The menu here is 6 full pages and all items are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.. Ken’s is the only place on the Big Island that is always open. This partially accounts for it’s popularity. You will find this hot spot is busy at all hours. The busiest time is at breakfast. This meal occupies 2 pages of the menu and the choices are fantastic. Coffee comes with the entire pot, rather than cup by cup. The omelets are giant (at least 4 eggs, maybe 5) and most breakfast items come with hash browns or rice as well as with toast or pancakes. As the name implies, these are a specialty and are light, fluffy and wonderful. Feeling like something "local style" to go along with your fresh corn beef hash? Try the coconut or Lilikoi syrup instead if the maple. You’ll know you’re not at a chain diner and you might be speaking Hawaiian by the time you leave! If you are off on a trip to the volcano, have a hearty breakfast at Ken’s before you head up the mountain and your hunger will be in check for hours.

If you are not in the mood for breakfast, there are another 4 pages of choices. You can find anything from sandwiches and burgers to ox-tail soup, saimen (the island version of ramen), kalua pork, fresh fish, a huge taco salad with beef or chicken in a freshly fried shell as big as an Easter bonnet, or a large variety of the island’s ever-present "loco moco". The assortment of pies is tempting, and the MacNut cream pie is reason enough for a visit. Four days a week there is an all you can eat special, which, depending on the day, will be tacos, prime rib, spaghetti or "local-style" food. These specials are served until "pau", meaning that they are served until they run out, so don’t wait until dinner. Check the banners over the entrance to see what is offered on which day.

Another draw, apart from the voluminous menu, are the people. Any time of the day or night, you will encounter locals speaking in pidgin so thick it is virtually incomprehensible, tourists from all parts of the globe speaking in their native tongues, young, old and everything in between. The staff fly from table to table taking and delivering orders mostly from memory. Many of the employees have been at Ken’s since 1971 (name tags show the year each employee was hired). A happy staff is a pleasant staff, and this is apparent from the aloha that permeates the restaurant. Visit Ken’s more than once, which is almost a certainty, and you may very well be greeted like family rather than as a guest. Questions about where to go or what to see on the Windward side? Ask your wait person and you will receive and friendly, honest and well-informed answer from someone who knows.

Parking can be a problem during peak hours. The lot is not very big and, if it looks full, it is. Pull back out onto the street, make an immediate left and park along Banyan Drive, which has more than adequate parking.

Ken’s is priced mid-range, but the portions add tremendous value and experiencing this slice of local life is priceless in itself.

Written By: Jonathan Botticelli

Features
Kid Friendly  |  Wheelchair Accessible  |  Banquet Facilities  |  Beer and Wine  |  Breakfast  |  Dinner  |  Full Bar  |  Lunch  |  Smoke-free  |  Take-Out

Comments
My husband and I are fortunate enough to live close to Hilo. Yesterday we went to Ken's and both had the flame broiled burgers which are home grown, grass fed and lean. It was delicious and worth the 6.95 for the burger with pickles, lettuce, tomato and onions, and served with tasty french fries.
- HawaiiVacationGifts on Fri, May 25, 2007

Hey brah, I never heard it called K-Hop, we call it Ken's Pancake House but that's abut it. You spelled saimin wrong too brah. Oh and one more thing, how can you talk about Ken's without saying nothing about the Sumo's? It's da' best deal for the money and you get a gong they ring for you. What could be bettah' than that?
- Brian Adams on Tue, February 20, 2007

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