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Leonard's Malasadamobile Wagon
Categories: Food Bakeries Food Donuts Restaurants Food Stands Bakeries, Donuts, Food Stands [Edit]
Waikele Ctr94-849 Lumiaina St
Waipahu, HI 96797
(808) 732-2133
- Hours:
Mon-Thu, Sun 6 am - 9 pm
Fri-Sat 6 am - 10 pm
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- No
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dessert
- Alcohol:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
About This Business:
G.I. Cakes, one of the premier bakeries in Honolulu, makes every cake from scratch, using the finest ingredients! We also offer local delivery and… read more »
87 reviews for Leonard's Malasadamobile Wagon
Review Highlights
"Warm malasadas, basic or filled, so addictive."
(in 42 reviews)
"To my surprise, they added a new flavor - li hing mui sugar."
(in 4 reviews)
"My 8 yr old son loves the haupia filled malasada."
(in 4 reviews)
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87 reviews in English
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Review from Arynn I.
10/26/2011
I heart malasadas! :) I also love seeing the malasada truck from the freeway to and from work.
When my friend visited, I made her try one because, well, self explanatory, right? Best donut ever...or pastry...or fluffy puff covered in sugar..whatever you wanna call the malasada to explain it to someone not familiar with the name. In any sense, I made her eat one because I just couldn't explain. And conveniently we had just walked out of starbucks and jamba juice across the parking lot.
Made fresh and hot and packaged right in the little truck. I don't know how they work all day in there, I would think it would be too hot. I also still can't get over the excitement I feel knowing I don't have to drive to town for malasadas.
SOOOO convenient, genious location, still making the yum fresh malasada...oh, and price! still super inexpensive.
*love* my malasada truck!
#yelp 365 Challenge - 087/365Listed in: YELP 365 CHALLENGE, Near Home, Desserts!
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Review from Chad Y.
1/5/2012 1 Check-in Here
It takes great will power to resist the temptation of a Leonard's Malasada. Let's be honest, there is something clearly wrong with someone who can't appreciate complex carbohydrates that has been deep fried and rolled in sugar. Leonard's definitely offers one of the best malasada's in town and I can certainly appreciate any easy access to it.
When a townie makes a quest past Red Hill and the Ewa plain, you certainly need to bring a gift to the final destination. If you think about it, it's like the wise men visiting baby Jesus and not bringing the gold, frankincense, or myrrh. In my case, I tend to bring dessert and who doesn't appreciate a fresh malasada?
Well, there is only one place to get it and that the Leonard's Malasadamobile that is located right in the Waikele Center parking lot. They make their malasadas fresh and offer the full array that you would come to expect at the flagship Kapahulu location. if you want dobash, custard, cinnamon rolled, or the simple sugar, it is all available here.
While they accept credit cards, cash is the preferred method and you can take up a slight discount if you do so. If you forgot, the Bank of Hawaii is right next door.
So if you forgot that dessert, its a quick hop off the freeway in either direction and then be on your way!Listed in: Cakes, Cupcakes, Pies, OH MY!
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Review from Ram K.
Kaneohe, HI
11/9/2011
Malasada's= Leonard's! Fresh and hot! Nice friendly staff and best of all no long line!! Only two people in front of me!
The ONLY thing I don't like is...........................that frickn industrial strength tape they use to seal the box!! WTH, is that some sort of sick joke?!? You can smell it but can't open the box!!!! Ugh!!
Next time I'll tell them to leave the box open:) -
Review from Tracie F.
1/31/2012 1 Check-in Here
Malasadas? Always yum-O! Service left a lot to be desired. The girl at the "counter" just didn't "get-it" which was probably why our order was wrong. That's ok though because pretty much everything they make there is faboo. I am in love with their cinnamon sugar and haupia malasadas. This greasy ball of goodness is worth every single calorie...when they are HOT. Sadly...these weren't (here is where I start to tear up). They were warm but they were "sitting under the heating lamp" warm. There is something about malasadas...they need to be dripping with warm oil and burn your fingertips to get the total experience. I actually asked the girl if they were fresh and she gave me this look like I was the dumber then rocks. "Uh yeah." That is the response I got. I think she meant that she made them that day. Oh well...I got over it. Leonard's is simply genius to bring this island delicacy to remote (ok well relatively speaking) areas of the island. I LOVE that I can prance down the street for an artery clogging treat. I just wish the girl at the counter was happier to clog them.
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Review from Rose V.
