Bishop Street Cafe

Did not know this place closed in December, however I do know why now. Ran into the owner (the guy who runs the register) at the airport who remembered serving me. He said he sold Bishop street café and is now retired with his wife who are both traveling the world. Good for the both of them. They ran a great joint even though people did not get his personality. Loved the food there and will miss it!

I am so sad. I walked there today to find out that they are no longer there. The place is empty and there is paper on the windows. When oh when did they close?

The price is right, the food is tasty, perfect for lunch, especially if you work downtown. The service is fast and it’s a lively place. It’s nice eating in the courtyard. Sadly, I believe their last day was this week. I hope they come back soon.

The owner and cashier of this place is either 1) a complete douchebag OR, 2) he does the best impersonation of an douchebag I’ve ever seen. What some might call an ‘eclectic’ menu is, in actual fact, really lame; although the price might be right (hence, the one-​Star), the taste and quality are totally pedestrian. Bringing your own salad dressing is a much better idea than eating any of theirs (trust me, they’re ALL awful!); ‘Grant S’ (below) is absolutely right about everything he writes except for the part about the food being tasty.

I have mixed feelings about this place only because the guy who runs it has thrown money at me faster and harder than a pitcher at a baseball game. Or maybe it’s because I feel like the guy runs some kind of Asian sweat shop, but a restaurant; why else would he have hordes of tiny Japanese women running the kitchen and prepping all the orders?! Jokes aside, the food I’ve had is actually pretty decent and I don’t have many complaints because it’s usually a filling, balanced meal for a good price. I also get a good spectrum of choices! Do I want Italian food? Do I want a sandwich? Do I want Japanese food? Why not all three? Still, I feel like if I’m making the decision to come to your establishment, I shouldn’t have to cup my hands and scramble to catch my coins, bills, or card when you return them to me. Is it an efficient way to get peoples’ orders in and get the line moving? Of course! Does it make me feel good about the choice I made to spend $ 10+ here? Probably not. For all my complaining though, I obviously like abuse because I’ve eaten here about three times and still have plans to go back in the future.
Like other Unilocalers have said, make ABSOLUTE SURE you know what to order, because that guy does NOT waste time!

TASTED LIKE A BOWL OF PLAIN NOODLES
I’ve passed by this place a bunch of times, promising myself that I’ll try them, one of these days. Well today was that day. I was in the mood for pasta, so I ordered the Basil Pesto Pasta which comes with soup. I chose the Chicken Watercress. If you choose to eat here, sit down and a server will bring your food. When it came, everything looked great! I began with the soup and it was just the way I like to start a meal. The broth was so flavorful– it tasted like a soup form of Chicken Hekka with this light teriyaki flavor, notes of mirin and hints of smokiness. Then there was a great crunch from the watercress and Japanese cucumber and nice pieces of chicken. Needless to say that the soup was excellent so going into the pasta I had high expectations. Unfortunately, the pasta sucked. It was barely warm so the noodles were a little hard and really needed to be seasoned. The pesto tasted like it only had basil and olive oil– garlic and parm were hardly detectable which made the lack of seasoning even more blaring. It just tasted like a bowl of plain noodles. I eventually had to pour my soup broth over the pasta to give it some flavor. The good thing is that I only paid $ 7 which is the only other good thing about this place — it’s cheap.

This place is probably one of the best deals in town for lunch and one of the few places in Downtown Honolulu where you can sit with friends at a table for a meal. This is a regular meeting place for lunch with coworkers and a great place to pick-​up lunch to take back to the office.
Although the menu offers a wide variety of dishes to choose from, I usually stick to the pasta dishes and salads. My favorite pasta dish is the Tomatoes Fresca and my favorite salad is the Meditteranean Salad with Chicken. I’m not a fan of the panini sandwiches. They use the wrong type of bread. The Japanese food is pretty decent, but I can find better elsewhere in Downtown.

Japanese mixed with Italian pasta is my description of the menu. The food is consistently good. Most of the time I order some kind of donburi which comes with miso soup and a drink. They are all good.
Seating is outdoors but covered. The lunch crowd can get busy but once you order they will bring the order to your table (unless you are taking out).
Word of caution: once you are at the front of the line, know what you’re going to order. The guy taking the orders is no nonsense.

