Rainbow Drive-In
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Heard so much about this classic Hawaiian spot and was so disappointed. I love a Hawaiian mix plate lunch normally, but this one was lackluster and just not done well. The combo plate consisted of below average versions of fishy fish, a thin cutlet and gray tough meat. The Mac salad was super mayo-y. Also got the garlic chicken, which had a good flavor on the sauce, but felt like the chicken was slightly undercooked and should have been fried up more. Ambiance is basic (and all outdoor seating). Maybe people like this because it's nostalgic for them... but I truly don't get it.
Stopped here for breakfast at 7:30 am after hiking Diamond head. Great parking. Friendly staff. We ordered loco moco, French toast, breakfast with spam. Super affordable prices, huge portion. The gravy for loco loco is tasty. The patties tastes a little weird and processed. Still worth it. Yes!
Great cheap fast Hawain food. Come For takeout and quick fast eats. They have lots of outdoor seating which is great. The gravy is so tasty
Yum!! They do not skimp out on the mac salad. They gave us a lot more than other places. There is so much mayo on the mac which is good but i do wish it had more ingredients like some carrots and more salt and pepper. Bbq pork plate was also very good the meat had great flavor but at the end i had to end up eating around the fat because there was no more good pieces. Rice was a tiny bit bland but when muni g the yolk into it and having it at the same time as the mac made it a lot better. Overall good place we had a delicious filling meal and i would come here again. Lots of tables available for seating and all is outdoors as well.
What an iconic gem! So sorry I missed it last time I was here. It has been profiled on Food Network as one of the best and it was so true! Made sure to come here the first night I landed so I did not miss out and could see if it lived up to the hype. It did. It is such a fun place to feel like you are having a picnic. You know this place is good since there is a steady line of people ordering bags and bags of food. Just to say, this is another must-do must-try place for food. We was super excited to have the mixed plate with gravy. It was beef, chicken and fish with rice and mac salad. It was huge and perfect. It tasted amazing and I would order this again and again. We had two of those. We also tried the loco moco and classic dish, and the saimin, which I had always wanted to try. One child also ordered the BBQ pork sandwich which she enjoyed and since it was a small menu item could help with the mix plate, which is impossible to finish in one sitting. I was stuffed and in woman versus food, food won overwhelmingly. I wish I had room to try the slush and ice cream or other items, but I could not eat another bite. So many items on the menu were very tempting and I am sad I only got to visit here one time. I do hope to return and have so many things on my dish wish list, but that mixed plate was so good, I bet I would go with that again.
For my first time, it's was OK. Limited seating. They also have 2 small stores to purchase merchandise. The service was decent. The food was OK. Honestly I don't see myself coming back. I prefer going to Zippy's. Also the vibe was off because there was an incident with the customers after us. Something about someone trying the purchase food with a stolen credit card.
Son wanted to go here. He saw it on TikTok. I got the. BBq pork meal. The pork was great. A gazillion pounds of rice. I only at about 1/4 of it. The macaroni salad was macaroni with what seemed like just mayo. (Not my jam). He had the loco moco. He loved it. Again a billion pounds of rice. Kid had a hot dog. Didn't finish it. Quality was really low. Maybe we are used to dodger dog snap style flavorful ones. Anyway was a nice little meal and took a walk at the park a couple blocks away to walk off the massive amounts of rice.
The line was a little long and the parking lot was pretty packed, but luckily we were able to find a spot. We ate at the outdoor tables, which was nice and made for a fun time chatting it up with friends. Overall, the food was SO good! Definitely worth the wait and would highly recommend if you're in the area.
I saw this place on TikTok while in Hawaii and I knew I had to come here. It is a little away from Waikiki, which is a good thing because it's more of a local spot than a tourist spot even though it is a tourist spot because it is always crowded. It was nice to actually try local authentic Hawaiian food with the Hawaiian taste in Hawaiian flavor.
Love the drive-in vibes. Parking lot is small but we got lucky with a spot and also got lucky with a bench table. Not a long wait for food. The four of us shared the loco moco plate, boneless chicken with gravy plate, and the BBQ beef plate. Food was good and hearty. My favorite was the loco moco plate. Boneless chicken had some pieces that were on the pink-ish side and the breading was a little soggy and didn't stick to the chicken that well. BBQ beef plate was good but nothing mindblowing. Some beef slices were dry. Mac salad was good. Overall good place for a cozy classic Hawaiian meal.
