Kua ‘Aina
Ward Center,1200 Ala Moana Blvd, Honolulu, HI, 96814
Kua ‘Aina Menu
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Address :
Ward Center,1200 Ala Moana Blvd
Honolulu, HI, 96814 - Phone (808) 591-9133
- Website https://www.kuaainahawaii.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :10:30 am - 9:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Garage
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 : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Dogs Allowed : Yes
Waiter Service : No
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.
McDonalds is the most popular fast food burger restaurant serving different types of burgers in the United States. On the other hand, there are several restaurants such as Burger King are famous for serving the best hamburgers in the United States. Most burger restaurants in the United States often serve hamburgers with French fries and other condiments. If you have a liking for burgers in the United States, then you won't be disappointed. You can easily find the best burger restaurants in your city on our Restaurants Listings directory. Check the reviews and ratings of the top burger restaurants and savor yourself with the best hamburger in the city.
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Kristina R.
I hate fast food. But this place is too good to pass up. I eat here everytime I visit Honolulu. The mahi-mahi burger with that big ol' grilled green chilli pepper is yummmm. It used to be much, much better, though. I think their popularity is bringing their quality down. The one in North Shore is pretty gross, but I think they moved to a better location.
(4)Tracey I.
What happened to the wonderful fries at Kua Aina? Instead of perfectly fried, totally addicting shoe strings, they have fries that could be from any fast food restaurant in town. Ordinary . . . bleh. And they were out of avocado . . . again.
(1)Voice Of The People S.
YUM! love the BLT with avocado. i would have given this place 5 stars, but i'm not a huge fan of the super thin fries they have. otherwise though, this place is sooooo good. also, parking in honolulu is such a nightmare but Kua Aina is right next to the parking garage so thats helpful too.
(4)Dawn D.
I love the burgers here! A great choice of toppings, my faves are the ortega chili, and there is fast service, and the fries are ok to me-but my family and friends love the fries! Either location, here or in Haleiwa are good and approximately the same, although if i were going to the north shore-to be honest-I would rather eat at Giovannis Shrimp truck or Jamison's if The shrimp truck is closed.
(4)Rhino G.
Da bestest natural shoe string fries on island!!! ONO!!!
(5)Brian V.
mediocre, too many other places that are better
(2)Danny C.
Their burgers are the best I have ever eaten in my life.
(5)Luan N.
It's pretty good burger (avocado burger), but if you're visiting from the mainland, I wouldn't bother. There are tons of grills in the mainland that serve burgers just as good if not better for that price. I suggest you use your valuable time and money and try something new. I would have suggested Mos Burger, but sadly I think they are closed now.
(2)Mary c.
I never understood why this was such a big deal. The last time I went was when it was located in Ward before the major renovations of the area, and while it had a nice gourmet local little flair it was always cramped and the tables were never clean. There was nothing extraordinary about the burgers either. Unless it has changed since the move, it would be more of a grab and go for lunch place.
(3)Jerry K.
I remember coming here about a year ago and being happy with the food. Today wasn't good, the person helping us was pretty unfriendly. I had a 1/2 lb Ortega burger. It was about a 3 or 4 out of 10. Too much bun, burger didn't seem very big, grilled onion was cut too thick and the fries were not tasty at all. The fries were almost like deep fried pik nilks, they were just way too small and scrawny which was not tasty. I won't be returning to Kua aina anytime soon. I love burgers but I was just disappointed with every aspect of my visit.
(2)Sally S.
My husband and I decided to try this burger joint after reading a few reviews and I have to warn you: DO NOT EAT HERE! My husband ordered a 1/2lb cheese burger and when he took a bite blood dripped out of his burger. When he opened the hamburger to look inside the burger patty was blue rare and was actually breaking apart into raw parts...I wish I had taken a picture and posted it here..they clearly had just put the patty on the grill for a few seconds and then served it. I decided to approach the cashier and show him that my husbands burger was completely under cooked and I asked the cashier to please fire up a new one...at this point we were not upset because mistakes can happen...well when they came back with a "fresh burger" my husband decided to check out the burger patty one more time just to make sure it was cooked well enough and instead he got the same patty (with his bite mark) but now it was burned to a crisp and serisouly how disgusting...how do you put a burger patty that someone has already put in their mouth with their saliva (don't mean to be graphic here but I think it is necessary) on a grill where you cook all of your customers food on...that is cross contamination at another disgusting level...that is really bad hygiene...this place should be shut down for that alone. Anyway, the cashier refused to admit that the patty in the second burger was the original patty from the first burger that was under cooked (even though there was a huge bite mark). The chef came out and offered to make another burger from scratch, we agreed but this time we asked for the burger to be packaged up to-go since we had already spent 45 minutes at this place and it was getting late, so when we got home my husband said that the patty was burned (seriously!) and they gave him the wrong burger: they put mayo on it (he hates mayo) and they didn't put cheese in a cheese burger...silly for us not to check before leaving..but seriously how do you mess up the same persons burger three times consecutively when we were the only two people in the restaurant. Shame on us for giving them three tries. Needless to say, if you don't want to get sick from an under cooked burger or having other peoples bodily fluids in your food we recommend that you DO NOT GO. Jack in the Box is up the street and you will at least get your money's worth there. Those that gave it a good rating either don't know what good food is OR they just know the owner of the burger joint and are trying to help them out with good ratings. Save your hard earned money and Stay Away!!!
(1)Andrew Y.
My family and I LOVE this restaurant. The fish is delicious! I always add cheese and pineapple, it kicks it up a notch. Not 5 stars because the fish isn't always as fresh as I like but nonetheless Kua 'Aina is a perfect lunch spot and does not break the bank.
(4)Timothy F.
Delicious, flavorful burgers and sandwiches with fantastic variety! My only complaint is that, while these are superior burgers, they are a little on the pricey side.
(5)aaron l.
Great Avocado burger if your lucky enough to be there when they have Avocados, which has been a 50/50 shot for me.
(4)Jan M.
Sorry Kua'aina, but there are better burger places with better burgers, better fries and better service. This late review compares Kua'aina kid's meal to the kid's meals at Teddy's Bigger Burgers and Honolulu Burger Company (for adults with super small appetites). All the kids meals came with a burger (well done), fries and a drink. What sets this place below the competition are their use of onions, their kid's burger, fries and their service. The other two places use fresh onions or no onions at all, compared to Kua'aina's slimy, tasteless grilled onions. Kua'aina's paper-thin kids' burger patties makes you feel like you're eating a salad in burger form. Kua'aina's near-burnt Pik-Nik style french fries are so thin that they barely suffice for scooping up ketchup (boo!). Also, compared to the other two places, service at Kua'aina is just average. There is no table side service at this place. You have to go up and get your burgers yourself where the other places will bring it to you where you are sitting. They don't check to see how you are doing or how your food is tasting. While we were there, I didn't see anyone come out to clean the tables after each customer left - which was probably why our table was littered with crumbs and burger drippings before we went to sit down. My husband and I ended up cleaning it ourselves with water and the paper towels that were available at each table. Out of the three burger joints mentioned, Honolulu Burger Co. places first in my comparison of kid's meals. Teddy's is pretty good too, but you have to like their 'secret sauce,' which I am not a fan of. All in all, this was an average burger joint and gimmicky tourist destination with pricey burgers and average service.
(3)Justin B.
Love the food but the service is always subpar which really has me just trying to find a subpar eatery with great service.
(3)Megan L.
I hadn't been to Kua 'Aina in years but fondly remembered their delicious french fries. I recently visited and ordered the Avocado Burger, French Fries, and a chocolate chip cookie. The avocado on the burger was delicious but I felt like the hamburger itself was lacking in flavor. The french fries, which I had been looking forward to, seemed overcooked. :( The chocolate chip cookie was homemade, I think, and pretty tasty. Overall, I'm disappointed that I spent about $13.00 when I would have been just as happy spending under $5 at Burger King.
(2)John J H.
My problem with this place was my burger buns was burnt chared black. The burger itself nothing special. Might as well just go teddys burger and add avocado topping. Plus you can get a drink and fries for less then here.
(2)Ed C.
I ordered the half pound bacon burger with cheese. It was just OK. Their burgers are supposed to be cooked medium and this burger was all gray so way overcooked. Cheddar wasn't melted at all. For $10 it is not worth it. Also, the fries aren't very good. They're a bunch of small pieces, almost like eating warm shoestring potato chips.
(2)Sam R.
You ever eat so good, and just fill so stuffed that you need a nap right afterwards. That's exactly what you get from here. You can get portions that boogle the mind, like my 1/2lb bacon burger with avacado with a side of curly fries. You can see what exactly I took my adventure upon with the photo I uploaded. Service was regular order and find your own seat style restaurant. And there were times where they were so busy that we had to go up to them and request something we needed. I don't have a compliant about doing so, cause the food quality is well worth the extra work anyways. The only issue at hand was parking, despite that they had a parking garage right next to the location, that parking lot was packed and it was a Tuesday. like I said prior the extra work is well worth. So if you want a quick, great quality tasting burger, indoor/outdoor seating this will be your place to stop at. can't go wrong with a place that has your style burgers.
(4)Chris V.
Bland, Bah, Boring, Burgers that Beg for Flavor. Can you imagine a pineapple burger without teriyaki sauce? Who does that? Price would be OK if fries and side were included, but they're not. What's up with that small carrot stick! Place looks pretty nice with plenty of seating indoors and out, with the obligatory Hawaiian music lulling you into a false sense of fulfillment..... You can see what they are going for here; wholesome, Island style burgers and sandwiches with unique, fresh and tasty twists that lean towards the healthy side. That is what you think you're going to get based on the menu and such, but instead: Zombie food for non-tasting, un-hip, anti-foodies.
(2)Darrell P.
Kua A'ina - yelp.com/biz_photos/4cY4… As the cllché goes, "A picture is worth a thousand words." 1/3 Avocado Burger - yelp.com/biz_photos/4cY4… 'Will you just look @ the obscene amount of avocado on that thing! Remember, bend @ the knees, don't use your back!... NEVER have I seen a place so generous with their avocado as Kua 'Aina is, winnahs bruddah! Would you like some beef with your avocado?! 8) Nice, spacious interior, clean & plenty of paper towels! Photo - yelp.com/biz_photos/4cY4… "And of all the burger places on the island, I had to run into you..." 8) Photo - yelp.com/biz_photos/4cY4… (Fat-chance of meeting Karen H., who happened to be a "friend of a friend, Tristan H" - 'From the mainland.) 'Mahalo for the aloha! The o'hana lives in Hale'iwa, the location of the original Kua 'Aina. Other keikis had baby formula, we had lau lau, poi & Kua A'ina. Cuz'n Steven B., used to work the kitchen back when it shared the parking lot w/Fujioka's Market. Kua 'Aina (Hale'iwa) - yelp.com/biz/kua-aina-ha… Kua Aina, Hale'iwa - "Yeh, I'm biased... Why?... 'Baddah you?!" Hahaha! With that said, the prices are a bit steep compared to what they used to be but thats' one ono burger, bruddah! - Big Aloha! Food: 4 Ambiance: 4 Service: 5 Value: 4
(4)John B.
Poor service from the cashier. She was not friendly at all considering my bill was $22 I don't get the hype on this place The burger is good but Teddys blows them away. I've been to Kua Aina 3 or 4 times so far and its just "ok" I don't like how everything is ala carte They should have combos like Teddys Their fries suck too. Bunch of scraps is more like it. Had to use a fork to eat them since they're sliced weird and thin I'll be hard pressed to give them another chance Teddys beats Kua Aina! Not even close!!
(1)Masato I.
I can appreciate the gripes about the burgers and I'm not a huge fan of their skinny fries, but the fish sandwiches here are bomb and it's BYOB!! I had my first taste of grilled mahimahi and ahi sandwiches at Paia fish market on Maui and I fell in love. IMO, Kua Aina is every bit as good, but with the huge added benefit of BYOB. This place is also a member of the airline mileage rewards network, so if your CC is registered, you'll get 3-5 miles per dollar you spend. The white-meat fish varies from day to day, but they pretty much always have the ahi. When I go with the girl, we usually get one of each and the mood determined which is better. If you add the topping of the avocado, it's literally half an avocado sliced up, so plenty for 2 sandwiches. Served on a grilled kaiser bun with a generous helping of greens, tomato, and onions... I'm a huge fan! It does have a bit more of a franchise/corporate feel than the Paia fish market and the Kua Aina in Haleiwa, but if you're at Ward and in need of a good fish burger, get your a$$ over here!
(5)John T.
Ate there for the first time today.......GREAT service, super clean, and really cheap. My bill was originally supposed to be like 23.00$, the lady was like are you in the military?, and BAM price down to 11.00$ flat. I'm not a cheap-o but for the amount of Burger I got, I wouldn't care if the people were all a holes! I would recommend this place to all my fellow Navy peeps! Keep it up.......And the burger that I ate was great. I hate it when places try to put so much spices on a burger, you can't even taste the meat. Mine was cooked just right!
(5)Janelle L.
If you like big giant ono juicy burgers, this place is tried, true and tested. I went with the standard Bacon burger. Nothing over the top, just lot's of bacon and lot's of burger! The burger was fresh as were the condiments. I hate finding wilted lettuce and mushy tomatoes in my burger. The fries were nice and crispy...but I think everyone is right, they need to put MORE on the plate. No can balance the burger to french fry ratio!!! If you're from Hawaii, you know what I mean!! The nice thing about this place is that you have choices. There's chicken, turkey, pastrami, tuna salad, turkey salad and grilled fish to choose from, you WILL find something that whets your palatte. Parking is terrible, it's Ward. Eventually you'll find something somewhere.
(3)RC L.
This is my favorite burger place. They offer great gourmet burgers at a reasonable price. It beats Teddy's, The Counter, and Momo Burger easily. I always get their avocado burger, rare. They always run out of avocado though, so make sure you call ahead and check if you really want avocado. Their fries are different than most places; thinly sliced, with the potato skin on, and minimal salt so might not be for everyone, although I think they are delicious. Their hours are great, and they don't close in the afternoon so it is a great place to go and get a late lunch.
(5)Jack W.
1. Value: Great burgers at a decent price (fries and more priced separately)! 2. Food: If you like fresh vegetables, fresh buns, well-cooked burgers, and shoestring fries, you will like this place! We shared the Ortega burger (non-spicy pepper with lettuce, tomato, 1/2lb burger with a Kaiser roll - big enough for us to share), shoestring fries, and a medium soda for about $13. 3. Service: Friendly. 4. Atmosphere: Cafeteria style - order and pay upfront, take a seat in a nice casual setting, and grab your order when called. McDonald's in a more upscale setting with food on steroids. 5. Verdict: Place this Kua'Aina on your top-three list of fast-food burger places in Honolulu!
(4)George H.
I should start off by saying that like the food at this restaurant and eat there about once a month. However, last time I ate there, which was yesterday, I got so much bad attitude from the people working there that I can no longer justify spending money there. I felt very unwelcome and was treated more like a nuisance than a customer. I won't be going back to this restaurant.
(2)Erin H.
I like the burgers and fries here although I must say the location in Haleiwa is a bit better. I found my burger to a be a little dry and bland and my onion to be grilled but still quite raw. The fries however were really good- thin and crispy, perfect with lots of ketchup. This place is good but not the best burger I've had.
(3)Yngwie D.
We've been coming here for years, back when they were across the street. This place was fantastic back then. Something has happened. They are having consistent problems with how your burger is cooked. Medium well was pink, another medium was charred to death. PLEASE work this out. I'll pay for a kitchen timer. Had a Mahi sandwich last week and it was excellent, which was not the case the previous two visits. Eggplant and Peppers was fantastic. Agree with others, condiments are sticky, there is no sink to wash your hands, and outside is a bird poop station. This place could be great again with a little effort.
(3)Jason H.
I wish Kua 'Aina had burger eating contests because I would totally join. I'm not saying that I would win, but you should have seen me eat the last time I was here. I practically inhaled the whole thing like my life depended on it. That's just how good it was. In fact, me writing this review and reminiscing about it is making me want to go there right now and order my mouthwatering 1/3 cheeseburger with no mayo (because mayo is gross, duh) and two pickles. But its 11:53 PM at night and they're closed. DAMN YOU, KUA 'AINA! DAMN YOU!
(5)Mark U.
So it being my first time here I expected a lot maybe to much maybe way to much. But I ordered a bacon burger well done. It was cooked fully I checked. Honestly the burger sucked the shoe string fries were over cooked or under a heating lamp way to long I don't recommend this place at all. Teddy's Bigger Burger is a better spend with better service. And to top off this shitty visit I've been puking my brains out for the pass 4 hours. So thanks for my stomach problems. I'm never gonna return.
(1)Christina G.
Been a few years since I've eaten here but I stopped in on my way home last night; definitely not as good as I remembered it. Ordered the pineapple burger (when in touristland...) medium rare (came medium) and it was OK, but if I'm in the mood for a burger I'll take myself over to The Counter instead. Less touristy, more variety, better fries...etc.. I used to be firmly Kua Aina over Teddy's and pretty much everywhere else (pre-Counter), but now their menu just seems to be lacking.
(2)Snake, N.
I love this place! I dream about their burgers when I'm not in the islands.... :P
(5)Ashley J.
after taking about 5 mins to order, we realize they DO NOT TAKE CREDIT/DEBIT CARDS!!!!! This is a MAJOR inconvenience when you are vacationing! after returning with cash, i quote my boyfriend, "Who in this century doesnt accept credit cards!??!" Especially in a popular touristy area like Waikiki beach! After a long day of swimming, snorkeling, and basting in the sun, who wants to have to worry about getting cash out? We went around 3 or 4 on a weekday, and it really wasn't too busy at all. only one couple was in front of us [obviously tourists too]. The place only had about 3 couples in it at the time. The cashier wasn't too happy or enthusiastic to take our order. I don't think i ever saw a smile. i think, in fact, i greeted HIM instead of him greeting US. Not very great customer service. To top it off, the food was mediocre... i ordered the Avocado turkey sandwich. The avocado was fresh and in excess [which is a good thing], but the turkey was extremely bland. It was odd that, when we first received our sandwiches, the sandwich was served in two pieces. i dont mean cut in half, i mean, the top bun was on the tray, and the bottom bun was on the tray, and you were [apparently] supposed to put them together without effin it all up. Yes, the sandwich was HUGE. But it was lacking flavor. and it got EVERYWHERE! all that stuff ended up all over my hands and became really frustrating to continue to eat. [i might has well have taken a knife and fork and ate it.] So after my hands were all messy, i had to use a bunch of paper towels [yes, that's their form of napkins], which did not get the sticky stuff off. In that area, it is almost impossible to find a public bathroom. So this was an inconvenience as well. This place was recommended to us in a guide book. I personally like the Kaka'ako Kitchen [right next door] better, even though it looks more run-down; it definitely has better flavor, more local taste, and Kaka'ako takes credit cards!!!
(2)bridget r.
I have been to Kua Aina a few times. The last time I just went (WARD) my burger was raw. I went to the very rude staff and told them, they handed the burger to the cooks and they started freaking out and getting really upset that I did not like my raw burger. I would not recommend this location at all. I was not at McDonald's I was paying a good price just for a burger. I would like the staff to lighten up a little they are lucky they have a job in this economy.
(1)Jack H.
Kua 'Aina makes burgers & fries as good as any available in Hawaii, imho. In addition, they have many healthy options on their menu such as huge salads that you could make a meal of, seafood, and other healthy options. This is good because then you can do things like go there with another person, and split the naughty burger, each eating half, and each eat half of a nice salad or other healthier dish. Then you walk out of here with your burger fix in, and you still can feel your blood circulating.
(5)Brian P.
Honestly, I'm not sure why people always seem to think that this place has the best burgers on the island. That's simply not the case. I think it's because of it's historic location in Haleiwa and peoples' association with surfers eating burgers there after a killer set on pipeline. Come to think of it, that kinda does make food sound better... Umm, sorry about that, I'm not being very helpful. The burgers are fine but not mind-blowing, so its best if you go with lowered expectations. And I'm not a super huge fan of their thin cut shoestring fries. They start off crispy and by the time you're through with them, the oil has made them soggy. And I agree with some others' reviews that say that the bun is on the denser/harder side when it should be fluffy/soft. Honestly, the best part of the burgers here is the carrot wedge they give you. And as I recall, they don't give free soda refills, a major bummer. Although I'm torn as to my vote for Best burger on the island, it's definitely not this place.
(2)Carol W.
I love Kua Aina! Whenever me and my husband head to Ward and he ask me what I want for lunch, I always say Kua Aina. I don't know how their regular hamburger taste, cuz I always get the WORKS...Bacon cheese burger with avocado....its the BEST! Its a huge burger and I can never finish it, they put like half of a large avocado in there. The meat is juicy and the bacon always crispy, and the avocado is just heavenly! um um good....
(5)Boki C.
pretty good. portions were good
(3)Antoinette T.
SOOOO good! I always get the avocado burger and it is seriously the best burger i've ever had. It tastes like they put some kind of seasoning on the avocado that makes the flavor pop... love it!
(5)Cheryl N.
This place is AWESOME!!! I've eaten here a few times but not lately. I've been trying to try other places other than the usual places we go to. But the times I HAVE eaten here, it was great. I've gotten a burger with avocado, and they LITERALLY put half of an avocado inside. And a teriyaki burger, I've had huge pineapple rings inside... It has been a while since I've been back, so, it could have changed, so, I'll have to check it out again, on my next visit. Till then, I say it's YUMMY!
(5)Twinkle S.
the burgers are decent, but the counter help is RUDE!! you would think that they would at least have friendly help since they are the only people you come in contact with while patronizing their eatery...
(2)Cheryl L.
I came here a few years ago and enjoyed my burger and the ranch sauce thorougly. Too bad they are always out of avocado! Anyway, I have to agree with Kristina that the quality has deteriorated. The last time I went was two years ago...and I had to say that it wasn't as good as I remembered. Try Teddy's!!!!!!
(3)nick w.
i loved this place. i went to the one in haleiewa, and the burger was juicy the fries were hot. yum. only thing about the fries is that they were thin, you get alot of them, but the nicole richie of fries. anywho maybe i was just really hungry after the beach, but they definetely satisfied my savagely faminshed belly
(5)Alika P.
meh, Teddy's is better.
(2)Jonathan P.
Oh yeah ... The best damn burgers on the island. Big, juicy burgers loaded with whatever you want on them, with a tall, cold Fanta Fruit Punch, munching away at one of their outside tables stocked with a roll of paper towels to wipe up the big mess with. My mouth is watering just thinking about them.
(4)warren k.
my hubs & i ate here since he loves burgers but it wasnt all that good~ just "alright~" we probably wouldnt go back though since nothing was memorable & we've had wayyyy better burgers & fries! only if they would bring IN N OUT burger here to honolulu~!!!
(2)Tyrus L.
bacon burger with extra cheese and pineapple!! with fries + secret salt.... and I worked here too... haha woot woot
(5)Johnny S.
Not a big fan. The one on North Shore is better, but not by much. Pauls cooking at Fort DeRussy is much better.
(2)mami u.
We used to eat here on and off over the years and went back there about a week ago after a few months. They used to serve a good burger. Now, because of high cost of everything, they lowered the quality of the meat and the bread. It was obvious. Now they switched the meat to cheap fatty ground beef (may have something else) and cheaper quality buns. Bad business decisions. We aren't going back there.
(1)Sue P.
Love this place. Great burgers have anyway you want with almost anything you want. Wait isn't too long. Love the shoestring fries.
(5)Paul B.
Best hamburger in Honolulu.
(4)Tony L.
a nice big burger. so when you're full of plate lunch and you need some hamburger and fries, come here. and put some avocado on your burger too. it's juicy and large. that's all i remember. in fact if you ask me where to get a burger on oahu, i say kua aina at ward center. mmmmmmmmmmm...
(4)Prech C.
Best food in the north shore, man. Tough to beat after a day at the beach and in the water. Go hungry, they give you a lot.
(4)peter b.
never was pulled to this place..i guess it's cause i was on a diet, sorry that I got fat...
(2)Tony L.
Just a bit disappointed. We came here after a family friend recommended Kua 'Aina to us. Said the burger was so good, he ate here three times. So we decided to investigate. I had a pineapple burger with jack and fries. 8 bucks for a burger...I'd expect it to sing and dance on my taste buds, but it didn't, in fact, it was just about the blandest burger I've had in ages. It did manage leave a big juicy mess on my hands. Sometimes having a mess on your hands is good thing, especially when you have a big tasty burger, it's almost like a confirmation of how much damage you did. But this, this was more like damaged expectations.
(2)C and K B.
Clean, friendly, well priced! The ladies taking orders were super. I had the avocado BLT - yummy!
(4)Christian M.
SHOESTRING FRIES FOR THE WIN!!! I just had to get that off my chest before I start this review. I was scavenging the area today on foot and came across Stussy which was just a block away from Kua 'Aina. I asked them for a recommendation on a good place to eat and they recommended this place that was nearby. I walked about a block away and found Kua 'Aina. I walked in and ordered a pineapple burger. Being that I'm in Hawaii, I want to try to eat as many Hawaii inspired dishes as possible. The burger tasted REALLY good. I thought it was really well cooked. I also had the shoestring fries and they were SO GOOD. It might be the best fries that I've ever tasted in my life. They were that good. I'd really recommend this place to anyone looking for a good burger. The food here is a delight. Go and try it! You won't be disappointed.
(4)Karen P.
Not my first choice if I want a burger. I typically just get a kid's burger when I do come here, which is a decent size. I like my meat medium & on more than one occasion, the patty was dry/almost burnt. I'm also not a fan of crispy French fries, so theirs do nothing for me, but a few of my friends do like 'em. Teddy's Bigger Burgers is definitely a lot better!
(3)Stu C.
I love the Avocado burger and my wife loves the Eggplant sandwich. We go there every few weeks or so.
(4)Robin W.
Yummy Burgers! Everything I've ever ordered here was great. The burgers are juicy...just watch out b/c they pile on the mayo on burgers and sandwiches. Just order at the counter, and they'll call your name over the speaker when your food is ready (so you can sit outside and not wonder if your food is ready and waiting for you). The staff is very nice. Great food at Ward, or at North Shore.
(5)Crissy K.
This place has gone downhill since it relocated from what used to be Ward Village. Not only have the prices gone up, but the portions -- at least of avocado on the avocado burger -- have gone down, and the burgers themselves have gotten kind of dry. They even serve poor quality fries now, clearly scraping the bottom of the barrel, so to speak, when they serve you the crumbs and scraps. Kua 'Aina's burgers are definitely a step up from fast food, but at least you can eat a fast food burger without dripping grease all over yourself. (Yes, go figure, the meat can be dry and still drip grease.) If the burger were delicious, I can see putting up with the mess, but this is no longer the case. What a bummer.
(3)Brent K.
To me. This is the BEST burger around. Why. taste, short wait time, always cooked wright, Hot off the grill, Great bacon, great fries, Always friendly.
(5)sugi o.
can i have an avocado burger? no, we dont have avocado today. HUH? okay, so cheeseburger it was... the burger itself was $9 (got the 1/2 lb). for $9, i am expecting a pretty damn good burger. but, it was nothing great... it felt like a backyard burger... but was actually kind of tasteless. and the proportion of bread to meat was not very proportionate (the kaiser roll was too much bread). fries, too thin for my liking but if you like shoestring fries, than i think you will be a fan. i should have just went to mcdonalds... there was one really close by. big mac anyone?
(3)Amanda Z.
$7 for an average hamburger without fries or a drink or table service is too much in my book. The burger was overcooked and the "grilled" onions were pretty much raw. I mooched off my coworker for some fries. They were pretty oily (gross) and crunchy and too skinny. One of my coworkers had a pastrami sandwich, she said it was chewy and the pastrami at subways was better. Another coworker had a salad with a balsamic olive oil dressing that was like 10% balsamic to 90% olive oil. I'd rather go to Teddy's or the Counter for the same price and better tasting burgers and sides.
(2)Nicole P.
The good: the sandwiches are delicious and I absolutely love their avocados. They are well seasoned and great on burgers or turkey sandwiches. Also parking is free and plentiful. The staff is fine. The bad: At least 50% of the time I go they are out of avocados and I refuse to eat there if I can't order my favorite sandwiches. We turn around and walk out. Silly yes but the avocados are that delicious. Also I don't care for their fries...a little too greasy and thin for my taste but my boyfriend enjoys them occasionally. The sandwiches are large so they are usually more than enough to eat. They also raised their prices a lot recently.
(3)Mallory M.
Hands down one of the best burgers!!! I just recently purchased a playhawaii coupon for 20 dollars. Ward being so close to where I live we decided to go here tonight. It wasn't my first time being here but its been a while. I got the Bacon Burger with exra Avocados and a large fries. My burger was done medium and the portion of the avocado was HUGE!!! It was pretty much a whole one for only $1.10 extra. The fries are so thinly sliced and has to be one of my favorites. Service isn't their strong point but their burgers sure do make up for it.
(4)Rise D.
I had the avocado burger with provolone cheese. It came with tomatoes and onions and lettuce. The burger was good and really hard to eat. The lettuce was out of control. I ended up eating my burger with a fork and knife. You have to pay $0.25 more for a pickle and $0.80 for a pepperoncini. I thought $0.80 was too expensive for one small pepperoncini so I didn't get it, but the pickle was large and worth it. While Kua Aina is a good option for a burger, I think I'd prefer La Tour Cafe's burgers or Teddy's over Kua Aina. The fries were really good though!
(3)K. A. N. A. K.
I would give this place 4-plus stars if they ever had avocado; maybe the Avocado Burger should be relegated to a special rather than a regular. The burger itself is juicy and well-seasoned, and the bun and condiments are fresh. The shoestring fries are awesome.
(3)Doris D.
Very good cheeseburger! Love the shoestring fries.
(4)Anna D.
Good...but it's sometimes its hit or miss. I dont care to come here that much and usually suggest to go to Teddys instead. I also like my sides with extra cheese and avocados which isn't worth paying for here. It's not bad at all but it's just not as good as my Kailua burger at Teddys. Plus, they dont have a special sauce so they're basically A-OK
(3)Clay K.
Great burger. Favorite is teri chix on multi grain.juicy not dry. Healthy and delicious. The fries are addictive.
(4)Brent S.
One of the best burgers on the island. It's usually cooked perfectly to order. At medium, it's nice and juicy with just the right amount of smokey flavor. Doesn't even need cheese or bacon or any of the other toppings. They serve shoestring potato fries, which is my favorite. If you like the thick steak fries, this isn't really the place to go. It's a little pricey for just a burger (starting around $7). But if you're in the mood, it's much better than other alternatives.
(4)Jayson D.
BEST BURGER ON THE ISLAND! And I've tried them all. I realize that others might prefer Teddy's or South Shore Grill, but when I line them all up side by side, Kua Aina still stands taller. Here's why... The patty is the juciest patty I've ever had. I like my burgers medium to medium rare (i.e., pink in the middle). KA will cook them to my liking, and they've always been consistent with their cooking (I've been here 20+ times in the last four years). They offer oodles of additional toppings. I recommend adding bacon AND cheese to the Pineapple Burger. Their fries are absolutely addictive--you really cannot stop eating the buggers. They offer a carrot stick, and here's how I like to use it: Lay it down in your tray and use it to prop up your burger. This keeps it out of the little pool of juice that will no doubt have formed in your tray! And maybe the best reason of all: KA is BYOB! So a great way to do this is to walk down to the Liquor Collection and nab a six-pack of your favorite cold beer, then head back to KA for a great burger lunch outside while you sip your favorite sudz. Cheeseburgers taste best with a cold beer, so don't waste this golden opportunity to eat your cake and have it too! Oh--KA now accepts credit cards. So now they rightfully earn that fifth star from me. If you're disappointed, it'll only be because your tummy is painfully full from such a tasty burger! :) Full steam ahead!
(5)Coco C.
It's a burger place. Don't come if you're vegetarian because there ain't much on the menu for you. There are exactly 4 things you can have: avocado sandwich, cheese sandwich, grilled eggplant & pepper sandwich, or tossed green salad. God help you if they run out of some ingredient because they don't have the imagination it takes to make a substitution. As others have said the burger itself is nothing to write home about. But my real objection to the place is the cook's tendency to burn the food. I like my bacon crispy, but not charcoal. And I don't expect to have to scrape the char off my bread at a restaurant. Luckily at Ward Center there are plenty of other eating options. I'd suggest trying one of them instead.
(2)Sam O.
Kua 'Aina has been my favorite burger for years. First place I went when I started eating meat again. The quality is still good, but not what it used to be. With places like Teddy's and The Counter offering up stiff competition, Kua 'Aina needs to keep pace. Kua 'Aina hasn't caught on to the "gourmet toppings" craze, but for a $10 burger, I expect a little more. Burger not as greasy as some other places, but the fries were OILY! Thousand island dressing is more flavorful than most. And what's a burger joint without shakes and malts?
(3)Kate J.
Love the burgers! Love the fries! The patty is nice and juicy and the fries are crisp. The bun is very fresh and the grilled onion is tasty. What's not to love? They always come out fresh, fast, and hot.
(4)Kristen S.
I'm not saying that Kua'Aina has the best burgers in THE WORLD, but since hawaii doesn't have In-N-Out... ;) No, but for real, i dig this place. The chill factor, the North Shore location (the only one i've been to), and yes, the burgers. The mahi sandwich is good, too. And the fries. Nuff said. :)
(4)Brent M.
One of the best burgers I've ever had. Juicy, rich and the brioche bun is great. The super thin fries are great too. Wish we had one of these in California.
(5)Vinson H.
Got 2 bacon cheeseburgers, small fries, large salad and 2 drinks. Came out around $30. Burgers and buns were very dry, thin fries got cold fast, but salad with balsamic dressing was excellent (best part of meal). They need improvement on burgers. When I pay movie concession prices for burgers, I would expect them to be very juicy, the buns very fresh and soft, and flavor to be rich. I got none of that here. Disappointed with experience of their food.
(2)Mike D.
Good solid Hawaiian burger. Finally some food with pineapple in it! Decent Fries. Medium rare request was not honored. I don't know why they even ask..
(4)Dong T.
Meh it's ok. Good burger if you need 1 in north shore. I've had much better back home. Ask for the avo burger. Shoestring fries are good, though. Their restrooms are located in the rear, so you can use them and not get a funny look if you don't order anything.
(3)Emily T.
Hmmm, all I can say is that it was just "ok". Let's see, here is what I ordered: - 1/3 lb burger with bacon and monterey jack cheese, requested medium. The burger was medium rare, a little too rare for my liking. The burger came with grilled onions, which was nice, but maybe because I had it as take out, the buns were a little soggy. The burger was just "ok", better than the fast food joints, but felt like it was missing something...maybe a little more seasoning? - Fries - Again, maybe a bad move to take it home, because the fries were soggy, even though they were shoestring, and with it being so thin, you'd think they would have stayed crispy, but unfortunately not so. - BLT - This one was not bad. I counted 10 slices of bacon, the bacon was good, and I think it was on some sort of whole wheat type bread...so does that mean I can say it was a healthy BLT? Anyways, pretty good, although the best BLT I ever had was in Vegas at Bellagio's Snacks, but that is a whole other story... - Lemonade - Nice and refreshing, not too sweet, not too tart. But $0.50 more than the soft drinks. - They were very generous in the amount of napkins, ketchup, and mustard they provided. I guess they knew how messy it would be! But now I have extra condiments to last me a while. So, here are just some things to note: - Dining in is probably the better option than take out, especially on the burgers and fries. - They now accept credit cards! - If you do call in your order for take out, there are some stalls available directly behind the store, so you don't have to hunt for parking in the structure (not sure on the time limit though, but I believe these stalls are for loading/unloading) - Avocados are really good in their burgers, but sadly they don't always have them. Like today when I went, they were out. Personally, I prefer The Counter, then Teddy's, then Kua 'Aina, then Burgers on the Edge. But that is just my opinion...
(3)Island Boy B.
Kua Aina isn't quite the tourist trap, but a lot of visitors make an effort to visit this burger joint. However, its a place many locals still visit. I first came to Kua Aina back in 2001 and had an avocado burger. At the time, it was a pretty original concept especially for a bloke from Boston. It was one of the best burgers I had. But since then, 10 Years later, I've had many more burgers and opportunities to visit 'best" burger joints around the globe. This time around, having come from abroad and eating more modest meals, I gorged on a very above average burger. The quality and portion was fine. I got a half pounder, a small order of fries and a large iced tea. It was a pricey at $14 - my expectations were very high. Overall it was good, but not great. I am a grilled burger guy and these were fried. But in the end I was quite satisfied especially after a long walk from Waikiki beach. Fries: 4.25 stars
(3)Jerome B.
If I can rate just the Avocado burger it would be 5-stars. The burger is juicy, the avocado slice is huge. However, go there early, especially the one located at Ward, because the last few times they've ran out. I really only eat the avocado burger as I've had a few of their other items on the menu and they are just burgers. The fries are ok. I'd say go to eat the avocado burger and be amazed!
(3)Tom A.
I've only eaten at this one once, but the suace on the burger was either missing or different from the Haleiwa location. That was a bit of a letdown, because I'm a 4 star fan of the North Shore Kua 'Aina. As it stands, I'm only a 3 star fan of the Ward center Kua 'Aina.
(3)Raphael L.
"Best Burger in the World"? Probably not. But arguably my favorite burger place in Hawaii so far. Been coming here for almost 2 decades now. I would go as far as saying the one out in Haliewa side has always tasted better. Is it just the effort to go out that far for a meal make it just a psychological thing? What makes it so good? Several things I like about it: 1. Good buns. The bread generally holds up without getting too soggy or stuck to the roof of your mouth. 2. The meat itself generally comes out perfectly done. Typically medium. Juicy. There are a lot of other 'gourmet' burger joints around town now that serve you rubbah slippers between two pieces of bread. Not so with KuaAina. 3. And when it's done perfectly, there is a seasoning to the meat that I can taste here where other places rely too much on condiments. Vegetables that come along with the burger are typically very fresh too. Bad? Prices have steadily gone up over the years. That's understandable I suppose but now the burgers are priced beyond someplace you'd just go if you wanted a good snack. Shoestring fries not really my favorite....it's like eating the leftover potatoes you scratch off some grill. If you go...always opt to include the Maui onions.
(5)F M.
Food's good as usual but service has gone downhill.
(3)Austen I.
Can we get some fat, crinkled fries with some potato in it? Seriously. Worst fries ever. I've ate here a ton of times and the fries' texture is a mix of soggy to crispy, but it's always those scraggly thin fries. It just doesn't go with the burger. Maybe one day they'll figure it out? It's a shame. At least the burger is decent. Meat quality is decent, the bread is edible. No special sauce here. Just plain 'ol burger meat. It will cost you $10, but if you're in the area, Kua'Aina isn't a bad option. It's good, but not great. Three stars is about right. Boring burgers that fix you up sometimes. This place makes me feel "meh". On a side note, they finally take credit cards. I haven't visited in a while, but it was always a pain to make sure I had cash. +0.1 stars.
(3)kay c.
yes, this place is pricey, but there's just something about their sandwiches that keeps me coming back. To be honest, i've never actually had one of their burgers. I just can't get past their mahi sandwich (minus the tartar sauce) on multi-grain toast. I've probably had over 10 (not all at once, of course) and its still what i order every time. Its my all time favorite sandwich. Everyone I go with pretty much always gets the 1/3 lb burger and they seem to love it. And the roast beef sandwich, which looked more like a sandwich filled with bacon strips, got a great review from my cousin. Their fries are not too shabby either. If only they weren't so expensive, i probably would have given them one more star, but at least they take credit cards now. It used to be cash only.
(4)Shay F.
So my BF and I decided to go here for dinner today. Actually I wanted to go because I like the fries here. I don't know what it is...but something about the fries...I do like. (^___^)/ Anyways, since I don't eat meat anymore the choices are slim here. I remember eating turkey-avocado sandwich...mmm...it was so good. Too bad I don't eat meat anymore...so I went for the simple cheese sandwich. They asked which three cheeses I wanted, and I picked provolone, swiss, and cheddar. Then they asked if I wanted it cold or grilled, and of course I said grilled. It actually turned out pretty good. And of course I loved the fries. My BF got the 1/3 cheese burger w/ provolone. He asked for it to be done medium, but he said it was pretty rare. Which he didn't mind so....*shrugs* I guess I wished that they had more options for people that don't eat meat...but then again, why in the world am I asking for that at a BURGER shop...LoL. Then again....they could offer a good veggie burger......=oP
(3)Jennifer H.
This place is nothing special! Why does everyone hype this place up all the time??? Sorry Kua'Aina fans but I just dont like this place and will never go back. The burgers are just not my style..the bun is too dense and the meat was not juicy or fresh tasting. Tastes like frozen meat patties to me. Cafeteria food. I want my money back!!! What a rip-off!!
(2)Dianna D.
Big "eh." I had the mahi mahi sandwich and thought it was just okay. For the price, this place wasn't worth going to.
(3)Aydee Z.
Came here for an avocado sandwich and there was a sign saying they are out (happens often)! I had been looking forward to it all day :( Turns out they buy them in bulk and they all ripen at the same time... Good food and a decent price...
(3)Bethany N.
Parking is always a problem, it's almost enough to make me give up but that really isn't their fault and it's a common problem in town. Two of my favorites are the ortega burger with pepper jack & bacon and the BLT with avocado. It can get messy; the sandwiches self destruct if you sit them down. If you order fries you have to keep your sandwich in the one hand while eating fries with the other because if you put it back in your basket it's game over, man. The fries are crispy, think more onion string than steak fry. They have regular drink choices like sodas but the clear winner in the drinks is the lemonade and tea. It's homemade. Also there is the BYOB option. The coleslaw is homemade also but maybe it's my Pittsburgh coming out (Primanti Brothers? Chu know?), I wish it had a little more zip. Still, there aren't a whole lot of places doing coleslaw and Kua'Aina's is fine. While they do amazing burgers just how you want them cooked they also cater to the veg that you carnivores might have in tow.
(4)Nate R.
Went here for dinner with the extended family. The burgers were fine, the fries were fine, but none of it was anything special. The reason I'm giving it two stars is that the service was atrocious, the server girl was taking ketchup and mustards from the tables to close up early (we were there at 8:30, they closed at 9), and kept asking if we were done with ours. Like, asked us 3 times. No, I'm sorry, we're using that ketchup. They turned the lights off while we were still sitting there waiting for a final take-out order. The reason we were waiting so long, and the reason they thought we were over-staying our welcome? They forgot we placed the order, and the same girl who tried to steal our ketchup had given the food away with some other extra burgers to her friends. She ran out to get them after screaming "FUCK" in front of kids, and they hadn't opened the bag yet so we got our burger back. I've been a server. I understand that maybe you have something to do after work. But sack up and provide decent service and keep your head in the game so that you don't screw up this badly.
(2)Gerard B.
(Mar/ 2007) So it may not be the best-- but it's good! The portions are huge. We shared a burger and fries and there were plenty more to go around. It's in a great location-- inside a mini outdoor shopping mall.
(3)Olivia M.
Good burgers, kinda pricey though. About $15 if you get a burger, fries and a drink. I do love their BLTs though. It gets kind of busy because a lot of Japanese tourists like to come here. Convenient if you are in the Ward area and want a quick bite to eat.
(3)Kelly M.
Good basic burger. Like the grilled onions on it.
(3)Patrick M.
Good burgers and fries! 1/2 pound satisfied me and 6'3 hallow leg.
(4)Brian A.
To me, this is pretty much the best burger on Oahu. Simple menu (take note Burger on the Edge). They are really juicy with the beef and charred meat flavor comes through. I like the skinny fries because they come off nice and crunchy. It's a pretty big burger also. The girlfriend and I can share a large one with fries and a drink. I think my main complaint about this place would be the bun. It's dense and a bit on the harder to eat side, not fluffy or soft. Sometimes the ladies up front can be a bit standoffish, but whatevers. You can sit inside or out. They have another location on the North Shore also. It can get pretty busy because it's in a touristy shopping area (Ward). Parking is easy, there's 1. a huge parking structure that the place is located in (I'd advise to just park towards the top, it's just easier to get in and out), 2. parking across the street in the open lot, and 3. another parking garage and lot located under Ward Entertainment Center. You can try park on the street, but I'll admit that that is close to an impossibility.
(4)Sandy N.
I can always count on getting the best Mahi Sandwich here. The fish is never over cooked. Accompanied with a large slice of grilled sweet onion, two slices tomatoes and lettuce. Best without the added salt most fast food places add to their food. The fries are always a treat as well. Ample parking, lots of tables and it is usually clean. Staff are always friendly and helpful.
(4)Dave H.
Was bored and decided to try this place for lunch because I haven't had it in over a year. Now I remember why...bland! I don't really like to add condiments to food (Salt, ketchup and pepper). I tried the bacon burger (check out my pic), the patty was probably just half the size of the rye bread it was on! On their menu, it says everything is cooked to medium unless otherwise specified. Well, it didnt look medium to me, more like well done and then some, which is fine, b/c I kind of like burnt edges, BUT, it lost all its juices (not cool). The fries definitely required some salt and I couldve probably done without them. This place does get packed during lunch though, I must be getting the wrong thing.
(2)Matthew N.
I suspect that people focus so much on the varieties of toppings, buns, and condiments that adorn Kua 'Aina burgers because, quite honestly, the hamburgers themselves suck. Yes, the patties themselves are tender and they're juicy (unless you ask for them well-done, in which case they're crumbly and dry), but they have absolutely no taste whatsoever. None. It's as if the folks at Kua 'Aina think that you'll be so distracted by the avocado and onion and half-head of lettuce that you won't notice that the gooey, drippy, half-raw burger that's soaking your bun with blood is actually devoid of any beef flavor whatsoever. And no, this wasn't a one time occurrence. This has happened every time I've gone here, no matter what variety of bun, wellness, or combo I ordered. Their clever string french fries are also a tragic disappointment. Being different doesn't make it tasty or better than fries that, you know, actually have something more than a crisp remnant of the potato. The continuing popularity of this place proves, beyond a shadow of a doubt, the triumph of marketing.
(1)Ben C.
I know they're the same, but the one on Haleiwa is a bit better... maybe for the atmosphere. Aside from that, the burgers are pretty spectacular. A good size patty, quality meat, and pretty much any topping you want. My biggest downside for this place is price. If you want a burger, fries, and a drink, you're going to be paying 10-12 bucks. The food you get is awesome, just not what you'd normally pay for a burger. But the burger and fries are pretty dang good. The other bonus to this place, is that it's run like a mom & pop shop, so the people working there have always been super friendly. So if you're craving a burger on the island, go to Kua Aina.
(4)Ellen Mae V.
For the price I paid, it was good. I would definitely come here for a burger instead of any chain or even most diners. The burgers are tasty but you can probably find better on the island. My boyfriend really likes the pineapple burger and I'll give them credit for it. It's large, juicy but not overwhelmingly weeping with fluids and it's complete with large slices of tomato lettuce and grilled onions (I think those are extra.) The fries however are pretty hilarious... they almost resemble toothpicks and you have to eat at least six or eight of them at one time to satisfy that "french fry" craving. Despite what people think, you're not going to get skinny just because the fries are skinny too!
(4)Mikeyi c.
Why'd I give it 1 star? Just to spite the people who thought this place is anything out of the ordinary. But then again.......If I'm paying 8 bucks for a fricken burger then it better give me nom noms in my belly. Ok so I first walk into the Ward Kua 'Aina expecting a kick ass "NO KETCHUP ALLOWED" cheeseburger joint. So while waiting in line forever (Stupid Japanese tourists trying to order food by pointing at the menu and proceeding to grunt like a caveman) I realized how overpriced everything was! Your order does NOT come with fries and a drink! So be prepared to spend around 12 bucks a head here. Pros: 1)The Cheese (Cuz they don't make that there) 2).... Cons: 1)Value (or lack of) 2)The Hamburger has no flavor. 3)"We make our own french fries!" (Maybe you shouldn't....The fries reminded me of Mcdonalds fries...2 days after you bought it) 4)Bun (The Kaiser Roll tasted like gym socks...or what gym socks would probably taste like) 5)BASKETS (The food comes in red baskets. They don't want you to throw away those baskets. So they made a trash can with a tiny hole on top. I don't care about those baskets. I hate those baskets. I threw those baskets away. :D
(1)Kimo U.
Had the burger, medium rare as is usually cooked there. For the price, it was just okay; I've had much better. Being deaf in one ear, I could barely understand anything said; mostly due to the high noise level, but maybe a language barrier, too. I missed their first call to pick up my burger. When mentioning my deaf ear, the service personnel turned a deaf ear, so to speak. Could not give one star, but I came close to doing so. Not recommended. BTW this is my second try at this place; came here a couple of years ago during another Honolulu visit.
(2)Mikayla M.
there burgers ROCK! I would discribe them as high-quality-semi-fast food. I love their Ahi Burger, Mahi Burger, there fries are those skinny baby crunch shoe-string fries, no I'm not a fan of those. I wouldnt suggest coming to this place for dinner, I've def come in a few times and they've run out of Avacado/Mahi+ Ahi, and those are MY main reasons for coming so....I'd suggest a lunch/earlier in the day visit to Kua'Aina
(4)Bryan A.
This place was another example of why you should eat fish while you're in hawaii. My fish burger was sooooo tasty, not at all fishy. Prices were a little higher than I expected, but overall very good.
(4)Sheila N.
Excellent avacado burger. Had to send my burger back because I'm not a fan of rare hamburger, and they cheerfully cooked it longer. Take cash because they don't take credit cards. I went to the restaurant on the North Shore.
(4)Remy Z.
Love the kaiser buns Fish burgers could use less sauce Death to midget fries
(3)Love S.
why doesn't kua'aina change their sign from: No avocado TODAY to No avocado EVERYDAY?? Just a thought.
(2)Y C.
Ok, I'm gonna admit it. I grew up poor. We were so poor that we were "po" (couldn't afford the "or") . . . going to McDonald's or getting a Costco hotdog was a treat back in da day. So maybe that explains my knee-jerk reaction here - how the hell lunch for two people (who shared fries AND a drink) at a burger joint cost $20? Food was ok. Matchstick fries were crispy. But still trying to recover from sticker shock.
(3)Daniela A.
I haven't eaten here for several years but the memories are still fresh in my mind, because the burgers are THAT good. They have different kinds of burgers, among them are fish, chicken and regular and all of them are made with really good meats and fresh ingredients (avocados, chili peppers, etc). I don't think they have Kua'Aina's on the other islands, but they should! By far, the best burgers I have ever had. This is a great place to get lunch when wandering around Ward Center, a shopping area with lots of cool shops and boutiques.
(5)Josh P.
Satisfies my burger craving whenever I have it and is always consistent. I appreciate the toppings that I can add on to customize my burger feast and the beef is always flavorful. I don't mind the price considering the other burger joints around town and what they charge. It can get a little busy sometimes but I never have to wait around too long for my order. A definite go to place for a good burger.
(3)diego m.
Oh man...the best burger in the whole wide world of Kaka'ako.. and watch a movie later on... the fries are boner-inducing good....orgasmic is an understatement but the prices are a little wallet -unfriendly but you pay for what you get or you get for what you pay...
(4)Miriam W.
My BLT with avocado was pure lusciousness with its creamy avocado, crispy bacon and bright lettuce and tomatoes all on lovely toasted wheat bread. Shoestring fries left something to be desired but the BLT with avocado was faultless. The a/c inside can be a bit much so eating outside is advised (plus it's so much nicer to dine alfresco, no?)
(4)Danny Q.
To be honest I am on the fence on this place. I was just something quick while waiting for friends. The pineapple burger was tasty, but just Give it a try but not my favorite.
(2)Scott W.
If you like a hockey puck sized hamburger (1/3 lb) grilled on a charcoal grill like your uncle Billy did it, you will love this restaurant. Absolutely nothing special about this burger except it tastes like any rare burger you ever had off a charcoal grill and costs $8 (for a cheeseburger without fries). (The fries are good ($2.95 for small order, $3.95 for larger size). Burgers on the Edge is much better for the same price.
(2)Mista B.
For us, ever since first visiting Haleiwa years ago, a stop at the Kau Aina for cheese and bacon burgers with those skinny French fries they serve there, was just something we had to do. The menu is typical slider fare - burgers, soft drinks, fries, onion rings, and everything, and always cooked to your doneness preferences (is there such a word as "doneness" ?!) We have never found anything to complain about at the Kau, and that includes the service, which incidentally is all counter and no table delivery, no waitresses except for special needs, I suppose. (There is both indoor and sheltered outdoor seating, and around lunch time, all seats may be taken. A word to the wise). But, no one is complaining about that, including the large numbers of Japanese tourists that always seem to be there. In fact, the word must be out in Japan amongst Island-bound travelers about the Kau Aina, as with many other places in Hawaii, and this is a good sign. We have seen tour buses parked across the road from time to time, with their contents happily horking down on those great burgers, grownups and kieki alike. The only problem I have with the Kau Aina is their new location, acquired a couple of years ago. They used to be just down the road in a much smaller place, now occupied by the Grass Skirt Grill yelp.com/se ... (sorry, we haven't eaten there yet). The old Kau was a typical Haleiwa surf joint, I suppose, more greasy spoon than stylish North Shore eatery. I must confess, we liked it better then, with the crowded seating, the traffic on the road just inches from the outdoor tables, and those rolls of paper towels at each place for all that grease running between your fingers! Oh ya, that's schlurping it down just like it outta be. Oh well, when ya gotta move, ya gotta move. BTW, too lazy to hustle all the way to Haleiwa? There'a a Kau Aina in the Ward Center, too. But I don't have the heart to go there. Let someone else review that one. There's only one Kau Aina, isn't there?
(4)Shannon S.
Every time I visit Hawaii I MUST stop here. The burgers are huge and juicy. I love the avocado burger and the fries are great too. It is a bit expensive, but you get a huge burger so it is worth it.
(5)Kenny B.
All I have to say is yummmmm.
(4)LesliAnn K.
i like Kua 'Aina, mostly for its convenience. It does satisfy the burger craving when you are having one. It is a bit expensive for the 1/3 and 1/2 pound burgers, but for smaller meat eaters like myself, I can get by with the kiddie burger. One of their signatures is that they have a big carrot stick with every burger..I like their attempt at being healthy. I really actually like the fries...Its really thin, crunchy, and skinny. I can put a bunch in my mouth at once. Condiments and paper towels are all set up at each table..so all in all, very convenient. You can either sit in the inside with air-condition, or outside on the patio and watch the cars coming into Ward Centre.
