Pioneer Pantry

My co-workers and I have been frequenting this tiny convenience store in Pioneer Plaza for years. Joanne, the owner, is the sweetest lady you'll meet. She is so personable and a joy to speak with. She offers inexpensive breakfast bentos featuring white or fried rice, a fried egg and pieces of Portuguese sausage, bacon or frankfurter. The meat varies. It used to sell for $3 but now costs $4.50 (I think). It's still a deal and the containers are great! (We use them to hold leftovers.)During lunch she sets up an array of entrees ... Honey Walnut shrimp, Beef with Vegetables, Meat Jun, Spicy Chicken, Choi Sum, Vegetable Pancake ... the selection varies by day and she offers two or three starches. A two-choice plate ($9.75) comes with a choice of white rice, fried rice or noodles. You have to go early; she can run out of food by 12:30pm. I usually choose one chicken dish and a vegetable with fried rice or noodles. A co-worker always gets the Honey-Walnut shrimp. It's hard to find a better deal in a plate lunch in downtown Honolulu. Her drinks are "the deal", $1.25, $1.50 and $1.75, for large, larger and humongous.Add in the personable service and you have a winner! Hey, stay away, we don't want any more competition for her food. Highly recommended!

What first brought me to Pioneer Pantry was my thirst. It's a tiny convenience store in the Pioneer Plaza, next to Subway. If you know what the cost of living in Hawaii is like, you know that produce, well, practically everything for that matter, is expensive. What caught my eye was the fresh sliced fruit in individual containers. If you buy fresh fruit, you know that prices can be ridiculous. The prices of their freshly sliced fruit are very reasonable and the portions are generous. The plastic containers are packed to the brim. Pioneer Pantry has become my go-to spot for fresh-sliced fruit. They also serve hot lunch items like spicy chicken, tofu, and noodles. There's a good variety of snacks such as chips, candy, and soda. Customer service is excellent and they accept mobile payment like Apple Pay and PayPal.

Youre in search of something to eat and come across the Pioneer Plaza -- a food court (hallway) thats filled with eateries of all cultures. You then come across a tiny convenience store. Chips and sodas pack the shelves. What you dont know if just beyond that little rack in the center of the store, there is a GEM.Locally owned and operated, the nice lady that works behind the counter is sooooo sweet. She has a set menu depending on the day of the week.I promise you, you wont be disappointed. Her plate lunches are VERY well priced (under $10 -- currently) and the servings are generous.Today I had the mushroom chicken and honey shrimp (think honey walnut without the walnuts). The mushroom chicken is MAJOR. You can pair 1 or 2 choices with either fried rice or chow mein. They might have regular white rice...but I havent asked yet.Garlic chicken, spicy chicken, mushroom chicken and various other chickens seem to be everyday. Today there was japchae and yesterday there was steak/onions. I was told Wednesdays have Mapo tofu.The menu is limited, daily. So its best to call ahead to see whats cooking (8084283291).Lunch times can get super busy. Parking is nonexistent unless you already live or work in town.Have a good lunch :)

I have come to this shop a few times for lunch and small snacks. The women who run the shop are very pleasant. I also think it's adorable when they check with each other if they have the right orders in Korean, they don't realize I understand them but I think they display great teamwork and that makes the process of ordering, paying, and receiving that much faster! Additionally, I'm not sure if it was cause she recognized my SO and I from yesterday but the woman who fills the plates gave us some eggplant today as extra so that we could try it. I'm not big in eggplant but the gesture was nice and my SO ate it all. There is cash discount and the prices on the menu reflect that discount so just be prepared that if you want to pay by card it might be just a tad more. However, I think for what they offer this is no big deal. I have not been able to try their breakfast but it is incredibly cheap and I would recommend that anyone running a little late stop by here to pick up a plate instead of running into a seven eleven. So far I have had great service and great food! I am thinking of making this place a regular stop!

Good ladies running a convenience store located in downtown.Good selection of goods and ladies very friendly.

First review for Pioneer Pantry and its a 5 star. The owners are very NICE and always greet you with a smile every time you come in. They are located in the lobby area of Pioneer Plaza and have been going there for many years now. I get the medium soda for $1.50 including tax. I get my diet coke fix during lunch.They have a lot of things in the store, but most things you find in a Pantry. Tons of refreshments, lots of chips etc. They have a cold case that has a few hand made things by them. Fresh fruit, sandwiches made by them and they all look very delish. They also have some muffin by the coffee area right when you enter. Also have the usual stuff like Cigarettes and a few selection of calling cards too.If your looking for something to eat like a quick snack or something for your sweet tooth / junk food fix, you will find it here no doubt.Btw this place is CASH only so make sure you have some or bring a co worker with you so they can buy your soda / snacks when you say "oh crap i dont have cash."