Richie's Drive Inn

I've been going here for many years, so I guess why not...blog about it, that is.  This is Richie's located in the heart of Kalihi.  It's not much to look at, but then we're here to eat right?

It was a typical afternoon and the place was packed.

The people flock to Richie's because of the generous portions, good food and excellent value.  Richie's may also be the only local-style plate lunch joint with a drive-thru window.  Even if the lines are long, there never is much of a wait.  The service is extremely fast (usually under 3 minutes) and efficient.

Today, a friend who's never been here came along to sample the food.  You can't really eat "plate lunches" all that often because they're sometimes artery clogging (loaded with gravy) and/or fattening (served with macaroni salad).  Even if this is the case, I'll have some of the stuff every now and then, especially if it's good.

I ordered the boneless chicken with gravy (US$4.09).

I got three LARGE pieces of boneless chicken that had been breaded and then deep-fried until crispy and golden brown.  Served on your standard "paper" plate with two scoops rice and a scoop of macaroni salad makes this as local as you can get.  Add the gravy all over and you're good to go.  I probably order this more times than anything else on the menu.  It has got to be one of my favorites.

My friend, trying to be more local than I am, had the bento (US$5.05).

This is Hawaii's rendition of the Japanese obento or boxed lunch.  In this particular bento, you'll find (from top clockwise):  teriyaki chicken, teriyaki beef, luncheon meat, kamaboko (fish cake), Spam® and saba (mackerel) all sitting on some white rice and topped with furikake (seasoned seaweed, middle of the picture).  "How did it taste", I asked?  My friend couldn't answer me, he was too busy eating his food. 

Afterwards, he said he was definitely coming back for more...and so do many others.

Richie's Drive Inn
1178 North King Street
Telephone:  808.842.4004 or 808.848.1959

Comments

[santos]

bento-licious! richie's is one of the few drive-inns i haven't tried. i'll have to go!

so, why don't all the drive-inns have drive-ins?

[expat-Canada]

looking at your pictures bring
back memories of Hawaii .

I remember they also served chicken like that in school when I was there.

[Reid]

Hi Santos,

You have to go to Richie's! The food here is so cheap...and to think, they just raised their prices! The plate lunches used to be $3.85! Don't know why the drive-inns don't have drive-ins...lol! I think it's because most of the ones that are still around, KC, Rainbows, etc. used to have car hop service way back when.

Hi expat-Canada,

Welcome! What school did you go to? I don't remember this type of chicken cutlet being served at my school...I'm jealous! The chicken here is quite good. Come to think of it, all the food here is quite good.

[umami]

Hi Reid, that last bento is interesting. Spam and luncheon meat on the same plate, we never get that in Singapore. Come to think of it, Spam is not that popular, we like our Ma Ling luncheon meat more.

[Reid]

Hi Umami,

I thought it was strange too, especially since Spam® is a type of luncheon meat. I've never tried Ma Ling luncheon meat, but I heard it was quite nice. The only real competition for Spam® here is a Danish brand called Tulip.

[Ryan]

I ordered the kalbi plate from Richie's yesterday (Nadine Kam called it "your best bet" in her largely unimpressed review of the joint), and I loved it. I'm not about to pass up Sorabol to get kalbi at Richie's, but as far as local-style kalbi plate lunches go, that one's a winner. One disappointment: I was expecting the Korean dishes to come with vegetables, but the only "Korean" touch was a single mandoo (also delicious!) along with the mac salad. Not a big deal, but it makes me wonder about the difference between the "BBQ beef" plate and the "Bukokee" plate.

Oh, and I saw a co-worker's mahi plate, and I just know that the mahi sandwich is something I would love. Can't wait to try Richie's again! (Nadine Kam must have been having a bad day when she visited.)

[Reid]

Hi Ryan,

Thanks for the information. One thing that I really like about Richie's is the value. They give a lot of decent tasting food, for a good price. You're right, the kalbi plate here doesn't come with veggies, but I don't think you'll find something for the same price at a Yummy's. In any case, you do need to have the mahi plate. It's really good!

[Norjan]

Does Richie's sport a t-shirt?

[Reid]

Hi Norjan,

Thanks for dropping by. To be honest with you, I don't believe so. I've been there quite a number of times and have never seen a t-shirt offered. Hope this helps...

[Arlen]

hi...im so surprised on what i've read! i cant believed that richie's drive inn is so popular that even in this site, richie's was advertised. actually im a worker at richie's and those pictures are really cute. actually we raised up our prices now but still its cheaper compared to other restaurants.
to those people who havent tried our food yet at richie's come and try it...we have special plate lunches too together with the hawaiian food(laulau). thankz and see yah guys there!!!