Leeward Drive-Inn
94-209 Pupukahi St, Waipahu, HI, 96797
Leeward Drive-Inn Menu
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Visit below restaurant in Waipahu for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Waipahu for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Waipahu for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
94-209 Pupukahi St
Waipahu, HI, 96797 - Phone (808) 671-7323
- Website https://www.leewarddriveinn.com/
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :4:30 am - 11:00pm
- Mon : 4:30 am - 11:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : No
Good For : Breakfast, Brunch
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : No
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Dogs Allowed : No
Waiter Service : No
Caters : Yes
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Alan Y.
fried noodles turnovers plate lunches bentos for the intermediate students day or night stop by in Waipahu next to the shopping plaza
(5)Jessica S.
They have a pretty large menu, consisting of different combo options, noodle varieties, fried items and dessert goods. The food comes out quickly, which may or may not be a good thing, depending on freshness. We got an order of fried noodles, a coupla spam musubi, and a cheeseburger. Everything was tasty, but I wasn't exactly blown away by the food. The spam musubi was warm, though it had been sitting under a heating lamp for the entire morning. It didn't diminish the flavor, but the rice was starting to get a bit hard. The fried noodles and the burger disappeared in a heartbeat, so I can only assume that they were tasty, as well. The cashier wasn't exactly friendly, but she did get our orders taken quickly, which is all that matters, I guess. This is definitely one of the places the locals go, and you could tell that it was popular with them.
(3)Nette B.
Short and Sweet: Order the fried noodles and if you want extra garnishes do it. Greasy Fresh cut french fries- sooo good. It can get busy so call in your order for pick up.
(4)Trish I.
When I was younger and on school field trips, I've always wondered where everyone got their delicious looking bentos from. You see, my mom used to work for Napoleon's Bakery, who is connected with Zippy's and was always given a Zip Pac for my school lunch. As much as I loved my Zip Pacs, I longed for what the majority of my classmates had. Many, many years later, I found out that those bentos came from Leeward Drive Inn. Just the other day my family and I ordered a school lunch, box lunch, and the fried noodles-no green onions. The bentos consisted of two scoops white rice (they don't serve brown rice) topped with furikake, a piece of chicken, fried noodles, and either Teri beef or hot dog- depending on which bento you chose. There were no complaints in regards to the flavor of the food. We loved the fried noodles, and the fried chicken reminds me of the chicken you can get from the manapua trucks---it's good! If we are ever in the area again, we will be sure to stop by.
(4)Leilani Y.
I grew up in Waipahu and I always had the lunchbox for field trips with the red hot dog. I love getting my Meat jun fix from here. I always have to get the noodles. Love the noodles. I don't eat fish but I will eat the hell out of Leewards noodles with fish cake lol. Although some of the female workers there need to smile more but the food is great. Of course you'll run into homeless people who walk around there and ask for food so sometimes I feel bad and I'll give them a dollar. Just expect a little wait because they can be busy. I love getting their slushy with ice cream. Also their Lilikoi is good. I always have to order that with my meat jun. It's not expensive either. I think I got a regular plate of meat jun and regular plate of fried noodles for $17 something altogether. Definitely a place where you can get good local food fast. Just don't expect a beautfiul dine in restaurant since it's outside and the tables have been there forever.
(4)Dennis R.
This place is convenient for me because it's on the way too and from work/home and right next to a thai massage parlor I frequent. This place has been around forever and I'm sure there's a reason for that. Decent location to stop by and pick up a plate, food is good, and it brings back old childhood memories from customers like myself reminiscing of elementary days when we'd order a bento for a field trip. These days I opt for the fried noodles with a side of meat. Plenty of meat options to choose from as well as other plate lunches to choose. They have two or three tables in the front to sit at but really this is more of a pick up your food and go kinda place. Not sure if they have another seating area. I don't think I've ever sat there to eat before. If you're in town and feel like a plate lunch Leeward Drive-in works.
(4)Kat T.
Pretty cool place to eat even when it's late. They close at 11pm last night which is cool with us. Since we didn't want Zippy's, but ended up there anyways after. Friendly staff. The place is a walk up window and you eat outside on the bench. But when you look inside its like huge. Hubby ordered the ultimate bento was short rib, Mac salad, fried noodle, beef steak and gravy and fried chicken. I ordered the friend chicken and beef stew. I like the beef stew BUT there was only three pieces and what threw me off was that the stew sauce had some ground beef in it. My daughter got the saimen which is good. And my sis got the fried noodle which they are known for. Pretty good. We also got the fries and club sandwich. The fries looks fresh. Straight from the potato.
(5)TeeAeEsAch A.
The food quality here is pretty tasty, but leeward drive in has seen better days. Most, not all, of the cashiers are not focused on customer service or experience. There was at least one other unhappy customer due to wrong order taking. Management, come up front and manage the madness. That being said, the chicken I've ordered today was delicious and the rice was perfectly cooked.
(3)Manny B.
Greasy and unhealthy food, not too mention the high sodium content. They serve in large portions - which is the only going thing for these guys. Come here is you are hungry and want to fill up.
(2)Sarah P.
Although I have lived on the leeward side for 20 years and always drive by this place I have yet to stop and eat here until today. My dad started talking about back in the day when he used to get off the bus and hang out near this area. He reminisced about the green river drink and the noodles and said everything is just as he remembered it. Nostalgia points for dad lol. Anyway since today was the first time for me, I decided to get the fried noodles which comes with fishcake and green onions for 5.99. You can also add any choice of meat to your noodles, yet I can't remember the exact price. Maybe it was a dollar something upward towards the two dollar range. I chose the fried chicken. I was pleased with the portion size of the plate, it was loaded with noodles and a yummy piece of fried chicken which was crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. The noodles itself were not too dry and not too oily and tasted pretty good... Better than most other places that boast of their number one best noodles in the world lol. I personally love quality over quantity but there are some days I just want a satisfying meal to fill me up and leeward drive in sure hit the spot today. I also ordered a small green river since my dad was remembering it lol, it wasn't bad. Probably not my thing since it was not too sweet or tangy. I kind of like my drinks to be on the tangy side and can't stand when drinks are too sweet-- so it was just ok for me. I ordered my daughter a hot dog special with fries and they could have been a little neater when making this plate but I get it guys, it's one of those local spots where you just take it how they serve it and don't complain lol. Anyway, it was a medium sized hot dog lost in a sea of French fries and loose olives and pickles. At first I thought there was no bread either but it was buried underneath and soggy from the heat and oil of the fries. Speaking about fries, some of them were crispy, but most of them were soggy and all of them were really oily. Not too fond of the fries. There was also a small cup of Mac salad that came with the special and that tasted pretty good though. Parking can get tight so it might take a bit of hassle to get a space. I would recommend take out since it gets crowded and hot. Also, I've had no complaints about the service but maybe I've come on a good day lol. Overall, I can say that I would come again. The portions are really good (if you're not on a diet), and the food is tasty for the most part. I read some reviews about this place not being healthy. Of course, it's a drive inn. Good old fashioned grease and oily foods lol. Please stop at the appropriate places for your food preferences lol.
