Papa Ole’s

The amount of good meals we had in Hawaii were endless, and Papa Olé’s was one of them. Spur of the moment decision in which I had no idea how I landed upon this joint, maybe it was the high ratings or the fried chicken they had.
It wasn’t far from where we were staying, so the drive took us less than 10 minutes. The restaurant was quite spacious but no air conditioning. They had the rotating ceiling fans, better than nothing. The fiancè and I wanted to try their garlic chicken but it was completely sold out, bummer. Instead we ordered the original fried chicken and pulehu ribs. Best decision ever!
Our plates did take a while since it was made to order. Once we had our plates, we jumped right into it. The fried chicken was crunchy and flavorful, it had a bit of sweetness in the marinade which made it very unique. But the star was actually the pulehu ribs. Even though it might look charred and burnt, it was absolutely delicious. So moist and tender, packed with flavor. This was a carnivore’s dream.
Overall, an excellent meal.

Not good at all. We ended up throwing the ribs away because it was nothing but burnt chewy fat… all we could taste was charcoal…20 down the drain. And it took forever to get and we were the only ones there…

Good local food. Went to this place from a recommendation. It was closed the first day we tried (wednesday).

Wow, this place is good! It was recommended by someone we met at our hotel and we were not disappointed.
We ordered the marinated and seasoned beef ribs for $ 13 per plate. Both were fantastic and served with two scoops of white rice and a scoop of macaroni salad.
Our daughter ordered the garlic shrimp, which was the best I’ve ever tasted. Our son ordered the chicken teriyaki, and it was good as well.
Papa Olé’s food is awesome with large portions more than suitable for sharing for a phenomenal price. I highly recommend this place if you are in the area.

We’ve eaten here before and the food has always been fantastic. Today was a little different. We had local moco, country fried steak and 3 roasted pork dinners. One of the pork dinners was so salty it couldn’t be eaten but I he other two where perfect as was the rest of the meal. We had unfortunately left when we realized the one was unable to be eaten. I will still eat here but now will taste test everything before leaving.

Papa Olé’s is your best option for breakfast, lunch and dinner in Hauula. They have lots of outdoor picnic table seating and made to order local favorites like Pulehu Ribs, Loco Moco, Furikake Salmon, Roast Pork and Beef Stew.
I ordered the Garlic Chicken and Garlic Shrimp Combo – totally unconcerned about having garlic breath for the rest of the day. The Garlic Chicken is boneless dark meat chicken with a crispy, mochiko chicken-​like batter, dunked in a shoyu-​garlic sauce. The chicken was juicy and tender and right out of the fryer. The Garlic Shrimp is served in shell and sautéed with margarine and garlic. It’s a good portion of medium sized shrimp with an artificial butter flavor.
With rice and mac salad these are hearty plates perfect after a day at the beach, just beware of the kanak attack that’s sure to follow.

O. M. G. Go here! We went here before going to the Polynesian Center and this was BY FAR our favorite place we have eaten in our trip. Located in a small strip, it was maybe 11 am and it was already packed– good sign? The place itself is run down and going to the restroom is weird cuz you go behind the counter and into the kitchen. Anywho, menu fairly small and they have so many different variants of it so it confused me. They don’t state on their menu there that u can have a mixed plate, but I saw the Facebook menu did. Let me tell you, HUGE PORTIONS; everything is seasoned beautifully and my gosh. It made us satisfied. They didn’t ask if you wanted macaroni salad or greens like I thought and automatically gave us macaroni salad, we don’t really like that but whatever. Anywho, try this place. And the garlic chicken! I dream of it every night (even though it doesn’t taste like garlic)

One of only places open on a Sunday night this seems like the place to get food. Located in a non-​descriptive and lonely plaza, people are all waiting outdoors or eating outdoors.
The wait for this food is long, probably just can’t churn out all the food in the same pace it’s ordered. I’d order first, then go to Long’s drugs or something for a walk.
The pulehu ribs is delicious and generous as it’s grilled. Comes with two scoops of rice and macaroni salad for an affordable price. It’s enough food to fill two people and save room for dessert.
This place did not disappoint, people were nice and seemed to know the regulars.

The garlic chicken is kind of like bite sized fried chicken with a little sweetness.
The mac salad has some sweetness to it too. Cheap… I’d go back!