I’m surprised that I haven’t written a review for this place yet. This is one of our staple lunch places in downtown. It’s on the corner of Bishop St. & Nimitz Hwy. on the left hand side. It can get pretty packed here for lunch so don’t be surprised if you see a line out the door. But don’t worry – the line moves fairly quick! When you order your food, you have the option for take-​out or dine-​in. If you dine-​in, you’ll be given a number and they will bring your food out to your table.
This café has a great assortment. Primarily has Japanese food items such as teishoku, donburis, udon and ramen. However, they are also known for their pastas! Below are a few of my favorite items:
–Spinach & Gorgonzola Pasta — This pasta is delicious! It’s a light sauce with fresh olives, tomatoes and spinach. I prefer feta cheese so I ask for a substitution of cheese, but if you like gorgonzola then you’ll enjoy this pasta as is!
–Shrimp Tempura Donburi — Very simple dish of 2 pieces shrimp tempura over rice with a light sauce & shredded nori
–Chicken Katsu Teishoku — Their chicken katsu is delicious! Very crispy on the outside.
Most of their items come with miso soup or your choice of salad. Prices are very reasonable. They even have great catering trays. We ordered their pasta catering tray for about $ 25/​tray of pasta and it was more than enough to feed about 6 – 10 of us! Great deal!

I came here the other day for a biz meeting with some grand poobahs that work in town. To tell you the truth I felt pretty snazy eating with the best and brightest of the Pacific Guardian Center. The courtyard was awash in colorful aloha shirts, polos, silk/​poly blouses, and the occasional shirt and tie.
First of all, you need to be ready to order from this place. The guy at the counter is like the soup nazi… except with sandwiches and no mustache (but I won’t hold that against him). I’m not sure if I pulled a George or an Elaine when I got to the counter. I was somewhere between a deer caught in the headlights and still trying to make up my mind. Luckily I didn’t hear «No sandwich for you!» so I must have met that feat of strength.
I went for the half panini and garden salad (they have 6 different salads — my ignorance to this fact nearly got me banned for one year!). It was a pesto chicken panini and it did not disappoint. Yummy and warm, crispy on the outside and cheesy chickeny pestoey goodness on the inside. It was also pretty big for a HALF panini. I would hate to see what a full size looks like. I’m sure it would feed me and three or four of my closest friends. The salad was a salad… nothing to write home about.
They bring the food out to you if you order in and they are pretty quick. I sat down with the folks I was lunching with and about 5 minutes later my food was there.
Lots of people were rocking the noodles so if I ever have a meeting there again I might go for the Udon instead.
Just don’t forget to wear your aloha business attire and know what you want to order when you get to the counter. NEXT!!!

I could do my own version of $ 20/​day like Rachel Ray, Honolulu downtown style.
Get my cheap breakfast on at Subway where I get my coffee and sandwich. Then buy both my lunch and dinner at Bishop Street Café! I would still have enough money left over for a full sized espresso beverage at Starbucks!
Anyway, I love it here because it’s fast and cheap, basically what downtown eating is all about… anywhere you go. Yes the cashier/​owner/​dictator isn’t the most friendly but who cares? You’re getting his food at a really good price and really fast and you can head back to work… or walk around downtown so you can avoid going back to work. Up to you (and of course, your boss).
I didn’t care for their Italian food but I usually like fancier places for Italian, otherwise you can make it at home (for cheaper) and have it not taste like Chef Boyardee.
I get their tofu salad; for $ 4.75, it’s a steal! It has lots of fresh watercress, tofu, and tomatoes. Their dressing is light but very flavorful. Also, it is quite filling as the portions there are quite generous. Actually any of their Japanese food is delicious and it comes with miso soup and salad (fruit or veggie).
Another note, there’s always a place to sit. Even if you have large groups, there is always a way to push tables together and the people who bring out your food, can always find you no matter where you are. It’s so fast though so you better not delay in finding a seat!
Your wallet and belly will thank me for saving you money and giving you a decent bite to eat! Just a note, they do take credit cards but try your best to deal in cash… the owner doesn’t like to process cards, it holds up his line.

