Rainbow Drive In VS Richie's Drive Inn [Loco Moco Battle]

[@joettekanter3489]

Thank you for another delicious video Misty! 😋😋😋 Richies looked better to me because I’m a huge gravy person. Down in South Louisiana we eat only rice and gravy with our smothered meats, and white gravy, sawmill gravy, or tomato gravy on our biscuits. Your videos are truly the best, you’re genuine and it comes through in the videos. ❤️🙏🏻😊

[@FoodFiend]

Aw thanks Joette! I'm an acquire taste, but I can only be me. LOL. You'd definitely love Richie's. I did think the gravy was much better tasting and very savory. I just made some cubed steak with lots of gravy in the crock pot the other day for dinner. Tomato gravy sounds amazing!

[@sammatsusaka823]

nice people, but not the loco moco. needs DARK RICH GRAVY.

[@robertfujisaki5348]

Richie’s loco mock looked really good! From a picture only standpoint Richie’s won hands down for me!

[@angelinaramon]

I tried going to Rainbow a couple of times, but I could never find any parking.

[@FoodFiend]

Yes it's very tight for parking. The best times to go are early in the morning or late at night.

[@Waynes-xt9gr]

@@FoodFiend but thats when my fav special on Monday n Friday is long gone.......Pork Long Rice :((((....go to late, his-to-ry!!!!!

[@bolohead1]

Rainbows actually uses fresh ground beef, they have a press in the back that makes the patties, I used to deliver there. I always use to think it was frozen also.

[@FoodFiend]

Ah! Thanks for the insider facts. I'm glad they use fresh ground beef. That's probably why I like their patties more even though it is thin. But I think it's better thin anyway so it's not too dry and doesn't fall apart.

[@RikigaiHawaii]

Wow ya very cool to know

[@alant.541]

Really liked this food challenge. I've had Rainbow's loco moco once. It was good, but I would really like to try Richie's. I'm into gravy. Thanks for this video.

[@FoodFiend]

If you're into gravy I bet you'd like it! 🤙

[@tonisanoedelacruz9754]

You awesome. Both are below my expectations so I rarely go and Richies...not since the 90s...

[@tehanireyes9956]

Nice! I'm not a huge fan of Loco mocos or Rainbows. But give me Richies Teri Pork Plate alllllll day. Lol. I love this food challenge comparison video though, more please!

[@FoodFiend]

Thanks Tehani! I will try to think of more ideas for food challenges.

[@semfehoko7273]

Tehani know what's up at Richie's 💯

[@tehanireyes9956]

Well done, sauce on the rice, and an order of fries. LOL.

[@samchunghoon1819]

Grew up in Kapahulu(Kaimuki 68). Love Rainbowʻs Loco Moco.

[@spang9782]

I just make my own if I'm hungry for Loco Moco. Use GOOD rice, homemade beef patties, local eggs, and a pro tip secret? McCormick powdered brown gravy (or ready made in bottles). I kid you not! Mix the gravy good so there's no lumps, and add cornstarch to your preference. I find 1 teaspoon mixed with a little water works best.

[@FoodFiend]

Akamai! Can't beat making your own.

[@keithfreitas2983]

To salty...over med hi heat melt 2 tbl butter mix in 2 tbl flour a little pepper and garlic salt Keep stirring to the color brown you want Using a whisk in chicken or beef broth a little at a time until it reaches the thickness you want with a slight bubbling. Add more salt pepper or garlic salt to your taste.

[@erickim2025]

I used to go Richie's about 10 yrs ago & l loved the boneless chicken , you're right the gravy tasted just like Rainbows, which I also liked but did want to drive to Kapahulu. I believed the cook at Richie's did come from Raibows. Both are tasty but bad for the cholesterol, lol😮😊

[@FoodFiend]

Yes so good. However Richies changed owners after this video so I'm not sure how the change is with taste or if it is the same or not. Yep not good for the cholesterol. Plate lunches definitely in moderation. I go see the doctor for bloodwork every year and thankfully everything is in check. 🤙

[@gorilla96822]

There is one more drive through plate lunch place and it’s called Dean’s drive inn located in Kaneohe. 🤙🏼😎

[@FoodFiend]

Awesome! I have always wanted to go there, but it's so far for me. One day for sure!

