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Bob's Bar-B-Que
Categories: Restaurants Barbeque Restaurants Hawaiian Barbeque, Hawaiian [Edit]
1366 Dillingham BlvdHonolulu, HI 96817
(808) 842-3663
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 6 am - 11 pm
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
90 reviews for Bob's Bar-B-Que
Review Highlights
"I'm addicted to bob's hibachi chicken."
(in 23 reviews)
"Their mac salad is really good."
(in 20 reviews)
"I always order the giant fries in place of the rice."
(in 6 reviews)
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90 reviews in English
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Review from Cintamani A.
Honolulu, HI
1/29/2012
Hands down my favorite plate lunch joint. I don't even care that it basically is a run down parking lot, that it doesn't seem like it's been clean in a decade or friendly cause all I care about is getting that damn food. You get your food and scarf it down in your car and get out of there.
It's all about the meat and that bean side. It seems like it has five spice in it which is absurdly good together unless you hate sweetness to beans. My dog liked the loco moco even though he's a really picky eater. Yeah, shouldn't have given him it but sometimes it just happens. He wasn't a fan of the rice that's for sure.Listed in: 24 Hour Restaurant People
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Review from Kimo S.
1/26/2012 3 Check-ins Here
My wife influenced my decision to not throw 5-stars up here because she wasn't as ecstatic about the skinless Hibachi chicken as I was. For some reason, she just thought the BBQ sauce was "meh" and the chicken is kind of drenched in it.
Personally though, I really like this place and the food always comes out hot and fresh with great portions too. They take all forms of credit card which is nice because I was a little skeptical walking up since it looks like a blast from the past.
I would still strongly recommend the Hibachi chicken (skinless or otherwise), the BBQ sauce works for me but I am also a fan of Tony Roma's BBQ sauce which are both on the sweeter side. -
Review from Ellison U.
Honolulu, HI
I can't believe I haven't tried this place sooner! My entire adult life I've lived 5 blocks away from Bob's and I never really thought about eating there. I just thought the place looked dirty and run-downed (no offense!). But today, I was like "What the hell..." Of course I had to do my Yelp check first, see what was the "must have" dish. I soo love how Yelp has the Review Highlights section, it's my way of deciding what to order. Of course you can't go wrong with what everyone likes!
Anyway, the Review Highlights said the Hibachi Chicken was good... So I went with that. Place serves standard BBQ lunch plates. Don't get it mistaken for Korean BBQ places... cause it's not! The Hibachi chicken was prepared on a flame grill, chicken served tender and drenched in the BBQ sauce, the sauce kinda taste like McDonld's McRib! Best way I could describe it. Lol Served on a bed of lettuce, two scoops rice, and mac salad. First thing I noticed was where the heck was the Mac salad! (cause other reviews said it was good) The plate didn't include it, and I was like... Oh maybe that ran out, but it was served separate in a tiny Styrofoam cup (thought it was extra BBQ sauce) Opened it up... Duh it was my Mac Salad haha...
In all chicken was good... something different from teri chicken. Other reviews said the Kalbi was delish as well so it'll be my excuse to visit this place again. Not in the near future tho...
Ok I didn't mention my plate, the Hibachi Chicken came with three pieces, boneless chicken breast. That's all.
Bottom line: Cheap, Quick, and nearby yay! -
Review from Ryan G.
Kaneohe, HI
2/9/2012
Bob's BBQ has been here for the ages. Back in the 1980s, it was still called the same name except they were known fort their ribs. A gentleman from the mainland used to run it and he made the best ribs!
About 12 years ago, Bob's was known for its garlic chicken, (it was only offered every other Monday night) but because everybody is raving about hibachi chicken I'm not sure how it ranks or if they still serve it.
I just ate here last night for the first time in awhile, and it's still the same Bob's- greasy spoon to fill you up! The Hibachi Chicken is really good so I highly recommend it- loco moco isn't that great... the chicken cutlet is awesome- I definitely recommend that if BBQ isn't feeling very appetizing to you.
