirt if you finish everything. Oh and can't forget their homemade syrups- yumm: coconut, passion fruit and guava - all good!!
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LilyAnn W.

Yelp
My partner and I were really excited to eat at the "famous" pancake house. The space is historically cool, but honestly a mess. It's quite grimy. The food was good, but unbelievably overpriced. Our bill was over $70 for a burger, 3 pancakes w/ sausage links, an order of fries and 2 small soft drinks. I could have gone to McDonald's and received the same quantity of food for less than $30. The Big Island has been expensive food wise, but this was shocking. Would not come here again, and would not recommend it to anyone staying in or around Hilo.
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Shawn N.

Yelp
A lot of celebrities have been here, you can see them all on the wall and I can see why after we gave this place a try. Negatives -the specialty syrups were a little artificial. Positives -Value: everything is definitely bigger in the big island. My wife's macadamia pancakes (small) were the size of normal pancakes. She even had to Togo the last pancake. My teriyaki combo also came with a lot of meat and rice along with tuna mac. I've never had tuna mac in the states and honestly l like tuna mac much more than the normal Hawaiian Mac at L&L. -taste: I liked my teriyaki dish a lot, I finished everything. The pancakes were really good too. -service: service was exceptional, they were very kind and filled us with the aloha spirit. -ambiance: very much like a classic mom and pop diner. You can see the rich beautiful history throughout the restaurant. Overall 5/5 We really enjoyed our visit to the big island and we'll definitely be back.
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Jordan T.

Yelp
A true historical landmark in the small town of Hilo, Ken's continues to provide a welcoming environment with local-style grindz. The interior has not changed much, although nothing about Ken's has changed through the years. Their food portion sizes have definitely gone down, albeit to combat inflation. Food quality, though, is still good for what you pay for. I had their breakfast special, a prime rib hash and two eggs my way. It also came with hash browns and two pancakes. The hash was flavorful and not greasy at all. The pancakes were smaller than usual but still fluffy. Their housemade coconut syrup is my go-to. Service was a bit slow, but that was expected with how busy they were during a Sunday mid-morning. Overall, it's still a nice place to grab a comforting breakfast or brunch with family, friends, or both! I definitely will be back.
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Nando D.

Yelp
Food and service was solid! Having great food in paradise is a plus This place's been rooted in Hilo's history for many many decades! It's like a landmark The menu is EXTENSIVE! There's so many options that it can become a bit overwhelming great choices however. As mentioned above the service was great! Good came out fairly quickly and delicious it def delivered. Def will return to Ken's on my next visit. Mahalo
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Courtney C.

Yelp
Good vibes and good food! Ken's is in a great location in Hilo near many of the hotels, so we walked here for breakfast one morning. We read it got busy so arrived before 8am and were immediately sat. By the time we left around 9am, there was a wait, so if you want to beat the crowds get there early. The restaurant is a classic diner vibe with booths, a counter with stools and pictures on the walls. The menu is huge with plenty to select from. We tried one of the loco mocos (with pork), the crab cake benedict and the mac nut pancakes. Everything was solid and really generous portion sizes. Definitely try the pancakes and try the unique syrups they offer!
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Keith H.

Yelp
Brah, the pancakes SLAP at dis place! Dis breakfast knocked my tongue in da dirt! We had the keiki to kupuna "jess nuff" breakfast with scrambled eggs, Portuguese, sausage, and two pancakes. Also includes choice of drink! Wifey had the Da Kwiki on da run breakfast sandwich. She loved and then started eating my plate as well! Lol! We ordered small portions but it was more food than we could finish. It was fairly priced and our server was terrific! I don't do it very often but I am giving out 5 stars today because the food, the price the service and the overall experience was excellent! Extra tip -If you are really hungry and have a big appetite go to the last page of the menu and look for the Sumo meals! They look like they would be FIRE!

Paul C.

Yelp
A pleasant surprise after going to one restaurant closed for bereavement and a second that only serves takeout till 6pm. Wife had a saimin and said it was one of the best she's ever had. Was told they make their noodles in house. And plenty of kamaboko, char siu plus a chicken skewer. My tasty crab eggs Benedict came with good size portion of hash browns and two small pancakes. Their house made syrups (coconut, guava and lilikoi) were super ono too. Service was excellent - very attentive. Plus I got a 15% senior (over 65) discount on my meal. Serendipity!
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Lenny L.