(4)Cam Z.
My pops loves this place as so do I..he always gets the roast pork I like the roast pork too but try other stuff sometimes..everything was good so far..comes with their famous fried noodles and mac salad..plates are packed with yummy goodness...great prices and friendly aunties to serve you..salamat po.
(4)Nat N.
One of the best places for fried saimin - Leeward Drive-Inn. Located in Waipahu, an old plantation town, it has retained it's look and feel over the decades its been in business. It has changed ownership a few times since it's inception, and someone who is a member of the family who originally opened it, said the fruit turnovers aren't as good as they used to be, but their fried saimin is still broke da mout. It's basic like how it's supposed to be - fried saimin noodles with small bits of green onion, kamaboko (fishcake), and bean sprouts. And at $5.99, it's a steal. What many don't know about Leeward Drive-Inn is that they also make hand cut french fries!
(5)Kristine R.
People have been telling me to eat here for months but I just recently started going and their food is delicious! I've had their Korean Bbq Chicken and Kalbi and both are really good. The entree comes with a generous amount of rice, salad, Macaroni Salad, and fried noodles. The only reason why I couldn't give it more stars is because I went there again last night before they closed and the noodles that came with my Kalbi had green mold on them. I don't know if they'd been sitting out all day or what but it made me lose my appetite and still makes me sick to think about! I didn't realize there was mold on it until after I already started getting full and I started looking at the noodles. :(
(1)Maruel U.
first time at Leeward Drive-Inn - ambience is very local and you can't go wrong there. Went there for lunch to try out the hamburger steak and the breakfast of meat and eggs. For the price, they're ok. Could go to Zippy's for a better quality breakfast for what I pay for. Parking is limited and area seems a bit run down. But the hamburger steak and mac salad was ono! They really give out good servings because the portion sizes are big! They do take card - but it has to be at least $10. Also tried the guava cream cheese turnovers - pretty good and was filling for sure. Make sure you try the fried noodles! IT IS SO ADDICTING. You won't be able to stop yourself. Got a large portion of those too - definitely make you reminisce of the good 'ol Waipahu days! Oh wait - I grew up in 'Aiea..... Anyways, try this place out. Make sure you get the fried noodles. Sit down with friends. Talk story. And just enjoy the food.
(3)Dylan G.
Ono local food right here! This place is great for take out! They have real good mix plate options as well. Not so good for people wanting to eat here. The food is served in take out boxes. They only have two tables outside (mainly for sitting while you for your order. Leeward had one of the best fried noodles in Waipahu, something that's a must get when ordering here Overall food deserves 5 stars. But location and overall look of the place gets 3. So this place gets 4 stars
(4)Nicole T.
School Lunch is always the best! I remember always buying food here when I was younger. The fried noodles and gravy with fries were bomb!
(5)Josh N.
I took the advice of our poolside waitress. She gave us a couple of great tips on local eateries. Every hometown has the standard hole in the wall off the beaten path....today I found Leeward Drive Inn. Holy smokes delicious. You walk up and order your food. It has several tables to sit at outside. The service is a little awkward but the food comes out rather quickly. I suspect during traditional lunch and dinner rush you should order in advance or expect a little wait. I had the box lunch which was plenty of food for under $10. Several of us ordered the Leeward fried noodles. Hands down the best noodles I've had in a long time. Wash it down with a green river. Respect your surroundings. Keep the dress casual. Expect a few stares if your not local and enjoy a great place off the beaten path.
(5)Evander M.
This review is based mainly on the fried noodles and fried chicken. I'm going to be honest. The fried noodles here wasn't very delicious in my opinion. It had a very weird first bite taste and the toppings are very simple. Nothing special about the seasonings on the noodles at all. Just plain bland. The fried chicken on the other hand was actually pretty good. Nothing too special though, just...good. The portioning for the fried chicken plate lunch was very generous. They even give you some fried noodles, along with mac salad and a cabbage salad with dressing on it. For the price, it was a great deal compared to other places like L&L. I would consider coming back to try other items on the menu.
(3)Sophia H.
My favorites are their Fried Noodles (No Charsiu & I love to drizzle Shriacha suace on top) and the Mahi Mahi burger - So Ono!
(5)Tiale G.
Had my first turnover which was Guava Cream cheese, and I must say it was delicious!!! It was big and very filling...I'll be coming back to try other flavors.
(5)Ronnette B.
Today was a really bad day of service at Leeward Drive in (Sunday, August 30, 2015), I live in Aiea..I ordered my family's breakfast over the phone at 8am (no problems), my husband & I get to the location around 8:30am. He goes to the window tells them he has a pick up order, the tall young girl at the register charges him an amount then she gets corrected (by an older lady) so he paid more (which was correct). Now the young girl says nothing & he waits to the side...he waited 30 more minutes (now it's 9am), she finally calls him to the counter and hands him a bag (now this bag was sitting on the back counter for awhile, we could see it, until the older lady asks who's order is this). Driving home I check the food, the toast was no longer crunchy, all our food was cold!! I was pissed, I called, no manager, no superior, no one in charge to speak to...so I told this young girl on the phone my complaint!!! All she could say was Sorry about 6 times...I did not wait an hour for soggy toast & cold food!! Unreal...
(1)Jenny P.
I'm giving this place 2 stars for nostalgia, but that's it. I remember when I was a kid, my mom and I would frequently buy the chocolate cream custard pies there. A few years ago, they nixed the pies off the menu. At first, you had to call in advance to see if they had any, then they got rid of it altogether. Such a disappointment. As for the rest of their food...it's okay. My mom likes their fried noodles. Their grilled-cheeses are pretty good. Fries are okay, super oily...burger quality is extremely low. I went to Leeward Drive Inn a couple weeks ago and thought I would try the breakfast-absolute crap. I am an avid breakfast lover, so you could imagine my extreme disappointment when I opened my styrofoam container to find the entire bottom of the container laid with an unnecessarily thick layer of rice, topped with a shitty excuse for a SCRAMBLED EGG (the picture I provided shows that the "scrambled egg" is more like a plain, oily omelette) and five small pieces of crappy quality Portuguese sausage. This plate didn't even at least taste good, I could definitely make a better breakfast at home. Tsk tsk.
(2)Jenn K.
A great spot to go to for the early birds! We like to buy breakfast early in the morning on the weekends and Leeward Drive Inn is conveniently open from 4:30 am. There are so many choices to choose from.
(4)Steve R.
Food's great in my opinion even after 10+ years of eating here but service sucks bad. If you're going to call in to make a phone order, expect to be put on hold while you hear the cashier taking people's orders in line. Like seriously, it takes a minute or two to take an order down. And please mute the line next time, I don't like to hear the downtime between people in line where you're talking story with a coworker.
(2)Tawnie-Ann M.
Love this place! I've been eating here since I was a little girl. The drive inn itself is not in the best shape. Looks pretty run down and ghetto looking but the food is great! Especially the fried noodles!! Mmmm....definitely worth driving for:)
(4)El P.
If you know fried noodles, you know Leeward Drive Inn! Friendly service and great food.
(5)Kawika S.
