Rice, gravy, and an egg. Sounds simple enough, right? Well, a Hilo drive-in took that combination and turned it into a trademarked specialty.
The menu has more than 30 versions of loco moco. Thirty! One plate comes so loaded that finding the rice underneath could qualify as a treasure hunt.
And somehow, it all starts with the same humble ingredients. A scoop of rice, a savory topping, a fried egg, and gravy. Then the kitchen gets creative.
This place has made an entire reputation out of a dish that refuses to stay ordinary.
The real challenge isn’t finishing your plate. It’s choosing which version gets the first bite.
The Cfe’s Loco Moco Trademark Has A Story Of Its Own
Cafe 100 calls itself the Home of the Loco Moco, and it backs that up with a registered trademark.
Other spots have argued about who invented the dish, but Cafe 100 helped popularize it across Hawaii.
The classic version keeps things simple. A quarter-pound hamburger patty sits on two scoops of rice, then rich brown gravy and an egg go on top.
That combo became one of the most famous comfort foods in Hawaii. It’s hearty, cheap to make, and easy to love on a rainy Hilo morning.
Start with the original if this is your first visit. You’ll understand why the dish spread across the islands and onto mainland menus.
Eggs are cooked to order here, so speak up if you like a runny yolk. That golden drip mixing into the gravy is half the fun.
You also get to pick white or brown rice. Brown rice won’t turn this into health food, but it’s a nice option to have.
Think of the classic as your baseline. Once you know it, the rest of the menu starts making a lot more sense, and the bigger plates start calling your name.
More Than 30 Versions Will Test Your Decision-Making Skills
Thirty-plus loco mocos sounds like a dare. The menu really does run that deep, and each version swaps the classic patty for something new.
Chicken cutlet shows up as an option. So do Korean katsu, beef stew, chili, panko fried fish, bacon, and Portuguese sausage.
SPAM gets its own spot, naturally, since this is Hawaii. Smokie sausage is on the list too, for anyone who likes a little snap.
Plant-based eaters aren’t left out. You can order a loco moco built on a Beyond Burger patty or a garden burger patty instead of beef.
The menu works on a pretty clever idea. Almost any item can turn into a loco moco once rice, gravy, and an egg join the party.
That means the beef stew you love can become breakfast. The fried fish can, too, if you’re feeling brave before noon.
A smart move is to decide before you reach the front. Browse the menu online first, pick two favorites, and save the second for your next trip. Otherwise, you might stand there reading for a long, hungry while.
Go Big With The Super Loco, Or Go Bigger With The Kilauea
Some meals feel like a snack. The Super Loco is not one of them.
It stacks rice with two eggs, a hamburger patty, SPAM, and Portuguese sausage. That’s three meats on one plate before you even reach for a fork.
Hungry teens and post-hike appetites will want to pay attention here. This is the kind of order that turns lunch into a nap plan.
Then there’s the Kilauea Loco, which sounds like it was named after a volcano for a reason. It brings rice, two eggs, a hamburger patty, SPAM, and four sausage links.
Chili on rice joins the lineup next. Korean kimchee and macaroni salad round it all out, because apparently restraint was never invited.
Sharing is a great strategy with either plate. Split one with a friend and add a side, and you’ll both taste more of the menu.
These big plates also show how mixed island food really is. Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, and American flavors all land in one box. That blend tells a bit of Hawaii’s story in a single bite, which is a pretty tasty history lesson.
Plate Lunch Fans Have Plenty Of Reasons To Skip The Egg
Loco moco gets the spotlight, but the plate lunch lineup deserves its own applause. The menu covers a wide range of Hawaiian comfort food.
Beef stew plates are a solid pick on a cool day. Korean fried chicken, shoyu chicken, and katsu with Korean sauce all show up, too.
Beef teriyaki steak and hamburger steak bring the grill flavors. Chicken cutlet and fish and chips handle the crispy side of things.
Want something you can hold in one hand? Burgers and sandwiches are on the board, including a mahi sandwich.