But hence the name- order something from the bbq! And the sauce ain't half bad either.... -
Review from Chad S.
Lake Havasu City, AZ
12/26/2011 1 Check-in Here
This is one of my favorite "hole in the wall" places. It's literally a plate lunch style food and everything on the menu is delicious. The hibatchi chicken is by far my favorite, and don't miss out on the cheeseburger, either!
Ambiance is NOT Bob's specialty, but taste is! There are a few picnic tables outside that you can sit on, but we usually pick it up and take it home!
This is definitely a "go to" spot! -
Review from Cami O.
Honolulu, HI
11/23/2011 8 Check-ins Here
I don't even know where to begin about this place!! I mean that in the good way of course.......
I wish they offered brown rice though. downers. but they still have my five stars! I'm glad they extended the parking lot. more parking = more customers :] but that's not what makes a place so great. their KALBI, oh my god, WINNERS! I'm not a meat person but that made me want to order more!! rice was perfect. I was afraid that when I saw the lady scooping and mixing rice in a pan, that it was going to be a little hard and thought it was probably old. NOPE! FRESH RICE. better than how I make it LOL (yeah I suck). I had the Hamburger Steak, regular plate $7.50 I believe. it was just... YUMMM! But honestly though, I wasn't a fan of the gravy :/ it was a little overwhelming, and the texture was kinda like it was made from powder? my boyfriend said he thinks it's flour and that it's made from scratch? maybe they put too much flour?
anyway, he had the BBQ Mix Plate, regular $. I wasn't sure what kind of meat was in it since I was devouring my own plate. lol. except I knew it had Kalbi. he doesn't like to eat the meat that touches the bones so I took it and that's when I thought "I want my own Kalbi plate!!" haha. soo... he said he LOVED it. he ordered it with all tossed salad. because the bbq sauce was sooo good and there were some leftovers on the bottom of the plate, he used that as the dressing for the salad and it was awesome!! dressing was unused!
I'm so puzzled as to why I never come here when it's such a convenient location (for me at least). and prices are very reasonable for the amount of food you get! :D -
Review from Ky T.
Aiea, HI
10/29/2011
Just a tip for all you hibachi chicken lovers, it can be ordered with or without the chicken skin.......
i personally order it without -
Review from Jonathan V.
Kapolei, HI
9/26/2011
Synopsis: It is the most apparent eating place in Kalihi, on the corner of one of the most busiest streets in town: Dilingham and Waikamilo Rd. It looks hellah ghetto, especially when you move closer to the counter to order. However, let me tell you, their fried rice omellete is out of this world! Best of all it's CHEAP!
Environment: NOT FINE-DINING! It's order and RUN type of deal! Definitely not a place I will be lingering during late evenings in fear of getting shot. The outside is pretty run-down, gummed floors, outside sitting on concrete slabbed setas and table.
Food: Omellete fried rice! BOMB-DIGGADI! It was five in the morning after dropping off my dad. MMMMMM!!! You won't be disappointed.
Cost: Pretty cheap. I paid in cash so I am not certain if they accept card.
Parking: They have a small place. I have never seen this place absurdly busy, probably because I don't frequent here during my lunch hours. -
Review from Terry K.
8/29/2011
Yelp challenge 365 # 29/365
You can smell the aroma of his grilling from blocks away. You can't help but to drive around the corner, get to Bob's... oh oh....no parking.... circle the corner again... (tapping my finger on the steering wheel.....) Sheesh! the extra lot is full too :(.....
I then decide to run an errand in an effort to let time pass and the other Bob's lovers to leave..... NO SUCH LUCK.... The moral to this part of the story is PATIENCE....... not only is it a virtue but it will get you a Bob's burger sooner than you think.
My turn rolls around so I decide to make my visit to Bob's worthwhile. I order my lunch ( bbq burger deluxe, side salad and french fries) and can I get (2) bbq rib plates to go? oh, and (1) plate of bbq chicken... that should do it.
