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Recommended Reviews - Wailua Drive In
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One local place for shave ice. Quick easy fast. Go to place if you don't like driving far from Waikīkī.
Ordered their Loco Moco and Meat Jun both of which were tasty, fulfilling, and comforting dishes that hit the spot. Both dishes were prepared well and were good portions. The loco moco beef patty wasn't dry and was seasoned well, eggs were nice and yolky, and the gravy was tasty and not salty. The meat jun was cooked and seasoned well and was tasty on its own with rice, but the sauce did give it a more savory soy sauce/light vinegar taste. The egg batter held up, but it would've been better if it had a slight crisp to it. The meat was tender and I liked how thinly sliced they were. Service was welcoming and fast and you can dine-in or drive-thru. Overall, I'd come back to try other menu items when in Kauai.
Casual restaurant with really great food. My favorite was the chili pepper fried chicken. Spicy, savory, sweet, and nice and crispy. The fried Brussels sprouts are also a must get! Everything came out very fresh and crispy. Glad we stopped here.
This place is truly a gem. Such a variety of options to order from that there's something for everyone! The woman at the cash register was so patient and understanding of any question we had. She helped us choose options, and recommended certain entrees based on what we were each craving and enjoy eating. There were many things I wanted to try, but I went ahead and went with the salmon with miso based on her recommendation. It did not disappointment! It was so light, yet extremely flavorful. The salad as well comes with a light and tangy calamansi dressing. There is also ample of seating inside. We went about an hour or so before closing, and the place was packed. I don't know if it's always like this, but people were also showing up 10-15 mins before closing and continue to stagger in. We were able to snag a table while waiting for our food to be ready. I'd definitely come back here again. Mahalo for the kind welcome and I look forward to visiting again.
Yay for yummy, fast casual Hawaiian food! We ordered the fried noodles & chili pepper chicken combo with mac salad and fried brussel sprouts with Vietnamese style peanut glaze. Plenty of food for two people. Loved the flavor of the brussel sprouts but they were a little too oily for me. The chicken was dry :( I liked the fried noodles and mac salad. Maybe I need to try it again because it seems like a popular spot.
I visited Wailua Drive-In in Kapaʻa, Kauaʻi, Hawaii [4-733 Kuhio Hwy] on Monday, 01/19/26, in the evening. I decided to order the Chili Pepper Chicken, which came with rice and macaroni salad. Surprisingly, the chicken wasn't spicy at all. It had a mild flavor and was packed with a delicious taste in every bite. The rice and macaroni salad were nice complements to the chicken. I picked up my food from the drive-thru window. One of the staff members mentioned that the order would take about 15 minutes to prepare, but it was ready in just 5 minutes; very quick and efficient. Overall, Wailua Drive-In offers tasty food and fast, friendly service. I highly recommend stopping by.
We were looking for classic Hawaiian plate lunch and this place didn't disappoint. Food tasted great, good portions. We had no idea that it was featured on DDD, but not surprising! Wanted to eat there a second time, but didn't realize they're closed on Sunday. Have a kid with food allergies and he was able to find plenty to eat and it was not contaminated.
We had driven by so many times and it may not look like much from the outside, but if you are looking for some good plate lunches/take away meals to eat at the beach, definitely stop in here. Service was quick and friendly. Super casual inside with seating if you did want to eat in. Chicken katsu curry had nice crisp texture. Teri steak with bell peppers was nice as well. Butter garlic shrimp (messy with the shells, but worth it) was so flavorful and moist. Sides of mac salad or green salad. My personal fave were the fried noodles! Super happy we ordered dessert as well! Haupia pie and lilikoi bar *chef's kiss*.
I really love this place so much that I ate here twice. Those fried noodles are a chef's kiss. I coupled that with the chili pepper chicken and everything was the perfect portion and the people helping were so friendly and helpful.
Wailua Drive-In absolutely lived up to the hype. We ordered the Combo Plate with ahi poke and ginger chicken, plus a Chili Pepper Chicken plate, and everything was on point. The ahi poke was super fresh with a clean, buttery flavor, and the portion was generous. The ginger chicken was tender and flavorful without being overly sweet -- just a great balance all around. And the Chili Pepper Chicken? Perfectly crispy, a little bit spicy in all the best ways, and seriously addictive. You can tell they care about seasoning and quality. Service was quick, the prices felt fair for how much food you get, and the overall vibe is exactly what you want from a local-style drive-in spot. Definitely recommend stopping by -- your taste buds will thank you!
