Contributing Writer
Jocelyn Nystrom
Driving into Rainbow Drive-In, a fast food eatery dubbed a Hawaiian local favorite, wafts of comfort food entices hungry stomachs.
Located a few miles out of Waikiki on Kapahulu Avenue, Rainbow Drive-In offers classic Hawaiian-style plate lunches such as loco moco and shoyu chicken. Using fresh, local ingredients, it’s easy to see why this drive-in attracts loyal families, starved surfers and students on a budget.
Rainbow’s has been serving the island of O‘ahu since 1961, dishing out 1,200 to 1,500 plates per day, more than 400,000 plates a year. Rainbow’s distinguishes itself with its signature brown gravy, made in house from scratch.
Rainbow’s gravy is smothered on the majority of the drive-in’s dishes, emulating the cozy post-meal feeling after a Thanksgiving dinner.
Jim Gusukuma, one of the inherited owners, divulges some of Rainbow’s gravy ingredients, including a tomato base, dried shrimp, crushed ginger, dried seaweed, curry, garlic, salt, Worcestershire sauce, and onions, but left out its secret spice. The 300 gallons of gravy made weekly demonstrates the popularity of this tasty sauce.
Rainbow’s bright sign will capture your attention, but the food will keep you coming back.
Entrees come with a meat dish, mac salad, two scoops of rice, and a light side of green cabbage. Rainbow’s loco moco is a local favorite for $3.95 a bowl and $7 a plate.
Food lovers have everything to gain and not much to lose with this dish. What is a loco moco? It’s a high carb, high protein meal with sticky white rice, gravy and a hamburger patty with two eggs made to order on top. Traditionally, the eggs are made over easy, so that yoke penetrates through the rest of the ingredients. Some foodies add ketchup, while others add hot sauce to spice it up. Rainbow’s loco moco melts in your mouth, enhances your taste buds as tastes of the mixture of sweet, if you add ketchup and salty satisfy your pallet. Rating: 5 out of 5.
Rainbow’s barbecue pork plate runs for $7.25 and will satisfy your sweet tooth as well as your need for protein, as you bite into this chewy but tender meat. Rating: 5 out of 5.
Rainbow’s boneless chicken with gravy for $7 is equally satisfying, but be careful of slices of fatty chunks on the meat and some dryness.
Rating: 3 out of 5.
Rainbow’s chili and rice bowl is a popular dish and best seller among locals, especially for the price – $3.95. It has diced tomatoes, diced and dehydrated onions, hamburger, kidney beans, garlic, tomato puree, cayenne pepper, salt, chili pepper, Worcestershire sauce and flour. The rice was perfectly done with the right amount of moisture, but the tomato base overwhelmed the chili making it sweeter than saltier. If you like sweet chili, I’d rate Rainbow’s chili 5 out of 5. For my taste buds, I give it 3 out of 5 stars.
The staff was friendly, helpful and welcoming and called out our order by name. The drive-in welcomes and displays a family oriented environment where tourists, local and kids dine together in close but comfortable proximity.
You don’t have to worry about eating or talking quietly. Some customers enjoy intermingling or having light-hearted conversation ‘ohana, family style. It is the family style atmosphere that makes Rainbows uniquely Hawaiian. That is another essential part of this award-winning drive-in.Everything needed to dine is available within a few steps. Many dine at the drive-in, but just as many take their food to go, as tables and parking are limited. Rainbow’s makes a beach picnic easy and possible with its styrofoam containers, plastic utensils and boxed plates. After eating off this menu, you’ll probably be up for a nap afterwards once the heavy ingredients of comfort food settle in.
Rainbow’s awaits you for your next craving on a budget.
RAINBOW DRIVE-IN
Address: 3308 Kanaina Ave
Honolulu, HI 96815
Website: Rainbow Drive In
Hours: Monday to Sunday from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Price: $
Gift Cards: Available for $10 and up.