Fatty's Chinese Fast Food
- Price Range: $
- Accepts Credit Cards: No
- Parking: Street
- Attire: Casual
- Good for Groups: No
- Good for Kids: Yes
- Takes Reservations: No
- Delivers: No
- Take-out: Yes
- Waiter Service: No
- Wheelchair Accessible: No
- Outdoor Seating: No
- Good for: Lunch, Late Night
- Alcohol: None
29 Reviews for Fatty's Chinese Fast Food
As Greg said, Fatty's is an experience. The way the cooks and staff work is impresive, the people that comes here are very friendly and often you find a fatty's fan seated next to yourself talking about his/her favorite specials #. The staff don't speak amazing english nor is amazingly attentive (it's better than the drive-thru from your local mcdonald's, I promise) but who cares! the specials are great for their price (6, 6.5, 7.5 and 8.5$) and you'll often prefer to relax and entertain yourself at fatty's than going to a boring cheeseburguer restaurant or paying overpriced japanese food in Kuhio avenue. Yeap, the cashier is very cute, greg!
Tucked away in an alley like alcove, inbetween some hotels and an outdoor mall: Fatty's lurks.
It is small, often crowded, hot and smokey inside, the staff barely speaks English, cheap, and fast. In this case all good qualites since you can:
Eat outside, just point at what you would like, then dine away on a nearby bench or back at your spot.
As with any take-out syle place. You should order something that is not sitting out. It is always better when they cook it fresh instead of shoveling chicken that was sitting under a heat lamp for five hours.
This often ends up as drunky food for myself. It does its job well.
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3.5 stars. I think Fatty's is pretty average Chinese food. Of course I knew not to order from their 2-4 item combo buffet.
I had the Beef Chow fun with sprouts (dry) and it was good but not spectacular. We also had the shrimp and pork fried rice which gets the same rating. The won ton (wun tun) noodle soup was below average. It was about $8 for each the fried rice and chow fun and $6 for the soup.
Maybe it's because I live in California and there is definitely plenty of good Chinese food all over the place that I think this place is okay.
Yup this place is small and old but it is cheap and good! I will have to go back for more.
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A dive but worth it!
This place is in the back of international market closest to Kuhio. It looks like a dive, and it is. It has about 8 seats inside and is about 100 degrees in there but don't let that stop you. I come here for two things. The choy sum and beef chow fun, and the fried grouper. Both are excellent. Don't burn your mouth on the chow fun. Don't bother with the pre-made buffet items.
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They say that in a dining experience what's served first and last will stick best in the mind of the diner -- especially what's served at the end of a meal. With that said, Fatty's is my last, fondest (culinary) memory from my visit to Hawaii.
Which leads me to wonder why I waited 'til the end of my trip to eat here? Well, what's done is done, and I'm left with the memory of the tastiest, slim-noodled, dry-fried beef chow fun I think I've ever had... and of crunchy-shelled, perfectly spicy Sichuan prawns that were to die for! It's been well over a month and I can still recall the firm-textured sweet shrimp that were slightly salty, oh so crispy, and chili-pepper spiced...
Of course, none of that was what *I* ordered. Fortunately, my BF has a generous nature and let me share his -- especially since I'll admit that I ordered poorly, and therefore, will not be including that car-wreck of a dish in my review. Let that be a lesson to you: Do NOT stray from the menu at Fatty's. The dishes are perfect the way they are.
So, true to what they say about a single dining experience was also true for my overall culinary experience in Hawaii. Therefore, Fatty's will have to be the good stuff at the beginning and the end of my next visit to Honolulu!
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Aw, when I showed my sister that Fatty's was on Yelp she was so excited.
Too bad we live in California. We went to this Fatty's location 2 years ago during the winter and the food is excellent.
The noodle soup is really one of a kind and I've never had a more tastier soup than that.
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Im in Hawaii often. The first place I hit after I get my bags unpacked is Fattys. Fattys is an experience. Just watching the organization by the staff in cramped conditions and the food prep is fun. Who cares if its hot inside, thats part of the experience. Im trying to get them to name a new special for me, it would be a number 21. Just take a #12 and add brocolli. I could eat it everday after bodyboarding at the Wall, and sometimes I do. Best value for good healthy food in the world. Just thinking about Fattys makes me want to go out and buy a ticket to Hawaii. Cute waitress too!
