Hawaiian BBQ Express

I live all the way in El Monte and my mom and I used to drive to the galleria, just to eat here. Hands down the best chicken I have ever ate. I got my bf into it, and the rest of my family. The day we realized this place was closed down I sent out a group text and all of our hearts broke a little lol. I would LOVE for this place to come back! They were the best place in that freakin mall! Comeeee backkkkk! Please!!!

I live in the Valley so whenever I am in the Glendale area I always rush to the mall to get my #5 plate (Chicken & noodles). I was so heartbroken to see that my Hawaiian BBQ was not at the food court anymore. I have been coming here since I was in elementary school. They had amazing food! I miss it so much. I try to stay optimistic that they will come back again since the mall always does some kind of remodeling or better yet they find a spot & open up their restaurant. Please come back!

Omg… my girls and I are so sad that they closed. We absolutely loved this place. They’re Kahlua pork chops were to die for and the bbq chicken was the best! If anyone finds out if they moved somewhere in LA please let me know. Thanks!

Noooooooo! Closed. Now I’ll never know how they made their special red sauce. Shriracha and ???

Omg how come, I live pretty far and passing by Glendale it’s a must have for dinner or lunch and even to go orders for the next day lol. I hope they decide to open up shop somewhere again. I think if they did a taco truck selling this stuff in vegas, Pasadena, or LA would be pretty good opportunity. I’d hit it up every time I’m in the area.

I almost FAINTED when I took my Mom to the Hawaiian BBQ Express yesterday for our weekly Sunday Dinner!!! Our taste buds were all set for their delicious BBQ Chicken. I hoped against hope I was seeing things. The entire place was closed!!! I went around asking everyone from the janitor to other restaurant workers what had happened and if they had moved to another location!!! Then the cruelest cut of all, they will be replaced by the horrible overpriced, purveyors of BLAND Mexican Food, Chipotle! They probably offered the mall a lot more rent for the space and once again the little guy was pushed out! It’s getting harder and harder to find privately owned non-​chain restaurant that only serve expensive boring food. If anyone knows if they’ve opened up in another location could you let us know? If not, «Farewell, Hawaiian BBQ Express, wherever you are!!»

They’re gone. Sad to report… they closed Jan 1, 2014. Not sure why. but I heard Chipolte will replace their stall in the Glendale Galleria food court. Anyone have a suggestion as where to find this tasty chicken elsewhere?

I’ve been coming to the Glendale Galleria since my heydays in high school. I remember Friday afternoons after school, my classmates and I would go to the mall just to try and look for girls that would be coming from the nearby Holy Family High School. Of course, we did have friends that went there, but it was a great time. But i digress. I’m writing about this Hawaiian BBQ Express that has pretty much stood the test of time and is one of the first places you encounter when you enter the food court entrance.
Behind the counter is clean and they make sure things are well organized. You can smell the yummy goodness of the BBQ chicken and short ribs that they constantly grill because those are two of their best sellers. I usually get the BBQ chicken combo with rice and chow mein.
BIG points because of the amount of food you get for the price. For less than $ 7, you get a BBQ chicken combo that’s good enough to feed wither one person (after an intense workout at 24 Hour Fitness), or for two, even three people if you just want a quick bite. The chicken is not too dry (as long as you ask them to pour extra marinade on it), the rice is not too sticky, and the chow mein is not too salty. It is a simple dish that needs no pomp and circumstance. Just a filling meal that offers value and flavor.
If you’re not feeling Panda Express or Mediterranean food (seems like all malls have AT LEAST a Chinese, Mediterranean, and a pizza joint at the minimum), get some Hawaiian BBQ Express. You will be full and happy in no time!

Wow! Now this is what I call islander food that is out of bounds! I got a lot of BBQ short ribs and red pork with the side of chowmein and it is the bomb! I have so much food ordered to go, that I can save and enjoy eating at dinner! I love the tasty and delicious food. It was worth the cost for a generous amount of BBQ short ribs and red pork. I will definitely come back! The chefs and clerk were so nice with a great smile!

Great food place located inside the Glendale Galleria Food Court. The food here is delicious and portions are filling.
The BF and I always order the chicken and spare rib combo to split. And believe me it is plenty for the both of us. The chicken is so juicy and has lots of flavor because of the delicious sauce they spread over the chicken. The spare ribs are tasty as well too and cooked to perfection. The combo comes with Rice and Veggies. The Chicken and Spare ribs when ready are placed on top of the rice and veggies, which makes this plate a perfect combo. The delicious sauce seeps all over the rice and veggies and compliments each other. So mouth watering.
The workers are fast in taking down the orders and the cook is always ready to slap the meats on the grill. Within a short period of time, your order is hot and ready to consume.
Definitely recommend this place over the other food selections in the mall.

Food is delicious, the 4 stars are for the fact that they charge extra for everything. You want extra sauce? extra 35 cents, you want want to use your debit card? extra 75 cents, you want a jalapeño extra 1.50. I mean… come on. The food itself is pretty pricey why do you have to charge extra for everything else? If you ask for noodles the guy sometimes gives you a weird look… I don’t get why but maybe I’m just not supposed to get noodles with these dishes? I mean the option is there, noodles or rice. Weird. I understand charging people extra for jalapenos and sauces okay I kind of get it, but the 75 cent fee for a debit card? That’s retarded, first of all, it’s not even legal to do that although I don’t think they know that, but someone should probably advise them on that. If you’re using a debit card machine that’s just how it is, every other place just pays the fee because that’s just what you are legally supposed to do.

