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| Reviews and photos of Hilo restaurants posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Hilo dining. Hilo Map |
 | Hilo Restaurants | Tips 11 - 20 of 55 |  |
Blanes Drive In is a popular local diner most noted for their boneless chicken plate and slush floats. Blanes is owned by two brothers... Blane and... the other guy who rhymes with Blane... Shane! Prices are resonable though some menu items are a little over priced for a diner. They frequently renovate the restaurant to keep it clean and shiny.
Here, you'll find a myriad of local cuisine which normally includes a heaping scoop of rice and a side of macaroni salad on a bed of lettuce. Local favorites are of course, the deep fried bonless chicken plate, hamburger steak, grilled pork chops, milkshakes, and other diner foods. They also have a nice breakfast menu that can be likened to truck stop cuisine in the mainland US. Blanes also offers family dinner packs.
y favorite would have to be their hamburger steak plate. You can get this in either teriyaki style (sweet) or regular (with brown gravy). I'd go with the regular as their teri style tastes very dry.
I also love their strawberry slush floats! These are excellent on a hot day and are not expensive. I read somewhere that many non-Americans have never heard of a float. I was flabbergasted! Floats are basically vanilla ice cream topped off with the cola of your choice - Coke, Pepsi, Root Beer. A&W brand root beer is the best in floats. Blanes does business with Pepsi so you won't get Coke here. Theme: AmericanPrice: less than US$10 » Currency ConverterComparison: about averageAddress: 150 Wiwoole St. or 217 Waianuenue Ave., Hilo, HIPhone: (808)-935-2259Directions: The main outlet is located in the Hilo Industrial area where all the car dealerships are. Another is located in downtown Hilo near the public library. The newest location is in Honoka'a town going towards Waimea.Other Contact: (808)-969-9494
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Low's International is hard to miss when you're in downtown Hilo since it's right at a busy corner. This is another family owned diner passed down. The insides are a little obscure and needs a good remodeling. It looks very 70s with its colors and bolted down chairs. The messy appearance looks a lot like a crowded street in China or Japan with lots of oriental references in the photos and decor. The food items available are posted up on the walls in full color photographs which makes it easier if you don't know what you want.
They serve foods from all over hence the "international" part of the name. They really specialize in local cuisine though. Their trademark is obvious when you walk up to the order window, sweetbread! They have a wide variety of flavors and colors to choose from. These would make a great gift to send home. My favorite is the guava bread.
Their version of the loco moco is excellent and BIG. Order a small because their large will feed you for two more meals seriously. If you're like me, I hate to reheat food because its too much work and doesn't taste the same. The brown gravy used is very tasty but doesn't hide the flavor of the food itself. If you're ordering a beef type entree, they normally cook it medium rare. I like my meat burnt and crispy. Tell them how you like yours, they'll do it. Theme: Eclectic/InternationalPrice: US$11-20 » Currency ConverterComparison: about averageAddress: 222 Kilauea Ave., Hilo, HI, 96720Phone: (808)-969-6652Directions: On the corner of Punahawai St. and Kilauea Ave. near Ben Franklin Crafts.
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Kaiko'o Seeds N Things is one of the few remaining mom and pop establishments that still thrive in Hilo. Owned by Betty Kosora and her husband Harry, the seed shop was once located in the old Kaiko'o mall. This is not a restaurant but I wouldn't really put this under places to shop. All budget travellers will fall in love with this place because it's so freakin' cheap! NOTHING is over $3.00USD which is an extreme rarety.
Betty and her husband prepare all their products from their home and in the little shop. There are several local Japanese themed snacks such as ling hi mui seeds, lemon peel, arare/kakemochi, cinamin toast, and other on the go stuff. Her husband bakes homemade pizza pockets every morning and pops colored and sweetened popcorn.
Their chili bowls are basic but very satisfying on a cold day! Other food items include hot dogs, chili dogs, and chili dog and rice.