The noodles here are timeless. Though I do hear a few other plates being yelled out with some regularity, this is my guilty pleasure. They've upgraded their seating over the years, to where they now have indoor seating, but I'm not sure of the hours. They also feature classics like icee floats and their amazing turnovers. A definite must try if you're forced through the Waipahu area.
(3)Cheryl T.
Been frequenting this place from as far back as I can remember. And that's pretty long!! I still remember sitting in the back seat of my parents car and eating Saimin noodles off the cover of the container my parents used as a little plate got me when parked out front. The usual favorite is the fried noodles here. But they are known for their turnovers too. Haven't had one in a while though. I'll have to review those later. Some people call this the ghetto, really it's just a neighborhood drive in Waipahu. I wouldn't call this the ghetto. Just be aware of your surroundings as you would anywhere else. Anyways they have tons of different items. Fast and friendly. Tight parking at peak times, but worth it.
(5)Terry K.
5th star for nostalgia and old fashioned prices. 4 stars for food and service Fried noodles- whole bunch of fried noodles for 5.00 garnished with green onions and fish cake. $1.50 for each add on.mi chose spam and chop suey veggies.... I imagined it to be msg filled but to my surprise it was not, in fact, it was very nicely seasoned. Sweet sour spare ribs- not too sweet, not too sour, very well made and the rib itself was poked to perfection. The topping of my visit? Deep fried fruit turn overs. The old fashioned kind. I had apple, peach / pineapple, pineapple, sewer potato OMG. A walk down memory lane. And to chase the turnover ? A delightful cup of coffee. The coffee surprised me! It was very good! Giving the baristas a good run for their joe. Their food even if it's in plate lunch to go fashion is quite the place. Oh, they have these machines that make a variety of flavors for soft ice and a variety of flavors of frozen fruit juices. A must even for my car who ,recently travels west of the airport viaduct more frequently than before
(5)ABI K.
Awesome food best fried noodle fried chicken and Spareribs. Turnovers was great. Green river. One of the few places that have this. 10 different flavors of ice cream.
(5)Mercedez C.
What are the odds that the only the only two things I wanted they were out of and the cashier.was very rude about it. :( no fried rice.
(3)Arnold Y.
Honestly, the only reason I go here is because of their fried noodles. It's delicious beyond belief. I also love their french fries, which is a very generous portion. Aside from that, there's not much going for it in terms of service, and the general location.
(3)Megan R.
I love love there fried noodles. It brings me back to elementary field trip days! Plus people always forget about the hand cut fires! Delish and they now accept credit card! ($10 minimum)
(4)D M.
It's always busy when we drive by so my beau and I thought "why not?" Oh what a waste. I've had a lot of plate lunches here in Hawaii. and this was not good at all. We got the ultimate mix plate and the other big mix plate so we could try everything...and ultimately nothing was good besides the spam. The fried noodles were full of grease, the Mac salad was tasteless and every single meat we tried, from the mahi mahi to the teriyaki beef to the spare rib, was dry and hard. Everything was gross. The premises are dirty and the ladies taking orders were NOT FRIENDLY AT ALL. Pros: there is parking. And the soft serve the family in front of us got looked good Maybe it was a bad day to eat there but I will be say NO NO NO to this place. Never again.
(1)Iris C.
Recently tried something new from the norm fried noodles. The mahi mahi burger was flavorful, it was nice and crispy and very flaky! You could really taste that it was fish unlike other places where they over season their batter to mask that cheap quality fish that they serve. The tartar sauce was probably the best I've ever tasted, not too sour but had enough tang!
(5)Mr. P.
Ordered the omelet with three choices of ingredients and fried rice.plenty for the price. .be aware of homeless guy who is "hungry" seems harmless.none the less no be afraid.
(5)Steven A.
Classic spot for people that lived in Waipahu. I had found memories when I was growing up eating here.
(4)Michael C.
Cheap food, massive amounts that actually tastes good how can you go wrong?! I think I found the trifecta here. I ordered the Ultimate Mix Plate that comes Kal-Bi, Hamburger Steak, Fried Chicken, Spareribs, Fried Noodles, Mac Salad & Rice. All that food for only $9.95. The Kal-Bi was nice and tender. The hamburger was well seasoned and full of flavor not dry at all and the gravy accompanied it very nicely. The Fried Chicken was crispy on the outside and moist on the inside. The Spareribs was soft and not hard like some places. The Fried Noodles was da bomb this was my favorite thing. Loved that the noodles were flavorful and not super oily like some places.The plate was so big that I had to take it home. Well actually I am eating my leftovers as I write this review. It was just that good.
(5)Carms K.
The friend noodles are my favorite here and they include some in almost every plate the offer! The chicken katsu is tasty too. Their portion sizes are huge, but if you're still hungry, their homemade turnovers are yummy! I deducted a star because the service here isn't the best. They mess up orders regularly, but they're always able to correct them. In fact, the last time we ended up with a free order or chili fries because they had made them for us already instead of the chili frank plate we actually ordered.
(4)MzShez A.
A great spot ti go when you want a plate lunch after 10 pm in waipahu. Love the chilli bowl. But everything else is just blend ... you cant get fried rice after a certain time .and they run out of things. Had the fried pork chop bbq chicken dont really like it.
(3)Randoll C.
I'm from Hawaii. I love Hawaii. I love that my most of my family is here. And I love the foods that I had when I was growing up here. So, while I'm back here on vacation, I figured, I'd have all the foods I can't have in the mainland because who knows when I'll be back here next. One of my planned stops was Leeward Drive Inn for their famous fried noodles. It's $6 an order now and if memory serves - portion sizes used to be a lot more. I could be wrong though because I was younger when I could just walk to Leeward and get a whole plate of noodles, sit at their covered but not enclosed dining area - on metal picnic tables. I also remember loving the dish more than I did all those years ago. I'm not saying that it was bad this time around, it just didn't have me experiencing foodgasms like I thought I would. It was just OK. Maybe it was missing something. Maybe times just change. Maybe I just have a refined palette now. Whatever the case. it wasn't bad. It was a little pricey for the amount of noodles but then again, when you advertise it as The Famous, Original Leeward Fried Noodles - charge whatever you want and people who don't know any better will buy it. They might even like it. I did. I just didn't fall back in love with it.
(3)May Jane T.
Grew up with their fried noodles. I used to walk from where I used to live just to eat the noodles here. The taste have remain the same. I will always come back to this place no matter where I move :)
(5). ..
Fried Saimin pretty good, Hambugers are really good, Chicken looks good, not so much taste good, Icee Slushes are awesome. The Turnovers are over rated, ordered a peach turnover, never have so got the pineapple. Crust looked really good, but again, not so good. Tasted like old creme crackers, not recommended. Their service help need better communications, only filipino's. I asked her "Can I get a Melon Slush Float"?, she goes "what size"? I tell her "Medium Please"? She goes "Would you like Ice cream"? I respond "Isnt that what a Float is"? She goes "Im sorry, so you like Ice Cream"? oh braddah!!!! I just told her "OK, why not add some Ice Cream to that Melon Slush Float"? Thank you!!!! Oh well....Teri Beef, Fried Saimin, Hamburgers, All Good
(3)Christina M.
