4. Restaurants

Ken’s House of Pancakes

1730 Kamehameha Ave, Hilo, HI, 96720
  • (808) 935-8711
  • Store is closed

Ken’s House of Pancakes Menu

Sorry, We are updating this restaurant menu details.

Visit below restaurant in Hilo for healthy meals suggestion.

Burger King ( 368 E Makaala St )
Burger King ( 580 Kilauea Ave )

  • Keun W.

    Love this place! We went at 3am and our waitress was really nice! We got the Benedict crab cakes and the tripe stew. The prices can be a bit pricey, but you get a lot for your money! There are so many things on the menu! Local food too! The cool thing about this place are the photos on the wall of the celebrities that have been there and every time someone orders a SUMO meal, everyone (even the customers) yell out SUMO! Highly recommend for anyone visiting Hilo!

    (5)

  • Sally T.

    I visited Hilo, Hawaii with my volleyball team. This restaurant was walking distance from our hotel so we visited it several times throughout the week. The food is fairly good for the price. On our last day, we visited the restaurant for breakfast. My birthday is September 14th, the last day we came to the restaurant. I ordered the chocolate chip coconut pancakes but asked if I could have only two pancakes made small. Along with my order I asked for hash browns and a kids oatmeal. While finishing my breakfast, I received my bill. The bill was given while I was still eating my food. My bill came out to around $15. I did not see reason in this because I had ordered two side dishes with small pancakes. They charged $8 for the mini cakes. I complained and they told me they charged me for a short stack. But I had told them that I specifically asked for small pancakes, not thinking they would charge me the regular amount. They told me there was nothing they could do because they already applied a 10% discount for our volleyball team. I told them it was my birthday and I could show them my drivers license and I just wanted to be charged a less amount for the pancakes. They constantly told me there was nothing they could do even after I told them it was my birthday. I was an extremely upset customer and I was shocked that the manager had no desire to fix the issue for me after my team had been faithful customers all weekend. I will never be returning to Hilo or Ken's again. This restaurant gave me a very negative start to my birthday.

    (1)

  • Jennifer C.

    Ken's is an old school looking place with lots of charm and great food. We came here with recommendations from multiple coworkers. The menu is huge -- it's a mix of diner food with local Hawaiian dishes. I was on a saimin kick during my Big Island trip, so of course I ordered it again. Here, it comes with teriyaki chicken, egg, fish cake, and char siu. The broth was very good, so despite the terrible heat outside, I sipped it up! Will be back to try more.

    (4)

  • Donny S.

    Have heard a lot about this place so really wanted to try it for breakfast. Server was alittle slow and most staff looked unhappy, must've been the weather :(

    (3)

  • Alexandra C.

    So we made a mistake an ordered lunch items here, bad move! Breakfast food was the last thing we wanted after our hike so we ordered the lunch items. My husbands pork was pretty good but my katsu chicken tasted like children's cherry cough syrup....the mashed potatoes were good though. For goodness sake order breakfast food people. I regret not ordering the mac nut pancakes with the coconut syrup....noted. Don't be like us!

    (2)

  • Brian R.

    Great place to eat. I LOVE their breakfast!

    (5)

  • Tessa D.

    This place has been around FOREVER. I remember eating here as a child at least once a month. I can even remember when they did renovations and changed the color of "Ken" on the 24 hour sign. That's right, it's 24 hours. So if you really want to go I would suggest timing it for an off hour, because it gets PACKED. Especially during the morning weekend, one time I waited an hour and a half for a seat. Yeesh. Aesthetically it isn't anything special, it just looks like an ordinary diner, albeit with more windows to let in the Hawaiian sunshine. If you've never been before I'm sure you'll be overwhelmed by the size of the menu, but don't panic, it's pretty easy to navigate. I'd suggest their breakfast items. I find no one does breakfast quite like Ken's, but Ken's does dinner like everyone else. My typical order is the belgian waffles with bacon and eggs. They have a bunch of different syrups that you will NOT find in the mainland, trust me, I've searched high and low. Guava is my personal favorite, but coconut and passion fruit are good as well. I like to divide my waffle into quadrants and then try each section with a different syrup, if you like waffles I'd suggest doing that. It's the best way. Now, I can eat a lot, but even I need to force the last few bites of this meal. Everything is pretty hefty here, so don't try to order a lot at one time, you'll fail at finishing it all. The environment can get a bit loud, there's a gong that will probably get rung at least thrice during your time at Ken's. That's for the Sumo Moco, order it if you're brave and have a big stomach. Feel free to shout "SUMOOOO" with the staff, it's more fun that way. Speaking of staff, they're pretty good. Most of them have been working for years so they know what they're doing. I wouldn't necessarily say that Ken's has the best food around town, but if you're ever in Hilo I would suggest going. It's an experience that shouldn't be missed.

    (4)

  • Amy M.

    We stopped over here once we landed in Hilo. Pancakes is my sweeties vice. I don't really mind them once I dress them up with syrup and butter. Apparently this place is open 24 hours serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It was packed when we walked in. There was only a few minute wait so I decided to look at the pictures, and menu on the wall. I noticed they stated the prices had changed. The menu was packed with tons of breakfast options. I just wanted something simple and not to heavy. Pancakes seem to be given with any egg order. I was considering the omelette, but realized the portions were massive as I looked around. I settled on the Jess stack me from the keiki side. Unfortunately, there was no substitutions. I had two pancakes, bacon, and one egg. If I customized it to my liking it would've cost more then the dish itself. They even charge for flavored syrup on the table. Hubby was satisfied with his meal with corn beef hash, eggs, bacon and a side of pancakes. I had some of his corn beef which was not bad at all. Our waitress was not really warm or inviting. I understand she had to tend to several tables, but customer service is key. Once we got our check we went to the front and paid. If you want to get a quick breakfast with coffee on the run this would be the spot to go to.

    (2)

  • Patricia L.

    Awesome! We tried to go to Ken's a few times and I don't think we actually got a parking place until the 4th try...woo hoo! After eating here I finally understand why the parking lot is always full. The food and service is amazing. Your only problem is to make sure you come hungry! Check out my picture of the #16 Crab Cakes and Eggs...it was enough to feed 2 or 3 people. But hey...I was hungry so I gave it my best shot and got the rest to go. It was simply delicious. My husband and son didn't have their food on their plates long enough to identify...and so sorry I didn't take pictures of theirs too. I want to give a special shout out to Auntie Wilma...wonderful waitress. I felt like she treated us like family or knew us for 10 years, yet we never met her before. Mahalo! We'll be back!

    (5)

  • Eddie A.

    This place is so incredibly overhyped it is ridiculous. They only survive because they are open 24hrs but the food is not very good. I'm pretty positive most of their dishes are just add water mixes or frozen foods they just heat up. Everything is bland and lacking flavor/creativity just like their sister restaurant "ponds" that is equally horrible. For a place that has been a mainstay in Hilo for so long, you'd think they would put some effort into making food that looks and tastes good but I guess you can't expect much from a pancake house.

    (1)

  • Yuko H.

    Standing in a check out line at a candy store, I was searching for place to eat for lunch on yelp. I typed key word "loco moco" as I was thinking isn't it a must try local dish in Hilo, Hawaii? I asked a cashier at a candy store between two restaurants showed up on yelp search and he said this place is one of famous restaurant in Hilo. Ok, local recommendation sounds good. When we showed up 20 mins after noon, this place was busy! We were told to wait 5-10 mins but our table was ready within a few mins. Service was a bit slow but we were there during peak lunch hours. Our server was friendly. Loco moco was what I expected. Two scoops of rice, a hamburger patty, spicy brown gravy, and topped with fried egg. Nothing healthy or fancy about this, it was originally created as a quick meal. I enjoyed my loco moco and quickly finished my meal. It's always good to try local dish to understand their culture and history. Loco moco was a nice quick meal and hit my spot, we were on our way to the next destination as a tourist.

    (4)

  • Shanae K.

    Three stars for the quick and awesome service: We were quoted a wait but were seated within minutes. We were also able to change tables when we wanted to sit closers to our friends who were in the other room. Then our server was so pleasant; she explained the syrup, answered all of our questions and took our order quickly. My only issue was with the food. Crab cake Benedict was just ok. A regular Benedict with the fixings. Hollandaise was mediocre. I believe the crab cake was made with imitation crab. Not my favorite. However, the pancakes were good! Especially with the variety of syrup. Overall, I would go back. Especially since they're open 24/7!

    (3)

  • Edwin N.

    One word to describe Ken's House of Pancakes...ICONIC. Open 24/7 and been around for as long as I can remember. It's slamming all the time, so parking can be a bit of an issue. If you got a big full size truck or SUV good luck fitting it in their tight, sardine parking stalls. Once you step into the restaurant, you can't help but to look around and check out the memorabilia that's on the wall. You don't just enter the restaurant, you step into a piece of history that will continue on as long as the world go round. The ambiance is of a old school, 1970's feel, which the servers still dress it as part of their attire. Almost everything in the dining room makes you feel like you're stuck in time. The food, haha is okay, portions are alright, it's not bad, it's good. Well there's like a thousand items on the menu! You can order anything and everything on the menu no matter what time of day it is. If you want Tripe Stew for breakfast, go ahead, get it with a side of pancakes. Whatever you're in the mood for, if they got it, you can order it. Their pancakes are pretty good, as well as their many different types of pancake syrup. Order the "Sumo" Min or the "Sumo" Moco, those are highly recommended! You'll get a "bonus" if you get those items...no joke!! This is a must whenever you're in Hilo! Grab a piece of history and put some coconut syrup on it!

    (4)

  • April M.

    Great food!! So-so service, but a good place to eat... Great for people all ages! *Great Jess' steak cooked to perfection and eggs were spot on... rice was amazing. I definitely recommend it! *Chinese Chicken Salad was awesome... Loved the dressing and the won ton bowl was delicious *Coconut pancakes were the best with the passion fruit syrup! *most amazing Sweet bread French toast I ever had...so good!

    (4)

  • Katie D.

    I honestly don't understand the 4 star rating for this place. Guess people were hungry for food from home and yes it is open 24/7. Still... Walk in and it's all touristy families, that should give you a hint already. Literally exactly what you expect of a typical diner in the U.S. Portions are huge if you're hungry by the prices are also high. 15 bucks for an omelette?? The pancake they came with the entrees weren't anything special. Oh you can ask for pineapple slices instead of pancakes as a side. But !!!! They're canned!!! We are on Hawaii damn it, why is anyone serving canned pineapples!?!?!? That just should be banned, period.

    (1)

  • Kira K.

    Good and quick meal that leaves me nostalgic I came here when I was little every time I would come here to the big island. I got corned beef hash Benedict which was pretty good (the corned beef hash makes it). The pancakes are pretty fluffy, and I love trying the trio of syrups (guava, coconut and lilikoi I think)

    (5)

  • Bryan R.

    Home style cooking and great service with local style menu and friendly staff. We go there regularly and enjoy it.

    (5)

  • Doron K.

    The menu here is insane, and I give them props for the variety available. Definitely more of a local experience than going to Denny's. That said, the Eggs Benedict came with a sauce you can't really call Hollandaise, and the Corned Beef Hash was pretty bland. Great hours though (24/7), so if you need a hearty meal late night, not a bad choice.

    (3)

  • Sylvia K.

    I think I just had big expectations from this place. I found the food to be fine. 3.5 stars! The place is open 24 hours, which is a definite bonus. I feel like so many places on the island close up so early, like around 9, so it's nice to know that Ken's is open all the time. We probably walked in around 8 at night, we were seated immediately. The menu has a lot of options. There's a lot of breakfast choices like pancakes and omelettes, but they've also got sandwiches and burgers. They've got a section of "island favorites" offering loco moco and saimin noodles. They offer a "Sumo" portion of the moco and the saimin, which are gigantic portions, if you are super hungry. But what I really like is that offer keiki portions, which are smaller portions of the regular item. And you don't have to be a kid to order it! We ordered the keiki moco, the keiki min, the kalbi ribs, and the oxtail stew. The kalbi ribs comes with a choice of white or brown rice and macaroni salad. It also comes with their version of kimchi. I've come to realize that hawaiian style kimchi is different from korean style kimchi - as in it's not as spicy or pickled. The oxtail stew also came with choice of white or brown rice and mac salad. Their mac salad is tuna mac salad, which I didn't really care for. The moco was pretty good - they cook the burger to order for you. The kalbi was not bad, but it was slightly burnt. The oxtail was really tender and the vegetables were yummy, especially the carrots. The saimin was just ok. Our server was really nice. The interior is fun - it's diner style, with bright orange booth seats. They also offer a senior citizen discount too if you let your server know. If I'm ever in Hilo again, I would come back here and I would want to try their macadamia nut pancakes with their guava syrup. That sounds really tasty!

    (3)

  • Andrew T.

    heh heh .... the more times i eat here I keep giving them more stars (see previous reviews where I started with 2 stars after I first got here full-time from the mainland LOL). I have really come to appreciate how great it is that they are open 24/7. Try and find another restaurant in Hilo open after 9 PM. Seriously. Good luck. So we're lucky we have a local institution like Kens. I arrived at Hilo airport late at night and knew nothing else was open (except McDonalds, Taco Bell, etc) so we went to Kens. We sat at the counter in front of the kitchen window and the endless drama between the waitresses and the kitchen staff was very entertaining. I thought one waitress was going to have to go back there and kick some ass to get her missing hash browns that she'd been asking for for about 45 minutes or something. Even the manager finally got involved. It was fun to watch, like a live sit-com. Since it wasn't MY hash browns !! So I do recommend sitting at the counter if you're just one or two people. Anyway, yes, their menu is too huge and there's some correspondingly mediocre stuff on it. I was there for dinner on Prime Rib night and it was overall quite enjoyable, but old-school--- yeah, you are going to get some frozen vegetables as one of your sides. The burger is one of the best in Hilo. I was actually quite impressed by it.

    (5)

  • Christian R.

    Very friendly people and the food was on point ! The coconut syrup is such a brilliant idea ! If I ever come back to Hilo, KENS WILL BE A MUST GO!! thanks for the coffee mug :) worth the 6bucks

    (5)

  • Mitzi A.

    Heard about this place before I ever got to HIlo. Was good and best parts were the tropical syrups for pancakes (passion fruit, guava, coconut) in addition to the usual standards - maple and blueberry syrups. I got scrambled eggs with Portuguese sausage (must request as it normally comes w/breakfast sausage), spinach, and mushrooms. The eggs came with rice (I upgraded to fried rice for $1.95 and you can exchange for hash browns too) and pancakes (or you can substitute toast). The POG was good too. Needless to say, you won't eat lunch if you eat here. And if you leave hungry, it's your own fault...as the portions are large and they have enough for everyone's appetite as there is a "sumo" breakfast and everyone knows when you get it because the staff yells "SUMO!!" when it's served. lol

    (4)

  • Alan O.

    The veggie omelet with hash browns. What a wonderful meal that enhances the table conversation and kick off your day!

    (4)

  • Maria S.

    This is an Hawaiian institution with the ultimate comfort foods and interesting menu items. fun diner atmosphere and friendly staff. No claims of organic anything, lots of rich sauces and the mashed potatoes are powdered but I still love many dishes. We stick to the basics when we come here. So far the egg dishes, pancakes, turkey burgers have been excellent and portions are huge. Somehow they always cook my Mahi Mahi perfectly.

    (4)

  • Janet F.

    Food was really good.. The French toast made so the Portuguese Sweet Bread was light and airy.. Really good. Five different syrups to chose from so great variety.. Boyfriend had the Banana Mac Nut Waffle which was also good..

    (4)

  • Andrea D.

    Well, I had to get them their 700th review! But wow, delicious breakfast!! Pancakes were yummy, and eggs, hash browns and meats were cooked to perfection. My brother had the "mile high club" and it was also yummy! Good not mushy fries and good ranch. The waitress was super busy and still very friend ly and never skipped a beat. Oh, and the coffee, GREAT flavor!! Mmm. The menu is HUGE so there really is something for everyone in your party! Enjoy!

    (5)

  • Gavin H.

    Great stop when I'm in Hilo. Always go there for the breakfast, but In the spirit of St. Patrick's day, I ordered the corned beef moco for dinner. Had some pancakes on the side. Food came out fast and the waitress was very friendly and checked on us a few times. The corned beef moco was pretty good and the pancakes was great as always. Can't wait to come back to Hilo again and make a stop at Kens.

    (4)

  • Andrea N.

    Gotta love Ken's! It's been a while since I've been back and I'm happy to see that not much has changed. Still good food and friendly service!!

    (3)

  • Christa B.

    Call me corny, but I loved the old school "diner" ambience of this place with every table with booth seating and the option of counter seating. Service was good. Food was good. The place is I think probably the only restaurant in Hilo open 24 hours. The menu is a bit overwhelming when you first open it. The "keiki" menu is available to everyone, not just for "12 and under" which is nice because I like smaller portions so I can order a variety of things to try. I like that they leave a pot of coffee on the table if you order coffee and I like the thick heavy mugs they serve it in. The biscuits and gravy are savory and filling. It's not the kind of biscuit you expect. For one it's square and secondly, it's very dense and heavy, but it's still perfectly buttered and has a good porous texture to sop up the gravy. The gravy itself is creamy and richly laden with the fat from the Portuguese sausage. I could drink it! Corned beef eggs Benedict was good. The eggs were a bit overcooked and the corn beef was more than likely from a can, but the hollandaise it was smothered in gave it extra flavor. Pancakes are thick and fluffy and they come accompanied with a nice variety of syrup options including coconut, lilikoi, and blueberry as well as your traditional maple syrup. I think most of the breakfast entrees give you the option of different starches to choose from including toast, rice, or pancakes. They have different specials going on during the week and the prices are reasonable especially since the portion sizes are large. Kens is my favorite place in Hilo for breakfast for sure!

    (5)

  • Trishia P.

    Famous for being open 24 hours...Ken's was a nice diner to stop into after my long hike up to Kilauea to see some lava flow. I was there during Tropical Storm Iselle ---and they were open apparently (I saw the interview on the local news). I stopped into Ken's around 10pm after a long day on the volcano. I had tons of mud on me and all the servers said was ..."were you up on the volcano today?" Anyways, service was great and the food was delish. We were also treated a basket of fries...I wonder if it was my beat up muddy exterior that warrented the treat. They were yummy, tasted a bit beer-battered. I ordered the French Toast and my husband got the pulled pork sandwich. He said he liked his sandwich and I enjoyed my French toast...I had some of it with coconut syrup but I really wanted to try the guava syrup. I liked the guava syrup so much I slatthered it all over my french toast. Overall, it was typical (think Denny's) but with a Hawaiian Twist. My favorite thing there was the lilikoi milkshake...that was so tasty, tart and was perfect with my fries. The only reason it wasn't five stars was the whole time I was there (probably about an hour and a half) the women's restroom was closed (probably for cleaning) but I really needed to use the restroom so holding it in was brutal ...bad timing on my part I guess, but did it have to be closed for an hour? **My UFC loving husband also loved sitting in the booth with BJ Penn's sports paraphernalia. Its the booth against the first wall when you come in.

    (4)

  • Alicia F.

    The menu is very extensive. The first time I ordered the hombre. The omelette itself was massive and took up the whole plate. Ordered pog juice but had to ask for a separate cup of ice. Was very good but the hash browns were not great in my opinion. You can get rice instead.when I look around most people order breakfast so that must be what it is known for. The service is so so but the waitresses are nice so that helps. I am going there again today.

    (3)

  • Fran C.

    So I was in Hilo this past Friday..........and after taking in an early flight, & finishing my job. It was still early enough for breakfast, so I call my friend Leenelle, who just so happens to live in Hilo now, to see if she like hook 'em up for breakfast. There are a few good local places to eat in Hilo, but one place which has been in business since 1971, and is open 24/7 is Ken's House of Pancakes! This local diner has been in business now for quite sometime........they were open before the days of the big box" mainland business, who are now slowly invading the big island. I would say it is quite unusual that you would find a business open 24 hours on the neighbor island.......especially back n' da days before all these big box businesses. Hilo use to be a small sleepy town, where the people are kind, warm, & welcoming. We meet up, and it's always great to see old friends.............we walk in, get seated right away, and the next thing you know, the waitress is already pouring our coffee. I ordered the "Eggs & things" where you get of course, Egg (any style you like 'em), choice of meat ( I got spam! Come on people......we in da 808!), and of course your choice of starch which I got hash browns, and a small side of pancakes............cuz how can you not have pancakes without coming to Ken's? My friend ending up getting some kind of Chorizo loco moco kinda thing..........it looked good too. It's basically Rice with the Chorizo Sausage, egg (any style you like), over gravy. The grub - well, it's really hard to mess up breakfast..........and I enjoyed everything I had ordered, with the exception of the pancakes. To be honest with you folks, the pancakes I got were cold.......and a wee bit dry. I'm not sure it I should have eaten the pancakes first, when they delivered them to me with my meal, as the pancakes were small, so I'm not sure if they cooled off too quickly, while I was eating my other stuff. Oh, well........no matter, as I was quite full already when I finally got to my pancakes. One thing cool about this place was that they offer many different types of local favored syrups! Besides the standard Maple syrup, you can also choose other flavors like boysenberry, guava, lilikoi, and coconut. I had the coconut syrup on my pancakes.........and the syrup was all so yummy! Fast & Friendly service!!! There is free parking in the private parking lot, but they are very busy, so sometimes it's hard to get parking. I was told that the menu is available 24/7. so if you want breakfast for lunch or dinner............you can have that too! Cool yeah???? Chance 'em gang!!!!

    (4)

  • Isaiah S.

    Honestly Ken's House Of Pancakes has gone seriously down hill since I was a kid. The place feels stuffy and dingey. The staff was either nice, rather not be there, or just plane rude, the service very slow and the food just plain SHIT. Since we were staying in Hilo we decided to give them a try for dinner. But ordered the Red White & Blue pancakes. Overall the blueberry and strawberry toppings were from a can and sour not sweet like expected, the whipped cream (my fave part) was tasteless and sad and the king of this pancake dish - the pancake itself, was doughy and tasteless! Gave Ken's two other tries during our stay and each equally as sad and disappointing. Do yourself a favor and go to Hawaiian Style Cafe for some of the best pancakes in town and more!

    (1)

  • Jasmine O.

    Food is so-so and the wait is terrible! Waited for a table and waited 35 mins for food to arrive to our table after ordering. We had super easy and fast orders too! Blt, Mac n cheese, and tripe.

    (2)

  • Cassie S.

    I don't recommend this place. You can eat at several other more delicious, efficient places for cheaper in Hilo, like Hawaiian Style Cafe. First, parking is a nightmare. The lot has like 15 spots, and there's a bunch of cars that just sit and wait for someone to leave. I parked a couple blocks down and made the trek after waiting 20 min for a spot to open up. This was at 5:00p.. Can't imagine how it is in the peak hours. I am a solo traveler, 26 yr old female. They treated me like I was such a pain because I wanted to eat there by myself. I have never felt weird or uncomfortable eating by myself until I came here. I asked the hostess if I could sit at the bar counter since I was eating alone. No one was sitting at the line of 20 bar stools, and the hostess told me just to pick a seat. I sat 3 seats from the end so I wouldn't be in the way. Ordered my drink, got situated. Then some older lady waitress comes up to me and says "I'm gonna need you to move to the very end of the counter." Exact words. So I pick everything up and move the two seats down to the cramped corner. I am the only person sitting at the bar-- 20 seats. No one ever even ended up coming! I saw the same last berating some of the other waitresses too in front of customers. Just a nasty person. The food was pricey and not very good at all. I got the chef's omelette. It was supposed to come with sausage, but there was none. The gravy on top of it was bland and had a gross texture. Around $15 for a plate. They give you a lot of food, but you won't be able to finish it, and breakfast food generally doesn't hold for leftovers. Save your money and go to Hawaiian style cafe!!!

    (2)

  • Lisa M.

    The loco Moco was really good. It was my first time tasting it. The pancakes with the boysenberry sauce was really good also.

    (4)

  • Maggie H.

    I try not to repeat any of the places I go to when I'm away, but I had to go to Ken's House of Pancakes multiple times. The food is great, service is spot on, the vibe is cozy, and the hours are convenient (24 hours a day!). They have such an overwhelming and creative menu. The pancakes are incredibly fluffy, and come with several different flavors of syrup. My favorite was boisenberry, a little tart and sweet. Definitely check this out if you're on Big Island.

    (4)

  • Allison M.

    We came here on a recommendation, and just loved it. What a chill place for breakfast. One of my favorite parts of breakfast were the flavored syrups that went with the pancakes - the coconut especially really tasted like fresh coconut rather than an over sugary syrup. The staff were friendly and warm, and it was cheaper than most other places when you consider how much food you were served. All the portions were huge, and I didn't even come close to finishing my omelette. It was listed as a three-egg omelette, but it looked more like a solid dozen went into that fluffy thing. It was served hot and with melty cheese inside, but considering it also came with two scoops of rice and a side of three pancakes (!!) I just wasn't able to finish it.

    (4)

  • Israel G.

    If you're looking for an authentic Hawaiian restaurant, then this isn't your place. But if you want good food and some island favorites, then this is one of your best bets. My wife and I were honeymooning in Hilo and this was the first restaurant we stopped at. Not appealing to the eye in the decor department or the exterior, but man the food was great. I always have to have a moco loco while in the islands and this one was top notch. Perfectly cooked eggs, sticky rice, a seasoned gravy and a moist and juicy patty. My wife had a typical breakfast: eggs, meat, toast and pancakes, which for her was in large proportion and yummy. I wish they'd re-decorate this place, make it a real shining star. But the food alone will keep me coming back if we ever stop in Hilo again.

    (4)

  • Michael S.

    This place makes me sad, but in a good way. It's a wonderful institution with excellent food and great service. Every single thing we ordered was terrific! I just wish Ken's was in my hometown.

    (5)

  • Cindy B.

    Boyfriend and I had breakfast here about a month ago and it was delicious! Portion size is huge! Ambience is very old school and relaxing. Service was a little slow, but that was overlooked since it was busy. Lup cheong omelette: Made with 3 eggs, the omelette was fluffy, oozed with cheese, and delicious! It came with choice of rice or hash browns and toast or pancakes. I got the dish with fried rice. The fried rice was seasoned perfectly! Not salty and very flavorful! Definitely recommended! Mauna Loa scramble: Healthier breakfast made with egg beaters scrambled with veggies. Also came with choice of meat and starch. Nothing too special about this dish, but if you're looking for something lighter than this dish is perfect. Buttermilk pancakes: These pancakes were probably one of the best that I've tried! Light and fluffy!! Yum!! Only downside is that the parking lot is very small! Had the drive around several times before we found an available stall. Well worth it though!

    (4)

  • Lani H.

    The staff here are super friendly and the food is great. Come with an appetite!! The portions are huge.

    (5)

  • Kristin K.

    So processed and so bad. Like a budg Denny's. Liquid eggs, very greasy hashbrowns and doughy, unpleasant buttermilk pancakes. Ate a 10AM and was still bloated and sick feeling during my night dive with the mantas 9 hours later. Skip this place if you like clean, wholesome ingredients and go to another cafe in Hilo where the eggs are organic and the buckwheat pancakes are to die for.

    (1)

  • Mei Y.

    Ken's is one of my favorite hilo breakfast places. I admit I have not explored the menu much, but their homemade corned beef hash eggs Benedict is too good to stray from. Its more pricey than I remember it but it was just as good. The service is good. Food comes fast. Their turn around time on food is good. The place will be packed and then as soon as people leave there's more people to fill those spaces. Their side pancakes have gotten a little smaller but its alright because they still give you a ton of food. This place will always be a guaranteed stop every time I visit hilo town.

    (5)

  • Alyson K.

    A+++ Great Service! Great People! A staple of good eats for all the vacationers who come to the island. But also for us locals too. We started eating here when we were here on vacation in 2006, and we kept coming back. When we moved here years later, we were surprised how much we still enjoy it. We live 30 minutes away, but when we're in town, we always stop in for lunch or a snack. The Apple Banana's Foster pancakes are my new favs, but everything is good. It's not gourmet, but they don't pretend to be, just good old comfort food, with enough choices to keep everyone happy. Heck they even have healthy choices, and vegetarian items (but give me the coconut cream pie instead, please). Oh...and be sure to save room for their Pineapple upside-down-cake (more than enough to share, but you won't want to). Enjoy!

    (4)

  • Rockne H.

    After a full night of drinking and singing karaoke, we decided to end the evening with a full meal at Ken's. This place is a staple of Hilo and really puts them on the map when it comes to the Hawaii local culinary scene. I've been to this place many times and was super excited to round out my night here. Ken's is on the corner that forks Hilo town to Keaukaha. This landmark of a restaurant is covered with different plates they offer as advertisements. It just shows their personality. It's a diner that promises to serve good food at reasonable prices. When you enter, you're hit with a bright orange. All their booth seats are covered with this color. Speaking of the booths, we were sat in one and the space was a little too small. I'm not the biggest person in the world and thought it was a little constricting. Our server was Corey and he was definitely efficient as a server. Granted, it was late night dining and no one was in there, but he still came back a lot of check on us. For my late night meal, I got the number 1 local favorite, the Saimin for $9.45. For those not in the know, saimin is just like ramen, noodles served in a broth. This saimin was served in a shrimp broth with a teriyaki chicken stick, char siu pork, egg garnish, fish cake (kamaboko), and green onions. I'm a huge fan of saimin served with multiple elements and flavors. As odd as a stick of teriyaki chicken is in a broth, somehow it seemed to work. The scrambled eggs, fish cake and char siu broth their own flavor profile and an awesome texture change from the soft noodles. The dish was packed with shrimp flavored noodles, so delicious. I can see why this is their number 1 local favorite! It really hit the spot. I'm so glad I got to visit this place. I remember coming here as a child and eating their loco moco. The food is great, the service is awesome and the wait is quick. If you live in Hilo or have the opportunity to visit Hilo, Ken's House of Pancakes is a place you need to check out. You will not be disappointed!

    (4)

  • Scott C.

    This place is the local and traveler go to. Always great breakfast served all day 24/7. Hit it up before you start your day or after a good night.

    (4)

  • Jeff M.

    Funny how the reviews are all over the place. I had MacNut pancakes and bacon. Tried all the syrups, liked them all except for the (maple flavored) syrup. Wife had Saimin. Was delicious, "Ono grindz". My wife described it as "comfort foods". The waiter was friendly and funny. Really good experience.

    (4)

  • Reina M.

    Ken's House of Pancakes is a personal favorite of mine. Anytime I come to Hawaii we always make it a point to eat here a few times during our visit. The menu is HUGE so it may take trying a few different things before you find something you LOVE (which isn't always easy when you're just visiting). Some of my favorite menu items are: -Saimin: As far as I'm concerned Ken's has the best Saimin ever (and yes, I've had it at Hawaiian Style Cafe). I usually order the Keiki size and it is more than enough. When I'm feeling extra hungry I get the Sumo Saimin and split it with my husband, I love all the extras in it. Regardless of the size or type you order, its all amazing. -Macadamia Nut Pancakes: So Good! Plus Ken's offers specialty syrups- Guava, Coconut and Lilikoi. Just do it. -Crab Cakes: The crab cakes are a little hidden gem here. You can order them as an extra side or my favorite- the crab cake bene. -Loco Moco- Again, regardless of the size or type you order its all delicious. The only reason I did not give a full 5 stars is the service can be hit and miss. While the staff is always friendly if you go when its really busy the service can be a bit slow.

    (4)

  • Samantha G.

    Ken's House of Pancakes is the only spot on the island that is open 24 hours. I came here in search of good breakfast food around the area and was open at 7:30 am, since most businesses were closed at that time. Ken's looks like a typical diner with plenty of space so we did not have to wait long for a table. Their menu is a bit overwhelming with so many breakfast, lunch and dinner items. I went with one of their omelettes that had Chinese sausage, snow crab, swiss cheese and Hollandaise sauce. At first, it sounds like it would be a tasty omelette since I love all those things. Oh gosh how wrong I was. This omelette is just all sorts of no's. It tasted sweet, too rich and slightly rich. I couldn't take more than 3 bites of that omelette without feeling a gag reflex. Good thing the BF was really hungry because he ended up eating the rest for me. My omelette also came with pancakes, which were very dense and not what I was accustomed to (light, moist and fluffy). Actually this place almost ruined pancakes for me until I visited Oahu a few days later (which will be discussed in a separate review). At least I can tolerated these a lot better than the omelette due to their selection of syrups. The coconut and lilikoi syrups were my favorites. The BF ordered the special of the day, which was ox tail soup. I ended up eating half of that soup because the broth made my stomach feel better from that horrible omelette. The meat just easily fell off the bone and was so tender. I like that this came with ginger, which added more flavor to the soup. The ox tail soup is only served on Fridays, so swing by to get your ox tail soup fix. The service was pretty quick and pleasant. Its a good place to go if you need food when everything else is closed, for big groups and for their ox tail soup. I'm sure there are many better things to order, just stay away from the omelette I ordered!

    (3)

  • Katherine R.

    If you like pancakes that taste like sawdust, this is your place. Bad omelettes? Ditto. I can't imagine why a restaurant this awful has so many great reviews. Ken obviously has lots of pals willing to write faked positive ones. We had the macadamia nut pancakes and that sounds great, right? Straight out of a box. Nuts thrown on top. Yuck.

    (1)

  • Bing A.

    I did not like the food. Maybe it was a bad day for cooking, but it was not very good.

    (2)

  • Elizabeth N.

    I can't believe I never wrote a review of this place! Been coming here since 1997 and the portions, quality, friendly service has never changed. It's not sophisticated food by all means, but it's hearty, tasty, wholesome quality food made fresh and made for a lumber jack starting their day. I wish more places on Oahu would be like this, then again, only a place like Hilo could breed, support and love a place like Ken's into the landmark it is today. Pros: -Food! SUMO!!!! (order a Sumo sized of anything and get the gong rang and the whole kitchen and others yell out SUMO!!!) -Super friendly and quick service; these ladies and gents know what they're doing and they do it with so much aloha -Huge menu/selection -24hours / 7 days a week Cons: -Small parking lot -Small ladies bathrooms

    (5)

  • Natalie G.

    One of our favorite stops every morning during our Big Island adventure. I loved getting all the classic flavors of Hawaii in one breakfast with banana mac pancakes and then trying all of the sweet syrups. Delicious! We felt like one of the locals and were glad to share in the experience.

    (5)

  • Ralph P.

    Awesome service, very friendly, very quick turn around on food (if they're not that busy). Just AWESOME!!!!!!

    (5)

  • Petra G.

    We went for breakfast and we were not impressed. The eggs had a weird taste - not "fresh" as indicated on the menu; hash browns were greasy and also tasted funny. The restaurant was hot and service was slow. The only two things we enjoyed were the coffee and the pancake syrups (coconut, passion fruit & guava).

    (3)

  • Rose P.

    I am from New Jersey, where there are diners on every block, and Ken's just isn't for me. The staff is very friendly and helpful, but the food just doesn't taste good to me. I've been here 5+ times since I've moved here. I hate to give a locally owned restaurant a negative review but the food speaks for itself.

    (2)

  • Robert S.

    Great stop in Hilo. We came in late from a day of traveling and stopped in fit a bite. Lots of locals come here so we figured it would be good. Had the full saimen and it was awesome... shrimp broth rocks. Don't expect fancy just good food island style.

    (5)

  • R. B.

    When you are in Hilo and right next to the airport, you can't beat a quick meal here. It is simple local style food, but it hits the spot.

    (4)

  • Mark P.

    A great local favorite with fast service. Large portions, but not overly so. You can split a plate if you are looking for a lighter breakfast. The menu is overwhelming with yummy choices like the Sumo (they actually will strike a dong when you order it) and snow crab omelette. Great Kona coffee in a colorful branded mug. Pancakes are dense and fluffy at the same time. Choices of 5 syrups to include maple, berry, guava, cocoanut, and passion fruit. In walking distance at .4 miles from the hotels on Banyan street and highly suggested to walk off a full tummy!

    (5)

  • Russell S.

    Heard about this place from several of my Hawaiian friends and it definitely didn't disappoint. For diner food, it hits the spot. The menu is HUGE! We went for dinner, but I hear breakfast is the real gem. Nonetheless, my fried noodles were pretty good and I gobbled it all up. A little more sauce would have been nice...but this was fried noodles and not yakisoba. Savory comfort food is what this place is about. For the MMA fans, I hear BJ Penn eats here on the regular and gets the sumo plate.

    (4)

  • Nicole F.

    we had time to kill before our flight back to Oahu so we decided to make a stop here. service was okay and their menu had lots of options. I wish I could've tried everything but there isn't possibility I would visit again.

    (4)

  • Katie G.

    The food was amazing! We ordered the chili cheese omelet and it was the best I've ever had! The chili was flavorful and had peppers and onions. We also ordered a stack of pancakes. The pancakes were fluffy and the guava syrup added awesome flavor. We were here on vacation but I highly recommend Ken's to anyone in the Hilo area who wants a delicious and hearty breakfast.

    (5)

  • Soccer D.

    Stopped in for a late night meal and were pleasantly surprised. My daughter ordered the waffle with macadamia nuts and whipped cream, my son ordered the three large pancakes and they where huge, my wife ordered the medium pancakes and still could not finish them. I had the corned beef hash loco Moco and it was amazing. Everything was tasty the pancakes where light and fluffy and the choice of syrups was fantastic. Friendly service and smiles everywhere. It was so good we went back two more times in our vacation. If you are not health conscious try the Sumo Loco Moco. My son thoroughly enjoyed the dish. We recommend going to Kens and look forward to coming back to the island to have it again

    (5)

  • Emi H.

    We ordered the #18 club breakfast and #20 breakfast. Dishes included buttermilk pancakes, hashbrowns, eggs, corn beef and bacon. Pancakes were mediocre, hash browns, bacon, and eggs were good. The mango syrup was good. Service was friendly and ambiance was okay.

    (3)

  • Matthew S.

    I never do complain at all at restaurants because I feel too embarrassed. Today, that changed. Fried saimen had no taste at all and on top of that, we waited 32 minutes for our food. Lived in hilo my entire life, and this is why I barely come here.

    (1)

  • Jorge R.

    We were looking for a good breakfast place and we found Kens House of Pancakes on Yelp with pretty good reviews. Unfortunately, our experience was subpar. To start with, service was criminal. Maybe our waitress was having a bad day but then how do you explain the worst pancakes ever when you're eating at a place called Ken's House of Pancakes? Pancakes are not suppose to crumble. Two stars only because the food was at least edible. Maybe time to call a restaurant rescue service.

    (2)

  • Phung D.

    Note that almosttttt everywhere on the island closes on a Sunday in Hawaii, except for Waikiki of course. So which day did we arrive in this little small town, Hilo? Sunday FUNdayyy! Weee. I wanted to try few other spots but everywhere was closed. So this was our only option for a late meal too might I add. This is a true diner, from setting to servers to locals coming here. Our server wasn't very attentive and so out of it. It wasn't that busy either. I shared the spaghetti since I wasn't hungry and boy was it horrible! The sauce had no flavor to it and it was kinda dry for spaghetti. If I think homemade spaghetti is better than this, it does not deserve more than 3 stars. And what did they use for garlic bread? Hot dog buns. Ughhmm okkkaaaayyyy! No hint of garlic on it, just butter. Maybe we ordered the wrong stuff? Cause locals seem to come here. Or maybe they're known for breakfast only? Or this is the best Hilo has to offer?

    (2)

  • Kris M.

    First (and probably Last) Timer Corned Beef Hash Benedict w/Hashbrowns - Pretty disappointing. Eggs were overcooked, Hollandaise was pretty thick and Hash browns were tasteless. :( Pancakes - Because this is a Pancake House! They were pretty good, though I've had better. Cute 24hr Restaurant, which was surprising for Hilo. Servers were friendly and attentive. Their menu is extensive so I can understand that they don't have specialties, just some pretty decent food that everyone could choose from. Saw that they had an all you can eat Spaghetti Night, which was cool. I probably just chose the wrong thing to eat, which is unfortunate. I was just visiting Hilo, so I will most likely not be back.

    (3)

  • Ina T.

    The restaurant was really busy the day we went. We knew we made the right decision when we saw that. When it came time to order it was so hard because the menu is ridiculously huge(in a great way). I got a crab cake Benedict and my hub got a banana foster French toast. Our portion sizes were so huge we couldn't finish everything. Everything was so delicious and our server was very nice.

    (5)

  • Darrell P.

    You landing in Hilo butt early in the morning? Well then, next stop should be Ken's house of pancakes! This place has always been a favorite first stop spot before we head out to Laupahoehoe or Ke'eau. They have a really good eggs benedict. But the two eggs with hash browns with blood sausage and a side bacon is my favorite. My son had the sumo loco moco which was pretty frickin big and he actually finished it because we told him he'll get a free shirt but you really don't hahaha! I ended up buying him a shirt. He had to go bathroom soon as we got to my moms. Oh, they ring a freaking bell and the workers yell something an draw attention to your table when you order this bowl. The workers there were very nice and the waitress we had was friendly too. Great place for some local style food. We got there a little before 6:00am am and we were lucky to find parking.

    (5)

  • Amelia S.

    Came here for Easter lunch upon the recommendation from some folks we met at church. So glad we did - what a fun and friendly restaurant! Our server was so super nice, and I was blown away by the breadth of the menu. I ordered crab cakes benedict and really enjoyed it. Could not believe the portion sizes, too. What do you mean the dish comes with a side pancakes?! The family enjoyed their turkey dinner plates as well. Looking forward to going back the next time we're in Hilo.

    (4)

  • Gretchen C.

    Between my folks and myself we averaged a firm 5 stars for taste, quality, service, consistency, quantity and the ever slim chance of running into Dwayne Johnson!! You've gotta order pancakes or French toast or something that'll bring the delicious syrups to the table...lillikoi is my moms fav, mine is the coconut, although it's more of a thick white glaze than a dark syrup.

    (5)

  • Ash K.

    Had brunch here with my boyfriend. Its a convenient diner style restaurant - friendly staff, lots of choice and good food! We had the crab cake eggs benedict and the seafood omelette - they were very tasty! Both dishes came with pancakes which were yum. Very large size dishes and in hindsight we should have went for the half portions, but I guess that's not a bad thing!! Overall a great place, with a real Hawaii style vibe!!

    (3)

  • Sekueli ..

    Came here hungry. Left here stuffed. Ordered the Sumo Grinder. That bad boy was massive. Two 8oz hamburger patties, two slices of bacon, cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, onions and pickles. And two orders of fries and kim chee. If you're hungry, order anything on the menu that says "Sumo" next to it. The service was really good too.

    (4)

  • Jennifer T.

    We came here after landing in hilo at 550 am. We were starving after our journey allllll the way from oahu. I yelped 'breakfast' and Ken's House Of Pancakes had the best reviews, so we took the one mile journey from the airport. I ordered the Portuguese sausage omlette & fried rice, my sister got the regular loco moco & my brother in law got the corned beef hash loco moco. Whoever wrote the "house of horrors" review was dead wrong. Seriously bro? This stuff was bomb.com . The eggs in the omlette were so fluffy! Who doesn't love fluffy eggs? I tried my sister's loco moco & the flavor was incredible. The service was fine, food came quick, our coffee & water cups were always full. Just like our bellies. :) a lady at the table next to us got the pancakes, we fly out tomorrow and I'm gunna try to stop in to get those. Holy fruit and whip cream heaven

    (5)

  • Jeff G.

    No big deal and the waitress was kind of nasty. Rate food quality as institutional, in other words ok but wouldn't go out of my way to return. Nuff said

    (2)

  • Andrew T.

    Diner-type ambience so don't expect anything fancy, but the food was exactly what I was craving. Had the corned beef hash moco, which was simply corned beef hash over two scoops of white rice with brown gravy, topped with a pair of sunnyside up eggs (or any of your choice)...I inhaled it. Had the classic overwhelming diner menu with pretty much anything you can think of, with a variety of Hawaiian and american style dishes to choose from. Service was really good too considering how crowded it was. If I lived in the area, this would be a regular breakfast spot for me. I'm from Jersey too, so I'm pretty particular about my diners.

    (4)

  • Alex L.

    We must have came on an off-night bc all the reviews we read seemed positive, but our experience wasn't good at all. After a day of driving to see Kilauea, we were famished to find some place to eat. The gf found a 4 star place not far away so we pinned it and off we drove. Unless you have an amphibian vehicle, Siri isn't gonna get you here bc whoever was the knucklehead that created this business pinned the location 1.1 miles off in the water! We edited the business so hopefully by the time I write this review it will be fixed. Parking lot was small and we had to stalk people as if it was Black Friday and follow them to their car to score a spot. Once in, we waited a while before someone even came out to seat us. It must have been some teeny bopper night as this place was absolutely packed with high school kids in a playground setting with their colorful decor and dated booths. It was loud and somewhat unruly as we just wanted to get something to eat. There was only 1 waitress to serve everyone in the back room and there didn't seem to be any order to the madness as she took orders from tables that came after us. The food wasn't spectacular by any means. Did I just order the wrong thing? I really can't see this place being a 4 star joint. Did we come during spirit week? Maybe we should try this place again when they the servers:teeny bopper ratio is more favorable.

    (2)

  • Kelly M.

    Super close to the airport, so if you're just flying into Hilo, Ken's is a must if you're looking to grub out.

    (4)

  • VG d.

    Despite the fact that Ken's is an institution in Hilo, it has no attitude, rather, they obviously take customer service really really seriously because every aspect of the dining experience here is PERFECT... from the warm welcome and seating by the hostess, to the warm greeting of the server, to the pot of coffee on your table, to the biggest menu I've EVER seen in any restaurant, to the food arriving quickly, to happiness check-in, to the fantastic food (I had their homemade corned beef breakfast, sublime!) Word: the food is really really good but not haute cuisine. Ken's seems to run flawlessly, as if without effort. But having been F&B (food and beverage) in the past, I know this success can only be the result of excellent management training an excellent and committed staff. Congrats and mahalo!

