Rainbow Drive-In — Restaurant in Honolulu

Yah, it's sad that Rainbows quality has fallen through the years. I have been going there since it opened. I new the owner and throgh the years became mutual friends. As I said time has changed Rainbow's food presentation. The boneless chicken used to be one of my favorites, but not today. When it first came out it was nice and crispy and full of fried chicken flavor, now it's soggy: no crisp! It taste like shake and bake! No more! The shoyu chicken too was one of my favorites but not now. It is so over cooked and dry! they skimp on the gravy which is where the flavor is, all in all the shoyu chicken is dry, very tough, very chincy on the gravy. No more! The chicken long rice is not the same. The long rice glass noodle they use is not as good as before. Dry chicken and long rice. The flavor and texture is not there anymore. The Bar b q beef is tough and again over cooked. Very little portion. I don't know why the Mac abd rice is getting skimpy. Don't understand why they would ve so chancy. Mac and rice is not that expensive and in Hawaii we love our rice and especially our Mac salad! I guess Rainbow has finally catered to the tourist more so than the locals who made them where they are now. I just hope they, owners, don't forget us. I go to Tanaka's now, alittle off from Kahala where I live but, we locals will seek out good food and value. Should i go to Rainbow's I will only go for the chili dog plate, it's still how it was in...

At long last, a second location for one of Hawaii's most storied plate lunch spots. The new Kalihi location (at the corner of N. School and Houghtailing streets) is much smaller than the Kapahulu spot, but will still be a big draw for "gravy all over" fans in town.

At launch (May 1, 2018), daily hours start from 7am to 3pm, but those will expand over time. Also, some menu items (like onion rings and tater tots) aren't yet available, and daily specials are coming soon.

Still, you'll find a good slate of favorites! Plate lunches (boneless chicken with brown gravy, beef or pork cutlet, hamburger steak, chili dog plate, loco moco plate, mix plate, etc.), burgers and sandwiches (Rainbow Special, Rainbow Royal, fish sandwich, tuna salad sandwich,hot dog with chili etc.), and sides (chili bowl, saimin, mac salad, etc.). And you can top things off with a slush float or ice cream cone!

Plate lunches range in price from $7.75 to $9.95, and portions are not skimpy. There are only a few tables, and parking in...

Comfort food that's better than the Kapahulu location (see pics). Friendly folks at the register. Deals available...school specials are great (burger, fries, and ice cream slushie all for $6 flat? Yes, please)!

Metered on-street parking on School St. is tight. Parking is also tight but free in lot in back. Parking lot entrance is on Houghtailing, for easiest entry drive on Houghtailing towards School St., otherwise you'll be awkwardly turning left from School St. in a dangerous intersection.

Public bathrooms outside but at least they're there.

Good spacing in restaurant. Bring your strollers. Nothing fancy at all, but air conditioned and chill in more ways than one. Forget Kapahulu location, too overrun with tourists anyway and it's HOT there. This is more old school than the original location, strangely.

Tap to pay or touchless only as of June 2021 (because COVID of course). Mask up, per current state mandate. Employees are masked and...