Restaurant Review: Hawaiian Bros

Review originally published on August 27, 2024

Hawaiian plate lunch restaurants are very popular right now, and we’re luck to have a couple of new chains with locations here in Arrowhead. Leo’s Hawaiian BBQ has been a stable for as long as I can remember, and Ono Hawaiian BBQ opened in 2023.

Hawaiian Bros Island Grill is the latest edition, with their newest location at 73rd Ave & Bell Road. Bush’s Chicken tore down the old Bill Johnson’s Big Apple and built a new facility with a drive thru, but they only lasted about a year.

I stopped in for a late lunch and the inside of their restaurant has a different set up than most local fast casual restaurants. Unlike most places, there is no counter with a hanging menu and someone waiting to take your order. At Hawaiian Bros, there are three self serve kiosks where you can enter & pay for your own order and it is brought to you when it’s ready.

Considering it was my first time there, it was less awkward than staring at a big menu while an employee stares at me hoping I hurry up and make a decision.

I went with a combo plate so I could try a couple different things. I had the Huli Huli Chicken, which is their signature dish, plus the Luau Pork. Huli Huli is a version of teriyaki that is not as sweet.

The chicken was amazing and I may be visiting again soon. The pork was really good as well, all by itself and with their pineapple BBQ sauce. Their macaroni salad was different than others I’d had, couldn’t quite put my finger on the spice on it, but it was great.

You can see their full menu here.

While many iconic foods have their place in Hawaii’s culinary identity, it’s the humble plate lunch that really embodies the aloha spirit. It’s the beloved comfort food you share with your ohana –the family you were born into and the family you’ve chosen. Young and old, rich and poor all come together over the plate lunch.

Hawaiian Bros Island Grill

7322 W Bell Rd, Glendale, AZ 85308

HawaiianBros.com

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