where to get GOOD Hawaiian plate lunch in the bay area

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Old Jan 7, 2007 | 11:32 PM
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where to get GOOD Hawaiian plate lunch in the bay area

For a sit down restaurant, Hukilau in San Jose is decent. Not great, but decent. The poke is good there.

I went to Hukilau in Palo Alto: mochiko chicken was seriously dry, chicken katsu was bone dry, kalua pork was so so, and teri beef was over salty. Poke was excellent... super fresh so I wonder if we got lucky.

The only good place I'm willing to go to is J&J or L&L.

It's like all the rest have never been to Hawaii and just read the recipes out of a book.
Old Jan 8, 2007 | 12:08 AM
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Weird, I went to the Hukilau in SF and thought the same thing - hukilau chicken and chicken katsu was dry but the poke was awesome.

My fav place so far is Hawaiian Drive Inn in Redwood City on El Camino. It's on the same block as House of Humor. It's the closest I have found to seriously realistic local plate lunch.
Old Jan 8, 2007 | 12:39 AM
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I go to L&L or Hawaiian Drive-In. They need to open a Zippy's in the Bay. Franchise anyone?
Old Jan 8, 2007 | 12:58 AM
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Originally Posted by wombatsauce
Weird, I went to the Hukilau in SF and thought the same thing - hukilau chicken and chicken katsu was dry but the poke was awesome.

My fav place so far is Hawaiian Drive Inn in Redwood City on El Camino. It's on the same block as House of Humor. It's the closest I have found to seriously realistic local plate lunch.
that place is the greatest i have been to, by far. i love it. Loco Moco FTW!!!
Old Jan 8, 2007 | 08:55 AM
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I have literally tried everything on the menu at Hawaiian Drive Inn, Its right down the street from where I work and its the only place on the street that takes credit cards. 1/2katsu, 1/2 shortribs ftmfw
Old Jan 8, 2007 | 08:58 AM
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I like Aloha Kitchen in SJ on Capitol and McLaughlin(sp?). They are open daily until midnight. Also, my uncle told me about a place called Da Kitchen in Mt. View but I haven't been there yet. I should check it out during lunch this week.
Old Jan 8, 2007 | 09:01 AM
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Da Kitchen is ok, but not great.
Old Jan 8, 2007 | 09:23 AM
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Originally Posted by platypus
Da Kitchen is ok, but not great.
I was honestly really disappointed by this place. Same deal with Ono Hawaiian Grill in HMB but it's closed now.

My fav plate lunch in from Blane's but that is a long *** ways away. If you are ever on the Big Island... No ka oi!
Old Jan 8, 2007 | 09:56 AM
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I didn't care for aloha kitchen. I'll vouch for hawaiian drive in in SF though, which I think is the same as teh one in Redwood City.
Old Jan 8, 2007 | 10:05 AM
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They also need a Rainbow Drive-in in the bay.
Old Jan 8, 2007 | 10:28 AM
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We got ohana hawaiian bbq here in Santa Rosa. Not great, but as close as I'll get to the real thing not having been home to the islands in years. The spam musubi was surprisingly good for the mainland, and when I eat there, I find I'm not the only one wearing slippas in january. What I really want to know is where can I find a damn hot malasada around here. Is that too much to ask?
Old Jan 8, 2007 | 01:30 PM
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I'm always in search for good Hawaiian food, but I'm too lazy to drive anywhere... haha. So, I just go to Kilohana in San Ramon, which isn't terrible, but better than the L&L in Cali.

If you're ever in Irvine, ONO ONO isn't bad.
Old Jan 8, 2007 | 02:40 PM
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anyone try the Ohana ones? I see them once in a while.
Old Jan 8, 2007 | 04:30 PM
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I didn't care for any of the ohana's i've been to. And I actually liked Kilohana out in San Ramon, it's not that bad.
Old Jan 8, 2007 | 04:55 PM
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Hawaiian drive in is RWC is good, but try Ray's Hawaiian BBQ in San Mateo. it's in the shopping center off of 92/Hillsdale.

L&L is ok.



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