Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
oChef » L&L Hawaiian Barbecue – San Diego
L&L Hawaiian Barbecue - San Diego
Photo from L&L Hawaiian Barbecue
L&L Hawaiian Barbecue at a glance
San Diego Midway District
- 🍍 Hawaiian Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $21–$30
mentioned by 93 of the guests
#636 out of 755 places to eat in San Diego
#8 Hawaiian Restaurant out of 10 in San Diego
Average
5.6 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
413
Reviews
49.6%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Generous portions
- Quick service
- Clean atmosphere
Frequently criticized
- Inconsistent food
- Rising prices
- Worn premises
The restaurant L&L Hawaiian Barbecue in San Diego’s Midway District offers a taste of the islands with its authentic Hawaiian cuisine. You’ll find a casual atmosphere perfect for a quick bite or a relaxed meal.
Whether you’re craving classic plate lunches or delicious small plates, this spot provides a friendly setting. With convenient service options like dine-in, takeout, and delivery, enjoying your favorite Hawaiian flavors has never been easier.
Plus, you’ll appreciate the usually plentiful free street and lot parking available.
Overview: Introducting L&L Hawaiian Barbecue
L&L Hawaiian Barbecue offers a casual dining experience where you can often find `huge portions` of Hawaiian-inspired dishes. Many appreciate the generally `quick service` and the pleasant, laid-back atmosphere.
It aims to provide a straightforward meal without much fuss. However, some diners have noted inconsistencies, particularly with food quality, mentioning `chewy meat` or dishes not cooked through.
There are also concerns about `price increase` and the overall upkeep of the dining space, suggesting a mixed experience.
Average
5.6
out of 10
413
Reviews
49.6%
Satisfaction
192
negative
16
neutral
205
positive
L&L Hawaiian Barbecue registers an overall `Restaurant Score` of 5.6, placing it squarely in the average category. This is further reflected in a `Customer Satisfaction` rate of 49.6%, indicating a mixed reception among patrons.
These figures are drawn from a substantial body of feedback, with 413 customer comments offering a balanced perspective on their experiences. Diving into specific aspects, `Service` (5.8) and `Ambience` (5.7) both hover around average, suggesting they generally meet expectations without excelling.
`Food` (5.5), while the most discussed aspect, also lands in the average range, with 205 positive remarks against 192 negative ones. The `Value` (4.7) score is slightly lower, pointing to some concerns about pricing relative to the offering.
What people like
- Generous food portions
- Prompt, friendly service
- Relaxed, clean atmosphere
What people don't like
- Inconsistent food quality
- Rising prices, poor value
- Worn, unclean premises
With a `Recommendation Score` of 5.6, L&L Hawaiian Barbecue presents itself as an average option for those seeking Hawaiian comfort food. If you’re in the mood for substantial portions and a quick, casual meal, it might satisfy your immediate cravings.
However, be prepared for potential inconsistencies in food quality and a dining environment that could use some attention. While the service is generally efficient, the value proposition has become a point of contention for some.
It’s a place that delivers on convenience but may not consistently impress.
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Verdict: Our expert take on L&L Hawaiian Barbecue
Food (5.5 out of 10)
mentioned by 90% of the guests
When it comes to the food, many diners rave about the Hawaiian BBQ and staples like Spam musubi, often noting the generous portions. With 123 positive remarks out of 251 total comments, theres a clear appreciation for dishes described as "delicious" and "excellent food. " Many found the meals satisfying, with some even enjoying leftovers.
However, the experience isnt universally glowing, with a 5.5 score and 49% customer satisfaction indicating a mixed bag. 119 negative comments highlight concerns about the overall quality of the food, with some finding it dry and bland, or even salty food that unfortunately made me sick. This suggests inconsistency in preparation and taste.
Food
251
Reviews
49%
Satisfaction
119
negative
9
neutral
123
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Authentic Hawaiian BBQ
- Generous portions
- Delicious Spam musubi
What people don't like
- Inconsistent food quality
- Dry, bland food
- Overcooked meat
Often praised
- foodThe restaurant has a real warm and comfortable feeling about it. The customer service is great, and the food is hot and ready when you are. I absolutely love L&L and will continue to give them my business.
- Foodtastiest, best, most accurate Kalua Pig
- portionsunbelievably large portions
- meatDecided to go with a customer fav an I was completely blown away by the BBQ chicken bowl 🍜 👏🏻. The meat was cooked to perfection. Nice sized portion of rice an veggies 💪🏻, they even put cauliflower in the veggies 😍💓.
- BBQ beefBBQ beef, very ono!
