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 Otay Mesa West
- 🍍 Hawaiian Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $21–$30
mentioned by 36 of the guests
#675 out of 755 places to eat in San Diego
#9 Hawaiian Restaurant out of 10 in San Diego
Average
5.1 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
291
Reviews
41.9%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Tasty food
- Helpful staff
- Good value
Frequently criticized
- Poor service
- Dirty environment
- Small portions
The restaurant L&L Hawaiian Barbecue, a delightful Hawaiian Restaurant in San Diego’s Otay Mesa West, invites you to experience a taste of the islands. This spot offers a welcoming atmosphere where you can enjoy a quick bite or a relaxed meal.
Whether you’re looking for small plates or a full dinner, you’ll find a casual and cozy setting perfect for any occasion.
Overview: Introducting L&L Hawaiian Barbecue
L&L Hawaiian Barbecue often delivers on its promise of satisfying island flavors, with many appreciating the affordable options and generally delicious food. Guests frequently highlight the generous portions, making it a solid choice for a hearty meal.
Yet, experiences at L&L Hawaiian Barbecue can be a mixed bag. While the staff is often described as friendly and helpful, some encounters mention horrible customer service and concerns about the dining area’s upkeep, impacting the overall visit.
Average
5.1
out of 10
291
Reviews
41.9%
Satisfaction
152
negative
17
neutral
122
positive
Overall, L&L Hawaiian Barbecue registers an average Restaurant Score of 5.1, reflecting a generally acceptable but not outstanding experience. This aligns with a Customer Satisfaction rate of 41.9%, indicating a mixed reception among patrons.
With 291 customer remarks, including 122 positive and 152 negative observations, there’s a clear split in opinions, suggesting areas for both praise and improvement. Looking closer at the specifics, Food (5.5) and Ambience (5.5) both land in the average range, though food garners significantly more discussion.
Value (4.8) also sits squarely in the average category, while Service (4.5) is perceived as slightly below average. These scores, derived from a substantial number of customer comments, paint a picture of a place with potential, but also some noticeable inconsistencies.
What people like
- Tasty BBQ Chicken
- Friendly, helpful staff
- Affordable pricing
What people don't like
- Inconsistent service
- Cleanliness concerns
- Shrinking food portions
L&L Hawaiian Barbecue presents a mixed offering. With a Recommendation Score of 5.3, it’s a place that might satisfy your craving for Hawaiian flavors, especially if you prioritize affordability and specific dishes.
However, be prepared for potential inconsistencies in service and the dining environment. If you’re seeking a consistently polished experience, you might find L&L Hawaiian Barbecue falls short.
It’s a spot worth considering for a casual, budget-friendly meal, but managing expectations regarding service and cleanliness will help ensure a more enjoyable visit.
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Verdict: Our expert take on L&L Hawaiian Barbecue
Food (5.5 out of 10)
mentioned by 88% of the guests
Out of 148 comments, many customers rave about the delicious flavors, especially popular items like grilled chicken, Chicken Katsu, and Loco Moco. Youll often find generous portion sizes and quality food thats warm and freshly cooked, making for a satisfying meal. However, with an average score of 5.5 and customer satisfaction at 48.6%, it's clear the food can be a mixed experience.
Out of 68 negative remarks, some diners have encountered issues like inconsistent food quality, dry spam, or even burnt meat. Concerns about portion sizes and gravy texture also pop up.
Food
148
Reviews
48%
Satisfaction
68
negative
8
neutral
72
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Delicious food
- Generous portions
- Freshly cooked
What people don't like
- Inconsistent food quality
- Dry or burnt food
- Inconsistent portions
Often praised
- foodI always like their food in this location
- macaroni saladTheir macaroni salad is fantastic!
- spam musubiOrdered 5spam musubi and they don't even let you know about the deals
- BBQ ChickenRecommended dishes:BBQ Chicken
- BBQ MIXalways get the BBQ MIX
- BBQ Mixed PlateBBQ Mixed Plate for lunch/dinner (cooked perfectly)
- BBQ big plateBBQ big plate. And yes it was big!!!
