Decided to do a last summer lunch order before school started. I wasn’t craving anything special and wanted some comfort food so we went to Rainbow Drive-In! There is a Rainbow Drive-In near my home but that one pales in comparison to the original. Now that Richie’s is a disappointment, I had to give Rainbow Drive-In a go! The online ordering system makes it so much easier.
Mix Plate | $13.75
a combination of our BBQ Beef, Boneless Chicken and Mahi Mahi
Why do they serve gravy with the boneless chicken in the boneless chicken plate but not in the mix plate? A bit baffling and I didn’t feel like ordering extra gravy. Man oh man, if you check out their ordering site, they have really nailed down how to add things to your plate. I know in the past you could say gravy all over and it would be free, now gravy all over it 95¢. I thought the plate would be too dry but it was okay in the end. The boneless chicken had good flavor and I was surprised that I liked their bbq beef, I usually dislike meat prepared this way but their meat was not hard or rubbery at all!
Mix Plate | $13.75
Add Chili on the Rice | $3.75
a combination of our BBQ Beef, Boneless Chicken and Mahi Mahi
My co-worker’s plate. Do I think it’s worth it to get chili on the rice for $4.00? Ehh…
Boneless Chicken Plate | $12.75
tender, boneless chicken thighs seasoned, breaded and fried golden brown on our griddle served with gravy
Chili Tots | $6.50
Add Cheese | 95¢
Got some chili tots to share with my coworkers and yes I had to pay like $1 for cheese on top. Blah! But it was good. Super good. Worth it. This was definitely a good run! We placed the order and it was ready when we got there. We lucked out with parking, had choke tourists there.
Haven’t been there in over 2 years!
I remember when at UH, we used to buy the chili franks and park along the golf course side of Ala Wai and eat. That was over 50 years ago!
Oh man that sounds like the good ole days!
love their bbq meat! usually go to their pearlridge location, lots of parking
Oooh good tip!!
ITA on why no gravy with the chicken patty, gotta buy a cupful of it when I just need one scoop of gravy. So poo hoo as I end up tossing it away. And I hate wasting food lil dat. When Richie’s WAS good they did the same but they didn’t charge. So annoy.They had one in Waipahu but it was always empty and they closed in less than a year’s time. I found that shocking cuz I thought they were so well known. Don’t think they ventured to west side after dat. Speaking of drive inns in Waipahu there’s one called Garden isle Cafe that my FB food group raves about. Specials $9.25 before 2 pm and $10.25 after. Big portions and they offer some Chinese style plates. They’re located in the strip mall where Kuni’s is and a BBQ drive inn and Suzy’s. Horrible parking. By Don Quixote
You are so right N! I don’t need that much gravy for the chicken, and it should come with it!!!!
Man I hardly get out to Waipahu but would love to check it out when I do! Thanks N!
Ah, Rainbow Drive In. We used to go there to spock the surfers. I always liked their teri beef sandwiches, and they had good fries. Also their strawberry slush with ice cream on top – gave major brain freeze.
Looks different now since they bought the lot next door and opened up a seating area. I used to buy their used mayonnaise bins with lid for 50¢ each. One time I bought around 5 of them and I saw a friend there – who asked what I was going to use it for. I told him that I would tell him later. Didn’t want others around us to hear my answer. Later on I saw him at his service station and I told him what I used it for. For dog doodoo. Filled it up, closed it up, and dumped the whole thing in the rubbish bin.
There must be a better way, right? I wanted to have an outdoor flushing toilet so I could scoop the doodoo in and flush but I was told that doggie doodoo is a no-no in the sewer because it doesn’t break down.
Now that I know their Teri beef is good, I’m all ears! You making me want to return! But your story about the Mayo containers made me crack up! How resourceful!!!!
Last year, wife and I went to eat at Rainbow Drive-inn in Kapahulu for dinner. I hadn’t been there in about 50 years since I moved to the Mainland but wanted to try the place again since the write-ups were good. But I was disappointed – the food was mediocre at best. This year I am going to go back and eat at the original L&L drive-inn on Liliha street. I think that location is still pretty good. We will see!
Sorry to hear that Alan! I live so close to Liliha L&L, think I gotta try it myself since it’s been more than a decade at least!