Need to know
Area
Waikiki (+4 locations)
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Description
Rainbow Drive-In is a Honolulu classic. This is not the place for the carb conscious. This is the place to refuel after a surf session or long hike with a very generous portioned plate lunch. It’s a no frills spot that serves up mouthwatering loco moco, fried chicken, saimin, Shoyu Chicken and sides of tater tots. You’ll also find American favorites like chili dogs and burgers too.
The original location is on Kanaina Avenue, but 4 more franchises are now sprinkled along the southern part of Oahu. It’s far from fancy, but it has tons of personality — its neon sign, it’s rainbow colored awning, its tasty grub that’s ready in minutes.
It’s a favorite among locals, and bonus, it’s super cheap too.
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Covid Specific
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Takeout only. No seating available right now.​
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Website
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Menu
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Address
Kapahulu Location (The Original Location)
3308 Kanaina Avenue
Honolulu, Hawaii 96815
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Contact Info
808-737-0177
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Hours
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Daily â– 7am - 9pm
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Additional Locations
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Kalihi: 1339 North School Street, Honolulu, Hawaii 96817 â– 808-784-1163
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Ewa Beach: 91-1087 Keaunui Drive C-2, Ewa Beach, Hawaii 96706 â– 808-744-8488
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Pearlridge: 98-1005 Moanalua Road, Aiea, Hawaii 96701 â– 808-488-3788
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Waipahu: 94-226 Leoku Street, Waipahu, Hawaii 96797 â– 808-744-1288
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Shop
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Price
$ - $$
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Entrees and Sides: $3 - $11
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Breakfast: $5 - $8
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Nearby
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Leonard’s Bakery — 3 min drive (13 min walk)
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Kuhio Beach — 5 min drive
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KCC Farmers’ Market — 5 min drive
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Pipeline Bakeshop & Creamery — 6 min drive
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Glazers Coffee — 6 min drive
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Koko Head Cafe — 6 min drive
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Waiola Shave Ice — 7 min drive
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Waikiki Beach Park — 7 min drive
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Diamond Head — 10 min drive
Iconic hole-in-the-wall, serving up Hawaiian fare, hot dogs and burgers since 1961. Some of the best plate lunches in Oahu.
Rainbow Drive-In
HAWAIIAN
Good to know
PHOTOS
AMENITIES + PERKS
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Outdoor seating with picnic tables and shade [Temporarily UNAVAILABLE]
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Parking is available, but it’s limited. Pre Covid, you might have to take a couple laps around before you nabbed a spot.
TRY THE...
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Loco moco
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Shoyu chicken plate. [FYI: it tends to sell out early.]
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Sweet bread french toast
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Slush Float
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Mix Plate
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Boneless Chicken With Gravy Plate (Fried)
TIPS + TRICKS
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The mixed plate is big enough to share.
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You can substitute rice for fires and macaroni salad for coleslaw.
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Locals call it “Rainbow’s.”
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Need souvenirs? They have a gift shop next door called Rainbow Tiki. They sell shirts, totes, mugs, stickers, their original chili mix, and more. The shaka neko ceramic cat is supposed to bring good luck and good surf. They’ve also got an online shop. ​
DID YOU KNOW?
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Their Kapahulu location makes over 1000 plates a day.
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Founder Seiju Ifuku grew up in Okinawa, but moved to Hawaii and joined the army, where he learned to cook while serving the 100th Battalion during WWII. In 1961, he and his wife opened Rainbow Drive-In in Kapahulu.
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When they opened, they served 50 cent chili and rice plates, 25 cent hamburgers, 14 cent fries, and $1 BBQ beef plates. They kept their price low and counted on a high volume of sales to keep the business going.
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President Obama is one of Rainbow Drive-In’s celebrity fans. He used to hang out here when he was a teenager and still goes back now.
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Rainbow Drive-In was featured on Diners, Drive Ins and Dives.
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Honolulu Magazine named them one of the top 5 Loco Mocos and Cheap Food Hawaii list. They were also listed in Hawaii Magazine’s 5 Best Places to Get Cheap Eats on Oahu and 5 Best Loco Mocos.
Last Updated 5 / 21 / 21​
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