- BBQ chickenBBQ chicken is very tasty!!
- Chicken Katsurecommended the Chicken Katsu
- Chicken Katsu platesThe food was delicious, and the staff were incredibly friendly and helpful. For newcomers, I'd definitely recommend trying the grilled chicken or the Chicken Katsu plates. The King's Hawaiian burgers are also quite tasty, especially if you enjoy Katsu sauce.
Frequently criticized
- foodMy food was ready and sat on the counter the entire time. By the time I got home, my food was already cold. I might consider returning in the distant future if the staff at this location improves, becoming more attentive and less biased towards friends while neglecting other customers.
- portionssignificant change in portions of the food
- riceI’ve come here a couple of times, but my visit today and before were disappointing. There has been a significant change in portions of the food, in my case the rice and my macaroni salad. Before I would get my container full, now it looks like half a scoop.
- chickenbarely find the chicken in the musubi
- food qualityThe food quality was terrible
- portion sizeThey were served in such a stingy way! Super little in each dish, we will never return 😖
- Kalau porkhad the same dish and it was trash. Tasted bland and cheap.
- KatsuAlways burning the Katsu
- Loko mocoThe Loko moco is fake beef product
- Portuguese sausageUnfortunately, they were the worst musubi I've ever had. The Spam was dry, and the Portuguese sausage was incredibly thin, not even reaching both ends of the seaweed. To make matters worse, the rice was somehow dry and tasted old.
So, if you're craving Hawaiian food, you might find some delicious gems here, especially if you stick to popular items. Just be prepared for a potentially inconsistent experience, as quality and portioning can vary.
Service (4.5 out of 10)
mentioned by 70% of the guests
When it comes to service, this spot is a bit of a mixed bag, landing an average score of 4.5. Many customers appreciate the on time delivery for catering, excellent customer service from the staff, and how quick orders are. Out of 112 comments, 38 were positive, highlighting friendly interactions and accurate orders.
However, customer satisfaction is a poor 33.9%, with 68 negative comments. Common complaints include cashier rudeness, frustrating phone service where calls go unanswered, and excessive waiting time. Some also reported incorrect orders and a general lack of attention.
Service
112
Reviews
33%
Satisfaction
68
negative
6
neutral
38
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly staff
- Quick service
- On-time delivery
What people don't like
- Rude cashiers
- Poor phone service
- Long waiting times
Often praised
- serviceMy family and the birthday boy enjoyed it. Thank you for the excellent service. If I had the ability to give you 10 stars, I would.
- staffthe staff were incredibly friendly and helpful
- customer serviceReceived great customer service
- Fantastic & Friendly Customer ServiceIt was Onolicious 4 Sure 😋. Much Mahalo for your Fantastic & Friendly Customer Service 🤙🏽🌺.
- MCAS Miramar teamTheir team is 5 gold stars!
- adjustment to the orderhelped with no problem.
- appMy experience using the app has been great; it's easy to use and offers rewards. They consistently get my orders correct, and the wait time is not bad either.
- attention to detailit’s the little things Ty for caring
- brown rice substitutionasked them to sub my white rice for brown. They actually paid attention
- cashiersThe cashiers guve excellent service.
Frequently criticized
- serviceI get good service. I seem to have bad experiences
- cashiercashier ignored her to busy talking to themselves
- cashierstwo cashiers both without hair up
- customer serviceI’ve always experienced horrible customer service.
- locationI seem to have bad experiences with this location
- managementManagement have done absolutely nothing to change this store around
- ordertold the lady my order was wrong
- L&Lthey blamed everybody but themselves
- add to my orderdead silence for about a minute before responding back
- answer the phonethey just very busy to answer the phone
If youre thinking of visiting, be ready for a gamble on the service. While some enjoy quick and friendly interactions, a significant number of folks encounter rudeness and inefficiencies, especially with phone orders. It might be worth a try if youre not in a rush and prefer in-person ordering.
