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Ma'ona Lunch Counter

4.7 (122 reviews)
ModerateBurgers, Hawaiian
Closed Closed
Updated 2 months ago

Ma'ona Lunch Counter Photos

Business Info

MA'ONA LUNCH COUNTER ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Moderate noise
Casual
Good for kids

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Recommended Reviews - Ma'ona Lunch Counter

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Garrett Aka Glowz L.

They were out of the Ono so they had MahiMahi instead. I had the Furikake and Seared style. The food was tasty and lots of flavor. Coleslaw had and amazing touch to the slaw. This is a must try hole in the wall gem. I would have given this place a 5 star but the service wasn't great from the cashier/helper. The cook/owner was super nice and friendly. He even gave me some homemade onion rings to try. I will be back to try their brisket. Food = 5 star Service = 3 stars

Bbq brisket, Cole slaw, and rice
Claudia N.

We tried the bbq brisket and korean chicken. Both were delicious and the price was very reasonable. Great, friendly service. You'd never think there was a food counter there because it's in an industrial area. But, they make it work!

Loco Moco with rice and slaw
Victorya R.

A bit shy from unfriendly. Price is about what you get at restaurants and food trucks. Food is out in the recycled board containers with no foil lining so when you pick up your food hold with both hands or it folds and you can drop it easily. When I first started going here the gravy was beautiful brown and had good taste, as did the burgers. I'll let the picture speak for it's self.

Menu as of 2/23/2021
Jessica S.

I've been eying this place for a while now. Haven't had the chance to visit since their hours are only M-F from 10-2pm. and finally got the chance to try it! It's located outside of Kea'au where all the contractors and manufacturers are located before the left turn into the actual town. There's a small parking lot shared by another food place. I got their combo plate of Korean chicken and Blacked ono which came with coleslaw and rice. The food smelled and tasted delicious! There was a ton of flavor in both of them, and I loved how they purposely put the Korean chicken on top of the rice to soak in the flavor. A downside is that I didn't realize the Korean chicken was more chicken skin rather than the actual chicken itself, tho. Generally don't care about chicken skin. The fish was a bit overcooked but was fantastic tho! One friend for their Korean chicken and Furikake ono, and she loved her meal. She got crinkle fries on the side, and omg. They were super crispy and fried to perfection. Just the way I like my fries. Another friend got their mushroom Swiss burger which was cooked really nicely too! This will probably be my to-go next time. She also got their BBQ brisket which was super tender. I liked this place overall. Definitely will be back to actually get their burger next time!

Da Bomb, $10.95
Brennan T.

Review #20 for 2020. I've enjoyed Maona Lunch Counter for years now ever since they were downtown. And though they've moved to Shipman, their food is just as good with great service. What I always remember about Maona is their consistently good burgers. Always fresh, always tasty, always juicy. These are the type of burgers that you don't want to eat when you're dressed up, but rather you'll need lots of napkins or even a towel because they drip down your arms when you eat them. That's how good these burgers are. I'd say among the best on the Big Island. I've never had a bad burger here. Maona also does specials, so my brother and I opted to each have a burger, PLUS share BBQ brisket. The brisket was also very good. Tasty, juicy, and overall good. If I had to choose just one thing for lunch, I'd go with a burger. Maona represents a charm of Hilo that I hope never gets lost: a locally owned restaurant that caters to the local community in taste, price, and location. Happy to support this local business that consistently delivers good food and good service.

BBQ Bacon burger, fries, and crack sauce
Jules N.

Ma'ona's burgers are not only the best burgers I've ever had in Hawaii, but the best burgers I've ever had in my entire life. You have to try the kimchi bacon burger and the BBQ burger. Brisket sandwich is also amazing. Everything is super flavorful, great portions, and the staff is so kind. Mahalo, Dave! We will be back before you know it!!

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4 months ago

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Photo of Kent P.
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3 months ago

This place is great. Quality beef and good lau lau. It takes a little while because everything is made fresh.

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5 months ago

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8 months ago

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2 years ago

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10 months ago

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5 months ago

I got hooked on their bacon-mushroom-swiss burgers, but, the sinker was their onolicious brisket. Get there before they sell out!

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1 year ago

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2 years ago

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6 months ago

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1 year ago

The ulu fries are the BOMB!!! The mushroom swiss burger i had and the kimchee burger was on point too.

