1. Moana Hawaiian BBQ

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Burbank, CA

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Moana Hawaiian BBQ

3.7 (814 reviews)
ModerateHawaiian, Barbeque
Closed • 11:00 am - 9:00 pm

Order Moana Hawaiian BBQ Takeout or Delivery

Moana Hawaiian BBQ Photos

Business Info

MOANA HAWAIIAN BBQ ATMOSPHERE

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

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Recommended Reviews - Moana Hawaiian BBQ

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Reviews With Photos

Spicy chicken plate
Gabby R.

We have eaten at this location before but yesterday, we ordered to go. The food still had a really great, flavorful, and fresh taste. It was the first time I tried the spicy chicken. It isn't as spicy as I expected. However it does have a flavor kick. The macaroni salad is absolutely delicious. Overall, I enjoy this restaurant because the tastes homemade. Definitely recommend.

Chicken Katsu and spam musubi
Siri H.

Came here craving spam musubi and a Diet Coke- they are a Pepsi location, but somehow the fountain machine had Diet Coke instead of Diet Pepsi! My lucky day. Great service. Good food. Worth a stop if you want some Hawaiian bbq.

Options
Randy B.

We were looking for something quick while we were at the Jackalope Art Fair. Did not want a big meal, so decided to try their burger, I know at a Hawaiian food spot? Typically would live a BBQ mix plate, but did not want left overs. The burger was excellent I must say, it was large, had great flavor, I think it picked up some of the flavor from the other BBQ meats they cook. Lettuce, tomato, onions, a complete solid burger. Recommended. We also got a basic side salad, with a sesame dressing, it was good, decent side garden salad. We also got a couple orders of fries, which were a let down to me, over cooked and the flavor just was not there. I wish we would have save the $8 for the two orders of fries, which I think even if good was a bit high for French fries. They have a burger by itself, or a combo that comes with fries and a drink. If you just want fries, you order the burger and then the fry, no special deal, but as I said, I would skip the fries and get some spam musubi or Mac salad or anything else. They also have a thing of Jalapeños, garlic and onions you can get yourself, I really like them. They were very busy, staff seemed a little overwhelmed, but they did a good job and seemed nice enough. They have a small interior with tables and a couple outside in front under a thatched umbrella, good touch. The location is great, right on San Fernando and 2nd I believe, near the theater and all the shopping. Enjoy!

Vernon Van R.

We were in the area when we spotted Moana Hawaiian BBQ and decided to give it a try. I'm glad we did. Parking was easy thanks to the free public parking garage nearby, which made the visit even more convenient. We ordered the Chicken Katsu and the Beef Rib plate. From the first bite, we could tell this place was different. I usually think most Hawaiian BBQ spots taste pretty similar, but not here. There was something special about the food that made it stand out in a good way. The chicken katsu was crispy and flavorful, and the beef rib was tender and delicious. What really surprised us were the sides. The pickled jalapeños were fantastic and added a nice kick to the meal. The macaroni salad was also excellent. Honestly, everything on the plate was good. Service was friendly and quick, and our food came out fast. It can get busy here and loud. Small place. My only complaint is the rice portion. The plate came with only one scoop of rice, and I was hoping for two scoops. The food was so good that I wanted a little more rice to go with it. Also, forgot to take full photo of food, we forgot to snap before eating it. Overall, great food, great service, and a pleasant surprise. We'll definitely be back the next time we're craving Hawaiian BBQ.

Kina M.

Looks like a mom and pop shop inside, super clean and felt welcomed by the kind workers. Though their prices for a plate and a drink was super pricy for one ($31 total). Wasn't really a fan on their salad, it felt like they didn't try. They should look into cabbage salads like other traditional Hawaiian bbqs

Spam Loco Moco
Jak Leroy D.

My husband and I were craving a traditional loco moco Hawaiian breakfast, so we decided to give Moana Hawaiian BBQ a try. I had the SPAM LOCO MOCO (two eggs, SPAM, white rice, cole slaw, and macaroni salad) and my husband had the HALF SPAM HALF LOCO MOCO (two eggs, SPAM, a burger patty, white rice, cole slaw, and macaroni salad). Everything tasted great! We loved both dishes! Service is fast and friendly, and there's indoor and outdoor seating available. We'll definitely be back to try the katsu chicken and kalua pork!

Pineapple chicken
Alexis M.

Nice little spot for some delicious Hawaiian BBQ! There's some seating inside but not a ton. The staff were friendly and the food came out quick. I ordered the pineapple chicken and spam musubi. I loved both options and can't wait to come back!

Kalua Pork with Cabbage Hawaiian BBQ Beef
Jonnie N.

Moana Hawaiian BBQ delivers solid comfort food done right. The Spicy Beef was tender and packed with a perfectly balanced mix of sweet, spicy, and savory flavors. The Kalua Pork was savory and hearty, yet still felt light thanks to the cabbage mixed in. The macaroni salad was another pleasant surprise--not overly creamy and nicely seasoned. Portions are generous without being overwhelming, making it a satisfying and well-balanced meal overall. Definitely a spot worth coming back to.