Ambience (5.5 out of 10)
mentioned by 20% of the guests
Diving into the ambience, it's a bit of a mixed bag, with customer satisfaction at 40% and an average score of 5.5. Still, many guests found the atmosphere to have good vibes, often enjoying the island reggae jamz and noting the place was clean. The ample parking space also received praise, with 8 positive comments out of 20 overall observations.
On the flip side, 9 negative remarks highlight some significant drawbacks. Concerns frequently arose about the cleanliness of tables and chairs, a sticky floor, and a general run-down feel. The closure of dining indoors and lack of outdoor seating also left some patrons feeling less than welcome, impacting the overall experience.
Ambience
20
Reviews
40%
Satisfaction
9
negative
3
neutral
8
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Clean atmosphere
- Good vibes
- Plenty parking
What people don't like
- Sticky floor
- Dirty tables
- Dining indoors closed
Often praised
- atmosphereAtmosphere:5
- cleanalways clean
- best placesOne of the best places in the area
- island reggae jamzTo take home, I got a Pineapple Coconut Smoothie, Strawberry Guava Nectar Hawaiian Sun, and Kauai Kookie Macadamia Hawaiian Shortbread. I couldn't wait, so I ate there and enjoyed my favorite island reggae jamz. It was Onolicious 4 Sure 😋.
- parking spaceParking space:Plenty of parking
- vibesvibes were just good
Frequently criticized
- atmosphereit's run down. The paint is in very poor shape, the floor is sticky the vents are black and dirty.
- cleanlinessthe restaurant is dirty
- dining indoorsunhappy that the dining indoors is closed
- felt not welcomeI felt not welcome at that time
- floorfloor was sticky
- hairnetsupposed to wear a hair net for a cleanliness and safety standard
- seating outsideno seating is made available outside
- tables and chairsTables and chairs were not super clean
The ambience here is a bit of a gamble. While some enjoy the clean vibes and music, others are put off by cleanliness issues and limited seating options. If youre looking for a quick, casual spot and dont mind potential imperfections, it might be worth a try, but don't expect a pristine dining experience.
Value (4.8 out of 10)
mentioned by 14% of the guests
Lets talk about value! Some customers really appreciate what they get, with 4 positive comments out of 11 total mentioning that the price is good for the quality, offering big portions that feel like money spent wisely. Many found it quite affordable with decent prices overall.
While the score for value is an average 4.8, customer satisfaction is a bit low at 36.4%. On the flip side, 7 negative comments out of 11 total suggest some concerns. Many felt the prices went up, making it "kinda pricy" or "more expensive than he can afford.
" Theres also a specific gripe about Postmates orders being more expensive and a lack of communication about deals. This contributes to the poor 36.4% customer satisfaction.
Value
11
Reviews
36%
Satisfaction
7
negative
0
neutral
4
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Good quality for price
- Portions are generous
- Generally affordable
What people don't like
- Delivery app costs more
- Prices have increased
- No deal transparency
Often praised
- affordableit was still affordable
- money spentBig portions are worth the money spent
- priceThe price is good for the kind n quality if food u get.
- pricesdecent prices
Frequently criticized
- pricemore expensive than he can afford
- pricesraised the prices on everything
- $9 for a few shrimppaid $9 for a few shrimp
- Postmates orderif u order thru postmates I notice is 3 dollars more
- dealsthey don't even let you know about the deals they have.
If you're looking for great value, this spot is a mixed bag. While some find the portions and quality worth the cost, be wary of potential price increases and extra charges, especially with delivery apps. It might be worth checking out in person to avoid surprises.
How are the prices at L&L Hawaiian Barbecue?
You’re looking at roughly $21 per person – reported by 36 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.
Looking at what people actually spend, most diners (20 out of 36) tend to keep it in the $11–$20 range, even though the average is $21. This suggests a good mix of more affordable options alongside some pricier plates, with a few guests splurging a bit more.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 36 reviews.
How this Hawaiian spot in San Diego stacks up against similar restaurants in terms of value.
Overall, we think the pricing here feels quite fair for a Hawaiian restaurant in San Diego. With options for both budget-conscious diners and those looking to splurge a little, it offers good value.
