Penny’s Drive In

The fact that this place only has 27 reviews is sad. The truth is that Penny’s is mostly frequented by the workers around sand island, but people need to know the beauty of Penny’s roast pork.
Smothered in gravy, when I was first introduced to this quaint hole in the wall I was skeptical. I mean, gravy makes everything better so is it dry? And, I need to order it with pickled onions? Why?!
But I ordered it exactly as instructed: roast pork with extra gravy and pickled onions.
BLEW MY MIND.
This small hole in the wall makes an amazing roast pork. Moist and full of flavor, the gravy is there to enhance and not hide any imperfections. When you add the pickled onions the combination of sour and salty hit the craving only locals know too well.
Without any prompt I also tried their strawberry guava cream pie. Also a must try, it’s a unique treat that I have only found at Penny’s.
My only regret is not taking pictures– clearly I was distracted by the yummy goodness.

Still one of my favorite places for lunch. Great customer service, always ono Grindz. Beef stew with pickled onions is excellent. Just remember cash only.

Thank you my local Unilocal peeps for introducing me to this place! This is place is my new addiction and the only place on the island with legit $ 5 plate lunches. If I were indestructible, I’d eat here every morning!
Only thing you need to know 10 am. That’s the time they stop having their $ 5 specials. This includes Katsu moco, Katsu curry moco, and loco moco. They also have homemade corned beef hash that they usually run out of by 10 as well for the same price.
Each plate comes with a bed of rice and two eggs anyway you like. They use a dark beefy gravy and the curry has the perfect balance of flavors. I never liked local kind curries until I had theirs.
The chicken is more like mochiko than katsu. It’s bits of dark meat with skin left on to crisp, marinated, lightly battered, and deep fried to perfection. The beef patty in the loco moco is the best beef patty of all the hole in the wall plate lunches out there. It has a nice garlic, onion taste.
The cherry on top is their French toast for $ 4! You can choose any meat with 2 eggs anyway. I don’t know if anyone else does this, but I get a hamburger patty for the meat with gravy and throw it on my katsu moco plate for poor man’s loco moco!

Katsu moco is the bomb. It’s more like mochiko chicken then chicken katsu but I guess mochiko moco isn’t as catchy (?) The gravy is the dark brown style and a little on the salty side, but is still perfectly balanced.

my cuz makes good food. awesome !!!

Great service. Order breakfast for a company party and the lady who took my order over the phone was very patient and helpful. She repeated my order to me and gave me the prices on the items. We got there fried rice with polis sausage and two eggs any way you like. Can’t wait to try there lunch specials. Will definitely be buying more from this place again soon.

When I have a hankering for roast beef or roast pork (not Chinese style) or a turkey sandwich, Penny’s is the place I head to.
Turkey sandwiches are in the chill box right inside the door, along with egg and tuna sandwiches. (not in together in the same sandwich, silly!) also in there are drinks and if available, pie slices. Go pumpkin! Another item i really line is the mac salad. It’s orangie color due to the carrots. Pretty basic, but tasty nonetheless.
Most of the plate lunch items are available @ 6:30am.
When I was hitched, my hub would drive me out to Sand Island Road, where Penny’s lives, because there are so many big trucks and trailers on the move already and I get scared easily. Since getting un-​hitched, I don’t venture that way on my own much. Scary. But, if the craving is great, I chance ‘um.
The other issue encountered when going to Penny’s is the parking. There are 4 stalls that face Mauka on the Makai side of the diner, and about a dozen stalls fronting Penny’s and what used to be «Dirty Dan’s» or «Dancers», (I think). Large 18 wheelers will park on the shoulder of the road fronting the diner, so one may have to do some serious maneuvering to get out the parking stall. Be very careful when pulling out into traffic.
No restrooms.

I have been going here since Penny had her lunch wagon outside the present shop. Her and her sister use to dish out plates like crazy at lunch. These guys have a great menu with many favorites that are flavorful and nicely portioned at a great price. My favs are #1 is their Curry Stew, best on the island, #2 Roast Turkey, #3 Prefectly fried Mahimahi, #4 Roast Beef and #5 Pork Tofu… Auwe broke da mout «Ery time».
Also great for Sandwiches, Tuna, Corned Beef, Turkey and Egg Salad.
Hooo Getting Hungrae aureedy!

If you like great food and a great price, this place is it.
It is easy to find off of Sand Island Access Road and parking in the front…
The most amazing thing I like to get is their meatloaf with pickled onions and some Tabasco.