    (5)

  • Jackie M.

    I came here because it was highly rated in YeLp. It's a old-school diner serving local Hawaiian food. I had the saimin and the oxtail stew. The saimin was okay. The oxtail stew was generous in portion, but I thought it was really heavy. I think this place serves legit food. The menu is very extensive.

    (3)

  • Kanoe I.

    Its open 24/7 .. decent prices.. large portions.. what else can I say??? They have a large menu with many choices to choose from. Great local foods. I always find myself ordering a mushroom omelette with hashbrown and pancakes. I always share with a friend or take the rest home since they give so much. I also like the cornbeef loco moco & french fries with ranch dressing.

    (5)

  • Johanna M.

    I loved my experience at Ken's! Immediately upon arriving at the Big Island via Hilo, I hopped on Yelp to find a place for ono breakfast. Ken's was just what we needed after our long morning. We arrived at were immediately seated at one of their booths. This place is an old-school diner and really kitschy...I loved it! The aunties are in muu muus and they are so sweet. I noticed them doing a great job of taking care of their regulars, but they made us feel welcome as well. Their menu is expansive...they've got it all. Omelets, pancakes, waffles, saimin, spam....way too much to go on. Everything is also pretty large, so you can easily share a plate with someone. My family of five ordered an array of dishes with all of them being pretty tasty, but my favorite was my dish...omelet #49, the "On'y" Easy. It was the best omelet I have ever had. I love crab in my omelet, and this one had plenty. When you add the lop cheong, hollandaise, swiss cheese.....just ridiculous. It was so good. It came with hash browns and my hubby ordered some pancakes, which we also enjoyed because they have an array of different syrups to accompany your pancakes...all delicious. We were meant to share my omelet with his pancakes...but I regretted that decision after I got one taste of my omelet. I was like "maybe you don't want any of this omelet." Hahaha....I begrudgingly shared my omelet with him because I am nice and try to share from time to time. My parents ordered another omelet with ham and cheese...also really good. Everyone seemed to enjoy the breakfast and the atmosphere is great. The location is super convenient to the airport, so it's a great first stop when arriving in Hilo. In fact, we saw many people from our flight in the restaurant. It was a great experience and I would totally come back here just for that omelet. The aunties are sweet, the diner is cute, and the food is so ono. Trust me, you don't want to drive past this place.

    (5)

  • Anthea W.

    I think I expected too much or I ordered the wrong thing, but I tried a bit of everyone else's dishes. Got the poncho - egg with Portuguese sausage. Pretty basic. Nothing special. Still delicious though cuz I was starving haha. Tsumo Loco moco - it is truly huge. Nothing too special either. Flavorless almost? Chili cheese moco - pretty good, but again, nothing special.

    (3)

  • Clarence J.

    This excellent old-school diner serves a wealth of very good food. The menu is HUGE and there are frequent specials. The breakfast was particularly good, and as advertised, the pancakes were outstanding. (In general, it's best if you like diner-style food though, which I really do. Plus, they had boysenberry syrup, a rare and wonderful treat that _always_ makes me happy!) The staff was friendly and efficient (well...four out of five were lively and efficient -- one, not so much) and the personalities ranged from somewhat surly to bright and joyously bubbly. Seating is in comfortable red leather booths in the lovingly worn restaurant. It's nice and bright during the day, frequently with windows open to the island breeze. That last said, on humid days and nights, having air conditioning beyond the ceiling fans and open windows would be useful...

    (4)

  • Ed L.

    One of the cool things about Hilo is Ken's Pancake House. Pancakes are awesome here, as well as the other deliciousness found here. I am thankful that the Hilo Seaside Hotel is just a short walk from this restaurant, where I was staying on this short weekend getaway to Hilo from Honolulu. Best thing about Ken's Pancake House is that it's a 24/7 operation. Yes, they are open 24 hours, so you can get your breakfast on at 1am in the morning, or whatever you feel like anytime of the day. It's nice to have breakfast food items during times other than breakfast. I have eaten here before during my travels to Hilo, but I guess I hadn't filed a review till my most current visit. Ken's Pancake House can be thought of as a diner, which caters to both locals and tourists alike, and similar to IHOP. It's simplistic take on all things breakfast and their pancakes are to die for. I would like to say that my experience here was the same with every visit. Ken's Pancake House is reminiscent of old school cafe dining. I remember those days in my youth in Honolulu in the late 1980's and these were typical back then. What Ken's is able to do is to preserve all this and make it a daily staple for anyone needing a delicious meal and the service that can't be beat. The consistency of good comfort food for breakfast and good customer service keeps me coming back for more. More often than not, the local people love this place and I definitely can relate to a beloved local spot. Ken's pancake house is an icon in Hilo and a place to get together with friends and family over a meal - or two. Ken's Pancake House is located at 1730 Kamehameha Avenue in Hilo. Another best part of Ken's Pancake House is that it's very super close to the airport, so you can dine here and dash to the airport to make your flight out of Hilo. They have a private parking lot, but spaces are definitely limited. They accept credit cards, so that is always a plus. I happened to come here for dinner on a recent Saturday night and it was kind of packed. I arrived at 7:30pm and I had to wait 10 minutes for a booth to open up. While the wait was okay, my feet were killing me. I had spent all morning going to Volcano from Hilo on foot, running along highway 11 for fun. Now, it was time to carb back up and relax here at Ken's Pancake House. The service here was typical, good, friendly, and responsive, even though they were busy. Restaurant was clean and they had to wipe the table before I sat down, right in front of me. Thought that was a little no-no, but at least it was clean, but a little wet. Still, can't complain though. I ultimately had the Mauna Kea burger, Saimin, and the famous macadamia nut pie. Yes, definitely hungry and celebrating that 50K jaunt from Hilo to Volcano race. The burger was alright. It was good, but could have been better - like Teddy's Bigger Burgers on Oahu. Still the taste is sufficient. The fries that was served were crispy and hit the spot! The Saimin was pretty epic. Surprisingly, I haven't had Saimin in quite a while. I'm used to buying from Costco and making pasta in bulk. Saimin from a commercial restaurant is distinctly different and my mouth got a taste for it. The macadamia nut pie was pretty tasty. The prices here can be overpriced, but you're in Hilo, so be reminded of that. They take care of you, so the service is much appreciated and quite good. My experience was good and I would recommend coming here for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and late night. Makes me smile for breakfast anytime! Support local! B+

    (4)

  • Evan M.

    Simply the best breakfast on the island. Never been here for anything else. Drove all the way from Kona to get the classic loco moco. Everytime I am on the Big Island, I go to Ken's. Such a special place.

    (5)

  • Hanna M.

    This place is great! The staff is so nice and friendly. I went with my four kids while my husband was at work and while my kids were annoying the crap out of me, the waiters were very accommodating. Kids ate french toast and pancakes without complaint. The coffee was good.

    (4)

  • Kelly M.

    Anywhere else this place would've been a three, but it was decent breakfast for dinner in Hilo. Convenient, a tad overpriced in general but reasonable for a Hawaii meal. Good sense of community, not really a tourist place more local. The food was slightly better than average diner food.

    (4)

  • Denise B.

    Super yummy food, nice staff even when they are SLAMMED. How healthy is it?, You're in Hawaii, forget about it. How much does it cost? What do you expect, you're in Hawaii?

    (4)

  • Yanchen Y.

    First time here with my friend. We had our dinner inKen's.Nice place. Good service. Delicious! Hope to try the pancake next day morning. :) I recommend!

    (5)

  • Diana A.

    I stayed in Hilo for five days and ate breakfast here twice. An elaborate menu featuring great standard diner food and some awesome Hawaiian specialties. Be sure to order one of the amazing varieties of pancakes and ask for the delicious syrups: coconut, guava, and passion fruit. Those syrups were honestly the reason we went back the second time.

    (4)

  • Chelsey A.

    If you're in Hilo, and you haven't eaten at Kens, then you're not doing it right. This place is a staple in Hilo town, and it is the only 24 hour restaurant. Their menu is extremely large and can be overwhelming, but there is something for everyone. I have never been not able to find something to satisfy my cravings at Kens. Only downside is that there is not very much parking outside, so you may be circling the lot a few times during peak hours.

    (4)

  • Troy C.

    Old school diner feel inside. The menu is huge with meals options all over the chart. We stuck to ordering breakfast items while eating here. This isn't a health food joint. Large portions of Diner style food is what they serve. The kokonut pancakes were great with coconut syrup. The "Hombre" omelet plate was killer. Glad to have tried the place. Food and service was great. No reason not to try it again.

    (4)

  • Michael M.

    I read a lot of good about this place so I thought we'd go here on our vacation. Disappointed though. The Good: - Lots of menu choices - Open 24 hours - Good syrups - Keiki meals are big enough for an adult! - Waffles are light, but large. - Lilikoi syrup was awesome with a slight sour taste. The Not So Good: - Tourist décor. It looked like they purposely - Expensive for Denny's style diner - Bathrooms dirty, about like a beach hut - Heavy pancakes to the point of almost inedible - Portuguese sausage left something to be desired. Bottom Line: This is a great place to eat if there is nothing else open. We will not be going back.

    (2)

  • Clay G.

    Outstanding! Eclectic menu, great service and fantastic food. Well worth the time and they're open 24 hours!

    (5)

  • Kalani S.

    It depends who's your server. Ours was a long wait, I had to leave the table and get my own Coffee cups, ketchup and Tabasco. While the other servers were on it. This shows inconsistency of how management managers the server. The food is ok, but having no service makes it taste bad.

    (3)

  • Laurie H.

    Mahi Moco people - it's a thing - look it up on their menu. Came here with 50 of my closest friends twice during Merrie Monarch week and Ken's couldn't have been more gracious in getting us all in together. Yes, it took awhile to order and get our food and our checks, but ya know....aloha people, aloha. I ordered the crabcakes & eggs and got hash browns and pancakes for the first dinner outing - all went down smooth. Drowned the pancakes in all the syrups, natch. Really they were just a conduit for my need for coconut syrup. The second dinner outing went for the Mahi Moco. Have you figured out yet that I don't eat red meat or poultry? Nah? It's true. So when I saw that I could do the best approximation of the classic Loco Moco with Mahi, I jumped at it. I was soooo hungry and it was pretty good! I wonder if they have Tofu Moco...just grill up some firm tofu with your lemon pepper or cajun spices....delicious I bet! No haters - I realize that's not how I'm supposed to enjoy it - but don't shut me out of the party altogether just cuz I don't want the meat! Anywhoo....if you're in the area, everyone should go to Ken's at least once. But probably more than once since the menu is HUGE!

    (4)

  • Mariah S.

    This is my 2nd time this week eating here and it is amazing. My sister got her usual fav the french toast sweet buns. Theyre so good that you dont need syrup for them. I had the 2 fresh eggs with hash browns and toast. The food all tasted amazing and fresh. However when we first sat down we noticed macadamian nuts stuck in our forks. We told our waiter and she replaced them fast but with a little grumpy attitude. Pros: Great service, yummie food, and laid back environment. Cons: Dishes are a little dirty and some taste soapy. Our server was a little intimidating towards my family and I.

    (4)

  • Devin B.

    I love the vibe at this place. Fun, relaxing, and local feel to it. Breakfast is the best here. We went here when staying in Hilo but have also driven here from Kona as well, it's that good! The portions are ample and you don't leave hungry. My favorite thing is the different syrups/sauces they have for your pancakes. My favorite has come to be the coconut sauce. I've never been a huge fan of coconut but it's the perfect flavor and goes great with their fluffy pancakes. Plus, you're in Hawaii you have to do something a little different! Everything in the breakfast is fantastic. Try the different syrups/sauces and you won't be disappointed. A must visit when on this island.

    (5)

  • Hilary B.

    This was our first stop when we visited the Big Island! My boyfriend ordered the corn beed hash loco moco, which was OMG delicious! I ordered macadamia nit pancakes and tried it with the coconut syrup. The corn beef hash loco moco was so delicious, I wish I had ordered that instead. Corn beef was crispy, not too salty, & topped off with an egg made it just perfect. My pancakes on the other hand were alright. I didn't finish it. It was regular pancakes topped with huge chucks of macadamia nut. I tried their coconut syrup, which was good but I wasn't "wow-ed". All in all, staff was very nice and friendly!

    (4)

  • Karlene R.

    Always a good diner staple and probably the only place open 24 hours. Full menu 24 hours/day. Known directional landmark too!

    (4)

  • Ray L.

    Their home made hash corned beef is good and they made it crispy as I requested, along with crispy hash browns and nicely done eggs, pancakes were not as fluffy as my favorite pancake places on Oahu. Came back again for the saimin and noodles were overcooked mushy and starting to stick together. Whoever cooked 'em did not rinse them well with cold water and left them in a colander/strainer stil hot is my guess. Broth was also too salty and I like salt normally too.

    (3)

  • Subrosa I.

    We enjoyed our breakfast at this local diner. The teriyaki beef moco and the tripe stew were filling and tasty. The service was top notch. The price, however, was somewhat high (around $16 per person).

    (4)

  • Thrift Store Mama T.

    Was tickled to get to try a locally owned restaurant on the big island of Hawaii. Good service, tasty waffles and pancakes and some absolutely delicious bacon that was perfectly cooked.

    (4)

  • angela s.

    Service was very bad. I had the ribeye beef sandwich and fried. Horrible sandwich and waitress kept it on bill even though I did not eat it. Fries and ranch was good. Blueberry pancakes the kids loved. Over priced for what I got. My husband got the sump bowl and he loved it and my son did too.

    (2)

  • Steve P.

    Ken's has a cool vibe and many locals seem to frequent it. Which to me is always a good sign. The menu is huge, something for everyone, the prices were reasonable, for Hawaii. The highlight was the pancakes. The cakes were lightly sweet and fluffy. The real star goes to the three sauces that they provide, coconut, guava, and lilikoi. They were unreal and I could not get enough.

    (5)

  • John G.

    Always enjoy (my) breakfast, cheese omelette, pancakes at Kens, parking a challenge sometimes, staff always friendly...

    (4)

  • Eileen S.

    So this place was recommended by a friend who shall remain nameless...Garrett. Lol. Went there for dinner Christmas night and they were busy as heck. Nice people and very at home feel. So first they tried to sit 5 adult Polynesians with 2 kids in a 6 person booth. We couldn't even move so we moved ourselves to an 8 person booth. I ordered the Cheese stick appetizers and the honey chicken dinner and Mac nut pancakes, hubby ordered the sumo loco, and daughter ordered a burger. The best thing of the night was the cheese sticks which says a lot. If you order a dish with "sumo" in the name, they yell out sumo and hit a little gong which was entertaining. - The chicken was oily with a weird aftertaste. -The pancakes were ridiculously dry with no flavor whatsoever. I literally had to drown it in syrup to even swallow a bite. -The cheese sticks were like any other but the marinara sauce I think was homemade with large chunks of bell pepper. -Hubby said the sumo moco was nothing special and that it tasted bland. -Daughter's burger was just a burger. We couldn't see what all the fuss was about but I guess if that's all you know, you don't know that there's better out there.

    (1)

  • George B.

    If there's one place that says "Hilo" it's Ken's. Been here forever, has the same classic look it's always had, extremely friendly staff, Ono food and great place to end up at after a long night at the bar. One of the few places open 24hours in town.

    (5)

  • Hailee H.

    Wow, we loved everything! The service and the food was great! I got the Crab Cake Benedict and now I feel it would be difficult to try other items on the menu. The hostess Charity was so sweet and made sure our waters were full our entire meal. We will definitely be returning!

    (5)

  • Darlene V.

    Just got off the plane and hungry for some good grinds. Ken's House of Pancakes is located super close to Hilo Airport. Cute, old-style diner filled with locals & tourists. We were seated uber fast and given the menu chock filled with tons of yummy selections. We chose the sweet bread french toast with portugese sausage and the Lup Chong omelette with pancakes. Our waitress brought us 5 different syrups and we tried them all; haupia, lilikoi, guava, boysenberry and maple....yummmmmy! The food was good, service was great, we even came back 2 days later & ate again!

    (4)

  • Melody M.

    We ordered sumo saimin, and it tasted awful. The customer service is horrible too! The waitress argued with us twice for the order she took incorrectly.

    (1)

  • anne f.

    This is a good solid diner in Hilo. And the only thing open 24hrs and they serve breakfast all day. I enjoy the eggs benedict and the breakfast burrito. I also like their mile high club. Nothing fancy but good service, great portions and a good price.

    (4)

  • Christine C.

    Had a great breakfast here. Blood sausage with a side of brown rice was delicious! Had to sit at the bar or would have had a 45 minute wait for a table. Good that it is a good/busy place but bad that you have to wait so long when you are really hungry.

    (4)

  • Tamara P.

    Being originally from Hawaii, I was so anxious on our most recent trip to get in all the yummy local dining as I could. A trip to Hilo isn't complete without having breakfast at Ken's House of Pancakes conveniently located on Kamehameha Highway in the heart of Hilo. I couldn't decide on whether to eat a dish with their homemade corned beef hash or some local Portuguese sausage, eggs and rice when I spotted a Kalua Moco on their Island Favorites Loco' style section. A loco moco made with homemade Kalua pork? This I had to try. So I placed my order for the Kalua Moco alongside a cup of their fresh ground coffee and I was good to go. The Kalua Moco must have be a favorite among locals because coincidentally the two local ladies behind us ordered the same thing as well. Always a good sign. The dish came out perfectly as I would have imagined with their Kalua Pork, over-medium egg and delicious brown gravy sitting atop a steaming hot bowl of rice. Definitely "broke-da-mouth" as locals would say.

    (4)

  • Bernard M.

    First table seated at, ants everywhere. Got moved to smaller table. 2 minutes later a roach crawling up my leg. Food was decent. Eat here again. Never.

    (2)

  • Cindy H.

    Amazingly huge menu options. Open always 24/7. Huge omelets with yummy ingrdients. From standards such as Western omelet te to local options. Breakfast served always. Lunch and dinner too.

    (5)

  • Kim P.

    This place was fine, nothing fancy. We got right in. The syrups were good, but I didn't really like the pancakes. I got the eggs Benedict, I thought they were fine, nothing great.

    (3)

  • Dmitry O.

    I was very happy to eat here. Especially when I saw that there were whole wheat pancakes which I am obsessed with. The eggs were delicious. My husband thoughts it was standard and comparable to Denny's

    (4)

  • Stephanie D.

    When you are in Hilo, be sure to stop at Ken's for at least one meal. My kids love coming here for breakfast, due to their wide variety of pancakes, waffles, and other good breakfast stuff. They serve lunch and dinner too. I've never been when it was not crowded, but we still get seated and served quickly. It's all basic diner food with a Hawaiian twist.

    (4)

  • LL C.

    The food here (I think) deserves 5 stars, took off the 1 star because it took forever for the server to come take our orders (and we were starving from a day spent at the volcano when we can in at 9pm). This place is open 24hrs, so for those of you getting into hilo late either after the volcano or mauna kea, this is a great place to drop in. the crowd was interesting to watch, patrons were surprisingly diverse. We ordered the saimin (which tasted MUCH better after you mixed in the mustard they give you on that little side dish) and oxtail (which I though was a soup, but wasnt). Let me tell you about that oxtail, boy am I glad that it wasn't a soup, it was braised, it was moist, it was flavorful, it was fall off the bones, it is probably even edible for folks with no teeth. And it came with a side of mac salad (which I didn't touch) and two scoops of brown rice. I am not a rice eater, its against my religion, but i finished all the rice, because that oxtail soup made it taste SOOOO good.

    (4)

  • marlene s.

    This place was a fave when I lived here a few years ago. Part of the attraction was its being open 24 hours, which is hard to find in Hilo. The menu is almost TOO BIG. As much as I wanted a loco moco, I had the bananas foster french toast instead, which was made with french bread and was delicious! Hubs had mahi mahi and eggs with hashbrowns and (canned) pineapple slices in lieu of pancakes, which he enjoyed. Service was ok, but I don't really expect much in a diner like this.

    (4)

  • Andrea T.

    Has a huge menu, so it takes a while to chose. The servings are big. But I was not a big fan of the food. We did go twice, but that is because there is really no other good choice on the Hilo side of the island.

    (3)

  • Dana S.

    Great food for reasonable prices, friendly service. It's not fine dining but its very good quality. Their bleu cheese and ranch salad dressings and tartar sauce were very good. My son had a bacon cheese burger $8.95, my mom and I had meals off their lighter fare included salad or soup then choice of starch for $7.95. Perfect lunch portions or even dinner for us. She had mahi mahi and I had teriyaki beef both were very well prepared. We also got calamari for appetizer and it was good. Just a caution if you ask for a side of ranch or tartar there is a charge not 25 or 50 cents but $1.58. I didn't mind paying extra because it was soooo good but I didn't realize it was over a $1.00. Also hostess gave us directions to a few places. If we were staying on Hilo side we'd eat here again

    (4)

  • Mina O.

    3 1/2 stars. Had the Mahi stir fry and Huli chicken, which weren't too bad. It is a diner after all. Should have had the pancakes, but, unfortunately, had great pancakes elsewhere for breakfast. Good service and friendly staff. The decor is very kitschy. Lots of pics with The Rock on their wall. :)

    (3)

  • Jackie H.

    Yum! First time eating at Ken's. Love the variety of different kinds of local food. We had the saimin, BBQ kalua pork sandwich and terriyaki chicken/beef combo. Now this isn't really a "local" place as my auntie pointed out as most the people in there were haole but I still enjoyed it. Yes there are other places you can go in Hilo that are better but I really enjoyed the saimen. So much so that we ended up making a second trip there. It kinda reminds me of a diner you'd find on the mainland. It's great to find a variety of options for everyone in your group. My only gripe is that the service left much to be desired, I feel depending on how busy you can have ok service or feel a bit neglected. The BBQ kalua pork sandwich was good, not the best thing ever but still tasty. The terry chicken was really moist which was great and it was marinated well. On our second visit we had saimin again of course as well as the portuguese loco moco and grilled mahi. I was disappointed in the loco moco and mahi. They were edible and what not but again nothing to brag about. I would make a return visit but again there are plenty of other places in Hilo and many have a much more local feel, as you will be able to tell based on the clientele. It is really convenient though being so close to the airport. Parking can be a pain though when busy as they have limited space, but this will ring true for most businesses in Hilo

    (3)

  • Gloria B.

    Decent and reliable diner food with quick and friendly service. In fact, I had to practically hide my glass of water, so it didn't get refilled again. I'm pretty sure I drank my 6 to 8 glasses equivalent in just one sitting. It gets an extra star for being open 24 hours. Looking around, I was pretty sure I was the only non-local, and I was just fine with that.

    (4)

  • Aron N.

    Not very good. First off that cannot be a scottish banger, well not a real one. The fried rice was pasty and the pancake was tough and not fluffy. What happened to this place?

    (2)

  • Keane L.

    Diners are hit or miss. I'm happy to report that Ken's House of Pancakes is spot-on dead-on-the-money. As we used to say as kids in Hawaii, "ho brah, broke da mouf. I cannuh eat mo'." I think I accidentally slipped in Scottish somewhere in there. Service is family friendly, food portions are large, and, unlike many diners, the food is actually delicious and cooked superbly. We ordered the Portuguese sausage omelet with kimchi and the macadamia nut pancakes (which came with lilikoi, guava and coconut syrups). Everything was delicious and the coffee was drinkable. I wasn't a huge fan of any of the syrups, but they complemented the excellently cooked pancakes well as they were not too sweet. Ken's is open 24 hours a day, so there really isn't an excuse not to come here. If you're not in the mood for breakfast food, they also have a huge menu of delicious local favorites.

    (5)

  • Jesse B.

    On my way up North to Waipio Valley, I figured that if I wanted some decent food in preparation for my little roadtrip, Hilo would be the place. Looking at the well-rated restaurant places listed by Yelp, Ken's House of Pancakes was right near by and looked very promising. After all, how often do small town diners fail? Boy am I glad I was right! Ken's House of Pancakes was like stepping back into my childhood where a small town casino offered some of the most consistent food I remember and a very often visited place with my parents when they didn't feel like spending a bundle. The interior is definitely like that throwback, a little 1980's, and the atmosphere too. Visitors be aware: this is a local place, but the ohana atmosphere is inviting and I didn't feel out of place. I got the Bananas Foster french toast along with a side of sausage which hit the spot perfectly! The fluffiness of the french toast was scrumptious and it had just the right amount of syrup and caramelized bananas! At the point where it was clear I wouldn't be needing anything else but not quite finished eating, my waitress dropped off my ticket/bill to the table. Finally, belly full of some the best french toast I've had in a good long while, I wobbled up to the cashier station near the front of the restaurant to pay. So easy, so quick, and so homey; like the locals, I'd come back time and time again too.

    (4)

  • Kristina B.

    I came here for breakfast before hitting the beach and I have to say I was very pleased. I went light and just had peaches and hot tea. The service was fast and I was seated promptly. The staff was extremely nice :) Seems to be a running thing in Hilo. I should have opted for the pancakes because they looked heavenly!!! Can't go wrong with Ken's. Check it out!

    (4)

  • Tara T.

    Meh. Seeing the high ratings here perhaps raised our expectations too high. This was just average, nothing really great about it besides the friendly server we had. Went to Paul's Place the next day and were much happier.

    (3)

  • Brandi S.

    Extremely large menu! Breakfast/lunch/ dinner choices! Everyone loved what they got. Order the sumo loco moco-they ring a bell for you and everyone acknowledges it. Kinda fun! They have healthier substitutions (fruit for bread). Great place for casual dining!

    (4)

  • John W.

    If you want a real breakfast anytime of day, this is the place. Good coffee and huge portions. No way I can eat 3 pancakes especially with the pile of scrambled eggs, hash browns, and sausage. Btw, where the menu says Portuguese sausage, read spam. Great service too. Friendly atmosphere. Definitely will go back everytime I'm in Hilo.

    (5)

  • Desi B.

    I had heard a lot about this place before visiting Hilo. I was excited to try what every one kept saying is a must do when visiting the Big Island. The first night we arrived we ate here because it was late and they are open 24 hrs. We ordered appetizer's, the mozzarella sticks are good and crispy, crab cakes were big and OK but could have used more crab, popcorn chicken was just that and the calamari was ok, but again nothing GREAT. I ordered the roast pork which came with rice and mac salad. The rice was dried out and hard around the edges, the mac salad was warm, and the food itself was barely warm. But the roast pork was really tender. Hubby ordered the sumo grinder and he said it was good, but then again it's just a big burger. We decided to give it a second try the next night because hubby still insisted that they are really great usually. This time we just did the crab cakes and mozzarella sticks for appetizers. Same as the night before. He ordered the sumo dinner this time which he said the rice was hard like the night before and he was not impressed with it either. I decided to try the mushroom gravy burger and fries. Boy was it a disappointment.... The gravy was super lumpy, the mushroom's were from a can (drained and dumped into the gravy). The burger bun was good but the burger itself was smallish and had really no flavor. After two bad experiences in a row we decided we will not be going back.

    (2)

  • Carissa S.

    Cheap, fast, and good food! We had less than an hour to eat before our fight. They were conveniently located near the airport. We came during the lunch rush but was seated immediately. I'm not a pancake person but I ordered some so I could have the coconut, guava, and lilikoi syrup. I still dream about them. Some of these reviews are really harsh. You cant compare a 24 hour diner to gourmet burger joint from LA. It reminded me of the menus of my favorite NYC delis.

    (4)

  • Tracy P.

    Grouper sandwich is good. Wide variety of foods. If you can't find it here, it doesn't exist.

    (5)

  • Wendy A.

    As we looked for places to eat during our vacation, Ken's kept popping up during our drive. I decided to yelp the place and it seemed like a good idea. No regrets. It was great ldiner food with friendly service. I had the Pocho Moco (loco moco but with Portuguese sausage) and my boyfriend had the special which was some sort of curry pot pie. We were feeling extra gluttonous and got an order of he honey stung fried chicken to go. I would say that everything was pretty delicious. Even on a full stomach, we loved the chicken.

    (4)

  • Christy L.

    Been here twice during our short stay in Hilo. Loved the food- it's authentic local staple and has lots of options for different taste. Portion is generous and taste is good. Location is convenient to where we stayed.

    (5)

  • Sonny K.

    The only bastion of food left on a desolate late night or early morning. Its the small ray of hope given to even the most weary of "closing timers" or the most tenacious of early risers. Honestly I don't think ive ever been to Kens sober. I also don't think ive been in Kens before 10pm or After 4 am. There are loads of better places to eat during normal business hours but this is the only place you will eat normal food past 10 up until around 8am. Hilo is a sad sad little town. Atmosphere. Loud, Diner, SUMO DING! (if you order a Sumo Loco or a Sumo Saimin you will get the gong and everyone will yell SUMOI), last stop. Perhaps my view is skewd by the fact that i never bothered to come here during the day. Lets just say the nightlife environment is not appealing enough to desire to return when I fail to reap the joys of alcohol. The food. Its good especially when you are hanging on to consciousness after 15 shots of liquor. I often enjoy the corned beef hash breakfasts or the hydrating saimin. I'm convinced they do not give refills on sodas or ice teas and sometimes water because of the sheer amount of drunks that walk in around bar closing time. None the less, the food is welcoming to even the sloppiest of drunks I don't understand the whole rave with the pancakes. They are pancakes. if you are unable to make pancakes yourself you should go and get a children's cook book and learn. Ken's pancakes are just pancakes. Even the banana ones are easily re-creatable. They also put enough butter on them to clog Apollo Ono's arteries and I don't even bother with the flavored syrups as they taste odd to me. The price. Its rather bad to be completely blunt. Most of the food you can order here can be ordered at Cafe 100 or Freddy's for a fraction of the price. Realistically, if Freddys or Cafe 100 or even Blane's was 24 hours I would never even bother to go to Kens. The only place i think that Kens truly out shines is Ihop as their price is laughably expensive the food not as good and the service appalling. The service. Its usually mediocre. Ive never been completely appalled by the service but it can be slow when its busy and they never refill anything without being told. They put the check down as soon as you get your food in kind of a get the hell out kind of way which is rather un-inviting. I must always come at a shift change because we never have the same waitress through out the night and the one leaving usually indicates as so, implying we should get the hell out so she can still collect tip from our table, or at least, so it seems. The place is rather clean aside from the bathroom which is usually drenched in piss by around 10pm due to drunks that have lost the ability to aim into a toilet. Ive never seen them clean it during those hours as they must throw that notion to the wind. I don't blame them. It would be like trying to find good food in Hilo past midnight.

    (2)

  • Diana C.

    It is not much selection of restaurants in Hilo and this place opens 24h.... But nothing is special... Maybe we went to wrong timing? I was expecting too much? Food was cold, fish was dry and so thin! Chicken felt like it was cooked 2 hours ago. Other people said wonderful things about foods and services... so maybe it was just bad timing but we were disappointed...

    (2)

  • Alex W.

    Local joint with local flavor! Skip the pancakes and get some ono local style breakfast/lunch instead. Mahalo \ m/

    (5)

  • Jon L.

    Ken's House of Pancakes is the 24 hour restaurant in Hilo. The only one in fact. It is a longstanding establishment filled with tradition. Located on Kamehameha Avenue, it is a short distance away from the airport and downtown Hilo. It was very close to the hotel I was staying at, so I decided to visit Ken's for breakfast before I flew back to Oahu. Ken's is located in a strip mall with plenty of parking. It is a little difficult to turn into the place however if you are downtown Hilo bound. It is kind of an abrupt place to turn left into. Inside, it is very much a diner setting. But do not expect anything like Denny's, it is so much better than that. The offerings is really a mix of stuff. Breakfast offerings include omelettes and pancakes. However since this is Hawaii, expect rice to be offered as an accompaniment to your meal. Outside of breakfast, other offerings include sandwiches, burgers and local favorites. Plus several different local pies for desserts. Since the place's title includes the word pancakes, I thought that it made sense to get some. I got the "homemade" corned beef hash ($10.45) which came with two pancakes, rice and your choice of two eggs, any style. I decided to get poached. The interesting part of ordering pancakes is the syrups that they have here. Sure there is the standard pancake syrup, but why go for that when there is coconut, guava and passion fruit syrups to choose from. I doused my pancakes with passion fruit syrup. Delicious. It is not as sweet as regular syrup, but I like the nectar taste on the pancakes. It tastes a little more natural. The corned beef hash was fair. Not the best that I have had and there was only one. But this was fine as the pancakes fill you up. The poached eggs were put into its own cup. First time trying poached eggs and I just did not like it. Eggs in a bowl full of water just does not work for me. I would stick with fried or scrambled. The coffee here is great, which I expect it to be given the locale. Coffee of the Hawaiian Isles variety was strong and a good wake me up for the morning. Nice that they serve the coffee in a pitcher especially for you. Overall, I liked my dining experience at Ken's. It is not top notch food, but it is comforting and you will leave full. Plus it is open 24 hours, so you know it is there when you need it.

    (3)

  • Lesa T.

    Great pancakes, eggs & breakfast burrito. Coffee was smooth and tasty. John-ee was our smiling waitress, we loved her and left a nice tip. You will be happy you stopped by. Was a bit warm even with fans going for this mainlander is the only reason they didn't get 5 stars.

    (4)

  • Sarah E.

    Stopped here for a late Sunday lunch after a day of sightseeing and had a great experience. The place was not full at all and the waitstaff was super friendly! My husband loves diners so he enjoyed their eggs, bacon, hash browns and toast. They provide you with a coffee urn (like ihop), so you always have a refill. I enjoyed the mahi mahi sandwich with a side salad. The sesame bun was quite soggy so I ate the fish without it. Also, the salad was simply lettuce so I would recommend another side like fries. The mahi was broiled with Cajun spices and was delicious. All in all, we weren't expecting to find a diner in Hilo but glad we did!

    (5)

  • Jen S.

    Great coffee. Great Macadamia Nut Pancakes with 3 types of syrup - Ken's KoKonut, Guava, and Passionfruit (something that you'll never find on the mainland) Excellent service. Open 24 hours. Check it out if you're on the Big Island. You won't be disappointed!

    (5)

  • Agustin K.

    Probably the most happening place in Hilo. Open 24 hrs. Friendly service. We stopped in for a quick breakfast before heading out to Mauna Kea. The waitress did not mind that we shared a macademian pancakes (huge so plenty for two). Each table has its own coffee pot and it was quite good!! A must stop if you are in Hilo.

    (4)

  • Kahuku F.

    I love Ken's. It's one of those dinner that you can get breakfast or comfort food anytime of day. Sure it's not the healthiest food to eat, but it's so very yummy. Always hopping, and the food is always hot and 'ono. It's a Hilo landmark. The waitress are always friendly even when they are slammed.

    (5)

  • Julian J.

    I ordered a Sumo Min and a large juice, Sumo Min is double the size of the regular noddle soup, a little salty though, the guava juice is so small even I ordered a large one.

    (3)

  • Lauretta L.

    Pancakes are nothing special, you can easily duplicate them at home. The syrups smelled good (I didn't try them) and they're made in house which is a plus. We got the Snow Crab Omelet w/ hash browns and the Smoked Chicken. Omelet was really fluffy and took up 1/2 the plate. The Smoked Chicken comes with 2 leg quarters which is tonnns of food. It's really really good, even if you take off the skin :) I got it with the brown rice and pineapple...the rice had a bunch of semi cooked kernels and the pineapple was canned...but wtvz the chicken made up for it. Pretty quick service despite the crowd.

    (4)

  • Jen R.

    Very good food. I liked that their wait staff were dressed in clothes that sort of reminded me of Hawaii in 80's photos. Prices were fair, too.

    (5)

  • Eric Robert R.

    Wow déjà vu. Same 'ol, same 'ol! Awesome! Ken's is definitely the best pancakes on the Big Island, if not all of the state of Hawaii. This time... I had the mega-million-calorie "Loco Moco" (gravy all ovah)... hella good, but toss me a few rolaids! Always friendly "local-style" service and you feel at home for both locals and tourists. Parking can be a pain during busy hours, but it's worth the wait. Relax you're in sleepy Hilo! I remember this place since I was a little Keiki! Still "da" same! Awesomeness! The cashier said the owner is related to "The Rock"... why they have so much autographed pics of Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson... True? Idk, could be local tale... then again, everyone is "uncle" and "aunty" on the Big Island ;)

    (4)

  • Albert C.

    This is a nice local place. We ordered the sumo moco in beef and in spam. It was okay. The pancakes with different types of syrups were good. The turkey noodle soup was pretty good.

    (3)

  • Scott M.

    Breaded Mahi Mahi and Teriyaki beef were excellent.

    (5)

  • Matthew M.

    This was the first place I went when i arrived in Hawaii last week. I had a bbq pig sandwich (yeah, its called bbq pig), and it hit the spot. I went with the salad instead of the fries after i saw the portion sizes being served to other people. Not because I dont like fries or big portions...but because i didnt want to start off my vacation with feelings of pure self hatred after eating a mountain of fries (the self loathing came later in the trip). Ken's is basically a diner with a REALLY huge menu. Like, ridiculously huge. SO huge its overwhelming...but as with all diners there are some things you can choose where you cant go wrong (omelettes, sandwiches, pancakes, waffles, burgers, etc). I think the real reason this place gets 4 stars is because of the fact that its actually open past 8pm. Its like one of the few 24 hour spots on big island. If it wasnt for that, this would be a 2.5 to 3 star spot (in NYC this would be a 2 to 3 star for sure). But hey, its Hawaii. Just eat and say mahalo and be glad you didnt go to bed hungry after 8pm.

    (4)

  • Sarah P.

    I've been here 3 times and guess my review isn't completely fair considering I've only ordered the Hobo for breakfast. But in my defense- it was that damn good. Diced ham, onions and potatoes, 2 eggs topped with hollandaise sauce. Served with buttermilk pancakes or toast and either rice or hash browns. And open 24 hours? You can't go wrong. Especially when you're broke like me and have to take the cheapest flight that just so happens to get into Hilo ridiculously late. I love breakfast and I love this place. The price is good too. If I'm ever in Hilo again I will undoubtedly make a stop here. I might not venture off the menu but I can guarantee a very happy stomach and a very happy me.

    (5)

  • Ro V.

    Had the Da Bradah, my eyes were bigger than my stomach. Couldn't finish the omelet with a side order of fried rice and a hashbrown. The wait wasn't long and the dish was on the table before I can enjoy my coffee. Wonder how did they cook that mountainous omelet so fast!

    (5)

  • Tom C.

    We flew into Hilo very early in the morning hungry and were we ever glad we found this place. Much more than just a pancake house, it has an extensive menu of local favorites that we sampled One standout was the oxtail stew - delicious. Very glad we found this place and if we're ever back in Hilo we'll be back.

    (5)

  • Cj M.

    The is always average and above every time my family goes there. The food always tastes great. The atmosphere is always energetic. Ken's House of Pancakes is definitely one of Hilo's landmarks.

    (5)

  • Ashley C.

    Ate here twice for breakfast. Typical diner food. Decent prices. Fried rice wasnt very good.

    (3)

  • Jennifer S.

    During my visit to the Big Island this past weekend, my bf and I drove 2 hrs out of our way to come eat here. Afterall, it had been ranked high on yelp and was referred to us from the Enterprise-rent-a-car lady. Boy, Oh boy, was I disappointed. Not only was I starving by the time we got here, but the food..the food made me so SAD! We ordered: Mac-Nut Pancakes -- The macnuts were mostly on top of the pancakes. Hardly anything to really speak of actually in the pancake..and they were dense. Not the happy, fluffy kind that I enjoy so much. Corned Beef Hash (side) - This little TEENY TINY SIDE was about the size of my balled up fist..which is precisely what I did when I saw that this side cost $4.15! It was good..but totally not worth the money or the drive. Corned beef Loco Moco -- my bf had this. He said it wasn't bad..and I think this was probably the only thing here worth eating. and as for the syrups: Coconut - SUPER THICK, i had to shake with all my might to get globs of it out.. Guava - This was not bad..sweet, but not too sweet..and actually tasted like guava. Passion Fruit - This tasted like peaches..like a watery peachy jam if you will. They bring you all three (typically) so you can try a little of everything. Top it off: The waitress was very short with us. demanded our order and brought us the food w/ the bill. Wow..could we be rushed any more?? My hungry tummy became a grumpy tummy when we left. Sad times.

    (2)

  • Chris R.

    I do miss their ox tail stew. But the service could be better. I love the fact that they are 24 hours. Went there at 6am and only 2 other tables were occupied. The waitress told me they don't do refils on sodas. Hmm, is that why all the wait staff were behind the counter chatting and taking pictures of each other. Got saimin and the noodle was bad. It was sticky and slimy.

    (3)

  • Brooke J.

    A long time ago, when animals could talk, they told me in culinary school to avoid long menus. It's hard to make a gazillion dishes properly. That said, these guys do :D I had the pleasure of dining at Ken's multiple times while I was in Hilo. If you have a layover, with the diner literally right across the street from the airport, you can't go wrong. The first time at Ken's I had a loco moco. My friend had barbecue ribs. My other friend had pancakes. Despite these being 3 totally different selections with different cooking times, our order came out simultaneously AND all at the proper temperature. They were also all good. The pancakes were delicious. My loco was just the right kind of runny. The barbecue was a savoury delight. The pineapple upside down cake is very sweet. You know you're being incredibly indulgent eating it. You finish your plate anyway. The pineapple is as fresh as you'd want it to be on the islands. My only regret was not getting a Hawai'ian plate. I suspect these are awesome. Everything I saw waiters and waitresses bring out to other tables looked and smelled spot on. In true diner fashion, these guys are open 24/7. They can get very busy, but it never feels like they forgot about you. The service does not pressure you to leave once you're done ordering. Feel the aloha!

    (5)

  • Cynthia M.

    My family and I went to Ken's as we were headed back home to L.A.. My husband and I had the Mahi Mahi, grilled and seasoned, it was very good. Loved the white rice, cooked so it was not too sticky. My daughter had the hamburger, cooked medium well and it was done right. Large burger with all the fixins. She loved it. My other daughter tried the chicken soup with clear noodles, she said it was delish. For dessert we tried the pineapple upside down cake with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, wow! This was tasty and moist. Husband had sugar free apple/blueberry pie that he really enjoyed. When we come back to Hilo, will definitely visit again!

    (4)

  • Wayne S.

    For some reason I just LOVE this place. I am a breakfast fan so having said that YUM!! Locals and family that live in Hilo all chuckle at me because I love this place.

    (4)

  • uilani c.

    Early flight out of Hilo and we needed to eat. Ken's is 24 hours so we rolled in and ordered ourselves some breakfast. The eggs were dripping with grease but were cooked the way we requested; the non-meat sausage was pleasantly tasty, and our starch substitute (two slices tomato topped with cottage cheese) was a winner! While Ken's remains an establishment that I'd visit only at odd hours while heading to the airport I have to admit that their healthy substitute option is sound. Kudos to Ken's for making the effort!

    (2)

  • Garrett Q.

    After waiting 15-20 minutes for service and not getting any, we left out of frustration. Disappointing as we went out of our way to visit "Kens House of Pancakes". Here's a tip, treat every customer

    (1)

  • Amy L.

    I really wanted to love this place. The menu is huge and they do have some nice items, but the service is completely lacking. I have only been for breakfast and mainly on the weekends. I am fine with waiting for a table and for the food if the rest of the experience is worth it. The waitresses are not too friendly, they tell you to order a large drink because they do not do refills. Lol. And one visit I had the banana pancakes and they were delicious! So much so, that I wanted to go back again just for those. Well the next time I asked for them, but was served regular pancakes. Well the waitress put our checks on the table when she served our food. She said to let her know if we needed anything but then she disappeared. So eventually I gave in and consumed the regular and plain pancakes which is not what I was looking forward to...but I was with others and tired of waiting. The last time we ordered the banana pancakes AGAIN and this time they were burnt. We were surprised that they brought them to our table. We ate what we could and decided there are other places in Hilo that definitely beat their service, consistently have better food and a much quieter environment.

    (2)

  • Leana L.

    I had this on my list of possible places to eat while in the town of Hilo and since we kind of just ran into this place while driving around town, we decided to grab some lunch/snack here before heading to our zip line adventure. Inside, it feels like an old coffee shop, where the waitresses have been around forever, but they still enjoy their jobs. We were quickly taken to a booth by a very perky, yet warm and friendly waitress in a hawaiian print dress (reminiscent of a moomoo). Looking through their extensive menu (soooo many choices!), my sister and I decided on one of their keiki combos: two pancakes, three strips of bacon, and one egg. My mom got the bluberry coconut muffin. Our order arrived in no time and the bacon and eggs were done perfectly. The pancakes, although we asked for mac nuts to be in the batter, didn't contain any (I think my sister found ONE mac nut in her pancakes). However, on top, they sprinkled a handful of mac nut pieces. The fruity syrups, guava, passionfruit, and coconut were nice and sweet (my favorite being the guava). Aside from the syrups, there's nothing really special about this place. Maybe if I had gotten the loco moco or something or another uniquely hawaiian favorite, I would rate this place higher, but based on my experience, the food is just okay. My mom's muffin, although she said it was good, looked quite crumbly. Overall, this is a cute coffee shop with great waitresses, but the food is pretty average -- good but nothing exceptional.

    (3)

  • jen r.

