Speaking of something you must eat at least once during your stay in Hawaii, it has to be a hamburger, right?
They are truly Hawaii-style heavy, and you will really feel like you have come on a trip!
In this article, Aloalo Travel tour guides have compiled and introduced 5 recommended popular hamburger shops in Hawaii.
Hamburgers are a national food here, much like ramen shops are in Japan, so the taste differs at every shop, ranging from popular menu items at chain stores to single shops with specific commitments.
We have carefully selected only the recommended shops that we thoroughly compared because burgers are on the menu at every restaurant, so please use this as a reference for your Hawaii trip.
Kua’aina
Kua’aina is an exquisite burger shop in Hawaii known for its juicy and big sizes.
There are many stores in Japan as well, but the Haleiwa Town store on the North Shore is actually the first location!
The menu is full of impressive items, such as “The American” burger which is about 20 centimeters thick, and French fries that are about half the thickness of McDonald’s.
The taste is definitely different from the stores in Japan, and it is full of features unique to the authentic location.
How to order at Kua’aina
Kua’aina does not have set menus like other burger shops.
So, you order burgers, drinks, and side menus individually as you like!
There are two burger sizes, 1/3LB (approx. 151g) and 1/2LB (approx. 227g), and while the size is quite different, the price does not change much, so 1/2LB is recommended.
Side orders are basically French fries, but there is also coleslaw.
Homemade lemonade is popular for drinks, but since there is a BYOB (Bring Your Own Bottle) system, it is okay to bring your own favorite drinks into the store yourself.
There is a supermarket right next door, so it might be cost-effective to bring juice.
Recommended menu at Kua’aina
Kua’aina has a system where you add toppings to one type of burger.
You can add as many toppings as you want, so please try making your own original burger!
Cheeseburger
Ordinary burgers are popular, but the most classic menu item at Kua’aina is the Cheeseburger.
It just has one slice of cheese topped on it, but since there are plenty of vegetables, it might be different from the cheeseburger you imagine!
It is a big size over 20cm tall, and is very filling.
Avocado Burger
Kua’aina’s number one popular menu item is the avocado topping, and many people order it!
Well, this is also just avocado placed on a burger, but the height gets about 5cm taller. Haha.
There are other toppings like pineapple which is very Hawaii-like, and grilled vegetable toppings (Ortega Burger), but avocado fits Kua’aina’s burgers best after all.
French Fries
Kua’aina’s fries are thinner than any other shop, and first-timers should feel a shock they have never experienced before!
Production costs are high because of this commitment, and rival companies cannot easily make this product.
Many people associate the North Shore with Garlic Shrimp, but Kua’aina’s French fries are also one of the popular local comfort foods in Hawaii.
Seven Brothers
Seven Brothers is a hugely popular burger shop with impactful looks and a taste they are particular about.
The thick appearance, strong seasoning, and ingredients used make for a burger that feels completely American, and it is an exquisite local eat you cannot find unless you come to the North Shore!
I think there are many people who want to go eat burgers in Hawaii, so this is a shop I want to recommend at such times.
Expensive burgers at steakhouses and cost-effective burgers at chain stores are good, but if you have the chance, let’s try an American burger that makes you feel the authentic atmosphere!
I think most people eat the famous garlic shrimp on the North Shore, but I would be happy if you knew there is such a burger shop too.
Seven Brothers recommended burgers & fries
If you come to Seven Brothers, burgers are recommended after all!
First, the “Cowboy Burger” (Paniolo Burger), which is a super standard menu item, is something you definitely want to eat.
It is a burger with a powerful appearance characterized by two onion rings stacked on top.
Not only the special beef patty, but the bread, sauce, and strong-flavored bacon are exquisite!
The pineapple included as an accent also brings out a good flavor.
Next, the “Shem Burger” with plenty of avocado sauce is also super recommended!
It is a well-balanced burger with vegetables like tomato and lettuce firmly included, but the seasoning is really delicious.
It is a burger especially popular with women, so if you are not good with burgers that are too big, please try this one.
And the last one is “Crazy Fries” which are definitely high calorie!
Plenty of cheese, onions, and special sauce are poured over rare circular potato fries, and you can keep eating them forever. Haha.
There are other choices like “Home Fries” seasoned with original seasoning, and “Paniolo Fries” topped with pineapple, bacon, onions, cheese, barbecue sauce, and two onion rings.
Seven Brothers shrimp menu
Actually, Seven Brothers was originally a garlic shrimp shop called Kahuku Grill.
Therefore, they still put effort into the shrimp menu!
The number one popular menu item during the Kahuku Grill era was the Coconut Shrimp, which sells on its big size.
