Koa Pancake House
in Aiea, Oahu
I used to come here more often in the past, but have stopped going for a while… until I sampled a bite of their loco moco, I had to come back for further investigation!
Koa Pancake House has 3 locations I know of (Aiea, Waipahu and Kaneohe). They look like they are doing great since they are constantly busy, especially during breakfast. We went to the Aiea location which is right next to McDonalds.
It was about 11am and the place was packed with people eating mostly breakfast items. Lots of pancakes, waffles and eggs… I also saw lots of burgers too. The inside has a very warm koa theme with koa walls and decorations, giving the restaurant a nice mellow ambiance.
I had to order the Fried Rice Loco Moco ($5.95).
A generous portion of fried rice with ham and crisp green onions topped with a tender grilled burger, tasty thick brown gravy, and two eggs. This loco moco tasted great, but there was something different about it. The problem was that it didn’t really taste like an authentic loco moco. It might’ve been the gravy: thicker than usual, tasting more like a salisbury steak type of gravy. Good stuff, but I wish it were less thick so that it would mix better with the rice. On the plus side, they did everything else great: the fried rice was very delicious , the burger was very tasty – slightly charred, and the eggs were nicely cooked too.
Bev ordered a “Lite Bite” which included 2 pancakes, 2 link sausages, and 1 egg ($3.75). Really good deal!
The pancakes tasted good and were very light and soft… but the inside was a bit too soft to me and Bev (probably a little undercooked?). Still, it tasted good. I also wished that the outside of the pancakes were a bit crispier too, but they weren’t. The link sausages were good and crisp (tasted like Farmer John’s). Good deal for $3.75.
Koa Pancake House has good food for a great price, although not the best you can get. Service was very friendly and everybody had smiles on their faces, including the customers, who seemed all very friendly. I would probably come back again for some breakfast or try some of their lunch items.
99-115 Aiea Heights Drive #256
Aiea, Hawaii 96701
488-8805, 488-8816
November 16th, 2005 at 4:39 pm
Hi James – Those were nice photo’s! That gravy did look really dark as well. I like that “small” bite – that’s a regular breakfast here! It’s been a while since I’ve had a loco……
November 16th, 2005 at 11:19 pm
That Lite Bite was the perfect size for me, I think!! If I had ordered anything else, I would have eaten only half the full serving!!!!! (^_^)
November 17th, 2005 at 11:02 am
I was anxiously waiting for your reviews on your Oahu trip. Looks like it was worth the wait. Sound like you found the elusive good loco moco for Oahu at Koa Pancake House. Plus the pancakes, sausages and egg for $3.75!!!! What great prices!!! Can’t go wrong. I guess I’ll be stopping by with a big appetite after my surfing section. Looking forward to the other places you visited.
November 18th, 2005 at 4:09 pm
Hi Kirk, the gravy was a lot darker and thicker… the overall consistency didn’t taste right. what?! you havn’t been having your loco mocos? shame on you
Hi Bev =) If memory serves me right, I helped you with the pancakes!
Hi Lance, I recall a group of girls all in beach attire ordering food to go… It would be a great place to stop by before or after surfing coz they give a lot of food!
November 20th, 2005 at 12:14 pm
Hi James,
I haven’t been to Koa Pancake House in a while, especially since I moved to town. Doesn’t seem like much has changed!
December 1st, 2005 at 7:26 pm
that loco moco looks yummy!!! i didnt know there was one in aiea…i was kinda leary about going to the new one in waipahu since i heard it’s new and lines are long. looks like i’ll be stopping by this place…soon.
March 14th, 2007 at 11:47 am
would love to get a nutrition guide for the food being served
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