I am a happy camper when I leave...now the question becomes how am I going to eat all this food???? I have enough food for the entire week. -
Review from Sarah W.
9/11/2011
Kalua pig and lao lao made me go WOW because the price was like POW (cheap) and the flavor so CHOW (delish). Ohoho!
But really! You can't ask for a better street dive with korean bbq, hawaiian bbq, and japanese bbq items with the usual two scoops of rice and accompanying mayo macaroni salad. Everything is less than $15 with more items hovering around the $10 range.
My mom got grilled ahi and I got the hawaiian special at the time, kalua pig and lao lao. My dish was oily, greasy, yummy, and fatty. The fish was perfectly grilled and charred. The macaroni salad was a bit too heavy for me and I like my mac salad heavy, so weird right. Basically, the food really hit the spot. It's filling, unhealthy, greasy, and delicious. Only go if your BMI is less than 25 (ohoho) and you are willing to walk off the calories! -
Review from Darci N.
11/22/2011 1 Check-in Here
First time and I enjoyed it! A friend ordered for us, we got the shrimp burger, curly fries, steak fries and chocolate shakes! Yummy in my tummy! I'm sure I will stop by again!
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Review from Kayla A.
7/7/2011 7 Check-ins Here
Bob's Barbecue is your typical local drive-inn place, but with better quality food!
My absolute favorite is their Habachi Chicken combo with fried shrimp. The chicken is boneless & the portion of chicken they give you is pretty good. The chicken is smothered in their own sauce. I personally love their sauce, but it can get a little too much so ask for easy sauce.
This place is located right on the corner of Houghtailing and Dillingham. They have a private lot, but it can get a bit busy, especially during lunch & dinner time. They open pretty late so that's really convenient. They only have outside seating.
Overall, this place has good food and offer good portions. -
Review from Cy C.
First time here in a very long time! We were in the area and the BF was hungry for some good kalbi. We turned to yelp and it led us to Bob's!! :]
I had the hibachi chicken combo (comes with fried shrimp), which was alright. At first the chicken tasted sooo good then after a few bites the sauce didn't taste as good. The chicken was kinda hard and a little on the dry side. Maybe I got a bad batch because the reviews for the hibachi chicken were really good. That's why I got it.. Oh well. :)
The BF had the kalbi, which was suppper good! Nice and juicy. Very tender and easy to chew. He was a happy camper!
The parking here is kinda hard. Its like a one way in, and if the parking is full you need to reverse all the way out.
The seating is outdoors, which is nice if its a breezy day. Overall this place is good cheap eats :) -
Review from Tania K.
Honolulu, HI
4/25/2011 7 Check-ins Here
I've been coming here since I was a kid and it's still the same! Sooooo yummy & the price isnt so bad either!! I LOVE it here! I usually get a teri cheeseburger and curly fries or "giant" fries w/a chocolate malt! Also love the hamburger steak. Thats my sons absolute fav and can polish off a mini plate all by himself..pretty good for a 3 yr old :) My bf usually gets the bbq mixed plate or if they have it on special the meat loaf. We live right up the road so I try to get him to eat here @ least once every other week! I need my Bobs fix!!
The prkg used to suck but now they made the lot a lil bigger so that helps since they get super crowded! So its also a good thing to phone order cause if its crowded you'll be stuck waiting. I have their number programmed into my phone :) -
Review from Wesley L.
Honolulu, HI
9/4/2011
If you want BBQ, this is the place to go. You can really taste the grilled flavor in every plate they serve.
Not many places serve beef ribs anymore. I've tried their Hibachi chicken (very good), Pork ribs (good), Beef ribs (very good, just know beef ribs don't have a ton of meat), Saba (good), Hamburger steak (so-so, they don't give much). I usually get their Hibachi chicken with little bit extra sauce.
Their mac salad is really good. The chocolate malt is awesome. Their wedge fries are really good. Their baked beans are good.