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2 years ago

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3 years ago

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4 months ago

great furikake ono. moist good portions. good prices for everything. quick service and nice people.

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3 years ago

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5 years ago

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2 years ago

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1 year ago

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4 years ago

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6 years ago

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3 years ago

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6 years ago

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3 years ago

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2 years ago

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4 years ago

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6 years ago

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4 years ago

Business owner information

Photo of David V.

David V.

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2 years ago

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7 years ago

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4 years ago

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3 years ago

Delicious burgers. Quick and friendly service and the price is reasonable. Check Ma'ona out!!

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4 years ago

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2 years ago

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3 years ago

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5 years ago

My favorite is the Oyster chicken and burgers! When they have ulu fry's you better get it!

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David V.

Mahalo Carrie A!!!

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4 years ago

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4 years ago

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3 years ago

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4 years ago

Simply delicious!!! Great vibes, great prices, and great tastes. Do yourself a favor and go try this place!

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2 years ago

Tasty Food just a hole in the wall kinda place made by a local kinda guy whom takes pride in his food!!

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Ask the Community - Ma'ona Lunch Counter

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Stopped in today and my girl and I were amazed! She got the French onion soup burger, which was…read moreunbelievable and I got the Philly cheesesteak burger, which is out of this world. Ambience is great for Bar. Amazing service super cool little spot. I'm not sure why nobody told me about this place sooner. I recommend to all my friends and anybody else.

We came over to Hilo after a day of hiking around the volcano park. By the time we got here, we…read morewere starving, so we decided on a burger and on Hilo Burger Joint. When we arrived, we were seated promptly. The noise level was decently low, even with live music, and we were so happy for that. Here lately, every place we have gone has been sooo loud to where we couldn't have a conversation, so this was a nice touch. Our waitress came to grab our orders promptly and brought our drinks quickly. We decided on mozzarella sticks for an appetizer, a pesto burger no tomato with a garden patty, and another garden burger plain and dry, both with fries. Food came out decently swiftly, and everything looked amazing! The fries were piping hot and absolutely wonderful: perfectly crispy, not greasy, with flavor and perfect seasoning. The pesto burger was soo good. The pesto itself had a great flavor without being overbearing or oily. I loved the slice of fresh mozzarella. The burger itself was cooked perfectly, and the bread was nice and toasty without being hard. The mozzarella sticks were fantastic, not greasy at all, and were decently sized. I really liked the marinara it came with, which it was flavorful without being overbearing and the only thing we could taste. I assume the garden burger was equally enjoyed, for there was no conversation coming from that side of the table. Oh, and he stole the rest of my fries. Thief!! This was a great decision. The interior screams dive bar in an interesting way, but that food? Definitely not greasy spoon or quickly thrown together dive bar appetizers, that's for sure! We will definitely come back!

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Hilo Burger Joint - Dining Area at Hilo Burger Joint

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Hilo Burger Joint - Jalapeños poppers w/Thai chili sauce

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Kaleo's Bar and Grill - Kalua Pork Wontons

Kaleo's Bar and Grill

4.1(211 reviews)
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A solid neighborhood spot with a few standouts and some room to grow…read more We've been to Kaleo's a few times now, and we'll definitely keep coming back. It's close, there's always parking, and it's got that laid-back, local energy where you can laugh loud and no one's going to shoot you a look. It does get loud inside, but in that kind of way that makes it feel like everybody's having a good time, not like you're in a cafeteria. Just don't expect a quiet dinner conversation, unless you're reading lips. The service? Always sweet, always kind. Lily (I think that's the correct spelling!) has taken care of us more than once and she's a gem... warm, attentive, and easy to chat with. She's the kind of person who remembers what you ordered last time and tells you honestly what's good. As for the food... Bacon Blue Burger: My husband had this last time and it was yum. Juicy, flavorful, hits all the right rich notes without being greasy. That one's a solid order. Ribs: The barbecue sauce was really good... but the ribs themselves were dry and overdone. Not terrible, but not what I'd call a win either. If they could just dial in the texture, that sauce would carry it home. Kalbi Short Ribs: Best thing on the menu so far. Tender, rich, and full of flavor. Get those. Mashed Potatoes: "All mash" is the move. They're creamy and comforting... total comfort food. Hamburger Steak: Another standout. Probably one of the best in the area. Classic done right. Thai Chicken Pasta: Watch out... it's got some serious heat! Spicy, but good. Not for the faint of tongue, but worth it if you're into that kind of kick. Lilikoi Fizz: Really tasty but heavy on the lilikoi. If they eased up and added a little more club soda, it would be more balanced. Desserts: * Lava Cake was good... warm and classic. * Chocolate Decadent Cake was just okay. It comes fridge-cold (probably so it doesn't melt), but I feel like if they let it sit out for ten minutes before serving, it would be way better. * Brownie Sundae was yum, according to my husband... and I trust his dessert radar. All in all, Kaleo's is the kind of place you root for. You want them to keep getting better, and they mostly are. The hits are worth coming back for, and even the misses aren't deal-breakers. We'll be back, and we're excited to keep trying more of the menu.

