Rainbow Drive-In

Hawaiian restaurant · Diamond Head

Rainbow Drive-In

Hawaiian restaurant · Diamond Head

3

3308 Kanaina Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815

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Highlights

Iconic plate lunches like loco moco, mahi mahi, and chili dogs  

Featured in Food & Wine
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3308 Kanaina Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815 Get directions

rainbowdrivein.com
@rainbowdrivein

$10–20 · Menu

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3308 Kanaina Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815 Get directions

+1 808 737 0177
rainbowdrivein.com
@rainbowdrivein
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@rainbowdrivein

$10–20 · Menu

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Last updated

Sep 7, 2025

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@afar

"A Presidential Plate Lunch If you're hungry for a deliciously carb-heavy Hawaiian plate lunch, why not go to Rainbow Drive-in and enjoy a meal fit for a president? It's true: President Obama ate there as a kid and tries to make it back during his visits. Starting at 7 am, you can order up a big plate of mahi-mahi, eggs, and rice (or the omnipresent Spam). Lunch specials include loco moco, BBQ ahi, fried chicken, and chili dogs, with plenty of gravy poured over everything. Best of all, nothing on the menu is over $9, making this a rare bargain on a very expensive island. Stop at their shop next door for seasonings and souvenirs on your way out."

Aloha-Filled Food Stops Around Honolulu
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@goop

"The first thing you should know about the Kapahulu drive-in is that it’s an Oahu institution. And the second is that it’s a complete hole-in-the-wall. One that’s been going strong since the early ’60s. But what this mom-and-pop shop lacks in good looks and ritzy ambiance, it makes up for with its local-style lunch plates, piled high with island favorites, like shoya chicken with generous scoops of rice and mounds of mac salad. In fact, everything about it—from the walk-up window to the shared picnic tables, even the iconic rainbow-lit sign—reminds you this is a place with character. Local tip: Order the gravy-smothered loco moco (don’t knock it till you try it) after a day in the waves."

The Oahu Guide
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@foodandwine

King of the Food Trucks Hits Hawaii

"Known for local food like teriyaki plate, chili rice, long rice, and loco moco." - Jonathan Gold

https://www.foodandwine.com/chefs/king-of-the-food-trucks-hits-hawaii
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Angel Wong

Google
I personally prefer more flavor with natural spices so this place just wasn’t a fit for me. I did like the atmosphere, ambiance etc and was glad I came out as this place came highly rated. Good portion sizes for sure.

Frank Biermann

Google
What is it about eating food out of a box, that is just so satisfying? Perhaps it’s because if there’s no mess, there’s no stress! Go ahead a throw etiquette out the window. When you’re eating out of a box, you can really go ham. Food was hearty and freaking yummy. I should really stop writing reviews before lunch time…

Alex

Google
The venerable local plate lunch spot that’s been here for decades. Got the mixed plate for old time sake and food was up within a few minutes. Sad to say it wasn’t as excellent as I remember. I don’t know if it’s just me, but the taste was just OK. some of the other places on the mainland is better (not L&L there though). Meat a little on the dry side and excess mayo in the Mac salad. Would still recommend, to check that off your list, and in the case, I may have come on a bad day. I probably won’t be back this trip because there are a bunch of other places I need to try.

Marilyn

Google
Generous portions and great prices. Place gets super busy so parking is tight and outdoor seating can fill up fast. Food is delicious but can be hard to enjoy while shooing away the bold and aggressive birds.

