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JOJA

4.6 (214 reviews)
ModerateBurgers
Open • 8:00 am - 12:00 pm
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Ashley D.

Waited one hour in line before opening and then another 30 min after they opened. Smash burgers were so delicious and patties cooked perfectly. As an onion lover I thought it had the perfect amount of grilled onions. The truffle sauce is very good and not overpowering. Not sure if I would wait in line again but I do think it's worth it to give it a try.

Justin S.

Is it worth the wait?? Not for me. You can find a better burger for $19, but you won't find a longer line! But if you got an hour to kill, then by all means go for it. Burger is solid. Skip the truffle sauce or ask for it on the side. It completely drowns out every other flavor. Worse, it makes a huge mess. On the other hand, the spicy mayo orange sauce they give on the side is tasty. Be careful, these burgers come out piping hot. I recommend waiting at least 10 minutes to let it get to a manageable temp so you don't blister the roof of your mouth, but that's hard to do after waiting an hour for the burger in the first place. Tough one. Lastly, I know this is the style of burger, but I'd rather have true grilled onions. Placing the onions on top of the burger for half the cook time simply does not caramelize the onions enough.

Mikey H.

One of my friends was out here at the same time, and she shared a JOJA burger last time and vowed to get her own the next time. She was staying near the Beachwalk and we walked over to say "hi" but let them know we'd see them on Saturday. At a little past 8 am at the Kakaako Farmer's Market, the line was already at the street, so I got in line and waited for my friends. The line actually moved better than in the past. So we kept getting closer. Since I had worked out in the morning, I was starving and got the original with an extra patty and bacon. Soooooooo good! The owners are some of the nicest people on the island and run a well oiled machine. If you really want one, I do suggest you go early. The saddest feeling is seeing the "sold out" sign. Mahalo JOJA! Until next time!

Sauce on the side
Jenna S.

I respect the hustle but I honestly don't think it's worth having to wait in line for an hour+ for this burger. I ordered mine with the truffle sauce on the side so I could really taste the burger in all its glory and it was just ok. I'm glad I did because turns out I wasn't a fan of the truffle sauce and it was already messy, I can't imagine eating this smothered and dripping in sauce. I still used plastic gloves they provided because they shoot the onion side with oil before they flip it on the grill. My container had a good amount of oil soaking the bottom which didn't taste great. Glad I tried it but it wasn't the best burger I've ever had. Because of the hype and long wait time I really had my bar set high. If you do try this place out go early so you're not baking in the sun while you stand in line. They offer pink umbrellas but better to just go early anyways.

Bivianna V.

Hmm, I waited about an hour in line, and honestly I don't really understand the hype. It was good, but not "wait an hour" good. It was also super messy to eat. I genuinely don't know how you're supposed to eat this without making a mess lol. The staff were really kind and worked quickly, which I did appreciate.

Truffle fries  @dangit.all
Lisa D.

My mom loves going to farmer markets and I decided to take her to Kaka'ako Farmers Market. As we were walking around exploring, Joja had a huge line and you can smell how delicious the food is. When there is a huge line you get in because it can't be that bad right? You are able to see the staff making the burgers and also a bunch of foodies record and take photos of the action. Well, I'm happy to announce that it was well worth the wait! I loved that they have an area where they allow you to borrow an umbrella while you wait in line. This is very sweet and thoughtful if you ask me. Cause it was pretty sunny when I went and I can definitely see random rain occurring where these will also come in handy. Prices are a bit pricey but it was very worth every darn penny. I was so full after my burger and I shared the fries but it was more than enough to share. Ordered: Hawaii's Truffle Smashburger $19 - Double smash with double American cheese. Truffle fries $7 Definitely 2 thumbs up from this foodie Yelper. If you are a local or a tourist like me, this is a must visit and try! You won't regret it. Also, they were nice enough to still modify my burger order as I did not want any onions. If I was to come back to Hawaii anytime soon, I would come back for another meal! Tips: *There are tables super close by that you can sit and eat your food. *For extra cost you can add extra items like bacon, patty, sauce, pickled jalapeno, etc. *They have an IG page (I know this because I was looking at it while I was in line) *Credit card accepted

We are obsessed
Jess V.

