@fortunefoodfinds: "Gonna try not to FRY n' hope for BUTTER days ahead! June 24th marks the last day that FAT CHEEKS HAWAII will be open at the Ward Center. No news yet on where they'll be relocating, but I'm hopeful that I'll get to see them again soon. With that said, we couldn't miss catching them one last time before they close n' I must say, each visit we seriously inhale their food bc it is so good. Ordered my go-to Lobster Double Smash Cheeseburger, a Buttered Lobster Roll, a Spicy Chicken Sandwich (sauce on side), side of their bombdiggity crispy Fries, n' Fat Cheeks Sauce + Ranch for dipping. If their grindz are something you've been thinking about, tomorrow is your last chance from 11am to sell out!" SERVICE: friendly n' fully staffed INTERIOR: limited tables n' chairs in AC building EXTERIOR: good amount of tables n' chairs, on Roger Dunn side, gets hot out WAIT TIME: with news that they are closing, it seems their final days have had tremendous support. Visited on Father's Day, arrived in line at 11:15am. Placed order at register at 11:56am. Received food 15-20 mins later. PARKING: free garages OVERALL COMMENTS: my review has been long overdue. I remember when I first came across them at Ohana Hale Marketplace n' have been visiting ever since. When I heard that their current spot at the Ward Center was closing, I was so bummed but knew I had to make one last visit bc it is unknown if I'll get to eat their bomb food again. My must have is the lobster cheeseburger, the best of both worlds, so delicious. The lobster roll is simple, yet buttery n' meaty. The chicken sandwich comes with huge chicken pieces n' is crispy n' not dry. Their fries are the best of the best + with their sauces makes it even more bomb. Gonna cross my fingers to see where they open next, n' I'll definitely be there! read more

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6/9/26 This place is awesome! If you have heard of Fat Cheeks and have not tried them yet, best to do it soon. Their last day of business will be on June 24, 2026. They are forced to close due to the demolition of Ward Centre for redevelopment. They are just a small mom & pop shop at the ewa end of the mall, a limited menu, friendly customer service, reasonable prices, & ono food. I've eaten here twice and I am just wowed! I don't have a favorite item on their menu because everything I've tried has been great. Smash burger - the best I've had - for only $10.25, you get a double patty with their house sauce, lettuce, tomato, red onions on a toasted brioche bun. I added swiss cheese for 75 cents & subbed red onions for grilled onion for 50 cents. It's a pretty big burger & very juicy as well as messy. Plenty of napkins are needed for sure! Shrimp burger - ono! It's on a brioche bun and the shrimp is formed into a patty with a very light coating, not a totally breaded patty. The patty fills the whole bun so you get shrimp on every bite. Also served with lettuce, tomato, & red onions. The garlic aioli sauce makes this a tasty and flavorful sandwich. Butter lobster roll - I had this on my first visit and the price is a little steep at $23.90 but it was surprisingly one of the best lobster rolls I've ever had. It's not a big sandwich. The roll is not even 6" but it is packed with tender pieces of real lobster - 3.5 oz - topped with melted butter. The sandwich is a little on the salty side but was still ono. Lemon tart - had this on my first visit but didn't see it on the menu this time. It had homemade lemon curd in a sweet tart topped by whipped cream for $5. It was a good sized dessert easily shared by two. Overall, a great place to eat, ono sandwiches, reasonable prices, and friendly customer service. They do sell out of items early so best to get their when they open. Everything is cooked to order so sometimes the wait can be 10 - 15 minutes, but it's worth the wait. I did inquire where they are moving to and was told they are still looking. I sure hope this little place continues to stay in business because they have something good going. Support local! read more

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Very casual place, order from one counter pick up from the other and find a seat either in the hallway or outdoors. The air conditioner was blasting too cold for us inside, so we ate outside, which was perfect on a breezy Hawaiian day. Had the 3.5 ounce lobster roll which came with a roll that's oh-so sweet, lobster meat, and butter. They are generous with the butter which adds to the deliciousness of the roll. The bread tastes like it was made fresh. It is crispy on the outside, soft on the inside and soaking up all the goodness of the lobster and butter. French fries were well cooked and crispy and didn't need any seasoning. This is the best lobster roll I've ever had! I'll be back! read more

