Years ago, Rainbow Drive-In, the popular plate lunch spot on Kapahulu Avenue, opened Rainbow Drive-In Express on Coral Street in Kakaako, serving its specialties such as loco moco and chicken cutlet to the downtown crowd.
But it turned out to be more work (and less return), so the drive-in pulled out and turned over the space to Hank’s Haute Dogs.
The idea of opening a second — even smaller — location was shelved, and owner Jimmy Gusukuma decided to focus on the 49-year-old drive-in on Kanaina Street while growing the business in other ways, such as expanding its merchandise line and introducing new items such as a dry chili mix and eco-friendly bags.
Until this year, when a small restaurant space on Koa Avenue behind the Hyatt Regency Waikiki opened up.
Gusukuma, along with a few partners, opened up Rainbow Dine-In & Take-Out this week — first official day of operations was Wednesday — serving its popular breakfast and plate lunch items to a Waikiki crowd, relying heavily on the foot traffic — there’s no parking — of visitors and workers in the area.
Naturally — being a huge Rainbow Drive-In fan — I had to check it out.
Here’s what we ate:
no images were found
Rainbow Dine-In & Take-Out, 2420 Koa Ave. Hours: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. www.rainbowdrivein.com. Follow on Twitter @rainbowdrivein
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To read all of Cat’s blogs, visit www.nonstophonolulu.com/thedailydish. Follow Cat on Twitter @thedailydish or send her an e-mail at [email protected]
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23 Comments
Whoo Hoo. Looks so ono. I know that lady in pic #3, that’s NKHEA’s wife IKHEA. I know they go Rainbows everytime. Wishing Rainbow Dine-In a huge success.
hmmmmm… something about the newness of the place doesn’t resonate well with me. The atmoshpere seems to commercial. I kinda like the old “mom and pop” type feeling I get when I grind my chicken-cutlet-plate-with-gravy-all-over at the Kapahulu location. It’s kinda like putting Matsumoto’s Shave Ice in Macy’s…just no feel right. Gotta keep our roots rooted.
It’s so convenient and I’ve been there 3 times already since they opened.
@PHOTOluluTV And I thought I was a Rainbow’s addict! You’ve got me beat!
Isn’t this the one make mango pie? That something so special no where else make ti.
@Erica Nope, no mango pie. Actually, Rainbow’s doesn’t serve any baked goods — aside from the fried apple pie. Oh, yeah 🙂
Hmmm… That dude in pic #4 looks like he has some questionable intent, LOL!
Cat, do you really feel the pancakes rival Eggs ‘n’ Things? Those are the fluffiest, yummiest ‘cakes on the island. If so, I’ll have to try ’em. T.I.A.
@MaxMaxMax I prefer Rainbow’s pancakes over Eggs. In fact, that place has really gone down in terms of flavor and quality. New ownership? New location? We should send @NonStopMari on it!
@Cat @MaxMaxMax aiyah, i’d have to battle all the jpnese tourists. idk, idk if any pancakes are worth that…
@NonStopMari @Cat Hmmm, you both have points, and it’s definitely not the same Eggs ‘n’ Things since they moved. I really miss the old place, and sitting at the surf board bar eating breakfast–and having that “locals only” knowledge that it was a different, quicker list to sign in for, separate from the tables, LOL! And parking is even worse, as if that was even possible, but it is worse…
Well, Rainbow’s is on the list now, t’anks!
Oh Cat, have you seen that a Koa Pancake House is supposed to open next to Pet’s Discount (at Hawaii Kai Towne Center?) Not sure when because they’ve had the windows papered over with no other info for a while now…
Hello Cat!
My guud friend is the partner in this!
Great stuff Cat, just great stuff … if I still lived in Hawai’i I’d be there in a heartbeat … have said this before, but will say it again … I really apreciate what you (and the great folks you work with) do. Somehow it is reassuring to know all these great places are still there making Hawai’i a foodie paradise. If anybody is going to Hawai’i Nonstop is the first website I’m referring them to.
Fuud Prom I can really relate to! Only one picture is missing: the obligatory Strawberry Slush/Slush Float. As you said great place for the people surfing the breaks out there to just walk over and grab something to eat.
You know this place will be packed with folks on Sunday, Dec 12, Marathon Sunday. I wouldn’t be surprised if folks would be lining up before 7am just to beat the crowd.
CAT:
Aaaiiiyyyaaahhh! Fuud Pix! Tenks! RDI is not my go to place unless I am in a cholestorol bustin’ mood! The slush float stuff is great after the beach! The amount of gravy they use is sinful…aaahhh what a way to go!
as anyone knows, who has read your blog for the last few years, Rainbow is your go to place in good times and bad times. Nothing bridges the boyfriend gap like stacks of Rainbow pancakes.
these days, in this economy, with so many of HNLs old time standards falling by the wayside, it’s good to know Rainbow persists. the owner is savy, knowing how to cut losses early without losing sight of the need to grow incremental revenue- regrouping, attacking the market again from a different angle instead of hunkering down and waiting for the storm to blow over.
that the new place is on Koa is nice. i love that little strip behind the hotel. it’s more like an alley than a street. it’s got my favorite surf shop right upstairs-Koa Board Sports. they are the only place i know in Waikiki that carry Birdwell boardshorts, hand made in San Diego County (they’re having a family dispute over there so production has halted for now).
so, if sometime after March 15, you see a real old guy wearing vintage Birdies and wolfing down a chili dog boat, that would be me.
My wrong in the mango pie at Rainbow Drive Inn. It Like Like Drive Inn and it Baked Banana Pie.
@Erica
Double Crusted Banana Pie, definitely one of my top 5 fave desserts or inbetween meals snack item. In town, the places that I know of where you can get a DC Banana Pie is Like Like Drive In and Columbia Inn Express??? (not sure about the name but it’s on the makai, dh corner of Piikoi and Kinau Sts, used to be a 7-11). I know that a fresh batch of Banana Pies is delivered to Columbia Express around 5pm on weekdays. Still warm and OH, SO ONO!
Another place for DC Banana Pie is Sunnyside Bakery. On Kilani Ave in Wahiawa. Across the street from the Wahiawa Courthouse and adjacent to the large baseball/softball field.
On picture number 8 if you add three pieces of link sausage it would be the perfect breakfast. Bacon might also work?
This is half way to a cardiologist’s office. Only for special occasions.
Aww crap. There goes the parking spot for the quick visit to Pinoy at Koa’s.
Good to know they offer brown rice here.
[…] image from Fuud Share and […]