Island Style BBQ

What?!? Why have I never rated this place before? I haven’t been here as much as I’d like, sometimes mostly because it’s street parking, but the food and the owners here are amazing. The son and his parents are the sweetest people ever. I mean, I brought in a water bottle (trying to be healthy, you know?) and when we sat down, they gave us a pitcher and told us to refill our bottle before we left. Who else does that? Seriously though, they’re so sweet and welcoming.
They’ve recently expanded which is nice. There’s actual space to eat now so it’s nice when you want to eat in for a quick bite. My personal favorites are the beef stew and chicken katsu, but then again, I haven’t really explored other menu items too much. Their kalbi is good, but its more on the sweeter side for me. Oh their garlic chicken is also very good. Prices here are very reasonable for the huge plate you get.
Besides their lack of parking, I’d definetly recommend coming here when you’re craving a nice hearty local plate lunch.

We ordered the Rib Eye Special and it was perfect. The flavor was out of this world. Don’t let the exterior or location turn you away. Great food, excellent price, and fabulous service!

A great «hole in the wall» kind of place. From the outside it looked kind of small, but once inside it’s a bit roomy with quite a few tables. The service was very simple, good, and friendly. I ordered the Loco Moco because I like to try it every where I go. It was good. My friend tried the mochiko chicken and ribs. They were delicious.
It is easy to find, but there is only street parking. We were able to find a metered stall a block away and there are some side streets that you might be able to park on. Just be aware this is an issue, but not one that should prevent you from going and eating the delicious food.

What can I say, this place was great! The chicken Katsu was amazing and the staff was very friendly and welcoming! The portions are well worth the cheap price! Would definitely come back

The best cheap Hawaiian-​style meals you will have in Honolulu. Enjoyable food, friendly service, lots of menu options.
Got the chicken mochiko and kalbi loco moco. Both were delicious. Mochiko is seasoned just right and is delightfully crispy. Kalbi meat is the real deal. Generous portions for just under $ 10 each for regular size. I like this place better than Itchy Butt, although they are slightly different genres. Only downside to this place is, there’s no parking.

My wife had the blacken ahi and I had the hoisen rack of lamb. The food was superb! Kevin the owner/​chef was there and gave us a brief history of his experience, love and passion for the culinary arts! The décor takes me back to the old Kalihi days of the these small hole in the wall types of eateries that I use to encounter during my trek from my house on Kam IV rd to Kalakaua intermediate daily. Bottom line, you gotta try it, it’s ONO! Chee Hoo!

Super delicious! Super friendly! Super FAST! Definitely worth it :). We had help picking our food: kalbi ribs, pork chop, teriyaki beef, garlic chicken, and chicken katsu with curry. All of them came with sides of rice and macaroni salad. Huge servings with a great price. Their macaroni salad is super nommy, just saying!

Let me tell you why I am giving them 5 stars. The service provided by the lady in front was fantastic and so were the cooks in the back. I was going to give them 4 stars based on what my friend had, which was the teriyaki short rib, but my steak and chicken combo was excellent. The portions were outstanding and the garlic on the steak was Ono!
Definitely a surprise when you see that the eating area is pretty nice with about 6 tables. My friend did say he would give it another try. It was a little too sweet for his liking. We will be back!

We started out trying to get to Ray’s Café. Got there only to walk right back out.
It’s a bigger place than it looks from the outside. They have a great selection of food on the menus. I ordered the loco moco and my fiancée ordered the deep fried Cornish hen.
The cashier and the cook was friendly. Big portions and good flavor for both… it’s apparent they put heart in the cooking. We can’t wait to go back and try more of the food.

We ended up here because our plane landed at 5am, this place was close to the airport, and it was highly rated on Unilocal.It did not disappoint!
Even though it was 5:30am, the owner was very friendly and patient as we reviewed the many menu options. For something authentic, he recommended the spam and eggs bento box. It was only $ 4.50 and a decent sized portion (even though the owner said it wasn’t big). The egg was fluffy and the spam was yummy. Even the rice was delicious even though it was half brown rice!
We also ordered the fried chicken lunch box, which came with a healthy amount of rice, a choice of salad or pasta salad, and deeeelicious chicken. I should’ve asked what sauce he used! Something a bit sweet…
The one thing we ordered that wasn’t my favorite was the Vietnamese coffee. It was just too sweet. But maybe that’s how they do it in Hawaii.
I was really pleased overall though!