We needed one last garlic shrimp plate before we left the island so Wailua Drive In was a perfect spot before we headed to the airport. Came highly recommended by our tubing tour guide, Jason. Surprised to see that it was empty inside. A few cars pulled in as we ordered. Very large, open space. Menu is simple. Honestly, didn't review the entire menu because I had my heart set on garlic shrimp. Food came out rather quickly. My husband ordered the katsu plate. Both our plates has generous serving of rice and mac. Can't go wrong with that combination. -Small parking lot -Drive through window -One large single bathroom -Cute staff drawings on the hallway wall
This spot was recommended to us by one of our tour guides and happened to be right down the street from where we were staying. So cool to see it was featured on Diners, Drive-In's and Dives. I decided to share with the group the fried noodles and chili pepper chicken (featured on the show), and the dynamite nachos. The staff took our orders at the counter and helped me choose a dessert. The food came out pretty quick and we took it back to where we were staying to eat. The food was phenomenal. I see why the chicken is so popular and the noodles were no less impressive. The dynamite poke nachos were also delicious! The lilikoi dessert was so good! I love passion fruit but as a tart it was so tasty. I wished we had time to come back before the trip had ended, but next time I'm in Kauai, this will be my first stop!
On our first trip to Kauai, we couldn't resist visiting The Wailua Drive-In after seeing it featured on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives. Luckily, it was just a short walk from our hotel, so we decided to give it a try. One thing I quickly learned about Kauai is that many places close early, so I'm glad we made it in time. I ordered the chili pepper chicken and poke plate with mac salad and rice. Let me tell you, the mac salad was the best I had on the island--absolutely delicious! The poke and chili pepper chicken were also fantastic. I always forget how generous the portions are with a plate lunch; my husband and I could have easily shared one. We opted to take our food to go because there was a family inside with two teenage daughters having a bit of a meltdown, making quite a scene. I think one of the owners noticed and felt bad about the noise, so they kindly gave us two free Ube pies for dessert, which were a delightful treat. We enjoyed our meal back at the hotel, sitting by the beach near the pool, and it was perfect. I loved everything about this place and wish I had more time to explore their menu. I'll definitely be back on my next visit to Kauai!
In the oddly difficult search for great food on Kauai, this place is a clear standout. Grabbed the food to go, and had a decent drive after,but the food was still sooo good. Service was pleasant and the case full of dessert goodies was very tempting... Grabbed a couple items. Ha I love a plate lunch and this is my favorite so far for this island. Will go back for sure! read more
4 months ago
Wailua Drive In is a popular Hawaiian restaurant in Kapa'a, Hawaii, known for its fresh, local comfort food like plate lunches, burgers, and katsu. Popular menu items include ahi katsu 10/10, chili pepper chicken 9/10, and Hawaii's own- loco moco (not a huge fan in general). They offer a variety of other options, including poke, ramen, and sandwiches, with convenient takeout and delivery available. It's definitely a local favorite due to its generous portions, authentic Hawaiian cuisine and friendly service. We ordered the fried chicken and poke combo with wonton chips and the ahi katsu (my absolute fav). The ahi was fried to perfection- crispy on the outside while rare and tender on the inside. The sauce on the katsu was absolutely fire!!! So good! Macaroni salad was creamy and delicious. And the rice was perfect. Obviously, you cannot visit Hawaii without having some of their poke- always fresh and delightfully tasty. The marinade was savory and packed with flavor. read more
First time to Kaua'i and I'm looking for some local eats. From the reviews I've read, this seems to be a popular place. GETTING THERE: It was extremely easy to find. Its right off a main road and you cannot miss it. Parking lot was a bit small, but there was plenty of parking. AMBIANCE: When I went there was plenty of seating. A bit dead, but I also did go pretty early. There were a bunch of decor of older American pop culture like Bruce Lee, Chuck Norris, etc. But also Hawaiian themed decor (obviously). SERVICE: You gotta walk up to the front to order. I was approached almost immediately as soon as I walked up to the menu on the screen. The girl working was super friendly and welcoming. I made my order and she gave me a pager for when my food was ready. FOOD: I ordered the chili pepper chicken, which was recommended from the girl at the counter. My friend ordered the ahi katsu. The chili pepper chicken was good! It was crispy and extremely flavorful. It was slightly too salty for my taste, but luckily the rice does help balance it out. Some of the crispness was sacrificed for the sauce, but it was overall still pretty crispy. I loved that they used boneless chicken thigh. I was expecting bones or lots of breading but it actually had a perfect ratio. I wasn't much a fan of the mac salad. It was like a mix of mac and potato salad, but more like a potato salad. I'm not big on potato salad, so that makes sense. My friend's ahi katsu was alright in my opinion. The sauce that's on it was good and enjoyed all the flavors. The tuna was just a bit overcooked to my liking, but idk how else one would make a katsu without overlooking it too much. Maybe bread the fish and freeze it before frying? Idk man, I'm not a chef lol but the tuna would definitely be better if it was less cooked. OVERALL: Honestly, I would still come here again. I still enjoyed the meal and the service was pretty quick. Both items were both worth trying. All the flavors were there and the little things I didn't like were just personal preferences. Its a great place to pick up a lunch plate and enjoy it at the beach. read more
