A true Hawaiian plate lunch is simple math: two scoops of white rice, a scoop of creamy macaroni salad, and a pile of meat like kalua pork, teriyaki chicken, or crispy katsu. It grew out of the lunch breaks of plantation workers in Hawaii, and today it is one of the most filling meals you can buy for the price.
Washington has a surprising number of places that serve it the island way, from busy Seattle diners to small counters in Spokane and Marysville. These seven spots stand out because their plates are big enough to turn one meal into two, so bring an appetite and maybe a friend who likes leftovers.
1. Kona Kitchen – Seattle, Seattle, WA
Breakfast is where Kona Kitchen quietly sets itself apart from most of the list. Doors open at 9 AM on weekdays and 8 AM on weekends, and the morning menu leans into island classics like Spam and eggs with fried rice.
Later in the day, the plate lunch takes over. Kalua pig and cabbage arrives with two scoops of rice and macaroni salad, and the mochiko chicken is a strong pick if you like your chicken crispy and lightly sweet.
Loco moco gets a fun twist here too, with a katsu chicken version on the menu. The Pulehu Rib Eye Steak and Spam Musubi round out a large menu that also includes family recipes adapted over the years.
Save room for dessert, because the cake lineup is serious. Guava, haupia, rainbow, and chantilly cakes all show up on the menu.
Sunday brings a special Hawaiian Plate that is only offered that day. Weekends also add karaoke, which gives the airy, casual dining room a livelier vibe.
I would plan a visit for a weekday if you want a quieter meal, since weekend mornings fill up fast. Portions are big enough that a to-go box is almost part of the order, and there is a kids’ menu plus high chairs for families.
2. Kona Hawaiian Barbecue, Tacoma, WA
Island-sized portions at mainland prices is the easiest way to sum up this Tacoma counter. Most meals land in the $10 to $20 range, which is a big part of why it made the cut.
The menu is huge and covers the Hawaiian staples you would hope to find. Kalua pork, loco moco, and lau lau all appear, and the Hawaiian BBQ Beef is one of the house highlights.
If you cannot pick just one meat, the Hawaiian BBQ plate is a smart move. The chicken comes out tender and well seasoned, and it pairs nicely with the classic rice and mac salad setup.
Lumpia makes a good side for the table. Order a few and share them while you wait.
Service is counter-style with no table service, and reservations are not taken. The kitchen runs from 10:30 AM to 9 PM every day, so a late lunch or early dinner is easy to fit in.
Monday mornings are the calmest time to stop by. Sunday afternoons and Wednesday evenings get busier, so plan around those if you want a quick in-and-out meal with plenty of free parking nearby.
3. Hang 10 Hawaiian BBQ & Catering, Spokane, WA
Consider this your friendly warning: one plate at Hang 10 can easily cover lunch and dinner. The portions on South Grand Boulevard are famously generous, especially for the price.
Kalua pork is the star for a lot of regulars. It comes out soft and full of flavor, and it anchors the Kalua Pork Plate as well as the Combo Plate if you want to mix and match.
Garlic chicken is another strong choice with rice and macaroni salad. Teriyaki chicken, katsu chicken, loco moco, and Spam Musubi fill out the rest of the lineup.
Here is a nice surprise for a Hawaiian barbecue spot. Hang 10 offers a full vegetarian menu, so a mixed group does not have to compromise.
The dining room is casual, clean, and fairly quiet, and the staff have a reputation for making people feel welcome. Outdoor seating is available, and dogs are allowed outside.
Families get a kids’ menu and high chairs. The restaurant is open 11 AM to 9 PM daily, with free parking in the lot and on the street.
4. Aloha Island Grill | Hawaiian, Spokane, WA
Pea salad might be the most underrated side in Washington, and Aloha Island Grill makes a strong case for it. The Hawaiian Pea Salad is a menu favorite, though heads up, it contains nuts.