Parking has been increased, so it's much better now.
The only thing that sucks, the place kind of doesn't look so clean. -
Review from Rodalyn C.
Ewa Beach, HI
8/26/2011
Hibachi Chicken! BBQ chicken! Chicken Katsu! Bbq Pork!
Mmm. Bobs bbq makes me go crazy. Their food is very very very good. A good place for late night dinner. Their portion size is good with a reasonable price. My favorite thing to order? HIBACHI CHICKEN! yum! Compared to other places like Blazin Steaks, Bobs bbq just takes the #1 spot. Well for me....
Its easy to miss. Located on the corner next to Taco Bell, Across the street form Mc Donalds In Dillingham. Also, Bobs sometimes can get busy and parking can suck since the lot is so small, but hey for good food, GO FOR IT! -
Review from mojojojo b.
Honolulu, HI
1/24/2012
ho, dis place so ghetto!! when dey goin remodel??? seriously, i've been coming here for decades (yikes! ok, i'm not as old as that sounds but i've been coming here since i was a little girl and thus it has literally been decades!) and the place never changes. i thought surely after that car crashed into the front part of the building (into that beam that supported the roof to their "lanai" area) they would remodel but damn if it doesn't look just the same as it did before the crash! yeah, it looks kinda dirty and the air ducts are black but if you no like eat here then don't! frankly, i don't want to know what kind of dance cockroaches do here at night. what do i eat here? well if you must know - the teri cheeseburger and giant fries. in fact, my momma just put in an order for my entire family to eat dinner! oopsie, that might seem strange that i'm "decades" old and still eat at home with my family but we stay tight eh?! me and daddy also like the hibachi chicken plate (totally different from teri chicken here folks! more like bbq chicken and certainly not like huli huli). i can't say i ate much else here! now that i think about it that's strange that i've never really ventured to eating other things here! i haven't even eaten regular french fries from here in a long time and even then i just tried it from someone else's leftovers. i just order the giant fries all the time which are really potato wedges (but not really wedges since it's just the potato sliced into like 5 pieces) deep fried.
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Review from Nathan N.
Honolulu, HI
7/10/2011
This place has been around forever. I grew up in Kalihi, so Bob's has always been a familiar icon to me. Located on the busy intersection of Dillingham and Waiakamilo Road, Bob's Bar-B-Que is really easy to find. Parking has vastly improved since I was a kid. No longer are there only 10 stalls. The neighboring building was knocked down and the parking lot was enlarged.
So like I said, I grew up in Kalihi and have eaten here many times. It's okay, but I really don't see why everyone raves about it. Well I take that back, the BBQ sauce is excellent. I wish I could get a few bottles of that stuff for home use. -
Review from Krysten I.
Honolulu, HI
9/12/2011 1 Check-in Here
The Hibachi style BBQ chicken is really very good. I was a little skeptical at first, but I was very satisfied when I actually tried it. They have a very extensive menu which kind of reminded me of L and L. The food is way better than L and L AND they let you choose a side. I'm not the hugest fan of mac salad and was excited to get cole slaw with my chicken instead at no extra cost. They also offer kim chee! :)
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Review from Esteban W.
Honolulu, HI
2/27/2011
I have been longing for an American Barbecue place. Many people here in Hawaii either don't remember what that was, or think that I am talking about Kal bi and Katsu. American barbecue, grilled animal smothered and covered in Bullseye or any kind of homemade brown barbecue concoction. My parents used to make it and grill it, and American barbecue on the mainland would have it... but here in Hawaii, meat jun comes to mind when you ask people for barbecue.
Coming from San Diego, I fell in love with Phil's BBQ. That mesquite grilled taste of charred chicken or ribs, rubbed down with a billion spices and covered in a secret sauce that have Roy Kroc rolling over in his grave. But here in Hawaii, no such a thing exists...any more... and the closest you are going to find it is at Bob's.