Was ono for a no-​calories-​barred plate lunch + I had bookmarked this place after reading some reviews = chance ‘em.
My fellow field researcher and I tried the garlic chicken and mochiko chicken. The «regular» plates come with 2 scoops of hapa rice and 1 scoop of mac salad or a small green salad for $ 8.
Portions of protein were fair. We liked the garlic chicken more than the mochiko chicken. The mochiko chicken had a char siu flavor (hoisin and 5-​spice). Not bad, but not the mochiko taste we were expecting.
The mac salad was a little too sweet for my taste, but the strawberry-​vinaigrette dressing for the greens was good.
Owner/​Cook Kevin D. and his Ma and Pa are friendly and try hard to please.
We’ll try to give them more business — I’d really like to try the Corned Beef Loco Moco, and the Furikake Salmon is reportedly a favorite — but parking is a challenge so it will likely be phone-​in, grab-​and-​dash business; even though Kevin just acquired the adjoining space so now has a nice sit-​down area.
Check ‘em out. They cater too. Support GOOD local.

The rice alone would definitely bring me back here for some more Hawaiian food. The only drawback is trying to find some street parking and there are limited seating inside.
A lot of people just come by and order their food to go.
But with quality and quantity of food makes this place to visit. The staff were pretty friendly too giving out their recommendations especially for a tourist like myself.
Try the loco moco. I think it was like almost 2 pounds of food on my plate. And it was very filling. The gravy is awesome.

I have been going here for while and I honestly can say that they make really delicious food!
I remember when I used to go here almost everyday during high school, now ever since I started working, I order, I come here when I need a meal for work. The food never changes. Great food with a great price!
Alao, The staff is really friendly, food is well made. And there’s alot of selection to chose from! From daily specisls, breakfast and plate lunches!
I highly recommend this place to everyone.

Super friendly, super cheap, and super delicious.
Can’t fault anything wrong with this place… came to Honolulu on a short trip and ended up coming here twice. Bit hard to find parking in the area, but the inner fat boy comes out when you eat here. You can get one item or two or even three with rice and mac salad.
Also tried the cheeseburger and it’s pretty legit.

Srsly…
Some stuff you should never ask a young annoying hipster… How to build BIG biceps? Muscle Cars? Ginger or Mary Ann? Led Zeppelin or the Stones? Boxers or briefs?
Some stuff you can ONLY ask a BRUDDAH… All the above… AND…
Eh Cuz, wea get Ono BBQ & plate lunch? I was told…
ISLAND STYLE BBQ!
Word of mouth.
Word of mouth will bring you here, bruddah.
And if you got word… Get down here! Stat! Word.
So, the other week I was perusing the reviews and looking for some Ono BBQ and not just from the typical places — I notice this place and note Bruddah Fran C. & Sista Lori I. giving it 5-​stars! These are legit reviewers who know local «island style» grindz! Shoots! Maybe I’ve been here before. Idk. It’s in the heart of Kalihi or as the hipsters like to say «Zkalihi»… I make the executive decision to get down here with my Dad — since Dad loves his BBQ, local grindz, and not paying for all the mainland glitz! So we head to…
ISLAND STYLE BBQ!
After finding parking across Nandings Bakery near N. King St., we walk the half block over. If you’re still unsure with the location — it’s on the same side as Ray’s Café and near that 1950’s style beauty shop! We enter…
We are immediately greeted by Kevin, who is the owner/​cashier/​cook. His dad also cooks. His mom too. Yes, it’s a family owned and operated small business! We order…
Dad: Garlic Pork Chops, Mini $ 8.50
Me: Chicken Katsu, Regular $ 8.00
Drinks: Bottled Water & Hawaiian Sun Iced Tea
So, as you can see I ordered something not with the letters B-​B-​Q because the menu is BIG for a small place! I ended up changing my mind a few times, and only after finding out the Beer Battered Mahi is a Special and only served on certain days. Dad (hard of hearing) overheard Kevin and thought he said no fish today, hence why Dad ordered the chops instead. I later find out Kevin’s Dad is hard of hearing too! Anyways, after we ordered we chat some more with Kevin… Who we later found out knows Bruddah Fran C., but later Fran tells me… «Cuz, I know his wife more… Back in da day…». Eh, I no like getting a Bruddah in trouble so going stop there! LMAO!
Verdict? The food was plenty. The food was ONO. The vibe was «Island Style» casual. Friendly family. Friendly business. No frills. I will return to…
ISLAND STYLE BBQ!
Next time, I’m determined to get that Beer Battered Mahi or BBQ, but might call in advance to make sure!
After talking story with Fran, I later find out that Kevin worked at some heavy-​hitting hotels and restaurants in Vegas & Cali prior to opening his business here several years ago! Yup. Local boy that did good on the mainland and moved back home! Also, props to his parents who seem to enjoy running the place as much as he does!
Lastly, don’t get me wrong… I’m okay with «most» hipsters and know they have a purpose in our complex society. I mean where else can I ask opinions on Sinus rinsing, Macarons vs. Macaroons, Skinny jeans, Euro cut, Gluten-​free brownies?
But for Bruddah grindz… Ask a Bruddah… Word.
OVERALL GRADE: 4.0-STARS! (SOLID)
Unilocal REVIEW #476/​500

