Overview
Ippy’s Hawaiian BBQ is a casual Hawaiian plate-lunch and barbecue spot in Waimea on the Big Island. The official site identifies it as Ippy’s Hawaiian BBQ, says it has been in business since 2012, and ties it to chef Philip “Ippy” Aiona, a Waimea native who returned home after culinary training and TV exposure. The Google Places record and the website line up on the core identity: 64-1067 Mamalahoa Hwy in Waimea/Kamuela, phone (808) 885-4147, and an operational status. (ippyshawaiianbarbeque.com)
For a traveler, this looks less like a destination dining room and more like a dependable stop for generous local-style plates. The review pattern suggests it draws both locals and visitors, with many people treating it as a lunch-or-dinner anchor while driving around the island’s north side or passing through Waimea. (tripadvisor.com)
Cuisine & Specialties
This restaurant’s lane is Hawaiian plate lunch and BBQ rather than generic “Hawaiian-themed” food. The menu and story page point to scratch-made sauces and marinades, local ingredients when possible, and classic mixed-plate combinations built around meats, shrimp, fish, and familiar sides. Reviewers repeatedly mention large portions and a broad menu that covers both comfort-food barbecue and local plate-lunch staples. (ippyshawaiianbarbeque.com)
- Overall menu style: Hawaiian BBQ / plate lunch, with barbecue, American, and Hawaiian categories appearing in Tripadvisor’s listing. (tripadvisor.com)
- Notable dishes and specialties: kalbi short ribs, kalua pig, garlic shrimp, teriyaki beef, grilled mahi-mahi, coconut shrimp, pineapple coleslaw, mac salad, and sweet potato fries are all directly supported by the site or recurring reviews. (ippyshawaiianbarbeque.com)
- What stands out: the strongest pattern is not one signature dish but a reliable “mixed plate” approach with big portions and a lot of variety. Garlic shrimp and kalbi short ribs are especially praised in multiple reviews. (tripadvisor.com)
- Price range / spend: Google places it at price level 1, and reviewers repeatedly describe it as good value or reasonable for the portion size. In traveler terms, this reads as budget-friendly to low-cost. (ippyshawaiianbarbeque.com)
- Dietary usefulness / limitations: Tripadvisor lists vegetarian-friendly, and one reviewer noted staff were helpful about gluten-free choices. That said, this is still a meat-forward BBQ place, so vegetarian and gluten-free diners likely have narrower choices than at a more flexible restaurant. (tripadvisor.com)
Notable Features & Ambiance
This is a casual counter-service place with indoor seating, not a sit-down fine-dining room. Reviewers describe it as clean, bright, and busy, with a large indoor dining area and a takeout-friendly operation. The overall feel is practical and unfussy, aimed at quick meals that still feel substantial. (tripadvisor.com)
- Service model and seating: order at the counter; food is brought out to the table in at least some cases. Tripadvisor also lists takeout and seating. (tripadvisor.com)
- Atmosphere and decor: clean, open, bright, and casual. One recent review specifically mentioned big windows and a venue that stayed bright even in the evening. (tripadvisor.com)
- Practical features: parking is mentioned in Tripadvisor reviews, and Tripadvisor also lists wheelchair access, highchairs, credit cards, and seating. Restrooms were noted by one reviewer as being outside and requiring a key. (tripadvisor.com)
- Best fit: lunch, an easy dinner, or a road-trip meal when you want hearty local food without a long wait or a formal setting. (tripadvisor.com)
- Weaker fit: travelers seeking an upscale atmosphere, a highly polished service experience, or a very light meal. The place is built around big portions and a fast-casual rhythm. (tripadvisor.com)
History & Background
The official story is meaningful here. Chef Philip “Ippy” Aiona says he was born and raised on the Big Island, grew up around his father’s Hawaiian plate-lunch shop and his mother’s Italian restaurant in Waimea, studied at Le Cordon Bleu in San Francisco, and later returned home to open Ippy’s Hawaiian BBQ with his family. The site says the restaurant dates to 2012 and frames the concept as a return to the plate-lunch food he grew up with. (ippyshawaiianbarbeque.com)
There is also a recognizable public-figure angle: the story page says he was a finalist on Food Network Star and was included in Forbes’ “30 under 30” and a Forbes chef competition. That said, for traveler use, the more important background is the local-rooted family origin and the emphasis on returning to Waimea with a home-style Hawaiian plate-lunch focus. (ippyshawaiianbarbeque.com)