Azusa, CA
12/30/2011 1 Check-in Here
Oh the Dobash Malasadas are seriously addicting. I also recommend the Haupia one and the Custard one...okay that's seriously all the filled ones. You cant go wrong w/ ordering a dozen of these bad boys! I think I have already gained 10 lbs on my vacation.
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Review from Vira P.
The best malasadas gone mobile!! I love it! The only complaint I have is that if you happen to catch the truck near the end of service, the malasadas may have a bitter aftertaste due to the oil. But that definitely wont stop me from pulling off to the side of the road if I saw it.
http://sexydishes.blog... -
Review from Chris G.
The only reason this is not 5 stars is due to the extreme slowness when there is a line. The malasada's are always good, but at the mobile wagon, there was just one lady working who collected the cash and did the frying. Unfortunately organization was minimal here. Normally people may order 6 or a dozen, but when people ordered 2 to 3 dozen time just stood still. My time was shortened since 4 people in front of me left. If they had one more person to monitor the register or fryer people would be much happier. Waiting over 30 minutes to get the malasadas to finish cooking is a little extreme. The people realized that she was collecting all the money and then she decided to make the malasadas so we had no choice to wait, but once we had them they went fast.
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Review from T W.
Anchorage, AK
12/11/2011 1 Check-in Here
Still tastes the same as small kid time. Im not a huge fan of the malasadas with the fillings (chocolate, haupia, custard etc) but that's just me. My little sister took me here on this past trip home & there was a long line but well worth it. I had 3 hours until I had to be at the airport & we had went to the beach that day & hit up kmart for a few items lol. My mom packed me some goodies for my carry on including the malasadas we had bought :) Anywho, i still love the Leonards Malasadas. Still so 'ONO! :)
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Review from Sharlene D.
Honolulu, HI
10/1/2011 1 Check-in Here
Extremely convenient when I'm on the west side and craving some malasadas.
The first and only time I've stopped by the wagon was a few months back. I was in Kapolei, en route to drive my boyfriend off on a trip. We're both food monsters and thought it was a great idea to buy a box for him and his friends.
This was a Sunday night - but it was fairly busy. We waited for about 15-20 minutes. Other than that, they were guaranteed fresh. And the people who work it are super friendly. -
Review from Alfred G.
Waipahu, HI
12/5/2011 1 Check-in Here
Not very much to say but it tastes damn good!!! especially when it's hot!!! The creme fillings like the haupia etc. taste delicious & the li hing powder is great as well but I just like to keep things old school and stick with the original sugar. Best malasadas EVER!!! there's just no comparison
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Review from Jessica S.
Kapolei, HI
8/24/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Who doesn't love malasadas? If you don't I am classifying you as crazy. Just saying.
We usually get our malasadas from here just because it is closer to our home and keeps us from having to go into town. They are just as tasty! The only downfall is you can't get the monthly flavors at this one. Honestly though, it doesn't bother me since custard is my favorite and you can get that at the wagon!
Overall -- yum, yum, yum!
We take any out of state visitors here to try out malasadas. If you are visiting - you can't leave without a malasada! -
Review from Ryan I.
8/1/2011 6 Check-ins Here
I panicked. Driving into Waikele on the KFC side, I noticed people standing all around the parking lot in front of Old Navy. Then I saw the fire truck with lights flashing, in front of Leonards. Police cars all around, security guys directing traffic. What happened? Did Leonard's burn down? And more importantly, WHERE AM I GONNA GET MY MALASADAS FROM NOW?!?!
Fortunately, the truck was not burnt down (I'm not that shallow, I really was hoping that nobody got hurt). And the people standing around the parking lot had everything to do with a car show / cruise night, and nothing to do with dozens of flaming doughy balls.
Soon after the firetruck left, I was standing in line to get my hot fresh malasadas, deep fried to golden brown perfection and rolled in sugar! Leonard's Malasadamobile Wagon has malasadas CONSTANTLY frying, and you never really wait too long (once you order). But there is almost always a line that's at least 6 people deep, so give yourself at least 10 minutes if you're in a rush.
It's great that the prices are posted right up front, including tax, for the typical quantities (dozen, dozen and a half, etc.). You can see how much the measley $15 dollars in your wallet can get you (kids allowances be damned). The stuffed malasadas are really good too, you gotta love the haupia and chocolate ones. My son loves the cinnamon sugar coated one.
Just don't over buy because they're not that good cold. Or just eat everything you buy (disclaimer - take this advice at your own risk because I'm not responsible for your sugar rush and/or cholesterol spike!)