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Hidden in the touristy-filled, overpriced, and chain mecca that is Waikiki is a gem called Fatty's. It's a hole-in-the-wall place- cramped, not wel lit, and defnitely not overdecorrated. But don't be fooled. This place serves up authentic Chinese cuisine and very reasonable prices. If you're looking for a place to go that only those in the know go, this is your place.
Their roast duck and char sui rice as well as the pan fried noodles with beef and chinese greens are my favorites, though there's so much more that I want to try on their menu.
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Yelp is awesome, I'm finding places where I ate 5 years ago whose names I can't even remember, but thanks to reviews and posted photos, the memories come flooding back!
This is probably the only authentic Cantonese eatery in the whole Waikiki strip that's easy, cheap, and decent value as well as variety. We stumbled upon it while walking around back in Thanksgiving 2002. After all you can only have so much Hawaiian, plate lunches, fusion Japanese, and ramen oozing in animal fat and bone marrow molasses thick broth.
I agree the food here is not stellar by any means, but it hits the spot. Stir fried rice plates, noodles, and arguably some Chinese BBQ.
The menu is Chinese and English friendly, although as with all Cantonese restaurants, if you speak the lingo and can read, you'll do just fine.
You don't come to Hawaii and expect to go on a diet, and if you're on vacation you might as well pig out like there's no tomorrow. Eating at Fatty's is no exception. So with fine swine on my mind, I ended up ordering the stir fried salt pepper pork ribs over rice (jiew yeem pai gwut fan). This was a true delight, although Fatty's chef was a bit heavy handed with salt and jalapenos.
BUT....once you down this with rice and hot tea, you feel energized again. The ribs had superb wok flavor/wok energy or "wok breath" if you translate it literally.
The ho fun soup with steamed chicken with ginger scallion sauce was just ok, but is also a decent alternative for those who don't want stir fried.
If I remember correctly, they didn't serve congee here in 2002. Which was why I had to go to Honolulu's Chinatown for that.
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When I see a steady stream of locals (mostly dressed in uniforms from the various hotels and vendors) rolling in for lunch, you know that you're about to experience something special. As a past "wok wielder" (I have burn scars on my left hand to prove it), the secret to good Chinese food is the quality, age and aroma of the hot wok. Emphasis on "hot". The choy sum beef chow fun is in the top echelon of my experiences, worth going back just for this. I dropped one star because the wonton soup didn't quite measure up. Noodles and wontons were delish but the soup was watery tasting and I watched staff adding a full ladle of MSG after watering it down. That's a no-no in my books.
I was hesitant to try a Chinese restaurant with the name "Fatty's," but after hearing my mom rave about it so much I had to try it!
They make my beef chow fun exactly the way I like it...with lots of gravy. Now I'm a regular, fulfilling my chow fun cravings here! Prices aren't bad for Waikiki...beef chow fun for $6.50, I can get 3 meals out of one order! The cake noodle is delicious, but is the most expensive item on the menu at $8.50!! I discovered cake noodle (sort of like HK style Chinese chow mein cut up into rectangular pieces) is only offered in Chinese restaurants in Hawaii, nowhere else have I've heard of such a thing, maybe that's why it's $8.50...it's a Hawaiian specialty?!
Fatty's is a tiny hole in the wall. Bar seating is the only seating available, no A/C so it's very hot and stuffy. You can either pick from the already made food (starting at $4) or select a made-to-order-dish off their menu (starting at $6).
A good place to try if you're visiting Waikiki and sick of spending $15 per person for semi-decent food. Cheap eats for yummy food!
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Place is tiny and looks interesting from the outside. Yes, it is kind of cool how the kitchen is opened up.
My wife's Chicken Fried Rice was burnt.
My Ginger Chicken w/Rice tasted merely OK. The bad part was that they chopped a whole piece of chicken up...BONES and all...and placed it on the rice. I did my best to pick the bones out, but ended up hurting one of my teeth on a bone fragment.
