Shoyu Chicken plate, $5.05
Ever heard of a plate lunch stand with drive-thru service? No? Then enter Richie’s Drive Inn, where you can literally drive in, then quickly drive out with your plate lunch! Best of all, not only is it done fast, but it’s done right.
Although we didn’t order it on this visit, one of the most popular items at Richie’s is the Chili Dog plate, which not long ago was just $3.80. Now it’s still a wallet-friendly $4.81, which includes a heaping serving of Richie’s awesome Chili (better than Zippy’s, IMO), 2 hot dogs (yes, two!), 2 scoops rice, mac salad and a medium drink. What a deal!
In the first photo, Diner “E” ordered the Shoyu Chicken plate, which he gave me a sample to try. Excellent. Very tender and flavorful.
Diner “A” ordered the Combination plate…
Combination plate, $6.25
The combination plate includes teriyaki beef, breaded chicken and mahimahi, with 2 scoops rice and mac salad, plus tartar sauce for the fish. Diner “A” loved it. Again tender and very flavorful, with the breading crispy and light.
What must be noted is their use of the more “traditional” paper plate and cardboard box serving containers. This, in comparison to everyone nowadays using those flavor-robbing styrofoam clamshell containers. For some reason, paper plates seem to give the food on it more character. At least me and Diner “E” thinks so. Even better if it’s the old school Chinette plate lined with wax paper, and food wrapped with butcher paper and rubber-banded shut. The Kewalo lunch wagon classic! Anyway…
I went “light” and tried Richie’s Deluxe Burger…
Richie’s Deluxe Burger, $1.95
This was just OK. The thin double patties could have been seared more. Sauce was your typical local style mayo-mustard mix. Price is right, that’s for sure.
As is all the items on Richie’s menu…
Click on image to expand
Look at that. A Chili plate is just $3.36. Pork Long Rice with Laulau (wow!) only $6.72. 2 eggs, choice of meat and starch for just $3.61. Incredible!
Hard-working Honolulu folks come here in droves during lunch hour and take advantage of their quick drive-thru plate lunch service…
There were cars wrapped around the building when we arrived. We usually go inside to order…
See the guy laying down in back? He’s got a case of “Kanak’ Attack. lol!
You can have Kanak’ Attack too, with supah’ ono grindz at a great price, and quick service at Richie’s Drive Inn!
Richie’s Drive Inn
1178 N. King Street
tel. 808-842-4004
(located across the post office, near Waikamilo home road and Farrington High School)
Related links:
• Richie’s Drive Inn – ‘Ono Kine Grindz review
The Tasty Island rating:
(4) Excellent. Worth another visit or purchase. (Winnahz!)
A co-worker friend of mine (when I was working) loves this place and took me there, the Chili rice is ono!
Looks like a great spot cheap, but good food. My fiancee and I are always looking for places to get a quick bite to take home. Maybe we’ll hit this place up in the future.
Oh boy, you are going to all the places near my home…which is making me want to go! Great post! This looks like a place I must check out now…:)
I didn’t realize they had a drive-thru…and such affordable prices! I definitely must stop by when I’m in the area, thanks for the heads up on this place.
Oh boy! Auwe you posting all these plate lunch places after I leave!
Plate lunch on paper plates. Who misses Andy’s Drive-In in Kailua? I do!
Better than Tio’s!
Saw a write-up about you on Slashfood…Congrats!
http://www.slashfood.com/2008/03/17/late-winter-food-porn-hawaiian-food-blog/
For the record, the L&L at Waipio also has a drive thru.
Been going to Richie’s for years. It’s like the Kalihi version of Rainbow’s Drive Inn. Love it.
damn, looks delish. prices are fantastic as well. I’m getting flashbacks of 1993.
Looks like a lot of you either work or live nearby and are already familiar with the place. Cool.
AK, thanks for pointing that out about L&L in Waipio. According to a friend who lives out that side, he said it’s because that L&L shares restaurant with a KFC? or Taco Bell? Something like that. He also mentioned out Ewa side there’s a Zippy’s with a drive-thru window, but it’s only for picking up phone orders. They don’t have an intercom where you can order “fast food” pick-up.
Kat, I checked out that write-up. Thanks for the link! Of all the foods they choose to represent Tasty Island, they chose Kakanin. lol A commentator quickly pointed out that Kakanin is Filipino, NOT Hawaiian. Of course! I did point that out in my post about it! Overall though, a very nice write-up.
Speaking of Hawaii food blogs, my friend just pointed me over to a new-find today at
http://www.rockdarock.com
Great write-ups, but where da’ pictahz?!
There’s a few more Hawaii-based food blogs popping up lately with some intresting new content and high quality photos. I’ll be doing a “New Blogs pointer post” to them in the near future.
Again, mahalo everyone for stopping by!
Oh man oh man. Up Manoa Valley where I used to live and I’m not there to enjoy da grindz now! Mahalo for da pics… makes me homesick! And when I’m sick, gimme da miso! Comfort food to da max!
Dis place is da winnaz! Don’t mess wit Kalihi…get da kine grindz going buss yo mouf….LOL!
You guys know that the cook at Richie’s used to work at Rainbows?? That’s why the mac salad is similar!
Yup das y the boneless chicken taste same as Rainbows too.