Seiju Ifuku was born in Okinawa, joined the US Army, learned to cook while serving with the 100th Battalion through campaigns in Italy and France during World War II, and eventually settled in Hawaii. In 1961 he and his wife Ayako opened Rainbow Drive-In in Kapahulu, a small neighborhood at the edge of Waikiki, serving 50-cent chili and rice plates, $1 BBQ beef plates, and 25-cent hamburgers. Sixty years later the same family is still running it and the original Kapahulu location still produces over 1,000 plates a day. Rainbow appeared in Season 9, Episode 8 of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, “Fast Food Their Way,” which aired June 21, 2010. Guy feasted on the chili plate, shoyu chicken plate, and Loco Moco — a hamburger patty, fried egg, and rice drowning in what he called “are-you-kidding-me?” gravy. President Obama has been a regular since his teenage years in Honolulu. The restaurant is one of Hawaii 5-0’s filming locations and has been featured on CBS’s Magnum PI and Netflix’s Terrace House.
Quick Facts
Restaurant: Rainbow Drive-In
City: Honolulu, Hawaii
Cuisine: Hawaiian Plate Lunch
DDD Season: 9
DDD Episode: 8
Episode Title: Fast Food Their Way
Original Air Date: June 21, 2010
Address: 3308 Kanaina Ave., Honolulu, HI 96815
Phone: 808-737-0177
Website: https://rainbowdrivein.com
Status: Open (multiple Oahu locations)
What to Eat
The Loco Moco is the signature and the DDD highlight — a hamburger patty over white rice, topped with a fried egg and smothered in house-made brown gravy that Guy called “are-you-kidding-me?” good. The Mix Plate is the Rainbow institution: fried chicken, mahimahi, BBQ beef, rice, and mac salad on one plate — the full Hawaiian plate lunch experience in a single order. The Shoyu Chicken Plate, soy-braised chicken thighs over rice with mac salad, is the everyday local’s order. The Chili Plate over rice is the budget comfort food that has been on the menu since opening day at 50 cents. The Chili Dog is the American hybrid that belongs on any first visit. Find an Oahu hotel near Waikiki on Booking.com.
Plan Your Visit
Rainbow Drive-In is open daily 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM at the original Kapahulu location. Counter service, takeout. No formal seating at the original location — bring the plate to the beach or eat at the outdoor tables.
Address: 3308 Kanaina Ave., Honolulu, HI 96815
Phone: 808-737-0177
Website: https://rainbowdrivein.com
Status: Open
Flavortown Approved
Rainbow Drive-In is living Hawaiian history. Stream the Fast Food Their Way episode on Amazon. Planning your Oahu trip? Get discounted tickets to Hawaii’s top attractions on Undercover Tourist and find your hotel on Booking.com.
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Rainbow Drive-In appeared in Season 9, Episode 8 of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, “Fast Food Their Way,” originally aired June 21, 2010. Seiju Ifuku founded the restaurant in 1961. President Obama is among its longtime regulars.