Yelp 365 Challenge #1/365Listed in: Yelp 365 Challenge, Kids rule!!!!
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Review from Lissa S.
Waipahu, HI
1/16/2012
My husband and I are moving to Ohio, and were coming up with a list of foods we would miss, and number one are the li hing mui malasadas at Leonards. We're going to have a friend overnight mail them to us.
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Review from Marvin S.
7/4/2011 1 Check-in Here
How many donut places can I review?!?!?!?!?!
Well, I've had a crazy donut fix every since I got to Oahu coming back from this deployment, so I had to find a place to satisfy my craving. Krystle and I were doing a search for donuts/desserts and found this place. I wasn't even sure what a Malasada was until we got there. Let's just say we got lost finding this place! I had no idea it was a little wagon in the shopping center! Funny!
Let's cut to the chase and say that their malasada, which is basically a donut, was AMAZING! The key here was also because they were super fresh! I tried their sugar ones and the custard filled ones and they were freaking delicious! Prices were about on par for what you got and you know, even if you came here and got one, you'd be good.
Even though Oahu doesn't have a great selection of great donut shops, this place made up for that and then some! Just don't get lost trying to find this place! LOLListed in: We scream for DONUTS!
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Review from gerard l.
San Leandro, CA
12/21/2011
best malasadas I've every had in my life haha. no joke.
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Review from Ani P.
10/6/2011 1 Check-in Here
Absolutely sinful. These deep friend concoctions are like no other. Soft, moist, buttery and just the right amount of sweet.
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Review from asia e.
Pasadena, CA
1/5/2012 1 photo
holy begeebus! i love these hot, sugar dusted doughnuts! they're awesome! my favorite is the haupia! mmmm my god!
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Review from Jeremiah K.
Tempe, AZ
8/3/2011 1 Check-in Here
Why didn't they have this when I was kid living on Makakilo? Damn! I would have been a super happy fat kid!
Crispy on the outside with a light and doughy middle. This locale is actually better than the homesite and Champion. -
Review from Stephanie B.
Honolulu, HI
10/6/2011 5 Check-ins Here
It doesn't get any better than these. We stop here everytime we are in the area. There is almost always a line but it moves quickly.My kids are completely addicted. I have not tried the filled ones yet even though I hear they are great. We get the plain sugar ones. You want to eat them when you first get them and they are hot. When they start to cool they are still good bit a little chewy.
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Review from Jocelyn M.
Inglewood, CA
yum! and i dont have to go all the way to town!!!
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Review from Chantelle T.
Los Angeles, CA
7/24/2011 1 Check-in Here
This is where I usually come to get my malasada fix!
I was glad to find upon my most recent visit that the malasadas are slowly reverting back to their former glorious size! The last time they were so tiny I felt like I had been robbed!
I always get the haupia filled malasada when I come -- never fails to put a smile on my face! If only the truck had the special monthly flavors too...
TIP: When ordering, be clear about what you want. They tend to get the orders wrong a lot... -
Review from Fred M.
6/13/2011 1 Check-in Here
These surgery treats are so good they're like super sweet croissant donuts.
Leonard's Malasadamobile wagon are a great idea for those who don't have time or don't feel like driving across the island just to catch a bite of these malasadas.
I never knew there were other locations till I looked up on-line and found out there are 2 wagons and 2 bakery locations, One here in Waikele Center and the other roams around the island on different dates. As for their bakery locations there's one in Waimalu and Yokohama, Japan.
Just for a little more than $5 I got myself 1/2 dozen originals. Wait time was about 5-8mins and the great thing is it is always made fresh. I only had one malasada and decided to share it at work. The guys at work loved it and two of them had it for the first time but they were also upset with me too because they were on a diet and they got carried away by having two malasadas. -
Review from a m.
Cleveland, OH
12/6/2011 1 photo
My new addiction. Do your ship to Ohio? I'm planning my next vacation around Malasadas.
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Review from Trina A.
Hayward, CA
4/14/2011
On my last trip to Oahu, the BF and I got the Go Oahu cards and one of the things we did with the card was go on a tour of pearl harbor. Little did we know this was going to be a 6 hour trip that took us around to sightsee too. It was pretty tiring and we were so hungry! One of the stops was Hilo Hattie and I just really wanted to go home!...that is until I saw this beautiful red and white striped food truck....the Leonard's Malasadamobile! I just even love saying the word. its awesome.