[@Waynes-xt9gr]

@@FoodFiend Dont!!!!!!!!! because it was a challenge after covid, Dean decided to shut his place down.....i am serious Misty :(

[@FoodFiend]

YesnI know they closed down. I couldn't make it before they closed. So sad...

[@piperlani]

Great review 👍🏼🤙🏼

[@alohapoppet6107]

Misty forgive me for being uneducated, but all the times I have been to Hawaii I have skipped this as all it is for me is a burger with 2 eggs and gravy on top. Am I missing something, is it so good or should I skip it as there is way better food to try? The thing is I can not see how gravy goes with a burger and rice with eggs it is very odd how that all works or am I over thinking it. I agree with you I like my burgers made with 100% beef. Hope you are keeping well.

[@FoodFiend]

It's a local staple. I think that most people that visit should try it once. Most people are surprised it does go very well together. Although, it should have a sunny side up egg. So if you don't like that and you get scrambled, it will not be the same. Try it at Rainbows and get the mini which comes in a small bowl. That way if you don't like it, it won't be such a waste. But you probably will. Add a dash of hot sauce too.

[@Waynes-xt9gr]

AP.....your nickname reminds me of Robin Williams in Miss Doubtfire......she has that tv show for kids and she calls someone poppet.....

[@af763]

how much was the slush float cost?

[@FoodFiend]

I believe I paid $3.50. Funny thing is the price differs at other locations. Ewa is the most expensive at $4.25 and Pearlridge is $3.75.

[@jasonbabila6006]

When I make homemade loco Moco I make my burger patties with ground chuck and sometimes with ground bison, ground veal mixed with the ground chuck. For the gravy I make the gravy with beef stock, tomato paste, seasonings, and corn starch or flour

[@FoodFiend]

Awesome! I love bison and eat it once a week after tasting it in Montana. We buy ribeye or beef patties. In fact we are having beef patties tonight made from bison. Have a good one!

[@jasonbabila6006]

Bison is great and lean.🤙🏽

[@pacosanandresbukid4424]

Hi Misty! Aloha. Is the Plantation Cafe at Mililani still around? Love their loco moco there. 🤙🏾

[@FoodFiend]

I've never heard of it. I searched it and cannot find it so not sure if it is there anymore.

[@pacosanandresbukid4424]

@@FoodFiend Mahalo Misty!

[@304Hibachi]

That Char grilled loco moco burger at liliha is the one tho 🔥

[@wendelldonlin1882]

Grew up through high school at Rainbows but been going to Richie’s since they opened in Kalihi. The employees there are long timers and the taste of the food has remained the same. Still good taste and good portions. Good video but I’ll save a dollar and gas to Kapahulu. 🤙🏾

[@colingan9412]

What makes the loco moco is always the gravy. Gotta have a good gravy.

[@pikakerose]

good video never been to richies grew up eating at rainbows after the beach i know what u mean by eating at the kapahulu branch i had bad experince at pearlridge

[@FoodFiend]

After beach grinds is the way to go! Yes I don't even try to go to the other ones. Waste money.

[@joettekanter3489]

Misty, I would love to see a Zippy’s review. That was the place to eat back in the 80’s when I was there, lol! 😋😋😋 I’m old, lol!

[@FoodFiend]

Joette, Zippy's is now so expensive and not the same. It is still tasty but not affordable like it used to be. One day I will put ideas together for their best plate lunches for a video.

[@lonelypigeon7562]

there is one surprisingly better chili bowl in town rather than zippys.......where? Wendy's. They have small and large chili bowl with rice if you want....and its different from Zippys and they got asstd kidney beans mixed in with the beef chili.....oh, best part....price is WAY cheaper than Zips.

[@hm3954]

Enjoyed your video as always. Thanks for the insightful analysis. That strawberry slushie float looked really yummy! Totally agree when you mentioned preferring 100% ground beef patty vs patty that has fillers (ie - bread or bread crumbs); personally luv Kalua pig or short rib Loco moco myself. Luv mixing runny yolk into gravy & eating with rice!!

[@FoodFiend]

Big Mahalo! Yay someone agrees with me. 🤣 Oh yeah Button Up Cafe has great short rib and kalua pork loco mocos. ❤🙏

[@hm3954]

@@FoodFiend - thanks for the heads up on Button Up Cafe, will try next time. Have only had kalua pork & short rib loco moco on Maui

[@onetruekeeper]

Can you do one for the best beef stew ? I recall trying the beef stew when KC Drive Inn used to exist and thought it was the best in Honolulu.