(3)Alaina W.
holy shit. this is a burger. i get the cheeseburger with avocado & pineapple... i can barely get my mouth around it! it's not super-cheap... but i feel like you get what you pay for. i get full. and then i'm still full an hour later. it's a burger's burger. ...and the fries? my favorite. i LOVE shoestring fries. that whole steak fry shit is too much potato, not enough fry. gimme the greasy, crispy, thin stuff. i. want. one. now. mmmMmmm....
(5)Shannon H.
Great sandos...I especially liked the green chile turkey! Quick service. SO HAPPY they started taking credit cards.
(4)Neil R.
great hamburgers when they don't run our of avocados. Running out of avocados is like running out of chop meat for the burgers. I had to try the ortega burger and it was very tasty. I deducted a star due to lack of avocados. Hopefully this can be addressed.
(4)Michelle L.
boy, i sure had a mean craving for this place the other day. ordered the 1/3 lb cheeseburger and fries. the burger was tender and juicy and the fries were soooo good as always! i think i like shrimpy looking fries, like kua 'aina and in n out kinda fries. anyhoo, took that back to my work place and devoured it so fast it nearly gave me a food coma before work @_@ only problem, not a fan of the prices so it kua 'ain is a treat for me :) my friend works here too, he can never hook ANYTHING up for me...so unfortunate T_T
(4)Liz T.
Actually 3.5 stars because a good burger is a rare find in Hawaii. I've had the cheeseburger and the mahi mahi sandwich. The cheeseburger was small albeit thick and juicy. I like the usage of the kaiser roll, but what's with the pickle being replaced by a carrot? The carrot stick isn't going to make the meal a healthy one. The mahi mahi sandwich was ok--it could've been a little more seasoned. When I'm eating fresh fish I try to appreciate the subtleties, but not when it's between buns for some reason. It would've been even better if the mahi mahi was battered and deep-fried! The skinny fries are always tasty--skinny, golden brown, and crisp. You need to salt it yourself, though. I'd eat here more often with the expansive menu, but it's not cheap at all. A burger or sandwich starts at around 6 bucks and that doesn't include any fixins like avocado (and in some cases, cheese). Kua'Aina hits the spot when you're lusting after a burger, though.
(3)Benny M.
PRO: * best burgers on Oahu (had a yummy bacon burger) * huge; yet they tasted so good, I almost ordered a 2nd; decided against it for fear of inflicting damage cuz my belt would have exploded * very good fries CON: * parking was a little tough, but everywhere there seemed crowded ASIDE NOTES: * a friend who lives on Oahu says it's her fav and the first place she treks to upon returning home
(4)Jonah E.
Lets just get this out of the way Kua' Aina is bomb. Every time I fly home from school its one of the first things I think about eating. The ingredients are fresh and tasty and there are a good amount of options for how you want your burger. If burgers aren't your thing they also make really good sandwiches and salads. I almost always order the half pound bacon burger with cheese and some shoestring fries on the side. They use a sort of kaiser role for the bun which is awesome and the lettuce and tomato that come in them are always perfectly green and red not yellow and green. This place is a favorite for locals and tourists alike. P.S. I'm so glad they finally started to take credit cards instead of being cash only like they used to. Makes my life so much easier.
(4)Scott H.
Great burger. Plenty of flavor, oozing with melted cheese. Only miss is the fries. Too thin and soaked with oil for my liking...
(4)C O.
Kua 'aina is a great place in town to grab a quick and simple burger. They bill themselves as a more-upscale burger place but do not qualify (in my book) as a gourmet burger joint. They make great sandwiches (turkey especially) aside from their usual burger fare and are quick to turn food out from the kitchen. Prices are good, the finally take credit cards, and the dining room is clean. My only complaint is their fries----way too tiny (shoestring) to have an flavor at all. They taste like stale frying oil. Sigh. Oh well, the rest of their menu is good!
(4)Jack B.
Burgers are good. The Avocado Burger kicks ass! But for the high price, the Service is C-R-A-P! They need some customer service training there...
(3)Abby D.
What with all of the rave reviews this place gets..I would have thought it would be AMAZING! Nope. The fries were crap..shoe string fries?? WTF??! Not my thing. I LOVE a good burger! This just wasn't it. I did like that they keep a big roll of paper towels on the tables because they can get quite messy! Overall..if I were *dying* for a burger and this was the only place around? Sure..yeah..I'll go in again..because while I've had better..this certainly isn't the worst.
(2)Eric X.
So incrediby not worth it. I'm all for a gourmet burger experience, but this really isn't it. Gourmet burgers are like Bistro Burgers in SF. If I had a local example of gourmet burger I'd use that instead -- don't mean to unfairly compare something hawaiian with something mainland. I know how much that irks everybody. I will caveat my review with the fact that they were out of avocado, the one ingredient that seems to make this place in the hearts and minds of people, when I got there. I'm telling you, people are desparate for vegetables here. Also the french fries SUCKED, and the coleslaw SUCKED (it was just wet cabbage). The atmosphere is pretty good though. I mean compared to McD, JitB, BK, etc.
(2)Alex D.
They have some yummy juicy burgers, and I really like those thin french fries! (I especially like the burgers with the avocado inside... when they have avocados). Thanks to my dear friend, Dino... I got hooked onto this place whenever I'm on Oahu. Over the years, I've eaten here.... I've noticed that it is a favorite amongst locals and tourists alike... You notice how great this place is when you watch folks eat up these burgers! I especially noticed that it is a favorite amongst HONOLULU's hot guns and hoses (HPD and HFD). The hot trim rookies (some with tiny starter bellies) pack wallops of appetite and devour these burgers heartily like I do. And the veteran guns and hoses also devour these things too... only you can tell that they've been here one two many times over their careers when their starter bellys have evolved into sexy full blown daddy bellies! yay kua 'aina burgers! tasty food and a nice food stop while on vacation in HNL.
(4)n c.
Went here for lunch and the server was very pleasant. I figured I'd open with that because the food was nothing to write home about. We ordered a 1/2 lb. burger and it tasted like they forgot to season it. BLAND. I love onions, but they give you this HUGE onion slice that takes over the whole burger. I ate a Teddy's burger last week and kept wishing I had gone there instead. We also tried the eggplant & peppers sandwich. BLAH! Served on a way2big Kaiser roll w/mayo. I think even my vegan buddies with no taste buds would give this sandwich the heave ho. Those shoestring fries were horrible. I see from other reviews that some people like them, so I can only conclude that they burnt ours. They were so dry that when I threw them out for the pigeons, they just walked past them and shot me the stink-eye! Skip this place. Overpriced, mediocre food at best. BTW, what happened to Ward Center? The place was like a ghost town at lunch today.
(2)Chris M.
Kua 'Aina is as good a burger as you're going to get on the island. Maybe you're wondering why only 3 stars then? Well, fact of the matter is in Hawaii, a burger is better served on a bowl full of rice, with a fried egg on top, smothered with brown gravy, and some mac salad with extra mayo. There just isn't a burger that compares with a real hamburger on the mainland. Having said that, Kua 'Aina serves tasty burgers, at the standard $6 burger price, although you'll pay for extras. I'd recommend the burger as is to get the full flavor of the beef. At Kua 'Aina, it's the beef that separates their burger from other burgers on the island. It's just better, I don't know if it's in the grind, or they just have tastier cows. If you're gonna add anything, try the fresh avocado, as it adds a nice twist. I'm not quite sold on the fries, but maybe that's cause I'm not a fan of shoe string fries. They just don't stand up to a moist juicy burger. If I lived in Hawaii, and had never had a burger from the mainland, I'd probably tell folks that Kua 'Aina is the best burger around. Unfortunately, this is not the case, and I have had many better burgers. But hey, Kua 'Aina is worth a try, especially the Haleiwa spot.
(3)Sandy N.
pretty good place.. Burgers are good.
(3)Charles C.
Had the ortega burger... It was great. The fries are a little thin and greasy for me but that being said I would order them again.. A Hawaii tradition..
(4)B W.
Not worth the money , fries no good.
(2)Jocelyn L.
"The one on the North Shore is SO much better. This one is OK if you don't/ can't drive up to Northshore...but definitely not as flavorful"
(3)Prince N.
Went here with my family and local friend from school. Great little burger joint with string fries. The portions are big like most meals here in Hawaii so come hungry. The staff was very friendly and patient as we couldn't make up our minds with all of the choices on the menu. I would come again. I had the pineapple burger and loved it!!
(4)Udunnome B.
When I went there, I was dead hungry from all the beach activities. I was excited to try the pineapple burger with cheese and avocados, chicken salad and fries. Unfortunately, they ran out of avocados and took over 20 min. to serve my orders. As I mentioned before, I was dead hungry, so I was not too pleased. The atmosphere is a-ok. Clean but small and hard to accomodate more than 7 people or so. Individual paper towels and condiments were very convenient. Also, they don't have restrooms so you have to take a hike to use them inside the mall. Now, for the burger review. The ingridients were decent quality with kaiser rolls and average slab of meat. Vegetable fixin's were fresh. Before you bite into the pineapple burger, make sure you position the pineapple properly or it will shoot out. They only serve medium burgers but, you can request them to grill the meat to your preference. Overall, burger was a bit on the small side and the taste was not out of this world good. It was just decent. Had whole lot better honestly. Rather goto Five Guys, In and Out or Checkers.
(3)Michael Q.
My heart is with Teddy's but when I'm hungry and in the Ward area I'll hit up this burger joint. I find it weird that they have both Pepsi and Coke products there. You're safe bet is to get a regular burger. But if you want to feel a little adventurous, try and add toppings. WATCH OUT.....each topping will you so choose wisely. The family style order of fries is a good way to go as well. Doesn't make me feel like such a heffer.
(4)Jesse W.
6/8/10: After a visit to our son's pediatrician, we decided to try this place having passed it many times, especially as we frequent Kakaako Kitchen next door. Burger joint is decorated nicely, seems relatively new, I haven't been to any of their other locations, very clean. Basic menu, order at the counter and then your name will be called when your meal is ready for pickup. Annoying tip jar at counter, why is it needed when there really isn't any service (self serve, self cleanup, etc). Anyways, we ordered a cheese burger (cheddar) and an avocado burger. Both came on a kaiser roll which was a bit small making the burger very tall and difficult to eat. Included toppings include lettuce and tomato along with grilled onions. We ordered a large fry which wasn't too impressive, fries are cut very thin - I felt like I was eating the scraps out of the deep fryer basket. Many fries were over cooked and when they got cold, lost all their flavor and was only greasy. Burger was well done, again except that it's hard to eat since it's soo tall. Anways, no plans to be back, Nice to try but for the price, I'd rather go elsewhere, especially next door...
(3)Anita L.
If you're looking for a sandwich type of meal and are not on a diet, then Kua Aina is a perfectly good choice. There are burgers (which are a pretty good size) as well as sandwiches including local favorites such as mahi mahi. Accompanying fries look like they've been fried and then refried as they've shrivelled up and look kinda over done. It's sort of fast food style as you order from a board and then wait for your number to be called. Both indoor and outdoor seating available. Located at the Ward Center. Just a word of warning -- the stuff is GREASY!
(2)Rich T.
The Mahi was great. The fries were thin and oily and pathetic... and not included. A bit overpriced for what you get.
(3)Robert H.
I love the burgers here! The fries are good if you like shoestring fries. I still think the north shore location is better. It is a little expensive, but i think it's one of the best burger places on the island. The burgers are always juicy and cooked how I like them. They've never messed up one of my orders or taken forever. (Knock on wood) So I am pretty happy with this place.
(4)Kami C.
Its Always Fresh And Quickly Made. The burgers are cooked to perfection. I think they finally allow credit...it used to be cash only. The service is always fast but not always friendly. The fries are shoestring...PERFECT!
(5)biz l.
3.5 stars. Its been a few years since eating here - mostly due to the hassle of parking at Ward. Service was fast and food was good. I hate their fries though. They are not ever crisp enough and sogged down with oil. Had an ahi sandwich and wolfed it down happily.
(3)Ane P.
If there is a mushroom burger that I actually can remember eating, it's from this place. Every once in a while I'll get a hankering for a good juicy hamburger--and that was exactly what I was looking for, the first time i stopped into this joint. Next thing you know, I see the mushroom burger, and it's game over. I'll never order another thing here again. It's filling enough that you actually THINK you're eating meat, yet you're being very very healthy ;)
(4)Travis T.
Hearing from multiple people, this was the best place to get a burger on Oahu. After getting off of our flight from Phoenix we were hungry, and decided on a burger. We found Kua Aina and walked right in. It was during the lunch rush, and it was busy (always a good sign!), we got in line and decided what to order. I ordered the burger with bacon and pineapple. When in Hawaii why not go for pineapple? After less than 10 minutes our name was called, and our order was ready. The burger was great. Cooked perfect and juicy. The fresh grilled pineapple was awesome on the burger and complimented the bacon perfectly. Their shoestring fries were short and hard to eat but tasted great, nice and crispy. They just opened a second location on the North Shore, and if I get a chance to make it back to Oahu this will definitely be somewhere I stop by again.
(3)Jeffrey M.
One of my favorite burger places, Kua 'Aina makes big juicy burgers with a variety of good toppings. I highly recommend the avocado burger- it gets a little sloppy, but the big hunk of avocado adds a nice rich flavor to the burger. Pineapple is also delicious, adding a nice sweetness to offset the saltiness of the burger. Of course, typical toppings like bacon and cheese are also available. The burger patty itself is nice and thick, well-seasoned and cooked perfectly. The fries are probably the one downside for me- they're small thin fries that aren't particularly special, however I typically order a large portion and split it amongst a few friends so we have something else to snack on. Kua 'Aina's main downside for me is price, which has steadily risen over the years. If they shaved a buck off, I would probably give them 5 stars. But hey, at least they accept credit cards now.
(4)Jenny H.
Supersize portions here...my husband's face-- :D But sometimes big portions don't equate to good food. According to my husband, the Pineapple burger was just 'aight' but he still killed it. Must be the hunger. On the other hand, I really liked my huge BLT sandwhich...lots of crispy bacon with the L and the Ts and some sauce, mmmmm! We also ordered a 'basket' of fries which was a mistake...it was just waaaaaaaay too much. They were good but not the best. Burger/fries food are always good with soda...we had a big gulp rootbeer size. Prickly to the throat but GOOD!
(3)Scott R. D.
Kua 'Aina makes some darn good burgers. I just love the teriyaki pineapple burger with cheddar cheese. You can barely get your mouth around it and you'll use 900 napkins because it's so juicy. (just don't think about all the dead trees.) Plus, it's healthy: they put a carrot stick on the plate. Don't even get me started on how much I love those matchstick fries. No better ketchup delivery system has been invented, yet. You don't get to shove a tourist to the ground, fighting for a table like at the old Haleiwa location, but then you don't have to drive up to the North Shore if you live on this side. Unfortunately, they moved to a bigger location in Haleiwa so you don't get to throw tourists to the ground there anymore either. And their Mahi and Veggie burgers are good too. Good place to go before the movies at Ward Center.
(4)Jo-Ann L.
Was recommended to come here for their burgers while we were on vacation in Oahu. It was just okay. They are generous on their toppings and you can pick your choice of bread... we had the pineapple burger, avocado with roasted chile and their cheese and bacon burger. We all liked our burgers but all thought the flavor of the patty at Mahaloha Burger (Royal Hawaiian shopping center food court) was much better.
(3)jen n.
3.5 stars So, mom and I were doing a little shopping at Ward Center and it was lunch time, my tummy was grumbling, and I noticed that they were Zagat rated. There were plenty of locals eating outside, so we thought we would give it a go. We both go beef stew. It was ono. We should have gotten one plate and shared it because it was a huge amount of food. Hawaiian sized helpings. :)
(3)G Y.
The very first time I had a burger from Kua Aina in Haleiwa years ago, I had a great experience. Up until that point, I considered it the best burger I ever ate. Something changed from that time until now. The last three times I've eaten there were similar. The patty now resembles frozen,pre-shaped cheap beef. Not sure if thats the case, but presentation is not overly appealing. No char, no sear. It was well cooked and well seasoned, but the meat to me just wasn't flavorful. I actually put ketchup on it. Bun was ample, veggies were good. Overall, it wasn't at all terrible, but there must be better on this island. Hukilau used to have a great kobe burger, but even they seemed to have changed.
(2)L K.
I am NOT a burger girl. Never have been. So I was skeptical about how fantastic these burgers were. But I was starving and my mom bought one to split. It was good! I mean it's a huge burger, and it was good. A definite meal. I like the Avocado Burger because I like avocado and they put in a ton of avocado. So much it comes spilling out. It's true the price isn't like McDonalds, but the taste isn't at all like McDonalds either, if you know what I mean. So yes, you need to shell out $7+, but you get a really great burger. And for the dainty girls, you can always half a burger with a friend, unless you're starving. The fries are good too. Nice and thin, and I've always gotten fresh, hot fries, none of this greasy, cold fries with extra salt to hide the grease taste.
(4)Lovely A.
I used to really like the burgers and fries here, unfortunately tonight when I went it wasn't as good. Had to wait a long time to place an order then had to wait almost half and hour to get my take out order, When I got home and bit into the burger the inside was RAW and COLD, and I had to cook it further myself. NOT acceptable. I called and let them know and they did offer to compensate me however I will not chance this place ever again. I would prefer not to get salmonella.
(1)Andy D.
(Actually, 3.49 stars) My coworkers were heading there for lunch, so I decided to add in my order. Now, I know they're known for their burgers, which I've had a few times before; however at my coworker's recommendation I got a turkey avocado sandwich and fries. I've never been big on their burgers anyway, because they are never salty enough for me. The turkey sandwich was great. I was surprised that the turkey had a great smoky, grilled flavor to it and was well-seasoned. It was a little dry, but the avocado and mayo helped that a bit. Also, they give a lot of avocado. My minor gripes with the sandwich were too much lettuce, and the bread fell apart on me. The fries were okay, but also needed salt. They had been sitting in a bag so the floppy, stale texture was a result of that probably.
(3)Rhea P.
Hands down, the best burger throughout the whole island!! If there's Shake Shack in the East Coast and In-N-Out in the West Coast, there is Kua'Aina in the Pacific Islands. This is the most juicy burger I have ever tried. They dont seem to particularly use any sauce but I think that their freshness is the key. The fries are also must-try! I remind myself to try their avocado burger (they are also well known for) but I always end up getting Pineapple burger because it's that good!
(5)Hungry C.
I tried their Ortega burger which was out of this world. I asked for grilled onions as well which blew my mind. Da fries were also good, if you like em shoe string style. Overall was good, only one problem...Dont order the cole slaw; It was junk. Super small, shreaded cabbage with a drop of dressing. Nothing else. Stick with a burger and you'll be happy.
(3)Al D.
Meh, this place is ok. I got the mahi sandwich and have to admit the fish tasted good and was grilled excellently. Service was pretty bad. They seemed overwhelmed, confused, and maybe in need of more training or supervision. Maybe it will be better next time I go.
(3)Alex C.
Kua 'Aina is the burger joint to be at. If you are a burger fan you and find yourself on Oahu you must must must try this restaurant. The burgers are juicy and thick as well as cooked to order. I remember getting my first Kua "Aina burger and trying to figure out how to eat it. You can't always get your mouth around the whole burger. I ended up having to compress my burger to bite into it and even then would have to take 2 bites occasionally to eat both the top and bottom bun. Each burger, when eaten on site, comes with a whole carrot half which I always enjoyed eating alongside the burger, it's a strange combination but it works for me. The fries are worth getting as well. They are small, stringy and crisp, they were always difficult for me to eat in a clean manner because I would always end up grabbing fistfuls of fries. One note, this will most likely be a messy meal. These burgers will drip and if you don't keep a hold of them they can fall apart on you. Once I pick up a burger I don't let go of it until it's all gone. Prices are a bit high but don't let that dissuade you from trying a burger.
(4)David G.
Burgers are dry, dull & way too expensive! This Kua 'Aina location is not nearly as good as the original one on the North Shore or the one opened in Ward Village a long time ago. Kua 'Aina has gone down hill in a major way. You can do so much better at other burger joints in Hawaii. Go somewhere else, you'll be happy you did...
(2)Michael L.
Okay...this place was truly an example of BIG FISH in a SMALL POND. All throughout the time I was in hawaii..I saw commercials on my Hotel TV channel(probably funded by them) that said "Come to Kua Aina..and get the best HAMMMMburgers on the eye-LANNNNND(that's how they pronounce things). The very next year..the same commercial said "Come to Kua Aina..and get the best HAMMMMburgers in the PACIFIC" The 3rd year I was there..they finally went overboard...."Come to Kua Aina...and get the best HAMMMburgers in the WORLD". I guess they thought NO ONE was listening!!! I was listening! Fresh off a burger romp through the San Francisco Bay Area... Clown burger, Fat Burger, Taxi's, In N out, and of course Clarke's Charcoal Broiler in Mountain View.... I was in Honolulu for the NFL Pro Bowl and HAD TO TAKE THEM UP on the claim of the best burgers in the world. I ordered their cheeseburger and got a nice sized burger on a fresh bun. Things were looking good. my friend (he also swears by Clarkes) and I both got the cheeseburger and dug in... I sank my teeth in the burger, took a bite, chewed and swallowed.. I slowly sat up from my seat and proceeded to SCREAM... "THESE ARE NOT THE BEST BURGERS IN THE WORLD! ARE YOU CRAZY?" Eventhough the other patrons looked at me and thought I was crazy...I looked at them as crazy for thinking this burger was all it was cracked up to be. It was simply big and BLAND. IT was a bland piece of 1/4 lb meat. For the predominantly japanese patrons..they PREFER the meat to be more bland and excessive western marinades are not to their tastes. IF you don't believe me...try the burgers from the japanese chain MOS burger..and you'll see what I mean. Anyhow..the ingredients were fresh, the buns were good, and the burger meat was solid..but the flavor was just not there. This is not and cannot and will not be considered one of the best burgers in the world. I wish I could send everyone who ate at Kua Aina a burger from Clarkes in Mountain View..and they'll gobble it up like a kid who drank dirty water all his life and finally tasted pure clean agua. Kua Aina. The best burgers on the BLOCK. Let's keep it real.
(2)Hideki H.
ahhhhhh.... Pineapple Burger.... remember that pineapple burger served at McDonald's in Japan a looooong time ago? sorry, not worth comparing at all... (almost) fresh pineapple on juicy patti.... hmmm... yummy... I tried not to eat at this location for the fear of not bothering to drive all the way to north.... if I like it here sooo much.... well... I liked the burger here as I did at north location... but I still enjoy dining at other location... this place is nice to dine in as the other one. I just have this mindset that Kua 'Aina is that location in north... well... I will try one in Osaka... then I will feel.. Kua 'Aina must be in Oahu.... No time to drive up there, then I would def. try dining here to satisfy my "need" for Pineapple burger... hahaha... It closes 8pm on Sunday... I almost missed it last night....
(4)Esther C.
I'm sorry to have to say this but I'm giving Kua aina a one star because this place closed at 8pm on a Sunday. Wait! Before you think "oh well thats ok its sunday"...well listen up. This place has been raved about by one of my good friend's who swears its awesome. I was thinkin' about having a nice juicy burger for about 6 full hours before that time. So after a whole day of swimming on the beach on the island, I was dying for something awesome. A burger I thought would satisfy me. We rushed down to get there and we walked in at about 7:50 or 7:55pm and they wouldn't take our order! Seriously, you can't do that to someone who rushed from one side of the island to the other and say you are closed 5 minutes earlier than you are supposed to!!! I even explained my situation to them about how I was really craving a burger part of the day and they didn't seem to care! C'mon, sorry to go off but I'm pretty disappointed. I think you would be too if you were in my situation.
(1)Satoru Y.
Bland. I have great memories of going this small little shop in Haleiwa, and getting a burger after surfing. Then years pass, and this little shop opened up a spot in town. I was wondering if my memories of the place will be the same after not going to one in years. But, I was wrong... Want to be helped by apathetic workers? Like to wait forever to get your burger? Want your burger to taste worse than styrofoam? If you answered yes to any, or all, of these questions, then feel free to walk on into Kua Aina. The burgers are tasteless. What I really want to know is how do you sap all of the taste out of a burger? I mean c'mon, it's just a slab of meat that you throw on a grill. Somehow, they managed to mess this complicated procedure up. It's probably from the low quality meat they are probably using for the burgers: hello Mad Cow disease! The insult of it all is that they consider this to be a 'gourmet' burger place, so all of the items are ala carte. So above getting a shitty burger, you have to pay more for decent fries. Buying ala carte doesn't bother me if the burgers are good, but that's not the case here. I may eat cardboard between a couple pieces of bread to compete with the quality at Kua Aina.
(1)Gina M.
When you go to Hawai`i, just know this is the place for burgers. It's been years, but in its day, these burgers defined burgers. I still think it's so bloody cute that they have a permanent sign for "No Avocados" when they are out. And here I thought avocados were a California thing. Oh, no. Hawai`i likey avocados. Huge, juicy, scrumptious burgerdom. Remember, good burgers = busy. Not "fast" food... to say the least. Oh, and I would have to agree the Haleiwa location is better in lotsa ways: better service, larger space, the decor is awesome (look closely and you'll see why), and the burgers are a bit better in quality.
(5)patrick o.
That's always the thing when being somewhere 4000 miles away from home, "why can't we have that at home?" Can't say that was the best burger I ever had, that award goes to myself for my sausage burger I cook up, but definately an "A" for effort. My only gripe is that its super overpriced for what you get. Come on, moderate pricing for fast food? I thought for that price, I was going to get a hula dance along with my food.
(4)J T.
Woo Hoo! I don't have to go all the way to the north shore to get me some Kua Aina - I just have to battle the masses of people around the Ward area. Dang. But really, I don't mind going out to the country to get my Kua Aina fix. It's nice having a location in town when I want a good burger or an Ahi sandwich.
(4)Jen D.
Lori was not kidding. These burgers are damn good! Every topping was fresh and delicious. And even thought I ordered my burger medium well, it was still super tender and juicy. And I love how you are given an option to have pepperoncinis as a side for only 25cents.
(5)uilani c.
hands down THE best grilled mahi sandwich i have ever devoured! the fish is cooked to perfection...slightly crisp on the outside and tender, juicy, exploding with savory flavor on the inside. i'm drooling just typing this review! i ordered mine on multi-grain wheat and it was a good choice. tarter sauce was lightly spread over both pieces of bread and a fresh large lettuce leaf with two tomato slices adorned the sandwich. nice presentation as sandwich shops go. the small basket of fries is not for sissies. come with your appetite if you think you are ready to down a sandwich and that small fries! seriously. oh, and the fries, they are the very thin type so they tend to be crispier than what most places serve. i liked them. i liked them a lot. we went for dinner and showed up just before the crowd...around 715p; or perhaps that was the second dinner wave. in any event, shortly after we placed our order about 8 tables filled up! the establishment was clean and the air brimming with positive energy. i enjoyed the experience...i'll be returning, for sure!
(4)Angel L.
I thought the burgers was alright! I've ordered the pastrami, which it really wasn't at all! I was disappointed and I couldn't eat my food. That's all I could tell you by my experience.
(2)Kim H.
Mouth is drooling just thinking about the burger I had there....seriously worth the stop before or after heading out to the north shore.....seriously I don't know what they do but it was magic! mmmmm so tasty....
(5)Bryan S.
Had the Mahi Mahi sandwich and was highly satisfied with it. Was disappointed with the price of fries on the side and the quality of them...don't waste your money on them. Other than that, I'd go back again.
(3)Tristan R.
Best Burger on the island! It's a rare occasion when I turn down bacon, but I'd recommend the Avacado Burger medium-rare on whole grain bread. Lots of avocado, good-sized burger, and the bread was lightly toasted. Perfect after a couple morning dives. A little pricey, but boy are they good!
(5)Noeru N.
before even contemplating which size.. what sides.. what cheese.. what soda .. my eyes first travel to the lower right corner of the menu to make sure the "NO AVOCADO" sign hasn't been put up YET for the day.. if all things go well.. I get the third lb. med rare avo burger with grilled onions side fries, Pepsi (they give a choice of coke AND Pepsi!) ... and here we are, a piece of heaven for lunch!! yes, the buns are kinda too big, but I'd rather have this bun than one of those that fall apart in my hand and get all soggy.. I've had the pina burger before, cause they didn't have avo, it was actually pretty good, however it made me ache for the avo burger more.. so nowadays I'll just leave quietly if there's no avocado.. since a pina burger just means I'll be back for a avo burger in the next few days anyway to quiet my cravings.. they get 5 stars for the days they have my avo burger, but since its only once in a while they only get 3, not to mention the counter help is sometimes feisty and unfriendly..
(3)Jennifer T.
Great burgers and fries and not too expensive by Hawaii standards. Parking can be a bit of a pain.
(4)Rhoda A.
I didn't realize this place is a sandwich shop until I searched for it on Yelp. What can I say about their burgers? The messier, the better! My burger patty was cooked to perfection--tender and juicy, just the way I like it! Crisp lettuce, tomatoes and the zing of the onions made for the perfect heavenly texture that brought the whole burger together. The place is rather small and crowded, but I'll wait in line to get another burger.
(4)nate s.
I loved the burgers here, they were mouth watering good. I'd definitely give this place 5 stars if not for a couple hiccups. The first being the fries. How can you have such an outstanding burger place and then have overly salty soggy shoestring sized fries? The other knock being that they had run out of avocado for that awesomely delicious avocado burger, though I must admit, it did prompt me to try the roasted pepper burger which was good as well. This place is well worth the clog in your arteries
(4)Henry L.
SO DISAPPOINTING! Service was weak. I was ordering three burgers and for some reason the girl crossed out my second burger order while I was ordering my third. The menu says all burgers are cooked medium unless you say otherwise. I should have said otherwise cause the middle of my burger was raw! The meat had zero flavor, no char flavor, no meatiness. Really boring and bland. And what's up with that big ass bun? They should just use the bottoms cause the top bun is way too big! The second star is for their shoestring fries. Those were awesome! Crispy, crispy, but large order was really small and looked like a regular size. Will never go back. Best burger on Oahu is still the $20 Kahala burger at the Kahala resort. Worth every damn penny!
(2)Audrey D.
Never had a bad experience here. Love the burgers and shoestring fries here (well-seasoned)! I usually order the pineapple burger and am always grateful for the paper towel roll that's sitting on the table since it can get pretty messy. The toppings are always fresh and off to the side so you can create your burger how you like it. This place is always packed when I'm here but the service is relatively quick. Just remember to specify how you want your burger cooked because medium is the default.
(4)Mona N.
What?! Why isn't Kua Aina listed? Juicy, big, tender, and messy, bad for white clothes but perfect for burgers. I always head out there whenever I'm in Hawaii. The North Shore one is better (so I heard) but this one is more than satisfactory for my taste buds. However the place is really tiny and crowded, the bun a tad bready, the patties not ridiculously seasoned, and the fries are shoe-strings. Doesn't bother me but docked a star anyway since not everyone you bring here will enjoy it.
(4)Jen D.
Don't talk to me when I'm eating a Kua 'Aina burger! These are the BEST burgers on the island! They have one on the North Shore in Haleiwa too. YUMMY YUMMY!
(5)Grimeater A.
Overrated, overpriced! Check out Nico's @ Pier 38 for the superior Double Cheeseburger with fries!!!!!!! Under $6 and way better!
(2)John N.
Now I've only been to the one at Ward and not to the North Shore location, but overall this place is decent. The sandwiches are made to order so it takes time to make them. I usually get the Mahi or Ahi sandwich on multigrain bread. I really like avocado and unfortunately they did not have any the past two times I was there. It's not cheap either. My Ahi sandwich and small drink (I didn't get fries) came close to $10. Overall, it's a nice place to stop for some protein after spending a day at Ala Moana beach. One more comment: parking in that garage is a pain so I usually try to park by the theater and walk over.
(3)J K.
I read the reviews on this place before trying it, mostly good reviews. We ordered the bacon burger, teri chicken and fries. My husband said there was nothing great about the burger. It had no flavor at all. The teri chicken was more like grilled chicken with mayo. No sign of teri anything. Tasted like McDonald's grilled chicken sandwich. OMG and what's up with the fries...err excuse me, the potato sticks? Weird stuff man. Hell McDonald's fries was waaaaay better than their potato sticks! Not worth the price to eat tasteless food. I'd rather pay double the price to eat at Ryan's. Their kobe burger was awesome.
(1)Remi M.
Burgers at Kua'Aina are pretty darn tasty. BUT, sometimes someone must be having a rough day because you will occasionally get a not so yummy burger. My requirement for a yummy burger is pretty simple: (^.^*)/ Yummy = A juicy burger with a nice char to it. /(;_;)\ Not So Yummy = Dry and over cooked to the point of hockey puck-like status. I've had a not so yummy burger here & because of that I haven't been back for over five years. Well, Kua'Aina is still around so they must be doing something right. I've been back several times now since last year & it's safe to say my burger passed muster. To French Fries or Not to French Fries? The skinny little shoestring fries are not my favorite. It lacks the potato flavor to me. Sort of like eating air somehow? It tastes better if you eat a handful of it at a time but that just makes me look like a pig so I dunno. Not much of a fan. These days I'm more apt to veg out on their Grilled Eggplant & Peppers sandwich ($7.40). It's perfect for the days when you just want to eat veggies just because it's veggies. The nicely charred eggplant, peppers & onions really brings out the sweetness of the vegetables & has it's own "meatiness" to it. It is so good! I have tried this sandwich with all three types of breads (Kaiser roll, multi-grain wheat & hearth rye) and hearth rye is the way to go because the other two breads just fell apart not even halfway through eating.....so go with rye for less mess. Best to eat on sight. I'm pretty sure if you order to go you will get a soggy mess. 3 stars for the burgers, 4.5 stars for the grilled eggplant & pepper sandwich. One more thing. If you order a drink you have to grab your own lid. Straws to the left of the counter & lids all the way to the right of the counter. Happy eating!
(4)Patricia L.
Love Kua'Aina Burgers! I keep telling myself to try the other sandwiches, but I am so hooked on that Avocado Burger!!!! Quite honestly...you don't even need to get a sandwich, just get the fries! The fries are apply to the thigh good! There is plenty of seating inside and out at this location. It does take a little time to get your food since everything is made fresh to order. So, be patient, its worth it. The only problem or thing I can't understand is...when you order the smaller burger you get the same size bun as the larger burger. So you need to munch through some bread to get to the goodness.
(5)Nicholas K.
This burger place is a hit or miss, they're often out of avocados because it is in high demand. Customer service is okay at best. Burger quality is eh to good-ish. Usually, they announce the order via the speakers outside if someone does not come up when their name is called, however today no names were called and left my order to sit on the counter for god knows how long (I was outside on their outdoor tables). I came in and sat down to see if my order was coming up and noticed a bag there but just waited as no one said anything as I sat there with no one else really waiting on an order. Eventually I just went up to look at the order inside of the bag and just took it and left. Staff were not paying attention to me inspecting or leaving with the bag, they usually say bye or they check to make sure you got what you ordered. The calling name thing is okay because it might just be policy to not call names when it's in the evening--which makes sense. They should at least come outside to call for the order or something then? I am more concerned by the fact that no one really noticed or paid attention to me just running off with my order lol. The problem is that when I got the burger and decided to eat it, the burger was clearly not cooked well enough. My order was medium rare however what I got was a slightly cooked and possibly rare patty. The patty was seeping gravy that was very red in color and I'm not sure what its original temperature it was cooked at but it was lukewarm within 5 minutes of me getting it. The outermost part of the patty was browned and the browning went in about a mm, the following was pink, then we got to the utmost center and the redness was clearly a lot more clear than the other parts of the patty. I suspect it was not cooked long enough or wasnt cooked at a high enough temperature, my father agrees. This was one incident, I'm kind of a regular here but never in the evening. This is a review specific to the evening. During the day it's okay most of the time. Sometimes the burger is great, sometimes it's very mediocre, either undercooked or overcooked, not enough salt and mayo etcetc. But its better than most places on the island. Just make sure to check your patty before eating it to be safe. I don't even understand though because there were few people there today. It wasn't like they were getting hammered with orders. Yet, poor service AND poor food? I think the owner or someone needs to do a quality check with an in disguise customer to check on what their staff is doing and how they're conducting business. You're going to lose money if this becomes a regular experience for your customers. Once upon a time, Kua'Aina was an AMAZING place. But this is before they moved years ago, idk the quality has been decreasing it's really sad. This place is standing on old prestige and location of their business, not good.
(3)Amber W.
The employees were nice and the menu was simple but good options. The place was clean but all of the tables were sticky. Like, sticking-to-my-arm. Ew. We got the avocado bacon burger and fries. It was good but nothing amazing. Probably nice if you're craving a burger and nothing else will satisfy. Price was alright.
(3)Oscar F.
Good food!! BAD customer service! We asked the cashier if they could do us a favor by cutting the burgers in half for us. Then SHE said "we have knives." Teach your people proper customer service. NO ALOHA whatsoever!!!
(2)Naz M.
I ordered an avacoda burger and told them please dont burn the meat. Because last time I ordered a veggy burger, they burned the veggy patty. Then I got my burger and the meat was burnt again. I gave it back and started to wait for my new burger. After 40 minutes of waiting I saw the chef, he was talking to the manager lady. I asked "is there any problem?" Because I was still waiting. And the chef said "yes there is a problem" ! I said they burnt the meat and I have been waiting for 40 minutes to get a new one! He said Ä°t wasn't burnt, it was just a little bit over-cooked! He was sooo rude and ready to fight. I said I took the pic of the meat and gonna put it on Yelp! It was burnt not over-cooked! Anyway, the manager lady was so sorry about the chef's attitude and asked me a free burger. It was almost an hour that I was waiting. I got my money back and left. I Waited for an hour to get a new burger (not a free stuff - just to get a new burger) - if they can't cook a burger meat without burning it, then they should shut down their "burger" shop.
(1)Molly B.
I wasn't a huge fan and neither was my boyfriend. I thought the bun was dry/stale and the under seasoned burgers were overcooked. Fries weren't too good - seems like the bottom of the barrel crunchies, but I know some people are into that kind of shoestring thing. I'll be on the hunt for a better burger on the island.
(1)Mark B.
This restaurant never has avocados ... NEVER! When everything on the menu either has avocado in the name, or has the option to add avocado to it, you should carry a sufficient amount of avocados to meet the demand! I've been going several nights a week for dinner on my way home, and they never have avocados. It's so bad that they even have a wooden sign made that they put up: "SORRY NO AVO". It has become standard for the staff, which is really unacceptable. Even in Hawaii, it is not hard to carry a fresh supply of avocados on hand. The person responsible for buying avocados should be fired.
(1)Lorene P.
Yum, the best BLT sandwich on rye bread! So much crispy bacon that it falls out of the sandwich. Yup, I had it with mayo too. When can I go there again?! Great option when the choice is a burger joint yet u feel like having something else. BTW, I love the burger and shoestring fries here.
(4)Karen C.
I remembered this place a little differently. Burgers were okay, I didn't seem to see anything that stood out for me. I also remembered the fries being like shoe string fries... however, now its more like potato sticks. Its wasn't a bad place to stop by for lunch, but it sadly did not satisfy my craving for a burger that day. For their prices, I think going to Honolulu Burger Co. may be a better choice. Staff however, was very nice. Dine in area was clean.
(3)Loryn G.
When I first moved to Hawaii, everyone said this was the go-to burger spot. Having lived here for years now, I know that this is not the case. It's- meh. While the North Shore / Haleiwa location is charming, I just don't think the burgers at either location are anything to rave about-- at all. The only time I go now is if a friend wants to go. I won't balk at it. I will say the place is clean and staff friendly. The cons? Every time I go-- EVERY TIME-- they are out of avocado. Yet, they are known for their avo burger. The burgers are usually overcooked and dry-- I am a firm believer that burgers should be super juicy- like running-down-your-arm-multiple-napkins juicy. The meat is totally bland and flavorless, and burgers are served with awkwardly-large chunks of carrot (what?!?!) -- and don't get me started on the "fries." So gross. They are like oily little fry shavings. Like shredded hash browns that have been soaked in oil all night. These are not french fries. Finally, for the quality of what you get, I think it's overpriced. There are far too many other places to get good burgers-- I would much rather head over to Teddy's.
(2)Emi H.
I have been craaaaaving a burger all week and made the decision to get dinner at Kua 'Aina with my three-year old in tow. Daddy was having a night out with his friends, so we were having a wild night on the town together! #GirlsGoneMILD This shop is in my hood and for one reason or another, I always forget that it's so close by. We decided to go with the 1/2 lb cheese burger (only $.40 more than a 1/3 lb) and small french fries. Our order came out to $11.40 and this is without a drink so prepare your wallet if you're coming with your entire family. The good news is that you can really share one order of 1/2 lb burger + fries with another person and be totally full. In addition, you have lots of choices for add-ons here such as different cheeses, bacon, avocado, pineapple, etc but as I was sharing with my little one I thought it best to keep it simple. All burgers come with lettuce, tomato, onions and mayo. I have to give props to the lady at the counter who took our order because without me even asking she gave me a cup of water. This probably isn't standard and I appreciated that she noticed I had my daughter in tow. So sweet! While we waited for our order I noticed that they were non-stop busy because it was a Saturday, but they really need an extra set of hands just to wipe down tables. Waited about 12 minutes for our order but I thought it was worth the wait for a freshly cooked burger that really satiated my monster burger craving. I'm not the biggest fan of shoestring fries but my daughter finished them off so they're definitely kid approved!
(4)George M.
amazing fresh cooked to order hamburgers.. we got the president Obama fav avocado burger ( I added bacon to mine) and also a side of fries which are fresh cut fries and all tasted amazing.. We will def be back next time Hawaii..
(3)Gee G.
Had the 1/3 lb Bacon Burger with cheddar cheese. Not gonna lie, it's pretty awesome. The burger was juicy, just the way I like it. I couldn't eat the whole thing which made me realize I should've just got a kiddie burger and just added the toppings I wanted my friend got the kiddie burger and it was pretty much the same size as my burger and it was half of the price. I love how the onions are grilled and you can choose whatever type of cheese you prefer. I didn't like the fries, which is pretty much just shoe string fries. Definitely going back to try their other burgers.
(4)Jus M.
I was excited to finally try out Kua 'Aina after a sabbatical from island grinds for quite some time. I love burgers so any chance I have to try out a new burger place, I'm definitely up for the foodie adventure! The menu was lacking and I ended up ordering an Avocado burger with a side of fries. The fries really should have been complimentary with the burger order. It seriously did not add any value to the meal. It reminded me of the fries at Five Guys but at half the quality. :/ The burger was ok..cooked well but messy with the avocado sliding out of place with each bite. Still, it was tasty but certainly not one of the best that I've had. "I've had better," she says. Lol
(3)John B.
Simply one of the best burgers this California boy has ever tasted. Fresh and delicious, with great, friendly service to boot. We'll be back!
(5)Marie H.
Amazing!!! Best burger I've had in a long time! Got the 1/2lb avocado burger with bacon. It was HUGE! Only complaint it we ordered two burgers mid rare, one came out perfect the other came out mid well. But even with that this place still gets 5 stars. Yep! That good!
(5)Guy M.
I love a good burger! If you're on O'ahu and want a good burger try Kua'Aina! They have two locations one in the Ala Moana area and the other Haleiwa (North Shore). Be prepared the only except cash or at least that is the way it was.
(4)Lyla D.
We've been fans of Kua'Aina from its humble beginnings in Haleiwa. When they expanded to Ward Center, we found ourselves going to this location more frequently. This location is more convenient, accessible and cleaner. There are more parking areas, other shopping options and entertainment around. Somehow, after watching a movie at the nearby Ward Consolidated Theaters, having a burger with fries seems to finish the day. It's like having a hot dog or nachos at a ball game...doesn't it seem to taste better? When you peruse their menu, please note that you have several choices to make. The service counter and cashier are normally friendly and patient. You get to "customize" your burger with the following: -burger size..either 1/3 lb. or 1/2 lb. -burger doneness? They grill your burger to your order. -what do you want on that burger? cheese, type of cheese, bun or type of bread, bacon, Ortega chile or avocado. -rather not have a burger? They do offer vegetarian or non-meat options. Our favorite Kua'Aina meals are their 1/2 lb. Avocado burger, bacon cheeseburger, a large basket of crispy fried shoestring potatoes and 2 beverages. Our burgers have always been grilled medium to medium well, flavorful and juicy. My favorite is the avocado burger that is the best because it features a whole avocado. The bacon cheeseburger is also tasty with strips of crispy bacon atop either cheddar or Provolone. And the "natural" accompaniment is their crisp fried shoestring potatoes or onion rings. We've dined here often enough to have tried just about everything on their menu but we're creatures of habit so we'll order our favorites. What will you try? Cheese boiger, cheese boiger, cheese boiger....
(4)Teri C.
Regular cheeseburger was ok. Lots of mayo and hard to eat since it's pretty big. I liked their fries more. Very thin and reminded me of in n out fries from back home in the mainland. The fries were a little on the greasier side though
(3)Jenni M.
Every time I've come here the people are friendly and the food has yet to disappoint! Our Conure loves the free water they give!
(5)Peter M.
I wanted to see what the hype was so we went. WOW, disappointment when compared to Teddy's and any other burger place. 1-the menu: All I read about is the avocado burger - but they were out of avocado. I figured since it was so prominent they'd have had plenty. nope 2-the burger: They tout all burgers are medium and the person we ordered from specifcially asked. They were so rare as to think the cow was only mildly injured. 3-the bun: call me needy, but a hot burger off the grill gets a warm bun (or at least a soft one). Missed it again. The kaiser they advertised looked good, and should have been appetizing, but was clearly just taken out of some kind of storage. I will give them a little break because we came at a very busy time, but that's where you let customers wait until the food is properly prepared. There's PLENTY of other options for a good burger on the island. Teddy's hasn't failed us yet! In a market where folks compete for the best burger, Kua 'Aina better pick up its game.
(1)Sadie P.
I've been wanting to check this place out and I'm happy I finally did. I walked in and automatically the staff was super nice. Smiles all around. I love the Hawaii vibe and music playing. Large portions for cheap!!!!! I love that they ask for a temp of the burgers. I ordered a 1/2 pound pineapple teriyaki burger with cheese, medium rare with fries and a Pepsi because I'm fat and forever hungry. It was amazing!
(5)Marissa Ann T.
I've read reviews from former consumers, and they really made me feel iffy about this place, but friends have told me that this place is really good & i was also craving, so I went on a whim. I do not regret it at all! I ordered a 1/2 lb bacon burger on a kaiser roll with swiss cheese. Man, that burger was huge! Even when I tried to flatten the bun, I still had a difficult time getting everything in my mouth. But looking and chewing into it, I noticed that the burger was very juicy, cooked perfectly to medium, and the bacon was very crisp. I was very satisfied with the flavor. I didn't have to add ketchup, mustard, salt or pepper to it at all. Although, I did add some hot sauce for some spice (i love spicy!). my boyfriend ordered the 1/2 lb avocado burger on a kaiser with provolone cheese. although we had the same sized patty, he had a much harder time biting into his since they used practically half an avocado! My boyfriend was very satisfied with his burger, also, but did not like how he had a hard time eating it. When he tried to smash down his burger to make it easier to eat, the avocado just slid out, and when he tried to put it back & repeat, it just did the same thing. He ate the burger without half of the avocado, but went back when he was done with the burger to eat the rest. The fries, my boyfriend and I can both agree, were very addicting! They don't season the fries after coming out of the frier, so make sure to season it with salt & pepper as soon as you get it! They can be a bit on the soggier side, so you might want to stay away from it. For me, though, I prefer soggy fries so it was perfect. The only downside to my visit was that the cashier wasn't the friendliest. She looked very annoyed and didn't seem enthusiastic at all upon our visit.
(4)Jennifer C.
I came for lunch with the husband, with a huge craving for a mahi sandwich, and a huge aversion against driving to the North Shore for one. I saw that they served mahi sandwiches at Kua 'Aina and I was sold. I had the mahi sandwich on wheat, and he had the bacon avocado burger. The mahi sandwich was OK. They gave a generous portion of fish, but certain parts of it tasted fishy...I probably would stick to burgers. The husband ordered the larger of the burgers, and had trouble eating it...it was super messy and he couldn't finish the whole thing. I ate his leftovers, and found the burger to be tasty. We shared an order of fries, which were totally bland. It was easily fixed with some salt and pepper, but kind of disappointing that they didn't season them at all. Overall, the food here is OK and the prices are reasonable. I would probably return, simply because of the wide array of menu choices and customization options there are.
(3)Kat D.
I've been coming to Kua 'Aina since high school & although I haven't tried anything else other than the cheesebuger, I'm still a fan. I love cheeseburgers, and I've never been disappointed with a plain ol' medium rare, 1/3 lb. Cheeseburger from Kua 'Aina. Add a side order of large fries that look like Pik-Nik Shoestring Potatoes, and I'm good to go. Nevermind that the burger itself is almost $8--burgers are so FAT you'd need to do some major squashing to get just one bite of it all. Sometimes I just order it plain--just the patty, cheese & buns. But watch out for the patty juice trickling down your hands... That's why they have the heavy duty paper towels on the table. Overall, this is one of my favorite burger joints. I don't tell friends & family about this place, I bring them here!
(5)Cara O.
I wish I could give a straight out 3.5 for them. Came here for a quick bite for lunch, as I work in the area. I've been here several times before, and honestly, it doesn't have such a huge WOW factor to me. I mean..it's a burger. How do you mess up a simple burger? [THE FOOD/VALUE] 3.5 I ordered a Pineapple 1/2 lbs Burger for $8.50. Grilled onions are an included and free bonus option, which I happily took. The burger was huge, and definitely what I needed to fill my roaring stomach, since I had just one sad avocado for breakfast. At the end of my meal, I was surely not disappointed. However, I do wish they had a bit more variety or some selection of specialty burger that I couldn't just make at home. The bun wasn't anything out of the ordinary, nor were the burgers themselves. Again, nothing bad, just not extraordinary. [THE SERVICE] 4 The service was average until one of the workers rang me up. She had great energy, addressed me politely by name (they ask for your name for when they call out your order) and asked if I would like a glass of water to cope with the very hot afternoon. I could tell she was a seasoned worker when she addressed another customer by name when he walked through the door. At the end of the day, I will have no problem coming to Kua'Aina for a burger when I'm really craving near Ward.
(3)Ashley N.
Why does this burger joint only have an overall of 3 1/2 stars?! In my opinion I would give this place a 4 1/2 stars, but 4 will do. I am a regular here at Kua 'Aina and I LOVE it! It's a cute little establishment almost right across from the Ward movie theater. This was actually one of the first places my boyfriend took me for a dinner/movie date! A lot of other reviews I read say that the burgers don't have too much taste. Well, for me, it's the complete opposite! Note: This is not a "sit down & order" type of restaurant, it's basically like Teddy's Bigger Burgers, where you order your food/pay at the counter. I don't mind this, however if you're coming here for a romantic burger date that will be served, this is not the place to be! Once you order and pay, you can pick a seat either inside or outside. I recommend (HIGHLY) sitting indoors because whenever I sit outdoors, there's always birds that walk under the tables by your feet, or fly on a table near you and stare at your food. (It's a bit annoying - to me at least) Once your food is ready, the cashiers will call your name out and you can simply pick it up and take it to your table. Anyways, my boyfriend and I always order (our "usual") the bacon cheeseburger. These burgers come with tomato, lettuce, and a carrot on the side. My boyfriend adds grilled onions and swiss cheese. (Yeah, you have to add cheese which is a bit of a bummer) I add in american cheese and I get mine w/o veggies. (I'm picky don't judge me!) We also get the large basket of fries. We wait usually around 8-10 minutes for our food. On to the taste: Even without the veggies... I love my bacon burger! I think it's super juicy and tasty. I like the fact that when I bite into my burger, the juices run down my fingers. (don't be afraid to get messy!) The bun is always toasted, and the meat itself is always cooked at an awesome medium. Along that, the bacon is always crispy and (to me) is the greatest bacon burger I've ever had! The fries are the famous "shoe string" fries, so they're really thin... Unfortunately Kua 'Aina is pretty inconsistent with how they serve the fries. What I mean by this, is that the fries are either really crispy and super good, or they're a bit soggy, and quite frankly - just not very tasty. I always have to add salt and pepper in order to give them an extra bit of yum. Kua 'Aina has been a favorite of mine since the time my boyfriend took me, which was December 2012! I think that definitely says something.
(4)Yoselyn F.
It's been a while since I last visited and tonight I remembered why. The burgers are ok. Not amaze balls. I've never felt like they are seasoned right? I don't know it's just off. You can go for huge but I don't need huge just yummy. The topping selection is standard. I'm a blue cheese crumble fanatic, which they don't carry, and was super disappointed by their dressing. Doesn't give that blue satisfaction I needed. Bacon however was perfection. Man that lemonade. As I drank it I sat there going over a list of better lemonade experiences. Sadly I was thirsty and don't do soft drinks so just sucked it up. It got worse over time, watery, bitter... Eh. Not good at all. The fries. My friend loved them I am not a fan of stringy and they quickly tasted oily. I salted the ketchup to move past that... Overall an ok experience but can't compare to my usual Ruby Tuesday option.
(3)Jason Q.
My preferred place for a good burger. Something to know about me is that I love hamburgers. My death row meal is hamburger steak with gravy all over. With that said, I am extremely picky about my burgers. First, it has to be a fresh patty. Never frozen, never pressed. Second, the seasonings should be the basics....pepper and salt. If you want more flavors, than add toppings. I like the avocado burger. They give you a very big slice of avocado. I also have them stack 2 1/2 pound burgers. One 1/2 pound never seems like its enough for me. The only thing preventing me from giving them 5 stars is because of the French fries. This is personal preference. I prefer thick cut fries. These "shoe string" types never appeal to me. One thing I have always been curious about is the carrot as a side. Odd. Prices are reasonable. If you were to compare burger joints at this price, I would say it's a much better burger than The Counter or Teddy's.
(4)Chris C.