I can see how some people may have fond memories of this interesting little spot, but as a traveler looking for decent Chinese food...this just does not even remotley cut it for us.
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I love Fatty's and I have to wait a LONG time get my Fatty's fix. It's the proverbial hole in the wall, which is fine because the more people are scared of it, the more likely I can get in and grab a stool. The food is so cheap, so delicious! And they fix it up for you right there. Wok hay in all the dishes, can't wait to get back over there.
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Ahhh, the aloha version of the greasy spoon. I gotta be in the mood for this place. Those stools at the counter, or the option of eating out of styrofoam containers (I'll take the stools most days 'cuz I can't stand eating good food out of take-out containers)
I just don't get people who give less stars because the place needs "remodeling" or "looks disgusting".
It looked good enough for you to try it, so it can't be THAT bad. Besides, it's part of what makes the place click... Why not just rate the food, and simply comment of the atmosphere?
Hey, do you know why there are no restaurants on the moon?
Because there's "just no atmosphere there..."
Fattys has it's own unique atmosphere. It is what it is... take it or leave it. Either way, you might be waiting for a seat.
If you sit at the counter long enough, and you'll eventually need some sunscreen. It get's that hot in there. I love watching the cooks do their thing. Fresh veggies, and handfuls of noodles all flying every-which-way.
The crispy chow mein is my fav. But the singapore noodles are good too.
Give it a try. It's good food!
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I don't expect too much in terms of food quality in Hawaii. This place serves decent food and pretty fresh.
I LOVE FATTY'S! love the food, love the name, love the location. i'm so happy that everyone else here loves it, too! wow!
FOOD: i always get the ginger chicken w/lo mein (instead of rice). growing up, i'd always get fatty's when i went to my mom's shop in waikiki. i used to always get the fishball noodle soup...mmm....but now it's always the ginger chicken b/c not many chinese restaurants sell that. & amazingly cheap!
SERVICE: it's been the same ass people since i was little. i always pre-order over the phone, & sometimes i get annoyed that they don't make it till i get there. liars! so now i do this whole i'm-in-a-rush act on the phone, like "I'LL BE THERE IN 2 MINUTES" in a dead serious voice, & it does the trick. mwahaha.
DECOR: total hole in the wall. i've never sat @ the counter; takeout only.
BATHROOM: try to break in to the one @ the miramar hotel next door.
OVERALL: fatty's is a fond childhood memory for me. the more i travel the world, the more i appreciate how fatty (fatty being an overall compliment not referring to the nutritional content) fatty's is.
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Wow, I'm surprised to see Fatty's here.
If you work or live in Waikiki, you should know of this place. Well, maybe. To me, it's a hole in the wall place that looks really disgusting from the outside but the food is good!!!
I only get one thing: Choy Sum Beef Chow Fun. Yeah!!
I gave 4 stars only because they really should think about remodeling a bit.
Cheap and good food!!
Cook to order food at fast food prices. Can't beat that. Was a bit busy so had to wait for fish and grens over rice and 'hom yu gai nup chow fon", which were both very good. In waikiki, where everthing is expensive, this place is an incredible value for locals and visitors.
I read about Fatty's on this site. The ratings are correct, this is probably the best Chinese food in Waikiki, if not. then all of Honolulu.
They offer traditional Chinese food, similar to what is found in China Town, San Francisco. For those who don't enjoy trying new types of food, they do offer 5 items, Panda Express style, at a very low price. (Sweet and Sour Pork, Beef Chop Suey, Shoyu Chicken, Pineapple Shrimp, and a daily special) all you do is tell them which 2 you want and they'll scoop it up for you.
OTHERWISE, everything else in the restaurant is made fresh, right in front of you. The food comes very fast, as they have 2-3 woks going at once.
The only thing I don't like is that they don't have as many vegetables in their dishes; the Pork, Duck, & Chicken on Rice is exactly as read, inside the box is a large portion of rice and Cha Siu (pork, which by the way is REALLY well prepared), chicken, and roast duck.
o PS there are some items on the store walls that you can get that arn't on the menu such as Beef steak with Black Bean sauce, Sea Bass Rice, Mushroom and Chicken, and etc.