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I love their french fries, chicken sandwich, and smash burgers. I've tried their lobster roll when they were at the Ohana Hale Marketplace years back - so yummy, but nowadays I'm never there earlier enough to get it. I am really gonna miss this place :[ read more

Fat Cheeks Hawaii - Sandwiches Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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We finally made it to Fat Cheeks to try their famous lobster rolls. They have a variety of items on their menu but we were there for the lobster rolls. Servers are friendly and but deciding what to eat can be a challenge as everything on the menu looks delicious! We ordered and enjoyed- Buttered lobster rolls and a side of fries. The lobster roll was delicious, but I did wish the roll was more buttery. The roll was packed with lobster meat which I did enjoy. Overall, it was a great restaurant to stop in for lobster rolls. I'd definitely stop by again to try their other rolls on the menu. read more

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Ambiance: Outdoors seating, similar to a "food truck" setting. Service: Fast and to the point Food: The burgers and lobster rolls were really good and large portioned! Not much more to say but everything tasted fresh! read more

Fat Cheeks Hawaii - Sandwiches Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Fat cheeks is one of my go-to places when I'm craving a lobster roll. Although they had sold out of fries when we went (close to closing), the lobster roll still hit the spot. Service is also friendly. Make sure to order at the cashier inside, and pickup your order outside! Food is made to order so it does take a bit of time. Kama'aina discounts on Wednesdays :) read more

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I really enjoyed the food. I got the Smashburger, fries and the fish & fries. So so good. The burger had so much taste and was filled with tomatoes, lettuce, cheese, special sauce. The fish was so soft and the outside was a good crispy with a little herb taste. They give four huge pieces. So worth it! The workers were super friendly. They were super patient and asked if I had any questions about the menu. This place is in ward located inside next to the golf area. You order inside but pick up your food outside. Lots of chairs to sit and enjoy your food there. Definitely going back to try their lobster burger. The prices are very reasonable too! My burger was $10 something Fries are $4 something Fish and fries are $20 read more

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Amazing place for burgers lobster rolls and fish and chips prepared perfectly! Love their French fries. Service always polite.

I waited in line for over 30 minutes to only walk away when I finally got to the front. The cashier was prepping the food with the same gloves worn while operating the cash register and accepting payments. read more

Love the catchy name. Not feeling the vibes in terms of quantity and price. Come as you are. Free parking in Ward Center. There's one window inside. Lacked signage on where to go for pick up. Observe where the customer(s) walk when buzzer vibrates. Customer service was standard with drink and fries offered. Another $2 for ginger ale in aluminum can. Additional costs for fries which I declined. Tips prior to ordering: 1) Everything on the menu is ala carte. 2) Place your order inside, pay, then employee will provide a receipt and buzzer. 3) When buzzer vibrates, turn left, step outside, turn left, return buzzer, and pick up your order at the window. Squeezed the lemon over 3.5 oz lobster which was lightly seasoned, buttered on a grilled roll for $23.95. Quick bite for a quick lunch between appointments. Simplicity. I do not envision spending over $40 for a 6 oz lobster roll. read more

Fat Cheeks Hawaii - 3.5 oz lobster roll - Sandwiches Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Haven't been here in 3 years since i'm usually at work during their operating hours. I decided to stop by for lunch on a Tuesday. It cost $23.90 for a lobster roll and it no longer comes with chips like it used to! i was disappointed with almost a 30 minute wait time but I didn't order ahead of time since it was an impromptu visit. I recommend ordering ahead of time online or the wait is going to eat up your lunch break. The lobster roll was good, although smaller than other places, the entire sandwich is lobster which was really good, no fillers of veggies and other things like some other lobster roll places. The lobster was fresh and the bread was grilled wonderfully with butter. If ordering in person you order on the inside then wait for your food on the outside. Highly recommend if in the area but order ahead of time! read more