Jenelle Lorah

Google
Came here because it was featured on Guy fieri's diners, drive in and dives show. I ordered the BBQ pork sandwich and a side of tater tots. When I pulled up the menu from the QR code, the price for the sandwich was listed as $6 and tots for $4. I s charged $7.50 for the sandwich and $5.50 for the tater tots. My sandwich was either TOTALLY NOT what I expected or I received the wrong sandwich. BBQ pork, to me, is saucy with pork being pulled. The sandwich I received was 2 slices of brown meat with thick veins of fat running all thru the meat. I did not eat it. The tots were less than satisfactory also. My husband ordered the loco moto. That was white rice, beef patty, brown gravy and sunny side eggs. We also ordered 2 large sodas, totaling $38. The seating is picnic benches outside which were at a premium. This place was busy so I'm assuming most people enjoy it, but it was definitely 1 of my least favorite places we've been to that was featured on Guy's show. I'm only giving it 3 stars because my husband enjoyed his meal (which I had to go back to the window to get a fork and ketchup).

Ga-Hay H

Google
Famous for local food/all over instagram. We got the mix plate. The chicken and meat was a bit dry. Rice was cooked okay. Mahi Mahi was the best out of the 3. The macaroni salad was a light flavor. Maybe we ordered the wrong thing , but I liked Zippy’s better than this place, but it is good to try once.

Kay

Google
I came here because I read that this was one of Obama's favorite spots to eat while in Hawaii, so I was excited to give it a try. I ordered the Loco Moco plate lunch, and it definitely had that classic, authentic local flavor. If you're looking for something simple, fast, and satisfying, this place could be a good option. That said, the cleanliness of the seating area left a lot to be desired.

Joohlie Carter

Google
We got the mix plate and chili cheese fries. There were a lot of seatings but we were attacked the pigeons and other birds that were there lol so eat in your car or go when they're not around. The food portion were great hit the spot!
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Aldron W.

Yelp
Food: My standard order: Teri-beef plate with 2 scoops rice and mac salad. Strawberry slush float--except on St. Patrick's Day--Lemon Lime Slush Float! Service: Not bad (if you nice to the girls when ordering) Ambiance: Take 'em home quick while hot and eat 'em while watching TV
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Jo Y.

