Big City Diner — Restaurant in Oʻahu

I was VERBALLY ATTACKED by a Big City Diner employee, who started their shift on 3/18/25 at 5pm at the Pearlridge Big City Diner (there was no name tag so I can’t accurately identify them) This employee will yell at you if you ask about the status of your order, they will threaten to ban you from the restaurant, & they will in no way assist you if you’re picking up a mobile order. I believe I smelt liquor on her breath but I can’t say for sure.

On March 18th, 2025, I entered the Big City Diner near Pearlridge Center around 5pm to pick up a food delivery. I asked the hostess if my order was ready & she said that it would be another 5-10min. I sat near the bar patiently waiting then a fuller bodied woman walked in yelling “Is that your car blocking the walk way?” I responded with “yes” & proceeded to move my vehicle. As I came back I waited 5min then I asked the yelling woman for an update. At first she ignored me then after I asked once more she yelled back “I don’t know; you saw me just get here” which I responded “You could On March 18th, 2025, I entered the Big City Diner near Pearlridge Center around 5pm to pick up a food delivery. I asked the hostess if my order was ready & she said that it would be another 5-10min. I sat near the bar patiently waiting then a woman walked in yelling “Is that your car blocking the walk way?” I responded with “yes” & proceeded to move my vehicle. As I came back I waited 5min then I asked the yelling woman for an update. At first she ignored me then after I asked once more she yelled back “I don’t know; you saw me just get here” which I responded “You could have just been on break”. I asked for her to check as no one else was up front and instead of checking on my order, she went whole tirade yelling things such as “Yall don’t get this ain’t fast food & everything’s cooked to order” “ You know we can see your name in our system; we can make sure you don’t pick up from here again!” At this point I could tell she had something going on & I believe I smelt some sort of liquor on her breath. I calmly told her “I’m just doing my job; the hostess told me it was 5-10min more and I was asking for an update after 5min” To no avail, she just repeatedly yelled “We can lookup your name in the system; you don’t need to come back here again” At this point, the hostess finally came out with my delivery and I left the restaurant. As I sat in my car, I took a moment to evaluate what had happened. I decided no pay was worth this treatment (I was only getting paid like $6 ($2 base + $4 tip) I cancelled my delivery, walked back (food in hand), placed the order behind the bar, & walked out. The treatment I had experienced was so unnerving I ended speaking to a Big City Diner manager about the ordeal a couple hours later. Thanks so much manager Keala in Waipahu for the great customer service & just...

This is mostly a review of the food, as I got take out here twice, and what little I interacted with the staff was fine. They are super nice people, I got prompt service, etc.

My issue is with the quality of the food. Big Schitty Diner is cheap ingredients sold at upscale prices.

My first order was a deep fried breaded fish sandwich with cajun (upsell) fries. The breaded fish filet is just frozen fish, the bun it comes on is boring and structurally weak, the tartar sauce is fine, but the "wasabi" sauce (no way they're using actual wasabi root, it's just horseradish) should be called "barely green sauce" and has almost no heat. Comes with the usual flavorless beefsteak tomato slice, red onion, and either iceberg or butter lettuce (I can't recall which one, they're almost the same thing). The upsell cajun fries are just regular fries with seasoning salt on them. No thanks, $1.50 or whatever is not worth a light dusting of seasoning. About $20.

My second order was the chile chicken sandwich with guava bbq sauce, regular fries x2, and a strawberry milkshake. I added avocado and sauteed mushrooms. The chicken was alright, but the whole thing was put together very sloppily. I am down with eating messy food when the food I order is messy and there's no way around it, but this just screamed laziness as none of the ingredients were built up in a sensible manner and I had to manually rearrange everything just to keep it manageable enough to eat. The bottom bun was soggy and falling apart. Very stingy with the avo (1/4 avo or less, for a considerable upsell), barely any mushrooms. The 'guava' bbq sauce barely registers. The regular fries are ok, nothing to send a postcard home about, if somewhat undersalted (but hey, I could get them "seasoned" for an extra $1.50, amirite? amirite?). $30.

I read other complaints about the strawberry shake not being "strawberry" enough, and I kinda see their point. It is a little like a vanilla shake with a hint of strawbwrry. Not a bad shake, mind you, but if you're expecting a powerful strawberry roundhouse kick to your mouth, this ain't it. For a "handmade" milkshake...it's alright.

My overall impression is that this is just another of Havvai'i's many overpriced tourist traps. It's boring, it's bland, and it's overpriced. It's mall food, so temper your expectations.

If you want awesome burgers, go to...

Nestled within Windward Mall, Big City Diner in Kaneohe offers a pleasant dining experience that combines satisfying food and welcoming service. During a recent visit around 2pm, after the lunch rush had subsided, I had the chance to savor their menu offerings and enjoy a peaceful atmosphere.

Eggs Benedict: A Tasty Treat with a Slight Flaw Opting for the classic Eggs Benedict, I was treated to a flavorful dish that hit the spot. The English muffin was toasted to perfection, and the hollandaise sauce was creamy and rich, adding a delightful touch to the overall experience. However, the poached eggs were slightly overcooked, with the yolks lacking the ideal runny consistency. Despite this minor flaw, the dish was satisfying, and the combination of flavors was still enjoyable.

Service with a Smile: One standout aspect of my visit was the server's exceptional friendliness and attentiveness. Their warm demeanor and willingness to accommodate special requests created a positive impression and contributed to the overall pleasant dining experience. The server's enthusiasm for ensuring customer satisfaction added an extra layer of comfort to the meal.

A Tranquil Oasis: Choosing to dine around 2pm proved to be a smart move, as the lunchtime rush had subsided, leaving the restaurant pleasantly empty. This created a serene and peaceful environment, allowing for easy conversation and relaxation. It's a reminder that timing can make a significant difference in the overall dining experience, especially when seeking a quieter and more tranquil atmosphere.

Final Thoughts: Big City Diner in Windward Mall offers a taste of comfort and satisfaction, highlighted by their tasty Eggs Benedict and attentive service. While the eggs were slightly overcooked, the dish still managed to deliver on flavor. The server's genuine kindness and the serene ambiance created by the post-lunch lull contributed to a pleasant and enjoyable lunch outing. For those looking to avoid the crowds and indulge in a leisurely meal, a visit around 2pm could provide a serene oasis amid the hustle and bustle of...