The GOOD: They have the barbecue (kinda) that I was looking for... grilled (hibatchi) chicken covered in a brown goop that reminds me of the homeland barbecue, where cowboys roamed and sheep herders... went "camping". We ordered the habatchi chicken mix plate-type thing that came with deep fried shrimp and a Kalua pork plate... just to remind myself of where I am. They do have ribs, just like what Chili's Restaurant is trying to copy, but it's about $15 for a plate... and we were just here for a quick lunch. The plates came with the Hawaiian favorite: Mac Salad, and two scoop of rice.
The BAD: It's all out doors, and last I check this wasn't the Philippines. The bus stop is literally, right there so every 10 minutes or so your conversation and enjoyment would be bothered by, "[ding] Aloha!...bus number 70... Ewa beach...blah, blah, blah" - not to mention that you're on a busy Dillingham street corner across from a MIDAS shop, so you're bound to drown in sound pollution.
Overall: Ninety-eight percent of the menu is Korean BBQ; Katsu, Kal bi and Mac Salad. Except here you don't get to choose four sides. There is only three to four American Barbecue items, and two of those four are 15+ dollars per plate. I most likely won't come back again. Because you can't get American Barbecue in very many places, and THIS is the first open place that I have seen on O'ahu, I had to check it out and see what was out there. Unfortunately the barbecue sauce they use... isn't great at all... it's "okay" at best. Most likely, I will satisfy my barbecue needs at home, where I can rub my meat and slather it with my own sauce. It's pushing three stars because of its "originality" and also because I am being nice. In addition, IF I do ever come back, it may be to try the burger, "huge fries" or the Mahi. -
Review from Sheena C.
5/18/2011
Mmmmm, barbecue sauce. Mmmm, mmm, mmmmmmm.
Oh and the baby back ribs? Yah, they were pretty good. Not as tender as I'd like and not as meaty as I'd like, but I LOVE THE SAUCE! Oh and the mac salad! If you don't like it oniony, you will love Bobs' mac salad.
I ate half of my "snack"-sized plate and I was stuffed. I'd say the BBQ Mix Plate could probably feed 2-3 people, which is a great deal for like $14.
Next time I'll definitely get the kalbi that everyone is raving about.
To be continued.... -
Review from Stephanie S.
Mililani, HI
6/20/2011
Finally went here after all the suggestions.
I had the Hibachi Chicken and my company had the short ribs. The Hibachi chicken was tender and very saucy the short ribs were fantastic. That's what I will get next time I go.
Very easy to find, parking is right in front of the restaurant. Might be wise to call the order in for pick up.
Good Eats!! -
Review from Doris D.
Honolulu, HI
3/30/2011
A great greasy spoon. Wicked cheap too. I got the cheeseburger deluxe which comes with fries and a soda ($~5). My husband got the teri burger ($~3). Both meals were really excellent, and you can taste the smoke of a well-worn grill in the meat patties. That's all you really need to complete a good burger. The outdoor seating is a bit shoddy but has a lot of character.
Although you might be expecting American BBQ, it's not. It's Local BBQ! Adjust your expectations accordingly :) -
Review from Faye m.
1/31/2011 11 Check-ins Here
Haven't had a meal here since high school, until this past Friday night. This place hasn't changed one bit!!
I had the Kim Chee Burger with curly fries & my BF had a BBQ Mix Plate. My burger was delicious and really hit the spot, since I hardly eat burgers now days. The curly fries tasted exactly like Jack in the Box's curly fries - hot & seasoned to perfection!
My BF really liked his plate - I didn't try it; but he ate it all, so it must've been as good as I remember!
We also got a chocolate malt to share & those are always good to have after a burger and fries! Needless to say, I won't avoid this place anymore, I don't know why I started to in the first place! -
Review from Keri K.