When I think of my favorite meals on the island… Papa Olé’s is one of em! This hole in the wall restaurant is crazy delicious! We ordered three dishes: Ainea’s special with mushroom, garlic chicken and the ribs. The Ainea came with a burger patty, grilled mushroom and onions, and mushroom gravy all over with two scoops of rice and mac salad. I’m seriously drooling as I’m about to write the description of this beautiful masterpiece. The mushroom gravy was so flavorful, thick and creamy. Everything just went so well together I cant explain this mouthgasm. You just have to try it for yourself. The ribs and garlic chicken were pretty good. But the winner is the Ainea’s special :)))) P. S. a signed picture of the Rock’s is on the wall!

Local grinds for sure. This is a cash only establishment with a very casual dining atmosphere.
There is an open and airy seating area that is covered, and about 4 tables inside as well. Walk up to the counter to order, and your food will be brought to you when it’s ready. Today, my partner and I ordered the regular pulehu short ribs for $ 13, and it was plenty enough for both of us to share. Because it’s cooked to order, don’t hesitate to tell them how you want it done. We asked for ours medium. Comes with the normal plate lunch standard of 2 scoops of rice, and 1 scoop of mac salad. The ribs are thick sliced, so be prepared to do some chomping and getting messy.
They share this small little strip mall with CVS, Tamura’s Market, and Domino’s. Lots of open parking.

I originally wanted to come here for their peanut butter roll, but they weren’t serving it until the afternoon T.T. I came in the morning, but decided to get some food anyway since we made the drive there.
I got my bf and I the garlic chicken plate with mac salad and 2 scoops of rice.
the chicken was pretty flavorful and crunchy! There were just some pieces that were actually kind of luke warm while the other pieces were hot.
Overall, it was pretty good.

Diamond in the rough… for sure.
Rushing up to the Cultural Center for the Polynesian Hall of Fame ceremony, we didn’t take time to enjoy our surroundings during our sojourn. Arriving part way into the introductions, we listened and waited as they unveiled the new inductees displays in the hall. My friend who sat on the other side of the lobby was enjoying his breakfast under a shady tree. He offered me a rib, but, having enjoyed a plate of grilled abalone, I had no stomach space.
After the program concluded about four hours later, we stopped at a Long’s Drugs for a tire gauge because our rental car’s warning light flashed as we were driving here. While here, my friend again offered to get me some ribs to try… and, given his persistence, I knew there must be with good reason.
He ordered me a mini plate of their famed Pulehu ribs (
). Still stressed about the car problem, I tried it about two hours later, after returning to our hotel after exchanging for a new vehicle.
At first glance, you’d think. hmmm, doesn’t look special and the cut looks like it’ll be chewy. After my first bite… a grin formed on my lips. They were so tender that I can imagine eating this when I have no teeth!
I ate two of the three provided ribs in the mini and my friend ate the other one… made me wish I didn’t offer it to him.
Hope to have this again my next trip up North Shore… this time, it’ll be a LARGE plate!

One of the best places that I ate during my Oahu trip. Thanks Unilocal reviewers, you didn’t let me down! Simple Hawaiian plate lunches. Very popular place for both the locals and tourists.
Ambiance: This is your typical hole in the wall eatery. Don’t expect anything fancy.
Location: Located away from the hustle and bustle of Honolulu. A bit of a drive if you are staying in the city but worth the try if you are spending a day in North Shore.
Service: Friendly staff.
Food: Very generous portions! It took awhile for our food to be ready but it was definitely worth the wait. My husband and I ordered the short rib plate, fried chicken plate and a half order of garlic chicken. Everything was so good. Each short rib was huge, probably the thickest short rib that I’ve ever had! It was nicely marinated and perfectly charred. The fried chicken was very juicy and tender with a nice batter. The garlic chicken wasn’t vey garlicky but was still delicious. It was covered with a semi-​sweet glaze. All the plates were served with macaroni salad and rice.
I will definitely be back every time I come to Oahu.

Where do you go to get traditional Hawaiian food in the North Shore you ask? Papa Oles, I answer. The sticky rice and macaroni salad that come with every entrée are perfect pairings to the main course. I had the salmon special and let me tell you, I’ve never had salmon like this. The bbq flavor was surprising and delicious. I think it took me a total of 3 minutes to eat it.
This casual affair is a must to do on the north shore.
Sadly, they were out of their peanut butter bread for 2 days straight because of Valentine’s Day! I guess this just gives me a reason to go back to North Shore. But if they are out when you go, ask for cinnamon rolls. Best I’ve ever had! Don’t share, get your own.