    O-M-G kens i loved you!! the menu is basically just like dennys, diner style food, breakfast/ lunch/ dinner. i had breakfast there and it was divine! our server was so sweet, i think her name was rene. she was really helpful explaining dishes and giving suggesstions on things to do in the area. i cannot remember the name of the egg dishes we had but they were really good.. one with hollandaise sauce but not eggs benedict and another with ham and cheese scramble. the macadamia, coconut, and banana pancakes were all 3 delicious!! macadamia being my favorite!! i was a little sad there wasnt chocolate chip pancakes and think it would be a great addition to the menu. the syrups were also delicious. im not a fan of fruity syrups but my friends raved about them. i did love the coconut syrup!!

    (4)

  • Howard M.

    KHOP is what we call it. Couple of things. Would love to give 5 stars but come on, upgrade those bathrooms. I guess being open 24/7 makes it difficult to renovate but I'm sure they could swing it somehow. As for the food, they are doing all the right stuff! Fast service, super staff (very professional), unbelievable selection. Like all the syrup selections, but being a purist, gotta have my 100% maple syrup so I pack my own! Suggest they offer 100% maple - I would cheerfully pay extra so I wouldn't have to schlep my own. Yeah, the parking is an issue but you just gotta circle like a shark until you find someone pulling out, and then fill that spot!

    (4)

  • Margaret R.

    Hodgepodge of food. So many different types of cuisines - Asian, Mexican, American, Hawaiian...prob some more that I can't remember. It was a bit overwhelming. The menu was funny because each dish was described as "delicious!", "superb," "omg! I can't believe how good this is." We got the mahi sandwich and the tripe stew. The sandwich was good and the mahi tasted fresh. The tripe stew tasted homely. However, I wished I could have eaten it during a cold winter day.

    (4)

  • C. K.

    I like my pancakes served on the wings of a Hawaiian airlines jet. Sometimes if you're lucky you will get the thrill of a plane roaring directly overhead Ken's. A classic with how many syrups to choose from? Recommend for anyone visiting or even for a casual business meeting. Seating is tight, so it's not the best place for toddlers or little kids who don't sit still. Reliable and 24 hours.

    (3)

  • Kamuela A.

    "Not the Ken's I grew up eating and patronizing over 20 years.....Service has gone way down hill. Food quality now gross, ordered the Won Ton Mein, Kalua Cabbage, and Hawaiian Steak. Food not hot, Noodles clumped up, and Kalua had no taste. Service bad, slow, and not once did waitress come with refill on water after asking twice. Also, she did not return to ask if everything was ok. Well It was not. Visitor's to our wonderful hidden paradise, STAY Away from this establishment and spend your money elsewhere!!!!"

    (1)

  • A G.

    We had the Mahi Mahi platter and Teri Burger for lunch. Tasted above average for a diner. Portions were okay and the atmosphere was warm.

    (3)

  • Jim D.

    Try the corned beef hash loco...it's amazing!

    (4)

  • Jade T.

    OMG! The Mushroom Gravy Burger is so GOOD!!! Their Pancake's with Coconut Syrup are so Soft and will melt in your mouth! mmmmmmmm!!!! Comfort Food!!!

    (5)

  • Tom F.

    I didn't really understand the excitement about this place. We heard about this prior to our trip to Hawaii and tried them for lunch. Giving them a 3 is very giving because it was not clean, the tables were greasy, the seating and building old, and the food was not great. I had the ribs which were thin and chewy. I am only giving a 3 because maybe their breakfast foods are better as the name would suggest. I would recommend trying that if you insist on going here but wouldn't recommend it. The staff was ok but not super friendly\, although not rude either. There also was no air conditioning and no air circulating through either. Too hot!

    (3)

  • Gianna R.

    We came here after I got off the plane I was looking forward to checking this place out since I saw the good reviews.. The place was a typical diner style restaurant with a nice big menu friendly staff and very fast service even though the place was totally packed... The portions are HUGE I ordered the Eggs Bene it was very good then gave the Bf my huge portion of home fries and pancakes that came with my order it was just so much food but he managed to eat mine and his loco moco which he loved... To me the food is avg compared to some more smaller local style places id say its about 3 1/2 star's on the food quality but rounded up to a 4star..

    (4)

  • Daniel D.

    Great place for breakfast and service was excellent. Nothing like real eggs and bacon. Their pancakes are fluffy and homemade not like the others who use bisquick for their pancake mix.

    (4)

  • Sara J.

    It's famous, you should go there, they have many options you will like one of them.

    (5)

  • Steve R.

    Awesome b'fast! We started with mixed reviews and emotions on this place. We heard from the local rental car guy that this place has the best b'fast in Hilo. But then after reading the poor review it got in the Big Island Revealed guide book, we decided against it. We uncharacteristically caved to our 12-year old daughter's incessant whining for pancakes and decided to hold our nose and go there. Glad we did! I'm a sucker for bananas foster and when I saw bananas foster french toast on the menu, I knew I was in the right place. They make it not from ordinary bread, but from Hawaiian sweet bread... WOW! I came back two more days just for that dish. I also had a side of Portuguese sausage and again, WOW. Really, really good. Not too greasy with great flavor. My wife had the corned beef hash b'fast plate. Awesome hash. They used tender brisket and well seasoned potatoes. All three of us were gorging on the stuff at the same time. The second visit, she ordered the tripe stew (personally?... YUK) which she disliked, and third time she had the bananas foster french toast which she absolutely loved. The coffee was good, the service sort-of-good, and the ambiance was kinda like a local hometown Denny's. The place was hopping busy every time we went and for good reason. Again, really good b'fast. And not touristy expensive. Too bad they don't have one on the Kona side. A side note: As much as we trust the Hawaii Big Island Revealed book (and for that matter, the Maui Revealed book as well), they sorely missed the mark on their review of this place. I guess in a way that's good. The locals love the place as do I.

    (5)

  • Super L.

    We came here on a Saturday night at around 9pm. My boyfriend had a salad and grilled cheese, I had the prime rib and eggs with hash browns. Nothing was good. My hash browns were frozen. The coffee, both regular and decaf, was like water. My boyfriend said he felt sick afterwards. Service was very quick and efficient, however, and the atmosphere was nice for people watching on a Saturday night.

    (2)

  • Bern R.

    If you are from the mainland, the closest equivalent to Denny's is Ken's. Oh yes! If you are intoxicated and looking for something greasy and most importantly trying to find a place that is not your home at 3 o'clock in the morning, this is it. I'll keep this short: order the fries, don't try and attempt 12 plates of tacos like I did twice, and expect the parking lot to be crowded on the weekends.

    (3)

  • Joyce C.

    We went to this place because of its high ratings but were very disappointed. 1. The coffee was simply flavored water. Cost $2.50 a cup. We had to do a Starbucks run to get some real coffee afterwards. 2. The banana pancakes contained suspicious brown matter that was not banana. 3. Asian noodles were straight out of a package. 4. Curry chicken salad was small and light on the curry chicken.

    (1)

  • Flinders T.

    Unfortunately I didn't really like this place much. Kinda low quality food. But it is a diner, and they have a huge menu. The wait staff are very friendly and attentive. I give them 5 stars!

    (2)

  • danielle l.

    SUMOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Ken's is always one of the default places we frequent when visiting the fambam on the big i. I have a picture of me when I was about 5 sitting in their waiting area. This past trip I got to take a picture of my daughter sitting in the same spot. Just stuff like that makes you love a place even more. Pancakes, YUM. Just writing this review makes me want saimin. I love their extensive menu, you can pretty much find ANYTHING to eat on there. One thing, but I am extremely biased on this (i'm from southern california) but what in the world is a hamburger taco? Ground beef? or like hamburger on a tortilla? I wont ever find out. But you let me know what a hamburger taco is lol... No wait.. I think now I want a loco moco. Well no matter what you want, they getum.

    (5)

  • Jacque G.

    I used to go here in my college days and it was the bomb! I guess after 15 years, it's hard to find consistency.....I've gone 3x since I've been back for vacation in hopes to find what it used to be. After the 3rd time, I'd rather go to cafe 100. I ordered the omelet and it was just flat and boring. Before, it used to be so fluffy that it melted in your mouth. The pancakes are like anywhere else, nothing special and these are what supposedly is their specialty.

    (1)

  • Heather A.

    They do very well on the homemade hash Benedict and the pancakes. Stay clear of taco Tuesday and turkey dinner. You can't be good at everything.

    (4)

  • Dan R.

    We like the food at this place, and we believe the service is what you would expect at a 24hr dinner - it sucks. But they have an extensive menu and the food is pretty yumi. We stopped here on our way to Kona and now we are back while spending the night at a nearby hotel until the time to go to the airport. During my first visit I had the wonton soup ( get the mini version, the large one is definitely for sharing) and a salad with tuna for my second visit. It's an ok place and you don't have any other option available after 11pm, so suck it up!

    (4)

  • Jen G.

    Our family enjoyed a wonderful breakfast to celebrate our first morning in Hilo. Several locals recommended Ken's and it was only short walk from Hilo Seaside. Our waitress was very welcoming and happy to share recommendations. Our favorite was the plain waffle, guava syrup, and coconut syrup.

    (5)

  • Michele S.

    I first heard about this place two years ago from a bus driver, and I made a mental note to find this place when I come back and wanted to see the Sumo Style Loco Moco :-) After my Zip-Line experience, I was starving and knew this place would be perfect for today. The menu has amazing selection and just no idea where to start. I avoided the typical diner choice - pancake, Egg Benedict, scramble..etc, and went with the loco moco - 2 scoops or rice, pork, gravy and two over-easy eggs..etc, and it tasted so homemade! Love the mixture of pork, gravy and that egg yolk. The service is Hawaiian style also -- slow, so don't feel frustrated if you want fast service. I am on Big Island for vacation, and I am in no rush :-)

    (4)

  • Magda G.

    I am not sure what is so special about this place, staff is super friendly but the food is like from IHOP.

    (2)

  • Jim I.

    If you're looking for breakfast, this is it - Breakfast mecca, Hilo style. If you're looking for lunch, dinner, desserts - Ken's is hit or miss. The pancakes, french toast, omelets, and waffles are awesome and the syrups are varied and tasty. I particularly like the lilikoi mixed with maple. However, the vegetarian BLT was kind of nasty - the weird "bacony" like substance was expected but the (gasp!) canned guacamole. Really? In Hawaii? Canned guac? If you like real cheese don't order the grilled cheese sandwich - it's American cheese. Their mahi mahi sandwich (cajun style) is very good though. The mac nut pie was edible but I wouldn't order it again. The coffee is just okay but you get plenty of it. The service is always friendly and fast. There is ample parking and it has restrooms - something that is not always guaranteed in Hilo. The ambiance is 50s diner which is appropriate and the restaurant itself is clean. Bottom line: Order breakfast and you can't lose. Insider Tip: Although, it's not on the menu, they do offer buckwheat pancakes as well.

    (4)

  • Ali A.

    This place was cool :) seemed very relaxed of an environment and a hot spot for locals. I saw it on tv about a week before I left for the island & wanted to check it out :) good stuff just perhaps a few bucks too pricey

    (4)

  • Scott K.

    There was only one place I remembered of Hilo from when I was young.... It was Ken's House of Pancakes. I was pretty excited to come back here years later, only to quickly be dissapointed. The pancakes here are not very good. There should be an official restaurant rule that if you have the name "pancakes" in your name, you should be obilgated to serve good pancakes. Sorry for this bad review, but maybe it was just a bad day for the pancake maker.

    (2)

  • Emm J.

    When I went to Hilo this past weekend, I just had to come back to this place. I remember coming here a few years ago and thought it was really good. The staff were really friendly and the portion of the food was huge. My friend and I shared a plain waffle and lunching omelet with hashbrow. Good thing we shared because the servings was good enough for you. This could never compare to the places in Oahu.

    (3)

  • Alina K.

    We went there for breakfast and had the banana as well as chocolate coconut pancakes. They were great and the portion was more than enough for us. The homemade sirups (coconut, guave and passion) are delicious. Coffee was avarage and the waitress was a little grumpy.

    (4)

  • R B.

    Found this place after a particularly trying day on vacation. I had the bacon and cheese omelet but substituted veggie bacon and it was great!!! They use Morningstar Farms and the eggs were as fluffy and tasty as the menu promised. And the menu!! It's 10pm on a Sunday and this place is filled with locals. Would highly recommend to anyone. ;)

    (5)

  • Jewelyn T.

    I'm a born and raised Hilo girl with 22 years of "Living in Hilo" experience... and I remember coming to Ken's alot during my high school years. It's pretty much the only place in Hilo that's open 24 hours with breakfast, lunch or dinner anytime of the day. I always order the port. sauage egg omelette and hash... in the breakfast section. I also like their mushroom burger. I went back to Hilo in 2008 before I moved to Los Angeles to visit my family and had dinner here one night with an old friend... ordered the same thing... things never changed... looks the same and even the same workers are there. I use to order food from here to-go late in the middle of the night... Kind of felt weird going back "older in my twenties" and sitting on the same tables I did in my younger years. The place felt small and it felt like I was set back in time. Ahhh the memories. I remember bringing my Oahu dance troupe here for dinner one night back in 2007 when we did a performance in Hilo... I made sure they had their share of Ken's and they all loved it. I even told my Oahu coworker to try Ken's in 2008 and he loved it too. This place is always pack... esp. during Merrie Monarch week... since it's the only place open that time of night. High schoolers come here, familys come here and the tourist come here... prices is reasonable. Try the Aunty Lana's special... it's huge! Oh... if you dine in... you're probably gonna here "Sumo!" with a ring of a bell... that's their little celebration of someone ordering the sumo! The customer service here is good... those ladies got it on lock. Place is a little run down, but it's been around for a while... and their bathrooms is not the best, but it's doable. Parking sucks! It's super small, but I always seem to score a parking if the timing is right. For all you tourist... it's a must to eat atleast one meal here if you're in Hilo... and it's right by the airport... *local direction... If you turn right when you get out of the Hilo airport, it'll be on the left hand side at the stop light intersection, you can't miss it! 4 stars for being open 24 hours with lots of variety and for all those late night sessions when I was hungry and didn't want to cook! When I come back to Hilo for summer next month, this won't be on my "Things to do list" nothing makes me want to go back.... I guess I've been there and done it.

    (4)

  • Harley D.

    I've only been here for breakfast and once very-late-night for fries. The breakfast is really good! It's so fun getting the little tray of syrups. I think I've tried the banana pancakes, the macnut pancakes, and another type of pancakes. Good every time. They have coconut, lilikoi and guava syrup - ALL DELICIOUS! I've tried pieces of other's non-carb breakfasts and they were always good, too. Unfortunately, the line is always crayyyyyzyyyy to get in there. The wait is usually about 15 minutes. Okay, not that long, but longer than anywhere else in Hilo. Overall, Ken's is a safe bet if you want a good breakfast in the little town of Hilo!

    (4)

  • Walter L.

    I came in for a quick lunck during my visit from Nevada as part of a National Guard Traing Exercise. I ate my lunch in uniform. I had the Stir Fried Noodles with Chicken and Spam. Outstanding. Then to make the meal even more special. A couple of local ladies noticed me having lunch in uniform and picked up the bill secretly. I hope they read this post, thank you ladies so much. =)

    (5)

  • Brandon B.

    Great simple diner experience, especially for travelers coming into Hilo airport after a long flight. The food is good, not mind blowing, but it's a diner so that's hopefully what you'd expect. Food is served quickly, and the portions are big. What almost made me give Ken's 5 stars is the service: excellent. We were in twice during our stay on the big island, and everyone seemed very happy to serve. I'm terrible with remembering names, and that's a shame in this case because our waitress the second time was outstanding and deserves recognition. But that's ok, she'll be easy to spot if you're ever at Ken's. She'll be the one with the biggest brightest smile in the place, rushing around taking orders and serving food with a speed and proficiency that only comes with years (I believe her nametag mentioned 18 years of service) in the game. I watched her flutter around behind the counter, her cheery voice making what would normally sound like terse commands to the cooks in the back come out as happy little requests. We asked for some burgers to go so we could take them to Volcanoes National Park. She individually wrapped and labeled all of our food, separating out the wet ingredients and veggies so it would keep longer. Then she put it all in a big box for us. This woman gets 5 Stars, and she also got the biggest tip I've ever given anyone. I love to see someone loving their job and doing it well.

    (4)

  • Mare O.

    Went here on a rainy Monday night for dinner and it wasn't too crowded. Still, the service was slow. Our waitress seemed frazzled, always running around breathless and it was hard for us to flag her down. The food was so-so, the corned beef hash was dry and really expensive ordered as a side (don't do it - not worth it even though the menu says it's the best). I didn't like the tuna in my mac salad. The loco moco needed more salt. Maybe we should have stuck to coming here for breakfast instead but we didn't want to go back the next day for pancakes even though we planned to.

    (2)

  • Shannon N.

    They're getting the third star from me because they had passionfruit syrup in addition to coconut syrup. Banana pancakes were okay, but not the awesome banana pancake perfection I've had elsewhere on the islands. Corned beef hash was a letdown. Huge menu though, so you're bound to find something you'd like. Husband had a great chicken dish that he really enjoyed.

    (3)

  • Nikki H.

    There is no better bang-for-your-buck in Hilo than Ken's. The portion sizes are HUGE, and the selection is wide. They have a good blend of typical breakfast food and local favorites scattered in their extensive menu. Service is always friendly and fairly fast. There's not too much parking so it can be hard to find a spot during peak hours. Also, a huge plus is that it is one of the only places open 24 hours, so you can satisfy your cravings anytime.

    (4)

  • Todd C.

    You must stop here every time you fly in or out. Ono grindz! Delicious loco mocos. Great pancakes. Tourist or not, you must stop by Ken's. Perfect location and great food that fills you up!

    (4)

  • Jenn S.

    A classic diner which is apparently hard to find on these islands. Went there twice later at night and the place was still busy. So many options and we had a variety of items. Tropical syrups were definitely a draw and both breakfast and "normal" dining options were great. Can vouch for the french toast, scrambled eggs, and veggie breakfast burrito. Pancakes were not the best we've had but certainly not bad. Attentive service and flashy specials.

    (4)

  • Toshi I.

    This diner is a throwback to the 60s with jukebox music to match. The servers were friendly, the food is good and filling and the overall experience is fun. I would definitely come back. (Incidentally, this place is owned by a relative of "The Rock" Dwayne Johnson.)

    (4)

  • Kyle O.

    Good old Hawaiian diner, little run down but the food comes in with flying colors! In both portion size and quality. This was the first time I had the loco moco, but I would order it again in a heartbeat. Straight up classic Hawaiian dish and delicious gravy served with it. Loved the homemade syrup ( if you can call it that). The pancakes are bomb by themselves. The staff is super polite too! Loved this place! Thanks ken !

    (4)

  • Qiao H.

    Highly recommend this place for tourists especially on national holidays cuz it opens 24/7, even on Christmas! Tried the oxtail stew, chilli and noodle. The Coconut shake should be a good choice for the hot weather. The oxtail is well tender and tasty. Staffs and place are similar to IHOP.

    (4)

  • Ariel C.

    This review is for just the Taco Tuesday event from 3pm-8pm. Adult price was $11.95 kids $8.96. I had a Corey. Took a bit for my taco to be replaced after I inhaled the first round. When I ordered my second round I was told that asking for no tomato is not allowed as we are altering the food. To me I don't wanna waste food so this will save them money. When the second round comes it comes 2 by 2. You must flag them down each time for your next round and will get more full wait... It was not extremely busy so I don't know what the issue is. Other than that it wasn't terrible. Just today service was not up to par. The meat was a bit salty and took a while to get my bill.

    (2)

  • Kraziechic A.

    Service was great but the food is over rated! I wasn't knocked off my feet...maybe I ordered the wrong item? Ate breakfast but just wasn't as good as the hype.

    (1)

  • Kim O.

    HUGE portions, fluffy pancakes, one omelette could easily feed two. Waitresses were prompt, friendly and seasoned pros. Reasonably priced too. I highly recommend the coconut pancakes.

    (4)

  • Richard H.

    When you are stopping through Hilo, have breakfast at Ken's House of Pancakes. They have an extensive menu from eggs Benedict, to loco moco. The place is almost always busy, and attracts locals and tourist alike. The pancakes come with wide assortment of syrups, why would anyone go to IHOP? The lunch and dinner menu also covers everything under the sun, better selection than Zippy's, but local comfort food at it's finest. I don't recommend eating here for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. This is the place for breakfast or a late night snack at 2:00 am in the morning.

    (4)

  • Jessica S.

    If I were going to leave Oahu just before 6:00 in the morning to travel to the Big Island to land after 7:00 and be hungry and cranky because it's so early and my tummy was hungry, this is the type of place I'd want to go to as soon as I got off the plane. So we did. And others from our plane did, too. The banana pancakes were quite tasty and quite perfect. With a delicious side of bacon. And lots of coffee. Ken's was a great first meal to get us going on all our adventures.

    (4)

  • River S.

    A total greasy spoon with your typical and not so typical diner fare. The menu is huge!!! There must be at least 100 different menu items. It's a diner so don't expect a 5-star joint. Food is served quickly and the service is decent. Also, since it's 24/7, it's one of the few places that's open late at night in Hilo.

    (3)

  • T L.

    Spectacular, kitschtastic 1960's true Hilo-peeps Hawaiiana diner with excellent food! Well fried, Ken! Super friendly service, enormous menu and portions of delicious diner food. Manpanion and I enjoyed breakfast for dinner, sharing a gargantuan 3 egg super-fluffy omelette stuffed with melty cheese and giant hunks of ham, which comes with a crispy slab of well-fried hash browns and 2 super-fluffy, light pancakes, which I slathered with ridiculously delicious lillikoi and coconut syrup, along with a malted waffle (again, super light and fluffy) sprinkled in macademia nuts. It was all delicious and the decor and diner is so fantasticly genuinely retro, not trying to be, I was ready to move in. I want to go here on my birthday. I love everything about. Open on Sunday and 24 hours. And the waitstaff wears fantastic aloha outfits. Oh, and there are autographed photos of Ken-Loving celebs on the wall, like The Rock. LOVE this place.

    (5)

  • Randy L.

    How do you find 5 stars from a 24 hr cafe? Put it next to an ocean harbor and do almost nothing like an IHOP. Amazing fish specials and dessert. Wow! Rita's lemon coconut pie. Enough!!

    (5)

  • Amie E.

    We ate here a few times during our stay in Hilo. Always packed, HUGE portions, amazing omelettes and friendly service. Would definitely go here again on a return trip!

    (5)

  • Charlene C.

    4.5 Stars Ken's has a very rustic feel to it... like an old school diner atmosphere. You can tell it's one of those places that people flock to. I have no complaints on my end by I had to take off half a star due to them not accommodating to my husband. He wanted to get a Loco Moco but wanted to substitute the rice with something else (even if we had to pay extra). He tried to ask her a few times for different options he could do, but our server would just cut him off and tell him that they couldn't do that. So he changed his order and got a salad instead. I couldn't decide between the macadamia nut and banana pancakes so I had them put BOTH in my pancakes! They give you 3 huge pancakes, which I had a hard time finishing. They also have 3 different kinds of syrup for use (coconut, passion fruit & mango Overall, awesome place to stop for a hardy breakfast! Recommended!

    (4)

  • Tim M.

    The food taste really good but that is it way over priced portion are really small service is not good keep looking there is better out there.

    (2)

  • Richard G.

    My family and I visited Hilo while on our vacation to the Big Island. We had read reviews about Ken's House of Pancakes and since we are up for pancakes with a side of pancakes deciced to try it for dinner our first night. We were not disappointed. The server was VERY attentive to us, the food was delicious and the prices more than fair. We ended up eating there two nights in a row and since they are open 24 hours we didn't have to rush from one activity to another just to get food. The style is very 1960ish but clean and friendly environment.

    (5)

  • Vivian A.

    Stopped here on the way to visit the Volcano. We arrived around 3pm and were happy the place wasn't too busy. No A/C, we were heavily dependent on the fans that were blowing from each corner, which we asked the waitress to turn on, which she happily did with a laughing smile. Wednesday was the Prime Rib special so I ordered that. The Canadian ordered the Monster Ribs. Of course, I ordered the side of macadamia nut pancakes with kokonut syrup. The prime rib was on point. I had them quick sear it so it was juicy on the inside and crisp on the edges, topped with horse radish and dipped in the au jus... YUMMMMYYYY!!!! The mashed potatoes with gravy and steamed veggies were a perfect compliment. The Canadian's Monster Ribs were monster indeed! Three huge slabs of ribs, with mashed potatoes and gravy and macaroni salad, he was in heaven. But the pancakes? Wooo hoo! I've been on a macadamia nut pancake kick since I've been on the island and I have to say, these were the best mac nut pancakes so far. The kokonut syrup definitely put them over the top! The lilikoi and guava syrup was good too, definitely worth trying them all, but the kokonut one was to die for! Definitely a must stop! And I'm a big "The Rock" (Dwayne Johnson) fan. His picture is up behind the counter and so is his dad. The lady checking us out told us his cousin is the owner. Win!

    (5)

  • Jordan R.

    This place isn't as good as they used to be. Had breakfast there the other morning. I had hamburger and eggs my wife had corn beef hash and eggs. Both of the meals left something to be desired. My burger was dry and I wasn't offered gravy and onions like they usually do. I also ordered fried rice which was really lousy to the point of being in edible. The wife also complained about her food. The service was ok and ill probably give them another try but they need to step up their food.

    (2)

  • Brennan T.

    One of the few places in Hilo that you'll find both locals and tourists, and it's open 24 hours. Ken's is best known for its breakfast and sumo menu that features sumo-sized portions (sumo loco, sumo saimin, sumo grinder/burger). My new favorite is the oxtail stew, which is the best I've had anywhere. Rich, flavorful gravy with a subtle taste of peppers and tender fall-off-the-bone oxtails.

    (4)

  • Piper N.

    This place was recommended by a friend, but the food was very mediocre. The macadamia nut pancakes seemed to just be regular pancakes with mac nuts sprinkled on top. And they were too thick for my taste. I heard that the corned hash was a must have, but I didn't think it was anything special. I would definitely recommend skipping this place, unless it's late (Ken's is open 24 hours) and finding somewhere else in Hilo to eat.

    (2)

  • Bobby C.

    It's one of the few restaurants open in Hio on a Sunday. We got one of the loco mocos and a teriyaki kombo. Service was sub par. Let's just say the food didn't taste that edible and was not really palatable. We both were not feeling well after our meal for the rest of the day. Like others, I don't get why this place is rated so high.

    (2)

  • Mariena F.

    Fast and friendly service. Big portions. Healthy options. Crazy wild pancakes.

    (5)

  • Lynette T.

    "Go to Ken's while in Hilo!" We heard this from family & friends back home. We were doing only mom & pop places for most of our trip and this was more mainstream. Taking a break from his loco moco & saimin quest, my husband ordered Kalbi Short Ribs. He was hungry, but not hungry enough to take on the Sumo Loco Moco Challenge. I was grateful he didn't order it because when you do they bang the gong behind this sumo statue and parade the monstrous pile of food to your table! yelp.com/biz_photos/woTm… I tried a bite of his Kalbi. Pretty good! Sliced thick, juicy and with the fat still on. Gotta have the fat! Since he decided to order something other than loco moco or saimin, I changed it up too and ordered a loco moco. It was just okay. I only ate half. He really liked the T-shirts from Ken's and bought one. Good thing we were leaving on Friday. Hubby saw an "All You Can Eat Spaghetti on Sunday" banner and his eyes glazed over. We stuck to the smaller mom & pop places for the rest of this trip. Hilo has a lot of gems in this category.

    (3)

  • Love B.

    Great locals spot a just a couple minutes from downtown Hilo. Clean, cheap, fast and super friendly service! Good selection of basic and hawaiian inspired breakfast foods. Usually i wouldve gotten french toast but opted for pancakes of course (bc its a "pancake house"). They were tastier than ihop in my opinion and came in large and small sizes. Also a variety of local fresh syrup. Coffee was fresh and good. Overall a great inexpensive breakfast in Hilo.

    (4)

  • Jorge G.

    Not sure what is the big deal. The hostess looks like she hates her job. My friend and I eventually sat at the counter. I ordered the Bana mac waffle. It turns out the ran out of bananas...are you kidding me???? So, my waffle had 8-10 thin slices. Tasted OK but nothing different from what I could've gotten at Denny's.

    (3)

  • Louis R.

    If you smellllllll what The Rock is cookin! Yah, he owns this spot in Hilo. I've had many loco mocos here....cuz I wanna be as big as The Rock, duh. Mahalo.

    (5)

  • Edge N.

    Yipes!! The portions are huge here. The prices weren't exactly cheap either but manageable . I forgot what it was called or what exactly was in it all I know is that it was a tasty huge omelet for about $15. This place seems to be the place to go for breakfast. Despite the hefty price the food was good and the amounts make it still not a bad place to go.

    (3)

  • Logan C.

    Love the vast menu , but think it causes a quality issue and causes them to use a lot of frozen processed food . Fast friendly staff historic landmark where I have been going off and on for at least 20 years . Open 24 hours so one of the only places to eat after hours or on a Sunday .

    (3)

  • Wilbur P.

    "Yellow matter custard, dripping from a dead dog's eye." The Beatles sang it in "I am the Walrus," and now you can ingest it 24 hours per day thanks to Ken's House of Pancakes. Ken's version of yellow matter custard is what passes for hollandaise sauce on the eggs benedict, and it reflects what is wrong with Ken's, and Ken's reflects what is so horribly wrong with restaurants generally in the culinary wasteland called Hilo. Ken's hollandaise sauce is thick, slimy, and sweet. It will disguise anything on which it might be served, even the seriously overcooked eggs of their eggs benedict. It is just the thing for the typical Hilo palate. When I recently had brunch at Ken's my companions expressed approval of what they all agreed was comfort food. And that is part of the problem. Comfort food may be many things, but never is it really good food. Ken's is satisfied serving comfort food. And Ken's does a very good business thanks to people who demand nothing more than to be comforted. Because there is no excellent restaurant on the Hilo side of the island, there is a very low standard, and diners fail to understand that they should demand better food for their money. The menu is ambitious. 22 varieties of omelets alone, and probably at least 150 items on the menu, all of which may be had any hour of the day or night. No kitchen can master 150 items. For that matter, no kitchen could master 1/3 that number. Huge menus should always be seen as a warning that the food will be mediocre at best. An entree from the frozen food section of a supermarket, heated in a microwave, is likely to taste better, be healthier, give as much comfort, and cost a fraction of what Ken's charges. Perhaps one should give Ken's extra points for giving the people what they want. But when an Egg McMuffin is far superior to Ken's eggs benedict, I've gotta say, nah, no extra points. I must make one non-food observation, but perhaps it says something about this restaurant. Ken's sits on the corner of Kamehameha and Kanoelehua. The parking lot has a single entrance/exit oddly angled onto Kamehameha. Vehicles exiting usually must rely on the courtesy of drivers to let them squeeze into traffic. If the entrance/exit had been relocated to Kanoelehua when the parking lot was recently redone, it would have been easier and safer for diners to enter and leave the parking lot. But that would have required insight and a touch of imagination, and those are in short supply at Ken's. My advice is to avoid Ken's whenever possible.

    (2)

  • Brian P.

    At worst, the food is average. Unfortunately, at best, the food is average. Here's a breakdown... The bad: When the waitress asks you how you'd like your burger cooked, it's really just a formality; you're getting an over-cooked piece of rubber-slash-meat. Also--and this is a big also--free refills on sodas apparently isn't a thing they do. I'm sorry, I just can't get down with a place that, in 2013, doesn't offer free refills. The good: It's open 24 hours, the servers are extremely polite, and there are roughly 7,294,628 options on the menu, so if you go back enough times, you'll probably find something you like. The water wasn't bad. Hilo isn't exactly loaded with great dining options, so you could do worse than Ken's.

    (2)

  • Terry K.

    Yelp Challenge 365 # 152/365 Breakfast! On a weekday is the time to go when everyone is working..... no wait line, just walk in, get seated, eat and off you go. They have your conventional "bacon and egg" type breakfast, omelettes galore (and the omelettes are huge) and both come with either toast or pancakes with rice or potato. My goodness! How can one person eat all of it? I've concluded there are folks that can eat all of it or they won't be serving those large portions. They had "local" food that only one from Hilo could understand by definition. Tripe stew for breakfast????? Beef stew for breakfast????? Poke???? Well, I tried some poke at 8 in the morning...and it ain't that bad! Best place, Best for the price and the quality of food. Oh, did I mention they are open 24 hours a day?

    (4)

  • Ashley G.

    Decent breakfast food but many dishes are very expensive for what you're getting. Like most breakfast places many dishes have waaay too much food. If you go for brunch on the wkd don't expect awesome service the waitresses are given waaay to many tables! Many different kinds of syrups was pretty cool The locals love it b/c it's one of few 24 hr food options in Hilo

    (3)

  • Mike L.

    Stopped here with my wife, brother-in-law and his wife after a day at the volcano national park. This place doesn't look like it would be anything special, but it was. I had the kahlua pork sandwich and it was excellent. The brother-in law had the terriyaki steak sandwich and said it was great. Loved the older waitresses in their mumus and they will tell you what is good in there. But, the best part was dessert. The special that day was banana bread chocolate chip bread pudding with white rum sauce.... mmmmmmm that was sooooo good and after we ordered our dessert it was crossed off the board for the day so we were the last ones to get it. The price of everything was so reasonable. Wish I lived near it so I could go back.

    (5)

  • Lance T.

    Won Ton Min (five won tons) was onolicious. Excellent service.

    (4)

  • Keo N.

    If you can SUMO size your meal. Gotta try the loco moco!

    (4)

  • mitch g.

    If you go to Hilo you gotta go to Ken's, even if it's just for a cup of coffee. But get the Chocolate Banana Cream Pie too. The food here is very good but it's just a diner so don't expect anything too special. Very good pancakes & other foods. Fun environment & nice people. A gathering place after 10PM so if you get a late night need for food head to Ken's & check out the crowd.

    (4)

  • Erin C.

    2 stars for pancakes. K-HOP is a family favorite, but this last visit to Ken's (during Merrie Monarch week) was disappointing. You know that feeling of good food anticipation and then you take that first bite of your pancake and then......well, it just crumbled to the wayside of my plate. I don't even think the fruity syrups could have saved it. K-HOP, what happened? If you're going just for the pancakes, I think it's hit or miss. I can't lie, but I know I'll be back to order the same thing during our next visit with hopes of a fluffy pancake on my plate! Oh, and you big time tourists should definitely try the 'Sumo Bowl'. ;)

    (2)

  • Marv C.

    Took my wife to Ken's to celebrate her birthday. We originally were going for Korean food, but the establishment we wanted to dine at was closed, so we opted for Ken's. We got there about 4:30'ish in the afternoon, there wasn't much people dining yet, there was ample seating. We were escorted to our table, and we began looking over the menu. A good 10 to 12 minutes had passed without any waitress coming to us to take our order, so my wife flagged someone down and told the individual (in a somewhat demanding tone), that we'd like to place our order. A couple minutes later, the waitress finally arrived at our table, and we both ordered the Roast Pork... hers with mash, mine with rice. We didn't have to wait too long for our dinner to arrive. Upon first look, it did seem appealing. Portion wise, maybe it could've been a little more, but we commenced eating what was served. The Roast Pork was a little disappointing, in that there wasn't much seasoning on it, we had to add just a little more salt and pepper to bring the taste up to par (maybe it's just my taste buds, others may differ). I managed to clean up my plate anyway, down to the last drippings of gravy. Despite my earlier statement about the portion being a little small, the meal actually did fill me up rather nicely. I've eaten Roast Pork from other places, and compared to them, this meal could've used a little something more to make it comparable to the other places. One thing I truly gotta agree about Ken's... their breakfast is good, especially the omelette. My wife agrees in that breakfast at Ken's is 'da bomb!' Oh... and just so you know, Ken's will be closing down for some major repairs, the exact time frame is not known. They had signs posted about the establishment, don't know if it's going to happen very soon or maybe weeks down the road. If you see it closed, it's because of the repair work.

    (3)

  • Brett S.

    Can't say enough good things about this place. Its an older diner so the furnishings aren't the nicest, but who cares. Went here twice while I was in Hilo, both for breakfast and it was great each time. Got the sweet bread french toast and the crab cakes eggs benedict...so ono. Service is great also, the workers are so welcoming. Oh ya and this place is 24 hours in case you get hungry in the middle of the night. If you havn't been here...GO and if you already have.... GO AGAIN!

    (5)

  • Sara S.

    This place is like Denny's only it has a million more choices probably, the waitresses are super nice and they play oldies! its great for morning but don't hesitate at night, especially if you are vegetarian, there will be some options for you!

    (5)

  • Mike Z.

    Meh... I don't understand the great reviews of this place. It's kitschy..got it. It's a diner.. got it. The food really is below par, the service is mediocre, all it has really going for it is the decor. That being said, if you're out and there is NOTHING else open at 2am well then by all means drop by Kens. Cause is you're that hungry at 2am nothing really matters does it? High point: Decor Low point: the food Chances I'll be back: at 2am .. probably.

    (2)

  • Al A.

    Every time I visit Hilo a stop at Ken's House of Pancakes is on the itinerary. Parking can be tight so be flexible with your meal time. Banyon Drive can have parking, a walk across the street. While they have a large menu, breakfast items are my favorite for any time of the day. Their ham and cheese omelettes are to die for. One can be a complete meal, do not over order. My travel companion was from Malaysia, he ordered the Teriyaki Combo with Saimin. Said it was "Ono" During one of my visits I left my camera on the bench at the table. At the car I realized it was not with me. Turning around, there was my waiter with the camera walking out to the car. I've never had a problem with the service. Always friendly, never waited too long, remembering it takes a little longer when the place is packed. One mistake tourists make is thinking the prices are too high. They fail to realize the Big Island is basically at the end of the food delivery chain from the mainland to Oahu to Big Island. Between planes, barges and ships, the food arrives. Order within your budget, sit back, enjoy your meal, enjoy your time on the island. Willing to bet you will be back. Final thought for tourists. Remember you paid good money to be in a small town on the largest island in Hawaii. You came here to see new sights and try new foods. Enjoy the island life style, food, and the people. You are on vacation to have fun right?

    (5)

  • Foo D.

    I love Kens, every time I'm up in Hilo, I try to eat there as much as possible without being a noticeable fatass... Huuuugge menu leaves something for everyone. Breakfast served all day, great specials, good hot coffee, and the saimin is soo good, I believe they have house made won -ton min also! It should be more like the.. yum-ton min! ;)

    (5)

  • Scott C.

    Very good breakfast. Not great but very good.

    (4)

  • Jere S.

    Great place for breakfast. We always walk from our hotel room to Ken's. Super nice staff. Many breakfast selections to make everyone satisfied.

    (5)

  • Rocky R.

    We love Ken's. I've only been to the BI twice but I've been to Ken's three times! Parking gets tight on the weekends and the wait can be 30 or more minutes for a table but it's worth it. Food is great and portions are large--you never leave hungry. Try one of the omelets, you won't be disappointed! Service is pretty good but when it gets busy they get a little stretched.

    (5)

  • courtney r.

    This is the breakfast place that all of our mainland visitors love to visit, and we don't mind, because it's really good. But not just for breakfast. I mean, they have a huge selection of pancakes and other breakfast items, but don't overlook their lunch and dinner offerings! Their steak and onions is one of my favorite dishes. Burgers are delicious. They have a huge menu, which can be a little overwhelming, but they offer so many options! They have something for everyone, even vegetarians and those with gluten issues.

    (4)

  • Alia Z.

    Yum! A tasty diner, with a gazillion options. Absolutely try their teriyaki chicken (not as into the beef though), their pancakes, and their milkshakes. They also have Sumo versions of some of their meals, which means double portions (and they ring the gong by the sumo wrestler statue in the middle of the restaurant).

    (4)

  • Dale L.

    My mom and I ate lunch at Ken's while we were passing through Hilo on our way to Volcanoes National Park. We arrived around 2pm on a Monday and the place was pretty quiet with just a few older groups. It had a very local feel. I'm a camel so I drink tons of water when I'm at restaurants. I asked the waitress for a larger water glass and she assured me that they would keep it refilled. Despite the tiny glass they were true to their word and my glass never ran empty for long. I had the macadamia nut chocolate chip pancake special and my mom had the two egg breakfast with Portuguese sausage. The pancakes were very large and the amount of nuts and chocolate chips overloaded my sweet tooth pretty quickly. I couldn't eat more than half of them although they were quite tasty. My mom wasn't as impressed with her eggs. The eggs themselves were nothing special but the rice was barely room temperature; transferred butter from her pancakes didn't melt a bit on it. The sausage was very good, though, and had a pleasant kick. Overall it was a good experience but not outstanding.

    (4)

  • Jamie G.

    This place was so fun, and had very delicious food. We came for breakfast in the morning and sat at the the counter, which was very comfy, AND we got to see the waitresses in action. Many of them have been working there for 30 years and are basically professionals... I was amazed at what they could do! And all with a huge smile on their faces! Their menu is HUGE and has something for everyone! I had the homemade corned beef hash with eggs, hashbrowns and grilled english muffin (my usual for breakfast out)- all delicious. The hubbie had the spicy chili cheese omelette with pancakes--- all the flavorful syrups were delicious... coconut, passionfruit, or guava. Definitely a great place for breakfast!

    (5)

  • Dalmacio C.

    The service for a party of 24 was OUTSTANDING!! The food arrived really fast and the group really appreciated the attention. Half of the group was young kids below the age of 10, so we like the fact they served breakfast menu items 24/7. Wished we had more time spent in Hilo Town, I would've enjoyed trying out a SUMO menu product. The neighboring table had two orders and it was very entertaining to experience the "sumo" presentation! I highly recommend it for 1st timers. Just need to find a volunteer (aka. "Sucka") LOL

    (4)

  • Yosapon T.

    Friendly style restaurant which opens 24/7 ! I guess the most amazing stuff about this place is their menu ! How the hell does the cook make everything i am pretty sure there are almost over 300 dishes ! The food was okay but the highlight was the Sumo style dishes ! they are practically 5 times the size of a normal dish. When the food arrives the waiter will hit the bell and all the waiter shouts SUMO ! HAHAHHHHHAHAHH i manage to finish the food ~~~ but i told myself i will never eat saimin again for the next month...

    (3)

  • Jeffrey T.

    People have asked me what is the allure of Ken's, and I honestly did not have an adequate answer for them that encompassed everything that is great about it. Sure, Ken's lacks amazing interior design besides a boatload of pictures of regulars/celebrities who have graced its simple dining room, and it does not have the highest quality of cuisine in the world. Service can vary from time to time depending on who you get, but for the most part all are polite and fairly "local" in their approach. Despite these "shortcomings", Ken's offers, with little argument, the best breakfast in Hilo along with some of the best daily deals/specials available. The fact it is open 24/7 adds to its draw as well, since you'll be hard pressed to find another 24 hour dine-in restaurant this side of the island that is this good. Ken's is like Zippy's in Oahu except their breakfast is better and they don't have as good chili. Pricing is fair for the amount of food you get. Their menu caters to nearly every avenue of food to meet your appropriate cravings regardless of time. Want something sweet, but not dessert? Get stuffed pancakes or french toast with their five choices of syrup. Want something light? They have salads and sandwiches. Feel like eating a ridiculous amount without shedding a big buck for it? Check out their "Sumo" sized meals. And imagine you can order all of that at any time of day! The only downside of Ken's is that due to this variety, there will be varying degrees of quality. I've noticed this with the omelettes being cooked in different fashions (sometimes better, sometimes worse), the salad portions shifting time to time when someone gets it, and the sandwiches can be a hit or miss depending on how the bread is treated. However, considering the fact that I've never been truly disappointed there, they have done a pretty good job maintaining a large menu in my opinion. Hit or miss place, but when it is a hit it really hits home. One of the only places in Hilo I think about going to before leaving Hilo for an extended stay away. And even when I'm in a location that has breakfast places galore down every alleyway...Ken's has never left my heart.

    (5)

  • Sherry B.

    Another great breakfast! We do omelets, various kinds and they are huge, delicious and come with some of the best pancakes I've had. Fluffy, thick and that passion syrup is addictive. My husband thinks the same about the boysenberry (sp?). Ken's is the best and we couldn't ask for a better waitress in John-Nee. You won't find a nicer person on this island. If friendly service is what you seek, ask for her.

    (5)

  • Ryan W.

    This place was amazing. It was my first time on the Big Island and my friends and I were immediately drawn in to Kens because of a sign promoting Taco Tuesday. Everything about the place was beyond pleasant. The quality of food was great, the cost was reasonable (considering everything in Hawaii seems to be pretty costly) and the service was superb. We enjoyed the place so much we went back on another night so that I can attempt to Sumo Min. It was difficult, however spending the past 7 hours hiking in Volcano National Park built up quite an appetite. If you are ever in Hilo, I recommend you stop by. It is a Restaurant that I wish I was closer to.

    (5)

  • Olivia R.

    Looking at the outside of this place, it appears to be just another big chain restaurant that serves breakfast 24/7. Don't be fooled into passing this one up- there is good reason for the packed parking lot. Food is scrumptious, coffee bottomless and so many delicious food options. Banana pancakes with real coconut milk syrup, massive freshly made omelets and the most perfectly grilled bacon awaits you. On a side note, if you don't want to pay the $2.00 per [very small] cup of water, speak up before they lay that on the table- you can get bottled water for less. Had I known they charged extra for the water, I would have drank it rather than leaving it untouched, that was the one disappointment I had.

    (4)

  • Twinkle S.

    This is a MUST when in Hilo! Had breakfast here last week... Pancakes and a side of bacon and coffee.... It was DELISH!!!

    (5)

  • Roger H.

    PRO: Large waiting room. Seated quickly. Ordered Corned Beef Hash Benedict...awesome! CON: clinky clanky dishboy...that cleans tables. I bused tables for years and master the art to clearing tables in silence.