Mililani Town, HI
11/26/2010 1 Check-in Here
Okay, I will echo Chad's comment about it not being the most pleasing place to be around. The food is good though. I had the Kalbi and it was pretty tasty. Not a fan of their mac salad though, because they put vinegar in it. I can taste it. ;P
I was initially going to give the place 4 stars, because I'm all about the food, but this time, the ambiance kind of turned me off. While waiting for my food, I glanced over at the bus stop at the right, and there was a lady changing her clothes right in front of everyone. Well, lets just say, it was kind of Gross. I'm sure all those on the bus in front of her got a good show. But that's the neighborhood this is in that area. Be forewarned, but the food is a decent lunch. -
Review from Karl K.
Honolulu, HI
9/6/2011
I first went to Bob's Bar-B-Q when they were located in Kapahulu four decades ago. I now go to their current Kalihi location only occasionally as it's a bit out-of-the-way for me and parking is really a bear during the peak lunch hours. I like their BBQ pork and pork rib plates, and the BBQ chicken plate once in awhile. The Giant Burger and Giant Fries (potato wedges) are my order when I don't feel like a full plate lunch.
The quantity of food is stupendous and matches the high quality Bob's offers. There's enough left-overs for at least an afternoon snack.
I've gone to their Stadium Mall location, now re-named, but still under the same ownership. One thing I noticed the few times I went was they didn't offer the Giant Burger there.
4-1/2 STARS! -
Review from Tammy C.
Lowell, MA
8/3/2011
Yum! Absolutely scrumptious. Though Ive only had Bob's Bar-B-Que once, the thought of their food has me drooling for more two and a half years later. Unfortunately, I have turned to the green side...now a vegetarian I no longer enjoy BBQ. (Keep this a secret: I'd eat the meat at this place in a heartbeat!!) The establishment is quaint is very cute. The location should attract many people. Wish I could have moree!! Maybe if I attend UH, Id eat here all the time! Prices are fair, so as much as I can remember. Portions are just as great!! Great meals and deals!! Wish I could come back!
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Review from Tim C.
Waipahu, HI
7/20/2011
My friend and I were hungry and we were right next to BObs, so we decided to try it. She remembered they had great BBQ chicken but heard they had bad ribs. So she ordered teh chicken and I saw these HUGE beef ribs someone else order and said WTH i'll try it. I was no mistake, the ribs were quite tender and had good flavor. It was like dinosaur ribs!!
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Review from Hoku W.
Salt Lake City, UT
3/23/2011 1 Check-in Here
I remember coming to Bob's as a kid.... It's still good!! In fact, I love it even more now. I ordered the Kalbi plate.. oh man. SO. GOOD! My mom ordered the Bob's Combo that comes with a delicious burger, fries and drink. My husband ordered the BBQ ribs combo. 'Ono!!
Parking is tight but lucky we beat the lunch rush!! -
Review from CHAD K.
Honolulu, HI
9/2/2010
First time ever at Bob's, not the most pleasing place to eye and I tried not to imagine my food being prepared by the lady who was holding cooked food with her bare hand.
I havent had a plate lunch in years so I felt I was due and Bobs by suggestion was the place.
The competition was tough but in the end the hibachi chicken won out, along with fries and a large diet. The sauce they used on the chicken was really good, it didnt have much kick at all but it was still really damn tasty. My regular plate came with about 5or 6 chicken thighs lol, thats a lot, but I downed the whole plate along with most of the rice and half of the mac salad. My fries were over cooked and had no salt which made them bland but I ate them just so I could have the peace of mind that I did have fries within the last few months lol but it wasnt very good.
The plate itself was very good and although the ancillary parts were nothing to brag about the star of the show showed up to play thats for sure. I would definitely come back here again!
The -
Review from Arabiki D.
Honolulu, HI
8/14/2011
New expansion of the parking lot could be the smartest move ever for this place! Located at the busy street corner of dillingham and waiakamilo makes "no parking" into just a pass by! Hibachi Chicken Dinner...OMG drooling already! That is the main highlight of this place and i'm sure everyone has their favorites but to me...this is IT! Sampled the Big kahuna breakfast as well but you gotta love starch for that! TIP: order the Portuguese sausage! It is the MOST breakfast meat you will get with this plate out of (bacon, spam, ect)
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Review from Lee M.
