It’s no doubt that Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives, affectionately known as “Triple D”, has become one of Food Network’s most successful shows (it’s celebrating its 10-year anniversary later this year). Hosted by Guy Fieri, Triple D gets to the heart of great eats, featuring hole-in-the-wall joints, mom & pop shops, and local favorites. Here are six restaurants featured on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives that you need to visit if you’re in Honolulu, Oʻahu.
1. Hank’s Haute Dogs
Photo courtesy of user raaachem on whatthehellz.com
Appears in: Season 8, Episode 11 “Triple D Goes Hawaiian” (4/5/10)
If you’re in Hawaiʻi, you know that there aren’t many places to pick up a delicious dog besides the $1.50 hot dog combo at Costco. Cue Hank’s Haute Dogs. Owner Hank Adaniya, originally from Chicago but whose parents are from Hawaiʻi, brings the American classic to the islands. As expected, his menu features the Chicago dog, but don’t be afraid to try the other variety of sausages Hank has to offer, such as the rabbit sausage, Hawaiian dog, or even the lobster dog.
2. Rainbow Drive-In
Photo courtesy of @smine27 on Instagram
Appears in: Season 9, Episode 8 “Fast Food Their Way” (6/21/10) and Season 21, Episode 17 “Hometown Heroes” (12/25/14)
One of the things Triple D is known to highlight is a restaurant’s ability to invoke the feeling of homestyle cooking, and in Hawaiʻi, nothing reminds a local of home quite like a plate lunch from Rainbow Drive-In does. Loco moco, chili dog, teri beef, boneless chicken, mac salad, rice, and gravy ALL OVER? Yup, it’s no wonder that this is President Obama‘s favorite place to pick up a loaded plate lunch for under $10.
3. Nico’s Pier 38
Photo courtesy of @nicospier38 on Instagram
Appears in: Season 8, Episode 11 “Triple D Goes Hawaiian” (4/5/10)
Being on an island surrounded by the ocean has its perks, such as having some of the freshest fish you’ll ever eat. Nico’s at Pier 38 is located right on Honolulu Harbor, and the special of the day is hand-selected at the Honolulu Fish Auction every morning. We’re talking straight from the boat to auction to kitchen to table. Although Nico’s specializes in their seafood dishes, they’re also a good place to get other local favorites like loco moco, beef stew, and a Hawaiian plate, all at prices ranging from $9 to $15.
4. Fresh Catch
Photo courtesy of @chravelog on Instagram
Appears in: Season 15, Episode 4 “Surf ‘N’ Turf Jackpot” (8/27/12)
As if Hawaiʻi people couldn’t get enough of fresh fish, we’re up to our next restaurant: Fresh Catch, located in Kaimuki on Waialae Ave. Like the picture above depicts, Fresh Catch offers a variety of fresh island-style poke You know, that new food craze that’s being picked up on the East Coast? Poke originated in Hawaiʻi, so you’ll have to come here to taste the real deal. Like most markets and poke stops, Fresh Catch serves their poke deli style, with the price determined by the weight. But in case you can’t wrap your head around eating raw fish just yet, go ahead and try their furikake salmon, ahi katsu, or seared ahi.
5. Highway Inn
Photo courtesy of @spoon_hawaii on Instagram
Appears in: Season 8, Episode 11 “Triple D Goes Hawaiian” (4/5/10)
You can’t make a Triple D episode about Hawaiʻi without featuring traditional Hawaiian food. That’s where Highway Inn comes in. This place has all of the fixings to satisfy your Hawaiian food craving: laulau, kalua pig, lomi salmon, squid luau, poi, pipikaula, and more. Not only do they serve Hawaiian food, but they have local favorites as well such as hamburger steak, loco moco, and kimchi fried rice. With all the ʻono food that they serve here, I promise you you’ll never leave this place hungry.
6. Jawaiian Irie Jerk Restaurant
Photo courtesy of Karen Mercy P. on Yelp
Appears in: Season 14, Episode 12 “Dynamic Dishes” (7/2/12) and Season 19, Special Episode “Grilling Greats” (6/21/14)
It’s not that often that you get to try some real deal Jamaican cuisine. But here in Honolulu, we’re blessed with Jawaiian Irie Jerk Restaurant. Located on 11th Ave in Kaimuki, the restaurant can’t be seen from the road or barely even the parking lot. But don’t be discouraged; its concealment adds to its easy-going ambiance. While you’re here, you gotta try the spicy jerk wings and the goat curry. They even offer delicious vegetarian and vegan options as well.