8 days ago
One local place for shave ice. Quick easy fast. Go to place if you don't like driving far from Waikīkī. read more
3 months ago
Ordered their Loco Moco and Meat Jun both of which were tasty, fulfilling, and comforting dishes that hit the spot. Both dishes were prepared well and were good portions. The loco moco beef patty wasn't dry and was seasoned well, eggs were nice and yolky, and the gravy was tasty and not salty. The meat jun was cooked and seasoned well and was tasty on its own with rice, but the sauce did give it a more savory soy sauce/light vinegar taste. The egg batter held up, but it would've been better if it had a slight crisp to it. The meat was tender and I liked how thinly sliced they were. Service was welcoming and fast and you can dine-in or drive-thru. Overall, I'd come back to try other menu items when in Kauai. read more
Casual restaurant with really great food. My favorite was the chili pepper fried chicken. Spicy, savory, sweet, and nice and crispy. The fried Brussels sprouts are also a must get! Everything came out very fresh and crispy. Glad we stopped here. read more
This place is truly a gem. Such a variety of options to order from that there's something for everyone! The woman at the cash register was so patient and understanding of any question we had. She helped us choose options, and recommended certain entrees based on what we were each craving and enjoy eating. There were many things I wanted to try, but I went ahead and went with the salmon with miso based on her recommendation. It did not disappointment! It was so light, yet extremely flavorful. The salad as well comes with a light and tangy calamansi dressing. There is also ample of seating inside. We went about an hour or so before closing, and the place was packed. I don't know if it's always like this, but people were also showing up 10-15 mins before closing and continue to stagger in. We were able to snag a table while waiting for our food to be ready. I'd definitely come back here again. Mahalo for the kind welcome and I look forward to visiting again. read more
3 months ago
Yay for yummy, fast casual Hawaiian food! We ordered the fried noodles & chili pepper chicken combo with mac salad and fried brussel sprouts with Vietnamese style peanut glaze. Plenty of food for two people. Loved the flavor of the brussel sprouts but they were a little too oily for me. The chicken was dry :( I liked the fried noodles and mac salad. Maybe I need to try it again because it seems like a popular spot. read more
9 months ago
I visited Wailua Drive-In in Kapaʻa, Kauaʻi, Hawaii [4-733 Kuhio Hwy] on Monday, 01/19/26, in the evening. I decided to order the Chili Pepper Chicken, which came with rice and macaroni salad. Surprisingly, the chicken wasn't spicy at all. It had a mild flavor and was packed with a delicious taste in every bite. The rice and macaroni salad were nice complements to the chicken. I picked up my food from the drive-thru window. One of the staff members mentioned that the order would take about 15 minutes to prepare, but it was ready in just 5 minutes; very quick and efficient. Overall, Wailua Drive-In offers tasty food and fast, friendly service. I highly recommend stopping by. read more
4 months ago
We were looking for classic Hawaiian plate lunch and this place didn't disappoint. Food tasted great, good portions. We had no idea that it was featured on DDD, but not surprising! Wanted to eat there a second time, but didn't realize they're closed on Sunday. Have a kid with food allergies and he was able to find plenty to eat and it was not contaminated. read more
We had driven by so many times and it may not look like much from the outside, but if you are looking for some good plate lunches/take away meals to eat at the beach, definitely stop in here. Service was quick and friendly. Super casual inside with seating if you did want to eat in. Chicken katsu curry had nice crisp texture. Teri steak with bell peppers was nice as well. Butter garlic shrimp (messy with the shells, but worth it) was so flavorful and moist. Sides of mac salad or green salad. My personal fave were the fried noodles! Super happy we ordered dessert as well! Haupia pie and lilikoi bar *chef's kiss*. read more
I really love this place so much that I ate here twice. Those fried noodles are a chef's kiss. I coupled that with the chili pepper chicken and everything was the perfect portion and the people helping were so friendly and helpful. read more