Review Sentiment Snapshot
What People Love
The strongest positive pattern is generous, well-priced comfort food with lots of variety. Reviewers repeatedly praise the kalbi short ribs, garlic shrimp, kalua pig, teriyaki beef, mahi-mahi, mac salad, and pineapple coleslaw. They also often mention friendly service, fast ordering, and portions large enough to share or save for another meal. (tripadvisor.com)
Common Gripes
The downside signals are relatively light and mixed rather than overwhelming. A few reviews mention that the place can get busy at peak lunch and dinner times, and one reviewer had a markedly worse second visit, citing uneven food quality and a weaker service moment. Another review thought a couple of dishes were merely okay rather than standout, suggesting that satisfaction may depend on what you order. Overall, the criticism does not look like a major recurring red flag, but it does suggest some variability. (tripadvisor.com)
Practical Visitor Tips
- Hours posture: Google shows Monday–Saturday, 11:00 AM–8:00 PM, with Sunday closed; the official contact page also shows Monday–Saturday 11am–8pm. It is worth treating Sunday as closed unless confirmed otherwise on the day. (ippyshawaiianbarbeque.com)
- Walk-in expectation: the operation appears counter-service and casual, so walk-ins should be normal. No reservation system is indicated in the sources reviewed. (tripadvisor.com)
- Best timing: reviewers say it can get busy around peak lunch and dinner, so earlier or off-peak visits may be easier. One review specifically praised it for staying open during the midday lull when other places close. (tripadvisor.com)
- Parking: multiple Tripadvisor reviews mention parking, including a side parking lot. That makes it a more convenient stop than some town-center alternatives. (tripadvisor.com)
- Ordering strategy: the most consistently praised items are kalbi short ribs and garlic shrimp, with kalua pig and mac salad also strong bets. If you want the clearest read on the kitchen, those are the safest first orders. (tripadvisor.com)
- Accessibility / convenience: Tripadvisor lists seating, takeout, highchairs, credit cards, and wheelchair accessibility, which fits the profile of a family-friendly casual meal stop. (tripadvisor.com)
Verification Notes
- Official name, address, phone, and website are consistent across Google Places and the official site, but the website uses Kamuela while Google uses Waimea; these refer to the same area. (ippyshawaiianbarbeque.com)
- The business is listed as operational in Google Places, and the official site also presents it as an active restaurant. (ippyshawaiianbarbeque.com)
- No major verification issues found. (ippyshawaiianbarbeque.com)
Sources
- Google Places / Place details for Ippy’s Hawaiian BBQ —
https://maps.google.com/?cid=9191645466004700166— Retrieved 2026-04-01 — Used to anchor the canonical identity, address, phone, hours, rating, price level, and operational status. - Official Menu page, Ippy’s Hawaiian BBQ —
https://www.ippyshawaiianbarbeque.com/menu— Retrieved 2026-03-?? — Used to confirm the official restaurant name, location formatting, and that the site presents the business as an active Hawaiian BBQ operation. Retrieval date from crawl was “last month”; exact day not provided in the source. - Official Contact page, Ippy’s Hawaiian BBQ —
https://www.ippyshawaiianbarbeque.com/contact— Retrieved 2026-03-?? — Used to confirm phone number, Monday–Saturday hours, and address as presented by the business. Retrieval date from crawl was “last month”; exact day not provided in the source. - Official Our Story page, Ippy’s Hawaiian BBQ —
https://www.ippyshawaiianbarbeque.com/our-story— Retrieved 2026-03-?? — Used for chef background, family history, opening year, and the restaurant’s stated focus on plate lunch, scratch-made sauces, and local ingredients. Retrieval date from crawl was “last month”; exact day not provided in the source. - Tripadvisor listing and reviews for Ippy’s Hawaiian Bbq, Waimea —
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g60588-d23561023-Reviews-Ippy_s_Hawaiian_Bbq-Waimea_Island_of_Hawaii_Hawaii.html— Retrieved 2026-03-?? — Used for recurring review patterns, practical visitor features, menu-item mentions, busyness, and the general traveler read on value and atmosphere. Retrieval date from crawl was “2 weeks ago”; exact day not provided in the source.
