The quintessential Hawaiian plate lunch chain with locations across all islands. A plate lunch typically includes two scoops of rice, macaroni salad, and a protein (teriyaki beef, kalua pig, or chicken katsu). The ultimate Hawaii local food experience.
L&L Hawaiian Barbecue is the largest and most widely recognized Hawaiian plate lunch chain in existence, with dozens of locations across all of the Hawaiian Islands and an expanding mainland United States presence that has brought the plate lunch format to communities with significant Hawaiian and Pacific Islander populations. Founded in Honolulu in 1976, L&L built its success on a simple and deeply satisfying formula that reflects the working-class food culture of Hawaii's plantation era: a plate lunch consisting of two scoops of white rice, a scoop of macaroni salad, and a choice of protein. This combination — originally carried to work in metal tins by plantation laborers of Japanese, Filipino, Chinese, and Korean descent in the early twentieth century — has become one of the defining food traditions of Hawaii and a cultural identifier for the state's residents wherever they live. L&L's menu covers the full range of plate lunch proteins: chicken katsu (panko-breaded, fried chicken cutlet in a Japanese style), teriyaki beef (marinated beef in a sweet-soy sauce), kalua pig (shredded pork in the style of the traditional Hawaiian underground oven), garlic chicken, and mixed plates that allow sampling of multiple proteins are all available. The loco moco — white rice topped with a hamburger patty, fried egg, and brown gravy — is a Hawaiian comfort food classic and a strong entry for first-time visitors to the plate lunch tradition. Spam musubi, a pressed rice snack wrapped in nori seaweed with a slice of fried Spam, reflects the Japanese-Hawaiian food culture that made Spam a staple ingredient in Hawaiian cooking. L&L operates in shopping centers and standalone locations across the islands, and the experience is consistent rather than exceptional — a reliable, affordable, and culturally important snapshot of daily Hawaii food life.
Good to know
- Reservations
- No
Location
Various locations across Hawaii
Highlights
- The quintessential Hawaiian plate lunch chain, serving two scoops rice, mac salad, and protein since 1976
- Chicken katsu, teriyaki beef, kalua pig, and loco moco represent the full range of Hawaiian plate lunch tradition
- Spam musubi — fried Spam on pressed rice wrapped in nori — is the essential snack order
- Dozens of locations across all Hawaiian Islands; an accessible introduction to local food culture at affordable prices
- Plate lunch format rooted in Hawaii's plantation-era multiethnic workforce — a genuine piece of culinary history
Tips for visiting
- Order the chicken katsu or loco moco for a first plate lunch experience — both are the most representative of the format
- The spam musubi is a separate add-on and one of the most iconic foods of Hawaii at minimal cost
- Prices are among the most affordable for a full meal anywhere in Hawaii — plan L&L for a casual lunch between sights
- Multiple protein combinations are available as mixed plates for those who want to sample more than one option
- Portions are large; one full plate lunch is a complete and filling meal without additional sides
Accessibility
L&L Hawaiian Barbecue operates from ground-floor commercial locations, typically in shopping centers, across the Hawaiian Islands. Most locations are accessible for wheelchair users with standard commercial entry and counter service; specific accessibility varies by individual location.
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Frequently asked questions
What is a Hawaiian plate lunch?
A plate lunch is a Hawaii food tradition originating in the plantation era, consisting of a protein of choice served with two scoops of white rice and a scoop of macaroni salad. The format reflects the multiethnic workforce that developed Hawaii's plantation economy and has become a defining element of local food culture.
What is the loco moco at L&L?
The loco moco is a Hawaiian comfort food dish of white rice topped with a hamburger patty, a fried egg, and brown gravy. It is one of the most beloved plate lunch variations in Hawaii and is considered a regional food icon.
Does L&L Hawaiian Barbecue have locations across all of Hawaii?
Yes. L&L operates across Oahu, Maui, the Big Island, and Kauai, as well as mainland US locations in states with significant Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities. The chain's Hawaii Island locations vary by region.
Is L&L Hawaiian Barbecue accessible for visitors with mobility concerns?
L&L locations are typically in shopping centers or standalone buildings at ground level with standard commercial accessibility. Most locations accommodate wheelchair access; specific conditions vary by site.