Yelp
Opened on 10/2/1961 by Seiju "George" and Ayako Ifuku, Rainbow Drive In sits on its iconic location off of Kapahulu Ave. Seiju was raised in Okinawa and moved to HI to join the army where he learned to cook. After WWII, he worked at Kapiolani Drive In, and then opened Rainbow Drive In in Kapahulu. It served 50 cent chili rice plates, $1 bbq beef plates, 25 cent hamburgers, and 14 cent fries. The Ifuku Family's philosophy was to serve plates with generous portions of hearty, simple foods with 2 scoops rice and side of mac salad at reasonable prices, which continues to be the restaurant's philosophy today. It kept prices low and focused on volume sold. Their target group was the working person and the Waikiki Beach crowd, as it was situated right outside of Waikiki. Seiju's son helped named the restaurant, as he lived in Manoa Valley ad saw frequent morning rainbows, hence, Rainbow Drive In became its name. Today, 3rd generation Chris Iwamura, who is the grandson of Seiju, oversees the restaurant today, which continues to be family owned and operated and sells 1,000+ plates daily! Over the years, Rainbow Drive In was featured on Diners, Drives Ins and Drives, Hawaii 5-0, and Magnum PI. The publicity brought in many visitors (now 40% of all customers) that in 2005, a souvenir shop opened right next to the restaurant, selling logo wear and food items, e.g., original chili mix, related to the restaurant. The successful restaurant then expanded to 4 franchised locations in Kalihi, Pearlridge, Waipahu, and Ewa Beach, with each having its strengths and drawbacks. Rainbow Drive In Kapahulu serves a mixture of Asian, American, and Hawaiian cuisines that include the following: * Plate lunches: mix, bbq beef/pork, loco moco, mahi mahi, hamburger steak, Portuguese sausage + 2 eggs, bacon w/ 2 eggs, chili, beef/pork cutlet, boneless chicken + gravy, spam + 2 eggs, chili moco, shrimp tempura. * Sandwiches & burgers: Rainbow Royal/Special, bbq pork/beef, spam, egg salad, mahi, boneless chicken, hamburger, cheeseburger, hot dog, chili dog, bacon, tuna salad. * Sides: loco moco, saimin, chili rice, mac salad, fries, tater tots. * Daily specials: shoyu chicken, roast pork w/ gravy, shoyu pork, fried saimin w/ bbq beef, chopped steak, bbq ahi, kalua pig & cabbage, beef stew, curry stew. * Breakfast: special, fried rice, corned beef hash, arabiki, French toast, pancakes, waffles. * Drinks: soft drinks, slush, slush float, tea, coffee, water, orange juice. All plate lunches come with 2 scoops rice and 1 scoop mac salad. Fries can be substituted for rice, and cole slaw may be substituted for mac salad at no extra charge, which I like. I normally order the boneless chicken + gravy with fries. I used to order the mix plate, but it is on the dry side without any gravy and there is an extra charge for gravy. The generous plates would last for several meals. In recent years, however, I notice that the quality of the food often is not the same as before, as their recipes haven't changed to reflect the times. While meat items are sometimes dry, the gravy is the lifesaver and yet plate lunches are comfort food that are sold in quantities based on nostalgia. It's a good deal if you're looking for a bargain. The popular ice float is always refreshing to have on a hot day, which I've always enjoyed! I also like the old-fashioned takeout boxes with covers that the plate lunches come in, which may be of an added cost, but is nostalgic to Rainbow Drive In from the get-go. A few years back, my favorite was their fried half chicken, which they no longer offer. It took about half hour to prepare, so I can imagine it was time consuming and therefore, removed from their menu. I wish they could bring that back! Construction workers appear to like their plates. Whenever I do repairs at my home and need to feed lunch to the workers, they enjoy anything from Rainbow Drive In! Staff is friendly, efficient and works quickly; however, during the busy lunch hour, there is a wait to get your orders, as staff is working as quickly as they can and at times, may have a shortage of workers. It's best to call in your order, as it will be ready for pickup when you arrive. Rainbow Drive In has a rewards program. At first, I wasn't aware of it, but was told by staff when I called in an order and paid by credit card upon pick up. Staff enrolled me quickly with discounts on future purposes. Hours of operation are Mon to Sun 7a to 9p. There is a private parking lot for the restaurant that gets very busy during meal times. Just wait on the side, as people come and go. The iconic Rainbow Drive In Kapahulu still sits where it started 64 years ago and offers the same classic dishes! This nostalgic establishment is part of history which will always have generations saying that time stands still and will always have conversations about these classic local dishes! Support local!
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Chrisjan Y.

Yelp
Rainbows is a must eat for me in Waikiki. It's an outdoor order up window. It's on a busy street corner with a huge Rainbow. We shared a mixed plate and chili moco. It was more than enough for 3 people. I love Rainbow's chili vs other places. Line was long as usual. Beware, watch for birds. They are vicious and tried to get to my wife's mixed plate. They did a piece of a friend's fish sandwich. They have shared picnic benches. Always catch a good conversation with other tourists or locals at Rainbows. Thank you Rainbow's! Come to Vegas pls. We need you.
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StaciLei T.

Yelp
Nostalgia hits hard at Rainbow Drive-In. Nothing beats a mixed plate and slushie float after spending all day at a beach in Waikiki. Here you can find a good ol' fashion plate lunch with ample rice, mac salad, and multiple types of proteins and don't forget about the "gravy all over". I think typically a "drive-in" is usually when you can stay in your car but here you do have to park and then order at the walk-up window. They have plenty of seating but if you ask for your order to-go, you get it in a different takeout box which makes it easier to transport or eat in your car. The iconicness of this spot has made it very popular with tourist, and if you are visiting I do suggest you come by and get your plate lunch fix here. For international visitors, the portions are huge and I'd probably suggest sharing a plate. I tried their burger for the first time recently and it was actually really good- kinda reminded me of an in-n-out burger! There's a lot to try on the menu, and everyone has their favorite but you can't go wrong with their loco moco or mixed plate.
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Generous Y.

