Elena’s Home of Finest Filipino Foods in Waipahu has been a Hawaii Filipino food institution since it opened, serving the adobo, kare kare, and the slow-cooked Filipino comfort food traditions that earn a West Oahu restaurant its devoted following among Hawaii’s large Filipino community and the broader Oahu food world that discovered it. It appeared in Season 19, Episode 10 of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, “Island Flavor,” which aired May 23, 2014. Guy Fieri found a Waipahu Filipino kitchen doing the slow-cooked dishes of the Philippines with the family recipe authenticity and generosity that earns a community restaurant its multigenerational loyal following.
Quick Facts
Restaurant: Elena’s Home of Finest Filipino Foods
City: Waipahu, Hawaii
Cuisine: Filipino / Hawaiian
DDD Season: 19
DDD Episode: 10
Episode Title: Island Flavor
Original Air Date: May 23, 2014
Address: 94-866 Moloalo St., Waipahu, HI 96797
Phone: 808-676-8005
Website: https://elenasrestaurant.com
Status: Open
What to Eat
The Adobo — chicken or pork slow-braised in vinegar, soy, garlic, and bay leaves until the sauce reduces to a rich, tangy glaze — is the Filipino national dish done with the depth that only a family kitchen achieves. The Kare Kare with oxtail and vegetables in a rich peanut sauce served with bagoong (fermented shrimp paste) is the Filipino classic that earns Elena’s its reputation among serious Filipino food lovers. The Lechon Kawali — crispy fried pork belly — is the Filipino comfort food item that earns its own devoted following. Find a Honolulu area hotel on Travelocity. Planning a Hawaii visit? Get discounted attraction tickets on Undercover Tourist.
Plan Your Visit
Check the website for current hours.
Address: 94-866 Moloalo St., Waipahu, HI 96797
Phone: 808-676-8005
Website: https://elenasrestaurant.com
Status: Open
Triple D Essentials
Stream the Island Flavor episode on Amazon.
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Elena’s Home of Finest Filipino Foods appeared in Season 19, Episode 10 of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, “Island Flavor,” originally aired May 23, 2014.