- BBQ chickenBBQ chicken, very ono!
- BBQ chicken bowlcompletely blown away by the BBQ chicken bowl
- BBQ meatsDelicious BBQ meats!
- BBQ mix plateL&L has been a favorite of mine for a long time, and the Sports Arena location is my go-to. My biggest recommendations are the spam musubi, loco moco, and BBQ mix plate! Be hungry when you come though, because it’s good and it’s a lot of food!
- BBQ ribsI used to really like the BBQ ribs
Frequently criticized
- foodmy food stood on the counter ready that entire time getting cold
- meatThe service was good, and the food had great taste. However, the place needs some cleaning, and the meat was just chewy.
- mac saladIt's supposed to come with a small side of mac salad and two scoops of white rice. However, they forgot the rice and only provided a large portion of flavorless mac salad. The pork itself was bathing in grease, to the point where it was leaking out of the box and soaking the bag.
- ricethey couldn't even get the rice right
- beefthe beef was tough, the beef didn’t even taste like teriyaki
- chickenThe chicken was not cooked all the way through
- food qualityI cannot comprehend how the katsu sauce could be messed up so badly, as it's a simple mixture of sauces that should never gelatinize. While the atmosphere was pleasant (rated 4/5) and the service was adequate (rated 2/5), the food quality, specifically the katsu sauce, was a significant letdown (rated 1/5).
- Lau LauThe staff is always friendly & accommodating. I have to admit that I was disappointed that this location only does Lau Lau on Fridays, but I went to my second favorite item to get from them.
- grilled chickenthe grilled chicken tasted like yesterday's chicken
- katsu sauceThis is definitely not katsu sauce. It's jello.
If youre craving classic Hawaiian BBQ and dont mind a potentially inconsistent experience, it might be worth a try for the generous portions. However, be aware that some diners have found the food quality to be a hit or miss, with issues like dryness or excessive saltiness.
Service (5.8 out of 10)
mentioned by 63% of the guests
When it comes to service, its a bit of a mixed bag here, with a score of 5.8, placing it in the average range, and customer satisfaction at 52.9%, indicating a mixed experience. Out of 102 total mentions, 54 were positive, with many guests praising the staff for being helpful people who provide quick service and great service. Customers often highlighted friendly and accommodating crew members, noting fast order times and clear communication.
However, the service isnt without its challenges, as evidenced by 44 negative mentions. Some experiences point to rude customer service, issues with phone service, and a general lack of caring from some staff. Concerns included long waiting times, incorrect orders, and even hygiene issues like improper food handling, suggesting inconsistency in staff training and attentiveness.
Service
102
Reviews
52%
Satisfaction
44
negative
4
neutral
54
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly staff
- Quick service
- Helpful recommendations
What people don't like
- Rude staff
- Poor phone service
- Improper food handling
Often praised
- serviceMy experience at this restaurant was positive, primarily because my two teenage sons enjoyed it. The service was good, and the food quality was there. The prices are equal to other fast food places nowadays.
- staffGreat staff and service! ... they willing to do anything for you.
- customer serviceCustomer service was great too. Pleasant and hospitable.
- ServiceService:5
- wait timeWait time:No wait
- Alexfriendly, attentive I believe his name is Alex
- Came out quickCame out quick
- GREAT SERVICEGREAT SERVICE. Makes a big difference in someones day.
- Wait timeWait time:No wait
- cashierMari, their cashier was very friendly.
Frequently criticized
- customer serviceThe replacement plate was better but still not up to par. Unlike other L&L locations, this one failed to meet expectations due to poor food quality, lack of customer service, and an unwelcoming atmosphere. I will not be returning.
- cashierthe cashier guy said to me we only had this size
- servicedidn't made give 5 starts on service
- staffthe staff, including the cook, kept looking over at me and talking among themselves
- ServiceWhen I got my order it was with rice and Mac salad no fries
- phoneThey NEVER answer the phone
- waiting timehad to wait 25 minutes for a cashier to show up
- Katsu sauceshe forget my Katsu sauce that I was charged extra for
- accentan accent that almost don't let you understand
- apologiesNo apologies were made
Overall, the service here seems to be a bit inconsistent. While you might encounter friendly and efficient staff, theres also a chance for rudeness or inefficiency. If youre seeking consistently stellar service, you might need to manage your expectations, but a quick and pleasant experience is definitely possible.