Wailua Drive-In absolutely lived up to the hype. We ordered the Combo Plate with ahi poke and ginger chicken, plus a Chili Pepper Chicken plate, and everything was on point. The ahi poke was super fresh with a clean, buttery flavor, and the portion was generous. The ginger chicken was tender and flavorful without being overly sweet -- just a great balance all around. And the Chili Pepper Chicken? Perfectly crispy, a little bit spicy in all the best ways, and seriously addictive. You can tell they care about seasoning and quality. Service was quick, the prices felt fair for how much food you get, and the overall vibe is exactly what you want from a local-style drive-in spot. Definitely recommend stopping by -- your taste buds will thank you! read more
We needed one last garlic shrimp plate before we left the island so Wailua Drive In was a perfect spot before we headed to the airport. Came highly recommended by our tubing tour guide, Jason. Surprised to see that it was empty inside. A few cars pulled in as we ordered. Very large, open space. Menu is simple. Honestly, didn't review the entire menu because I had my heart set on garlic shrimp. Food came out rather quickly. My husband ordered the katsu plate. Both our plates has generous serving of rice and mac. Can't go wrong with that combination. -Small parking lot -Drive through window -One large single bathroom -Cute staff drawings on the hallway wall read more
This spot was recommended to us by one of our tour guides and happened to be right down the street from where we were staying. So cool to see it was featured on Diners, Drive-In's and Dives. I decided to share with the group the fried noodles and chili pepper chicken (featured on the show), and the dynamite nachos. The staff took our orders at the counter and helped me choose a dessert. The food came out pretty quick and we took it back to where we were staying to eat. The food was phenomenal. I see why the chicken is so popular and the noodles were no less impressive. The dynamite poke nachos were also delicious! The lilikoi dessert was so good! I love passion fruit but as a tart it was so tasty. I wished we had time to come back before the trip had ended, but next time I'm in Kauai, this will be my first stop! read more
6 months ago
On our first trip to Kauai, we couldn't resist visiting The Wailua Drive-In after seeing it featured on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives. Luckily, it was just a short walk from our hotel, so we decided to give it a try. One thing I quickly learned about Kauai is that many places close early, so I'm glad we made it in time. I ordered the chili pepper chicken and poke plate with mac salad and rice. Let me tell you, the mac salad was the best I had on the island--absolutely delicious! The poke and chili pepper chicken were also fantastic. I always forget how generous the portions are with a plate lunch; my husband and I could have easily shared one. We opted to take our food to go because there was a family inside with two teenage daughters having a bit of a meltdown, making quite a scene. I think one of the owners noticed and felt bad about the noise, so they kindly gave us two free Ube pies for dessert, which were a delightful treat. We enjoyed our meal back at the hotel, sitting by the beach near the pool, and it was perfect. I loved everything about this place and wish I had more time to explore their menu. I'll definitely be back on my next visit to Kauai! read more
So first time trying out Wailua drive inn Joe provided great customer service and recommendations we got the following items Fried chicken & chili poke combo Grilled kalua pig & cabbage Patty melt Will definitely be back when in town read more
Stopped by here back in 2022 when visiting Hawaii and was we absolutely loved the food! This is a good spot, down to earth, delicious during Hawaii gateway and tasty. Good customer service as well, overall nothing to complain about read more
1 year ago
We returned from our Wailua River kayaking adventure way later than expected and were starving! Most places close around 8pm and we had very little time to find something to eat. I'd actually wanted to try this place while we are here, and it was on our way back to our resort. We walked in around 10 minutes prior to closing. They were all so kind and welcoming. I asked if we still had time to order and they said it was not a problem! We ordered to go. There's seating inside, ample parking, and some cool surf items and random decor inside. My daughters both ordered cheeseburgers with fries. I opted for the butter garlic shrimp with greens (salad) instead of Mac salad. My kids loved their burgers and fries and the shrimp was amazing! The sauce was perfect and I also used it while eating my rice. The salad dressing was amazing--I want to say I tasted a hint of lilikoi in it...? Definitely give this place a try! read more
3 months ago
Chili pepper chicken was very tasty! One of the best meals we had in Kaua'i this trip. The food was prepared quickly and the person taking our order was very nice. read more
3 months ago
The ahi katsu and black pepper chicken were so good. Would definitely come back over and over again when we are in Kuai. Their mac salad is amazing too read more
1 year ago
I decided that on this trip I'm going to try all the places that were on top of the lists of most recommended on the island. This one doesn't disappoint! It's a drive in but there's a small dining inside as well. The staffs are very attentive and clean the tables and chairs right away for the diners that are waiting. All the staffs are friendly, courteous and very respectful. And let's talk about the foods! They are delicious! The price is worth the taste and the amount. This can be one of my favorite go to place, no hassle and I'm satisfied with everything about this place! Highly recommended! read more