    (4)

  • B T.

    Hostess Crystal is the best! Great food at a fair price!

    (4)

  • Terry P.

    Loved loved loved our breakfasts here. The eggs were cooked perfectly. My husband had the hash browns and I had the fried rice and both were amazing. My husband loved the passion fruit syrup so much that we came back two more times. Coffee was great and appreciated getting our own pitcher left on table. Menu is so big it was a little overwhelming trying to make up our minds. So much to choose from. I highly recommend if you are in Hilo this is the place for local fun.

    (4)

  • J W.

    Can't say enough good things about Ken's...it's awesome awesome awesome. Food is reasonably priced, always ono (hawaiian for delicious), and the I guarantee you will find something on their menu to like (they have probably over 100 items). And don't be surprised when they ring the bell and shout "SUMO!"

    (5)

  • Russ L.

    the bananas foster French toast is the most delicious thing I ever put in my mouth. Seriously, this is as good as diner food gets. The keiki moko is enough food for a typical adult, but if you're not the typicaly adult (i.e. me) it's a really good savory compliment to the french toast.

    (5)

  • Rachel O.

    Yum! Awesome fluffy and huge omelettes. It's no mystery why locals and tourists both flock here. Great service. Great breakfast. Huge portions, lots of yummy options. What else do you really need to know? Go get some breakfast!

    (4)

  • Rob F.

    We ate at Ken's about a week ago, and we had a very good overall experience. I live in Hilo and the last time I ate there was over 5 years ago. I think that I might start going there more often. We had family visiting from off island that wanted to eat a good breakfast. We decided to eat at Ken's for brunch, but of course we had to order from their breakfast menu which is served 24 hrs a day. I forgot how good the omelette's are at Ken's! They have the most wide variety of omelette's I have ever seen. Everything from veggie to loaded with meats, or custom order what you want. I ordered the "Chef's Choice" which is Spinach, mushrooms, onions, herbs, topped with mushroom gravy!! They say it's a 3 egg omelette, but it seemed like much more! The omelette was cooked perfectly, very fluffy and delicious! I had it with hash browns and with their famous pancakes. I topped the pancakes off with Ken's coconut syrup, highly recommended. They also have maple, regular, guava, or lilikoi syrup for the pancakes. The service that we had was excellent!! We were seated within a couple of minutes, and our waitress was very friendly!! Looking around while we were eating, we recognized several waitresses that have been there for many years. The restaurant was very busy while we were there, and all of the workers there were really moving servicing all of the tables. I read one review that made a bad reference to a waitress and the food. I have never had bad service or food at Ken's. There is a large volume of reviews for Ken's because they are so well known, so you will have different opinions. Local restaurant, with ono food, friendly service, and a great atmosphere!

    (4)

  • Frank R.

    Place is decent. No frills place. They have a good selection of food. Always my go to place for homey hawaiian cooking.

    (4)

  • Joanne A.

    Ken's House of Pancakes is one of my favorite places to eat when I'm home on the Big Island. The diner is one of the only places in Hilo open 24/7. They offer an extensive menu of onolicious food to please anyone's cravings, nightly specials, and generous portions. Ken's waitresses are friendly and their service is often quick. During high school, I used to go to Ken's for dinner with my friends, so going there always brings back those fond memories. If you've ever been to Ken's, then you'll know what do when you hear the bell ring...SUMO!!

    (5)

  • Janice T.

    Ken's House of Pancakes is a 24-hour diner popular among locals and tourists alike. After our first visit, my husband vowed never to return there again. He didn't like his fish loco moco. I didn't like the mini saimin because the broth was too bland, it's a good thing I ordered spam and rice on the side. However, when my husband had a craving for banana macadamia pancakes, he decided to give Ken's another try. He was happier during our second visit. I got the waffle while he ordered the french toast. We were both satisfied with our meals yet my husband still ordered oxtail stew after he finished his french toast. Unbelievable appetite! Our first visit was a bust but with so many menu options, it's inevitable to find one to our liking.

    (4)

  • Helen T.

    Just love the ladies who serve here. They don't employ snidey kids and the service is prompt, helpful and cheery. My friend and I stayed in Hilo for 3 nights and this was our 'go to' breakfast place every day. Huge stacks of pancakes, ENORMOUS omelettes, great selection. It was also packed every day. I'll miss this place for breakfast but my waistline won't!

    (5)

  • Alice G.

    Definitely a diner to stop at (again). The atmosphere here, absolutely ADORABLE! I loved our waiter, he really made us feel at home; he turned down the fan for us. Checked to see if we were comfortable, refilling our water and coffee quickly. He was super attentive and when he could he stopped by to have a quick little conversation with us about Hawaii and Hilo. Judging by other's reviews, service can be hit or miss. It's a local diner and even locals told us the same thing. Service here can be hit or miss, but I had a complete hit. Their menu is huge! My friend and I wish we could have found this place earlier in our trip so we could stop by more often. But I had the smaller mahi mahi and a side of crab cakes. The sauce for the crab cakes was interesting (delicious), but the crab cake wasn't something to rave home about. My mahi mahi was okay, I had it fried so it didn't have a huge amount of flavor to it unfortunately. I think this place is known more for their breakfast. If I get the chance to come back I hope I can review their other entrees. From what I could tell their portions were huge, unfortunately I wasn't that hungry, thus the bland food choices. My friend's meal was a chicken burger of sorts, and lets just say I had dish envy once again! Her dish had pineapples on it and some sweet Hawaiian sauce. It looked divine and the chicken was tender and juicy, cooked to perfection. Dessert: Their Macadamia nut pie warmed, with ice cream on it was DIVINE! It's like pecan pie met macadamia in a love fest in your mouth. It isn't overly sweet like a pecan pie, you get the nuttiness of the macadamia in your mouth. Combine that with the ice cream. Mmmmmmhhhhmmmm. You get a delicious dessert. Conclusion: I definitely would come back here, I just loved the cozy local feel in the atmosphere. Also I loved how everyone was so nice! But I wouldn't be visiting for the people or the service, it's for that amazing Macadamia nut pie all warmed and crumbling with the slowly melting vanilla ice cream on top. YUM!

    (4)

  • Melody W.

    We visit Ken's every time we are in Hilo because it is such an icon and my husband loves it. The service is always good and the menu huge and the food always good. This time we were pleased to note that the interior and decor have been much improved! It has a much improved look and feel, no more worn out and run down.

    (3)

  • Paula H.

    We were looking for a place to grab a bite to eat late at night and were told this was a good place to try and it's open around the clock. Parking was a challenge (although the parking lot is very big) and we had to drive around the lot several times until a spot became available. It was SUPER BUSY and our waitress was hustling and doing an outstanding job taking care of us! I believe her name was Chandra or something like that. She was super sweet and accommodating even though she was swamped. I really appreciated that. The menu had a crazy amount of options. I don't think I've even seen such an extensive menu. The food is not gourmet or fancy but it was tasty comfort food! The prices were very reasonable. Overall a really nice experience.

    (5)

  • Peter T.

    Food: 2/5 Ambiance: 2.5/5 Services: 3/5 Prices: $$ (avg 15/person) This is ONE OVERRATED diner! It was recommended and raved not only here in Yelp but in some guide book and even a friend who visited Big Island regularly and told us that this is his FAV place in the WORLD... This is really much ado about nothing! We drove all the way from Kona to Hilo, over 2.5 hrs to visit the lava flow viewing area, that was a disappointment too! Be warned for those who want to check this out, YOU wont see any lava flowing up-close, you see ONLY plumes from over half a mile away! OK back to Ken's. My partner & I have been searching for a decent pancake from Houston to Hawaii. This was the worse of all, we would have overlooked it if it didnt "claimed" itself as House of Pancakes! We ordered the short-stake and it came with lumps of preserved strawberry & blueberry in jam/sauce/whatever that it on each side. The pancake has NO flavor whatsoever & drown in those sauces plus whipped creams... what are they thinking? To be honest, one way of making any bad food edible is to put lots of sauces to cover them up & this is Ken's trick! Then, i was recommended to try the won-ton saimen (noodle soup) which they claimed its home-made & came in "imported" shrimp broth. My guess it the "imported" broth is the actual powder sachet you get in instant noodles & the home-made wonton is worse than those i made from scratch. The wonton skin was so thick & the filling is so little & horrible that I was ashamed to even serve them to my friends.... Being a Diner, maybe their actual forte is the breakfast offerings which I did not have but judging from what they have in the extensive menu, i be safer going to Dennys... Avoid this place at all cause if you are looking for a decent meal or pancake or saimen!

    (2)

  • Allana D.

    Hmmm...Not sure if this bad fist visit to Kens was a one time deal. We were really excited to try this place while driving through Hilo, but our excitement sadly turned into disappointment. Our server was nice enough, but the negative overall experience was enough for me to write my first bad yelp review. First, the saimen soup we ordered came out luke-warm so we asked to have it changed. However, instead to getting a new bowl of soup, another waitress just heated it up in their microwave which totally made the noodles nastily soft. Next our waitress forgot to bring the rice that came with the ox- tail soup I ordered so I had to ask for it. Also ordered the macadamia pancakes due to the rave reviews, but it seemed like just ordinary pancakes w/ some macnuts mixed in. Overall, not sure what all the hype is about w/this place. Too bad, we will probably not come back.

    (1)

  • Fofo H.

    Good food. Great service. Love the cute older waitresses who seem to have fun while doing their job during the breakfast hours. I had the loco moco with corned beef hash. It was awesome.

    (4)

  • Doug G.

    *** CLOSED *** We wanted to swing by Kens for lunch. Unfortunately they had yellow tape and a chair in the the front with pink closed signs. Something must have happened to force them to close. :(. Hopefully they'll reopen soon.

    (1)

  • Nicole G.

    This place is the bomb!! Best food I had on the island. Must try, you won't be sorry.

    (5)

  • Halei J.

    Well when you come to Hilo, you gotta come to Ken's right? I think this is probably the most popular restaurant in Hilo...everyone knows about it & it's open 24/7! The menu is huge! I was kinda stumped on what to order but eventually ordered the loco moco, to be honest it was ok, nothing special. But here's the kicker, while I'm waiting for my food, the lady at the next table starts talking to me, she asks me if I'm local, (I'm canadian but I tan easy and was pretty dark) and where I'm staying and is telling how busy it was the last couple of weeks cuz of the Hula Festival. She asks me how I heard of Kens. I told her I was a chef and I always check out the popular restaurants in town. Then she told me she's the owner and visiting her daughter (who runs the restaurtant now) from Oahu! Haha, we ended up chatting for a bit...what a nice lady! She was also flattered that I was a chef and came to check out her restaurant. The next time I'm in Hilo I'll be back to check out more of the food for sure! Cool!

    (4)

  • Jon G.

    I've never seen a wait staff working so hard. Seriously, our waitress was running around getting it done! Very pleased with the level of dedication the service has. The real appeal (other than the pleasant surprise of the wait staff) was the food price, quality, and variety. They had EVERYTHING you could want. Seriously. Mahi Mahi sammich was so good. So are the pancakes. If you are in or near Hilo, try this place. It was the best value meal I had in Hawaii. It was so good I came back twice! Open 24 hours for those drunk munchies!

    (5)

  • Willy W.

    I like it! I really liked it... sadly so do many other people. Parking can get kinda tricky as they have a rather small lot, but then again... it is Hilo. We ate there twice in 3 days. And yes, breakfast for dinner rocks! Try out all the different types of syrups that they have. I also had the lillikoi milkshake once which was very good. Both times here, I ordered an omelette - the same one to be exact. And it was fantastic. I can't recall the exact name, but it featured: chinese sausage, crab, veg and an awesome cheesy, hollandaise sauce on top. Every once in awhile you'll hear: "SUMO!!" and then *BOOONNNGG* every time that someone orders a specific dish. There are also a bunch of bikers in the area, so expect to hear loud exhaust noise during your meal. Oh how I wish to find one of those on the mainland. Service is pretty good and it seems to be pretty busy all the time - they are open 24 hrs.

    (5)

  • Greg E.

    The portions have shrunken since our last visit there. The omelettes were so huge before that you were too full to start the pancakes. The plate of three huge pancakes are now two smaller ones. I guess the costs of doing business is affecting portion sizes and ironically, the prices are still increasing. Our waitress was very attentive and polite though. Not sure about returning and may try HSC instead.

    (2)

  • Remi M.

    Ken's House of Pancakes is often mentioned in conversations, at least in my social circle, as a must-eat place to go to when visiting Hilo. Didn't realize this place is open 24 Hours until I saw the hours posted here. That's good to know. Anyways, I went here with my cousin and a friend while on vacation. When we went the place was packed & we were lucky to get one of the last two parking spots in the lot. Waited a couple of minutes to be seated, not bad considering how bustling the place was. Came here for breakfast and the menu is HUGE. It was hard to decide what to eat with so many choices abound. I ordered the Chef's Special which is a kitchen sink type egg scramble. It came with hash browns and pancakes. Gotta at least try their pancakes since "Pancakes" is part of their name right? Service was A-Ok and didn't have to wait too long for our food. The scramble was good but nothing special. Pancakes were delicious. Nice & fluffy, just how I like them. Overall good experience & would go back again for sure. 31 Yelps Review Challenge (19/31)

    (4)

  • Josh Q.

    The only reason that I tried this place was because 1. I was hungry and 2. I really wanted to experience something local. I had the sumo saimin which was decent. My recommendation is to eat here only if it is convenient for you to do so.

    (2)

  • Adam H.

    Diner food with an extensive menu. Had dinner and breakfast here, big portions for both. Lots of loco mocos on the menu, good stuff! Fan of the "kokonut" pancake syrup they offer, too.

    (5)

  • Jarrett H.

    I'm usually a little more liberal with giving stars as compared to other elitists but this time it's different. This was the most God awful meal I had in Hilo. I was warned by many of my Big Island friends not to go here or just order the breakfast but I was hungry and tired and we had been driving all day and night at Volcano National Park. What option did I have??!!! Zippys or Ken's? Zippy's is definitely a hell no coz I can get that on Oahu. So I chose Ken's. It started off bad with us waiting nearly 20-30 mins for a waitress. Finally she came and our friends and I order fried chicken, saimin, Portugese Bean soup and I believe my girlfriend ordered the adobo. I tasted the saimin and it was ok. Probably can get better in Oahu. The Adobo was ok. Soup was not bad but sadly I think Zippys is better. Fried Chicken was horrible. It tasted like frozen Banquet Fried Chicken. Seriously??? I'm paying $13-15 for a plate of chicken which tastes like chicken I get from Foodland's frozen section for $9-10. A whole box mind you...and I don't even like Banquet Chicken. Gross. The waitress barely came around to refill anything and we were waiting so long for the lousy food and even the check (almost 2-2.5 hrs total). My girlfriend threw a fit after she got the check, saying we wasted $40-50 on bad food. Maybe I need to order breakfast next time or it was an off day. I seriously usually try to find a silver lining even at places like Ken's but for that day, all they got me seeing was red.

    (2)

  • Erin M.

    We came to Hilo from Oahu and we're super hungry for comfort food. Kens was really close to the airport and just what we wanted! We loved it so much we decided not to try any other place! We had 4 meals and loved them all! Reasonably priced, friendly wait staff, great prices, generous portions, and much more!! Maha lo Kens! See you next time!!!

    (5)

  • Su-Lynn T.

    Pretty good family restaurant in Hilo. Portions are big, and a lot of variety on the menu. Food-wise, it's good, not fabulous, but overall solid. Wish there was air conditioning in the place. I was hot! I thought it was funny whenever someone orders a sumo-sized plate that they would smack the gong behind the little sumo statue and everyone yells: Sumo! I didn't get any pancakes but maybe I should have. We went for dinner so craved savory foods instead. Amongst my family we got: a special curry turkey pot-pie (interesting), oxtail stew (pretty good), prime rib (ok), sumo-sized saimin (ok). Definitely had some leftovers! I'd return though, on a subsequent visit, and get some pancakes!

    (3)

  • Peter T.

    I came her with a co-worker on a business trip. There is not such thing as free time when I go on these trips. I work 18 hours. The problem posed is that nothing else is home in Hilo at 1AM. Good thing Kens comes to the rescue. During my three day trip, my co-worker and I went there five times! And it's mainly because nothing else is open when were free. Their breakfast is awesome. I love their coconut syrup but a drunk person outside told us that we should mix their syrups and he was right. Give it a try. The reason also why I gave it a 5 because they have a big menu. I had to eat here 5 times but I was able to eat different types of food. The trip overall was a blur but at least food was good.

    (5)

  • Christina D.

    My husband and I went one late night after arriving on the Big Island for family matters. He got the sumo loco and I got hamburger steak. Both were pretty good. The parking is tight because of the small parking lot even though the inside might not be as packed. The waitresses were friendly and attentive. Definitely would go for a second try next time we're there.

    (3)

  • Han L.

    Local, great quality food with very reasonable price - that's all you can ask for. Their omelet is definitely good for a full meal.

    (5)

  • Andrew L.

    This was a place locals go to. It is a mom and pop type family restaurant. Lots to choose on the menu. I came for dinner had the pork chop and rice. Nothing special here. The pork chop was thin and a little fatty. I also had the hot fudge sundae. It was just okay.

    (3)

  • Tara M.

    waitress has been serving here since 1971, someone ordered a sumo plate-6 scoops rice and they yelled out Sumo! pancakes comes with all sorts of tropical syrup. the atmosphere reminds me of an IHOP but... China plates and soy sauce.. music is unique....

    (5)

  • Briana P.

    Stopped here for breakfast before a busy day. Compared to Texas, the price was great for the amount of food we got. We got a #20 it was ok; the pancakes were the star. The waffle was good, but I could taste a hint of banana the entire time. Not exactly what I was looking for. The service was great and everyone was very friendly.

    (3)

  • Lin H.

    The food is just ok, but the portion was not as big as other famous breakfast place (Hawaiian style cafe is much better), it is 2 star food wise It is a 24hr * 7 place, that is rear in Hilo, most place close at 9pm, also in Sunday. That is why I give it a 3 star

    (3)

  • Napualokelani K.

    So, I know Kens is considered an institution, but its kind of been hit or miss with me. The last time I went in late June, I got buttermilk pancakes with an omelette. It was OK, but I thought it was a bit pricey for what I got. Mo betta go across the street to Vernas...

    (3)

  • J K.

    I sat at the counter, and despite the fact that I made eye contact with several servers and waved at them, it took them forever to take my order. The menu kept raving about how delicious and special their corned beef hash is. I love corned beef hash and I love loco moco, so I thought to myself, "Perfect! There's an option that combines both!" I ordered the corned beef hash loco moco. All I tasted was egg and rice. There was barely any corned beef cash in my bowl (nor was there much gravy). Not that I dislike egg and rice, but I was expecting a very different meal. Hugely disappointing. And the little corned beef hash I was able to taste (because I took the egg off the top and dug underneath) was just ok...nothing that special.

    (1)

  • Alli Q.

    This place is a famous local spot so if you're in town you need to make some time to come here. My friends love their macadamia nut pancakes so I would definitely recommend ordering this. Don't forget to ask for their special syrups! They have guava, passion fruit and coconut and they are magical. I had the Chef's Choice omelet and it was ENORMOUS and delicious.

    (4)

  • Dave Y.

    Amazing place in the diner tradition. Our group was seated quickly and had a variety of breakfast items: pancakes, eggs made to order, waffles, omelets, etc. I loved the snow crab and shrimp omelet. Something for everybody. If you're looking for a fancy meal, move along. This is a no-frills place with satisfying food.

    (5)

  • Matt S.

    Great service. TONS of items to choose from. Pancakes were a little on the dry side. Tropical syrups. Good spot. Will come back

    (4)

  • Dennis S.

    If desperate for food after 8pm in Hilo, this is your only choice for a full menu restaurant. But hiding behind "local flavor" doesn't cut it. If this was a Denny's, they would have remodeled ten years ago. Portions were large. Food was ordinary. Service was good. "Run down" is a compliment for the decor. I never checked to see what the liquid was my feet were sloshing in on the floor - didn't want to know. Biggest reasons to go are the full pancake house menu and the late hours.

    (2)

  • Am C.

    Awesome place for breakfast, lunch, dinner, brunch, lunner, snack, whatever When you come to Hilo you MUST eat at Ken's! Their menu is so huge you'll definitely find something tasty to eat and still have quite enough variety to come 365 days a year. (Or 366 if it's a leap year... ) I go straight for pancakes & loco moco. Oxtail soup is gooood, too! Oh, and their pocho sausage must be homemade because I've never seen slices so big Staff is friendly & food is good. Old School style diner.

    (4)

  • Karen M.

    A fun diner, completely cluttered with knick-knacks and diner style. The servers were very patient while we browsed the menu for a very long time. We got some kid's pancakes and enjoyed the tropical syrup flavors very much. The kid's portion is huge, much to big for a 7 year old, so be prepared to eat some yourself. Husband got the healthy vegetarian option, with some buckwheat pancakes, small omelette, vegetarian sausage. He liked the veg sausage very much, and the platter was a lot of food again. I had the corned beef hash loco moco. While it looked small, it was very filing, and the hash was perfectly crisp. We would go there often if we were locals!

    (4)

  • John M.

    This is definitely one of the better diner type places to grab some grub on the Hilo side. I would order the breakfast items over the others though. Reasonable prices and plenty of seating. The parking lot is not as spacious as other places.

    (4)

  • Jimmy N.

    Ken's is a Hilo institution, no doubt, it's been "jammin' since '71" so they must be doing something right. So, we had to order the pancakes. I had the mac nut pancakes, of course. They were pretty good, light and fluffy with just the right amount of mac nuts. A little disappointed that they weren't actually in the pancakes, just on top. The coconut syrup really worked out best for me, the guava and passion fruit were just OK. Open 24/7, huge menu, great service, awesome Aloha atmosphere to sit back and enjoy a hearty meal. Definitely will make a trip back next time we're in Hilo.

    (4)

  • Vicki D.

    This place literally serves everything - from pancakes to eggs benedict to oxtail soup to steak and eggs, to salads, sandwiches. You name it they probably have it! My kids enjoyed their steak with eggs and rice which was on the Keiki menu. I had a Hibachi chicken sandwich but didn't enjoy it because it had way too much sauce on it. My husband liked his chef salad and my moms and dad liked their meals too. This place will please the crowd, and it's right where the 19 and 11 meet. You can come here before visiting the volcanoes or after a hike through the waterfalls (like we did). Definitely stop in for a quick, filling meal.

    (4)

  • Amanda M.

    This place was ok. It's said to be the "best" breakfast on the Big Island. It may be, but I wasn't impressed. I ordered the eggs benedict, and it wasn't very good.

    (2)

  • Dawn E.

    Ah... my first food in Hawaii came by way of Ken's. I went with a Pineapple Teryaki Burger. The burger was big and plentiful and the fries were good but there was just this teeny bitty piece of canned pineapple that maybe covered a quarter of the burger and a wilty piece of lettuce. I sampled the food of my friends which I can't relay even remember. It was only a few days ago and I remember many meals from Hawaii (including those I reached across the table and only got a bite in.) The decor in here is cute and kitschy. It's got both a Hawaiian and a diner feel. The service is fun and somewhat prompt and they're open 24 hours. That's 24 reasons to go to Ken's right there!

    (3)

  • Eric M.

    Local breakfast place that's got a all the feel of Hawaii. Friendly staff, great food, lots of menu choices and lots of aloha! Highly recommend checking this place out if you're having breakfast in Hilo.

    (4)

  • Mike G.

    Had breakfast for dinner and it was great. - Loco Moco hit the spot. - Fresh squeezed OJ was a plus. - Waitress was hilarious (very nice and funny lady) - Pancakes were great I'm going back for more.

    (4)

  • Tyler S.

    Great selection of food! Their Hawaiian Bread French toast is amazing! Large chunks are lightly battered and stay soft inside - def a unique item worth indulging.

    (4)

  • Melissa K.

    You really can't go wrong with Ken's. Open late, hearty portions, reasonable prices, friendly staff, an extensive menu ... Ken's has a great business model. I'm a huge fan of the pancakes and not just because I love the different kinds of syrup. The fish breakfast is delicious, the loco mocos are fabulous, taco salad is mmm..., everything is good and I always leave feeling stuffed and happy.

    (4)

  • Nimai W.

    Ken's has two things going for it, maybe three: 24hrs and a scarily big menu. The third? Everybody knows Ken's. In a town where the only other late night food is Jack in the Box and Taco Bell.. Ken's wins. This may come off harsh. I just get frustrated when these long-time, landmark restaurants seem to survive on things other than their food and service. I've been here many times over the past 15 years. I don't remember ever being really happy with my food. Isn't that just a little ridiculous? Why did I keep going back? It was late and we didn't want fast food. I don't remember everything I've tried, of course. What I do know is it's almost always been mediocre. Not bad enough to send back, not good enough to remember. Service is hit or miss. If you're lucky you'll have a friendly older gal that will treat you like a family. But you might wind up with a bad attitude and nose ring, that will probably only be working there for another week due to her lack of ability to smile. I've encountered both. The food never seems to take too long, I'll give them that. But there is big room for improvement in the quality. I guess the local style food (and item names) as well as the huge servings keep the locals satisfied, and the tourists curious. The cramped parking lot can be a real pain. Probably because 50% of Hilo owns lifted trucks. Pray you don't have to park in front the their dumpster--pilau!! Well, Ken's, I doubt you will ever change much. But I guess if it's been working for you all these years.. what the heck, right?

    (2)

  • Rayleen A.

    Not very good:( but I ate it:-/

    (1)

  • Scott K.

    we went there twice in two days on recent trip to hilo. service is great and the food is fresh and well prepared. had the chili cheese moco the for dinner and the corned beef hash moco for breakfast the next day. wife had the roast beef with onions and mash and the bananas foster French toast - made with kings Hawaiian sweet bread, yummy- only regret is we didn't get to go more!

    (5)

  • George R.

    Old school pancake house. Average but Big Island offers few great culinary options so will do if in need.

    (3)

  • Jessica E.

    the most ono breakfast spot on island!!! thanks debra for some good ol' fashoined grub. I ordered the corned beef hash eggs benedict, YUM! Try all the syrups, great selection of those!

    (5)

  • Nyle C.

    One word: Wow! The last time I ate at Ken's was when I was a measly five years old, and to tell you the truth I don't remember much about it. Fast forward 16 years later and I'm back to see how they are. Let me just say that I wish I lived in Hilo now! I ended up going here 3 times on my vacation. Went to breakfast twice, and dinner one time. I ordered the Kilauea stacker the first time, which stuffs eggs, ham, and bacon in between each of the three pancakes. Interesting concept but its so ono. The next day I ordered Aunite's Sumo special. Let me say that this was my favorite. 3 buttermilk pancakes, and another plate which includes basically a bigger version of a loco moco. Another ono dish. The last day I ordered a teriyaki mix plate. All 3 dishes were excellent. If you live in Hilo, you know its good. If you're a tourist or taking a trip to Hilo, make Ken's House of Pancakes a designation on your things to do. You won't regret it!

    (5)

  • David P.

    Typical diner food. Burger was good, but we don't think the Mahi Mahi was Mahi Mahi.. Perfect place after a late night of drinking.

    (2)

  • Colson C.

    Corned beef hash benedict! All the food kills dennys and IHOP and Zippys. Best spot for munchies!

    (5)

  • Kanani K.

    Great food all the time! A must for the local or travelers! You won't be disappointed.

    (4)

  • Justin H.

    This place is what I pictured a Hawaiian diner to be. The atmosphere is stuck in the early 80's but that's what adds to the allure. When we first walked in and sat down, one look around and you can tell there's going to be some good ole comfort food being served here. The locals packed in the place was my first clue that this is the right spot to eat. The menu is sort of intimidating at first, since there's a ton of different choices. The waiter suggested I try the oxtail stew since I have never had it before and to me it was very good. My wife tried some but couldn't get passed the fatty meat, its a texture thing for her. The stew was very flavorful and the meat fell of the bone. It came with mac salad and two scoops of rice. The prices are pretty decent as well.

    (4)

  • C O.

    This place is cheap and fast and if you are looking to eat somewhere where locals eat then this is a good place for you to try Positives: Best mac nut pie I had while in HI!!! Get it with a scoop of ice cream and coffee. Really nice waitstaff. Chance to be in a restaurant not filled with a bunch of tourists Negatives: The menu is huge with too many items to choose from. I chose honey stung chicken. It ended up being fried chicken that had been fried 1 to many times with no hint of honey anywhere to be found. The fries were cold and the vegetables that came on the side were mixed vegetables straight out of a can...corn, diced carrot, peas and lima beans...the macaroni salad was bland and even my mom who is a horrible cook makes a better mac salad. If I went here again I would order breakfast food since that's what they are known for or would just get dessert!

    (3)

  • Julie H.

    We make it a point to stop at Ken's for breakfast every time we come to Hilo. They are reasonably priced, have great food and very friendly. My boyfriend especially likes the Loco Moco, but substitutes the beef patty for the Kalua pork. I would definitely recommend Ken's for breakfast.

    (5)

  • Shannon M.

    Ken's is the equivalent (for mainlanders) of a Hawaiian Big Boy, right down to the fake rock wall. Big menu, somewhat of a throwback, and you pretty much can be assured that you'll like what you get. It's also open 24 hours in an area where lots of places close early. Despite it being shuttered for renovations for a chunk of our vacation, my boyfriend and I made three visits, at the beginning and end of our trip. The first visit was for our first breakfast in Hilo. He got kalua pork moco (first taste of loco moco, and apparently a good "toe in the water," as he went on to try some more). I had macadamia nut pancakes, which were huge and served with a trio of tropical syrups (coconut, guava and lilikoi). The coconut syrup was good but very thick; it just glopped, didn't pour. Still, worth smearing on; it went well with the nutty pancakes. For dinner the night before our departure, I went for the chicken teriyaki, which had a thick, sweet sauce. Their accompanying macaroni salad was more dynamic than some (with bits of green onion), but by then my bar had been set by the mac salad at Low's International Foods & bakery and nothing could compare. For "brunch" the next day (right before our flight out of town) we made one more stop for BBQ kalua pork sandwiches (like pulled pork BBQ in the south; the "sandwich" part was almost pointless as the juice and sauce made the roll so soggy that even grilling didn't make it hold up; I ate the meat off with a fork) and super-crunchy fries. I tried a piece of macadamia nut pie (continuing the Hawaiian/Southern theme, this was like pecan pie but with the infamous Hawaiian nut of choice). Good but it wasn't a standout, frankly. Service at Ken's ranged from incredibly friendly (the night of the teriyaki) to "Kiss my Hawaiian Grits" (brunch). In the latter case, the waitress acted like we were an incredible inconvenience, and dropped the check without asking if we wanted anything else; since we also planned to get pie, it was a big pain to try to grab her attention again (my bf finally cornered her by the kitchen). On the whole, you'd be hard pressed not to find something on Ken's menu you'll like, but you might get slapped around by the service.

    (4)

  • Mia C.

    This place was our instant choice while looking for breakfast options on our 1st day in big island. It was so packed in the early morning. I had the pancakes with guava syrup, pineapple syrup and coconut syrup. It was great. They give rice as side with pretty much every dish, but I didn't eat it. My spouse had kona coffee which he loved.

    (4)

  • Steph Y.

    I was told by many locals to eat here so I did for lunch one day. Their menu is huge with so many different options. I decided to get a small loco moco and it was very a very good size. Very tasty too. I can't imagine how large the portion would be if I had ordered the normal portion. For dessert, I decided to try the macadamia nut pie. STAY AWAY. This pie was really unspectacular. Its a little like a pecan pie that swapped pecans with macadamia nuts, but the flavor wasn't that good and it tasted like it had been sitting there for a while. The crust had that refrigeration taste. I would definitely come back to try more food, but i'll probably stay away from their desserts.

    (4)

  • Jack C.

    Ahhhh...Mr. Smidgens is on the Big Island and when I come here I always go to Ken's for great coffee and great service. Oh, did I mention that the food is always hot and delicious? No? Well I just did silly rabbits!! The menu is quite a menu with breakfast served all day long and they are always open. I would recommend to anyone who goes to Ken's to take your time before you order your meal. Get familiar with the menu and read the descriptions. You will find just what you want at the right price and you will leave Ken's with a smile on your face and a full but satisfied tummy. They serve Aloha 24 hours a day. Mahalo Ken's. One quick little note: They do not accept American Express

    (4)

  • Jason K.

    You gotta stop here if you're in the area. It's a nice little diner with some creative concoctions. We stopped here twice and I got a spam loco moco and a crab cakes Benedict, but there was soooo many more things on the menu I wanted to try. The prices are pretty good for Hawaii, however the staff seemed a bit curt... but not enough to take away a star.

    (5)

  • Wes J.

    Love Ken's house of pancakes... Would come here 18 years ago in high school and now I'm back with the Family. Love the moco bowls. Gotta eat here.

    (5)

  • Kuuipopualani F.

    My husband & I totally LOVE this place.. Everytime we fly in from Oahu, we soooo gotta eat here. Their portions are very generous and the service can't be beat. This is a GREAT place for tourist and locals to meet up. Because we are a night kind of couple, WE LOVE THAT IT'S 24 hours!! We don't like to deal with the rush crowds so we either get here really early or really late. Which we love to do anyways. No matter what time we go the service is always great. Even the waitresses are always busy they still take the time to stop by and chat little bit with you. The food.. hmmm.. My favorite dish is the Snow Crab Omelet with the hollandise sauce on top.. OMG, Now that is belly buster and I'm a sucker for hollandise sauce. The sauce isn't heavy nor is it the fanciest but it's better then being a heavy oily sauce, as for the crabs. I first thought yeah right it's going to be imitation, but boy was I wrong... It was REAL CRAB meat and even though there was a tiny shell in it, I didn't care because that further tells me that this was FRESH and NOT frozen from the bag. I was HOOKED on this one dish and I haven't deterred from it yet. hehehhe Okay as for my husband hmm.. I don't know what to say, he's tried most of their meat dishes and TOTALLY LOVES it!! Sometimes he is struggling with himself just to figure out which one he wants to eat.. Trust me if he had his way, he'd order the whole menu. Well what more we can say! Try and try and you won't be disappointed.

    (5)

  • Michelle G.

    I know, kinda late but I just started getting into writing reviews, so bare with me. I went here last summer, I was back home and with my best friends. :) I had the corned beef hash eggs benedict. From what I can remember it was delicious. The service was great- Hawaiian style great! :) I miss that kind of service, it's not the same here in Vegas. It's was a great start to our mini road trip to Kona. Can't wait the next time I'm back home....... staring at the menu online, so many choices! Ahhhh.... can't wait...... I will be back next time I'm back home! :)

    (4)

  • A. J.

    Very large menu. Waiter was a tad hurried (apparently it was all you can eat taco night, so he was busy...). Food was great. Diner ambiance with Hawai'in influence. Got appetizer of coconut shrimp, was excellent. Highly recommend.

    (4)

  • Heather R.

    Service was good, nice staff. So many things on the menu, even for my super picky daughter. Like other places in Hawaii, they have lots of pork and condiments. We tried to eat healthier and this place fit the bill. This is one of the only places that I will go back to in Hilo.

    (4)

  • Jboy D.

    when you come to a new place 3 times in a row somethings gotta be right. crab cake breakfast was crazy good, blood sausage was ono with the hashbrowns and that was only the first day. sencond day waitress (good service) remembered us too! definitely coming back to finish menu and wishing they open up one in Oahu as well.

    (5)

  • Misses C.

    Mad at the waitress who lied to me about the Chinese salad. The chicken was overcooked!!!!!

    (1)

  • Allysha A.

    a little something for everyone. Big fan of this 24hr diner. Found out about this place through our hotel concierge. Great recommendation! My family has a diverse range of taste so it was good to see such a huge selection to choose from. I would definitely recommend their belgian waffle with banana and mac nut. So delicious by itself but even better with their "kokonut" syrup. Crazy i know but so good. They also have guava, passionfruit, boysenberry, and maple syrup. The guava and passionfruit syrup are light and sweet. prices are reasonable and affordable which makes this place a definite-must-go-back-to-when-i-come-back-to-­hawaii place.

    (4)

  • Neil O.

    Ken's serves up real good ono grinds, and the best part is that it's available 24 hours a day! Stopped by once while visiting Hilo and tried out their macademia nut pie. In my opinion the macademia nut pie puts the pecan pie to shame, but who's to compare the macademia to the pecan? My breakfast plate hit the spot, but it's pretty hard to mess up on breakfast. Just give me a big enough portion; the bigger the portion the more stars the place deserves. And the value at this place! My five stars to Ken's (and their steady crowd of locals) should speak for themselves!

    (5)

  • Autumn H.

    We were a little hesitant to go here for our last meal before heading back to the mainland, but we're glad we did. The menu must have a thousand choices on it, so you can get exactly what you want. Like I got to order half the eggs benedict and good thing because a whole thing would have been way too much. We got seated and served quickly. It's definitely kitchy inside, but that's OK.

    (5)

  • Adrienne M.

    We were told this place was somewhere we had to go in Hilo for breakfast, but it was kind of like a glorified IHOP. I had eggs, hashbrowns, and pancakes and my bf had banana pancakes. The pancakes were pretty dense and dry - not the best. We couldn't taste much banana in the banana pancakes. The eggs and hashbrowns were pretty good, albeit very greasy. 3 stars instead of 2 because although the menu is generally a tad overpriced, there are good deals to be had. Both our meals were $7-ish, which is pretty cheap for Hawaii.

    (3)

  • Angel A.

    For breakfast this is THE place to go if you are staying on the Hilo side of the island. We did not have to wait for a table but then again we went on a Tuesday around 10am. They have a list of specials that we considered including some banana chocolate chip pancakes. The local style pancakes come with powdered sugar on top, but the best part as many have noted in other reviews is the syrups! You can get a trip of jars that have guava, passionfruit (lilikoi), and coconut. I literally ate one with each syrup. Hubby got the Chef's Special (eggs scrambled with sausage spinach and mushrooms). He liked it except he would have liked it more if it had portuguese sausage instead of linked sausage. He cleaned the entire plate clean (but then again he has a hearty appetite and finishes mine sometimes). Our friend got the thick-sliced sweet bread french toast, which made my mouth water just looking at it. It's not really a slice but more like a large wedge of bread from the Molokai Bakery. She also got it with a side of portuguese sausage. Another friend got the chicken fried steak, which he couldn't finish. Portions are generous and reflective of the prices. But the variety and menu options were so much we wish we came back more than once! I'm not surprised they were voted Best Breakfast on the Big Island for 13 years. On a side note, I liked the Lava Java breakfast on the Kona side much more for the value of what you are getting (but definitely less variety than here).

    (4)

  • kelley q.

    my first to kens, very pleasant staffs and easy people to ask for anything! I had oxtail soup, two scrambled eggs, and portuguese sausage for a change, surprising huge! overall, totally recommend this to everyone hitting hilo town for FANTASTIC BREAKFAST joint. I bought a t~shirt for souvenir.

    (4)

  • Erynn T.

    5 stars for what I decided to order tonight; the teri burger with fries! Admittedly I think the sauce is just Yoshida teriyaki sauce, but you can't go wrong with that anyway! This burger is really messy but good. Hit the spot for me since I was really hungry. And as always, the fries are da bomb! I would get this again. Yum! Finally think I found the one thing on the menu I've tried that I actually really like (see previous review) lol.

    (5)

  • Denise E.

    We ate breakfast here during our week-long vacation 2 or 3 times. Each time, nearly all the tables were taken, but we never had to wait long to be seated. The service can be slow at times, but the food comes out of the kitchen pretty quick, so table turnover is pretty fast. Be patient when parking, though -- they have a small lot but it doesn't have nearly enough spaces for everyone that comes here. On the plus side, Ken's is open 24 hours a day, so if it's too busy for your liking, you can always come back at another time. The walls and decorations probably haven't been updated since this place opened in the '70s. I wouldn't be surprised if some of the waitresses have worked there since it opened. But they were all super nice. We tried the Chef's Special, the Hobo, the Pocho, and a few of the omelettes. You can substitute a stack of pancakes for your side of toast, and they offer a variety of syrups -- regular, coconut, guava, and lilikoi to name a few. Overall, this is a great place to fuel up before your day of sightseeing. I'd definitely go back the next time I'm in Hilo.

    (4)

  • Samantha T.

    So ono! Big plates for great price!!

    (4)

  • Debbie H.

    My husband and I had been told this was a "must stop" place so we were excited to visit today on our trip from Kona to Hilo. What a disappointment!! The clam chowder had a weird smokey flavor. My tuna melt was not good. The turkey was hard and dry - even with the gravy. Even the water tasted off. Absolutely not worth the calories. The people were not cheery; in fact we felt like we were bothering the hostess. We will not be back and I am going to ask the concierge what she was thinking in providing this recommendation.

    (1)

  • Oz B.

    Your friends tell you to come here anytime you're on the Big Island for a reason. The feel of the restaurant is very cute, kitchy, like a 50's diner. The menu was a lot larger than I was expecting, but that's never a bad thing. I settled on the loco moco and quickly fell into a food coma. Can't wait to go back.

    (4)

  • Kaili N.

    Best omelette of my life!!! Wow! After wanting to try this place for a while, I started to think, as I always do, "How good can it be??" Needless to say, I was pleasantly surprised. I finally got a chance to dine here with my family on a little weekend getaway last month. We were a party of 9 but got seated right away. Service was fast and friendly. I browsed over the yelp reviews, called my bf for recommendations (he was stuck working in Hilo for a few months) and after much deliberation (the menu is huge with lots of options), decided on a veggie omelette with a side of pancakes. The omelette was incredibly fluffy like, "how did they do that?" fluffy. The pancakes were just regular pancakes - nothing special but still enjoyable. Oh, the only weird thing was the bathroom stall. It was sooo tiny that my feet were literally popping out from under the door... and I'm only 5'1 (and 3/8)!

    (4)

  • Yuan F.

    I wish everybody should go there to support this awesome business. At the same time, I secretly hope nobody does because I want to keep this gem to myself lol. This 24/7 diner is a true old-fashioned restaurant. Leather booths by the window, pot plants hanging from the ceiling, semi-open kitchen and staff wearing floral uniforms. Staff are as happy and chilled as true Hawaiians are. Fast service. Delicious food. We sampled the pancakes, scramble, corn beef hash, and omelette. Their breakfast burrito and waffle look great too. Reasonable price. I went there every morning during my stay at Hilo.

    (5)

  • Carmon V.

    Best breakfast in Hilo. It's not the best breakfast I have ever had, but it's good. Large menu selection, something for everyone. Friendly staff, reasonable prices and my daughter LOVES it when they ring the bell and yell "SUMO"

    (3)

  • Chad Y.

    All of my Hilo friends said that I had to eat at Ken's Pancake House and boy I was definitely not disappointed. This place is open 24 hours and give you tons of food for the price you pay. Pancakes are big and fluffy. Be sure to eat it with the passion fruit or guava syrup. SOOO Yummy! The service was fantastic and for me a good mark of a place like this is not having my coffee cup go empty or get stale. Neither occurred at this place! Definitely a place to go and eat at!

    (4)

  • Daniel C.

    This is a great place to grab food if you want local food. Menu has a great selection of local grinds and the portions are generous. It's a place to definitely check out if you're in Hilo. Keep in mind that this is a local restaurant and not fine dining. You get great bang for your buck here and they are always open.

    (4)

  • Jeff B.

    Great breakfast! Pros: -Food comes quick -Good service Cons: -Food can be a little greasy -Get there early on weekend mornings -Lack of parking on weekends

    (4)

  • MIKA M.

    Best place to end up after a night of partying. Menu has so many selections, it's almost difficult to choose. Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner 24/7..macadamia nut pie was delish. Saimin, loco moco, spaghetti night guaranteed to "broke da mout"...tried the Sumo...a lot of food, although I think it's pretty overpriced for it. Overall, classic joint.

    (4)

  • Mojos G.

    This seems to be the place to go in Hilo. It's also the only place to eat late at night. It was ok. Typical diner ambiance, which I don't mind. Seemed to have lots of vegetarian options. I went at about 10 PM, it was pretty packed, but I was seated right away. Good service. I has the vegetarian BLT. It was O.K. Maybe would have been better if the had used something other than plain sandwich bread? Had to ask for mayo. The cheesecake was decent.

    (3)

  • Bryce M.

    Huge selection of items. Breakfast, lunch and dinner items. you got it all!! The parking is hard to come by especially during peak hours. We had the Oxtail soup which was a special. Soup was pretty good, with te usuals like peanuts, cilantro, Ginger and shitake. The Oxtails were huge though and meaty. Not like some of the other places that use the small Oxtails. Also had the egg Benedict. That was ok, egg would have been better if it was poached instead. Overall good food and pretty good service. would come back.

    (4)

  • Hikari K.

    The Hash-browns are amazing! Visiting Hilo for work, since I had some time to spare, I thought I'd grab a quick bite. A total Vintage diner. Pictures of old school celebs on the wall - a big sumo with a lei by the counter to give you a feel of local-ness. Aside from the food which was a hit, Added bonus was...Service-FRIENDLIEST staff Ever! If you have time, and your hanging out in Hilo Ken's is a place you wanna stop by.

    (4)

  • Rachel O.

    I wonder why the hype about this place because there are better choices for breakfast and local food. I've tried eating at men's on several occasions when out of town friends request it and each time I still have not been convinced of good food :( the staff is okay tho and the restaurant is open 24hrs and is big.

    (2)

  • Alex M.

    Why go to IHOP when you got Ken's House of Pancakes? Its right next to the Hilo Airport and open 24/7 so you grub whenever you want. I had everything from the pancakes to burgers. All awesome.

    (4)

  • Jensen S.