We are so obsessed with these burgers. They are soooo perfectly cooked and loaded with flavor. Fries are also great and love the spicy sauce you get with the burger. I like getting the pickled jalapeños on the side as well but the orange sauce is really all you need for some spice! Service is always soo friendly and speedy, haven't had to wait more than an hour which for the quality is not bad!

Burger
Brigitte M.

Worth the hype. Went to their food stall at the Monday night market in Waikiki. Went close to opening at 3:45ish, and waited for about 30-40 minutes for the burger. So bomb. Burger and onions were juicy. Bun was perfectly toasted, and the truffle sauce wasn't overpowering. One of the best burgers I've had. Will be back.

menu
Mike L.

Amazing truffle smash burger at the Kakaako farmers market. Note that there's one line for ordering and another line for pick up - make sure you're not wasting your time! I also liked their kine fries (chili cheese fries with truffle sauce). Unk on the grill is also really nice and you can tell he loves what he does. Lastly, the items are customizable. If you don't like onions, feel free to exclude them but note that the burgers are smashed in batches and take time to cook. Highly recommend going early - who doesn't like burgers for breakfast?!

Rebecca T.

Finally got to try their burgers. They had a special event in Waikiki on a Monday and so glad I got to try it without any lines! Final verdict: burger was delicious, a good smash burger. It wasn't dry and it's got a good char. The truffle sauce was kinda weak and runny. It's a mess to eat but nonetheless it went really well with the burger. The patty could have more beef flavor and could use a tad bit more salt. Not saying it wasn't good but for $19 I've had better. I would definitely not stand in line for this. I'm just glad I got to try it without waiting otherwise I would be so disappointed. Worth a try? Maybe if there's no wait. Worth waiting for more than 15 mins? Probably not.

2-triple patties and regular fries.
Melissa N.

Love them! This past Saturday made my 3rd visit to their grill. Husband and I had to run errands in Town and I told him, he better get his stomach ready at 7am b/c we're getting Smashburgers! Sometimes I feel like he doesn't understand my logic until we arrived and as always, there's a fat line wrapped almost around the block with people eager to try their burgers. I had failed to mention that just because we get there at 7, doesn't mean we're eating 7.. in fact, we ate almost at 8:30 lol He looked irritated since it was his first try, I was happy to share the experience with him. Yes, go early! it's not an exaggeration.. sometimes people will wait at 6:30/6:45, the Market isn't even open yet. A single burger is $19 and I always suggest adding an extra patty to taste the meat. The truffle sauce is amazing! NO, it's not Mayo and it does pair well with the Cheese and onions. People complain bc Unko is the only person in charge of smashing the patties and Sis is working the payments and prepping everything else. They normally do have 1 or 2 other workers talking care of fries, assembly, etc but it's still a small operation cranking out big orders. Husband? Loved it. He's normally a picky/small eater but he did finish it before I could keep the burger from burning my mouth. It is a treat.. I wish I could spoil myself more but as great as it is, it's also really heavy you will be full for awhile and your arteries may need hot tea afterwards. My suggestion is to definitely hit them up at Kakaako instead of Waikele. Personally Kakaako has better line control and it's a bigger area to wait for your order. Waikele is a little more clustered and crowded. They accept cash and card but if you pay cash, you save a little but skipping out on the tax :)

Master Burger Maker!
Ray B.

I am thoroughly impressed with every aspect of JOJA's presentation, product, and production. The team operates like a well-oiled machine, efficiently delivering orders to numerous eager customers. During our stay across the street from their Waikiki farmers market setup, we had the opportunity to observe the team's seamless breakdown and setup process - it was truly a sight to behold. Having given up red meat some time ago, I now indulge in beef just once a year, specifically in the form of a smash burger. I am delighted to make JOJA my annual indulgence. However, if I could suggest one minor adjustment, it would be to offer the burger without the truffle sauce, as I find it slightly overpowering. BB

Famous smash burger
Kristin C.