07/23/2015 I have decided to add an additional star to my review, taking it from three stars to four stars. Since my last review, we have visited this place a great number of times since it's conveniently located in the Ward area and is open on Sunday evenings. Nothing on the menu has changed. It is still extremely limited for someone who does not eat wheat/bread. However, the food is always fresh and yummy. I have taken to ordering the chicken salad with bacon instead of the burger with no bun. There is a generous portion of grilled real chicken breast, crispy bacon all broken up, and fresh veggies with a lot of alfalfa sprouts. The last thing took a bit of getting used to, but now I like them a lot. The counter-based service is always fast and efficient. Based on the feedback of others in my party (normally five of us) the other sandwiches are great. I decided against five stars because the food is not totally amazing, but it's a great value and definitely worth stopping by on a regular basis. 08/26/2014 You order at the counter and then seat yourself. The bacon avocado burger I ordered (no bun) was yummy! It included a huge slice of avocado - looked like an entire half a fruit. There was also a carrot stick and a pickle. The small side order of cole slaw was good. The shoestring french fries are weird and off-putting. The meal was a bit expensive for just a burger, but I was happy with my meal. The dining area was spacious, although somewhat loud. There was also an insect sighting on the floor - I know it's Hawaii and it can't be helped, but it still freaks me out. I don't have too many emotions about this place one way or another, but I would eat there again, since there are few decent choices in the Ward area.
(4)Adrienne B.
Do you want a burger, they have that. Want mahi? They have that too, oh and they have turkey and roast beef too. This place makes burgers, turkey burgers, etc. to order and you can add cheese, bacon, avocado, etc. to order. Delicious shoe string french fries, and they even have salads. Free refills on drinks as well, which here is a rarity. The line is a bit confusing, but eh. I'll be back.
(3)Miguel D.
Kinda disappointed, heard good things about this place but the burger wasn't really that good, and the French fries were scary . I ordered the bacon avocado burger and for starters the avocado was cut way too big, and made the whole burger just slide everywhere. Very messy. And flavor was nothing major. Ehhh
(2)Martin B.
It's a simple standard really: are the tables clean? In this instance no - not anymore. This place aspires to mediocrity and succeeds brilliantly. For a really good meal in that neighborhood, try the new Pa'ina location right around the corner.
(2)Lauren S.
Solid place to get a burger. We ended up sharing a order of shoe string fries and it was more than enough! I just went with a regular cheeseburger and it was big. I ended up pulling some veggies off just to be able to bite into the thing. I'd go back! The staff was very nice :)
(3)Tia S.
Burgers and sandwiches are always consistent. I recommend calling ahead to place your order. They get busy at lunch hour. Lots of seating in and outdoor. Parking available in Ward Center. Keiki burger is $4.40 and a good snack size for me. I'm here at least once a month. Good stuff!
(4)Jordan D.
I can't express how much I hate this place. Worst customer service ever. Thank god for yelp so I can take to the Internet and tell everyone how much this place sucks. Worst customer service ever- if you want the staff to blatantly make fun of you and insult you then go here!!! I heard them making fun of someone's name when I was waiting for my burger! Oh yeah and the burgers? They suck! So many better places to go in Hawaii. Don't waste your time or money on this place. What a joke.
(1)Van L.
The last time I ate here was over five years ago. It's been so long that I forgot why I didn't like this place so I tried it again last night. I got the half pound burger on wheat bun and my friend got a one-third pound burger. Our two patties looked identical in size when mine should have been 50% bigger. My wheat bun, was a sandwich bread that fell apart instantly. The burger was season with a lot of salt and the meat was dry and of poor quality (not like The Counter or Teddy's). Instead of a pickle, they give you a piece of carrot, lol. I think the only thing that was worth it was the avocado I added. Overall their topping selection is very limited to 4 or 5 things with 4 or 5 cheeses. You can't customize to your hearts' content and in the end you won't be satisfied one bit. I would rather have 9 more dollars and a McDonald's hamburger.
(1)Amy Y.
Its lunchtime! I have been hearing amazing things about here. My friend recommended this place. I ordered a grilled ahi sandwich which includes lettuce, tomatoes and a carrot stick. Oh yea, mayo too. But I asked for no mayo. The ahi was well cooked but there's no taste. I had to add tobasco sauce to it to get the taste. My friend had the turkey, bacon, and cheese(provolone) with mayo. The smoked turkey was pretty good. The lady who took our order didn't ask us what type of bread we want and just assumed everything. A not so good service.
(3)Meredith R.
Surprised at the flux of 3 stars here. I love Kua 'Aina. It's especially delicious after a plane ride to Oahu from over the ocean. Sometimes a burger is just what you need after a long flight and I think Kua 'Aina satisfies that to a T. Anyhow - the burgers are absolutely gigantic! And prepared with love. Come hungry, leave happy. I love to get the avocado burger; avocados in Hawaii are monstrous - so really - it looks like there's no meat when it arrives. I mean. DROOL. I really like the people who work here. They are very friendly and chill. They think it's funny when I order medium rare (those crazy foodie Californians). Mahalo Kua 'Aina for becoming a ritual in my arrival to the North Shore and Haliewa for years now.
(4)Dirty V.
I like their hot pastrami sandwich on rye bread, add Ortega chilis. 2 pickles and cole slaw on the side. I like it better than their burgers.
(4)Linda F.
The best burger on Oahu! Be sure to add avocado. The fries are amazing, too. Very casual and fun place.
(5)Brannon T.
In my opinion, the best burger in Hawaii! From the first time I've ever been there to now, I have never been disappointed. The burgers are super juicy! The fries are cut small so it comes with a lot. So I'd order the small portion. The people are really nice too. I live this place. It's a good first date place. Not too cheap not too expensive, add a walk on the beach...golden. This is a go to for sure
(5)Frankie R.
It has been a while since I last ate at this location. I am glad that they do byob which saved me $$$..I am glad this one takes debit and/or credit cards. So I will return to this location since the other location in haleiwa does not accept debit/credit cards. I am glad to return to the ward location because I was able to bring my own beverages and I do enjoy eating at this one and they do call you when your order is ready. What is good is that they also clean the trays and take it for you when you are done. I think that they do a good job keeping the restaurant clean and neat.
(5)Katherine N.
Avocado burger is better than average. The avocado goes really well with the burger but does not cancel out the overly salty patty. It was so salty that I tried taking smaller bites to try and work around the saltiness. Also, the patties had a very strong char taste to it even though it's cooked to medium. Shoe string fries are fun to pick at. Boyfriend loves Kua'aina so this rating is on his behalf.
(4)Chris J.
I would give 3.5 - based on quality vs price (a little high) Pretty decent burgers - I had the Avocado burger and it was good. But it is not the best burger I had in Hawaii (Teddy's was better - for example) The consensus of the group (there were 5 of us) was that they could have done small things to make the burgers more tasty / more flavorful.
(3)Aly M.
It has been awhile since coming here to eat and while 1 sandwich was good, the burger I had was over done. I was shocked to see an employee taking a shot while on the clock. What was even worse was overhearing an employee tell another that they "only had 4 shots so far." I'm hoping it was a shot of wheatgrass and not alcohol! Although, neither items are on the menu.
(3)Randall H.
The burgers just aren't that good period. The meat has ZERO taste of seasoning & the burgers basically are plain as could be. The kitchen workers eye you out while you order as if they're gonna spit on your food. The only good thing I give this place is the cashiers customer service.
(1)Grace L.
This review is purely for their avocado sandwiches and fries (the only thing I order there) and for the service of course! And the rating is more like a solid 3.5! Okay here we go.. THEIR AVOCADO SANDWICHES ARE SO YUMMY. Thin slices of onion, generous portions of lettuce and sprouts, and a giant slab of avocado that will make you forget there isn't meat on your sammie (for the record you can add meat to it if you want for you serious carnivores out there hehe) and no mayo makes for a guilt-free meal!!! (In my book the healthy sammie balances out the fries. But to be fair, in my book, cupcakes are zero calories because of the happiness it brings when you eat them so take that all with a grain of salt LOL) Speaking of which, I do have to salt and pepper the sandwich to suit my tastes which I find is true for their shoestring fries as well, which for me are a bit bland... but ketchup always saves the day here! And I love that they are so thin! It's great to grab food here after diving or before a movie (ok confession time: I sneak them in and munchmunchmunch during the movie but I do it quietly ok?? there I feel better haha) I've always gotten friendly and quick service here (I've started calling in my order 5 minutes before I get there) so I'll def be coming back often!
(3)Tab B.
I wasn't going to write a review but it's so sad how employees don't have manners. We asked if they could prepare the fries less dry and burnt, and the cashier said no problem but the cooks started smirking Then when they asked us if we wanted our burger cut in half and we said no, they rolled their eyes and smirked again. They are really disrespectful!!! Doesn't matter if the burgers are good, they won't see me in the again.
(1)Robert H.
Ate here many times. Burgers, Fish Sandwich, Veggie Burger, Salad...tried it all. It's about all you could want in a sandwich shop. Hard to get a table at lunch time.
(5)Ahjeck K.
I've eaten here at least twice during lunch before and I've been satisfied, but this time will be my last! Big tip to folks...don't come here after lunch hours or when they're not busy!!! Quality seems to go downhill. I don't know what happened to this joint but I came here for a quick bite at around 3pm on a Saturday afternoon. I got the mahi burger w/ a side order of fries and lemonade and here's why my experience sucked: Burger: Fish was cooked okay, not overdone or undercooked, but it had a strong-fish taste. Okay I'll let that pass since it's mahi. Toppings were okay...sauce, lettuce, tomato and onions decent. Now the kicker...the buns were cold (not room-temperature or warm) on the outside/top but semi-burnt on the inside...not a pleasant feeling biting into this. Fries: Terrible! I feel like I was eating stale fries leftover from lunch. Soggy, oily, and not at all appetizing. Not fresh at all! Lemonade: Tasted like soft drink quality but I'm not complaining...wasn't expecting fresh lemonade. Overall, after eating my meal, I felt like I could have had a better burger and fries at McDonalds. I did not even eat 1/2 of my fries and the burger, I forced myself to finish it because I paid $10 bucks for this (+$4 for fries/drink). Reflecting from my past experiences at this place and re-looking at people's Yelp review pictures, I wondered why such a big difference and then so I came to my own speculation that they must be serving stuff that they made during lunch. FYI I posted a picture of my stale fries.
(1)Cherilyn I.
One star for the pickle. Crunchy and salty! Yum! One star for the relatively fast service. Zero stars for the burnt (times 2) burgers, bland coleslaw, cheese and fries. Double zero for the price tag. There was a reason I avoided this place for over five years. Hopefully this review will remind me five years from now to spend my money elsewhere.
(2)Erin L.
The quality of this place has really gone downhill. I asked for my burger to be medium and it came back rare and mushy. When I showed it to the staff, I did not get a friendly response about fixing it. When I got my "fixed" burger back, it was barely cooked anymore than the first time; the bun was pink from the rare hamburger. I was starving when I got there, but lost my appetite after looking at their burger. I would pass on this place and go to another burger place.
(1)Sheryl L.
Great burgers that were well seasoned and cooked perfectly. The avocado, bacon and cheese sandwich, also delicious, was generous in size. Service was good and pretty quick. Parking in ward centre is convenient if you get lucky.
(4)Emily S.
This place is good, I've come here for a few weeks to grab a lunch of their turkey, bacon and cheese hot sandwich. What is intolerable, however, is the crowds. I don't know what kind of deal they have with the tour companies, but literally EVERY time I have been in here, a bus has disgorged twenty Japanese newlyweds on a package holiday, who take up every spot in the restaurant, and push back every other order when they order twenty teri burgers. While I understand tours probably bring in a ton of money, the crowds and lack of attention is sure to drive away repeat customers. All in all: decent food, lousy business practices.
(2)Alena B.
Two stars for effort. I ordered the bacon burger and I honestly feel like I could have made a better burger on my own. I've had better burgers at family barbecues where no one is really trying and you just throw all the ingredients together! Their menu clearly says that they cook all their burgers to a medium rare. My patty was so well done that it was dry and tough to chew. The bacon was also stale like they premake large batches and let it sit out till they need it. Seriously though, if you are gonna call it a bacon burger then there needs to be more than two freaking slices of it on there.
(2)Deonson L.
1. Nice cashier 2. Tasteless burger/fries 3. No combos!!! ...I'd like to apologize to Teddys BB for coming here.
(1)Haylee F.
Our office decided to order lunch from Kua 'Aina and it was tasty! I actually opted for the grilled chicken salad, with bacon and avocado (around $11), and it was pretty average. The chicken wasn't dried out so that was a plus, and they were very generous with the bacon and avocado. My cowos seemed to enjoy their miscellaneous choices, mostly sandwiches and a burger. I liked how you can customize your sandwiches and burgers so that's a huge draw for me. Next time, I must try the fries and onion rings!
(3)Tina S.
It's hard to believe that this place is so legendary. Perhaps with expansion, a place can easily lose their quality and the core essence of what made it great. The 1 star is for the burger, which was just OK. It had no taste to it, quite bland and dry. You can get a yummier burger at McDonald's or Burger King for half the cost. The fries were too stringy that it made it looked almost like hash browns. Towards the end, you felt like you were eating crumbs out of the bottom of a potato chip bag. Instead of a pickle, you'll get a carrot with your burger. That's a first and a weird attempt at trying to serve you a "healthier" burger?! Who knows. Very confusing! The lemonade wasn't good. It left an awful aftertaste. The service was fine, except for a cook in the back. He was popping food in his mouth, chewing up a storm, drinking soda and sucking on a lollipop all while he was cooking! He was in plain view where the customers could see him and likewise. It was not a comforting sight nor did it seem sanitary. Needless to say, this place doesn't deserve a return visit or recommendations due to the above points.
(1)Carl L.
Great tasting burgers, if your order is right. Get so frustrated cause they never forget to charge you to add avocado, but they most often forget to put it on the burger. Really annoying when you take out and get home and realize it's wrong. Other than their order accuracy the food is good, fast, and employees are friendly. Really like their thin and crispy fries.
(2)Angela R.
For awhile, I forgot about Hawaii's original burger joint. I sampled all the fancy kine places and the burgers were fun but not always consistent. One day, I remembered Kua Aina and decided to give it a go again. It's been years since I visited. I forgot why I stopped eating at Kua Aina. The burgers here are actually good. For few the times I've visited in the last decade or two the burgers have been consistently the same- juicy and meaty. Even the pickle and carrot has not changed! I can count on a good 1/2 pound avocado burger which will be exactly what I expect. Sometimes, a simple, predictable burger is all you need. Don't forget to get your shoe string fries here. They are crisp, skinny, and crunchy. I can never get enough. This place goes under the radar nowadays because of other fancy burger joints that have popped up but we all know this is the true OG burger joint of Hawaii!!
(4)Judi D.
We went to this restaurant based on a Yahoo list. We enjoyed the avocado burger. Based on some of the other reviews saying that the shop didn't have avocado, we called in advance. The burger is served medium and it is every bit medium to medium rare. The grilled onions were delicious. We felt it was a good value had decent flavor and enjoyed the visit. Would recommend to other yelp visitors.
(4)R M.
Minus a star because the short shoe-string style fries are on the bottom of my French fry preferences. My hot turkey sandwich with tomato, lettuce and onion was excellent. The onion was very sweet, the sandwiches are big and there were two large slices of onion, two smaller tomato slices and a large iceberg lettuce leaf. The hamburgers are large: or 1/2 lb. and well cooked. You can get good grilled ahi sandwiches here too.
(4)Waiza D.
I guess it depends where you go , because this location was terrible . The fries was bad! ! The burger was tasteless , would not recommend this place for anyone .
(1)Joanna Y.
Probably the juiciest, messiest burgers ever! I'm not craving burgers very often but Kua'aina exceeded my expectations, especially after I had a bad experience at the Counter. My bf and I came during lunch time on a Saturday, it was pretty busy inside but our orders came out promptly in about 5-10 minutes from ordering. Sure beats my sad experience with an almost an HOUR wait at the Counter!!! Burgers should not take that long to cook. Kua'aina is the spot for burgers! I had the avocado burger... And was very overwhelmed by 2 big chunks of avocado deliciousness on my burger. Two slices of tomatoes, white onion, lettuce and perfectly grilled hamburger. They warned me that they cook it medium, but I asked for medium rare (just my preference for beef, if I have an option lol). This burger was way too big to eat with two hands. But I had to forget trying to be neat and clean, and go cave man on this burger. The fries are the stringy kind. Not my favorite because I can't stand soft fries. Sorry! ;( but I will be back for burgers!! :)
(4)Jaymi G.
The ward center location has the WORSE & dirtiest kitchen workers ever!. They stare at you immediately as you walk in like weirdo creeps and they don't smile & give you the most uncomfortable feeling while you're trying to order. It makes me feel as they're going to spit in my food by the way that they look. The burgers have ZERO taste unless you add condiments yourself. Overall the food & hospitality just wasn't all there period. Jaymis, BF
(1)Jessica L.
Dudes, don't go here unless you like the following: 1. Burnt, dry, unsalted burgers with an unhealthy amount of charcoal taste for $10. 2. Dry, salty waitstaff. 3. Carrot sticks that make you feel guilty that you are eating a burger. 4. Flabby, burnt buns. 5. Sticky communal condiment bottles. 6. Massive amounts of touri who are duped into thinking that they are getting an authentic "local" burger. Totes gnarly, man. There's no aloha here.
(1)Dana B.
We had the avacado burgers. They were very tasty, but poorly executed. It was really hard to eat and everything just kepy falling out. I cant.complain about too much avacado because there is no such thing, but a better burger structure would be nice. Fries were just okay, I prefer steak fries to their thing shoe string type. They were also a little too greast with a puddle of oil in the bottom of the basket. But overall a good experience, good friendly service. Id go back.
(4)Lyndi D.
Delicious burgers that are always deliciously too big! I wish everything would stay put, but it requires a good bit of effort to keep all of the goodness between the buns. We've been there a few times and this was the first time that they weren't out of avocado, so I got the avocado burger. It was delicious. You get about half of an avocado. And it was just the right amount of ripe. Besides falling off of the burger the whole time it was great. The service was good even though they were packed. I love eating outside in the covered area. But I hate that there are very bold dirty pigeons everywhere. They have plenty of seating inside and outside.
(4)Luke G.
I love the burgers here because everything is fresh and well seasoned. However, today was a bit of a let down. They ran out avocado and bread. I think what was most frustrating were the employees who handled it was like this what we have here and now take it or leave it. They ran out of products so fast they were forced to close the store after my order was taken which was at 8pm when they normally close at 9pm. The customer service is usually really good. If you do get here earlier in the day I do recommend the 1/2lb avocado burger and the home-made fries are great too! They have locations through out the island. Hopefully your experience is better then mine!
(2)Terry K.
Yelp Challenge 365 # 15/365 I don't know...... with the choices of burger houses...... I don't know The burgers are okay. The fries are okay. The side cole slaw is pretty small. You have a choice of 2 sizes 1/2 and 1/3 pounders. Choice of cheeses and type of bread. I would make a phone order next time rather than to park 4 floors up in the deck and walk down to the restaurant. It's not the cheapest placed in town. The counter clerks are not the friendliest. They need customer service training. You know, its a toss up....50% okay, 50% Meh!
(3)Tyler H.
Came to this place with high hopes, but it wasn't all that I thought it would be. The roast beef sandwich was salty and the meat to bun/ veggie ratio was off. The fries were skinny and not that great. If you're looking for a good burger and sandwich place you're better off going to subway. Customer service :good.
(3)Anita C.
Came here a few times already and each time makes me want to go back less and less. This is a joint where you can basically customize your burger every which way possible with the different toppings, patty size, burger buns and what not. That's always a plus. They also have other things besides burgers on the menu, like chicken sandwiches and roast beef. I usually get the bacon cheeseburger with avocado. They are really generous with the avocado so that's always nice. However the burger meat is not the best quality, it is always so greasy and fatty. I got burned with the fat oozing out of it a couple of times. It's always a mess eating a burger here so it probably won't be a great first date kind of place. The french fries are thinly cut so I always feel like I'm eating more grease than potato. Afterwards I just feel like a huge grease ball with all the grease I had consumed. Not a good feeling to have, ever. So all in all, if you are hung over and/or stoned and need some grease, this is the place for you. Otherwise, I would go to Teddy's Bigger Burger or Honolulu Burger Co for some burgers bcs their burgers aren't as greasy and fatty and their fries are better. Oh and they also accept the iDcard for some extra discounts.
(2)Jojo S.
We've bn a huge fan of this company til today!!! Even our keikis love this place!!! The customer service was great!!! Then we got our fd....ahi was dark in color, it didn't even taste rt!!! NEVER before has this happened!!! We hv recommended this pl 2 our visiting mainland ohana....not anymore!!!! Dnt think we'll b cming bk!!!
(1)Jay P.
I never really attempted to come here because I always thought it was ghetto and I never really cared for food that drips as you eat. My friend somewhat forced me to come here because he was willing to buy me a burger for some company. A free burger in exchange for some QT? Why the hell not! The end result: the burgers are good (not amazing) and expensive (not cheap). That's the simplest way to describe Kua 'Aina. I opted for the Turkey & Oregano Burger and my friend ordered his own burger and a small order of fries. My burger was alright at best. I wasn't really wowed by anything and, again, I hate meals that drips oil and grease as you attempt to finish it. And the fries...how much skinnier can they get? I mean, I guess that's a great idea quantity-wise, but the quality wasn't there for me. It felt like I was eating something along the lines of a potato chip broken into several pieces. Nice crispy sensation though. I think I won't be coming here too often because, for the price, the burgers aren't just cutting it. Customer service seems great though. I didn't order myself, but when I heard my friend's order being called, the worker used his real first name and at least seemed extremely nice and friendly. We even got a "have a good night" from a different worker as we were leaving.
(3)Dan O.
Had a hankering for an upscale burger and fries. Tried their bacon burger and enjoyed it! Paid close to $20 for the privilege, so I will not visit Kua'Aina often.
(3)Nikki N.
It's nice to see a long line, one cashier taking orders while the other two were talking story. The half pound bacon burger is decent and messy but good to share. The fries are nothing but deep fried potato shavings. Not the cleanest restaurant and they can pay better attention to detail by sweeping the floors, wiping the tables, and refilling the condiments.
(3)Kim M.
Kua 'Aina is convenient for people in the Honolulu area looking for a decent burger and fries. The Kua 'Aina menu is pretty basic, but there are a bunch of add-ons / burger toppings that may be added (at an additional cost) to personalize your burger. Bacon, avocado, grilled pineapple, marinated peppers, ortega fire-roasted chili, and cheese may be added on for an additional $.50 - $1.00 more, each. Size options: 1/3lb or 1/2lb There's about a $.40 difference, so I'd just go with the bigger and better 1/2lb. I personally like the Bacon Cheese Burger with added avocado; the bf likes the Ortega Burger (with fire-roasted Ortega peppers). I have yet to try the Ortega peppers, but I hear great things about 'em on the burger. I'll add on some Ortegas the next time. FYI - All burgers are grilled to MEDIUM. Burgers are served up on a golden burger bun with tomato, lettuce, mayo, and grilled onions, unless otherwise specified. (More often than not, I like my burgers medium rare.) Also, with each drink purchase, you're allowed one complimentary refill. Woohoo! Indoor and outdoor seating are available. I like sitting inside to avoid pesky birds and ungodly winds... And each table is fully equipped with a paper towel roll, two kinds of Tabasco sauce, ketchup, and mustard. I love that Jalapeño Tabasco. It's sadly very mild; however, the flavor and tang are both phenomenal. I drench my burger in that stuff! Overall, not my first pick for a burger. Don't get me wrong, the burgers are good... I've just had better elsewhere. But one thing I really like here is the fries! Hah. I will eat a whole basket or more by myself!! Yelp 365 - #330/365
(3)Joshua B.
I first came across Kua'Aina in Santa Monica, California back in 2004. Later, when I stumbled across one in Shibuya, Japan in 2006, I created a game to eat at every location they had. Well, they have expanded since then, but I'm still up for the challenge! On my recent trip to Honolulu I had to seek out the legendary burger joint, and let me tell you, this place still has it. The burgers are exactly what a burger should be: thick, juicy, messy, covered in piles of ingredients, and planted on a giant bun. The taste of the meat is good, the portions are gigantic, and everything is just as it should be. The atmosphere is very laid back. My girlfriend and I walked in soaking wet, after a day of swimming at Point Panic Beach, and no one blinked an eye. The service is good, and they really go out of their way to make the customers feel important. The price is a bit up there, but you are in Hawaii. Everything costs extra in Hawaii, especially good food. And that sums up what Kua'Aina is all about, good burgers.
(4)Lisa Q.
The last review was supposed to be for Kakako kitchen. This place is ok and the staff of very helpful.
(3)Michelle Q.
The burgers here are okay. They are not the best that I've had. I got the bacon burger and i felt like it was dry. The French fries are shoestring style so they were thin. I wish it was more thicker. They cater more to the tourists so its understandable that it's not the best quality. The service was good though. The cashiers were really friendly. If I had a choice, I wouldn't come back here again.
(2)Sarah C.
It's my second time at a Kua 'Aina burger. I wouldn't say this is hands down one of the best burger places I've ever been to, but I will say that their burgers are pretty good. I like that they give you the option on how cooked you would prefer the patty, and I like that they list the prices of additional condiments. Once I got my burger and took a bite, I was pretty impressed how juicy the burger was. I got the ortega burger. I did sense that something was missing. Like I said earlier, there are additional condiments that you can add on to the burger. Cheese was one of those condiments, but I didn't realize till it was too late. I think it would of been nice if the cashier would up-sale or even remind customers like myself if i would like to add any additional condiments (just a personal preference). I like the burgers, and I definitely will be back for something new.
(4)Courtney B.
This place has great burgers and sandwiches! I love going here. The staff is pretty friendly and they are very quick with getting orders out. My favorite thing to order is the tuna and avocado sandwich. Sooo good!
(4)Nat N.
Ok, I will admit that I don't think they serve up the best burger in town. Competition has increased over the years with places like Teddy's Bigger Burgers, Honolulu Burger Co., The Counter, and now the Ultimate Burger (Honolulu Farmers Market Wednesdays only). But, they are one of the original burger joints on the island and will always hold a special place in my heart! All of their burgers are excellent choices! You must order their shoestring fries - they're delish. The prices have increased over the years, but who hasn't increased their prices? You'll spend more than say McD's or BK, but you'll also get a way better burger and fries.
(4)Michael C.
This was my first visit to this location in a while, and I'm happy to say I wasn't disappointed! I went with a friend for lunch and thankfully it wasn't too crowded when we arrived at 1130. If you've never been here before, they do have sandwiches and salads on the menu besides burgers. My friend and I are starving at this point so we both decide to order burgers. She decides on a 1/2 lb plain cheeseburger no toppings with American cheese cooked well done, while I order a 1/3 lb bacon cheeseburger with cheddar cheese cooked medium. We also shared a basket of french fries. NOTE: All burgers are cooked medium unless asked otherwise, and come with toppings of mayo, lettuce, and tomato. Also, you're allowed one complimentary drink refill. There's also indoor and outdoor seating available. I have to say that one of the best things about this location is that they have a healthy supply of condiments and napkins at each table. This was definitely a plus for me as I love ketchup and I do like to have ample napkins available, especially if I'm eating with my hands. The food is finally ready and we dig in. Basically for the first few minutes after receiving our food we really didn't have any words to exchange as we were in the process of enjoying our mouth-watering burgers and fries. No complaints or concerns about the food or the way the burgers were cooked. And in the blink of an eye, we finish our burgers and leave very satisfied customers with plans to return again in the future. TIP: They now accept credit cards!!!
(5)Christa B.
It's not the best burger in Hawaii as they say in their ads. The burgers are huge, but like so many other things, bigger isn't necessarily better in this case. The bread isn't soft enough to soak up the juices from the beef or is it that the burger isn't juicy enough? Its way too pricey for a burger of this low caliber. The fries are good, if you like soggy and greasy, which I do, but what's up with that carrot? Really, with a fattening burger and fries? How bout a side of carrot cake, ha ha! The place is okay, but for the money, I won't be back. If I want to spend $8 on a good burger, I'll venture over to the Counter in Kahala. Although, someone's posting of a picture of the BLT sure did look darn good.....
(3)Katharine B.
This place is really good!! Hot fresh and made to order. Sandwich are large enough to split, and the shoe string fries are hard to not inhale. I came at lunch. Place is busy, but not too long to wait for food to be cooked fresh. I got the BLT +Avocado, bacon was crispy, and thick. Avocado was piled on. It was so good, I will definitely come back. Very filling!!!
(5)Blake H.
I never wright reviews on Yelp but I eat a lot of burgers. This place has the best burgers hands down on the island!
(5)Jessy P.
Delicious!!! Eat Here!!! That is All!!! okay...should be more specific: Lots of options to choose from, and they will cook your patty the way you want. the fries were oh so yummy! When I go back I'm getting even more fries! This is a very strong equal to our Epic Burger in Chicago, but with way better fries! I have been craving this place ever since I came home...another nummy spot for my list when I move to Oahu in the new year!
(5)Elppa J.
Not the best burger joint in town, I've had better. The good: - Cashiers were good at keeping the line down, and quickly took down orders. - Ordered a Bacon burger with side of fries. Wait time was just right; not too long, yet not too short. - Burger was too big for my mouth (as usual) but it was tasty along with the bun, bacon was crunchy, and my veggies made a perfect combo. Overall, impressive burger. - $2.50 for a basket of fries. Overpriced, however, generous portion to a point where I couldn't finish it. The bad: - Dress code is probably casual wear for the front-end workers, but would appreciate it so customers can tell who works there. All I can say is that it is TOO casual. Tone down the makeup, and put some appropriate work clothes on. While waiting for our order, this gal comes from out of nowhere, randomly slapping down a bottle of ketchup on our table, and walked away. We didn't realize she was a worker; couldn't tell by the clothes she was wearing...I thought she was stealing our ketchup or something. - I thought the whole "because you're dining in, order first and pay when you pick up your food" thing was weird. Why can't I pay for my food after I've ordered it? It'd be grand if I could have my receipt. In conclusion, great burgers, but not exactly blown away. Customer service is a miss. Would recommend taking out instead.
(2)Annie W.
I'm obsessed with their salads. The ingredients mesh so well I keep coming back for more. As a matter of fact, I have yet to try their burgers. It's not fancy at all, but the lettuce is crisp, has both julienned and stick carrots, thinly sliced red onions, 2 large peppercini, purple cabbage, baby alfalfa sprouts. The appetizing colors and mound of salad they serve is reasonable priced under $6. This is one of my favorite places to go to satisfy my cravings for greenery. You can also have chicken, fish or turkey meat added to your salad too.
(4)Marcia L.
Sometimes a good burger just hits the spot. I typically get a mushroom burger, but one time I got the mahimahi (don't get it !) stick to beef here....you won't regret it!
(4)GLENN F.
This morning I had the Hot Pastrami sandwich. Terrible. Dry. Hard. It looked as if I had strips of bacon on my burger. Even Subway makes a way better pastrami sandwich than here.
(1)Cynthia Y.
Fast food joint. Friendly people. I got an avocado sandwich, it was huge and had very fresh ingredients and tasty. Also tried some of the ahi, it was good. Plenty of seating inside and out. Nothing spectacular about this place, I wouldn't have came here if it were not closeby the tattoo parlor I was going to.
(3)Rich Y.
The burger is humongous! A bit pricey but not a bad overall burger. Be prepared to pay extra for all the sides. I ordered the bacon cheeseburger and it was pretty good. This is a burger you won't be able to fit into your mouth. I suggest using a fork and knife. A bit sloppy to eat and the taste is about average. I have had much better burgers though. I wish they had a Five Guys here!!
(3)Eric M.
Given that Kua 'Aina has won awards for their hamburgers, it might seem weird that both the Mrs. and I ordered sandwiches instead. But it was a good thing we did. After looking over the menu, I asked if the turkey sandwich was made with "real" turkey as opposed to the deli stuff. I was assured the turkey was roasted turkey breast, not some processed roll. I ordered the sandwich hot but unlike other places that smother hot turkey sandwiches with gravy, this one is "hot" because the bun and turkey were grilled. A huge leaf of green lettuce, two fresh tomato slices, some mayo, and a carrot stick on the side finished the $7 sandwich. It was very good. The grilling added a nice touch to the roasted turkey flavor. It was a bit dry but the mayo (that I usually decline) helped to make up for it. My wife liked the hot roast beef sandwich on nine grain bread she ordered. I thought there should have been more roast beef but perhaps that is because I added American cheese and a grilled onion slice to her sandwich. Going to Kua Aina isn't complete if you don't order some of their shoestring fries. I ordered the large basket for us to share but even then, the Mrs. liked them so much she ate most of them (and probably could have kept going).
(4)Al B.
I've been a fan of Kua'Aina's burgers ever since I first tried them in... Tokyo of all places. They had a location in Los Angeles but that closed years ago.. I had been to their location in Haleiwa to the north, but this location was also very good. As always, I ordered the 1/2 lb cheeseburger with some shoestring fries. I've never been a huge fan of the fries, but that's just my taste. I tend to prefer a bigger fry like at Johnny Rocket's or the fat fries at Fatburger. The meat in Kua'Aina's burgers is very good and they've somehow never overcooked my burgers, which is really saying something. The meat is seasoned just enough without overpowering the natural flavor of the beef. Together with a toasted kaiser bun and fresh veggies.. mmm... I am definitely a fan. I am so much a fan that every time I go I think about buying one of their t-shirts. Definitely give this place a try if you love burgers. Photo of our meal yelp.com/biz_photos/4cY4… My 1/2 lb Kua'Aina cheeseburger yelp.com/biz_photos/4cY4… Parking is pretty easy because there is a free parking structure across the street. The restaurant takes credit cards.
(5)Nick M.
NOM NOM NOM! I love hamburgers, and to be fair, I feel like this place could be a solid 3.5 (but I haven't been here quite enough to have a burger on a bad day yet). I will say the burgers are delicious, reasonably priced, and available with enough personalization that I don't need to shell out an extra $5 at The Counter to get what I want. I don't typically like fries with potato skin, but this place gets away with it. Perhaps because they're thin-cut and crispy. Nom.
(3)Sheryl G.
what: a unique sandwich and burger grill! something good: kua aina has the best sandwiches! and they are so huuuuge! they have tons of combinations and so far everything i've tried has been really good! the burgers and sandwiches are huge so they can get messy, but that's part of the fun!! (oh and don't forget to add bacon to your sandwich/burger, yummmmmmy!) something not so good: i wish their french fries were as big as their sandwiches ; ) !! something to try: BLT with avocado and pepper jack cheese!
(4)Juliene C.
I missed In & Out & Red Robin so much that i was dying for a burger. I went on Yelp & found this place. First things first, i don't like how everything is separate. Like you have to pay extra for cheese & grilled onions. I also didn't like how there are no combos like many places offer! I ordered: -avocado burger: they put an entire avocado in it. Although i appreciate the fact that they actually cooked my burger medium are, i was so disappointed that it was so bland & dry! The burger is huge & looks sooo good, but once you take a bite it's over! -fries: soggy & tasteless. It has a weird texture. I would still try them out a second time. If i still feel the same, then i will never come here again!
(3)Kyle H.
I love Kua'Aina! Been eating their burgers since I was a kid when my grandparents and I would stop by going to or coming home from the beach for a quick, but excellent lunch or dinner! Now you can imagine my delight when they finally opened a second location in town so that I didn't have to trek all the way to Haleiwa for a great burger! So what does one eat at Kua'Aina? I ALWAYS get a standard 1/3lbs cheeseburger with American Cheese, lettuce, & tomato. No grilled onion for me! It's too thick and creates BAD structural integrity issues! I also normally get a side of their great shoestring fries, though even a small is large enough for my fiancee and I to split and still not be able to finish. While excellent, the fries could use a bit of salt and always come unsalted. Speaking of my fiancee, I think she may have had a burger here only once... She swears by the BLT on whole wheat with avocado. The BLT here is GREAT, but I can never turn down a burger when I come here. Service her can be hit or miss and wait times can also be quite long... but that's just the price you pay for burger greatness! They have cut back over the years, though, as you used to get a pickle and a carrot stick with your burger, but then the pickle became an extra charge and now the carrot stick has been eliminated. These are cutbacks I can live with, though... just don't mess with my burger! One happy change is that they now accept CREDIT CARDS!!
(4)Eric Robert R.
Good burgers and fries, but absolutely horrible and confusing service! What line do I stand in? Oh, that other guy walked in way after everyone else and he gets served first? WTF? Wrote to owner about this... he responded, and even offered comp meals, etc., but I was too annoyed to respond back. Still better than a one star.. mainly due to decent burgers! Update: Overall it's a good location at Ward, but with so much burger competition out there - it's really difficult to return here, unless of course, you just so happen to be in the area and absolutely jonesing for a burger! The location keeps this one afloat! I'm sure the one that opened in Japan is much more fluid. I don't hate this place. Just not a dumbo and I notice little things that can be improved. The lemonade is the one thing that's absolutely bomb tho! Keep the lemonade! Enough said...
(2)Pam M.
da bes!
(4)Jeremy K.
Great food BUT, they will Nickel and dime you to death. Over the years they've decided Teri chicken sandwiches shouldn't come with any sauce whatsoever on it. Then they're usually out of the sauce they would have sold you. Expect to get hooked on the fries and be progressively more disappointed with the diminishing value on return visits.
(2)Rod U.
Why do I keep hearing the lyrics to Joni Mitchell's "Big Yellow Taxi" when I think about Kua'aina? Its great to see a Hawaii restaurant make good in Japan but wow, has it strayed from its roots leaving nothing that once made it special. Gone is the homey ambiance and friendly local service. Gone are the uber fresh toppings hurriedly slapped on a ripping hot, greasy but juicy burger that literally soaked through the bun before you could sit down and eat it. Now, a lonely leaf of iceberg lettuce, slice of half ripe tomato, dry buns/bread and an OK but not heavenly burger is the norm. All is not lost though, Kua'aina is the absolute best at cooking burgers to temp and they are consistent.. Additionally, the avocado burger is delicious. Win! Somewhat recommended for now but; "don't it always seem to go, that you don't know what you got till its gone..."
(3)Johnny Z.
Good burgers, Great FRIES! So far I've had the pineapple and teriyaki burgers. Both were really juicy! The fries remind me of In-N-Out. The best part was b.y.o.b. Note: out of avocados last time
(4)A P.
The cheeseburger was fine, nothing great. I like Teddy's Bigger Burgers and the burgers from Umekes way better. The French fries were not good, I ate a couple and threw the rest away. Maybe I just don't like shoestring fries. The burger was just kind of bland. The workers were nice. It was crowded but didn't take to long to order or get your food. Seating was a little crowded but I was able to get a table when my food came up
(2)Deanna P.
I love the burgers here, especially the one with avocado on it. The fries are HUGE but I can always finish because they are really good.
(5)Melody C.
Tried to place a phone order, was put on hold and waited for 13 minutes. Hung up called again and was sternely told they they're too busy to take any phone order. Well Thanks. I get you're busy but you don't have to get mad at me....you could have also told me that before I got put on hold for 13 minutes. Taking my money elsewhere.
(1)Jennifer K.
Fellow yelper, Jen N dragged me here with her today (technically yesterday now :P) due to her sudden craving for a good burger. This was my first trip to Kua'Aina. I've heard a lot about them before but I'm not a super fan of burgers so I've never really made much of an effort to check them out. However I'm glad I got the chance to today. I tried a 1/3 lb avocado burger and although I was able to finish it, I couldn't eat anything for the rest of the day. I felt that full. If I have the opportunity to go back, I'm gonna try see if I can get a kiddie burger :P. If you decide to get a burger here, be prepared to get messy..especially if you opt for avocado. The avocado had a tendency to slip out of my burger and I had to constantly shove it back in. I shared a large order of fries with Jen N and we couldn't finish it. So, unless you decide to go with a group of people or can eat alot, I advise you to get a small order.The large is truly too much. Besides, you shouldn't be eating so much greasy food :P I would have given them 5 stars but like I said, even though my avocado burger was yummy, I'm really not much of a burger person and I feel like it was too pricey for what it's worth.
(4)Jared W.
I ate here many times before and I tend to come with a friend so I can split a pineapple burger and a roast beef, Ortega and cheese sandwich! This combo is a great mix! What's so good?! The burgers and sandwiches are tasty and filling! The 1/2 pound is the perfect size when I am hungry! Pineapple burger: I have to say that my reaction the first time I ate burger was surprising. The sweetness from the pineapple mixes well with this burger! Definitely my favorite! The Roast beef, Ortega and Cheese sandwich: what a great sandwich! With Monterey Jack cheese! French Fries: the fries are not the regular fries you see from Mcdonald's! It's those real skinny fries! Tasty! Order these fries, and get some ketchup and mustard and mix it together! The bad???! Not really anything that bad except it can be pricey for a burger! About $10.
(4)Jon A.
It's been a while since I've been to Kua'aina and I now know why I don't go there often anymore. The burger was well done far beyond their standard "medium", the toppings were fine but it's hard to mess up bacon, cheese and onions. But the reason this review is one star is the french fries. Arguably the best thing on their menu these fries were not even close to the standard I remember. They were barely fried in the first place and had obviously been sitting under the heating lamp for a while. One star for sure.
(1)Mandy C.
After many visits here, I can officially say I'm a fan! It was a struggle since I wasn't sure if the pricing matched the quality of the burger. I have had fancier burgers for $8+ which were sometimes tastier. But, this place sure beats any fast food chain burger, esp. if you're craving a meaty meal. I can't think of another burger joint I would go to, there aren't too many on Oahu. I'm not a big burger eater so I order the kiddie size and it's perfect for me. The burgers are done medium and still very juicy. OH, my favorite besides a burger, the avocado BLT. You will love it! The fries are shoestring type, it's a big greasy and chewy but this may appease some. The fixings can make your burger even pricier. When they ask if you want grilled onions, I think they charge a bit extra when you say yes. And honestly, I have tried the North Shore location...I can't taste the difference. Perhaps the atmosphere of being up on the North Shore and chowing down on a burger after suntanning and swimming sure makes a burger 10x tastier.
(4)amber r.
I know their burgers are really really good (why would I order anything else) but trust me the AHI SALAD IS SO BOMB!!
(5)Mary Q.
I'm not a big beef eater, but I do have my Kua 'Aina burger cravings. Their burgers are huge and super filling. I like their Bacon Avocado Burger, and they have good fries. Prices are reasonable, free parking, and easy accessible in the Ward Center area. My only complaint is the meat portion is big, as well as the toppings, that the bun itself, doesn't hold up to the rest of the burger. Good, but I've had better...
(3)Tony J.
A really, really, REALLY, average sub-par bacon cheeseburger. Not something I ever come to expect when ordering that particular sandwich and especially when it comes with a 10 dollar price tag. It's generally a safe bet sandwich, especially if you're trying a place for the first time; which twas the case for me here. Their choice of hamburger bun was your typical white flour assortment but for some reason theirs was just blah. It was slightly below plain, which borders on not good. The onions were only moderately grilled, which essentially removes the magic of raw onion and just teases upon the deliciousness that is caramelized onion, making it more distracting as opposed to enhancing the sandwich. The hamburger patty pulled off this incredible feat by revealing itself as having a slightly pink and deceptively juicy appearance on the inside, yet most of it tasted dry and overcooked as I made my way through it. Can you say parlor trick? Finally, the bacon was waaaay too salty. So much so that I couldn't even taste the bacon. Devastating! I still want to come back and give the mahi mahi and ahi sandwiches a shot. As for burgers? I'm still looking for da best on da island!!
(2)Monica A.
We were starving so we scarfed down some burgers here. I always get the pineapple burger but it wasn't as juicy and sweet like it used to be. Still a decent burger. Awesome shoe string fries. Yummy!
(4)Lorraine S.
Sweet, cheerful staff. Great mahi-mahi burgers and I am very picky about fish. Nice & close. What's not to like? I am a regular here, and they are always nice and kind, efficient. I love the skinny french fries; you can kid yourself they're not that fattening. Plus, you have to love a place that serves carrots on the side! A chance to 'healthy up' fast food
(5)Kara H.
It's no Teddy's, and it's definitely not Honolulu Burger Company, but if you're in the area, and you're craving a burger, it will do. You can choose 1/3 or 1/2 lb. burgers, extras like avocado, bacon, and a variety of cheeses. All burgers come with lettuce, tomato, grilled onions, mayo, and a carrot slice on the side. I have the 1/3 lb. Avocado Burger with Cheddar on a Kaiser Roll. Skip the fries, they're nothing special. In fact, they were kinda yucky. Sliced too thin, overcooked, and tasteless. They also have sandwiches, but you came for a burger!
(4)Grant S.
I remember the mahi sandwich being really really good last time I ate at Kua'aina in 2005 after high school. Fast forward five years and I find myself at Kua'aina after work in hopes of re-living the "first time". The worker at the register was quite friendly and so were the cooks in the kitchen. Appreciate that, I really do. I order a mahi sandwich with fries and a lemonade. Standard stuff right. The mahi sandwich comes out and size wise it was mediocre. The mahi piece was ok, the tomatoes were good and fresh however the bun tasted like it was from the week before. Holy cow this bun was stale, really really stale. We are talking, bottom of the barrel, been sitting waiting to be picked to be served for weeks. Ugh that bun was not good at all. Pass.
(2)Aaron K.
Food: 3/5 Price: 3/5 Service: 4/5 Organization: 5/5 Layout: 5/5 Atmosphere: 4/5 Date of visit: June 15, 2011 and many others previously. Kua'Aina's has been a particular favorite burger joint to visit during high school, when I came back during winter and summer breaks, and even now that I finally moved back to the 808. The quality and the pricing don't seem to really match to a certain degree. Ordered a 1/2 lb Bacon Burger ($8.90) with the works of tomatoes, grilled onions, lettuce, mayo and a carrot stick. A slice of cheese is $0.50 so I ordered provolone (decided it was a nice day to pig out a bit and to this day I still have no idea the proper pronunciation of the word provolone. Haha). Also ordered large fries ($3.50). They were more diced and for a burger joint, I really think that the steak fries go better with a burger. Friend ordered the same but with American cheese and a medium Coca Cola ($1.80). The burger was juicy and nothing was overcooked. Still, for a burger that doesn't include cheese right off the bat or fries, I think that $8.90 is a bit pricey for a burger. The size of it does make up for it a little but still does not match the pricing. As for the flavor, the burger is juicy but I think there could be some better use of spices to further bring out some pizzazz in it. I mean, without the garnishes, mayo, and ketchup, I don't think much has been put into the quality of the burger itself. I inhaled it due to hunger but not before adding on a lot of ketchup to bring out more flavor in it. Ketchup solves everything! Haha. Still a decent place to grab a decent bite. The service was also good and fast. Not personable but they got the job done and with a smile. For a restaurant that is normally packed for lunch and dinner, speed is a key element. So the organized way they pump out the orders is amazing. The new layout is nice and clean. Great place to eat. The atmosphere is okay though you can barely hear the local music playing in the background. My friend started playing music from her phone and that really put me in the mood for eating. Overall, I still love going here. I just wish the pricing would go down a bit since I'm not paying for table service or a complete meal to go along with it. I would highly recommend people going to visit just because the burgers are good and it's a local favorite that has been around for years!
(3)Terinna R.
Came here on a weekday during lunch time with one of my girlfriends. It's a great place to have a casual lunch date to catch up. The noise level inside and outside is definitely on the higher side, but that just adds to their burger joint ambiance. The service was alright, nothing outstanding or extremely friendly. Our cashier seemed to be running impatient with me, which honestly she can't blame me. Their menu options are huge.. and when I asked for a recommendation she lacked knowledge... so what did you expect? The size of the burger was decent for its price. But no sides, so fries were an ala carte. And they ran out of avocados =( But I replaced it with pineapples. So I guess it was alright. The burger patty was grilled to a tasty hot reddish pink center, vegetables were fresh. But for the price, I think I was just expecting friendlier service. Teddy's Bigger Burgers definitely has friendlier cashiers that know their menus.. so over all I wasn't impressed. Good but definitely not somewhere I'd drive out of my way again to go to.
(3)Ksenia A.
The most delicious sandwich I've ever had. Seriously. This place was recommended to us by a local, otherwise we'd never stopped by. They have an amazing selection of sandwiches and burgers (good veggie options, too!). I had a mahi mahi sandwich on multi-grain bread with added avocado and grilled pineapple. The fish was incredibly fresh, so were the veggies and the bread. Super affordable, too. You can't go wrong with this place!
(5)Tiffany H.
Kua'aina is one of my favorite places to stop while on the North shore side. They have a wide variety of burgers and other sandwiches to choose from. I'm not really a "hamburger person", so I usually get the Mahi, Ortega & Cheese burger. The mahi they use is always so soft and cooked to perfection, and the ortega pepper goes so well with the cheese. Yes, they are a bit pricey. But if you take one look at any of their sandwiches, you'll see why--they're HUGE. Their fries are like, polar opposites though. Whenever I see them, I think about those Pik-Nik shoestring potato chips that come in a can with a red cap. Nonetheless, they taste amazing. I wouldn't mind having the option of a more "conventional" fry though. At the north shore location, it's usually packed with people so you should grab a table as soon as you see one. They even let you bring your dog along (and sit outside of course), which is really nice. Orders do take a while sometimes, especially when it's busy but that's totally understandable. The service is usually great--I haven't encountered any problems here so far. Good job!
(4)Yuko A.
I was craving burgers and was going to see Moneyball with my friend so we decided to go to Kua 'Aina for dinner. I ordered the bacon cheeseburger cooked medium rare with a side order of fries. Overall the burger was good, 2 big slices of bacon, lettuce, tomatoes, and cheese. The only con was that since I had my burger cooked medium rare it was a little soft......(don't worry, I didn't get sick) making it a little weird to eat. The burger itself wasn't too oily either so I didn't feel super-full after eating it. The fries were okay. A bit on the oily side but the small order were a pretty good value for what you paid..... The burgers run from $8-9 with additional toppings costing 50 cents.
(4)Lofa L.
I'm addicted to the grilled peppers and eggplant sandwiches. My lady loves the fries. Lunch here was dope. Yeah its prices aren't that great, but the food was excellent. I gotta earn more money so I can come here more often. And the fries are great with the tabasco jalapeno mild sauce. I don't even like hot sauce that much. I made myself hungry already. Grab a seat and get some grub. fries!
(4)Jenny S.
Kua'Aina always gives HUGE portions and delicious fries!! I got a 1/3lb avocado burger and could barely finishes the whole thing by myself! If you're planning to come here I highly recommend getting a 1/2lb burger and splitting it between two and getting the sweet potato fries!! The Fries are a MUST!! The avocado burger i got was juicy and tasty, but a bit messy to eat! Then again, the messiness made the burger taste that much more good. If you're craving a burger that fills you up AND thats tasty I saw Kua'Aina is the place to go. The one reason this place didn't get 5 stars is because although this place is good they don't get the meat done exactly the way i wanted. I asked for medium well but my meat was a bit pink and not fully cooked through as i expected. But other than that, it was a good experience!!
(4)Jenn T.
I like this burger joint simply because after coming here a couple times, you can count on the consistency of this place to get your burger fix. I love that I can order the same sandwich or burger and get the same great quality meal that I came in expecting. I definitely love the cheeseburger here as well as the various sandwiches with avocado. The french fries here are yummy! They are crispy, crunchy, and full of flavor! However, I do think that the food here is a little over priced. It's like 8 bucks for a 1/3lb burger and its not super spectacular! The seating here is pretty clean, well kept and usually there is a table open. They also have seating outside, but there are a lot of birds out there (I really hate birds!), so I usually sit inside. All the tables are equipped with napkins and condiments, so its really convenient. My order usually come out in a timely manner, so its a nice place to grab a quick bite to eat during my lunch hour. Parking is in the ward center structure or across the street in the parking lot that is directly across from the theaters. Between those 2, there is usually a lot of parking.
(3)Esther Y.
I love the avocado burger here. I came to this Kua'Aina first before the one in Haleiwa, so I was definitely going to give 5 stars here first...but then I had the one in Haleiwa and it was even better. So comparatively, since they're the same exact shop, I have to dock one star here, since I can't give 6 stars to the other one! ;) Not a big fan of the little shoestring fries...I feel like it's too hard to enjoy when they're so tiny, and grabbing a bunch at a time makes me feel like a fatty. Which is probably true, I just don't want to admit it. ;) But anyways...avocado burger, yes. =)
(4)Ahmet G.
The BEST BURGER IN HAWAII hands down! Teddy's who? Why do you think the President dines here everytime he comes to Hawaii lol. The bacon burger is great - juicy, tasty and overall amazing. The fries could be better but the burger can't be beat. Kuaaina will always be the best burger in Hawaii!!!
(5)Grace O.
There's nothing really special about their burgers. There's no zest in the sauce--I had to put loads of ketchup and Tabasco on my ortega burger to get some flavor. It would be fine if that patties were flavorful, seasoned and game-y, but it wasn't. It was an adequate burger, cooked at medium rare just as I asked, but that's about it. I will never crave this burger, when there are other places like Teddy's...hell I make a DAMN good burger at home :) The fries were pretty good though--crunchy and thin-cut. Nothing bad, but nothing great. A bit on the pricey side too.
(2)Mary D.
Had the avocado burger. Big juicy burger that was extremely messy to eat. I needed a bib. Tasty food there. Long lines. Worth the wait. Will eat there again if I'm in the area. I liked it better than the north shore kua aina.
(3)Gannon C.
Ahh Kua'aina. I gave you three chances to impress me. You always seem to disappoint. All I ever wanted was a tasty plain burger that actually has taste! Maybe it's me. I'm old fashion kinda guy. I like my burgers to be seasoned well without any sauces besides mayo and ketchup. I could only scarf down your unseasoned ground beef with the help of Tabasco. *ALOT OF TABASCO* At least your burgers taste better than your fries. Fried grease spuds the size of toenail clippings. WHY U NO CUT FATTER FRIES!? Lemonade is $.50 cents more? Sure! Lemonade sounds like it would totally soothe my throat from your grease trap fries. NOPE. You might as well just sell me a lemon. NO SUGAR IN SIGHT. Besides the service being meh and getting my name totally wrong. *They called me "Danny" * LOL I can at least say something positive. Their veggies are fresh. and.......pretty much it. Kua'aina. I want to love you, but can't. We are so much different. I want a true tasty burger. You want to be an expensive tourist trap. It's not you, it's me.
