Minit Stop

For a cheap, tasty, consistent lunch, I think that Minit Stop is pretty hard to beat. I work nearby, and will oftentimes grab a bento in the morning before work, or slip away for some fried chicken at lunchtime. Their chicken is always hot, crispy, and perfectly cooked. Their egg rolls are also amazing, although I wish they’d add the option for a hot mustard sauce! If you’re there in the morning, grab a tasty breakfast bento for five bucks; they’re surprisingly plentiful and extremely filling.
The service is always polite and efficient, not over the top– it is a gas station, after all. Finally, their specials and sales on things like chips, sodas, and other snacks are always pretty decent, and comparable to grocery-​store prices. If you’re out and about, starving, and short on time and cash, I’d definitely recommend Minit Stop before any drive-​thru.

WTF happened to Minit Stop?
Growing up on Maui, Minit Stop’s fried chicken and potato wedges were a picnic dream – perfectly crisp and salty. I recently went on a short trip to Maui and my dreams for delectable salty goodness were dashed! The chicken was soggy, flavorless, and dry. It was how I imagined a hologram at a Star Trek convention would taste like – nothing!
Sadness.

Chicken is good stuff. And egg rolls always crispy, along with flavorful potato wedges. Here’s a concern, though: the don’t allow any substitution on their boxed meals. for example, the 3-​piece comes with 2 thighs and a drumstick and I asked to switch out the drum for another thigh and they refused to do so, even when I offered to pay the difference… I would have to pay the full price of another thigh to change it… even the manager wouldn’t allow it! Now THAT needs some customer service work in ‘getting to yes.’

This Minit Stop is conveniently located and great to go to if you are in a hurry in the morning, to grab some breakfast. My daughter always loved the Spam Musubi and once I ordered 2 trays ahead of time for her soccer game. However it is a bit pricey. Getting gas was frustrating at times when people would leave their car at the pump and shop inside. Management has posted signs to address this, so I guess people complained about it. All in all, I would continue to go there.

It’s Minit Stop chicken time, BAY-​BEE!
There are 5 gotta-​dos when on a Maui layover:
1. Drive to Makawao for Mexican at Poli’s & hot dog buns at Komoda’s.
2. Roll down Haleakala Highway and into Sam Sato’s for dry min.
3. Catch a sunset along Wailea or Makena. Best from the cliffside walk or the upper tee box at WGC.
4. Have refreshments with my bud Bruce … preferably over the hibachi on his lanai or at Sansei.
5. Swing by Minit Stop for a couple boxes of their fried chicken before waddling onto the plane.
Minit Stop has that old fashioned Woolworth-​style fried chicken. Those who were around in the 80’s know what I’m talking about. We aren’t talking gourmet. This is local, picnic-​y fried chicken. It’s especially awesome because they let you pick the types of pieces that go into your container. Hubs is a drumstick man so we pile in the gams with a couple of wing-​a-​lings tossed in for me.
Yummy crunch that breaks into succulent bite. Comfortably seasoned. M E L T. To be honest, I have no idea what else you can find at Minit Stop. I know they are a convenience store so I’m guessing they have a lot of what you’d find in 7-​eleven.
Maui no ka yum!

Minit Stop is a gas station & convenience store, home to their infamous fried chicken.
FOOD:
Portuguese Bean Soup — From a gas station?! Yes, and it’s pretty damn awesome. Savory and full of veggies. Go early because they run out pretty fast.
Fried Chicken — This is what they’re known for. Crispy & flavorful drumsticks, thighs and wings done in original, spicy and sweet chili. Excellent alternative to KFC.
Potato Wedges — Big spears that are breaded in their original seasoning and deep fried.
TIP:
They participate in the Hawaii Fueling Network (HFN) gas card. First Hawaiian Bank ATM inside.