Honolulu’s Most-Talked-About Burger Uses Kauai Grass-Fed Beef in a Tiny Chinatown Shop

The Daley opened at 1110 Nuuanu Avenue in Honolulu's Chinatown in 2020 with stainless counters, a letter-board menu, and photos of celebrities eating burgers on the walls.

The concept is minimal by design: a single or double smash patty made from Kauai grass-fed beef, American cheese, Boss sauce, diced onions, and a toasted potato bun. That's the menu. Everything is made to order, and the beef is local.

Kaaialii and Vasquez named the restaurant in homage to Chicago Mayor Richard Daley, channeling a blue-collar, no-frills ethos into the Honolulu food scene. The takeout-only format keeps the operation focused and the quality consistent.

For a state with extraordinary food from every direction, that's a real distinction. It made the best burgers across the U.S.

What to Order

The Double Down Daley combo is the full experience: two Kauai grass-fed smash patties, double American cheese, Boss sauce, grilled onions, a toasted potato bun, crinkle fries, a draft beer, a shot, and a cookie.

For a more focused order, the double Daley Burger alone is the regulars' standard recommendation. The plant-based patty gets the same treatment as the beef version for anyone skipping meat.

Classic crinkle-cut fries are well-seasoned and consistently crispy. French custard soft serve and rotating local Hawaii craft beers round out the menu. For more on the nearby food scene, see the iconic Hawaiian foods worth trying.

A Chinatown Concept Built Around One Great Burger

The space is small, the menu is short, and the sourcing is intentional: Kauai grass-fed beef, local beers, and a format that forces the kitchen to focus.

Sourcing from Kauai-raised cattle isn't a marketing decision at The Daley. It's a commitment to a specific flavor profile and a specific standard of quality that shows up in every bite.

Honolulu has no shortage of places to eat. The Daley built its reputation in under five years by doing one thing exceptionally well.

The Chinatown address matters. Honolulu's Chinatown has been experiencing a restaurant renaissance, and The Daley was part of the wave that helped establish the neighborhood as a serious food destination rather than just a historical district.

For visitors to Oahu who want to eat where locals eat, The Daley is exactly the kind of find that makes neighborhood exploration worthwhile.

The founding decision to use Kauai grass-fed beef specifically, rather than mainland commodity beef or a local Oahu product, reflects a sourcing philosophy that puts flavor first regardless of the extra logistics involved.

The Daley's takeout-only format keeps the kitchen focused and the wait manageable even on busy days. Order online before arriving to skip the line. For more of the state's dining history, see the best restaurants on Oahu.

Plan Your Visit

The Daley is at 1110 Nuuanu Avenue in Honolulu. Hours run daily from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. (Sunday closes at 6 p.m.). Takeout only.

Metered street parking and nearby public garages serve the Chinatown area. Expect a line on weekend afternoons. While you're planning the trip, check out Honolulu's best hole-in-the-wall spots.