We were so hungry though we ate at the cafe in Hilo Hattie and ran out to the malasadamobile as soon as were finished grubbin. We got a haupia filled one, li hing one and a regular one for the awesome bus tour guide. (even though I did not enjoy the whole tour, I did enjoy the tour guide and his mini history lessons), so we rewarded him with a fresh, hot, malasada. He then proceeded to fill the rest of the bus in on the history of malasadas. hehe. awesome.
Anyhow back to the malasadas. so fresh, and hot and yummy. haupia was very good it was just so full of custard that it made it hard to not get it everywhere while eating it. -
Review from Jen R.
Seattle, WA
10/10/2011
Yup totally got 4 of there things. Had no clue when we were ordering how big they were going to be!! But don't despair, we found a way to finish them (maybe it was because they were so light and fluffy?)...and still eat dinner. Tried the chocolate, haupia, and two plain. So freaking good. Got sugar all over the car tho, but there was already sand so we couldn't really tell the difference. Cash only!
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Review from Olga F.
South San Francisco, CA
Chocolate filled, puhhh-lease! I've tasted them all, but the chocolate filled ones are my faves 8)
These Malasadas are best FRESH. Order a box and eat em on the curb. SO effing yummy! It was raining the last day before heading to SFO, and we grabbed a half dozen for home. It wasnt the same. lol. Must try if you are in Oahu! -
Review from Maryam H.
San Mateo, CA
Great malasadas! Crispy on the outside and hot dough on the inside. A wonderful treat!
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Review from Inland O.
Corona, CA
10/25/2011
I am going to be giving Leonard's the 5-star it deserves. The Wagon we found randomly parked next to a shopping center only gets 4-stars. They only have the basic selection w/out any of the special fillings or other pastries. Still very good but just not the same as the original store front!
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Review from Jenna L.
Kapolei, HI
9/6/2011 12 Check-ins Here
I love me Leonard's Malasadas any dayyyy. Yummy&Cheap! Plus this mobile is always in the Waikele Shopping Complex, I make a pittstop everytime. I'm such a fatty fat head! LOL I like the malasadas with the chocolate inside. YUM:)
Listed in: Fatty Status
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Review from Mar O.
Waipahu, HI
1/9/2011 1 Check-in Here
If someone gave you 3 chances to guess and you see the pink box.. You know you only need one.
It's not malasadas if it ain't Leonard's.
When I used to work in Waikele, this would be my number one place to grab a quick and cheap snack. Hey, if the value for what I pay for is worth it then hell yeah, I'm cheap!
From the original white sugar to cream filled and everything in between... You know you're not gonna disappoint your mouth with what you finally decide on.
Their service is always great but I have to agree, when it gets crowded the wait can be a pain just because it either brings your appetite up or kills it.
The location seems kinda perfect to me for this shopping center. Seeing as how there's always someone else in line, there's room for you to park in the stalls near their mobile... Under the trees where there's shade. You can wait around without being in anyone's way. Clever Leonard's. -
Review from Scott K.
4/7/2011 1 Check-in Here
$10 for a box of 12, not bad priced in this economy. This is one of many trucks around the island. Located in the parking lot of the Waikele Outlets near Sports Authority. Just look for the bright red and white truck on the side by Bank of Hawaii.
Malasada's is a deep fried Dough, which is rolled in sugar or sometimes a combination of Sugar and Cinnamon. Something about the oil and the sugar makes this so yummy. Once you order you box, you will have the urge to take one out and eat it right away. You will have to compare on your own a fresh malasada vs hours old one. I relate this to eating a fresh Crispy Creme vs an old one.
Leonards has ventured into stuffing the malasada but I havent seen them at the mobile trucks. -
Review from Esteban W.
Honolulu, HI
3/4/2011
If you ask me, this is strategic genius to get your delicious pastry out to the other side of the island... or more like the middle.
Just like the mini store in Pearl City and the flagship in Kapahulu as well as the mobile truck, Leonard's is hooking it up across the island with fresh and hot malasadas.
$10.05 for a box of 12, I stopped by before work and made every secretary fall in love with me all over again. You can't go wrong with these local favorites, and even in this tiny wagon - they're hot and fresh like they should be.
Cash only. -
Review from Aileen B.
7/4/2011 3 photos
6/25/11
Friends brought me to Waikele Center to try some of Leonard's famous malasadas from the malasadamobile. Thank goodness there wasn't a line, bec. the aromas wafting through the air as we approached were driving me wild! (We'd just left Lanikai beach.)
