Going to a diner can allow you to enjoy a delicious and satisfying meal with family and friends. When you live in Hawaii, these eateries will also serve local comfort foods alongside traditional dishes. Because there are so many options, you may wonder what to eat the next time you go out for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Here are a handful of hearty menu items to consider ordering.

What Comfort Foods Are Local Favorites in Hawaii?

1. Saimin

Saimin is a local take on Chinese egg noodle soup. It features a dashi base, a common stock used to make miso and clear noodle soups, with wheat egg noodles and green onions. Toppings can include barbecue pork, sliced spam, fried eggs, and seaweed. This hot soup can warm you up on cooler days. If you feel like adding a savory flavor to the dish, order it with meat toppings.

2. Loco Moco

The loco moco, which has origins in Oahu, is among the most widely beloved comfort foods served on the islands. It features a bed of white rice topped with a succulent hamburger patty. Chefs slather the dish in rich brown gravy and finish it with a fried egg.

Though it's typically eaten for breakfast, you can order this filling and flavorful meal for lunch or dinner. If you order a side of white or wheat toast, you can use it to sop up any extra gravy on your plate. 

3. Pancakes

Also known as hotcakes, pancakes consist of a batter made from flour, eggs, milk, and butter. When poured onto a hot griddle, the mix spreads out into a circular shape, and chefs fry these medallions on both sides until they turn golden brown. 

Diners serve them stacked on a plate with a pat of butter on top and syrup on the side. However, if you have a sweet tooth, you might order them topped with fresh fruit and whipped cream.

4. Steak and Eggs

Steak and eggs is a classic breakfast dish served at diners throughout Hawaii. It typically consists of a T-bone or ribeye beef cut cooked to your preferred temperature, alongside two or three eggs prepared the way you like them. This dish can also include starchy sides such as white rice, toast, and hash browns, making it a hearty and well-rounded meal you can enjoy at any time of the day.

The next time you crave comfort food with a flair, dine at Tasty Crust Restaurant. Located in Wailuku, this diner offers popular dishes like loco mocos alongside traditional breakfast, lunch, and dinner fare to hungry residents throughout Maui. Call (808) 244-0845 to order take-out and learn more about their delicious cuisine.