Chili bowls and French fries round out the casual stuff. Bentos and pupu platters make great options for groups or picnics.
Daily specials rotate, so the board can surprise you. Check before you order, since today’s special might beat your usual pick.
Here’s a helpful tip for mixed groups. One person can chase the loco moco while another grabs a plate lunch, and everyone trades bites. That way your table samples way more of what Cafe 100 does well, and nobody leaves with menu regret.
A Family Legacy That Has Lasted For Generations
A Family Legacy That Has Lasted For Generations
Cafe 100 has been part of Hilo’s food scene since 1946, when Richard Miyashiro opened a small restaurant in his hometown.
What started as a family business grew into one of the area’s best-known places for loco moco and other local comfort foods. Over the decades, the restaurant became a familiar stop for generations of residents.
The family connection remains strong today. Richard’s granddaughter, Mari Kobayashi Leung, now runs Cafe 100, continuing the tradition that began more than 80 years ago.
Keeping a restaurant in the family for that long is no small achievement. Recipes, familiar flavors, and the everyday experience of serving the community have helped Cafe 100 remain a Hilo favorite.
There’s something special about visiting a place with that much history. You’re not just stopping for a plate of rice, gravy, and eggs. You’re visiting a family-run restaurant that has become part of the island’s food culture.
And after all these years, the loco moco still gives people a reason to come back.
Hilo’s First Drive-In Promised Meals In 60 Seconds
The early 1960s marked a new chapter.
That’s when the current Cafe 100 opened at 969 Kilauea Ave, Hilo, HI 96720.
It was Hilo’s very first drive-in restaurant. Folks could drive up, park, and order a full meal at a window.
Diners then had a choice. They could take the food to go or eat it right there.
The early motto was bold, too. Meals in 60 Seconds was the promise, and that’s fast even by today’s standards.
Speed is still part of the plan. The spot runs as a walk-up eatery with casual counter service built for quick meals.
Covered outdoor seating gives you a place to eat once your food is ready. Bring a hat or sunglasses if the sun is out.
The location also makes an easy stop for road trippers. It works well as a refuel point before or after exploring the east side of the Big Island.
Hours run short, so plan ahead. It’s open Monday through Thursday mornings into early afternoon, closed Friday and Saturday, and open Sunday late morning.
Tap, Pay, And Wait For Your Name To Ring Out
A 1940s legend with touch screens might sound funny. Still, ordering here often happens at kiosks or touch panels.
That setup keeps things moving. You pick your meal, pay, and head over to the pickup window when your order is up.
Online ordering is available, too. That’s a handy trick if you’re on a tight schedule or feeding a big group.
Use the kiosk time wisely. Choose your rice, think about your egg style, and double-check any add-ons before you tap pay.
Large families might want one person to handle the order. Fewer cooks at the screen means less chaos and fewer surprise extra sausages.
Generous portions and wallet-friendly prices are part of the reputation. That makes it a great stop when you’re stretching a travel budget in Hawaii.
Old-school spirit and new-school tools work side by side here. The original idea was fast food done well, and the kiosks fit right into that goal.
Founder Richard Miyashiro wanted meals in a minute. He’d probably approve of anything that keeps the line moving.
Your Lunch Supports Something Bigger Than A Full Stomach
Good food is great. Good food that helps the community is even better.
Cafe 100 provides job training and life skills for Special Education and mental health programs. That’s a quiet but meaningful part of how this place operates.
Training like that can open doors for people. It builds confidence, teaches teamwork, and gives real work experience.
So every order does a little extra good. Your loco moco helps keep those programs going in Hilo.
It also fits the restaurant’s long history. A veteran started it to serve his hometown, and that spirit of service clearly stuck around.
Locals and visitors alike treat the cafe as a Hilo tradition. It’s widely seen as an iconic stop for island comfort food.
Planning a Big Island trip? Put Cafe 100 on your list for both the flavor and the story.
Bring an appetite for gravy and a little curiosity about history. Leave with a full belly and a better sense of what makes Hilo special, one rice bowl, one egg, and one ladle of gravy at a time.