[@FoodFiend]

Sure but not sure who has the two best that people talk or rave about. Have any ideas to compare? I enjoy Meg's Drive Inn and Penny's Drive Inn but I'm sure there's others out there.

[@SupremeJudge]

Please check out "On the Rise" in Mililani Mauka. I always get the Loco Moco Eggs Benedict. Their meat patties are very beefy tasting, no filler, all beef and very umami tasting. it just hits differently.

[@FoodFiend]

Oh thank you! I will. Is it in the shopping center in mauka?

[@youalreadyknow8087]

Richies all day!!!!

[@Waynes-xt9gr]

its a win win......richies owner came from Rainbow, just that the DRIVE to Kapahulu sucks and parking is a beeyotch!!!!

[@Ryan.usa73]

Zippy's hamburger steak and eggs, in a bowl is my favorite.

[@damienkahanaoi4032]

Megs was the best and Byron’s but both shut down already a while ago 😢😢😢

[@FoodFiend]

Aloha. Yes both was ono. Did a Meg's video years ago. Didn't do Byron's because I didn't do KZbin then when I ate there. Used to work by the airport for years.

[@damienkahanaoi4032]

@@FoodFiend yes I miss the strawberry slush floats from Byron’s also and I didn’t know rainbows 🌈 had that thanks for the tip and I used to work at tropical rent a car for years also that’s why it was across the street from Byron’s diagonally that’s why I used to go there a lot lol 😂 🤙🤙

[@FoodFiend]

@@damienkahanaoi4032 awesome! That area changed so much. Byron's was happening with Gussie L'Amours. 🤣

[@Opai081]

Home made is supposed to be better right?

[@FoodFiend]

Supposedly but I prefer no cheap filler in my burger patty. Other people do but it's not my jam.

[@cathysantaana7127]

I like the Richie's Patty. But I guess since you're used to Rainbow's patty...had a feeling you were going to lean in that direction. Believe it or not, I love the grilled cheese sandwich from Richie's. And they did a good renovation. Keep making your videos. I've been trying a lot of the places you feature.

[@FoodFiend]

Much Mahalo Cathy! Wow I wouldn't have thought to get grilled cheese there. I gotta try next time! 🙏🤙

[@Waynes-xt9gr]

I think the BEST of both R n R is if you are in the Diamond head area to Hawaii Kai...........or..........if you are in Kalihi and heading to Pearl City or Waipahu.....

[@henrybaxter1158]

Ritchie's has drive thru awesome

[@paulhayashi2060]

You'd be surprised how Rainbow's makes their gravy. Go look for an episode of DDD where they featured Rainbows. It was interesting...

[@FoodFiend]

Yes I remember that episode! Totally forgot. Maybe it is the konbu and dried shrimp that gives it flavor but the gravy is now more brown so I'm not sure how much tomato sauce is in it anymore. 🤔

[@RikigaiHawaii]

Love this vs perspective! But for those two spots I'd compare the boneless chicken instead. For loco moco I thing a great comparison would be maybe liliha bakery vs the alley or if kalihi maybe even pancake n waffles 🤙episode 2? Haha

[@FoodFiend]

Yeah I dont like boneless chicken and especially disliked the Rainbow's one. It's not my thing. But yes Liliha v The Alley but I dont like the texture of Liliha Bakery's. It's got lots of filler.

[@RikigaiHawaii]

@@FoodFiend I'm all about that char 🤩

[@RikigaiHawaii]

@@FoodFiend same how I feel about the rainbows loco moco. I think it's so overrated once u eat others but I used to grind that bowl n get my slush float all the time back in the hanabata days yum!

[@Waynes-xt9gr]

@@FoodFiend Misty.....you would have LOVED Richies Boneless Chicken plate............I also tried BC at Rainbows, kinda cooked it too long :P

[@SoulTrain808]

Richie's can't be as grimy as a Manapua truck in KPT. LOL

[@FoodFiend]

🤣 💯

[@kevint9627]

Love both places! Richie's and Rainbows both have boneless chicken with gravy and chili. Which one do you prefer?

[@FoodFiend]

Mahalo for stopping by Kevin! I prefer Rainbows. I like pure beef patties for some reason and don't like the softness of bread crumb filler. I could taste the softness in Richie's but their gravy was amazing!

[@kevint9627]

@@FoodFiend which boneless chicken snd chili do you like? Richie's or Rainbows?