    Once again, I'm probably the only person that doesn't like this place...but let me justify. Coming into the Big Island you hear the Ken's is the only 24 hour place in Hilo. So after traveling there and settling in the hotel, we venture out to go to Ken's. Every time you go there, especially at normal meal times, you have to wait a while to finally get seated. After getting seated, you see all the older aunties working there as the waitresses. Our table ordered, and I got the Loco Moco (I was kind of on a quest to find the best one - found it at Cafe 100). Food seemed forever to come. We finally started getting our food, and were waiting on my dad's to come out. Nope, nothing... apparently the waitress forgot. So we had to wait even longer for him to finally get his food so we can eat. My loco moco had one hamburger patty, gravy, rice, and one egg. I did not enjoy it at all. I ate like half and went home disappointed. Since I gave you so much negative, I will hit you with a positive. Verna's Drive in is right across the street. They recently started being 24 hours and the food and service is 100 time better. GO THERE NOW!

    (1)

  • Jenifer G.

    The only spot in Hilo 24/7 to get whatever you want. Plate lunch to breakfast cravings, they've got it. I've been going there for years now, but usually it was the late night spot, which wasn't usually sober... but I just went a few days ago and it was really really good. Service was attentive, and ambiance is extremely casual (air fans, no a/c). I had a side of corned beef hash w/ white rice, and pancakes. The corned beef hash was one of the best I've had. Probably comparable to Boots & Kimo's (in Kailua, Oahu). I hate to make this comment but the pancakes could have been cooked a little more. They were ordered as part of a whole meal, but still, "Ken's House of Pancakes" should have the best pancakes, regardless of whether the pancakes are ordered as the main meal or a side meal, right? Anyway, this place is definitely worth a stop-by, especially if you're in Hilo town. Parking is ample and it's just a few blocks away from the hotels on Banyan Drive.

    (4)

  • tom-e e.

    What the hell happened to the food???????? Use to be good........way back wen....did they change the cook? Maybe gotta change um again........jus' like da food was frozen n dey had microwave um, was burn da edges, rubbah tuff kine, even the hambergahs is frozen kine...the stars are for the wait help, s da only ting was good!!! They really need to make things rite again...these kinds of small local eateries are fading faster then we realize.....

    (3)

  • jc c.

    Great place to eat!! Wonderful staff and this local place never lets you down!!!

    (5)

  • Josh C.

    Still got the old feel I remember. Living on Oahu we miss places like kens. I brought 3 friends who never had kens before. My friends were not impressed and I also was disappointed with the food, service and prices. I am hoping I just went on a bad day. It stinks because I don't get to go to the big Island that often.

    (2)

  • Jillian P.

    I ate here for dinner and for breakfast just this past weekend! For dinner, we had a party of nine, and although they were VERY busy, we were seated fairly quickly and we received WONDERFUL service. I was very satisfied! I ordered the Chilli 'n' Fries for dinner . . . Which was only supposed to come with fries, chilli, sour cream, and green onions. But I asked if I could get cheese on it as well - and low and behold I was able too. :) Probably one of the best chili cheese fries I've ever had. The portion was HUGE! Which I was very happy about. I ate less than a quarter of it. The next morning two of my friends and I went back to Ken's for breakfast. Again, was seated quickly (despite how busy they were) and had great service. I ordered the French Toast which was made with Moloka`i sweet bread - Talk about broke da mout!! Buggah was ONOOOOO. :) (But I might be able to attribute that to my week-long craving for French Toast.) My friends ordered Omelets - both were HUGEEE! My friend said she really enjoyed her bacon and cheese omelet. While my other friend said her bacon and mushroom omelet was alright. They served it with brown gravy, which is probably why she didn't like it much. One of THE best things about this place is that NO MATTER how big the party - they let you pay separate checks!!!! :) Which is always a problem when eating out with a bunch of friends. Love this place. :) Definitely recommend it!

    (5)

  • Susie O.

    Friends and I were driving around Hilo on a Sunday afternoon (last day in HI) after checking out waterfalls and stopped to ask a local where we should eat. He recommended Ken's HOP. Ken's HOP is a Super Denny's. Think of Denny's menu times 3..mix in chinese, korean, local hawaiian, japnese and portuguese..made me dizzy. I had a MahiMahi with salad. Bff had sandwich with fries. The fries were SO TASTY. Golden..perfect batter.verryy tasty. Server got down to business. Get in, order, eat and get out. No fuss! :) Awesome.

    (3)

  • Lianni C.

    I went with a group of friends I was vacationing with and we were starving and excited for some local eats! It was taco night with all you can eat tacos. One of my friends got it...I recommend to skip it. Meat not so good and just on the regular corn taco shells. I got the oxtail stew. AMAZING. Yummy. Just like my Lola would make. Thick, tasty, rich dark stew. Probably came with 7 pieces of oxtail. Great deal! Major ono. We also got an order of the pancakes and we all loved the coconut syrup. Two of my friends got the Saimin and gotta say the broth is really flavorful. Order the stuff they're popular for and you'll be satisfied.

    (3)

  • Markus F.

    Eggs Benedict, the crab cake eggs Benedict are outstanding. One of the best I had in a long time and I try to eat them when I get a chance. Ate it a second time on the way out of town.

    (5)

  • Mike S.

    This place is awesome! It's open 24/7 and is pretty much the go-to place for everyone. Here's the rundown: SERVICE: This place runs like clockwork. Most, if not all, of the wait staff are veterans and know what they're doing. Very professional, on-point, and very friendly. Even though this place is generally packed all the time, we never really had to wait to get seated, nor did we have to wait to pay our bill. Like I said, everything works like clockwork here. FOOD: If you're on a diet, you probably don't wanna come here. They encourage gluttony. The food is rich and large. It's not a top chef restaurant, but it's not a crap shack either. It's middle of the road, good rich food. Full of cheese, gravy, syrup, or whatever else you ordered. They have a HUGE selection of dishes and the menu can be a bit disorienting. If you order pancakes, they give the standard maple syrup, along with their carousel of guava, coconut, and passion fruit syrups. My gf and I were in Hilo 3 days...and we ate at Ken's House of Pancakes 3 times. Yes, it keeps you comin' back for more.

    (5)

  • Ailin K.

    I guess i expected a bit more. This place was highly recommended by a co-worker and my guidebook. Everything was pricy for a breakfast joint. I got the Keiki Loco Moco($6.95). Keiki means kid size, which would be perfect for me since the portions here are usually gigantic. The bowl consisted of rice, one slice of spam and one fried egg with gravy. For what was in the bowl I felt it was a bit too much $$...... and I had tastier Loco Moco elsewhere at a way lower price at the same size. Also ordered the Mac Nut Pancake, it came with passion fruit, coconut, and guava syrup. The pancake was a bit dry ..... and did not come with any sides for $9. I gave it 3 star taking in consideration that it could have just been an off day experience for us. I would have easily given it a 2 Star, because I for sure had better loco moco + pancake elsewhere.

    (3)

  • Amanda C.

    We went here after a 12+ hour day a the Volcano National Park. It felt so good to get some good Hawaiian food. (a bonus, they're open 24/7) The saimin, oxtail stew, and loco moco were good which I'd recommend. Fish and chips were definitely not as good as those three dishes. They also had daily specials which looked so appealing too! Lots of variety. Also, they have a Sumo challenge or sized foods and they ring a gong and what not if you get it. Pretty interesting. Definitely a good local place to check out if you're in the area.

    (4)

  • Eric M.

    Ken's is the comfort food that I was looking for on the Big Island. My first dishes that I ate were the tripe stew and oxtail stew and it was delicious. You can tell that the meat has been stewing for a long time since the meat falls right off of the bone in the oxtail. The reason that I don't give Ken's 5 stars is that both times I've had the stew, the rice wasn't hot. C'mon...as a kid growing up eating steamed rice, I expect that in a Hawaiian Diner of all places, I should be able to see the rice steam from the plate. You can tell that a few tourists come to this restaurant. However, locals mostly come to this restaurant to get their fills of ono kine grinds. I would definitely come to this restaurant again and it'll be my first stop when flying into the big island.

    (4)

  • Eitaro A.

    nice little place. our waitress was kinda grumpy old lady, but she was fast and very good service. Whenever I'm in Hilo, I will definitely go back there again.

    (4)

  • Michael K.

    This is like the Denny's of the big island... open 24 hours, sometimes a wait at night... Wait a second, I should shoot myself for making that comparison... Denny's doesn't even come close to this place when it comes to the food. I ate at Ken's twice while I was in Hilo. The first time was the night I got there, the second being the night before I left... all for some good ol' Hawaiian breakfast, although that's not all they serve. Their menu was a good 5 pages long. The first night, I saw an eggs benedict in the hands of a waitress as she walked right by... It looked so good. I got their crab cake benedict to try and combine the seafood and breakfast together... wow. Party in my mouth. There was a good healthy portion of pretty much everything. Eggs were cooked fairly well but the combination of the spinach, crab cake, and hollandaise were so good! The second night, I had a corned beef moco, which is your standard rice, gravy, meat, and eggs. Got myself some overeasy eggs to run the yolk all over the gravy, rice and meat. This is a must eat. Parking can be difficult during busy times... but it is right around the corner from all the hotels and within walking distance.

    (4)

  • Ruby W.

    First day of arrival breakfast was awesome. Great place to stop by. Pancake was good. They got 4 different syrup (Coconut cream, guava, lilikoi, and mayple). They use fresh corned beef for their corned beef hash...it's very ono. Then on our last day of our trip had tripe stew. was good but should cook the carrots more so i only ate the tripe. Still need to go back and try out more on the menu. Until then they are just as good or better than iHop.

    (3)

  • Rachel P.

    Of course it's not healthy. It's diner food in the state with the highest SPAM consumption, by far. But, it's a staple and for a good reason. The menu boasts endless options with pidgin codenames and mysterious ingredients if you're not familiar. Oh, and they've got the best fries on the island. Ken's is actually pretty veggie friendly too. Sometimes you just have to ask, fake meats aren't always listed. Parking can be awful, there aren't many spots. However around the corner near Sombat's there are usually plenty empty spots.

    (4)

  • K T.

    We love KHOP! This place has it all, it's clean, the food is fresh, delicious, and cheap! I like the 'keiko corner' best on the menu, sure it's for kids, but you can get a steak, 2 egg's, 2 pancakes, and a juice. I'm not sure if you really need more than that for any meal!

    (5)

  • Anton K.

    While the food was nothing spectacular, the sheer number of choices available on the menu gives this place an extra star from me. No matter what you are hungry for, you can find it here. We had lightning fast service. Our food arrived before my kids had a chance to get even part way through their kid menu activities.

    (4)

  • Karen W.

    Our first night in Hilo, it was late and Ken's is open 24 hours and we just happened to have a yen for Hawaiian food and it was Hawaiian night there! 2 of us had the Hawaiian plate which had tripe stew, kalua pork, rice, poi, lomi lomi salmon and haupia. It was excellent. I had the lau lau plate with rice, lomi lomi salmon, poi and it was delicious and tender. Service was friendly and a great experience.

    (4)

  • Robin W.

    Definitely a diner. If you stick with breakfast or grill items and expect them to be greasy, you'll enjoy your meal. I ordered the turkey dinner, thinking how great it'd be to have mashed potatoes, stuffing, cranberry sauce, veggies, and moist turkey. Well the potatoes were not mashed from real potatoes, the stuffing was soggy, the cranberry sauce was canned, and the veggies were frozen succotash. I guess the turkey itself was okay, but can you tell how disappointed I was by my meal?

    (2)

  • Mitch T.

    SUMO! SUMO! SUMO! A local favorite, took my 9yr old there for her first time. She just loves Denny's and iHop and now she loves Ken's. Parking lot can get crowded and when they are hitting full stride, you might have to wait, but Wait you must! Worth the time!! Try the Sumo Loco, if you dare. It is huge and most cannot finish it. Take the challenge.

    (5)

  • Jesse M.

    Ken's House of Pancakes is Hilo's answer to Oahu's Wailana Pancake House. The atmosphere is very Wailana-esque, with old-school decor and older-school waitresses. Also, there aren't many 24-hour places in Hilo, so it seems every resident ends up at Ken's after church or a long night out. This makes for scarce parking and long wait times. BUT, for a true Big Island greasy spoon experience straight from the airport, this is the spot. Besides, if you can't get in, there's always Verna's across the street. The menu is ridiculously deep, but most of it is typical local fare. My understanding is that the main draw here is... well, the pancakes. I had coconut, and they were indeed coconutty. The coconut syrup is thicker and sweeter than the Wailana version, and thus more delicious. They also have guava and passion orange syrup, which taste like they sound. Macadamia nut pancakes are just pancakes with nuts sprinkled over them, no nuts in the actual batter. Order the "Sumo" dishes on the menu, and they'll bang a gong and yell "sumo!" And, once you see the size of the dish, you'll understand why. GOOD - Simple food. 24 hours. BAD - Parking. Being one of the very few 24-hour places in Hilo has its drawbacks late at night. DISH 1: SUMO MOCO - A giant hamburger patty, with three eggs. Gravy is a bit on the floury side. Most of the dish, unfortunately, is a disproportionate amount of rice. I finished it, but still.

    (3)

  • Amanda Z.

    Holy tons of food! Yummy corned beef hash (from scratch!!). I think out of the handful of times I've eaten here I've always eaten breakfast no matter what time of the day. Most breakfast meals come with choice of rice or hash browns (last time we came here the hash browns were a little bland) and toast or pancakes (go for the pancakes! they have guava, lilikoi and coconut syrup! in addition to the usual maple and raspberry syrups). Come hungry and leave happy!

    (4)

  • Victoria Y.

    We kept driving by this place every day and decided to try it. I'm glad we came early though because people circle the parking lot as soon as it hits 10am. 5 stars for the Beef soup with mac noodles. The keiki breakfast menu was the perfect size and price. I got juice, eggs, bacon, potatoes, and pancakes all for $5.

    (5)

  • Stephanie Y.

    I haven't been stayed in Hilo for almost 20 years, but one of the things I remember was Ken's House of Pancakes. So recently when I was in Hilo for a baseball tournament, I had to drag my sister to Ken's. I really can't remember how good it was (20+ year is a long time to remember back), but do remember it always being there and us always going there, so I went back more for nostalgic reasons. The atmosphere is how I always remember Hilo. An old-time coffee shop, nothing fancy, laid back, good food and somewhere the locals go. It was busy, but we were seated right away. The service seemed a little slow, but thankfully we were not in a rush. Once our waiter finally came to us, he was very friendly, efficient and always there when we needed him. The menu is huge, the parking is bad and there is no A/C so on a humid day it's pretty hot. However I really enjoyed my simple breakfast of eggs, bacon, hashbrowns and pancakes. I love a good pancake and the pancakes were yummy and the choices of syrups were plentiful (guava, passionfruit, coconut, blueberry and maple). My sister had the homemade corned beef and poached eggs. It was a little strange to see poached eggs in a separate bowl and while the corned beef looked yummy, the portion seemed rather small. However it also came with pancakes and my sister enjoyed those. Overall this was a good experience and if I ever find myself in Hilo again, I would go back to Ken's.

    (4)

  • Sarah D.

    The food was pretty good and reasonably priced. They have lots of selections including nice tropical pancakes and Portuguese sausage. The atmosphere is nice and laid back, old school stylie. It was good, just not over the top amazing.

    (4)

  • Edward B.

    I was excited to eat here as I heard multiple locals tell me it was a great spot....once I sat down the menu was downright daunting as it is FULL of options. My experience went downhill the moment the waitress seemed annoyed when I asked for her recommendations or favorite dishes. She left my table and came back at least 4 times....as if I was bothering her making a choice. Yet the only feedback she gave me was "I like omelets." I settled in on the Honey Crispy Chicken with Macaroni Salad and white rice which I order frequently in Los Angeles at King's Hawaiian Bread as that would give me a good comparison of the two. The Honey Crispy Chicken was very very good....perfectly cooked on the outside with just the right touch of sweetness to make you want to eat more and more. The comparison fell short in the side dishes which I found very bland and did nothing to compliment the dish - rather they were pure filler. I would've liked to give them a 3.5 but since that option is not available I will settle with a 3 docking a 1/2 point for the service.

    (3)

  • Ema S.

    The food is great and the waitresses are sweet. A lot of aloha spirit and a satisfying menu. The atmosphere reminds me of the fictional restaurant "The Hukilau Cafe," in the movie "50 First Dates." Good vibes... Nice selection of Loco Moco entrees (see photo I added to gallery)

    (4)

  • Dave J.

    Delicious! Great Hawaiian diner. It's everything Denny's pretends and wishes it was. The menu is huge, and full of loco mocos, and giant pancakes. Will definitely be back next time I'm in Hilo!

    (5)

  • Jamie M.

    I'm not sure why people have rated this restaurant poorly. If you were expecting something high-end than that's your own fault. As for the person who reviewed and said it took forever to be sat, and then they forgot one of the meals - it sounds like you were in a big group. My husband and I came here on our last day in Hilo on our honeymoon - wish we'd found it yesterday! We were sat right away and the food came so quick we were shocked! And it was exactly what we ordered and hoped for. Delicious breakfast food and cheap too! Plus our water glasses were never empty :) As for the "older aunties" as the wait staff - they are adorable and sweet! They know what they're doing and do it efficiently. I don't think I could have anything negative to say. HUGE menu, delicious food, quick service an cheap prices! Don't miss this place I'd you're in Hilo!

    (5)

  • Blue H.

    Parking can be frustrating. Food is o.k. to good, depending on what you order. Service is good, and fast paced. The wait staff is friendly. The diner is open 24-7, which is a bonus. This place could move into 4 star territory if they would remodel the interior every few years. Worn out booth style seating, loose chairs, an occasional insect or two won't keep me away (only because there isn't anything else open at 2 a.m. besides Jack in the Box). It's kind of like Hilo Farmer's Market. You have to go and experience it at least once, but don't expect anything fancy. Just real simple and the food is good.

    (3)

  • Sebastian K.

    Meh... Ken's is a mainstay and veritable Hilo icon. Arguably, no visit to Hilo is complete without stopping at Ken's (my insider knowledge says even Saudi royalty have graced the 70s chic diner). Still... I'm not impressed as I used to be when I was a little kid. I'm not a fan of extensive menus like they have (most will argue it's a plus but not me). Why? Think of all the food items that must be sitting back there that go unused. With a menu that size they're either wasting a lot of food or storing them for long periods of time (my money is on the latter, just ask my mom about the blue meat incident). Your best bet at Ken's is to stick to the breakfast items which are served 'round the clock and most likely to be fresh and what they do best. The staff are usually very friendly and are used to catering to locals and visitors alike. In fact many have been there for 20+ years! The decor needs to go badly and it's time for an update. Sadly I think the owners have fallen into the belief that it's charming and does not need improvement. They are open 24 hours which is a huge plus where everything closes at 8:30!

    (3)

  • Jeff W.

    Would like to give it another chance. Service staff were attentive and friendly, despite a busy crowd. Was seated in a dining area that wasn't air conditioned, so a bit stuffy. Wife had the honey stung chicken, pieces so small we wondered if they were using nene. Mashed potatoes were likely powdered-tasted like hospital food. My Kahlua pork and cabbage was boiled and flavor less. Thinking maybe we ordered poorly. The menu is extensive. Will go back and try again our next visit.

    (3)

  • Kenny F.

    Alright. So I've been waiting for this moment to rate something lower than a 3-star...low and behold--i've found it. This place is incredibly popular--WHY!? Beats me! You walk into this joint and all of a sudden you feel the humidity hit you like a thousand pound weight. The only source of "wind" are the many ceiling fans blowing human sweat, fried food, and the stench of cleaning product around the entire restaurant. Eck! (This counts as 5 strikes out!) We sit down and get our water served to us--the waiter spills the cup on the table (Strike 6). Damn. I order the the taco salad with spicy chicken. When she returns with my order--I kid you not--this is the BIGGEST taco salad I have seen in my LIFE! It was overflowing my plate...this isn't a bad thing, but it's super intimidating thinking "Whoa! They expect me to eat this!??" I dig right in. 6 bites in I realize I'm missing my spicy chicken...I keep getting beans after beans after beans...I stop the waiter and ask about my chicken and she said "There better be some chicken in there--I told them!" I start to move my salad around and dissect my salad apart and hear "There it IS!" I look at the meat in question and realize they gave me a small ice cream scoop of spicy chicken on a nearly whole head of lettuce. (Strike this-place-sucks) I finish what I wanted and head out. The food was OKAY--it was horrible. And the other people I was with enjoyed their burgers and such. Perhaps I should have ordered PANCAKES--I mean it is called Kens House of PANCAKES--right? Poo. Where's alcohol?

    (2)

  • Dustin H.

    This place is always good. I like the soup. Always open. Enjoy.

    (5)

  • Amanda K.

    We've been here twice so far in the week we've been here, and it's pretty awesome. First, being open 24 hours a day is great - something we rarely see where I live in California, and I would love to get an awesome variety of pretty inexpensive food whenever I feel like eating. Although I was eyeing the French toast, I got the teri steak sandwich with onions and peppers our first time here. Really delicious! Tender meat and sweet, savory teriyaki sauce. Second time, we came on Thanksgiving. Husband got the turkey dinner plate, which was tasty. Tasted like they put about a pound of butter in the mashed potatoes, but you don't hear us complaining about it either. Only problem was the stuffing was not our style - very wet. I got the won ton min, homemade won tons, teri chicken stick, noodles, char sui pork, egg, fish cake. I loved the fact that the won tons were homemade, but was a little disappointed that neither they nor the noodles seemed to be cooked quite all the way through. Still very tasty though, and I only could plow my way through about half the noodles before pronouncing myself done. Also tried the cheesecake with blueberry and the mac nut pie - both good, but not outstanding. We found service to be pretty prompt and very friendly, and the prices fair.

    (4)

  • lonni f.

    Went for breakfast, and the place was packed. Normally this would be a good sign, but sadly, the food here was mediocre at best. My wife said that her banana chocolate chip pancakes were good, however both my & my son's food was bleh. He got the 'full stack' and said that it was tasteless & dry. I got the corned beef hash with hollandaise sauce and a short stack of pancakes. The pancakes were cold, dry & tasteless. The corned beef hash was beyond disgusting. It was this tasteless mush, and the hollandaise was incredibly salty, with no other flavor.

    (2)

  • Sho U.

    This place is hit and miss. It's open 24 hours/7days a week, which is rare for Hilo, so Ken's House of Pancakes has this going for them. I came here with my wife on Saturday night. It was very crowded, but we were seated right away. The ambiance is like a dated diner, but I liked it. Anytime somebody orders a sumo sized dish, the waiter who took the order hits a gong and all the wait staff yell "SUMO!" It's great. I ordered the buttermilk pancakes because it's Ken's House of Pancakes. I figure their pancakes, if anything, have to be good. They are OK. I like IHOP's pancakes better because they are more fluffier and served hotter. Having said that, the thing that stood out for me was the syrup selection. They have the usual faux-maple, and strawberry, but you have to try the three local syrups; the guava, coconut, and lilikoi. Those were new for me and it was very cool trying all of the different syrups. My wife had the banana mac Belgian waffle. It was OK too. Again, the local fruit syrups made the dish. We also ordered the saimin. This was the best thing that we ordered here, which was a shocker for both of us. You would think that a place named Ken's House of Pancakes is going to have great pancakes, but I was wrong. Saimin was excellent. The broth was tasty, noodles weren't over cooked, and the teriyaki chicken stick was a nice touch. We had the saimin over at Kuhio Grille earlier, and it was horrible compared to the saimin here. So, when you're at Ken's House of Pancakes, try something other than the pancakes. Their menu is huge so there is something for everyone, and you don't want to waste your stomach space on pancakes. If I'm ever in Hilo again, I would definitely want to come back and try some of the other dishes.

    (3)

  • Mindy J.

    Full disclosure...I've never had loco moco before, so the fact that this place has made me fan means it must be pretty good. The saimin soup was really good too. Like fresh ramen. Even dh loved it and he hates ramen. Speaking of dh...he got the Hawaiian turkey sandwhich and he loved it. Whoever thought of putting grilled pineapple on a turkey sandwich deserves a spot in the sandwich hall of fame right next to the guy who decided to put pineapple on a cheeseburger. Best of all...there are even a few locals inside, so its not all tourists. I'll definitely seek this place out if I'm in Hilo again!

    (4)

  • Stacy S.

    I love this place! Went here after our Lava Boat Tour and we were STARVING! We had a difficult time deciding what we wanted but ultimately ended up with oxtail stew, a scramble and coconut pancakes. The trio of different syrups wasn't excellent but definitely worth trying because I haven't had anything like it. Service is okay and I felt like I was transported back to the seventies. I'd come back again to try their saimin.

    (4)

  • Angel Q.

    Definitely a fan of this place! The food is pretty good here. I like how they call out "SUMO" whenever someone orders the sumo (ramen) dish. They have 3 different types of sauce for pancakes other than the typical syrup: Grava, Citrus and Coconut. I am a coconut fan, so i say the coconut flavor is the best! haha. I will definitely miss that coconut syrup. This place is crowded and well liked by the locals. Definitely need to check it out if you haven't.

    (4)

  • Richard M.

    What Denny's aspires to be. Now you have to realize that the scales are tweaked. We are talking about food on the Big Isl of Hawaii. Compared to Larger cities you have to down grade your expectations lol! Knowing that, this place is a great Ma and Pa Greasy spoon. Perfect for breakfast, or after the bar kinda food. The have a great menu that offer plenty of American favorites, while still staying true to their Hawaiian roots. You can get Bacon/eggs/hash browns and pancakes (which you can sub rice, hello we are in Hawaii), or A big bowl of saimin. 24 hours a day. Drinks do not have refills except coffee, and Iced tea you get one refill. All and all they prices are good, they are well staffed and attentive. I like this place a lot for basic comfort style food.

    (4)

  • Celiy K.

    I had just stepped on the big island for the first time of my life and my boyfriend's family first took me out to Ken's and ordered Sumo Sei-men, and a lilikoi sunday to share. Both were pretty good. We had the Sumo several times throughout our trip. ... In other news, I hate pancakes. They are always undercooked. And gross.. and by the time you eat them they are too soggy and yucky and... bleh. HOWEVER; Ken's is the only pancakes I will EVER eat. They are wonderful, well cooked, and great with the lilikoi special syrup. ;D Sad that I have to travel so far to get a good pancake. But I would do it again.

    (4)

  • Zhitong Z.

    I went to Ken's House of Pancakes during a recent trip to the big Island to see the volcano. My friends and I ate at Ken's because it was the only 24-hr place near our hotel, and we were up early to chase the sunrise. We had no real expectations of the restaurant, since we just wanted some fuel to last us on our hikes around the volcano. Boy can I say that we were pleasantly surprised! The first thing we noticed about Ken's was that it is massive, surprising given its location. Not only was the restaurant itself large, its menu was also huge -- spanning quite a few pages with really small print. As my friends and I excitedly looked over the delicious breakfast, lunch, and dinner choices, we slowly became filled with the energy that only the anticipation of good food can provide. Seeing how it was barely 6am, everyone in my group opted for breakfast. I got "the hobo," ham-filled scrambled eggs topped with hollandaise sauce. My eggs were accompanied by hash browns (though you could get rice) and two buttermilk pancakes (though you could get toast). Mmmmm, so yummy! The hollandaise sauce was smooth and creamy, the eggs were light and fluffy, and the hash browns were crisp outside and soft inside. But best of all were the pancakes with Ken's special syrups! We were given a trio of guava, passion fruit, and coconut syrup. I sampled all of them, and I have to say that all were delicious. The passion fruit and guave syrups tasted almost like ultra-concentrated juice, yummy! The service at Ken's was fast and efficient (probably since there were only two other tables in the restaurant at that hour). We were given complimentary tea/coffee before our meal -- nothing fancy, of course, but still a nice touch. Also, the portions at Ken's are gigantic! Nobody at my table was able to finish his/her breakfast, which was a shame because we couldn't take the leftovers with us that day. So if you find yourself hungry in Hilo, head to Ken's for a hearty breakfast with a slightly tropical twist!

    (4)

  • Jack L.

    I think for a classic diner in Hawaii, this is what you want. I like the almond pancakes, and we had the beef. Forgot the name. Really liked the tropical syrups. They were different and IHOPS should have these! Pancakes were a little crispy on the outside and that's how I like it. The coconut shrimp that we ordered was delicious and I think if you like raw shrimp, you should try it. It is delicious coconut shreds with bread crumbs on the outside and raw shrimp on the inside. Kinda like amaebi coconut shrimp style. The shrimp was very fresh. The beef was local style which meant it was kinda asian fusion with chinese flavors in it, which we did not expect, but it was tasty. The service was a bit slow, as they are very busy, and the decor is really pretty basic like an old diner, but we didn't expect anything different. Felt like locals eating at this place. Their menu is humongous by the way, and so are their portions. Good luck trying to finish everything. A reviewer talked about the brown rice having some uncooked kennels, eh... that's how some brown rice is. Its like multigrain and some of them still have the shells. Anyway it wasn't tough and we really like the rice in Hawaii.

    (4)

  • Molly O.

    I usually dont give bad reviews but here goes.. Ok so I read the reviews on yelp and was looking forward to checking this place out, however, my experience was not pleasant. First the seats are hard and not comfortable in the slightest. Service was not at all anything to rave about or even give a star to. I asked the waiter how the turkey dinner was and he said really good. I took his word, got the soup, turkey dinner, and a chocolate milkshake.. After all how could you go wrong with turkey? My one star is for the chocolate milkshake. Not that it was anything to write home about but it was the only decent thing I had. After trying my hardest to swallow down the turkey dinner I finally gave up and pushed my plate to the side. Waiter asked if I wanted a box, I told him no I really don't like it (pretty clear considering the amount of food left on my plate) and he said well I don't know I dont like turkey.. I looked at him and said you told me it was good??!! Why didn't you just tell me that??!! Wow thanks for nothing. He didn't ask if I wanted anything else just put the check on the table and walked away.. At register cashier asked how I liked my food I said I really didn't... No response form her either just a nasty glare.. 100% not a satisfied customer and I wouldn't recommend to anyone

    (1)

  • Jay L.

    This diner is an easy walk from the Hilo Seaside Inn, where I was staying. I had my first Loco Moco and it was okay. I am not a big gravy fan, but I was hungry after hiking in Volcanoes National Park, so I ate almost the whole thing.

    (3)

  • Jeff G.

    At least 266 people have already written about Ken's here so there's not much I can really add. It's a great local diner with my favorite kind of waitress; you know, the kind that have their hair in beehives and call you "hon". The food is diner food and very very good. It's a place/experience that shouldn't be missed.

    (4)

  • Linda S.

    I ordered the keiki (child portion) blueberry pancakes, the portion size was good, but they were buttermilk pancakes covered with blueberry pie filling and whipped cream. Guess I should have asked how they were prepared instead of assuming they would actually have blueberries in the batter. Well, I made the best of it. I asked for a plate and ate the bottom pancake, avoiding the gooey mess. I don't recommend this unless you like pie filling. They DO have original pancakes such as macadamia nut and coconut pancake. Can I dare say I had already tired of those by the time I got here? Yes, it's time to go home.

    (2)

  • R R.

    If you are in Hilo, definitely stop by Ken's Pancake House for a nosh. They have steady coffee, large portions and a dessert list worth saving room for! The ambience is like a Hawaiian IHOP but it has a way better and larger menu of local tasty delights. I had the mahi mahi sandwich with their tasty big onion rings (you get 12 rings, so share). Our group got the upside down pineapple cake, the coconut pie, and the sweet potato hapiuia pie for dessert. All were delicious and worth the calories! For my vegetarian buddies that do not eat fish, they do have vegetarian chili and other veggie friendly dishes. Chitown Veg Gal

    (4)

  • Puff G.

    We tried the macadamia pancakes and the small portion of loco moco w/ spam. Overall the food was pretty good. The pancakes were a bit dry (maybe too much baking powder?) and very dense (not light and fluffy which we prefer) but tasted fine. I tried the syrups which were a bit too sweet for my tastes. The loco moco was good...the gravy was flavorful and the rice was fresh. Since we were going to the Farmer's Market afterwards, I was glad I didn't order the regular size Loco Moco portion. The service was fast and very friendly. The place was very busy at 7 am and many locals were there which is always a good sign. Definitely would come back.

    (4)

  • Jonathan W.

    Excellent food, but maybe a little over-hyped. We got the coconut pancakes and loco moco. I was excited to try their flavored syrups, but they were a little too thick and candy-like for me. The coconut was more similar to warm icing than to maple syrup. The crushed macadamia nuts on top were a nice touch. The loco moco was good too, but nothing spectacular. There are definitely some fun decorations, but it's just a basic diner. The parking lot is a bit claustrophobic. I'd recommend it, but not if it's out of your way.

    (3)

  • Bert K.

    My cuz recommended Ken's for the Saimen; it was huge and tastey. No frills roadside coffee shop diner that serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. It's kinda of a truck stop /locals place. low key place.

    (3)

  • Arnold E.

    Whether you're on your way in or out of Hilo, Ken's House of Pancakes is just down the road from the Hilo Airport. It's comforting to know that it's there, just waiting for you to walk in and grub on some pancakes, but the pancakes are, well, meh. Let me begin by stating that I love pancakes. Strike that - I lurve pancakes! On a short list of food items I could eat daily, pancakes is in the top three. So, I ordered the macadamia nut pancakes here and expected something exciting and tropical. What I got was an unexciting stack of buttermilk pancakes with chopped macadamia nuts hastily thrown on top of it. Sure, I had my choice of tropical syrups (e.g. coconut, guava), but they were goopy and not at all syrupy. Good ol' maple syrup saved the meal! Well, sort of. As I bit into my pancakes, I discovered something more gummy than cakey. What a disappointment. At least my eggs, bacon, and sausage were fine. A few other people in our group ordered saimin bowls. Even though the saimin looked pretty good, we found it to be too salty. Even my salt-loving wife thought it was a bit much. Strike number two? Ken's is actually a decent stop for a meal, don't get me wrong. Even when busy, service is fairly good. Besides, you can't beat the atmosphere in a local eatery such as this. Who knows, maybe the humidity has a lot to do with the gummy pancakes. Perhaps it was an off-night for saimin. I'll probably give Ken's another shot. Probably.

    (3)

  • Gary F.

    This is the place in Hilo. Late night dinner after a long day of adventuring. Food was good. Parking kind of sucked since everyone is trying to get in. Overall, great place. G

    (4)

  • Boki C.

    u'd think a 24hr would only be ALRIGHT, but this place is deelicious! portions are decent, huge variety in the menu. the terriyaki beef loco moco is yummy & different and they have special SUMO sized portions. one word: uuuberlicious

    (5)

  • Nelson K.

    This is a house of pancakes, but the pancakes were dry and chewy. I will give it 3 stars because other items on the menu were pretty decent. Omelette was pretty good, but you'd think a place called the House of Pancakes would make well...good pancakes.

    (3)

  • Jay A.

    This was one of the few places open on Christmas day and it was packed. Servings are large, which I find typical in Hawaii. I had a basic bacon cheese burger but it tasted like it was straight off the BBQ in my backyard. It was charbroiled and was so flavorful. I was pleasantly surprised.

    (4)

  • Daryl C.

    Best place to eat in Hilo. Amazing variety, and it was all fantastic. A don't miss in Hilo. Also great to grab a bite before heading to the airport.

    (5)

  • Donnas M.

    The staff didn't look any too interested in our arrival or wanting to seat us but once we were given a booth the service was very fast. We had had a long day of driving (with more to go) so wanted something fast and not too heavy. My hubby and i both ordered the Shrimp Saimin (it was only $8.00). The bowls were huge and we easily could have shared. It was delicious and just what we felt like at that time of the day.

    (3)

  • Weston W.

    Coffee comes with a back up pitcher... It's definitely diner coffee but for those that don't care it's nice to have all the coffee you could want. The service is fast and accurate. I doubt anything we ordered took more than 10mins to arrive and everything was tasty. Prices are actually pretty good for Hawaii and the portions are about right. Definitely the best breakfast in Hilo

    (4)

  • Josh S.

    Meh, again. Drove across the entire island to check this place out. First, the pancakes were not good at all. A skosh better than Hawaiian Style Cafe's. I had an omelet. Tasted like it was cooked in a pound of butter. Way too much. The only reasonably good thing we got was a banana pancake. That wasn't all that good either. And the service...yuck.

    (2)

  • Shannon F.

    "Brah... what you like eat?"... "I donno"... "We go Ken's!"...SHOOOTS!" Ken's has got to have the widest selection of food in the state of Hawaii. Breakfast, Lunch, dinner, Local food, Haole food, you name it, Ken's probly has it... It's open 24 hrs. and then there's the specials... They give huge portions, so you know you're getting you're monies worth and the service there is nearly untouchable. Literally, I mean I think one of the waitresses there has gotten recognized by time magazine or something for best waitress 12 yrs. in a row...Our waiter on the last day we ate there was a local guy named Chris. Was good fun talking story with him about the old Hilo days fishing and going down to Suisan fish market in the morning to see get first dibs on the fresh catch... But really folks, it's about the food right? Let the parking lot speak for itself, as it's packed 24/7. But no worry, the wait is usually no longer than 5 minutes... We first ate here for lunch and I had the "Smoky Mountian Chicken Plate". which was said to be a "staff favorite". Guess what? ONO... On our last day in Hilo, we ate here again and I had "Da Braddah", a 3 egg omelette with Portuguese sausage, ham, bacon, green onions& cheese...If that doesn't sound good , Eff-U! You're pupule. (crazy) Out of the numerous choices of pancakes, I ordered the Coconut pancakes and drizzled them with their Guava, mango, coconut & passion fruit syrups... MMMMMMMmmmmmm....... I wanna go back... =(

    (5)

  • Pumehana P.

    The food was okay. Great menu selections though. Our server Wilma took our order, delivered our order promptly, but never once came back to us to see how we were doing. Our water sat from the beginning, the ice melted down and was not offered a refill. I didn't appreciate that. They were not busy at the time so there should be no excuse for not checking in with your guests.

    (2)

  • Jade T.

    Wow, it's an authentic diner!... in Hawaii! The kind with a waitress who, upon seeing regulars at a booth, will rattle off what they ordered last time "pork chop green beans iced tea" and send it in, if the customer wants. Everyone comes here, tourists and locals. So it's crowded. This place has hella character. Diner spirit, through and through. Yummy breakfast stuff. Eggs and pancakes done right. And like real diners, Ken's makes sure you get a PILE o' food. Waddle out the door like I did. :D

    (5)

  • Lauren R.

    This was the best breakfast we had on the big island. Fluffy french toast and pancakes, good bacon cooked to order, and plenty of syrups (orange guava, passion fruit, coconut, maple, blueberry). The portion sizes were huge, the hash browns were crispy, and the price was right. Quick service, good coffee, and fresh eggs. We were stuffed. You can get spam, fwiw.

    (5)

  • Sharon P.

    The best corned beef hash! And my family and I are sticklers about that. The corned beef hash looked like it was made from fresh corned beef that they shredded themselves. It was sooooo delicious! There was a huge portion of it and it came with perfect hash browns, and was decorated nicely with fresh, minced parsley. We live on the mainland and whenever we go out for breakfast with my daughter, we'll joke and say, "How about some corned beef hash from Ken's?" It's truly epic.

    (5)

  • Traci B.

    Hearee Hearee- did I spell that correctly? You are in Hilo and you are HUNGRY?... You want a regular meal with a reasonable price?... Good luck, friend... no, no, really~This turned out to be THE place to eat in Hilo. You will find all the locals packed into this place at all times of the day and night. The prices were fair, the food was good, and the gong was quite entertaining for us newbies.... SUMO!!! LOL Don't be discouraged by the old building or the packed parking lot. Things move quickly in this little place and if you just wait 2-3 minutes someone will inevitably be leaving so you can get a spot. The place is old, outdated, and definitely 70's diner-ish but it is clean and if you can just get into the whole "dive" kind of vibe you will find it fits the ticket just perfectly. The place is bustling and the waitstaff look like old Alice episode throwbacks. The service was sometimes super fast and sometimes a bit slow but the food was consistently good. We enjoyed several meals here and were never disappointed. I saw the tinyist little old lady with a HUGE bacon cheesburger and chocolate shake in this place. Now you know it has to be good! FYI ---Breakfast was especially yummy. They have some delicious special syrups like coconut and mango to go with their banana pancakes. Definitely a MUST TRY in Hawaii!!!!

    (4)

  • Jen T.

    Hands down, my family's favorite place to eat in Hilo. We eat here mulitple times/month and the food is always consistently good, the wait staff is friendly, sometimes a little slow, but folks. it's Hilo and that is something we have to get used to. Try Taco Tuesday, the taco salad, the hamburgers, loco moco and the saimin. Honestly, anything but the pancakes--I think they are the (ironically) awful. SUMO!

    (5)

  • Marlin B.

    Wonderful food. Terrific service. Fantastic atmosphere. Open 24 hours, and crowded most of the time. Once you eat here, you'll understand why. We ate there at around 10PM local time, during a torrential rainstorm, on a weeknight, and the place was packed. Margo was a most charming hostess. Teresa was so helpful and kind with the quite extensive menu. My son counted no less than 300 separate items! He ordered a delicious omlette--made fresh, with all fresh ingredients. Wife and I shared the Coconut and Macadamia nut pancakes. Absolutely scrumptious! Especially the coconut syrup--wow! When you're in Hilo, definitely plan for a stop at Ken's. Not only will you enjoy the food, but you will most likely make some dear friends in the process.

    (5)

  • Sarah N.

    The food here was excellent and they have some good options for vegetarians (although you have to search through the menu). It seemed pretty pricy to me though, for what you get. Breakfast for two ran us about $30. Its worth hitting up once for breakfast, but for dinner, walk to the next building over and get Thai food instead. Its also about the only thing open at night, so its good for the 24 hour crowd.

    (4)

  • John K.

    Good breakfasts. Loco moco and mac nut pancakes are boss. Spaghetti night is good too.

    (3)

  • Vin F.

    Wow. Who would have thought that you'd find the Hawaiian equivalent of a New York deli way out on the far side of the Big Island? For those who've never been, nightlife on the North Shore of the Big Island is pretty much a contradiction. But there is Ken's sitting on the corner of nowhere, open 24 hours a day, packed with everyone from backpack carrying hostelers, a few jet lagged vacationers, but mostly late night locals, like the entire girls softball team from some local high school. The same lively, late night, exhausted but jovial atmosphere you find in NYC late at night. And the menu was huge and diverse - breakfast, lunch, and dinner, served all day. Tons of basics and weird local combinations, the Hawaiian version of the NY deli's naming convention after their local dishes. But the big story? The best omelette I've ever had. After all the omelettes I've had in my life it's hard to imagine finding a "best", but I can't remember ever having one better than the "On'y easy" omelette, which has snow crab, lup cheong (chinese sausage), swiss cheese, and green onions. It said it was made of three eggs but it seemed like a lot more. It was perfectly fluffy and made with a ton of REAL CRAB, in addition to a whole bunch of lup cheong, which was just the right savory/spicy combination with the crab. For the price ($12.95), I couldn't believe they had real crab and high quality sausage. This is Hawaii, after all, where tiny, pathetic appetizers at tourist gouging restaurants can be $15. The service was great, too. Local girl with that Island demeanor. I was so tempted to go the very next morning but had a long drive around the Island. This place may actually end up being the deciding factor as to which Island I go to next time I visit the Islands.

    (5)

  • Erika A.

    oh why do I always skip this place when I go to the Big Island?! My loss. Stupid me. Homemade hash and poached eggs-yummy banana pancakes-yummy (dad says the best he's ever had) cheap and good eats at an old timey place with the coolest stuck in the 60s beehive-sporting waitresses. MINUS A STAR CUZ I THINK THEIR SYRUP TASTES DILUTED.

    (4)

  • Russ S.

    Liked it. Not the best, but very good

    (4)

  • Jill D.

    Don't tell a certain island boy from Kauai...but...Big Island is my favorite island! I have to say that Ken's could very well be a big reason for that. Open 24/7 (hells yeah!), offering a huge menu, takeout and conveniently located what isn't there to like about Ken's? They give you tons of food for the price point and the service and ambiance is great. I think we ate here at least twice during our 4 day stay and I know I would have eaten here more if my boyfriend had been down for it. I loved their fried honey stung chicken. It's got something "extra" that they claim is the honey but the seasoning is just so good as well. It definitely doesn't disappoint and satisfies major fried chicken cravings perfectly. I've also had their macadamia nut pancakes with their coconut syrup. Holy Carb overload! I remember thinking that the entire price of my pancakes (roughly $8) must be comprised of the massive amount of macadamia nuts they liberally sprinkled all over my pancakes. If you love macadamia nuts you will be sick of them before you finish lol. Truly the place to go after all the bars close down or for some local action. I can't imagine NOT loving this place!

    (5)

  • Maritel C.

    The hubby and I were FAMISHED after driving from Kailua Kona south to Punalu'u Beach, Mt. Kilauea, and then to Hilo, so we saw Ken's House of Pancakes and stopped in. A very cute, kitschy kind of place...servers were very friendly. I was contemplating ordering banana macadamia nut pancakes at 3pm, but couldn't resist the Fresh Corned Beef Hash loco... Two scoops of rice, topped with crispy corned beef hash, two over medium eggs, and then smothered in gravy! ONOlicious!! I think it kept me full for 2 days! hahahaha Hubby had the tripe stew which was pretty good, but a bit bland for my taste...it needed an extra kick...

    (3)

  • Sky S.

