L&L Hawaiian Barbecue
Counter-service L&L Hawaiian Barbecue in Keaau serving classic Hawaiian plate lunches, katsu, BBQ chicken, loco moco, and other quick comfort-food staples. Best for a fast, budget-friendly meal rather than a linger-long dining experience.
- Quick-service counter ordering
- Takeout available
- Mobile ordering supported
- Open daily except Sunday
L&L Hawaiian Barbecue in Keaau is the kind of stop that exists to solve a very specific traveler problem: you want a fast, filling Hawaiian plate lunch without overthinking it. This is the classic L&L formula—BBQ chicken, chicken katsu, loco moco, kalua pork, rice, macaroni salad, and other familiar comfort-food staples—served in a practical counter-service setting on Old Volcano Road. It stands out less for surprise than for reliability, especially if you want a recognizable Big Island plate-lunch fix on the east side.
What it does best
The menu is built around the dishes that made L&L a statewide staple. BBQ Chicken, Chicken Katsu, BBQ Mix, Loco Moco, BBQ Short Ribs, Kalua Pork with Cabbage, Spam Musubi, and Spam Saimin are the clearest anchors. For travelers, that means straightforward choices, generous portions, and the kind of food that works well after a long drive, a beach day, or a day of errand-running in Puna. The price point is budget-friendly, which makes it especially useful when the goal is a solid meal rather than a sit-down occasion.
The feel of the place
This is a quick-service operation, not a lingering dinner spot. Order at the counter, take it to go if that suits the schedule, or use mobile ordering when speed matters. The experience is functional and casual, with no strong sign that the dining room itself is the draw. That is part of the appeal: the focus stays on convenience and dependable plate-lunch basics. It fits easily into a road-trip rhythm and works well for families, solo travelers, and anyone who wants an easy, familiar meal.
Tradeoffs to keep in mind
The same chain consistency that makes L&L dependable can also make it feel generic compared with a more local, chef-driven kitchen. The menu is heavy on meat, rice, and starch, so it is not the best choice for vegetarians, vegans, or travelers seeking a lighter, produce-forward meal. And while it is a practical fit for breakfast-brunch-ish hours too, this is not really a brunch destination in the destination-dining sense. L&L’s broader story helps explain the format: it began as a small O‘ahu shop in 1952 and grew into a major Hawaiian plate-lunch brand, so this location feels like a clear outpost of a much larger island tradition.
Best for
Choose L&L Hawaiian Barbecue if the priority is quick, inexpensive comfort food with familiar Hawaiian plate-lunch flavors. Travelers looking for atmosphere, culinary novelty, or a special-occasion meal should probably look elsewhere.
