Waipahu’s Best Food

Introduction

Looking for a place to eat on Oahu? Or are you in the Waipahu Area looking for a place to eat possibly? Well we created a few of recommendations of great food places to try in our hometown Waipahu. We hope you get to try them out, Enjoy :)

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Elena’s Restaurant - Home of the Finest Filipino Foods

Elena’s first started in 1974 in a small kitchen with a counter and six stools in the old Nabarette Café. It was created by Elena and Theo Butuyan. The Butuyan Family immigrated from the Philippines (specifically Dagupan City, Pangasinan) in 1969 to the island of Oahu. They opened in Waipahu, and they expanded with three lunch trucks. They make new dishes that are inspired by their family recipes and local homestyle cooking. If you want to know more about their restaurant, visit their website Elena's Restaurant.

A few of their specialties are Pork Adobo Fried Rice Omelette, Sari-Sari, and Lechon Special. They have a lot of Filipino foods that you will love. If you ever have a party and you get lazy to cook Filipino food, you can call them to order their party trays and pick them up. However, you need to call them a few days in advance. They all taste like home!

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Tanioka’s Seafood and Catering

Tanioka’s was started in 1978 by co-owners of the company Mel and Lynn Tanioka. Their mission to provide the leeward side of Oahu with fresh pieces of seafood items continues today in their two side-by-side 16,000 square feet commercial buildings located in Waipahu, visit Here for more information. Their 130+ employees make their best commitment to the Tanioka company, which made them one of the most legendary seafood places to exist throughout Waipahu along with the entire island of Hawaii.

Along with their specialty of fresh, locally sourced ahi and aku they have many other local goods that are worth a try. Some items such as their famous limu poke, crisp and juicy fried chicken, Grandma Tanioka's ahi patties, Grandma Sakuma's maki sushi, Aunty Betty's inari sushi, fresh sashimi, traditional Hawaiian dishes, the best tasting spicy ahi, and spam musubi – one of Hawaii’s specialties. Think those are good? Well go check them out today, they have much more to offer in person!

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Leeward Drive-Inn

Leeward Drive-Inn was established in 1964. It’s one of the oldest and favorite restaurants in not only Waipahu and on the Leeward side, but the island. The current owner (since 2007) added new things that were Korean influence. Its mission has never changed, to serve delicious, high quality, and affordable food. If you want more information, you can visit their website Leeward Drive-Inn.

Leeward Drive Inn is known for its fried noodles, spareribs, fried chicken, and a lot more. They also have nine flavors of soft-serve ice creams. Isn’t that amazing! What’s even more amazing is their Hawaiian Honey Cone soft-served ice cream, it is gluten-free and does not have high fructose corn syrup. Go to the nearest one and have a try, that way you’ll understand why they’re one of the best.

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Highway Inn Restaurant, Catering and Seafood

Highway Inn was opened in September 1947 by Seiichi and Nancy Toguchi. During WWII in 1941, Seiichi, Nancy, and their three children were to intern in Jerome, Arkansas, and Tulelake, California. This was where Seiichi mastered his culinary skills, as well as, his American recipes. After WWII ended, they returned to Hawaii and started their business. Now, they have two locations, which are in Waipahu and Kaka’ako. For more information, you can visit Highway Inn.

They’re known for their Hawaiian dishes; their most popular dish is the Tasting Plate, which includes laulau, poi, squid lū’au, kālua pig, lomi salmon, chicken long rice, and sweet potato. That is the perfect plate to get when it’s your first time trying Hawaiian food. They also have local favorites, such as loco moco, sweet bread french toast, and more. If you’re craving some Hawaiian or any local food, then this is the perfect place to go.

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Tiano’s Restaurant/On Wheels (2 locations)

Tiano’s is a family-owned business run by Joel Navasca & Mira Navasca, serving Oahu with some of their finest Local, American, and Filipino foods. Their food truck was first opened on February 5, 2016, along with their restaurant on December 7, 2017. Tiano’s was inspired by Mr.Navasca’s work journey to discovering his unique talents as chief, you can know more here. Mr/Mrs. Navasca’s entrepreneurship journey has expanded till today in two of their locations based in Waipahu, visit here for more information on their restaurant, along with their food truck which can also be found here!

As said, Chief Joel contributes foods that align his Local, American, and Filipino ancestry. Some Local favorites include Chief Joel's Mixed Plate, Tina’s Hamburger Steak, Loco Moco, Kalua Pig w/Cabbage, Fried Chicken, Kalbi Short Ribs, Adobo Fried Rice Omelet, and Oxtail Soup. Along with his Filipino favorites such as Lechon Kawali, Pork Adobo, Fried Pork, Sizzling Pork Sisig, Crispy Pata, Fried Boneless Milk Fish, Fried Pampano, Chicken Papaya, Sari-Sari, Sinigang, Kare-Kare, and Pancit. Sounds yummy? Go try them out for yourself, see their website here for more information.

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Conclusion

Overall, if you like what you see here.. stay tuned on other places we might recommend next! But I hope you guys enjoyed learning more about some of Waipahu's best food places and possibly consider giving them a try one day! Anyways till the next blog :) Contact us here if you have any ideas on what we should talk about next!