I've come to know Pioneer Pantry for a while now. It's a small little convenience store that can be…read morea lifesaver and a place where life can restore some meaning in the universe. It's a place where you can be yourself. I've come to value Pioneer Pantry for what it is. They've been here for 20 years and I'm just noticing for a month or so now in June 2026. I recently relocated jobs and now work in the downtown Honolulu area. After discovering Pioneer Pantry, I feel like its been a good thing to have when you're running late and didn't have breakfast. Its nice to come here and score some breakfast muffins or those bag of chips, or even cold drinks to have during drab office hours during the day. Pioneer Pantry functions like a 7-Eleven with an actual live kitchen in the back. Pioneer Pantry is a small functioning convenience store that carries most things that many people enjoy on a daily basis. On most mornings, I would enter the store running late to the office and stumble through here. I would pick up a couple of items and a cold drink and be on my way. I wasn't sure if the fountain drink machine was operational or not, so I just grabbed a cold bottle from one of their refrigerators. The prices here can be a bit more than other places, but I was in a rush - most days anyway. The overall experience here at the Pioneer Pantry is good and blessed that they are here. It's nice to have them here for those of us who are rushing to work and have this oasis on the way there for breakfast and other necessities. During the early morning though, they are open along with the Wiki Wiki Drive Inn before 8am. During the lunch hours, they are open along with the other restaurants in the Pioneer Plaza food court fully open for business. The ladies in the back of the store are very friendly and are awesome. Small business owners are amazing for sure. I try to stop by every day here to pick up something for breakfast. Knowing my schedule, I tend to sleep in and rush to work anyway and having Pioneer Pantry here to help is a big boost for me. Majority of my experiences here are happy ones and don't intend on changing. For the most part though, it's always nice to have this place here. While people have their Starbucks or McDonald's in the morning, I rely on Pioneer Pantry for my cold morning beverage of choice, which incidentally includes a cold soda with or without ice. Most people love hot or iced coffee to start their day. I prefer cold soda. Not healthy, but its my thing and it's pretty good. The Pioneer Pantry is located inside Pioneer Plaza building on the 1st floor food court. It's physically located at 900 Fort Street Mall in downtown Honolulu. They accept major credit cards as well as cash. It's next to the taco place and the Subway restaurant. As far as parking is concerned, best bet would be either street parking or paid parking garages nearby. If you are like me, public transportation is good and there's a bunch of bus routes that traverse thru the downtown corridor. Pick the ones that stop off at either Bishop Street or Fort Street Mall and walk on over. And of course, there's always Uber and Lyft and even Tauro, if you need their services. For now though, if you work or pass thru downtown Honolulu and don't like what the others are offering you, consider Pioneer Pantry at the Pioneer Plaza building. It's a nice trip here to grab something on the way to work every morning. Or a quick snack for lunch too. Its definitely a lifesaver when you're running late and you can support local businesses too. 5.0 stars for the overall experience. Support local! A+

My co-workers and I have been frequenting this tiny convenience store in Pioneer Plaza for years…read more Joanne, the owner, is the sweetest lady you'll meet. She is so personable and a joy to speak with. She offers inexpensive breakfast bentos featuring white or fried rice, a fried egg and pieces of Portuguese sausage, bacon or frankfurter. The meat varies. It used to sell for $3 but now costs $4.50 (I think). It's still a deal and the containers are great! (We use them to hold leftovers.) During lunch she sets up an array of entrees ... Honey Walnut shrimp, Beef with Vegetables, Meat Jun, Spicy Chicken, Choi Sum, Vegetable Pancake ... the selection varies by day and she offers two or three starches. A two-choice plate ($9.75) comes with a choice of white rice, fried rice or noodles. You have to go early; she can run out of food by 12:30pm. I usually choose one chicken dish and a vegetable with fried rice or noodles. A co-worker always gets the Honey-Walnut shrimp. It's hard to find a better deal in a plate lunch in downtown Honolulu. Her drinks are "the deal", $1.25, $1.50 and $1.75, for large, larger and humongous. Add in the personable service and you have a winner! Hey, stay away, we don't want any more competition for her food. Highly recommended!

Best spam musubis I had on the island. It's a little mom and pops - the man there was nice and…read moreeverything was a decent price. It's also right next to Drip Cafe. Overall I'd definitely recommend for a quick snack on the go.

This quaint old-time grocery mom & pop is a personal favorite of mine. Located across the stone…read morepaved walk from the cathedral, I like to stop in here after Mass to break my fast. The wonderful owners are always so gracious, friendly and welcoming. I usually end up purchasing a couple of their hard boiled eggs and a container of their ono Kimchi. This kimchi is beyond description it's so good! They make it fresh in small batches and they don't use sugar or MSG. For those not on restrictive diets, they offer a plethora of hot and cold "to go" dishes, bentos, etc... Lastly, they also carry the normal Asian and US grocery items as well. Please join me in supporting this wonderful local owned business. Mahalo for reading my review.

