Jane’s Fountain
1719 Liliha St, Honolulu, HI, 96817
Jane’s Fountain Menu
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Address :
1719 Liliha St
Honolulu, HI, 96817 - Phone (808) 533-1238
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :7:00 am - 9:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : No
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : No
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : No
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Drive-Thru : No
Caters : No
Categories
Burgers
Burger or Hamburger is savored as the most desired fast food meal in the United States. A hamburger is basically a sandwich prepared by stuffing ground meat patty, generally beef, between two slices of a bun cut in half. Hamburger is also famous for its seasoning. Most popular condiments used in hamburgers in the United States are mustard, mayonnaise, and ketchup. Besides ground meat patty, hamburgers are also stuffed with lettuce, onions, tomato slices, pickles, and cheese.
Hamburgers are also categorized into two types in the United States. Fast food hamburger and individual hamburgers served at restaurants are two basic types of burgers served in the United States. The individual hamburgers served at restaurants are prepared using everything including lettuce, onion, tomato, and sliced pickles as well as melted cheese on the patty or crumbled on top. American restaurants also serve veggie burgers for those who don't relish meat. Cheeseburgers are also hot favorite in the United States.
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Brandon S.
I don't know how this place eluded me to review but it's probably because aside from last week, the last time I was here was before Yelp was even around! Motivated by a recent Honolulu Magazine article that came out on "old school" saimin stands, I totally forgot about Jane's. The day the article came out, I just so happened to be headed to see a movie at Dole and I figured the surrounding area is littered with saimin eateries! Since I had to make a stop to pick up my friend in downtown, the easiest thing to do was to head up Liliha and check out Jane's again. The parking is the only downer, you'll have to depend on finding most of it on the street. Once you're lucky enough to get a stall you'll walk into Jane's which is like walking into a time warp from the 40's. They have the $0.25 jukebox, an old cash register that's probably older than you're parents and grandparents. They are known for the saimin which we had but I should also clue you in on their homestyle hamburgers and plate lunches which are also winner. The prices are very very reasonable so if you're ever in the area and just want some home cooked comfort food, look no further than Jane's. Just remember the sign outside says "Saimin" not Jane's in case you've never been there before.
(4)Jesse C.
Came here for lunch because Pizza Hut was closed. Strange both my friend and I grew up in this neighborhood but have never been here. I got no idea why it is called what it is. Were fountain drinks the rage back sometime then? I had a saimin. No complaints from me but no praise either.
(3)Wendy I.
OMG, I love this place! It's like stepping back in time. Old time saimin shop! I enjoy the wonton min, bbq sticks, and cheeseburger deluxe. Great for local comfort food and great prices too. I try to go here at least once a month.
(5)V K.
Where else can you get really tasty, old fashioned saimin or a plate lunch? This place hasn't changed in decades and it doesn't have to. People keep coming for a reason: great food, great service and no hassle--ever.
(5)Jon S.
Excellent old Hawaii plate lunch place located in Liliha. Basically everything on the menu is a winnah, my personal favorite is the fried rice. Cool orange seats, fast service and an interesting assortment of songs on the juke box. This place is a definite time machine into a old Hawaii, worth at least one sample.
(5)Chan H.
A good ol fashioned saimin and burger joint; no frills, but satisfying none the less. A good substitution for the townies who don't feel like dealing with the traffic to get to Shiro's (the place and menu at Jane's is quite a bit smaller though). I had the cheeseburger deluxe and large saimin. I should have got a small saimin; didn't finish it lol. The burger was good; nice char on the outside, juicy on the inside and quite flavorful. The saimin was good, but nothing special, nostalgic and satisfying. I wish they had fries, I'd be more inclined to come back for a burger and fries. All in all, it's I think it's a good place to try out.
(4)Sean Z.
If it wasn't for Yelp I would have never heard of this place! Since then, I have been eating here for years and the food has been very consistent -- consistently good! The only two things that I wish would change would be their payment option (cash only) and their parking. Parking may be something they can't fix because they are literally street-front stuffed in between some other businesses. A literal "hole in the wall." I have always had the same consistently good service and food here. I usually get a breakfast plate with a side of french toast. The french toast is pretty mean, even better than Liliha's. It is very smooth and light that melts in your mouth once it hits your tongue. For lunch, their cheeseburger deluxe and saimin are most popular. Decent tasting, but I do prefer their breakfast food overall. As far as the portions go, I'm sure that some people may think of it on the lighter side, but to me, it's just right. In sum, if you can find the parking, it wouldn't hurt to try this place. As a reminder, make sure to bring cash as they are a cash-only establishment. Take this place for what it is and I'm sure the majority of people will like it.
(4)Alysha K.
If you are craving a simple, old fashioned saimin, Jane's is one of the places to go. Even though this is literally a hole in da wall, I love how they use raw luncheon meat, the right amount of green onions, and the pink round kamaboko. The broth could use extra salt and shoyu as it's on the rather watery side, but that can be added yourself. The teriyaki burger with cheese is a great add-on. Both times I've gone, I gulped half a burger before even receiving my saimin. The teriyaki stick is also a nice compliment to the saimin. It not only adds flavor to it, but it just makes you go back to the old school. A small saimin and a shared burger is the perfect amount for me. I haven't tried the wonton yet, but I hear it's a hit too. Please note there is no AC inside, so be prepared to sweat! Parking is located on the street. If you keep driving up Liliha towards the mountain past Kuakini, there are a bunch of stalls on the left-hand side.
(4)Fran C.
You know, one to the beautiful things about using YELP - is reading your Yelp buddies reviews! Recently, I've been craving some good ol' local kine GRINDZ and I remembered my Yelp buddy bruddah Brian M. posting a wonderful review of Jane's Fountain, so I went to the Jane's Fountain page on Yelp to read the reviews.........low & behold when I got to the page, I realized my other Yelp buddies - Nat N. bruddah Dave F., Judy C., Reimi D., & bruddah Eric Robert R. all had posted wonderful reviews about this place too. After reading all of their reviews, I was convinced that I had to go to Jane's Fountain for lunch today.......and I was gonna roll da dice to see if I could find any street parking. Low & behold, when I got to Jane's, the parking gods must have heard me rumbling down the road today, because there was a metered parking stall smack in front of Jane's.......and to top if off, there was like 40 minutes left in the pay meter too.......can you say SCORE! Parked my car & fed a few more coins into the meter just so I could get a little more time...... then stepped into Jane's......... Walking into Jane's, is like going back to my childhood day's of mom & pops diners. WOW, this place is really old skool I tell you! Small hole in the wall place with bright orange vinyl booths (sorry gang, they don't provide sunglasses, so you better get use to the bright booths). This place kinda reminded me of Archies in Wailuku, as they seem to have the same kind of bright orange vinyl booths! Upon seating ourselves, I looked at the wall menu. So many local choices, and I really wanted to try them all, but I knew it would be impossible. I ended up getting the Shoyu Chicken, and my friend ended up getting the Liver with Onions. Both plates came with two scopes white rice, corn, mac salad, & tsukemono. What can I saw about the Grindages? Well, the Shoyu Chicken was so soft.......coming off the bone soft (just the way I like it!), they used a light shoyu sauce so it was not overly salty. There was a hint of sweetness, as well as an aroma of ginger to the dish. It was prepared perfectly, and I must say the serving of food was so generous. My friend, who ate the Liver & Onions (Yuck! I hate liver), said the dish was prepared perfectly too......in fact my friend mentioned that the Liver & Onion dish was done even better here, than at Meg's Drive In's (liver & onion dish). I did not eat my Mac Salad today, but my friend had mentioned that the Mac Salad was done perfectly too...........just the right amount of mayonnaise in conjunction to the macaroni. Apparently, this little hole in the wall restaurant has quite a strong local following..........as there was quite a bit of people in this restaurant today. I don't know how many years this business has been around, but I can tell you this..........they certainly are doing something right over here! Oh, and one friendly reminder..........CASH IS KING! They only take cash over here, so bring money, or no eat! Chance 'em gang! No can go wrong with da local kine grindages!