    This is a pancake house so, I ordered pancake at my first visit. It wasn't fluffy, yummy pancake that I was expecting. Was flat and powdery. I ended up ordering something else. That wasn't even close to tasty... Guess, my expectation was too high because I heard alot about this place from my friends. However, much better than Zippy's, though. Next visit, I ordered mini Smoked Montanan Chicken? (I think) Was DELICIOUS! It was mini plate but more than enough food. I was stuffed.(^ ^) They have Sumo-moco. I am dying to see someone finish eaten that dish! It's REALLY HUGE!! I suspect that weight about 5lb. lol! Three stars because of not so good pancakes as known as K-Hop among locos. If it was just Ken's restaurant, I would give four stars.

    (3)

  • Karlo A.

    I gurantee you - only in Hawaii (Hilo to be exact) will you ever find a "house of pancakes" that serves Oxtail Stew!! O-N-O-L-I-C-I-O-U-S !! And if that's not your bag, trust me, their menu's got something for everyone. It reads like a flippin' encyclopedia of sweet and savory treats. And the service is bar none. Imagine a 1950's diner run by a wait staff of middle-aged housewives. They're the sweetest things ever. My Advice: Be nice, smile often, and tip generously. You just don't find that kind of customer service on the mainland.

    (4)

  • Intron D.

    For the cost this place was dirt cheap compared to other places on the island. The food was heavenly. I had the portuguese sausage breakfast with coconut pancakes and the wife had macadamian pancakes the syrup was the best. It was a syrup orgy on my plate as I poured coconut, pineapple and guava on like there was no tomorrow. It was a frenzy when I got started. If this place wad down the street from my house in california my health would new in trouble. During our trip we came back everyday after until we left. the service was awesome and they even had kim chi (which always is a plus for me) that they put in my omelet. I would fly out there just to eat there.

    (5)

  • Jessi H.

    If a lot of food means taste good then this is the place of your dreams. If you want food that really taste good then DON'T go.

    (1)

  • Ann W.

    We ordered chop steak and pineapple chicken sandwich, the steak was ok, but the sandwich had a bit too much sauce on it, the pineapple doesn't go with the chicken very well. However, there are not a lot of restaurants that you can choose after 9pm in this area. If you are hungry just go.

    (3)

  • Ava A.

    Okay reminds me a bit of a waffle house, but the food is good. No frills but we all enjoyed the food. My husband is a Hilo native and this restaurant is a Hilo icon.

    (4)

  • Amanda G.

    This is one of the few places in Hilo that's open 24 hours. That being said,don't expect much. On my first visit, i had breakfast.My pancakes were cold. I would have sent them back,but our server never came back. When my guy went up to pay,he mentioned this,and instead of the meal being comped,they told him,"Hopefully it'll be better next time." Oddly enough,we ended up coming back for dinner, because it was the only place open. Our experience was better. I had a grilled mahi mahi sandwich which was pretty good. We had 7 people in our group, and our server was very patient and attentive. This place is very close to the airport, which makes it convenient.Between that,and being open 24 hours they can pretty much count on never hurting for business.

    (3)

  • Grace L.

    ;oD I ordered their waffles with a side of Portuguese sausage. It was my first time and first breakfast and boy was I in for a treat! The waffle was yummy. My kind of textures and it wasn't super thick and dry. The Portuguese sausage was a bit disappointing. It wasn't juicy and sort of reminded me of a mediocre sausage patty. Now onto their syrups. It was my first time experiencing passion fruit, coconut, and guava syrup; so you can only imagine my excitement to see such an assortment with such tropical flavors. Passion fruit tasted a little tart to me, so I stuck with guava and coconut. As much as I was trying to pick a favorite it really was a tie. I loved both coconut and guava. I'm not one to full up my waffle square with syrup, but I cracked because I fell in love. The guava reminds me of guava juice you get in a carton from Kern's. It was thick and I wanted to take straight shots of guava syrup. I should have bought a bottle... Dang it! The service was alright and the establishment itself is sort of run down, but if you're into relatively big breakfasts, you know where to go! :)

    (4)

  • Chrissy K.

    We weren't super-hungry, but decided to take a stop at the much-loved, KHOP for some grub. The parking lot was half-ish full as it was early dinner time, and we were quickly seated. I love the orange seats inside...and booths, I hate when Diners don't have real booths... Had some...MacNut Pancakes, Honey Stung Chicken w/brown rice and a cup of coffee.. yum. The pancakes are about 6-somethings, the chicken is about 10-ish. The chicken was wonderful. But I love "asian" style fried chicken...the honey was all over the meat of the chicken and the skin was perfectly crispy. It's too bad we weren't hungry enough to try more...The menu, as most 24hour places are...was extensive. So many options, "healthy" options & the wonderful keiki-sizes were pretty great. We got awesome service from the waitress and were pleasantly pleased with our meals. I think they're cash-only...but that shouldn't be anything new.. Will def. come back in the future to try more...

    (4)

  • J B.

    I have been to Ken's a few times and felt it was time to write my review. Ken's is a greasy spoon, no frills establishment. What Ken's lacks in decor it makes up in selection. They have a HUGE menu with many options for virtually every taste. I have only been here for breakfast and have enjoyed banana mac nut waffles, banana pancakes, bananas foster french toast with their delicious tropical syrups. All of the breakfast items I have had have been great. They have vegetarian options for the meat. The coffee is not the best and I felt was pricey at $2.85 a cup. The house water is not filter or not filtered enough. The service is brisk as they are quite busy. My recommendation is to come here for the good food and not the ambiance.

    (4)

  • David J.

    I was doubtful that a pancake house would be worth writing about, and I wasn't all that excited about gorging myself on a heavy breakfast given that later in the day we'd be driving 9000 feet to Mauna Kea, and perhaps higher. Who knew how a big breakfast would sit that high up? In the ether, would my body be able to digest so much food while dealing with the mountain's thin air? And what would happen if Mauna Kea erupted and, weighed down with breakfast, we had to run, or more likely waddle, for our lives? Ah, but it turned out to be little more than my normal paranoia. Ken's House of Pancakes basically blew me away. I never knew that eggs could be so damn good. I have no idea what they feed chickens on the Big Island, but it must be a gourmet version of...whatever chickens eat. To begin with, I want to say this: Ken's House of Pancakes serves the best omelets I've probably ever had in my life. My wife ordered the Hombre Omelet, which consisted of Portuguese sausage, onions, green peppers, and Ken's famous "Homemade Spanish Sauce," and came with a very reasonably sized, and thankfully airy, side of pancakes. I'm guessing that my wife's order, after factoring out the plate, weighed nearly 5% of her body weight. The omelet was advertised as being made from three eggs, but, had I not known this, I would've guessed six. We're talking a monster omelet, large enough to encase an average, normally proportioned chicken and all the cutlery we'd need to eat it. I, on the other hand, ignorant as I was of the otherworldly eggs I was about to discover, went with the French toast, which was somewhat dry and chewy--while I love the thick "Portuguese sweet bread" they use, that's the tradeoff one too often makes, I suppose. My wife was unable to finish her entire Hombre, so, being the chivalrous sort--and a human disposal when it comes to leftover food--I devoted myself, with lustful abandon, to what was left of her omelet. Despite appearances, the eggs were quite light--for an additional 75¢ you can order Egg Beaters to substitute for eggs--and the omelet was filled to bursting with extras. But there was a flavor to the eggs that was amazing, prompting me to comment to my wife that they must add sugar to them. Not that the omelet was sweet, but how else to explain such surprisingly delicious eggs? I mean, aren't eggs just...eggs? My wife disagreed with me about the sugar, but she couldn't offer any other explanation. And it wasn't the influence of other ingredients because, when we returned two days later and ordered something different, the eggs were equally sublime. Maybe it's all the vog in the air. Ken's attracts its fair share of tourists, in large part because it's a Big Island institution and can be found in most guidebooks. But there were enough locals there, too, that you knew the place passed muster. The locals on either side of our table, and I mean no offense by this, were possibly three times the size of my wife and me. Oddly enough, that's exactly what impressed us; if these people were regulars, surely their corpulence spoke volumes about Ken's food. If I lived on the Big Island, I'm sure I'd balloon up in no time because I'd be having breakfast at Ken's several times a week. When we returned to Ken's two days later, eschewing all the other good breakfast options we knew Hilo offered, I quickly succumbed to the powerful hold Ken's eggs had on me and ordered the "Mauna Loa Scramble"--scrambled eggs with onions, green peppers, mushrooms, and spinach, while my wife shifted in a slightly healthier direction than before and ordered the "Vegetarian Omelet" (filled with mushrooms, spinach, bell peppers, onions, and tomatoes). Again, the eggs, perfectly cooked, won us over, and the coffee carafe we emptied was an ideal amount to help the food go down. Ken's, which has been fattening happy customers 24/7 since 1971, has been recognized both locally and nationally for its food. It's been cleaning up on the Big Island's breakfast scene, being named "Best Breakfast" for twelve years in a row and counting. USA Today also named Ken's one of the "Top Ten Diners in the Nation" as well as having one of the "Top Ten Waitresses in the Nation." The service was, in fact, excellent. The waitresses all dressed in parrot greens and yellows and had old, 60s hairdos; their attentiveness was the best we came across on the Big Island. I know this sounds strange, but Ken's has definitely earned its stripes with their eggs. Their menu, which holds its own with the lengthiest Chinese menus around, offers good value; their omelets mostly ranged between $8 and $13--very reasonable considering what you get. They also boast a variety of appetizers, sandwiches, chili and soups, salads, dinner entrees, and a "Keiki Corner" for kids.

    (5)

  • Todd B.

    Not great for vegetarians. Only one or two vegan options. Extra points for late hours, but this place isn't the most sanitary in the world. The food is pretty greasy, but that's what this place is about. I usually get a stomach ache after eating here. The food is just OK (meh) , and it's pretty much the only deal in town for a late night bite or breakfast. I wish they still had the Teriyaki Tempeh Burger. That would've earned them more stars.

    (2)

  • Tina L.

    Everyone and their mother goes to this place. Food was OK , but I'd look for somewhere less populated and a bit more quiet next time. Luckily we didn't have to wait to be seated. The parking lot was flooded pretty badly and people parked in the spots anyways because the lot was full. You'd think that such a popular restaurant in a place that rains all the time would get that taken care of. The bathroom was pretty nasty, and I DID have to wait in line for it.

    (3)

  • Nasser D.

    I was on a business trip and practically ate here everyday for 1.5 weeks. Hey, when the company is paying for it..why not? It's a place everyone should try when visiting the area. The pancakes are great among other options there. They have different types of foods to accommodate to any age. Go here and experience it and don't forget to take a picture and get a mug.

    (4)

  • Momo R.

    Best we had on all islands on our trip.

    (5)

  • Alexis C.

    If you are close to Ken's you MUST stop here. The is a very popular place so I am sure peak time wait was expected especially for breakfast. The menu was jammed with local fare on top of a large base of typical restaurant offerings. We went twice during our stay in Hilo. Both lunch and breakfast were ones I know I will crave on the future.

    (5)

  • Tad N.

    Worst pancakes ever. Banana pancakes were really doughy and rubbery. Sent it back and got the french toast instead. They still charged me for the difference...$1.00. I couldn't believe it. You would think they would still only charge for the lesser meal to make up. I guess they figure they aren't going to get many repeat customers so don't care. Well they are right...I won't go there again.

    (1)

  • Luvs C.

    Ken's or as we named it, KHOP was fantastic. As a matter of fact, we ate here twice in one day. Breakfast and dinner. We stayed at the Hilo Castle for 2 days while visiting Volcano National Park. The first night we ended up at Pizza Hut (yuck)because everything seemed to be closed by the time we got back from the park. That night I found KHOP on Yelp while I was playing on my Ipad. The next morning we happened to chat with a co-worker back home who lived in Hilo for a few years and he said we couldnt miss Ken's. We were sitting at the counter having breakfast within the hour. Omelettes with a side of Macadamia Nut Pancakes with Coconut Syrup. ($27 for 2 including tip) WOW! We could not stop eating it was so good. We rolled out of there and went on our way for the day. Upon returning from a long day of sightseeing, we decided to have the prime rib special. ($48ish for 2) Again, the dinner was spot on. Really a great meal for the price. I would without question go back to Ken's if we should ever be back in Hilo. The staff was also really great too. Our only regret is that we didn't know about the day before.

    (5)

  • Derik P.

    OK, so maybe I'm biased cause I'm from the mainland and I don't have access to these kinds of 'grinds' every day. But DAMN...its good when I get it! We've been coming to Hilo the past few years for Merrie Monarch - after every practice and 8 Vans deep, 40 of us horde the place and fight for a seat. It's pretty big but never a place to park due to the popularity. You might want to park a couple doors down and just hoof it. Only two goals when you're here: 1) Eat as much as you can 2) Don't pass out at the table; someone wants your seat

    (5)

  • Natalie S.

    Open 24 hours and very close to the airport. This is where the locals go and prices are pretty affordable. We came late at night and I ordered a smaller plate lunch. One scoop rice, macaroni salad and teri beef. All were delicious. Also had the loco moco which was also good. I ordered a papaya as well and it was very sweet. I think including a POG, the total bill was only $19 and change!!! Apparently if you order the sumo portion, they hit the gong bell and yell sumo! Good place to get local food.

    (4)

  • Daniela A.

    This is a great place to eat a good meal 24 hour a day and that is what makes it a unique local favorite. What makes Ken's so special is that unlike all of the generic,boring chains of Pancake houses, Ken's has all sorts of Hawaiian treats on the menu, such as macadamia nut pancakes with guava, passion fruit and coconut syrup, fresh hawaiian papayas, macadamia nut pies, different types of saimin, mahi-mahi, loco mocos, kalua pig along with all the basics (spaghetti, taco salad, meat loaf and mashed potatoes, etc. The atmosphere is always festive and fun. If you order the sumo saimin, you will experience the "sumo" ritual, which is a relatively new tradition at Ken's but... fun. PS: Also many great vegetarian items on the menu (tempeh sandwiches, gardenburgers, etc)

    (5)

  • Brooke M.

    Three and a half stars... This place was certainly better than our guide book would have us believe. In fact, when we were taken there, I thought in my head, "Nooo!!!" It was better than "mediocre" and certainly better than Denny's. The menu was just too big. It was very hard for us all to decide. I find it weird that everywhere on the Big Island serves tempeh. On O'ahu, no one but Well Bento seems to know what that is. Anyway, I had mac nut pancakes. They were yummy, but could've been a tad bit fluffier. The lilikoi syrup was very good- not too sweet. The veggie chili was actually very good. Much better than Zippy's, although that's not saying much. The beer batttered onion rings were very good. And finally, service was excellent. Our waitress, Chandra, was very friendly and attentive. This place reminded me of Hungry Lion or Wailana Coffee House, with two important differences: the food was good, and I would go back.

    (4)

  • J E.

    Great little diner. Local food, reasonable prices. Friendly hard working staff.

    (3)

  • Sarah C.

    Ken's House of Pancakes is a classic Hilo place to go eat when you want a good meal. It's great for all occasions and can accommodate large groups, families with their kids, or just a couple of friends grabbing a bite to eat at 3am. Since living on the island of Hawaii I have gone here a number of times, all were great. It's right next to the airport which is very convenient when going out to eat before a flight. The only thing I think this place needs remodeling and a bigger parking lot. The staff is very friendly and food usually comes to the table fast. The omelets are HUGE, easily can be split for breakfast or dinner. Last time I was there I got the strawberry waffles, I want to say it was called a "scary strawberry", can't remember, it was delicious! Giant portions, I couldn't finish it. There terri chicken from the "lighter stuff" section is really good too, comes with rice but you can sub fries or a salad (their fries are awesome). Anyone visiting Hilo should definitely check this place out.

    (4)

  • David E.

    I was going to give the place three stars, but cannot really think why it does not desrve four. The food is good, not great but good. The atmosphere, it is a coffee shop (Not coffee House) It seems to be a nostalgic place so have to go there at least once.

    (4)

  • Rosanne F.

    I'll add our three cheers into the pile of kudos for Ken's. We are big-time breakfast lovers and this place obviously knows how to feed us! Good tasty stick-to-your-ribs cuisine, not that we need any more, and served up quick. What a treat to find! We were on a day trip to the Big Island and knew it would be a long drive around. I loved that there were locals, tourists, a good mix of all sorts, eating hearty.

    (5)

  • Tommy L.

    We heard so much about this place and it didn't disappoint. No frills, just good food. My wife and I love ox tail stew and am always looking for a place that makes this, a highly recommended place by Yelp, of course. This place fits the bill. Don't go to the Big Island that much but whenever I do, I will definitely be back. And order ox tail stew again.

    (5)

  • david l.

    If I lived in Hilo, I'd probably eat here every day. The menu is huge and with 3 visits during my stay on the big island in the course of a week, they did not disappoint me once. There are so many things left to try on the menu, I may not be able to complete it before I die. Though this is not a Hawaiian chain, the menu is VERY customized to Hawaiian taste, and that is part of what is so great about the place. Here's a few of the things I tried while I was there: - Eggs 'n Things: eggs with Portuguese sausage, hash browns, and a side of fluffy pancakes, which come with your choice of tropical syrups (passion fruit, guava, and coconut) - Snow Crab omelet with hollandaise sauce, local fried rice, and a side of pancakes. - Kahlua Pork and Cabbage with white rice and macaroni salad. - i tried a bite of the Kalbi ribs. They were sliced alot thicker than I'm used to, but it worked out VERY well, and the aftertaste of the marinated rib meat was even better than the first bite! This place is 24 hours, and conveniently located by the Hilo airport and the banyan drive where all the hotels are at, so if you are looking for a late night meal, this should definitely be the place you hit up. If there was any suggestion I could make to the owners/staff, is to offer a 100% Kona coffee option.

    (4)

  • Ryan R.

    I went here for breakfast 2 days in a row. Done

    (4)

  • S M.

    My past visit totaled 56 hours to Hilo. In that time I went to Ken's 3 times! The food is great. For anyone not familiar with Ken's I'd say the food is a rainbow of ethnic blends/ fusion. Thumbs up to the 24 hour status. Hilo doesn't have many places open 24 hours.

    (5)

  • Mihir M.

    Fast service. Macademia pancakes were great. Try all the various syrups. They have vegetarian bacon & vegetarian sausage - hooray! Not too expensive. Our total bill was a little over $20.

    (4)

  • Patrick W.

    The locals told me about this local favorite in Hilo. It's an all you can eat style menu serving everything here. Remind me of visiting a Denny's or IHOP. Open 24 hours, everything on the menu looks good. Main-landers take heed, service is slow and done with a smile. So slow yer'self down and take is easy ma-an. You're on Hawaii time. Ken's isn't an absolute destination, but the food is decent and is full of locals.

    (3)

  • Kiana M.

    Sometimes I just need some fresh saimen SO bad!! Ken's has the most amazing saimen that fills every void i have! the bowl is huge (btw do not get keiki min size, it says it has everything in smaller portion but def not and it's $1 less!! no char sui!) but the regular kine saimen comes with fresh noodles made in Hilo, shrimp broth shipped in from oahu!!, two fish cakes, a kabob of char sui that adds some sweet to the salty broth, egg and green onions. Holy crap i could eat it alllll daaay everydayy! it's my heaven. everytime i eat from there my little pregnant belly starts kickin up a storm! even my baby loves ken's and he's not even born yet ;)

    (5)

  • Ryan A.

    Cool spot, really fast service. Huge servings! Great place.

    (5)

  • Miwako T.

    I was there last November. We walked in at 5:30am and ordered breakfast stuff (pancakes, hashbrown, scrambled eggs). The serving was huge. Very homey place. I just loved everything about this place.

    (4)

  • Tina D.

    AWESOME! Loved this place so much we went 2 times in 24hrs. They have everything on the menu here from traditional Hawaiian to eggs and bacon.... and it is gooooood! The pie was great, good pancakes and loved the whole pot of coffee at the table :) This is the best Pancake House. Way better than Denny's or IHOP! (for those who have been disappointed.....maybe you are misunderstanding ...Ken's House of Pancake's is a pancake house not some fancy shmancy bistro)

    (5)

  • Travelist H.

    Yes it's true you are not going to have to many options in Hilo and there are none that are open 24 hours except for Ken's. They serve all kinds of breakfast stuff 24 hours, they have some traditional dinner stuff (think Denny's or Norm's), they have specials each night of the week that are all you can eat (i.e. all you can eat spaghetti night, or all you can eat pancakes or whutevahs) and of course the have SUMO!! Sumo's are XL versions of some of the dishes they have on the menu (loco moco, saimin, etc. etc.). Although they are called are a pancake place I rarely get them, the pancakes are inconsistent, most of time nice and fluffy but on rare occasions can be a little dry. Plenty of sauces to choose from so you don't have to stick to standard maple syrup, they have coco-nut, guava, and some others I can't recall right now. I usually do breakfast in an egg white omlette form, their omlettes are quite fluffy, which makes me think they use milk, lactose-intolerant beware! The omlettes have many options and so do the scrambles. hash browns tend to be a little greasy, but then again they are hash browns. Loco Service is pretty good and friendly, but it's Hawaii everybody is lovely here. If you get a loco moco, it's gonna' be heavy! But that's just how the local food is gonna' be, you'll never hear anybody order a "loco-moco lite please." Other note is that everytime somebody orders a Sumo and the waitress is about to serve it they will ring a bell "ding-ding" and everybody will yell "SU - MO!" So you dainty ladies that don't eat so dainty beware all of us boys will know you are piggin' out! I recommend this place if you are up late and there is nothing else open and you are starving, also if you really want to grease it up and look like some of the BIG locals just eat here a few days in a row you'll be catching up to them soon.

    (3)

  • Michael S.

    This had the second-best food of all the restaurants we ate at on the Big Island during the week. However, they charged us the wrong amount for one of our items and inexplicably refused to fix it even after I pointed out the correct amount on the menu. I didn't think it was worth arguing with them about it, so I just paid and left.

    (3)

  • a t.

    Reasonable prices for pretty standard diner fare. I had the Mahi Mahi dinner which our server explained was not Mahi Mahi but Ono. Average food but opens early and closes late.

    (3)

  • Grace T.

    This is a fantastic Hawaiian diner and be ready to read through their huge menu. We came here for dinner on July 4th and it was pretty busy since it was one of the few restaurants that were open on the 4th. I had the Mahi Mahi mini meal and the bf had the kalua pork loco moco. Even though it was a mini meal, there were 3 good sized pieces of fish, a green salad, and mac salad. I thought the mac salad was ok, but everything else was ok. I didn't even get to try the bf's loco moco, but it looked good though and he didn't seem to have any objections. The service was extra speedy and our server was sweet too.

    (4)

  • Mochi L.

    I'm very disappointed with the service and meal I received at Ken's. We had a pretty large party and came in around 2:30 pm on a weekday. We figured we get something light before heading up to Volcano National Park. I don't know but we had to ask two different people to come to our table to get our orders. We all ordered from the lite menu. Since it is a pancake house, I guess we should have ordered pancakes, however we didn't and our food was disgusting. I ordered the locals' #1 favorite, the saimen, which was extremely salty it was like drinking sea water. I just can't think of anything positive to say even though everyone else gives this place 4-5 stars.

    (1)

  • D B.

    Discrimination is still thriving in our world. And it seems to be very active at Ken's house of pancakes. Since I am a white gay male of middle age and my partner is Pacific Islander and he grew up in hilo and his family lives in hilo we have visited Ken's for over 10 years it seems he always requested the seating with the hostess. Well this morning I asked to be seated. It was busy and asked if I could wait 2 minutes, no problem. Well 10 minutes later and 4 parties seated after us. Not happy. I'm not a computer savvy individual and dislike e-mail twitter and Facebook. But I opened a yelp account to post this review. Ken's should review their customer service skills!!! By the way I'm at McDonald's puainako where I'm having a wonderful breakfast and writing this review. Kudos to mcdonalds

    (1)

  • Patricia Y.

    this place is the ihop/denny's of hawaii. open 24/7, serves breakfast all day, and has a menu that's at least 10 pages long. not the best quality food, but comparable to a typical breakfast diner. i would stick to the breakfast items. pancakes are pancakes, but they have a bunch of different syrup flavors to spruce them up. the saimen was mehh, not the best. i would skip it next time. HUGE portions, so you won't go home hungry.

    (3)

  • Arthur M.

    Please open on Kauai!

    (4)

  • Taylor O.

    Apparently against the grain.... though I'll give stars for style, 24 hours and a seemingly built up tradition the food sucked. The kahlua and cabbage was a dry plain mess. Slow it down and sauce it up Ken. The menu has a lot of other options so just try another one down on the list. It was Taco Tuesday I suppose I should have complied.

    (2)

  • Julia S.

    I have spent more time than I'd like to admit here. When I lived in Hilo for a few years, this was a good stomping ground for both locals, students and tourists. The food really is only worth 2 or 3 stars but their French Toast is good with Coconut Syrup and the portions for other items are large. Food in general isn't very good on the Windward side of the Big Island but this one of the better places for the price. I don't even know what to say about the decor.

    (4)

  • Roald N.

    My wife and I went here twice on our vacation. The first time I had bluberry pancakes, definately filling and they were awesome. My wife had pancakes and sausages and she enjoyed her meal as well. The service the first time was good. The second time was just not even close to the same as our first time hence the 3 stars. My wife had the same thing, but I switched it up. I had French toast, which was awesome. The problem was I asked if it was filling and she said yes, not even close, it was two and a small end piece. So I finished them and got biscuits and gravy, do not get these, they are horrible. I asked the waitress if they were good and she explained them without answering my question, but I figured is try them as I love biscuits and gravy. NASTIEST BISCUITS AND GRAVY I'VE EVER HAD. And the service this time was so so. When asked how the biscuits were I said I didn't like them and they weren't good, here response nothing. I said it as we paid again and no response, so my response was no tip. I work for my money so the best work and give good customer service for their money. The pancakes and French toast are a good choice.

    (3)

  • Rob T.

    Awesome if you're into diner food. I had the loco moco (egg on beef patty on rice) for dinner, and a portuguese sausage scramble the next day for breakfast. Dwayne Johnson (a.k.a. The Rock) has a cousin who is the General Manager of this place. I don't know if that's a real cousin, or a Hawaiian "cousin" (e.g., everyone from the same island as you).

    (4)

  • Marie Z.

    We arrived early to Hilo and went straight to Kens for breakfast. It was terrific! We both had the Hobo meal, with a side of pancakes. They gave us big portions. Our fav syrup was the coconut, it wasn't too sweet and had great flavor. Speedy service too.

    (5)

  • Cheryl S.

    We went here for dinner and we were not impressed. We ordered some of the chicken dishes and we couldn't finish them since we weren't too happy with them. They may be okay for breakfast but stay away from the dinner options. This place made me a little discusted too. It isn't very clean and the food seems a little off. It may sound odd but the best part of being here was the airport nearby. My daughter was so excited when the plans landed. It was almost like they were going to land on us. Get a window seat if you want a view of the airplanes.

    (2)

  • Eric G.

    I'm sure the breakfast would be good but the lunch was less than epic.

    (3)

  • Brandon B.

    We were on da big island for 8 days, and ken was always our fallback resturaunt. It was pretty good, not too expensive, and 90% of the time the service was exceptional. Kept checking on us and friendly.

    (5)

  • Greg Y.

    Woo Woo. This place is great. If you're visiting the island, order off the local menu. Oxtail, Loco Moco's...Can't go wrong.

    (5)

  • Scott F.

    Similar to a Denny's on the mainland. Basically the only place in Hilo to get a late night meal. Decent food with pretty big portions.

    (3)

  • Natalie S.

    We went here this morning after a few friends recommended it. It wasn't that great. Anyone who knows me knows how much I LOVE pancakes, but since when do you have to use a knife with pancakes?! Mine were lukewarm and rubbery. Buzzkill. The hashbrowns and eggs were ok after I doused them with salt and pepper, and the bacon - which I had asked for crispy - was chewy. BLAH! And all of it was cold. Maybe they were having an off day. I'll try them again, especially because we were seated immediately during a super busy time of the morning (one star), and the coffee was SPECTACULAR (two stars)!

    (3)

  • Jacqueline F.

    delicious, fast and friendly. perfect for breakfast before our adventures.

    (4)

  • Lisa J.

    Huge portions, great prices, friendly staff, and a killer pineapple upside cake served warm topped with cold creamy vanilla ice cream. One of the only places on the Hilo side where you can satisfy those late night munchies!

    (5)

  • Bryan B.

    Hilo. Diner. Mac nut pancakes. Sugary fruity syrups. yum.

    (4)

  • Ro B.

    This place is the Bomb!!! I had their Wednesday special called Dinosaur Bones, you get 3 big succulent fall off the bone beef ribs. On the side you get 2 scoops of mash potato with gravy on the side and a good helping of mac salad. The ribs were so tasty and the gravy oh sooo gooood....

    (4)

  • Leslie T.

    What is open after 9pm in Hilo? This place is! Normally, in all honesty, I don't frequent places like this since I am a great cook and a bit of a foodie, but after the Merrie Monarch hula festival ended at 9:15pm, there was no other choice. Crazy packed/Crazy busy wait staff/Crazy people eating.....ok ok...the food: I had a fresh caesar salad made with locally grown romaine lettuce and I had them put grilled teriyaki chicken breast on top. And, actually, folks....it was not bad at all. My husband had a steak served island-style (sort of cut up into strips and "stir-fried" with green onions and some kind of sauce) and he enjoyed his dinner as well. We sat at the counter and it was entertaining to watch the cooks. If it was after 9pm and I needed dinner, I would eat here again.

    (3)

  • Dan K.

    good local place for eat. great service and food was great.

    (5)

  • Luke L.

    You can get just about anything here--solid traditional breakfast place. However, I'd trade smaller portion sizes for higher quality. The portion sizes can be absurdly, disgustingly large--e.g. the omelets fill an entire 10" plate. "It looks like a jaundiced bullfrog on a plate" remarked a friend. Given the other choices in Hilo, it's a solid bet.

    (4)

  • Fred b.

    I'm a big fan. No visit to the Hilo side of the Big I is good for me w./ out my fix of KHoP. This last visit was a day before they closed for a remodel. thank goodness THAT crisis was averted. I went Podagee - the Portuguese French Toast w/ a side of Portuguese sausage. OMK sweet bliss. Okay, so they dont have AC, doesnt matter to me. I love the local home style atmosphere and the comfort food. ALOHA ladies!

    (4)

  • Russell J.

    We visited this based on a number of recommendations, and we were very disappointed. I truly cannot understand why this place gets raves. It was a mediocre breakfast place, with somewhat odd employees. I definitely prefer Denny's. There was nothing particularly original, and nothing at all that was very tasty. The hash browns were not crisp, and the eggs were adequate but not exceptional. Our waitress had a smile pasted on her face that made me feel sorry for her facial muscles.

    (2)

  • Danny B.

    I gave this 5 stars just because I miss the place. I use to eat here since I was in grade school. They have since changed the decor up, but still the same huge portion plates. I don't really know how long it has been running but I hope it stays there. I think I ordered everything on the menu! Great family atmosphere where everyone is welcomed. The best part is after a good time out in the town Ken's is where everyone goes to eat and head home.....oh many drunk memories there....ahh Ken's, can't wait to eat there again! 2 thumbs up! Oh order the SUMO! You'll see what I mean...

    (5)

  • Ryan Y.

    This was the first, and the worst meal we had on the Big Island. 1) The place is not very clean. 2) The waitresses serve you with a big frown. 3) Maybe the mistake was that we had dinner here. I had a Teriyaki Pineapple Burger and my wife had an Ahi Fish plate. Fish was suspiciously frozen fresh (strange, we're on an Island??) The burger itself was average, but the teriyaki sauce was tasty but salty. The fries were O.K. however and they seemed to give alot of white rice with the Ahi Fish plate. All in all, I can't vouch for the breakfast, but the dinner really sucked. The place was OK, but come on Yelp, 4 1/2 stars for an average greasy spoon, and possibly one of the worst restaurants on the Big Island? This was the first and only time we used yelp for our big Island trip, and oh man what a joke. I'm so I glad I listened/observed locals for the rest of the trip or else I'd probably eat more of the same low-quality food.

    (2)

  • Aga O.

    Arriving in Hilo, it's the first place fo grind after we drop off all the luggage and bulakbuyan boxes at the in-laws... SUMO siamen... BONG I'm full for three days, seriously it's soup for 10. Ken's is open 24hrs and I can't think of a better way to kick off a visit to the Hilo fam. They have all the local fare and although prices have increased, their quality and portions of how the food is prepared and served have not changed. Great service. Family friendly. We love Ken's.

    (5)

  • Lauren W.

    In short, I hate this place. My pet name for it after living in Hilo for a few years became Ken's House of Crapcakes (or Sh*tcakes). I saw someone else write that if you go here, you won't be disappointed. I wonder what kind of exotic crack rocks that person smokes. I wish I was immune to tasting bad food like that. Alas, I never went here and found myself feeling anything but disappointment. Even if on one late drunken night someone had managed to take their time and get something right without the food having weird, burned leftover black stuff from the griddle on my food, or nothing tasted particularly funky that night, it was still always lame service and too expensive for the item, even for Hawaii. Their ingredients are as cheap as it gets! Ken's really doesn't give a sh*t and their products and service are evidence of that. This place would fail in other cities with other, better 24/7 joints. A diner should be able to at least get eggs, toast and pancakes right, but the pancakes taste like they were cooked on a greasy, uncleaned griddle with leftover tastes from other things (burgers, who knows). Their eggs taste the same, too, and their scrambled eggs/omelettes are made with that fake raw egg liquid of course. I know a lot of places do it but it just sucks, and of course if it sucks and cuts corners then you bet Ken's is right there to jump on board! I don't care about coconut or lilikoi syrups if you can't even get a plain buttermilk pancake to be decent. Do they use Bisquick?! Awful. I ordered saimin and the broth was disgusting and weird, I think the only good thing it came with was a teriyaki chicken skewer. Their haole dishes (Spaghetti, Eggs Benedict, whatever) are always terrible and you wish they had never even tried. The only decent thing they make I guess is a loco moco, and you have to be a moron to get that wrong, so again, Meh. I suppose it's amusing to the uninitiated when someone orders the Sumo loco moco and they ring that bell and everyone yells "Sumo!" On top of everything else, the service can range from decent to rude/slow/terrible, and it's extremely overpriced for the crap food you get. Seriously, take the time to make your own eggs and pancakes if possible. It's insane that they would mess up even the most simple things! Their menu is HUGE and a big problem with places with huge menus is that they often make a lot of things that are all NOT GOOD. I'd rather they cut their menu down by half (or more) and focus on actually making a few things RIGHT . This place made me long for the reliable normalcy of crapholes like Denny's and IHOP, which are by no means great diners/pancake houses, but hell, they blow Ken's House of Crapcakes out of the water. I suspect the only reason Ken's is popular is because most food in Hilo is so very bad, and there are so few options, and locals aren't picky (or don't know what good pancake houses are supposed to be like? no idea), it's one of the first places tourists find, and it's the only 24/7 place besides 7-11. I know this is a long rant but I lived in town for a long time and many times I surrendered to this restaurant due to lack of options, only to be disappointed again and again! Oh, and the parking lot sucks, too. I hope another, better 24 hour restaurant opens and shows Ken's how it's done!

    (1)

  • Pat A.

    Our party of four adults visited Ken's around 9am on Sat., 8/25/12. We were able to find parking and were seated quickly. We enjoyed the island atmosphere and Hawaiian music. We also actually liked the lack of air conditioning as it was quite comfortable with the breeze and ceiling fans on the day we were there. We ordered omelets and enjoyed them very much. The only problem was that they were HUGE. If I'd known, I'd have tried to split one with someone else. The service was also good and we'd definitely go back if we were in the area.

    (4)

  • al g.

    This place was near our hotel which was on Banyon drive and we saw some good reviews on Yelp. Lots more than pancakes on the menu but on our first stop there after a long drive from the other side of the island, I had French Toast with a side of Portuguese sausage. Everything well prepared. Portions on the large size, so if you aren't real hungry, consider sharing. The waitress was attentive and friendly. It was packed and seems to be every time we drive by. We stopped here again for lunch and I had a hamburger and onion rings. My wife had the BLT and mac salad. Both sandwiches were good. Only thing we didn't care for was the mac salad which seems to be a popular side here on the island. Too fishy for me. (Tuna seems to be the secret ingredient in every restaurant we've had this in so far.) Very much a diner type atmosphere. Four stars for good food and excellent, friendly service.

    (4)

  • Janet P.

    I think that I ordered the wrong thing at Ken's. After all, it is a pancake house, but I ordered a burger, which was so-so and the onion rings were way too greasy. But I was in a hurry and very hungry. A million items on the menu and I order the one thing they don't excel at. The macadamia nut pie was pretty good though and they couldn't ruin the salad. Next time I'm in Hilo, I'm coming here for breakfast/brunch and perhaps a sandwich. Those looked good too.

    (3)

  • Stacy P.

    My friend a local in Ocean View, toured me around Hawaii... the big island. When I said I wanted to go-to Hilo, she said if we're going there we have to go to my favorite breakfast place: Ken's House of Pancakes, she said it was a local favorite as well. She said there is AWAYS grate service, and attentive they were. The food is very family style and for a rainy day like the day we went some comfort food was just as the doctor ordered. I had the eggs Benedict with course extra sauce. Stacy Poulos postcardtravelers.com

    (4)

  • Michi R.

    This place is the SHIT!! My boyfriend and I were on vacation last April here and went to Ken's after a long ass day of hiking through volcano country and this place hit the spot so damn good. My boyfriend got one their omelette's, so fluffy and delicious and I got the spaghetti, it was like the kind of spaghetti your grandma would make, it was excellent. There prices are also very good, it's amazing what you get for what they charge. Granted, this place serves greasy, American food, so don't go here and expect anything fancy, the decor has been the same probably since they first opened, with orange vinyl booths. There is a certain charm to it, the entire time I was there I was expecting to see Dog The Bounty Hunter there, I didn't, but still had a wonderful time. Go here, pig out and experience extremely friendly Hawaiian service.

    (5)

  • Merry H.

    Okay, so it's really hard to give a definite star value on this. Some aspects are great, but unforunately, the negative aspects outweigh the positive. Pancakes are great (love the banana pancakes), and the club breakfast is a pretty good deal. However, not ONCE have I had good service here (and we go quite often, bringing visiting friends). At our most recent visit, the hostess was down right rude because she misunderstood us and gave us a too small table (and it was apaprently our fault). Also, we live with the constant assumption that we are tourists, despite having lived here for years...and apparently there are many people in the service industry that have utter disdain for tourists, here in Hilo. It wasn't until I was paying and answered her "where are you from" question with "here" that she was moderately genial. Sure, we will keep bringing our visiting friends here, and yes, they are better than IHOP (heck, a gas station breakfast is better than IHOP), but I hope that their service improves!

    (2)

  • Taylor K.

    We went here for breakfast before heading out to Volcano. I guess in Hawaii you can order to have kimchi in your omelette which I thought was different. I ordered the spam omelette with kimchi with hash browns. It was typical diner food. Nothing special. I guess I should have ordered rice instead of hash browns to make it less greasy. Like I said, typical diner food. Would I go there again? Maybe-if I'm ever in Hilo.

    (3)

  • Shelley N.

    Grabbed a simple breakfast here on our way by and we were impressed with the scope of the menu. Plan an extra 15 minutes just to read it! We chose from the "light eaters" menu, which gracefully specified it was available to little ones from 1 to 101. Our food was basic, but filled the bill. The Island-flavored syrup selection was a bonus, however. Prices are a bit high for basic breakfast selections, but I know we have to expect that out here 2000-plus miles from supply sources.

    (3)

  • Jasmyn K.

    This place was okay....nothing great but not horrible either. They seemed to lack combo meals for breakfast, none of the pancakes came with any extras. I ordered the macadamia nut ones but it was just buttermilk pancakes with WAY too many nuts thrown on top. I could make those at home with all the bags of nuts I brought back! The syrups were good but a little too sugary/fakey flavor for me. But it got food in our stomachs so we could zip line, so mission accomplished I guess....

    (3)

  • Jim K.

    We visited family in Kona and Hilo this last May. After a busy day of sight seeing and family stuff, our group of 10 was getting hungry. Let's go to Ken's they said. Good choice. Huge menu with everything you can possibly want without being too picky, and of course breakfast anytime of the day. Most of us got the breakfast and it was very good and fairly affordable for Hawaii. If this place was in the bay area (Calif), we'd go every week I'd say.

    (4)

  • Lisa M.

    Hubby and I were on our way to Lava Tours last week and were STARVED! Had heard great things about Ken's so decided to stop in for a bite. We were very pleased. I had the Loko Moko, keiki sized and it was delish! Hubby had the Hawaiian style breakfast, i.e. portugese sausage, eggs, steamed rice and a stack of pancakes. Everything was just done perfectly, tasted great and the different syrups they had... coconut, guava and passion fruit were so yummy... I had to finish it off with a piece of Mac Pie. The only thing that could have been better if the pie had not been cold. Room temp on a nut pie would have been better but it was still very good, not too sweet and very rich. If ever in the Hilo area again we will definately hit it up.

    (5)

  • R K.

    Had a vegetable omelet that was pretty good. A lot of food and decent coffee. Friendly staff, and we sat next to an old photograph that had a tiny, naked man hiding along the beach. I give it one extra star for the photo.

    (4)

  • SENORA F.

    It seems as if everyone that got off the plane from Honolulu to Hilo came straight here from the airport! Bumped into a bunch of people that was on our flight, and then ran into them after breakfast- shopping at Walmart. I loooooove their syrups. My favorite(s) was the guava and also the coconut. I had the syrups with their thick sliced sweet bread french toast. I've been dreaming about it all week. I like how they have a thermos/pitcher of coffee at the table too. Friendly staff, large 24 hr. diner with lots of seating, pay at the register. They also got pics of celebs behind the register, and if you sit at the counter, you can see all the action and the yummy plates of food being carried away.

    (4)

  • Robert C.

    Just okay Good food at decent prices, but rude service and difficult parking. I was dissapointed after all the positive reviews on Yelp.

    (3)

  • S S.

    The food here is definilty good but not spectacular. I was a little embarrased because I was starving so I ordered a big meal on the menu, not knowing that it was a sumo meal. So, when the waitress brought out my meal she hit the gong and all of the staff shouted "SUMO". I thought, "wow, what piggy ordered that meal?" turns out it was my meal (blush). Anyway, the food was good. I had the sumo kombo- the mahi mahi was very yummy. My hubby had the kalbi ribs- they were thinck cut, not fatty and delish. We also shared chili, which was good overall but a bit heavy on the cumin. Next time I am in Hilo I will go back...unless the Zippy's has opened by then.

    (4)

  • L C.

    Their pancakes are pretty good. Hubby ordered the mac nut pancakes and I got the basic eggs, sausage & pancake combo. Warning: the mac nut pancakes and others are meant to serve a hearty appetite (12 inches wide with 3 cakes to a stack). The waitress let us know afterwards that we could have ordered 1 or 2 cakes. The portuguese sausage I ordered is like hard polish sausage. The small (4 inch wide) pancakes with my eggs were just the right size. The coconut, guava and passion fruit syrups were a plus, although the guava and passion fruit were too sweet for us. The coconut was good.

    (4)

  • Melissa D.

    Not a huge fan, the food is decent and the menu is huge. The only reason I am even giving it 3 stars is because it is open 24 hours and the pancakes syrups are really good. The parking lot is a mess to find parking in and the exit always has near misses pulling into traffic

    (3)

  • Ken-ichi U.

    This is probably the best diner ever. Pretty much everything you could ever want from a diner is on the menu, plus all kinds of Hawaiian things you'd expect (loco moco, saimin, oxtail stew). Portions are gargantuan and the service is very friendly. The sumo gong can get kind of annoying, but whatever.

    (5)

  • Padme A.

    Awesome Grinds! Try the SUMO! Best Hawaiian local restaurant we eat at. Right of the airport. Great service and friendly folks. Good prices too. Oh yeah and there open 24/7, so you can go in for a bite anytime after a hard day of surfin', hiking, volcano diving, or wahtever your island delights might be. Can't wait to go back!!!

    (5)

  • Joel S.

    Writers of guidebooks display their ignorance when they describe this eatery as being "like Dennys". They who say this have not eaten at Dennys nor at Ken's. This is an ecletic breakfast house that will send you whirling with the breadth of its spread. In addition to the usual pancakes, omelettes and waffles, you will be delighted by non-Western entrees such as loco mokos and noodle bowls. Whatever your taste, Ken's will surprise you and save you from the visiting-Hawaii-without-ever-having-left-Cleveland syndrome of the nearby luxury hotels. Expect to be served by and dine with genuine articles of Hilo life.

    (4)

  • Chuck A.

    Going there for dinner = 2 stars. Going there for breakfast = 4 stars. Service was fast & friendly. I had kalua pork one day - kinda bland. I had breakfast another - generous portions & yummy. I always go to Ken's when I'm in Hilo. I think I'll stick to breakfast, though. The thing that really sucked about being there (not Ken's fault) was the Navy & Air Force practicing touch & go landings at the airport. That was loud & annoying & went on during both of my visits to Ken's.

    (3)

  • Mimi D.

    This is the Hilo Happy place for breakfast with cute menus. They have all sorts of pancakes including macadamia nut, banana, and coconut. What they don't have is chocolate chip pancakes, which was the only flavor I was looking for. Do Hawaiians not eat chocolate for breakfast? What they do have is 4 flavors of syrup including berry, guava, passion fruit and coconut. Our server was this cute older lady that looks like my old aunt or a younger grandma type. They also had about 10 different types of loco mocos. I ordered spam and eggs and it came with really yummy fried rice - real Asian fried rice, not that white washed crap from Panda Express. It was delicious and affordable and if you are in Hilo, I highly recommend that you check this place out for breakfast - go early though because parking sucks at this place.