We had been looking forward to eating here for days but were sadly disappointed. They have good happy hour prices that start at 3pm but they are very strict with that time. At five minutes before 3pm they said we would have to come back to get the special deal, which hey rules are rules but they were not very friendly about it. We ordered a variety of things and really weren't impressed with any of it. A lot of food felt like warmed up freezer items. The cheeseburger definitely had a fake patty vibe. The sauce on the cheeseburger did taste good. The chili and rice were good separately, but I did not personally like mixing it. When we left, over half of our meals had not been finished.
Their gravy is what I won't forget - the portions are good and pretty fast turn around for being busy Service was there
Delicious tasting plate lunch and burger restaurant. Quick and friendly service. Outdoor ambiance for a local experience.
5 months ago
Awesome!! I got some breakfast with the crispy chicken. Everyone was super nice, and the food was on point, just what I wanted!! read more
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Alissa S.
Mahalo for stopping by!
An instant classic. If you're a local, u know about rainbows drive in. But if you're a tourist it's definitely something you should add to your day in waikiki plans. Absolutely delicious food at a cheap price. My go to plate is the teri beef plate. Two scoops of rice, 1 scoop mac salad, some cabbages and 3 gorgeous pieces of teriyaki beef. A pleasant surprise though is the chilli dog plate. My mom and I literally chop up the hot dog into tiny pieces then mix everything together to for a delicious mesh of chilli, rice, hot dog, and mac salad. If you're a tourist and only plan on coming here once I recommend the mix plate as it gives u teri beef, boneless breaded chicken, and a slab of cooked fish with tartar sauce and gravy all over with of course the 2 scoops rice and 1 scoop mac salad (a Hawaii staple). Dont forget the strawberry slush float for dessert. I always love getting one after a full day boogie boarding at the beach. Parking can be a little bit limited and tight but there's street parking in the neighborhood as well. It's outdoor seating which can get hot especially in the sun and staff is friendly and respectful. I usually take off a point for parking and the hot outdoor seating but this place is soo good I'll keep it at 5 stars! read more
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Alissa S.
Mahalo for the awesome review! We look forward to serving you again…
3 months ago
Always a local favorite! Enjoyed a bbq pork plate and mixed plate! So ono and good flavors! They ran out of the special with bbq beef and fried saimin noodles but all good! Noticed they have a happy hour menu too! Will be back to try out! read more
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Alissa S.
We look forward to serving you again soon!
Husband, I have been here plenty of times. This trip we brought my sister and nieces and nephew. Food was yummy as usual. So nostalgic you have to try it at least once. It really has grown over the years. Now has a gift shop & bigger seating area. Service is friendly & fast. read more
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Alissa S.
Mahalo for the great review!
rainbow drive-in still has that nostalgic, retro diner feel to it that still pushes out great food for reasonable prices! service was nice and efficient and they had plenty of tables to eat at. their plates were so filling and comforting, and you absolutely have to get their loco moco when visiting! read more
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Alissa S.
Mahalo for the awesome review!
11 months ago
Business owner information
Alissa S.
Mahalo for the great review!
Had to try the staple out it has been recommended by a lot of people while visiting waiKiki and it did not disappoint. The service was fast and the food was delicious. One of the highlights of my trip. The local moco was good, but I wasn't a big fan of the Mac salad. The cheesecake was super rich and delicious. And the strawberry poundcake with ice cream was tasty as well. I just wish I had a little bit more of the strawberries . This is a drive-in and it had a great nostalgic vibe to it . With that being said be prepared to sit outside or take to go. My favorite part of it was the pricing everything was affordable unlike a lot of the meals we had in the local area. read more
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Alissa S.
Mahalo for the great review!
Three words come to mind:, delicious, authentic and inexpensive!!!! Yes, it is a drive-in and you will have to eat at a picnic table on the parking lot but believe me the food is worth it. We ordered the loco moco and they shoyu chicken plate. Will have to come back again! Three words come to mind:, delicious, authentic and inexpensive!!!! Yes, it is a drive-in and you will have to eat at a picnic table on the parking lot but believe me the food is worth it. We ordered the loco moco and the shoyu chicken plate. Will have to come back again! read more
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Crystine I.
Mahalo for the great review! Looking forward to your next visit!