The cashier was friendly. The food portions were large. The hamburger and fries were good. The BBQ chicken lunch plate was okay. However the chicken didn't look like chicken to me. It had a weird unrecognizable fatty skin and fat on almost all of it (maybe it was a cat or dog at one time instead of bird). OR Maybe it was just the way it was cut into strips and I'm just imagining things but the skin just didn't look like chicken to me. Maybe I am paranoid from watching the news and hearing about these types of incidents. Anyway the food tasted OK. I prefer to go to the L&L BBQ over this place. If you're a local you will prob love this place or if your from the south based on cooking styles (I'm not referencing the cat/dog comment here), "fatty" food served, and portion size. I probably won't go again.
(3)I T.
Special fried noodles (comes with bean sprouts) is still pretty good. They have Icee, green river & lilikoi!
(3)Nelly A.
Awesome place to get some local food...they got everything here from musibis,sushi,loco moco,slushes and icee..even served breakfast...the luncheon meat and eggs are the bomb
(5)Cheryl S.
Chicken Katsu and fried noodlesChicken Katsu and fried noodles!!! CHICKEN KATSU and FRIED NOODLES I said!!! More like I am yelling and also doing a shout out!!! Can I say this place makes me crave that! OMG it's the bomb diggity (for the lack of better words) OMG just writing about it is making my mouth water and my stomach rumble with happy thoughts! =) I didn't know about this place since I am not too familiar with the area. However, luckily my boyfriend knew about it and I am super happy that he has introduced me to this wonderful local Drive Inn establishment. I would recommend asking for extra katsu sauce as the sauce is very delicious. It even goes well on the noodles LOL! I think it seems homemade. The katsu is extra crispy if you like it that way. I do! They actually have an extensive menu but I seem to be a creature of habit and once I find something I like I tend to order it over and over again. I would highly recommend it as a take out as I am not really sure if they have a seating area. They are extremely generous with the portions so be ready to eat or to have some leftovers which I don't mind as eating a plate lunch from here is a real treat! You defiantly need to check this place out if you are in the area. Happy eating! nom nom nom
(5)Steph B.
3 full plate lunch for $26! ( fried noodles and katsu, hamburger steak & pork cutlet) Food was awesome! Generous servings. Worth your money.
(5)Michael L.
I have been coming here for a long time. i always get the special fried noodles and a bbq burger. but before today i havent been in awhile and found the quality of food to have gone done some. there was little flavor in the noodles. i notice from another reviewer the yamaki's retired. maybe thats why but i have been coming for a long time and i am sure i will give them another try if i am in the area.
(3)Nanea L.
Local Plate Lunch Plate. Good Food. Long Time Service. Go Get Um*
(5)Janelle O.
Last night was the first time I've ordered and had food from here. I got the fried noodles, held the green onions, and ordered side luncheon meat. I'd say these two were really good! Not too oily or salty. The BF got the Ultimate mix plate. The hamburger steak was bland, so-so kalbi, and the rest was ok. Pretty good size plate for the prices! Cash only. Oh and they have green river here, yummy!
(4)Allen W.
Had lunch there yesterday. I ordered their famous fried noodles. It was perfectly prepared with the right amount of toppings! I also bought an apple turnover. I was pleasantly surprised at how good it was! It is definitely something you can bring back to the office. 5 stars for this place and I will definitely be back!!!
(5)Kris U.
Noodles here are awesome . I been coming off an on here forever. The meat juhn is awesome too.
(5)Kayla M.
I've taken out from this place a couple times. Leeward Drive Inn is known for their fried noodles and "school lunch" combo which includes fried chicken, spam, hot dog, Portuguese sausage and musubi. You can have just fried noodles for $5.95 if you want, or add a side of meat to go with it for an additional dollar or so. They also have an awesome and ono Mixed Hawaiian plate that has lau lau, kalua pig, rice, mac salad, fried noodles, haupia and lomi salmon! The prices for food here are also very reasonable between $6-10. If you're in Waipahu, make a stop!
(5)Gaven S.
You know when you taste something, so delicious that it brings back memories every time you think about a certain food. Whenever I think about the chicken cutlet plate lunch from Leeward Drive-In, I think about the mounds of rice, delicious fried noodles and mac salad, crispy chicken cutlet, and gravy all over. Leeward Drive-In may be an old take out spot, but it's lasted for years, because of the great tasty food that they serve. The workers are very friendly. The service takes some time, but with the portions they serve, it should be a little slow. They also serve green river, which many take out places don't serve anymore. If you happen to be in Waipahu, give this place a try.
(4)Jessica F.
i've passed by many times before, but never wanted to actually try their food. one day, i was craving fried saimin. i drove down to sato's and it was fricken closed. that day, i decided it wouldn't hurt to try leeward's. lots of filipino aunties and uncles running the drive-in. i liked the vibe. it reminded me of liliha bakery. i waited for what seemed like an eternity. got my food within half hour. it took pretty long and i'm pretty sure i saw people get their food before me, even if i ordered way before them. almost made me think i was forgotten. to sum this review up, it was just okay. their fried saimin wasn't as good as sato's. i really wasn't expecting it to be. i would return, but for something else like their mochiko chicken.
(3)Charmed 1.
Price and portion match. They sure give a lot of food and yeah the fried noodles included w/all the regular plate lunches are so good. I noticed workers wear clear food gloves for sanitation. Food taste great every time I've been there. To top it off service wise they seem attentive to their customers.
(5)Max Y.
Leeward Drive-Inn is located in the Westgate Shopping Center at the opposite end of Thelma's Filipino Restaurant. Years ago, they were known for their specialty - their killer Fried Noodles. Then, something happened and it wasn't as great anymore so we stopped going. Recently, along with other businesses, they participated in the mailing of coupons in the "Value Pak." The promotion is a "Buy one entrée, get the other entrée FREE!" Although we still needed to purchase a drink, we decided to check this place out again. We ordered their "bambucha" Ultimate Mix Plate for just $9.95. It comes fully loaded with Kal-Bi, Hamburger Steak (w/ onions and gravy), Fried Chicken (humongous thigh), Spareribs (delish), their signature Fried Noodles (yes, it's back), and Rice (w/ furikake). Using the coupon, 2 plates + a drink was only $11.98. The 3 of us shared the 2 plates and we still couldn't pound it clean - still had leftovers for lunch tomorrow! They also have a guarantee that you'll get your receipt or they'll give you $20. So why only 4 stars instead of 5? They don't have the most friendliest staff in Waipahu - we're not talking Costco here. Still, I'm sold and recommending this place for all of you to try again. If not the Ultimate Mix, then anything with Fried Noodles!
(4)Tina L.
Comfort food!! The bento and fried noodles are good!! You get a little bit of everything in the bento. It can satisfy all types of cravings!! I love the blue vanilla icee... The taste reminds me of the old school ice cakes...
(4)Ezra G.