    (4)

  • Denise V.

    KHOP rocks for the price. Compare other options and you win at KHOP. it's not gourmet, but it's a good value for your money.

    (4)

  • Sandy C.

    I am a huge breakfast fanatic. Right when I saw mac nut pancakes, I knew I gotta try it. It comes with 3 different types of syrups: coconut, passion fruit, and guava. I LOVE the guava. It's a little tangy, not like traditional syrup but SOOO good! The other two were good too but I guess it depends on your taste. The pancake itself was nice and fluffy, topped off with mac nuts. YUM.. I also tried the kalua moco. When you're on vacation, anything with gravy sounds good. =) I gave them four stars because I only tried two items on their menu. If i'm ever back in Hilo, I will be sure to visit again and try something new.

    (4)

  • Jenna R.

    Several people mentioned Ken's to me -- some with smiles that spoke of finely remembered meals, others with a dismissal that it's "just for locals." It was the latter that made me want to go. Let's eat like the locals! The menu was so large as to be overwhelming. Normally, being a vegetarian, I can narrow down the interesting dishes to one or two, but Ken's is quite veg-friendly, so there were more than half a dozen that caught my eye. I finally decided on the vegetarian BLT, complete with guacamole and fakin' bacon. It was... so-so. I should have gone with the vegetarian omelet, which came with fried rice (Hawaiians love them their starches) and a side of pancakes, but my stomach had been craving a sandwich all day. Oh! And I hear Ken's is open 24 hours. Wish there was a place like this on the Kona side.

    (3)

  • Kyle G.

    This was the best breakfast we had on the island. Super large portions at reasonable prices. We were pleased with the service as well as the atmosphere. Never made it back around to trying the lunch and dinner options but the breakfast was top notch.

    (5)

  • Kari S.

    I was so excited to eat here after reading all the Yelp reviews. The menu is extensive and the customer service is top notch for sure, but the food was not good. There was a line out the door when we arrived and we waited about 15 minutes to be seated, not too shabby for how busy it was. Our table ordered a broad selection of dishes trying most everything Ken's is famous for. Saimin = average, pancakes = average (although they have great syrup), scrambled eggs = scrambled eggs, coffee = :( ick. After drinking delicious Kona coffee all week I was really saddened by the coffee. How can you fail at coffee when you are on an island famous for great coffee? I ordered the liver and onions with a side of gravy and it was bland and greasy, even the gravy was average. Maybe if I came in here drunk at 3 am I would give this place five stars, but sober at 11 am I'd rather hit up McDonalds.

    (2)

  • Ange M.

    This place is open 24 hours, which is just great because I could have eaten here every meal and would have been quite satisfied. We had breakfast here, and everything we ordered came quickly and tasted great. This is local service with a smile. The place is always packed with locals (always a good sign) but the wait never very long, if at all. Parking can be tricky if they are busy. I found the coffee to be a little weak, but I just made up for it by drinking more. They provide a big carafe of it so go at it! I did not have the sumo meals, but that gives me something to look forward to when I go back. Sumo!!!

    (5)

  • Mark P.

    I knew Ken's would be special even before tasting the food. The clientele is an even mixture of the lost tourists and avid locals and the food is as eclectic as Keanu Reeves' personality on opposite day. Everything looked enticing on the menu which spreads from breakfast to noodles to loco mocos. I opted for the Keiki Moco which is just a smaller version of the Loco Moco. With a good balance of rice, beef patty, gravy, and egg, it was more than enough to satisfy That Craving. The service was above par and the food came out fast and my dog's name is Ken so in the end it is a perfect trio.

    (4)

  • Cynthia A.

    Based on the crowd waiting for Sunday brunch to be seated, I was worried we'd be there for hours, but I was wrong! There were at least 20 people in front of us, and 4 of us were still seated within 10 minutes. How crazy is that?! The breakfast menu was EXTENSIVE; 4 pages. I liked that saimin and won ton were available for breakfast, as well as the usuals: bacon, pancakes, hashbrowns, etc. The waitress asked if I wanted my bacon "crispy or regular", and when she brought it she asked, "Is this crispy enough?". Wow, what service!! Some other things on the menu with Hawaiian or "local" flavor on the menu: macadamia nut pancakes, corned beef hash, crab cakes, various tropical syrups for pancakes YUM! The service was GREAT. The food did take a little while to come, but I had great company, so it was fine! Parking is behind the restaurant in a lot.

    (5)

  • Olivia T.

    I really wanted to like this place more than I do, but it was just ok. I ate here for lunch and dinner during a trip to Hilo where it rained from the time we landed until the time we left (it was a memorable trip). I liked the Macadamia Nut Pancakes but I had the Spaghetti on Spaghetti Night and it was just ok. I suppose it's better this way so that I don't crave Ken's like I do Ono's or Hilo Bay Cafe. Darnit, I want to go back to Ono's and Hilo Bay Cafe!!

    (3)

  • Brian A.

    Ken's is "A-OK". To be honest, I don't feel that there are many places that stand out as far as culinary prowess in Hilo Town. Ken's falls back with the rest of the pack. To start, our wait was really long. I really don't mind too much, I guess it was our fault for not getting an early start anyway. The portions are big. I had the pancakes and couldn't finish them at all. It was really busy! The parking lot is pretty full during peak hours, so make sure to plan on it in advanced. It's a good local breakfast place in Hilo.

    (3)

  • Marissa A.

    It's pretty much everything you're not suppose to eat, but man, it was soooo good. the pancakes and especially the awesome local-fruit syrups, like the lilkoi syrup and the coconut syrup are ONO! (Delicious). So happy! Can't do that too often with my cholesterol levels.

    (4)

  • Mauna L.

    Ken's was one of the best breakfast places we ate at while staying on the Big Island. It had all of the favorites you would expect at your typical dinner plus some Hawaiian flair like rice and Portuguese sausage. Did I mention that there are four different types of syrup besides maple; guava, passion fruit, blackberry, and coconut. These all went well with the delicious fluffy Banana and Macadamia nut Pancakes!!!!!!!! To wash all of it down, amazing dark roast coffee and fruit juices. All in all, huge servings at a decent price plus open 24 hours.... cant go wrong!

    (5)

  • Tracey H.

    No trip to Hilo is complete without a trip to Ken's. I love that after five years of visits, I see familiar faces among the customers and the waitstaff. I haven't been brave enough to go for the Sumo Saimin yet but the food rarely disappoints. Great place to go for a traditional Hawaiian breakfast.

    (5)

  • Heather B.

    Ken's! I miss you! I miss filling my belly with your fluffy pancakes, your Crab Cakes Benedict (what? I was still a pescetarian then), your unremarkable coffee served in fabulous coffee mugs -- one of which made the trip across the Pacific with me, although it's a bit worse for the wear. You are so cheap and your portions are so huge. After singing karaoke and drinking a million drinks at the Palms the night before, you were my sanctuary, my home away from home, and my pre-game for driving to Kona and getting tanked all over again at Kona Brewing Company after a day on the beach.

    (5)

  • Kimo C.

    Great food every time love love love the chili loco moco! Eat it almost everytime I go! Kinda a Hilo no miss.....

    (4)

  • Brent I.

    Ken's has to be my favorite place for breakfast on planet earth. This is where I became addicted to sweetbread french toast, macadamia nut pancakes, coconut syrup, loco mocos, macadamia nut cream pie, and the occasional chili cheese or florentine omelet. I love it when the gong is hit and everyone yells sumo! I always had the most delightful waitress there who would "talk story" with me. Sometimes I would have to take a lap or two around the lot until a space opened up, but hey, that's how you know it's good right? It's a shame that I live 5,000 miles away now.

    (5)

  • Lani R.

    Ken's is "DA BEST" what can I say I grew up on this stuff. You cant go wrong when you can order food that is SUMO-sized. Breakfast is by far the best, gotta love the pancakes and lilikoi syrup mmm, or even the coconut syrup. I even love the saimen from here. Plus I have so many druken memories going here after Uncle Mikey's or shooters. The mainland has jack in the box for all night munchies, we have Ken's which is way better any day. I took my hubby here for the first time when he came home with meet to visit the Ohana. Now its one of his all time favs. Let me put it this way if we're there for 1 week we've probably eaten at Kens at least 5 times.

    (5)

  • thb t.

    We were amazed with the huge selection of items in the menu, but not so amazed with the food. Since it is a house of pancakes, of course we had to try them. However, the pancakes were nothing special, about the same level as Denny's. Only difference between them and Denny's is that they also have 3 different kinds of syrups to go with the pancakes (passionfruit, coconut, and one other i forget). I still prefer regular maple syrup as opposed to the other three. We also had the omelette and hashbrowns, but they're not too much to rave about either. Maybe it was just a busy morning and so they didn't really have time to make the food good.

    (3)

  • Jauder H.

    Dear Yelp, I waxed lyrical about Ken's and poured my heart out about how much I enjoyed the food. In fact, it was the foodie equivalent of The Hobbit. But guess what? YELP ATE MY REVIEW!!! =( So instead, I'm going to re(write) the review in haiku. Ken's Very Tasty, Smokey Mountain Chicken, Wow. Keiki Min, Good Choice. But seriously, this is a place not to be missed if you are in Hilo.

    (4)

  • jeremy t.

    I gained a bunch of weight at this place. Good stuff. There's nothing else open in Hilo late at night so we ended up there frequently. They have a good selection of food and quality is consistent. One gripe: GET AIR CONDITIONING!

    (4)

  • Jennifer B.

    Very good food at very good prices. Their menu probably has 500 items on it. They also have specials, like Sunday is all you can eat spagetti. I got the Saimin soup, which is noodles, pork, fish cake, chicken and scambled egg in a shrimp broth and it was soooooooo good, and like $9. I couldn't finish it. The pancakes are really good too.

    (4)

  • Eric X.

    Now I love diners, and I'm automatically a fan of any diner that is the real deal and not some theme diner trying to be stuck in the 50s. Ken's is the real deal when it comes to authenticity. I'm willing to bet they do great breakfast and what not too. But the mahimahi plate was a bit too Zippyesque for me, the vegetable side clearly nuked. My cup of chili was on the cold side too. If I lived in Hilo, I'm sure I'd figure out what is and is not good on the menu and love this place just as all the locals here do. Maybe.

    (3)

  • Perry K.

    They got everything Hawaiian! Everything is good!

    (4)

  • Chris S.

    Inexpensive. Good place to get some Mac Nut pancakes and Papaya for breakfast before going to Volcanoes. Wanted to sample some local haunts on this visit and was glad I decided on Ken's!

    (4)

  • Kristine T.

    We loved our two breakfasts at Ken's. Recommended to us by some locals we were thrilled to see a menu with everything you could ever want - including an abundance of vegetarian and lighter fare. The service was great, friendly, and fast and the food has great flavors and just the right portions. We would have eaten more meals here if we were around longer. Good eats for great prices !

    (5)

  • Kevin H.

    Plenty of aloha served here. Large variety of food with a local flavor. I ove the omeletes.

    (4)

  • Diane D.

    We had breakfast and glad we did. 3 people and lots of food and a pot of coffee on the table. Not many places do that any more. Our waitress was a crack up. One order had cool pancake so a waitress brought 2 hot one and then another waitress brought 2 more. Oh well, we ate them. Definitely go there.

    (5)

  • Makoto K.

    Sumo! :-) I'm really glad that this place existed in Hilo, as there weren't many other options there after evening. ;-) It's not an average American diner, or a typical pancake place.

    (4)

  • Edward W.

    Aside from Cafe 100, this is the only other place that serves good breakfast. I ordered the portguese omelette and I was surprised by the portion size. My girlfriend got ham and cheese omelette and there was way too much cheese. Her dish ended up being very oily, but mine was surprisingly oil free. The hash browns aren't over fried and still retained some moisture. Plenty of things to choose from here, so it shouldn't be too hard to find something you'll like.

    (4)

  • Kawehi K.

    The food was great but I was ripped off and when I went all the way back to ask why, I was treated so rudely! It's sad because I'm born and raised here in Hilo and always spoke highly of Ken's. But after tonight, I can honestly say that I'll no longer come here to eat. It's crazy how fast the service changes when you tell them that you think they did something wrong. Lol. I was charged wrongly on my card and I was confused so I went back (not even 10 minutes after I left the place) to the same guy who cashed me out and presented him with my receipt and my online bank statement. He looked as if he was "confused" because he didn't "know" what I was talking about. I told him again, that's when he brought another worker in. Lemme tell you, she was not happy with me when he explained to her what had happened. Like it was MY fault I was charged wrongly??? I'm confused and upset because she tells me that the tab for my receipt doesn't exist and that it's not even the correct receipt from tonight. I then point out to her the date and the time, she became so much more unpleasant and brushed me off to someone else while making side comments that she didn't know what I was talking about. I didn't get hers or the man's name but if you were to put me in a room with all the workers, I could point them out. I left a tip on the table so I didn't write any tip down on my receipt. The man tells me the price I have to pay, I pay it. But when I see that I paid more than told to, you'd better believe I'd ask why! I work hard for my monies. I couldn't do much tonight to get my money back because I had a very fussy toddler in the car waiting with my sister. But I'm getting my money back because that's ridiculous and wrong. Never recommending Ken's again.

    (1)

  • Sarah D.

    I had Mac but pancakes. Yum! Fluffy and plenty of nuts. Tried coconut, lilikoi and guava syrup. Fiancé had loco Moco bowl. I actually liked it. The beef tasted flame broiled and the gravy was fresh and flavorful.

    (5)

  • Ds A.

    Not many places around Hilo are open late so that alone makes this place great. The food is pretty, but i'd say stick with the breakfast items. I got the banana and macadamia nut waffles and I was pretty satisfied. It was a giant waffle and they didnt skimp out on the nuts and fruit either. I suggest trying the three different syrups they have: lilikoi (passion fruit), coconut (my fav), and guava. We got a couple different things at our table and I definitely think breakfast items are the way to go.

    (4)

  • Domenic V.

    After a long flight from SFO, upon arriving to the Big Island of Hawaii, I needed some ono grines to start off my vacation and this place fit the bill. They're open 24 hours which was great cuz I arrived after 10 pm. The menu is VERY extensive - great! We love tons of options! Being that it was a really long day, I settled on something on the lite side so I ordered the mahi mahi sandwich. Very fresh, tasty, and it hit the spot right before a grueling 1-hour drive to Honokaa on a very dark highway in the rain. Aloha!

    (5)

  • Secora M.

    Great food! Great prices! Great staff!! Sumo saimin is the best!!!!! Pancakes with special syrups are another must try!

    (5)

  • Skate K.

    We have tried this place for lunch on a business day and it was not too crowded as well as we did not have an issue finding a parking spot on their own parking lot (that is a huge plus btw!). The food is honest diner food no fancy fusion nonsense. We had fried chicken and burger steak and the dishes were good. My husband had a sumo bowl of saimin and liked it too. The coconut fried shrimp as an app was ok. The only concern I have is that their menu is very large in the number of items and their variety and it always makes me question the freshness of ingredients. IN all fairness I do not have any specific complaint for this place. The reason why I am giving the place 4 starts is that when my husband visited this place earlier this year an employee told him that he can earn a novelty t-shirt if he can finish their sumo dishes (about 3-times usual portion). This time he actually did finish their sumo saimin but when asked for a t-shirt they had no idea what he is talking about. A lady behind a counter could have tried to give us a little less attitude about it too. Anyhow, been there, done that, did not get a t-shirt...oh well

    (4)

  • Tony R.

    Had the corn beef hash loco and my wife split the macadamia nut pancakes and coconut pancakes. Coconut syrup was bomb and the loco was on point. Couldn't finish it all! This is a solid place. If it were in Seattle, I would call it Beth's cafe, only because it has that local flavor that you just can't describe, when you are here, you feel like you are home and are going to get the right plate in front of you. I couldn't finish all my/our food and definitely got my fill of the Ono grinds. Looking forward to hitting up Ken's next time and maybe on the late night to see what the scene is like. And next time, I'm gonna try the Oxtail Soup! They got different specials each day, so check that out when you go there. Good times at dis spot, and comfy seats.

    (4)

  • Sam F.

    HIGHLY RECOMMEND THE CRAB CAKE BENEDICT! So yummy! Also it's a heaping meal so if you don't have a big stomach or a hardy appetite, I'd go with the half order.

    (5)

  • Jimmy H.

    Don't let the name fool you.....A lot more than just pancakes or breakfast. It's a throw back American diner open 24 hrs a day. It's not Hilos version of IHOP like one reviewer wrote. The breakfast selections are great. All of the Benedicts, and cornbeef hash are great. For your pancakes ask for the island syrups....mango, coconut, or passion fruit. The turkey dinner was great and large enough that I had it for lunch and dinner.

    (4)

  • M.L. W.

    We wanted a place the locals love and Ken's didn't disappoint! As soon as we opened the menu, we knew we made the right choice. Homemade corned beef in the loco moco. The macadamia nut pancakes were great. The three tropical syrups offered were so hard to choose from, just use some of each the pancakes were huge, plenty big for three syrups! Portions were large, a lot of food for the price. The menu was so packed it was hard to narrow down to one item.

    (5)

  • Kayla L.

    You definitely tell this place is busy. I have to admit the interior is very unappealing but its more of a diner than a restaurant anyway. The food is all prepared so its a hit or miss as to if its good or not. It all taste great but my biscuits and gravy, the gravy was old and filmy from sitting but the biscuits were fluffy and delicious. It was just confusing for me to say that it was good. The place was kinda of dirty and just overall not a place I would be excited to go back to or go out of my way to sit down and eat. The menu was WAAAYYYY to huge. The amount of selections are just to much and I probably spend a good 30 minutes just reading it. This place was just to much...felt like if a guy wanted to take me on a bad date this would be the place. Just thinking about this place is exhausting. Definitely not worth it but probably a good place to bring the kids because it so loud anyway and the costs are low. At least it wasn't overly expensive under $40 including tip for me and my hubby. So I can't kick and scream with this one. We paid around the same prince for a pizza on an average night. Eat here at your own risk!!!!

    (3)

  • Linda A.

    My husband had eggs, hash browns and bacon and said it was good. I had the macadamia nut pancakes, the were very heavy and dense not light and fluffy. The mac nuts were sprinkled on top and were falling off. I wasn't happy with my breakfast.

    (3)

  • Sherri C.

    My husband & I each ordered pretty traditional American breakfasts. They were fine; cooked as ordered. The server was friendly and efficient. Vinyl & Formica everywhere. Easy to find, near the Hilo airport.

    (3)

  • Kim O.

    Pancakes!!!! They are awesome. Had their Saimin also and it was also great. They make it with local noodles and it was good. My mom had the chef salad twice, so you know she was a fan of that! If you are looking for a place that has a little bit of everything and a slice of Hawaii....this is the place. Good service, good prices and delicious food!

    (5)

  • Stacy N.

    Woke up with a hint of a hangover this morning and decided today was the day to try out Ken's. The menu is ridiculous. I was completely overwhelmed by the choices and wanted to try everything! I got the banana pancakes which were plate sized and the thickest cakes I've ever seen. So many options for syrup...I tried them all but definitely preferred the coconut. I had a side of the Portuguese sausage which truthfully went uneaten. They were ok but not awesome and I had WAY too much pancake on my plate. My husband had the Kaluha pork Moco. Crazy delicious and just the thing for breakfast this morning. The coconut pancake was fine. Not exceptional but the moco was rave worthy. Service was pleasant and quick. Ambience was basic pancake house. Definitely recommend a visit!

    (5)

  • Harris A.

    friendly crews and the place is so nice...open 24hours.. good food too its like everything is so good..

    (5)

  • Cat L.

    A bit of nostalgia, and that's a valuable thing!

    (3)

  • Vai L.

    Huge menu selections, hard to choose what you want. Loco mocos are good and the pancakes. Great family friendly dining room.

    (4)

  • Avata R.

    Ken's House Of Horrors is more like it. Can't understand the fuss about this place. Our waitress [appeared to us to be] a [substance abuse victim] with lesions. The food was generous but repellant. The coffee appeared to be hot water with a brown crayon thrown in. It's difficult to have a conversation from the volume of Baby Jesus crying in the background. Yes, it's THAT bad. I've had better breakfast at Denny's (I'm not knocking Denny's). Pro tip: Bring Purell. UPDATE: Seems like [maybe] someone who has a vested interest keep flagging my review for removal. So... here it is again! All they really accomplish is guaranteeing that this view reappears as a 'new' review. Not too smart. But, whatev's...

    (1)

  • Halee Z.

    Yummy yummy!! So good we came here twice in the same day before heading back to Kona. Great service and food!

    (5)

  • James C.

    Great place - definitely have breakfast here. I had the omelette with Portugese sausage and it was fluffy, perfectly cooked with lots of sausage. Generous portions and reasonable prices, especially for Hawai'i. Very friendly helpful service and good coffee - and they leave the pot. Definitely recommend it. Convenient easy to find location too.

    (5)

  • Patricia O.

    This is a Hilo institution. I've been going to Ken's as long as I can remember and now I'm bringing my family. My kids love the pancakes especially the strawberry and blueberry. They'll eat it for dinner. I love their SUMO min and SUMO moco. I love it when they ring the bell and yell 'SUMO' when they are serving anything that is SUMO-sized. The SUMO min is perfect on a cold day. I can barely finish them. Everything on their menu is available 24/7. Ken's can be very busy especially in the mornings and the evenings. The slowest time in my experience has been in the afternoons. However, their service is fast! If you are in Hilo, you will need to visit Ken's at least once.

    (5)

  • Lin C.

    This place was kind of expensive for a diner. French Toast, spam keiki loco, jus' rite (3 kids pancakes, 3 bacon strips) and a coffee was roughly $40. The service was fast and friendly. The food was decent. Open 24 hours.

    (3)

  • Peter L.

    First meal in Hawaii. I heard it's the only 24h restaurant in the Hilo area and decided to give it a try after traveling all the way from east coast. The sumo meals are large in size with a relatively low price. The food itself is Soso. I had the sumo min and the min is slightly undercooked. The veg and the meat in there are slightly over cooked. That would only be a star or 2 for me. However, my friend had a sumo loco moco and he said it's one of the best in Hawaii. (He had been studying in U of Hawaii for over 2 years, so I guess that deserves some consideration and credibility.) XD I have also order wonton min for my gf but it never came so that was another down for this restaurant. The server is friendly and was sorry for the kitchen's mistake so that saves my impression a little bit. Considering everything, 2.5 stars. (Might as well round it up to 3 stars)

    (3)

  • John E.

    Are you hungry? This is a diner in every sense of the word. This is a throwback to how diners used to be. Ken's goes one step further and adds excellent service, and good meals to that equation. I watch what I eat so when Im in Hilo my diet goes out the window because I always want to eat at Kens. They have excellent breakfast, Seriously!!!! Some of the best pancakes and french toast ever. Diner style coffee that keeps coming. Great servers that give you attention to your every need. The Loco Moco is great here as well. It is an iconic place that hasn't gotten all caught up in there own hipe. They stay true to their roots and do it right every time. It is a must stop in Hilo.

    (4)

  • Amy C.

    Dined here with my hubby and his aunt on 9/12/12 after driving and flying all over Hilo. This place reminded me of a Denny's but with a better menu selection. :) Ken's apparently has been around for quite some time and is definitely charming in its own way. :) My hubby ordered their saimin and I had their short rib plate. The saimin was pretty good here and the short ribs were not the greatest, but pretty good. If you have room for their macadamia nut pie, order it. It is pretty delicious and definitely something you won't find on the mainland. When I return to Hilo, I will definitely stop by Ken's for Saimin and macadamia nut pie.

    (4)

  • Carissa U.

    Hey it's 24hrs! Oh so... Hilo Denny's? haha The food was just okay to me. But we went here twice because the boyfriend wanted to try 2 different things: chili loco moco and then beef hash loco moco. Do you see a trend here? LOL. Well he enjoyed them. The first time we went I had the Oxtail Stew. It was just okay, nothing special. The second time I had the saimin. I got the kids size just because I wasn't that hungry AND I wanted to save room for dessert. Wooo MacNut pieee... Service was friendly, food was OKAY, and mac pie was yummy. 3 stars!

    (3)

  • Greta S.

    The best breakfast we've ever had. The banana pancakes & the spam & cheese omlet with fried rice rocked! The menu is enormous with every breakfast item you could want & they are open 24 hours to boot. They have some amazing syrups to try as well. We're definitely coming back tomorrow to try the loco moco!

    (5)

  • Frank N.

    A Good solid breakfast stop with large portions, and prices that won't hurt, it always busy so a 30 minute wait is common.

    (3)

  • Peter P.

    3 stars for being open 24 hours a day, and for being very close to the airport. really mediocre food, but hey - Dwayne Johnson's cousin owns the place!

    (3)

  • Diana H.

    We had high hopes coming here after reading reviews on Yelp, but unfortunately I was nothing but disappointed with our visit. We came and were seated in a timely fashion, and placed our orders. It took a little while for them to bring out our coffee/water, but that was forgivable. I got the Chili Cheese Moco. I didn't even finish it - and I was starving too. The rice was dry, the "spicy homemade chili" had no flavor, the burger was overcooked. The only thing that wasn't ruined on this dish was my sunny side up egg, and I don't even know what I would say if they had messed that up. The other two loco moco dishes that my friends got were a bit better but not by much. My husband got some kind of pork katsu, which he did tolerate better than I did my dish, and that's the only reason for the second star in the review. Maybe we didn't choose the right dishes (we should have stuck with pancakes), but I was completely unimpressed and even worse, hungry when I left.

    (2)

  • Tami W.

    The grilled mahi-mahi was excellent and met our gluten-free needs. Was also nice to have the brown rice option.

    (4)

  • Ashley J.

    Had the kid portion since I wanted something small after just arriving. Food was good and prices were reasonable. My dad said their pancakes were good.

    (4)

  • Tom J.

    Awesome breakfast! We had one of each pancake (macadamia, coconut, and banana). Also had kahlua loco moco, which was tasty! Can't go wrong with this place!

    (4)

  • LisaMarie M.

    Best breakfast in Hilo. Fast friendly service and just good old fashioned great breakfast food. Plenty of choices!! I know why everyone loves this place because it's great!!

    (5)

  • Larry K.

    This is my third time here... think island style diner with the local décor and bustling waitresses... The banana pancakes are wonderful and the 2 egg breakfast with Portuguese sausage is the best... Breakfast to fortify us for the four mile hike at Kilauea volcano... fast efficient service...

    (4)

  • ReAnn J.

    I'm serious, get the Kalua Moco!! ...the island style pancakes are wonderful too! This place is adorable and the staff is fantastic...Wilma was a delight! We almost skipped Ken's fearing it would be like IHOP...so glad we didn't...loved it!!!

    (5)

  • Chemarin F.

    Came here for a weekday brunch. Was greeted by a very friendly hostess and seated without waiting. Our server was absolutely wonderful. The service separately gets five stars. The food however, was slightly above average. I ordered the breakfast burrito but wouldn't order it again. It just wasn't anything special. My friend ordered a crab cake dish that came with pancakes and such and he reviewed his breakfast the same, slightly above average with a kiddos to the pancakes. Since it's called the house of pancakes, you would probably benefit from ordering that (as it is their specialty). Additionally, we both really liked the assortment of sides you could choose to come with your meal. We would definitely go back for the service alone was great, but we will probably stick to the basics.

    (4)

  • Joyce B.

    After flying to Kona and driving to Hilo, Ken's was the only place open at 10 pm on a Monday. I must say, what a great find! Open 24/7, there was no wait, and service was timely. I ordered the Original Loco Moco and my bf ordered the Corn Beef Hash Moco. Nothing out of the ordinary, but both tasted great. The menu has so much to offer and it was definitely hard to decide. I do recommend a slice of the Macadamia Nut Pie...this was an amazing mouthful of sweet and salty goodness! The restaurant itself has an old diner feel. The pink booths and table tops are worn, but I guess it adds character. They offer informational brochures for tourists right at the entrance. I wish I would have tried this place out one more time before my vacation was over.

    (5)

  • Cat P.

    Pros: I like the "old Hawaii" diner-like feel of this place. The service was good and everyone was nice and friendly. Cons: Food was pretty disappointing. Maybe it was what I ordered, but I honestly didn't enjoy it very much. I got two eggs, hashbrowns, and pancakes. The hashbrowns were admittedly good, especially since we ordered them "crispy". However, the eggs were slightly undercooked (both mine and my fiance's), and I felt as if I could've fried the eggs better myself at home...and I'm actually not a very great cook! My fiance, however, was satisfied with his food, in which he ordered the eggs, hashbrowns, and corned beef hash. The pancakes that we shared, were really what disappointed us. I was actually really excited for the pancakes (as this place is a pancake house?), and the stack that we got was very dry and bland. I even drenched it in the syrup AND butter, which I never usually do b/c it's usually so good as it is that I only need just a little bit of syrup. I did like how they had many different syrups to choose from, such as boysenberry, lilikoi, and coconut. Maybe we got a bad batch or something, I dunno. But I was bummed about the subpar pancakes. Perhaps next time I'll have to order something else? Or maybe I have to come here when I am drunk, as Andrew T. suggests? haha. I dunnno

    (3)

  • Sea K.

    It's a DINER!!!! So you're going to get DINER food! Not a gourmand's refuge or a boutique cafe. So don't come expecting fresh lump crab meat in your Eggs Benedict or freshly picked herbs or pedigree veggies to garnish your omelets! Especially NOT at the prices they charge. But do come for a diner that had a lot of character. Order any sumo-sized dish and the staff rings a gong and shouts, "SUMOOO!!" Pancakes are accompanied by coconut, passion fruit, guava, boysenberry and maple syrups. Much of the staff wears Hawaiian shirts. The portion sizes are ample, but you have the option to get keiki/kids' sized meals too. They have all your Hawaiian fare plus the diner staples (except the Greek stuff lol... That's the NY in me.) It's homey, kitschy and quite good as diner's get.

    (4)

  • Karen T.

    I first went for a late night snack and had saimin. Keep in mind that I love saimin! I enjoy the packaged stuff I make at home, heck I even like the dried instant kind. But this was terrible. The noodles had an odd texture like maybe sitting in water? I'm not sure but the broth was not good either. We went back for breakfast the next morning and we all enjoyed our food. Servive was great both times.

    (3)

  • Alan C.

    Our first dinner in Hilo was at Ken's. When you arrive in to the parking lot, you will see lots of advertisements introducing different daily menu specials. Typically when we see this, we wonder about the quality of food - but here, we weren't disappointed in the slightest. We decided to have the Kalua Pig Loco Moco with 2 sunny side fried eggs, and it was simply delicious. It was a challenge getting through the whole dish, but it was so tasty that it just didn't seem right to walk away without finishing the whole meal. Ken's is like a Hawaiian style diner that is very welcoming with amazing food. If you are looking for an authentic Hawaiian meal that fills you up and is not to expensive, Ken's is a great pick. We returned to Ken's for lunch a few days later, and our experience was far different unfortunately. We arrived to poor service from the host, who didn't seem to care about seating us. This time we had the Saimin, and it was really bad - broth was like dishwater. If you want a good bowl of Saimin, go to Hawaiian Style Cafe instead. When paying, the same host didn't even recognize that we were at the counter and continued doing a task almost as though we were not there. Another waitress came and helped us out instead, almost apologetically of the host.

    (4)

  • Bernadette B.

    Loved it! good local experience and fun staff with attitude.

    (4)

  • Serena K.

    My husband and I went here on our way to the volcanos based on the yelp reviews. We were really excited to go to a diner like location in Hawaii and our expectations were at a diner level. Not sure what most Yelpers are used to eating but I wouldn't say this was a 4 star diner. It was 1.5 at most and I'm only giving them 2 stars for the location and the old diner charm this place had. We got seated right away. Our waitress was very sweet but I think she was having a bad day. I ordered a diet pepsi and my husband got coffee. We waited a while before our drinks were served and she came back to take our order. When I finally took a sip of my drink my diet Pepsi was not diet (yes, I can tell the difference). We waited 15 minutes with no sign of our waitress or our food. Finally told our waitress and I think she completely forgot about placing our order with the cooks. She took my coke and did not show up with a replacement for at least 15 minutes. She then came back with a double for me and my husbands full plate. Waited another 5 mins and she showed up with the wrong plate for me. My plate was terrible and my husbands breakfast was okay. I guess not a bad place for breakfast but don't order their lunch entrees.

    (2)

  • Letie W.

    I had no idea what to expect, but this place is a diner that has just about every imaginable thing to eat. I don't even know where to start. I settled for the Sumo Saimin that I shared with my husband (just ask for an extra bowl). Our waitress suggested this instead of getting 2 portions because it's cheaper. Sooo nice of her!! We also got 1 mac nut pancake with the guava/passion fruit syrup. How can you not have a pancake when you're at a pancake house? It was really good, reasonably priced for the amount of food, and would probably go back if ever in the area. They need one on the Kona side!!! Go here, you'll love!

    (5)

  • Shaunevalice L.

    Ken's is rated high and with the food you can see why, so after 10 years of being away I came back to Hilo and I had to stop at Ken's House of Pancakes! And the food is still the same as always "WONDERFUL" the only thing that Ken's needs is more Air circulation to make it cooler in the place. That a side Ken's is the perfect place in Hilo to eat!

    (4)

  • Brandon C.

    We came here because of the high number of reviews. Turns out it was a really good decision. We got here around 12:30, it was pretty packed and we didn't wait to be seated. Their menu is huge! Lots of choices for breakfast lunch and dinner. I ordered breakfast, seeing that they are most popular for that. I got the Spam omelette with fried rice and pancakes. There was soooo much food! It was honestly the best omelette I have ever had. The fried rice was really tasty and so were the pancakes. I recommend the boysenberry syrup for the pancakes and ketchup and Tabasco on the fried rice. I'll definitely be back!

    (5)

  • Wan L.

    Open 24 hours!! Extensive menu! There were so many items on the menu I was getting dizzy and a headache looking at it. OMG! Settled for something simple: corn beef hash and pancakes =) yelp.com/user_local_phot… The food was okay, nothing special. They have different flavors of syrup (coconut, passionfruit and guava). Tip: mix the passionfruit and guava together...Yums! Service was Bleh. Our server was nowhere to be found...

    (3)

  • Eve L.

    Went there and asked for the steak and onions and got diced steak and onions instead. I thought i was getting an actual steak, but nope, not something i enjoyed or will go back for. Nothing "special" about their special sauce at all either. The fries were probably the only highlight of my entire meal.

    (2)

  • Sandy J.

    Stopped here for a late breakfast on Sunday after a morning of snorkeling at Richardson Beach Park. Didn't have to wait long to be seated even though they were busy. Food was good. BF had the French toast and I had the breakfast burrito; both were delicious. Parking is a bit of a challenge when they're busy, something it seems like they always are. Popular place.

    (4)

  • Charice H.

    Best corned beef hash I ever had! Kokonut syrup is liquid gold, no joke. So good it made my husband do a happy dance!

    (5)

  • Odille C.

    This place is basically an institution in Hilo. Everybody goes here after proms and dances because its open 24 hours. They have an enormous menu with their Sumo specials (Giant portions of the food such as Sumo Saimin). They have very cute decor and its basically an adorable diner with very good food. I always order the crab cakes and medium well eggs.

    (4)

  • M F.

    Breaking it down: Food: VERY generous portions, come hungry! Tasty and mouthwatering, it hits the spot on an empty tummy for sure! The spam omelet is delicious, but needed a little bit more salt (I hope you like cheddar cheese, there is choke inside! A little bit too much for me though) and the pancakes are amazing. I love the coffee pots that they give you when your table orders coffee and the mugs are super cute! Service: Hostess was kind and prompt. Didn't have to wait but a minute or two for a nice table. Waitress was knowledgable with good recommendations and excellent timing. Only gripe was that I asked the waitress before ordering if she could make sure that I get the check, and not my guest. She told me "Sure, no problem. I will make sure that you get it." I even tried giving her my card beforehand but she wouldn't take it. After our meals, I ask for the check and she hands to my boyfriend, in front of him and not me, like I had requested. Ambiance: A typical diner/coffee/pancake house. Everything was clean and well prepared. PROS: Good portions Prompt service A nice "diner" feel to the place Not a long wait for a table Everything was clean and refilled Coffee refills pretty prompt Reasonable prices Cute coffee mugs CONS: Too much butter on the pancakes No labels on the syrups (how do you know if are you getting maple or raspberry or strawberry syrup?) Not enough salt on the omelet Overall, the pros certainly outweight the cons. It is a great place and if given the chance, I will be back.

    (3)

  • Amanda L.

    It was Christmas Eve and it was raining, and we stuck in Hilo. Not a fan of Hilo comparing to Maui and Oahu, but we still need to have fun in this cloudy island. As this was one of the few restaurants that were still open and had seats on 12.24, we decided to take a shot. It was 24/7 open and surprisingly busy during holidays as you rarely see many people in Hilo. The atmosphere is very family oriented with booths along the window and larger tables in the middle of the restaurant. The menu was huge as you have over 100 options from pancakes to oxtail stew, what a mix of Hawaii and Asian food! We had Keiki Min, Prime Rib and Oxtail Stew. Oxtail Stew was very genuine in terms of the taste as I lived in Southeast Asia for a while and it tasted very similar. It came with one bowl of rice and the portion is good for two if you don't eat much. Prime rib has so much oil on it with mac & cheese and two big mash potatoes. You just felt the calories were enormous. Keiki Min was so so, but it was advertised as the number 1 ordered noodles. It tasted like udon but with less flavor. Not so many ingredients inside other than 6 countable pieces of meat and one piece of egg. For adult, I thought Keiki Min portion was big enough, but it was not as there were not many things in it. So, you'd better order the original portion unless you want to loose weight. Price was reasonable, but everything in Hilo was quiet cheap. Would like to try other food on that menu in the future if I come back to Hilo, which I don't think so. lol

    (3)

  • Linda C.

    Typical diner style decor with an extensive range of breakfast items, including a decent choice of vegetarian options. It looked like lots of locals dine here, which is a good sign. I had the Mauna Loa scramble with egg beaters and meatless links and bacon. It was really good and not greasy. Hubby had a vegetarian omelette and it was delicious and really filling. Great choice for breakfast. Something for everyone.

    (4)

  • Andrew B.

    Ken's has great visibility due to its location and its hours (24/7!). They've been there a long time and they're extremely successful. It isn't the sexiest place and aims to look like a Hollywood interpretation of a Hawaiian diner, with autographed pictures of movie stars, old Aloha uniforms, and a rustic look. If it were any other restaurant, I would suggest renovations, but with Ken's, I'd say it's fine. The menu is HUGE, and while the food isn't the greatest, it is above average. However, the food quality is consistent which means they are very well managed in the kitchen. I've been going there for almost four years and the food has tasted the same every time. Being a people person, the most important part of my dining experience is my interaction with the staff. This is where Ken's excels. They're funny, upbeat, wonderfully sarcastic, and would put you in you're place if you misbehave. My kind of people. So, even though the food isn't Wolfgang Puck material, the social aspect more than makes up for it. They know my orders by heart, the pricing is decent, and they're open all day, all night, all year. Excellent dining choice.

    (4)

  • Yeelin T.

    We came in late after most restaurants had closed and was surprised to find this place still hopping. The parking lot was packed, and the tables were occupied by both tourists and locals. There aren't too many places that we have been to that are frequented by locals, so we were quite pleased. We ordered Loco moco ($9+) and Saimin (also $9+) for entrees. The Loco moco was quite good! Second only to Hawaiian Style Cafe. The beef patty was good, but not as flavorful as HSC. The gravy was tasty, but the flavor was not as strong either. The Saimin had an interesting mix of flavors. It was like a cross between Japanese ramen and grocery store style ramen with a slight shrimp flavor. It was good, but the chicken on a skewer part was a bit strange in IMO. For dessert, we ordered the mac nut pie ($3.95 only!!!) and the pineapple upside down cake (same price). We added a scoop of vanilla ice cream (only $1.30) to both desserts. We are both fans of pecan pies so we were really excited about the mac nut pie. The pie was good, no high fructose corn syrup crap, but it lacked something. It was also a bit short on the sugar. The pineapple upside down cake was good as well. The amazing island pineapples compensated well for what it lacked in flavor depth. This was one of two best places serving Hawaiian food during our one-week vacation on the big island. (The other being Hawaiian Style cafe.)

    (4)

  • Paula B.

    Truly felt like i never left home. It was like a good home cooked meal. The waitress was very friendly and constantly checked up on us.

    (5)

  • William P.

    Kens is, well Kens. It is nothing fancy, which is why it fits in so well. The menu is extensive. Very extensive. The food is good, but not great. And the prices are good, but not great. However, the service is above par. We have eaten here several times due to their late hours and their convenient location. I am willing to bet that if that if they cut the menu down a bit, so that they could concentrate on doing the remaining dishes a bit better, their quality would improve. But, they're caught in that mode of being everything to everyone. However, we will be back. The convenience is too good. And the late night options are not the forte of Hilo Town.

    (3)

  • Maruko X.

    Ambiance: typical American restaurant, simple and easy decorations. Numerous items on the menu, all kinds Service: patient and friendly, not very fast though Food: delicious pancakes with passion fruit and guava sauce, tasty with coconut sauce as well. Macadamia nut pancake - **** recommend Fresh banana pancake - *** average taste Kokonut pancake - *** average taste Sumo Min - **** double portion, delicious with chicken, pork and eggs, recommend. They ring the bell when ppl order this. Price: very cheap, huge portions

    (4)

  • Charles F.

    A cluster-fudge of menu items. Too many items to choose from that you lose your appetite. Does everything have to come with rice? LOL. Service is good, and the interior hasn't changed ever. Would come back here and have someone else order for me. I can't look at the menu. Just too much carbs and calories.

    (3)

  • Glené M.

    Be ready to gain a few pounds if you frequent this place in Hilo. On our honeymoon we went here twice, in part because the menu is huge, the food is delicious, and it's affordable. The only reason I'm not giving this place a 5-star rating is because the food isn't necessarily "gourmet" or "special." I can make some of these things at home, but only because I saw how good/easy/fast it can be made at Ken's House of Pancakes! I had loco moco both times we came, once with spam and another day with corned beef hash. You will not be disappointed, unless you're expecting "healthy eating." Nope, go here to gorge yourself on good, fattening food that will keep you full all day. The service is quick, albeit not always the most friendly, but who cares if you're just there to eat and get around the island for the rest of the day? There are so many choices on the menu, I wish we had time to try it a few more times. We were willing to drive at least an hour from Kona to Hilo so that we could come here. You may have trouble finding a parking spot (and the parking spaces are oh-so-small!), but it's worth it. Drive around a few times and someone is bound to be leaving. Hands down a keeper. I'll be back, should I ever go here again.

    (4)

  • Luz L.

    Open 24 hrs, came for breakfast since our hotel was nearby. Ordered the sumo pancakes (three large pancakes layered with slice of ham, bacon and topped with two eggs) holy smokes! Don't forget to try to coconut syrup* When your sumo order is up, they ring the bell three times and everyone yells "sumo" very nice place, very nice waitress and good coffee. Can't wait to try this place for dinner.

    (4)

  • Rachael D.

    Friendly service is the best part. The food is just mediocre. Saimin noodles were overlooked. coffee was weak. But it's worth checking out. Huge menu!

    (4)

  • Jennifer Y.

    When my family and I went to Hilo last weekend we ate at Ken's twice on two different days, and each time we were impressed with the service and the food. We went for breakfast and lunch. The food is SO yummy!!!! For breakfast I ate the Portuguese sausage and I was amazed at how much food was placed in front of me, including two little pancakes. I'm not a breakfast person but I ate most of it because it was that delicious. For lunch I just had a bacon cheeseburger and fries. Good! Even though this place is constantly busy, the service is fast, from being seated to ordering to getting the food, Ken's is well oiled machine. It's well deserving of the awards that it's accumulated over the years, for sure.

    (5)

  • Francis C.

    Great omelette and kind smiling staff. The macadamian pancackes with the coconut syrup hit the spot.

    (4)

  • Holly B.

    A regular breakfast stop for us whenever we fly in to the Big Island because they are open early and because they have hundreds of items to choose from! Seating is usually really quick and the waitstaff are friendly. Food comes out quickly and we can be on our way sightseeing, shopping, etc.

    (4)

  • Valerie H.

    love their food, anything, anytime, any way... SUMO.. milk shakes are great, Jess Nuff is what I like although, if I want a change I go for the Benedict.. any of them are good...great choice... way better that Hawaiian Style Cafe... they can do take out but it is not their forte... may take a long time to get it together and it might be a little off...just go and sit down n enjoy...

    (5)

  • Quyen N.

    Where to eat when it's late at night and one's hungry. Ken's! We kept noticing this place while driving around town. The house seems to be a hopping place with often-full parking lot and the no-parking signs in nearby parking lots. I LOVE places that are open 24/7 and serve breakfast foods all the time! Since I dropped the dairy and egg dietary restrictions, my exploration and appreciation of food have expanded. Ken's menu is super extensive; we spent minutes poring over the menu and wavering back and forth among different choices. My boyfriend ordered the veggie omelet with hash browns and a side of pancakes while I went with the veggie eggs benedict with hash browns and a side of pancakes. A lot of food! Good food too! We definitely did not "kill" our respective meals though we were reasonably hungry. Next time, I'll get a half order or split an order. Super impressed that the menu includes a vegetarian BLT, veggie chili, and meatless bacon or links. Can see why Ken's is so well-loved and well-frequented! Addendum 3/17/2015 - Where to go for a second breakfast (first breakfast was early at home in Oahu)! We went during a peak time - Saturday mid-morning - so we ended up finding street parking and walking on over. Since we were a party of two, we did not have long to wait for a table. My fiance ordered the macadamia nut pancakes, which were super yummy. I tried the veggie breakfast burrito with a side of hash browns AND toast! Stuffed and satisfied!