Menu on the mobile was very easy to read, and today's menu offered three kinds of filled donuts [custard, chocolate ("Dobash"), and coconut], and since my friends only cared for the unfilled, sugared varieties, I bought one of each filled to try for myself. Out of the three, I favored the coconut the best! As for the unfilled varieties, there were three to choose from, as well: plain sugared, cinnamon-sugared, and Li Hing Mui powder and sugar-dusted. (Li Hing Mui powder is made from pulverized dried Li Hing plums, which I found to be the same powder used to produce "champoy," a fave salt-sour candy of mine from my childhood in the Phiilippines!) Out of all the three sugared varieties, I loved the Li Hing best! It's best to eat the malasadas right after you purchase them (be careful- they're hot!), so as to savor the fresh-from-the-fryer crisped goodness. I was surprised to still find them palatable the next day. Of course, I had just left the ocean searching for sustenance, so that may have something to do w/ how good the donuts tasted... ;)
I'd definitely buy more Leonard's malasadas should I ever find myself returning to beautifiul Oahu in the future. :))
http://www.yelp.com/bi...Listed in: "If you are what you eat, in…, Oahu Eats!
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Review from Larah M.
11/3/2010
I didn't get to make it out to the actual bakery this time around, but boy howdy was I glad to find out there was a Leonard's truck! The malasadas are fried up fresh for you on site and they are just as heavenly as I remembered! The flavors are limited to the basics (no guava custard for me this time ) but Leonard's basic is A-O-Tay!
I actually plan to pull a stealth mission to hot wire this truck and drive it back to San Diego. Yes... drive it back to San Diego. Excellent plan! Excellent.... -
Review from Derek r.
Kapolei, HI
12/12/2011
killer malasadas!
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Review from Stacy P.
Honolulu, HI
12/7/2011
Leonard's malasadas are the best! You must eat this sugary goodness while it's hot!
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Review from Jae C.
Pearl City, HI
12/4/2011
if you never had a malasada you have forsaken your tastebuds. get some now!
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Review from Connie W.
1/9/2011
"Because I was picking up piping hot malasadas for everyone!" was the best excuse I've ever had for being late to work. I don't typically boast about my tardiness, but these are worth the wait. A dozen or two malasadas are the sincerest form of flattery, blackmail, sucking-up... whatever plan you have in mind, make sure it involves Leonard's pink box.
The staff here is incredibly friendly and churn out the delectable fried dough balls in little time. You'll spend most of your visit waiting in line (it can go from completely desolate to a hefty crowd in seconds) or scarfing down a few before you can even make it back to your car.
Located next to Bank of Hawaii, across from KMart. -
Review from Ethan T.
Honolulu, HI
Today was a total score in terms of flavor. Waikele may be known for it's spectacular outlet shops, but amidst the flurry of retail shops you can find a couple of nice gems awaiting your tasting experience. Leonard's Malasadamobile #1 is one of those gems.
Powered by generators and awesome malasadas, this malasadamobile is permanent (unlike other malasadamobile which travel the island and make appearances at special events). In fact as far as I can remember, this place has always been the most vivid memories I have of Waikele Shopping Center (except for maybe Comp USA, R.I.P.).
Odd thing is this place can go from empty to packed in a matter of 1 batch of malasadas or less! People make anykine parking, sometimes even parking in the weird loading zone almost in the middle of the road but wherever they park, they rush this place for one reason... the undeniably good malasadas!
I'm not Hawaiian or Samoan, but just thinking about how delectable the malasadas I had were... it makes me want to CHEEEEEEEE WHOOOOOOOOO! I totally don't match, so I only save this description for things that really rock. I hope that helps you figure out how good the malasadas are despite them being made out of a tiny mobile that looks like it belongs in a carnival with all the flashing lights that line the top. Comparable to the original Leonards? OH YEAH! On par, check it out! -
Review from michelle t.
Manteca, CA
11/30/2011
I wish I never had a malasada, because I'm craving them all the time. While my love and I were on vacation we stopped here every day for a week. As soon as they handed them over, I would grab a warm / hot malasada, take a bite and the next thing I knew.... it was gone. I would look down at my sugar covered fingers and think....did I eat it that quick....no, I must have dropped it. Then my love would see my sad face and hand me the bag to get another. It did not fall....I just woofed it down. They are addictive. I'm warning you, so you will not have to go through withdrawls as I did a few days after returning to California. It's not just any malasada that is this good, because I did try others on the island to get my "fix".....but they were not even close to Leonard Jr's.
