Cafe 100

Cafe 100 in Hilo on the Big Island of Hawaii holds a singular place in the culinary history of the Hawaiian Islands as the restaurant credited with originating the loco moco, one of the most iconic dishes to emerge from Hawaii's multiethnic food culture. The loco moco was created at Cafe 100 in 1949 — or very close to that year, depending on the account — as a hearty, affordable meal for young people from the Lincoln Wreckers social club who needed something filling and cheap: a bowl of white rice topped with a hamburger patty, a fried egg, and brown gravy. The combination became locally popular, spread across the islands, and is now recognized internationally as one of the defining foods of Hawaii alongside plate lunch and poke. Cafe 100 has operated from its Kilauea Avenue location in Hilo since 1946, originally as a drive-in and now as a counter-service institution that retains the character of the old-style local eatery despite decades of changes to the surrounding city. The loco moco menu at Cafe 100 is extensive — the restaurant offers numerous variations on the original formula, including the Special Loco Moco with additional proteins and toppings, demonstrating both the flexibility of the original concept and the kitchen's commitment to the dish that made the restaurant famous. Spam musubi and plate lunches extend the menu into the broader local food tradition. Hilo is the rainy, lush city on the Big Island's east side, and Cafe 100 has served the local community through all the changes and challenges that Hilo has experienced over its history. For visitors to Hilo, it is one of the most meaningful local food experiences available — simple, affordable, and rooted in a genuine story.