(4)Mike H.
A good place for a bowl of wun tun saimin and a burger. This restaurant does not have air conditioning.
(4)Kelehua K.
I was in the mood for a cheeseburger, but not willing to drive all the way to Teddy's. I used Yelp (thank you, Yelp!) and found this place, only to realize it is next door to The Salted Lemon on Liliha...my other new find. Honestly, I felt like I was cheating on The Salted Lemon, especially because instead of eating a healthy Acai bown or smoothie, I was on a mission to eat a CHEESEBURGER! Parking: Street parking, metered, on Liliha St. It's not guaranteed, but so far...we've found a spot each time. Location: very close to corner of Liliha and Kuakini. Jane's Fountain isn't clearly marked, but the large SAIMIN sign above it is! The Feel: hole-in-the-wall, not fancy, old school diner. It's clean enough, though. The lady (owner?) works hard serving everyone. She answered the phone and answered my questions. Short "Yes" answers, but sounded welcoming. The Burger: someone's Cheeseburger Deluxe photo on Yelp is what drew me here. I had to convince my husband that it was worth it, being that we are hardcore Teddy's fans. We each got the Cheeseburger Deluxe (I think it was $4.20) and I got a rootbeer float. I waited for his reaction because his is most honest, and he really liked it!!! We both did. The burger was very moist and tasty, and my hubby and I agreed the ingredients (vegetables, onions) were all FRESH. The ONLY bummer is that they don't make french fries. No french fries with a burger? Oh well...the upside to it was that I got to completely focus on the burger and float. Plus, I didn't walk out feeling grossly full, but totally satisfied. Great cheeseburger!
(4)Brian M.
You won't find relief from the hot weather with AC in here, but old school fans blowing down on you while you sit in orange booths with red cloth tape that patch the years of customers. I just love love these mom & pops diners and if it was closer to me I'd be a regular here with prices that is hard to come by nowadays and that warm welcoming feeling. Sitting comfortably while waiting for our food I thought I was warped to somewhere in Hilo, looking around seeing quiet patrons enjoying their homemade cooked up meals. You can just feel that relax atmosphere this eatery brings. Then to my surprise the waitress turns on that old jukebox and starts playing Hawaiian and Japanese music from probably the 60's! Awesomeness! I enjoyed a small Wun Tun Min and a Cheeseburger, it look and tasted just like what I picturing in my head. Basic nothing fancy,plain good ole' food you crave sometimes, satisfying your soul and stomach. I think that I'll put Jane's on my brekkie and brunch rotation, I enjoyed it that much! Service from Karen who served us this Morning was friendly and attentive,our coffee was constantly topped off. Parking might be a problem if you don't luck out with something in the front, just cross your fingers and hope you find a spot nearby on the surrounding streets.
(4)Ryan T.
Ambiance: Step back in time and savor the flavor a that this restaurant has to offer. It's a cash only place with a menu on the wall, a jukebox with that old time sound, and a bit of age showing. Service: Staffers were attentive, but didn't hover. Our cups were full and the orders were right. Food: The BBQ Pork was just hiding in the mish mash of comfort food on the menu. Boy was I glad I picked it! I think it was marinated in a simple Teri ginger sauce of some sort. Seared to perfection, the texture of pork shined through and the fatty parts melted in my mouth. It was a large portion with two scoops rice, mac salad, corn, and cole slaw on the side. My girlfriend had their small saimin bowl, which was perfect for her. It came in a cereal bowl sized bowl and had a unique flavor reminiscent of a walk around the noodle factories in china town. Again, simple perfection. I would gladly eat here again!
(5)M. W.
We get its nostalgic. But the burgers? Ok. Saimin? Ehh. We came here to check it out when we lived on Liliha St. We never need to go back. Sometimes people give reviews because of the history of a place - I get it. But the food is not worth 5 stars. I wish I could - I really wanted to love this place. But it didn't work out for us.
(2)Gina H.
As you can probably tell by now, i love old school eateries. Lol this place usually always has a seat when i go. It's never too busy but it's probably because of parking. I usually stop by if i see a stall open because i figure the Gods must want me to stop. Lol my favorite items here is their hamburger and sari sari. The lady who is always working is nice too. It seems this place is usually filled with their regular customers.
(4)Pabs G.
We all need a Jane's fountain in our community, right? Walk in and you're immediately brought back to the 70's when we ate "real" burgers, green river soft drink, and fat french fries from fountain eateries. When people sat and was mindful of eating. No distractions. Life was simple then. Turn your cell phones off and enjoy the food. Hope this place is around for years to come because many enjoy the ambiance and simple local food that this fountain offers.
(4)Kawena K.
These kine places are disappearing FAST in Hawai'i so I try to make a point of eating here. I don't know what it is but the cheeseburger deluxe is delicious. Maybe it's the simplicity - hamburger, cheese, lettuce, onion, and tomato on a toasted bun. It makes the perfect complement to a small saimin (no fries, they not fancy!). There's also other local and Chinese food too, like cold ginger chicken and spareribs. Parking stinks and they only take cash so plan ahead and support a local business! P.S. There's a jukebox! :)
(4)Al D.
Fried rice and 3 eggs cost me $8.50 and I did not even get meat. Called it in and it took them 20mins to complete my order even though there were only 3 others there. The fried rice was good although the portion size was only half what you would expect for that price. Eggs are eggs. It also came with Mac salad and a tiny bit of slaw. Not worth the price.
(2)Josie C.
Euro-Tapa, French-Fusion, Asian-Pacific.... It seems to me a lot of restaurants have been adding a lot of "flare" into their cooking. Which is good for most.... But have you ever had that craving for good homestyle cooked food but was just too lazy to cook it yourself at home? Well that's where Jane's Fountain would step in for me. This aged small diner is not a fancy diner. The fact that the word "fountain" is a part of the business name should give you an idea of how long this place has been around. My aunty has told me stories of when she came here when she was a child. It always brings smiles to the heart when you hear of businesses that has stood through some generations. Parking (street) is nearly impossible to find, especially during the lunch hour. But if you have to wait, then wait. You'll get a stall sooner or later. Don't forget to pay the meter. As you walk in, you'll notice a jukebox that's still working. Feel free to drop in a few quarters and flip through the list of songs for everyone to enjoy. It's like being your own dj while everyone is eating. Haha. Seat yourself at an open table and look on the walls for the menu. No, you won't be given a printed personalized menu. The wall is all you have. The staff is very quiet. They'll come and give you water and take your order and although they rarely talk, their operations are ran very smoothly. Everyone knows what they should be doing as people are constantly coming and leaving. The prices range from $3-$10 serving things from hamburgers to oxtail soup and root-beer floats. The average plate lunch is about $7 which all comes with pickled cabbage and their delicious mac salad (which IMO is 'one' of the best mac salads I've tasted) I've been here a few times and haven't been disappointed with any of their food items. -The liver and onions was very tender and tasty. Cooked the way I liked it. -The pig feet soup is a Chinese style (not "lauya" Filipino style) but it didn't matter because the broth was just as delicious and the pig feet was "fall off the bone" tender. -The hamburger steak has got to be my favorite so far. Homemade patty, not the frozen ones you buy at the store. These are shaped by hand and cooked. Which is why the shape isn't a perfect circle. The seasoning was perfect and I was told they use the same homemade patties for their hamburgers. Sad part is they don't serve french fries here. But no biggie, just order more mac salad :) So if you're lucky enough to see an open parking, take it and give this place a try. I'm positive you won't be disappointed. Oh and if you have room for dessert, get an ice cream float. Awww c'mon there's always room for dessert :)
(4)Gary C.
Nothing like the ambiance of a greasy spoon restaurant to bring out the best in home style cooking. Their Loco Moco is the bomb. One of the best homemade hamburger patties I've had on the island. Sari Sari is also one of my favorites since it comes with both shrimp and pork. Too bad they don't use the pork with the crispy skin on it. Would make it even better!.
(4)Jade S.