Actually, it is a very popular menu item that arguably more people order than burgers.
It has excellent compatibility with sweet chili sauce, is very filling, and the rare feeling that you can only eat it here is also nice.
Of course, there is regular garlic shrimp too, and this is quite delicious so it is recommended!
Seven Brothers main store is at Kahuku Sugar Mill
The main store of Seven Brothers is in a place called Kahuku Sugar Mill.
It was originally a sugar cane factory area, but now it is a place where various food trucks gather, centered on garlic shrimp shops.
There are beer gardens and stylish cafes, so it is popular as a good resting point when driving around Oahu!
New shops are being built one after another, so it has become completely like a tourist spot now.
It might be the fun of traveling to find a shop that suits your taste that is not listed in guidebooks in places like this.
Seven Brothers has a stylish interior and is comfortable, so many people should like it.
It is a place with a very Hawaii-like atmosphere where local surfers often visit!
Teddy’s Bigger Burgers
Teddy’s Bigger Burgers is the most popular burger shop in Hawaii.
It originated in Hawaii and is an overwhelmingly capable shop that has continued to win first place in local popularity polls for over 20 years!
It does not feel like fast food like McDonald’s, but is a system where they make them one by one after receiving an order, so it is a style like MOS Burger in Japan.
No matter which menu you order, the taste is definite, and the volume has outstanding presence just like the store name.
The range of customization is wide, so being able to eat your own original burger is also one of the features!
There are shops in various places on Oahu, so please feel free to drop by.
Popular menu at Teddy’s Bigger Burgers
Teddy’s Bigger Burgers’ menu is basically delicious no matter what you order, but I will introduce the ones that are particularly popular among them.
Bigger Burger
The classic and strongest menu item is the Bigger Burger, which is also in the store name.
The combination of plenty of fresh vegetables, sweet secret sauce with spices, and a 100% beef juicy patty makes for a supremely American burger!
By the way, there are 3 sizes, Big, Bigger, and Biggest respectively, so the Bigger Burger means the medium size.
Big has 1 beef patty, Bigger has 2, and Biggest has 3.
Furthermore, there is a super huge burger called the Aloha Tower on the challenger menu!
It is Hawaii’s largest burger that is talked about as being bigger than a child’s face. Haha.
Crispy Chicken
Crispy Chicken is also a popular menu item with very many fans!
American chicken sandwiches are very delicious without that dry feeling.
The sauce entangles with the chicken that is crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside, and it is just the best.
I wonder why it doesn’t turn out like this in Japan.
It is quality that you will definitely repeat once you eat it, so please try it once.
Veggie Burger
When you hear veggie burger, you might think it just sandwiches vegetables, but actually, the taste and appearance are almost like a normal burger.
It is a patty that looks juicy enough to make you think “Beef?”, but if you look closely, you can confirm that vegetables like mushrooms and carrots are plentifully included.
The amount of fresh vegetables is also slightly larger, and it is recommended for those who want to eat healthy meals in Hawaii or want to eat something light.
There are rarely veggie burgers this delicious!
About toppings and side menus
Teddy’s Bigger Burgers is also characterized by its commitment to toppings and side menus.
You can freely add as many toppings as you like such as bacon, avocado, jalapeno, blue cheese, peanut butter, etc., so you can make your own original burger!
And since the side menus also have abundant variations and you can enjoy a different way every time, we recommend ordering a value combo (set) instead of a burger item alone!
Original burger with toppings
Classic menus are good, but since you are here, why not add toppings and make a burger that feels totally American?
The recommended topping is avocado, and it feels like the volume and Hawaii feeling increased at once. Haha.
The topping combinations recommended by the shop are also on the menu, so it might be good to refer to that.
Arrange side menus too
Speaking of side menus, it is French fries after all, but Teddy’s Bigger Burgers has abundant types here too.
First, the seasoning:
- Seasoning (Spicy, Garlic, Ranch)
- Sauce (Cheese, Teriyaki Sauce)
- Bacon & Cheese Topping
- Garlic Butter (Garlic, Cheese, Parsley)
- Umami Style (Garlic, Furikake, Sriracha Sauce)
Like this, you can enjoy it differently no matter how many times you come.
The recommendation is Garlic Butter Fries, which are high calorie but seasoned with a taste you cannot eat in Japan and are supremely delicious!
Also, the type of potato can be changed:
- Tater Tots
- Sweet Potato
- Onion Rings
There are several types besides normal potatoes like this.
The popular ones are Tater Tots, which are a round version of hash browns.
By the way, in America, they say French fries instead of potato fries, so let’s be careful when ordering!
Deck
Deck is a superb view observation restaurant where you can overlook Diamond Head from Waikiki.