Following super Yelper Nadine, I was in the Ala Moana area and decide to stop in on Aunty Gigi's…read moreCafe. They are located on the corner of Keeaumoku and Young Streets, on the Ewa/Makai corner. You enter the parking from Young street. Nadine had glowing reviews of her purchases and I have to concur with her thoughts about Aunty Gigi's. They have been open for about a month and are in sort of a soft opening. Their smoothies and Acai bowl offerings/pricing are prominently displayed on the wall. The savory offerings, musubis and bentos are not yet listed but some are available. On this day the spam/egg musubi and the Kimbop were available as well as the meat Jun bento. This is a small operation so I had a chance to try the savory orders made as ordered. It was fun talking to Aunty Gigi as she prepared my order. She is very friendly and easy to converse with. Her "cafe" is compact, very clean as she totally gutted out the space brought in new equipment and fixtures. I took home the Kimbop, meat Jun and acai bowl, and also brought home one of the musubi to try, compliments of Aunty. The savory offerings are on the counter. When I went the first hour they were open Aunty was in the process of making the savory offerings. The smoothies and acai bowls are of course made to order. Delicious offerings close to Ala Moana shopping center.

Looking for a bright rainbow it's right here at Aunty Gigi's Cafe!…read more Who hasn't passed Keeaumoku Street and not see this place and it was a matter of time I'm craving an açaí bowl you know where I'd be going... Though it's clearly noted with a huge image of it right on the huge window you wouldn't know it if you viewed her instagram page @auntygigiscafe with posts of her bentos lol! Yes Aunty makes bentos as well though on this day it was just some spam musubis. Not to be deterred I got Gigi's Special Bowl this medium size at $10.99 was packed with so much yummies (açaí sorbet, strawberry, banana, blueberry, granola, honey, kale and spinach) I'm assuming the veggies were blended in the sorbet but I couldn't really tell but it was so refreshingly delicious ! What a delightful sight aunty talked how she sold and closed her downtown location and opened this one, a super tiny nook she had some friends hanging out and accompanied her for support, as she started on my order she finds this adorable cup with little polka dots and says "I give you this cute cup!" Supporting small and local is just the delight of the neighborhood and I have my chiropractor and orthopedic doctor just steps away so you know I'll be back here for another visit to Aunty Gigi's!! It's not just her smoothies and açaí bowl that's healing but the delightful joy she brings to you as her genuine kindness is the real pot of gold! Thank you!

This little shop isn't necessarily anything special, but it's a GODSEND if you're working a…read moremarathon day at the State Capitol...or you're there supporting your favorite legislative bill / political rally (& really need a snack)...or if you're just doing a little sightseeing & need something to tide the kids over. Because there are no vending machines at the Capitol, David's Snack Shop is basically your only option to get any food or drinks around there (other than paying a visit your friendly neighborhood Rep or Senator...they usually have goodies on hand too, lol)! Just head down to the Capitol basement, and keep walking until you see the little foldout sign in the hallway that says "David's Snack Shop" in multicolored letters. They're basically open anytime the Capitol is open to the public, and usually well-stocked with "grab & go" items like chips, cookies, sandwiches, string cheese, microwave burritos, etc. If you go in the morning, they'll also have a decent selection of mini bentos, and spam or hot dog musubis, in the warmer across from the doorway (& to the left). My go-to purchases are usually the boiled peanuts (just check to make sure they're fresh, & not leftover from the day before) and the hot dogs. Hot dog here are self-serve (look for the tongs), with hot dog trays, foil & napkins available to the left, and buns in the large sealed Tupperware next to that. I'm not sure if David restocks at lunchtime, but he occasionally runs out of hot items by 1pm (when the afternoon hearings typically start), so definitely go in the morning if you gave a choice and really need more than a bag of chips. The prices here are a a little high, but not astronomical, and I personally really like supporting the State's "blind vendor program." That's right! David--like all of the snack shop vendors at our local courthouses, State buildings, etc--is legally blind. He can see things a little if it's extremely close-up...but when you get to the register, be sure to tell him what you're buying, and tell him what denomination of bills you're giving him, if paying in cash. They do accept credit card for purchases over $5. David's a man of few words, so I generally don't bother to chat, but he's nice enough...and I should also mention that he has the most impressive collection of Coca-Cola memorabilia I've ever seen!! Head on down just for that, if you're also a fan...he has stuff from all over the world, and he adds new things from time to time.

Wow, a first review? Ok where do I start. This snack shop is located in the State Capitol…read morebasement. I have been working in and around the Capitol for years, and this snack shop has been there for all of my potato chip and pre-packaged sandwich needs. Until this year. They have plate lunches! And they are good! SO far I have had chicken curry (with rice and salad), Beef curry with rice n salad and today, some pork dish with rice n salad. It is uber-convenient and good value at $6.00 for a mini plate and $7.50 for regular. They usually have 2 different choices per day. I keep doing back because it is good! You can take it out and eat it outside in the rotunda. This makes my lunch nice n quick so I can get back to work. Yea!!

