These 15 Restaurants Serve The Best Loco Moco In Hawaii
A beef patty nestled into a bed of rice with a fried over-easy egg balanced on top, with a smothering of brown gravy bringing everything together. This is the loco moco, and it is absolutely to die for. Said to have originated in the 1940s, the dish is the epitome of Hawaiian plate-lunch cuisine. It can satisfy the raging appetite of a surfer or hiker, or even cure the occasional hangover. Because the loco moco may not be something you want to eat on a regular basis, you’ve really got to make the best choice possible – and you can’t go wrong with the local favorite from any of these 15 restaurants.
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While many people have claimed to have invented the loco moco, local legend says that it is either Lincoln Grill or Café 100 that created the perfect dish. Though Lincoln grill is no longer around, Café 100 is still serving up their signature dish, with chicken, fish, vegetables, sausage, or the traditional hamburger patty.
With two hamburger patties and mushroom gravy, it’s no wonder this remote eatery has found a spot in the hearts of people from across the islands – and the country. It was once recognized by Food Network as serving one of the best in the state.
If you’re looking for local comfort food at affordable prices in Kapaa, look no further than Kountry Kitchen, where the loco moco is rich in flavor and served with two sunny side up eggs and two huge scoops of rice.
4) Local Food, Lahaina
Brian C./Yelp
Substitute fried rice for the white rice in your loco moco for a more unique flavor experience at this small mom and pop style eatery.
While the loco moco isn’t the most popular choice at Liliha Bakery, the dish comes in two different sizes and with one of their infamous butter rolls, perfect for soaking up that extra gravy.
Tucked away into a nondescript strip mall, this local joint may be known for their excellent chicken plate lunches, but their loco moco is pretty phenomenal as well.
Serving up standard local Hawaiian fare at affordable prices, Mark’s Place is unfortunately closed on weekends – so don’t get your hopes up for a Mark’s loco moco after a night of drinking.
Alan Wong’s Ala Moana Center eatery serves up a version of the favorite dish with a kiawe wood-grilled Maui Cattle Company beef patty, two farm-fresh sunny-side-up eggs, fried rice, and a rich veal jus.
If you’re craving local food after arriving at the Kahului airport, look no further than ordering one of the several varieties of loco moco from Da Kitchen Café.
Smothered with gravy and served with a side of mac salad, the loco moco at Ted’s Bakery is ono. Don’t forget to pick up a slice of pie as well! You may not want to eat it right away, but if you skip it you will regret it later.
Now, if you’re anything like me, any eatery featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives is worth a shot – and this restaurant, located above a bowling alley, does not disappoint.
Aren’t you totally craving a loco moco now? Because I sure am! Did I miss your favorite restaurant? Share your opinions with us in the comments below!
With more than 10 years of experience as a professional writer, Megan holds a degree in Mass Media from her home state of Minnesota. After college, she chose to trade in her winter boots for slippahs and moved to the beautiful island of Oahu, where she has been living for more than five years. She lives on the west side but is constantly taking mini-road trips across the island and visits the neighboring islands whenever she can getaway. She loves hiking, snorkeling, locally-grown coffee, and finding the best acai bowl on Oahu.
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