It has good access on the 3rd floor of the Queen Kapiolani Hotel, and the spacious terrace seats are very popular!
Being able to relax and enjoy alcohol and meals while being blown by the pleasant wind is a situation unique to Hawaii, isn’t it?
Moreover, not only is the scenery good, but the food is also properly delicious.
It is one of the leading popular restaurants in Waikiki, so if you are lost on where to go, please definitely visit!
Recommended menu at Deck
At Deck, the menu changes for breakfast, lunch, happy hour, and dinner.
There is an abundance of variations from sweets to appetizers and meal menus in each time zone!
There are menus you rarely see elsewhere such as Tokyo-style pancakes and Loco Moco covered in Japanese curry, so if you are interested, please try eating them.
Deck Burger
The Deck Burger is the classic original burger I want to recommend first at Deck!
The feature is that plenty of crispily fried onions are sandwiched inside.
It becomes a good accent for both texture and taste, and it is so addictive I want other shops to sandwich them too. Haha.
There are many delicious burger shops, but I think it is top class delicious among them.
The heaping French fries with excellent seasoning are also nice!
Acai Bowl
The second recommendation is the Acai Bowl which looks cute and tastes the best.
Toppings are granola, coconut flakes, plus plenty of seasonal fruits!
Acai bowls generally have 3 types of colorful strawberries, bananas, and blueberries, but having pineapple in there highlights the Hawaii feeling even more.
The compatibility of the melting acai and the crunchy texture of granola is outstanding, and you will not get tired of it until the end.
It is a just-right size that is not too big, so it is also recommended as dessert!
Deck’s Happy Hour
Deck’s Happy Hour is very popular for being good value and having high satisfaction within Waikiki!
Especially between 14:00 and 16:00, appetizers and alcohol become up to $6 cheaper than the regular price, so aiming for Happy Hour has outstanding cost performance.
Having a drink from the afternoon while gazing at the superb view is a luxury unique to Hawaii.
However, the terrace seats are a little hot around noon, so if you visit during times with strong sunlight, please take proper measures against sunburn and bring a hat or sunglasses if necessary.
Deck is a hidden restaurant in Hawaii
Deck is a topic in various media and SNS, but actually, it is rarely crowded.
The reason is that it is located inside the Queen Kapiolani Hotel located along the street at the very end of Waikiki, and the location is hard to find.
I cannot say the food prices are cheap, but considering it is Waikiki, there is a conscientious image!
With the Diamond Head view and seasoning suited for Japanese people, it is recommended as a hidden restaurant in Hawaii.
The Butcher & Bird
The Butcher & Bird is a butcher shop where you can eat local comfort food known to those in the know.
The exquisite burgers and hot dogs by the chef owner who has a track record of working at famous restaurants using fresh meat procured from Hawaiian ranches will definitely be addictive!
Butcher shop croquettes are delicious in Japan too, but this is a shop that feels like the Hawaii version of that.
The hot dog introduced on the TV show “Ariyoshi’s Summer Vacation” became the signature menu of Butcher & Bird, and became popular under the name “Ariyoshi Special”. Haha.
Since it is inside the commercial facility called SALT at Our Kakaako where stylish shops gather, it is easy to access and recommended!
The Butcher & Bird is a butcher shop
The Butcher & Bird is a butcher shop, so basically, many people come to buy meat rather than meals.
In Hawaii, BBQ style at home is common for grilled meat!
With the variety of meat and the delicious appearance of homemade sausages, you will want to buy everything. Haha.
They have a lineup of spices, oils, sauces, cheese, etc. that fit meat!
Just looking at this lineup, you can feel the commitment to meat!
Note that since the inside of the store is used for the kitchen to cut meat, refrigerators for preservation, and product display, there is no eating and drinking space.
If you want to eat here, you use the terrace seats outside the store or the tables you can use freely inside SALT.
The terrace seats are counter-style tables, and the atmosphere and scenery are quite good, so it is recommended.
Recommended menu at The Butcher & Bird
The Butcher & Bird’s recommended menus are two types: burgers and hot dogs!
Since the meat is the same for burgers, any menu you choose is OK, and the freshness, juiciness, and umami of the patty are all perfect in any case.
It is a gorgeous burger with full volume, has outstanding compatibility with homemade pickles, and there are many opinions that it is more delicious than general burger shops.
The hot dog has outstanding impact with a super huge sausage protruding from the bread.
The taste is solid enough that you don’t even need to use ketchup or mustard, and it is exquisite.
It is not heavy, the texture is good, and it is very filling, so there is nothing to complain about. Haha.
Both burgers and hot dogs are recommended, so please definitely taste both.