My dad always comes here to eat the wun tun min. I've finally got to try here & I liked it! It's a really old school eatery and it has that old fashioned feel. They have an extensive menu ranging from saimin to Filipino food. I was so surprised they had Filipino food! I had the hamburger steak which I liked because the meat was really tasty! Not a ready made patty. My boyfriend had the pork chops and he really liked it also. I will definitely be back to try something else!
(4)Rdy S.
Cash only It is cooler in lower Liliha versus Kalihi-Palama and the front of Jane's Fountain is almost open air so the place is comfortable with just a couple of fans providing air movement. This is more of a diner than a saimin house with everything from pork with bitter melon, sari sari, to miso soup with an egg, and canned corned beef or liver with onions. There's also a long list of simple sandwiches for kids or older folks, like a fried ham or luncheon meat slice, deviled egg, or tomato in plain white bread. This is the kind of neighborhood diner people would frequent on a daily basis in the days before mobile phones, the Internet, McDonalds and Starbucks. You'll see regulars relaxing with their newspaper, talking story with other regulars or the waitress, having a coffee and maybe a side dish of canned corn before the meal. The plates come with a side of macaroni salad, and if they know you, an extra side of shredded cabbage. The broth for their saimin and wun tun is an ordinary clear, slightly salty dashi style that most people will eat with a shoyu mustard slury added. But, the noodles are nice and toothsome with a texture that holds up well if you're the kind of person who takes 20 minutes to eat a bowl of noodles. The garnishes are a standard chopped luncheon meat, green onion, and a slice of red and white kamaboko fish cake.
(3)R M.
The building dates back at least to the 1950s and probably 10 - 20 years earlier and the decor has hardly changed. The current operators may be immigrants but traditional fountain foods are still available along with favorite local dishes. I had a regular-sized bowl of saimin. The noodles were chewy and the broth was not salty. Slivers of spam replaced the commonly used pork char sui but a slice of fishcake was included. My wife had a hamburger deluxe--an obsolete phrase now perhaps that describes a burger with tomato, onion and lettuce. The meat was ground beef.* Sis had won ton saimin--very filing. *Hamburger was once ground beef with cereal filler added. (19¢ burger at McDonalds in the 1960s.) During the latter part of the 20th Century the fast food burger chains were in such heavy competition that some started using pure ground beef--advertising the fact heir burgers were GROUND BEEF; soon all the other restaurants were also using pure beef but the name hamburger remained.
(4)Lei L.
Amazing! This restaurant has been here on Liliha Street for over 60 years!!! WTH!? The decor is almost all if the original & their recipes have been passed down from generation to generation. I highly recommend you getting the cheeseburger & the wuntun min! The servers & cooks are SO sweet. I loved all the patrons there too.
(5)Jordan S.
Jane's looks run down, and feels old to sit in...but the food is pretty dang good. It's a simple place, reminds me of old school diners. The lady running the place was pleasant, service was quick, and I got a burger that was a pretty classic diner burger. Alicia D had the grilled cheese and a float, both also good. They didn't have french fries, which was a bummer, but I left happy. And it's cheap!
(4)Bo-Bae K.
Jane's Fountain is not the typical side-of-the highway, single mother waitress, open-late-night type of diner they show on TV. Instead, it's a quaint but kind of rundown, hole-in-the-wall diner with a dingy old jukebox that only plays the Billboard 100 hits from 1970's Japan. It's operated by a nice Chinese woman (and presumably her relatives, in the kitchen) who's my favorite server ever--you never have to ask for more water or wait for the check, even when it's packed. I've only had their food on Sunday mornings when I'm somewhat hungover, so I've only had their carb-y, fatty items, but I'm sure everything else is just as good. Their pancakes are amazing: light and fluffy with a HUGE scoop of salted butter. Speaking of fluffy and deliciously salty, their rice is always super fresh and their sunny side eggs are just the way I like them: soft and not crispy around the edges! But speaking of crispy, the PORK SAUSAGE is where it's really at! Crunchy on the outside, soft and piping hot on the inside, their pork sausage is second to none! And last but not least, the best part of Sunday breakfasts has to be the won ton mein. This bowl of soup has single handedly woken me up from an alcohol-scented daze on more than a handful of occasions. Luncheon meat, fish cake, green onions, and the tender won ton...it's hangover heaven!
(5)Kelly M.
Looks like a hole in the wall, but friendly, fast and good value. Had the burger and it is an A+ plate lunch burger. I prefer the burger at Harbor drive in, but their hours are so limited that Jane's gets my weekend and evening business.
(4)Reimi D.
You can't go wrong here! It is comfort food and it is good. Definitely a throw back to old-school Hawaii when there were more mom and pop diners with quality food. While it's not fancy, it's clean and the service is great. I always get the hamburger deluxe ($3.60) and a small saimin ($4.15). Yes, a filling meal under 10 bucks. Their saimin is the best--easily comparable to Palace Saimin. The broth is light with just enough flavor, not overly salty, with traditional topping of luncheon meat. The hamburger deluxe reminds me of the hamburgers and cheeseburgers I used to get as a kid back in the day from the old snack stand at Ala Moana Beach or the 50th state fair from hanabata days--you know the ones wrapped in either the white wrapper or the orangish-yellow wrapper. I can wax poetic for days on how the food here is ono and brings back memories but you should definitely try it for yourself. Liliha is a town that still has a community feel to it--like how Kaimuki used to be--and they still have mom and pop joints like this one. Street parking and cash only.
(5)Z Z.
I went to Jane's Fountain today and had the deluxe cheeseburger, wonton saimin, and root beer float. The cheeseburger was excellent and I scarfed it down in record time. The saimin was picture perfect and was alright, however I am not a saimin connoisseur. The root beer float was just ok. The vanilla ice cream (the only flavor they have) was the cheap variety, however the float only cost $3. Eating at Jane's Fountain was definitely a nostalgic experience. You feel like you have been transported to a time long ago, when things were simpler. I will definitely be returning to Jane's Fountain to explore some of their other menu items.
(3)Judy C.
Jane's Fountain, so old school like the 70's kind. but with yummy food that lives on to this new century. :) I give you ****, 4 stars! for not having fries. but thank you for letting me walk to L & L's to order fries and eat them at Jane's. My son got the burger and wanted fries with that & not saimin. There were 5 of us that night, went close to 9pm. ( so glad we made it) We all enjoyed our food. We got: large saimin chopped steak 2 sandwich, burger, fried rice for us 5 the bill came out to 30.00. Cheap!! I really enjoyed my Saimin, the noodles were al dente- can't stand overcooked noodles, & the broth was not salty, love that they have luncheon meat, fish cake, char siu, green onions, and won bok. Their mac salad and tsukemono was good too!! goes so well with my food!! My husband enjoyed the Chop steak. The kids enjoyed their food. They didn't grumble one bit. The lady, that took our order, ( the owner) she was cute and very friendly!! I can't wait to go back and try the other stuff on the menu. Curious on who Jane is and why is this place called Jane's Fountain. Will be back soon!! :0)
(4)Lauren C.
I am so ashamed to admit that this was my first time dining here at Jane's Fountain and I've lived in this area all my life. So I'm only 27 years late but better late than never! So let me start off by saying I love these types of old school diner type restaurants. As much as I love new places to eat, I hold a very soft spot for nostalgic places like these that are a dying breed of restaurants. So I really didn't mind that the booths were patched up with duct tape or there's a leaning tower of boxes in the corner. Gives it a bit of character. I chose the fried rice and Boyfriend went with his usual diner combo of cheeseburger and saimin. My fried rice came with one egg and was fried with a healthy amount of onions and green onions with a sprinkling of char sui and lots of luncheon meat. I really wish that the fried rice is made with spam but the flavors were pretty good. I also love that the rice had small pieces of crispy rice as if it was cooked in a cast iron pan. Boyfriend's saimin was okay to me but he really enjoyed it. I found that dash to be a bit bland but I really liked the cheeseburger. But I would never be able to get a cheeseburger there because I NEED french fries with my burger and I didn't see that option available. I'm glad I finally made my way here and I plan on trying some of the other things on the menu but for now it was just OK for me. Maybe I'll find something I really like the next time I eat here.