I especially love their noodles! I've tried kalua pig, bbq chicken, chicken katsu, shoyu chicken, you name it. I love it the food. they always give side noodles and their noodles is hands down, the best on the island to me. Kind of reminds me of manapua man noodles, but better. Mac salad and regular salad is good too! CHECK THIS PLACE OUT! been eating here since i was in elementary school.
(4)Sherry V.
Two words: FRIED NOODLES. Their version is truly delicious! It's basically a fried saimin with lots of fishcake, all for about $6. A side of meat can be added for an additional $2, and they do give a lot for this nominal fee. I like to pair the noodles with chicken katsu, as most people recommend, and for good reason: the combination of tastes are a perfect blend! The katsu itself is nothing special. It's comfort food for the islands and so many other places make it, too, and they make it better. But because it's all about combining taste, I highly suggest to add katsu with the noodles. They also have many other "local" influenced foods, and one of the most notable is their turnover: ono! Parking here is abundant and the stalls are marked specifically for the restaurant. They also have a descent and clean eating area. However, please be aware that there are many unsavory people walking by; nothing dramatic, just a little dirty and sometimes weird kinds of people walk past. If you have problems with this, just do a take out.
(4)Bryana M.
As long as I have lived in Waipahu, I honestly never tried this place until last year. My parents used to go to this place when they were younger and seemed to enjoy their food as much as I do now. Although the food may take a little longer than expected, it is very worth the wait. Lots of different plates and combinations to choose from and as others have said before, their fried noodles are the bomb! My personal favorite is the Obento Plate which consists of 3 Portuguese sausages, 2 spams, 2 scoops of rice, and 1 egg omelet. What's also great about this place is that they serve XL Orange Bang which is always a must whenever I go anyplace that serves it. Great place to go for any meal of the day! I wouldn't suggest eating there because there isn't much room and it gets really hot in this area, also not the best place to order food at night because there is a bar right next to it. One down side is that this place is cash only, but again, very worth making an extra stop just to go to an ATM.
(4)Colleen O.
This place has been here it seems forever...a landmark in Waipahu, this was the place to eat after hula practice when I was a child. Known for it's noodles and turnovers...I must admit XX years later and it is just as good as I remember! Service...well it's to be desired but it's not fancy, outside and next to a laundry mat....what more can I say!?!?
(3)Penny V.
I use to love their Teri Burger and Fried Noodles but recently the quality wasn't as good as it use to be. The burger didn't have enough sauce and was dry. The Fried Noodles was tasteless.
(3)Shardae M.
I love the food here I just hate the location... I mean if you don't know it or know somebody who knows it you'll pass it thinking it's not a place you want to stop and you miss out on greatness
(3)Nathan N.
Kalua pork and roast pork plate. Chicken katsu and deep fried mahimahi. Two Arizona green teas. Total cost: $27. Do I think I got ripped off? Yup. Kalua pork - dry Roast pork - tasteless Chicken katsu - it was actually good. But, how do you screw up katsu, right? Deep fried mahimahi - Hard to screw that up too. It was okay. Fried noodles - this was a winner. Really good. If I ever come back I'll order those. Would I go back? Yes. But, not late at night again. People just creep out of the shadows around there.
(2)Alfred R.
This place is old school! Everybody loves their fried noodles! I admit their fried noodle is pretty good especially their bentos. The only thing about this place is the parking lot sucks cause sometimes no more parking & the parking lot get plenty pot holes. Service wise... not the best to be honest. Other than that, foods good even tho service sucks.
(3)Tiffany Y.
I must be on a roll with Drive Inn's because this past Friday, I had dinner at Like Like Drive Inn. Sunday, I went to Shiro's Saimin and yesterday, I picked up Fried Noodles from Leeward Drive Inn in Waipahu. I have to sadly share that the Fried Noodles is not cooked to perfection as it was "back in the days" and I know it's because Mr. Pasco passed away and he was the one who made the bomb diggity noodles. However, their fries are still the same. I love french fries. I don't care if my bootay enlarges at the thought of their fries but mmmm mmmm mmmmm! I love fries. Another good item on their menu from my sisters is their turnovers. Last night as I stood waiting for my noodles, I noticed they had a limited offer of Peanut Butter & Jelly turnover. I didn't buy it but it sounded intriguing. If you are ever in the Waipahu area, hopefully you will not miss this place because this is one of the old Drive Inn establishments that is still standing as well.
(4)Diamond E.
LOVE LOVE LOVE this place !!! We used to eat here a lot when I was younger because we used to live in Waipahu. Now that we're in the mainland, we visit Hawaii once a year every year & we always make sure we stop by Leeward's before we get back on the plane. Their food is still the greatest & has not changed one bit since I was a kid. Their kalbi ribs are to die for !!! & their peach & combination (pineapple & coconut) turn overs are good !!!
(5)Fred M.
**Cash Only** Once more after a evening class in Pearl Harbor my hunger has forced me to make a detour into Waipahu while on my way home. Past that 9:30pm mark my hopes of finding a place to get some food starts to slim down. Trying to avoid those fast food chains and places I've already tried recently I then came across this place. With its bright lights lighting the corner of Pupukahi and Farrington I was drawn in. I made my left, right turn and parked. Parking here is no problem, even during the day time when I first came here. Got out of my car and looked up at their gigantic menu inside. After several minutes of deciding I choose their pork chop with gravy. When I opened my tray I was awed by how much food was stuffed in this. With saimin and salad on the sides and 4 pieces of pork chops on top of rice and topped with lots gravy. The saimin was good as always, I think I'm starting to be a fan; my first visit here I ordered a tray full of saimin and I ate that thing like there was no tomorrow. Their salad is OK, it came with both little scoop of potato salad and shredded lettuce. For the main course, I'm not sure maybe its just me probably because I haven't had pork chops for awhile but it didn't taste all that great. The pork chops was fried and had gravy all over it, rice with gravy and rice with pork chops was alright, I love to eat rice with everything but gravy and pork chops together? I guess it was not a perfect couple to go together. Overall this place has some good saimins thats worth coming back to but I don't think I'll order their pork chops again. Yelp 365 Challenge - #019/365
(3)Jesse R.
I remember coming to this place when I was7 yrs old, their most notable dish is the fried noodles and I always go there and buy one of the specials an a fried noodle plate for later. The food hasn't changed much and the service is always pretty good, but the surroundings has and that is one reason why I haven't gone there in a long time. They are still a really good place to eat local food regardless.
(4)Travis K.