Yelp
Overall this place was very good! Great tasting Moco Loco and their pancakes were delicious! Service was a tad slow, but it was very busy and I can understand why. A very popular place for a good breakfast and super friendly folks!!
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Junya G.

Yelp
Ken's is a staple in Hilo and for a good reason! The food was great and it came in good time . Lots of parking and lots of tables. I got da braddah omelette and it was great. My girlfriend got the veggie eggs Benedict and it was also great. Had to buy a Ken's shirt after to show my appreciation .
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Patrick J.

Yelp
Absolutely love dining here. Great food, wonderful people, good vibes... Even the sky loves it
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Mike Z.

Yelp
I had to drop my partner off at the airport in Hilo. I had a lot of time before work so I thought I would give Ken's one more chance. Restaurant itself is clean. And the staff is definitely friendly. The vibe is old school dining. It's a tourist destination.. I got here really early and was sat in the back. Pricing is outrageous as far as I'm concerned, especially if you live here. $19.95 for a 2 egg breakfast with choice of meat, rice or hash browns, toast or a pancake. ) your $4.95 for coffee. $25 total. Plus tip.. Total $30! That's outrageous. There's even a $24 omelette. That's crazy. The Good: friendly staff and clean restaurant The Bad: Very expensive for what you get. Chances I'll Be Back: Not likely. There are other places that are just as good or better for a lot less money.
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Derek S.

Yelp
The ambiance is an authentic diner that welcomes you in and makes you feel like you can slow down a bit. The service is very friendly but they are moving fast and busy, so expect to be left alone for a while at times. The food looks amazing at everyone's table and it makes you want to try it all, but we were limited on time in this stop so we opted for some quick lunch options. I was surprised how delicious the chicken and beef Terri platter was! This spot is a hidden gem that more people need to try it! I would love to come back and try their sumo platter challenges, but it was on the list for today.

Robert S.

Yelp
We hadn't visited Kens in years. My over done scrambled eggs looked like they had been thrown on tbe plate, followed by the diced ham all over the plate. Hash browns burnt and smelled like old dirty fry oil. Gross. Wife's pancakes raw. Bacon , mostly fat. Dogged loved it. Coffee and service, same 'ol, good. That's it. We won' t be back. More parking for the unlucky tourist.
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Gerald L.

Yelp
Lot of history with this restaurant but sorry, not that great for me. I love the retro decor and photos of celebrities and originator. I love the classic diner vibe. I didn't like the food or the prices they're tagged with. Pancakes were so so. Eggs were eggs. Nothing special about the Portuguese sausage. Smallish portions for the price. Cheaply made syrups, though they did have a selection (maple flavored, coconut flavored, guava flavored, and I think mango flavored).
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Kevin V.

Yelp
The service was excellent with our server (Laura) providing kind hospitality with quick food delivery. The ambiance is exactly what you expect from a diner. The dishes were packed with intensely savory flavors which made me immediately think this is "Hawaiian soul food". The portion sizes were massive with food coming out in mounds on large plates. Sorted by our favorites, we ordered Really Crab Omelette, Corned Beef Loco Moco, Oxtail Soup, and Mac-Nut Pancakes. The Omelette was absolutely amazing with fluffy, creamy eggs filled with crab, green onions and other toppings. The Mac-Nut Pancakes were a little sad feeling pretty dry and flabby; we expected a lot better from a "House of Pancakes". The rest of the dishes were solid with no major flaws or crazy praise necessary.
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Mark F.

Yelp
This is the only place we do breakfast when we're on the big island. We've been coming here for many years, every trip. You will leave here full and happy. The wait staff are always very friendly and the service is really quick. Today I had two eggs over easy with Portuguese sausage, four pieces!, hash browns and a side of the banana pancakes which I upgraded from the regular pancakes. The choice of Lily Koi, guava, or coconut syrup is amazing on those pancakes. My only critique is that they put the bananas on top of the pancakes instead of cooking them in.
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Dawn F.

Yelp
Love coming back here after living in the Mainland for so long. We used to come here in high school for late night munchies. Staff is always friendly and they outdid themselves this time. I wanted the fried noodles with teri beef, but was told they were out of teri beef. Then later on, server came back to say the kitchen was going to make me some just for my plate. I was so happy and it tasted as delicious as it always did. Extra tip for everyone and extra appreciation for making a Hilo girl's homecoming extra special.
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Sam O.