Papa Olé’s definitely looks to be a favorite with locals on the North Shore. We waited ~15 minutes to order, and another 30 minutes for our lunch order on a Saturday, but it was definitely worth it. I can’t imagine how a person could eat here on a regular basis, though, their plate lunches are not the healthiest dishes around.
THE HIGHLIGHTS.
+ Crispy, sweet garlic chicken (definitely recommend this)
+ Peanut butter rolls (sheer trashy goodness — just King’s Hawaiian bread rolls smothered in a whipped butter-​peanut butter mixture)
+ Uncle Olé’s Special is worth your time (comes with Pulehu short ribs, garlic shrimp, mac salad, and rice), but is best if shared
Parking is widely available in the plaza lot, and there are large picnic tables located out front, as well as tables indoors. It IS cash only, though, so be prepared. I recommend getting your order to go, taking it somewhere pretty (the beach is like 50 feet away), and having a small picnic!

Papa Olé’s is one of the places I love to go to that’s located on the East Side of Oahu. It’s a drive from Kaimuki but well worth it. They are open for breakfast, but it’s lunch that I’d rather go.
I usually eat J’s special for $ 16. It comes with Mac salad and hella soft wet rice. Huge pulehu short rib beef and butter garlic shrimp. So Ono and if you’re not hungry you’ve got leftovers!
The crinkly fries are $ 4 but they come in a big container.
On this particular trip I also ordered garlic chicken. It was voted by Darcie I as best garlic chicken on the island. Why? It was not too breaded and there were chunks of chicken. The garlic flavor was just right and not too intense.
I told them about the how we felt about the chicken. The girls just smiled but who was later identified as Olé looked at me with what I interpreted as damn townie. Lol.
For me this is a guarantee winner.

Short and Sweet:
I was excited to try this place but unfortunately it did not meet to my expectations.
Food:
Garlic Chicken
Pulchu Ribs
Lots of tables located outside. Very clean and nice workers.

The hidden gem located in North Shore side. If you are unlucky like me, you’d have to drive miles and over an hour and a half just to get there, but let me tell you… It is worth every gallon of gas.
Local born here in Oahu Hawaii, I find it very sentimental to come to family owned businesses rather than company based businesses that are everywhere. I find it very significant to support our little Oahu auntie and uncle family owned businesses.
I have to say that stepping foot into this restaurant, you are welcomed with such aloha and a wide variety of choices! Not to mention, they give a lot of food for a reasonable price! I had the garlic chicken and shrimp combo. The chicken was amazing! I swear, their chicken has to be hands down, one of the best garlic chickens I have ever tasted. Their shrimp was yummy too, and more so… Their Mac salad!
We also tried the peanut butter bread? You must try. The bread is so soft. I’m not sure if the bread is home made, but it sure taste like it is. Nothing taste better than home made! I wish I knew what type of peanut butter they used as well. It almost tasted as if it was melted together with butter. It was absolutely amazing.
Would I come back and drive another 30 something miles for almost 2 hours just to get a plate? Heck yes. I plan on doing so for at least once a month!

I LOVE THIS PLACE! I have never left disappointed or unsatisfied, and their staff is always warm and friendly.
My usual order is the Big J’s Special, Pulehu Ribs and Garlic Shrimp mix. The way they char their ribs, and caramelize the fat at the tips is something special! Tastes like ribs hibachi’d at the beach. Their garlic shrimp is so tasty too, and for a combo, they give plenty of both. Wait till you feel the plate, it’s got some WEIGHT!
Hubby likes the double cheese burgers… homemade patties! I always order whatever their serving up for dessert too (no one consistent item), and I’ve never been disappointed. Banana Cream Pie, Chocolate Cream cheese Pie, Peanut Butter Rolls, etc. Portions are LARGE for desserts too, enough to share among 2 or 3.
Tried their Pastele Stew once, and it was ok, but I think I’ll always stick to their Pulehu Ribs. I can’t think of any other restaurant that comes close to the flavor of their ribs. I’ve already done a couple of 73 mile (RT) food runs to Papa Olé’s when my family’s in the mood for their ribs… Yes, its that good!