Yelp
Yummy food with insane value! While not the greatest or the healthiest, the food is definitely comforting, filling, and cheap while being flavorful. Skip the rice because it's dry, sub with mac salad and fries to share. Seating available and a decent amount of parking but people come in waves so the parking lot can get full fast. Mixed Plate with Mac Salad and Fries - beef was fair but the other two proteins were better. Mahi mahi was good while the boneless fried chicken had a light fry and was juicy. Definitely a greasy plate but such good value while satisfying cravings.
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Alayna K.

Yelp
Nice quick meal that we had before climbing Koko. The ribs and shoyu chicken plate were both 7-8/ 10. Mac salad felt a little too creamy and salty. Fries were also a miss and were not fresh. Portions were huge and enough to feed 1-2 people! Surprisingly their vegan "chicken" option was solid.
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Nikki B.

Yelp
Service was ok today- probably because it was super busy- the guy was mis- taking orders, but he also fixed everything and apologized- more than you can ask for in CA- lol the food comes out pretty quick so don't worry about the line. The place is known for its quaint drive in vibes. The seating is not too bad- most people take it to go. There's a store there for merch so you never forget! The food is solid. Nothing game changing, but everything is cooked perfectly, perfect portions and the price is on point. If you want variety, get the mix plate, but don't skip on the bbq pork! Don't expect a culinary revolution- some people have this place low star reviews because they were expecting more. The food is excellent for what you come to a place like this for. 100% worth the visit. And don't forget the strawberry slush!
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Jill G.

Yelp
Standard issue and GOOD "fast" Hawaiian food. Grabbed two plates after a looooong day at Waikiki beach. Pro tip: order ahead on door dash as you'll usually see a long line to order. Strictly outdoor seating with several tables in front and to the side of the building. You can order at the window. Limited parking out front but plenty of surrounding street parking. Good and quick eats. Can't go wrong with whatever you choose!
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CJ K.

Yelp
An instant classic. If you're a local, u know about rainbows drive in. But if you're a tourist it's definitely something you should add to your day in waikiki plans. Absolutely delicious food at a cheap price. My go to plate is the teri beef plate. Two scoops of rice, 1 scoop mac salad, some cabbages and 3 gorgeous pieces of teriyaki beef. A pleasant surprise though is the chilli dog plate. My mom and I literally chop up the hot dog into tiny pieces then mix everything together to for a delicious mesh of chilli, rice, hot dog, and mac salad. If you're a tourist and only plan on coming here once I recommend the mix plate as it gives u teri beef, boneless breaded chicken, and a slab of cooked fish with tartar sauce and gravy all over with of course the 2 scoops rice and 1 scoop mac salad (a Hawaii staple). Dont forget the strawberry slush float for dessert. I always love getting one after a full day boogie boarding at the beach. Parking can be a little bit limited and tight but there's street parking in the neighborhood as well. It's outdoor seating which can get hot especially in the sun and staff is friendly and respectful. I usually take off a point for parking and the hot outdoor seating but this place is soo good I'll keep it at 5 stars!
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Deborah P.

Yelp
Update 6-15-25. Wanted to have a slush float after our shrimp lunch so I told hubby let's go rainbow drive in. Wasn't that busy I guess it's father's day and maybe everybody is at the park making BBQ. Lol. Was refreshing at plentiful also saw a menu for dessert so I got lemon bars. Will see how it taste tonight. The lemon bar wasn't tart. But the crust could have been baked a little longer. It was buttery.
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Carlos J.

Yelp
We stopped by here on 5/15 after hiking Diamond Head. The burger and Mahi sandwich were good. The fries were crispy and good. The service was very efficient. Nothing to write home about, but good. We dropped by again on 5/18 after our morning walk up the Makapu'u Lighthouse Trail to try the loco moco. It's a fairly odd mixture of ingredients, but it worked very well. White rice, topped with two ground beef patties and brown gravy with two fried eggs on top and macaroni salad on the side. We really enjoyed it. The macaroni salad was one of the best we've ever had.
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Alex K.

