Cafe 100 — Restaurant in Hawaii

Cafe 100 in Hilo is a local institution that lives up to its reputation as the birthplace of the Loco Moco. This unpretentious eatery, with its rich history and comforting fare, offers a genuine taste of Hawaii without breaking the bank.

Founded by Richard Miyashiro, a veteran of the renowned 100th Infantry Battalion from World War II, Cafe 100 has been serving the community since 1949. The restaurant's name pays homage to the 100th Battalion, reflecting a legacy of service that extends beyond the kitchen.

The star of the menu is undoubtedly the original Loco Moco. This iconic Hawaiian dish, consisting of a hamburger patty over rice, topped with a fried egg and smothered in gravy, doesn't disappoint. It's a hearty, satisfying meal that embodies the essence of local comfort food.

Service at Cafe 100 is notably efficient. Despite its popularity, the wait times are minimal, and food arrives promptly - a boon for hungry travelers and locals alike.

A standout side dish is the macaroni salad. Creamy, well-seasoned, and perfectly chilled, it may well be the best version of this Hawaiian staple you'll find on the island. It's a must-try accompaniment to any meal here.

What's particularly refreshing about Cafe 100 is its reasonable pricing, especially considering Hawaii's typically high food costs. It offers a budget-friendly option for those looking to sample authentic local cuisine without straining their wallet.

The atmosphere is casual and welcoming, reflecting the laid-back vibe of Hilo. Don't come expecting fine dining - this is a place where the focus is squarely on the food and its ability to satisfy.

Cafe 100 stands as a testament to the enduring appeal of simple, well-prepared local food. It honors its history while continuing to serve up the dishes that have made it a beloved part of Hilo's culinary landscape for over seven decades. For anyone seeking an authentic, no-frills Hawaiian dining experience, Cafe 100 should be high on the...

Korean Fried Chicken Plate ($7.80) is served with 1 scoop mac salad and 2 scoops rice. This KFC has a good flavor. The chicken is crispy on the outside and tender and juicy on the inside. The sauce on the outside has a nice balance of sweet and savory like a light teriyaki sauce. I am very picking about my mac salad, growing up with my dad’s recipe. Café 100’s mac salad has a good flavor. Rating: 4.5/5

Beef Stew Plate ($7.75, Saturday Daily Special) is an original Miyashiro family recipe served with 1 scoop mac salad and 2 scoops rice. The beef stew has a good homemade base with lots of flavor. You can taste the rich beef and slow cooked tomatoes. The beef chunks are large and so tender. The carrots and potatoes are tender but not mushy. Eat your rice with the leftover sauce! Rating: 4.5/5

Super Loco ($6.99) is loco moco to da max! It is rice stacked with 1 hamburger patty, Portuguese sausage, Spam, and 2 eggs. The meats are juicy with caramelized edges from the flat-top grill adding another layer of flavor of fatty, porky goodness. The gravy has the right consistency, not too thick and not too thin, and enrobes the rice and meats with ease. Break those yolks and the richness of the egg adds another layer of flavor too. Rating: 5/5

Turnover ($2.75) are something that my mom has a craving for every time she comes back home. I had not tried them before, but I have to say, I now know why she loves them so much. The turnovers are handmade and can sometimes run out so go early. These were filled with apple pie filling encased in a homemade crust, deep-fried for a golden brown, crispy exterior, and topped off with powdered sugar. The baked aroma and sweet apple filling will transport you to a time where you are in the kitchen as a child with your mom or grandma...

We drove across the island to visit Hilo and planned on having lunch there. We had decided to have a Moco Loco, and found that Cafe 100 was conveniently located close to the main drag on the bay. Be warned that it is difficult to get into the parking lot from the opposite side of the street at lunchtime due to the traffic. People behind you will also be ticked off because there is no turning lane. You are better off approaching from the opposite direction so you can turn directly into the lot. Second thing - the parking lot is not that small but this place gets CROWDED at lunch. It is next to government offices and I assume many of those workers get their lunch here. The cafe is also located next to and seems to share the lot with a motel which adds to the congestion. Okay, so once you get in there, this is not an indoor restaurant. You give your order at the window, wait for the food (took about 10 minutes) and eat at tables which are under a roof with no windows/doors. There were lines at both windows at lunchtime and the total wait from getting on line to sitting down to eat was about 20 minutes. Your best bet is to send a friend or spouse to nail down a table while you wait near the window for your order to be called out. The menu must have about 12 different types of moco loco along with other fry food dishes and sides. We went with the standard moco loco combo whcih includes fries and a drink. We're not talking Cordon bleu cooking here but the food was okay. It hit the spot but I have had better moco loco at places on Maui and Kauai. I hear that the Hawaiian Style cafe serves a good dish but Cafe 100 was nearby and...