Ambience (5.7 out of 10)
mentioned by 32% of the guests
When it comes to the vibe, this spot is a bit of a mixed bag, landing an average score of 5.7 with 50% customer satisfaction. Out of 42 total comments, 21 were positive, highlighting a pleasant, chill atmosphere with good music and a quiet noise level. Many appreciated the clean establishment and the warm, comfortable feeling it offered.
However, 19 comments pointed out some significant drawbacks. The ambience suffers from being a tiny place in a jam-packed shopping center, leading to poor parking and access. Guests also noted worn-down decor, a lack of care, and serious cleanliness issues like dirty tables, flooded floors, and sanitary concerns.
Ambience
42
Reviews
50%
Satisfaction
19
negative
2
neutral
21
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Warm, chill atmosphere
- Good music selection
- Quiet noise level
What people don't like
- Poor parking/access
- Needs deep cleaning
- Worn down decor
Often praised
- atmospherethe atmosphere was pleasant
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:5
- Noise levelNoise level:Quiet, easy to talk
- best oneby far the best one
- clean placeClean place
- cleanlinessthe place was clean
- cultureIt was the culture in that restaurant it brought happiness and peace
- establishmentlove the establishment.... Very well kept
- musicThe food was bomb, and I never had to wait long for it to be made. The atmosphere was chill with good music. I would 100% recommend this restaurant and this location!
- noise levelNoise level:Very quiet
Frequently criticized
- atmospherethe atmosphere was severely lacking
- StoreStore itself looks fairly worn down and aged
- accesspoor access
- care or thoughtnot much care or thought was put into the place
- decorMinus one star for the decor
- deep cleaningthis place needs a deep cleaning
- floorthe floor was flooded in some areas
- jam packed shopping centerjam packed shopping center
- passion or prideNo passion or pride in anything
- place cleanlinessThe service was good, and the food had great taste. However, the place needs some cleaning, and the meat was just chewy.
If you prioritize a chill, quiet atmosphere with good music and don't mind potential parking hassles or a slightly worn look, you might enjoy it. But if cleanliness and easy access are top priorities, you might find the ambience disappointing.
Value (4.7 out of 10)
mentioned by 16% of the guests
When it comes to value, many guests have found some real gems here. With 7 positive remarks, patrons often praise the good value and reasonable prices, especially noting huge portions for less than 15$. Some even feel its worth so much more than they ask for, making it a solid choice for those seeking a great deal.
However, the overall sentiment is a bit of a mixed bag, with a customer satisfaction of just 38.9% and an average score of 4.7. There are 10 negative comments, with some feeling theyre wasting your money due to price increase and being overpriced. Concerns about charging 20% more for 20% less of food and extra charges for sauce also pop up, suggesting inconsistency.
Value
18
Reviews
38%
Satisfaction
10
negative
1
neutral
7
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Good value found
- Huge portions offered
- Reasonable prices
What people don't like
- Perceived as overpriced
- Recent price increases
- Extra charges for sauce
Often praised
- valueWorth so much more than they ask for
- great valueHawaiian bowls here at a great value
- less than 15$huge portions for less than 15$
- pricefor a great price
- price per personEvery time I return to San Diego, it's a must-have experience for me. The service was great, and the lunch was a good value at $10–20 per person.
- reasonable pricesreasonable on their prices
Frequently criticized
- pricethe price was about $3. higher than before
- cheapEverything was just cheap
- extra for saucethey charge for extra for sauce that comes with meal
- moneytook my money
- paid for itI paid for it!
- pointsNow I’m out of all my points
- price increasecharging 20% more for 20% less of food
- pricesthe prices for the same menu have gone through the roof
- wasting your moneyYour wasting your money
If youre looking for generous portions at a decent price, you might find some good deals here. However, be aware that many feel the value has declined due to recent price hikes and smaller portions. Its a bit of a gamble, so manage your expectations.
How are the prices at L&L Hawaiian Barbecue?
You’re looking at roughly 22 per person – reported by 93 diners. That puts it in the $21–$30 category. For a Hawaiian Restaurant, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
While the average is 22, a good chunk of diners actually spend a bit less, often in the $11–$20 range. This suggests a nice mix of options, from more budget-friendly bites to slightly more indulgent meals.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 93 reviews.
How this Hawaiian restaurant in San Diego stacks up against similar spots when it comes to value for money.
We think the pricing here feels pretty fair for a Hawaiian spot. Youve got options whether youre looking for a quick, affordable bite or something a little more substantial.
Customer Reviews: what people think about L&L Hawaiian Barbecue
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Service Intent
- Regular Visit
Group Type
- Large Group
Group Size
- Large Group
Visit Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Short (6–15 min.)