(3)Katt O.
So ONO..... Traditional style siamin. Beef BBQ stick...tender and flavorful. A friend had recommended and I finally made it, so glad.
(5)Marie F.
Jane's Fountain is where comfort food and nostalgia meets. Great comfort food. Cheap price.
(3)Kimo S.
After reading a few reviews, I must agree with alot of them about how good this place is. I've been coming here since I was a kid and I still like this place. The food here is ono. The old fashioned style theme is awesome! The jukebox, the malt shake mixers and the environment itself makes me want to jump into a time machine and travel back to that time and era when these places were alive and well. Now, for the food, Their Saimin, Teri-burger and beef sticks makes a really ono dinner dish! Thumbs (or shakas) way up for Jane's Fountain.
(5)Eric Robert R.
Jane's Fountain! The name alone has the aroma of Don Ho, circa 1950's! TV-Land sitcoms remind me of Jane's Fountain! This place transports you to an era long forgotten... The days of American Graffiti, Happy Days, Laverne & Shirley, Joanie Loves Chachi, Captain Kangaroo, etc, etc. Serious 1950's vibe here! Nothings changed for over 50+ years - It's that vintage COOL! Why do I love Jane? 1. DA JANE: The owner, Karen (current Jane) is the most deadpan friendly owner you'll find. Once you become a regular, she'll know exactly what you want! Creepy in a way, but it's because she gets to know everyone here. Like me... She knows I'm the tattooed dude that doesn't eat Mac Salad, so she knows before I tell her not to bring it. Dad likes crispy bacon, yup she already knows. Many think Karen's... "Jane", but frankly the original "Jane" would be pushing 90-years old, and this "Jane" is closer to 60-years old, unless she was the owner since 10-years old. I doubt that, oh and once again her name's "Karen". Confused? 2. DA AMBIANCE: Vintage cool. Aka OG! Frankly, it's really not for everyone, but for some of us... Those that appreciate history. Old walls that talk, with scotch-taped ads for "Buying Kikaida" and photos of original "Jane" doing the Bunny Hop. The original 1950's red vinyl seats are incredible! The bull horns above the large Kanji sign's über weird, but still über cool. The mint green soda fountain is still on the counter, but probably "out-of-order" since Jack Lord last roamed Liliha street. You want a soda? It's in the cooler, brah. Yup, a tad funky, but I appreciate these old places that never change. It's called patina, brah. 3. DA JUKEBOX: Large vintage jukebox tucked near the entrance, and yes... It WORKS! Lot's of classics from "Sukiyaki" to "Tiny Bubbles" to "Honolulu City Lights". A few quarters buys a bunch. Just don't expect Lady Gaga busting out of this box! Oh, and if you see a short asian lady with coke-bottle-eyeglasses... Hurry! Or, she'll toss in the quarters and play all those Japanese love songs. Not like anythings wrong with that! 4. DA GRINDS: Simple, but home cooked ono! Like when you were 10-years old and grandma would cook those comfort foods. I'm shocked that many in the area still go to McDonald's for a cheeseburger. You can get one at Jane's for about $4, freshly cooked and 10-fold tastier versus Ronald McDonald. Or, my favorite loco moco for about $6 and change. Basic breakfast for about $5 and if you want the bacon crispy... You got it! Simple menu. Freshly cooked. Ono! 5.DA JANE'S FLOAT: The "old school" ice cream soda float! Throwback to the grandparents days! Boy, what have we been missing? it's true "food porn" yummy... Messy in a good way! Trust. Jane's Fountain is a hole-in-the-wall that has survived probably 6 decades on Liliha St. I have Uncles that remember this place... McDonalds wasn't part of the vocabulary back in the day. Dot's Donuts was on the corner. And a brand-spanking-new place called, Liliha Bakery just opened its doors, up the street. This was 60 years ago! Enjoy it while it's still here. So, next time you're in the area tell "Jane", errr I mean "Karen", I said "Howzit". The local dude that hates Mac Salad... She'll know. LIVE ALOHA... YELP REVIEW #140
(5)Ed L.
Discovering Yelp meant exploring your own community and finding awesome businesses and eateries that will tickle your fantasy, as well as astound you within your tastebuds, stomach, and mind. With that in mind, my stomach and Yelp app pointed me to Jane's Fountain. I wouldn't say that this place is a hole in the wall or a hidden gem just yet, but its one of those nostalgia places where it reminds you of a home cooked meal. The restaurant is a dive, really. Dirty and just disorganized, but yet, it's clean enough to be able to service guests and have some sort of cleanliness that will satisfy the health code to some degree. Jane's Fountain is not what you would call cheap, but it has this home spun feel to it, since the food served here can be categorized as such. The ambiance was not cozy, but yet it was uneasy, since I saw the unclean part of the restaurant that made me cringe a bit. Needless to say that this place is pretty good with its faults already. Jane's Fountain is located on Liliha Street, near by the Liliha Bakery on Kuakini Street and the Liliha Medical Building. The #13 bus comes directly here, but you can also use routes #1L, #2, and #2L, but you would need to walk a couple of blocks to get here. Parking here is very much limited, so best believe that you would need to find street parking. I got here from a quiet day at the office, seeing as I have New Years Eve off, might as well come and scope out this place and see what this place is all about. From the exterior to the interior of Jane's Fountain, you can tell this is definitely not where you would come here on a daily basis, unless you want to. I didn't want to dine in, but yet, I kinda of had to, but I had time, so I sat down. The lady was accommodating and nice, so I let my instincts pave the way. Jane's fountain is basically a Chinese restaurant / deli with a few local comfort food choices. They also serve breakfast, which explains the 7am opening each day. They are open Monday through Saturday, and close by 9pm, so get in when you can! They offer conventional breakfast and lunch items, including loco moco among other things, as well as an assortment of sandwiches and Chinese food items. Somewhat diverse, but still limited in scope. I opted for a breakfast thing, since you can't really screw that up, or can you? I got the corned beef hash, eggs and white rice for lunch. Yep, for lunch. For what I aspire to, this place is pretty good for the money. Although it can be pricey for what is served. Its a simple place for simple eating. The bill is scribbled on white scraps of paper and not a formal bill. That really tipped me off as typical Chinese flair. Not having to pay more than what's required, especially to government folk - re sales taxes and what not. For what its worth, this place is what I would call a skip over, but you could find it worth your while, if you like a deli style place to hang out and chill in your stay in Liliha / Kalihi. The ambiance was alright, but could be better. The service I thought could've been better, but the wait was good enough. Not recommending it, per say, but worth checking out at least once for breakfast. The taste was okay, but maybe McDobald's would be better. Just saying. Support local! Cash only! C
(3)Nat N.
I love Jane's for their fried rice and fried noodles. Their cooking is homestyle and simple. The place is a real dive, but that's what's so great about it. they also make a mean bowl of old-fashioned saimin that will comfort you on any given day. Parking can be hard to find on Liliha Street, but it's worth a couple of circles around the block.
(4)Cyndy K.
Cyndy's Bottom Line: Good saimin and burgers at a good price. We ate took the keikis to experience a new but rather old and nostalgic fountain type eatery. My nephew asked what is a fountain? Not being of that generation it was a good question. I stated that back in the day there were many fountains which served soda drinks, floats, and food at the counter. He just nodded in response. We ordered the main event the saimin and cheeseburgers of course. 1. Won ton mein - there was four won tons, fishcake, luncheon meat, and green onions. The noodles were on the thicker, chewy side. The broth had a nice flavor not overly salty. Would have preferred the broth to be hotter in temperature. There was a lot of luncheon meat slices to go around. 2. Cheeseburger - burger was tasty with bread filling and grilled well with mayo on the bun.
(4)Edmund G.
Great hole in the wall place. They make a great cheeseburger and Won ton mein. Prices are reasonable and the owner Karen is awesome. This traditional old home style cooking like mom use to make. Great to have this nostalgia around in Liliha. Menu is still the same and cash only.
(4)Sara N.