I haven't eaten here since I was a kid, that was about 18 years ago. When we go to Waipahu we usually eat at Thelma's (located in the same strip mall); but we recently moved from town to Waipahu, so we have been hopping around to all the eateries in our new neighborhood. Considering it has been SO long since I've eaten here, I could honestly say I didn't remember anything about the place. It was essentially like I was eating here for the first time. Boy were we pleasantly surprised, the food was delicious, the portions large, and prices very reasonable. The fried noodles were the best I've had in years, they instantly reminded me of the fried noodles we used to buy from the manapua truck; but sooooo much better. They were slightly oily, but they are "fried noodles". Eating a lot of the noodles may give some people an upset stomach from the oil, but honestly if you have a sensitive stomach, you probably shouldn't be eating anything "fried" in the first place. Their plate lunches come with rice, green salad, Mac salad, fried noodles and whatever protein you chose. Trust me when I say, it's a lot of food for one person. We've eaten there a few times since our first time. As for the service, most of the ladies at the counter have been very friendly to us, it is a drive inn so one shouldn't be expecting the best customer service ever. And as far as the location, ITS A DRIVE INN IN WAIPAHU!!! So don't be surprised to see local people and even some really moke aunties and uncles there. No one has ever caused any trouble to us, and I've never felt in danger there. We've seen a homeless man there asking for money, but there are homeless everywhere now it seems. It's an outside eating area so it's not going to be spotless, it's clean, and has been clean each time we've gotten food from there. The tables and benches looked "newer", they weren't sticky, dirty, or graffitied on. My review mainly pertains to the food's price, quality and taste. I give it a 4 out of 5. Service is ok-good, location and environment is ok.
(4)Shannon Y.
The Mac salad with anything is fricken awesome! I love the chicken cutlet with gravy and extra mac salad. Cheeseburgers are pretty good too but a little bit of macaroni salad from leewards makes a yummy difference.
(4)Grant S.
For living in the Waipahu area, I am embarrassed to say that I've never eaten here. I see the gigantic sign all the time but never really tried it out. I ordered the hamburger steak with onion strings. I must say, the plate lunch is very large and filling! The hamburger steak (two patties) comes with a nice amount of fried onion strings, a couple scoops of rice, side of fried noodles, potato mac salad, and a shredded cabbage salad with dressing. The thin hamburger patties had good flavor but the gravy lacked luster. Tasted like a packaged and prepared gravy. The onion strings were a nice touch and provided nice texture contrast. The fried noodles were a little too tender for my liking, but had very good flavor and were not oily at all. This is a nice addition to an already large plate lunch. The potato mac salad was pretty good and a nice addition as well. The cabbage salad was a little out of place, but necessary roughage for the heavy plate lunch. Overall my first experience here was good and will be back again.
(4)RobYoko D.
Big portions, good price, ono grinds. Whats not to love. I go to specific places for specific dishes. The shoyu chicken plate is da bomb. Plenty for lunch, and some for later. And love the fried noddles on top. If you are passing by Waipahu side, check it out.. its a local favorite.
(4)Caryn W.
We went to Leeward Drive Inn this weekend. I'd never been there for breakfast, so I was looking forward to trying of their breakfast food. Ate the Leeward omelet with Portuguese sausage, mushrooms, and tomatoes. I also got a coconut turnover (to eat later) and a green river. I was surprised to see the green river available at somewhere other than Byron's Drive-In. I got toast with my omelet, but you could get white rice or fried rice if you wanted. I thought the food was really good and reasonably-priced, the only downside of this place was the seating area. There were a lot of seedy people sitting around, so I felt a little uncomfortable eating there. Next time, we'll be getting our food to go.
(4)Nadine A.
this place is great to eat at... i actually used to work here back in the 80's & 90's under the original owners before they sold the place... but the new owners still have the place the same way and to my surprise the food is still great!! the staff but could get better, i've been there some times when the staff is just talking story and not paying attention to the customers and where they gave me the wrong order after i left and got back home to realize it... but that's just the workers i guess because the food is still great!!
(5)Joanne C.
Hands down order their original Fried Noodle plate! No matter what time of day its aways so tasty and either eat it by. Your self and save it for later or share it. There is a line most of the time so do a Phone Order. Cash only. Customer Service- well the more often I call them to order they already know my voice and what my order is lol... Their breakfast plates are great too. Got kids get them a school box lunch filled with rice noodles hot dog and chix for a super cheap price. Or get it for you.... I do!
(4)Kathryn D.
Going to Leeward's was quite an experience for me. First off there is a private lot, but this lot is old had hasn't been maintained so the lines are no longer defined. Not knowing where to park I kept driving around the lot like a dork while there were tons of open spots available. When I finally got there I ordered the fried noodles. It was my first time there so I had to! I got the noodles with fried chicken. DON'T GET THE FRIED CHICKEN! It sucks! I think I would have been better off with just the noodles. Leeward's is very much a locals favorite, so don't let the mokes scare you. They're just as hungry as you!
(3)Sheryl G.
what: one of hawaii's best local spots~ it was established in 1964!! something good: i love drive inns. it is just so convenient, park the car and order at the order window : ) !! it feels so convenient~!! the prices here are ridiculously reasonable! and they have a huge menu with lots of choices!! i would definitely want to come back and try some other items on the menu!! something not so good: lots of cars in the parking lot! be careful : ) !! something to try: local food goodness!
(4)Sharon G.
Not the best fried noodles but also not the worst! However the flavor is in the add-ons not the noodles themselves! Friendly counter help! Really busy! I would do it again - but it's not a "must-stop"
(3)Ramfis B.
Went to Leeward Drive Inn with high expactations and i left very disappointed. The Ultimate Mix Plate turned out to be The Ultimate waste of my money. Everything was just bland and tasteless. Places like this were they have so many things to choose from really drives the quality down and i should have just ordered the Fried Noodles that they are known for. But you can forget about that. I should have went a few shops down and have my Thelma's Special fix...Really Disappointing =(
(1)Audrey M.
I've been going to Leeward Drive Inn for their fried noodles since I was a kid, so there's no question as to how yummy their noodles are :) Anyway, I got a laulau plate lunch today, and DAMN! I'd say it's so worth the $8.35. It came with two scoops of rice, of course the laulau, fried noodles, mac salad, tossed salad, lomi salmon, and haupia! I was delighted ;)
(4)Alex L.
I've been going to Leeward Drive Inn for quite a long time! Growing up I my grandfather would always buy me a bento when I go on field trips! Now I go there to buy there unique turnovers! It has become a staple for me to go here also, because my dog's vet is near here too!
(4)Arlene A.
Before the boom of K's Bento, Leeward Drive Inn was the go to place for school box lunch for field trips. I don't have any kids but it may very well still be for the little elementary schoolers. Located on the corner of the Westgate Center right off of Farrington Hwy in the heart of Waipahu, parking can be difficult at peak times. There are several food places, a laundromat and a dance studio in the area that constantly causes traffic coming in and out. Although, the area sometimes has sketchy people and it's not the cleanest place, I have never had a problem. Nevertheless, Leeward Drive Inn is another one of my favorite places to get fried noodles. Their original item includes chopped char siu, green onions and fish cake. Not bad too for $5 a plate. I like to add bbq chicken to my order so it comes out around $7. There are a variety of items to choose from including plate lunches, sandwiches, turnovers, and their popular box lunches. Leeward is also one of the few places that serves green river! Conveniently open 24 hours.
(3)Chantelle T.
Every time I return home from LA I always, always, always get something from Leeward Drive Inn. It doesn't matter how late or early it is, or if I'm even HUNGRY. The deluxe plate and the box lunch make me feel sooo happy when I eat them! The fried noodles are always delicious and every thing else they serve is pretty damned good. Sometimes they fall a bit short (primarily on the gravy and fried chicken) but the tastes are so quintessentially local that it never fails to make me feel at home. The turnovers are also pretty good (they have peanut butter/jelly turnovers now for a limited time!) and I'm a big fan of their mandoo plate!