    (4)

  • Angie R.

    Awesome. The staff is super friendly. My husband had the chicken katsu and I had the oxtail. Both were good but mine was definitely better. We are staying in Kona so this is the only time we will eat here but if there was another one in Kona. I would eat here everyday!

    (4)

  • J P.

    Maybe it's nostalgia, I grew up on "rice 'n eggs" and Portuguese sausage but haven't had the combo in years. Ken's delivered superbly, and the coconut syrup on the pancakes was the cherry on top!

    (5)

  • Kristin V.

    This place is a local monument, and works perfectly at different times for kids, families and your late night just-got-out-of-the-bar young, drunk people. Some of the food can be greasy, but if that's not your thing, just tell them and they'll try to ease up a bit. This place has great local and breakfast foods, and saimin! TOURISTS: Beware of anything that says sumo-sized on the menu. They're not joking around, and you probably can't eat it unless you're a competitive eater or something.

    (4)

  • Asuka N.

    After spending a morning at the farmer's market downtown, we drove out to Ken's to have brunch before heading back towards the Kona side of the island. Getting seated around noon was no issue, and the interior very much has the feel of a diner that's been around for a while - bench cushions that are a little bit worn, lots of celebrity-signed photos abound - but there's still a good cheeriness associated with the place (especially when someone orders the sumo dishes, which get a gong smash to go with it). Our waitress was easygoing and got us our food quickly and our water refilled whenever it got low. The food itself was good, albeit a bit mixed. My fiancee had the won ton min, which had a good light broth - not heavily flavored - but the wontons fell apart too easily in the broth, and the noodles absorbed too much broth...after some time, the noodles were way too chewy to be compared favorably to other Asian noodle dishes (Chinese noodle soup, ramen, pho, etc.). That said, it was more than redeemed by the quality of the kalua loco moco. It's the first (and only, so far) time that I've had this Hawaiian specialty, but it was really good. The gravy wasn't overly heavy, and combined with the over-easy eggs, combined with the rice gave the dish a good base. Add in kalua pork that was really succulent and full of flavor, and you have a bowl of heaven for a meal. For less than $25, this was a very solid meal. The menu is huge, so you can come back many times to try other dishes out. That said, the loco moco was phenomenal, and that alone is reason to come back. It's also open 24 hours, so you can come here whenever you have a case of the munchies.

    (4)

  • Rick M.

    Diner style eating at a cool local joint. This place is open 24 hours and everyone is pretty friendly. Food is good and there menu is huge. Breakfast was amazing. So good we went back for dinner another day and were not disappointed. Probably closer to 4.5 stars. The selection will not disappoint but remember this is a diner and is meant to present itself as such. So if you are looking for "fine" dining look elsewhere but honestly the dining here is perfectly fine.

    (4)

  • Aaron E.

    Always a great meal at Ken's. They have a very large menu for breakfast that will accommodate all. From the eggs benedict to the famed loco moco, very tasty grinds.

    (3)

  • Dee M.

    24-hour restaurants are what they are. The chicken long rice isn't like Aunty J's, but it's still ok. It doesn't come with rice, which I thought was unusual. The chili might possibly come from a can. The teri beef sandwich is described as being similar to a philly cheese steak sandwich, which is not the case. I wasn't prepared for the airplanes that were landing - scary to see the belly of the planes like that! Anyway, it's a good "go to" for late night eats.

    (3)

  • Oliver E.

    It was ok. Had beef ribs and omelette with pancakes. Had better pancakes at "hawaiian style café", but this place is open 24/7 tho. Food was average, service was very good.

    (3)

  • Morgan K.

    Ken's has delicious food! Their Friday Fish and Chips is out of this world, fresh fish and perfectly cooked fries. Another favorite is their Mahi Mahi Cajun fish sandwich. I deducted 3 stars due to my last visit...where to began... I ordered the sandwich listed above. I'm the type of person who dips their fries in ranch, I'm just not a ketchup person...so when my order came I requested a side or ranch and a side of thousand (for another person at the table) The waitress brought the sauces and left. They serve the dressings in a very small plastic cup so half way through my meal I ordered another side of ranch. To my surprise the waitress told me it would be a $0.95 charge. I've been going to Ken's frequently since August 2013 and have NEVER been charged. Now I understand the ranch is homemade and the ingredients to make it cost money but come on! I'm already paying $12 for a sandwich. So we get the bill and there were 3 charges of $0.95 The waitress informed us of the charge on the second ranch, not the first two dressings. Once at the register I asked to speak with a manager. The manger preceded to lecture us on why they have to charge for dressing...you pay $0.45 for the plastic cup (which gets thrown away) and $0.40 for the sauce. How about invest in some small reusable bowls instead making your customers pay for a plastic cup? And according to the manager the portion is, "very generous" After lecturing us she basically said that is the way it is, without even trying to remedy the situation. Ken's has awesome food, it's a really cool atmosphere but I had to deduct for the poor service from both our waitress and the manager. And charging $3 for three incredibly small portions in such a busy restaurant is ridiculous. I hate when owners get greedy and charge for every little thing... I can go elsewhere for a more affordable and equally delicious meal.

    (2)

  • Sharon L.

    Ate here twice, staff were all very friendly, clean, and this place has a huge variety of food selections on their menu. I have tried the crab cake benedict which came out perfect and the oxtail stew where the meat fell right off the bone. Deliciousness. Definitely a must try! Price range is about 9-15 dollars and open 24 hours!

    (4)

  • Nic H.

    Ken's is the diner that Denny's/IHOP imitate but do not duplicate. Comfort food, served any time you care to stagger in, this has become a go-to for my wife and I when we just need to eat, no time to cook. Anything on the menu, and time you want. That being said, Ken's is all about breakfast foods. I keep coming back to the breakfast burrito and to the pork-hash eggs Benedict. Actually, breakfast foods are the only thing I ever get at Ken's. I tried a burger and it was decent, not great. I have no intention of trying "Taco Tuesday," the seafood items, or anything like that.

    (4)

  • Mike C.

    If you're in Hilo and you're hungry, go to Ken's. GO RIGHT NOW. Literally. Get in the car and go right now

    (5)

  • Jessica H.

    Ken's seems to be one of the only places in Hilo open past 9pm. Great for a late-night meal. It's kind of like Hawaiian Denny's, I guess, but the food is way better. Husband had the kalua pork and I had the saimin soup. Both hit the spot. 3.5 stars but I'll round up to 4 for being open 24 hours.

    (4)

  • J L.

    I too came her because of all the yelp reviews but honestly its your local diner food. Huge portions, price is reasonable and well service was good but there was nothing to rave or rant about. I guess I was expecting the wow factor and yes they had some of the more exotic sauces and food that are harder to find elsewhere, its not a place I would go out of my way for. It was A-ok for me.

    (3)

  • Kristin M.

    What CA I say, I love this place. Quick friendly service but ever since we ordered take out and I found a piece of wire bristle in my egg omelet, I'm afraid to order that same meal. That was my favorite too. Now I order something else that doesn't require the grill. Eww.

    (3)

  • Giovanny G.

    Great breakfast for a good value. Check it out for a quick bite won't be disappointed.

    (4)

  • Renee M.

    the shop is brightly colored and has daily specials, which I love. oxtail soup on Fridays, taco Tuesday, spaghetti Sunday......but I was there on Thursday when the special was "loco moco" it was amazing. not like the overly salty dishes from the Cali Hawaiian places. a rich brown gravy over rice , with a hamburger patty and over easy egg on top. it was great after the hike at the botanical garden above Hilo. I would have loved to have tried the oxtails soup ,but maybe next time.

    (4)

  • Jacob N.

    It's not the best food you can eat in Hilo, but it's one of the only places that's open 24hrs. The breakfast here is good stuff. I ordered "Da Braddah" omelet which is full of meats and cheese. It also comes with your choice of hash browns or rice, AND pancakes! How many places give you both?? I also had the Friday night special ox tail soup which was way better than what you can get at Zippy's! The rice that came with the soup, however was pretty bad. But over all, I enjoyed the ox tail soup a lot. The wait staff has been quite friendly and helpful, but I've noticed that that's just how a lot of the customer service in Hilo is. I give it a 3.5 starts rounded up to 4 stars because of its convenience.

    (4)

  • A L.

    I was here twice in the past month. The first time, for breakfast, I had the lup cheong omelette. (Lup cheong is a Chinese sausage.) I asked them to hold the cheese because I can imagine cheese mixed with any Chinese food. The omelette was excellent. The second time, I came for dinner. Prime-rib night is Wednesdays, so I purposely came on a Wednesday for a prime rib. After I ordered it and the server walked away, I realized she did not ask me how I wanted it (rare, medium rare, etc.). Well, it arrived well done. The fries that came with it were at room temperature, not even lukewarm. And the mixed vegetables were refrigerator-cold in the middle -- a sign of frozen vegetables not being nuked long enough. When I pointed these things out to the server, she immediately apologized and offered to fix it. But I told her to forget about it, and I ordered a cheesecake for dessert, which was excellent. When the bill came, the prime rib was not included. I think this place is certainly worth trying again.

    (3)

  • Chris L.

    It's like a dinner kine restaurant. Had the original loco moco, was good. I would go again for sure. And it's open 24 hours, so that was a plus. My wife had their kalua pig and cabbage and that was good too. If you're in Hilo, gotta easy at Ken's.

    (5)

  • Alex G.

    Been here a few times. Always so busy, but that must be a good thing right? Frequented by a local crowd, you can expect that Ken's is doing something right. Service is extremely pleasant and genuine. Definitely one of the reasons I have eaten here 3 times so far, but the food isn't all that outstanding. The prices are a bit on the expensive side, in my opinion. Breakfast for two with coffee will run you about $30 (not including gratuity). The crab cake eggs Benedict is an epic fail. Don't waste your time or money. I only ate a few bites. The waitress asked if I wanted a take-out box but didn't offer to see why it was hardly eaten. Another occasion, I ordered the "Chef's Special" which is an omelette with link sausage, spinach, and mushrooms. The spinach is previously frozen, you can obviously tell and the mushroom (singular) is a mis-representation of the advertisement. A lot of ketchup and tobasco will help shovel this travesty down. Definitely not worth the ~$10 for this small plate of sadness. The Portuguese sausage as a side order was ~$5 and was not worth it. This tasted like hot dogs at best. The 24 hour convenience of this place, the great customer service outshine the mediocre cuisine.

    (3)

  • Prafulla K.

    Nice cozy place. Good macademia nut pancakes! Tried the meatless sausages and they were good.

    (4)

  • Banu J.

    Sorry, maybe I got spoiled by Seattle restaurants but I did not enjoy the food or the atmosphere here at all. Skip this one if you can.

    (1)

  • AK M.

    This place is amazing. The portions are huge and could be shared but you will probably want your own plate! The eggs are fluffy and the omelets are the size of your bicep. The best item on the menu is the pancakes or waffles with the choices of syrups. The coconut cream syrup will change your life! John-nee was our server and she was a ray of sunshine. This is a must go!!!

    (5)

  • Raanan K.

    We followed the 4 star rating and visited the place. Not clear how it received such a high rating since the food was sub average to say the least.

    (1)

  • Nickey M.

    This was the worst service. We flew in from Honolulu for a karate tournament. Brought 8 people to dinner with us. I ordered the oxtail soup because it was written on the menu as something really awesome. We waited 37 minutes for our food. Jessica (our waitress). Then forgets my coffee. Finally brings my soup and it's not even warm. She disappeared completely. No rice, I could not even get it warmed up. It was like Shoyu water with funny color meat . No peanuts, no garnish.. Nothing. The most poorly presented bowl of oxtail soup ever. She shows up only to bring a check. Never asked me once if I wanted to take it home. I had a full bowl of cold nasty soup with no rice. I said nothing to the cashier because I did not want to cause drama. We paid 15.95 for that soup. Their prices are also really ridiculously high for the quality and service. I will definitely make sure we all go somewhere else for the rest of our stay. I think for the price, you need to have better service and quality. Our waitress should be more attentive. She did not deserve any tip

    (1)

  • Shawnee L.

    It's been awhile since I last visited Ken's House of Pancakes. From the past visits I didn't think anything outstanding just lots of pancakes I can't seem to finish...and that's a good thing. This time what surprised me were the menus. There was a huge selection and they we're clean! Maybe this doesn't excite customers but I appreciate a menu that's well taken cared of. You know how it's either stained or sticky? Our menus looked new! It's disappointing when you're hungry and you see yesterday's lunch or dinner smeared on the pages. The food...it was great! I ordered the country eggs which came with pancakes. Again, I couldn't finish it all in one sitting so I brought it home with me. My boyfriend was able to finish all of his food and he enjoyed it. It's very rare we get both get to have breakfast together and our choice of breakfast was a terrific one! Our waitress was full of ALoha and kept an eye on our table for all our needs. I highly recommend visiting Ken's House of Pancakes while visiting Hilo on the Big Island of Hawaii. Great location, price and service. Mahalo!

    (5)

  • Chris L.

    I came here in February 2007 (all the way from Atlanta, Georgia). Holy crap is this place good! I remember that the pancakes are very very good. You get this array of free syrups that go along with it (that reflect stuff grown in Hawaii, such as coconut and lilikoi). I love how it's never closed. I remember getting the Hobo breakfast which was corned beef and hash with fried rice (I'd go back out to Hilo just to eat here). It was a great sit down place with a lot of variety of food, yet had very good quality. I still have my t-shirt that I got from this place, even after eight years. Mahalo, Ken's :)

    (5)

  • Emily S.

    I like this place because it is open 24hours. That's rare in Hilo because everything here closes early. I came here for breakfast and it was pretty good. Service was good as well. Another plus is they had their own parking lot. Oh, I tried their syrups (coconut, guava, and passion fruit) My favorite out of the three was the coconut! It was so yummy! The other two syrups were not as thick as I liked it to be. I would be back!

    (4)

  • Surbhi S.

    I was there last year with my husband. Amazing food and amazing service! I simply loved the Mahi Mahi Benedict and Crab cakes Benedict. Would definitely come back here if visiting Hilo.

    (5)

  • Dave H.

    The place is always open. Very convenient and well situated in Hilo. I ate breakfast and dinner at Ken's and was very satisfied with the food and the service. Only thing I didn't like was the coconut and guava syrups. Tasted like they had spoiled or fermented. Otherwise it was great food for all of us. Had the Kilauea stack, The Hobo, The Kokonut pancakes, and a Denver Omelette (2 people for 2 different meals, BTW.) Enjoyed it all, and can't wait to go back. Just wish I'd had some fresh coconut and/or guava syrup or it would be a 5 star rating.

    (4)

  • Michelle L.

    Great Waffles and the tropical syrups were great. Service awesome.

    (4)

  • Jake H.

    Service here was terrible. I got a turkey sandwich because I really wasn't that hungry so the sandwich was good. Can't mess that up too easily lol. Anyway my bf had the oxtail stew and it was just mediocre. Maybe it was because it was a stew and not the regular soup but it wasn't great. Our waitress we only saw in the beginning and we kept having to flag anyone down for water or chili pepper water or whatever. So it was definitely annoying seeing as we wanted a speedy, sufficient lunch seeing As we were on our way to volcanoes national park. When we went up to pay we let the lady know that service was terrible. She apologized but it didn't excuse the bad service.

    (1)

  • Sandy T.

    Great location! On the corner of Route 19 and Route 11, right next to Hilo airport and on the way to Volcano National Park. Friendly staff and great service. The Kalua Loco Moco was good. Open 24 hrs.

    (4)

  • Mary Y.

    Get the French toast!!! It was excellent. Visited twice - didn't bother trying something else. My husband had the waffle which tasted "common" but was decent. Portuguese sausage and bacon were very good. Had an uber efficient waitress. No fuss. Liked that...we were in and out!

    (4)

  • Aaron W.

    If everyone in your group has a hankering for something different, this is the place. It's close to the Hilo airport and offers a VERY wide variety, not just pancakes - although some of us did order their coconut & macadamia nut flapjacks and they were tasty with a carrousel of syrup options. Others ordered Korean teriyaki ribs, eggs benedict and a chili loco moco. The choices are endless, service good and cost reasonable.

    (4)

  • Holly J.

    Ken's House of Pancakes should be like IHOP only it is with an Island twist. Need a Loco Moco? Need honey fried chicken? Check. Need a stack of pancakes? Check. Ken's is one of the few places on the big island that isn't a bar that is open after 9 pm. That is no small miracle for the Big a Island where the streets start to roll up at 8:30 p.m. Ken's is a Hawaiian food mash up with IHOP. Really a classic, Ken's has regular of all stripes and the service was on top of things. The portion sizes are not for dieting Americans or Europeans. You can always split a plate. It would be a little expensive for the mainland but is budget minded for Hawaiians. Mahalo

    (3)

  • Cici Z.

    Ordered Hilo noodle and chili moco bowl. The noodle is okay but the chili bowl isn't that good and I only has those beans and cheese. But as 24-hr restaurant, it has so many options to choose from and good enough

    (4)

  • Bobby O.

    First off, menu is very large, I'm not a fan of multiple page menus of similar items. It's kinda like a Taco Bell of ingredients if you know what I mean. Their water is very bad weather in a soft drink or water. They need to use a water filtration system. Very basic of food. I had their Omelete for breakfast, it was a little bit too fluffy instead of being solid and hearty but hey, some may light their omeletes super light and puffed out but not me. Didn't find anything special I can say I would want to come back again but if you have to eat, just stay away from anything coming out of their water system.

    (2)

  • Nina U.

    Ken's Kona coffee used to be just all right, but now it's hitting the top of the charts! I got a refill this time! Ken's is a little stand alone restaurant that has a long reputation for serving a great local breakfast with fast service and good prices. Because it is also one of the few places open 24 hours, everyone knows about it. It's at a convenient location to start out your day's journeys and it doesn't matter how old we are... I was hanging out here in high school on a late Sat night, I still go there when I'm visiting home and I'll be sitting in a booth when I'm in my 70s enjoying a breakfast plate. I heart Ken's.

    (5)

  • Vincent K.

    Love Ken's..... I've eaten here about a dozen times, always get the Oxtail stew, but changed it up today and ordered the Crabcake Eggs Benedict w/hash brown and side of pancakes. Eggs Benedict (4 stars) hard to compete with Cinnamons in Kailua. Pancakes (3.5 stars) Awesome selection of syrup: Guava, coconut, passion, boysenberry, maple (5 stars) Service (5 stars)

    (5)

  • James P.

    Great local joint! Been coming here for years - like a Hawaiian IHOP, but if you come, you got to get what the locals eat (don't do the ordinary breakfast or it's the same as everywhere else and you'll miss out!). Try the Sumo Loco Moco or Saimin (Sumo Size), and don't forget the try the unique syrups and Jelly's (Passion Fruit, Coconut, Guava, Mango, Lilikoi & others).

    (4)

  • Heather K.

    For what appears to be a 'greasy spoon' dinner, the food was anything but. The menu is long but worth the read thru because there are some definite gems. The food was fresh and light tasting, not greasy at all and the food was fast and reasonably priced. They decor is very much like stepping into the 70's but it's clean and we'll maintained!

    (4)

  • Alp H.

    awesome pancakes. second time for dinner and it was outstanding. great quality for a good price

    (5)

  • Butters L.

    this is one of my very favorite restaurants in the entire world. The breakfast food and saimin are fantastic. it is truly one-of-a-kind. I have even chosen to go there for special occasions like birthdays and New Year's eve.

    (5)

  • Brian B.

    Coconut, Macadamia Nut, and Banana stuffed pancakes covered in your choice of Guava, Coconut, or Mango syrups: need I say more? It doesn't get any better than this.

    (4)

  • Nik O.

    Kens is a Hilo institution, although it's not nearly as awesome as I remember it being, and also pretty pricey but that's probably inflation at work. Still has good food with huge portions and friendly service. You really can't beat their coconut and lilikoi (passion fruit) syrups - I'm a coconut freak so I'd go back just for that.

    (3)

  • Aggie A.

    Don't let appearances or names fool you--it's a good diner. Definitely worthy of 3 (maybe more?) stars! I found it on yelp because we were looking for a good place to eat in Hilo, without breaking the bank. On our previous trip, we ate at a food court and had Thai and sushi that we found in the old part of Hilo, but I wanted something less "improvised" as we were on our way to Volcano. We arrived at 10 a.m. and grabbed the last parking spot in the small lot. By the time we sat down and ordered, half the lot (and restaurant) had cleared out. My dh had corned beef hash and coffee while I had the kahlua pork moco with fried rice and OJ. The fried rice was pretty darn good, considering that neither I nor my Mom made it--Mom makes some really good fried rice! The gravy on the moco was good, not too bland or salty. We were extremely satisfied with the food--tasty, filling and affordable. I think the tab came to under $30 with tax and tip. The decor is from the 1970's (melon-colored leatherette booths), and tiny (but well-maintained) bathrooms are definitely not turn-ons, but if you can overlook it, the old waitresses will efficiently see to it that you get your order of yummy food. While my dh and I had brunch, Ken's also serve lunch and dinner. If I'm in Hilo again, I would definitely eat there again!

    (3)

  • Brian F.

    Eh? I seriously have to question the authenticity of the reviews. Given all the glowing reviews and claims of other accolades, I had to go here. I love breakfast in Hawaii! So I went with high expectations and was going to compare it with one of my favorites - Eggbert's on Kauai. I found myself comparing it more to Denny's.I had to search for the bananas in the banana pancakes and none of the extras on top that I normally associate with banana pancakes in Hawaii. The interesting sounding syrups were all pretty poor. The coconut syrup, which I normally love, was really powdered sugar mixed with water and some coconut flavor, maybe - if I was blindfolded I'm not sure I would have identified it as coconut syrup. My wife's breakfast was equally poor. Decent diner, but not even close to best on the island as they claim.

    (2)

  • Patrick R.

    This is the best breakfast in Hilo. Family feel, old school diner. Huge menu and everything is great. Been here several times. Kalua pork loco moco was amazing, corned beef hash was awesome....I could go on and on. If in Hilo check it out.

    (5)

  • Bryan O.

    Went here on my vacation after asking one of the workers at the KÄ«lauea Visitor Center where the best local food was. I was pleasantly surprised by how good everything was, as far as the food and service goes. Wait staff is friendly and cheery, food is fresh and delicious and comes out fast. Ordered the Spam moco and some coconut cream pie and I can never find a pie that even comes close to it, so good. Their coconut pancakes are awesome too. Tried to replicate the moco and pancakes at home, couldn't even come close. Came here about four times for dinner and breakfast and the food and service is always consistent.no matter the time of day, always on point. I definitely recommend stopping here at least once if you're in the area. I'm so looking forward to going back to Hawai'i and this place is probably half of the reason why.

    (5)

  • Dania-Maria K.

    We came here after a ridiculously long morning cleaning out our house and getting ready to move. We decided some Hilo comfort was needed to soothe our hectic weekend. My brother ordered the Sumo Min. Take it easy with this one, the bowl is massive. Its pretty saimin, but four times as big as the regular amount. A bell is also rung and the employees yell Sumo! That's always fun. My mother had the mahi mahi sandwich, it looked so good! The fish looked moist and tender, not a lot of batter either. I had the vegetarian eggs benedict. I should have ordered it half-size because this was a lot of food! My dish came with hash browns and pancakes too. You could instead have rice and toast, if you wanted. It was all very good. I love eggs benedict, so this was right up my alley. If you're looking for a cute diner style restaurant with a huge selection of food then Ken's is right for you. It is also open 24 hours! Also, the service is great and our server was very friendly.

    (4)

  • Nanea L.

    Came here with my Uncle&our famskii. Let me tell you HANDSFKNDOWN the place to come and eat 24/7! The eggs benidict or however you spell it is THE WINNAS* not to mention everything else on the menu* Great place to grind if you're in the Hilo area of Big Island. The staff are really local and cool they give off good vibes:) Kind of reminds me of Zippys, but I have a feeling that the workers there have been working there a lot more longer. This place doesn't have that industrialized feel of zippys like on Oahu. The parking situation kind of sucks but if you're willing to wait for great food with great service your ass will wait for the small compact sized parking stalls they have. LOL not hard to find it's on the main road just drive and you'll find it. They have bathrooms and air con and always seats big parties so they're experts already. LOL They have a "SUMO CHALLEGE" which they ring the bell whenever someone orders one of their sumo dishes* I never tried any but I want too one day. lol Definately always coming back here when I hit up Big Island! GOOOOOOOOOOO!:)

    (5)

  • Do Y.

    We were at Kalapana earlier in the day to check out the lava fields, and while heading our way back to Kailua-Kona we stopped here for dinner on 4/17. They have the 12oz prime rib special every Wednesday. It looked like a great deal, so I got the 12oz with mashed potato and salad with french dressing. The 12oz prime rib had 4+oz of fat and grisel. I can understand fat in prime rib, but this was over the top. My wife was smarter and ordered the banana macadamia nut waffles. We ordered an appetizer ahead of time, but everything came out almost all at once. Horrible timing and service by the waiter.

    (2)

  • Ferdmeister V.

    You can't go wrong at this place any time of the day or night when in Hilo. The all time favorite here is the Saimin soup Sumo size which the island version of super size! You get a pound of noodles on shrimp broth topped with green onions, fish cake, char siu pork, chicken teriyaki, and two scrambled eggs. It is soup to die for..! I highly recommend that you share this bladder buster soup with someone if you intend to drive back non-stop to Kona because the bowl has nearly 64 ounces of broth enough to push the call of nature at least twice on the drive back if you're lucky..LOL..! If soup is not your flavor then browse through the pages of menu from breakfast, lunch to dinner 24/7, this place will put IHOP and Denny's to shame I am sorry..!

    (5)

  • Jessi M.

    I absolutely love this place! The menu is fantastic! I can't wait to go back and try some other dishes. What a great diner :)

    (5)

  • Harriet T.

    I don't have to say anything but this place is absolutely fantastic. The people have spoken.

    (5)

  • Liv A.

    During my visit to Hilo, I was told that I must try Ken's. I love breakfast food, so I'm always down for a greasy spoon diner. At Ken's they had a huge menu for bfast, lunch and dinner. So many choices, but we settled on the mac nut, banana waffle and the pancake stack with bacon, spam and scrambled eggs. Of course, the portions were huge. Are you kidding me? In HI it's go big or go home! The waffles were perfect and the coconut syrup made it even better. The pancakes were so so fluffy. I didn't eat the meats but friend devoured most of it. Great bfast spot!

    (4)

  • Stephanie H.

    I opted for an omelette at Ken's House of Pancakes for breakfast one morning during my trip to the Big Island. I wasn't very impressed with the omelette. It was bland and overcooked. The server offered me some coconut syrup for my pancakes that came with the omelette and forgot to bring it. After waiting about ten minutes for the syrup, I just gave up and used regular syrup. The sourdough toast with guava jam was really good. Server was very friendly but overworked and had too many tables and was doing the best she could. Ken's is open 24 hours a day, which is a big plus. Parking lot is not big enough! We tried to come back another day to try a sumo burger for lunch but couldn't even get a parking spot after waiting for 15 minutes.

    (3)

  • Crystal L.

    Great breakfast! One of the best on the island. I have been there three times and it's really a perfect classic diner vibe with a Hawaiian twist. I had different servers each time, but always had fast friendly service. It seems like no matter how busy they are, the food always comes out very quickly! My favorite thing I've had is the Banana Foster's French Toast. I normally don't get sweet breakfasts but I'm glad I made an exception. I feel that it's a little pricy for a diner, but it's Hawaii so you have to kind of expect it. I think it's worth it because the food and service are great, and the portions are quite big. Overall it's a must if you are in Hilo! I hope to go back soon!

    (5)

  • Acsa W.

    Excellent lunch! Big portions that even filled up my 15 year old son. Great diner food and good service. No refills on drinks so order larger size. Clearly a place the locals eat. No air conditioner so it is a bit warm and muggy.

    (4)

  • Kalii B.

    Love The Food Every Time We Go Home We Have To Eat There. Great Customer Service

    (5)

  • Dean I.

    Good food, good service. Had the hombre omelet this time. Went with Gene-o Xmas morning and it wasn't too busy. (Parking can be frustrating during busy times.) I do enjoy the bottomless coffee and the 24 hr breakfast. I haven't had anything that really stands out here, but the good service, big menu, and the 'sumo' gong keeps me a regular customer.

    (4)

  • Richard P.

    Worse then Denny's and all items are not available 24 hours a day, and grumpy old waitresses no pie wtf

    (2)

  • Havana H.

    Hood breakfast and huge portions! Friendly atmosphere and open 24 hours!

    (3)

  • Josephine W.

    The reviews for Ken's Houes of Pancakes speak for themselves. They have breakfast, lunch, and dinner here, and they are open 24 hours; which is nice becaue Hilo shuts down early! So far, I have only had breakfast there. The portions are perfect so far, the breakfast sizes are made for ONE person, not two or three. They do have special items on the menu for those with larger appetites (it's called "sumo", and, if you order it, they bang a gong and everyone chants "SUMO!" I love it, makes me want to order something "sumo" sized). They have spaghetti nights, taco nights, fresh corned beef hash, they don't over/under-do their eggs, their pancakes are good (and they have coconut syrup), they have ox-tail stew (yipee! I can only get that from my mom and now I live so far from her....), they have almost everything except for oatmeal and/or a fruit bowl for breakfast. This wouldn't be the healthiest choice for breakfast ;) but definitely a tasty one! Prices are perfect, service is friendly, and the place is always busy! Everyone who drives through or visits Hilo should definitely stop here! Here is an add-on to my Ken's review: When you go to the cashier with your check, there's a sign that says, " A week without Ken's makes one weak." Those are words spoken by a true wiseman! If Jon and I go w/o Ken's one week, we really feel like we're forgetting something in life! I still have yet to try everything on the menu; I recommend trying something new everytime! Lap Cheong Omelette: A+ (LARGE portions!) Crab Cake Benedict: A+ (Can be slightly heavy.) The Kwiki Breakfast Sandwich: A+ (Supposedly a kids portion but was a perfect size!) Taco Salad: A+ (I've eaten this like 4 times already.) Onion Rings: A+ (Battered, not breaded.) Burger: B (Good, but not the best item on their menu.) Pocho: A (Port. sausage, cheese, scrambled egg, and onion.) Quick N' Easy: A (Diced ham, cheese, scrambled egg, and onion.) Spaghetti: B (the sauce is 'aight' but their meatballs get an A+!) Orange juice: A (comes out of a machine, so it probably is not fresh squeezed but tastes damn good!) Crab Cakes & Eggs: A+ (Crab cakes are so good each and every time.) There are more things I've tried and I will try to come back and add them once I remember! Hooray for Ken's!!!

    (5)

  • Mariku K.

    homemade corned beef eggs Benedict was ok, at least it's not too salty. coconut pancake was a regular pancake batter with coconut sprinkles on top. the same style for all the other pancake flavors, strawberry, macadamia nut, etc. atmosphere is comparable to denny's, or Ihop. maybe I should have tried the oxtail or tripe soup. not worth the drive from the other side of the island for breakfast.

    (3)

  • Christine M.

    Found this place on Yelp while preparing for a visit to the Big Island and knew we had to try it. We went there 3 times while we were there, twice for breakfast and once for dinner and it was consistently delicious each time. Their menu is huge with a large selection of local favorites and even recommendations for more health-conscious dining, if you're into that. The servers are fast and friendly, and they leave a pot of coffee at your table, which my husband loved. You've gotta try their flavored pancake syrups (coconut, guava or passion-fruit), yumm-E! Also, their crab cakes are ono-licious ! (hint: get them with the Thai lemon dipping sauce on the side). Big portions and very reasonable prices for Hawaii. 5-stars from the hubster and I.

    (5)

  • Satoru Y.

    Good local food that's available 24 hours. I kept hearing about this place from my girlfriend the whole time that I was in Hilo. I thought I wasn't going to be able to stop there before I left. Luckily, I was able to sample the goods before leaving the Big Island. The place has an extensive menu; and I do mean extensive. I felt like I was reading a whole book of selections. They have everything and anything from Mahi Mahi to Oxtail Stew; and all available 24 hours. The portions are massive, and the food is great. I know why so many residents of Hilo have such an affection for this place. Did I already mention that it is open 24 hours? Also all the ingredients are pretty fresh: not the stereotypical late-nite diner neglected type that are either old or terrible. Got pancakes? Well they will provide you with a whole assortment of syrups to tickle your fancy. I love Eggs Benedict, and the one here is great. I love it when places get the hollandaise sauce right, and give you thick slices of canadian bacon. Their Omellettes are huge too; I mean B-I-G. If you ever find yourself in Hilo, come to this great greasy diner that's near the airport.

    (4)

  • Samantha B.

    Four stars for the tastiness, one star for being open all night and an extra star for being open on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Years Eve and New Years day when nothing else was. I'm a night person and since Hilo doesn't have much night life and my family is generally in bed by 930 the hubby and I ended up here a few times. And it was fabulous to get a yummy breakfast before we caught our early flight home. Amazing pancakes, great service and lots of Aloha - Kens Rocks!

    (5)

  • Kirsten H.

    Stopped here for breakfast, food was okay, service was okay. I didn't think it was anything to rave about though.

    (3)

  • John L.

    Is ok, nothing too special. Woke up too early coz my body clock has not adjusted yet to HI time. Ken popped my Loco Moco cherry, LMAO. Having said that, it was not all that. it was good but not good enough to rave about it tho. Otherwise it's pretty standard for breakfast. Mmmm Coffee is ok.

    (3)

  • M H.

    Impressive menu, but less impressive service and quality. Food often arrives cold. Coffee is the worse in town (except for Kuhio Grill's). But if you need a huge breakfast (more than any normal human should eat) this is the place.

    (2)

  • Angela C.

    I like the atmosphere here, seems lots of locals stop in (I saw a couple people say hi to each other and kiss hello). The menu is abundant, but the food is ok. I love breakfast foods, but the pancakes here disappointed me (flat and dry) - as did the coconut syrup - it was chunky and weird - like spoiled milk. Hash browns were overly cooked (translation - burnt). Hubby had the chili loco moco, but he said that it had no flavor.

    (2)

  • Raymond R.

    If you ever vacation in the big island of Hawaii, you HAVE TO eat at Ken's House of Pancakes! Whether you're looking to try "local food" or you're wanting to eat something that's typically American, this place can accomodate you! What caught my eye the 1st time I was there during JAN07 trip was the breakfast dish called "Loco Moco". Essentially it's a white rice dish served in a bowl with your choice of meat (I selected a hamburger patty), egg cooked to order and a special breakfast gravy poured in. The only thing that outshined this excellent morning dish was their signature pancakes themselves. Ordering them as a side, I've tried the pancakes after started eating the Loco Moco. I have to admit I was blown away! I then asked my wife to try them and she loved them so much, she had them with strawberries and whipped cream on our 2nd visit (see my photos for an example!). The pancakes were thick, lightly crisp on the outside, light and fluffy on the inside with a slight hint of sweetness. You could almost eat them straight without any syrup. They were THAT GOOD!! My wife and I were so impress the 1st time, we had to eat at Ken's one more time before we left the Big Island. This time I had their Eggs Benedict, which I thought was good. Of course, I had to have a side of pancakes. :) The ambiance of Ken's seemed no different than your typical Denny's or IHOP. However, the people and the slight touches of hawaiian decor made all the difference. Also, there were lots of autographed pictures of famous personalities who've stopped by and ate there. Hawaiian native and sumo wrestler Musashimaru has been there. Also there were several pictures of former pro wrestler turned actor Dwayne Johnson, aka The Rock. In fact, the manager of Ken's HOP is The Rock's cousin. So, at least one of the pics was messaged directly to him: Hey cousin Rick... do you like pancakes? Hopefully, he didn't answer that question in front of The Rock. :) The only negative I have to say about Ken's HOP is the parking. Their lot certainly doesn't match the seating capacity of the restaurant. Luckily, the two times we went there to eat someone was always leaving. All in all, whether you're staying in Hilo or vacationing elsewhere on the Big Island, it's certainly worth it to take that trip to eat at Ken's House of Pancakes. You won't regret it! Oh... I forgot to mention, they're open 24 hours. :)

    (5)

  • Anya E.

    I have to second Janelle P. on Ken's being the most versatile restaurant in Hilo. They have everything you could possibly think of on their menu. While in Hilo, we went there twice, once for breakfast and another for dinner. Almost all their breakfast items are accompanied by either pancakes (you can get the regular syrup or their nice array of tropical syrups--I recommend the coconut one) or toast, which I thought was different and cool. For dinner, I tried their house saimin (noodle soup) which was delicious. The staff is very friendly, and service is great. Good value and convenient location.

    (4)

  • keri r.

    My boyfriend and I went to Ken's on our last trip. We were happy to find a 24-hour diner in Hilo that had great reviews (thanks to yelp), so we headed over there for dinner. I knew right away that I wanted to try their oxtail stew, since I had never had it. He ordered a loco moco (I forget which one), but he ended up eating half of mine! He liked the loco moco, but he claims that the oxtail stew was the best he's ever had. We ended up taking one to go. We will definitely go back soon, but next time he'll have to get his own oxtail stew and not steal mine.

    (5)

  • A. K.

    September 2007 LOCAL FAVORITE Eatery that being said ----We ate at Ken's 4 out of 8 days. We mostly had breakfast, but we did eat there for dinner one night. The food is good, and the service is FABULOUS, but only if you get the right server. The hostess Ashley is full of charm and smiles. This is not only a favorite eatting place for tourists, but the locals come here almost daily. The menu is extensive and we found alot of foods that we dont have back in Northern California. The pancakes really are their specialty and you should really try the coconut, guava, and tropical pancake syrups!!! I had the banana pancakes and they were so delicious with fresh diced bananas in them!!! YUMMY! GOOD EATING! The only Negative---The only warning is to be aware of the fried foods like french fries, or chicken finger/tenders. It tastes like they use the same oil for all things fried including the fish. We dont like fish and the french fries tasted of the fried fish each and every time.

    (4)

  • Sandy B.

    KHOP! you can never go wrong with KHOP. Great eatery after a night of drinking Hilo style.

    (5)

  • L C.

    Went here for the first time and had the Smoky Mountain Chicken Leg Quarter with a scoop of rice. This is the first smoked chicken I've ever tasted and it was delicious. I also love their passion fruit and kokonut syrups. The passion fruit syrup had a tart to it and the kokonut syrup was not so sweet that I was able to eat it by the spoonful. I will definitely be back to try their famous, ridiculously large, Taco salad and Sumo Saimin.

    (4)

  • Tricia D.

    I love this diner...I love the huge menu and the local food. The people are so friendly,even at 2 in the morning! Best food in Hilo!

    (5)

  • J G.

    No trip to the Big Island is complete without a visit to Ken's. I ate there twice in 2 days, because nothing here on Oahu compares to it. The #34 Lup Cheong Omelet is my favorite and the hot pineapple upside down cake is the bomb. I also had the homemade corned beef hash - aaah, browned to perfection. Not to miss, I had to have their pancakes with coconut syrup. YUMMY! Ken's is there to please their customers - it shows with the menu selection, the value for dollar, the pot of coffee (not just single refills), options if you don't want rice or want to go healthy and the wonderful customer service. I wish I could fly to Hilo every month, just so I could visit Ken's. kenshouseofpancakes-hilo…

    (5)

  • Katrice K.

    As a tradition, everytime we come out to Hilo for work we stop by Ken's House of Pancakes for breakfast. The portions are always huge and it's a very local diner with tons of options. This time my boss and I decided to split the corn beef and hash which came with your choice of starch and either pancakes or toast and we also split the sweet bread french toast. While the food isn't as food as the international pancake house back in honolulu, you can beat the portions for the price. Go there hungry or just split one entree. While we were there we saw someone order the taco salad. That was the most massive salad I have ever seen. I didn't even know they made shells that big and it was stuffed to the brim with vegetables. The girl who got it looked scared and didn't touch it for awhile. It was rather amusing. I would definitely recommend going at least once to try because it is nothing fancy but a staple of Hilo!

    (4)

  • Steve C.

    Ate breakfast there twice while on vacation. The first time the food was pretty good and the waitress was stellar. The 2nd time the food was consistent with the first visit and the waitress had absolutely no personality and acted like she got up on the wrong side of the bed. The coffee is weak as well as the maple-flavored pancake syrup. We had to stop at Starbucks on the way back to our rental to get a pick-me-up caffeine jolt because there wasn't any to be found in the coffee at Ken's. It's an OK place for breakfast and the food doesn't take forever to be served. Also, they don't over salt the food, thankfully. I would eat there again because it's convenient and consistent, but not because the food was fantastic.

    (3)

  • Yunice D.

    I love this place and it's so affordable. I never spent more than $10 for a meal here and if I lived there I would eat there every day!

    (5)

  • Todd W.

    Good old school breakfast. Pancakes are fluffy and the syrups are fruity and not too sweet.

    (4)

  • Andy F.

    This is a popular place in a good location. There is a decent amount of parking, but the place fills up quickly. I think what makes this place appealing is its massive menu. You can get some interesting breakfasts... like crab cake and eggs. However, the food is nothing special. Some of it has the taste of your chain breakfast places (Denny's, etc.). The coconut syrup was interesting, but it was far from the best cocunut syrup on the island. Good luck flagging down a waitress to try a different syrup... they are busy here. It has some cheap dinners also, but I didn't go back for that... way too many better places to eat. The prices are reasonable for the quantity of food that you get. A good place to fill up if you're on the go, but not the same food quality as other places on the island.

    (3)

  • Michael F.

    So where do you eat on an island that seems dominated by bland, homogeneous chain restaurants? You've no doubt already spent a small fortune in getting to the island and acquiring suitable accommodations. Well obviously a place with pancakes in its title will not be reinventing the culinary wheel, but a good solid meal, prepared to order and prices so reasonable you might even grab the check and say, "I've got this one". Of course there is a wide variety of pancakes (try the Lilikoi syrup ), omelets big enough to make it the meal of the day and a variety of lunch and dinner entrees that make it something much more than a mere breakfast joint. Yeah, they serve "Loco Moco" (grilled ham or other protein served over white rice, topped with a fried egg and brown gravy) and their pies are worthy of your attention (okay, so your full. Get it to go). I actually spent Christmas dinner there (2006) after all the other near by options were either over priced, lacking in quality or both. Our service was so pleasant and helpful we went back several times and asked for the same waitress (sorry, I forgot her name).

    (4)

  • Hawaiian I.

    I can easily eat breakfast here and skip lunch AND dinner.

    (4)

  • kevin t.

    I still occasionally wake up on Saturday mornings with an uncontrollable craving for crab cakes and eggs thanks to Ken's. Ken's became a much-needed, comforting weekend ritual for me back when I was living on the Big Island; the perfect way to recharge after a long night and get ready for an adventurous day to come. I can really only vouch for the breakfast food, but the menu is huge. The prices are really reasonable, the portions generous, and where else in Hilo could you go to at 3 in the morning? Make sure to listen for the bell to ring so you can join in the "Sumo!" yell when someone orders an appropriately named sumo-sized menu item. Anyways, back to the crab cakes and eggs...the crab cakes were consistently flavorful and served with an amazing lilokoi dipping sauce, the eggs and hashbrowns were always diner perfect, AND it still all came with pancakes. The only real drawback I can remember is that it can get pretty crowded on weekend mornings, and annoyingly loud if you get stuck in the little side room with a few screaming kids. But even then it was a small price to pay for those crab cakes and eggs.

    (5)

  • Kim C.

    I've loved Ken's for as long as I've been coming to Hilo (this being my 3rd trip). To be honest I have only ever had their breakfast, which garners them 4 stars. The pocho loco (portuguese sausage version of the loco moco) is delicious. Another favorite is the banana macadamia nut belgian waffle. Have it with a mixture of coconut and maple syrup and it's to die for! Why the 4 star rating though? Because sometimes the service is slow, although incredibly friendly. The parking lot is small so if you're coming during peak hours, I recommend walking to the restaurant if possible. Another thing to note is they do have nightly specials so you may want to check those out.

    (4)

  • Mario T.

    Had a good time here. It's a festive, greasy spoon that's like a Middle America turned on it's head. There's Hawaiian memorabilia on the walls, locals and tourists all over the place, people actually playing music at their tables, good servings and very nice servers. I had breakfast and dinner there and I liked both. Try the kim-chee, it's delicious.

    (4)

  • Samantha B.

    Very good food - Only place open so wasn't expecting much but everything was super yummy! Especially the pancakes!! MMMMMM.... Lots of choices, friendly staff, huge portions!

    (5)

  • StefnScottman I.

    can anyone say SUMO!? hehehe my husband got the SUMO loco moco and if i am correct they hit a gong or something like that and everyone that knows yells "SUMO!" whoa! it's a cool atmosphere they have all the local celebrities pictures that have come to eat there! u had a hamburger (boring huh) it was good though!

    (5)

  • X X.

    i'm so gonna miss this place when i go back home! love their coconut and banana pancakes! my dad loves this soup they have, and my mom says their hamburger is one of the best because of the sweet bread bun. they also have different specials at night like all you can eat spaghetti, all you can eat ribs, etc. the service is great too.

    (5)

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Map

Opening Hours

  • Mon :Open 24 hours

Specialities

  • Takes Reservations : No
    Delivery : No
    Take-out : Yes
    Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
    Good For : Breakfast
    Parking : Private Lot
    Bike Parking : Yes
    Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
    Good for Kids : Yes
    Good for Groups : Yes
    Attire : Casual
    Ambience : Casual
    Noise Level : Average
    Alcohol : No
    Outdoor Seating : No
    Wi-Fi : No
    Has TV : No
    Waiter Service : Yes
    Caters : No

Ken’s House of Pancakes

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