Yelp
A good spot to stop for a quick breakfast and/or Hawaiian-style lunch in Hilo. Right by the airport so don't be startled if a jet comes screaming over the restaurant on final approach. Servers were a bit gruff, not too much aloha spirit. The pancakes were pretty good, and the 3 syrups (Lilikoi, passion fruit, and coconut) were amazing (they have regular maple syrup as well). Teriyaki chicken was decent, but I've had better. The chicken barley soup which was the special was EXCELLENT! Very flavorful. The server gives the bill to you at the table and you pay at the cashier counter. Look for a picture of Oscar the Grouch and Big Bird from Sesame Street on the wall. Caroll Spinney who played these characters visited here. The sumo menu on the back features HUGE portions and has been featured on Man v. Food by Casey Webb on the Food Network.
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Joanne J.

Yelp
Food was very good. I recommend coming here. There is a constant flow of people. Staff is friendly, the piped in music is enjoyable. The English muffin was surprisingly delicious. I don't think it's your regular Thomas' English muffin. We'd come here again.
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Rick R.

Yelp
This place was recommended by someone on Oahu and I'm so glad that we tried it. Broke da mouth fo sho! I can't eat that much but they have sumo sized dishes that are obscene. Our server was super nice and enhanced our experience! Mahalo for everything!
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Tung D.

Yelp
we came here for breakfast before our Volcano National Park visit. We were surprised they had oxtails stew at 7AM in the morning, so we ordered it. The oxtails were delicious! The meat was tender and beefy. The broth was thick and aromatic. Went really well with white rice and macaroni salad. Portion was good too! We also ordered macadamia pancakes, but without a sweet tooth, we couldn't finish it. It was tasty too though.

Erlinda R.

Yelp
The servers are wonderful very helpful. The service is excellent, and the food is delicious.. I always love to eat their breakfast omelettes it's superb. Also the menu has a lot of good food.
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Justin B.

Yelp
Thank you Ken's! Stopped here real quick to sit and rest before we did several activity around town, we were seated right away and had a great service the whole time. Ordered the Eggs Benedict. It came with a side of hash browns and two pancakes. I ate it all! It was nice to have some comfort food in Hawaii. The restaurant felt like an older diner and I loved it, made it feel nostalgic American. It wasn't the best eggs benedict but it satisfied me just enough that I would come here again and try their other food. To the staff and owners of Ken's! Thank you guys for the great service and good food!
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Jay B.

Yelp
We came here 4 years ago and the girls barely remember on our way to the volcano. This time I decided to try the Sumo Loco Moco and failed miserably. My daughter had the French toast and both were delicious. The restaurant was probably built in the 70s or 80s and has the feel it hasn't changed. Service was good.
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Inga S.

Yelp
Amazing service .. loved that I could order lunch and my husband could order breakfast..def recommend..great loc too
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Zynette C.

Yelp
Not gonna lie this place is pretty awesome. The food is pretty amazing. Staff are friendly and attentive, constantly checking if our water and drinks are filled. Ambience is what you expect at a true American diner. A must in Hilo!
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Anna B.

Yelp
24 hour spot, perfect for a casual meal! Came in for breakfast on Christmas Day, got seated right away and service was great. Ordered the keiki size loco moco with spam and shared mac nut pancakes for the table. Portions are large, typical diner style. Attached to a small parking lot!

Ron E.

Yelp
Great fodd, great people. Awesome place to stop by after an early arrival to Hilo or before heading out to neighbor island.
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Ericka H.

Yelp
Incredibly delicious spot for breakfast in Hilo! After our first visit, at the highest most recommendation of locals, we knew this would be a regular stop going forward! My husband's go to is their Sumo Braddah Omelette, Sumo Loco, and Mac-Nut pancakes while I am literally obsessed with their melt-in-your-mouth Sweet Bread French Toast!!! And OF COURSE I always enjoy it with coconut cream drizzled on top with a scoop of Maui made Roselani strawberry ice cream! Don't forget the POG! Staff here are welcoming and friendly and many have been employees for years! Music and atmosphere is relaxing! Remember that you are on island time here ... relax and enjoy :)
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Conner S.

Yelp
Came to Ken's on Christmas morning for breakfast and it was a great meal! Service was very friendly and attentive - and quick even though it was crowded. I ordered a Loco Moco - the classic version and it was delicious. There was tabasco on the table and it was a nice addition to the richness of the dish. My group shared the mac nut pancakes and those were great! I loved how they served it with a variety of syrups (maple, coconut, guava and I think lilikoi?). I really enjoyed the coconut syrup with the pancakes. The inside is a very 70's-80's vibe and very fun. They have pictures of people that have completed their large Sumo challenges throughout the restaurant. Definitely worth the visit while in Hilo!
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Dijon B.