(4)Lily B.
We were prepared for a looooong day of shopping as we're trying to knock out our loooong Xmas list... but we needed fuel for the day... so the BF said to give Leeward Drive Inn a try since we needed to be in the Waipahu/Waikele area most of the day. Located in Waipahu at the end of a long strip of other restaurants and shops on Farrington Highway. It is CASH ONLY for those debit card lovers (raising my hand but luckily I had cash) There is parking in the front and there was usually a spot or two open during the time we were dining here. You order from a little window and then there is seating off to the side with picnic style metal tables (no A/C... just windows for the "hawaiian A/C". Staff was nice. The menu is pretty big! I was kinda impressed with how large it was and how you could customize and add this or omit that and how they had a lot of combos (I like combos since I'm picky because you get a little bit of everything). The BF ordered the combo at the top of the combo list... I can't remember what it's called but it's almost $10 and includes one scoop of rice, fried noodles, one piece of fried chicken, hamburger steak with fried onions and gravy, and sweet and sour spareribs. Talk about a combo! I opted to order the "famous fried noodles" to which I added a piece of BBQ chicken AND a piece of fried chicken (I'm a sucker for some good fried chicken). We waited about 12 minutes before our order was ready. Everything was sectioned on my BF's plate which was nice (so that everything isn't piled on top of each other) and you could tell everything was cooked to order as it was hot and fresh. As for taste... my BF thought the food was "okay" but said he wouldn't return here. He tried one of the spare ribs but didn't care for the taste of it... and the pieces had A LOT of fat. Yuck. I tried the hamburger steak (a piece) and it had a funky aftertaste. I REALLY didn't like it. As for my plate... the portion of fried noodles is "okay". It's not HUUUUGE where you'd have lots of leftovers (unless I'm just an oinker and I can grind my food! lol) but it was an okay size. The noodles have mushed kamoboko (fishcake) and green onions on top. I thought the noodles were too oily and lacking in flavor. I dunno... not very "famous" tasting to me. I am picky though so maybe I'm the minority? My BF didn't care for it either. The fried chicken was hot and fresh... but it literally had NO taste inside. It was a bland piece of chicken. Meh. I'm 2 for 2 on not liking my food... until... I came to the BBQ chicken. A nice portion of BBQ chicken for $1.99 and it was SOOOOO DELICIOUS!!! I mean whatever they marinate it in... it's freakin YUMMY! Too bad I didn't just order a plate of BBQ chicken and a scoop of rice. :( The BBQ chicken definitely stole the show and sadly would be the ONLY thing that I'd recommend from this place... total for my plate, the BF's plate, and a large drink was $23. My stomach felt a little queasy after lunch.. probably from the oily noodles and oily chicken and oily BBQ chicken lol... (I know I know MY food choices) so I had to stop at 7-11 down the road for a big bottle of Menehune water to wash it down. I'd come back for a mini BBQ chicken... but that's about it.
(2)Kamille B.
Ah-mazing! I don't know how you can make a spam and sandwich better, but they figured it out! I will go here again and again, and try everything on the menu.
(5)Rotini R.
Got the Ultimate Mix plate. Comes with fried chicken, spareribs, hamburger steak, fried noodles, two scoops of rice, and mac salad. $9.95 - good deal. Food was L&L quality and fresh. Service was friendly and quick. I am a fan and would come back.
(4)R R.
I honestly don't know why it's taken me so long to eat here. We got the Hawaiian mixed plate and the mahi mahi plate and shared between two people. We still have TONS of food left over. The portions are HUGE. The food was very tasty, although I don't see the big deal about the fried noodles. There didn't seem to be anything special about it and I understand they are known for their noodles? I love that their Hawaiian plate is made everyday, as some other places will have it as a daily special once a week. Will definitely be back and can't wait to try other things on the menu. CASH ONLY.
(4)KM c.
School lunch FTW :D Good plate lunches here. The fried noodles are a must try. My mom used to get me the "school lunch" from here and it has noodles,rice,fried chicken,hot dog and portugese sausage for like $5.95 and its really good.
(4)Pamela T.
Nice variety of local favorites. They even serve french fries with gravy! The macaroni salad could use some tweaking. The service is good but the restaurant could use a little work.
(4)Derek R.
get dah spare-rib w/ fried noodle plate! so ono! :D
(5)Mick K.
Generous portions with local dishes and sane prices.
(4)Nori M.
Pretty standard plate lunch place-- fine but not Bob's BBQ awesome. Let's eat. FRIED MAN DOO Came here on the promise of good fried man doo, which is a high bar set by the likes of Soon's and Kim Chee 2 (not the other "branches"), so we'll start with that first. The fried man doo was golden brown, full of meat, and had a fair amount of vegetables. Conclusion: The texture was good, but the flavor was lacking. BBQ PORK Also tried the BBQ Pork, something that you can't find at all plate lunch plates. The bar for BBQ Pork is set by Bob's BBQ and in comparison to that Leeward has good flavor, but the pieces of meat are kind of fatty/stringy. Conclusion: Not bad, but not a good substitute for good BBQ pork. A nice thing about Leeward is that you can substitute tossed salad in place of the rice and/or mac salad for no additional charge. Leeward does go beyond the "tossed salad" offered by most plate lunch joints by adding red cabbage and carrot slivers to the standard bed of chopped cabbage, so it at least has some color. It also comes with a dressing that looks like pink mayo and tastes like 1000 island-- could be one or the other (both?) An even better thing about Leeward is that you can substitute FRIED NOODLES in place of rice for no additional charge. That is rather nice, though the noodles are pretty much only garnished with shredded fishcake and a few specks of green onion. Still, a nice option if you're in the mood for noodles.
(3)Will K.
If there's any positive to be working in Waipahuuuuuu.... it's that Leeward Drive Inn is near by. I had the kalua pig plate yesterday and it was pretty good. It came with a huge portion of kalua pig, 2 scoops of rice (but looks more like 3. Hawaiian style bu!), lomi lomi salmon (but looks more like lomi lomi tomato. Hard times!), fried noodles, and haupia. Last week my boss bought me some kind of fried pork plate(?) from here and that was pretty bomb too. I agree with Maritel C.: the fried noodle was "eh... nothing great." However, the portions are HUGE! With the economy in a rut, this is definitely a place to go to get the most for your money. WARNING: Watch out for the crazy old lady around the corner at the washerette! She's always bumming for quarters!
(4)Ku'ulei R.
I grew up in Waipahu and ever since I was a little girl I've been coming to Leewards Drive Inn all the time. I literally LOVE this place. Every time I come here I always get the BBQ burger, french fries, and fried noodles. The BBQ burger is sooooo GOOD!!! The fries are delicious and don't even get me started on the fried noodles. I LOVE LOVE LOVE the fried noodles. I will be honest though, after new owners took over this place I did notice a change in the quality of the food, BUT I still love this place. Besides the bbq burger and the fried noodles and fries, they also offer huge plate lunches, bentos, and also breakfast. They also make turnovers which are pretty good too. The location is kinda sketchy but the food is worth it!!