(2)Steven K.
Seems like the staff needs more training, but they were very friendly and the burger was amazing...
(4)Tammy T.
It seems like a lot for just a burger; fries sold separately. Patties come in 1/3 & 1/2 lb. I believe I saw somewhere BYOB on their menu. I am pretty sure?!? They have a kid's burger. The lady at the counter told me the patty was the size of the McDonald's one; thin. And that it was more bread then meat. I took her word. I'm not a fan of shrivelly fries. They look super thin, skinner then shoe string fries, or whatever you call them. They look more like a garnish, rather then fries. I did enjoy the Grilled Eggplant & Pepper burger. I think the flavor was in the green pepper only. It's a slippery burger due to the wet ingredients. So watch out. I believe that burgers & fries go together, like jack & coke, or beer & salty pupus. So because I don't care for their fries, to me it's just a burger...Sigh. Which is why I can't be a fan.
(3)Ax C.
Small 30 seat interior was at headache-level noisy during lunch. Outside along the parking lot entrance was actually more pleasant. If you are debating a trip to Haleiwa to the "original" bear in mind that this is almost exactly the same. Same cafeteria style ordering, decor, noise, and slightly $$$ burgers ($8.50 for small cheese).
(2)Gemma R.
Came here on a Monday night about 20-30 mins before closing. Ordered a kids burger and small fries. It had to be the worst hamburger ive ever eaten. I wish I was exaggerating but no, McDonald's cheeseburger happy meal would have been better. It was the most flavorless, thin, fake looking meat patty that I've ever seen. On top of that, they put it on this bun that was way to big for the patty. And the fries which i normally get all excited about was so disappointing as well! Have to say, worst meal I've eaten in a very long time! $7.00 for a kids burger and small fries! Gross!
(1)Beth I.
When they have avocado the avocado burger is THE best!! (however, they are often out!) The ahi sandwich is also wondeful and so are the salads. Mmmm. I had the avo burger for lunch today and it was so well flavored and the avocado was really generous! The med rare burger was also super delish! Sometimes I wish they had a softer bun than the kaiser rolls, but it's fresh so I can't complain.
(4)Cintamani A.
First off, I will say it is a very attractive, clean-lined, high ceiling environment with 'ugly lights'. If I'm pigging out on fattening food I do NOT want such severe lightening to highlight the very fact I am indeed pigging out. 'Tis embarrassing, so yo, turn it down! The girls at the counter were a bit stand-offish yet attempting to be friendly. A bit of a turn off, but they are efficient enough that it doesn't affect the rating of the restaurant. At least they gave my friend a generous amount of mayo on the side when asked without charging. In fact it was the most mayo that I've ever seen a place give out. Trying to be health conscious in such an establishment is a losing battle. Just eyeing the add-ons that are available was torture. Bacon...But yeah, it's pricy per ad-on. However, I ended up adding bacon and it was the most generous amount I've ever had that was perfect and NOT raw in the least (Hawaii is negligent about that typically). Apparently, the majority of Hawaii's food establishments that are guilty of that have never heard of Trichinellosis. So one star added for perfect bacon. My vain attempt of healthiness was ordering the eggplant and bell pepper sandwich. Or at least I assumed it was a sandwich until I saw that it was a big ol' fluffy burger bun. It was very underwhelming to the rest of the burger though pleasant enough. The burger was humongous. I couldn't even hold with both hands let alone bite into it. It was the first time I had to manually deconstruct a burger in order to eat it comfortably. Too salty bell peppers, hardly any eggplant, lots of bacon perfect. The burger contained eggplant that was far too salty, onions, bell peppers, lettuce, a fresh tomato and mayo that was lazily slathered in the meal of the top bun. The vegetables were pretty fresh, tasty and charred. It's unfortunate about the eggplant because it would have been a great vegetarian option for burgers. My friend kept commenting that her burger was extremely salty. The fries were salty and oil lodged. If it weren't for all the saltiness I'd give the place a solid three star review. Also - There is no public restroom. You're given a code on a slip of paper for a bathroom that is located to the space that was formally Borders. It's quite walk, but think of it as deducting five calories from your meal. The condiment rack is a very nice touch, along with the paper towels. In fact it's genius. All burger joints should have a roll of paper towels per table. However, the size the tables are not equipped for such bulky items. They should think Scandinavian and apply a simple device under the tables where a customer can simply tear the desired amount of paper towel that is needed. In the end, because of the saltiness I wouldn't venture back any time soon. I do think the prices are actually fair for the portion sizes. It's food that'll feel like you digested a brick if you're the type to eat every morsel on your plate. It's higher quality compared to most places ingredient wise, but someone seriously needs to taste the food before serving it because of the saltiness. I'll stick to Teddy's and Byron's for my burgers because of that.
(2)Sean K.
It was one of the worst burgers ever! should've gone to the McD. All of (very hungry) us had only a couple of bites and threw them away. Yuk! Go to Teddy's or BK or McD instead.
(1)Larry G.
As far as burger places go, this one is good; not great but good. When hitting the movies at Ward Center, Kua'Aina is a good place to grab a quick bite before heading in. Burgers are good, fries are good; can't really say anything bad about this place but not sure I would go out of my way to eat here if I wasn't going to Ward Center for something else...
(3)Anna C.
Honestly, I don't get what all the hype is. Everytime I walk by this place I see a flock of tourists eating there. I guess it's partly because the trolley and bus stop is there too and the tourists just happened to be hungry at the time of their arrival. Anyway, after much curiousity I decided to visit this burger joint. When I first walked in there were three people lined up and then all of a sudden a bunch of people started coming in and lining up behind me. So I was looking up at their large menu board up on the wall. And I was like dang why is everything so expensive. The cheapest thing was their cheeseburger which was around the $5 to $6 range. Then I looked at the next column which were their sandwiches, and again I was like - what the sheeze, $8 for a sandwich with some pastrami and cheese? The prices are just ridiculous, really. Then I looked at everyone eating there then I was looking at my watch. I had only a 30 minute lunch break so I thought since I was already there and so many people seem to like this place so much I'll just order something and go. But just as I was walking up to the counter the girl taking the order tells this other guy behind me to come forward. I was thinking, hey! I was in line first. I found out later he seem to have called in by phone to order before me or whatever. Well, that annoyance aside I finally got to order my teri chicken burger. It was $7. The order pick up time was alright considering they make it once you order it. Then I took my meal outside on the tables to eat. It smelled good, but once I bite into it I was not too thrilled. The chicken was dry and charred tasting. I think the only thing that saved it was the grilled caramelized onions. Otherwise I really did not like it. Zippy's made their teri chicken burger much much better, I was thinking the whole time I was eating. I wasted $7 and I was especially unhappy while I was eating because there were these pigeons that kept staring at me while I was eating. It was disturbing. And then a few even jumped up on my table trying to attack me, or maybe just my burger. I was so freaked out I just ate half the burger and ate the rest in my office - grudgely. Never going there again.
(1)Brian F.
I had a chance to eat here with my brother-in-law. The portions are generous however the bun was so enormous I struggled with eating it. In addition the taste was just average. Compared to Teddy's and Big City Diner's burgers this ranks 3rd in my opinion.
(3)Noelle L.
Great burgers! They are very tasty an quite large. My husband and I usually split a burger with a basket of their shoestring fries.
(5)Leilani F.
Great burgers, awesome salads! I ordered the ahi salad with balsamic dressing, and it was huge! Ive never been more satisfied by a salad in my life! The lettuce was fresh, the ahi was grilled to perfection, the dressing was really something. will definitely be going there again
(5)Krystel P.
Had the mahi mahi sandwich with avocado and cheese per the cashier's advice and it was AMAZING! Cooked to perfection with lots of flavor and the fries were so yummy! Fresh and crispy they were the cherry on top of the meal. Lots of seating and glad I finally came in to try them out! I will definitely be back!
(5)Brandywine B.
Fresh. Tasty. Reasonably priced. Highly recommend. (BLT+avocado on rye might be the world's most perfect sandwich).
(5)Claudia M.
Had the 1/3lb. cheeseburger. It was topped with mayo, lettuce, tomato and provolone cheese. The counter help asked if i wanted grilled onions which I agreed to, but it came without. Burger was cooked to a perfect medium. Burger priced at $8.50 is rather expensive compared to other burger places, but it was a good burger.
(4)Cajun S.
Burger was tasteless and the fries tasted like they didn't have any potato in them. Would recommend avoiding this place if possible.
(1)Martina G.
I wasted one of my precious meals while on vacation at Kua Aina Ward! I should have just driven to the Haleiwa location, which is infinitely superior to this one. My usual order is a fish burger, no bun, all the veggies, mayo, avocado, pineapple and a side of carrot sticks. The fish comes served in a bowl which I happily eat with a fork. Service was meh. The ladies behind the counter seemed like they had better things to do. They were out of avocados. The lady confirmed my order and found a table outside. My fish bowl comes out WITHOUT the mayo and my order of carrot sticks were missing. Then I noticed there was no ranch to go with my carrot sticks. I requested some and was told it was $0.26 extra. Why didn't she offer the ranch when I had my wallet out? Am I the only one who eats carrot sticks with ranch???
(2)Cheryl K.
Kua'aina is always the go-to place for burgers on the North Shore and I have seen it many places in Japan. Awesome thing is that when the Japanese tourists come to visit, it seems like they like to eat here. Anyway, I was always in love with their sandwiches and then turned full carnivore and have been ordering the burgers every time I visit. It's been a while since I ate at this location. I ordered the bacon burger with provolone cheese and the husband ordered a BLT plus avocado. Pretty spacey location with lots of seating inside and out which is a plus. I always have anxiety when there's a line for ordering and I only see filled tables. I picture a horrific scene of balancing a tray in one hand with a messy burger in the other while I am trying to keep up a "cool" and feminine self image. Anyway, seating was readily available. Got my burger. There is one requirement or maybe more like preference I have when eating a burger, I have to be able to hold it comfortably and I have to stay mildly clean. Kua'aina is one of those places that I dread going to because the burgers are so huge. I knew I wasn't alone when the tourists all around me started eating their burgers either with a fork or piece by piece (lettuce, tomato, then bacon, etc.) Don't get me wrong, their burgers are good just not user friendly. I normally order my burger medium well and I don't remember being asked how I want my burger and because I don't order burgers on a daily basis I completely forget to say it. Just a little side note the the girl at the counter taking the order looked preoccupied with life. The burger was done medium (which is fine because I felt extra manly today) and pretty soaked through the bottom bun. I also had half a head of lettuce in my burger so I had to take some out. The fries are good but I like them a tad bit more crispy. My husband enjoyed his sandwich and helped me finish my burger up. I must say there were two strips of bacon and I believe a burger named "Bacon Burger" should probably have a tad bit more of that lovely pork product. Yes, the prices are a little high but nothing ridiculously more than the other burger joints down the street. I conclude that I prefer my burger on the edge.
(3)Keahi R.
Kua' aina is the real deal.. The best one is in Haliewa.. Kapolei and ala moana close second.. If you are on the North shore, stop in Haliewa town and get an avacado or pineapple 1/3 or 1/2 lb burger and taste a dream!
(5)Jordan S.
Sadly, they have been completely knocked off the pedestal I used to put them on. I would go here every weekend from the time I was 12 to get a burger, had no problems until maybe 3 years ago, when quality started slipping, the burgers werent as big, the veggies werent always as fresh, and the fries were much less than they used to be. I kept wanting to give it chances, but they never rebounded. Then I found a much better burger elsewhere on the island.... alas poor Kua 'Aina, I barely knew ye. Hopefully they will regain their spot on the pedestal some time in the future.
(2)Bradley H.
Seriously... For all the hype, this place really fell flat right in front of my eyes. Avocado burger cost $8 for a 1/3 pound, $8.40 for a 1/2 pound. Add on a couple bucks for fries and a couple bucks for a drink (yes, high prices on all food served ala carte) and you have a complete burger meal for just over $12...$12!!! The burger was cooked more medium rare than medium (not quite the way ground beef from a burger joint should be cooked) and the taste was pretty much as flat as the hype. Very little seasoning, very little taste, and to me very little value. The fries were overcooked and old...they almost had the consistency of twice fried french fries...which i'm sure they were not supposed to be. The burger was filling, but not fulfilling. Lets be honest...we don't expect to find a decent hamburger in hawaii with all the other great food...and the status quo holds true in this case... Happy Eating!
(2)Karyn M.
Always the go-to burger place. Sometimes the bun is not all that soft...kinda of dry and falls apart. LOVE the fries! Bacon with swiss is my fav! Sit outside and watch everyone go by.
(4)Elizabeth N.
I've only had their burgers here and tho it is good, there are better ones out there for the price. And for some reason, their burgers are only good when you eat them as soon as its served. LOVED the burger then. But twice I ordered my burger to go, and the burger and bun were both dry and lack luster. So if you're going to eat the burger, eat it there, right after its served and sadly, the meat is smaller than the bun. So it is good, but I don't come here anymore unless I'm in the neighborhood and Kakaako Kitchen is closed. =) Here's my recap: Pros: -Fresh Ingredients with their burgers -Very tasty burgers, lots of options to add -Their french fries are fantastic! Thin, shoe string and fresh! Could eat these alone =) Cons: -The buns. They get dry and cardboard like when they cool down. They don't stay soft. -The burger looses consistency when it gets cold or is for take out. The meat and bun becames dry and tasteless. -The meat is smaller than the bun. You run out of "burger" and end up eating condiment on bun. -The prices! Everything is ala carte and you have to pay extra for things like bacon etc. I feel you don't get what you pay for in the quantity dept. -Cash only -
(3)Margret C.
I liked this place (mahi sandwich) but my husband just thought the burgers were just ok, nothing special. I would go here again but I don't think that my husband would want to go here again (unless he got something else at another place). If you're looking for a place that serves sandwiches and burgers for under $10 a person, this is it. Some credits: Frommer's Highly Recommended, Honolulu Advertiser's past Ilima Award Winner, and Mobil Travel Guide recommended Burgers are either 1/3 lb. or 1/2 lb.- $6.10- $6.90. Sandwiches are from $4.40 (Cheese) to $7.50 (Mahi, ortega, & cheese). Bread choices: kaiser roll, multi-grain wheat, or hearth rye. Cheeses: swiss, american, monterey jack, cheddar, or provolone. Kiddie burger is $3.90. Burgers and sandwiches do not come with shoestring fries- ala carte @ $1.95 or $2.80. Salads range from $3.40 to $6.90 (tossed green salad, grilled chicken, tuna, or turkey). Drinks range from $1.20 to $1.60. Extras range from $0.50 to $1.10- cheese, bacon, pineapple, grilled peppers, ortega chiles, or avocado). An extra $.10 for takeout orders (kinda funny huh?). Hours: 10:30 am- 9:00 pm. There is another location on the North Shore- Haleiwa, BTW- I've seen this one highlighted in so many guide books, so I thought that it was worth mentioning.
(4)Erica S.
Finally I satisfied my burger craving in Hawaii! Saw this place in the guidebook. I saw that they had the avocado burger so all the Japanese tourists around us were eating it, but I knew it was messy to eat so I just got the Swiss cheeseburger instead. The burger was pretty hefty, but it COMPLETELY satisfied me! 1/2 order of shoestring fries is good enough for two, but they were short and skimpy so it wasn't too great. Looks like the avocado burgers came with the whole avocado vs half?!
(4)Cheyne F.
I've been to the Kua 'Aina in Haleiwa and enjoyed the food there, so I decided to take some friends from California to the one conveniently located in Ward Center. I'm glad to say that it was a good experience. The service was timely and the hostess was nice. The food came out pretty quickly even though the place was a little busy during dinner, which was important since my group was in sort of a rush. I ordered a 1/2 lb bacon burger. Generally when I order a burger "medium", it comes out medium well and loses some of that juicy goodness. I was surprised and satisfied to see that they cooked the patty as I ordered. The bacon burger actually had a good amount of tasty bacon on it rather than just two skinny pieces like at other places. They didn't skimp on any of the crisp vegetable toppings and it came with a crunchy large carrot stick. The bun was toasted, which helped to prevent a soggy burger. It can be a messy task eating their burgers so I'm glad they a have a roll of paper napkins lying on the table to use. To keep the huge burger from falling apart, I just took some of the paper the burger is served in to wrap it up a little. Our group also ordered a large side of fries (crispy, but skinny, kind of like In-N-Out fries) that four of us could easily share. Kua 'Aina burgers are on the somewhat pricey side, but you pay for what you get. I'd say the amount and quality are worth what I paid. Juicy and tasty burgers for sure; I'll definitely go back when I want a burger fix. A word of warning for the hungry: these burgers are THICK, so don't be greedy like me and try to bite from the top to bottom of it without compacting it a little. You will dislocate your jaw.
(4)David L.
I saw the cook pick up a raw ground meat pattie, go back to using his phone, cough into his shirt, then pick up my hamburger buns. Needless to say, I did not get to try the food. The only positive is the cashier was friendly.
(1)Rob D.
In my opinion, the best hamburger in Hawaii. The fries are very good too. Very messy but that's a good thing here. I go here when I am craving a good burger.
(5)Jimmy S.
Great service . Ortega burger tasted great . You forgot my bacon
(4)Deanna C.
My boyfriend and I were craving burgers today so decided to give Kua 'Aina a try...big mistake. We ordered a 1/2 lb bacon burger with cheese and grilled onions, along with a side of fries. To start, we were a bit disappointed that this burger joint doesn't carry BBQ sauce...but oh well. Then found out you have to pay extra for condiments like ranch...but we let that slide too. The wait wasn't too bad, got our burger and they were nice enough to cut it in half for us. Picked up the burger that was supposed to be cooked medium, and noticed it was sitting in about a 3 inch wide puddle of blood with the bun soaked. A lady dressed in a tshirt, shorts, slippers and beanie was walking around putting ketchups on the tables, so I took a guess that she was an employee and waved her down...asked if dripping blood was normal for their medium cooked burgers. She said no and was nice enough to take my half back, but didn't offer to take back my boyfriends half that was just as raw. He was starving so ate around the raw parts, which honestly wasn't much, and just finished off the bacon, lettuce, and fries (which I will get to next). Anyways, pretty sure they just took my burger to the kitchen to microwave it cuz it came back over cooked and dried up. Whatever, I ate it anyway..or at least tried to. We tried to curb our hunger by at least having the fries to enjoy, but geeze, they sucked too. They were way over cooked or had been sitting under the lamp for too long. We were very disappointed that we drove from Manoa to have lunch here, and ended up with this experience. Left hungry and regretful...wish we spent our money somewhere else. Heck, even a drive thru would've been better. Sorry, but we won't be coming back.
(1)Valerie M.
One thing that makes me return to restaurants is their consistency. I can always count on Kua Aina to serve up their flame broiled hamburger patties and fish the same way every time I go there. Their sandwiches are at least 2" thick, and is filled with a generous layer of alfafa sprouts and tomatoes. It's one of those restaurants where you order at the counter, pay, find a table, then wait for them to call your name on the loudspeaker. The wait is no more than 5-10 minutes. Oh, and one more thing, the french fries are like shoe-string potatoes. So if you like your potatoes, thin, crispy and oily, then you will love these.
(4)Isa R.
I'm really shocked at some of the bad reviews on here. I LOVE Kua'Aina Burger! I try to go here every time I'm in the Ward area. I always get the avocado burger with an extra side of avocado (girl loves avocados haha). The burgers are always juicy. I can't comment on the bread seeing as how I don't eat bread... I love the shoestring fries as well.
(5)Koa N.
My friend swears this is the best burger joint she has ever been to. Not just in Hawai`i, but best ever. Came here last week and ordered a 1/2 pound teriyaki burger with cheddar and bacon. The burger was huge and I enjoyed every bite of it. If you like teriyaki burgers with a lot of sauce, you'll like this. I probably went through 10 napkins continually wiping my face and hands. I was with a group and the 5 of us ordered 3 large fries to share. We probably could have got away with only 2 orders. This is probably being picky, but I didn't like that they handed us our drinks without lids. I had to pickup 4 drinks for the group, and none of them had lids. They keep the lids on the counter about 8 feet from where they gave me the drinks. Why not hand the drinks to your customers with the lids on? I'll give them the benefit of the doubt and assume they are trying to be environmentally conscious, but give me the option. I want a lid, give me a lid!!!! Or at least keep the lids where you give the drinks so I don't need to ask or go searching for them. Moving on, the lid problem isn't why they lost a star. They had ants crawling around. Not just where I placed my order, and spent time staring at the counter, but also on the counter where I got my lids (mentioned above), the same counter that my food sat on when they called my name. I hate seeing unwanted bugs at restaurants..I'd hate it even more if I found them in my food.
(4)Hina M.
Never a disappointment here! Service is quick never over 10 minute wait for food, seating isn't too bad just don't go during lunch rush. The burgers are always good, never burnt, never under cooked, just right!
(5)Derrick S.
Best hamburger on Oahu! Great prices for the quality of the food. Great locations either by the Ward Center movie theater or in Hale'iwa. The shoestring fries are one of the best parts about going here. If you want boring, regular fries go to McDonalds. I like something different.
(5)Jennifer C.
Yum! Ortega Burger Pineapple Burger Bacon Cheese Burger Turkey Burger The Pineapple burger was my favorite!
(3)Richard K.
The burgas are mean!!!!!
(5)Marielle C.
Avocado burger is fantastic
(4)Anne B.
I love this place. I always get the Ortega Burger. Their fries are awesome. My dog loves to eat the carrot stick that always comes with the burger. I'm glad they started to accept credit cards. Only thing is the Ward location doesn't have a restroom so you have to go inside by Mocha Java if you want to go wash your hands. Minor issue, really. Important thing is their food is delish consistently! I'm picky with my burgers and this is the only place and Honolulu Burger Co. where I can go and actually finish my burger!
(4)Jayson N.
i use to love this place. the burgers are still pretty good. but i will say that they are on the pricey side. i mean 8 or 9 dollars for a burger? really? but then again i guess it's quality meat and ingredients. i just feel like eating 3 burgers from W&M instead. we live in a recession. i need the most bang for my buck. :) but i will say this place has lovely, speedy service and fries that are unlike any other. I just wish them fries had more crisp to them..
(3)Jinho L.
Came here to celebrate Memorial Day with my buddy. What better way to remember those who've bravely passed on in defense of our freedoms than gorging upon dead, processed animals covered in AMERICAN cheese? Ordered the pineapple burger with rye bread and some fries. The burger was juicy and full of flavor; I could almost hear that cow mooing it's last moo. The fries are the closest I've ever come to In-N-Out greatness (Have to compare every burger joint to In-N-Out). But alas, despite the foods' hard work at being food, it was the price and ultimately the cashier's attitude that brought down my opinion of this place. The cashier really didn't seem like she wanted to work or stand or talk or breath. With a blank face and bland personality she took our order and didn't even smile. Now, I don't expect to be treated like a king (even though I totally should) but it's almost as if she took offense when I gave her my order. As if she should have been the one ordering me around. Either way, good food but overpriced. It just seems I can get a better deal at Teddy's Bigger Burgers. Colon cancer, here I come! FULL BLAST!
(3)Kendra R.
Great food! I am sad I can't go back. The cooks were wearing dirty clothes, greasy hands, no gloves, touching everything without out washing in between, sweating all over (possibly on drugs), and recently the cleanliness of the dining room has gone down hill too. If it was cleaned up and better employee presentation I would go back. I normally dont give reviews unless they are really good. Sorry!! This was disturbing.
(1)Steven R.
This is a tough one because... I understand where Anna D. is coming from when she reviewed Kua Aina as a 3 star and mentioned in her first sentence that it's good... but sometimes a hit or miss. Well... I've visited Kua Aina... maybe a dozen times and when they serve a good burger, in my opinion it's excellent - 5 stars. When it's not 5 stars, I'd give it a 3.5 or 4... but I'm not sure how they pull that off. Is it a different chef working on a different day? Or is it something else? Just don't know... but one thing I can say is... I've never been disappointed with the friendliness and excellent service. That's just been my experience so since their burger ranks, depending on the day, 3.5 - 5 stars and their service has always been a 5.... in my head that averages out to 4.5 which tips the Rating Scale to 5. Whew! These rating decisions... I tell ya, not easy. (c: So don't sweat it... if you're close by and looking for a great burger or even their chicken salad is a good choice, give it a try. Also, I've never eaten at "In and Out Burger" in LA. My buddy Marc basically tells me if I ever did... I'd never go to another burger joint again. Only thing is if I do, I'm afraid he might be right, so I guess I'll just stick to Kua Aina's crappy burgers for now. LOL.
(5)Michelle G.
My husband and I moved here from Ann Arbor, MI in Oct 2010 and I never thought we would find burgers to compare to back in MI. after 6 months I was starting to lose hope. Googling "best burger on Oahu" just wasn't working. Then we stumbled across Kua'aina Burgers. Thank. God. The patty was juicy and flavorful, the bacon was pure bacon-y goodness, the grilled onion could have stood on its own. And don't even get me started on the shoestring fries. So. Good. We'll be putting Kua'aina on at least a bi-weekly rotation.
(5)Jensen S.
Best "burger' place I've been to so far. Only been to a few though. Got the Ortega Burger which is the burger with the Ortega pepper on top of it. Like a big green pepper on the burger. I was totally not what I expected but it was tasty none the less. It is really messy though. My friend got the avocado burger and it came with a ton of avocado. She loves avocado but took some out, that's how much they give. But she really liked the burger. We also bought the side order of fries, and Yelp made it seem amazing but I wasn't to happy with it. Each fry was really tiny, it reminded me of PikNik (IDK if that's spelt correctly but the shoestring potato chips that come in the big can comes in ketchup, original, or honey mustard flavor I believe...getting off topic here) but ya the fries were really small and really oily. So come here and just get the burger, any burger.
(4)Tom S.
I've heard that Kua'aia burgers are outta this world. So I came in with high expectations and was disappointed. I tried the pineapple burger and thought it was overpriced and nothing special. The restaurant was also quite small on the inside with very little seating. I must say that the burger was quite a mouthful and leaked grease as I ate it...ughh
(2)James R.
I have been to both country and town locations on several occasions each but this one is for town side only. Food - food taste is great and portions are of a good size. I have had several different burgers and sandwiches and sides. The burger toppings are typically fresh and delicious. (tomato, onion, lettuce, pineapple avocado, etc.) Its nice too that if you only want water it is served in a cup meant for a normal person not some miniature sized one. I do think that the flavor has slipped a little bit over the past couple years. Service - its typically quick and efficient, they are friendly enough for the amount of face time you spend. It isn't much more then a quick place for a burger so things likes tips don't seem too necessary here but they do have a nice sized bucket to squeeze a little extra if your generous enough. That leads me to price Prices - TOOO MUCH! you can't charge the amount they do and offer the portion size and quality they do. If I will be paying that much for a burger, a few bucks more for fries, and another few a drink I would expect something a bit fancier or better. It feels a bit like robbery to go to a place like this and end up paying almost 15$ for a drink entree and side when i could spend that for two people at another similar establishment. Overall I say go if you haven't had but dont have too high of expectations, its just one step away from totally generic in my eyes and not worth any more then the 2 stars it gets.
(2)John H.
These burgers are the BEST ive had! The avocado burger has a whole avocado on it. Burger is juicy and flavorful. The kaiser bun its on is soft. Fries are okay. This place gets packed and hard to find a seat for more then 2.
(5)Tracy P.
I have been here a few times and despite all the options, I didn't really like the taste of the food. I have been getting sandwiches so maybe next time I'll try a burger.
(2)Chihiro N.
They were out of avocados, boo :( So I decided to get the cold pastrami sandwich and my boy ordered the 1/3 lb bacon cheeseburger with a side of fries. No wonder for the roll of paper towel on the table - this baby comes in so handy. My pastrami was delicious, it had that bacon-y taste but not as fattening. It was huge, and although I wasn't even that hungry I managed to finish it in 10 minutes. I thought their side carrot was kinda random, but it was crunchy and refreshing. I was excited for their fries, but I found it oily and soggy. Maybe it wasn't fresh? My boyf said that the burger wasn't really worth the price - he said he still prefers Teddy's. It is pricey here so I don't know if I'll come here too often.
(3)Leo P.
Pros: Delicious Fast For $10 to $12 a burger, this place is great. They have a bunch of unique combinations to satisfy all different types of appetites. The half pound burger is pretty big. The burgers come on a kaiser roll, toasted with a splash of butter. You'll need napkins, but that's the way i like it. I can't seem to stop ordering the avocado burger. They put 2 generous slices of avocado on your burger that seem compliment the burger fantastically. 10 minutes from the time you walk in the door to the time your eating.....or less Sometimes my "rare" burger comes out medium, but not a big deal for a $10 burger.
(4)Damon A.
Bacon cheese burger $9 something (for the 1/3 pounder, cheese was extra 0.50) @ kua aina. It was ok. First of all the burger came out too fast, normally i wouldnt grumble about that, but it made me suspicious. It ment my burger was being pre cooked. Now there is nothing wrong with that but my burger came out well done and dry, not like how i ordered medium (or how the menu says medium unless you say so). And I got a feeling they dont make their own hamburger patties like Teddys (or prove me wrong, I cannot read nihongo because the website is only Japanese [i know what kine Japanese me], does that mean owned by Japanese?) The BIG points goes to the bacon, because soggy and under cooked bacon sucks.The fries was ok, nothing special, just soaks up more oil because its shoestring cut. Would I visit again? Probably not, small kine takai prices that I'd rather spend on a better burger. Teddys is still king UPDATE: Never going back again, had stomach cramping with gas hours after. And to only think i had problems, all my coworkers also got sick. Where are the health inspectors when you need them?
(1)Craig S.
We have been eating here for over 20 years. Every time we come to Hawaii we go to the North Shore and have a burger. In the past I would of given them a 5. Some of the experience used to be the little cramped restaurant. Maybe 6 tables inside and 6 tables outside on a wooden porch. Waiting in line for several minuets for your order to be taken. And the burgers were the best I have ever had. Very juicy and tasty. They have lost some of the charm with the new store. The seating outside is very nice but I don't think the burgers are as good as they used to be. Maybe it is just me. I have switched from the burger to the Ahi. Very good sandwich if you can get them to cook it "just seared". Some times they get it right some times not. Still will always be a favorite place to go. Brings back nice memories of when my children was young. We have had such fun vacationing in Hawaii.
(3)Angela P.
Mmmm, burgers. Kua'Aina brings back many fond memories of high school and romantic dates. One of the best things about Kua'Aina is the fact that their burgers follow a very important rule in the culinary world: K.I.S.S - Keep it simple, stupid. Which is the reason why I always get what I want to impress me... a simple cheeseburger. Either in slices of pepperjack or cheddar. The burgers are always consistent: cooked right, seasoned right, juicy, and doesn't have any "special secret sauce" slathered on the bun which makes the burger seem heavy. it's a simple burger (and if you ordered it) with simple cheese--that just makes it a classic. The 1/3 pound may not fill you up so be sure to get their crispy shrilled up fries (which tastes better than it looks). So, if you're expecting thick cut fries, be open to trying out something new... because the only thing that'll be thick cut is the healthy carrot stick next to your burger. For a poor college student, $10-$14 for a decent burger WITH fries and a drink can seem a little expensive, but when you're willing to dish out (or get politely treated) you won't regret it. Service is fast, efficient, and the atmosphere is enjoyable as there is outside seating as well. Ample amount of parking, close to Ward shopping center to walk it off, and if you're willing to catch a flick with your friends or lover--Ward Theatre is right there. Or, if you're of age, Dave and Busters to fuel your inner child or inner drunk. Like I said, great place to take your date out to Kua'Aina, especially outside during the night. From my experience, there's nothing like eating a great cheeseburger while sitting across from your date and looking at the well-lit night-life of Ward Shopping Center. There's flaming tiki torches to be admired, the modern feel of well-lit entertainment centers, and Alamoana Beach Park is just a 5 minute walk away... just make it to the park before it closes unless you're feeling "romantic" :)
(4)Chelsea G.
Ate here for the first time last night. I always wanted to eat here, and since the wait for Genki was ridiculous, we decided to head to this burger joint to check out the hype. I ordered the BLT with cheddar cheese, which I must say was QUITE DELISH, and they were not stingy with the bacon at all! The BLT was on a toasted whole grain bun with a dab of mayo, lettuce and tomato. I LOVE LOVE LOVE how you can choose the type of cheese on your sandwich: american, chedder, pepperjack and i believe provolone. And burgers come in 1/2 and 1/3 lb sizes. My BLT was $7. I ordered a large fries ($4). The fries were almost like shoestring potato thin. But, because of the cut, the fries weren't so filling. I would rather have nice thick cut fries that make it worth the bite! Overall, this place is a nice casual place to grab a quick bite to eat.
(3)T Z.
The 1/2 lb burger is huge - seems to have more than one whole avocado...but I finished every bite. The kaiser roll was good with the burger. I wasn't as crazy about the grilled onions because it was not caramelized. I really liked the sauce and just let it drip over my fries. Those fries were awesome with a dash of black pepper. Very kid-friendly and family atmosphere. Easy parking available on lot across the street for Ward Center shoppers.
(4)Christina M.
I grew up in California and every time I miss In and Out I come here. This place is right on par with in and out except that they offer avocado on my burger! The fries are freshly made to me actually taste better than in and out. The meat is cooked to order and always tastes delicious. While my uncle prefers Teddys, me and my friends would prefer to eat here every time.
(5)Big Baby D.
Just got a cheese burger, but it was very good. They cooked it medium without giving me any crap about it needing to be well done. For this I'm thankful. I'm pissed they were out of avocado, because I really wanted the avocado burger and it was our last night in town. /shrug. The regular cheese burger was good enough to make up for it! We arrived at 25 minutes to closing and the staff was insanely friendly and welcoming. We were almost skeptical... I mean, other people were coming in after us, but they seemed genuinely delighted to be helping us even though we'd potentially be the reason they had to stay later than anticipated. Price can't be beat... few places in Honolulu are so reasonably priced. Great service, great price, great quality, and free parking all in Honolulu? 5 stars!
(5)Iris T.
I'm usually a burger-and-fries girl but for some reason, when I came to Kua 'Aina, which has all sorts of burgers, I was inexplicably drawn to their mahi-mahi sandwich. I was convinced, with all the people eating burgers around me, I would regret my decision. I did not. At all. The mahi-mahi sandwich was delicious -- fish tasted fresh and was perfectly grilled. Despite what I previously thought, I didn't have any entree-envy! I was too busy enjoying my sandwich! Perhaps on a return trip, I'll try their burgers. But that's if I forget how delicious the mahi-mahi sandwich was (unlikely!)
(4)Sammy S.
Delicious fish sandwiches and burgers. Wish they would add a homemade veggie burger too. Have been there twice this year, and both times my sandwiches totally exceeded my expectations. Service is also fast, friendly and competent!
(4)Marisa R.
Burgers are GREAT! But, the staff is rude rude rude. You know, I understand if you're rude to everyone, but the past time my mom and I visited Kua'aina, one of the girls was blatantly rude to me and my mom and then smiles and is overly friendly to the next person?? That really effing pissed me off. I don't know if I can go back and eat here. Service is half the experience.
(3)Ryan L.
I havent been to Kua Aina burger in a while. I like the food here but not the price and quantities. At their price range I'd rather go to a 'teddys' or a cheaper ghetto but tastey burger spot. However today i decided to try their sandwiches instead of burger and was surprisingly happy. the BLT with avacado sandwich was less expensive, jam-packed full of bacon awesomeness, and tasted amazing. Places that dont cheap out on the bacon get a thumbs up in my book. i may have to re-explore kua aina burger. but then again maybe not.
(3)Josh S.
So, I was told this is the best burger joint in Honolulu. A friend told me the original one in Haleiwa is better than one in downtown Honolulu, but I was too lazy to drive up North Shore and try this place out, so I just went down to downtown. Perhaps, I should have gone to Haleiwa. Because I honestly did not have a good experience with this joint. They have many great selections for burgers and sandwiches. It's good seeing vegetarian choices on a burger joint. I ordered a typical burger with everything on it. I tried to order on wheat bread but they told me it's not buns, just pieces of breads -- I told them No Thanks. The fries were terrible. I couldn't believe they serve this kind of fries and people rave about how good this burger joint is. It's like one of those frozen fries you'd get from Wal-Mart and they charge you $3 for it. Outrageous. I'm a strong believer that Burgers and Fries go together and restaurants must serve equally quality fries with equality quality burgers. Many times I see only one being good quality. Kua Aina is the same. Later I learned that many Japanese tourists are big fan of this place. This must have been featured in Hawaii tourism promotion video in Japan. I saw many coming and just being awed by the surrounding -- slick job by Kua Aina for their marketing. Bottom line, no combo meals offered. You order everything separately and will come out to be $13 for a regular burger, pathetic fries, and fountain drink. Oh the fountain drink only come with one free re-fill. What's up with that? Head to Teddy's or Burgers on the Edge. BOTE actually has great sweet potato fries.
(2)Caitlin T.
We decided to get some burgers yesterday before seeing Super 8. Hubby wanted burgers so where else to go than Kua Aina. I have been happy with their Ortega burger in the past so this time I decided to go with the Turkey, Ortega and Cheese sandwich. I got mine on wheat bread with monterey jack cheese. Very tasty. Very large. I wish I had a knife to cut it in half. We got a small basket of fries to share. Yummy. They are very much like In n' Out's fries, nice and thin and crispy.
(3)Idaho G.
I loved Kua'Aina on our trip to Hawaii. We consider ourselves Burger fans, being from Idaho, we get great meat and our steakhouses and BBQs are incredible. So, I was told to go to Cheeseburger in Paradise and Kua Aina and we did both. Pros: Great tasting burger and shoestring fries, Fries are really crispy and thin (not steakhouse style), and everything tasted really fresh. Hawaii beef is good! Cons: As we were in line we heard them run out of several things including cheese and avocado. This should never happen! Luckily I like my burger plain, but this is a little bad to see. Also, the place has a more take out feel than a standard sit down restaurant.
(4)Grace Y.
Expensive, but a decent place to go for a local burger experience. Not as good as the Haleiwa location. For a real local experience, go there. The burgers are good, but I was actually surprised at how pleasant the atmosphere was in the midst of Ward Warehouse. I was expecting a hectic crowded place, but there was plenty of room (even for a baby stroller) inside the restaurant and plenty of room outside to dine. There are very high ceilings and giant windows and this adds to the nice atmosphere. I felt very relaxed. I always like the pineapple burger.
(3)Veronica L.
BEST BURGERS AND FRIES ON THE ISLAND!! I hate the drive, but when I'm craving a burger, this is the only place to go. This one has better service and cooks your food more to perfection than the one on North Shore. I've tried most of the "favorite" burger places including Teddy's and Cheeseburger in Paradise. Kua 'Aina wins, HANDS DOWN. **UPDATE** While I still attest that these are the best burgers on the island, I am a bit dissatisfied after tonight's experience due to the fact they ran out of fries at 7:30pm. What burger joint, especially one known for its fries, runs out of fries?? It's like McDonald's running out of fries. I decided to try out The Counter to see if their burgers were any good. Needless to say, my vote still goes to Kua Aina.
(5)Cameron B.
My gf loves their fries so that's the only reason why we came here. Sad to say, the North shore location tastes way better. She said the fries were okay just over cooked. I thought fries are fries so I ate it. My burger was okay, nothing special considering how expensive it was
(3)Ed J.
I loved the food,prices and the service. The only thing I didnt like were the fries were really skinny, they actually were more like stringy chips. They should have a couple of options for people that like conventional fries or onion rings. Minor detail I will be back.
(4)May B.
The Hubby and I get our burger fix from here maybe once a month. The shoestring fries are always a hit. The burgers today, unfortunately were not. Husband ordered his 1/2lb bacon burger "medium rare" bit received it practically "well done". My pastrami sandwich was increasingly saltier than norm. Thus the 3 stars. Free drink refills a plus and taken advantage of with every visit.
(3)Dee L.
Thanks to Jane L for recommending this place. My mom had the salad, which was alright to her. My dad and brother split the half pound mahi mahi and they enjoyed it. I split the half pound pineapple burger with my sister. We all had homemade fries on the side. The lady ringing my order was super nice and asked if I wanted the burgers split. Usually I get dirty looks when I ask elsewhere. The burgers are a different realm of juicyness compared to in N out. Granted the burgers are slighty pricey, but it's well worth it. The burgers are cooked medium and when you bite into it the meat is still pinkish--yum. The bun doesn't get too soggy and holds its volume. I had onions in mine and it wasn't overpowering the taste--I can taste every piece of my pineapple burger, crisp lettuce, sweet pineapple, chewy soft bun, and tasty meat. The fries were thin and crispy, not too greasy. Minus one star for no avocados that day. I've seen avocados from Hawaii and they are huge. Too bad I lucked out this time in having it in a burger. I'll come back for you. Cash only.
(4)Lalee M.
Great Burgers! I love to order the Cheeseburger with bacon and pineapple. Their burgers are huge and satisfying. The Teri Chicken is also delicious.
(3)Francesco V.
It used to be one of my favorite. I didn't go there for about 6 months or so. Today I had the worst bacon burger and fries I have ever had in my entire life (and I'm 47!). Overcooked, tasteless, super dry and shrunk meat - cold and very dry bun (I got kaiser) - chewy and dry bacon - fries also very dry and just inedible. I returned the burger and said that was very different from how they always were, and they were almost inedible. The employee just said "ok", she didn't offer to remake, didn't even say she was sorry. I guess goodbye to Kua'ina:(
(1)Albert F.
Havent been to Kua 'Aina in a long time. Went to the Ward one recently to use a groupon type coupon I had. Or tried to, as that day the grills were broken or something. Well yesterday we were finally able to stop by and have a few burgers. Not quite as good as I remember them to be. To be fair, they were large and juicy and cost about $8 each. I ordered the Avocado burger, which came with 3 or 4 huge slices of avocado. It was pretty messy to eat but good. For no particular reason, the shape of the burger bothered me, it looked too well formed, like it was pre-made somewhere on the mainland and shipped here.
(3)Ming-Jou C.
I'm sorry, but this burger is not "the best burger I've had in my life," as someone claimed would be my reaction. It was tasty at about $8 for a 1/3 lb cheeseburger, but I think the quality or consistency of the meat at Teddy's is a bit more substantial and just better. The Kaiser Roll was good as it coated with cornmeal and your burger came open-faced in a basket, with lettuce, tomatoes, mayonnaise and onions (ask for them grilled!). We shared an order of the thin fries, which have a hint of In N Out flavor or texture to them, but not the same. Best way to eat those fries is to just squirt ketchup on them and fork 'em. Plenty of seating indoors and out, and the place is really clean. Bus your own tray. Customer service was really good as everyone was friendly. But then again, it's Hawaii. Almost everyone is friendly here in Paradise. I will try the North Shore location later this week.
(3)Joanna L.
Lately, I've been wanting a big juicy burger. I decided to come here bc it's been forever (meaning years) since the last time I ate here. I ordered the avocado burger with provolone cheese. I debated adding pineapple to it, but in hindsight, I'm incredibly glad I didn't. The burger is HUGE. The taste was alright; not bad, but not out of this world. I almost want to say it was a bit bland. My taste buds should've been dancing, but moved they were not. My problem with it was keeping it together. I really dislike messy burgers and this was definitely messy. They don't use toothpicks to hold it in place, nor do they wrap it to keep the burger snug and together... It was so slippery, the stuff on my burger was literally falling out this way and that. Tomato sliding to the right, avocado sliding to the left. Trying to keep the burger together was ridiculous and made it such a horrible experience. I just couldn't enjoy it knowing that if I took a bite, I might have to spend the next two minutes rearranging everything, only to repeat the cycle after I took the next bite. On the other hand, the fries were pretty awesome! I don't love potatoes, nor do I love french fries, so it's pretty amazing when I say I love these fries! However, fries don't make a burger joint. People should be going for the burger first and the fries second... TL;DR - Burger is nothing special and very messy, but their FRIES ARE YUMM!!
(2)Kendal T.
I think this place is starting to grow on me. Before this was nothing out oftge ordinary, but I find myself after a nice paddle in sunday down here grabbing a bacon cheeseburger with a large fries. It is pretty good. Not the best in the world, but it is decent. Favor is there and it is wonderful to fill you up. The waiting time is a bit long but I believe thats cuz they cook it up when you order it just like teddys.
(4)Julie E.
Burgers were ok...not great. Nothing that I couldn't have grilled up at home. If everything tasted better the prices would have been easier to take. If you want a great burger, check out Island's. Oh, if you do come here remember to have cash!
(3)Reva Y.
Why do they rarely have avocado? Am I just going at the wrong time everytime or am I right?? It's like they anticipate being able to only sell 5 avo garnished items bc there's a special wooden sign indicating it's availability. Besides the lack of one very crucial ingredient they're decent burgers. Personally I prefer Teddys, unless you're opting for a fish dish than stick to here. Ps. French fries not my cup of tea either. It's those small crunchy ones that just feels like you're eating Picnics.
(2)Gaelen L.
Absolutely the best burgers I have ever tried! If you are ever at the North Shore, I def recommend stopping by here. The wait time is quick (not like fast food, but its a made-to-order burger, not frozen). Don't expect fst food prices either... you are buying a premium burger here and will have to shell out a few bucks. They have other things on the menu that are good too, but don't cheat yourself... get yourself a Kua'Aina burger!
(5)robert k.
I have to agree with some other Yelp'ers from the Mainland when I say that this burger is good, but not great. I saw a lot of reviews that said "Best Burger on the Island" and they did indeed look good. It was delicious, but there were a few flaws that made it just so-so. One being that they don't warm up the bun at all. The other complaint being that, well, it just wasn't amazing. Way better than McDonald's and just as good as any diner burger you'll find here on the mainland, but that's about it. The fries were good; nice and thin and crisp, not too greasy, not too salty. I asked for my burger medium rare and it came out just that way. In the end, I'd eat here again if I was hungry for a burger, but after spending a week on the island I realized it was stupid to waste a good meal opportunity on a regular ol' cheeseburger. Way better than Cheeseburger Waikiki too, btw. NOTE: They also have sandwiches and salads, and they take CASH ONLY.
(4)Dee Z.
I didn't realize I would be on a burger tour, but Kua'Aina makes some seriously good burgers. They come in 1/3 and 1/2 pound size...substantial any way you look at it. Tasty, juicy and cooked just right. The bun held up to the very end. The shoestring fries were crisp even when they got cold - that's my test for a really good fry. When you ask for avocado - very generous, so if you love avocado - you have to order it with your burger. Another great find for burger lovers on vacation!
(5)Jonn D.
Rating: 5 stars Date(s) visited: 12/12/2010, a couple times before this. Food: 4/5 Service: 5/5 Atmosphere: 4/5 Price: 3/5 Parking: 3/5 Great burgers! I would frequent this place more often, but it's not very close to me. Customer Service is outstanding! I ate and left my holiday shopping bag in the dining area and was able to pick it up with nothing missing. Thank you so much "Kua'Aina Staff!" You guys are the Best! Food: Burgers are cooked to order. They don't have a specialty sauce like "Teddy's Bigger Burgers," so the freshness of the meat and other ingredients come into play. Service: Outstanding! Very friendly. Atmosphere: Love all the old photo's of "The good ol' days." Price: Average. Didn't mind what they charged since the food was good. Parking: Mall parking. It wasn't as bad as I thought and have experienced in the past.
(5)Ki H.
Kua 'Aina's convenient location is probably the only thing keeping this mediocre burger joint afloat. Let's begin... Their burger menu doesn't include the unexpected. You'll have a choice of 1/3 or 1/2 pound of burger, 4 choices of bun, 4 types of cheese, and the standard toppings (bacon, onion, lettuce, tomato blah blah blah). The burger itself is boring and uninspired compared to the competition and their fries... oh dear God their fries.... They are HORRIBLE! Thin, oily, and flavorless. If it wasn't a necessary companion to a burger, I would have skipped the fries altogether. Go ahead, waste your money and order them, you've already done so much by coming here in the first place. For your hard earned dollar and your hungry appetite, you'd do much better to go to either Teddy's, Burgers on the Edge or preferably, The Counter, all of which are fantastic and head and shoulders about what Kua 'Aina could ever hope to be.
(2)Zhen L.
The Kua'aina was a place I use to go when I worked at ColdStone Creamery. I really enjoy their burgers. I'm going to keep this short and simple. The food & location are great, but the service and decor needs some work. The outside looks amazing and attractive, but they seem to have skimped on the interior. Side note, their burgers are very greasy (I don't mind it). If you're a health-nut I wouldn't recommend this place to you.
(3)Oscar R.
One of my favorite burger places on Oahu! (see my review on the Haleiwa location) Great burger & great location with plenty of things to do around Ward center. The quality of the food here is right on par with the North Shore location. I would highly recommend giving this place a try.
(5)Anabelle T.
Burger is huge. Definitely over priced. The fries are super thinly cut and also have no flavor to them. The pinnacle was the best part of the meal. Just about the only thing with good flavor to it. The lemonade is horrible. I would suggest eating else where unless you really don't care about eating a decent meal.
(2)Norm G.
Edible? Yes. Delectable? No. I had a craving for a burger, so I prevailed upon my wife to go here. She doesn't think burgers are very healthy, and wasn't all that hungry, so she just had an iced tea. I ordered a 1/3 pound cheeseburger , small french fries, and small coke (and my wife's iced tea) and got ready for a gastronomical delight, since the burger itself was over $7. I just knew it was going to be good. The verdict? Well, the burger was slightly dry (I ordered it medium), not very tasty at all, and the french fries were these very skinny strings of fried potatoes, and the ones at the bottom were burnt. They were by far the scrawniest, wimpiest french fries I had ever set eyes on or teeth into. I mean, they were so limp, they could have definitely used an infusion of Viagra. And did this "sandwich" come with the requisite dill pickle? No, it came with a carrot stick! How lame! There were lots of pretty, young people in there who looked like they were enjoying this trendy place. I think they might have actually been from the cast of LOST. But I'm not sure, since I have never watched the show. To put it in a word, I was underwhelmed. I kept thinking the last time I had a burger at Burger King (about 6 months ago), it actually tasted better than this Kua Aina Burger. And you know what else? If memory serves me, the customer service people were friendlier at Burger King than they were at Kua Aina! The silver lining in all this is that I will spend a lot less money by going to Burger King, and that's always a good thing during this recession! So, I now know what Kua Aina is like, and will no longer need to go there again, and spend a small fortune on an uninspired burger. Sorry, fellow Yelpers, I really wanted to gush about this place, but I gotta be true to my taste buds. My reviews may make me unpopular, but in this age of duplicitous politicians and corporate malfeasance, when it comes to eating, I must stand by my honest opinion.
(2)Mai T.
Kuaaina is a favorite of my sister and since we were in the ward area, we decided to get ourselves some real burger. I am a total lover of pastrami, however this time I got the ortega burger. It was nice and hearty and the grilled pepper added a nice sweet touch. When eating Kuaaina burger, you really have to get your hand down and dirty! I actually saw people eating with their knife and fork, but that just didnt seem right to me! I have tried the Kuaaina in Japan, however it is totally different. From the size of the bun, burger and toppings to the price! Everything except for the price is petite there. One thing I really dont care for at Kuaaina is their fries! I think you either love it or dont like it and unfortunately their fries didnt ring the bell for me. I like my fries bigger and crunchier. It just always seems soggy and I cant make myself to believe that I am eating potato because it is so thin.
(3)DOM d.
Got the avocado burger it was xxxcelent the avocado was big and soft. The burger was really juicy. French fries were unique kids like pix stix but fresh. I would come back Bit pricey though burger was like 8 .50 I think
(4)Frankhie D.
The only thing i've ever eaten from here is their tuna sandwhich... and I L-O-V-E it! I typically order it on wheat bread and with avo, but whether they have avocado or not is really hit or miss :(. But they do have the next best thing I can put on a sandwhich which is BACON! It just compliments the sandwhich so well ;). Atmosphere is chill, you can sit inside or out and they provide condiments (ketchup, mustard, S&P, tabasco) and a roll of paper towels at each table.
(4)Zorrie L.
Kua 'Aina is a must-visit whenever I'm in Hawaii :) I always order the avocado burger, though several times I've visited and there was a sign posted that there was "No Avocado Today," which was always disappointing. The burger is everything that a delicious burger should be. Juicy, meaty, fresh, and on a good bun. There is definitely a good bun-to-meat ratio. The only thing is that once you pile the meat, lettuce, tomato, onions, avocado & bread together, there's literally no way the burger will fit in your mouth and thus it can get pretty messy. But this is all part of the experience--the messier the better :) Also, the fries are super good. I'm not sure if they do or not, but it would be better if they served sweet potato fries..yum :) I've also visited the locations in Haleiwa (really good!) & Japan (not so good, though it was exciting just to be able to find this place in Japan). I'd definitely say the Ala Moana location is comparable to the one in Haleiwa. The reason why I didn't give 5 stars is because a) a bit expensive & everything is ordered a la carte b) they always run out of avo :(
(4)Kevin W.
Perhaps my fault for ordering medium-rare - was def on the rare side. Patty didn't have any char or grill flavor to it. Was just a ball of ground beef sitting on a bun. Fries are terrible. Seems to be the consensus. I don't know if this is their way of cutting costs, but seriously management, 90% of the reviewers think so - just buy and resell small bags of potato chips if you want us to eat fried oily crisps. Great location. Nearby, had to try it once. Oh well.
(2)Dan F.
I ordered the Ortega Burger on the medium side. The Ortega chili pepper is very mild, but there wasn't a lot of flavor. I guess because all I could taste was grease and mayo. This is expected if you are going to order a hamburger here. But it's juicy right? The fries were a disappointment. They are thin and short cut, making it difficult to dip it in ketchup and eat. It's a good thing they have a roll of paper towels on each table. This place is probably a good source for biofuel.
(2)arlene d.
So I went to Ala moans beach with my bf and we got hungry. We decided to walk across and found this burger joint. Got in line and ordered. My bf got the avocado cheeseburger and I got the pineapple burger and we shared an order of fries..their burger was super bland no flavor at all!! It wasn't that goo I was just soo hungry and ate it but it needed to be seasoned or something. My bf said his burger was ok and agreed that it was bland. The fries were shoestring very thin it was the only thing that tasted good. The burger was huge but not so tasty I wouldn't come back. Go to Teddy's instead their burgers are soo good with lots of delicious flavor.