A local Hawaiian favorite for years, the Icee is still available here! I remember these as a little kid and you could get them in any small store. They're hard to find now. You can get this in Coke or Strawberry. It's basically slushed ice mixed with flavored soda. Another place you can get this at is the Prince Kuhio Theaters. Theme: LocalPrice: less than US$10 » Currency ConverterComparison: least expensiveAddress: 346 Kilauea Ave., Hilo, HI, 96720Phone: (808)-934-7660Directions: Directly across of Stacy's Pet Shop in downtown Hilo near Ben Franklin Crafts. You need to parallel park in order to gain access.
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Cafe 100 was founded by a man named Mr. Miyashiro who served in the famed 100th Infantry Army Battallion during World War II. Miyashiro and his wife had originally opened the diner in 1945 and renamed it to what it is now in honor of his battallion. Though the original owners pasted away, the restaurant still stands as a land mark here in Hawaii.
Cafe 100 lays claim to the invention of the "loco moco" which is served in mostly all of Hawaii's restaurants nowadays. A loco moco is a simply made dish in a saimin bowl. Loco moco is made up of a bed of hot rice, a hamburger patty, and topped with an over easy egg with brown gravy. There are many different combinations now especially if you go to Ken's. There are many different meat choices and ways the eggs are prepared as well as kinds of rice.
Aside from that, they serve all kinds of stuff. For you budget travellers, they have this thing called stew gravy and rice. It's supposed to be less than a dollar and satisfying.
It's been a while since I've been here but from what I can remember, they've got really good beef stew.
You are usually given the option of taking macaroni salad or tossed salad with most of your dishes. Theme: DinerPrice: less than US$10 » Currency ConverterComparison: less expensive than averageAddress: 969 Kilauea Ave, Hilo, HIPhone: (808)-935-8683Directions: Fronting Cheifess Kapiolani Elementary School. I'd try to avoid this area before and after school as you will get stuck here for a while. The congestion is bad during these times.Website: http://www.onlinehilo.com/cafe100/about.htm
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Finding a Mexican restaurant in Hilo was a bit of a surprise but somewhat mediocre food should not have been. The place is attractive and right in downtown Hilo, but the food was not really above average.
Also, this is the first Mexican restaurant I have ever seen that does not serve beer (or any alcoholic beverages). Our waitress apologized and told us we could go around the corner, get some and bring it in. It turns out we would have had time to go after it and make a good start on drinking it before our food arrived.
Nothing we had was very memorable. I asked my wife and she doesn't even recall what she ate but said it was not that great.
I do remember having a tamale with my meal as I am constantly searching for that rare commodity, a good tamale. Alas, it is not here either.
I don't mean that the food was awful. It just wasn't very good - suffice it to say that I would not return there for a meal. Leave a Comment Theme: MexicanPrice: US$11-20 » Currency ConverterComparison: about averageAddress: 110 Kalakaua StreetPhone: 969-7009Directions: Downtown Hilo.
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Freddy's and Manono Mini Mart are in opperation together. Freddy's is the restaurant portion which is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Most of the restaurant is closed until dinner time. The prices are a little high but the portions are large and can last you two meals. They've got good breakfast foods, most of them local favorites including spam, yes spam! Remember, it's popular here.
Cafe 100 may have created it but Freddy's does it better when it comes to loco moco. What makes theirs so good is the gravy and fried rice addition. Theme: LocalPrice: less than US$10 » Currency ConverterComparison: about averageAddress: 454 Manono St, Hilo, HI 96720-4423Phone: (808) 935-1108Directions: Next to Manono Mini Mart in front of Wailoa State Park
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Kawate Seed Shop has been a local stop for many many years. Growing up just around the corner from the store, we frequented the little "ice shave" corner all the time. The surrounding businesses changed many times most notably from Food Fair (I used to play Street Fighter 2 here all the time!) which was a popular local super market. After the store closed as a victim of competition, another teetering market chain opened up with little success of its own closing a few years after as well. The restaurant opposite Kawate's had changed over many times as well. The one constant in the building is Kawate Seed Shop! FYI the building is now home to the Hawaii State Work Force Development.
