Rainbow Drive-In
After a day of shopping and a few disappointing meals, I decided to head on over to Rainbows. This is one of Hawaii's premier "drive-in" restaurants and has been since 1961. This place serves great local-style favorites and has been one of my favorite eating spots since I can remember.
Rainbows is one of the few remaining plate lunch/burger drive-ins from bygone era. Many others, such as Kenny's Burger House in Kalihi, and Burgerland Drive Inn in Kapahulu, have since closed. This place still has the classic menu boards and all of the local-style offerings such as teri beef, boneless chicken and beef stew.
Tonight, I had the Bar-B-Q beef sandwich (US$2.50), french fries (US$1.20) and chili rice bowl (US$1.90).
The Bar-B-Q beef sandwich is one of the best around. The sandwich comes wrapped in the traditional white waxed paper and is piled high with lean Bar-B-Q beef. The beef is tender (can you say melt in the mouth?) and the flavor is just right. Where else do you think you can find another sandwich like this?
The chili rice bowl is also another winner...
In my opinion, this chili is better than Zippy's. Just the right amount of spice and plenty of ground beef...no fillers! The bowl is actually just the right size to accompany my sandwich!
Next time you're hungry, stop by Rainbows for some awesome local-style grinds. The food here is delicious and served in generous quantities at a reasonable price.
Rainbow Drive-In
3308 Kanaina Avenue
Telephone: 808.737.0177
I recently watched Foodnetwork and seen this advertised, but also I was wondering what was on the Loco Moco.
Posted by: Olivia | August 21, 2006 at 10:34 AM
Aloha!
Rainbow drive-in is da bomb! Their chili is outta this world! I even had their barbeque plate and pork with brown gravy. Broke da mout! Anyone have the chili recipe? I want to make chili this weekend for my friends and family after my baby is blessed! Anyone that has the recipe, please filter it to me! Mahalo and Grine out!
Posted by: Kalipono Naihe | October 04, 2006 at 03:39 PM
Rainbow was famous for pork tarry plate.We cut out of lunch at Kalani to indulge.
Posted by: John Alexander | October 26, 2006 at 03:17 PM
I grew up in kapahulu and Rainbows was always a staple of our weekly diet. I now live in Seattle and am hungry for some rainbows mac salad. Anyway to get the recipie?
Mahalo's
K
Posted by: Kellyboy Louis | November 03, 2006 at 08:57 PM
I scrolled through all the blogs and did not notice anyone from Denver Colorado. I grew up on Oahu (UHS- '89 grad) and moved to Colorado for school. Been here ever since. For years, I've been "jones-ing" local foods...especially plate lunches. They finally brought out an L&L to Aurora, Colorado. I've been many times and the food is pretty good. I can't say its like back home, but 'beggas can't be choosas'! So I talked my boy (alos from Hawaii- Iolani Class of '92) into opening a plate lunch place. So he did. Called 8Island. His stuff is the real deal. just like home...a little bit of Rainbows, Masa's, and Zipi's! So any one visiting, or living in the Denver area, gotta go check out 8Island fo sure! It's in Boulder Colorado, about 20-30 minutes from downtown Denver. It's the grinds, cuz!
Posted by: nolemana | November 10, 2006 at 06:23 PM
=Rainbows has been around for YEEEAAARS!!!..never tried it..a friend of mine ordered the boneless breaded chicken w/gravy..and I've been going there ever since...I don't know anywhere else that serves it THAT well..talk about a "Local plate" they REALLY stuff everything in there..they should change the regular size plate name to (KANAAK ATTACK) lol..the Chili is awesome too..one of my co-workers told me to try it (kind of gross) he said to mix it with the mac salad (it actually tastes better than it sounds)..at first it almost sounded like something a pregnant woman would crave for..but it turned out pretty good..I've recommended Rainbows to family and friends when in the area..everyone's entitled to their own opinion..but they pretty much share the same satisfaction I had on almost every visit!!! Great JOb guys!!!..Mahalo..
Posted by: JazZyMa3 | November 20, 2006 at 11:38 AM
Reading all of these blogs makes me hungry. I was watching TV yesterday and seen Rainbow Drive In and wanted the food so bad I could almost taste it. I wish I could make it over there to have some. I guess this could be my 2 places in Colorado I will need to check those for teasers until I can find a way across the waters.
Posted by: Leanne | January 16, 2007 at 09:31 AM
If there are any recipes that can be shared I sure would love them. I love to try new dishes.
Posted by: Leanne | January 16, 2007 at 09:33 AM
Aloha from San Francisco. Personally I like to get the locomoco to go, it's the perfect size to take along and it's packed in one sealed cup/container n "ready for action" also have to get one slushy. For those that like chili & rice plates but don't live anywhere in Hawai'i, I highly recommend trying Stagg's Country Chili. It is reasonably similar to Zippy's style right out of the can and available all over. Makes an ono chili & rice plate, try it n see.
Posted by: William | February 05, 2007 at 02:09 PM
Will you please email me the recipe to the Rainbow chili? It's my first and last stop when I'm in Oahu. I am really craving it! Thanks.
Posted by: Julie Wong | October 17, 2007 at 11:10 AM
hey thanks for this blog. it helped me pick out lunch today!
Posted by: lois | November 08, 2007 at 08:25 AM
I just moved to Washington, and miss the local food I grew up eating in Hawaii. If you have the recipe for Rainbow's chili, I'd love to get it. There isn't any good comfort food up here!
Posted by: Scott | April 09, 2008 at 07:24 PM