Mauna Loa Hawaiian BBQ

Tonight we went to Mauna Loa for the first time and knew immediately that we would be returning. The food is delicious.
I ordered the Chicken katsu which was fried super crispy and came with a special katsu sauce that was sweet. My husband ordered the moco loco which was a hamburger patty over rice and topped with an over easy egg. I tasted it and it reminded me of a delicious salisbury steak with an egg.
The atmosphere is cozy and the service is outstanding. Such nice people.
This is comfort food to the max and we will definitely be back.

What I ate: Moco loco, Spam musubi
Visit date: April 25, 2015
First time? Yes.
Thank goodness Sol had a super long wait, otherwise we would have totally skipped over this place. It is goooood Hawaiian food.
Seriously, they had the best Spam musubi I’ve ever had. I know what you’re thinking — That’s so easy to make, how can you mess that up? Well you can. Ok well, maybe not «mess up» but you can definitely up your musubi game. The Spam was soft inside, slight crisp on outside. I could bite through the seaweed (this is rare!). The rice had a hint of sweet and sour. And the sauce was glorious… sweet and salty. The sauce brought it all together.
The Moco Loco — same thing. You can’t really mess it up but you can elevate it. Mauna Loa delivered. The runny egg and tender beef patty seasoned perfectly over steamed rice. It was all so comforting. And the macaroni salad didn’t feel too heavy. Bonus points!
They have a large selection of beverages — pick your own from the fridge.
Friendly staff. Clean bathroom. Street parking is limited. I’m craving it now…

This place was so so so good I’m coming back definitely and I’m bringing back my family they’re going to love it. I had the chicken Kutsu and my daughter had barbecue chicken and they were both delicious excellent sauces homemade sauces

Great place to meet friends or for take out. Much healthier than a fast food joint. I have been a customer for as long as they have been in business. Great family-​run establishment.

I loved it! Went here a few nights ago with the bf, we each got a combo plate so we could try multiple different things. Everything was delicious but I especially recommend the cabbage salad for its super fine shredded texture and tangy dressing, the teriyaki, and especially the chicken katsu. Honestly the best katsu I’ve had in a long time, possibly ever! The chicken was moist and flavorful, the coating was even and crispy without being a grease bomb, and the sauce, which was served on the side in a squeeze bottle, was delicious.
Service was just right, laid back but never negligent. There’s a self-​serve fridge with a wide variety of canned and bottled drinks, several of which I’ve never tried before.
Prices were in line with any other Hawaiian BBQ place I’ve ever been to in California, and I thought my portion was perfect for dinner. There are plenty of little sides you can order if you’re feeling extra hungry which is nice.

Like others have said it is over priced and skimpy portions. I ordered three small ass katsu musubi’s and a side of steamed brocoli which came out to $ 12.50. I had asked for water when I ordered but the server forgot even after I received my meal. I don’t know how they manage to stay in business. SMH.
And for the people who gave this place four stars or more you’re either being way too generous or you all haven’t had real Hawaiian food yet.

Lame. For Hawaiian food this placie is expensive. Skimpy portions too. This place would never survive outside of Marin County, where people pay too much for everything. None of this food comes even close to L&L.
Thiis place isn’t Hawaiian… it’s Chinese counterfeit.

Price is good, nice ppl working, pretty clean, big portions. The chicken katsu was pretty salty, but i still ate it. I have Katsu before & not as salty. Ill be back!

Loco moco and spam musubi are da kine grinds
Every time I have a need for island style
I cruz. Love love love this place

Oh my lord… is this place good.
I’VE NEVER HAD HAWAIIAN BBQ before today!
The flavors are so unique and the food was perfectly prepared :))

Excellent food for a great price! The Kalua Pork is awesome, as is the rice, cabbage and mac salad. Friendly service, too!

Not a bad meal, my first time having Hawaiian food but got to say it’s good.
I really like the grilled teriyaki chicken and a deep-​fried prongs it’s a nice cozy place to come to with the family very nice

Discovered Mauna Loa Hawaiian BBQ next to the famous SOL. I decided to take my friend Julie out to lunch one day and choose Mauna Loa as our luncheon spot.
Parking: City parking lot behind Mauna Loa/​Sol. Costs 0.75 an hour.
Service: The lady who served us was very friendly. We were seated promptly, food was served efficiently and we were waved good-​bye as we left.
Food:
Spam Musubi ($ 1.95): I ordered this for myself. It is delicous, but it has a thick coat of glaze over it which I am not use to.
Hawaiian BBQ Chicken ($ 7.25 lunch): damn, that chicken smells good. It tastes delicious too and it comes with 2 scoops rice and choice of macaroni or asian salad.
Garlic Shrimp ($ 10.25): I am a little disappointed with how this turned out. I have had garlic butter shrimp in Hawaii before and the one here at Mauna Loa wasn’t too Hawaiian-​authentic. Comes with rice and salad too.
Atmosphere: This is a great place to catch up with a friend over some comfort food. There’s a lot of tables and service is friendly. Mauna Loa had a café-​style atmosphere, very low key. There aren’t a lot of Hawaiian decorations infused into this restaurant. But hey, they do have shaved ice!

In college we used to always eat Hawaiian so I still love to go back and reminisce with some BBQ teriyaki chicken, rice, macaroni and cabbage salad. I don’t usually get too adventurous because that’s exactly what I have come here to order! :)
Mauna’s BBQ chicken is delicious and in plentiful quantities. The temperature on the Mac and Cabbage salads are perfect, served chilled, which really brings the dish together for me. The shrimp appetizers are good, the breading can sometimes be a bit heavy. Serves 15 varieties of beer in bottle in addition to the regular canned options.
The owner busses the tables and is a very nice guy and welcoming to his guests. We have been 5 or 6 times and it always hits the spot. It is also speedy, you can order ahead for pickup or just pop in and it’s typically ready under 10 mins. Good portions, delicious food, good price, quick and easy. Cheers!

I think this place does a pretty big disservice by serving their Chicken Teriyaki that has absolutely no resemblance to Hawaiian BBQ. The chicken was cooked out a grilled but it had absolutely no taste to it other than the teriyaki sauce. The color of the chicken looked way too white as well which normally you’d probably get a Chicken Teriyaki that is a nice brown glazed type of look.
I think with such a big miss on such a basic dish like this, I wouldn’t be quick to come back.