1st trip.. dining questions? (Honolulu: 2009, how much, hotels)

[maddie0929]

We will be making our first trip to Oahu in June 2009 and I just have a few questions about the price of dining there. We have heard that food prices are way more expensive there but I have been looking at local menus and it doesn't seem that much higher. We are in Tennessee and let's just say for example dining out with a menu something simple like ribs or burgers for 2 adults and a kids menu of mac and cheese or chicken tenders would be no more than $30, if we are eating steak or seafood no more than $50 including tip. Let's just say McDonalds for lunch for the three of us around $10 -$15. How does this compare to Oahu? I know I want to eat at Cheeseburger in Paradise.. love Jimmy Buffett! Of course we want to do some "nice" places also and can anyone suggest a good luau? We know we will pay big $$$ for this but think it's worth it for the best! Any suggestions would be great!!! Can't wait to visit!!!

[hotzcatz]

Germaine's Luau is usually considered one of the best, although I haven't a clue how much it would cost.

For casual eating out, try Zippy's it is similar to a Denny's I would guess except with local food. L & L's Drive Inns (no driving, it is a counter service type of place) is also inexpensive eating local style. Local style is beef stew and rice sort of food. Any time you see a plate lunch truck with a long line, that is a good one and try there. You will get two scoop rice (kinda sticky, comes served from an ice cream scoop), toss salad, side of macaroni salad and generally a couple types of meat. A plate lunch will run about $7 - $10 and there's generally enough to feed two.

The Spagetti Company in Wards Warehouse is fun and inexpensive. There are eating places all over the place on Oahu. Oh, there are several Bale Sandwich shops. They make French/Vietnamese sandwiches on French rolls. Really good stuff and not that expensive, way less than $10 per person. The one next to Sports Authority on Ward Street (down near Ala Moana end) makes a really good chicken soup. Each one makes their stuff a little bit different but all of it is fresh good food.

Oh, hamburgers - try Kua Aina behind Ward Center, they make great burgers! Pauoa Chop Suey in Nuuanu - if you can find it - is really tasty. Family style Chinese food.

Over around by Diamond Head is Rainbow Drive In. Kinda sorta a cross between a Sonic and Zippy's, counter service, picnic tables, local food, good stuff and not expensive.

There usta be a place called Parc Cafe over by the Halekulani Hotel, it was on the ground floor sorta off to the side (was it on Lewers street?) from the entrance to the Hokulani and the Parc Cafe is a nice buffet which serves food from the Halekulani. The Halekulani is a really nice seven star (if there is such a thing) hotel. The buffet isn't cheap, but it is served with waiters, tablecloths, china, etc. and the buffet dishes are things like lobster newberg and such. Oh, there is also the Ocean Terrace in the Sheraton Moana Hotel, that is another good buffet. Right along Waikiki beach near the main pool of the Moana.

In all these Waikiki hotels, you can just wander in and out of them and eat at their restaurants and buy stuff from their shops, you don't have to stay at the particular hotel.

If you can't decide where to eat, there is always the Food Snort, er, Court at the Ala Moana Shopping Center. That has about thirty little food kiosks all around a central eating area. You can go grazing there and find all sorts of food.

[kani-lehua]

www.germainesluau.com try the link for more information. also, your hotel will probably be able to set up different activities for you.

[ArkansasTraveler]

Originally Posted by hotzcatz

Germaine's Luau --- Zippy's ---Denny's --- L & L's Drive Inns ---The Spagetti Company i---Bale Sandwich shops. --- The Sports Authority on Ward Street --- Kua Aina --- Pauoa Chop Suey --- Rainbow Drive In.

Ever heard of google?
Official Germaine's Luau Web site - "Too Good to miss." The Original Hawaiian Luau.
Zippy's Restaurants
Denny's - Honolulu, HI 96815
L & L Drive-inn, Honolulu - Restaurant Reviews - TripAdvisor
Ba-Le Sandwich Shop - Honolulu, HI
Sports Authority - About Us
Ward Centers - Kua 'Aina Sandwich
Pauoa Chop Suey - Honolulu, HI
Rainbow Drive-In
Sam Snead's Tavern --is open to all for dinning
Aloha..

[stina blue]

Hello! When my husband and I visited Oahu, we used this website for making reservations (they have more than luaus - we used it for submarine rides, a lost tour, etc.) Big Kahuna Hawaii It's really helpful and we even received a few phone calls to let us know that our plans had been confirmed and everything. Very professional and helpful! (FYI - You can search for activities on all islands, too, not just Oahu.)