Reminds me of the LnL’s back home in Hawaii. The workers are great and friendly just like back home. My Favorite is the BBQ short Ribs and Chicken Katsu plate. «Brah Da Buggah is Ono!» (It tastes really Good)

Eeeeeeven though this place has always been higher-​priced, I’ll give it five stars. After all, I have been coming here since I was a Gael, so really, if I didn’t love it, I wouldn’t be paying you $ 11 for my combo.
The trick? Go late on weeknights. You know, right before they close. They’ll give you more meat, extra sauce at no cost, and actually better service than if you go during the busy weekend hours.
Don’t bother with the shrimp skewer — they’re too small. And the kalbi is sometimes too salty. Stick with that works and what’s kept them in business as the rest of their neighbors have had to close up shop — the chicken.
And opt out for veggies and get more rice if you’ll be sharing, just like fiancé & I do. And that way, it’s cheaper!

Could be just my personal taste, but this place definitely deserves a good review for a mall food joint. Granted it may not be all that exciting, but I personal don’t feel that it deserves any less than a 3 stars rating. Here is why in my opinion…
Hawaiian BBQ Express is located inside the food court in Glendale Galleria near the entrance to the parking garage. So location wise it is definitely great and easy to find. (Glendale Galleria is just one of those really packed malls! Always full of people!)
Food selections are simple, chicken, pork, shrimp, veggies, rice, all tossed into a combination form just like any normal old mall food style eateries.
What makes this place different, is their chicken!
Don’t compare this place to the likes of L&L or other «Hawaiian BBQ» joints because it’s not like them… but their chicken off the grill is really off the hook good!
When ordering, decide on the menu item (I always go with the chicken special), and have them pour on extra juice on the rice. So this is how it plays out…
Cooks slaps on the hot grill these super delicious, large portioned chicken meats while continue to lather them with delicious sauce, thus keeping them fairly juicy in general. This happens immediately after the order has been taken and the initial clerk moves forward by putting rice and veggies on the container or plate. After a few minutes, the chicken has been heated perfectly and placed on top of the rice and veggie combo and ready to be devoured!
The chicken always comes out super delicious, humongously portioned, rice are always fluffy and the sauce made it absolutely delicious all by itself! (Imagine having «GRILLED BBQ RICE!» — That’s right, I’ve said it! Not possible? Try it!) and of course, steamed veggies to complement it all!
Don’t forget to ask for some hot sauce! Hot sauce makes everything that much better!
What I don’t like here are their drink selections and cutlery. Weak on those departments but oh well… they are not the main focus anyway but it would be been good…
Total comes out to little over $ 8 bucks. little steep but it’s mall food what do you expect? High traffic = High rent cost = higher retail price!
Now… finding a spot here on the weekend is a nightmare! Good luck people unless you got a street team roaming the food court area scouring for a seat… otherwise, it’s gonna take you quite a bit of time!
One great hint to save money! Don’t get the drinks at the food court! Walk over just about 5 stores down to your right to McDonald’s and get yourself a Shweet Tea! It’s only a Buck! (Or the value menu drink w/​free refills!) You know how stingy mall food court drinks are! $ 0.25 refills here, $ 0.35 refills there… ugh!!! Hate that! Thank you McDonald’s for being at the right place at the right time!
Enjoy your freshly grilled chicken! Don’t forget to ask for extra juice for everything!!!

This place tastes NOTHING like L&L’s, Ohana’s or any other likes of the two scoops rice, mac-​salad, miscellaneous greasy meat on the side. It’s not amped with carbs and grease that tastes OH_​SO hearty. But, it’s food a plenty with tastes that cannot be found on any other place in California.
I can’t be the ultimate judge for all the dishes they got here, but their chicken plate. Oh dear. Watch it grilling with the flame underneath. I believe they use dark meat chicken for the most part because it’s texture is juiced and there’s never a dull bite. Throw in some rice and lots of simple vegetables and then spill on the BBQ juice/​sauce concoction that makes this plate a go-​to every time I go shopping.
Oh, don’t forget to request some spicy sauce. It’s what looks like a vinegar-​siracha combo that is a must with this BBQ chicken.
For less than $ 10, I’m set with a really delicious meal, and so much food, I can save the other half for another happy meal at dinner time.

My cousin and I come here every once in a while and this place is it. They give you loads of food so be prepared to take some home. The food is always fresh and fast. Although I don’t really like eating in food courts but I’ll do it just to eat here. Since both of us are on a strict diet (I cheat all the time!), We prefer to eat beef or chicken instead of carbs so I’ll get the chicken and go to town on it.
Try it out and see for yourself!

Love this place! Had Teriyaki Chicken with white rice. My favorite! The chicken is a little fatty but very tasty. Service was good.

Pray be frank, I was not expecting too much from Hawaiian BBQ Express; my boyfriend warned me ahead of time that the only reason to go was the Hawaiian barbecued pork, a food item I consider largely inedible. Therefore, the following review refers to the rice/​vegetable portion of the meal and not the actual, you know, food.
So, what does Hawaiian BBQ Express have going for it? The rice and vegetables, while not revolutionary, are tasty; the portions are big; the disposable cutlery is particularly sturdy. Soy sauce is abundant and service is quick. The storefront itself is located quite close to the outdoor dining patio, which makes for a far more pleasant experience than dining in the food court.
And you know what? My boyfriend said his barbecued pork was swell, too.
For these reasons, three stars.

This place USE to be the bestest hawaiin food out there… it’s just not the same anymore, the prices went way up and the food just doesnt taste the same anymore. Theres no love in the food no mo!..
…and there sprite was watered down and hot sause tasted like ketchup!
im going to miss the way it was :(
soo long hawaiin bbq express.

This is my all time favorite mall food court spot to eat. The BBQ Chicken is great. (
) One order of this is large enough to share between 2 people.