L&L Hawaiian Barbecue — Restaurant in San Antonio

My second visit to this place is what prompted my review, and NOT IN A GOOD WAY! Please read to see why.

I grew up in Hawaii so I was SUPER excited to have found this place while I was in San Antonio for my Army drill weekend. I went on Saturday, for the first time, and ordered the Barbecue Mix plate, to go, with Mac salad and steamed veggies. I then came back the following day with my battle buddy who also lived in Hawaii. She got the Katsu Chicken and I got the Kalua pork bowl.

On my SECOND visit, during my lunch break and while in uniform, I went to go wash my hands. There was like a small metal crate in my path but without thinking I stepped around it and kinda kicked it because of my big clunky Army boots. Then I realized, maybe that was there for a reason so I stopped and I turned to ask the cashier, NATALIE, if I could use the bathroom. She said, “yes go ahead”. So I turn around and I hear her say to the other employee, “I mean you’re already halfway there!” So I stop again and say “well if I cant use it then say that!” Like SERIOUSLY?!?! Could you be any more rude??? What was the purpose of the comment?? Mind you there were other customers there who also heard. I just can’t understand why she felt the need to say that. Had I not been in uniform and representing my country, I would have politely told her about herself and got my money back because I didn’t deserve her attitude. She was late to work anyway!!

So about the food, here are my personal opinions

CONS: -out of lumpia on BOTH days -the food is NOT really seasoned. The steamed veggies were JUST steamed veggies. No flavor at all and not even a salt packet to sprinkle over it -the kalua pork is not seasoned either and it’s mixed with mushy over cooked cabbage on top of a HUGE mound of plain white rice which ALSO is NOT seasoned -the Katsu chicken, NOT SEASONED, just greasy -the fries, crinkled, NOT seasoned. Horrible!

I ended up throwing the rice to the birds as we sat on the patio barely eating the food

PROS: -the bbq chicken and spare ribs were tasty, however the rib had a lot of fat on it -the beef was not bad -macaroni was good

I enjoyed the food in Hawaii. This not so much. Add in the unprofessional demeanor of Natalie and I know I will not be returning nor will I recommend this place to anyone else. In fact, I would encourage...

Definitely different. I'm not a fan of the styrofoam, but the food wasn't bad. I want to drop in again and try other plates. It was fresh, and the chicken tasted crispy and juicy. For what the area offers, this restaurant is perfect when you want to change things up.

12/9/23 I tried the spam saimin and the bbq chicken saimin. The spam was a salty broth, of course, because that's how spam tastes, and i imagine does to anything you add to it. I was still curious, though. The bar b q chicken saimin I dug. Even though the meat was floating in the broth, the bbq taste was still present and not diluted. Both were hot, warming, and tasty.

5/27/25 Dropped in from home last min and had Katsu for dinner. I'm glad I decided to go 🔥 thank you again for a great meal.

6/27/25, i didn't want to rush to post this buuuut... let me begin by saying everyone was super friendly. I dropped by on a friday evening an hour before closing, and the dining room was already put up for closing. I got out to sit down and get some air away from home. Unfortunately, i wasn't sure where to sit, so i sat at a bench with chairs on the table akwardly. This young man was mopping, and when he got to me, he stood there waiting for me to finish so he could continue. When i didn't get up, he returned the register, and i saw him staring when i got up to throw away my food with 30 minutes left till closing. Before i left with the 30 minutes left, someone pulled up and walked in, and they asked if he ordered ahead because they were about to close soon. So that person turned around and left and sat in their car, from what it looked like, searching for somewhere else to go. Other ppl pulled up as i left, and i felt bad for them because, more than likely, they were going to be turned away. I work i get wanting to go home, but this was a bummer. I felt i needed to eat fast and go when it was supposed to be a cool moment alone. And i dont come by often and live close, so i thought an hour wasn't cutting it too close. I understand walking in 15 or 20 minutes before closing. Anyways. Just wanted to share the experience. The food was good though so no...

Went in today 3rd of August at 3:45 pm right after their break to order some food. After waiting outside for them to open my wife finally goes in and makes an order. She tells me that the cashier and the cooks were looking at her a little weird and they looked upset. After ordering she comes back outside and asks me to go in to get the food after 15 min because of the experience. I go inside and ask if the order is ready and they tell me "what order?" So I tell him the exact thing my wife order and he says they have nothing. I try to explain the best way I can and he tells me there's nothing. I go back outside and ask my wife for the receipt and go back inside. They misheard my wife when they took her name. So the cashier asks the cooks if they have the order in the back. They say no and they're confused. He then asks them again and they say " oh yeah, we are waiting for ribs".... so I keep on waiting. Finally the food comes out after 20 minutes and I ask for sauces. The cashier rudely says "what sauces" I tell him I want Sriracha and teriyaki and he says they don't have sriracha. As all this is happening the cooks are just staring and being super weird.... so we leave and thought that was the end of it.....

We finally get home with the food and BOOM! Plate with nothing but burnt meat. I was going to say full of burnt meat but the plate was everything but full. I can literally count the shreds of cabbage at the bottom.... not only that. Worlds smallest scoops of rice.... and all the burnt meat and chicken. Taste like we are eating charcoal. Can't even cover it with Sriracha because they didn't have any. Such a terrible experience and staff.

Also have been calling for 20 min trying to talk to a manager and no luck. Been hung up on twice.

Not to mention I was in military uniform and still received this type of service.

Spent...