I tried the won ton saimin (mini) and it was a regular saimin that you could probably make at home. It would be good for people that need less sodium because it's not that salty. The cheeseburger on the other hand was the bomb! It was better then L&L! It was juicy but not too juicy and the flavor was amazing! I highly recommend getting the cheeseburger!
(3)Russel M.
Cute litte hard to find old style eatery. It's located on Liliha St on the way to Liliha Bakery from Town. The sign has seen better days and is faded out but you can still see the Saimin sign. The menu is written on Boards and signs all over the walls which can make it interesting trying to decide with so many items. We chose the Cheeseburger DLX and Tuna Sand which were both really good. $7.45 total for both. Going back soon.
(4)Antone S.
Have you ever had something so nostalgic that it brought you to tears? The last time I was here was small kid time in 1979! My wife, who never heard of the place (she's from Kailua naturally!), was in for a treat. I suggested she order the standard (Wun Tun Min, cheeseburger deluxe, mac salad and a root beer float.) Brah...my mind went through a time-warp! It tasted just as good as back then. The burger was perfectly seasoned with all the fixings, the Wun Tun Min, all the local garnishes., soup was, dashi style, light and tasty. Heaven! If you ever want something old-fashioned and truly a taste from the past, this place is for you, Jane's Fountain! Next time....pork chops! Yum!
(5)Lani A.
This place is what it is. The food is neither good nor bad, the menu is OK and the service is fine. It's not that impressive but it's OK.
(3)Florence K.
It's hard to find old school places still present with all the modernization going down. However, Jane's Fountain has kept true to its roots. Still located in Liliha town, it's a great representation of old Liliha town. It's been there since the 50's! I wasn't alive back then, but I remember it being there since I could remember. When I say true to its roots, I mean it. From the jukebox (that still works!) to the chalkboard menu, to the cash register (that they don't use anymore...but still works!), the old vinyl chairs (like...really old) and even the menu! The best part is the prices are still VERY reasonable. For less than $4, I can get a delicious homemade cheeseburger deluxe that's WAYYY better than L&L's frozen beef patties and McDonald's pink slime infused food. Why people go to those two establishments for a burger when Jane's Fountain is 2 minutes away beats me. A lot of their food you can get for less than $5 and plate lunches are between $6-$7. That's pretty darn cheap! Whenever I make my way here, I've always ordered the burgers because they're very reasonably priced and good even though everything else on the menu looks good. But I have to definitely wake up early enough to pick up breakfast on my way to work because that looks good too! Jane's Fountain is definitely a place to go to for simple homestyle food that doesn't break the wallet!
(5)Jenny A.
The food was really good. We're from Kaua'i, and my boyfriend ordered the Wun Tun Min and even tho it isn't better than Hamura's back home, he enjoyed it. I got the Hamburger Steak and it was delicious. The only thing that stopped me from giving all stars is our water wasn't refilled, and she(waitress) didn't really pay much attention to us after our food. Other than that, it was really good.
(4)Cassandra L.
Lived in the Liliha area for 20+ years but am ashamed to say that I visited for the first time tonight. Boy do I regret not eating there sooner! Totally old school, seat yourself, menu on the wall, but it was clean and bright. Waitress was super friendly and patient. While we were eating, 2 people came in and were asking 20 questions about the menu and she answered all of them very patiently and then threw in even more suggestions even though it would bring on even more questions. Anyway, on to the food. We ordered saimin, spam and egg sandwich, and the cheeseburger deluxe. The saimin broth was really flavorful, but a little bland when paired with the noodles. Nothing a dash of shoyu can't fix. The noodles were perfectly chewy, not mushy at all! I didn't try the spam and egg sandwich, but the hubby inhaled it so it must have been good. Cheeseburger deluxe: omg, so good. Liliha Bakery's cheeseburger had been my favorite up until now. Jane's cheeseburger was lopsided (which is awesome because you know that patty was homemade and hand formed!), the buns were toasted perfectly, and the flavor was so good! I left feeling a little unsatisfied because my 1 yr old inhaled half my burger! I just read in the reviews after we got home about the soda floats! Definitely need to visit again!
(4)Chelsey N.
Nested in Kahili, this mom-and-pop is the perfect way to spend a lazy Sunday morning. The samin is absolutely delicious and full of flavor beyond the standard salt taste that most other restaurants pass off as broth. The servers are quiet but friendly and the jukebox adds a oldies soundtrack to your meal. I definitely want to come back and try the cheeseburger and loco moco.
(4)Joey S.
Decided to go local and was too lazy to drive anywhere. This place is within walking distance and have always wanted to try it. I think it was the ambiance that got me. Hamburger was good but they do not cook french fries...so I had a tofu salad. The dressing was very good. Miso soup was good, saimin average (I can get it at Palace saimin and be very happy about it). Also tried the corned beef cabbage but that was literally from the can. I could have made it at home rather than spending 8 bucks on it. They had all the looks of a 50's establishment, just nothing working in it...It's all for looks apparently...not even sure where the ice machine was...they were getting it from a blue portable cooler. 1 sideway thumb...I don't think i will be back.
(2)QuodE D.
Jane's Fountain first opened its doors in 1948 and has been serving great local food ever since. It's very old school Hawai'i. Remember Honda Deli, Wakabayashi Florist, when L&L was a bus terminal and when Liliha Bakery used to be on Liliha Street? That's what I mean by old school. Jane's Fountain used to serve Liliha residents going to and from Liliha Theater (which was torn down to build H1). I bet some of those customers still come to Jane's Fountain. The food is classic local food. I recommend the hamburger sandwich and saimin. Sorry, nothing fancy here, just solid food. The hamburger tastes like they mix their own rather than simply taking it frozen out of a box. And I'd bet the saimin dashi is made in-house rather than "add water and mix." Don't expect TGIFriday's corporate service. Service isn't the fastest, but the staff members each have their own style. Regulars get recognized, but new customers still get treated well. It's sad when places like this get forgotten.
(4)Ryan K.
Forget about the DeLorean with the flux capacitor...if you want to go back in time, just step into Jane's Fountain in Liliha. Juke box, high back vinyl upholstered benches, wooden menu board...it's all here. Comfort food is what they're good at - saimin, hamburger steak, fried rice, and the best damn mac salad on the island. I also appreciate the fact that instead of using spam where you usually would (in the saimin, fried rice/noodles for example), they use luncheon meat. Lot less salty and definitely more tasty. Street parking, so have some quarters ready if dining there before 6pm.
(4)April C.
Nothing to look at...A hole in the wall, but I like the food: Saimin w/ Hamburger deluxe on the side, or BBQ sticks, Spareribs, Sari Sari, $5-12...must try to like! On street parking.
(4)Larry C.
Old family business. My Mom used to come here as a kid. I ordered the Ox tail soup and was not disappointed. Part of old hawaii and still the food is good.
(4)R.G. W.
Gotta support these mom 'n' pop places while still get... Some people call this "old style diner" -- but technically that label is wrong -- Jane's isn't "styled" after something old... IT IS a living artifact of old Hawai'i. Bring cash and your manners and get the won tun min w/ bbq stick or hamburger patty. Then repeat!
(5)Vicky K.
If you like the nostalgia of eating at an old Saimin Stand, then this is the place for you. High back vinyl booths, cool jukebox, 50's Coca Cola wall clock & the footprints of a bygone soda fountain & okazu window is what you'll find at this homey mom & pop shop. Saimin, Wun Tun Min & BBQ stick is made deliciously old style. Tasty 'homemade' hamburger patty placed between 2 lightly toasted buns from the grill, is a welcome nod to hamburger sandwich's of the past. The Pork Tofu is one of my favorite rice dishes, with it's tender pork & addictive broth sauce spooned over two scoops of rice. Though, sometimes there is more tofu than pork. You never know who you'll see at this place, old friends, neighbors, or even local celebrities. Support local business!
(5)Josh A.
Jane's is a great stop if you like that old 1960 - 1970's Hawaii look. Growing up, we'd stop their time and again for some saimin and bbq sticks while listening to their jukebox filled with oldies. The last time I was there - so was the jukebox - with the same songs. Good to know some things don't change. Mom and Pop kind of place.