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Took advantage of their Wednesday 10% discount for local residents and phoned in my order of the Jumbo Lobster roll. It was so buttery, delicious, well grilled bread and filled with fresh lobster meat. So lucky to have this place near home. Hubby loved their burger. Super nice staff, and will come read more

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Stopped here for lunch late afternoon on a weekday. It's kind of hard to find, tucked into a little spot in a shopping center food court. We ordered the smash burger with fries and it had a great flavor and was cooked to order. There is seating inside the food court or outside on the patio. Service was fast and friendly. read more

Fat Cheeks Hawaii - Store front - Sandwiches Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Atlantic cold lobster.. not the flavorless southern ocean stuff. Buttery on Hawaiian bread The other items are good too read more

Fat Cheeks Hawaii - Lobster smash burger - Sandwiches Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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YUMMMM! Went to Fat Cheeks after a morning on a boat and food was sooo good!! * Buttered Lobster Roll ($23.90): SO TASTY AND BUTTERY. I loved it. * Lobster Smash Cheeseburger ($21.90): Filling and very good as well. * Fish and Fries ($18.50): Oh so crispy and fish was fresh! The fries were also very crispy and perfectly made as well. * Fried Chicken Sandwich ($12): Good but a tad salty with the added sauce. Everything we tried was so good! Orders are taken inside and there are a tables inside and outside for dining. After ordering at the front, you'll get a beeper that'll alert you when food is ready for pick up at the counter. Parking was easy. Fat Cheeks is located in an unassuming shopping mall with free parking in a garage across from the Ala Moana pier. Overall, Fat Cheeks goes down as one of my favorite spots I've tried during my trip to O'ahu. Prices are super reasonable - esp their lobster roll! (Most lobster roll spots around Waikiki are ~$30+) I highly recommend everyone to try Fat Cheeks. read more

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Haven't tried any of their actual lobster rolls yet BUT I have tried their burger and fries which are very good. Their fries are crispy and very well-seasoned. Their burgers are tasty and nicely put-together. I got their burger with added grilled/caramelized onion which was super tasty. Their prices are standard but with fries and a drink could run about $20 after tip. My only gripe, which is preventing me from giving them 5 stars, is due to the horrible encounter I had on my very first visit with one particular employee that they had working the register who could use an attitude adjustment... I was looking to order online so that I could do a quick pickup but was already nearby so I figured it'd be quicker to walk up and order at their counter. Upon arrival, there was only one gentleman ahead of me who when ordering was pleasantly greeted by the employee. She even went as far as to ask him how his day was going, upon taking his order, so it appeared promising that it would be a pleasant experience. As soon as he stepped away from the window and I began to approach the counter, she did not greet nor smile at me. Instead, she curtly said "one moment please" and walked away abruptly to help the kitchen with all the orders. I figured it was crunch-time for them and they were getting busy BUT there was no one else behind me and it honestly felt like she singled me out. She could've taken my single order before stepping away but chose to cut me off instead. I waited for about 8-10 minutes and since I got no acknowledgment from any of the staff and figured she'd forgotten about me so I left. I come from the service industry so I am very well aware of how swamped/backed up things can get during rush hour BUT how you communicate and treat your customers who wait patiently can truly determine the outcome of a good experience regardless of how long the wait and how good the food is. Which is why I was truly thrown-off by this particular employee who was rude, unfriendly, and unprofessional towards me. I went about my business completing some errands nearby and ended up placing an online order with them which is what I should've done in the first place. It was of no surprise to me, when I picked up my order from her, that she continued giving me her stinky attitude and did not even thank me even though I thanked her for handing me the order. After tasting everything, I really did want to give them 5 stars but just couldn't bring myself to do so because of this one single employee. I'm aware they're short-staffed like many restaurants are right now but I hope this will be addressed and rectified somehow. If I have a better experience, next time around, my mind could be swayed enough to increase my star-rating of Fat Cheeks. read more

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Everything is so crispy!!!! The crisp is insane. The lobster roll is good. I wasn't crazy about it but it was good. Fish and fries were so fresh and crispy and the tartar sauce was so good. Everything was a bit too greasy for me so the spicy ketchup really helped cut through the grease haha. The fish in the fried fish was so juicy and fat and tender!! read more

