L&L Hawaiian Barbecue • 1952

This walk-up window in Kalihi holds the sacred birthplace of Hawaii's plate lunch empire—the original L&L Drive-Inn purchased in 1976 by Eddie Flores Jr. for his mother Margaret, transforming what began as L&L Dairy in 1952 into a global phenomenon. The chicken katsu still comes with that signature crunchy panko crust, served alongside two scoops rice and macaroni salad, the same formula that launched 230+ franchises worldwide. Step up to the counter where locals have been ordering BBQ mix plates, loco moco, and kalbi ribs for nearly 75 years—this humble Liliha Street spot sparked the only Hawaii-origin plate lunch franchise on earth.