Expand your breakfast options beyond toast and coffee. Visit 808 Grindz Cafe for a local destination in Kailua-Kona for Hawaiian breakfasts and lunches. You’ll find hearty fare at affordable prices to fill you up in a no-frills atmosphere.
Think of this place as a local greasy spoon or diner. Its menu features a variety of meats served with eggs and starches. While there are a few meatless options for vegetarians who eat eggs and dairy, there are no vegan menu items. The food at 808 Grindz Café is indulgent, filling fare with options that include numerous Hawaiian comfort foods and traditional breakfasts.
You won’t find Spam, Vienna Sausages, corned beef, and Portuguese sausage at many restaurants that cater to tourists. However, these are just a few of the meat options beloved by Hawaiians that you’ll find on the menu at 808 Grindz Cafe. Dishes that use these and other meats include various loco moco, eggs benedict, fried rice, and breakfast plates. Other meats on the menu include steak, pork, and short ribs.
Due to its popularity, expect to wait in line for your meal. Bring cash, too, because the Big Island location does not accept credit cards or checks. These small issues rarely dissuade people from coming back, though. The amount of tasty food that you get and the affordable prices make this spot part of the routine of many locals and visitors, alike.
When at 808 Grindz Cafe, if the options on the menu seem overwhelming, try one of the following favorites:
808 Grindz Moco
A traditional Hawaiian breakfast, the loco moco, goes by the name 808 Grindz Moco at the restaurant. This dish gives you plenty of food for brunch or a hearty breakfast. You get two eggs served over a marinated beef patty and rice with brown gravy over everything. If you prefer other meats, the menu also includes mocos made with steak, pork chop, Spam, shredded pork, link maple sausage, Portuguese sausage, corn beef, and short ribs. For extra flavor, upgrade from plain rice to fried rice on your moco.
Macadamia Nut Pancakes
While plain pancakes satisfy, they don’t stand up to the extra flavor of the Macadamia Nut Pancakes with house-made toppings. People crave these fluffy pancakes long after they leave. The Macadamia Nut pancakes have nutty, rich macadamia nuts to enhance their flavor.
Pair a short or full stack of these with house-made Mac-Nilla or Coconut sauce. The Mac-Nilla sauce is a thick, creamy topping with the flavors of macadamia nuts and vanilla. The Coconut sauce has a similar consistency as the Mac-Nilla sauce but has a coconutty taste and a garnish of shredded coconut.
Da Bene Trio
Da Bene Trio serves three of the most popular variations on eggs benedict at 808 Grindz Cafe on one plate. You get Kalua Pork Hash Bene, Salmon Florentine, and Crab Latkes all with freshly made hollandaise sauce.
The Kalua Pork Hash Bene replaces the traditional Canadian bacon in eggs benedict with patties made from Kalua pork and topped with a poached egg and hollandaise sauce over a grilled English muffin. The Salmon Florentine benedict uses salmon and fresh spinach for the meat in eggs benedict. Lastly, the Crab Latkes take crab cakes to a new level by mixing crab with hash to create the patties in the latkes. Like the other two dishes in this breakfast trio, the Crab Latkes come on an English muffin and have a poached egg and hollandaise sauce on top.
This trio of eggs benedict will let you sample three versions of eggs benedict, so you don’t have to settle for one option for breakfast.
Bring your appetite for any of the Hawaiian breakfasts or lunches at 808 Grindz Cafe in Kailua-Kona on the Big Island. You’ll enjoy traditional breakfasts at a local favorite for hearty dishes and flavorful food.
Insider Tips:
-808 Grindz Cafe only accepts cash for payment.
-Have patience when visiting because a line typically forms at this popular breakfast and lunch spot.
-Call ahead to place your order if you want to save time waiting in line.