(2)E And L G.
As far as burgers, the cheeseburger Ortega burger were cook perfect. Bread was nice, didn't sog out, two tomatoes were fresh and lettuce was clean and fresh. no pickles...huh. No refills...huh. The service was not bad but the help that day was of the nature that we were bothering her. Plus she did not have on an outfit that fit or covered things that should be covered. But the burger was good...oh...the fries are not fries they are a whisper of a potato....best fries...Teds.
(3)Erica S.
Finally I satisfied my burger craving in Hawaii! Saw this place in the guidebook. I saw that they had the avocado burger so all the Japanese tourists around us were eating it, but I knew it was messy to eat so I just got the Swiss cheeseburger instead. The burger was pretty hefty, but it COMPLETELY satisfied me! 1/2 order of shoestring fries is good enough for two, but they were short and skimpy so it wasn't too great. Looks like the avocado burgers came with the whole avocado vs half?!
(4)Cheyne F.
I've been to the Kua 'Aina in Haleiwa and enjoyed the food there, so I decided to take some friends from California to the one conveniently located in Ward Center. I'm glad to say that it was a good experience. The service was timely and the hostess was nice. The food came out pretty quickly even though the place was a little busy during dinner, which was important since my group was in sort of a rush. I ordered a 1/2 lb bacon burger. Generally when I order a burger "medium", it comes out medium well and loses some of that juicy goodness. I was surprised and satisfied to see that they cooked the patty as I ordered. The bacon burger actually had a good amount of tasty bacon on it rather than just two skinny pieces like at other places. They didn't skimp on any of the crisp vegetable toppings and it came with a crunchy large carrot stick. The bun was toasted, which helped to prevent a soggy burger. It can be a messy task eating their burgers so I'm glad they a have a roll of paper napkins lying on the table to use. To keep the huge burger from falling apart, I just took some of the paper the burger is served in to wrap it up a little. Our group also ordered a large side of fries (crispy, but skinny, kind of like In-N-Out fries) that four of us could easily share. Kua 'Aina burgers are on the somewhat pricey side, but you pay for what you get. I'd say the amount and quality are worth what I paid. Juicy and tasty burgers for sure; I'll definitely go back when I want a burger fix. A word of warning for the hungry: these burgers are THICK, so don't be greedy like me and try to bite from the top to bottom of it without compacting it a little. You will dislocate your jaw.
(4)David L.
I saw the cook pick up a raw ground meat pattie, go back to using his phone, cough into his shirt, then pick up my hamburger buns. Needless to say, I did not get to try the food. The only positive is the cashier was friendly.
(1)Rob D.
In my opinion, the best hamburger in Hawaii. The fries are very good too. Very messy but that's a good thing here. I go here when I am craving a good burger.
(5)Jimmy S.
Great service . Ortega burger tasted great . You forgot my bacon
(4)Christina M.
I grew up in California and every time I miss In and Out I come here. This place is right on par with in and out except that they offer avocado on my burger! The fries are freshly made to me actually taste better than in and out. The meat is cooked to order and always tastes delicious. While my uncle prefers Teddys, me and my friends would prefer to eat here every time.
(5)Deanna C.
My boyfriend and I were craving burgers today so decided to give Kua 'Aina a try...big mistake. We ordered a 1/2 lb bacon burger with cheese and grilled onions, along with a side of fries. To start, we were a bit disappointed that this burger joint doesn't carry BBQ sauce...but oh well. Then found out you have to pay extra for condiments like ranch...but we let that slide too. The wait wasn't too bad, got our burger and they were nice enough to cut it in half for us. Picked up the burger that was supposed to be cooked medium, and noticed it was sitting in about a 3 inch wide puddle of blood with the bun soaked. A lady dressed in a tshirt, shorts, slippers and beanie was walking around putting ketchups on the tables, so I took a guess that she was an employee and waved her down...asked if dripping blood was normal for their medium cooked burgers. She said no and was nice enough to take my half back, but didn't offer to take back my boyfriends half that was just as raw. He was starving so ate around the raw parts, which honestly wasn't much, and just finished off the bacon, lettuce, and fries (which I will get to next). Anyways, pretty sure they just took my burger to the kitchen to microwave it cuz it came back over cooked and dried up. Whatever, I ate it anyway..or at least tried to. We tried to curb our hunger by at least having the fries to enjoy, but geeze, they sucked too. They were way over cooked or had been sitting under the lamp for too long. We were very disappointed that we drove from Manoa to have lunch here, and ended up with this experience. Left hungry and regretful...wish we spent our money somewhere else. Heck, even a drive thru would've been better. Sorry, but we won't be coming back.
(1)Valerie M.
One thing that makes me return to restaurants is their consistency. I can always count on Kua Aina to serve up their flame broiled hamburger patties and fish the same way every time I go there. Their sandwiches are at least 2" thick, and is filled with a generous layer of alfafa sprouts and tomatoes. It's one of those restaurants where you order at the counter, pay, find a table, then wait for them to call your name on the loudspeaker. The wait is no more than 5-10 minutes. Oh, and one more thing, the french fries are like shoe-string potatoes. So if you like your potatoes, thin, crispy and oily, then you will love these.
(4)Isa R.
I'm really shocked at some of the bad reviews on here. I LOVE Kua'Aina Burger! I try to go here every time I'm in the Ward area. I always get the avocado burger with an extra side of avocado (girl loves avocados haha). The burgers are always juicy. I can't comment on the bread seeing as how I don't eat bread... I love the shoestring fries as well.
(5)Albert F.
Havent been to Kua 'Aina in a long time. Went to the Ward one recently to use a groupon type coupon I had. Or tried to, as that day the grills were broken or something. Well yesterday we were finally able to stop by and have a few burgers. Not quite as good as I remember them to be. To be fair, they were large and juicy and cost about $8 each. I ordered the Avocado burger, which came with 3 or 4 huge slices of avocado. It was pretty messy to eat but good. For no particular reason, the shape of the burger bothered me, it looked too well formed, like it was pre-made somewhere on the mainland and shipped here.
(3)Koa N.
My friend swears this is the best burger joint she has ever been to. Not just in Hawai`i, but best ever. Came here last week and ordered a 1/2 pound teriyaki burger with cheddar and bacon. The burger was huge and I enjoyed every bite of it. If you like teriyaki burgers with a lot of sauce, you'll like this. I probably went through 10 napkins continually wiping my face and hands. I was with a group and the 5 of us ordered 3 large fries to share. We probably could have got away with only 2 orders. This is probably being picky, but I didn't like that they handed us our drinks without lids. I had to pickup 4 drinks for the group, and none of them had lids. They keep the lids on the counter about 8 feet from where they gave me the drinks. Why not hand the drinks to your customers with the lids on? I'll give them the benefit of the doubt and assume they are trying to be environmentally conscious, but give me the option. I want a lid, give me a lid!!!! Or at least keep the lids where you give the drinks so I don't need to ask or go searching for them. Moving on, the lid problem isn't why they lost a star. They had ants crawling around. Not just where I placed my order, and spent time staring at the counter, but also on the counter where I got my lids (mentioned above), the same counter that my food sat on when they called my name. I hate seeing unwanted bugs at restaurants..I'd hate it even more if I found them in my food.
(4)Hina M.
Never a disappointment here! Service is quick never over 10 minute wait for food, seating isn't too bad just don't go during lunch rush. The burgers are always good, never burnt, never under cooked, just right!
(5)Derrick S.
Best hamburger on Oahu! Great prices for the quality of the food. Great locations either by the Ward Center movie theater or in Hale'iwa. The shoestring fries are one of the best parts about going here. If you want boring, regular fries go to McDonalds. I like something different.
(5)Jennifer C.
Yum! Ortega Burger Pineapple Burger Bacon Cheese Burger Turkey Burger The Pineapple burger was my favorite!
(3)Richard K.
The burgas are mean!!!!!
(5)Marielle C.
Avocado burger is fantastic
(4)Anne B.
I love this place. I always get the Ortega Burger. Their fries are awesome. My dog loves to eat the carrot stick that always comes with the burger. I'm glad they started to accept credit cards. Only thing is the Ward location doesn't have a restroom so you have to go inside by Mocha Java if you want to go wash your hands. Minor issue, really. Important thing is their food is delish consistently! I'm picky with my burgers and this is the only place and Honolulu Burger Co. where I can go and actually finish my burger!
(4)Jayson N.
i use to love this place. the burgers are still pretty good. but i will say that they are on the pricey side. i mean 8 or 9 dollars for a burger? really? but then again i guess it's quality meat and ingredients. i just feel like eating 3 burgers from W&M instead. we live in a recession. i need the most bang for my buck. :) but i will say this place has lovely, speedy service and fries that are unlike any other. I just wish them fries had more crisp to them..
(3)Jinho L.
Came here to celebrate Memorial Day with my buddy. What better way to remember those who've bravely passed on in defense of our freedoms than gorging upon dead, processed animals covered in AMERICAN cheese? Ordered the pineapple burger with rye bread and some fries. The burger was juicy and full of flavor; I could almost hear that cow mooing it's last moo. The fries are the closest I've ever come to In-N-Out greatness (Have to compare every burger joint to In-N-Out). But alas, despite the foods' hard work at being food, it was the price and ultimately the cashier's attitude that brought down my opinion of this place. The cashier really didn't seem like she wanted to work or stand or talk or breath. With a blank face and bland personality she took our order and didn't even smile. Now, I don't expect to be treated like a king (even though I totally should) but it's almost as if she took offense when I gave her my order. As if she should have been the one ordering me around. Either way, good food but overpriced. It just seems I can get a better deal at Teddy's Bigger Burgers. Colon cancer, here I come! FULL BLAST!
(3)Kendra R.
Great food! I am sad I can't go back. The cooks were wearing dirty clothes, greasy hands, no gloves, touching everything without out washing in between, sweating all over (possibly on drugs), and recently the cleanliness of the dining room has gone down hill too. If it was cleaned up and better employee presentation I would go back. I normally dont give reviews unless they are really good. Sorry!! This was disturbing.
(1)Steven R.
This is a tough one because... I understand where Anna D. is coming from when she reviewed Kua Aina as a 3 star and mentioned in her first sentence that it's good... but sometimes a hit or miss. Well... I've visited Kua Aina... maybe a dozen times and when they serve a good burger, in my opinion it's excellent - 5 stars. When it's not 5 stars, I'd give it a 3.5 or 4... but I'm not sure how they pull that off. Is it a different chef working on a different day? Or is it something else? Just don't know... but one thing I can say is... I've never been disappointed with the friendliness and excellent service. That's just been my experience so since their burger ranks, depending on the day, 3.5 - 5 stars and their service has always been a 5.... in my head that averages out to 4.5 which tips the Rating Scale to 5. Whew! These rating decisions... I tell ya, not easy. (c: So don't sweat it... if you're close by and looking for a great burger or even their chicken salad is a good choice, give it a try. Also, I've never eaten at "In and Out Burger" in LA. My buddy Marc basically tells me if I ever did... I'd never go to another burger joint again. Only thing is if I do, I'm afraid he might be right, so I guess I'll just stick to Kua Aina's crappy burgers for now. LOL.
(5)Michelle G.
My husband and I moved here from Ann Arbor, MI in Oct 2010 and I never thought we would find burgers to compare to back in MI. after 6 months I was starting to lose hope. Googling "best burger on Oahu" just wasn't working. Then we stumbled across Kua'aina Burgers. Thank. God. The patty was juicy and flavorful, the bacon was pure bacon-y goodness, the grilled onion could have stood on its own. And don't even get me started on the shoestring fries. So. Good. We'll be putting Kua'aina on at least a bi-weekly rotation.
(5)Jensen S.
Best "burger' place I've been to so far. Only been to a few though. Got the Ortega Burger which is the burger with the Ortega pepper on top of it. Like a big green pepper on the burger. I was totally not what I expected but it was tasty none the less. It is really messy though. My friend got the avocado burger and it came with a ton of avocado. She loves avocado but took some out, that's how much they give. But she really liked the burger. We also bought the side order of fries, and Yelp made it seem amazing but I wasn't to happy with it. Each fry was really tiny, it reminded me of PikNik (IDK if that's spelt correctly but the shoestring potato chips that come in the big can comes in ketchup, original, or honey mustard flavor I believe...getting off topic here) but ya the fries were really small and really oily. So come here and just get the burger, any burger.
(4)Tom S.
I've heard that Kua'aia burgers are outta this world. So I came in with high expectations and was disappointed. I tried the pineapple burger and thought it was overpriced and nothing special. The restaurant was also quite small on the inside with very little seating. I must say that the burger was quite a mouthful and leaked grease as I ate it...ughh
(2)James R.
I have been to both country and town locations on several occasions each but this one is for town side only. Food - food taste is great and portions are of a good size. I have had several different burgers and sandwiches and sides. The burger toppings are typically fresh and delicious. (tomato, onion, lettuce, pineapple avocado, etc.) Its nice too that if you only want water it is served in a cup meant for a normal person not some miniature sized one. I do think that the flavor has slipped a little bit over the past couple years. Service - its typically quick and efficient, they are friendly enough for the amount of face time you spend. It isn't much more then a quick place for a burger so things likes tips don't seem too necessary here but they do have a nice sized bucket to squeeze a little extra if your generous enough. That leads me to price Prices - TOOO MUCH! you can't charge the amount they do and offer the portion size and quality they do. If I will be paying that much for a burger, a few bucks more for fries, and another few a drink I would expect something a bit fancier or better. It feels a bit like robbery to go to a place like this and end up paying almost 15$ for a drink entree and side when i could spend that for two people at another similar establishment. Overall I say go if you haven't had but dont have too high of expectations, its just one step away from totally generic in my eyes and not worth any more then the 2 stars it gets.
(2)John H.
These burgers are the BEST ive had! The avocado burger has a whole avocado on it. Burger is juicy and flavorful. The kaiser bun its on is soft. Fries are okay. This place gets packed and hard to find a seat for more then 2.
(5)Tracy P.
I have been here a few times and despite all the options, I didn't really like the taste of the food. I have been getting sandwiches so maybe next time I'll try a burger.
(2)Chihiro N.
They were out of avocados, boo :( So I decided to get the cold pastrami sandwich and my boy ordered the 1/3 lb bacon cheeseburger with a side of fries. No wonder for the roll of paper towel on the table - this baby comes in so handy. My pastrami was delicious, it had that bacon-y taste but not as fattening. It was huge, and although I wasn't even that hungry I managed to finish it in 10 minutes. I thought their side carrot was kinda random, but it was crunchy and refreshing. I was excited for their fries, but I found it oily and soggy. Maybe it wasn't fresh? My boyf said that the burger wasn't really worth the price - he said he still prefers Teddy's. It is pricey here so I don't know if I'll come here too often.
(3)Leo P.
Pros: Delicious Fast For $10 to $12 a burger, this place is great. They have a bunch of unique combinations to satisfy all different types of appetites. The half pound burger is pretty big. The burgers come on a kaiser roll, toasted with a splash of butter. You'll need napkins, but that's the way i like it. I can't seem to stop ordering the avocado burger. They put 2 generous slices of avocado on your burger that seem compliment the burger fantastically. 10 minutes from the time you walk in the door to the time your eating.....or less Sometimes my "rare" burger comes out medium, but not a big deal for a $10 burger.
(4)Damon A.
Bacon cheese burger $9 something (for the 1/3 pounder, cheese was extra 0.50) @ kua aina. It was ok. First of all the burger came out too fast, normally i wouldnt grumble about that, but it made me suspicious. It ment my burger was being pre cooked. Now there is nothing wrong with that but my burger came out well done and dry, not like how i ordered medium (or how the menu says medium unless you say so). And I got a feeling they dont make their own hamburger patties like Teddys (or prove me wrong, I cannot read nihongo because the website is only Japanese [i know what kine Japanese me], does that mean owned by Japanese?) The BIG points goes to the bacon, because soggy and under cooked bacon sucks.The fries was ok, nothing special, just soaks up more oil because its shoestring cut. Would I visit again? Probably not, small kine takai prices that I'd rather spend on a better burger. Teddys is still king UPDATE: Never going back again, had stomach cramping with gas hours after. And to only think i had problems, all my coworkers also got sick. Where are the health inspectors when you need them?
(1)Craig S.
We have been eating here for over 20 years. Every time we come to Hawaii we go to the North Shore and have a burger. In the past I would of given them a 5. Some of the experience used to be the little cramped restaurant. Maybe 6 tables inside and 6 tables outside on a wooden porch. Waiting in line for several minuets for your order to be taken. And the burgers were the best I have ever had. Very juicy and tasty. They have lost some of the charm with the new store. The seating outside is very nice but I don't think the burgers are as good as they used to be. Maybe it is just me. I have switched from the burger to the Ahi. Very good sandwich if you can get them to cook it "just seared". Some times they get it right some times not. Still will always be a favorite place to go. Brings back nice memories of when my children was young. We have had such fun vacationing in Hawaii.
(3)Angela P.
Mmmm, burgers. Kua'Aina brings back many fond memories of high school and romantic dates. One of the best things about Kua'Aina is the fact that their burgers follow a very important rule in the culinary world: K.I.S.S - Keep it simple, stupid. Which is the reason why I always get what I want to impress me... a simple cheeseburger. Either in slices of pepperjack or cheddar. The burgers are always consistent: cooked right, seasoned right, juicy, and doesn't have any "special secret sauce" slathered on the bun which makes the burger seem heavy. it's a simple burger (and if you ordered it) with simple cheese--that just makes it a classic. The 1/3 pound may not fill you up so be sure to get their crispy shrilled up fries (which tastes better than it looks). So, if you're expecting thick cut fries, be open to trying out something new... because the only thing that'll be thick cut is the healthy carrot stick next to your burger. For a poor college student, $10-$14 for a decent burger WITH fries and a drink can seem a little expensive, but when you're willing to dish out (or get politely treated) you won't regret it. Service is fast, efficient, and the atmosphere is enjoyable as there is outside seating as well. Ample amount of parking, close to Ward shopping center to walk it off, and if you're willing to catch a flick with your friends or lover--Ward Theatre is right there. Or, if you're of age, Dave and Busters to fuel your inner child or inner drunk. Like I said, great place to take your date out to Kua'Aina, especially outside during the night. From my experience, there's nothing like eating a great cheeseburger while sitting across from your date and looking at the well-lit night-life of Ward Shopping Center. There's flaming tiki torches to be admired, the modern feel of well-lit entertainment centers, and Alamoana Beach Park is just a 5 minute walk away... just make it to the park before it closes unless you're feeling "romantic" :)
(4)Chelsea G.
Ate here for the first time last night. I always wanted to eat here, and since the wait for Genki was ridiculous, we decided to head to this burger joint to check out the hype. I ordered the BLT with cheddar cheese, which I must say was QUITE DELISH, and they were not stingy with the bacon at all! The BLT was on a toasted whole grain bun with a dab of mayo, lettuce and tomato. I LOVE LOVE LOVE how you can choose the type of cheese on your sandwich: american, chedder, pepperjack and i believe provolone. And burgers come in 1/2 and 1/3 lb sizes. My BLT was $7. I ordered a large fries ($4). The fries were almost like shoestring potato thin. But, because of the cut, the fries weren't so filling. I would rather have nice thick cut fries that make it worth the bite! Overall, this place is a nice casual place to grab a quick bite to eat.
(3)T Z.
The 1/2 lb burger is huge - seems to have more than one whole avocado...but I finished every bite. The kaiser roll was good with the burger. I wasn't as crazy about the grilled onions because it was not caramelized. I really liked the sauce and just let it drip over my fries. Those fries were awesome with a dash of black pepper. Very kid-friendly and family atmosphere. Easy parking available on lot across the street for Ward Center shoppers.
(4)Big Baby D.
Just got a cheese burger, but it was very good. They cooked it medium without giving me any crap about it needing to be well done. For this I'm thankful. I'm pissed they were out of avocado, because I really wanted the avocado burger and it was our last night in town. /shrug. The regular cheese burger was good enough to make up for it! We arrived at 25 minutes to closing and the staff was insanely friendly and welcoming. We were almost skeptical... I mean, other people were coming in after us, but they seemed genuinely delighted to be helping us even though we'd potentially be the reason they had to stay later than anticipated. Price can't be beat... few places in Honolulu are so reasonably priced. Great service, great price, great quality, and free parking all in Honolulu? 5 stars!
(5)Iris T.
I'm usually a burger-and-fries girl but for some reason, when I came to Kua 'Aina, which has all sorts of burgers, I was inexplicably drawn to their mahi-mahi sandwich. I was convinced, with all the people eating burgers around me, I would regret my decision. I did not. At all. The mahi-mahi sandwich was delicious -- fish tasted fresh and was perfectly grilled. Despite what I previously thought, I didn't have any entree-envy! I was too busy enjoying my sandwich! Perhaps on a return trip, I'll try their burgers. But that's if I forget how delicious the mahi-mahi sandwich was (unlikely!)
(4)Sammy S.
Delicious fish sandwiches and burgers. Wish they would add a homemade veggie burger too. Have been there twice this year, and both times my sandwiches totally exceeded my expectations. Service is also fast, friendly and competent!
(4)Marisa R.
Burgers are GREAT! But, the staff is rude rude rude. You know, I understand if you're rude to everyone, but the past time my mom and I visited Kua'aina, one of the girls was blatantly rude to me and my mom and then smiles and is overly friendly to the next person?? That really effing pissed me off. I don't know if I can go back and eat here. Service is half the experience.
(3)Ryan L.
I havent been to Kua Aina burger in a while. I like the food here but not the price and quantities. At their price range I'd rather go to a 'teddys' or a cheaper ghetto but tastey burger spot. However today i decided to try their sandwiches instead of burger and was surprisingly happy. the BLT with avacado sandwich was less expensive, jam-packed full of bacon awesomeness, and tasted amazing. Places that dont cheap out on the bacon get a thumbs up in my book. i may have to re-explore kua aina burger. but then again maybe not.
(3)Francesco V.
It used to be one of my favorite. I didn't go there for about 6 months or so. Today I had the worst bacon burger and fries I have ever had in my entire life (and I'm 47!). Overcooked, tasteless, super dry and shrunk meat - cold and very dry bun (I got kaiser) - chewy and dry bacon - fries also very dry and just inedible. I returned the burger and said that was very different from how they always were, and they were almost inedible. The employee just said "ok", she didn't offer to remake, didn't even say she was sorry. I guess goodbye to Kua'ina:(
(1)Josh S.
So, I was told this is the best burger joint in Honolulu. A friend told me the original one in Haleiwa is better than one in downtown Honolulu, but I was too lazy to drive up North Shore and try this place out, so I just went down to downtown. Perhaps, I should have gone to Haleiwa. Because I honestly did not have a good experience with this joint. They have many great selections for burgers and sandwiches. It's good seeing vegetarian choices on a burger joint. I ordered a typical burger with everything on it. I tried to order on wheat bread but they told me it's not buns, just pieces of breads -- I told them No Thanks. The fries were terrible. I couldn't believe they serve this kind of fries and people rave about how good this burger joint is. It's like one of those frozen fries you'd get from Wal-Mart and they charge you $3 for it. Outrageous. I'm a strong believer that Burgers and Fries go together and restaurants must serve equally quality fries with equality quality burgers. Many times I see only one being good quality. Kua Aina is the same. Later I learned that many Japanese tourists are big fan of this place. This must have been featured in Hawaii tourism promotion video in Japan. I saw many coming and just being awed by the surrounding -- slick job by Kua Aina for their marketing. Bottom line, no combo meals offered. You order everything separately and will come out to be $13 for a regular burger, pathetic fries, and fountain drink. Oh the fountain drink only come with one free re-fill. What's up with that? Head to Teddy's or Burgers on the Edge. BOTE actually has great sweet potato fries.
(2)Caitlin T.
We decided to get some burgers yesterday before seeing Super 8. Hubby wanted burgers so where else to go than Kua Aina. I have been happy with their Ortega burger in the past so this time I decided to go with the Turkey, Ortega and Cheese sandwich. I got mine on wheat bread with monterey jack cheese. Very tasty. Very large. I wish I had a knife to cut it in half. We got a small basket of fries to share. Yummy. They are very much like In n' Out's fries, nice and thin and crispy.
(3)Idaho G.
I loved Kua'Aina on our trip to Hawaii. We consider ourselves Burger fans, being from Idaho, we get great meat and our steakhouses and BBQs are incredible. So, I was told to go to Cheeseburger in Paradise and Kua Aina and we did both. Pros: Great tasting burger and shoestring fries, Fries are really crispy and thin (not steakhouse style), and everything tasted really fresh. Hawaii beef is good! Cons: As we were in line we heard them run out of several things including cheese and avocado. This should never happen! Luckily I like my burger plain, but this is a little bad to see. Also, the place has a more take out feel than a standard sit down restaurant.
(4)Grace Y.
Expensive, but a decent place to go for a local burger experience. Not as good as the Haleiwa location. For a real local experience, go there. The burgers are good, but I was actually surprised at how pleasant the atmosphere was in the midst of Ward Warehouse. I was expecting a hectic crowded place, but there was plenty of room (even for a baby stroller) inside the restaurant and plenty of room outside to dine. There are very high ceilings and giant windows and this adds to the nice atmosphere. I felt very relaxed. I always like the pineapple burger.
(3)Veronica L.
BEST BURGERS AND FRIES ON THE ISLAND!! I hate the drive, but when I'm craving a burger, this is the only place to go. This one has better service and cooks your food more to perfection than the one on North Shore. I've tried most of the "favorite" burger places including Teddy's and Cheeseburger in Paradise. Kua 'Aina wins, HANDS DOWN. **UPDATE** While I still attest that these are the best burgers on the island, I am a bit dissatisfied after tonight's experience due to the fact they ran out of fries at 7:30pm. What burger joint, especially one known for its fries, runs out of fries?? It's like McDonald's running out of fries. I decided to try out The Counter to see if their burgers were any good. Needless to say, my vote still goes to Kua Aina.
(5)Cameron B.
My gf loves their fries so that's the only reason why we came here. Sad to say, the North shore location tastes way better. She said the fries were okay just over cooked. I thought fries are fries so I ate it. My burger was okay, nothing special considering how expensive it was
(3)Ed J.
I loved the food,prices and the service. The only thing I didnt like were the fries were really skinny, they actually were more like stringy chips. They should have a couple of options for people that like conventional fries or onion rings. Minor detail I will be back.
(4)May B.
The Hubby and I get our burger fix from here maybe once a month. The shoestring fries are always a hit. The burgers today, unfortunately were not. Husband ordered his 1/2lb bacon burger "medium rare" bit received it practically "well done". My pastrami sandwich was increasingly saltier than norm. Thus the 3 stars. Free drink refills a plus and taken advantage of with every visit.
(3)Patricia L.
Love Kua'Aina Burgers! I keep telling myself to try the other sandwiches, but I am so hooked on that Avocado Burger!!!! Quite honestly...you don't even need to get a sandwich, just get the fries! The fries are apply to the thigh good! There is plenty of seating inside and out at this location. It does take a little time to get your food since everything is made fresh to order. So, be patient, its worth it. The only problem or thing I can't understand is...when you order the smaller burger you get the same size bun as the larger burger. So you need to munch through some bread to get to the goodness.
(5)Remi M.
Burgers at Kua'Aina are pretty darn tasty. BUT, sometimes someone must be having a rough day because you will occasionally get a not so yummy burger. My requirement for a yummy burger is pretty simple: (^.^*)/ Yummy = A juicy burger with a nice char to it. /(;_;)\ Not So Yummy = Dry and over cooked to the point of hockey puck-like status. I've had a not so yummy burger here & because of that I haven't been back for over five years. Well, Kua'Aina is still around so they must be doing something right. I've been back several times now since last year & it's safe to say my burger passed muster. To French Fries or Not to French Fries? The skinny little shoestring fries are not my favorite. It lacks the potato flavor to me. Sort of like eating air somehow? It tastes better if you eat a handful of it at a time but that just makes me look like a pig so I dunno. Not much of a fan. These days I'm more apt to veg out on their Grilled Eggplant & Peppers sandwich ($7.40). It's perfect for the days when you just want to eat veggies just because it's veggies. The nicely charred eggplant, peppers & onions really brings out the sweetness of the vegetables & has it's own "meatiness" to it. It is so good! I have tried this sandwich with all three types of breads (Kaiser roll, multi-grain wheat & hearth rye) and hearth rye is the way to go because the other two breads just fell apart not even halfway through eating.....so go with rye for less mess. Best to eat on sight. I'm pretty sure if you order to go you will get a soggy mess. 3 stars for the burgers, 4.5 stars for the grilled eggplant & pepper sandwich. One more thing. If you order a drink you have to grab your own lid. Straws to the left of the counter & lids all the way to the right of the counter. Happy eating!
(4)Naz M.
I ordered an avacoda burger and told them please dont burn the meat. Because last time I ordered a veggy burger, they burned the veggy patty. Then I got my burger and the meat was burnt again. I gave it back and started to wait for my new burger. After 40 minutes of waiting I saw the chef, he was talking to the manager lady. I asked "is there any problem?" Because I was still waiting. And the chef said "yes there is a problem" ! I said they burnt the meat and I have been waiting for 40 minutes to get a new one! He said Ä°t wasn't burnt, it was just a little bit over-cooked! He was sooo rude and ready to fight. I said I took the pic of the meat and gonna put it on Yelp! It was burnt not over-cooked! Anyway, the manager lady was so sorry about the chef's attitude and asked me a free burger. It was almost an hour that I was waiting. I got my money back and left. I Waited for an hour to get a new burger (not a free stuff - just to get a new burger) - if they can't cook a burger meat without burning it, then they should shut down their "burger" shop.
(1)Molly B.
I wasn't a huge fan and neither was my boyfriend. I thought the bun was dry/stale and the under seasoned burgers were overcooked. Fries weren't too good - seems like the bottom of the barrel crunchies, but I know some people are into that kind of shoestring thing. I'll be on the hunt for a better burger on the island.
(1)Nicholas K.
This burger place is a hit or miss, they're often out of avocados because it is in high demand. Customer service is okay at best. Burger quality is eh to good-ish. Usually, they announce the order via the speakers outside if someone does not come up when their name is called, however today no names were called and left my order to sit on the counter for god knows how long (I was outside on their outdoor tables). I came in and sat down to see if my order was coming up and noticed a bag there but just waited as no one said anything as I sat there with no one else really waiting on an order. Eventually I just went up to look at the order inside of the bag and just took it and left. Staff were not paying attention to me inspecting or leaving with the bag, they usually say bye or they check to make sure you got what you ordered. The calling name thing is okay because it might just be policy to not call names when it's in the evening--which makes sense. They should at least come outside to call for the order or something then? I am more concerned by the fact that no one really noticed or paid attention to me just running off with my order lol. The problem is that when I got the burger and decided to eat it, the burger was clearly not cooked well enough. My order was medium rare however what I got was a slightly cooked and possibly rare patty. The patty was seeping gravy that was very red in color and I'm not sure what its original temperature it was cooked at but it was lukewarm within 5 minutes of me getting it. The outermost part of the patty was browned and the browning went in about a mm, the following was pink, then we got to the utmost center and the redness was clearly a lot more clear than the other parts of the patty. I suspect it was not cooked long enough or wasnt cooked at a high enough temperature, my father agrees. This was one incident, I'm kind of a regular here but never in the evening. This is a review specific to the evening. During the day it's okay most of the time. Sometimes the burger is great, sometimes it's very mediocre, either undercooked or overcooked, not enough salt and mayo etcetc. But its better than most places on the island. Just make sure to check your patty before eating it to be safe. I don't even understand though because there were few people there today. It wasn't like they were getting hammered with orders. Yet, poor service AND poor food? I think the owner or someone needs to do a quality check with an in disguise customer to check on what their staff is doing and how they're conducting business. You're going to lose money if this becomes a regular experience for your customers. Once upon a time, Kua'Aina was an AMAZING place. But this is before they moved years ago, idk the quality has been decreasing it's really sad. This place is standing on old prestige and location of their business, not good.
(3)Amber W.
The employees were nice and the menu was simple but good options. The place was clean but all of the tables were sticky. Like, sticking-to-my-arm. Ew. We got the avocado bacon burger and fries. It was good but nothing amazing. Probably nice if you're craving a burger and nothing else will satisfy. Price was alright.
(3)Oscar F.
Good food!! BAD customer service! We asked the cashier if they could do us a favor by cutting the burgers in half for us. Then SHE said "we have knives." Teach your people proper customer service. NO ALOHA whatsoever!!!
(2)Mark B.
This restaurant never has avocados ... NEVER! When everything on the menu either has avocado in the name, or has the option to add avocado to it, you should carry a sufficient amount of avocados to meet the demand! I've been going several nights a week for dinner on my way home, and they never have avocados. It's so bad that they even have a wooden sign made that they put up: "SORRY NO AVO". It has become standard for the staff, which is really unacceptable. Even in Hawaii, it is not hard to carry a fresh supply of avocados on hand. The person responsible for buying avocados should be fired.
(1)Lorene P.
Yum, the best BLT sandwich on rye bread! So much crispy bacon that it falls out of the sandwich. Yup, I had it with mayo too. When can I go there again?! Great option when the choice is a burger joint yet u feel like having something else. BTW, I love the burger and shoestring fries here.
(4)Karen C.
I remembered this place a little differently. Burgers were okay, I didn't seem to see anything that stood out for me. I also remembered the fries being like shoe string fries... however, now its more like potato sticks. Its wasn't a bad place to stop by for lunch, but it sadly did not satisfy my craving for a burger that day. For their prices, I think going to Honolulu Burger Co. may be a better choice. Staff however, was very nice. Dine in area was clean.
(3)Loryn G.
When I first moved to Hawaii, everyone said this was the go-to burger spot. Having lived here for years now, I know that this is not the case. It's- meh. While the North Shore / Haleiwa location is charming, I just don't think the burgers at either location are anything to rave about-- at all. The only time I go now is if a friend wants to go. I won't balk at it. I will say the place is clean and staff friendly. The cons? Every time I go-- EVERY TIME-- they are out of avocado. Yet, they are known for their avo burger. The burgers are usually overcooked and dry-- I am a firm believer that burgers should be super juicy- like running-down-your-arm-multiple-napkins juicy. The meat is totally bland and flavorless, and burgers are served with awkwardly-large chunks of carrot (what?!?!) -- and don't get me started on the "fries." So gross. They are like oily little fry shavings. Like shredded hash browns that have been soaked in oil all night. These are not french fries. Finally, for the quality of what you get, I think it's overpriced. There are far too many other places to get good burgers-- I would much rather head over to Teddy's.
(2)Marie H.
Amazing!!! Best burger I've had in a long time! Got the 1/2lb avocado burger with bacon. It was HUGE! Only complaint it we ordered two burgers mid rare, one came out perfect the other came out mid well. But even with that this place still gets 5 stars. Yep! That good!
(5)Guy M.
I love a good burger! If you're on O'ahu and want a good burger try Kua'Aina! They have two locations one in the Ala Moana area and the other Haleiwa (North Shore). Be prepared the only except cash or at least that is the way it was.
(4)Emi H.
I have been craaaaaving a burger all week and made the decision to get dinner at Kua 'Aina with my three-year old in tow. Daddy was having a night out with his friends, so we were having a wild night on the town together! #GirlsGoneMILD This shop is in my hood and for one reason or another, I always forget that it's so close by. We decided to go with the 1/2 lb cheese burger (only $.40 more than a 1/3 lb) and small french fries. Our order came out to $11.40 and this is without a drink so prepare your wallet if you're coming with your entire family. The good news is that you can really share one order of 1/2 lb burger + fries with another person and be totally full. In addition, you have lots of choices for add-ons here such as different cheeses, bacon, avocado, pineapple, etc but as I was sharing with my little one I thought it best to keep it simple. All burgers come with lettuce, tomato, onions and mayo. I have to give props to the lady at the counter who took our order because without me even asking she gave me a cup of water. This probably isn't standard and I appreciated that she noticed I had my daughter in tow. So sweet! While we waited for our order I noticed that they were non-stop busy because it was a Saturday, but they really need an extra set of hands just to wipe down tables. Waited about 12 minutes for our order but I thought it was worth the wait for a freshly cooked burger that really satiated my monster burger craving. I'm not the biggest fan of shoestring fries but my daughter finished them off so they're definitely kid approved!
(4)George M.
amazing fresh cooked to order hamburgers.. we got the president Obama fav avocado burger ( I added bacon to mine) and also a side of fries which are fresh cut fries and all tasted amazing.. We will def be back next time Hawaii..
(3)Gee G.
Had the 1/3 lb Bacon Burger with cheddar cheese. Not gonna lie, it's pretty awesome. The burger was juicy, just the way I like it. I couldn't eat the whole thing which made me realize I should've just got a kiddie burger and just added the toppings I wanted my friend got the kiddie burger and it was pretty much the same size as my burger and it was half of the price. I love how the onions are grilled and you can choose whatever type of cheese you prefer. I didn't like the fries, which is pretty much just shoe string fries. Definitely going back to try their other burgers.
(4)Jus M.
I was excited to finally try out Kua 'Aina after a sabbatical from island grinds for quite some time. I love burgers so any chance I have to try out a new burger place, I'm definitely up for the foodie adventure! The menu was lacking and I ended up ordering an Avocado burger with a side of fries. The fries really should have been complimentary with the burger order. It seriously did not add any value to the meal. It reminded me of the fries at Five Guys but at half the quality. :/ The burger was ok..cooked well but messy with the avocado sliding out of place with each bite. Still, it was tasty but certainly not one of the best that I've had. "I've had better," she says. Lol
(3)John B.
Simply one of the best burgers this California boy has ever tasted. Fresh and delicious, with great, friendly service to boot. We'll be back!
(5)Lyla D.
We've been fans of Kua'Aina from its humble beginnings in Haleiwa. When they expanded to Ward Center, we found ourselves going to this location more frequently. This location is more convenient, accessible and cleaner. There are more parking areas, other shopping options and entertainment around. Somehow, after watching a movie at the nearby Ward Consolidated Theaters, having a burger with fries seems to finish the day. It's like having a hot dog or nachos at a ball game...doesn't it seem to taste better? When you peruse their menu, please note that you have several choices to make. The service counter and cashier are normally friendly and patient. You get to "customize" your burger with the following: -burger size..either 1/3 lb. or 1/2 lb. -burger doneness? They grill your burger to your order. -what do you want on that burger? cheese, type of cheese, bun or type of bread, bacon, Ortega chile or avocado. -rather not have a burger? They do offer vegetarian or non-meat options. Our favorite Kua'Aina meals are their 1/2 lb. Avocado burger, bacon cheeseburger, a large basket of crispy fried shoestring potatoes and 2 beverages. Our burgers have always been grilled medium to medium well, flavorful and juicy. My favorite is the avocado burger that is the best because it features a whole avocado. The bacon cheeseburger is also tasty with strips of crispy bacon atop either cheddar or Provolone. And the "natural" accompaniment is their crisp fried shoestring potatoes or onion rings. We've dined here often enough to have tried just about everything on their menu but we're creatures of habit so we'll order our favorites. What will you try? Cheese boiger, cheese boiger, cheese boiger....
(4)Teri C.
Regular cheeseburger was ok. Lots of mayo and hard to eat since it's pretty big. I liked their fries more. Very thin and reminded me of in n out fries from back home in the mainland. The fries were a little on the greasier side though
(3)Jenni M.
Every time I've come here the people are friendly and the food has yet to disappoint! Our Conure loves the free water they give!
(5)Peter M.
I wanted to see what the hype was so we went. WOW, disappointment when compared to Teddy's and any other burger place. 1-the menu: All I read about is the avocado burger - but they were out of avocado. I figured since it was so prominent they'd have had plenty. nope 2-the burger: They tout all burgers are medium and the person we ordered from specifcially asked. They were so rare as to think the cow was only mildly injured. 3-the bun: call me needy, but a hot burger off the grill gets a warm bun (or at least a soft one). Missed it again. The kaiser they advertised looked good, and should have been appetizing, but was clearly just taken out of some kind of storage. I will give them a little break because we came at a very busy time, but that's where you let customers wait until the food is properly prepared. There's PLENTY of other options for a good burger on the island. Teddy's hasn't failed us yet! In a market where folks compete for the best burger, Kua 'Aina better pick up its game.
(1)Sadie P.
I've been wanting to check this place out and I'm happy I finally did. I walked in and automatically the staff was super nice. Smiles all around. I love the Hawaii vibe and music playing. Large portions for cheap!!!!! I love that they ask for a temp of the burgers. I ordered a 1/2 pound pineapple teriyaki burger with cheese, medium rare with fries and a Pepsi because I'm fat and forever hungry. It was amazing!
(5)Marissa Ann T.
I've read reviews from former consumers, and they really made me feel iffy about this place, but friends have told me that this place is really good & i was also craving, so I went on a whim. I do not regret it at all! I ordered a 1/2 lb bacon burger on a kaiser roll with swiss cheese. Man, that burger was huge! Even when I tried to flatten the bun, I still had a difficult time getting everything in my mouth. But looking and chewing into it, I noticed that the burger was very juicy, cooked perfectly to medium, and the bacon was very crisp. I was very satisfied with the flavor. I didn't have to add ketchup, mustard, salt or pepper to it at all. Although, I did add some hot sauce for some spice (i love spicy!). my boyfriend ordered the 1/2 lb avocado burger on a kaiser with provolone cheese. although we had the same sized patty, he had a much harder time biting into his since they used practically half an avocado! My boyfriend was very satisfied with his burger, also, but did not like how he had a hard time eating it. When he tried to smash down his burger to make it easier to eat, the avocado just slid out, and when he tried to put it back & repeat, it just did the same thing. He ate the burger without half of the avocado, but went back when he was done with the burger to eat the rest. The fries, my boyfriend and I can both agree, were very addicting! They don't season the fries after coming out of the frier, so make sure to season it with salt & pepper as soon as you get it! They can be a bit on the soggier side, so you might want to stay away from it. For me, though, I prefer soggy fries so it was perfect. The only downside to my visit was that the cashier wasn't the friendliest. She looked very annoyed and didn't seem enthusiastic at all upon our visit.
(4)Jennifer C.
I came for lunch with the husband, with a huge craving for a mahi sandwich, and a huge aversion against driving to the North Shore for one. I saw that they served mahi sandwiches at Kua 'Aina and I was sold. I had the mahi sandwich on wheat, and he had the bacon avocado burger. The mahi sandwich was OK. They gave a generous portion of fish, but certain parts of it tasted fishy...I probably would stick to burgers. The husband ordered the larger of the burgers, and had trouble eating it...it was super messy and he couldn't finish the whole thing. I ate his leftovers, and found the burger to be tasty. We shared an order of fries, which were totally bland. It was easily fixed with some salt and pepper, but kind of disappointing that they didn't season them at all. Overall, the food here is OK and the prices are reasonable. I would probably return, simply because of the wide array of menu choices and customization options there are.
(3)Kat D.
I've been coming to Kua 'Aina since high school & although I haven't tried anything else other than the cheesebuger, I'm still a fan. I love cheeseburgers, and I've never been disappointed with a plain ol' medium rare, 1/3 lb. Cheeseburger from Kua 'Aina. Add a side order of large fries that look like Pik-Nik Shoestring Potatoes, and I'm good to go. Nevermind that the burger itself is almost $8--burgers are so FAT you'd need to do some major squashing to get just one bite of it all. Sometimes I just order it plain--just the patty, cheese & buns. But watch out for the patty juice trickling down your hands... That's why they have the heavy duty paper towels on the table. Overall, this is one of my favorite burger joints. I don't tell friends & family about this place, I bring them here!
(5)Ashley N.
Why does this burger joint only have an overall of 3 1/2 stars?! In my opinion I would give this place a 4 1/2 stars, but 4 will do. I am a regular here at Kua 'Aina and I LOVE it! It's a cute little establishment almost right across from the Ward movie theater. This was actually one of the first places my boyfriend took me for a dinner/movie date! A lot of other reviews I read say that the burgers don't have too much taste. Well, for me, it's the complete opposite! Note: This is not a "sit down & order" type of restaurant, it's basically like Teddy's Bigger Burgers, where you order your food/pay at the counter. I don't mind this, however if you're coming here for a romantic burger date that will be served, this is not the place to be! Once you order and pay, you can pick a seat either inside or outside. I recommend (HIGHLY) sitting indoors because whenever I sit outdoors, there's always birds that walk under the tables by your feet, or fly on a table near you and stare at your food. (It's a bit annoying - to me at least) Once your food is ready, the cashiers will call your name out and you can simply pick it up and take it to your table. Anyways, my boyfriend and I always order (our "usual") the bacon cheeseburger. These burgers come with tomato, lettuce, and a carrot on the side. My boyfriend adds grilled onions and swiss cheese. (Yeah, you have to add cheese which is a bit of a bummer) I add in american cheese and I get mine w/o veggies. (I'm picky don't judge me!) We also get the large basket of fries. We wait usually around 8-10 minutes for our food. On to the taste: Even without the veggies... I love my bacon burger! I think it's super juicy and tasty. I like the fact that when I bite into my burger, the juices run down my fingers. (don't be afraid to get messy!) The bun is always toasted, and the meat itself is always cooked at an awesome medium. Along that, the bacon is always crispy and (to me) is the greatest bacon burger I've ever had! The fries are the famous "shoe string" fries, so they're really thin... Unfortunately Kua 'Aina is pretty inconsistent with how they serve the fries. What I mean by this, is that the fries are either really crispy and super good, or they're a bit soggy, and quite frankly - just not very tasty. I always have to add salt and pepper in order to give them an extra bit of yum. Kua 'Aina has been a favorite of mine since the time my boyfriend took me, which was December 2012! I think that definitely says something.
(4)Yoselyn F.
It's been a while since I last visited and tonight I remembered why. The burgers are ok. Not amaze balls. I've never felt like they are seasoned right? I don't know it's just off. You can go for huge but I don't need huge just yummy. The topping selection is standard. I'm a blue cheese crumble fanatic, which they don't carry, and was super disappointed by their dressing. Doesn't give that blue satisfaction I needed. Bacon however was perfection. Man that lemonade. As I drank it I sat there going over a list of better lemonade experiences. Sadly I was thirsty and don't do soft drinks so just sucked it up. It got worse over time, watery, bitter... Eh. Not good at all. The fries. My friend loved them I am not a fan of stringy and they quickly tasted oily. I salted the ketchup to move past that... Overall an ok experience but can't compare to my usual Ruby Tuesday option.
(3)Cara O.
I wish I could give a straight out 3.5 for them. Came here for a quick bite for lunch, as I work in the area. I've been here several times before, and honestly, it doesn't have such a huge WOW factor to me. I mean..it's a burger. How do you mess up a simple burger? [THE FOOD/VALUE] 3.5 I ordered a Pineapple 1/2 lbs Burger for $8.50. Grilled onions are an included and free bonus option, which I happily took. The burger was huge, and definitely what I needed to fill my roaring stomach, since I had just one sad avocado for breakfast. At the end of my meal, I was surely not disappointed. However, I do wish they had a bit more variety or some selection of specialty burger that I couldn't just make at home. The bun wasn't anything out of the ordinary, nor were the burgers themselves. Again, nothing bad, just not extraordinary. [THE SERVICE] 4 The service was average until one of the workers rang me up. She had great energy, addressed me politely by name (they ask for your name for when they call out your order) and asked if I would like a glass of water to cope with the very hot afternoon. I could tell she was a seasoned worker when she addressed another customer by name when he walked through the door. At the end of the day, I will have no problem coming to Kua'Aina for a burger when I'm really craving near Ward.
(3)Jason Q.
My preferred place for a good burger. Something to know about me is that I love hamburgers. My death row meal is hamburger steak with gravy all over. With that said, I am extremely picky about my burgers. First, it has to be a fresh patty. Never frozen, never pressed. Second, the seasonings should be the basics....pepper and salt. If you want more flavors, than add toppings. I like the avocado burger. They give you a very big slice of avocado. I also have them stack 2 1/2 pound burgers. One 1/2 pound never seems like its enough for me. The only thing preventing me from giving them 5 stars is because of the French fries. This is personal preference. I prefer thick cut fries. These "shoe string" types never appeal to me. One thing I have always been curious about is the carrot as a side. Odd. Prices are reasonable. If you were to compare burger joints at this price, I would say it's a much better burger than The Counter or Teddy's.
(4)Jordan D.
I can't express how much I hate this place. Worst customer service ever. Thank god for yelp so I can take to the Internet and tell everyone how much this place sucks. Worst customer service ever- if you want the staff to blatantly make fun of you and insult you then go here!!! I heard them making fun of someone's name when I was waiting for my burger! Oh yeah and the burgers? They suck! So many better places to go in Hawaii. Don't waste your time or money on this place. What a joke.
(1)Chris C.
07/23/2015 I have decided to add an additional star to my review, taking it from three stars to four stars. Since my last review, we have visited this place a great number of times since it's conveniently located in the Ward area and is open on Sunday evenings. Nothing on the menu has changed. It is still extremely limited for someone who does not eat wheat/bread. However, the food is always fresh and yummy. I have taken to ordering the chicken salad with bacon instead of the burger with no bun. There is a generous portion of grilled real chicken breast, crispy bacon all broken up, and fresh veggies with a lot of alfalfa sprouts. The last thing took a bit of getting used to, but now I like them a lot. The counter-based service is always fast and efficient. Based on the feedback of others in my party (normally five of us) the other sandwiches are great. I decided against five stars because the food is not totally amazing, but it's a great value and definitely worth stopping by on a regular basis. 08/26/2014 You order at the counter and then seat yourself. The bacon avocado burger I ordered (no bun) was yummy! It included a huge slice of avocado - looked like an entire half a fruit. There was also a carrot stick and a pickle. The small side order of cole slaw was good. The shoestring french fries are weird and off-putting. The meal was a bit expensive for just a burger, but I was happy with my meal. The dining area was spacious, although somewhat loud. There was also an insect sighting on the floor - I know it's Hawaii and it can't be helped, but it still freaks me out. I don't have too many emotions about this place one way or another, but I would eat there again, since there are few decent choices in the Ward area.
(4)Adrienne B.
Do you want a burger, they have that. Want mahi? They have that too, oh and they have turkey and roast beef too. This place makes burgers, turkey burgers, etc. to order and you can add cheese, bacon, avocado, etc. to order. Delicious shoe string french fries, and they even have salads. Free refills on drinks as well, which here is a rarity. The line is a bit confusing, but eh. I'll be back.
(3)Miguel D.
Kinda disappointed, heard good things about this place but the burger wasn't really that good, and the French fries were scary . I ordered the bacon avocado burger and for starters the avocado was cut way too big, and made the whole burger just slide everywhere. Very messy. And flavor was nothing major. Ehhh
(2)Martin B.
It's a simple standard really: are the tables clean? In this instance no - not anymore. This place aspires to mediocrity and succeeds brilliantly. For a really good meal in that neighborhood, try the new Pa'ina location right around the corner.
(2)Lauren S.
Solid place to get a burger. We ended up sharing a order of shoe string fries and it was more than enough! I just went with a regular cheeseburger and it was big. I ended up pulling some veggies off just to be able to bite into the thing. I'd go back! The staff was very nice :)
(3)Tia S.
Burgers and sandwiches are always consistent. I recommend calling ahead to place your order. They get busy at lunch hour. Lots of seating in and outdoor. Parking available in Ward Center. Keiki burger is $4.40 and a good snack size for me. I'm here at least once a month. Good stuff!
(4)Van L.
The last time I ate here was over five years ago. It's been so long that I forgot why I didn't like this place so I tried it again last night. I got the half pound burger on wheat bun and my friend got a one-third pound burger. Our two patties looked identical in size when mine should have been 50% bigger. My wheat bun, was a sandwich bread that fell apart instantly. The burger was season with a lot of salt and the meat was dry and of poor quality (not like The Counter or Teddy's). Instead of a pickle, they give you a piece of carrot, lol. I think the only thing that was worth it was the avocado I added. Overall their topping selection is very limited to 4 or 5 things with 4 or 5 cheeses. You can't customize to your hearts' content and in the end you won't be satisfied one bit. I would rather have 9 more dollars and a McDonald's hamburger.
(1)Amy Y.
Its lunchtime! I have been hearing amazing things about here. My friend recommended this place. I ordered a grilled ahi sandwich which includes lettuce, tomatoes and a carrot stick. Oh yea, mayo too. But I asked for no mayo. The ahi was well cooked but there's no taste. I had to add tobasco sauce to it to get the taste. My friend had the turkey, bacon, and cheese(provolone) with mayo. The smoked turkey was pretty good. The lady who took our order didn't ask us what type of bread we want and just assumed everything. A not so good service.
(3)Meredith R.
Surprised at the flux of 3 stars here. I love Kua 'Aina. It's especially delicious after a plane ride to Oahu from over the ocean. Sometimes a burger is just what you need after a long flight and I think Kua 'Aina satisfies that to a T. Anyhow - the burgers are absolutely gigantic! And prepared with love. Come hungry, leave happy. I love to get the avocado burger; avocados in Hawaii are monstrous - so really - it looks like there's no meat when it arrives. I mean. DROOL. I really like the people who work here. They are very friendly and chill. They think it's funny when I order medium rare (those crazy foodie Californians). Mahalo Kua 'Aina for becoming a ritual in my arrival to the North Shore and Haliewa for years now.
(4)Dirty V.
I like their hot pastrami sandwich on rye bread, add Ortega chilis. 2 pickles and cole slaw on the side. I like it better than their burgers.
(4)Linda F.
The best burger on Oahu! Be sure to add avocado. The fries are amazing, too. Very casual and fun place.
(5)Brannon T.
In my opinion, the best burger in Hawaii! From the first time I've ever been there to now, I have never been disappointed. The burgers are super juicy! The fries are cut small so it comes with a lot. So I'd order the small portion. The people are really nice too. I live this place. It's a good first date place. Not too cheap not too expensive, add a walk on the beach...golden. This is a go to for sure
(5)Frankie R.
It has been a while since I last ate at this location. I am glad that they do byob which saved me $$$..I am glad this one takes debit and/or credit cards. So I will return to this location since the other location in haleiwa does not accept debit/credit cards. I am glad to return to the ward location because I was able to bring my own beverages and I do enjoy eating at this one and they do call you when your order is ready. What is good is that they also clean the trays and take it for you when you are done. I think that they do a good job keeping the restaurant clean and neat.
(5)Katherine N.