If you know what's good, you won't mind the waiting... Wait to place an order and wait for your order, total typical wait time is no less than an hour. Once you've placed your order, you're in there! And all you can think of is how grateful you should feel that they didn't sell out. Small staff, but they manage well, helping hundreds of hungry customers watching their juicy hamburger patties being freshly grilled, talk about torture smelling those delicious burgers and watching them making orders. The buns are grilled too, buttery and soft, generous with the special sauces, they do not skimp. Each burger treated equally lol. So worth it. Guarantee! You're missing out if you don't try one.

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3 years ago

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Joja H.

Mahalooooo!!!! :]

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5 years ago

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4 years ago

Awesome food, Jason and Jocelyn are the sweetest!! Ive been to their restaurant in California before moving to da islands, great food

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2 years ago

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2 years ago

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3 years ago

Food was awesome! Will definitely be back. The burgers and fries are very rich, and not for the faint hearted :)

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Joja H.

YEESSAHHH :)

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5 years ago

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3 years ago

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Joja H.

ThankYou!!!!!

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3 years ago

Great burgers and amazing customer service! I really recommend to add bacon to your burger!!

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3 years ago

Best burger I've ever had! Line is long but definitely worth the wait. Nothing compares to this smash burger.

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3 years ago

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Joja H.

Thanks for the honest review brotha. Much mahalo and aloha

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3 years ago

Everything's delicious! Just like high end restaurant food! Tempura broccoli is a favorite!!!

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Page 5 of 6

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W & M Bar-B-Q Burger - Char grilled dbl burger! Very tasty and always a great idea to support local businesses!

W & M Bar-B-Q Burger

4.0(756 reviews)
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Ah, W&M, how we missed you! I'm so glad you're still around. Given the number of long-time business…read morethat have closed down for one reason or another, it was wonderful to find W&M still going strong. As usual parking is a little challenging since there's only about 5 stalls but the service is quick, so the cars move in and out pretty fast. This is one of the best places for a teri burger. Double Onion Royal is my fave. Their fries are those thick crinkle ones. So good! FPO loves the Green River. We took our feast to Wailupe Beach Park and scarfed. Good times!

This Kaimuki institution has so many fans and just hit 75 years in October, so they're obviously…read moredoing something right. I really wanted to love it, but thought it was only just ok. And I guess that's ok. Not every place needs to be Instagram-worthy and exotic. I appreciated the family legacy, history, and quirks - like the odd hours, bewildering menu, limited parking, and zero seating. Service was great and food came out quick. Many comments say the prices are cheap. I wouldn't, but it's reasonable for Hawaii in 2026. I got the HAL - a burger with teri beef strips. Definitely unique, fun, and flavorful, but nothing to chase. I thought the meat and bun too dry. The sauce too sweet. As everyone says, the fries are crispy! I'd definitely come back to show others and try the desserts (apparently very good), but I find all the annual awards for best burger hanging in the window really shocking! Not even the best burger in Kaimuki.

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Banzai Burger - Smokey BBQ Burger

Banzai Burger

4.4(683 reviews)
2.4 mi•Waikiki
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Free parking
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Christine took care of us today and was amazing and so sweet to us. She noticed what we wanted and…read moretook initiative. She really gave amazing service which I appreciate so much. The food came out fast. We got the Waimea burger and garlic fries. The fries were nice and crispy and delivered well in the garlic cravings. The burger was hot and juicy, bacon was thicker cuttings and the onions were nicely cooked. For drinks we got their sweet tea and dragonfruit. The dragonfruit was a perfect level of sweetness and not sour, I loved this drink and would recommend if you want something a bit sweet to go along with your meal. The sweat tea is similar to what you'll find in southern US so it is definitely Texas approved lol. We sat in the outside portion since it was a nice windy day as well but there are some inside seating as well. The music was very happy and upbeat, some classics that a lot of people would recognize. This was a 10/10 from me!

Service 10/10 Food 10/10…read moreAmbiance 9/10 Aloha, I had a great experience dining here! The manager, Christine, was incredibly helpful from the moment we arrived. She made us feel genuinely welcomed, took great care of us throughout our meal, and was quick, attentive, and friendly the entire time. Her excellent service made an already enjoyable visit even better. The food was fantastic. The burger was flavorful, juicy, and cooked perfectly, while the fries were extra crispy with a delicious garlic flavor that really stood out. Since it's an open-air restaurant, it was a little warm dining at around 1:00 p.m., but that was the only minor downside. Overall, everything was lovely, and Christine's outstanding hospitality made the experience memorable. I would definitely come back!