Honolulu, HI
12/22/2010
Upon getting out of my car, I noticed that this place looks semi rough. Dare I say, borderline real life!
I ordered the BBQ chicken plate which turned out to be pleasantly mediocre. The plate included; rice, mac salad (also blah blah blah), and BBQ chicken which was good. Very moist and tasteful. However, I just expected more. Like I totally hyped up my taste buds for some juicy BBQ chicken drenched in some killer savory sauce. And yeah, the wow factor, totally missed the boat. Total let down.
Portion wise, very healthy. No complaints in that department.
Ooh, the giant fries are wicked tasty! Fat, crispy, potato wedge goodness. Total nom nom style.
I need to definitely come back and try something else from the menu. I just know this place is holding the key to some delicious dish and I aim to sniff it out.
To be continued. -
Review from Aaron B.
Honolulu, HI
5/27/2010 6 Check-ins Here
Had the 1/3 bacon cheese buger combo today. Did it up with a little customization. Had the buger cooked medium rare, bacon made ultra crispy, and instead of thousand island dressing got me hibachi bbq sauce. The burger was good, the meat was a little bland and over cooked. The bacon was crispy but not burnt, and the hibachi sauce is tangy!
Had it with the q fries, cooked nice and fresh from the fryer.
Would i eat here again? Yes yes yes i am a fan of Bob's bbq, its one of the best cheap bbq places on oahu. -
Review from Matthew N.
Honolulu, HI
4/27/2010
Always listen to your mother.
That's a lesson most of us never really learn, especially since we spend most of our youth trying to be something completely different from either of our parents, particularly when we're rebelling against rules and traditions and all the other stifling parts of childhood. But sometimes folks, mothers really do know what they're talking about, and we'd do well to stop, look, and listen to them once in a while.
That's my nugget of wisdom from Bob's BarBQ. I can remember years ago having my mother drag me to the dingy, farmhouse-looking place at the corner of Dillingham and Waikamilo. I remember thinking that anyplace that looked so shoddy, anyplace where the smoke was belching out so voluminously that it was stinking up the area for blocks, anyplace that I was being dragged to over and over...well, it had to suck. It also didn't help that I couldn't order for myself.
Now that I'm a big boy, though, I can order for myself, and the thing I order without fail at Bob's is their bbq chicken plate. I'm not really a kalbi or ribs kinda guy; separating meat from bone in a place like Hy's is fine, but out of styrofoam, well, that's not my thing. One day I'll be brave enough to try a teribeef plate, but after being let down so many times everywhere on this island, I just can't.
But oh, the chicken. It sizzles with goodness. It's definitely not bbq from down South, but the kind of bbq you get from most local joints. And at Bob's, you get plenty. I'm amazed over and over each time I open the lid, thinking that this is the day I'll discover that they're cutting back on portions. I'm glad to be disappointed in that regard. If mac salad is your thing, they've got a pretty good one that's kept clean and separate (unlike Fort Street Bar and Grill). And, as far as price goes, this could very well be the highest value to the dollar in plate lunches.
The service is quick, friendly, efficient. They have a limited number of covered benches where you can eat yourself into a slumber. Beware, though, the parking lot can tend to get full pretty quick and, because of how the stalls are diagonally striped, it can sometimes be a challenge to reverse out.
Mom, if you're reading...you were right. -
Review from Jeanette M.
Washington D.C., DC
7/14/2011 1 Check-in Here
To me the food was just ok. My husband liked it but I really wasn't all that impressed.
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Review from Richard D.
San Francisco, CA
10/24/2010
For the 4 years I've been here in Washington, I haven't had the luck of finding good kalua pig, let alone any Hawaiian restaurant within short driving distance.