Yelp
Great place to grab some quick Hawaiian food! A classic spot to chill and eat. Overall I'd recommend to try at least once.
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Maile C.

Yelp
After coming here for 30+ years still the same nostalgic vibes and food. Can never go wrong with a plate lunch and slush float.
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Jonathan C.

Yelp
Overall had a decent experience here - staff are very friendly. I got there just before the lunch rush around 1:30pm. They have three windows - one for online and phone orders and two for in person orders. I had the chicken lunch plate, which was not bad, though I'd have preferred the chicken to be slightly crunchier. There are at least ten tables around the restaurant but sadly all were full at the time I was there so I ended up taking my lunch to enjoy at Waikiki beach (around a 15 min walk).
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Brenda J.

Yelp
This place is walking distance from the zoo! Great place to come and eat after. They have outdoor seating and the food doesn't take long to come out.
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Gabriel P.

Yelp
Driving home from lunch in Kaneohe my wife suggested we go to Rainbow Drive Inn for dessert. She wanted a slush float. It sounded good to me. So off we went. Got lucky and found parking in their parking lot. She got out to get her slush float. well when she returned she also bought a couple of slices of Lemon Squares. Service was fast and friendly. Well I had my slice of the lemon Squares after dinner. The crust seemed a little under cooked. The lemon filling was tasty and a had just a bit of tartness. The slush float was refreshing. Both items are worth buying. Enjoy
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Jessamyn D.

Yelp
We've come here a few times since we've visited the island. We ordered our food online - took about 15 minutes and picking up was easy and there is parking and plenty of outdoor seating. Big portions for the price of food ordered, you can share the food with someone
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Kim S.

Yelp
Sad the cook served burnt bbq pork. It was obviously intentional because every piece was placed burnt side facing down. Still like the slush float. @rainbowdrivein
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Eye A.

Yelp
This place just feels like home. It's warm, it's inviting, the staff always have smiles on their face and they joke around with you. It just felt like you were going to a family function. With delicious food! I had to order the mix plate and I'm so glad I did. BBQ Beef was marinated so well. Perfect combination of sweet and savory. The chicken was juicy, flavorful and cooked perfectly. The Mahi Mahi was firm, flavorful, and made me want more. Add all that in with the homemade gravy and you had me in heaven! By far my favorite restaurant visit during my trip and one I will remember for a very long time.
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Jo-Anne S.

Yelp
Rainbows is not what it used to be. The next generation took over. Like everywhere else, prices went up, shortages of workers. Food quality not the same. We had the corned beef hash with one egg and gravy ~ this is yummy and the beef cutlet with gravy ~ another one of my favorite. Sometimes the rice is dry, sometimes the Mac salad is not but drained well so it's watery. The service at the window is slow, yet confusing. It's open but no one is manning the window. ‍ yes, best to do online order. The area was a little dirty today.
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Angela B.

Yelp
From out of town and walked by this place and decided to come back and try their loco moco and Mac salad. The patties are pretty dry and tough and the Mac salad was contained a lot of mayonnaise that didn't taste quite right to me. The best thing was the coke out of their soda fountain. It was sweet and carbonated nicely.
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Jennifer B.

Yelp
In Oahu, one of the best ways to enjoy local comfort food is by stopping at Rainbow Drive-in that offers a great mix of BBQ plates, breakfast sandwiches, and loco mocos. This spot is beloved for their laid-back atmosphere, where you can grab a satisfying meal in the comfort of your car or enjoy the breeze from their outside tables. The BBQ plates are so delicious with macaroni salad, and white rice. The loco moco is an iconic dish of Hawaii, that is must-try for anyone visiting. The classic loco moco--beef patties smothered in rich brown gravy, topped with a perfectly fried egg, and served over a bed of white rice. It's the kind of hearty meal that sticks with you, combining comfort and local flavor in every mouthful. The ladies taking your order are helping and are great at providing recommendations. Definitely a must try when visiting the area, you won't be disappointed!
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Rich S.