Big birthday for me & hungry husband treated me to a trip to "Moku O Keawe" to visit our na…read moremo'opuna @ their new home! Eldest son suggested this nice bar & grill. Food choices were plentiful, lots of fancy drinks to choose from. This is an open restaurant where it's open air backyard kind of feeling. Feels like an old fashioned Lu'au!!! Acoustics are a bit loud because everyone is out talking each other. Parking is in the lot in the back. It's free if u no mind da "coqui " frogs!!! Would love to return & try other dishes! Ka ono! Our nine year old grandson ordered "Coconut shrimp & fries "-- no not from keiki menu--braddah can mop it up !!! I ordered a steak plate (4 got da name) . Son ordered a sautéed fish platter & hungry husband had a fancy kine,thick burger & we were all jealous! The wait for everything was a bit long; to wait for someone to take our order, bring back the drinks & very long before we got our food. Waitress was apologetic & sincere. We didn't mind. Extra points if you're like dat!!! On the cash wrap counter some Hawai'ian arts & crafts were displayed.....oh sistah! I gotta go lookie!!! He he he !!! Clay/foam like tropical flowers for your hair,laser cut wooden earrings,stationary & more! My dashing men (husband,son & grandson) let me oogle because they all know I support local artisans. Because I'm an "artsy-fartsy " myself!!! (I create all kine art) A few days lataz....was talking story wit my cousin & found out he was the fish cutter there a few years ago ! Loved dis place!!! Hope it does well!!!

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Kaleo's Bar and Grill - Full bar with plenty of seating for lunch

Full bar with plenty of seating for lunch

Kaleo's Bar and Grill - Kaleo's burger with lettuce bun & side salad

Kaleo's burger with lettuce bun & side salad

Kaleo's Bar and Grill - Breezy seating

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Kurtistown Cafe - BLT with cheese and onions.

Kurtistown Cafe

3.7(151 reviews)
3.2 mi
$$

I really enjoy their garlic chicken. The mini plate is more than enough for me. I never finish…read moreit. The staff member (I told myself to remember her name but of course I forgot) was so friendly and attentive. There was a mildly rude customer there waiting for her food trying to speak with me about the wait and the staff just smiled and continued to be polite to everyone. I'm not sure how long the other customer waited but we called in our order and showed up before the time they said it would be ready and within a couple minutes of paying it was ready. The restaurant was clean and tidy. Will definitely be back.

Before arriving to Hawaii, we found on Reddit post that most people recommended coming here for…read moretheir Loco Moco. My boyfriend and I had finished a few small hikes at Hawaii Volcano National Park and decided to stop here for a late lunch before heading back towards the Kona side. We found that the restaurant was poorly ventilated as it was hot and the doors were just kept open, and the wait for the food was a long time. There were a few other people before us who had been waiting for their food as well, and by the time it was our turn it was already 45 minutes to 1 hour. The Loco Moco was not what I had expected, the hamburger patties were dry and there wasn't anything that stood out flavor-wise. The macaroni salad was okay, but we both agreed that L&L tasted better. We also got a spam musubi, but it did not taste as good as other musubis, there was just too much rice and the spam lacked seasoning and sauce. Overall, this was not worth the wait, they have other items on their menu that you could try, but expect to wait for a lot longer than usual just to get your food.

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Kurtistown Cafe - Menu screens

Menu screens

Kurtistown Cafe - Teriyaki chicken mini plate with rice and mac...very good and plenty of food

Teriyaki chicken mini plate with rice and mac...very good and plenty of food

Kurtistown Cafe - Exterior

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Exterior

Ma'ona Lunch Counter - burgers - Updated May 2026

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