This past July, I finally decided to visit my family and friends, and further expand my 3 month belly with authentic local kine grinez. With choices galore, I narrowed it down to a few that I knew would more than satisfy my long awaited craving.
The second day of our vacation, my buddy and I headed to Bob's bbq in my hometown, ghetto Kalihi. I ordered the usual, kalua pig and hibachi chicken. The latter wasn't that great. However, the kalua pig never tasted better. OMG! haha.... I was in heaven. My friend agreed that it was cooked to perfection.
Washington has a variety of food to choose from, but hawaiian food is few and far between. Going back home once every 4-5 years makes me realize how amazing authentic hawaiian food really is.
The Good:
Best kalua pig on the planet.
The Bad:
Parking might be an issue if the lot is full. -
Review from Mark C.
Honolulu, HI
12/23/2007
If you've never been to Bob's Bar-B-Que all I can say is "what the hell are you waitin' for?" you don't know what you're missing. From the moment you pull up in to the driveway the aroma instantly makes your mouth water. Parking is tight so try to be patient.
As you walk up to the window you'll see photos of each plate item they sell. They have everything from steaks to seafood. So far I've had the seafood combo (which consists of scallops, mahi mahi and large prawns), pork chops, bbq ribs, pulled pork and grilled mahi mahi. You get your choice of rice or fries. I always order the giant fries in place of the rice.
Service is fast and there's an area to eat outside if you wish. I guaranty you won't be disappointment. As a matter a fact, I just came from there two hours ago! Haha! Well, hope to see you there.. enjoy! -
Review from Brian A.
Honolulu, HI
Updated - 11/28/2009
I think that the girlfriend is right and it was pretty evident to me this time. The consistency at Bob's varies from time to time. I ordered my good old kalbi rib plate lunch, but this time the ribs were a lot thicker and juicier! It tasted the same, yet it was better! For around $8 for the ribs, double scoop of rice, and mac salad you can't lose. I couldn't finish it all too. So, yay for leftovers!
The only things that is good and bad. The car and clothes are left smelling like bar-b-q. 8PListed in: Oahu Dirty Diner Tour, "I'd Gladly Pay You Tuesday…
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10/25/2009
The white smoke waifs though the traffic intersection and the smell of bar-b-que meat pervades the… Read more »
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Review from Tammy T.
9/6/2008
Okay I opted for 2 stars rather then 1, only because I took someone else advice and trusted he would point me in the right direction. You see I was told two things: They make the best teri chicken and two, it has no fat. You see, I hate the fat icky rubber thing that... *gag* and chicken skin. F'en hate it! So when you hear "best & no fat" together hell I was all about it.
The chicken was dry, and yes it had fat, I think the disappointment also was because he was raving about it for weeks at work...Oh sh*t, can't believe you haven't eaten there, you call yourself local..blah blah blah.
What I learned; never trust a huge guy who eats just about anything to give a picky eater advice on what to get. -
Review from Jive C.
Honolulu, HI
6/14/2011
Simply put: Bob's BBQ is my standard that I compare all BBQ to.
BBQ CHICKEN
You have a choice between BBQ (teriyaki/local bbq) or Hibachi (red sauce) chicken. Both are equally good and though I think I know what I want to order, I find myself in a quandary to decide every single time. Despite my many requests, they simply won't make a combo plate for me :(
Nonetheless, I am never unsatisfied whichever I end up choosing.
They have the best BBQ chicken of any restaurant on the island, hands down. Simple as that.
BBQ Pork
Once I decided to look at other items besides the BBQ chicken on the menu, I noticed they had BBQ pork. Like the BBQ chicken, it is awesome and has become the standard against which all other BBQ pork is gauged.
It's tender, flavorful, and well-portioned.
Can't go wrong.
Bob's excels at the BBQ'd foods and that's what I'll stick to when I go there. I've had other dishes like their garlic chicken, katsu, etc., but I think Bob's is much better on the grill than the deep fryer.