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This is an update since it's been a few years. Still our favorite place to enjoy Buttered Lobster Rolls! They still taste great with the buttered bun and generous amount of delicious lobster with no fillers. Only now it doesn't come in a combo with the chips and the prices have increased (like everything else in Hawaii). It's $23.90 now for a lobster roll but it's still cheaper than most places that charge $30. With a drink (can soda) and a bag of Hawaiian chips, it's $26.90 which is worth it. I like the choice of indoor and outdoor seating. Order at the inside counter and pickup your order outside. They give you a buzzer that lets you know when your order is ready so you can wander around in the air conditioned mall. The counter service is always friendly. Sad that this Ward Center mall is planned to be demolished to make another condo so this business has to find another location again. I'm told they hope to be there until early next year so that's a relief. I hope they can find a good location nearby. read more

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Great menu and service. Lobster roll hit the spot and wife's smash-burger was also executed well. The mall location seemed a little out of the way and honestly struggling for business. Hopefully this place can survive and get more traffic as the food they are serving up is solid. read more

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I've tried The Daily and Chubs and this place is up there or even better than the aforementioned places. The burger was juicy and well seasoned and great for the price $10.79 for 2 patties as of 04/25/26. Their signature sauce is the bomb too. I don't think you can beat the price compared to other smash burger places. My gf and I will definitely becoming back. read more

Fat Cheeks Hawaii - Smash burger and lobster smash cheeseburger - Sandwiches Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Ate here 2x within one week that's how delicious the food is !!! This place is sooo good ! We ordered the fried fish , lobster roll, cheeseburger with lobster and you can taste the fresh ingredients in every single bite ! Service was good very speedy since you need to order and pay before you sit down however everyone working was very polite ! Very small restaurant but I would say you will have no problem with parking as the mall garage is attached to the building, there was more seating in the front outside rather than inside the shopping area. read more

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For some reason, my husband would not shut up about wanting to try Fat Cheeks FOR WEEKS. So we finally made it on a Friday evening just minutes before they closed. It turned out he wanted to try their smashed burger (it was meh). I ordered the lobster roll (it was just a step up from Luke's Lobster). For the kids, I ordered the chicken fingers which turned out to be 3 hefty pieces of boneless fried chicken. It was THE BEST fried chicken I've tasted in a long time! Now I'm the one who won't shut up about Fat Cheeks and their amazing fried chicken. Another reason for the 5 stars is because the staff was super accommodating and very friendly. They made sure we had everything we needed to sit down and eat inside Ward Centre. read more

Was on the hunt for a good lobster roll and decided to check this place out. It's located in a pretty empty mall, which felt a little odd, but I was curious to try it--especially since the price was cheaper than Royal Lobster. I ordered the buttered lobster roll, and it was just okay. What really elevated it was the truffle aioli--once I saw it on the menu, I ordered a large container of it, and that definitely helped boost the flavor. That said, just judging the lobster roll on its own, I still prefer the one from Royal Lobster. The setup is a little strange--there's an ordering window inside, but they ask you to pick up your food from an outside window, even though there are tables and chairs inside. Not a dealbreaker, just a bit confusing. read more

Fat Cheeks Hawaii - Buttered Lobster Roll - Sandwiches Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Fat Cheeks counter service restaurant brings the flavor for the sandwiches. While you can eat inside or outside, you will contended with some activity. Our group had a smash burger, grilled shrimp sandwich. I had the lobster smash burger combo and it had good size chucks of lobster. Our group voted to return to Fat Cheeks!! read more