Yes yes yes. This place was on Diners, Drives and Dives. You must get the chili garlic chicken! Also more importantly the ahi tuna katsu. Probably top 3 meals I had on the island. Service was fast, it is a drive through lol. The cashier girl inside was super nice and helpful. The inside was cool, Bruce Lee poster and a ufc thing signed by Royce Gracie. Such a vibe. read more
5 months ago
Parking wasn't too bad. We came during dinner time. A diner with a drive thru located in the corner. There were tables available to sit at and what's nice is they wipe the tables down right away when guests leave. We ordered up front, and it was quick to order. They give you a buzzer so that you don't have to wait at the front for your food. My daughter and I shared the mini locomoco, and it was just right for the both of us. Meat was huge. Wasn't tender soft though, my daughter said it was tough for her to chew considering there's gravy. It was good to me, like a hamburger for a burger. The Mac salad was good. Liked the flavor of it. We also got dessert. My daughter loved the ube tarts. As for the likikoi, it was more on the tangy side rather than sweet. Would most likely get the ube instead. Other than that, the service was good, prices not bad, and cleanliness of place was good. read more
So impressed with this place! It looks unassuming but great Hawaiian classics and one of the more reasonably priced places in Kauai for a quick dinner. I got the kalaua pork and it was delicious!! I subbed for salad but also got the Brussels side which was very tasty. My isband got the chicken was was good but not the freshest. Probably our fault bc we ordered shortly before closing. Overall great option in the area. read more
4 months ago
We visited Wailua Drive In for lunch and it was So. Dang. Good. My wife and I both got Moco Loco and it was fresh, served hot, and delicious. Came with 2 patties seasoned perfectly, savory gravy, runny sunny side up eggs, and an incredible Mac salad on the side. 10/10. Best Moco Loco around! read more
2 months ago
4 months ago
A hole in the wall with great food without breaking the bank. Ordered spicy chicken dish and hamburger steak with mushrooms and onion. Food tasty and a lot - enough to share! Not fancy and order at the counter. Recommend if this is the kind of place you are looking for! read more
1 year ago
One of the best meals I had during our trip to Kauai! Was craving garlic shrimp and this place was near our hotel. I ordered the garlic shrimp and my husband ordered the lau lau. Both were delicious! The shrimp was soo garlicky and buttery. I normally don't eat a lot of rice but it was hard not to soak all the rice in the sauce to eat. The lau lau was also really tender. I loved the little soup noodle side that it came with. Overall, great place for a filling delicious meal. They do charge a surcharge (like most other places here) for using a credit card though so just keep that in mind. They have a parking lot but if you're staying at one of the resorts nearby it's also within walking distance. read more
5 months ago
A delicious place to stop in for a quick bite. My wife and I came twice and both times were delicious. It was very quick and friendly service as well. read more
2 months ago
Although the name of the establishment says "Drive-in", they have a seating area inside. The person at the counter was very helpful and asked if we needed any recommendations or had any questions. Normally, I don't tip the same for counter service as I would sit down service, this cashier was so nice, I didn't think twice about leaving her a tip. If you are looking at experiencing local food, this is the place to go. There is a variety of different plates with good sized portions. I had the Lau Lau while my partner had the Ahi and an Ube dessert. All of it was very good! The place isn't elegant, but it felt clean and relatively new. read more
9 months ago
Every time we visit we stop here, sometimes make than once. The mac salad is phenomenal. The chili pepper chicken is AMAZING and their loco moco is one of my favorites (add more gravy though!!) I feel like this spot is so underrated! One of the better plate lunch spots on the island :) read more
2 years ago
YUMMMMMM!!!! We just picked up some food and ate back at our hotel because I'm pregnant and lazy. So can't give you much on the restaurant itself. But service was fast and easy. We got the loco moco which was devoured. Also the fried noodles which hit the spot!!!! Both were extremely delicious and flavourful can't wait to go back and try more! read more
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More info about Wailua Drive In
4-733 Kuhio Hwy
Ste 103
Kapaʻa, HI 96746
Directions
(808) 320-3248
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https://www.wailuadrivein.com
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Ask the Community - Wailua Drive In
Is there seating inside or is it strictly a drive-thru?
There's seating inside as well.
Have you stopped serving ramon?
Yes, they have stopped the ramen and siamin. According to the staff today (3/28/23) it is too costly to make.
Why does Yelp recommend reviews?
16 reviews that are not currently recommended
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