I’d actually gone to Honolulu Café to get their steak sandwich, but after finding out it was $ 11.75, I decided to pass and came over here instead. For $ 11.25, I got a cold wakame udon and a tomato fresca pasta, which came with a French onion soup. Two lunches for the price of one – deal! In downtown – super deal!
I devoured the udon right there since udon can’t sit. The noodles were the best noodles on the island. They cooked them just right. I couldn’t have asked for more perfect noodles. I was so happy! The broth, however, is meh. It was much too sweet for me and didn’t have a good dashi flavor. The price – $ 4.53 – was crazy cheap but the noodles only came with a few pieces of wakame. I would gladly have paid more for some green onion slices, a slice of fishcake or any extra garnishment.
I am eating the penne right now and it is pretty good. A little mild, but it is called «fresca» and should not be drowning in sauce. Onion soup is okay. The onions are the wrong cut and texture; they are cut in large squares and are crunchy! Ack! It is also very light on the cheese.
Overall, this place is a winner. The food came out so quickly. The man who takes orders is not as scary as he sounds on Unilocal.The prices are great, especially for downtown. I predict I’ll be eating udon here a couple times a week.

All in all, very affordable with generous portions, but the food isn’t stellar or something I would crave.
Carbonara: Kind of bland and had a little too much pepper for my liking. Maybe next time I’ll add salt.
Salad: I really liked their miso dressing because it was light. However, it drowned the salad and it appeared as if I had soup at the bottom of my bowl. I did appreciate the large portion for it being a «side» salad, and that the salad was «spruced up» with cucumbers and tomatoes.
Will probably be back, but only when I am broke and starving.

Located at the makai end of bishop street. A bunch of co workers and I walked down during lunch. The line out the door made me think that this place must be good. The line moved quickly though and there’s seating area outside to fit at least 50. I ordered the chicken katsu teishoku and really enjoyed the crispness of the chicken and the yummy sauce didn’t hurt. Definitely want to go back and try other dishes.

My father and I had lunch at Bishop Street Café today which is a Tuesday. We got there around 11:20 a.m. Although the sight of a line of people standing outside can be somewhat discouraging, it went down fairly quickly. There were about 6 or so people in front of us but it was worth the wait.
Try to have in mind what you want to order either while you’re waiting in line or before you reach the cashier-you’ll know what I mean when the time comes. We ordered take out and waited on the receiving end of the line for our food. It didn’t take long before our orders were ready. If you’re getting take out, the utensils and plastic bags are right next to the entrance (right in back of you after you pay the cashier).
The price range is around $ 5 to $ 8 bucks depending on what you get. If you’re trying to be mindful of your budget and enjoy eating Italian, Italian/​Japanese fusion, or Japanese food, Bishop Street Café is a good place to stop by.
My father ordered the Mixed (Salmon & Teri Chicken) Hokka Hokka Bento and I had the Mediterranean Chicken pasta dish which came with your choice of soup or salad. I chose the toss salad with Cucumber dressing. Sometimes they also offer fruit salad as a third option in addition to the salad or soup to choose from. The pasta dish was $ 6.21 and the bento was $ 5.73. With tax the total came out to about $ 12.50.
The outside dining area was very relaxing. We were lucky to have decided to eat earlier than noon because there was still a number of empty tables for us to choose from.

Ou, I finally ventured out ~
Today I ended up at Bishop Street Café with my buddy Charles. I told him I wanted something with rice! After finding out that the little shops he originally wanted to eat at we ended up walking here.
We arrived around 11 (lunch time) and he mentioned them having a line. I panicked, I had a presentation at 12:30 and I didn’t think I would’ve made it in time.
Standing in line, we were next after a lady. It took me a while to figure out which chicken katsu plate I wanted. Apparently there’s the bento and a don. I had a feeling I was irritating the guy at the register, but I can be indecisive! I know now I must prepare what I want before I face him again.
So after comparing the two I ended up ordering the bento. (
) Along with a drink.
Charles mentioned that they give HPU students a free drink or something with a meal? I’m not certain about that.
Anyways, it being my first time I didn’t know how we received our food. The cashier gave us a number (being we were eating there) and we sat at one of the tables outside.
I was having problems with my drink because it kept overflowing and I was beginning to worry that it would spill all over the place, but it didn’t!
There were a lot of people waiting for their food to go but it didn’t take long before one of the waitress’ came by and dropped off my meal. A while later Charles’ meal came (he ordered the Chicken Katsu Curry).
Though I wanted rice I didn’t expect mine to be covered with furikake, that was a new experience fore me. I didn’t enjoy the sauce either. Overall, it satisfied me. I was upset though that I didn’t eat all my rice… There wasn’t enough chicken! But then again is it better to have more rice or chicken? Hmmm…
The Café itself seems quite small, but I liked how they have their tables outside. It was nice eating out. Just watch out for hungry birds!