I'm glad to see another incubator space make it out to a brick and mortar shop. Fat cheeks was in Ohana Marketplace which have grown a few now popular restaurants and Fat Cheeks is another success story. Their lobster (lab-stah) roll is on buttered roll and it's bug meat on a roll as Jim Gaffigan would say, but you can't go wrong. I wondered if it was Maine lobster and there is claw meat in there, so I believe it is? Hawaii has claw-less spine lobsters... I really am not a lobster fan, I like crab better, but this lobster roll I would get again. The hamburger here is great! Nicely seasoned double patty, is like a smash burger with a crispy char. Roll is buttered and crispy as well. Garlic and butter patty is the flavor profile I get. Condiments on the hamburger are not overpowering. Perfect burger at a seafood place. I did not try the lobster burger, but that sounds incredibly gout attack worthy. I didn't feel like dining like a king, but you can try if you dare....Oh the fries came with the burger are great! Well seasoned and very crispy with a craggily coating on it that you don't often see on fries. Only thing is this place is too busy, so the wait can be long depending on the crowd. It's a good problem to have, but I'm not always willing to wait. read more

Fat Cheeks Hawaii - Small clam chowder - Sandwiches Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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This is my go to place for a lobster roll. They have other sandwiches and seafood items. The lobster roll is great comfort food. The regular size is good for me. The French fries are crisp and crunchy. They have a lot of homemade sauces. Order at the counter and there are bistro tables outside. Staff are patient when I am trying to decide what to order. read more

Fat Cheeks Hawaii - Lobster roll - Sandwiches Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Really wanted a sandwich... Fat Cheeks Hawaii offers that and so much more with menu listed by proteins it's so easy to browse though not so easy to decide. Allergic to lobster that was an easy decision to eliminate but not really wanting a burger it seems like it would be chicken for me. From the regular Fried Chicken Sandwich you're able to elevate it to Spicy or Hot Chicken which is dipped in their hot sauce and all chicken sandwich comes with their homemade sauce, red onions and pickles both that I really don't like and asked if I could add lettuce to it which in reply that I can't not even for an additional charge which leaves me with other than sauce a plain chicken sandwich for $13 that I wasn't thrilled for. So I decided to change it to their Smash Burgers yes burgers as it comes with two patties, sauce with lettuce tomato and red onion so it was no onions for me and no cheese but I did want a side and decided on "German Style Potato Salad" which was on the tart side almost reminded of pickles which I don't like but do enjoy the flavor...yum I'm weird like that. They do give a generous portion as it was more than enough for my first sitting. The service is nice and friendly as they're so busy with lots of phone orders as I patiently wait for them to fill and take several orders and you're able to enjoy them at the pick up area on the other side where they do have dedicated seating for their restaurant only giving it a nice and relaxing vibe. I could've added lettuce at home I guess but the burger was good but didn't wow me probably because I wasn't craving it but will be back to try the chicken sandwich. Thank you! read more

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I think I found my new favorite burger on the island! I think i'm pretty picky when it comes to burgers but I have no notes on the double smash burger from fat cheeks! I usually don't go for smash burgers because the patties are too thin and never come with lettuce or tomato, but the patties were pretty thick and super juicy and the burger came with lettuce, tomato, and sauce (I did have to add cheese for an extra charge though). The bun was really soft and grilled in butter and helped soak up all the juice from the burger. I thought the price was super reasonable too for a double burger, I think it was around $11 after adding cheese. My friends also got the shrimp burger and the spicy chicken sandwich and they both said their food was really good too. My favorite burger on the island has always been kua aina but this burger may be even better and is a lot closer than haleiwa. The workers were also super friendly too, they gave us buzzers to know when to grab our food from the counter outside but they actually brought our food to our table for us. Will definitely be back to try their other sandwiches! read more

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Absolutely bangin' burger and fries! Great price for the amount of food you get (double smash patty ftw!). Small little shop, seating outside in the shade or in the mall area. Must order inside. Quick service! read more

This spot is an absolute must-try if you're into seafood! I grabbed the Fish & Fries and the Buttered Lobster Roll, and both were delicious. The fish was perfectly crispy on the outside, flaky on the inside! The fries were golden and addictive, but the real star of the show was the truffle mayo. It's to die for. I was basically dipping everything in it. The Buttered Lobster Roll was rich, buttery, and loaded with fresh lobster. Hawaii doesn't have many places that sell lobster rolls, so finding this gem was exciting. Friendly staff& food that hits hard! Only issue would be limited seating but the food is worth it! If you're in the area, definitely worth the stop. read more

