L&L Hawaiian Bar-B-Que Has the Best Hawaiian Plate Lunches
There are meals that politely feed you…
and then there’s the Hawaiian plate lunch, which sits you down, loosens your belt, and says relax, you’re family now.
Hearty, unapologetic, and built to fuel long days of real work, the plate lunch is one of Hawaii’s greatest culinary gifts. And when it comes to carrying that torch beyond the islands, L&L Hawaiian Barbecue has become the undisputed heavyweight champion.
Let’s dig in.
The Origins of the Hawaiian Plate Lunch
The Hawaiian plate lunch didn’t come from white tablecloths or celebrity chefs. It came from labor.
In the late 1800s and early 1900s, Hawaii’s plantation workers—many of whom immigrated from Japan, China, Korea, the Philippines, Portugal, and Puerto Rico—needed meals that were:
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Filling
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Affordable
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Easy to pack
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Powerful enough to get them through brutal workdays
The result was a beautifully practical fusion of cultures served on one plate. No pretension. No garnish anxiety. Just carbs, protein, and comfort.
By the 1930s, the plate lunch had become a staple across Hawaii—sold at roadside stands, diners, and lunch wagons. It was never meant to be fancy. It was meant to work.
And it still does.
What Makes a Plate Lunch a Plate Lunch
While variations abound, a traditional Hawaiian plate lunch usually includes:
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Two scoops of white rice
Non-negotiable. This is not the time for quinoa. -
Macaroni salad
Creamy, slightly sweet, and quietly doing emotional support work. -
A generous protein
Usually grilled, fried, or glazed within an inch of its life (compliment).
Common classics include:
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Kalua pork – smoky, salty, slow-cooked perfection
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Chicken katsu – crispy cutlet with tangy katsu sauce
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Teriyaki beef or chicken – glossy, sweet, and deeply addictive
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BBQ short ribs – sticky fingers guaranteed
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Loco moco – rice, hamburger patty, gravy, and egg… because why not
It’s balance through excess. And somehow, it works.
Enter L&L Hawaiian Bar-B-Que
What started in Honolulu in 1976 as L&L Drive-Inn was never trying to be a global empire. It was just doing one thing extremely well: serving honest plate lunches that tasted like home.
Over time, word spread. Locals approved. Mainland visitors became obsessed. And L&L did something rare—they scaled without losing the soul.
Today, L&L Hawaiian Bar-B-Que operates 200+ locations worldwide, bringing plate lunch culture to the continental U.S., Japan, and beyond. Not bad for a concept built on rice, mac salad, and zero apologies.
Why L&L Works (And Keeps Working)
L&L’s success isn’t an accident. It’s built on a few rock-solid principles:
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Consistency – You know exactly what you’re getting, and that’s the point
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Portion size – Nobody leaves hungry. Ever.
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Cultural respect – This isn’t “Hawaiian-inspired.” It’s Hawaiian.
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Accessibility – Fast, affordable, and welcoming to everyone
They didn’t dilute the plate lunch to make it trendy. They trusted it as-is. A bold move. A correct one.
Plate Lunch as Comfort Food Royalty
There’s something deeply satisfying about food that doesn’t ask questions.
The Hawaiian plate lunch isn’t here to impress you—it’s here to take care of you. And L&L understands that assignment perfectly. Whether you’re grabbing a quick lunch, feeding a family, or nursing a next-day regret situation, it shows up exactly how you need it to.
Reliable. Heavy. Comforting. Slightly indulgent.
Kind of like the best relationships.
Watch the Video & Get Hungry
This post pairs with the video above, where we dive deeper into Hawaiian plate lunches and why L&L Hawaiian Bar-B-Que continues to set the standard.
Watch it. Then immediately plan your next meal accordingly.
You’ve been warned.
If you know, you know.
And if you don’t—L&L will happily introduce you.
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