Now that Ace Express is officially closed, I got out my flats and walked up to one of my former lunch hangouts — Bishop Street Café. Located in the makai end of the Dillingham Transportation building, this tiny café pumps out tasty Japanese and Italian dishes at reasonable prices — $ 6 — $ 10. Bentos are under $ 5.
Don’t be surprised if the line winds down Bishop Street if you arrive at the noon hour. Daily specials are shown on a table top display covered by an acrylic case outside the restaurant doors. Before you know it, you’ll be staring at the marquee board while the tall owner stares down at you. «Take out!» I bark out to be heard above the din. Know what you want or you’ll feel the almost palpable irritation emanating from the cashier. Smile when you say that!
Choose from pastas, salads, panini sandwiches, bento, ramen, udon and soups. Entrée orders include a choice of soup or side salad. If I order pasta, House salad it is. The tossed romaine comes with olives, carrots and cucumbers. Top it with creamy cucumber dressing for a refreshing oomph!
Among my favorite dishes is the salmon griglia pasta — a Nippon-​inspired dish that has a shoyu base with a sprinkling of nori over the spaghetti noodles. Don’t look for a salmon filet, though, as you’ll instead find flakes of pink salmon dotted across the noodle landscape.
If you opt for takeout, you’ll find napkins, plastic cutlery and takeout plastic bags located behind your butt as you face the counter. If you choose to dine in the covered outdoor area, they’ll hand you a number to place on your table. Either way, once you order, move quickly to the front of the restaurant so you can better hear when your order is ready and you’ll be that much closer to eating!

I’ve passed by this place many times on my lunch break before but never bothered going there until I read the reviews on Unilocal :) After reading the warnings about the owner/​cashier. I was a little hesitant to go inside especially cause I had no idea what to order!!!
But thankfully for me, he was actually kind of nice. I told him I wanted a salad with salmon in it and he said I can get any of the salads with salmon. So I asked him if I could do a salmon pasta salad and he said ok. *phew* He actually made some small talk I guess cause he noticed my uniform. I will say though he is a bit intimidating.
Anyway, on to the food. My salmon pasta salad was exactly what I wanted! I was surprised at how big the portion was and it was only $ 6! I could only eat like half of it since it was so big. I will definitely be back to try their other dishes!

Where the hell am I? I want Japanese food. ok, let’s go to Bishop Street Café. Nah, changed my mind… I kind of want a panini sandwich and salad… Ok, let’s go to Bishop Street Café. Huh? A place that is going to have sandwiches, Japanese, and Italian food? How weird is that?
Well carefully located on Bishop Street (ironic right?) is Bishop Street Café. It offers an interesting menu of great food choices, reasonable prices, and quick turnaround. However, beware… You ain’t going to get service with a smile here, and be sure you know what you want when you get to the station to order.
The oyako donburi and the chicken katsu are decent, however their panini’s are huge and flavorful. The salads are fresh and the dressings good. The curry is flavorful and offers just the right amount of spice without being overwhelming. The udon is decently cooked and the dashi broth full of flavor.
There is a plethora of seating in the covered patio fronting it and is comfortable rain or shine. Although, maybe not so much on a windy day. After you order, take your number and find your seating or just wait by the other door if you are taking it to-​go! Like I said earlier, be sure you know what you want when you get to order, or you might not be served or your might be yelled at!
Definitely a great place to go. With reasonable prices, generous portions, and comfortable seating it definitely hard to beat!

Food is consistently basic, and the taste is ok, but I am now a fan because there’s not many places in downtown that will give a pretty good serving size for $ 6.00, and he has never raised his price since I’ve been eating there a long time ago:
Salmon Griglio — 3 stars — For $ 6, I got pasta with oriental sauce, salmon and nori. It’s one of my favorites that is light and not too heavy. Comes in a pretty big bowl with choice of soup or salad.
Chicken watercress soup — 3 stars — I like watercress, so it’s a nice flavor that is added with the main meal that you buy. Consistently the same taste as a few years ago.
The owner still acts like a banker, and switches money around when buying. Lots of tables and they bring your food to your table, so it’s a very cheap lunch that I can sit at and enjoy my lunch with my friends. Though, he’s now in demand because a whole bunch of restarants closed at the Tardus buidling, so the line starts earlier at 11:30, and once you are at the counter, you better know what you’re ordering because he doesn’t like to wait for you to decide and will keep the line going.