(4)Q Z.
Best Sari Sari on the island.
(4)Jan M.
Always wanted to try this little hole in the wall place. Went there Sunday at about 9:15am. Found parking right in front. We ordered wonton mein, barbecue sticks and a cheeseburger. It had the charm of the old time fountain places, ladies were very friendly. The wonton's were tasty and tender, the wonton skin was soft and not too thick. The noodles had the right firmness, however, the broth was just ok. But I still would order it again. The cheeseburger was not bad, wish they had teriburgers though. The barbecue beef sticks were more on the salty rather than sweet side. I rather have the sweeter side. The meat was an ok texture, but it was more boiled taste rather than a grilled taste. It needed to be cooked a little more to have some kind of griilled look to them. They have a big menu, and I saw a lady eating some kind of tofu dish, so I definitely would try them again. Especially some of the plates.
(3)Kuhio A.
One of the last great fountains in Honolulu, down home cooking and great personality for a mom and pop shop!
(5)Kristen C.
been here a couple of times with my parents. Ordered the saimin and it was ok broth is a bit bland but the noodles are good. The have other local/japanese grinds and simple hamburgers only thing that sucks is they dont have fries to go w/ them burgers...bleh...o well...i just wish it was still one of those real old time ice cream fountains (im not even sure if they serve any ice cream) also, just as K.J.N. says about that one waitress that makes you feel unwelcome because of her style is true but she was on top in filling my non iced but cold water.=P
(3)David B.
i think this is one of the few local old school diners spots ive been too. its pretty cool to see theyre still using the old style cash register from the 50s, and even the old juke box playing old skool japanese songs. i had the saimin, fried saimin, and the beef sticks. nothing too impressive just the local style foods you know of. saimin was averaged priced, nice portions of spam, soup was your regular salted flavored soup. for me everything together was a bit too salty for my taste. the beef sticks were not too great, dry, warm and they just put like a teri sauce on it. the fried saimin was a bit too oily. this type of food is very typical of what you might find at the carnivals. a bit hard to find street parking in this area. i wouldnt say my experience was bad, it was ok. but nothing i would jump at and make my way back to again.
(2)Eric k.
homemade hamburger ono
(5)Sherry T.
this is the place i come for the saimin/cheeseburger combo. it's a true hole in the wall and even has a juke box to play some music. haven't tried anything else so can't say anything about the rest of the menu. i don't think they take ccards so make sure you got cash. the place is hella cheap. like $4 for small wonton min (noodles are good and chewy) and $3 bucks for a cheeseburger. I think i'll try the burger w/o the cheese next time...for some reason I no longer like the icky yellow processed stuff as an adult but would tear up the slices when i was a kid
(4)glenn s.
I've been going to Jane's Ft for over 50 years. This is the only restaurant that serves the old style saimin and the only place I'll eat saimin. I've tried every restaurant "claiming" to serve good saimin, but this is the best. Don't be fooled by slick advertisements, but if you don't know what the original type, Okinawan influenced saimin is, then ???? I'll usually order the saimin and hamburger deluxe while my wife orders the fried rice special...yummy!!
(5)K.J. N.
Jane's Fountain is a tiny diner located on Liliha Street, amongst corner markets, a hairdresser, and a Chinese restaurant. The diner is right out of old Hawaii, back in the days of jukeboxes and milk delivered in bottles. Don't expect quick service or fancy food. The one waitress can almost make you feel unwelcome with her gruff style, until the younger, gentler cook comes out of the back kitchen to deliver your steaming hot bowl of saimin and cheeseburger. The saimin is perfectly seasoned and not overly-salty. The cheeseburger is right off the grill and total comfort food. The other menu items, listed on a chalkboard that looks as old as the diner, sound like home-cooked local food that one's grandmother would make. There are even cans of Campbell's Chicken Noodle soup stacked on the kitchen shelves (which are available to those who order it!) You will not bust your budget here. This place has a following, and we even spotted a couple of well-known local musicians, eating in a back booth. So sad that these places are slowly closing and forever going away. Jane's Fountain is a sweet reminder of simple days of my youth in Hawaii.
(3)Dave F.
Almost old school saimin action here... There are quite a bit of selections here besides wun tun min and saimin. They serve sandwiches and plate lunches, breakfast, even sari sari! The interior of this restaurant brought back fond memories of a time long past... of eating saimin and BBQ sticks while seated on stools around an old style two-piece laminated table in an airy old saimin stand in Kalihi. Ah, the days of my youth, no worries, just good old fashioned curly style noodles in a steaming hot broth garnished with slivers of the best tasting sweet char siu and finely chopped green onions. I had high hopes that perhaps Jane's would be the one able to replicate that memory for me... Jane's has the charm needed to be that neighborhood saimin stand from yesteryear, from the old naugahyde padded booths to the old cash register behind the counter, to the clear plastic cups to the retro style old jukebox playing tunes in mono... I have to thank the lady who fed the 'ol jukebox with her coins and selected some old Japanese tunes... Gosh, I was transported back in time. As I sat there having my lunch, I just couldn't help thinking that I was once again denied the chance to have that old time bowl of saimin once again. Although the broth was not bad, the noodles were on the chewy side and not of the texture of the curly saimin noodles. There were generous pieces of luncheon meat, but char siu was sparse. The wun tun didn't have much taste and were small. As for the BBQ sticks, they weren't marinated long enough for the meat to have taste. If the sauce was thicker, then maybe it would have coated the meat so as to give it more flavor. But don't get me wrong. Jane's is a great place to stop in for a meal, perhaps breakfast, even saimin. What will I try on my next visit, well, I don't really know. Maybe a sandwich and just to listen to that jukebox once again, playing those old Japanese tunes, to sit in those old booths with a small fan trying to keep the room cool, to be magically whisked away to the days of my youth. That's what gives Jane's a unique charm all it's own... Just to experience this alone is worth coming here!
(3)Alex F.
I've been meaning to try this place for awhile now as it's right down the street from me. It's not the type of place you go for atmosphere or comfort, but the price is right. Super cheap, some burgers and sandwiches were under $4. Service was fast. I had the Saimin and my friend had the chicken chop suey. Both were good. I'm looking forward to trying more. Give it a go. And make sure to bring cash!
(3)Sheryl M.
My family and I have been coming here since I have been in diapers....I remember when Mama-san and Papa-san cooked saimin, beef sticks, and hamburgers in the back. Their food was so OISHII!!! (5-stars back then) Within the past 10 years of so, the ownership changed to a new couple who took over the establishment. The place still looks and feels the same...with the ambiance of the 50's fountain feel, pop dispensers behind the counter, permanent stool seats, refurbished red seated booths, and the old jukebox that still plays classic popular enka songs. They still use the same recipe and ingredients that I remember from years of coming here. Although the taste has changed a little, it is still pretty good...and the hamburger sandwiches too - an all homemade burger on a bun with lettuce and mayo....cheese if you like it that way too. All of the old mom and pop stores have now gone. It will never be the same, but this place comes pretty darn close to it!
(4)Brian A.