Customer Reviews: what people think about L&L Hawaiian Barbecue
Service Intent
- Delivery
Visit Type
- Takeout
6
Disappointing Service, Good Food
My experience at the restaurant was disappointing due to the service. Although the place doesn't close until 9 pm, I called multiple times around 8: 30 pm to place a pickup order, but no one answered. When I arrived, the place was empty and not busy at all.
I was also disappointed that I wasn't informed about a deal on the spam musubi. I could have gotten extra for free, but the staff member, Rafael, didn't mention it. Someone who didn't even work there had to tell me about the deal.
- spam musubi7
- service2
- deals3
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Service Intent
- Quick Meal
2
Uncooked Rice and Meat
My experience at the restaurant was disappointing due to the food quality. The rice was uncooked and hard, suggesting it was rushed. The meat wasn't cooked fresh either.
The reviewer gave Food: 1, Service: 1, and Atmosphere: 1.
- rice2
- meat2
- food1
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Service Intent
- Delivery
Visit Type
- Delivery
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
Noise Level
- Quiet
9
Great Service, Good Food
I ordered through the app and called ahead to make an adjustment to my order. The staff was very helpful and resolved my request with no problem. Overall, I had a great service experience.
The food was also good, rated at a 4 out of 5.
- service10
- adjustment to the order10
- food8
Price per Person
- $1–$10
Service Intent
- Quick Meal
Group Type
- Couple
Group Size
- Couple
Visit Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Short (6–15 min.)
6
Spam Musubi: Tasty but Pricey and Slow
My experience at the restaurant involved a rather lengthy wait of 15 minutes for a single spam musubi, which felt excessive given the simple order. While the musubi itself was tasty, the spam was dry. The price for a single piece also seemed a bit high.
Overall, the food was decent, but the service speed and value were drawbacks.
- spam musubi8
- wait3
- price4
- spam3
Service Intent
- Regular Visit
Visit Type
- Dine-in
7
Frustrating Order Accuracy at Palm Ave
I love L&L and frequent different locations often. However, the Palm Ave location just cannot seem to get an entire order correct, and it’s frustrating because I know the service expectation of the brand. I suggest giving them some guidance on preparing multiple meals correctly for a single order.
My favorite location is still MCAS Miramar! Their team is 5 gold stars! See y’all soon!
- service expectation8
- MCAS Miramar team10
- order correct2
- preparing multiple meals3
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
- Catering
- Dessert
- Dinner
- Seating
- Lunch
Service Options
- Dine-in
- Takeout
- Delivery
Parking
- Free street parking
- Free parking lot
- Usually plenty of parking
Atmosphere
- Cozy
- Casual
- Quiet
- Trendy
FAQs
What kind of dining experience can you expect at L&L Hawaiian Barbecue in Otay Mesa West?
At L&L Hawaiian Barbecue, you can enjoy a cozy, casual, quiet, and trendy atmosphere. They offer small plates and quick bites, perfect for a relaxed meal. You have the flexibility of dine-in, takeout, or delivery service options to suit your plans, making it a convenient choice in San Diego.
Does L&L Hawaiian Barbecue in San Diego accommodate families with children?
Absolutely! L&L Hawaiian Barbecue is family-friendly, offering a dedicated kids’ menu to please younger palates. High chairs are also available, ensuring comfort and convenience for your little ones during your visit to this Hawaiian restaurant in Otay Mesa West.
What is the overall customer sentiment for L&L Hawaiian Barbecue?
L&L Hawaiian Barbecue has an average overall score of 5.1. Customers generally find the Food (5.5) and Ambience (5.5) to be average, while Value (4.8) and Service (4.5) also fall into the average to slightly below average range.
Are the portions and prices at L&L Hawaiian Barbecue considered good value?
Opinions on value are mixed. While some customers appreciate the affordable prices and big portions, others have noted that prices have increased and portions, particularly for rice and macaroni salad, have significantly decreased.
What are common issues customers experience with service at L&L Hawaiian Barbecue?
Customer service at L&L Hawaiian Barbecue can be inconsistent. While many praise the friendly and helpful staff, there are reports of poor customer service, cashiers ignoring customers, and issues with order accuracy.