Noise Level
- Quiet
2
Disappointing Experience with Order Mix-up
I've been a loyal customer of L&L for years, frequenting their Sports Arena and Hawaii locations. Yesterday, I visited the Sports Arena restaurant and ordered the Katsu Chicken & Shrimp with well-done fries only. I specifically requested this twice at the counter.
However, when my order was ready, it came with rice and mac salad, and no fries. I returned the order without touching it, and the staff member insisted I had ordered mac salad. After a misunderstanding, they took it back.
About 10 minutes later, I received my order again, this time with half-cooked fries, and the rice was still on the plate, making my chicken and shrimp cold. I just needed to vent. There were no apologies made.
I'm wondering what is happening, perhaps new management?
- Katsu Chicken & Shrimp2
- well done fries2
- fries1
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Service Intent
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Couple
Group Size
- Couple
Visit Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
Noise Level
- Quiet
9
Delicious Curry Katsu, Huge Portions!
My experience at the restaurant was fantastic! I had the curry katsu, which was incredibly delicious. The serving size was huge, especially considering the great price.
The food score was a perfect 5, and the price per person was a reasonable $10–20. Service and atmosphere were also rated well at 4, with no wait time and a quiet, easy-to-talk noise level. It was a great experience for a group of 2 people.
- curry katsu10
- serving size9
- price9
Price per Person
- $51–$60
Service Intent
- Food Exploration
Visit Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
8
Good Food, Chewy Steak
My experience at the restaurant was generally positive. I ordered 2 BBQ Mix and a Seafood Combo. The food was overall good, with the exception of the steak, which was chewy.
However, it was well-seasoned. The atmosphere and service were rated a 5 out of 5.
- food7
- atmosphere10
- service10
- Steak3
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Service Intent
- Food Exploration
Visit Type
- Dine-in
8
Delicious BBQ with a Minor Rib Surprise
My experience at the restaurant was largely positive, centered around their BBQ Mix. I found the food to be delicious and well seasoned. Specifically, the chicken short ribs and shaved beef were excellent.
My only unexpected observation was that the ribs were quite thin. Overall, the food received a 4/5, and the atmosphere was rated a 4/5. The service was rated a perfect 5/5.
- food8
- chicken short ribs9
- shaved beef9
- ribs4
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Service Intent
- Food Exploration
Wait Time
- Moderate (16–30 min.)
1
ER Visit After Fish Musubi Mix-up
My experience at this restaurant was unfortunately very negative due to a severe mix-up with my order. I had ordered the musubi spam, but the cashier gave me a fish one instead. This mistake led to me currently being in the ER because I have a fish allergy.
- musubi spam5
- fish one1
- fish allergy1
What L&L Hawaiian Barbecue offers
Crowd
- Tourists
- Groups
- College students
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Kids' menu
- High chairs
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Restroom
Offerings
- Small plates
- Quick bite
Dining options
- Dinner
- Seating
- Lunch
- Catering
Service Options
- Dine-in
- Takeout
- Delivery
Pets
- Dogs allowed outside
Parking
- Free street parking
- Free parking lot
- Usually plenty of parking
Atmosphere
- Casual
FAQs
What parking options are available when you visit L&L Hawaiian Barbecue?
When you visit L&L Hawaiian Barbecue, you’ll find convenient parking options. There is free street parking available, as well as a free parking lot. Guests usually report that there is plenty of parking, making your visit hassle-free.
Does L&L Hawaiian Barbecue offer amenities for families dining with children?
Yes, L&L Hawaiian Barbecue is family-friendly and offers amenities for children. You can find a dedicated kids’ menu with options tailored for younger guests. Additionally, high chairs are available to ensure comfortable seating for your little ones during your meal.
What is the overall customer sentiment for L&L Hawaiian Barbecue?
L&L Hawaiian Barbecue has an overall `Restaurant Score` of **5.6** and a `Customer Satisfaction` of **49.6%**, indicating a mixed but generally average experience. While `Service` (5.8) and `Ambience` (5.7) are average, `Food` (5.5) is also average, and `Value` (4.7) is a bit lower.
What do customers appreciate most about L&L Hawaiian Barbecue?
Many customers enjoy the `huge portions` and the generally `quick service`. The `atmosphere` is often described as pleasant and `clean`, with some appreciating the `good music` and `friendly staff`.
What are some common concerns raised by diners at L&L Hawaiian Barbecue?
Diners frequently mention `inconsistent food quality`, such as `chewy meat` or `chicken not cooked` properly. There are also concerns about `price increase` and the `store` appearing `worn down` or needing `deep cleaning`.