Marrying a Hawaiian girl, I've had my share of Hawaiian cuisine over the past five years--and gosh is it good. Since I'm going to Hawaii this week to visit the in-laws, I figured I'd lay out some of the best (and cheapest) places to eat from my favorite islands, because, seriously, everyone needs to experience this food at least once.

Pro tip: stray from what you know. Don't waste your time with burgers and sandwiches. Try local favorites like the Loco Moco (one egg over a hamburger patty over rice, covered in brown gravy), Spam Musubi (Spam sushi wrapped in seaweed), Kalua pig (shredded pork that's wrapped in banana and tea leaves and cooked underground), Pipikaula (dried, but tender, beef short ribs), Huli Huli ("Flip, Flip") rotisserie chicken, Malasadas (Portuguese doughnuts filled with fruit or custard and rolled in sugar), and Laulau (salted butterfish with either pork, beef, or chicken, wrapped in taro leaves and steamed).

From Oahu:

• Rainbow Drive-in--they've been serving cheap plate lunches (two scoops of rice, macaroni salad, and one entrée) for the past 49 years. My favorites are the Loco Moco ($3.75) or the Shoyu Chicken plate ($6.25).
• Zippy's--they're famous for chili and rice ($4.20), Zip Pacs (Bento box with rice, teri beef, fried mahi mahi, fried chicken, and Spam for $8.10) and Napples (turnover pastries around $2 each)

From Maui:

• Tasaka Guri Guri--the best of the best, this ice cream shop is worth the trip alone. This icy, creamy dessert--in either strawberry or pineapple--is like nothing you've ever had (only $1-$3 for 1-4 scoops!).

From Big Island--Kailua-Kona is not only my family's home, it's my favorite city on my favorite island:

• Hayashi's You Make The Roll--my first stop every time I go home, this sushi bar is located in the Kona Marketplace. You can customize your roll with anything from eel and avocado to tempura shrimp with papaya, all for under $5.
• Kona Brewing Co.--this brew pub has amazing pizza (try the Hawaiian Lu'au, with fresh chunked pineapple and ricotta cheese for $15). They also have a variety of adventurously flavored... beverages.
• Scandinavian Shave Ice--you haven't lived until you've been here. I grew up on snow cones, so I melted when I paid $3 for a "small" (should be called huge) coconut version of the finest shaved ice around. And don't forget to ask for a sno cap (drizzled sweetened-condensed milk for $0.50) on top. They'll even make you a basketball-sized shave ice if you ask for the jumbo ($5)--I'm not kidding…a basketball.
• Kamuela Deli/L&L/Tex Drive-in/Any convenience store--finding an awesome, cheap plate lunch on Big Island is not difficult. Try Kamuela Deli and L&L Hawaiian Barbecue for the sit-down atmosphere; Tex Drive-in has killer malasadas. Otherwise, virtually any convenience store is stocked with Musubi and hot plate lunches pre-made for the morning work crowd. You have to get up early, but it's some of the best and cheapest food around.
• Huggos On The Rocks--this casual, outdoor, sand-floor atmosphere branches off from its fine dining counterpart. Here you can bury your toes in the sand while enjoying meals under $15 and, in my opinion, the best desserts on the island. Try the Mauna Kea Ice Cream Pie…nuff said.

Well I've thoroughly made my tummy grumble, and this is just a taste of Hawaii's cheap eats. If a Hawaiian vacation is in your future, be sure to visit these restaurants. You'll save money while filling your bellies with the best food the islands have to offer.

--Chris

Photo taken from this photostream and used with permission of a Creative Commons license.

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