Fat Cheeks Hawaii - fish& fries. so good - Sandwiches Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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Consistent quality, freshness and good fried chicken. Have been here at least 6 times and the place never disappoints. Family run, reasonable prices, massive portion for a fried chicken sandwich and friendly workers. The place is a bit unassuming in ward village, but dine inside and enjoy the free cold AC. Fried chicken is nice and thick and perfectly crispy with right ratio of pickles and buns. Always left full and happy. Favorite fire chicken place on island read more

Whenever I go to the Kaka'ako Farmers Market I'm always tempted to get the smash burger but never do because 1) the line is always too long and 2) $20??? Thankfully we have Fat Cheeks in the Ward area that you can get whenever you want (and not just on Saturdays!) You order inside the mall and they give you a buzzer that'll notify you when your food's ready. Of the times I've been, it usually takes 20-30 minutes. The burger hits all the right notes and satisfies your smash burger craving. It comes with two smashed patties, lettuce, red onion, and a tomato, though they have $0.50 add-ons for things like caramelized onions and cheese. I also love the texture of their fries - craggily crisp with a soft pillowy inside. read more

Fat Cheeks Hawaii - Smash Burger - Sandwiches Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

I finally got to try Fat Cheeks Hawaii and wow--the lobster roll did not disappoint. First of all, the roll itself was perfectly toasted--crispy on the outside, soft and buttery on the inside. The lobster was fresh and tender, not overly dressed, which I loved because you could actually taste the sweetness of the meat. It was packed, too--no skimping on the good stuff. The flavors were super well-balanced, and it felt like such a treat without being too heavy. Honestly, I could've eaten two. The staff was really friendly and the whole vibe of the place was chill and welcoming. You can tell they care about the quality of what they're serving. A bit pricey but well worth it read more

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One of our favorite restaurants in the Ward area. Located next to Roger Dunn golf, Fat Cheeks has a nice variety of sandwiches and burgers. The desserts are also so delicious. There are a few tables within the shopping plaza and more tables on the outside of the restaurant. The owner is awesome, so friendly and easy to talk to. By the way, her husband owns Little G Cafe! Another food gem in the Kakaako area. You can't go wrong with the lobster which is what they're known for. It's on the pricey side but hey, it's lobster and so much buttery goodness! The smash burgers are also great! They offer a variety of sauces that go well with the sandwiches and burgers. So much flavor. The desserts are amazing as well. Definitely gotta take a Lemon Tart to go. read more

Fat Cheeks Hawaii - Menu as of 2024-12-06 - Sandwiches Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Lobster cheese burger was worth the 5 stars alone, was as big as it showed in pictures and worth its price. Also their fries need no sauce cause it's awesome by itself but the Garlic Aiole and Truffle Mayo was Ono as well. Staff was extremely friendly and the lobster rolls and fried chicken sandwich makes this place more amazing. Praying they find a convenient spot due they moving from ward. So going back . read more

Food was great the Shrimp Smash Burger is phenomenal. The fries were solid as well. Service was great the girl was really nice. Vibe was very good. 5 Stars. read more

This place was busy during the lunch rush, luckily I ordered online. My order was ready at the given time, staff was polite and professional. I ordered a cheese burger with fries, food came out hot and I enjoyed it in the outdoor seating area. Burger had great flavor and all the vegetables were nice and fresh. Fries were also good possibility beer battered style. Only suggestion is to make sure you order online or you might be waiting a while, my order took around 30 minutes. read more

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Perfect lobster roll and the best fries I've ever had! Plus the service is always excellent!

Easy review here. Got a bomb lobster burger that I'd come back to eat again and again. Hella big portion of lobster in it then mix it with a truffle aioli sauce and bruhhh, some ono grub for sure. Good amount of parking in the plaza it's in and easy to access. Aside from the food, the welcoming service and Aloha vibes from the staff gets my attention the most. Gotta have the positive energy when eating on the island. Definitely coming back next time! read more

Fat Cheeks Hawaii - Lobster Burger - Sandwiches Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii