Kaukau Corner

Tried to come thru today but sign on door says closed for business to unforeseen events. I guess it was never meant to be :(really wanted to try the loco moco oh well, Ohana here I come

UPDATE:
I have since returned to this establishment as the owner I presumed wrote me a very nice message apologizing for the food and offering me a free meal. I ordered the same dish. They staff just like the pervious time was friendly and polite. They check was flavorful and juicy. The marinade was good. I prefer a sweet sauce but all in all this is a great place for Hawaiian food. The staff really makes this place awesome!

Pros: very big portions, very very very delicious macaroni salads because I love macaroni salad, bomb ass spam musubi & chicken katsu.
Cons: very very very TERRIBLE service, super MEGA slow, quite pricey, they do not notice you at all, & does not check up on you at all.
I was one hungry hippo the night I came here after a long day of not eating much due to such a busy day. As we walked in, we didn’t get greeted or given any menus. I had to get up & go grab them myself after sitting there for 3 minutes. My cousin, sister, & I sat there for damn near almost I would say 30 – 40 minutes waiting for our food too. It wasn’t even busy at all! There were 3 people working & they was just chilling in the back talking & taking their sweet ass time. We had also ordered way before the table behind us, but yet they also got their orders before us & they had more food than us too. When it came to paying, they didn’t notice us either even though I tried to get their attention. So instead I got up again & asked. They said okay & forgot… It was just really annoying.
I’d come back. But I’ll only want to come to get take out. I wouldn’t suggest dining in if you want to wait 5 years for them to even notice you.

CASH ONLY. Tried out Kaukau Corner because I was hungry and I like Hawaiian food.
I got the combination plate which is choice of 2 meats $ 18 — I picked Garlic Shrimp (8pcs) and Kalua Pork. You can get mac salad, potato salad, rice. I asked for mac salad. Next time I will ask for 1 scoop of each because I had too much rice left all by itself. Garlic shrimp was ok — all the garlic flavor on the shells and I took the shells off to eat the meat, maybe the sauce was to dip the shrimp — I didn’t ask. Kalua Pork was way salty but that seems to be normal of all the places I’ve tried it. I will try Beef Short Ribs (3) next time or Hawaiian BBQ Chicken.
I didn’t ask for water, but the waiter gave me a huge cup of it. I felt bad wasting so much of it, next time I’ll ask for a small cup of water.
CASH ONLY! Bathroom is outside on the side of the restaurant.

Finally got a chance to try this spot out and was pretty pleased to find a fairly good Hawaiian spot in Alameda. At first glance this spot is small but the food packs a big punch. Ordered the Kau Kau sliders with a side of spam musubi. Not too bad the pork was seasoned well and on that soft Hawaiian bread. Wifey ordered the loco moco with macaroni, what a plate. The portion was huge and so generous I had to help out. The gravy was pretty good and smothered evenly throughout the dish, the hamburger was slightly overcooked but not unbearable with the egg on the side. This place is good and better then going to those chain restaurants, when you feel like Hawaiian bbq give this place a try. Won’t be like the islands but close enough to quench your craving without the flight.

Ok lets just get this straight. This is not your average fast food Hawaiian bbq spot. You’re going to need some time to eat your meal because the portions are huge here. With that said, of course the price is going to be a bit higher than that of a fast food place, but the price you pay for the quantity and quality of the food is so worth it. The chicken katsu was thick, juicy, meaty thigh pieces over a generous amount of rice and a side of macaroni salad. The short ribs were nicely marinated and tasted great. We couldn’t finish any of it and had to take them home. Service was great, nice friendly people running the joint. Not a place I would eat at every day but will definitely be stopping by when I get that craving for good Hawaiian bbq food. I must come back to try the loco moco!

Not worth it at all. Ordered via Eat24 and it took 25 minutes with only 1 table that already got there food. Prices are pretty high for the amount of food you get. Portions are small and rather tasteless. I had the kalua pork and it was dry and bland. The sauce that comes with the pork is very salty. For $ 12.00, it should taste better at least or be a larger portion. The mac salad was so bland I couldn’t finish it.
The spam masubi was small and had a inch thick of rice. Definitely not worth $ 2.00.
Being that this place is cash only, serves food that isn’t any better than L&L Bbq and slow. I don’t see a reason to come back. I know Hawaiian food is lacking in the area but there has to be a place better than this.

I first tried Kaukau Corner when they had their tent set up at a food street festival in Oakland. I remember their plates being so delicious because the chicken was served to me fresh off the grill and it was so tender and flavorful. Very personable and friendly people!
However, when I ordered for take-​out recently, it just wasn’t the same. Everything was mediocre including chicken katsu, bbq, chicken, and short ribs. Not sure if it was just an off-​night because it wasn’t as good as I remembered it. Probably best to dine it and eat it right away vs. take-​out.
I would pass on the Loco Moco Fries, the patty is dry and the gravy is not that exciting with the fries.
Customer service is excellent. They didn’t charge us for our musubis because they ran out of chicken wings that night. Still have to come back and try these wings! Though my recent experience wasn’t the same, I still think they are a solid business and food would be better if I had dined in.

I was there once they just got started and I went back today. They lowered their prices a bit and most items are under $ 15. Spam musubi is only $ 2.
Got a combo of katsu and short ribs. Hi quality ribs, best katsu I’ve ever had. So much better than cheap Japanese joints or L&L. They really got the flavors dialed in.
Highly recommend you try again.

Excellent service! Prices are high but I could only eat half and lets be really, I’m a good eater! (my waistline can attest to that)
I had the combo plate of short ribs and katsu with mac salad and rice. I’m about to box half of it up. For being a small establishment with few tables, there are over 10 people here at 11:30 on a Wednesday. It is cash only but they also have an ATM machine for you convenience and free Wifi, just ask for the password.
I was first introduce to Kaukau at their food booth to celebrate Ia Oe E Ka La. Their food was so good that I couldn’t wait to come to the restaurant.

Look, let me qualify myself for this review. Local boy from Kona. Obviously grew up on plate lunches, luaus, & family get togethers where the type of food you serve is says a lot about who you are. Now, I have lived in the Bay Area for almost 15 years. I’ve been to every Hawaiian/​Polynesian restaurant/​pop-​up/​Luau/​food truck from Santa Rosa down to San Diego.
So let’s talk Bay Area Hawaiian food.
KAU KAU corner is a must go! Although the review is based on one dining experience it was ALL GOOD!!!
(Update: I’m sitting in here writing this review for the second time, spoiler: it was that good we had to come 2 days later & we live 25 minutes away)
Don’t judge this place based upon the décor, because any local knows that most good food spots in Hawaii look just like this place.
Most of the boys doing the service, i.e. Waiters/​cook/​host are related to the owner (another indicator of its authenticity). We showed up about 30min before closing on a Thursday night. Although you can tell that the place just opened recently, (didn’t have some of the menu items available) and the waiter wasn’t that familiar with the menu, it still had that family (ohana) vibe. The staff is willing to please and are genuinely good folks. (We asked them to turn on some music & they were like no problem.)
So the menu has good variety, highlighted by their crown jewel — the Loco Moco. One of the best, if not the best, hands down, in the Bay. I base this on portion and taste which equals to great value. They don’t skimp on this item like most places, the beef patty is large, the eggs are done perfect and the again, it’s BIG, MOMONA, XXL!!!
Next was the chicken wings. Made sure to order two flavored of 10 wings each, sweet & lemon pepper. Fo’ realz the sweet was off the hook, tasted like Korean Chicken!!! Bomb, moist and again big sized wings.
Musubi was good, you really can’t mess up spam and rice, as they served the sauce on the side.
As you can tell we tried to order EVERYTHANG! So far so good. We ordered the pupu sliders. My brother loved them & although I thought the Kalua pig had that previously frozen taste, the combo of the sweet roll & sauce more than made up for it!
We practically ordered every item on the menu. The short ribs, the chicken and the garlic shrimp were all tasty. Even though I have high standards for all food Hawaiian, (for example, all garlic shrimp is compared to Giovani’s shrimp truck, lau lau’s compared to Helen’s and portions are compared to Rainbo’s drive thru) in context of the Bay Area this place holds its own against all others places that serve local grinds.
We met the owner, Tina, & she filled us in on the story behind KAU KAU corner, husband is from Waimanalo. We loved it! Hopefully they will add lau lau’s, Lomi Lomi salmon, beef stew, curry & chicken long rice. I’m just daydreaming with those additions but it would make this place DA WINNAH!!! The food was all good and the people were better! If you get a chance, this is a must stop for your plate lunch cravings. It’s always good to support locals doing their thing and especially when they are bringing the Aloha Spirit to the bay!
Conclusion: Come on down to KAU KAU Corner, enjoy, eat, talk story, leave with a full stomach and be happy. This is NOT a «waste money» place, in fact I would save money so I can order more from here. If you don’t leave full that’s your own fault!
I will update the review because I just ordered 2 lbs of poke! Can’t wait!!! Onoliscious 4 stars for food and 1 star for the ohana that runs it=5STARS!!!
Mahaloz KAU KAU CORNER!!! No Ka Oi of the east bay!!!

Want good Hawaiian food this is the place to go. Great food, friendly service and good portions. I will be back for more.

The Best Hawaiian restaurant in town! Reasonably priced dishes, the staff are friendly (they make you feel at home) the food is to die for especially their BBQ! The marinade is out of this world amazing! Come over here and check the place out! You’ll get hooked!

For once in my life I only have 2 words… ONO GRINDZ!!!
It’s the best Hawaiian food I’ve had on the mainland period.
Hubby and I got the short ribs, sesame chicken, huli huli chicken and garlic shrimp. All of it was BOMB!!! Everything was very flavorful and fresh.
Auntie and Uncle were very sweet and made sure we weren’t in need of napkins or water.
Will we be coming back from Fremont?! HELLLLLLLL YEAH!!!

Noko Oi!!!
Damn good for mainland Hawaiian food… To your Anthony and Tina from Us Anthony & Teena…
We tried most everything on the menu dinner wise in trip one including all of the local craft sodas. Poke’ salad is my favorite anywhere and this one was excellent over salad (I ordered it that way). Loco Moco was plentiful as it was delicious. Garlic shrimp dinner two ways between our table mates and both were well enjoyed. The short ribs though? Oh man unless you got a islander in your house you ain’t had no short ribs like this…
Definitely Da Kine…
Wife said Broke Da Mouf…

The smell of teriyaki bbq wafting down the street enticed us to try this new restaurant. It smelled so good that even the «Cash Only» sign didn’t deter us. Unfortunately, it was disappointing from then on. The staff was friendly, but the prices were rather high. We wanted to try the sliced bbq beef plate but were told they were all out (it was only 6:30 pm!) so got the short ribs (kalbi) instead, as well as the Kalua pig plate.
The kalbi was pretty tasty, but three very thin strips of meat for $ 15 is not a good deal. The Kalua pig was a pretty good-​sized portion, but on the dry side and too salty for my taste buds. And the green onion/​shoyu sauce that came with it just made everything saltier.
Total came to just under $ 30. For a couple of dollars more, it’s a better deal to get the Bbq Mix Combo pack at L&L (bbq meat, chicken and kalbi which feeds about 4 people) and make your own pot of rice.

My husband and I spotted this place when we went to the Park Street fair and we knew we would have to try it. So, last night we came for dinner, and we weren’t disappointed! Everyone there was so friendly and very attentive. They even gave us a little snack during our wait.
I ordered the Kalua Pork which was amazing. All the right flavors and it tasted so fresh. They gave us some spicy sauce which was great all over my rice. So good! My husband got the loco moco which he loved, and it was a very generous portion. The prices are a bit higher, but it’s supporting local, not a chain.
They are cash only, which may be hard for some (I rarely have cash, so glad I did!)

I was at the Park Street Art & Wine Festival and had gotten Hungry after a few beers .
So I street hiked to Kaukau Corner .
I had High Hopes for Kaukau as I love Hawaiian food.
They only Accept Cash. No Credit .
I perused the Menu and Noticed the Higher than Average prices .
I ordered a Spam Masubi to start .
I wanted to see what the other Patrons Food looked like before I commited for dinner .
I was given my Spam Masubi and I was Disappointed. It was the Smallest Spam Masubi I have ever gotten from a Hawaiian restaurant .
It tasted ok .,
When I saw the Other Patrons Food I was glad I didnt order any other food there .
Portion sizes run on the small side there .
There are so many Better Options for Hawaiian Food in Alameda .
Like Hang Ten Boiler and L&L .
I wont be Back.

** CASH ONLY **
Compact menu with prices that are higher than other Hawaiian spots nearby with single item plates ranging from $ 11 (loco moco) to $ 15 (bbq beef /​short ribs
) 2-​item combo is $ 18 (
) There’s a handful of apps (
) and some ala carte items like fried rice round things out (
)
I got the 2-​item combo with short ribs (galbi) and Kalua Pork which comes with a small cup of finadene sauce (
) along with a Spam musubi ($ 2.50
)
The Musubi has a free-​form rice layer, not from a mold like other places with the rice-​block identical size as the spam. Anyway, good thickness of grilled spam. I would like a little sauce in between the spam & rice (which tasted a little overcooked).
I liked the Kalua Pork which was lightly smokey and moist. The short ribs had a good marinade, but were a little tough and didn’t have much meat from being narrow (
) and really thinly sliced. I wouldn’t get the ribs again, just not worth it for the priciest item on the menu.
Not surprisingly (from the musubi experience), the rice was overcooked and clumpy. I liked the macaroni salad which was not overly mayo-​y and has peas in it (I LOL’d at the reviewer who was offended by the peas)
The cashier /​owner (?) was very nice.
Kalua Pork — 4 stars
Spam Musubi — 3 stars
Short Ribs — 2 stars

New Hawaiian spot in Alameda I think worth checking out if you’re curious. Yes the pictures on the menu are misleading in terms of portions and yes the price point is high. But it’s more than enough food and when was the last time you had juicy, tender, perfectly cooked BBQ chicken or Chicken Katsu (other than when you made it yourself)? It was a first for me in a very long time among the handful of Hawaiian and Japanese joints around here. So yeah I’d gladly pay a little more for a good (not huge) portion of well cooked food. Hope they keep the cooking part up!
Mac salad is your standard mainland Mac salad… rice needed help. Appreciated being able to swap rice for salad. And lastly what’s nice is you don’t leave smelling like a big piece of walking Katsu.
Mahalo and Aloha ke akua!