Richie's Drive Inn — Restaurant in Honolulu

Recently, I revisited Richie’s Drive Inn after a prolonged absence, and the changes were immediately apparent. Gone were the familiar cardboard boxes of yesteryears, replaced by modern plastic containers for packaging. Despite the shift in presentation, the essence of the place remained unchanged.

Opting for nostalgia, I ordered the classic shoyu chicken, a dish that had always been a favorite of mine. The price, around $11, seemed reasonable for the quality and quantity of food provided. Additionally, I decided to treat my mother to a barbecue chicken, although the exact price eluded me in the moment.

Upon arrival, we were presented with the choice of dining in or utilizing the drive-thru service. Opting for convenience, we chose the latter, and to our delight, found ourselves the sole patrons in the queue, ensuring a swift and efficient service.

As the food arrived, it was evident that the years had not dulled Richie’s culinary prowess. My plate of shoyu chicken was a triumph, bursting with flavor and generously adorned with savory gravy—a delightful reminder of why I had been a fervent fan in years gone by.

Yet, it was not just the food that left a lasting impression; the warmth and friendliness of the staff added an extra layer of satisfaction to the dining experience. Their genuine hospitality served as a testament to the establishment's commitment to customer satisfaction.

Reflecting on the experience, I couldn’t help but feel perplexed by the negative reviews that some had left for Richie’s Drive Inn. My own encounter was nothing short of exemplary, with both the food and service exceeding my expectations.

In conclusion, my return to Richie’s Drive Inn was a resounding success. The familiar flavors, coupled with impeccable service, reignited my appreciation for this culinary gem. As I departed, I made a silent vow to return, knowing that I had discovered a place where excellence was not just a fleeting moment but a...

I've always drove past this place and wondered how it was. Just recently a friend told me how much he loved this place. So I knew I had to try it one day.

Fast forward to last week when I knew I was going to be in the area so I made it a point to stop and grab some lunch for me and the better half. My friend was raving how much he likes the chili dog plate and that it is enough food for two meals and the flavor of the chili is good so that's what I got. The chili was ok, not blow my mind (note: the better half and I make a pretty decent chili) and the hot dog was like a regular Oscar Meyer one. I could of eaten the whole thing in one sitting but the better half is watching what I ear lately and told me to eat half only. Truthfully I was satisfied eating half the plate. After all it did come with two scoops of rice, two hot dogs and a scoop of macaroni salad for like $8. So for the price it is a pretty good deal.

Today I tried their guava smoked meat with onions. The meat was flavorful. Thinly sliced cuts of meat with grilled onions. It too came with two scoops of rice and a scoop of mac salad.

The better half wants to try their shoyu chicken which I heard is really popular. Like it sells out at times popular. I also want to try their breakfast plates if I'm in the area early in the day.

What makes Richies unique is that they have a drive through. I think it might be the only plate lunch place that has one. The food comes out in about 3-5 minutes and off you go. The workers are friendly, the food is above mediocre, and they give a plateful. It's a win in my book.

Just one note, if you have nice rims with really low profile tires on, you might want to drive really carefully as there is potholes and you might curb your rims. I hope they fix the parking...

Last time I ordered from Richie’s was pre-covid. My husband likes their beef cutlet so we went and I got something (i can’t remember what it was) but I wasn’t impressed with my plate. My husband enjoyed his.

Fast forward to today in 2024. Their menu changed, no longer have beef cutlet it has been replaced with pork cutlet. I order that for my husband with gravy all over. My son picks out a mixed plate with pork adobo/mushroom chicken and adds a double cheeseburger. I pick out a mixed plate of turkey tail adobo/boneless chicken (it’s chicken cutlet w/gravy).

Our plates averaged $12-13 each, the burger was $5.50. Very nice price point and the amount of food will satisfy just about anyone. Everything tasted good, what I especially liked is that the coating on the pork and chicken was nice and thick, full of flavor. When I tasted my son’s mushroom chicken, I asked him if there was a bed of stuffing underneath. I literally thought I got some stuffing with my chicken. I sat down to eat my plate and the same thing with my chicken, delicious.

The staff was very friendly and happy, it felt like a family atmosphere in there. They were patient answering my questions.

They certainly upped their game and I will be looking forward to going...