Kua Aina Sandwich Shop

My family and I love kua'aina burger they are the bomb! However today my avocado burger had a so small portion of avocado that I brought it back because I thought they had the order wrong. The guy at the counter took the order to review it found out that the order was wrong but it was because they added avocado to the other burger as well. He brought it back and whispered something I could not understand, then proceeded to take the burger to the kitchen to remove the avocado. No hand washing required even though he was working the register. If there burgers weren't so ono I would not be coming back. Hopefully he won't be working the next time we visit! more

After a long day on the beach near Haleiwa I was hungry and looking forward to a great burger. I ordered the 1/2 pound cheeseburger and when asked how I wanted it cooked I requested Medium. So now, I have placed my own order; paid with cash (because they don't take credit/debit cards); and bussed my own table (still dirty from the previous diners). I'm hoping things will improve, but they don't. My 1/2 pound burger is much smaller than the guy at the next table's burger. I go back to the counter and ask if they gave me a 1/3 pounder instead of the 1/2 pounder. They say no. I begrudgingly go back to my table. I am getting ready to ""dress"" my burger and I notice it is dry and ""torched."" This was no way a medium cooked burger. It was beyond well-done. As a matter of fact it didn't even look to be freshly cooked--perhaps precooked and re-heated. I go back to the counter again and show them the ""torched"" burger. They cook me another one. The second burger I get is even smaller than the first and has very little lettuce and tomato (the first one had plenty). The bun on this new burger is dried out. The hamburger this time was slightly less than torched, but still not what I would consider Medium. Honestly I've had better cheeseburgers at a Burger King for far less money. This is one of the few times I've ever sent food back, but at $9 a burger, I expect to be impressed. I've read about another hamburger place on Oahu called Diamond Head Market Grill. You can bet the next time I'm craving a burger, I'll be checking it out. I wish I had gone to Pizza Bob's across the street from Kua Aina. It couldn't possibly have been any worse. Cons: credit/debit cards not accepted. Self serve. Clean your own table. more

When you vacation in Hawaii, it's really hard to find good food that doesn't cost 20$ an entree. Kua Aina has sandwiches and burgers in large portions around 7-10$ that will fill you up and their homemade tartar sauce for the Mahi Mahi and Ahi sandwiches will leave you speechless. This place is visited by locals and tourists alike for good reason -- the service is prompt and the food is fresh and delicious. I highly recommend this place for lunch or if you don't care about ambience for your dinner.\r \r Note: There is a location in Honolulu\r 1200 Ala Moana Blvd # 665\r Honolulu, HI 96814\r (808) 591-9133 Pros: Food, Service, Value Cons: Ambience more

Beyond Best on the Island! I have had the good fortune to eat countless burgers over five decades. Clearly these are consistent in succulant flavor, ample juiciness, and generous portion at either of their two locations. Service is friendly and quick witted. When I appeared recently without cash, the welcoming cashier graciously told me ""where to go"" to find a nearby cash dispenser.\r \r Fries are tasty and portions are ample. After a visit to Kua Aina, I am usually speechless for hours because my mouth is beyond ""broke"".\r Might break da mouth, but not the wallet. Prices are surprisingly reasonable. Pros: Every time, broke da mouth. Cons: Difficulty speaking after eating with broken mouth. more

I haven't been to this location for a while, but they definitely have the best burgers you're likely to find anywhere. And that's saying something coming from a Native Texan!!! ;) If you've never been you gotta go, it's a great atmosphere, a great burger, and a great waste of an afternoon on the side of the road in old town Haleiwa. The only problem I have, and while it's a goofy thing to be irritated about, I'm sure, is the fact that their website is only written in Japanese. From what I understand, this shop was originally in Hawaii, and made their way to a Tokyo location. If nothing else, you're more likely to find a Japanese national who speaks english than an American who speaks Japanese. Get with the program, people. I want to get some merchandise from the site, but, alas, I am an ignorant gaijin who doesn't carry yen. Seriously, what's the deal here? At any rate, go get a burger, or a fish sandwich, if you aren't into red meat. Alooooooooohaaaaaaaaa!!!!!!!! Pros: Great food, great atmosphere, great price, waitresses in bikini tops Cons: I can't get there easily enough from Texas. more