[@FoodFiend]

I'm a weirdo and don't like the boneless chicken. I prefer chicken katsu. But I love the chili bowl from Rainbows. Never tried the one from Richies. I have to try it next time I stop by.

[@Walts-Travel]

That's pretty close. Rainbow and that slushy for the win!!

[@FoodFiend]

Yes sir! When you come down you need a slushy for sure!

[@DoubleOTEN]

Ritchie’s Mac Salad is the best…. THE BESTEST!!!!! In The Whole Wide Wooooorrrrrld !!!!

[@Waynes-xt9gr]

you know who had the BEST BEST mac salad in plate lunch? they closed a while back long ago......Kanda Lunchwagon @ Kewalo Basin......talk about standing in LINE!!!!!!!!! RIP Charlotte.....she was one of the daughters who helped and she went to Farrington (like me).

[@Waynes-xt9gr]

sometimes parking at BOTH R's suck! Richies gets crowded on Wednesday because of their Pork Long Rice.......Rainbow's get crowded cuz of their daily specials.....loco moco included! You ARE RIGHT (about the difference between RB outlets.....heard that too, not from you but other sources). The key to Richies is PARK and go in!!! What you heard about the owner IS true!!!! Lotsa drive thru orders DO order LM!!!! I know some of the guys there too.....especially the older kupuna ones.....tonite for me is Mapo Tofu and rice........tomorrow LCMO cuz you spoiled me :D

[@FoodFiend]

Enjoy your meal Wayne! Mapo tofu sounds so good right now!

[@sammatsusaka823]

Food Poison at Rainbow (Mixed Plate) Never gone back!!!!!

[@FoodFiend]

Bummers

[@kamt6582]

Kapahulu vs Kalihi👀🤣🤣

[@FoodFiend]

😂

[@niznomores7961]

I had a real bad experience with L and L in E.B. It was mainly breading and uncooked. Maybe it was a bad day for the cook but yuk! The other L and L in E.B. by foodland was all beef and decent. So where is a really good loco moco?

[@niznomores7961]

I heard a cook from Elena opened her own restaurant called Juliez in Kapolei. Not sure if it is true but you get less oily food at Juliez.

[@FoodFiend]

I usually just eat loco mocos from Rainbows but don't eat them often. I hear you about L&L. Hit or miss. It is a franchise and owned now by different owners. I did a piece on Juliez on my Breakfast Tour video. I love their lechon and Adobe omelet!

[@raiderfrankdatank]

Yeah, the locomoco is meant to eat together, not separately

[@genekostron7998]

Totally leaving it there most important plate lunch from Richie's! Boneless chicken!!!!

[@FoodFiend]

Agreed but this was a loco moco challenge which is why it isn't featured.

[@ddrz09]

When you said that the rainbow cooks at the other places dont taste the same.... fucking true! The pearlridge location SUCKS. They served my chiken katsu raw..... hate that place. When I go to pearlridge, I get my fix at H&T burger. Their Teri burger and h&t mix plate is great

[@FoodFiend]

Yes doesn't that suck? And how terrible that your chicken katsu was raw. Yuck. H&M is cool. I ate at Koromo the other day and kept looking at H&M across the way LOL

[@lonelypigeon7562]

maybe das why HT is always busy and crowded....compared to Rainbows...in fact, if you go on the weekend, practically every eatery on that floor is busy, except Rainbows.

[@boongohtong442]

I’m the new owner of Richies Drive In. I see this post has been posted about 11 months ago and you may have missed out on the new Loco Moco which is all my newer recipes. Please stop by again and try out our new Loco Moco with my gravy recipe. We also have a lot of newer items . If you come by lunchtime there will be a long line at the drive thru so please park youre car and come in. Lunch is on me just ask for me Boon .Thank you

[@raiderfrankdatank]

Never tried Richie's Locomoco. Never really liked Rainbow's Locomoco. Love Giovanni's Locomoco.

[@averysniffen9897]

Never had richies

[@NoneNone-yt7rp]

I like the boneless chicken better at Ritchies. I don't care for their loco moco, and have never tried it at Rainbows. I'll have to try the Teri Pork Plate per one of the commenters.