Avocado burger is better than average. The avocado goes really well with the burger but does not cancel out the overly salty patty. It was so salty that I tried taking smaller bites to try and work around the saltiness. Also, the patties had a very strong char taste to it even though it's cooked to medium. Shoe string fries are fun to pick at. Boyfriend loves Kua'aina so this rating is on his behalf.
(4)Chris J.
I would give 3.5 - based on quality vs price (a little high) Pretty decent burgers - I had the Avocado burger and it was good. But it is not the best burger I had in Hawaii (Teddy's was better - for example) The consensus of the group (there were 5 of us) was that they could have done small things to make the burgers more tasty / more flavorful.
(3)Aly M.
It has been awhile since coming here to eat and while 1 sandwich was good, the burger I had was over done. I was shocked to see an employee taking a shot while on the clock. What was even worse was overhearing an employee tell another that they "only had 4 shots so far." I'm hoping it was a shot of wheatgrass and not alcohol! Although, neither items are on the menu.
(3)Randall H.
The burgers just aren't that good period. The meat has ZERO taste of seasoning & the burgers basically are plain as could be. The kitchen workers eye you out while you order as if they're gonna spit on your food. The only good thing I give this place is the cashiers customer service.
(1)Grace L.
This review is purely for their avocado sandwiches and fries (the only thing I order there) and for the service of course! And the rating is more like a solid 3.5! Okay here we go.. THEIR AVOCADO SANDWICHES ARE SO YUMMY. Thin slices of onion, generous portions of lettuce and sprouts, and a giant slab of avocado that will make you forget there isn't meat on your sammie (for the record you can add meat to it if you want for you serious carnivores out there hehe) and no mayo makes for a guilt-free meal!!! (In my book the healthy sammie balances out the fries. But to be fair, in my book, cupcakes are zero calories because of the happiness it brings when you eat them so take that all with a grain of salt LOL) Speaking of which, I do have to salt and pepper the sandwich to suit my tastes which I find is true for their shoestring fries as well, which for me are a bit bland... but ketchup always saves the day here! And I love that they are so thin! It's great to grab food here after diving or before a movie (ok confession time: I sneak them in and munchmunchmunch during the movie but I do it quietly ok?? there I feel better haha) I've always gotten friendly and quick service here (I've started calling in my order 5 minutes before I get there) so I'll def be coming back often!
(3)Tab B.
I wasn't going to write a review but it's so sad how employees don't have manners. We asked if they could prepare the fries less dry and burnt, and the cashier said no problem but the cooks started smirking Then when they asked us if we wanted our burger cut in half and we said no, they rolled their eyes and smirked again. They are really disrespectful!!! Doesn't matter if the burgers are good, they won't see me in the again.
(1)Robert H.
Ate here many times. Burgers, Fish Sandwich, Veggie Burger, Salad...tried it all. It's about all you could want in a sandwich shop. Hard to get a table at lunch time.
(5)Ahjeck K.
I've eaten here at least twice during lunch before and I've been satisfied, but this time will be my last! Big tip to folks...don't come here after lunch hours or when they're not busy!!! Quality seems to go downhill. I don't know what happened to this joint but I came here for a quick bite at around 3pm on a Saturday afternoon. I got the mahi burger w/ a side order of fries and lemonade and here's why my experience sucked: Burger: Fish was cooked okay, not overdone or undercooked, but it had a strong-fish taste. Okay I'll let that pass since it's mahi. Toppings were okay...sauce, lettuce, tomato and onions decent. Now the kicker...the buns were cold (not room-temperature or warm) on the outside/top but semi-burnt on the inside...not a pleasant feeling biting into this. Fries: Terrible! I feel like I was eating stale fries leftover from lunch. Soggy, oily, and not at all appetizing. Not fresh at all! Lemonade: Tasted like soft drink quality but I'm not complaining...wasn't expecting fresh lemonade. Overall, after eating my meal, I felt like I could have had a better burger and fries at McDonalds. I did not even eat 1/2 of my fries and the burger, I forced myself to finish it because I paid $10 bucks for this (+$4 for fries/drink). Reflecting from my past experiences at this place and re-looking at people's Yelp review pictures, I wondered why such a big difference and then so I came to my own speculation that they must be serving stuff that they made during lunch. FYI I posted a picture of my stale fries.
(1)Cherilyn I.
One star for the pickle. Crunchy and salty! Yum! One star for the relatively fast service. Zero stars for the burnt (times 2) burgers, bland coleslaw, cheese and fries. Double zero for the price tag. There was a reason I avoided this place for over five years. Hopefully this review will remind me five years from now to spend my money elsewhere.
(2)Erin L.
The quality of this place has really gone downhill. I asked for my burger to be medium and it came back rare and mushy. When I showed it to the staff, I did not get a friendly response about fixing it. When I got my "fixed" burger back, it was barely cooked anymore than the first time; the bun was pink from the rare hamburger. I was starving when I got there, but lost my appetite after looking at their burger. I would pass on this place and go to another burger place.
(1)Sheryl L.
Great burgers that were well seasoned and cooked perfectly. The avocado, bacon and cheese sandwich, also delicious, was generous in size. Service was good and pretty quick. Parking in ward centre is convenient if you get lucky.
(4)Emily S.
This place is good, I've come here for a few weeks to grab a lunch of their turkey, bacon and cheese hot sandwich. What is intolerable, however, is the crowds. I don't know what kind of deal they have with the tour companies, but literally EVERY time I have been in here, a bus has disgorged twenty Japanese newlyweds on a package holiday, who take up every spot in the restaurant, and push back every other order when they order twenty teri burgers. While I understand tours probably bring in a ton of money, the crowds and lack of attention is sure to drive away repeat customers. All in all: decent food, lousy business practices.
(2)Alena B.
Two stars for effort. I ordered the bacon burger and I honestly feel like I could have made a better burger on my own. I've had better burgers at family barbecues where no one is really trying and you just throw all the ingredients together! Their menu clearly says that they cook all their burgers to a medium rare. My patty was so well done that it was dry and tough to chew. The bacon was also stale like they premake large batches and let it sit out till they need it. Seriously though, if you are gonna call it a bacon burger then there needs to be more than two freaking slices of it on there.
(2)Tina S.
It's hard to believe that this place is so legendary. Perhaps with expansion, a place can easily lose their quality and the core essence of what made it great. The 1 star is for the burger, which was just OK. It had no taste to it, quite bland and dry. You can get a yummier burger at McDonald's or Burger King for half the cost. The fries were too stringy that it made it looked almost like hash browns. Towards the end, you felt like you were eating crumbs out of the bottom of a potato chip bag. Instead of a pickle, you'll get a carrot with your burger. That's a first and a weird attempt at trying to serve you a "healthier" burger?! Who knows. Very confusing! The lemonade wasn't good. It left an awful aftertaste. The service was fine, except for a cook in the back. He was popping food in his mouth, chewing up a storm, drinking soda and sucking on a lollipop all while he was cooking! He was in plain view where the customers could see him and likewise. It was not a comforting sight nor did it seem sanitary. Needless to say, this place doesn't deserve a return visit or recommendations due to the above points.
(1)Carl L.
Great tasting burgers, if your order is right. Get so frustrated cause they never forget to charge you to add avocado, but they most often forget to put it on the burger. Really annoying when you take out and get home and realize it's wrong. Other than their order accuracy the food is good, fast, and employees are friendly. Really like their thin and crispy fries.
(2)Jaymi G.
The ward center location has the WORSE & dirtiest kitchen workers ever!. They stare at you immediately as you walk in like weirdo creeps and they don't smile & give you the most uncomfortable feeling while you're trying to order. It makes me feel as they're going to spit in my food by the way that they look. The burgers have ZERO taste unless you add condiments yourself. Overall the food & hospitality just wasn't all there period. Jaymis, BF
(1)Angela R.
For awhile, I forgot about Hawaii's original burger joint. I sampled all the fancy kine places and the burgers were fun but not always consistent. One day, I remembered Kua Aina and decided to give it a go again. It's been years since I visited. I forgot why I stopped eating at Kua Aina. The burgers here are actually good. For few the times I've visited in the last decade or two the burgers have been consistently the same- juicy and meaty. Even the pickle and carrot has not changed! I can count on a good 1/2 pound avocado burger which will be exactly what I expect. Sometimes, a simple, predictable burger is all you need. Don't forget to get your shoe string fries here. They are crisp, skinny, and crunchy. I can never get enough. This place goes under the radar nowadays because of other fancy burger joints that have popped up but we all know this is the true OG burger joint of Hawaii!!
(4)Judi D.
We went to this restaurant based on a Yahoo list. We enjoyed the avocado burger. Based on some of the other reviews saying that the shop didn't have avocado, we called in advance. The burger is served medium and it is every bit medium to medium rare. The grilled onions were delicious. We felt it was a good value had decent flavor and enjoyed the visit. Would recommend to other yelp visitors.
(4)R M.
Minus a star because the short shoe-string style fries are on the bottom of my French fry preferences. My hot turkey sandwich with tomato, lettuce and onion was excellent. The onion was very sweet, the sandwiches are big and there were two large slices of onion, two smaller tomato slices and a large iceberg lettuce leaf. The hamburgers are large: or 1/2 lb. and well cooked. You can get good grilled ahi sandwiches here too.
(4)Waiza D.
I guess it depends where you go , because this location was terrible . The fries was bad! ! The burger was tasteless , would not recommend this place for anyone .
(1)Deonson L.
1. Nice cashier 2. Tasteless burger/fries 3. No combos!!! ...I'd like to apologize to Teddys BB for coming here.
(1)Joanna Y.
Probably the juiciest, messiest burgers ever! I'm not craving burgers very often but Kua'aina exceeded my expectations, especially after I had a bad experience at the Counter. My bf and I came during lunch time on a Saturday, it was pretty busy inside but our orders came out promptly in about 5-10 minutes from ordering. Sure beats my sad experience with an almost an HOUR wait at the Counter!!! Burgers should not take that long to cook. Kua'aina is the spot for burgers! I had the avocado burger... And was very overwhelmed by 2 big chunks of avocado deliciousness on my burger. Two slices of tomatoes, white onion, lettuce and perfectly grilled hamburger. They warned me that they cook it medium, but I asked for medium rare (just my preference for beef, if I have an option lol). This burger was way too big to eat with two hands. But I had to forget trying to be neat and clean, and go cave man on this burger. The fries are the stringy kind. Not my favorite because I can't stand soft fries. Sorry! ;( but I will be back for burgers!! :)
(4)Jessica L.
Dudes, don't go here unless you like the following: 1. Burnt, dry, unsalted burgers with an unhealthy amount of charcoal taste for $10. 2. Dry, salty waitstaff. 3. Carrot sticks that make you feel guilty that you are eating a burger. 4. Flabby, burnt buns. 5. Sticky communal condiment bottles. 6. Massive amounts of touri who are duped into thinking that they are getting an authentic "local" burger. Totes gnarly, man. There's no aloha here.
(1)Dana B.
We had the avacado burgers. They were very tasty, but poorly executed. It was really hard to eat and everything just kepy falling out. I cant.complain about too much avacado because there is no such thing, but a better burger structure would be nice. Fries were just okay, I prefer steak fries to their thing shoe string type. They were also a little too greast with a puddle of oil in the bottom of the basket. But overall a good experience, good friendly service. Id go back.
(4)Lyndi D.
Delicious burgers that are always deliciously too big! I wish everything would stay put, but it requires a good bit of effort to keep all of the goodness between the buns. We've been there a few times and this was the first time that they weren't out of avocado, so I got the avocado burger. It was delicious. You get about half of an avocado. And it was just the right amount of ripe. Besides falling off of the burger the whole time it was great. The service was good even though they were packed. I love eating outside in the covered area. But I hate that there are very bold dirty pigeons everywhere. They have plenty of seating inside and outside.
(4)Haylee F.
Our office decided to order lunch from Kua 'Aina and it was tasty! I actually opted for the grilled chicken salad, with bacon and avocado (around $11), and it was pretty average. The chicken wasn't dried out so that was a plus, and they were very generous with the bacon and avocado. My cowos seemed to enjoy their miscellaneous choices, mostly sandwiches and a burger. I liked how you can customize your sandwiches and burgers so that's a huge draw for me. Next time, I must try the fries and onion rings!
(3)Luke G.
I love the burgers here because everything is fresh and well seasoned. However, today was a bit of a let down. They ran out avocado and bread. I think what was most frustrating were the employees who handled it was like this what we have here and now take it or leave it. They ran out of products so fast they were forced to close the store after my order was taken which was at 8pm when they normally close at 9pm. The customer service is usually really good. If you do get here earlier in the day I do recommend the 1/2lb avocado burger and the home-made fries are great too! They have locations through out the island. Hopefully your experience is better then mine!
(2)Jerry K.
I remember coming here about a year ago and being happy with the food. Today wasn't good, the person helping us was pretty unfriendly. I had a 1/2 lb Ortega burger. It was about a 3 or 4 out of 10. Too much bun, burger didn't seem very big, grilled onion was cut too thick and the fries were not tasty at all. The fries were almost like deep fried pik nilks, they were just way too small and scrawny which was not tasty. I won't be returning to Kua aina anytime soon. I love burgers but I was just disappointed with every aspect of my visit.
(2)Sally S.
My husband and I decided to try this burger joint after reading a few reviews and I have to warn you: DO NOT EAT HERE! My husband ordered a 1/2lb cheese burger and when he took a bite blood dripped out of his burger. When he opened the hamburger to look inside the burger patty was blue rare and was actually breaking apart into raw parts...I wish I had taken a picture and posted it here..they clearly had just put the patty on the grill for a few seconds and then served it. I decided to approach the cashier and show him that my husbands burger was completely under cooked and I asked the cashier to please fire up a new one...at this point we were not upset because mistakes can happen...well when they came back with a "fresh burger" my husband decided to check out the burger patty one more time just to make sure it was cooked well enough and instead he got the same patty (with his bite mark) but now it was burned to a crisp and serisouly how disgusting...how do you put a burger patty that someone has already put in their mouth with their saliva (don't mean to be graphic here but I think it is necessary) on a grill where you cook all of your customers food on...that is cross contamination at another disgusting level...that is really bad hygiene...this place should be shut down for that alone. Anyway, the cashier refused to admit that the patty in the second burger was the original patty from the first burger that was under cooked (even though there was a huge bite mark). The chef came out and offered to make another burger from scratch, we agreed but this time we asked for the burger to be packaged up to-go since we had already spent 45 minutes at this place and it was getting late, so when we got home my husband said that the patty was burned (seriously!) and they gave him the wrong burger: they put mayo on it (he hates mayo) and they didn't put cheese in a cheese burger...silly for us not to check before leaving..but seriously how do you mess up the same persons burger three times consecutively when we were the only two people in the restaurant. Shame on us for giving them three tries. Needless to say, if you don't want to get sick from an under cooked burger or having other peoples bodily fluids in your food we recommend that you DO NOT GO. Jack in the Box is up the street and you will at least get your money's worth there. Those that gave it a good rating either don't know what good food is OR they just know the owner of the burger joint and are trying to help them out with good ratings. Save your hard earned money and Stay Away!!!
(1)Andrew Y.
My family and I LOVE this restaurant. The fish is delicious! I always add cheese and pineapple, it kicks it up a notch. Not 5 stars because the fish isn't always as fresh as I like but nonetheless Kua 'Aina is a perfect lunch spot and does not break the bank.
(4)Timothy F.
Delicious, flavorful burgers and sandwiches with fantastic variety! My only complaint is that, while these are superior burgers, they are a little on the pricey side.
(5)aaron l.
Great Avocado burger if your lucky enough to be there when they have Avocados, which has been a 50/50 shot for me.
(4)Jan M.
Sorry Kua'aina, but there are better burger places with better burgers, better fries and better service. This late review compares Kua'aina kid's meal to the kid's meals at Teddy's Bigger Burgers and Honolulu Burger Company (for adults with super small appetites). All the kids meals came with a burger (well done), fries and a drink. What sets this place below the competition are their use of onions, their kid's burger, fries and their service. The other two places use fresh onions or no onions at all, compared to Kua'aina's slimy, tasteless grilled onions. Kua'aina's paper-thin kids' burger patties makes you feel like you're eating a salad in burger form. Kua'aina's near-burnt Pik-Nik style french fries are so thin that they barely suffice for scooping up ketchup (boo!). Also, compared to the other two places, service at Kua'aina is just average. There is no table side service at this place. You have to go up and get your burgers yourself where the other places will bring it to you where you are sitting. They don't check to see how you are doing or how your food is tasting. While we were there, I didn't see anyone come out to clean the tables after each customer left - which was probably why our table was littered with crumbs and burger drippings before we went to sit down. My husband and I ended up cleaning it ourselves with water and the paper towels that were available at each table. Out of the three burger joints mentioned, Honolulu Burger Co. places first in my comparison of kid's meals. Teddy's is pretty good too, but you have to like their 'secret sauce,' which I am not a fan of. All in all, this was an average burger joint and gimmicky tourist destination with pricey burgers and average service.
(3)Justin B.
Love the food but the service is always subpar which really has me just trying to find a subpar eatery with great service.
(3)Megan L.
I hadn't been to Kua 'Aina in years but fondly remembered their delicious french fries. I recently visited and ordered the Avocado Burger, French Fries, and a chocolate chip cookie. The avocado on the burger was delicious but I felt like the hamburger itself was lacking in flavor. The french fries, which I had been looking forward to, seemed overcooked. :( The chocolate chip cookie was homemade, I think, and pretty tasty. Overall, I'm disappointed that I spent about $13.00 when I would have been just as happy spending under $5 at Burger King.
(2)John J H.
My problem with this place was my burger buns was burnt chared black. The burger itself nothing special. Might as well just go teddys burger and add avocado topping. Plus you can get a drink and fries for less then here.
(2)Ed C.
I ordered the half pound bacon burger with cheese. It was just OK. Their burgers are supposed to be cooked medium and this burger was all gray so way overcooked. Cheddar wasn't melted at all. For $10 it is not worth it. Also, the fries aren't very good. They're a bunch of small pieces, almost like eating warm shoestring potato chips.
(2)Sam R.
You ever eat so good, and just fill so stuffed that you need a nap right afterwards. That's exactly what you get from here. You can get portions that boogle the mind, like my 1/2lb bacon burger with avacado with a side of curly fries. You can see what exactly I took my adventure upon with the photo I uploaded. Service was regular order and find your own seat style restaurant. And there were times where they were so busy that we had to go up to them and request something we needed. I don't have a compliant about doing so, cause the food quality is well worth the extra work anyways. The only issue at hand was parking, despite that they had a parking garage right next to the location, that parking lot was packed and it was a Tuesday. like I said prior the extra work is well worth. So if you want a quick, great quality tasting burger, indoor/outdoor seating this will be your place to stop at. can't go wrong with a place that has your style burgers.
(4)Chris V.
Bland, Bah, Boring, Burgers that Beg for Flavor. Can you imagine a pineapple burger without teriyaki sauce? Who does that? Price would be OK if fries and side were included, but they're not. What's up with that small carrot stick! Place looks pretty nice with plenty of seating indoors and out, with the obligatory Hawaiian music lulling you into a false sense of fulfillment..... You can see what they are going for here; wholesome, Island style burgers and sandwiches with unique, fresh and tasty twists that lean towards the healthy side. That is what you think you're going to get based on the menu and such, but instead: Zombie food for non-tasting, un-hip, anti-foodies.
(2)Darrell P.
Kua A'ina - yelp.com/biz_photos/4cY4… As the cllché goes, "A picture is worth a thousand words." 1/3 Avocado Burger - yelp.com/biz_photos/4cY4… 'Will you just look @ the obscene amount of avocado on that thing! Remember, bend @ the knees, don't use your back!... NEVER have I seen a place so generous with their avocado as Kua 'Aina is, winnahs bruddah! Would you like some beef with your avocado?! 8) Nice, spacious interior, clean & plenty of paper towels! Photo - yelp.com/biz_photos/4cY4… "And of all the burger places on the island, I had to run into you..." 8) Photo - yelp.com/biz_photos/4cY4… (Fat-chance of meeting Karen H., who happened to be a "friend of a friend, Tristan H" - 'From the mainland.) 'Mahalo for the aloha! The o'hana lives in Hale'iwa, the location of the original Kua 'Aina. Other keikis had baby formula, we had lau lau, poi & Kua A'ina. Cuz'n Steven B., used to work the kitchen back when it shared the parking lot w/Fujioka's Market. Kua 'Aina (Hale'iwa) - yelp.com/biz/kua-aina-ha… Kua Aina, Hale'iwa - "Yeh, I'm biased... Why?... 'Baddah you?!" Hahaha! With that said, the prices are a bit steep compared to what they used to be but thats' one ono burger, bruddah! - Big Aloha! Food: 4 Ambiance: 4 Service: 5 Value: 4
(4)John B.
Poor service from the cashier. She was not friendly at all considering my bill was $22 I don't get the hype on this place The burger is good but Teddys blows them away. I've been to Kua Aina 3 or 4 times so far and its just "ok" I don't like how everything is ala carte They should have combos like Teddys Their fries suck too. Bunch of scraps is more like it. Had to use a fork to eat them since they're sliced weird and thin I'll be hard pressed to give them another chance Teddys beats Kua Aina! Not even close!!
(1)Masato I.
I can appreciate the gripes about the burgers and I'm not a huge fan of their skinny fries, but the fish sandwiches here are bomb and it's BYOB!! I had my first taste of grilled mahimahi and ahi sandwiches at Paia fish market on Maui and I fell in love. IMO, Kua Aina is every bit as good, but with the huge added benefit of BYOB. This place is also a member of the airline mileage rewards network, so if your CC is registered, you'll get 3-5 miles per dollar you spend. The white-meat fish varies from day to day, but they pretty much always have the ahi. When I go with the girl, we usually get one of each and the mood determined which is better. If you add the topping of the avocado, it's literally half an avocado sliced up, so plenty for 2 sandwiches. Served on a grilled kaiser bun with a generous helping of greens, tomato, and onions... I'm a huge fan! It does have a bit more of a franchise/corporate feel than the Paia fish market and the Kua Aina in Haleiwa, but if you're at Ward and in need of a good fish burger, get your a$$ over here!
(5)John T.
Ate there for the first time today.......GREAT service, super clean, and really cheap. My bill was originally supposed to be like 23.00$, the lady was like are you in the military?, and BAM price down to 11.00$ flat. I'm not a cheap-o but for the amount of Burger I got, I wouldn't care if the people were all a holes! I would recommend this place to all my fellow Navy peeps! Keep it up.......And the burger that I ate was great. I hate it when places try to put so much spices on a burger, you can't even taste the meat. Mine was cooked just right!
(5)Janelle L.
If you like big giant ono juicy burgers, this place is tried, true and tested. I went with the standard Bacon burger. Nothing over the top, just lot's of bacon and lot's of burger! The burger was fresh as were the condiments. I hate finding wilted lettuce and mushy tomatoes in my burger. The fries were nice and crispy...but I think everyone is right, they need to put MORE on the plate. No can balance the burger to french fry ratio!!! If you're from Hawaii, you know what I mean!! The nice thing about this place is that you have choices. There's chicken, turkey, pastrami, tuna salad, turkey salad and grilled fish to choose from, you WILL find something that whets your palatte. Parking is terrible, it's Ward. Eventually you'll find something somewhere.
(3)RC L.
This is my favorite burger place. They offer great gourmet burgers at a reasonable price. It beats Teddy's, The Counter, and Momo Burger easily. I always get their avocado burger, rare. They always run out of avocado though, so make sure you call ahead and check if you really want avocado. Their fries are different than most places; thinly sliced, with the potato skin on, and minimal salt so might not be for everyone, although I think they are delicious. Their hours are great, and they don't close in the afternoon so it is a great place to go and get a late lunch.
(5)Jack W.
1. Value: Great burgers at a decent price (fries and more priced separately)! 2. Food: If you like fresh vegetables, fresh buns, well-cooked burgers, and shoestring fries, you will like this place! We shared the Ortega burger (non-spicy pepper with lettuce, tomato, 1/2lb burger with a Kaiser roll - big enough for us to share), shoestring fries, and a medium soda for about $13. 3. Service: Friendly. 4. Atmosphere: Cafeteria style - order and pay upfront, take a seat in a nice casual setting, and grab your order when called. McDonald's in a more upscale setting with food on steroids. 5. Verdict: Place this Kua'Aina on your top-three list of fast-food burger places in Honolulu!
(4)George H.
I should start off by saying that like the food at this restaurant and eat there about once a month. However, last time I ate there, which was yesterday, I got so much bad attitude from the people working there that I can no longer justify spending money there. I felt very unwelcome and was treated more like a nuisance than a customer. I won't be going back to this restaurant.
(2)Erin H.
I like the burgers and fries here although I must say the location in Haleiwa is a bit better. I found my burger to a be a little dry and bland and my onion to be grilled but still quite raw. The fries however were really good- thin and crispy, perfect with lots of ketchup. This place is good but not the best burger I've had.
(3)Yngwie D.
We've been coming here for years, back when they were across the street. This place was fantastic back then. Something has happened. They are having consistent problems with how your burger is cooked. Medium well was pink, another medium was charred to death. PLEASE work this out. I'll pay for a kitchen timer. Had a Mahi sandwich last week and it was excellent, which was not the case the previous two visits. Eggplant and Peppers was fantastic. Agree with others, condiments are sticky, there is no sink to wash your hands, and outside is a bird poop station. This place could be great again with a little effort.
(3)Jason H.
I wish Kua 'Aina had burger eating contests because I would totally join. I'm not saying that I would win, but you should have seen me eat the last time I was here. I practically inhaled the whole thing like my life depended on it. That's just how good it was. In fact, me writing this review and reminiscing about it is making me want to go there right now and order my mouthwatering 1/3 cheeseburger with no mayo (because mayo is gross, duh) and two pickles. But its 11:53 PM at night and they're closed. DAMN YOU, KUA 'AINA! DAMN YOU!
(5)Mark U.
So it being my first time here I expected a lot maybe to much maybe way to much. But I ordered a bacon burger well done. It was cooked fully I checked. Honestly the burger sucked the shoe string fries were over cooked or under a heating lamp way to long I don't recommend this place at all. Teddy's Bigger Burger is a better spend with better service. And to top off this shitty visit I've been puking my brains out for the pass 4 hours. So thanks for my stomach problems. I'm never gonna return.
(1)Terry K.
Yelp Challenge 365 # 15/365 I don't know...... with the choices of burger houses...... I don't know The burgers are okay. The fries are okay. The side cole slaw is pretty small. You have a choice of 2 sizes 1/2 and 1/3 pounders. Choice of cheeses and type of bread. I would make a phone order next time rather than to park 4 floors up in the deck and walk down to the restaurant. It's not the cheapest placed in town. The counter clerks are not the friendliest. They need customer service training. You know, its a toss up....50% okay, 50% Meh!
(3)Tyler H.
Came to this place with high hopes, but it wasn't all that I thought it would be. The roast beef sandwich was salty and the meat to bun/ veggie ratio was off. The fries were skinny and not that great. If you're looking for a good burger and sandwich place you're better off going to subway. Customer service :good.
(3)Anita C.
Came here a few times already and each time makes me want to go back less and less. This is a joint where you can basically customize your burger every which way possible with the different toppings, patty size, burger buns and what not. That's always a plus. They also have other things besides burgers on the menu, like chicken sandwiches and roast beef. I usually get the bacon cheeseburger with avocado. They are really generous with the avocado so that's always nice. However the burger meat is not the best quality, it is always so greasy and fatty. I got burned with the fat oozing out of it a couple of times. It's always a mess eating a burger here so it probably won't be a great first date kind of place. The french fries are thinly cut so I always feel like I'm eating more grease than potato. Afterwards I just feel like a huge grease ball with all the grease I had consumed. Not a good feeling to have, ever. So all in all, if you are hung over and/or stoned and need some grease, this is the place for you. Otherwise, I would go to Teddy's Bigger Burger or Honolulu Burger Co for some burgers bcs their burgers aren't as greasy and fatty and their fries are better. Oh and they also accept the iDcard for some extra discounts.
(2)Jojo S.
We've bn a huge fan of this company til today!!! Even our keikis love this place!!! The customer service was great!!! Then we got our fd....ahi was dark in color, it didn't even taste rt!!! NEVER before has this happened!!! We hv recommended this pl 2 our visiting mainland ohana....not anymore!!!! Dnt think we'll b cming bk!!!
(1)Jay P.
I never really attempted to come here because I always thought it was ghetto and I never really cared for food that drips as you eat. My friend somewhat forced me to come here because he was willing to buy me a burger for some company. A free burger in exchange for some QT? Why the hell not! The end result: the burgers are good (not amazing) and expensive (not cheap). That's the simplest way to describe Kua 'Aina. I opted for the Turkey & Oregano Burger and my friend ordered his own burger and a small order of fries. My burger was alright at best. I wasn't really wowed by anything and, again, I hate meals that drips oil and grease as you attempt to finish it. And the fries...how much skinnier can they get? I mean, I guess that's a great idea quantity-wise, but the quality wasn't there for me. It felt like I was eating something along the lines of a potato chip broken into several pieces. Nice crispy sensation though. I think I won't be coming here too often because, for the price, the burgers aren't just cutting it. Customer service seems great though. I didn't order myself, but when I heard my friend's order being called, the worker used his real first name and at least seemed extremely nice and friendly. We even got a "have a good night" from a different worker as we were leaving.
(3)Dan O.
Had a hankering for an upscale burger and fries. Tried their bacon burger and enjoyed it! Paid close to $20 for the privilege, so I will not visit Kua'Aina often.
(3)Nikki N.
It's nice to see a long line, one cashier taking orders while the other two were talking story. The half pound bacon burger is decent and messy but good to share. The fries are nothing but deep fried potato shavings. Not the cleanest restaurant and they can pay better attention to detail by sweeping the floors, wiping the tables, and refilling the condiments.
(3)Blake H.
I never wright reviews on Yelp but I eat a lot of burgers. This place has the best burgers hands down on the island!
(5)Elppa J.
Not the best burger joint in town, I've had better. The good: - Cashiers were good at keeping the line down, and quickly took down orders. - Ordered a Bacon burger with side of fries. Wait time was just right; not too long, yet not too short. - Burger was too big for my mouth (as usual) but it was tasty along with the bun, bacon was crunchy, and my veggies made a perfect combo. Overall, impressive burger. - $2.50 for a basket of fries. Overpriced, however, generous portion to a point where I couldn't finish it. The bad: - Dress code is probably casual wear for the front-end workers, but would appreciate it so customers can tell who works there. All I can say is that it is TOO casual. Tone down the makeup, and put some appropriate work clothes on. While waiting for our order, this gal comes from out of nowhere, randomly slapping down a bottle of ketchup on our table, and walked away. We didn't realize she was a worker; couldn't tell by the clothes she was wearing...I thought she was stealing our ketchup or something. - I thought the whole "because you're dining in, order first and pay when you pick up your food" thing was weird. Why can't I pay for my food after I've ordered it? It'd be grand if I could have my receipt. In conclusion, great burgers, but not exactly blown away. Customer service is a miss. Would recommend taking out instead.
(2)Annie W.
I'm obsessed with their salads. The ingredients mesh so well I keep coming back for more. As a matter of fact, I have yet to try their burgers. It's not fancy at all, but the lettuce is crisp, has both julienned and stick carrots, thinly sliced red onions, 2 large peppercini, purple cabbage, baby alfalfa sprouts. The appetizing colors and mound of salad they serve is reasonable priced under $6. This is one of my favorite places to go to satisfy my cravings for greenery. You can also have chicken, fish or turkey meat added to your salad too.
(4)Marcia L.
Sometimes a good burger just hits the spot. I typically get a mushroom burger, but one time I got the mahimahi (don't get it !) stick to beef here....you won't regret it!
(4)GLENN F.
This morning I had the Hot Pastrami sandwich. Terrible. Dry. Hard. It looked as if I had strips of bacon on my burger. Even Subway makes a way better pastrami sandwich than here.
(1)Cynthia Y.
Fast food joint. Friendly people. I got an avocado sandwich, it was huge and had very fresh ingredients and tasty. Also tried some of the ahi, it was good. Plenty of seating inside and out. Nothing spectacular about this place, I wouldn't have came here if it were not closeby the tattoo parlor I was going to.
(3)Eric M.
Given that Kua 'Aina has won awards for their hamburgers, it might seem weird that both the Mrs. and I ordered sandwiches instead. But it was a good thing we did. After looking over the menu, I asked if the turkey sandwich was made with "real" turkey as opposed to the deli stuff. I was assured the turkey was roasted turkey breast, not some processed roll. I ordered the sandwich hot but unlike other places that smother hot turkey sandwiches with gravy, this one is "hot" because the bun and turkey were grilled. A huge leaf of green lettuce, two fresh tomato slices, some mayo, and a carrot stick on the side finished the $7 sandwich. It was very good. The grilling added a nice touch to the roasted turkey flavor. It was a bit dry but the mayo (that I usually decline) helped to make up for it. My wife liked the hot roast beef sandwich on nine grain bread she ordered. I thought there should have been more roast beef but perhaps that is because I added American cheese and a grilled onion slice to her sandwich. Going to Kua Aina isn't complete if you don't order some of their shoestring fries. I ordered the large basket for us to share but even then, the Mrs. liked them so much she ate most of them (and probably could have kept going).
(4)Ksenia A.
The most delicious sandwich I've ever had. Seriously. This place was recommended to us by a local, otherwise we'd never stopped by. They have an amazing selection of sandwiches and burgers (good veggie options, too!). I had a mahi mahi sandwich on multi-grain bread with added avocado and grilled pineapple. The fish was incredibly fresh, so were the veggies and the bread. Super affordable, too. You can't go wrong with this place!
(5)Al B.
I've been a fan of Kua'Aina's burgers ever since I first tried them in... Tokyo of all places. They had a location in Los Angeles but that closed years ago.. I had been to their location in Haleiwa to the north, but this location was also very good. As always, I ordered the 1/2 lb cheeseburger with some shoestring fries. I've never been a huge fan of the fries, but that's just my taste. I tend to prefer a bigger fry like at Johnny Rocket's or the fat fries at Fatburger. The meat in Kua'Aina's burgers is very good and they've somehow never overcooked my burgers, which is really saying something. The meat is seasoned just enough without overpowering the natural flavor of the beef. Together with a toasted kaiser bun and fresh veggies.. mmm... I am definitely a fan. I am so much a fan that every time I go I think about buying one of their t-shirts. Definitely give this place a try if you love burgers. Photo of our meal yelp.com/biz_photos/4cY4… My 1/2 lb Kua'Aina cheeseburger yelp.com/biz_photos/4cY4… Parking is pretty easy because there is a free parking structure across the street. The restaurant takes credit cards.
(5)Nick M.
NOM NOM NOM! I love hamburgers, and to be fair, I feel like this place could be a solid 3.5 (but I haven't been here quite enough to have a burger on a bad day yet). I will say the burgers are delicious, reasonably priced, and available with enough personalization that I don't need to shell out an extra $5 at The Counter to get what I want. I don't typically like fries with potato skin, but this place gets away with it. Perhaps because they're thin-cut and crispy. Nom.
(3)Sheryl G.
what: a unique sandwich and burger grill! something good: kua aina has the best sandwiches! and they are so huuuuge! they have tons of combinations and so far everything i've tried has been really good! the burgers and sandwiches are huge so they can get messy, but that's part of the fun!! (oh and don't forget to add bacon to your sandwich/burger, yummmmmmy!) something not so good: i wish their french fries were as big as their sandwiches ; ) !! something to try: BLT with avocado and pepper jack cheese!
(4)Rich Y.
The burger is humongous! A bit pricey but not a bad overall burger. Be prepared to pay extra for all the sides. I ordered the bacon cheeseburger and it was pretty good. This is a burger you won't be able to fit into your mouth. I suggest using a fork and knife. A bit sloppy to eat and the taste is about average. I have had much better burgers though. I wish they had a Five Guys here!!
(3)Juliene C.
I missed In & Out & Red Robin so much that i was dying for a burger. I went on Yelp & found this place. First things first, i don't like how everything is separate. Like you have to pay extra for cheese & grilled onions. I also didn't like how there are no combos like many places offer! I ordered: -avocado burger: they put an entire avocado in it. Although i appreciate the fact that they actually cooked my burger medium are, i was so disappointed that it was so bland & dry! The burger is huge & looks sooo good, but once you take a bite it's over! -fries: soggy & tasteless. It has a weird texture. I would still try them out a second time. If i still feel the same, then i will never come here again!
(3)Kyle H.
I love Kua'Aina! Been eating their burgers since I was a kid when my grandparents and I would stop by going to or coming home from the beach for a quick, but excellent lunch or dinner! Now you can imagine my delight when they finally opened a second location in town so that I didn't have to trek all the way to Haleiwa for a great burger! So what does one eat at Kua'Aina? I ALWAYS get a standard 1/3lbs cheeseburger with American Cheese, lettuce, & tomato. No grilled onion for me! It's too thick and creates BAD structural integrity issues! I also normally get a side of their great shoestring fries, though even a small is large enough for my fiancee and I to split and still not be able to finish. While excellent, the fries could use a bit of salt and always come unsalted. Speaking of my fiancee, I think she may have had a burger here only once... She swears by the BLT on whole wheat with avocado. The BLT here is GREAT, but I can never turn down a burger when I come here. Service her can be hit or miss and wait times can also be quite long... but that's just the price you pay for burger greatness! They have cut back over the years, though, as you used to get a pickle and a carrot stick with your burger, but then the pickle became an extra charge and now the carrot stick has been eliminated. These are cutbacks I can live with, though... just don't mess with my burger! One happy change is that they now accept CREDIT CARDS!!
(4)Eric Robert R.
Good burgers and fries, but absolutely horrible and confusing service! What line do I stand in? Oh, that other guy walked in way after everyone else and he gets served first? WTF? Wrote to owner about this... he responded, and even offered comp meals, etc., but I was too annoyed to respond back. Still better than a one star.. mainly due to decent burgers! Update: Overall it's a good location at Ward, but with so much burger competition out there - it's really difficult to return here, unless of course, you just so happen to be in the area and absolutely jonesing for a burger! The location keeps this one afloat! I'm sure the one that opened in Japan is much more fluid. I don't hate this place. Just not a dumbo and I notice little things that can be improved. The lemonade is the one thing that's absolutely bomb tho! Keep the lemonade! Enough said...
(2)Pam M.
da bes!
(4)Jeremy K.
Great food BUT, they will Nickel and dime you to death. Over the years they've decided Teri chicken sandwiches shouldn't come with any sauce whatsoever on it. Then they're usually out of the sauce they would have sold you. Expect to get hooked on the fries and be progressively more disappointed with the diminishing value on return visits.
(2)Jessy P.
Delicious!!! Eat Here!!! That is All!!! okay...should be more specific: Lots of options to choose from, and they will cook your patty the way you want. the fries were oh so yummy! When I go back I'm getting even more fries! This is a very strong equal to our Epic Burger in Chicago, but with way better fries! I have been craving this place ever since I came home...another nummy spot for my list when I move to Oahu in the new year!
(5)Rod U.
Why do I keep hearing the lyrics to Joni Mitchell's "Big Yellow Taxi" when I think about Kua'aina? Its great to see a Hawaii restaurant make good in Japan but wow, has it strayed from its roots leaving nothing that once made it special. Gone is the homey ambiance and friendly local service. Gone are the uber fresh toppings hurriedly slapped on a ripping hot, greasy but juicy burger that literally soaked through the bun before you could sit down and eat it. Now, a lonely leaf of iceberg lettuce, slice of half ripe tomato, dry buns/bread and an OK but not heavenly burger is the norm. All is not lost though, Kua'aina is the absolute best at cooking burgers to temp and they are consistent.. Additionally, the avocado burger is delicious. Win! Somewhat recommended for now but; "don't it always seem to go, that you don't know what you got till its gone..."
(3)Johnny Z.
Good burgers, Great FRIES! So far I've had the pineapple and teriyaki burgers. Both were really juicy! The fries remind me of In-N-Out. The best part was b.y.o.b. Note: out of avocados last time
(4)A P.
The cheeseburger was fine, nothing great. I like Teddy's Bigger Burgers and the burgers from Umekes way better. The French fries were not good, I ate a couple and threw the rest away. Maybe I just don't like shoestring fries. The burger was just kind of bland. The workers were nice. It was crowded but didn't take to long to order or get your food. Seating was a little crowded but I was able to get a table when my food came up
(2)Deanna P.
I love the burgers here, especially the one with avocado on it. The fries are HUGE but I can always finish because they are really good.
(5)Melody C.
Tried to place a phone order, was put on hold and waited for 13 minutes. Hung up called again and was sternely told they they're too busy to take any phone order. Well Thanks. I get you're busy but you don't have to get mad at me....you could have also told me that before I got put on hold for 13 minutes. Taking my money elsewhere.
(1)Jennifer K.
Fellow yelper, Jen N dragged me here with her today (technically yesterday now :P) due to her sudden craving for a good burger. This was my first trip to Kua'Aina. I've heard a lot about them before but I'm not a super fan of burgers so I've never really made much of an effort to check them out. However I'm glad I got the chance to today. I tried a 1/3 lb avocado burger and although I was able to finish it, I couldn't eat anything for the rest of the day. I felt that full. If I have the opportunity to go back, I'm gonna try see if I can get a kiddie burger :P. If you decide to get a burger here, be prepared to get messy..especially if you opt for avocado. The avocado had a tendency to slip out of my burger and I had to constantly shove it back in. I shared a large order of fries with Jen N and we couldn't finish it. So, unless you decide to go with a group of people or can eat alot, I advise you to get a small order.The large is truly too much. Besides, you shouldn't be eating so much greasy food :P I would have given them 5 stars but like I said, even though my avocado burger was yummy, I'm really not much of a burger person and I feel like it was too pricey for what it's worth.
(4)Jared W.
I ate here many times before and I tend to come with a friend so I can split a pineapple burger and a roast beef, Ortega and cheese sandwich! This combo is a great mix! What's so good?! The burgers and sandwiches are tasty and filling! The 1/2 pound is the perfect size when I am hungry! Pineapple burger: I have to say that my reaction the first time I ate burger was surprising. The sweetness from the pineapple mixes well with this burger! Definitely my favorite! The Roast beef, Ortega and Cheese sandwich: what a great sandwich! With Monterey Jack cheese! French Fries: the fries are not the regular fries you see from Mcdonald's! It's those real skinny fries! Tasty! Order these fries, and get some ketchup and mustard and mix it together! The bad???! Not really anything that bad except it can be pricey for a burger! About $10.
(4)Jon A.
It's been a while since I've been to Kua'aina and I now know why I don't go there often anymore. The burger was well done far beyond their standard "medium", the toppings were fine but it's hard to mess up bacon, cheese and onions. But the reason this review is one star is the french fries. Arguably the best thing on their menu these fries were not even close to the standard I remember. They were barely fried in the first place and had obviously been sitting under the heating lamp for a while. One star for sure.
(1)Mandy C.
After many visits here, I can officially say I'm a fan! It was a struggle since I wasn't sure if the pricing matched the quality of the burger. I have had fancier burgers for $8+ which were sometimes tastier. But, this place sure beats any fast food chain burger, esp. if you're craving a meaty meal. I can't think of another burger joint I would go to, there aren't too many on Oahu. I'm not a big burger eater so I order the kiddie size and it's perfect for me. The burgers are done medium and still very juicy. OH, my favorite besides a burger, the avocado BLT. You will love it! The fries are shoestring type, it's a big greasy and chewy but this may appease some. The fixings can make your burger even pricier. When they ask if you want grilled onions, I think they charge a bit extra when you say yes. And honestly, I have tried the North Shore location...I can't taste the difference. Perhaps the atmosphere of being up on the North Shore and chowing down on a burger after suntanning and swimming sure makes a burger 10x tastier.
(4)amber r.
I know their burgers are really really good (why would I order anything else) but trust me the AHI SALAD IS SO BOMB!!
(5)Mary Q.
I'm not a big beef eater, but I do have my Kua 'Aina burger cravings. Their burgers are huge and super filling. I like their Bacon Avocado Burger, and they have good fries. Prices are reasonable, free parking, and easy accessible in the Ward Center area. My only complaint is the meat portion is big, as well as the toppings, that the bun itself, doesn't hold up to the rest of the burger. Good, but I've had better...
(3)Tony J.
A really, really, REALLY, average sub-par bacon cheeseburger. Not something I ever come to expect when ordering that particular sandwich and especially when it comes with a 10 dollar price tag. It's generally a safe bet sandwich, especially if you're trying a place for the first time; which twas the case for me here. Their choice of hamburger bun was your typical white flour assortment but for some reason theirs was just blah. It was slightly below plain, which borders on not good. The onions were only moderately grilled, which essentially removes the magic of raw onion and just teases upon the deliciousness that is caramelized onion, making it more distracting as opposed to enhancing the sandwich. The hamburger patty pulled off this incredible feat by revealing itself as having a slightly pink and deceptively juicy appearance on the inside, yet most of it tasted dry and overcooked as I made my way through it. Can you say parlor trick? Finally, the bacon was waaaay too salty. So much so that I couldn't even taste the bacon. Devastating! I still want to come back and give the mahi mahi and ahi sandwiches a shot. As for burgers? I'm still looking for da best on da island!!
(2)Monica A.
We were starving so we scarfed down some burgers here. I always get the pineapple burger but it wasn't as juicy and sweet like it used to be. Still a decent burger. Awesome shoe string fries. Yummy!
(4)Lorraine S.
Sweet, cheerful staff. Great mahi-mahi burgers and I am very picky about fish. Nice & close. What's not to like? I am a regular here, and they are always nice and kind, efficient. I love the skinny french fries; you can kid yourself they're not that fattening. Plus, you have to love a place that serves carrots on the side! A chance to 'healthy up' fast food
(5)Kara H.
It's no Teddy's, and it's definitely not Honolulu Burger Company, but if you're in the area, and you're craving a burger, it will do. You can choose 1/3 or 1/2 lb. burgers, extras like avocado, bacon, and a variety of cheeses. All burgers come with lettuce, tomato, grilled onions, mayo, and a carrot slice on the side. I have the 1/3 lb. Avocado Burger with Cheddar on a Kaiser Roll. Skip the fries, they're nothing special. In fact, they were kinda yucky. Sliced too thin, overcooked, and tasteless. They also have sandwiches, but you came for a burger!
(4)Grant S.
I remember the mahi sandwich being really really good last time I ate at Kua'aina in 2005 after high school. Fast forward five years and I find myself at Kua'aina after work in hopes of re-living the "first time". The worker at the register was quite friendly and so were the cooks in the kitchen. Appreciate that, I really do. I order a mahi sandwich with fries and a lemonade. Standard stuff right. The mahi sandwich comes out and size wise it was mediocre. The mahi piece was ok, the tomatoes were good and fresh however the bun tasted like it was from the week before. Holy cow this bun was stale, really really stale. We are talking, bottom of the barrel, been sitting waiting to be picked to be served for weeks. Ugh that bun was not good at all. Pass.
(2)Aaron K.
Food: 3/5 Price: 3/5 Service: 4/5 Organization: 5/5 Layout: 5/5 Atmosphere: 4/5 Date of visit: June 15, 2011 and many others previously. Kua'Aina's has been a particular favorite burger joint to visit during high school, when I came back during winter and summer breaks, and even now that I finally moved back to the 808. The quality and the pricing don't seem to really match to a certain degree. Ordered a 1/2 lb Bacon Burger ($8.90) with the works of tomatoes, grilled onions, lettuce, mayo and a carrot stick. A slice of cheese is $0.50 so I ordered provolone (decided it was a nice day to pig out a bit and to this day I still have no idea the proper pronunciation of the word provolone. Haha). Also ordered large fries ($3.50). They were more diced and for a burger joint, I really think that the steak fries go better with a burger. Friend ordered the same but with American cheese and a medium Coca Cola ($1.80). The burger was juicy and nothing was overcooked. Still, for a burger that doesn't include cheese right off the bat or fries, I think that $8.90 is a bit pricey for a burger. The size of it does make up for it a little but still does not match the pricing. As for the flavor, the burger is juicy but I think there could be some better use of spices to further bring out some pizzazz in it. I mean, without the garnishes, mayo, and ketchup, I don't think much has been put into the quality of the burger itself. I inhaled it due to hunger but not before adding on a lot of ketchup to bring out more flavor in it. Ketchup solves everything! Haha. Still a decent place to grab a decent bite. The service was also good and fast. Not personable but they got the job done and with a smile. For a restaurant that is normally packed for lunch and dinner, speed is a key element. So the organized way they pump out the orders is amazing. The new layout is nice and clean. Great place to eat. The atmosphere is okay though you can barely hear the local music playing in the background. My friend started playing music from her phone and that really put me in the mood for eating. Overall, I still love going here. I just wish the pricing would go down a bit since I'm not paying for table service or a complete meal to go along with it. I would highly recommend people going to visit just because the burgers are good and it's a local favorite that has been around for years!
(3)Terinna R.
Came here on a weekday during lunch time with one of my girlfriends. It's a great place to have a casual lunch date to catch up. The noise level inside and outside is definitely on the higher side, but that just adds to their burger joint ambiance. The service was alright, nothing outstanding or extremely friendly. Our cashier seemed to be running impatient with me, which honestly she can't blame me. Their menu options are huge.. and when I asked for a recommendation she lacked knowledge... so what did you expect? The size of the burger was decent for its price. But no sides, so fries were an ala carte. And they ran out of avocados =( But I replaced it with pineapples. So I guess it was alright. The burger patty was grilled to a tasty hot reddish pink center, vegetables were fresh. But for the price, I think I was just expecting friendlier service. Teddy's Bigger Burgers definitely has friendlier cashiers that know their menus.. so over all I wasn't impressed. Good but definitely not somewhere I'd drive out of my way again to go to.
(3)Tiffany H.
Kua'aina is one of my favorite places to stop while on the North shore side. They have a wide variety of burgers and other sandwiches to choose from. I'm not really a "hamburger person", so I usually get the Mahi, Ortega & Cheese burger. The mahi they use is always so soft and cooked to perfection, and the ortega pepper goes so well with the cheese. Yes, they are a bit pricey. But if you take one look at any of their sandwiches, you'll see why--they're HUGE. Their fries are like, polar opposites though. Whenever I see them, I think about those Pik-Nik shoestring potato chips that come in a can with a red cap. Nonetheless, they taste amazing. I wouldn't mind having the option of a more "conventional" fry though. At the north shore location, it's usually packed with people so you should grab a table as soon as you see one. They even let you bring your dog along (and sit outside of course), which is really nice. Orders do take a while sometimes, especially when it's busy but that's totally understandable. The service is usually great--I haven't encountered any problems here so far. Good job!
(4)Yuko A.
I was craving burgers and was going to see Moneyball with my friend so we decided to go to Kua 'Aina for dinner. I ordered the bacon cheeseburger cooked medium rare with a side order of fries. Overall the burger was good, 2 big slices of bacon, lettuce, tomatoes, and cheese. The only con was that since I had my burger cooked medium rare it was a little soft......(don't worry, I didn't get sick) making it a little weird to eat. The burger itself wasn't too oily either so I didn't feel super-full after eating it. The fries were okay. A bit on the oily side but the small order were a pretty good value for what you paid..... The burgers run from $8-9 with additional toppings costing 50 cents.
(4)Lofa L.
I'm addicted to the grilled peppers and eggplant sandwiches. My lady loves the fries. Lunch here was dope. Yeah its prices aren't that great, but the food was excellent. I gotta earn more money so I can come here more often. And the fries are great with the tabasco jalapeno mild sauce. I don't even like hot sauce that much. I made myself hungry already. Grab a seat and get some grub. fries!
(4)Jenny S.
Kua'Aina always gives HUGE portions and delicious fries!! I got a 1/3lb avocado burger and could barely finishes the whole thing by myself! If you're planning to come here I highly recommend getting a 1/2lb burger and splitting it between two and getting the sweet potato fries!! The Fries are a MUST!! The avocado burger i got was juicy and tasty, but a bit messy to eat! Then again, the messiness made the burger taste that much more good. If you're craving a burger that fills you up AND thats tasty I saw Kua'Aina is the place to go. The one reason this place didn't get 5 stars is because although this place is good they don't get the meat done exactly the way i wanted. I asked for medium well but my meat was a bit pink and not fully cooked through as i expected. But other than that, it was a good experience!!
(4)Jenn T.
I like this burger joint simply because after coming here a couple times, you can count on the consistency of this place to get your burger fix. I love that I can order the same sandwich or burger and get the same great quality meal that I came in expecting. I definitely love the cheeseburger here as well as the various sandwiches with avocado. The french fries here are yummy! They are crispy, crunchy, and full of flavor! However, I do think that the food here is a little over priced. It's like 8 bucks for a 1/3lb burger and its not super spectacular! The seating here is pretty clean, well kept and usually there is a table open. They also have seating outside, but there are a lot of birds out there (I really hate birds!), so I usually sit inside. All the tables are equipped with napkins and condiments, so its really convenient. My order usually come out in a timely manner, so its a nice place to grab a quick bite to eat during my lunch hour. Parking is in the ward center structure or across the street in the parking lot that is directly across from the theaters. Between those 2, there is usually a lot of parking.
(3)Esther Y.
I love the avocado burger here. I came to this Kua'Aina first before the one in Haleiwa, so I was definitely going to give 5 stars here first...but then I had the one in Haleiwa and it was even better. So comparatively, since they're the same exact shop, I have to dock one star here, since I can't give 6 stars to the other one! ;) Not a big fan of the little shoestring fries...I feel like it's too hard to enjoy when they're so tiny, and grabbing a bunch at a time makes me feel like a fatty. Which is probably true, I just don't want to admit it. ;) But anyways...avocado burger, yes. =)
(4)Ahmet G.
The BEST BURGER IN HAWAII hands down! Teddy's who? Why do you think the President dines here everytime he comes to Hawaii lol. The bacon burger is great - juicy, tasty and overall amazing. The fries could be better but the burger can't be beat. Kuaaina will always be the best burger in Hawaii!!!
(5)Grace O.
There's nothing really special about their burgers. There's no zest in the sauce--I had to put loads of ketchup and Tabasco on my ortega burger to get some flavor. It would be fine if that patties were flavorful, seasoned and game-y, but it wasn't. It was an adequate burger, cooked at medium rare just as I asked, but that's about it. I will never crave this burger, when there are other places like Teddy's...hell I make a DAMN good burger at home :) The fries were pretty good though--crunchy and thin-cut. Nothing bad, but nothing great. A bit on the pricey side too.