Yesterday, I visited Kua Aina north shore for lunch with my son, after a day of fun surfing on the north shore. I forgot that they do not accept creidt cards so I walked across the street to the local ATM and got cash.\r \r My son and me ordered two 1/2 lb burgers with fries with two large drinks. I was given two medium drinks instead and was told by the sales clerk that the large cups were not in stock. I asked if we could get a refill since we paid for two large drinks and her answer was ""no refills.""\r \r While we were waiting for our order to arrive a few minutes later other customers began showing up and they were given large cups with their orders. I went over the counter clerk to ask why was my son and me given medium cups when other customers were given large cups orders which she said were not in stock. \r \r I asked for the manager in charge and waited a minute or two and then I asked her why were we given two medium cups of soda with no refills when we paid for two large cups of sodas and other customers had large cups of soda with their orders.\r \r I also asked her why do they not accept credit cards so I could prove that what I paid for exact and accurate, if I was overcharged with no resource to back up my claim. The manager said that it was no problem and she offered me two large drinks instead...And said receipts for orders is only given upon request by the customer. \r \r I refused the drinks at this point and was very upset that I was treated unfairly by this establishment and so I requested a full refund for my order. The manager walk over to the cashier and looked over my order and gave me my refund. \r \r After leaving this establishment I wondered how Asian tourist who speak very little english may been taken advantage of by this practice with no receipt to back up their claim? The difference between and medium drink and a large drink is 20 cents, a small thing to make a big deal about but what about a 1/4 lb and a 1/2 pound burger between 5 people? more

Great burgers at both locations. HOWEVER!! My family and I went to the Haleiwa location and felt we were unfairly treated. There was a family [local] with several tables placed together. When we placed two tables together for our party [5 in party, two elderly, one of them disabled] we were informed we were not allowed to place tables together. We pointed out the other party had done this but the employees remained firm. We demanded and received a refund and went to Big City Diner in Waipio Gentry. Service was much better/friendly there. I don't think this would have happened if we were a ""local"" family.\r \r I will still patronize the Ward location but will NEVER go back to the or recommend the Haleiwa location.... more

We had Teriyaki chicken and mahi mahi sandwitches. Both of them were excellent, especially for mahi mahi one that was very juicy. When I go back to the North Shore, I will try it again. The homemade fries was a little bit too dry for me. You will know what I mean if you had In-N-Out's fries before. more

The drive up the east coast of Oahu is absulutely gorgeous. Stop at some of the North Shore beaches to catch the daredevil surfers. (Tip: bring binoculars, they paddle WAY out!) Must hit Kua Aina before heading back to Honolulu. Get the Mahi-Mahi sandwich or a burger with avacado. Awesome. After eating here we also tried the location in Honolulu. Food was about the same, but the North Shore location has the better vibe. Pros: Low Cost, Local Feel more

Hey Kua Aina is the bomb. I have visited both the North Shore and the Ward Avenue locations. If you are looking for atmoshpere, clean seating and ambience, then the Ward Avenue location is where you want to go. However, if you want taste (to me), the North Shore location is vastly superior. Maybe its because thats the original location and the grill is seasoned over the years. Or myabe its because I went after going to the beach. All in all Kua Aina is a great place to eat a quality burger. Saying that though, there is a ""bigger and better"" burger in town. Keep your eyes peeled. Pros: taste, quality, freshness Cons: fries are bad more

It's a bit of a drive from the Honolulu area, but the food and the atmosphere is definitely worth the drive. more

We asked around for the best burger place on the North Shore and everyone we asked said Kua Aina's..... We drove over from Wakiki Beach just for the burger! It was fantastic. Fast and fun......We would recommend to everyone......don't go to the North Shore without stopping here! Pros: Cheap, Fast, Fun Atmosphere Cons: Small Sitting Area more

Best burgers in the world! Too bad they had to move out of the old place. Even with the move they need more tables! more

We tried the Ward Center location. They open at 10:30 and I suggest getting there then - this is a busy place. We had the 1/2 lb. burger topped just the way we like it and the hand cut homemade french fries. Food was great. The only suggestion I have for them is a little smaller bun. Lots of bread in them there buns.... Recommended stop on your trip to Honolulu. more

This is THE place to eat the best hamburgers in the world! I have seen people from all over the world come here, and no one is disappointed. If you're willing to make the trip, Kua Aina's is the place to go for hamburgers! Pros: Inexpensive, Good service, Great decor more

If you're visiting Oahu, you've gotta try this place. Get their ortega chili mahi mahi sandwich or even just the burgers. The fries are really good as well. Avocado usually runs out before noon. There's always a line there but it's all good. Everytime I visit Oahu from the mainland, I always make sure to visit Waikiki, Lani Kai, and Haleiwa's Matsumoto Shaved Ice and KUA AINA. Pros: Food, Hawaii more

Best burger joint on the island. And if you dont eat beef, Kua Ainas Mahi Mahi sandwich is out of this world! Kua Aina is located on Northshore and makes for a great break from a day out at Sunset Beach. Staying in town? Great, Kua Aina just opened another shop by Ward Center. Once you try it, youll never turn back. Guaranteed. A couple words of caution: be patient. Kua Aina is always crowded. Pros: quality sandwiches, nothing artificial Cons: always crowded more