[@FoodFiend]

Yes now I'm curious about the Teri pork plate too. Thanks for watching again! ❤🤙

[@sammatsusaka823]

: ) for the price; Richie's

[@paulafriedmanalohafrommaryland]

Aloha Misty. Back in the day when I still ate beef, first time visiting Hawaii in 1996, I tried loco moco at Rainbow Drive Inn and it was very tasty. I can't compare it to any other place since that was the only time I had tried it. Now if a place would offer this with a veggie patty and veggie brown gravy, that would be great. Hope you had a nice weekend!

[@FoodFiend]

Hi Paula. There is a place on Liliha Street that is called Badass Burgers that sell a vegan patty loco moco. I have never had a good experience with fake meat so I stay away even if everyone else thinks it tastes good, I can definitely taste chemicals and unnatural stuff in it.

[@paulafriedmanalohafrommaryland]

@@FoodFiend I know what you mean, it can be hit or miss with veggy stuff. I would eat a chicken or turkey burger loco moco as long as the gravy doesn't have beef or pork in it.

[@808tanaks]

Liliha bakery has the best loco moco

[@lonelypigeon7562]

you shoulda weighed the plate before partake....I swear, Richies pounds the meal....meaning, once you get your plate, its almost 3/4 pound!!! next time you do a comparison of boneless chicken, watch out...your plate will BE 1lb!!!! thats one of my fav spots and the pinay aunties are real nice!

[@lonelypigeon7562]

Today....Feb 2022 ( I did not add the date because something upset me). I went to Richies hoping to get their Shoyu Chicken plate......SOLD OUT! So after observing someones order of a pork and onions plate, I decided to buy that one. I asked the gal for that plate and she murmured no and shook her head. So....I then ordered another plate and while waiting for my order I could hear the counter gal yell to the cooks, THAT pork plate!!!! so I was hoping to see if they did prepare a plate, why the heck did she tell me that they ran out??? a long time ago, I had a similar situation and I did boycott them for close to a year (yeah....I was that pissed off). But then my order was ready and I took it and left.

[@heyainokea182]

Don’t go rainbows kalihi unless you have debit/credit cards and slush floats are frozen and paper straws really suxs

[@FoodFiend]

Yeah I heard bad things about that one and Pearlridge. Auwe.

[@mrtyronehooper6525]

Rajah Dat, gimme me real ground beef, not a bunch of filler stuff, Great Videos, MAHALOS!

[@FoodFiend]

Yes sah on the meat! Thank you 😊

[@stavana4875]

Richies isn't grimy they renovated a yr and a half ago. I prefer Richies over Rainbows foodwise though i haven't tried Richie's loco moco. Richies got the old skool gravy Rainbows used to have in the 70's. The last time i ate a loco moco at Rainbows Kapahulu was 1988 the loco moco was yuck, never went back there after 1988 as their popular plate lunches wasn't all that in the late 80's in my opinion, preferred Zippy's plate lunches. Not many places make good loco moco. I've yet to try Liliha Bakery's one. I thought Big City Diner Pearlridge & Pagoda Hotel had really old skool ono loco moco.

[@FoodFiend]

Yes, I haven't been to Richie's in years and the new renovation inside was actually quite nice. I'll have to try Big City Diner's version. I do like the rest of their food.

[@stavana4875]

@@FoodFiend 🤙

[@ronaldgates7719]

There both pretty much the same I'm not a fan of Loco mocals at these places there's better options

[@cliffpagdilao7744]

Richie’s quality is not good, it went downhill

[@MichaelSoma-rh3eu]

I GIVE RICHIES 1 STAR.THERE NOT THAT GOOD AT ALL

[@miyosu20022002]

Richie's has gone downhill ever since Richie took over when his parents retired. The mom comes in once in a while but it doesn't mean much. Kind of stop going there because of the consistency of the food. Guess the dad was the backbone of the operation. As far as the dad coming from Rainbow, I used to talk to him when he was down at the original store in Kakaako and he came straight from the Army as a civilian cook. Also, know what you mean about Rainbows and cooks making a difference at the other store. The original store is still the best.

[@hawaiiguy1]

Only saw the mom once in the 20 years I've been going.. She was manually taking orders by the drive thru menu board communicating by phone or walkie talkie when the speakerphone system was down during a weekday lunch time maybe 8-10 years ago.

[@RikigaiHawaii]

Ohhh sad I haven't been in forevers

[@heyainokea182]

Rainbows OVERRATED and overpriiced

[@FoodFiend]

Don't break my heart my friend. Nah nah. I still love you. 🤣🤙❤