Hawaii isn’t just about beaches and surfing.
Hidden across the islands are small BBQ joints where locals line up for smoky, tender meats and massive plate lunches.
These hole-in-the-wall spots serve up authentic flavors you won’t find in fancy restaurants, and once you taste their food, you’ll understand why people drive miles out of their way just to grab a plate.
1. Guava Smoked (Kapahulu & Kalihi, O’ahu)
Walk into either Guava Smoked location and your nose instantly tells you this place is different. Thick clouds of sweet-smelling smoke fill the air from their guava wood smokers working overtime in the back.
Every piece of meat here gets the low-and-slow treatment, meaning hours of patient smoking until pork belly practically melts on your tongue. The chicken and short ribs carry that signature Hawaiian sweetness from the guava wood that you can’t replicate with any other fuel.
Counter seating is limited, so most folks grab their boxes to go.
2. Keneke’s Grill (Waim?nalo, O’ahu)
For decades, Keneke’s has been feeding hungry beachgoers and locals along the beautiful Windward Coast. You order through a simple window, no fancy dining room or waiters here.
What makes people return again and again are the absolutely massive portions that could easily feed two people. Their BBQ Chicken comes glazed in a sticky-sweet sauce, while the Teriyaki Beef is fork-tender and loaded with flavor.
Don’t skip the Kalua Pig and Cabbage if you want a true taste of traditional Hawaiian cooking done right.
3. Tanioka’s Seafood and Catering (Waipahu, O’ahu)
Tucked away in an industrial neighborhood, Tanioka’s started as a simple fish counter but became a destination for prepared foods. Lines form early, especially on weekends when everyone wants their famous poke.
The Spicy Ahi Poke has won countless awards and sells out fast, but smart locals also grab the crispy Fried Chicken and sweet Mochiko Chicken plates. Everything tastes homemade because it basically is; family recipes passed down and perfected over generations.
The setting might be plain, but the food is absolutely spectacular.
4. Mike’s Huli Huli Chicken (Haleiwa, O’ahu)
The smell hits you before you even see the stand; sweet, smoky chicken roasting over open flames. Mike’s is the definition of a roadside shack, with massive grills spinning whole chickens nonstop throughout the day.
Huli Huli means “turn turn” in Hawaiian, and that’s exactly what happens as each bird gets constantly rotated and basted in a secret sauce. The result is juicy meat with crispy, caramelized skin that drips with sweet and savory goodness.
Stopping here after a North Shore beach day is basically mandatory for locals and visitors alike.
5. Tin Roof (Kahului, Maui)
Celebrity Chef Sheldon Simeon could run a fancy restaurant anywhere, but instead he chose a plain counter in an industrial park. Tin Roof proves that amazing food doesn’t need white tablecloths or expensive decor.
The Pork Belly here isn’t your typical plate lunch version; it’s perfectly crispy outside and melt-in-your-mouth tender inside. His Mochiko Chicken takes a local favorite and elevates it to something truly special with better ingredients and careful technique.
Expect a wait, but the takeout box you’ll carry away is worth every minute.
6. Huli Huli Chicken Stands (Road to Hana, Maui)
Nobody can tell you exactly where you’ll find the best Huli Huli stand on the Road to Hana because they change locations and operate on their own schedule. Part of the adventure is following the smoke and the line of parked cars.
These tiny, often cash-only setups serve the most authentic version of this Hawaiian classic. Chicken roasts over real wood fires, getting basted every few minutes until the skin turns deep golden brown.
Grab a plate, find a scenic pullout, and enjoy your smoky prize overlooking the jungle.
7. Ippy’s Hawaiian BBQ (Waimea, Big Island)
Driving between the Kohala Coast and Hilo means passing through Waimea, and smart travelers plan their trip around a stop at Ippy’s. This local favorite has built a reputation on generous portions that leave nobody hungry.
The Kalua Pig is fall-apart tender with that signature smoky flavor, while their Loco Moco features a hamburger patty, fried egg, and rich gravy over rice. Chicken Katsu comes perfectly crispy with a side of tangy katsu sauce for dipping.
Come hungry because these plates are seriously massive.
8. Ka’aloa’s Super J’s Hawaiian Food (Captain Cook, Big Island)
Finding this tiny spot in Captain Cook on the Kona side feels like discovering a secret. The family running Super J’s has been making traditional Hawaiian food the old-fashioned way for years, and locals guard this place like treasure.
Their Laulau is legendary; pork or chicken wrapped tight in taro leaves and steamed for hours until everything becomes incredibly tender and flavorful. The simple Kalua Pig and Cabbage might not look fancy, but one bite transports you to an authentic Hawaiian luau.
This is real Hawaiian cooking, not the tourist version.
9. Mark’s Place (Lihue, Kaua’i)
Unless a local tells you about Mark’s Place, you’d drive right past the Puhi industrial park without a second glance. Hidden among warehouses and businesses, this lunch spot has become an institution for island residents who know where to find quality food.
The Beef Stew here is rich, hearty, and loaded with tender chunks of meat that have simmered for hours. Their Chicken Katsu is crispy perfection, never greasy, with meat that stays juicy inside the golden breading.
Portions are generous and prices stay reasonable for the quality you receive.
10. Chicken in a Barrel (Various Locations, Kaua’i)
The name tells you exactly what makes this place special; they literally smoke chicken and ribs in homemade vertical barrel smokers. These creative contraptions create intense heat and smoke that produces incredibly tender meat.
Watch as they pull out racks of BBQ Ribs that are so tender the meat slides right off the bone. The Chicken emerges juicy and smoky, with a flavor you simply can’t achieve in a regular oven or grill.
Look for their simple stands or small shops around the island, and prepare for some seriously good BBQ on the Garden Isle.
11. Broke Da Mouth Grindz (Kailua-Kona, Big Island)
The name is local slang for food so good it breaks your mouth, and this Kailua-Kona spot lives up to that promise. Tourists often miss this place while rushing to fancy resort restaurants, but locals know better.
Mixed plates here let you sample multiple items at once; maybe some teriyaki beef, BBQ chicken, and rice all together. Everything comes out hot, fresh, and seasoned perfectly with that local touch that makes Hawaiian BBQ so addictive.
Prices stay low while quality stays high, which explains why the parking lot fills up fast at lunchtime.
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