When you’re looking to kick off your Kauai adventures with a hearty meal, all it takes is a visit to Daddy O’s Restaurant. Only open for breakfast and lunch, this East Side eatery brings in the crowds with its tasty comfort food, chill ambiance, and friendly service. Although there’s often a line out the door, you’ll quickly find that their food alone is well worth the wait.
Despite the hype, their low-key strip mall location may have you second-guessing your visit. If you want to experience the magic that happens here, you’ll have to leave your worries behind and waltz through the doors. With one whiff of the amazing scents coming from the kitchen, you’ll be glad you did. Plus, even before you catch your breath, your server will swing on over to warmly welcome you in and let you know how long you have to wait for a table.
Once a table opens up, you just have to follow your server to your cozy spot in their dining room. The chill ambiance will make you feel right at home, well before their comfort food has a chance to win you over. You’ll want to take some time to browse all the breakfast and lunch items before making your selections and settling in for a wait for your food. Everything is made to order – and there are no appetizers – so you’ll have to keep yourself occupied while you wait.
As soon as you receive your order, you’ll delight in all their fresh ingredients and precise preparation techniques. They definitely use time-honored recipes to handcraft every dish, helping elevate all the bright island flavors. Don’t forget to treat yourself to an iced coffee, soda, or juice to help bring your meal together and stay hydrated for all your upcoming explorations.
Their top menu items include:
Kanaka
Well known as the Big Daddy O of breakfasts, the Kanaka plate will leave you feeling stuffed and more than ready for a nap. With your order, you’ll get three eggs made how you like them, plus two strips of bacon, two sausage links, two Portuguese sausages, and ham. As if that’s not enough, they add two scoops of rice, toast, hash browns, and mini pancakes to boot.
Daddy O’s Special
When you simply cannot choose from all the different types of chicken on the menu, you cannot go wrong with the Daddy O’s Special. This lunch favorite features one piece each of their broasted fried chicken, chili pepper chicken, and honey garlic chicken. Alongside, you get a scoop of rice plus mac salad or tossed greens.
Soft Shell Crab Sandwich
When you want light crab flavors paired with deep-fried goodness, the Soft Shell Crab Sandwich is calling your name. This sandwich comes with a deep-fried soft shell crab set on a toasted bun. To that, they add mayo, lettuce, onion, tomato, and their special sauce. You also get your choice of a tossed salad or fries on the side.
With ultra-sweet pancakes, French toast, and cinnamon rolls on tap all day, who needs dessert? If the answer is you, turn your attention to their fresh, homemade malasadas. With their light dough, custard filling, and cinnamon-sugar coating, these sweet treats will have you coming back for more all through your trip. Want to take them on the run? Ask for a half dozen boxed up to go at the end of your meal.
Insider Tips:
-Need to use the bathroom? You’ll have to ask your server for a code to get through the door.
-On weekends, the line starts forming before they open. So, go early to beat the rush and get a spot at the front of the line.