Hawaiian Drive Inn

I always have love for Hawaiian Drive Inn stores and they all provide that nostalgic flavor that I grew up eating. Nothing beats a good spam musubi or a BBQ plate with some rice and mac salad. I recently ordered from this location online so can't really speak for the service and ambiance, but their food is top notch to me.I recently ordered the Regular BBQ Chicken Plate Lunch and Spam Musubi.Spam Musubi was great. They put a generous amount of teriyaki sauce and the spam was average width. Not super thin compared to some places I have ordered from. It was filling and tasty.The BBQ Chicken is also unbelievably moist and tender while packed with that BBQ flavor. I couldn't finish this meal in one sitting. It is definitely worth the money. The mac salad isn't seasoned a ton, but it was still delicious and I was happy with it. I ordered extra scoops too with no regrets. Only difference I'd make is adding a little more shredded carrots.Definitely worth ordering from here again.

Very nice people, but they don't always have all food items stock. Disappointed, I guess the business is still recovering from trying to keep afloat after Covid. Still, I find the food to be better than the local L & L, who have removed quite a few things from their menu altogether.The chili at Hawaiian Drive-In is good. Very similar to the local Hawaiian Zippy's chili. You can even get a chili dog.They have more 'flavors' of misubi, too, including a spam & egg version.All in all, Hawaiian Drive-In is my preference in Daly City's vast array of Hawaiian choices.

Parking in this lot is challenging. It seems like parking at the curb and even double parking is tolerated. Sometimes you just have to drive around a bit to get a parking space if you want to eat decent food. We walked in, gave the menu a quick look see and placed our order. I ordered a BBQ Mixed Plate and she got a Curry Mixed Plate. We didn't have The Princess with us so we opted to eat in. There's only a couple sets of tables, all set in two rows. They appear to do a pretty good business with phone orders and delivery. People came in, showed their phones and picked up orders to go. Service was super friendly and patient with us and other guests, especially one who I wasn't sure knew what he wanted. He ordered a Curry Plate, not too spicy with extra gravy. Okay, so long as the restaurant could figure it out for him. When we sat down, we saw what looked like tongue depressors peeking out of the utensil containers. When our order was ready, we discovered that they were actually wooden utensils, forks, spoons and knives. I was enjoying my Mixed Plate when my wife insisted that we trade. Hers Curry Mixed Plate came with a Hamburger Steak that was the best item of the evening and I am known to be kind of a freak for Curry. The food was good and plentiful. The Mac Salad was excellent to the point where I almost ordered some more to go but I managed to restrain myself. Neither of us was able to finish our meal so we had leftovers to nosh on the next day.Definitely have to come back to try other flavors but they'll have to be in addition to the Hamburger Steak I plan on ordering!

I recently posted my review on Zippy's (in Vegas), and that review inspired me to come back to this OG Drive Inn in Daly City. I needed my chili-rice-mac fix!Since this Drive Inn location opened over 20 years ago in Daly City it has been my personal, fast-food favorite. In fact, the Drive Inn introduced Hawaiian food to the San Mateo area in a small, but big way. In less than several years after opening, other Hawaiian-inspired cafes started popping up (such as L&L, Ono, and Ohana). I've always enjoyed the Drive Inn's food, but it's been real competitive out there and there's barely consistent foot traffic. Yet, this place has stood the test of time and still serving those delicious grindz!If you had high hopes for an authentic, cultural experience this joint ain't it. Like with most of these fast food Hawaiian joints please don't expect to walk in on a luau and a roasted pig on a spit. Poi is not even served here. The staff consists of plain-dressed people. No coconut shells or hula skirts here! Currently, the interior has been downgraded with only two table sets, backed by an Asian screen/room divider partially covering the boxes of storage and random equipment.However, the Drive Inn has everything a simple man could ask for--satisfying, cheap eats all priced under $15. The traditional combination of rice and a creamy mac salad makes for a comforting dish. Additionally, the Drive Inn offer basic proteins in these combos, such as, chicken katsu, short ribs, and teriyaki chicken. If all the combinations of meats, carbs and mayo repulses you, then this place ain't for you.My personal favorites is the beef curry and the chili mix. I like to pair a separate side order of protein, such as katsu or musubi, to these plates. Mixing fried foods into these curry and chili stews taste so good to me. While the quality of their proteins look and taste "basic", I think this spot gets the job done given the price. The curry is rather mild and doesn't have that potent curry aftertaste. It's also loaded with tender carrot and potatoes. Real hearty! Their chili is meaty and flavorful. It barely has any beans, which I tastefully preferred. Their chicken katsu portions were on the leaner side but I appreciate the fact that it was "less fatty" and more crisp as compared to their competitor's (Mission Plaza and Serramonte Blvd).As seen in the menu, if you want your chili mix, you must order either the Chili Dog Plate or the Chili Mixed Plate. Both plates are served as rice plates (w/a side of mac salad).The Drive Inn has changed in the last several years, but their service and Hawaiian food exceed my expectations!

Employees where so sweet Food was fresh Very simple Coming back soon This is our family favorite, we usually order delivery but stop by from time to time. Little hole in the wall with amazing loving service. Teresa is so nice.

I love coming to this spot for a Hawaiian bbq fix. Spam musubi is always on point, all the plates, whether it's katsu or bbq chicken is always on point. I also appreciate that they accommodate for all Mac salad instead of rice.

Still a great deal!Clean, value and tasty food for a whole gang!Love the chicken plate and the spam musubi!Love this place!

I always order from here! I love the loco moco patties bcuz they make it themselves other than regular burger patties unseasoned. Land this was the only time they did not put my rice not under the patty's. Very disappointed

Chicken katsu sandwich, spam musubi & steamed broccoli. This place had 4.3 stars on Google and I was in the neighborhood so I decided to stop. Very polite owners & food was delicious. Definitely recommend :-)

About a year ago, I asked to use the bathroom before ordering. The guy behind the counter refused. My bladder was about to explode (I have a genetic condition where my bladder could rupture) so I ran elsewhere to find a bathroom. My daughter and I love Hawaiian BBQ, and we get some about once a week, but I will not be going to any Hawaiian drive inn.