(2)Mary D.
Had the avocado burger. Big juicy burger that was extremely messy to eat. I needed a bib. Tasty food there. Long lines. Worth the wait. Will eat there again if I'm in the area. I liked it better than the north shore kua aina.
(3)Gannon C.
Ahh Kua'aina. I gave you three chances to impress me. You always seem to disappoint. All I ever wanted was a tasty plain burger that actually has taste! Maybe it's me. I'm old fashion kinda guy. I like my burgers to be seasoned well without any sauces besides mayo and ketchup. I could only scarf down your unseasoned ground beef with the help of Tabasco. *ALOT OF TABASCO* At least your burgers taste better than your fries. Fried grease spuds the size of toenail clippings. WHY U NO CUT FATTER FRIES!? Lemonade is $.50 cents more? Sure! Lemonade sounds like it would totally soothe my throat from your grease trap fries. NOPE. You might as well just sell me a lemon. NO SUGAR IN SIGHT. Besides the service being meh and getting my name totally wrong. *They called me "Danny" * LOL I can at least say something positive. Their veggies are fresh. and.......pretty much it. Kua'aina. I want to love you, but can't. We are so much different. I want a true tasty burger. You want to be an expensive tourist trap. It's not you, it's me.
(2)Kim M.
Kua 'Aina is convenient for people in the Honolulu area looking for a decent burger and fries. The Kua 'Aina menu is pretty basic, but there are a bunch of add-ons / burger toppings that may be added (at an additional cost) to personalize your burger. Bacon, avocado, grilled pineapple, marinated peppers, ortega fire-roasted chili, and cheese may be added on for an additional $.50 - $1.00 more, each. Size options: 1/3lb or 1/2lb There's about a $.40 difference, so I'd just go with the bigger and better 1/2lb. I personally like the Bacon Cheese Burger with added avocado; the bf likes the Ortega Burger (with fire-roasted Ortega peppers). I have yet to try the Ortega peppers, but I hear great things about 'em on the burger. I'll add on some Ortegas the next time. FYI - All burgers are grilled to MEDIUM. Burgers are served up on a golden burger bun with tomato, lettuce, mayo, and grilled onions, unless otherwise specified. (More often than not, I like my burgers medium rare.) Also, with each drink purchase, you're allowed one complimentary refill. Woohoo! Indoor and outdoor seating are available. I like sitting inside to avoid pesky birds and ungodly winds... And each table is fully equipped with a paper towel roll, two kinds of Tabasco sauce, ketchup, and mustard. I love that Jalapeño Tabasco. It's sadly very mild; however, the flavor and tang are both phenomenal. I drench my burger in that stuff! Overall, not my first pick for a burger. Don't get me wrong, the burgers are good... I've just had better elsewhere. But one thing I really like here is the fries! Hah. I will eat a whole basket or more by myself!! Yelp 365 - #330/365
(3)Joshua B.
I first came across Kua'Aina in Santa Monica, California back in 2004. Later, when I stumbled across one in Shibuya, Japan in 2006, I created a game to eat at every location they had. Well, they have expanded since then, but I'm still up for the challenge! On my recent trip to Honolulu I had to seek out the legendary burger joint, and let me tell you, this place still has it. The burgers are exactly what a burger should be: thick, juicy, messy, covered in piles of ingredients, and planted on a giant bun. The taste of the meat is good, the portions are gigantic, and everything is just as it should be. The atmosphere is very laid back. My girlfriend and I walked in soaking wet, after a day of swimming at Point Panic Beach, and no one blinked an eye. The service is good, and they really go out of their way to make the customers feel important. The price is a bit up there, but you are in Hawaii. Everything costs extra in Hawaii, especially good food. And that sums up what Kua'Aina is all about, good burgers.
(4)Cintamani A.
First off, I will say it is a very attractive, clean-lined, high ceiling environment with 'ugly lights'. If I'm pigging out on fattening food I do NOT want such severe lightening to highlight the very fact I am indeed pigging out. 'Tis embarrassing, so yo, turn it down! The girls at the counter were a bit stand-offish yet attempting to be friendly. A bit of a turn off, but they are efficient enough that it doesn't affect the rating of the restaurant. At least they gave my friend a generous amount of mayo on the side when asked without charging. In fact it was the most mayo that I've ever seen a place give out. Trying to be health conscious in such an establishment is a losing battle. Just eyeing the add-ons that are available was torture. Bacon...But yeah, it's pricy per ad-on. However, I ended up adding bacon and it was the most generous amount I've ever had that was perfect and NOT raw in the least (Hawaii is negligent about that typically). Apparently, the majority of Hawaii's food establishments that are guilty of that have never heard of Trichinellosis. So one star added for perfect bacon. My vain attempt of healthiness was ordering the eggplant and bell pepper sandwich. Or at least I assumed it was a sandwich until I saw that it was a big ol' fluffy burger bun. It was very underwhelming to the rest of the burger though pleasant enough. The burger was humongous. I couldn't even hold with both hands let alone bite into it. It was the first time I had to manually deconstruct a burger in order to eat it comfortably. Too salty bell peppers, hardly any eggplant, lots of bacon perfect. The burger contained eggplant that was far too salty, onions, bell peppers, lettuce, a fresh tomato and mayo that was lazily slathered in the meal of the top bun. The vegetables were pretty fresh, tasty and charred. It's unfortunate about the eggplant because it would have been a great vegetarian option for burgers. My friend kept commenting that her burger was extremely salty. The fries were salty and oil lodged. If it weren't for all the saltiness I'd give the place a solid three star review. Also - There is no public restroom. You're given a code on a slip of paper for a bathroom that is located to the space that was formally Borders. It's quite walk, but think of it as deducting five calories from your meal. The condiment rack is a very nice touch, along with the paper towels. In fact it's genius. All burger joints should have a roll of paper towels per table. However, the size the tables are not equipped for such bulky items. They should think Scandinavian and apply a simple device under the tables where a customer can simply tear the desired amount of paper towel that is needed. In the end, because of the saltiness I wouldn't venture back any time soon. I do think the prices are actually fair for the portion sizes. It's food that'll feel like you digested a brick if you're the type to eat every morsel on your plate. It's higher quality compared to most places ingredient wise, but someone seriously needs to taste the food before serving it because of the saltiness. I'll stick to Teddy's and Byron's for my burgers because of that.
(2)Sean K.
It was one of the worst burgers ever! should've gone to the McD. All of (very hungry) us had only a couple of bites and threw them away. Yuk! Go to Teddy's or BK or McD instead.
(1)Lisa Q.
The last review was supposed to be for Kakako kitchen. This place is ok and the staff of very helpful.
(3)Michelle Q.
The burgers here are okay. They are not the best that I've had. I got the bacon burger and i felt like it was dry. The French fries are shoestring style so they were thin. I wish it was more thicker. They cater more to the tourists so its understandable that it's not the best quality. The service was good though. The cashiers were really friendly. If I had a choice, I wouldn't come back here again.
(2)Sarah C.
It's my second time at a Kua 'Aina burger. I wouldn't say this is hands down one of the best burger places I've ever been to, but I will say that their burgers are pretty good. I like that they give you the option on how cooked you would prefer the patty, and I like that they list the prices of additional condiments. Once I got my burger and took a bite, I was pretty impressed how juicy the burger was. I got the ortega burger. I did sense that something was missing. Like I said earlier, there are additional condiments that you can add on to the burger. Cheese was one of those condiments, but I didn't realize till it was too late. I think it would of been nice if the cashier would up-sale or even remind customers like myself if i would like to add any additional condiments (just a personal preference). I like the burgers, and I definitely will be back for something new.
(4)Courtney B.
This place has great burgers and sandwiches! I love going here. The staff is pretty friendly and they are very quick with getting orders out. My favorite thing to order is the tuna and avocado sandwich. Sooo good!
(4)Nat N.
Ok, I will admit that I don't think they serve up the best burger in town. Competition has increased over the years with places like Teddy's Bigger Burgers, Honolulu Burger Co., The Counter, and now the Ultimate Burger (Honolulu Farmers Market Wednesdays only). But, they are one of the original burger joints on the island and will always hold a special place in my heart! All of their burgers are excellent choices! You must order their shoestring fries - they're delish. The prices have increased over the years, but who hasn't increased their prices? You'll spend more than say McD's or BK, but you'll also get a way better burger and fries.
(4)Leilani F.
Great burgers, awesome salads! I ordered the ahi salad with balsamic dressing, and it was huge! Ive never been more satisfied by a salad in my life! The lettuce was fresh, the ahi was grilled to perfection, the dressing was really something. will definitely be going there again
(5)Krystel P.
Had the mahi mahi sandwich with avocado and cheese per the cashier's advice and it was AMAZING! Cooked to perfection with lots of flavor and the fries were so yummy! Fresh and crispy they were the cherry on top of the meal. Lots of seating and glad I finally came in to try them out! I will definitely be back!
(5)Brandywine B.
Fresh. Tasty. Reasonably priced. Highly recommend. (BLT+avocado on rye might be the world's most perfect sandwich).
(5)Michael C.
This was my first visit to this location in a while, and I'm happy to say I wasn't disappointed! I went with a friend for lunch and thankfully it wasn't too crowded when we arrived at 1130. If you've never been here before, they do have sandwiches and salads on the menu besides burgers. My friend and I are starving at this point so we both decide to order burgers. She decides on a 1/2 lb plain cheeseburger no toppings with American cheese cooked well done, while I order a 1/3 lb bacon cheeseburger with cheddar cheese cooked medium. We also shared a basket of french fries. NOTE: All burgers are cooked medium unless asked otherwise, and come with toppings of mayo, lettuce, and tomato. Also, you're allowed one complimentary drink refill. There's also indoor and outdoor seating available. I have to say that one of the best things about this location is that they have a healthy supply of condiments and napkins at each table. This was definitely a plus for me as I love ketchup and I do like to have ample napkins available, especially if I'm eating with my hands. The food is finally ready and we dig in. Basically for the first few minutes after receiving our food we really didn't have any words to exchange as we were in the process of enjoying our mouth-watering burgers and fries. No complaints or concerns about the food or the way the burgers were cooked. And in the blink of an eye, we finish our burgers and leave very satisfied customers with plans to return again in the future. TIP: They now accept credit cards!!!
(5)Christa B.
It's not the best burger in Hawaii as they say in their ads. The burgers are huge, but like so many other things, bigger isn't necessarily better in this case. The bread isn't soft enough to soak up the juices from the beef or is it that the burger isn't juicy enough? Its way too pricey for a burger of this low caliber. The fries are good, if you like soggy and greasy, which I do, but what's up with that carrot? Really, with a fattening burger and fries? How bout a side of carrot cake, ha ha! The place is okay, but for the money, I won't be back. If I want to spend $8 on a good burger, I'll venture over to the Counter in Kahala. Although, someone's posting of a picture of the BLT sure did look darn good.....
(3)Katharine B.
This place is really good!! Hot fresh and made to order. Sandwich are large enough to split, and the shoe string fries are hard to not inhale. I came at lunch. Place is busy, but not too long to wait for food to be cooked fresh. I got the BLT +Avocado, bacon was crispy, and thick. Avocado was piled on. It was so good, I will definitely come back. Very filling!!!
(5)Larry G.
As far as burger places go, this one is good; not great but good. When hitting the movies at Ward Center, Kua'Aina is a good place to grab a quick bite before heading in. Burgers are good, fries are good; can't really say anything bad about this place but not sure I would go out of my way to eat here if I wasn't going to Ward Center for something else...
(3)Steven K.
Seems like the staff needs more training, but they were very friendly and the burger was amazing...
(4)Tammy T.
It seems like a lot for just a burger; fries sold separately. Patties come in 1/3 & 1/2 lb. I believe I saw somewhere BYOB on their menu. I am pretty sure?!? They have a kid's burger. The lady at the counter told me the patty was the size of the McDonald's one; thin. And that it was more bread then meat. I took her word. I'm not a fan of shrivelly fries. They look super thin, skinner then shoe string fries, or whatever you call them. They look more like a garnish, rather then fries. I did enjoy the Grilled Eggplant & Pepper burger. I think the flavor was in the green pepper only. It's a slippery burger due to the wet ingredients. So watch out. I believe that burgers & fries go together, like jack & coke, or beer & salty pupus. So because I don't care for their fries, to me it's just a burger...Sigh. Which is why I can't be a fan.
(3)Anna C.
Honestly, I don't get what all the hype is. Everytime I walk by this place I see a flock of tourists eating there. I guess it's partly because the trolley and bus stop is there too and the tourists just happened to be hungry at the time of their arrival. Anyway, after much curiousity I decided to visit this burger joint. When I first walked in there were three people lined up and then all of a sudden a bunch of people started coming in and lining up behind me. So I was looking up at their large menu board up on the wall. And I was like dang why is everything so expensive. The cheapest thing was their cheeseburger which was around the $5 to $6 range. Then I looked at the next column which were their sandwiches, and again I was like - what the sheeze, $8 for a sandwich with some pastrami and cheese? The prices are just ridiculous, really. Then I looked at everyone eating there then I was looking at my watch. I had only a 30 minute lunch break so I thought since I was already there and so many people seem to like this place so much I'll just order something and go. But just as I was walking up to the counter the girl taking the order tells this other guy behind me to come forward. I was thinking, hey! I was in line first. I found out later he seem to have called in by phone to order before me or whatever. Well, that annoyance aside I finally got to order my teri chicken burger. It was $7. The order pick up time was alright considering they make it once you order it. Then I took my meal outside on the tables to eat. It smelled good, but once I bite into it I was not too thrilled. The chicken was dry and charred tasting. I think the only thing that saved it was the grilled caramelized onions. Otherwise I really did not like it. Zippy's made their teri chicken burger much much better, I was thinking the whole time I was eating. I wasted $7 and I was especially unhappy while I was eating because there were these pigeons that kept staring at me while I was eating. It was disturbing. And then a few even jumped up on my table trying to attack me, or maybe just my burger. I was so freaked out I just ate half the burger and ate the rest in my office - grudgely. Never going there again.
(1)Brian F.
I had a chance to eat here with my brother-in-law. The portions are generous however the bun was so enormous I struggled with eating it. In addition the taste was just average. Compared to Teddy's and Big City Diner's burgers this ranks 3rd in my opinion.
(3)Noelle L.
Great burgers! They are very tasty an quite large. My husband and I usually split a burger with a basket of their shoestring fries.
(5)Ax C.
Small 30 seat interior was at headache-level noisy during lunch. Outside along the parking lot entrance was actually more pleasant. If you are debating a trip to Haleiwa to the "original" bear in mind that this is almost exactly the same. Same cafeteria style ordering, decor, noise, and slightly $$$ burgers ($8.50 for small cheese).
(2)Gemma R.
Came here on a Monday night about 20-30 mins before closing. Ordered a kids burger and small fries. It had to be the worst hamburger ive ever eaten. I wish I was exaggerating but no, McDonald's cheeseburger happy meal would have been better. It was the most flavorless, thin, fake looking meat patty that I've ever seen. On top of that, they put it on this bun that was way to big for the patty. And the fries which i normally get all excited about was so disappointing as well! Have to say, worst meal I've eaten in a very long time! $7.00 for a kids burger and small fries! Gross!
(1)Beth I.
When they have avocado the avocado burger is THE best!! (however, they are often out!) The ahi sandwich is also wondeful and so are the salads. Mmmm. I had the avo burger for lunch today and it was so well flavored and the avocado was really generous! The med rare burger was also super delish! Sometimes I wish they had a softer bun than the kaiser rolls, but it's fresh so I can't complain.
(4)Claudia M.
Had the 1/3lb. cheeseburger. It was topped with mayo, lettuce, tomato and provolone cheese. The counter help asked if i wanted grilled onions which I agreed to, but it came without. Burger was cooked to a perfect medium. Burger priced at $8.50 is rather expensive compared to other burger places, but it was a good burger.
(4)Cajun S.
Burger was tasteless and the fries tasted like they didn't have any potato in them. Would recommend avoiding this place if possible.
(1)Martina G.
I wasted one of my precious meals while on vacation at Kua Aina Ward! I should have just driven to the Haleiwa location, which is infinitely superior to this one. My usual order is a fish burger, no bun, all the veggies, mayo, avocado, pineapple and a side of carrot sticks. The fish comes served in a bowl which I happily eat with a fork. Service was meh. The ladies behind the counter seemed like they had better things to do. They were out of avocados. The lady confirmed my order and found a table outside. My fish bowl comes out WITHOUT the mayo and my order of carrot sticks were missing. Then I noticed there was no ranch to go with my carrot sticks. I requested some and was told it was $0.26 extra. Why didn't she offer the ranch when I had my wallet out? Am I the only one who eats carrot sticks with ranch???
(2)Cheryl K.
Kua'aina is always the go-to place for burgers on the North Shore and I have seen it many places in Japan. Awesome thing is that when the Japanese tourists come to visit, it seems like they like to eat here. Anyway, I was always in love with their sandwiches and then turned full carnivore and have been ordering the burgers every time I visit. It's been a while since I ate at this location. I ordered the bacon burger with provolone cheese and the husband ordered a BLT plus avocado. Pretty spacey location with lots of seating inside and out which is a plus. I always have anxiety when there's a line for ordering and I only see filled tables. I picture a horrific scene of balancing a tray in one hand with a messy burger in the other while I am trying to keep up a "cool" and feminine self image. Anyway, seating was readily available. Got my burger. There is one requirement or maybe more like preference I have when eating a burger, I have to be able to hold it comfortably and I have to stay mildly clean. Kua'aina is one of those places that I dread going to because the burgers are so huge. I knew I wasn't alone when the tourists all around me started eating their burgers either with a fork or piece by piece (lettuce, tomato, then bacon, etc.) Don't get me wrong, their burgers are good just not user friendly. I normally order my burger medium well and I don't remember being asked how I want my burger and because I don't order burgers on a daily basis I completely forget to say it. Just a little side note the the girl at the counter taking the order looked preoccupied with life. The burger was done medium (which is fine because I felt extra manly today) and pretty soaked through the bottom bun. I also had half a head of lettuce in my burger so I had to take some out. The fries are good but I like them a tad bit more crispy. My husband enjoyed his sandwich and helped me finish my burger up. I must say there were two strips of bacon and I believe a burger named "Bacon Burger" should probably have a tad bit more of that lovely pork product. Yes, the prices are a little high but nothing ridiculously more than the other burger joints down the street. I conclude that I prefer my burger on the edge.
(3)Keahi R.
Kua' aina is the real deal.. The best one is in Haliewa.. Kapolei and ala moana close second.. If you are on the North shore, stop in Haliewa town and get an avacado or pineapple 1/3 or 1/2 lb burger and taste a dream!
(5)Jordan S.
Sadly, they have been completely knocked off the pedestal I used to put them on. I would go here every weekend from the time I was 12 to get a burger, had no problems until maybe 3 years ago, when quality started slipping, the burgers werent as big, the veggies werent always as fresh, and the fries were much less than they used to be. I kept wanting to give it chances, but they never rebounded. Then I found a much better burger elsewhere on the island.... alas poor Kua 'Aina, I barely knew ye. Hopefully they will regain their spot on the pedestal some time in the future.
(2)Bradley H.
Seriously... For all the hype, this place really fell flat right in front of my eyes. Avocado burger cost $8 for a 1/3 pound, $8.40 for a 1/2 pound. Add on a couple bucks for fries and a couple bucks for a drink (yes, high prices on all food served ala carte) and you have a complete burger meal for just over $12...$12!!! The burger was cooked more medium rare than medium (not quite the way ground beef from a burger joint should be cooked) and the taste was pretty much as flat as the hype. Very little seasoning, very little taste, and to me very little value. The fries were overcooked and old...they almost had the consistency of twice fried french fries...which i'm sure they were not supposed to be. The burger was filling, but not fulfilling. Lets be honest...we don't expect to find a decent hamburger in hawaii with all the other great food...and the status quo holds true in this case... Happy Eating!
(2)Karyn M.
Always the go-to burger place. Sometimes the bun is not all that soft...kinda of dry and falls apart. LOVE the fries! Bacon with swiss is my fav! Sit outside and watch everyone go by.
(4)Elizabeth N.
I've only had their burgers here and tho it is good, there are better ones out there for the price. And for some reason, their burgers are only good when you eat them as soon as its served. LOVED the burger then. But twice I ordered my burger to go, and the burger and bun were both dry and lack luster. So if you're going to eat the burger, eat it there, right after its served and sadly, the meat is smaller than the bun. So it is good, but I don't come here anymore unless I'm in the neighborhood and Kakaako Kitchen is closed. =) Here's my recap: Pros: -Fresh Ingredients with their burgers -Very tasty burgers, lots of options to add -Their french fries are fantastic! Thin, shoe string and fresh! Could eat these alone =) Cons: -The buns. They get dry and cardboard like when they cool down. They don't stay soft. -The burger looses consistency when it gets cold or is for take out. The meat and bun becames dry and tasteless. -The meat is smaller than the bun. You run out of "burger" and end up eating condiment on bun. -The prices! Everything is ala carte and you have to pay extra for things like bacon etc. I feel you don't get what you pay for in the quantity dept. -Cash only -
(3)Margret C.
I liked this place (mahi sandwich) but my husband just thought the burgers were just ok, nothing special. I would go here again but I don't think that my husband would want to go here again (unless he got something else at another place). If you're looking for a place that serves sandwiches and burgers for under $10 a person, this is it. Some credits: Frommer's Highly Recommended, Honolulu Advertiser's past Ilima Award Winner, and Mobil Travel Guide recommended Burgers are either 1/3 lb. or 1/2 lb.- $6.10- $6.90. Sandwiches are from $4.40 (Cheese) to $7.50 (Mahi, ortega, & cheese). Bread choices: kaiser roll, multi-grain wheat, or hearth rye. Cheeses: swiss, american, monterey jack, cheddar, or provolone. Kiddie burger is $3.90. Burgers and sandwiches do not come with shoestring fries- ala carte @ $1.95 or $2.80. Salads range from $3.40 to $6.90 (tossed green salad, grilled chicken, tuna, or turkey). Drinks range from $1.20 to $1.60. Extras range from $0.50 to $1.10- cheese, bacon, pineapple, grilled peppers, ortega chiles, or avocado). An extra $.10 for takeout orders (kinda funny huh?). Hours: 10:30 am- 9:00 pm. There is another location on the North Shore- Haleiwa, BTW- I've seen this one highlighted in so many guide books, so I thought that it was worth mentioning.
(4)Dee L.
Thanks to Jane L for recommending this place. My mom had the salad, which was alright to her. My dad and brother split the half pound mahi mahi and they enjoyed it. I split the half pound pineapple burger with my sister. We all had homemade fries on the side. The lady ringing my order was super nice and asked if I wanted the burgers split. Usually I get dirty looks when I ask elsewhere. The burgers are a different realm of juicyness compared to in N out. Granted the burgers are slighty pricey, but it's well worth it. The burgers are cooked medium and when you bite into it the meat is still pinkish--yum. The bun doesn't get too soggy and holds its volume. I had onions in mine and it wasn't overpowering the taste--I can taste every piece of my pineapple burger, crisp lettuce, sweet pineapple, chewy soft bun, and tasty meat. The fries were thin and crispy, not too greasy. Minus one star for no avocados that day. I've seen avocados from Hawaii and they are huge. Too bad I lucked out this time in having it in a burger. I'll come back for you. Cash only.
(4)Lalee M.
Great Burgers! I love to order the Cheeseburger with bacon and pineapple. Their burgers are huge and satisfying. The Teri Chicken is also delicious.
(3)Ming-Jou C.
I'm sorry, but this burger is not "the best burger I've had in my life," as someone claimed would be my reaction. It was tasty at about $8 for a 1/3 lb cheeseburger, but I think the quality or consistency of the meat at Teddy's is a bit more substantial and just better. The Kaiser Roll was good as it coated with cornmeal and your burger came open-faced in a basket, with lettuce, tomatoes, mayonnaise and onions (ask for them grilled!). We shared an order of the thin fries, which have a hint of In N Out flavor or texture to them, but not the same. Best way to eat those fries is to just squirt ketchup on them and fork 'em. Plenty of seating indoors and out, and the place is really clean. Bus your own tray. Customer service was really good as everyone was friendly. But then again, it's Hawaii. Almost everyone is friendly here in Paradise. I will try the North Shore location later this week.
(3)Joanna L.
Lately, I've been wanting a big juicy burger. I decided to come here bc it's been forever (meaning years) since the last time I ate here. I ordered the avocado burger with provolone cheese. I debated adding pineapple to it, but in hindsight, I'm incredibly glad I didn't. The burger is HUGE. The taste was alright; not bad, but not out of this world. I almost want to say it was a bit bland. My taste buds should've been dancing, but moved they were not. My problem with it was keeping it together. I really dislike messy burgers and this was definitely messy. They don't use toothpicks to hold it in place, nor do they wrap it to keep the burger snug and together... It was so slippery, the stuff on my burger was literally falling out this way and that. Tomato sliding to the right, avocado sliding to the left. Trying to keep the burger together was ridiculous and made it such a horrible experience. I just couldn't enjoy it knowing that if I took a bite, I might have to spend the next two minutes rearranging everything, only to repeat the cycle after I took the next bite. On the other hand, the fries were pretty awesome! I don't love potatoes, nor do I love french fries, so it's pretty amazing when I say I love these fries! However, fries don't make a burger joint. People should be going for the burger first and the fries second... TL;DR - Burger is nothing special and very messy, but their FRIES ARE YUMM!!
(2)Kendal T.
I think this place is starting to grow on me. Before this was nothing out oftge ordinary, but I find myself after a nice paddle in sunday down here grabbing a bacon cheeseburger with a large fries. It is pretty good. Not the best in the world, but it is decent. Favor is there and it is wonderful to fill you up. The waiting time is a bit long but I believe thats cuz they cook it up when you order it just like teddys.
(4)Julie E.
Burgers were ok...not great. Nothing that I couldn't have grilled up at home. If everything tasted better the prices would have been easier to take. If you want a great burger, check out Island's. Oh, if you do come here remember to have cash!
(3)Reva Y.
Why do they rarely have avocado? Am I just going at the wrong time everytime or am I right?? It's like they anticipate being able to only sell 5 avo garnished items bc there's a special wooden sign indicating it's availability. Besides the lack of one very crucial ingredient they're decent burgers. Personally I prefer Teddys, unless you're opting for a fish dish than stick to here. Ps. French fries not my cup of tea either. It's those small crunchy ones that just feels like you're eating Picnics.
(2)Gaelen L.
Absolutely the best burgers I have ever tried! If you are ever at the North Shore, I def recommend stopping by here. The wait time is quick (not like fast food, but its a made-to-order burger, not frozen). Don't expect fst food prices either... you are buying a premium burger here and will have to shell out a few bucks. They have other things on the menu that are good too, but don't cheat yourself... get yourself a Kua'Aina burger!
(5)robert k.
I have to agree with some other Yelp'ers from the Mainland when I say that this burger is good, but not great. I saw a lot of reviews that said "Best Burger on the Island" and they did indeed look good. It was delicious, but there were a few flaws that made it just so-so. One being that they don't warm up the bun at all. The other complaint being that, well, it just wasn't amazing. Way better than McDonald's and just as good as any diner burger you'll find here on the mainland, but that's about it. The fries were good; nice and thin and crisp, not too greasy, not too salty. I asked for my burger medium rare and it came out just that way. In the end, I'd eat here again if I was hungry for a burger, but after spending a week on the island I realized it was stupid to waste a good meal opportunity on a regular ol' cheeseburger. Way better than Cheeseburger Waikiki too, btw. NOTE: They also have sandwiches and salads, and they take CASH ONLY.
(4)Jonn D.
Rating: 5 stars Date(s) visited: 12/12/2010, a couple times before this. Food: 4/5 Service: 5/5 Atmosphere: 4/5 Price: 3/5 Parking: 3/5 Great burgers! I would frequent this place more often, but it's not very close to me. Customer Service is outstanding! I ate and left my holiday shopping bag in the dining area and was able to pick it up with nothing missing. Thank you so much "Kua'Aina Staff!" You guys are the Best! Food: Burgers are cooked to order. They don't have a specialty sauce like "Teddy's Bigger Burgers," so the freshness of the meat and other ingredients come into play. Service: Outstanding! Very friendly. Atmosphere: Love all the old photo's of "The good ol' days." Price: Average. Didn't mind what they charged since the food was good. Parking: Mall parking. It wasn't as bad as I thought and have experienced in the past.
(5)Ki H.
Kua 'Aina's convenient location is probably the only thing keeping this mediocre burger joint afloat. Let's begin... Their burger menu doesn't include the unexpected. You'll have a choice of 1/3 or 1/2 pound of burger, 4 choices of bun, 4 types of cheese, and the standard toppings (bacon, onion, lettuce, tomato blah blah blah). The burger itself is boring and uninspired compared to the competition and their fries... oh dear God their fries.... They are HORRIBLE! Thin, oily, and flavorless. If it wasn't a necessary companion to a burger, I would have skipped the fries altogether. Go ahead, waste your money and order them, you've already done so much by coming here in the first place. For your hard earned dollar and your hungry appetite, you'd do much better to go to either Teddy's, Burgers on the Edge or preferably, The Counter, all of which are fantastic and head and shoulders about what Kua 'Aina could ever hope to be.
(2)Zhen L.
The Kua'aina was a place I use to go when I worked at ColdStone Creamery. I really enjoy their burgers. I'm going to keep this short and simple. The food & location are great, but the service and decor needs some work. The outside looks amazing and attractive, but they seem to have skimped on the interior. Side note, their burgers are very greasy (I don't mind it). If you're a health-nut I wouldn't recommend this place to you.
(3)Oscar R.
One of my favorite burger places on Oahu! (see my review on the Haleiwa location) Great burger & great location with plenty of things to do around Ward center. The quality of the food here is right on par with the North Shore location. I would highly recommend giving this place a try.
(5)Anabelle T.
Burger is huge. Definitely over priced. The fries are super thinly cut and also have no flavor to them. The pinnacle was the best part of the meal. Just about the only thing with good flavor to it. The lemonade is horrible. I would suggest eating else where unless you really don't care about eating a decent meal.
(2)Tony L.
Just a bit disappointed. We came here after a family friend recommended Kua 'Aina to us. Said the burger was so good, he ate here three times. So we decided to investigate. I had a pineapple burger with jack and fries. 8 bucks for a burger...I'd expect it to sing and dance on my taste buds, but it didn't, in fact, it was just about the blandest burger I've had in ages. It did manage leave a big juicy mess on my hands. Sometimes having a mess on your hands is good thing, especially when you have a big tasty burger, it's almost like a confirmation of how much damage you did. But this, this was more like damaged expectations.
(2)C and K B.
Clean, friendly, well priced! The ladies taking orders were super. I had the avocado BLT - yummy!
(4)Christian M.
SHOESTRING FRIES FOR THE WIN!!! I just had to get that off my chest before I start this review. I was scavenging the area today on foot and came across Stussy which was just a block away from Kua 'Aina. I asked them for a recommendation on a good place to eat and they recommended this place that was nearby. I walked about a block away and found Kua 'Aina. I walked in and ordered a pineapple burger. Being that I'm in Hawaii, I want to try to eat as many Hawaii inspired dishes as possible. The burger tasted REALLY good. I thought it was really well cooked. I also had the shoestring fries and they were SO GOOD. It might be the best fries that I've ever tasted in my life. They were that good. I'd really recommend this place to anyone looking for a good burger. The food here is a delight. Go and try it! You won't be disappointed.
(4)Karen P.
Not my first choice if I want a burger. I typically just get a kid's burger when I do come here, which is a decent size. I like my meat medium & on more than one occasion, the patty was dry/almost burnt. I'm also not a fan of crispy French fries, so theirs do nothing for me, but a few of my friends do like 'em. Teddy's Bigger Burgers is definitely a lot better!
(3)Stu C.
I love the Avocado burger and my wife loves the Eggplant sandwich. We go there every few weeks or so.
(4)Robin W.
Yummy Burgers! Everything I've ever ordered here was great. The burgers are juicy...just watch out b/c they pile on the mayo on burgers and sandwiches. Just order at the counter, and they'll call your name over the speaker when your food is ready (so you can sit outside and not wonder if your food is ready and waiting for you). The staff is very nice. Great food at Ward, or at North Shore.
(5)Crissy K.
This place has gone downhill since it relocated from what used to be Ward Village. Not only have the prices gone up, but the portions -- at least of avocado on the avocado burger -- have gone down, and the burgers themselves have gotten kind of dry. They even serve poor quality fries now, clearly scraping the bottom of the barrel, so to speak, when they serve you the crumbs and scraps. Kua 'Aina's burgers are definitely a step up from fast food, but at least you can eat a fast food burger without dripping grease all over yourself. (Yes, go figure, the meat can be dry and still drip grease.) If the burger were delicious, I can see putting up with the mess, but this is no longer the case. What a bummer.
(3)Brent K.
To me. This is the BEST burger around. Why. taste, short wait time, always cooked wright, Hot off the grill, Great bacon, great fries, Always friendly.
(5)sugi o.
can i have an avocado burger? no, we dont have avocado today. HUH? okay, so cheeseburger it was... the burger itself was $9 (got the 1/2 lb). for $9, i am expecting a pretty damn good burger. but, it was nothing great... it felt like a backyard burger... but was actually kind of tasteless. and the proportion of bread to meat was not very proportionate (the kaiser roll was too much bread). fries, too thin for my liking but if you like shoestring fries, than i think you will be a fan. i should have just went to mcdonalds... there was one really close by. big mac anyone?
(3)Amanda Z.
$7 for an average hamburger without fries or a drink or table service is too much in my book. The burger was overcooked and the "grilled" onions were pretty much raw. I mooched off my coworker for some fries. They were pretty oily (gross) and crunchy and too skinny. One of my coworkers had a pastrami sandwich, she said it was chewy and the pastrami at subways was better. Another coworker had a salad with a balsamic olive oil dressing that was like 10% balsamic to 90% olive oil. I'd rather go to Teddy's or the Counter for the same price and better tasting burgers and sides.
(2)Nicole P.
The good: the sandwiches are delicious and I absolutely love their avocados. They are well seasoned and great on burgers or turkey sandwiches. Also parking is free and plentiful. The staff is fine. The bad: At least 50% of the time I go they are out of avocados and I refuse to eat there if I can't order my favorite sandwiches. We turn around and walk out. Silly yes but the avocados are that delicious. Also I don't care for their fries...a little too greasy and thin for my taste but my boyfriend enjoys them occasionally. The sandwiches are large so they are usually more than enough to eat. They also raised their prices a lot recently.
(3)Mallory M.
Hands down one of the best burgers!!! I just recently purchased a playhawaii coupon for 20 dollars. Ward being so close to where I live we decided to go here tonight. It wasn't my first time being here but its been a while. I got the Bacon Burger with exra Avocados and a large fries. My burger was done medium and the portion of the avocado was HUGE!!! It was pretty much a whole one for only $1.10 extra. The fries are so thinly sliced and has to be one of my favorites. Service isn't their strong point but their burgers sure do make up for it.
(4)Rise D.
I had the avocado burger with provolone cheese. It came with tomatoes and onions and lettuce. The burger was good and really hard to eat. The lettuce was out of control. I ended up eating my burger with a fork and knife. You have to pay $0.25 more for a pickle and $0.80 for a pepperoncini. I thought $0.80 was too expensive for one small pepperoncini so I didn't get it, but the pickle was large and worth it. While Kua Aina is a good option for a burger, I think I'd prefer La Tour Cafe's burgers or Teddy's over Kua Aina. The fries were really good though!
(3)K. A. N. A. K.
I would give this place 4-plus stars if they ever had avocado; maybe the Avocado Burger should be relegated to a special rather than a regular. The burger itself is juicy and well-seasoned, and the bun and condiments are fresh. The shoestring fries are awesome.
(3)Doris D.
Very good cheeseburger! Love the shoestring fries.
(4)Anna D.
Good...but it's sometimes its hit or miss. I dont care to come here that much and usually suggest to go to Teddys instead. I also like my sides with extra cheese and avocados which isn't worth paying for here. It's not bad at all but it's just not as good as my Kailua burger at Teddys. Plus, they dont have a special sauce so they're basically A-OK
(3)Clay K.
Great burger. Favorite is teri chix on multi grain.juicy not dry. Healthy and delicious. The fries are addictive.
(4)Brent S.
One of the best burgers on the island. It's usually cooked perfectly to order. At medium, it's nice and juicy with just the right amount of smokey flavor. Doesn't even need cheese or bacon or any of the other toppings. They serve shoestring potato fries, which is my favorite. If you like the thick steak fries, this isn't really the place to go. It's a little pricey for just a burger (starting around $7). But if you're in the mood, it's much better than other alternatives.
(4)Brent M.
One of the best burgers I've ever had. Juicy, rich and the brioche bun is great. The super thin fries are great too. Wish we had one of these in California.
(5)Vinson H.
Got 2 bacon cheeseburgers, small fries, large salad and 2 drinks. Came out around $30. Burgers and buns were very dry, thin fries got cold fast, but salad with balsamic dressing was excellent (best part of meal). They need improvement on burgers. When I pay movie concession prices for burgers, I would expect them to be very juicy, the buns very fresh and soft, and flavor to be rich. I got none of that here. Disappointed with experience of their food.
(2)Jayson D.
BEST BURGER ON THE ISLAND! And I've tried them all. I realize that others might prefer Teddy's or South Shore Grill, but when I line them all up side by side, Kua Aina still stands taller. Here's why... The patty is the juciest patty I've ever had. I like my burgers medium to medium rare (i.e., pink in the middle). KA will cook them to my liking, and they've always been consistent with their cooking (I've been here 20+ times in the last four years). They offer oodles of additional toppings. I recommend adding bacon AND cheese to the Pineapple Burger. Their fries are absolutely addictive--you really cannot stop eating the buggers. They offer a carrot stick, and here's how I like to use it: Lay it down in your tray and use it to prop up your burger. This keeps it out of the little pool of juice that will no doubt have formed in your tray! And maybe the best reason of all: KA is BYOB! So a great way to do this is to walk down to the Liquor Collection and nab a six-pack of your favorite cold beer, then head back to KA for a great burger lunch outside while you sip your favorite sudz. Cheeseburgers taste best with a cold beer, so don't waste this golden opportunity to eat your cake and have it too! Oh--KA now accepts credit cards. So now they rightfully earn that fifth star from me. If you're disappointed, it'll only be because your tummy is painfully full from such a tasty burger! :) Full steam ahead!
(5)Coco C.
It's a burger place. Don't come if you're vegetarian because there ain't much on the menu for you. There are exactly 4 things you can have: avocado sandwich, cheese sandwich, grilled eggplant & pepper sandwich, or tossed green salad. God help you if they run out of some ingredient because they don't have the imagination it takes to make a substitution. As others have said the burger itself is nothing to write home about. But my real objection to the place is the cook's tendency to burn the food. I like my bacon crispy, but not charcoal. And I don't expect to have to scrape the char off my bread at a restaurant. Luckily at Ward Center there are plenty of other eating options. I'd suggest trying one of them instead.
(2)Sam O.
Kua 'Aina has been my favorite burger for years. First place I went when I started eating meat again. The quality is still good, but not what it used to be. With places like Teddy's and The Counter offering up stiff competition, Kua 'Aina needs to keep pace. Kua 'Aina hasn't caught on to the "gourmet toppings" craze, but for a $10 burger, I expect a little more. Burger not as greasy as some other places, but the fries were OILY! Thousand island dressing is more flavorful than most. And what's a burger joint without shakes and malts?
(3)Kate J.
Love the burgers! Love the fries! The patty is nice and juicy and the fries are crisp. The bun is very fresh and the grilled onion is tasty. What's not to love? They always come out fresh, fast, and hot.
(4)Kristen S.
I'm not saying that Kua'Aina has the best burgers in THE WORLD, but since hawaii doesn't have In-N-Out... ;) No, but for real, i dig this place. The chill factor, the North Shore location (the only one i've been to), and yes, the burgers. The mahi sandwich is good, too. And the fries. Nuff said. :)
(4)Emily T.
Hmmm, all I can say is that it was just "ok". Let's see, here is what I ordered: - 1/3 lb burger with bacon and monterey jack cheese, requested medium. The burger was medium rare, a little too rare for my liking. The burger came with grilled onions, which was nice, but maybe because I had it as take out, the buns were a little soggy. The burger was just "ok", better than the fast food joints, but felt like it was missing something...maybe a little more seasoning? - Fries - Again, maybe a bad move to take it home, because the fries were soggy, even though they were shoestring, and with it being so thin, you'd think they would have stayed crispy, but unfortunately not so. - BLT - This one was not bad. I counted 10 slices of bacon, the bacon was good, and I think it was on some sort of whole wheat type bread...so does that mean I can say it was a healthy BLT? Anyways, pretty good, although the best BLT I ever had was in Vegas at Bellagio's Snacks, but that is a whole other story... - Lemonade - Nice and refreshing, not too sweet, not too tart. But $0.50 more than the soft drinks. - They were very generous in the amount of napkins, ketchup, and mustard they provided. I guess they knew how messy it would be! But now I have extra condiments to last me a while. So, here are just some things to note: - Dining in is probably the better option than take out, especially on the burgers and fries. - They now accept credit cards! - If you do call in your order for take out, there are some stalls available directly behind the store, so you don't have to hunt for parking in the structure (not sure on the time limit though, but I believe these stalls are for loading/unloading) - Avocados are really good in their burgers, but sadly they don't always have them. Like today when I went, they were out. Personally, I prefer The Counter, then Teddy's, then Kua 'Aina, then Burgers on the Edge. But that is just my opinion...
(3)Island Boy B.
Kua Aina isn't quite the tourist trap, but a lot of visitors make an effort to visit this burger joint. However, its a place many locals still visit. I first came to Kua Aina back in 2001 and had an avocado burger. At the time, it was a pretty original concept especially for a bloke from Boston. It was one of the best burgers I had. But since then, 10 Years later, I've had many more burgers and opportunities to visit 'best" burger joints around the globe. This time around, having come from abroad and eating more modest meals, I gorged on a very above average burger. The quality and portion was fine. I got a half pounder, a small order of fries and a large iced tea. It was a pricey at $14 - my expectations were very high. Overall it was good, but not great. I am a grilled burger guy and these were fried. But in the end I was quite satisfied especially after a long walk from Waikiki beach. Fries: 4.25 stars
(3)Mike D.
Good solid Hawaiian burger. Finally some food with pineapple in it! Decent Fries. Medium rare request was not honored. I don't know why they even ask..
(4)Dong T.
Meh it's ok. Good burger if you need 1 in north shore. I've had much better back home. Ask for the avo burger. Shoestring fries are good, though. Their restrooms are located in the rear, so you can use them and not get a funny look if you don't order anything.
(3)Raphael L.
"Best Burger in the World"? Probably not. But arguably my favorite burger place in Hawaii so far. Been coming here for almost 2 decades now. I would go as far as saying the one out in Haliewa side has always tasted better. Is it just the effort to go out that far for a meal make it just a psychological thing? What makes it so good? Several things I like about it: 1. Good buns. The bread generally holds up without getting too soggy or stuck to the roof of your mouth. 2. The meat itself generally comes out perfectly done. Typically medium. Juicy. There are a lot of other 'gourmet' burger joints around town now that serve you rubbah slippers between two pieces of bread. Not so with KuaAina. 3. And when it's done perfectly, there is a seasoning to the meat that I can taste here where other places rely too much on condiments. Vegetables that come along with the burger are typically very fresh too. Bad? Prices have steadily gone up over the years. That's understandable I suppose but now the burgers are priced beyond someplace you'd just go if you wanted a good snack. Shoestring fries not really my favorite....it's like eating the leftover potatoes you scratch off some grill. If you go...always opt to include the Maui onions.
(5)F M.
Food's good as usual but service has gone downhill.
(3)Austen I.
Can we get some fat, crinkled fries with some potato in it? Seriously. Worst fries ever. I've ate here a ton of times and the fries' texture is a mix of soggy to crispy, but it's always those scraggly thin fries. It just doesn't go with the burger. Maybe one day they'll figure it out? It's a shame. At least the burger is decent. Meat quality is decent, the bread is edible. No special sauce here. Just plain 'ol burger meat. It will cost you $10, but if you're in the area, Kua'Aina isn't a bad option. It's good, but not great. Three stars is about right. Boring burgers that fix you up sometimes. This place makes me feel "meh". On a side note, they finally take credit cards. I haven't visited in a while, but it was always a pain to make sure I had cash. +0.1 stars.
(3)kay c.
yes, this place is pricey, but there's just something about their sandwiches that keeps me coming back. To be honest, i've never actually had one of their burgers. I just can't get past their mahi sandwich (minus the tartar sauce) on multi-grain toast. I've probably had over 10 (not all at once, of course) and its still what i order every time. Its my all time favorite sandwich. Everyone I go with pretty much always gets the 1/3 lb burger and they seem to love it. And the roast beef sandwich, which looked more like a sandwich filled with bacon strips, got a great review from my cousin. Their fries are not too shabby either. If only they weren't so expensive, i probably would have given them one more star, but at least they take credit cards now. It used to be cash only.
(4)Shay F.
So my BF and I decided to go here for dinner today. Actually I wanted to go because I like the fries here. I don't know what it is...but something about the fries...I do like. (^___^)/ Anyways, since I don't eat meat anymore the choices are slim here. I remember eating turkey-avocado sandwich...mmm...it was so good. Too bad I don't eat meat anymore...so I went for the simple cheese sandwich. They asked which three cheeses I wanted, and I picked provolone, swiss, and cheddar. Then they asked if I wanted it cold or grilled, and of course I said grilled. It actually turned out pretty good. And of course I loved the fries. My BF got the 1/3 cheese burger w/ provolone. He asked for it to be done medium, but he said it was pretty rare. Which he didn't mind so....*shrugs* I guess I wished that they had more options for people that don't eat meat...but then again, why in the world am I asking for that at a BURGER shop...LoL. Then again....they could offer a good veggie burger......=oP
(3)Jennifer H.
This place is nothing special! Why does everyone hype this place up all the time??? Sorry Kua'Aina fans but I just dont like this place and will never go back. The burgers are just not my style..the bun is too dense and the meat was not juicy or fresh tasting. Tastes like frozen meat patties to me. Cafeteria food. I want my money back!!! What a rip-off!!
(2)Dianna D.
Big "eh." I had the mahi mahi sandwich and thought it was just okay. For the price, this place wasn't worth going to.
(3)Aydee Z.
Came here for an avocado sandwich and there was a sign saying they are out (happens often)! I had been looking forward to it all day :( Turns out they buy them in bulk and they all ripen at the same time... Good food and a decent price...
(3)Bethany N.
Parking is always a problem, it's almost enough to make me give up but that really isn't their fault and it's a common problem in town. Two of my favorites are the ortega burger with pepper jack & bacon and the BLT with avocado. It can get messy; the sandwiches self destruct if you sit them down. If you order fries you have to keep your sandwich in the one hand while eating fries with the other because if you put it back in your basket it's game over, man. The fries are crispy, think more onion string than steak fry. They have regular drink choices like sodas but the clear winner in the drinks is the lemonade and tea. It's homemade. Also there is the BYOB option. The coleslaw is homemade also but maybe it's my Pittsburgh coming out (Primanti Brothers? Chu know?), I wish it had a little more zip. Still, there aren't a whole lot of places doing coleslaw and Kua'Aina's is fine. While they do amazing burgers just how you want them cooked they also cater to the veg that you carnivores might have in tow.
(4)Nate R.
Went here for dinner with the extended family. The burgers were fine, the fries were fine, but none of it was anything special. The reason I'm giving it two stars is that the service was atrocious, the server girl was taking ketchup and mustards from the tables to close up early (we were there at 8:30, they closed at 9), and kept asking if we were done with ours. Like, asked us 3 times. No, I'm sorry, we're using that ketchup. They turned the lights off while we were still sitting there waiting for a final take-out order. The reason we were waiting so long, and the reason they thought we were over-staying our welcome? They forgot we placed the order, and the same girl who tried to steal our ketchup had given the food away with some other extra burgers to her friends. She ran out to get them after screaming "FUCK" in front of kids, and they hadn't opened the bag yet so we got our burger back. I've been a server. I understand that maybe you have something to do after work. But sack up and provide decent service and keep your head in the game so that you don't screw up this badly.
(2)Gerard B.
(Mar/ 2007) So it may not be the best-- but it's good! The portions are huge. We shared a burger and fries and there were plenty more to go around. It's in a great location-- inside a mini outdoor shopping mall.
(3)Olivia M.
Good burgers, kinda pricey though. About $15 if you get a burger, fries and a drink. I do love their BLTs though. It gets kind of busy because a lot of Japanese tourists like to come here. Convenient if you are in the Ward area and want a quick bite to eat.
(3)Kelly M.
Good basic burger. Like the grilled onions on it.
(3)Patrick M.
Good burgers and fries! 1/2 pound satisfied me and 6'3 hallow leg.
(4)Brian A.
To me, this is pretty much the best burger on Oahu. Simple menu (take note Burger on the Edge). They are really juicy with the beef and charred meat flavor comes through. I like the skinny fries because they come off nice and crunchy. It's a pretty big burger also. The girlfriend and I can share a large one with fries and a drink. I think my main complaint about this place would be the bun. It's dense and a bit on the harder to eat side, not fluffy or soft. Sometimes the ladies up front can be a bit standoffish, but whatevers. You can sit inside or out. They have another location on the North Shore also. It can get pretty busy because it's in a touristy shopping area (Ward). Parking is easy, there's 1. a huge parking structure that the place is located in (I'd advise to just park towards the top, it's just easier to get in and out), 2. parking across the street in the open lot, and 3. another parking garage and lot located under Ward Entertainment Center. You can try park on the street, but I'll admit that that is close to an impossibility.
(4)Sandy N.
I can always count on getting the best Mahi Sandwich here. The fish is never over cooked. Accompanied with a large slice of grilled sweet onion, two slices tomatoes and lettuce. Best without the added salt most fast food places add to their food. The fries are always a treat as well. Ample parking, lots of tables and it is usually clean. Staff are always friendly and helpful.
(4)Dave H.
Was bored and decided to try this place for lunch because I haven't had it in over a year. Now I remember why...bland! I don't really like to add condiments to food (Salt, ketchup and pepper). I tried the bacon burger (check out my pic), the patty was probably just half the size of the rye bread it was on! On their menu, it says everything is cooked to medium unless otherwise specified. Well, it didnt look medium to me, more like well done and then some, which is fine, b/c I kind of like burnt edges, BUT, it lost all its juices (not cool). The fries definitely required some salt and I couldve probably done without them. This place does get packed during lunch though, I must be getting the wrong thing.
(2)Matthew N.
I suspect that people focus so much on the varieties of toppings, buns, and condiments that adorn Kua 'Aina burgers because, quite honestly, the hamburgers themselves suck. Yes, the patties themselves are tender and they're juicy (unless you ask for them well-done, in which case they're crumbly and dry), but they have absolutely no taste whatsoever. None. It's as if the folks at Kua 'Aina think that you'll be so distracted by the avocado and onion and half-head of lettuce that you won't notice that the gooey, drippy, half-raw burger that's soaking your bun with blood is actually devoid of any beef flavor whatsoever. And no, this wasn't a one time occurrence. This has happened every time I've gone here, no matter what variety of bun, wellness, or combo I ordered. Their clever string french fries are also a tragic disappointment. Being different doesn't make it tasty or better than fries that, you know, actually have something more than a crisp remnant of the potato. The continuing popularity of this place proves, beyond a shadow of a doubt, the triumph of marketing.
(1)Ben C.
I know they're the same, but the one on Haleiwa is a bit better... maybe for the atmosphere. Aside from that, the burgers are pretty spectacular. A good size patty, quality meat, and pretty much any topping you want. My biggest downside for this place is price. If you want a burger, fries, and a drink, you're going to be paying 10-12 bucks. The food you get is awesome, just not what you'd normally pay for a burger. But the burger and fries are pretty dang good. The other bonus to this place, is that it's run like a mom & pop shop, so the people working there have always been super friendly. So if you're craving a burger on the island, go to Kua Aina.
(4)Dee Z.
I didn't realize I would be on a burger tour, but Kua'Aina makes some seriously good burgers. They come in 1/3 and 1/2 pound size...substantial any way you look at it. Tasty, juicy and cooked just right. The bun held up to the very end. The shoestring fries were crisp even when they got cold - that's my test for a really good fry. When you ask for avocado - very generous, so if you love avocado - you have to order it with your burger. Another great find for burger lovers on vacation!
(5)Y C.
Ok, I'm gonna admit it. I grew up poor. We were so poor that we were "po" (couldn't afford the "or") . . . going to McDonald's or getting a Costco hotdog was a treat back in da day. So maybe that explains my knee-jerk reaction here - how the hell lunch for two people (who shared fries AND a drink) at a burger joint cost $20? Food was ok. Matchstick fries were crispy. But still trying to recover from sticker shock.
(3)Norm G.
Edible? Yes. Delectable? No. I had a craving for a burger, so I prevailed upon my wife to go here. She doesn't think burgers are very healthy, and wasn't all that hungry, so she just had an iced tea. I ordered a 1/3 pound cheeseburger , small french fries, and small coke (and my wife's iced tea) and got ready for a gastronomical delight, since the burger itself was over $7. I just knew it was going to be good. The verdict? Well, the burger was slightly dry (I ordered it medium), not very tasty at all, and the french fries were these very skinny strings of fried potatoes, and the ones at the bottom were burnt. They were by far the scrawniest, wimpiest french fries I had ever set eyes on or teeth into. I mean, they were so limp, they could have definitely used an infusion of Viagra. And did this "sandwich" come with the requisite dill pickle? No, it came with a carrot stick! How lame! There were lots of pretty, young people in there who looked like they were enjoying this trendy place. I think they might have actually been from the cast of LOST. But I'm not sure, since I have never watched the show. To put it in a word, I was underwhelmed. I kept thinking the last time I had a burger at Burger King (about 6 months ago), it actually tasted better than this Kua Aina Burger. And you know what else? If memory serves me, the customer service people were friendlier at Burger King than they were at Kua Aina! The silver lining in all this is that I will spend a lot less money by going to Burger King, and that's always a good thing during this recession! So, I now know what Kua Aina is like, and will no longer need to go there again, and spend a small fortune on an uninspired burger. Sorry, fellow Yelpers, I really wanted to gush about this place, but I gotta be true to my taste buds. My reviews may make me unpopular, but in this age of duplicitous politicians and corporate malfeasance, when it comes to eating, I must stand by my honest opinion.