Their breakfast and lunch plates are awesome, and they have really good prices. I always call in my order so that I don’t have to wait. They cashiers are quick and on it with the orders. They have parking in the front, but you have to be careful of the semis that park too.

Penny’s is a good bet for plate lunches. Prices are a little higher for a mini (Small) than other places, but the food is very consistent and for the most part good. I really like the meatloaf and teri hamburger plates. Chili frank is very good as well, and is similar to Richie’s/Rainbow. Their portions are about average, as I have a big appetite. I used to eat 2 regular plate lunches for lunch, but now I am cutting it down to 1 regular and 1 mini (1 Large and 1 Small). Definitely recommended to try if you are hungry for plate lunch.

The roast pork here is what is usually crave from here. Sometimes it is more on the salty site. I’ve tried their chicken katsu and meatloaf, but I’d say it is average to say the least.
Kinda more on the pricy side ($ 7 for a mini), service is hit or miss. Usually busy during lunch time. Limited parking as well.

Best plate lunch around, worked on sand island for years ate there almost every day. Roast pork plate always my go to but Turkey just as good. GO Early for Roast Pork, Turkey or Beef they sell out quickly, huge portions. Large water jug with ice cold water and cups for free.

Great place for local food. Love the hamburger steak place with extra onion. Whether it is the regular or mini it’s worth every dollar spent.
For their customer service, it’s decent.

spare ribs my favorite! :D
turkey’s pretty good too.
roast pork’s ono too! :D

Unilocal 365 Challenge #23/​365
Looking for a place that serves big portions, cheap prices, and friendly service? Search out the eating places near industrial areas. You’ll find lunch trucks, small drive-​ins or fast food.
You’ll also find Penny’s Lunch Wagon
Yesterday, I had to go to my honey’s workplace because we ordered new flooring for our house (YESSSS). I had to stop by the bank and zeroed in on Penny’s Lunch Wagon and the first thought that came to mind was…
Roast Pork Plate
As soon as I paid for the flooring, I called up Penny’s Lunch Wagon to pre-​order my roast pork plate. You either have the choice of big or mini.
I chose the mini because the portions are still huge!
Although they are called Penny’s Lunch Wagon, it is actually a small place in a big building with other shops.
Don’t expect it to be fine-​dining. This is a place where most orders are take out since everyone is usually on the go. If you do decide to eat there, there is a small eating area.
The service is quick and friendly and the prices are cheap/​reasonable.
Note: CASH ONLY

I go here if I need to eat breakfast during the weekdays. The fried rice plate is cheap and filling. For $ 5.50 you get two scoops fried rice (meat and onions no green onions) two eggs and 4 pieces bacon.
The mini spaghetti is filling and cheap and comes with garlic bread (haven’t had it in awhile though)
All the menu items are reasonably priced and the service is friendly and efficient. Definetely a place to add to your list of cheap good food
Usually I just go for the mini which is more than enough to satisfy.
Spaghetti — is real good and comes with garlic bread
Hamburger curry — always good
Hamburger steak — good
Fried Chicken — has unusual seasoning on it. =(

Cheesburger combo… I’m hooked. The burger is handformed and cooked perfectly. The fries are very crispy. I’ve tasted their hot pickled onions, which just hit the spot. Very friendly service too.

Cheeseburger deluxe = $ 3.66! The menu items and their prices just about knocked my socks off. Knowing how expensive food usually is in Hawaii, Penny’s is a breath of fresh air in the Sand Island area.
The hamburger patty was fairly plump juicy moist and tasty! Vegetables were fresh, cheese melted to ooey gooey goodness. Bun was fluffy.
$ 2 makes it a combo… fries and drink.
CASH ONLY. But will be back!

Fresh off the plane, my Dad was ono for a good plate lunch, Quick. We stopped at Penny’s on Sand Island. He had the roast pork with sweet sour spare ribs, extra mac salad and pickled onions. I had the mini roast pork plate. The roast pork was cut in cubes, it was tender and delicious. I didn’t care for the mac salad, they add sugar to it. His sweet sour spare ribs weren’t as tender as the roast pork.
Typical construction guys coming in for lunch. Service was friendly and fast. I would recommend this place but I’d like to try some other dishes before weighing in. They use to be a red lunch wagon and now they’re a diner. About 4 small tables for a quick bite.
Check them out