Based on reviews I stopped in for lunch. Hard to find parking and not much seating room but my timing was right and got a seat at the window.
The pork chops tasted amazing with the marinaded garlic sauce. However the amount of meat to fat ratio knocked a star & a half off the overall meal.
If they were to put boneless pork loin in this type of marinade it would become a break the mouth
Delight!
The Rice and Mac Salad were on par as local Hawaiian Style plate lunch fare.
Really friendly and fast! Loved my iced coffee.
Might return on a Friday to check out their MahiMahi.

A true alohaaaaaaaaaa to our trip Omg this place is your moms kitchen but like better wow … The mom and son are amazing and the food and the hospitality is beyond perfect … Thank you for a great lunch and an even better conversation I can’t wait to come back this week and try their spicy chicken special

I recently found myself hungry in kalihi, wanting to try someplace new. Island style BBQ had great Unilocal reviews, so I decided to check them out. They have a large menu of local favorites, plate lunch style and a board of specials on the door. There is also plenty of street parking during lunchtime.
While I was scanning the menu, the lady at the counter tried to help me out by asking what I was in the mood for. Lol it was a nice gesture, but I’m really the most indecisive person and could have eaten pretty much anything. I settled on one of the specials, the teriyaki ribeye. The ribeye was cut into bite-​sized pieces and smothered in garlicky teriyaki goodness. It was awesome. The plate lunches come with two scoops of rice and Mac salad or tossed salad. I chose tossed salad and it was nice to have it served in its own little styrofoam container. The crisp lettuce was roped with bell pepper and tomatoes too! So great!
During the short wait for my food, I chatted with the cashier. She was really friendly and told me some of her favorites for next time. They’re also open super early for working people to stop and get very reasonably priced breakfast bentos before work.
My food was brought out with a smile and the workers seemed to enjoy serving awesome plate lunches. I will definitely be back to try some of the cashier’s recommendations or breakfast:)

Island Style BBQ is indeed a hole-​in-​the-​wall restaurant located in the Kalihi neighborhood, a bit rougher and not-​at-​all touristy. We were surprised to have stumbled into some alleys and tight streets while looking for parking, really similar to the countryside in Taiwan. We ended up parking right in front of the restaurant as parking is difficult to find.
Don’t let the distance from Waikiki scare you though. You’ll find locals and a few other Unilocalers here (I mean… how else would they have found Island Style BBQ?). On our way to the airport, we stopped by to grab some dinner to-​go. I went with the mochiko chicken while the others went with the shortrib plate. Both were extremely delicious and we all concluded this was one of the best plate lunches we’ve had in Oahu. I especially enjoyed the mac salad. The portions are really generous and the prices are reasonable.
The owners are a Chinese couple and extremely friendly. It’s a really unique place to eat, especially after a touchdown at the airport, but just make sure you legally find a spot and maybe come during the day when there’s light outside.

If I had to choose only one place that I had to eat at every day for the rest of my life, and I could never eat anywhere else, my choice would very easily be Island Style BBQ. The varied menu that Kevin serves here offers so many options that there is always something that will hit the spot. I’ve been going to this place for many years now and in all of the hundreds of meals I’ve had, I’ve never once had anything that wasn’t both high quality and delicious.
Every day there are amazing specials and lots of them to choose from. I’ve had everything from snow crab sandwiches to boneless bbq short ribs to herb crusted rack of lamb off of the special list. I very much dislike facebook, but when I’m in Hawaii I log on to it almost daily for the sole purpose of finding out what the new specials are each day.
My personal favorite items here are the furikake ahi with wasabi aioli, the blackened ribeye steak, the spicy garlic chicken and the teri cheeseburger. I must have ordered all of these at least 50 times each over the years.
On top of the amazing food, Kevin and his parents are just the kindest, friendliest people. They’re more than happy to accommodate any special requests and will make you feel right at home as you wait for your food.
Adding to all of that, the food is very well priced here and the portions you get are so massive that I am full every time I finish eating their food.
This is one of the places I will miss most of all once I am finally settled in on the mainland. I find myself frequently craving a number of the dishes they serve and I can not possibly recommend it enough.
Overall, Island Style BBQ is amazing. I would give it more than 5 stars if I could. Go there and try their food because this is the best plate lunch place in all of Hawaii and it is quite simply «as good as it gets».