Spam misubi
Erin Z.

Stopped in for lunch after shooting pool. The cashier was a nice guy. We ordered the Hawaiian burger, spam misubi and a side of coleslaw. We enjoyed our meals inside. It's small and it was hot inside, but the food was good. The coleslaw was creamy with a little sweetness to it due to the raisins. Everything tasted delicious. I would definitely eat here again. I also like the wall with the Word of God on it.

Angel B.

My BF's brother brought back the family deal for everyone to eat. It had 3 items, including beef, chicken and another chicken with pineapple. It also included white rice, veggies and macaroni salad. Everything was good. My favorite was the beef and the sweet and sour chicken. Normally, I turn my nose up at macaroni salad. However, I am trying new foods. I am glad I did. The macaroni salad was good. We have walked past this place many times. Now I know its good. Located in downtown Burbank near Sam Fernando and Orangegrove ave. Dont forget to feed the meters if you park on the street.

Chicken Katsu
Adilene P.

9.9/10 I finally tried Moana Hawaiian Barbecue and went straight for my go-to .... the Chicken Katsu. Let me just say, this instantly tied for one of my favorite Hawaiian spots in LA. The chicken itself was next-level extra crunchy on the outside, perfectly juicy inside, and super fresh. Honestly, the texture and crispiness even beat out Ono Hawaiian, which has been my longtime favorite. The portion here is generous too with noticeably more chicken than Ono's plate (though you're also paying about $5 more ). Now for the details Ono's Katsu sauce edges Moana's slightly for me -- it's a bit richer, and their mac salad also has a touch more flavor. That said, Moana's version is still excellent, and the overall quality of the chicken puts them head-to-head in my book. If you love crispy, juicy Katsu and big portions, Moana is a must-try

Chicken katsu with Kalua pork
Jackson H.

I love to get the mixed plate with the chicken katsu and kalua pork. Both meats are tasty and well seasoned. Combined with the tonkatsu sauce and macaroni salad, you get a really tasty meal that's a mix of Japanese and Hawaiian cultures.

$26 Hawaiian BBQ Mix, $1 extra for brown rice

Restaurant was empty when I walked in and most of the time I was there. I got the BBQ mix plate. $2 to park nearby. $26 for the plate. I paid an extra dollar for brown rice. I got two bites of brown rice that is dry. Chicken is dry. Short rib is chewy. Beef is chewy. Veggies are okay. Expensive and there are better options nearby. Won't be coming back.

Hawaiian BBQ Chicken

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7 days ago

Great service! Food tastes amazing! Very kind people. Would definitely come again! If you are in the area, stop by, it won't disappoint!

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2 months ago

Love the service the young gentleman at the counter was very helpful and we would recommend this to anyone. Thanks again.

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Ask the Community - Moana Hawaiian BBQ

Good services delicious food?

Under new ownership, so I think the service will definitely improve. Food is still great.

Do they serve panda bear portions?

No even Their Portions are way too too too small.

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Ribs Against the Machine - Really enjoyed the Memphis Style BBQ ribs from Ribs Against The Machine in East Hollywood. @RibsAgainstTheMachine is their Insta.

Ribs Against the Machine

4.6(229 reviews)
0.2 mi
•$$

Our company's holiday party ordered catering from this location for a group of 18, and the…read moreexperience was excellent from start to finish. We were charged $30 per person, which felt very reasonable given current California pricing. Pickup was smooth and well organized. We ordered a variety of items including pork and beef ribs, mac & cheese, mashed potatoes, and coleslaw--everything was flavorful and well prepared, and the food was a hit with the entire group. The staff was a pleasure to work with--friendly, responsive, and genuinely helpful throughout the process. It also felt good supporting what appears to be a small business that clearly takes pride in both its food and customer service. I would absolutely order from here again and highly recommend this spot for company events or any large group orders.

Literally hidden in plain sight, and not where I originally thought it was located, but I found it…read morebecause I was on a mission! Upon entering the establishment, the ambience of the place embraces you as a guest. Small, but nicely decorates and with good music playing. It's a very comfortable environment for enjoying this stellar barbecue and sides. Smaller menu, but it's really all you need, especially when you do the one thing you do really well. Mashed potatoes are authentic handmade mashed potatoes with the taste of home. BBQ was perfect and tender and TASTY. Reminder 1: this is quality food, not fast food, so be prepared to wait a little bit, especially if you have a larger order. Reminder 2: BBQ it's not a cheap food to make, so you will not find any dollar menus here, but if you compare to Manny, the other barbecue restaurants in their location, you will find this is an extremely good value.

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Ribs Against the Machine
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Handy Market - Bacon  and sausage Breakfast burrito  With green sauce.