(5)Jade N.
This is my second choice to get fried noodles. (I love Sato's Noodles) Anyway, like I said earlier. This is my second choice to get fried noodles. That's all.
(4)Cat M.
Good local food!
(4)Maritel C.
I don't even know how we stumbled upon this place, but it was the one of the best local lunch plates during our trip. Their special fried noodle dish was eh...nothing great. But, please, Please, PLEASE, get the roast beef lunch plate. It is TO DIE FOR! Fresh roast beef with crunchy bits all around, smothered in gravy over rice, and their mac salad is pretty tasty too! Serving portions are huge! OMG....I want it just thinking about it! I could eat the roast beef plate for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
(5)Dave E.
I've lived in Waipahu for 40. Sadly Leeward DI has gone steadily gone down hill. The fried noodles are way over priced and the quality has slipped. The Leeward special BBQ pork sandwich was grossly over priced and the quality has sucked. Even the famous Leeward DI hamburger is over $2.00 and it's the exact burger that used to sell for $0.25 in the 70's! It's probably the same meat!
(1)Raphael K.
By R: I used to go here as a kid before their dining room had a roof, the corner window used to be a place to sell candy (now used to store boxes), & they served their dishes in paper plates inside of white cardboard boxes with a sheet of wax paper between the food & the lid. I even knew the original owner who was a nice local Okinawan man who used to give my grandparents whole banana cream pies he couldn't sell by the end of the day because we were regulars. What they got going for them was their fresh ingredients...they have freshly-cut fries, not the frozen stuff. Their burgers were & still are better than any fast food joints. Back then I ordered what any kid would order...burger & fries. In the 80's it used to cost only $2.65 & it was the best deal ever! My favorites were the open face, which basically is a hamburger on one bun & lettuce, tomato, onion, & pickle on the other. Of course there's mayonnaise & their sauce which made it great. The other sandwich is their self-named Leeward Special, which had teriyaki pork. The fries are included, as is their mac salad with a whole olive. It was to die for...in a good way, not a slimy bad gonna-give-you-a-heart-attack kind of way. They are also famous for their turnovers (apple, coconut, peach, pineapple, & combination). The crust is like that of a pie, not flaky like Napoleon's (which I don't like). The fillings I believe are from cans, but they balanced well with the crust, which tasted best when they were golden brown. We never ordered anything else in those days. Not sure why, but people often ordered their fried rice & fried noodles, which are said to be really popular. Their okazu was also very popular & I recall once when I actually had some from back in the day. The trouble was we usually went there at night when their okazu was gone. One thing to add is that this is the only place I know of that serves liliko'i & green river soft drinks (green river is a kind of fruit punch with its own flavor, & it's green). And not to mention they actually taste reeeeallly good & not too sweet either. Fast forward to present-day: Under new management, several new items were added, many of them with a Korean theme, such as Korean barbeque chicken (the new owner is a local Korean guy). Here's where I get to the part where I explain why this place only gets 3 stars. There's one original lady who's been working there as long as I can remember, but everyone else are new faces. The food quality is inconsistent now. I ordered their fried rice, but the rice was the cheap kind. The same goes for any plate with white rice. They were all meh. The frozen diced carrots, peas, corn, etc. made me feel like hey...I can make this at home & much better. I tried their okazu...kalua pig, laulau, inarizushi (cone sushi), jagaimo, beef stew...you name it, I've tried it. They were all ok, but as to be expected with any local food, they were salty. The sushi rice was different & much better than the rice they serve with their plate lunches. The kicker for me was this: the last few times I ordered a Leeward Special, the sandwiches either came out sloppy, with too much or too little sauce, or over-cooked meat. One time my meat was a huge chunk of fat. Their fries are now either over-cooked or under-cooked. Usually the former & they cut the fries thinner now so they look like fingers instead of wedges. I suppose they do this to save cooking time, but the fries come out with more oil absorbed. Thicker fries absorb less oil & retain their flavor better. One time I ordered they didn't put an olive on the mac salad so I went back to the counter to ask about it & I was told that they NEVER put olive on top & that it would cost me a quarter. A friggin quarter for ONE damn olive! So I said "I've been coming here for 25 years. Don't tell me you guys don't use olives." I asked to speak to the manager. I'm not sure if the person who came out was the manager, but she came out with an olive. When ordering turnovers you don't know what you're gonna get either. The crust is often hard as a cracker. The inside is still the same, but they eliminated the pineapple turnover so now the only pineapple turnover is mixed with coconut, which to me isn't a good combination. Because of my recent experiences I'm not sure if I'll ever go there again. The Yamaki family who used to own it before should step up & take that place back cause right now it's going in the wrong direction :-(
(3)Ryan A.
This placed used to be a must eat when I was a child. After the fire ravaged the facilities, the owners rebuilt the place but te food hasn't been the same. The box lunch is still probably the best bang for your buck although it is only available in the morning. Probably the best bet is the fried noodles, side French fries and a green river. Prices are decent.
(3)Alan W.
Best plate lunch spot on the Leeward side! Good ingredients, hefty portions, and fairly consistent preparation. Just be careful when stopping by here at night. I thought I was man enough to hold my own out here and eat in, but darkness produces some odd characters! The kalbi is awesome for a plate lunch spot! Ultimate mix plate gets you a good sampling but it's not as good as it was even 3 months ago. Kind of like when Zippy's reinvented the chicken thigh to save on cost... Fried saimin is okay but where else includes it with just about every order!?!? Hamburger steak is up there with the best of them...
(4)Camille D.
My sister and I always get the fried noodles with extra kamaboko (sp?) That's all takes for them to get my business, mhm.
(4)Jen S.
cash only, total 10mins just to order while cashiers discuss wrong orders! Left with out ordering! So not like how it use to be :( they definitly need customer service help! they are famous for their fried noodles but unfortunately i didn't get a chance to order!
(2)Will L.
A whole lot of goodness...
(4)Neichan Y.
Noodles are ok. Not as good as before,too oily now. Hamburger sandwich is good. Food has gone down hill since new owners took over. Mac salad taste like someone forgot to wash their hands before mixing it. Tasty does not mean make it salty. Do these new owners eat the food? Sad to say I would not recommend this place anymore.
(2)Jordan S.
Awesome fried noodles, not as greasy as some places which is a good thing.
(3)Chelsea F.
The Lilikoi and BBQ burger are to die for! Every time I come to Waipahu, I make sure to stop by Leeward Drive Inn. The only downside is the sketchy location and the expensive prices! 4 bucks for a damn burger?!?! My family ordered from there once(4 adults, 1 child) and ended up spending 70 dollars. Crazy. I still adore the food that comes out of that place.
(4)Joanie L.
I'd go here any day for quick Korean Bar BQ and just the yummy food alone. The noodles are amazing! Hamburger Steaks are yummy. And I can never eat all of it. They give so much. There's always plenty left over for someone that can eat. I love this place!
(5)Mary H.
I lived Waipahu most of my life.....Leewards kept us going. Their food is the Best. And all other drive inns followed step.....that's right!!!!!!!
(5)