We stopped by here on 5/15 after hiking Diamond Head. The burger and Mahi sandwich were good. The fries were crispy and good. The service was very efficient. Nothing to write home about, but good. We dropped by again on 5/18 after our morning walk up the Makapu'u Lighthouse Trail to try the loco moco. It's a fairly odd mixture of ingredients, but it worked very well. White rice, topped with two ground beef patties and brown gravy with two fried eggs on top and macaroni salad on the side. We really enjoyed it. The macaroni salad was one of the best we've ever had. read more
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Alissa S.
Mahalo for the review!
Solid mix plate for decent value. Get it with gravy so it's not as dry. Chicken is great, even has the skin under the breading. Beef and mahi mahi are ok. Mac salad a little too much mayo but compliments the dish well. Service is fast, no frills and super easy meal. read more
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Crystine I.
Mahalo for the thoughtful review and detailed feedback.
Sad the cook served burnt bbq pork. It was obviously intentional because every piece was placed burnt side facing down. Still like the slush float. @rainbowdrivein read more
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Alissa S.
We're sorry your meal didnt meet your expectations. We value your…
I wanted to like this place so badly, unfortunately the food is up to standard. However I've heard this establishment is a local favorite and they do have outstanding service and we very much appreciated hospitality. The mix plate was underwhelming with little to no flavor but the gravy saved the dish. The loco moco was my favorite out of the two. The outdoor seating was enjoyable to get a good view of the neighborhood. read more
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Crystine I.
Aloha. We are sorry the food didn’t meet your expectations, but we’re…
1 year ago
Food was alright but we loved the green soda (Green River)! Service was great, everyone was quick and friendly. This place had plenty of outdoor seating and tables which made it easier to drop by for a quick meal. read more
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Alissa S.
Mahalo for the review!
1 year ago
Friday night visit, first time, the macaroni salad had entirely too much mayonnaise. The rice was ok. The meats were the best parts of the entrees:braised chicken thighs and bbq pork. The bbq pork would've been better if it was served with some bbq sauce. The service was fine. They have several tables to sit at or you can get your food to go. The noise level was not too loud, you could easily hear the person next to you. read more
Rainbow Drive-In is one of those places that completely lives up to the hype. I've been here a couple of times now, and every visit reminds me why this spot is such a must-try on Oʻahu. It's got that classic local feel, delicious comfort food, and prices that are surprisingly reasonable, especially for how famous it is. We came on a Thursday night, and luckily it wasn't too busy. Parking was easy, and the line moved quickly. I ordered the chili loco moco this time, and wow--it was absolutely worth every calorie. The rice, hamburger patty, egg, and that signature chili all come together perfectly in one hearty plate. It's the kind of meal that leaves you full and happy, the way true local plate lunches should. I also ordered a bowl of saimin on the side, which was the perfect balance--simple, flavorful, and comforting. We came with a big group of 13 people, and we actually lucked out with seating together, which I know doesn't always happen at popular spots like this. There's a good amount of outdoor seating available, but I can imagine on a weekend or during peak hours it might get packed. Still, the staff were friendly and efficient, and even with a large group, our food came out quickly and everything was fresh and hot. What I love most about Rainbow Drive-In is that it feels authentic. It's not fancy, but it doesn't need to be--the food speaks for itself. You can tell this place has been a staple for both locals and visitors for years. Whether you're craving loco moco, plate lunches, or just want to experience a true taste of Hawaiʻi, this spot delivers every time. If you're on this side of the island, definitely make the stop. Grab a plate, find a seat, and enjoy some of the best local comfort food around. Rainbow Drive-In is an island classic for a reason! read more
5 months ago
Teri Beef was good! Rice....not cooked enough. Mac salad had some vinegar? Overall, it was nostalgic and I didn't have to cook. read more
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Alissa S.
Mahalo for the review!
1 year ago
The value here is great because the portions are huge. The plates are perfect for takeout since they pack everything neatly on a plate inside the box. The slush floats are also a must. read more
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Crystine I.
Mahalo for the great review! We're glad you enjoyed the portions and…
9 months ago
The Loco Moco: Whatever you do, do not sleep on the Loco Moco. It's the ultimate comfort food. The patties are juicy, the eggs are always perfectly over-easy, and when you mix it all with that signature gravy and mac salad? Absolute heaven. The Vibe: It's no-frills, fast, and authentic. Whether you're grabbing a plate after the beach or just need a local fix, the atmosphere is exactly what a takeout spot should be. read more
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Alissa S.
