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    Kababa Mama

    4.2 (40 reviews)
    Open 4:30 pm - 9:00 PM

    Kababa Mama Photos

    KABABA MAMA ATMOSPHERE

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    Jacob M.

    Pricey for an order of shawarma. However, though small, the taste is full. I don't think I have ever eaten anything that small but tastes so flavorful. Found them at What The Truck in Waikele.

    Burnt falafel waited 20 minutes for this order and there was no line
    Rosalynn E.

    I am a huge supporter of local businesses but this Mama is a transplant to the island with no ALOHA. Listen! Here is what happened.... Prior to me everyone ordered from the cashier. As I am ordering the cook- owner of this looks at the guy behind me and says what can I get started for you? I'm like ok she just wants to get things going. I'm # 12 she calls #13 to pick up his food. As he picks up his food she chats and flirts. ME...still waiting. Now Mama kababa comes out from the grill and chats to 2 females, this goes on for another 10 minutes. Here is the kicker!!! She goes behind the grill and makes them 2 plates that she hands over to them. But still no plate for me. I'm still waiting!!! What is this disrespect? I approach her to express my dissatisfaction with her treatment and she blows me off. The final is that I am given a burnt falafel wrap. I would give negative ZERO stars if I could. I do not recommend and will not go back. Enter at your own risk of disrespect.

    Mama smash
    Jennifer H.

    This is one of my favorites when picking up Thursday dinner at Wai Kai! I've only had the smash gyro burger so this review is entirely based on that meal and the service associated. The line can get long but they move fast! It's usually 8-10 minutes for our order to be ready. And despite their popularity, there was no sacrifice to flavor at all. The pita itself was grilled for a bit of toastiness. The beef and lamb patty followed all the requirements for a great smash burger patty. Juicy inside with a flavorful crust of seasonings. The toppings of feta, pickled veggies, and tzatziki sauce add tangy and creamy to each bite! Soooo ono!!

    Mamas smash burger pita
    Ashley C.

    Mamas smash burger pita was delicious Great and interesting fusion. Located at night market at Pearlridge. Live music and vendors also there.

    Mama's Smash Burger
    Jennifer E.

    My husband had been wanting to eat here since he saw posts on social media, including Yelp. We made it out to Pearlridge Village Night Market on Saturday evening and it was the first food truck he noticed. Since I didn't order our food, I won't be able to comment on the service or ambiance but I will most likely be back to order because Mama's Smash Burger was so good. Evenly cooked and on a pita that had a crispy, and soft texture to it. The portion was a nice size and wasn't overpowered by tzatziki or the onions. It's such a great take on mid eastern food.

    Mama smash burger. Ate it like a slice of pizza.
    Marcus D.

    Their tent was set up at the Waterfront Plaza's Taste of Aloha Night Market at Restaurant Row this past Saturday. We strolled around, looking for what to have for dinner, and the wafting grill aroma drew me to them. I was interested in their Smash pita burger, as I am a fan of both pita and burgers. I was met with friendly service, and the wait was about 20 minutes. It was very tasty with the cheese and the sauce, although the burger was a little tough. I ate it like a slice of pizza vs trying to fold it, as it was covered with lots of fresh toppings. A bit pricey, I think it went for $18. Good stuff, I'd try their other products next time I go.

    Menu
    Irene M.

    They're smashing it... Stumbled upon this gem at the Honolulu Night Market in Kaka'ako and Is it worth the wait?...Yup as everything is made to order it will be 10 if you're lucky but about 15 minutes wait for your order so if you're in a rush this isn't the place for you which is a shame as it was just the yummy and fresh bite. I just love the twist they put on the classic gyro by smashing it literally as it all come with the same toppings of Tzatziki, Feta, Tomatoes, Pickled Red Onions and Cucumbers it's a matter of protein of your choice (Beef & Lamb, Chicken, or Falafel) and it was Falafel for me, is all piled on a warm pita finished with drizzled with some green sauce on top. The vibe is a bit hectic but the expeditor controls it all with flair as my order was approaching i asked if i could get extra tzatziki which they happily did so. Though the event did provided a lot of tables I decided to enjoy it at home which i did and everything was just so fresh and flavorful, I loved it all. Thank you!