So I wandered over here with a friend because pretty much I've wanted to go to this place for the past six years. For whatever reason (well, mostly because I detest looking for a parking spot here) I never went. It's a nostalgic old place. Obviously probably missing the counter that people used to sit at or where they made root beer floats (I'm using my imagination on that last bit, because lets face it, root beer floats kick a**). Old bright orange bench style seating lines the space. Most of the patrons are older locals (so douchie snobby "foodies" might not get it) and it's actually kinda quiet in the place even with the open air fronting Liliha Street. I ordered the Deluxe Burger which was pretty good. I heard that the burgers here were pretty flavorful so that's what I got. It was more local style than fast food or artisan. Juicy and didn't get sloppy at the end. Funny thing is, they have no french fries. That's like salt without pepper, right? Oh no my friend, don't forget we are in the Aloha state. I asked the waitress, "Well what would you recommend then?" She quickly replied with a straight face, "Saimin." Oooookaaayyyy, here's where if we were in any other state I'd go, "What the f**k?!" Since, we're in Hawaii... "Yeah, sounds goo..." Honestly, it turned out for the best because as I was looking around, that's pretty much what everyone else ordered. Hey if in Rome, right (well that and that great big SAIMIN sign outside the door)? I'm going to be frank and say that I'm not a fan of "local style saimin." I'm also from the mainland, so I have an excuse. I can say crazy things like that (although not out loud, only on websites where I can remain anonymous). So here's where the story takes a 180... I really liked the saimin here. The broth was flavorful, not salty and the noodles were boiled to just the right consistency. All's well that ends well. I just can't recommend using that same combination when you order your Big Mac with a side of saimin. That combo just works here. Anyway, prices are right on par with other local plate lunch joints. We paid with cash, so not sure if they take cards. So, if you've read this far you can gather that parking might suck. There is no rear parking that I know of which pretty much leaves you with street parking. Of which there are very few, but this shouldn't deter you (for six years) from trying this place out. No, that'd be dumb.
(4)Shane S.
Classic old school diner complete w jukebox and orange vinyl booths. Respect. Yes, a bit of a "hole in the wall" but usually that's where you can find decent quality food at quality prices-meaning cheap! Do not miss the classic cheeseburger deluxe if you are a simple burger fan. No need that fancy kine the counter burger types- junk. Homemade patty and put together very well. You can take a picture it looks so simply good. ("Hey Wang! It's a parking lot?! let's go!") Caddyshack ref incase u just don't know.. But I digress, combo that buggah w a side large saimin and you've got yourself a meal under $10. Quality at a reasonable price. Please support such local businesses as these because as you know, they will be a thing of the past shortly. I.e. Tsukenjo's, one of the best plate lunch joints everrr. Miss you aunty Doris and your mean mochiko chicken Thursdays w the light gravy on top... Oooooh so sad. New food vendors, entrepreneurs- take note. Find a nice little spot, make the classics, keep the prices low (not like Zippy's- not so zippy either) and the people will come.
(4)Chad K.
Nostalgia wins every time for me, I am sentimental. As a kid growing up in this area I rarely ate here unless forced to with my family. At the time I wasnt able to appreciate the "old school diner" type of food that I now see as a disappearing faded picture that reflects Honolulu's glory years. Around the 3rd-8th grade years I often sped past this place on my skateboard not even giving it a second look, this place wasnt cool enough. On my way to buy football cards and update my comic book collection at J's Knicknack's and the Time Machine down the street, both of which have long closed, I opted to eat complete crap. Good food for me at that age consisted of those gummy peach rings, fizz candy, NY Seltzer with a li hing seed shoved inside and McDonalds. I dont know how I survived. Jane's Fountain after all these years still provides what I consider comfort food. A nothing too fancy saimin with the chewy noodles and clean broth and a hand made cheese burger both for less than $7. I do venture out and order the Hawaiian chopped steak which is always tender and comes with a healthy serving of onions which have been pan fried to a point of glazed sweetness. The pork chop is completely simple, two chops just pan fried with a bit of salt, appearance wise it looks boring and tasteless but given the chance this dish can hold its own. During the evenings this place can get crowded, buzzing with conversation and dishes being bussed and piled, decade after decade. The juke box still plays the original Sukiyaki song, decade after decade. All these years Jane's Fountain has ignored the outside world. This awesome diner is the epitome of the saying "youth is wasted on the young" as I shake my head at the thought of my younger self skating by unable to appreciate what I now can.
(5)Sharon A.
I always order the hamburger deluxe and small won ton min the noodles are firm soup not overly salty and comes smoking hot not like zippys. Hamburger deluxe like mom use to make em and the juke box with Enka music fits the mood, I use to go there in my highs school days not too many places like this left in this island.
(5)Inu K.
This place is da bomb. The menu is mean, got almost anythiing local style. Saimin at 7 in the morning:) If this place had more parking their business would probably be so busy it wouldn't be funny.
(5)Michael C.
You ever been to a place you don't want to tell anyone else? If I tell you about Jane's Fountain you are going to want to come here and take the precious parking and then it will be hard for me to find parking. But I guess as a Yelp'er I have to tell you about Jane's Fountain. How do I begin. Jane's Fountain is like stepping into a time warp to the Honolulu of days gone past. Complete with jukebox and red vinyl seats. To say the food is awesome is a complete understatement. Its like an old friend coming back to visit you. The food is simple but good. If you want good honest old fashioned saimin this place is great, doughy and thick how it should be. The cheeseburger deluxe is so mouth watering delicious mere words couldn't begin to describe it for me. So if you don't see my review by some accident or miracle I won't mind. :P
(5)Joy K.
For one of those nights that you just don't want to cook but hunger for old school grandma's and grandpa's home cooking. This place is a blast from the past. There's only street parking and its hit or miss. This place can get pretty crowded at dinner, surprisingly, so plan accordingly. On the menu: There's a lot of variations of local style breakfast choices. Eggs, sausage, ham, bacon and the likes. The usual blt, grilled cheese, hamburger, etc. are all there but don't expect anything fancy. Its a straight forward Asian comfort food. Some of the plate lunches include; loco moco, hamburger steak, spear ribs, and strangely pinacbet. All the other tables around us had differing dishes and they all looked onolicious. We went for the traditional won ton mein & barbecue stick. They don't cook the noodles too much so be prepared for pretty darn firm noodles. Won tons were decent along with the sick. We'd go back again when the urge for simple foods come again and we'll try a plate lunch next time.
(3)Eric A.
Ah, yes. My old stomping grounds of Liliha. Although I live in central Oahu, I've spent pretty my entire childhood here going to St. Theresa on School Street (K-8th grade). Everything from stopping in for grape soda after school at Jimmy's Market, to collecting baseball cards at J's Knicknacks and even my former doctors office in the Liliha Medical Building. But Jane's Fountain, although I've seen throughout the years, have never been to. The look and vibe to this place is very Old Skewl plantation-diner Hawaiiana, of which I find very chill and charming. Coming here with fellow Yelper, Brian A., I was thinking I might be in the mood for a burger but looking at the menu, I was drawn to their pork chops ($9.25) for some reason. "A little pricey for a place like this" I thought but screw it, I was hungry and was willing to drop the duckets. When the food came out, I was disappointed. Or perhaps it was my fault for assuming and not asking. I was actually expecting the chops to be deep fried, dusted in corn starch or battered in some kind of bread crumbs. Instead, they were pan fried (my 2 chops didn't even have that nice brown sear on them) and simply seasoned with salt. Don't get me wrong, the chops were good, but still, I thought, "C'mon! Even I can whip up a better piece or pork than this!" Though I did like their macaroni salad and pickled cabbage. The cabbage was nice, tart and sweet. Very refreshing, esp after being out in the sun all morning. Brian had a good point while we were enduring our meals and that's: if you walk into a local food joint and see that everyone's eating the saimin, then you probably should be ordering the saimin. He went with a burger and since Jane's doesn't serve fries, the waitress recommended that he order - guess what? SAIMIN as a side instead. See, B was the smart one. He seemed to be very content with his food. Me? I was just trying to keep a straight face every time the nice Chinese ladies who work there, came by to re-fill my water and asked how we were doing. Now you all know what I'll be ordering next time. 3 stars Jane's Fountain in Liliha.
(3)Greg M.
The Honest Truth: If you want nostalgia and homecooked hawaiian food this is your place. Prices are 5-8 dollars for the most part, environment is nothing fancy, just your good ol hawaiian meals. Hard to find parking The Details: The first thing I remember when arriving is that everyone in the place is above the age of 65. This is a place where you can get relatively inexpensive dishes that your mom would make for you at home if you grew up on the island. I came with my family and we got the fried noodles, saimin, pork and tofu, and the hamburger steak. Most everything was slightly underflavored, but it wasn't bad. I was full at the end of the meal, and my parents were happy that they got some food that they grew up on. That being said... you could probably make the dishes at home, but sometimes I guess its nice to not worry about cooking and dishes even though the food is the same. Overall, the food is okay, prices are pretty good, but it gets points for nostalgia.
