Big Burgers, shades of the '60s. Love the red, black, white and tiny checked tiles in this throwback lunch spot on Waialae Ave in Kaimuki. Want a real burger? Made from really good beef? Not something smushed in a machine, frozen, shipped, thawed and cooked until dead? Ask for the burger YOUR way, moist, pink in the middle, with all the fixins. This is the place for lunch when you're in that kind of '60s mood.
Good food, reasonable prices. We just got back from Oahu. We ate at the Big City Diner in Kaimuki 3 times. One lunch, one dinner, and one breakfast. Everything we ordered was wonderful. Large portions were the norm. I had one of the BEST breakfasts ever[corned beef hash, eggs over easy, paniola potaoes].Eggs Benedict is ONLY on Saturday and Sunday----but served until 3:30. We didn't make it back for that. Parking----always an issue on Waikiki----is no problem here. There is a city lot behind the Big City Diner----I think it was 75 cents an hour---not too much.
Good solid restaurant. We enjoyed the "big burger" and kimchee fried rice. Service was prompt and friendly.
We both liked 'the big burger' with avocado, onion, cheese Bd it was huge. French fries were perfect
From kim Cher fried rice,to cinnamon bread French toast, with a side of da bes'Chili in Kaimuki, the Diner serves only the finest "home style" kaukau in East Honolulu. You may enter thru the back door and be welcomed by the cookstaff; just like coming home for the holidays. There's an earlybird, Senior menu to top things off. You'll never get a bad meal, and there's always a free warm-up for your coffee. If there's a line, you can check out the many pictures of Oldtime Kaimuki, or eaves drop on every sportscaster in town to learn what's really going on in the world of sports. Try it, you'll like it!!
The food and service had always been great. Visited with owner Lane Muraoka who was assisting staff this Sunday. Very personable and attentive. Always great food. Their Chili is so homemade and wonderful without thick gooey additives. I had the Taco salad, always a great choice.
Fabulous, straightforward food and friendly service.
Trying to introduce my kids to Loco Moco a couple days before at a random place and failed miserably. But came here to meet a friend all is right with the world again
We also had the Tachos - nothing exotic, just simple and nicely put together. Yum!
My daughter had a breakfast bread pudding that was killer while my other little one went with basic eggs / bacon (w a scoop of rice, of course) that done properly (not a sure thing at every cafe/diner). Even my wife’s hot ham & cheese was unusually good.
I had the salad n sandwich combo! A turkey and cranberry sandwich!! With a fresh salad. It was perfect!! My friend had a portobello sandwich n fries. Her sandwich was delicious too. But the last time she had that sandwich the mushroom was bigger than the bun. This time it was smaller than the bun😔 Our server was "on it!" (Sorry didn't get his name) Will go back
Really good food, a little way from the crowded Beach, the owner Lane Muraoka was the Chef that day we were there he is very wonderful and friendly and knows a lot of local spots and will gladly share with you. Also has its own semi secure parking you have to go through a parking parking was $3
On my honeymoon from Boston and my wife and I decided to try a local spot for our last breakfast in Hawaii. I’m so glad we chose the Big City Diner! It’s exactly what you want a diner to be. Friendly service, laid back atmosphere, and incredible food! The portions are huge!!! I had a western omelette (ham, cheese, peppers, and onions) while my bride had a Loco Moco. Both were delicious!!! Coffee was great too. Our waitress was nice, friendly, and attentive to our needs. The manager came by and checked on us too. I would definitely suggest adding this to your itinerary for a meal or two! Thank you Big City Diner for a job well done!
This is the original Big City Diner. The restaurant has a lot of character in representing Kaimuki history. The food is just as good as what you'll find at any Big City Diner. The consistency is a great thing from restaurant to restaurant. The service is great with the service staff working as a team to keep drinks topped and food delivered/cleared timely.
Over Thanksgiving they had a Thanksgiving day special which they serve to customers as seen in the photo. It comes with turkey, garlic mashed potates,, Portuguese sausage stuffing, cranberry sauce, pumpkin macnut pie and a cinnamon sweet potato. The server was very nice and was willing to help put our order in ahead of time as the wait time was long to be able to eat there at a limited capacity on Thanksgiving day.
Such a great dining experience! Our waitress was amazing and had great recommendations! Be sure to try their BBQ sauce. Delicious!
Service was great but the noodles were too salty. Salad was delicious. Friendly staff and quick service.
Family friendly, popular local dining restaurant and late night bar. Offers wide variety of local style menu items ranging from kim-chee fried rice to meat loaf and not to be missed baby-back ribs with guava-BBQ sauce. Portion sizes are huge and limits our opportunity to enjoy desserts, which are excellent. A favorite restaurant of ours. Has maintained excellent service and quality since it opened. The interior decor may be due for renewal sooner or later.
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