Yelp
Always great to visit this from my hanabata days Food is cheap! Can tell you're out of Waikiki enough. Wife says quantity over quality. The chili tots were not very good. I did like the mix plate - mahi, chicken, Teri beef - I thought all was good Kids had chili fries and said was good. Food came out pretty quick, and the outside seating was enough for our party. If this wasn't a place that was part of my childhood, I am not sure that I would come back
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Lornalyn B.

Yelp
Rainbow Drive-In never disappoints! The food is always great--fresh, flavorful, and hits the spot every single time. Whether it's the loco moco, BBQ beef plate, or a simple slush float on a hot day, everything tastes like local comfort food done right. Fast service, generous portions, and that old-school island vibe make it a must-visit every time I'm in town. Love this place!
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Missy F.

Yelp
Locals rave about this place. We took the 15-20 minute walk from our hotel to try it out and don't regret it. This is more like what I'm familiar with as the Hawaiian plate lunch. Prices are very fair and portions are large. Probably one of the most affordable and delicious meals we had while in Waikiki when it comes to plate lunch. They also offer additional seating next door with another restaurant we want to try and shaved ice that was to die for. Don't miss trying this place out but be prepared to wait a n line. They are always busy and make everything fresh when ordered. Still worth the wait.
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Yesha G.

Yelp
Loco Moco is solid. Good amount of gravy, nicely cooked meat, soft rice! Disappointed with the MacNUT pancakes, something was lacking, delicious nonetheless if you like sweet. Went on different days and it can get packed but they do try to get your order to you quick. Good amount of tables to enjoy your food but come at a busy time better luck eating in your car. If you're dining in expect a few pigeon friends to join your meal :)
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Lauren M.

Yelp
We went during breakfast and it was kinda crowded. We had ARABIKI WITH 2 EGGS PLATE, BREAKFAST SPECIAL- CORNED BEEF HASH WITH GRAVY AND EGG*, and the BREAKFAST SPECIAL*. The arabaki was delicious but very greasy and I liked how they were small sausages lol. The eggs were nicely cooked, not as greasy as before which was good. I like how you can choose between getting toast or rice with your meal. The corned beef hash with gravy and eggs was really good!! Might get that one next time.
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Dennis R.

Yelp
Not only was this one of my favorite meals on my recent Oahu trip, but I will start out by saying that I daydream about this meal often, LOL! We didn't get a chance to visit until my last night of vacay, so I ordered two items in order to make the most of it! On to the food! Long story short, this meal was epic! This was the best Loco Moco I've ever had, and the BBQ mix plate was off the chart! The beef patty and gravy were super tasty, and the mac was great as well. And often overlooked, their steamed rice was perfect as well. As far as the bbq mix plate, man, it was outstanding as well! Super tasty breaded Mahi Mahi, and both the chicken and beef were bursting with flavor. Plate lunches back home on the mainland are gonna be depressing from here on out, lol! I have to go here at least twice when I visit Oahu again! As far as ambiance goes, this place has been here since back in the day, and you can definitely sense and old school vibe in the air!
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Melissa S.

Yelp
Shoyu chicken stole the show! Chicken so Tender it fell Right off The bone! Literally. Flavor was good too! Not overpowering. Loved the Mac too! Loco moco was lacking flavor to me. Meat was a little dry even with gravy over it.
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Wing I.

Yelp
After hiking Diamond head summit trail, we went there for a super late lunch. Staff were friendly and helpful. Parking is a little tight. The decor is a little old style but looks just fit the food style. We ordered bbq pork plate and I have the special: fried saimin with bbq beef plate. It came with noodles, Mac salad, a scoop of rice , chat siu, bbq beef. Bbq pork plate came with French fries, Mac salad, slaw and the pork. They are both very tasty and value for the money. Very filling for sure.
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Stephanie A.