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EARL Kakaako - chicken rockafeller

EARL Kakaako

4.2(711 reviews)
0.3 mi•Downtown
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Tried the earl cheesesteak today and it was outstanding! Loaded up with a half lb of rib eye,…read moreonion, and peppers. The sandwich is $20 and with that amount of rib eye it's not a bad deal! I would add a touch more salt to the meat but overall very good. I've had some variations of chicken parm here and they have tasted amazing but between the crispy chicken and crusty bread it's like taking sandpaper to your gums. The heat and moisture from the cheesesteak really softens the bread and allowed it to shine. So if you're having a hard time with the bread like me, give the cheesesteak a try. The waffle fries are really good too!

Really disappointing experience. I ordered the chicken chipotle cheesesteak and it was honestly one…read moreof the worst subs I've had. I grew up on the east coast and that sure did not taste like an east coast chicken cheesesteak. The sandwich wasn't put together properly, so everything kept falling out while I was trying to eat it. The grilled peppers were barely even cut up, some were basically huge slices or half a pepper instead of being chopped into pieces that actually fit in a sandwich. On top of that, there was so much grease or butter that it soaked completely through the bread and turned it into a mushy mess. Between the soggy bread, oversized peppers, and filling constantly falling everywhere, it was almost impossible to eat. I got so frustrated that I eventually wrapped the sandwich back up, threw it in the trash and walked out. I ended up walking over to Moku happy hour instead, where I had an appetizer a full meal, and dessert for only about $2 more than this one sandwich cost me. That really put the price and quality into perspective. Definitely not worth it and I won't be ordering this again. Should have asked for my money back!

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Goodfella Burger

Goodfella Burger

4.4(5 reviews)
0.5 mi•Kaka'ako

Hot and new on Instagram! Their ig is @goodfellahawaii and only open Monday through Friday from…read more11-4 and in the middle of the night on Friday and Saturday from 11p to 3am. There is a private lot that you can park in, so parking is free and not an issue. However, looking for this place might be. It's literally just a black door with a white window and red light above it that's located next to the stairs and on the first floor. Just roll up to the door/ window where you can find their menu. It's a pretty small menu but what is offered is out of this world! I don't know where else you would get a double patty smash burger for only $9! Just push the button and a guy will open The window to help you. Once you place your order bell close it again and you'll just have to wait for it to be prepared. He'll open it up again when your food is ready and that is when you pay for your goods. It gave me mafia vibes here and it felt so secretive lol. Kind of like a speakeasy but for burgers? Lol I'm sure the effects would be moreso in the middle of the night with a little red light on the door. I picked up the og burger + onion rings. Their fry sauce was sweet chili oil + Mayo and fried to perfection. But - I think for just $2 more I should have got the other burger instead. Lol. The burger was huge and so juicy. I will totally come back again cause it was that good!

I honestly couldn't fathom rating this place poorly because the people working here are just the…read moresweetest, so I'll just take off 1 star. The place is very hard to locate, due to the lack of good signage, but it's in the shopping center right next to the Lobster King. Parking is very difficult too, so maybe have another person with you who can order and wait for the food. I'm not going to lie, the wait time for the food is extremely long for just burgers and fries--took more than 30 minutes--but please keep in mind this is a small business. I think there were only 2 or 3 people working, an auntie, uncle, and a younger guy who I believe was cooking. The food looked so beautiful but everything was too salty and the patties were way too charred, which I'm hoping was a one off thing. I did DM them on social media shortly after picking up our order and they said it was an off day. They offered for me to come back one day so they can make things right, but I don't know if I'll have the time to swing by anytime soon. I truly hope this business does well, they are the sweetest people I've met in the last few months, and I wish them nothing but the best. I hope others have a better experience than I did. I mean look at how beautiful their burgers are!

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JOJA - burgers - Updated October 2026

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