Mahalo for the review!
Rainbow Drive-in is a tradition and fits into a specific category - plate lunches with a drive-in overall theme. Think chili, burgers, and a variety of great playe lunches. We had the mix plate with gravy, the shoyu chicken plate (Monday special), and the Loco Moco. The mix plate was huge and really tasty. The shoyu chicken was three tender basted thighs. The loco Moco had great gravy. I appreciate the thin burger patties - I dislike super thick patties that tend to be overcooked. The Loco Moco elements all work together. The key here is that the locals know what they want and many of the orders were to go. Plenty of tables available for eating at though. read more
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Crystine I.
Mahalo for your thoughtful review! We’re glad you enjoyed. It is…
2 years ago
Shoyu chicken stole the show! Chicken so Tender it fell Right off The bone! Literally. Flavor was good too! Not overpowering. Loved the Mac too! Loco moco was lacking flavor to me. Meat was a little dry even with gravy over it. read more
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Alissa S.
Mahalo for the review.
2 years ago
In Oahu, one of the best ways to enjoy local comfort food is by stopping at Rainbow Drive-in that offers a great mix of BBQ plates, breakfast sandwiches, and loco mocos. This spot is beloved for their laid-back atmosphere, where you can grab a satisfying meal in the comfort of your car or enjoy the breeze from their outside tables. The BBQ plates are so delicious with macaroni salad, and white rice. The loco moco is an iconic dish of Hawaii, that is must-try for anyone visiting. The classic loco moco--beef patties smothered in rich brown gravy, topped with a perfectly fried egg, and served over a bed of white rice. It's the kind of hearty meal that sticks with you, combining comfort and local flavor in every mouthful. The ladies taking your order are helping and are great at providing recommendations. Definitely a must try when visiting the area, you won't be disappointed! read more
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Alissa S.
Mahalo for the great review! We appreciate it!
Yo, I just hit up Rainbow Drive-In and got the slush float and the boneless chicken plate. The slush float was super refreshing, perfect for the warm day! And the boneless chicken plate? So ono! The flavors were on point, and it was a solid meal. If you're craving some good local grindz, you gotta check this place out! Ps.make sure to get the Louisiana hot sauce read more
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Alissa S.
Mahalo for the great review! The boneless chicken plate is one of my…
Always great to visit this from my hanabata days Food is cheap! Can tell you're out of Waikiki enough. Wife says quantity over quality. The chili tots were not very good. I did like the mix plate - mahi, chicken, Teri beef - I thought all was good Kids had chili fries and said was good. Food came out pretty quick, and the outside seating was enough for our party. If this wasn't a place that was part of my childhood, I am not sure that I would come back read more
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Alissa S.
Mahalo for stopping by!
6 months ago
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Alissa S.
We're very sorry your meal didnt meet your expectations. We value…
2 months ago
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Alissa S.
Mahalo for the great review!
1 year ago
At first glance you may not want to go in. But then you can see the line is full, so this food must be good! When I got to the window to order the man didn't seem to friendly or like he wanted to be bothered. But the locals that were there were very kind. When I went back up to the window when my food was ready the man had a totally different attitude. He was kind, made suggestions on what I ordered, and gave me a bag to carry my boxed plate of food. That is after I asked him. After all I still had about 1.5 miles left to walk back to my hotel. The ambiance was that of a dive, but the food was delicious! read more
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Crystine I.
Mahalo for sharing your experience with us. We’re glad you enjoyed…
3 months ago
yummy! but i personally don't like the mac salad it had sooo much mayo i couldn't eat it. loco moco is my favorite. it was delicious read more
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Alissa S.
Mahalo
2 months ago
I've never really cared for rainbows. Food is ok (Richies better), but what is always disappointing is the customer services. No aloha here (cater to tourist). I tried to call to order for 20 minutes (Nuuanu t Kapahulu). Recording came on all 5 times I called saying they're were busy helping other customers (440pm, got here at 5pm). See pic when I got here. Then it takes me 10 mins to get my order straight (mix plate, fries and slaw no rice, gravy on side. Loco moco over medium. Those 2 plates in one bag. BBQ pork sandwich and tater tots separate bag...smh. she puts fries with sandwiches & tater tots...) BTW. I did if they take phone take out orders and she said yup...I said we'll not today. She said the guy right there supposed to answer. We'll, nope! read more
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Alissa S.