Handy Market

4.2(800 reviews)
1.6 mi•Northwest District
•$$

I really wish I can gatekeep this place so bad, but at the same time, this place is so popular that…read morethere really is no need to gatekeep. I first found out about Handy Market on social media for their weekend BBQ about a month ago. As I had been craving bbq for a couple weeks now, I found today to be the best opportunity to give them a try. I placed an order for pick up the night before. I got kind of carried away with the order, as I wanted to try almost everything on the menu. The prices were absolutely insane! I think I ended up paying about 65 dollars for food that would easily feed me for a good 3 or 4 days. When I arrived to pick up my order at my pick up time, I had noticed my order was being packed. I asked the employees if I can leave my order with them for a bit so that I can pick up some meat inside the market. They obliged, and I went to the meat counter to order my beef back ribs to cook for tomorrow. For 5 pounds, I ended up paying about $34, which was definitely a bargain. They were also selling breakfast burritos and sandwiches in the store, which I found to be awesome. I took everything home and opened my bag of spoils. After I took everything out, I statted thinking of what I wanted to eat first and what I wanted to save for later. It was so much food that I thought I could feed an entire army. Definitely will be back for the breakfast burritos and sandwiches, and for the meats again, for sure!

As a loyal customer of this establishment for over two decades, I have consistently visited the…read moredeli and meats department at least once a month. However, I am compelled to rate this establishment one star due to a particularly unpleasant experience with a female deli employee whose first name begins with the letter "J." Despite my frequent visits, the overall customer service in the deli and meats department has declined. The season butchers have been replaced with individuals lacking the necessary experience and customer courtesy that were previously present. Over the past three months, I have encountered the same issues with this particular employee. It is important to note that the fee charged for slicing a Tri Tip into a carton container is not the primary concern. The issue lies in the employee's behavior and attitude, specifically their unwillingness to properly wrap the sliced meat. This has occurred on multiple occasions, most recently at the checkout counter when the cashier pull the foil-wrapped package from the plastic bag causing the juices of the meat to spill all over the counter. This has happened to me every time this employee has served me. The Tri Tip sliced meat is dry and devoid of juices due to this careless employee's failure to wrap the meat carefully. It is imperative that this situation be addressed. Management should provide this employee, "J," with proper training on how to wrap sliced food correctly. Additionally, it is crucial the ambiance that all employees, including the deli and butcher employees, maintain a pleasant and friendly demeanor. A salutation is always appreciated. Despite these concerns, the BBQ remains outstanding as always.

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Handy Market - Counter

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AJ's Tex-Mex & Barbecue - 2 meat combo

AJ's Tex-Mex & Barbecue

4.3(624 reviews)
5.3 mi•Valley Village
•$$

Stopped by AJ's Tex-Mex for lunch with my apprentice and we were both seriously impressed. I had…read morethe tri-tip sandwich with Spanish rice, and he had the brisket -- both were absolutely delicious. The meat was tender, juicy, and full of flavor, and the tri-tip sandwich had the perfect amount of horseradish to give it a little kick without overpowering the meat. Great food, great lunch spot, and definitely somewhere we'll be stopping again when we're working in the area. A+ all the way. Easy 5 stars! Highly recommend AJ's Tex-Mex.

If you are famished, this is the place you go to eat some good BBQ. Well, I was feeling very…read morehungry, and since once we had the opportunity to get food from this hole in the wall place, I wanted to give them another chance. Third time will NOT be a charm!! Walked in today at 6:45pm and got a somewhat nice greeting from Fabriscio. He was running around like a chicken w/out a head. Taking orders, phone was ringing off the hook, pick up orders while the other employees Shirley and another guy were making the food in their tiny kitchen. I understand it's not easy to work under pressure. The three of them somehow managed. Food is very expensive for the portions that you get. Inside and outside was very clean except one table that remained dirty during the entire time that I was there. You place your order at the so-called counter, and since there is nowhere to sit inside, you either go to the sports bar next door, or sit outside. There was a game going on. People were very drunk and you could hear them cheering for their favorite team from 2 miles away. Food was OK, nothing to die for or write home about. They do have a lot of things to choose from on their menu. I got their 5 piece BBQ ribs, (two sauces on the side along with pickles and pickled onions). Pickled onions was very delicious. Also, ordered a whole BBQ chicken with three sides. Chicken was cut into pieces. The sides were medium size coleslaw, baked beans and the Elote street corn. Now, the corn stole the show. It was some of the best corn that I've had in a very long time. Food was also salty. Food came out quick, but was lukewarm and dry. They also have a fridge full of water, pudding, and soda. I asked for a dinner roll or corn bread, and he said "all we have now is sliced white bread". I said "fine" in my mind I was thinking "what kind of BBQ place doesn't have dinner roll or corn bread?" They had no plates, only trays. He snapped at me at one point by saying that "we are so busy", when I asked for plates. So, I got a tray. It was so hot inside, no A/C, a lot of to-go orders and 3rd party. Nobody came to check on me while I ate. I even had to go get my own to-go boxes, lids and a bag from Shirley. Don't know about the restroom situation. I didn't see any. They have street parking and parking in the back that's shared with the sports bar next door. One last important thing. TONY ROMA'S WHERE ARE YOU??

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Moana Hawaiian BBQ - hawaiian - Updated October 2026

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