(2)Mai T.
Kuaaina is a favorite of my sister and since we were in the ward area, we decided to get ourselves some real burger. I am a total lover of pastrami, however this time I got the ortega burger. It was nice and hearty and the grilled pepper added a nice sweet touch. When eating Kuaaina burger, you really have to get your hand down and dirty! I actually saw people eating with their knife and fork, but that just didnt seem right to me! I have tried the Kuaaina in Japan, however it is totally different. From the size of the bun, burger and toppings to the price! Everything except for the price is petite there. One thing I really dont care for at Kuaaina is their fries! I think you either love it or dont like it and unfortunately their fries didnt ring the bell for me. I like my fries bigger and crunchier. It just always seems soggy and I cant make myself to believe that I am eating potato because it is so thin.
(3)DOM d.
Got the avocado burger it was xxxcelent the avocado was big and soft. The burger was really juicy. French fries were unique kids like pix stix but fresh. I would come back Bit pricey though burger was like 8 .50 I think
(4)Frankhie D.
The only thing i've ever eaten from here is their tuna sandwhich... and I L-O-V-E it! I typically order it on wheat bread and with avo, but whether they have avocado or not is really hit or miss :(. But they do have the next best thing I can put on a sandwhich which is BACON! It just compliments the sandwhich so well ;). Atmosphere is chill, you can sit inside or out and they provide condiments (ketchup, mustard, S&P, tabasco) and a roll of paper towels at each table.
(4)Zorrie L.
Kua 'Aina is a must-visit whenever I'm in Hawaii :) I always order the avocado burger, though several times I've visited and there was a sign posted that there was "No Avocado Today," which was always disappointing. The burger is everything that a delicious burger should be. Juicy, meaty, fresh, and on a good bun. There is definitely a good bun-to-meat ratio. The only thing is that once you pile the meat, lettuce, tomato, onions, avocado & bread together, there's literally no way the burger will fit in your mouth and thus it can get pretty messy. But this is all part of the experience--the messier the better :) Also, the fries are super good. I'm not sure if they do or not, but it would be better if they served sweet potato fries..yum :) I've also visited the locations in Haleiwa (really good!) & Japan (not so good, though it was exciting just to be able to find this place in Japan). I'd definitely say the Ala Moana location is comparable to the one in Haleiwa. The reason why I didn't give 5 stars is because a) a bit expensive & everything is ordered a la carte b) they always run out of avo :(
(4)Kevin W.
Perhaps my fault for ordering medium-rare - was def on the rare side. Patty didn't have any char or grill flavor to it. Was just a ball of ground beef sitting on a bun. Fries are terrible. Seems to be the consensus. I don't know if this is their way of cutting costs, but seriously management, 90% of the reviewers think so - just buy and resell small bags of potato chips if you want us to eat fried oily crisps. Great location. Nearby, had to try it once. Oh well.
(2)Dan F.
I ordered the Ortega Burger on the medium side. The Ortega chili pepper is very mild, but there wasn't a lot of flavor. I guess because all I could taste was grease and mayo. This is expected if you are going to order a hamburger here. But it's juicy right? The fries were a disappointment. They are thin and short cut, making it difficult to dip it in ketchup and eat. It's a good thing they have a roll of paper towels on each table. This place is probably a good source for biofuel.
(2)arlene d.
So I went to Ala moans beach with my bf and we got hungry. We decided to walk across and found this burger joint. Got in line and ordered. My bf got the avocado cheeseburger and I got the pineapple burger and we shared an order of fries..their burger was super bland no flavor at all!! It wasn't that goo I was just soo hungry and ate it but it needed to be seasoned or something. My bf said his burger was ok and agreed that it was bland. The fries were shoestring very thin it was the only thing that tasted good. The burger was huge but not so tasty I wouldn't come back. Go to Teddy's instead their burgers are soo good with lots of delicious flavor.
(2)E And L G.
As far as burgers, the cheeseburger Ortega burger were cook perfect. Bread was nice, didn't sog out, two tomatoes were fresh and lettuce was clean and fresh. no pickles...huh. No refills...huh. The service was not bad but the help that day was of the nature that we were bothering her. Plus she did not have on an outfit that fit or covered things that should be covered. But the burger was good...oh...the fries are not fries they are a whisper of a potato....best fries...Teds.
(3)Daniela A.
I haven't eaten here for several years but the memories are still fresh in my mind, because the burgers are THAT good. They have different kinds of burgers, among them are fish, chicken and regular and all of them are made with really good meats and fresh ingredients (avocados, chili peppers, etc). I don't think they have Kua'Aina's on the other islands, but they should! By far, the best burgers I have ever had. This is a great place to get lunch when wandering around Ward Center, a shopping area with lots of cool shops and boutiques.
(5)Josh P.
Satisfies my burger craving whenever I have it and is always consistent. I appreciate the toppings that I can add on to customize my burger feast and the beef is always flavorful. I don't mind the price considering the other burger joints around town and what they charge. It can get a little busy sometimes but I never have to wait around too long for my order. A definite go to place for a good burger.
(3)diego m.
Oh man...the best burger in the whole wide world of Kaka'ako.. and watch a movie later on... the fries are boner-inducing good....orgasmic is an understatement but the prices are a little wallet -unfriendly but you pay for what you get or you get for what you pay...
(4)Miriam W.
My BLT with avocado was pure lusciousness with its creamy avocado, crispy bacon and bright lettuce and tomatoes all on lovely toasted wheat bread. Shoestring fries left something to be desired but the BLT with avocado was faultless. The a/c inside can be a bit much so eating outside is advised (plus it's so much nicer to dine alfresco, no?)
(4)Danny Q.
To be honest I am on the fence on this place. I was just something quick while waiting for friends. The pineapple burger was tasty, but just Give it a try but not my favorite.
(2)Scott W.
If you like a hockey puck sized hamburger (1/3 lb) grilled on a charcoal grill like your uncle Billy did it, you will love this restaurant. Absolutely nothing special about this burger except it tastes like any rare burger you ever had off a charcoal grill and costs $8 (for a cheeseburger without fries). (The fries are good ($2.95 for small order, $3.95 for larger size). Burgers on the Edge is much better for the same price.
(2)Shannon H.
Great sandos...I especially liked the green chile turkey! Quick service. SO HAPPY they started taking credit cards.
(4)Neil R.
great hamburgers when they don't run our of avocados. Running out of avocados is like running out of chop meat for the burgers. I had to try the ortega burger and it was very tasty. I deducted a star due to lack of avocados. Hopefully this can be addressed.
(4)Mista B.
For us, ever since first visiting Haleiwa years ago, a stop at the Kau Aina for cheese and bacon burgers with those skinny French fries they serve there, was just something we had to do. The menu is typical slider fare - burgers, soft drinks, fries, onion rings, and everything, and always cooked to your doneness preferences (is there such a word as "doneness" ?!) We have never found anything to complain about at the Kau, and that includes the service, which incidentally is all counter and no table delivery, no waitresses except for special needs, I suppose. (There is both indoor and sheltered outdoor seating, and around lunch time, all seats may be taken. A word to the wise). But, no one is complaining about that, including the large numbers of Japanese tourists that always seem to be there. In fact, the word must be out in Japan amongst Island-bound travelers about the Kau Aina, as with many other places in Hawaii, and this is a good sign. We have seen tour buses parked across the road from time to time, with their contents happily horking down on those great burgers, grownups and kieki alike. The only problem I have with the Kau Aina is their new location, acquired a couple of years ago. They used to be just down the road in a much smaller place, now occupied by the Grass Skirt Grill yelp.com/se ... (sorry, we haven't eaten there yet). The old Kau was a typical Haleiwa surf joint, I suppose, more greasy spoon than stylish North Shore eatery. I must confess, we liked it better then, with the crowded seating, the traffic on the road just inches from the outdoor tables, and those rolls of paper towels at each place for all that grease running between your fingers! Oh ya, that's schlurping it down just like it outta be. Oh well, when ya gotta move, ya gotta move. BTW, too lazy to hustle all the way to Haleiwa? There'a a Kau Aina in the Ward Center, too. But I don't have the heart to go there. Let someone else review that one. There's only one Kau Aina, isn't there?
(4)Shannon S.
Every time I visit Hawaii I MUST stop here. The burgers are huge and juicy. I love the avocado burger and the fries are great too. It is a bit expensive, but you get a huge burger so it is worth it.
(5)Kenny B.
All I have to say is yummmmm.
(4)LesliAnn K.
i like Kua 'Aina, mostly for its convenience. It does satisfy the burger craving when you are having one. It is a bit expensive for the 1/3 and 1/2 pound burgers, but for smaller meat eaters like myself, I can get by with the kiddie burger. One of their signatures is that they have a big carrot stick with every burger..I like their attempt at being healthy. I really actually like the fries...Its really thin, crunchy, and skinny. I can put a bunch in my mouth at once. Condiments and paper towels are all set up at each table..so all in all, very convenient. You can either sit in the inside with air-condition, or outside on the patio and watch the cars coming into Ward Centre.
(3)Alaina W.
holy shit. this is a burger. i get the cheeseburger with avocado & pineapple... i can barely get my mouth around it! it's not super-cheap... but i feel like you get what you pay for. i get full. and then i'm still full an hour later. it's a burger's burger. ...and the fries? my favorite. i LOVE shoestring fries. that whole steak fry shit is too much potato, not enough fry. gimme the greasy, crispy, thin stuff. i. want. one. now. mmmMmmm....
(5)Michelle L.
boy, i sure had a mean craving for this place the other day. ordered the 1/3 lb cheeseburger and fries. the burger was tender and juicy and the fries were soooo good as always! i think i like shrimpy looking fries, like kua 'aina and in n out kinda fries. anyhoo, took that back to my work place and devoured it so fast it nearly gave me a food coma before work @_@ only problem, not a fan of the prices so it kua 'ain is a treat for me :) my friend works here too, he can never hook ANYTHING up for me...so unfortunate T_T
(4)Liz T.
Actually 3.5 stars because a good burger is a rare find in Hawaii. I've had the cheeseburger and the mahi mahi sandwich. The cheeseburger was small albeit thick and juicy. I like the usage of the kaiser roll, but what's with the pickle being replaced by a carrot? The carrot stick isn't going to make the meal a healthy one. The mahi mahi sandwich was ok--it could've been a little more seasoned. When I'm eating fresh fish I try to appreciate the subtleties, but not when it's between buns for some reason. It would've been even better if the mahi mahi was battered and deep-fried! The skinny fries are always tasty--skinny, golden brown, and crisp. You need to salt it yourself, though. I'd eat here more often with the expansive menu, but it's not cheap at all. A burger or sandwich starts at around 6 bucks and that doesn't include any fixins like avocado (and in some cases, cheese). Kua'Aina hits the spot when you're lusting after a burger, though.
(3)Benny M.
PRO: * best burgers on Oahu (had a yummy bacon burger) * huge; yet they tasted so good, I almost ordered a 2nd; decided against it for fear of inflicting damage cuz my belt would have exploded * very good fries CON: * parking was a little tough, but everywhere there seemed crowded ASIDE NOTES: * a friend who lives on Oahu says it's her fav and the first place she treks to upon returning home
(4)Jonah E.
Lets just get this out of the way Kua' Aina is bomb. Every time I fly home from school its one of the first things I think about eating. The ingredients are fresh and tasty and there are a good amount of options for how you want your burger. If burgers aren't your thing they also make really good sandwiches and salads. I almost always order the half pound bacon burger with cheese and some shoestring fries on the side. They use a sort of kaiser role for the bun which is awesome and the lettuce and tomato that come in them are always perfectly green and red not yellow and green. This place is a favorite for locals and tourists alike. P.S. I'm so glad they finally started to take credit cards instead of being cash only like they used to. Makes my life so much easier.
(4)Scott H.
Great burger. Plenty of flavor, oozing with melted cheese. Only miss is the fries. Too thin and soaked with oil for my liking...
(4)C O.
Kua 'aina is a great place in town to grab a quick and simple burger. They bill themselves as a more-upscale burger place but do not qualify (in my book) as a gourmet burger joint. They make great sandwiches (turkey especially) aside from their usual burger fare and are quick to turn food out from the kitchen. Prices are good, the finally take credit cards, and the dining room is clean. My only complaint is their fries----way too tiny (shoestring) to have an flavor at all. They taste like stale frying oil. Sigh. Oh well, the rest of their menu is good!
(4)Jack B.
Burgers are good. The Avocado Burger kicks ass! But for the high price, the Service is C-R-A-P! They need some customer service training there...
(3)Abby D.
What with all of the rave reviews this place gets..I would have thought it would be AMAZING! Nope. The fries were crap..shoe string fries?? WTF??! Not my thing. I LOVE a good burger! This just wasn't it. I did like that they keep a big roll of paper towels on the tables because they can get quite messy! Overall..if I were *dying* for a burger and this was the only place around? Sure..yeah..I'll go in again..because while I've had better..this certainly isn't the worst.
(2)Eric X.
So incrediby not worth it. I'm all for a gourmet burger experience, but this really isn't it. Gourmet burgers are like Bistro Burgers in SF. If I had a local example of gourmet burger I'd use that instead -- don't mean to unfairly compare something hawaiian with something mainland. I know how much that irks everybody. I will caveat my review with the fact that they were out of avocado, the one ingredient that seems to make this place in the hearts and minds of people, when I got there. I'm telling you, people are desparate for vegetables here. Also the french fries SUCKED, and the coleslaw SUCKED (it was just wet cabbage). The atmosphere is pretty good though. I mean compared to McD, JitB, BK, etc.
(2)Alex D.
They have some yummy juicy burgers, and I really like those thin french fries! (I especially like the burgers with the avocado inside... when they have avocados). Thanks to my dear friend, Dino... I got hooked onto this place whenever I'm on Oahu. Over the years, I've eaten here.... I've noticed that it is a favorite amongst locals and tourists alike... You notice how great this place is when you watch folks eat up these burgers! I especially noticed that it is a favorite amongst HONOLULU's hot guns and hoses (HPD and HFD). The hot trim rookies (some with tiny starter bellies) pack wallops of appetite and devour these burgers heartily like I do. And the veteran guns and hoses also devour these things too... only you can tell that they've been here one two many times over their careers when their starter bellys have evolved into sexy full blown daddy bellies! yay kua 'aina burgers! tasty food and a nice food stop while on vacation in HNL.
(4)n c.
Went here for lunch and the server was very pleasant. I figured I'd open with that because the food was nothing to write home about. We ordered a 1/2 lb. burger and it tasted like they forgot to season it. BLAND. I love onions, but they give you this HUGE onion slice that takes over the whole burger. I ate a Teddy's burger last week and kept wishing I had gone there instead. We also tried the eggplant & peppers sandwich. BLAH! Served on a way2big Kaiser roll w/mayo. I think even my vegan buddies with no taste buds would give this sandwich the heave ho. Those shoestring fries were horrible. I see from other reviews that some people like them, so I can only conclude that they burnt ours. They were so dry that when I threw them out for the pigeons, they just walked past them and shot me the stink-eye! Skip this place. Overpriced, mediocre food at best. BTW, what happened to Ward Center? The place was like a ghost town at lunch today.
(2)Chris M.
Kua 'Aina is as good a burger as you're going to get on the island. Maybe you're wondering why only 3 stars then? Well, fact of the matter is in Hawaii, a burger is better served on a bowl full of rice, with a fried egg on top, smothered with brown gravy, and some mac salad with extra mayo. There just isn't a burger that compares with a real hamburger on the mainland. Having said that, Kua 'Aina serves tasty burgers, at the standard $6 burger price, although you'll pay for extras. I'd recommend the burger as is to get the full flavor of the beef. At Kua 'Aina, it's the beef that separates their burger from other burgers on the island. It's just better, I don't know if it's in the grind, or they just have tastier cows. If you're gonna add anything, try the fresh avocado, as it adds a nice twist. I'm not quite sold on the fries, but maybe that's cause I'm not a fan of shoe string fries. They just don't stand up to a moist juicy burger. If I lived in Hawaii, and had never had a burger from the mainland, I'd probably tell folks that Kua 'Aina is the best burger around. Unfortunately, this is not the case, and I have had many better burgers. But hey, Kua 'Aina is worth a try, especially the Haleiwa spot.
(3)Sandy N.
pretty good place.. Burgers are good.
(3)Charles C.
Had the ortega burger... It was great. The fries are a little thin and greasy for me but that being said I would order them again.. A Hawaii tradition..
(4)B W.
Not worth the money , fries no good.
(2)Jocelyn L.
"The one on the North Shore is SO much better. This one is OK if you don't/ can't drive up to Northshore...but definitely not as flavorful"
(3)Prince N.
Went here with my family and local friend from school. Great little burger joint with string fries. The portions are big like most meals here in Hawaii so come hungry. The staff was very friendly and patient as we couldn't make up our minds with all of the choices on the menu. I would come again. I had the pineapple burger and loved it!!
(4)Udunnome B.
When I went there, I was dead hungry from all the beach activities. I was excited to try the pineapple burger with cheese and avocados, chicken salad and fries. Unfortunately, they ran out of avocados and took over 20 min. to serve my orders. As I mentioned before, I was dead hungry, so I was not too pleased. The atmosphere is a-ok. Clean but small and hard to accomodate more than 7 people or so. Individual paper towels and condiments were very convenient. Also, they don't have restrooms so you have to take a hike to use them inside the mall. Now, for the burger review. The ingridients were decent quality with kaiser rolls and average slab of meat. Vegetable fixin's were fresh. Before you bite into the pineapple burger, make sure you position the pineapple properly or it will shoot out. They only serve medium burgers but, you can request them to grill the meat to your preference. Overall, burger was a bit on the small side and the taste was not out of this world good. It was just decent. Had whole lot better honestly. Rather goto Five Guys, In and Out or Checkers.
(3)Michael Q.
My heart is with Teddy's but when I'm hungry and in the Ward area I'll hit up this burger joint. I find it weird that they have both Pepsi and Coke products there. You're safe bet is to get a regular burger. But if you want to feel a little adventurous, try and add toppings. WATCH OUT.....each topping will you so choose wisely. The family style order of fries is a good way to go as well. Doesn't make me feel like such a heffer.
(4)Jesse W.
6/8/10: After a visit to our son's pediatrician, we decided to try this place having passed it many times, especially as we frequent Kakaako Kitchen next door. Burger joint is decorated nicely, seems relatively new, I haven't been to any of their other locations, very clean. Basic menu, order at the counter and then your name will be called when your meal is ready for pickup. Annoying tip jar at counter, why is it needed when there really isn't any service (self serve, self cleanup, etc). Anyways, we ordered a cheese burger (cheddar) and an avocado burger. Both came on a kaiser roll which was a bit small making the burger very tall and difficult to eat. Included toppings include lettuce and tomato along with grilled onions. We ordered a large fry which wasn't too impressive, fries are cut very thin - I felt like I was eating the scraps out of the deep fryer basket. Many fries were over cooked and when they got cold, lost all their flavor and was only greasy. Burger was well done, again except that it's hard to eat since it's soo tall. Anways, no plans to be back, Nice to try but for the price, I'd rather go elsewhere, especially next door...
(3)Anita L.
If you're looking for a sandwich type of meal and are not on a diet, then Kua Aina is a perfectly good choice. There are burgers (which are a pretty good size) as well as sandwiches including local favorites such as mahi mahi. Accompanying fries look like they've been fried and then refried as they've shrivelled up and look kinda over done. It's sort of fast food style as you order from a board and then wait for your number to be called. Both indoor and outdoor seating available. Located at the Ward Center. Just a word of warning -- the stuff is GREASY!
(2)Rich T.
The Mahi was great. The fries were thin and oily and pathetic... and not included. A bit overpriced for what you get.
(3)Robert H.
I love the burgers here! The fries are good if you like shoestring fries. I still think the north shore location is better. It is a little expensive, but i think it's one of the best burger places on the island. The burgers are always juicy and cooked how I like them. They've never messed up one of my orders or taken forever. (Knock on wood) So I am pretty happy with this place.
(4)Kami C.
Its Always Fresh And Quickly Made. The burgers are cooked to perfection. I think they finally allow credit...it used to be cash only. The service is always fast but not always friendly. The fries are shoestring...PERFECT!
(5)biz l.
3.5 stars. Its been a few years since eating here - mostly due to the hassle of parking at Ward. Service was fast and food was good. I hate their fries though. They are not ever crisp enough and sogged down with oil. Had an ahi sandwich and wolfed it down happily.
(3)Ane P.
If there is a mushroom burger that I actually can remember eating, it's from this place. Every once in a while I'll get a hankering for a good juicy hamburger--and that was exactly what I was looking for, the first time i stopped into this joint. Next thing you know, I see the mushroom burger, and it's game over. I'll never order another thing here again. It's filling enough that you actually THINK you're eating meat, yet you're being very very healthy ;)
(4)Travis T.
Hearing from multiple people, this was the best place to get a burger on Oahu. After getting off of our flight from Phoenix we were hungry, and decided on a burger. We found Kua Aina and walked right in. It was during the lunch rush, and it was busy (always a good sign!), we got in line and decided what to order. I ordered the burger with bacon and pineapple. When in Hawaii why not go for pineapple? After less than 10 minutes our name was called, and our order was ready. The burger was great. Cooked perfect and juicy. The fresh grilled pineapple was awesome on the burger and complimented the bacon perfectly. Their shoestring fries were short and hard to eat but tasted great, nice and crispy. They just opened a second location on the North Shore, and if I get a chance to make it back to Oahu this will definitely be somewhere I stop by again.
(3)Jeffrey M.
One of my favorite burger places, Kua 'Aina makes big juicy burgers with a variety of good toppings. I highly recommend the avocado burger- it gets a little sloppy, but the big hunk of avocado adds a nice rich flavor to the burger. Pineapple is also delicious, adding a nice sweetness to offset the saltiness of the burger. Of course, typical toppings like bacon and cheese are also available. The burger patty itself is nice and thick, well-seasoned and cooked perfectly. The fries are probably the one downside for me- they're small thin fries that aren't particularly special, however I typically order a large portion and split it amongst a few friends so we have something else to snack on. Kua 'Aina's main downside for me is price, which has steadily risen over the years. If they shaved a buck off, I would probably give them 5 stars. But hey, at least they accept credit cards now.
(4)Jenny H.
Supersize portions here...my husband's face-- :D But sometimes big portions don't equate to good food. According to my husband, the Pineapple burger was just 'aight' but he still killed it. Must be the hunger. On the other hand, I really liked my huge BLT sandwhich...lots of crispy bacon with the L and the Ts and some sauce, mmmmm! We also ordered a 'basket' of fries which was a mistake...it was just waaaaaaaay too much. They were good but not the best. Burger/fries food are always good with soda...we had a big gulp rootbeer size. Prickly to the throat but GOOD!
(3)Mikayla M.
there burgers ROCK! I would discribe them as high-quality-semi-fast food. I love their Ahi Burger, Mahi Burger, there fries are those skinny baby crunch shoe-string fries, no I'm not a fan of those. I wouldnt suggest coming to this place for dinner, I've def come in a few times and they've run out of Avacado/Mahi+ Ahi, and those are MY main reasons for coming so....I'd suggest a lunch/earlier in the day visit to Kua'Aina
(4)Scott R. D.
Kua 'Aina makes some darn good burgers. I just love the teriyaki pineapple burger with cheddar cheese. You can barely get your mouth around it and you'll use 900 napkins because it's so juicy. (just don't think about all the dead trees.) Plus, it's healthy: they put a carrot stick on the plate. Don't even get me started on how much I love those matchstick fries. No better ketchup delivery system has been invented, yet. You don't get to shove a tourist to the ground, fighting for a table like at the old Haleiwa location, but then you don't have to drive up to the North Shore if you live on this side. Unfortunately, they moved to a bigger location in Haleiwa so you don't get to throw tourists to the ground there anymore either. And their Mahi and Veggie burgers are good too. Good place to go before the movies at Ward Center.
(4)Jo-Ann L.
Was recommended to come here for their burgers while we were on vacation in Oahu. It was just okay. They are generous on their toppings and you can pick your choice of bread... we had the pineapple burger, avocado with roasted chile and their cheese and bacon burger. We all liked our burgers but all thought the flavor of the patty at Mahaloha Burger (Royal Hawaiian shopping center food court) was much better.
(3)jen n.
3.5 stars So, mom and I were doing a little shopping at Ward Center and it was lunch time, my tummy was grumbling, and I noticed that they were Zagat rated. There were plenty of locals eating outside, so we thought we would give it a go. We both go beef stew. It was ono. We should have gotten one plate and shared it because it was a huge amount of food. Hawaiian sized helpings. :)
(3)G Y.
The very first time I had a burger from Kua Aina in Haleiwa years ago, I had a great experience. Up until that point, I considered it the best burger I ever ate. Something changed from that time until now. The last three times I've eaten there were similar. The patty now resembles frozen,pre-shaped cheap beef. Not sure if thats the case, but presentation is not overly appealing. No char, no sear. It was well cooked and well seasoned, but the meat to me just wasn't flavorful. I actually put ketchup on it. Bun was ample, veggies were good. Overall, it wasn't at all terrible, but there must be better on this island. Hukilau used to have a great kobe burger, but even they seemed to have changed.
(2)L K.
I am NOT a burger girl. Never have been. So I was skeptical about how fantastic these burgers were. But I was starving and my mom bought one to split. It was good! I mean it's a huge burger, and it was good. A definite meal. I like the Avocado Burger because I like avocado and they put in a ton of avocado. So much it comes spilling out. It's true the price isn't like McDonalds, but the taste isn't at all like McDonalds either, if you know what I mean. So yes, you need to shell out $7+, but you get a really great burger. And for the dainty girls, you can always half a burger with a friend, unless you're starving. The fries are good too. Nice and thin, and I've always gotten fresh, hot fries, none of this greasy, cold fries with extra salt to hide the grease taste.
(4)Ellen Mae V.
For the price I paid, it was good. I would definitely come here for a burger instead of any chain or even most diners. The burgers are tasty but you can probably find better on the island. My boyfriend really likes the pineapple burger and I'll give them credit for it. It's large, juicy but not overwhelmingly weeping with fluids and it's complete with large slices of tomato lettuce and grilled onions (I think those are extra.) The fries however are pretty hilarious... they almost resemble toothpicks and you have to eat at least six or eight of them at one time to satisfy that "french fry" craving. Despite what people think, you're not going to get skinny just because the fries are skinny too!
(4)Jerome B.
If I can rate just the Avocado burger it would be 5-stars. The burger is juicy, the avocado slice is huge. However, go there early, especially the one located at Ward, because the last few times they've ran out. I really only eat the avocado burger as I've had a few of their other items on the menu and they are just burgers. The fries are ok. I'd say go to eat the avocado burger and be amazed!
(3)Tom A.
I've only eaten at this one once, but the suace on the burger was either missing or different from the Haleiwa location. That was a bit of a letdown, because I'm a 4 star fan of the North Shore Kua 'Aina. As it stands, I'm only a 3 star fan of the Ward center Kua 'Aina.
(3)Mikeyi c.
Why'd I give it 1 star? Just to spite the people who thought this place is anything out of the ordinary. But then again.......If I'm paying 8 bucks for a fricken burger then it better give me nom noms in my belly. Ok so I first walk into the Ward Kua 'Aina expecting a kick ass "NO KETCHUP ALLOWED" cheeseburger joint. So while waiting in line forever (Stupid Japanese tourists trying to order food by pointing at the menu and proceeding to grunt like a caveman) I realized how overpriced everything was! Your order does NOT come with fries and a drink! So be prepared to spend around 12 bucks a head here. Pros: 1)The Cheese (Cuz they don't make that there) 2).... Cons: 1)Value (or lack of) 2)The Hamburger has no flavor. 3)"We make our own french fries!" (Maybe you shouldn't....The fries reminded me of Mcdonalds fries...2 days after you bought it) 4)Bun (The Kaiser Roll tasted like gym socks...or what gym socks would probably taste like) 5)BASKETS (The food comes in red baskets. They don't want you to throw away those baskets. So they made a trash can with a tiny hole on top. I don't care about those baskets. I hate those baskets. I threw those baskets away. :D
(1)Kimo U.
Had the burger, medium rare as is usually cooked there. For the price, it was just okay; I've had much better. Being deaf in one ear, I could barely understand anything said; mostly due to the high noise level, but maybe a language barrier, too. I missed their first call to pick up my burger. When mentioning my deaf ear, the service personnel turned a deaf ear, so to speak. Could not give one star, but I came close to doing so. Not recommended. BTW this is my second try at this place; came here a couple of years ago during another Honolulu visit.
(2)Bryan A.
This place was another example of why you should eat fish while you're in hawaii. My fish burger was sooooo tasty, not at all fishy. Prices were a little higher than I expected, but overall very good.
(4)Sheila N.
Excellent avacado burger. Had to send my burger back because I'm not a fan of rare hamburger, and they cheerfully cooked it longer. Take cash because they don't take credit cards. I went to the restaurant on the North Shore.
(4)Remy Z.
Love the kaiser buns Fish burgers could use less sauce Death to midget fries
(3)Love S.
why doesn't kua'aina change their sign from: No avocado TODAY to No avocado EVERYDAY?? Just a thought.
(2)Lovely A.
I used to really like the burgers and fries here, unfortunately tonight when I went it wasn't as good. Had to wait a long time to place an order then had to wait almost half and hour to get my take out order, When I got home and bit into the burger the inside was RAW and COLD, and I had to cook it further myself. NOT acceptable. I called and let them know and they did offer to compensate me however I will not chance this place ever again. I would prefer not to get salmonella.
(1)Andy D.
(Actually, 3.49 stars) My coworkers were heading there for lunch, so I decided to add in my order. Now, I know they're known for their burgers, which I've had a few times before; however at my coworker's recommendation I got a turkey avocado sandwich and fries. I've never been big on their burgers anyway, because they are never salty enough for me. The turkey sandwich was great. I was surprised that the turkey had a great smoky, grilled flavor to it and was well-seasoned. It was a little dry, but the avocado and mayo helped that a bit. Also, they give a lot of avocado. My minor gripes with the sandwich were too much lettuce, and the bread fell apart on me. The fries were okay, but also needed salt. They had been sitting in a bag so the floppy, stale texture was a result of that probably.
(3)Rhea P.
Hands down, the best burger throughout the whole island!! If there's Shake Shack in the East Coast and In-N-Out in the West Coast, there is Kua'Aina in the Pacific Islands. This is the most juicy burger I have ever tried. They dont seem to particularly use any sauce but I think that their freshness is the key. The fries are also must-try! I remind myself to try their avocado burger (they are also well known for) but I always end up getting Pineapple burger because it's that good!
(5)Hungry C.
I tried their Ortega burger which was out of this world. I asked for grilled onions as well which blew my mind. Da fries were also good, if you like em shoe string style. Overall was good, only one problem...Dont order the cole slaw; It was junk. Super small, shreaded cabbage with a drop of dressing. Nothing else. Stick with a burger and you'll be happy.
(3)Al D.
Meh, this place is ok. I got the mahi sandwich and have to admit the fish tasted good and was grilled excellently. Service was pretty bad. They seemed overwhelmed, confused, and maybe in need of more training or supervision. Maybe it will be better next time I go.
(3)Alex C.
Kua 'Aina is the burger joint to be at. If you are a burger fan you and find yourself on Oahu you must must must try this restaurant. The burgers are juicy and thick as well as cooked to order. I remember getting my first Kua "Aina burger and trying to figure out how to eat it. You can't always get your mouth around the whole burger. I ended up having to compress my burger to bite into it and even then would have to take 2 bites occasionally to eat both the top and bottom bun. Each burger, when eaten on site, comes with a whole carrot half which I always enjoyed eating alongside the burger, it's a strange combination but it works for me. The fries are worth getting as well. They are small, stringy and crisp, they were always difficult for me to eat in a clean manner because I would always end up grabbing fistfuls of fries. One note, this will most likely be a messy meal. These burgers will drip and if you don't keep a hold of them they can fall apart on you. Once I pick up a burger I don't let go of it until it's all gone. Prices are a bit high but don't let that dissuade you from trying a burger.
(4)David G.
Burgers are dry, dull & way too expensive! This Kua 'Aina location is not nearly as good as the original one on the North Shore or the one opened in Ward Village a long time ago. Kua 'Aina has gone down hill in a major way. You can do so much better at other burger joints in Hawaii. Go somewhere else, you'll be happy you did...
(2)Michael L.
Okay...this place was truly an example of BIG FISH in a SMALL POND. All throughout the time I was in hawaii..I saw commercials on my Hotel TV channel(probably funded by them) that said "Come to Kua Aina..and get the best HAMMMMburgers on the eye-LANNNNND(that's how they pronounce things). The very next year..the same commercial said "Come to Kua Aina..and get the best HAMMMMburgers in the PACIFIC" The 3rd year I was there..they finally went overboard...."Come to Kua Aina...and get the best HAMMMburgers in the WORLD". I guess they thought NO ONE was listening!!! I was listening! Fresh off a burger romp through the San Francisco Bay Area... Clown burger, Fat Burger, Taxi's, In N out, and of course Clarke's Charcoal Broiler in Mountain View.... I was in Honolulu for the NFL Pro Bowl and HAD TO TAKE THEM UP on the claim of the best burgers in the world. I ordered their cheeseburger and got a nice sized burger on a fresh bun. Things were looking good. my friend (he also swears by Clarkes) and I both got the cheeseburger and dug in... I sank my teeth in the burger, took a bite, chewed and swallowed.. I slowly sat up from my seat and proceeded to SCREAM... "THESE ARE NOT THE BEST BURGERS IN THE WORLD! ARE YOU CRAZY?" Eventhough the other patrons looked at me and thought I was crazy...I looked at them as crazy for thinking this burger was all it was cracked up to be. It was simply big and BLAND. IT was a bland piece of 1/4 lb meat. For the predominantly japanese patrons..they PREFER the meat to be more bland and excessive western marinades are not to their tastes. IF you don't believe me...try the burgers from the japanese chain MOS burger..and you'll see what I mean. Anyhow..the ingredients were fresh, the buns were good, and the burger meat was solid..but the flavor was just not there. This is not and cannot and will not be considered one of the best burgers in the world. I wish I could send everyone who ate at Kua Aina a burger from Clarkes in Mountain View..and they'll gobble it up like a kid who drank dirty water all his life and finally tasted pure clean agua. Kua Aina. The best burgers on the BLOCK. Let's keep it real.
(2)Hideki H.
ahhhhhh.... Pineapple Burger.... remember that pineapple burger served at McDonald's in Japan a looooong time ago? sorry, not worth comparing at all... (almost) fresh pineapple on juicy patti.... hmmm... yummy... I tried not to eat at this location for the fear of not bothering to drive all the way to north.... if I like it here sooo much.... well... I liked the burger here as I did at north location... but I still enjoy dining at other location... this place is nice to dine in as the other one. I just have this mindset that Kua 'Aina is that location in north... well... I will try one in Osaka... then I will feel.. Kua 'Aina must be in Oahu.... No time to drive up there, then I would def. try dining here to satisfy my "need" for Pineapple burger... hahaha... It closes 8pm on Sunday... I almost missed it last night....
(4)Esther C.
I'm sorry to have to say this but I'm giving Kua aina a one star because this place closed at 8pm on a Sunday. Wait! Before you think "oh well thats ok its sunday"...well listen up. This place has been raved about by one of my good friend's who swears its awesome. I was thinkin' about having a nice juicy burger for about 6 full hours before that time. So after a whole day of swimming on the beach on the island, I was dying for something awesome. A burger I thought would satisfy me. We rushed down to get there and we walked in at about 7:50 or 7:55pm and they wouldn't take our order! Seriously, you can't do that to someone who rushed from one side of the island to the other and say you are closed 5 minutes earlier than you are supposed to!!! I even explained my situation to them about how I was really craving a burger part of the day and they didn't seem to care! C'mon, sorry to go off but I'm pretty disappointed. I think you would be too if you were in my situation.
(1)Satoru Y.
Bland. I have great memories of going this small little shop in Haleiwa, and getting a burger after surfing. Then years pass, and this little shop opened up a spot in town. I was wondering if my memories of the place will be the same after not going to one in years. But, I was wrong... Want to be helped by apathetic workers? Like to wait forever to get your burger? Want your burger to taste worse than styrofoam? If you answered yes to any, or all, of these questions, then feel free to walk on into Kua Aina. The burgers are tasteless. What I really want to know is how do you sap all of the taste out of a burger? I mean c'mon, it's just a slab of meat that you throw on a grill. Somehow, they managed to mess this complicated procedure up. It's probably from the low quality meat they are probably using for the burgers: hello Mad Cow disease! The insult of it all is that they consider this to be a 'gourmet' burger place, so all of the items are ala carte. So above getting a shitty burger, you have to pay more for decent fries. Buying ala carte doesn't bother me if the burgers are good, but that's not the case here. I may eat cardboard between a couple pieces of bread to compete with the quality at Kua Aina.
(1)Gina M.
When you go to Hawai`i, just know this is the place for burgers. It's been years, but in its day, these burgers defined burgers. I still think it's so bloody cute that they have a permanent sign for "No Avocados" when they are out. And here I thought avocados were a California thing. Oh, no. Hawai`i likey avocados. Huge, juicy, scrumptious burgerdom. Remember, good burgers = busy. Not "fast" food... to say the least. Oh, and I would have to agree the Haleiwa location is better in lotsa ways: better service, larger space, the decor is awesome (look closely and you'll see why), and the burgers are a bit better in quality.
(5)patrick o.
That's always the thing when being somewhere 4000 miles away from home, "why can't we have that at home?" Can't say that was the best burger I ever had, that award goes to myself for my sausage burger I cook up, but definately an "A" for effort. My only gripe is that its super overpriced for what you get. Come on, moderate pricing for fast food? I thought for that price, I was going to get a hula dance along with my food.
(4)J T.
Woo Hoo! I don't have to go all the way to the north shore to get me some Kua Aina - I just have to battle the masses of people around the Ward area. Dang. But really, I don't mind going out to the country to get my Kua Aina fix. It's nice having a location in town when I want a good burger or an Ahi sandwich.
(4)Jen D.
Lori was not kidding. These burgers are damn good! Every topping was fresh and delicious. And even thought I ordered my burger medium well, it was still super tender and juicy. And I love how you are given an option to have pepperoncinis as a side for only 25cents.
(5)uilani c.
hands down THE best grilled mahi sandwich i have ever devoured! the fish is cooked to perfection...slightly crisp on the outside and tender, juicy, exploding with savory flavor on the inside. i'm drooling just typing this review! i ordered mine on multi-grain wheat and it was a good choice. tarter sauce was lightly spread over both pieces of bread and a fresh large lettuce leaf with two tomato slices adorned the sandwich. nice presentation as sandwich shops go. the small basket of fries is not for sissies. come with your appetite if you think you are ready to down a sandwich and that small fries! seriously. oh, and the fries, they are the very thin type so they tend to be crispier than what most places serve. i liked them. i liked them a lot. we went for dinner and showed up just before the crowd...around 715p; or perhaps that was the second dinner wave. in any event, shortly after we placed our order about 8 tables filled up! the establishment was clean and the air brimming with positive energy. i enjoyed the experience...i'll be returning, for sure!
(4)Angel L.
I thought the burgers was alright! I've ordered the pastrami, which it really wasn't at all! I was disappointed and I couldn't eat my food. That's all I could tell you by my experience.
(2)Kim H.
Mouth is drooling just thinking about the burger I had there....seriously worth the stop before or after heading out to the north shore.....seriously I don't know what they do but it was magic! mmmmm so tasty....
(5)Bryan S.
Had the Mahi Mahi sandwich and was highly satisfied with it. Was disappointed with the price of fries on the side and the quality of them...don't waste your money on them. Other than that, I'd go back again.
(3)Tristan R.
Best Burger on the island! It's a rare occasion when I turn down bacon, but I'd recommend the Avacado Burger medium-rare on whole grain bread. Lots of avocado, good-sized burger, and the bread was lightly toasted. Perfect after a couple morning dives. A little pricey, but boy are they good!
(5)Noeru N.
before even contemplating which size.. what sides.. what cheese.. what soda .. my eyes first travel to the lower right corner of the menu to make sure the "NO AVOCADO" sign hasn't been put up YET for the day.. if all things go well.. I get the third lb. med rare avo burger with grilled onions side fries, Pepsi (they give a choice of coke AND Pepsi!) ... and here we are, a piece of heaven for lunch!! yes, the buns are kinda too big, but I'd rather have this bun than one of those that fall apart in my hand and get all soggy.. I've had the pina burger before, cause they didn't have avo, it was actually pretty good, however it made me ache for the avo burger more.. so nowadays I'll just leave quietly if there's no avocado.. since a pina burger just means I'll be back for a avo burger in the next few days anyway to quiet my cravings.. they get 5 stars for the days they have my avo burger, but since its only once in a while they only get 3, not to mention the counter help is sometimes feisty and unfriendly..
(3)Jennifer T.
Great burgers and fries and not too expensive by Hawaii standards. Parking can be a bit of a pain.
(4)Rhoda A.
I didn't realize this place is a sandwich shop until I searched for it on Yelp. What can I say about their burgers? The messier, the better! My burger patty was cooked to perfection--tender and juicy, just the way I like it! Crisp lettuce, tomatoes and the zing of the onions made for the perfect heavenly texture that brought the whole burger together. The place is rather small and crowded, but I'll wait in line to get another burger.
(4)nate s.
I loved the burgers here, they were mouth watering good. I'd definitely give this place 5 stars if not for a couple hiccups. The first being the fries. How can you have such an outstanding burger place and then have overly salty soggy shoestring sized fries? The other knock being that they had run out of avocado for that awesomely delicious avocado burger, though I must admit, it did prompt me to try the roasted pepper burger which was good as well. This place is well worth the clog in your arteries
(4)Henry L.
SO DISAPPOINTING! Service was weak. I was ordering three burgers and for some reason the girl crossed out my second burger order while I was ordering my third. The menu says all burgers are cooked medium unless you say otherwise. I should have said otherwise cause the middle of my burger was raw! The meat had zero flavor, no char flavor, no meatiness. Really boring and bland. And what's up with that big ass bun? They should just use the bottoms cause the top bun is way too big! The second star is for their shoestring fries. Those were awesome! Crispy, crispy, but large order was really small and looked like a regular size. Will never go back. Best burger on Oahu is still the $20 Kahala burger at the Kahala resort. Worth every damn penny!
(2)Audrey D.
Never had a bad experience here. Love the burgers and shoestring fries here (well-seasoned)! I usually order the pineapple burger and am always grateful for the paper towel roll that's sitting on the table since it can get pretty messy. The toppings are always fresh and off to the side so you can create your burger how you like it. This place is always packed when I'm here but the service is relatively quick. Just remember to specify how you want your burger cooked because medium is the default.
(4)Mona N.
What?! Why isn't Kua Aina listed? Juicy, big, tender, and messy, bad for white clothes but perfect for burgers. I always head out there whenever I'm in Hawaii. The North Shore one is better (so I heard) but this one is more than satisfactory for my taste buds. However the place is really tiny and crowded, the bun a tad bready, the patties not ridiculously seasoned, and the fries are shoe-strings. Doesn't bother me but docked a star anyway since not everyone you bring here will enjoy it.
(4)Jen D.
Don't talk to me when I'm eating a Kua 'Aina burger! These are the BEST burgers on the island! They have one on the North Shore in Haleiwa too. YUMMY YUMMY!
(5)Grimeater A.
Overrated, overpriced! Check out Nico's @ Pier 38 for the superior Double Cheeseburger with fries!!!!!!! Under $6 and way better!
(2)John N.
Now I've only been to the one at Ward and not to the North Shore location, but overall this place is decent. The sandwiches are made to order so it takes time to make them. I usually get the Mahi or Ahi sandwich on multigrain bread. I really like avocado and unfortunately they did not have any the past two times I was there. It's not cheap either. My Ahi sandwich and small drink (I didn't get fries) came close to $10. Overall, it's a nice place to stop for some protein after spending a day at Ala Moana beach. One more comment: parking in that garage is a pain so I usually try to park by the theater and walk over.
(3)J K.
I read the reviews on this place before trying it, mostly good reviews. We ordered the bacon burger, teri chicken and fries. My husband said there was nothing great about the burger. It had no flavor at all. The teri chicken was more like grilled chicken with mayo. No sign of teri anything. Tasted like McDonald's grilled chicken sandwich. OMG and what's up with the fries...err excuse me, the potato sticks? Weird stuff man. Hell McDonald's fries was waaaaay better than their potato sticks! Not worth the price to eat tasteless food. I'd rather pay double the price to eat at Ryan's. Their kobe burger was awesome.
(1)Kristina R.
I hate fast food. But this place is too good to pass up. I eat here everytime I visit Honolulu. The mahi-mahi burger with that big ol' grilled green chilli pepper is yummmm. It used to be much, much better, though. I think their popularity is bringing their quality down. The one in North Shore is pretty gross, but I think they moved to a better location.
(4)Tracey I.
What happened to the wonderful fries at Kua Aina? Instead of perfectly fried, totally addicting shoe strings, they have fries that could be from any fast food restaurant in town. Ordinary . . . bleh. And they were out of avocado . . . again.
(1)Voice Of The People S.
YUM! love the BLT with avocado. i would have given this place 5 stars, but i'm not a huge fan of the super thin fries they have. otherwise though, this place is sooooo good. also, parking in honolulu is such a nightmare but Kua Aina is right next to the parking garage so thats helpful too.
(4)Dawn D.
I love the burgers here! A great choice of toppings, my faves are the ortega chili, and there is fast service, and the fries are ok to me-but my family and friends love the fries! Either location, here or in Haleiwa are good and approximately the same, although if i were going to the north shore-to be honest-I would rather eat at Giovannis Shrimp truck or Jamison's if The shrimp truck is closed.
(4)Rhino G.
Da bestest natural shoe string fries on island!!! ONO!!!
(5)Brian V.
mediocre, too many other places that are better
(2)Danny C.
Their burgers are the best I have ever eaten in my life.
(5)Luan N.
It's pretty good burger (avocado burger), but if you're visiting from the mainland, I wouldn't bother. There are tons of grills in the mainland that serve burgers just as good if not better for that price. I suggest you use your valuable time and money and try something new. I would have suggested Mos Burger, but sadly I think they are closed now.
(2)Mary c.
I never understood why this was such a big deal. The last time I went was when it was located in Ward before the major renovations of the area, and while it had a nice gourmet local little flair it was always cramped and the tables were never clean. There was nothing extraordinary about the burgers either. Unless it has changed since the move, it would be more of a grab and go for lunch place.
(3)Christina G.
Been a few years since I've eaten here but I stopped in on my way home last night; definitely not as good as I remembered it. Ordered the pineapple burger (when in touristland...) medium rare (came medium) and it was OK, but if I'm in the mood for a burger I'll take myself over to The Counter instead. Less touristy, more variety, better fries...etc.. I used to be firmly Kua Aina over Teddy's and pretty much everywhere else (pre-Counter), but now their menu just seems to be lacking.
(2)Snake, N.
I love this place! I dream about their burgers when I'm not in the islands.... :P
(5)Ashley J.
after taking about 5 mins to order, we realize they DO NOT TAKE CREDIT/DEBIT CARDS!!!!! This is a MAJOR inconvenience when you are vacationing! after returning with cash, i quote my boyfriend, "Who in this century doesnt accept credit cards!??!" Especially in a popular touristy area like Waikiki beach! After a long day of swimming, snorkeling, and basting in the sun, who wants to have to worry about getting cash out? We went around 3 or 4 on a weekday, and it really wasn't too busy at all. only one couple was in front of us [obviously tourists too]. The place only had about 3 couples in it at the time. The cashier wasn't too happy or enthusiastic to take our order. I don't think i ever saw a smile. i think, in fact, i greeted HIM instead of him greeting US. Not very great customer service. To top it off, the food was mediocre... i ordered the Avocado turkey sandwich. The avocado was fresh and in excess [which is a good thing], but the turkey was extremely bland. It was odd that, when we first received our sandwiches, the sandwich was served in two pieces. i dont mean cut in half, i mean, the top bun was on the tray, and the bottom bun was on the tray, and you were [apparently] supposed to put them together without effin it all up. Yes, the sandwich was HUGE. But it was lacking flavor. and it got EVERYWHERE! all that stuff ended up all over my hands and became really frustrating to continue to eat. [i might has well have taken a knife and fork and ate it.] So after my hands were all messy, i had to use a bunch of paper towels [yes, that's their form of napkins], which did not get the sticky stuff off. In that area, it is almost impossible to find a public bathroom. So this was an inconvenience as well. This place was recommended to us in a guide book. I personally like the Kaka'ako Kitchen [right next door] better, even though it looks more run-down; it definitely has better flavor, more local taste, and Kaka'ako takes credit cards!!!
(2)bridget r.
I have been to Kua Aina a few times. The last time I just went (WARD) my burger was raw. I went to the very rude staff and told them, they handed the burger to the cooks and they started freaking out and getting really upset that I did not like my raw burger. I would not recommend this location at all. I was not at McDonald's I was paying a good price just for a burger. I would like the staff to lighten up a little they are lucky they have a job in this economy.
(1)Jack H.
Kua 'Aina makes burgers & fries as good as any available in Hawaii, imho. In addition, they have many healthy options on their menu such as huge salads that you could make a meal of, seafood, and other healthy options. This is good because then you can do things like go there with another person, and split the naughty burger, each eating half, and each eat half of a nice salad or other healthier dish. Then you walk out of here with your burger fix in, and you still can feel your blood circulating.
(5)Brian P.
Honestly, I'm not sure why people always seem to think that this place has the best burgers on the island. That's simply not the case. I think it's because of it's historic location in Haleiwa and peoples' association with surfers eating burgers there after a killer set on pipeline. Come to think of it, that kinda does make food sound better... Umm, sorry about that, I'm not being very helpful. The burgers are fine but not mind-blowing, so its best if you go with lowered expectations. And I'm not a super huge fan of their thin cut shoestring fries. They start off crispy and by the time you're through with them, the oil has made them soggy. And I agree with some others' reviews that say that the bun is on the denser/harder side when it should be fluffy/soft. Honestly, the best part of the burgers here is the carrot wedge they give you. And as I recall, they don't give free soda refills, a major bummer. Although I'm torn as to my vote for Best burger on the island, it's definitely not this place.
(2)Carol W.
I love Kua Aina! Whenever me and my husband head to Ward and he ask me what I want for lunch, I always say Kua Aina. I don't know how their regular hamburger taste, cuz I always get the WORKS...Bacon cheese burger with avocado....its the BEST! Its a huge burger and I can never finish it, they put like half of a large avocado in there. The meat is juicy and the bacon always crispy, and the avocado is just heavenly! um um good....
(5)Boki C.
pretty good. portions were good
(3)Antoinette T.
SOOOO good! I always get the avocado burger and it is seriously the best burger i've ever had. It tastes like they put some kind of seasoning on the avocado that makes the flavor pop... love it!
(5)Cheryl N.
This place is AWESOME!!! I've eaten here a few times but not lately. I've been trying to try other places other than the usual places we go to. But the times I HAVE eaten here, it was great. I've gotten a burger with avocado, and they LITERALLY put half of an avocado inside. And a teriyaki burger, I've had huge pineapple rings inside... It has been a while since I've been back, so, it could have changed, so, I'll have to check it out again, on my next visit. Till then, I say it's YUMMY!
(5)Twinkle S.
the burgers are decent, but the counter help is RUDE!! you would think that they would at least have friendly help since they are the only people you come in contact with while patronizing their eatery...
(2)Cheryl L.
I came here a few years ago and enjoyed my burger and the ranch sauce thorougly. Too bad they are always out of avocado! Anyway, I have to agree with Kristina that the quality has deteriorated. The last time I went was two years ago...and I had to say that it wasn't as good as I remembered. Try Teddy's!!!!!!
(3)nick w.
i loved this place. i went to the one in haleiewa, and the burger was juicy the fries were hot. yum. only thing about the fries is that they were thin, you get alot of them, but the nicole richie of fries. anywho maybe i was just really hungry after the beach, but they definetely satisfied my savagely faminshed belly
(5)Alika P.
meh, Teddy's is better.
(2)Jonathan P.
Oh yeah ... The best damn burgers on the island. Big, juicy burgers loaded with whatever you want on them, with a tall, cold Fanta Fruit Punch, munching away at one of their outside tables stocked with a roll of paper towels to wipe up the big mess with. My mouth is watering just thinking about them.
(4)warren k.
my hubs & i ate here since he loves burgers but it wasnt all that good~ just "alright~" we probably wouldnt go back though since nothing was memorable & we've had wayyyy better burgers & fries! only if they would bring IN N OUT burger here to honolulu~!!!
(2)Tyrus L.
bacon burger with extra cheese and pineapple!! with fries + secret salt.... and I worked here too... haha woot woot
(5)Johnny S.
Not a big fan. The one on North Shore is better, but not by much. Pauls cooking at Fort DeRussy is much better.
(2)mami u.
We used to eat here on and off over the years and went back there about a week ago after a few months. They used to serve a good burger. Now, because of high cost of everything, they lowered the quality of the meat and the bread. It was obvious. Now they switched the meat to cheap fatty ground beef (may have something else) and cheaper quality buns. Bad business decisions. We aren't going back there.
(1)Sue P.
Love this place. Great burgers have anyway you want with almost anything you want. Wait isn't too long. Love the shoestring fries.
(5)Paul B.
Best hamburger in Honolulu.
(4)Tony L.
a nice big burger. so when you're full of plate lunch and you need some hamburger and fries, come here. and put some avocado on your burger too. it's juicy and large. that's all i remember. in fact if you ask me where to get a burger on oahu, i say kua aina at ward center. mmmmmmmmmmm...
(4)Prech C.
Best food in the north shore, man. Tough to beat after a day at the beach and in the water. Go hungry, they give you a lot.
(4)peter b.
never was pulled to this place..i guess it's cause i was on a diet, sorry that I got fat...
(2)