5 for service (very friendly and helpful)
4.5 for food (veggies)
5 for price (5-6 BUCKS FOR A MEAL IN WAIKIKI?! UNHEARD OF)
5 overall
Nice prices ($5 for two items plus rice or noodles) for Waikiki. It did take a while for us wait for our food cause they cooked a new batch for us. I would try other things on their menu but we ate at different places.
ok, I walked by Fatty's & thought what a dive, then I saw how many people where inside. I stopped in sat at the bar and ordered the # 5 expecting pan fried noodles and got soup, I have to admit it was a hot day and wasn't really feeling the soup but figured what the hell. I was pleasantly surprised by the freshness & flavor or my soup. I could have sat there all day watching the cooks put together all the fresh & made to order food.
This is a must when visiting Honolulu and I will be back tomorrow.
(FYI: it's kind of hidden but right next to Hart Hanks)
I used to have to eat here all the time with my dad as a kid. It was always packed (with Chinese of course) but hey where the Chinese go, that's where the real good Chiense food is at. They cook everything right in front of your eyes, and the prices are awesome.
Little gem of a restaurant offering quick, tasty, ample Chinese fare. You get to watch your chef as he prepares your meal right in front of you. Love its cold ginger chicken and duck on rice plate! YUM!YUM!YUM!
3/27/08- Got to go to Fatty's this week....Still GREAT!
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Fatty's is a GREAT place....I used to work in Waikiki and Fatty's always had great food to offer....My favorite are the prawns....I order them on crispy noodles....so we call it "Shrimp & Hay"....It's delicious and pretty funny to eat because the noodles fly all over the place...they are so crispy. They also make great dumplings...sooo delicious. Their chicken and mushroom is also really good...I don't think I have every had a bad meal there and I worked in Waikiki for about 5 years....ate there at least 3 times a week....Highly recommend!
food was alright. nothing to write home about. the place is like any authentic hole in the wall place in chinatown areas in the bayarea. they didnt have chili garlic sauce.. so i guess that doesnt make it as authentic.
My first time here, I was VERY leery about the place. It's located next to the International Market and right across from the hotel that we were staying at. My friend had been hungering for some Chinese food and one of the workers around the Intl. Market suggested this place. He tried it and raved about it. I was thinking what does this 'haole' know about Chinese food? He dragged me along to go have it a 2nd time that day. First off, it's not much of a restaurant...it's kind of a dump. It's basically a cross between a Chinese BBQ take-out and a diner. The counter sits about 8 people and you basically have the kitchen right in front of you. What I didn't expect was that I'd really enjoy watching the cooks prepare all the meals in the large woks and soup pots. You see everything. So how's the food? Being Chinese, I can say I've had my share of good Chinese food. Fatty's was no exception. Their menu is posted on the wall and you basically pick from about 30 rice plate, noodles, soup dishes. All reasonably priced...about $7 with a beverage. Not bad being that it's Waikiki. The salt and peppered prawns and the roast duck/steamed chicken plates are my favorites. They also make a pretty good dry fried chow fun. That first time there, ended up being 4 visits before I left; my buddy made it there 6x before leaving back for the mainland. It's not R&GL in SF, but it beats any of the tourist traps along Kalakaua Ave. Everytime we go back, we always stop in at Fatty's...once...twice...three times. Sure we could have Hawaiian rice plates, spam musubi, ramen, sushi...we can get that all over here now. But Honolulu is the only place you can experience Fatty's.
Edit 11/21/07
We ate here on our last day before we flew back and it was well worth the wait. The sichuan prawns were sooooooo good this time. Not overcooked...firm and sweet with spicy flavor to the crispy shells. This was better than anything from the shrimp trucks on the North Shore. The beef chow fun was also excellent. They use a not-as-wide chow fun noodle which I like a lot better with their dry-fried style. I wanted to order more and come back, but our flight was calling.
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this was a good surprise to find in waikiki. the food was very delicious and very big portion. its fresh cook to order. :) would go back.
Very cheap food, especially for Waikiki, but the quality isn't great...
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