Yelp
Basic good home breakfast the salmon looked good have to try next time. Nandi
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Angela H.

Yelp
Sadly, this place has become a ripoff. I have lovely memories of Ken's over the years but the prices are just outrageous for the food you get. My mom, husband and I paid $72 (with tip) for French toast, macadamia nut pancakes and a blueberry waffle with whipped cream. Yes, the portion sizes are good but the food, while overall decent, is not reasonably priced. Example: The macadamia nut pancakes. The regular pancakes are $10.95 on the menu. A few chopped macadamia nuts thrown on top of those pancakes raise the price to $18.95! There is no way that the addition of this small amount of nuts justifies a price difference of eight dollars! Similarly, the blueberry waffle: A basic Belgian waffle is $10.95. The addition of blueberries and cream came out to eight dollars more. Our coffees were never topped off. Toward the end of our meal we had to find a waiter to get a refill since our waitress only asked after she brought the check whether we would like more coffee. Our sad conclusion: Save your money or take it somewhere else. This place isn't worth it anymore.

Dino A.

Yelp
First heard of Ken's on u tube and having the best pineapple cake ever. Went there. It was ok at best. Whats worse as a tourist, there was no effort to say hello here's your check. Was absolutely ignored. Very rude. Won't repeat
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Melissa L.

Yelp
We were greeted by friendly staff at breakfast today! The restaurant looked 70's retro with orange booth seating that was comfortable. I ordered the trio of pancakes. The pancakes were good and fluffy, topped with shredded fresh coconut and macadamia nuts, and banana chunks. The top pancake was filled with macadamia nuts, the middle pancake was filled with coconut flakes, the bottom pancake was banana filled. They were all really good, but my favorite was the banana. The syrup choices included guava, Lilikoi with passion fruit , guava, and coconut. They also have maple syrup. My favorite syrup was the Lilikoi with passion fruit! You can honestly consume these without any syrup! Definitely give them a try, you won't regret it!
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Rudy J.

Yelp
The food is good local fare and the portions are huge! I got the won ton min with a side order of Portuguese sausage and hubs got the Teri Burger that comes with fries. I wonder what the Sumo size won tin min looks like because the regular one could feed 2!
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Helen H.

Yelp
TLDR: Heard so many recommendations for this spot so had to try it when we were in Hilo for lunch! This was also one of the only restaurants open on Christmas Day in town. Missed the mark on overall experience and food, but I'm glad I tried it once. ------ SERVICE: We had to wait 30-45 minutes which was reasonable given how many people were trying to dine there. After we got seated and ordered, it unfortunately took another 45+ minutes before our food came out. I'll chalk it up to the busy holiday! ------ FOOD: We got their steak + Mahi Mahi special, as well as their original loco moco. Loved the loco moco -- gravy was flavorful and the rice was so soft. The special was unfortunately lacking -- the steak was really overcooked and didn't have much flavor (though the side of jus helped). Mahi mahi was only ok, and the sides were also all only average. ------ ENVIRONMENT / AMBIANCE: Very much a classic diner look and feel. There's a large parking lot here so shouldn't be too much of an issue to find a parking spot.

William S.

Yelp
It is a pancake house, and it is a good version of a pancake house. The staff was friendly and efficient.
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Lisa V.

Yelp
The "diner experience" was quintessential here. Frank Sinatra played classics played, tables wiped a million times, booths with red vinyl, real photographs on the wall, this place had all that a bag of chips! The service was phenomenal, water refilled so quickly, food brought out piping hot and quick! The flavor of the food was adequate. We all ate it. There were lots of choices to choose, The loco moco was 6/10, Mac nut pancakes 7/10, kid gave mozzarella sticks 9/10, spaghetti 3/10. There were 4 different types of syrup for pancakes which was fun to try. Overall, it was fine, we were full, but we won't be returning.
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Jolene W.

Yelp
We were staying close by and wanted a good local breakfast. Well, we chose the right place! From the hostess to the waitress, all very welcoming. The food and service were spot on! The best pancakes, ever! And, please try their 3 local flavors of syrups. My favorite was passion fruit. You won't go wrong with this local gem!