The macaroni salad gets just as much attention. Many diners with island ties rank it right up there with what they have eaten in Hawaii.
Chicken teriyaki is the signature item, offered as a plate or a rice bowl. Garlic chicken, kalua pork, Spam Musubi, and lava bites add more choices, and the giant portobello mushroom is a fun option for anyone skipping meat.
This is a compact, counter-serve spot on North Monroe Street, so expect a no-frills setup. The servings, however, are anything but small.
A few practical notes help here. There is no restroom on site, so plan ahead, and outdoor seating is available with dogs welcome outside.
Hours run 10 AM to 9 PM every day. Weekday afternoons and Friday evenings are the busiest stretches, while mornings are usually easygoing.
5. Hula Boy Charbroil, Vancouver, WA
The grill is the whole personality at Hula Boy Charbroil. Charbroiled meats set the tone here, which gives this Vancouver stop a slightly different flavor from the other spots on the list.
Bento boxes are a big draw, with Teriyaki Chicken Bento and Kalua Pork Bento both on the menu. Katsu chicken and loco moco cover the classic plate lunch side of things, and the house sauces go especially well with the kalua pork.
Burgers are where things get playful. The Portuguese Sausage Burger and the Hula Boy Burger bring island ingredients to a very familiar format.
For starters, look for coconut shrimp and lumpia. The macaroni salad is a steady side no matter what you order.
Takeout orders are packed just as full as dine-in plates, which matters when you are feeding a crowd at home. Some fans happily drive 45 minutes for a Hula Boy fix.
The restaurant sits on NE Fourth Plain Boulevard and runs from 10:30 AM to 8 PM daily. Unlike most counter spots, it accepts reservations, and there is a kids’ menu for younger eaters.
6. L&L Hawaiian Barbecue, Tumwater, WA
Plenty of Washingtonians met their first plate lunch at an L&L, and the Tumwater location keeps that tradition going. The island chain is built around the classic plate lunch format, and this shop serves it the familiar way.
The BBQ Mix Plate is the go-to for indecisive eaters. You get a mix of barbecue meats with rice and the traditional macaroni salad.
Kalua Pork with Cabbage is big enough that many couples split one order. Chicken Katsu Curry, the Seafood Combo, loco moco, lumpia, and Spam Musubi fill out the rest of the menu.
Service is quick and counter-based, which makes it an easy stop off Littlerock Road SW. Surfing videos on the screens add a little island flavor to the casual room.
Check the hours before heading over, since they shift during the week. It opens at 11 AM daily, closes at 8 PM Monday through Thursday, 9 PM on Friday and Saturday, and 7 PM on Sunday.
Outdoor seating, a kids’ menu, and free parking make it a practical pick for families passing through the Olympia area.
7. Taste of Aloha-Krachelz Ohana, Marysville, WA
Ohana means family in Hawaiian, and that idea shows up all over this small Marysville eatery. The owners are known for their warm welcome, and the food is clearly made with care.
Look for it on State Avenue, across from the water tower. It is easy to drive past, so keep an eye out.
The Hawaiian Plate is the big order here, and laulau is on the menu too, which is not something every spot offers. Kalua pig comes out fall-apart tender, and the rice, sauce, and mac salad all hold their own.
Breakfast fans have a reason to visit early. Spam Scrambled Eggs and Rice is served, and Sunday hours start at 8 AM before closing at 3 PM.
Other standouts include Mochiko Chicken, Chicken Katsu, a Kalua Pig Loco Moco, and a Spicy Ahi Tuna Bowl. Shoyu chicken and Spam Musubi are popular too, and the desserts are worth saving room for.
Monday through Saturday, the kitchen runs 10 AM to 7 PM. Curbside pickup is available, which is handy on busy Friday afternoons.
From Seattle diners to Spokane counters, these seven spots prove you do not need a plane ticket to eat like you are in the islands. Just bring an appetite and a plan for the leftovers.
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