Snack time in Kalihi, Honolulu, Hawaii…read more.. I was driving down Dillingham Boulevard when this cafe caught my attention. There was no First To Tip for the business, so I thought that I should investigate... Xpresso Cafe & Mini Mart is located at a small strip mall on the corner of Kalihi Street and Dillingham Boulevard. The shared parking might be tight at times because of the hair salon and medical clinic next to it, but I was able to get free parking easily. Service was different because I was taking photos while being observed. There was no menu posted, so I had to ask what was available. The worker pointed at the menu boards that displayed "no signal". That's too bad. I wanted to order something, but I didn't know what they had. I asked for a smoothie - what kind of flavors are there? She mentioned honeydew, strawberry with banana, and lychee. I chose the Dragonfruit and expected a different color. She said that they didn't have boba... okay... it tasted alright and saved me from dehydration... LOL! Well, it was an awkward experience. I wandered around the convenience store side, but I wasn't intrigued. Maybe next time, the menu board will be working. I saw a photo of a chicken club sandwich that looked good... and supposedly, Boar Head products are used here.

I was so excited to try this new cafe and I finally did! I'm so glad to have a cafe near my work…read moreplace because I'm always looking for coffee and it's a short walking distance. I ordered the iced mocha latte which comes with 2 espresso shots and in one sized cup. Very chocolatey. I was surprised with what's on their menu. There were also a lot of pastries displayed on the counter and I will definitely get one next time. Parking may be a little difficult as they are sharing it with other businesses in the same lot.

A small convenience store that sells Asian goods and daily food specials. Call in for specials…read more No air conditioning here or tables. Just take out. It's pretty dark inside. A variety of unique drinks such as a zero sugar watermelon and strawberry flavored sparkling seltzer water. Thanks Donna O.! Interesting items you won't find in a Safeway. Similar to 1-2 Buy, but on a much smaller scale. Service was 4/5 stars. Nice lady said she will contact me when the ginger plum candy comes into the store! Free parking is limited here. Careful as you enter and exit the parking lot. Big dip. Prices appear reasonable here. Check expiration dates before buying. Ambiance: 2/5 stars. Food: Drinks were refreshing and hydrating. 4/5 stars

Shopping in Kalihi, Honolulu, Hawaii…read more.. Donna O. raved about Provinces Snacks on School Street. I read her review and knew that the shop had some free parking spaces next to the snack/convenience store. One thing that could be improved in the shop is the air-conditioning... I think there was none. Service was very pleasant! The cashier knew Donna when I mentioned her name. Shop keepers usually want to know how you found out about them. Merchandise was plentiful and had much variety. Basic groceries, cookies, candies, chips, etc. were neatly arranged on the shelves. Sanrio character plushies, keychains, and other items were either by the cashier or behind her. I looked at the Sale Items and got the Roasted garlic-flavored peanuts. They were good, but didn't have much garlic essence. LOL! I'll return and try something else like Spiced Braised Beef Flavor Lay's potato chips!

Had shrimp and chips…read more Super fried and too greasy. Service seems agitated. Spent around $18 and meal was nothing special but maybe that's Hawaii. Nice patio.

Amazing Açaí bowl- surprised it is reasonably priced especially for Hawaii! Fresh blueberries and…read morebanana strawberries and of course organic açaí topped my with peanut butter- beautiful presentation, great customer service! happy to support local business! Brazilian:Hawaiian- oh know now i get it - BraHi- :) hee hee. Abrigado- Mahalo Brahi Bites and Bowls!

There are better bakeries in Oahu like Leonards, Moonstruck, Papa'a Palaoa Bakery, hort & Sweet…read moreBakery & Cafe, Arise Bakery, Bananarama Bakery, Donna's Cookies, Rainbow Moon. Since my papa is diabetic, I always like a pastry option that is friendly for sugar averse folks. There is also a place right around the corner from them that I love - liliha bakery. I saved the best for last. OF course, this shows that I am a bakery fan and go to many. In other words, I am a repeat customer.

Here's the thing. I...am not a chef. I can, however, see food plated in my minds eye…read more When I saw Franceddie's meat pot pie...I knew exactly what I was going to do. Let me give you the straight dope, this is no Patisserie La Palme D'Or...it's not Elvin's...it's not even close to Bread House. It's a about a hundred miles away from a Zippy's (in appearance). It is a Samoan bakery. But, I am a practical man. I see beauty in everything. Waipahu is a mess. The rail construction upheaval has momentarily (smh) destroyed Farrington Highway. I drove in a circle following the listing on the Yelp map which took me to Tanioka's Seafood and Catering, I am not easily dissuaded. It's one of my few redeeming qualities. I called...Franceddie answered. We met. She seems so very young. I bought three pies and six panipopo (a gift for a Samoan friend and his family)...we talked about the panipopo and how it would be served. Franceddie had never met a southern man. My entire purchase was just under $15. Franceddie has a fan. Waipahu...not so much. They are located just past the Bank of Hawaii in a strip mall. The shop is nondescript...it's dank. The steak (that's not hamburger!) pot pie was an amazing base. The soup was easy (butter, flour, milk, chicken bullion, black pepper and a little salt. Carrots, peas, and taters boiled separate, then added...Tabasco optional). Everyone in my home...thinks I'm a chef.