Name: Grace's Inn
Address: 2919 Kapiolani Blvd. (Market City Shopping Center- downstairs)
Call: 732-0041
Prices: $4.70- $6.10
Hours: 6:00 am to 10:00 pm (M-Thurs); 6 am-10:30 pm (Fri-Sat); 7 am-10 pm (Sun)
Macaroni Salad Alternative? yes plus Kim Chee!
Specialties: chicken katsu; shoyu chicken; mochiko chicken


AND I SEZ:

Evolution can take many forms.... animals, plants, and not surprisingly, plate lunch wagons!

Graces started out as a lunch wagon located near the corner of University and Metcalf streets near the University of Hawaii Manoa campus. The first rule of the Lunch Wagon is, "location, location, location". The second rule is, " Know thy customer". Graces in those days (early 70's) had a winner on both counts. Good location next to thousands of hungry students (The campus" saga foods" was pretty lame) and CHEAP prices! Many a student can remember getting a hot dog/chow fun plate for around $1.65- that included two scoops rice, mac salad and kim chee. The other offerings were tasty and comparably cheap.

Graces turned out to be so successful they eventually opened several drive-inn locations. There are currently three Grace's Inns in Hawaii. I have tried all three and can honestly say they are quite consistent. My favorite is the shoyu chicken ($5.45), flavorful with just the right amount of marinading. The meat is soft, firm and not dry and they give you three big thighs. With the toss salad option and the free kim chee cup, you have a pretty healthy meal! (Yeah, right!) Their mac salad is not bad , par for the course.

Shoyu Chicken w/ toss

A very popular plate is their chicken katsu ($5.20), which is hot and crispy, not too greasy. Mochiko chicken is another popular plate for $5.35. Do you notice a pattern? Their chicken dishes are pretty good! But, their Beef Curry plate is also very good- just the right amount of spice, soft beef chunks and not overcooked onions and carrots. (Their curry is the pic I use on the title page for this website) Really Ono!!!!!

Mmm- beef cutlet w/gravy & Mac salad!