We're very sorry to hear about your experience. Providing great…
After hiking Diamond head summit trail, we went there for a super late lunch. Staff were friendly and helpful. Parking is a little tight. The decor is a little old style but looks just fit the food style. We ordered bbq pork plate and I have the special: fried saimin with bbq beef plate. It came with noodles, Mac salad, a scoop of rice , chat siu, bbq beef. Bbq pork plate came with French fries, Mac salad, slaw and the pork. They are both very tasty and value for the money. Very filling for sure. read more
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Alissa S.
Mahalo for stopping by after your hike!
7 months ago
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Alissa S.
Mahalo for the great review!
3 months ago
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Alissa S.
Mahalo for the continued support!
1 year ago
If you grew up in Hawaii then you know Rainbows is one of the most iconic plate lunch places on Oahu. Mixed plate, extra gravy, Teri sauce and a slushee float will never do you wrong. Their bbq burger with French fries is also a good alternate if you're not in the mood for rice. This location is right by Waikiki aka a tourist hot spot so lines can get long but they do have online ordering now. If not then it's walk up ordering with a good amount of seating. BUT BEWARE OF THE BIRDS. They will snatch your food up if you give them a chance. read more
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Crystine I.
Mahalo for the great review! We’re happy you enjoyed some of our…
5 months ago
Okay in all honestly I came here because the Rock said this was his favorite loco moco on the Oahu! And let me tell you that loco moco was delicious!!!! The gravy was truly the star of the show, I enjoyed the patties but they could have been better but with all that flavorful gravy it was still amazing. I think they could make the eating area a little cuter with some lights or decor but still a very good bang for your buck! read more
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Alissa S.
We're so glad you loved the loco moco!
1 year ago
Driving home from lunch in Kaneohe my wife suggested we go to Rainbow Drive Inn for dessert. She wanted a slush float. It sounded good to me. So off we went. Got lucky and found parking in their parking lot. She got out to get her slush float. well when she returned she also bought a couple of slices of Lemon Squares. Service was fast and friendly. Well I had my slice of the lemon Squares after dinner. The crust seemed a little under cooked. The lemon filling was tasty and a had just a bit of tartness. The slush float was refreshing. Both items are worth buying. Enjoy read more
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Alissa S.
Mahalo for stopping by!
6 months ago
We always come to Waikiki yearly. But we only stay in the beach area. Our cab driver recommended this place (about 15 minute walk from our hotel). Glad we tried it. You can either place your order online/phone or walk up/drive up and park. Plenty of parking and seating. I ordered the rainbow bento. That was plenty of food. It had spam, crispy chicken, fish strip and a strip of beef. My hubby ordered Portuguese sausage with two eggs and rice. Will definitely come back to this place. read more
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Alissa S.
Mahalo for the great review!
More info about Rainbow Drive-In
3308 Kanaina Ave
Honolulu, HI 96815
Kaimuki
Directions
(808) 737-0177
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https://rainbowdrivein.com
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Ask the Community - Rainbow Drive-In
What's in your special gravy? Any meat product? Thanks in advance
Definitely meat of some sort, if I had to guess it is beef gravy
Hi, do you guys take phone orders?
I've heard they do, but I have never been able to get through. You can also order online and still pick up through the "Phone Orders" line
Do they still sell their chili seasoning packets?
Yes, we do! Available at Rainbow Tiki in Kapahulu or online! https://www.rainbowtiki.com/
Do they have traditional Hawaiian dishes with vegetarian options?
More like local comfort food, nothing's vegetarian at Rainbow. Go to Highway Inn or Helana's they have traditional Hawaiian food.
Can you order plate lunches in the morning ? Or is only offered after a certain time?
I have come at different times and have ordered "breakfast" at lunch and sandwiches for breakfast so I think you can order anything on the menu regardless of time.
Can i order lunch at 800 am? like teriyaki steak or beef curry
Yes for the Teriyaki steak. The Curry might be a special of the day so it's if it's on the specials menu you can order it. Try the teriyaki pork. It's really good.
What's the best thing to order?
Depends on your palate: Meat and potatoes - loco moco…
Do they do half portions?
I am not aware of 1/2 portion or mini-plate. That being said, order a sandwich, loco moco, or chili bowl. The Mahi, BBQ Beef or BBQ Pork sandwiches are da bomb.
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