    Beef and lamb smashburger
    Rod U.

    Some of the best tasting food is being made by transient food vendors. Take a ground beef and lamb. Season it with kofta spice (coriander, cumin, pepper, cardamom , turmeric). Smash it (smashburger style) on a flattop until crisp and caramelized on the outside, still juicy on the inside. Put it in a fresh, house made pita. Top with tangy feta, cucumber, tomato, and unreal good pickled onions. Squeeze of lemon before devouring. Brilliant creation! Satisfying, great tasting flavor bomb. Nuff said. A chicken and falafel version also on offer and next up to be sampled on a future visit. Food is cooked when ordered. Allow 15-20 minutes. Friendly service. Cards through square. Follow on IG for locations. A definite must try if you see them at the next foodtruck rally you're at.

    a food cart on the street
    Alexander G.

    This is one of the best food trucks I've experienced in Honolulu. The concept is simple: take traditional Mediterranean dishes but make them like a smash burger. All the fixings are still included, as are delightful spices and sauces. The way they cook the main proteins are smashed against the hot grill, which uniformly cooks everything as a giant patty, same size as the pita. The food truck is a fun little trailer they set up with an ordering counter. Clearly a family affair, everyone working was friendly and welcoming, fast with orders without skimping on quality. A complaint that sometimes comes up is falafel is too dry and flaky, or too greasy and wet. Smashed falafel is perfectly cooked; I loved every bite. I got to try two sandwiches from them on a Friday when they were outside Howzit Brewing: the falafel ($14) and the mama's smash burger ($16). Each had tzaziki, feta, tomatoes, pickled onions, and cucumbers. They also have a chicken shawarma ($15), which I didn't try this time. They're large portions, basically an entire meal in a sandwich, and prices are reasonable for the quality. If you're craving flavorful deliciousness, this is worth trying if they're nearby. Check social media for daily locations.

    Lamb/Beef Smash Pita Burger

    Tried their Lamb/Beef Smash Pita Burger when there was a Street Festival and all the Food Truck Vendors were there and it was devoured in minutes! Lamb is not generally my go-to but you couldn't even taste any gamey flavor and the pickled onions, the meat, the pita... it was exceptional

    Mama's Smash Burger
    Hannah W.

    My s.o. and I came out to Honolulu Harbor Nights since we live nearby and decided to tryout their food after seeing TikTok video showing off their smash burger. The TikTok did not let us down because the smash burger was by far one of the tastiest foods I've had in a while! My s.o. and I loved it so much that we got a second one to share. Definitely recommend stopping by Honolulu Harbor Nights on Friday evenings just to try this place out! Plus there's free parking for the night market. My s.o. and I will for sure be back!

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    2 months ago

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    6 months ago

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    Svetlana R.

    Thank you so much for a lovely review!

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    5 months ago

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    11 months ago

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    1 year ago

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    1 year ago

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    Svetlana R.

    What a sweet note! Thank you so much! :)

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    1 year ago

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    10 months ago

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    1 year ago

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    Svetlana R.

    Glad you enjoyed it! Next time try the chicken shawarma :)

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    11 months ago

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    2 years ago

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    Svetlana R.

    Thank you so much for this beautiful review and your support!

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    2 months ago

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    Photo of Rod U.
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    2 years ago

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    Svetlana R.

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    3 years ago

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    Svetlana R.

    Thank you so much for the kind words!

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    1 year ago

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    Svetlana R.

    Thank you so much! I remember this order :)

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    1 year ago

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    7 months ago

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    Svetlana R.

    Omg LOL

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    1 year ago

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    2 years ago

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    Svetlana R.

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    4 months ago

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    8 months ago

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    Svetlana R.

