Fairwood Drive Inn has been serving Hawaiians a unique fusion of Chinese and Hawaiian food for over fifteen years. The take-out eatery is located in a large shopping center in Honolulu and attracts both new and returning customers alike.

According to the owner, Tiffany Ko, there are many reasons why her restaurant stands out from the many other restaurants in the high traffic area. She attributes a portion of her restaurant’s success to the speedy service, breakfast offerings, and innovation. Efficient service is one of the main focuses of the restaurant; the experienced chefs on staff are able to fill take-out orders within five minutes. Some customers even joke that the service is faster than McDonald’s! Breakfast also draws a large customer base because mainland breakfast (eggs, ham, French toast, etc.) is not often served in Hawaii, yet customers can get it at Fairwood Drive Inn. And finally, Ko never stops innovating. The kitchen is constantly updating the menu and experimenting with different and seasonal ingredients. And while the restaurant is considered a fast food eatery, the freshness of the food is never forgotten; ingredients are purchased daily from a local market. According to Ko, food freshness and quality are the backbone of her establishment.

Fairwood Drive Inn Facts

• Location: 815 Keeaumoku St. Honolulu, HI 96814


• Cuisine: Local and Chinese Food


• Offers: take-out, party tray


• Signature Dish:  Honey Garlic Chicken, Grilled Ahi Steak with Rice & Salad


• Year of establishment:1994


• Phone: (808) 943-2688

Focusing on the Food

As a take-out establishment, Fairwood Drive Inn’s focus is not on the ambiance. With that said, the décor is charmingly unpretentious and features descriptive menu board over the cash counter and an open kitchen so customers can watch their food being prepared. The tiled floors are easily kept clean and there are a few tables and chairs for patrons waiting for their orders.

The menu caters to the locals and offers a variety of mainland American, Chinese, and Hawaiian options. Customers will find anything from common dishes such as Kung Pao Chicken, Sweet & Sour Chicken, Crab Rangoon, Egg Rolls, and Beef with Broccoli to Hawaiian style Chinese cuisine, which features dishes such as rice with macaroni salad topped with chicken or pork. Healthy dishes are available at the restaurant as well. Items on the menu can be steamed or boiled upon request are served with brown rice and there are many fresh vegetables available for health alternatives such as snow peas, pickled vegetables, Choy Sum, and eggplant.

The most popular dishes on Fairwood Drive Inn’s menu are the Honey Garlic Chicken and the Grilled Ahi Steak with Rice. The Honey Garlic Chicken is dressed with a mixture of egg and flour and is then sautéed with minced garlic and topped with honey. The juicy dish leaves a pleasant and not-too-sweet aftertaste. The Ahi for the Grilled Ahi Steak is caught fresh locally. This dish is rich in protein and low in cholesterol and calories. The Ahi tuna is seasoned with salt and pepper and grilled to perfection. Finally, the dish is served with rice and a salad.

The menu is categorized clearly to keep things simple for customers. The categories include sections such as Chinese dishes, Rice plates, Plate lunches, Noodles, and Chow Fun. Sandwiches and Hawaiian style Saimin are also available. A unique section of the menu offers cake noodles. Cake noodles are an only-in-Hawaii Chinese delicacy and each Chinese restaurant in the area has their own version. Cake noodles are crisp and golden and have a crunchy bite. Healthier grilled versions are also available. Iced tea, root beer, and fruit punch is additionally offered in the summer to satisfy the thirst of hardworking customers.

Everybody Knows Your Name

Because there are only four staff members working at Fairwood Drive Inn, everyone is well trained and is able to provide friendly and professional customer service. Each staff member is polite and courteous and is familiar with each of the regular customers. “We treat our customers as we would our family members. The restaurant has a history of fifteen years; we know our customers very well and they know us,” says Ko. “We try to take care of them as best as possible.” While running a restaurant can be a tiring job, Ko never tires of her nice customers.

And although Fairwood Drive Inn is not a dine-in establishment, it is still kept spotless. The restaurant is thoroughly cleaned each day due to each staff member’s specific tasks. The health department visits regularly and Ko is always sure to follow and meet their guidelines.

Big Hearts at Fairwood

To show her thanks, Ko is always doing good work for the local community. “We should be sincere to surrounding people and try our best to give something, without caring about the gains,” says Ko. She can often be found feeding the homeless people in the area.