(3)Dee K.
Good old fashion cheeseburgers. It re mined me of this whole in the wall place in Waipahu called Eddy's drive in.
(4)T F.
Street parking is tough, take first spot and walk if can. Old diner with really good saimin and really good cheeseburger!!!!
(4)Kat M.
If you want an old school diner that looks like it's from the 50s, then you've come to the right place. The tofu salad was plain but good. The saimin is a bargain and delicious. The grilled cheese sandwiches look and taste homemade.
(4)Randi J.
If you work or live in the Liliha St. area, Jane's Fountain is perfect for a low-key, quick meal. The pricing is very interesting - things don't seem to follow an order. Things you think should be more expensive are cheap and things that shouldn't be so pricey...are! But all in all, it's a good place with good, hearty food. I especially have to mention the ambiance. It's super *old* school - check out my photos and you'll see what I mean. The jukebox, the cash register...where do you see things like that these days? Answer: nowhere! Downside 1: Only street parking...and the meter maids LOVE coming by this area. Downside 2: Cleanliness grade = C-. I get it, they've been around for decades but getting a glance into the kitchen from my seat made me lose my appetite. Maybe I'll order take-out next time. :(
(3)Albert N.
As others have said here, Jane's is a nostalgic hole-in-the-wall eatery which brings me back to the hana-bahta days of the '50's. But that's not the reason to eat here - it's the food. I'll admit, I've only had breakfast sandwiches here, but they do it up right. Try a bacon- or spam-and-egg sandwich on white bread, grilled. They don't over-cook the egg, include lettuce, give plenty mayo (I hate when places skimp on the mayo!), and the bread is grilled to perfection every time. This is a sandwich made with love. Mom doesn't do it any better. Also, try a grilled tuna and cheese sandwich - not on the menu but they'll do it if asked, another reason I like these guys.
(5)Kenneth K.
The year is 1967. 3 generations of my family lived at 1712 Liliha since the early 30's, directly across the street from Jane's Fountain. Half a block down near the corner of School st. was an old pool hall my dad hung out at, that and a back room craps game. I was 3 years old in 1967 and my dad would take me in tow to give my mom a break to this old pool hall where I would be looked after while my dad was in the back room gambling area. I would sit by the pool tables and be watched over by characters such as "Blackie", "Horsie" and "Yobo". There was no safer place back then for a little kid than a pool hall. After a couple hours or so of pent up little kid energy reaching critical mass, my dad would come out of the gambling room and reward me with a trip to Jane's Fountain. I was a picky eater back then. My diet consisted of passion orange, milk and saimin. my favorite was the saimin at Jane's Fountain. I've since lived all over the mainland and been back and forth to Hawaii. Jane's Fountain and the original L and L on Liliha st. were the corner stones of eating memories growing up. Both are still there, and I am glad. Ownerships of course have changed over the years, but Jane's Fountain has kept the past alive throughout. Bright orange vinyl booths, hot air blown by rotating fans, a jukebox, and chalk written specials on the board. The old fountain behind the counter is just for show now, but the old cha ching style register still performs its duty. Saimin. This is ooold school curly noodle style saimin harkening back to the days from the 1920's when Japanese and Okinawan Mom and pop diners could be found in most neighborhoods. The broth is a clear shrimp based soup that is light and savory. A pinch of green onion, a pinch of char siu and a pinch of kamaboko....that's it...perfection in a bowl. This is how it used to be, go here if you remember and long for this taste and texture. If you don't remember, then go and experience what your grandparents did. Hamburger sandwich. Home made patty spiced just right, tender like meat loaf. Pan fried and put on a simple toasted bun with mayo and lettuce leaf. You can also order deluxe with cheese and tomatoe. No french fries here. Great complement to the saimn. You can get meat sticks here as well, tender, sweet and salty goodness to satisfy your meat craving just so. The meals here are old school as well. Once upon a time every local restaurant had Hawaiian chop steak. When have you seen it last? This was once a staple of local cuisine. Sliced steak with chopped peppers and onion, lightly sauteed with sugar, shoyu and other ingredients then served over rice. They even have pork tofu and pork and squash. Pork and squash? Yes, this harkens back to plantation days when squash was easy to grow and plentiful. That with the Okinawans love for pork made for a simple hearty dish with rice. Their hamburger steak uses the same recipe patty, with 2 scoops rice and brown gravy, and a side of cold corn out of the can. Just like grandma used to serve it....way back when. They also give you side dishes of macaroni salad and pickled Japanese style cabbage. Other items include corned beef cabbage, out of the can, not fresh with rice. Old style beef teri-yaki and daily beef stew or curry. All made the old fashioned way. Rush to Jane's Fountain now! Experience the past, before it and the few like it that remain are gone forever. If you consider yourself a foodie or gourmet, you need to experience food in all its forms and when you can as it once was, even if it was before your time. In knowing where we and things and food come from can we appreciate in knowing how we got here.
(4)Rylan M.
Honestly out of the other saimin places around the island (boulevard saimin, Tanaka Saimin, Megumies), this is personally my least favorite. First off their Saimin isn't special at all, the noodles came off a bit to undercooked and the broth was alright. The thing that really turned me off is the lack of customer service, I can understand how they don't need to attract anymore customers (due to how old it is) but their CS is horrible! The lady doesn't greet you when you first walks in and just silently points to an open table. Not a single smile or anything for the rest of my stay. I know its a bit harsh but CS is a stickler for me esp in restaurants. Overall if your in the area and craving saimin go to Tanaka's where at least your acknowledged and approached with a friendly attitude.
(2)Daniel K.
Live nearby, run by it all the time and finally stopped to get a bite to eat. Very old, but clean with cozy booth seating. Breakfast items and plate lunches are on the menu, but the only food coming out of the tiny kitchen seemed to be saimin and burgers. The saimin noodles and broth were good, but not outstanding. A few pieces of char siu was swimming in the broth, but there was a mystery meat that looked like spam but darker and harder (not very good so ate around it). The cheeseburger was juicy and a great accompaniment to the saimin; a must order. But the bbq stick was a big disappointment. Stove top cooked bbq is just not the same as char grilled bbq. And the marinade needs some tweaking. A modest upgrade and menu revamp could really boost this hole in the wall diner and make use of the idle jukebox.
(3)K. i. S.
One of our stops on our quest for the best saimin in Honolulu. Used to go here in the after school and the decor is original but can't be certain. The small won ton min was $3.75 and the BBQ was $2.35. Won ton min was OK but the BBQ was so tough we couldn't decide what cut of meat it was and it had not been marinated enough. Wanted to love it but sorry, really couldn't since some of the relatively expensive BBQ stick pieces couldn't be chewed sufficiently to allow swallowing. Pretty sad. I asked and they make their own hamburger patty but since I have given up eating ground meat of unknown origin, I passed on the hamburger selections even though they were pretty darn inexpensive. (I would go to Sekiya's for BBQ stick $2.25 and well marinated with a better cut of meat but the small won ton mien at $7.25 was pretty pricy.) Best solution would be to have won ton mien at Jane's and BBQ at Sekiya's if I really wanted the better of the two places.
(4)Jamie M.
Real cheap. Small Diner. Cash. Received water as soon as we sat down. Not busy. Seems like an after surf session quick fix, seeing the BF mentioned the 3-4 guys that passed us just surfed at Keawalos. Fifteen minutes later, food was served. A little bowl of mac salad, and pickled cabbage. I had the corn beef hash with a side of fried rice and sunny side egg, while the BF had the loco moco. Nothing to fancy - oyster sauce, green onions, and some luncheon meat. Even though, I really enjoyed the fried rice. The corn beef hash seemed right out of the can. Anyhow, the whole meal for the both of us were under $15 bucks, including tax and tip. The place certainly does have an old school feel, especially looking at their back-in-the-past cash register (the ones you would probably see from the black and white movies), and the jukebox playing old school Japanese songs. We were in and we were out, fast. I would still come back, and try the saimen and the sandwiches!
(3)