    :) that was me and thank you so much for such a sweet note!

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    2 years ago

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    Svetlana R.

    Thank you so much!!! I so appreciate the kind words.

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    3 years ago

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    2 years ago

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    Svetlana R.

    Thank You!!!!

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    7 months ago

    Kabama Mama is he best! Love their shawarma smash and garlic fries. Great couple that runs the truck.

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    Svetlana R.

    Thank you Phil!!!!

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    9 months ago

    Dude! I have been dreaming about their smash burger ! Delicious , juicy, and a perfect balance of flavors!

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    Svetlana R.

    Thank you!!!! lol

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    2 years ago

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    Svetlana R.

    Appreciate the kind words! Thank you so much!

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    2 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    Svetlana R.

    Thank you so much!!!!! Means the world to me.

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    2 years ago

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    Svetlana R.

    Thank you so much for the kind words!!! Do say hi next time.

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    3 years ago

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    2 years ago

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    Svetlana R.

    Thank you!!!!!!!

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    2 years ago

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    Svetlana R.

    Thank you soooo much!!!!!!! Happy you enjoyed your meal.

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    3 years ago

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    Svetlana R.

    Thank you so much! Glad you enjoyed it.

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    Ask the Community - Kababa Mama

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    Middle Eats

    Middle Eats

    4.5
    (80 reviews)
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    We found this shop at the Blaisedell Center Farmers Market. We ordered the chicken kebab with pita…read more They served roasted vegetables, plenty of chicken kebab, four pieces of pita, and sour cream. We put the vegetables, chicken, and sour cream on the pita and enjoyed it. The flavor was excellent. We even used the leftover chicken to make a chicken salad at home, and that was great too. I'd love to try their other menu items as well. Thank you very much for the delicious dinner!

    Food: really good! A friend and I ordered the falafel wrap,…read morewhich I chose to add sumac onions to, and the shawarma brisket wrap. The shawarma brisket wrap was really good - tender meat with lots of rich flavor. It tasted different from other shawarma I've had before - almost like it had a sort of barbecue flavor? It was really good! The markook lavash is perfectly crispy on the outside and all the sauces and toppings go really well together. The falafel wrap was good in terms of taste, but I wish that the falafel had more of a crunchy crust, and was more fluffy on the inside. It was just a bit dense and dry but tasted good anyway! I also wish the sumac onions had more sumac. As a disclaimer, we didn't realize that we were supposed to call when we were outside the building ready to pick up our food (oops... they even say to do so on the order page! but I just glossed over that by accident). So we got our food a bit later, and maybe the falafel would've been crispier and less dense if we had eaten it right away. I'm guessing the sauces soaked into it and that contributed to it being a bit dense. I'll need to come back to try it again! What to know: Middle Eats is a satellite kitchen, meaning that you don't go to a physical shop to pick up your order. The kitchen is in a building that you can't actually enter - so you place your order online or by phone, and then go to the pick up location (55 Merchant St) to get your order. However, you need to call them to let them know you're there, and only then will they come down with your food. This makes complete sense to me and I even see the instruction on the order website now, but I guess I just missed that detail - so that's on me! There is some space to pull over in front of the building when you pick up your order, and once they know you're there, they come downstairs in just a few minutes. If you can't find nearby street parking, the nearest municipal lot is the Chinatown gateway one. I will definitely come back to try more of their food!

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    Cafe Maharani

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    (2k reviews)
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    Among the beautiful mosaic chandeliers, the atmosphere is amazing. We just love these new…read moreadditions. Tonight, we had the delicious Lamb Korma, Coconut Shrimp Korma, Saffron Rice, Naan and Pinot Noir. Everything from presentation, delicious savory sauces, tender lamb and large shrimp that melt in your mouth to excellent attentive service made it a perfect dinner. Thank you for making life so enjoyable.

