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    Koolau Drive Inn

    4.0 (152 reviews)
    Closed 10:00 am - 8:00 pm

    Koolau Drive Inn Photos

    KOOLAU DRIVE INN ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Good for groups
    Dogs allowed

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    Recommended Reviews - Koolau Drive Inn

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    Reviews With Photos

    Most beautiful strip mall view ever!
    Dennis R.

    Tried this place last time I was in Oahu, and it was so amazing that I knew I had to come back! Both times I had the kalua pig and lau lau combo, and both times it was SO GOOD! Both dishes were tender, moist, and bursting with flavor! I'm back home in CA daydreaming about this dish right now, lol! Customer service is quick and friendly, and honestly, this strip mall has to have one of the most gorgeous strip mall views anywhere on earth! I'll make sure to visit again next time I'm in Oahu!

    Curry pork katsu
    Karen M.

    We stopped for lunch during a visit to Byodo-In temple. The menu offers a large variety of options so there is something for everyone. We went with a curry pork katsu platter and a mixed grill platter. The katsu was a bit too crunchy for our taste but the curry sauce was good. The mixed grill platter was very good with a generous amount of meat. Service was friendly and efficient and there were plenty of clean tables to dine-in.

    Storefront
    Nadine C.

    Takeout Dinner from. Kaneohe, O'ahu, Hawaii... Realizing that I didn't really eat breakfast or lunch, I decided that I should get some dinner. I wanted to go somewhere different, but not too far away... How about Ko'olau Drive Inn at Ko'olau Center? Ko'olau Center is across the highway from Valley of The Temples. Ko'olau Drive Inn is across the parking lot from McDonald's and the (closed) Ko'olau Theater. The shared parking was easy because Subway, Times Coffee Shop, and Temple Valley Chinese Restaurant were closed already. That's why everyone was at Ko'olau Drive Inn! The staff were efficient and cleared the crowd quickly! There were enough tables and chairs for customers to sit and wait. Most people did takeout like me - even though the place was bright and clean! I got the Hamburger Steak plate and Shrimp Broccoli with noodles. The three hamburger patties were homemade. I could taste the seasoning in the hamburger and found some gristle... LOL! I liked the gravy and mushy rice since I was so hungry! Even the Mac salad was okay! The shrimp broccoli was pretty good because of the garlic flavor and thinly sliced carrots and onion. The broccoli was not raw, and it wasn't well done, but just right! I was too full to finish the noodles! I'll return when I'm starving again!

    Found a bug in the mac salad!
    Doug Y.

    The mochiko chicken is very good. If you're familiar with chicken karage it tastes very similar. They give a lot and def can make 2 meals of it. I wouldn't eat it all the time bc its greasy. Nice stop after the. Byodo Temple and I don't think a lot of people know about it. Found a bug in my mac salad! I'll give them a pass this time but that wasn't sightly.

    Menu
    Katalina T.

    I've been coming here for years they only got better and the place looks amazing! The service is quick and the foods so yummy!

    Tammy A.

    Omg CHECK THIS PLACE OUT! Spotless little family run place! Everything was prepared fresh and you could taste it in the food. We got mochiko chicken, shrimp and broccoli noodle plate, miso ramen and cheeseburger and wrinkles fries for my picky son. Hahaha Generous portions and everything was mouth watering! In a little unassuming strip mall across from the beautiful Byodo In temple. Go see them... you won't regret it!

    Fried chicken wings

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    2 months ago

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    9 months ago

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    6 months ago

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    7 months ago

    Delicious and yummy food. I got the BBQ mix, the chicken was very delicious as well as the mac salad.

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    3 months ago

    Business owner information

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    1 year ago

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    2 years ago

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    9 months ago

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    1 year ago

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    4 months ago

    Wonderful and welcoming service! Delicious food. I loved the kalua pork and cabbage. Even our picky eaters were happy!

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    10 months ago

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    1 year ago

    The food here is always delicious and the service is quick and friendly! So many choices and all are delicious!

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    1 year ago

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    7 months ago

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    9 months ago

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    1 year ago

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    1 year ago

    Great food and service! Been a customer for almost 20 years and never disappointed in the food.

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    11 months ago

    Mochiko chicken all French fries! Almost every week! Our go to - friendly service always!

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    5 years ago

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    10 months ago

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    11 months ago

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    2 years ago

    Clean restaurant with friendly staff. The mochiko chicken is my favorite as well as the spicy chicken wings and garlic ahi!

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    2 years ago

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    1 year ago

    Fast food service. For a drive in it was pretty nice. The food was reasonably good as well.

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    Page 1 of 4

    Ask the Community - Koolau Drive Inn

    Google maps shows this place is permanently closed is it true?

    They are temporarily closed after a car drove through the front entrance on 1/13/2020. Once they are able to get things inline and repaired hopefully they will reopen soon afterwards.

    View All 3 Questions

    Review Highlights - Koolau Drive Inn

    Their mochiko chicken and chicken katsu are well done with a tasty crispy exterior, not too oily or soggy.

    Mentioned in 15 reviews

    Read more highlights

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    Koolau Drive Inn - burgers - Updated August 2026

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