When you want to dine on scrumptious comfort food in a cozy diner setting, put Ken’s House of Pancakes on your radar. A true Hilo favorite since 1971, this popular eatery stays busy all day, starting bright and early with their classic breakfast fare. Then, they keep all the homecooked goodness coming through lunch, dinner, and beyond, ensuring that everyone can get their fill.
Although they once stayed open 24 hours a day, they’ve dialed back their approach just a tad. Now, they close at 9 pm for a little rest before popping the doors back open at 6 am. Fortunately, that’s about all that’s changed, despite the place changing hands in the early 1990s. The same great menu items remain in the rotation, ready to delight you from the first bite through to the very last. Their friendly aloha spirit lives on as well to ensure everyone feels right at home in their eatery.
You can almost always get a table within about 20 minutes no matter what time you arrive. But sometimes, it’s too busy for the servers to take much time for each patron. Despite that, they go all out in making sure that the food comes out hot and ready to enjoy. That’s quite a tall order, too, since the kitchen works so fast to get every dish made on the double. In fact, if you want time to enjoy your appetizers before the main course arrives, order them early or you’ll end up with both at the same time.
All their food comes in absolutely huge portions, too, especially if you go with their Sumo fare. Beyond that, their time-honored recipes give every dish rich, bold flavors. So, bring a big appetite or get ready to take home the leftovers in a doggie bag. Not all that hungry? Just get the Keiki sizes instead. It’s okay. They are available for all ages.
Stop by to try the:
Sumo Stacker
When you need to go big or go home, let the Sumo Stacker start your day off right. This amazing dish comes with three larger-than-life sumo pancakes plus three slices of bacon and smoked ham. Three eggs made just how you like them come alongside as well. Be sure to try all of their syrups as you nosh on your pancakes because each one is better than the last.
Mauna Kea Teri-Burger
The Mauna Kea Teri-Burger brings all the best island flavors together in every bite. To create this fan favorite, they grill a high-quality all beef patty and fresh, local pineapple until perfectly done. Both land on the bottom bun together before getting a drizzle of teriyaki sauce. Once the top bun goes on, fries go alongside the burger and the whole lot zips out to your table.
‘Hilo Heat’ Cajun Chicken Breasts
If you’re in the mood for a little bit of spice in your life, go with the ‘Hilo Heat’ Cajun Chicken Breasts. They start this sandwich by seasoning and broiling chicken breasts until well done. Then, they put jack cheese over the top and wait until it’s hot and bubbly. After that, the cheesy chicken gets placed in the center of a hoagie roll.
Even if you satisfied your sweet tooth with their signature pancakes, stick around for a taste of Ken’s Own ‘Hot’ Pineapple Upside-Down Cake. Available ala mode or all on its own, this luscious cake comes chockfull of all the best tropical flavors in every bite. If that’s not quite your style, you can get a Banana Split, Hot Fudge Sundae, and the like, all made with Roselani’s ice cream. Tasty pies and cakes end up in the rotation on the regular, too, so be sure to ask your server what’s available before deciding on your dessert of choice.
Insider Tips:
-Want to skip straight to enjoying your selections? Just give them a call with your order before you leave your hotel.
-Expect to pay a 10% packing fee if you want to take your food to go, doggie bags included.
-All their sodas come with just one complimentary refill. After that, you have to pay for another drink if you want more.