    We made reservations for 5 pm on a Monday evening they said it's normally not to busy on Mondays…read more Parking is available behind the restaurant in the two lots. We were warned not to park on the street as they cars are towed away if you park on the street before 6:30pm The service was excellent as we did not know what to order The servers suggested we order the dinner for 4 people because we had a group of 6 diners. The portions are big and it would be enough. They were sure right, we all ate and still had 3 boxes of leftovers to take home. We ordered the vegetable appetizer sampler with all the sauces, Balti Lamb, Butter Chicken, saffron rice, Fish curry, Naan Bread, The interior of the restaurant is interesting the ceiling has all these beautiful lights and transports you to some foreign location. You don't think Hawaii while you are there. The server warned us that the tip of 18 percent is added to the bill so don't add additional 15-20 percent unless you want to. That was a nice warning. Overall a nice dinner and good for groups. It is a small restaurant so not many tables.

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    Honolulu Skewer House

    Honolulu Skewer House

    4.1
    (444 reviews)
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    OMG.. where has this place been all my life. I pass this restaurant almost basically everyday cuz I…read morework on Kapahulu. We've always had this place in our 'places to try', and we finally made our way here. Of course, recently, one day after work, the wife picked me up, figured we don't want to cook dinner. Decided to eat out, as is always the question, between me and the wife 'where you like go eat', 'what's for dinner', 'where we going eat', 'what you hungry for'. As we're driving on kapahulu, we're pointing out all the restaurants, passing them, and as we're getting closer, we make a last minute decision and a sudden right turn on to Campbell Ave lol. There's a few parking spaces in the back of the building, otherwise you would need to find street parking, and I'm pretty sure it would be okay to park at Zippy's since they have a bigger lot, but that's up to you if you want to risk it. Honolulu Skewer House is on Kapahulu, in between Uncle Bo's and Pho Saigon. I believe Guava smoked is upstairs. Walking in is a little bit dark on the inside, and first thing they ask is if we have reservations. We said no. But they were able to sit us on the bar table tops. With that said, I would say reservations are probably recommended. This experience was so cool and needed. On the table top had the skewer grill. Then there's another set of bars above the grill to place the cooked skewers. Anyway, we ordered the combo for 2 at $90 which is basically like a prefixe set. Came with sizzling oil tofu salad and braised beef salad cucumber appetizers. Came with 2 skewers of each - beef, brisket, pork jowl, lamb, chicken thigh, Kauai shrimp, king oyster mushroom, zucchini, and mini sausage. And came with baby Chinese cabbage w/ sesame sauce and scallion pancake as hot dish side. We ordered rice on the side and it came with desert- 2 tanghulu, it's like candied fruits, 1 strawberry and 1 orange. We were so surprised and happy, that was so cool. We've never had it before lol. Did I try it? No, but the wife did. She said she liked it. Anyway, cooking the skewers, u just place it on the rotator wheels put it in place, and u just let it cook!!! It automatically rotates cooking the meats thoroughly over the fire. There is a flat grill for the veggies and shrimp. When the skewers are done cooking, you place em on the bars above the grill, and eat!!! This was such a fun and great experience. The servers were nice and friendly the 2 boys. I got to have a Sapporo. The food, the drink, the place, the experience, was much needed. Thank you Honolulu Skewer House. Would we come here again? Yes, definitely. And again, reservations recommended. Go check em out guys.

    As my family and I strolled through Waikiki, we stumbled upon Honolulu Skewer House, and the photos…read moreof the skewers on the truck immediately caught our attention. We decided to try the beef skewers, and when I tell you they were tender, flavorful, and absolutely delicious, I mean it. Every bite was perfectly seasoned and cooked just right. They were so good that the very next day, we intentionally made our way back just to order more! We also tried the Taiwanese pork bowl, and it was phenomenal packed with flavor and incredibly satisfying. Sometimes the best food is found by accident, and this was definitely one of those moments. If you're walking through Waikiki, don't pass this place by. It's absolutely worth the stop!

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    Kababa Mama - kebab - Updated August 2026

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