Yelp
Great food with generous portion. I got the mix plate (BBQ beef, mahi mahi and chicken cutlet) with gravy on the side. The plate was easily shareable for two. The service was fast and easy efficient, counter order.
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Josh M.

Yelp
Always get the mix plate with gravy when I come here. For plate lunch, this place has always done it right and has been pretty consistent throughout the years. Parking and outdoor seating area is pretty spacious. Prices went up but not by too much compared to other places around. I would definitely recommend stopping by this iconic restaurant if you're in the area.
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Grace C.

Yelp
It was a little tricky getting to it because of some construction on the road (I think that won't be an issue much longer) but totally worth making the effort. The portions are generous; a great value for the money and for a happy belly. Had the Loco Moco (good for a baseline) and the Mix Plate with gravy and sat at the lit outdoor tables to eat. There was a tasty, finely-shredded cole slaw (?) under the meats in the Mix Plate. Could have had that as a larger side, it was a hidden gem. Food came out decently quick given how busy they were. There's a cute shop with branded and some general Hawaii-themed items (bought a shopping bag) but forgot to snap any pics because I was distracted by food.
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Becky C.

Yelp
Came here for the moco loco late night. It was good, and so was the service. It definitly is a drive in spot... lots of options (nothing healthy). I would.come here again to get the moco loco for sure. Mac salad was dont waste your time with the brownie though
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Kristyn P.

Yelp
Old school vibe serving classic Hawaiian plate lunches. Prices are reasonable for the area and portions are filling. We ordered a Loco Moco Plate with rice and macaroni salad, and a Corned Beef Hash and Eggs plate with fries and coleslaw. Each plate comes with rice or fries plus macaroni salad or coleslaw. We were sharing our 2 plates so we figured to mix it up so we can try all the sides. The star of the meal was definitely the coleslaw! It wasn't your regular mayo styled coleslaw, but more of an oriental dressing coleslaw. It was light, had a nice flavor punch and refreshing. Rest of the meal was good, nothing spectacular but nostalgic. Small parking lot and outdoor tables for you to enjoy your meal there. It can get quite busy, so they also have the option to order online if you want to go that route. Workers are quick and will call your name when your order is ready. If you're hungry and in the area, worth a stop to check it out and see how you like it. They do have the classic local plate lunches and breakfast plates or burgers.
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Lauren D.

Yelp
For the price, WOW this place makes awesome plate lunch. The Shoyu chicken plate is BOMB. The best part is how much food they serve. They really load up the plate. I felt like I was getting a lot for my money. We sat outside on picnic tables. It's a super casual local plate lunch place, so don't expect a fancy sit down area. Food is legit local style plate lunch, affordable and tastes Ono! Service is quick... this is my go to lunch spot when I'm in kapahulu!
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Frederick C.

Yelp
My wife and I came back here on a friends' trip. Food was slightly worse, service was the same, not as bad as previous, but the young man taking our order literally said nothing. Who do they employ here and what kind of experience do you need? Tourist trap, most definitely. Try to stay away.
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Celeste O.

Yelp
Home style Hawaiian local food. Always hits. Fair prices. Miss it already. Quick and reliable always.
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Orlando P.

Yelp
Decades old drive-inn made popular by social media. Food is good, comes out tasty and hot. The Aunties behind the counter are friendly and efficient. The way they make a slush float looks like they can do it in their sleep. Lots of outdoor seating and parking. The slush float is da bomb!!! My new favorite Hawaiian delight!!!
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Kevin L.

Yelp
Cool little old school restaurant where you can just park your car and walk up to the window and order. I ordered a loco moco with an over easy egg, as well as an order or chili fries. The loco moco was very good and filling. Can be shared amongst two no problem. Only thing I didn't like about it which may be a personal preference was that the mac salad was warm. Something about mayo being warm doesn't sit right with me. But I ate and enjoyed everything else. Fast and great service. Would return again!
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Michael S.