My sixth grade teacher's family actually owns the business but haven't seen here in the store for years.
In Hawaii, we don't call them "snow cones", we call them shaved ice. In Hilo, it's turned into "ice shave". Call them what you want but this is their signature creation. They also have a variety of ice creams that are much cheaper than Baskin and Robins. My favorite is their coconut flavored shaved ice with condensed milk. This is what they call a Cherry Blossom. Try it! You'll love it :).
Kawate's also has the odd snack food choices like chips, cookies, hot dogs, hamburgers, etc. They also have local favorites like pork hash, manapua (usually stuffed with char sui pork), ling hi mui seeds, dried lemon, dried squid, ect. Theme: LocalPrice: less than US$10 » Currency ConverterComparison: less expensive than averageAddress: 1990 Kinoole Street, Hilo, HI 96720Phone: (808) 959-8313Directions: Old Food Fair building at the intersection of Kahaopea St and Kinoole St just above Kilauea Ave.
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Koji's Bento is another local stop off in downtown Hilo near Ben Franklin Crafts. While Koji still has a hand in his business, his daughter Robyn and son-in-law Bruce Oda runs the show. There's no place to sit and eat so this is a strictly on the go place. Whatever you order is cooked right in front of you. The smells fill the tiny space and has you in anticipation.
They have a mini-buffet where you can choose pre-made items to add to your plate. The strange thing about this diner is that they serve it in a boat style plate. Portions are generous and prices are about right. The only bad thing is that they close too early (7am - 2pm).
Their trademark is the Koji's sauce which is added to most of their meat items. This goes with their trademark dish, Koji's steak, which is a chopsteak grilled over Koji's sauce with onions.
Their classic hamburger special is awesome. Sorry, no fries served here though. They normally serve their entrees with kim chi and macaroni salad. Their Koji burger is served with sweet bread and chedder. Theme: LocalPrice: less than US$10 » Currency ConverterComparison: about averageAddress: 52 Ponahawai St., Hilo, HI, 96720Phone: (808)-935-1417Directions: Koji's Bento is located near Agasa Furniture near Kamehameha Ave. on the ocean front. At the end of Punahawai St.
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L&L Drive Inn first originated in Honolulu. Since its inception in the late 70's, the owners have opened up drive inn's in parts of the mainland as well. There are two L&L locations in Hilo. This one in the pic is located in downtown Hilo. Personally, I prefer the one in the Waiakea Pavillion food court next to Wal*Mart. This one always seems to be devoid of customers probably because of its location. Anyway, I've seen it loaded during lunch hour. This is another local cuisine place with a pick and choose style Chinese buffet menu.
Their menu has variety to cater to all your favorites. Most dishes are served with rice and macaroni salad but can be altered if you're an Atkins nut or just down like either. They also have party platers at resonable prices.
Without a doubt, my favorite dish is the curry katsu. They don't have it actually listed on the menu but ask for it, they'll know what it is. I don't know why they took it off but they still make it if you ask for it. It's basically a chicken katsu with curry stew gravy poured over the top. Chicken katsu is a local favorite. It's breaded boneless chicken breasts cut into strips usually served with a dipping sauce called tongkatsu. Theme: LocalPrice: less than US$10 » Currency ConverterComparison: about averageDirections: Location 1: Waiakea Pavillion food court located next to Wal*Mart and Office Max. Location 2: Next to Garden Exchange and across of Hawaii Tribune Herald downtown.
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We chose the Hilo Hawaiian Hotel for our Valentine dinner. We actually had booked reservations from home before our arrival. We know how busy this evening can get.
We arrived and were taken to a table for two overlooking the sea. It was fantastic.
One room was filled with a huge buffet, every seafood you could think of was there.
Plus many extras.
I would recommend having dinner here. Leave a Comment
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on October 4, 2006
on March 13, 2005
on April 15, 2009
