You may find it difficult to indulge in the finest restaurant you come across every day. We have you covered for those hectic days, or when you just have time and money to grab and go. Casual lunches for cheap meals on Oahu are great. The HAWAII crew got our heads together and created this list of reasonably priced, quick local favorites we would suggest to our friends for great, cheap dinners on Oahu.
1. Rainbow Drive-In
boasts big meals, reasonable rates, quick service, and a flagship location that has been serving hungry people on Oahu for more than 50 years. While other strong classics like the loco moco ($8.95) or shoyu chicken plate ($8.75) are excellent under-$10 values, a combo plate (barbecue beef, fried fish, and boneless chicken with two scoops of rice and one scoop of mac salad or slaw) would run you $9.95 and fill the hungriest of appetites. Is a cheeseburger what you want? That will come to just $3.25. Oahu offers sites on rainbowdrivein.com in Kapahulu, Kalihi, and Pearlridge Center, making it a top spot for cheap meals on Oahu.
2. Zippy’s
On Oahu, there’s a Zippy’s somewhere close by. The famous Hawaii chain is fast, handy, reasonably priced, open 24 hours a day, and easily located. Furthermore, the whole menu of breakfast, lunch, dinner, appetizers, and desserts spans Asian to American cuisine, enough to dine there many times a week without running out or becoming bored with the options. On Oahu, there are many sites, such as zippys.com, offering cheap meals that everyone can enjoy.
3. Ethel’s Grill
Established in 1978, Ethel’s Grill offers reasonably priced, huge portions of Japanese and local dishes for less than $10. With costs ranging from $9 to $15, visitors, residents, and some celebrities (see the late Anthony Bourdain’s picture on the wall) go to this hole-in-the-wall for meals like the fantastic seared ahi tataki, taco rice, mochiko, or garlic chicken. Ethel closes every day at 2 p.m. and only accepts cash. 232 Kalihi St., Honolulu; (808) 847-6467. It’s one of the best places for cheap meals on Oahu.
4. Marukame Udon
Often called the “McDonald’s of Japan,” Marukame’s udon meals are affordable for a satisfactory quantity, quick, fresh, and full. Apart from the $4 to $7 range of iconic bowls of noodles, this well-known establishment offers choices including musubi, salads, and fried sides. marugameudon.com, located in Waikiki and Downtown Honolulu, makes it easy to find cheap meals on Oahu.
5. Musubi & Bento Iyasume
Both residents and guests swear by this small area, which has a flagship location in the middle of Waikiki, ideal for a low-cost grab-and-go bento box. Starting at $2.50, you may have a couple musubi (we suggest the one with avocado, bacon, egg, and spam) or onigiri and carry on with your day without going broke. You can pay with cash at the locations at 334 Seaside Ave., Honolulu, tonsuke.com/eomusubiya.html, and the Ala Moana Center, Hilton Hawaiian Village, which offer the best cheap meals on Oahu.