Yelp
Tourist trap. Only went just to say I did. I knew what I was getting myself into They smothered all their food in the gravy to where you're eating gravy with food. The gravy itself is nothing special The pros are that the food came out in less than 10min and probably the cheapest lunch plates on the island Bunch of seating outside if you planned to eat there and the whole vibe of the place was the best thing about it
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Molly I.

Yelp
The fish was fishy, the beef was tough but had a certain sweetness that seemed to cover up the low quality ingredients, the chicken was... fine at best, but it left us all feeling icky. The gravy was bland. The hamburger was low quality. Ambience was loud, and people get way too close. A woman on a motorcycle ran into me as she left? The service was unremarkable. Due to online videos, I had higher hopes. I'd skip this one, folks. Save your money.
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Tu-Anh N.

Yelp
WHEN: Sat @12pm Needed a quick lunch so we thought it was easiest to come here for take-out. But since it's lunchtime, there was a wait. I was able to just order through the Toast app, and this is what I got: LOCO MOCO - $11.50 Two hamburger patties served on two scoops of rice, topped with our special gravy and two eggs cooked the way you like, accompanied with a scoop of macaroni salad. Pretty decent, I do not expect less for Loco Moco in Hawaii. There was outdoor seating, and a decent size parking lot. Unfortunately we came at a busy hour, so I was able to park just on the street.
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Allen N.

Yelp
It's always amazing to find a place that stands the test of time! Coming back now, I'm thrilled to say Rainbows is still as fantastic as ever. The team here clearly puts a lot of care into keeping things consistent, staying true to what makes this location special. Mix plate GAO... This is the place to go!
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Nette T.

Yelp
I came back to Rainbow Drive Inn and it's still super popular. I had to wait but not too long to get up to the window and order. I had the Mixed BBQ Plate (chicken cutlet, teriyaki beef and mahi mahi) and it was okay, I remember it being better many years ago but maybe I went on an off day? The meat was not hot in temperature so that was a little bit disappointing for me. However, the guy who took our order was nice as can be so it was good to be back to a place that has happy memories for me.
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Michelle I.

Yelp
Recommend eating here if you have a gravy craving! Take out style with outdoor self seating after you order. All shaded seating. Ordered the Loco Moco and the Pork cutlet with gravy. I recommend both but really you can't go wrong with anything on the menu. Parking available in front and on the side. Parking wasn't an issue when I went.
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Robert V.

Yelp
Previously went back in May and have been looking forward to coming back. Well on our flight back from Japan, we had a 5 hour layover, and knew we had to make the quick stop for some Rainbow Drive-In. We could've sworn there was a "Bucket" size option for Mac Salads and were trying to get that so we could take some back. But alas, we didn't see it, so we just ordered a large portion of it to take on the plane. In addition we got some tater tots covered in gravy and it was hitting after being on a 7 hour flight from Japan. The first time around I had gotten a loco moco with gravy and it was as beautiful as I remembered it. Service was pretty quick too and we were eating in no time since I believe we had just came from Diamond Head so we worked up a pretty good appetite.
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Matthew W.

Yelp
Dale just bought me lunch and a slush float !! she (a local) and I (visiting from chicago) chatted in two lines as we waited to order. She ordered first and surprised me with a mix plate w gravy and a slush float !!! Best lunch - happy belly !! If you see this, Dale, Mahalo !!!
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Marina S.

Yelp
Came to Rainbow Drive-In after hearing about how good it is and I'd like to say that i 100% agree! So far I've only gotten the Loco Moco Bowl so far but it's just soooo good! My partner and I have been coming here for the last couple weeks for breakfast on Sundays and we can't get enough! It's like comfort food to us, makes you feel at home honestly. The rice with the gravy, sausage patty and egg is just Chefs Kiss! The Loco Moco bowl was also very affordable as well ! I'd love to try more on the menu and can't wait to come back!