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King's Hawaiian - The Local Place
Categories: Restaurants Hawaiian Food Bakeries Restaurants Diners Restaurants Burgers Hawaiian, Bakeries, Diners, Burgers [Edit]
18605 S Western AveTorrance, CA 90504
Neighbourhoods: Torrance, Harbor Gateway
(310) 523-3233
- Hours:
Mon-Thu, Sun 7 am - 9 pm
Fri-Sat 7 am - 10 pm
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch
- Alcohol:
- No
- Drive-Thru:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
Cece S. said: "When Roscoe's was filled with stupid people on Sunday, Long beach cafe was busy but we were seated immediately. The host got our drinks and a server didn't come til we put down our menus. It's sometimes nice when servers aren't…" read more »
294 reviews for King's Hawaiian - The Local Place
Review Highlights
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"The paradise cake is worth every penny." In 74 reviews -
"Baked goods, however, are super-yummy." In 28 reviews -
"So in closing: PARADISE CAKE AND CHOCOLATE DOBASH." In 13 reviews
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294 reviews in English
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Review from Patricia K.
Torrance, CA
5/9/2012
My favorite "Local Place" for breakfast and lunch.
For breakfast I like the spam sliders or sometimes with portuguese sausage and a side of hash browns (they are the pre formed kind in square shape) but still quite yummy.
For lunch I always get the Loco Moco plate with fried rice under the patties instead of the steamed rice and extra brown gravy on top! Super deeelish!
When I come here, I usually try to stay away from the baked goodies, but they always look so good, it's hard to resist!
Fruit tarts and red velvet cupcakes are bomb! -
Review from Danh V.
Redondo Beach, CA
5/22/2012 2 Check-ins Here
Great food but I just walked in and 4 employees were standing around on their phones. One of them finally greeted me while still holding their iPhone up... Very unprofessional.
Lunch time seems to be understaffed and sometimes the workers don't seem to be able to multi-task.
Food is good though. Not greasy or anything. -
Review from Jenn G.
I stopped by King's Hawaiian - The Local Place to grab some dinner and breakfast goodies for the weekend.
For dinner I got the fried chicken plate with macaroni and rice. The fried chicken was awesome! Crispy and tender...just like what hawaiian fried chicken should be! Yay!
For breakfast goodies: I got the glazed donut cruller and the blueberry scone.
What attracted my friend and I to the glazed donut cruller was that it looked essentially like two donuts on top of one another. It was one huge donut! It was great for halfing! It was soft and delicious too!
The blueberry scone was alright but it was a bit on the dry side. I would say that I prefered the donut over the scone.
I found the Local Place to be a nice spot to go and grab to-go and other goodies! The service was fast and I was able to get some yummy stuff! Yay for quick and easy King's Hawaiian style! -
Review from Jamie A.
4/28/2012
I also come here for convenience (as Nathan W does)! Also, because it is priced very fairly. I usually get the reg, family meal of Plantation chicken, a 4-pack of their rolls and two sides for $18. Sides include white rice, fried rice, steamed veggies, macaroni salad or ramen salad. I am all over a great, cheap meal that gets you full. Sure, the fried chicken is a little fatty but hey its FRIED. They have Hawaiian style boneless chicken in a sauce if you want a healthier chicken option.
The teens that work here are friendly and service is quick. You can always call ahead, too. Oh yeah, the bakery is small, but the Kings desserts are always fulfilling.. The haupia pie and paradise cake are my favs for family parties and holidays! -
Review from Brian K.
4/27/2012 1 Check-in Here
On my way to work from my friend's warehouse, I passed by King's and flipped a U-turn thinking MMMmmm King's Hawaiian bread. I pulled to see what they have to offer for lunch. A huge mistake.
I got the fried noodles and teriyaki chicken. The taste and quality of the food was at par with Yoshinoya but at a premium price. I don't think I would ever go back for an actual meal, but I would definitely try their baked goods next time. -
Review from steve b.
4/21/2012
2 people for lunch equals $40?? The food is decent but not quite $10/head worthy. Had the fish sandwich special which was OK, not a lot of flavoring on the fish, the fries were bland and needed a lot of help (add some season salt). Dining partner had the 2 choice combo which came with rice and beef+pork and they didn't seem that impressed. I've eaten here in the past several times and once every 3 months I buy a paradise cake; which now that I think about it is pricey also. Bought a cake this round and it was good tasting also; but $20 for a cake..hmmm, come on grocery stores step up your game so I can buy your cakes instead.
FYI, if you want a drink it's like $2.50 if the combo you buy doesn't come with one; which most don't. -
Review from Kevin V.
Gardena, CA
4/7/2012 3 Check-ins Here
Strawberry cheesecake and custard pie!
Getting a paradise cake. Yum!! The cake wasn't for me! My grandma turned 94.
Getting some goodies!!
I've been coming here since I moved to the South Bay , the food is good but I'm a big fan of custard pie and whenever I get a craving you'll find me here. -
Review from Trevin G.
Laguna Hills, CA
I have to say that I can eat here everyday. The fried chicken bites are great and the teriyaki chicken is very tender and tasty. The pastry selection is really nice, or should I say nice looking and inviting. I am usually too full to eat any desserts.
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Review from Julia M.
Gardena, CA
5/14/2012
Their food is so good and the bakery is really good!
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Review from Ed L.
3/22/2012 1 Check-in Here
The cakes here are very good. The ones that stand out are the infamous Paradise, and I recently enjoyed the Lillikoi. The cakes are soft, moist and flavorful. Are they gonna rock your world? Probably not, but if you want something different from the usual chocolate or vanilla and want a Hawaiian twist, try them.
The Lillikoi looks like a coffee cake on the outside as it is covered with a coat of large crumbs. The frosting underneath is Lillikoi which tastes like pineapple. The two layers of cake are devilishly vanilla and are impossibly soft. It tasted great with coffee at my dad's birthday, and it tasted even better when my wife and I were digging into the leftover quarter cake later that night in front of the tv.
The bakery girl had a lot of aloha and she wrote Happy Birthday on the cake for me. The cake was $19.25 for a 9 inch round which could serve 10-16 people(or 3 me's). They also sell cakes by the slice. Next on my eat list is the banana mac nut pie. I've never tried the food here because I can never get past the bakery section.Listed in: Your just desserts
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Review from Pete C.
3/16/2012 1 Check-in Here
I had mentally bookmarked this place for a visit a long time ago. I finally had a chance to stop in for a visit and all I can say is it could be a lot better.
I had a craving for some Katsucurry and the what at coco ichibanya was way too long so trying to decide where to go I thought that Kings might have it and sure enough it is on their menu.
I would say that the katsucurry at Kings is to Coco what a burger at jack in the box is to The Habbit.
The chicken was really just ok and there was not enough curry and over all I was pretty disappointed.
lastly I am a bit of a clean freak when it comes to place I like to eat and I just got the feeling that the place needed a good scrubbing down.
I don't think my first try would make me want to return. -
Review from Fliggidy A.
Torrance, CA
Been going here since I moved to So. Cal back in 2005.
I usually eat here a few times a year... but when friends and family come and visit for some good local food I bring them here... Every time I get great service and great food.... nothing bad to say here except for when you have a large group and don't RSVP in advance expect to wait a while...
My wife and I love the bakery so much that we've even ordered our wedding cake here back in 2007 and since then about 5 couples that attended our wedding have ordered their cake from KH.... -
Review from Juan M.
Arcadia, CA
5/8/2012
When I first saw this place I got excited, I mean who doesn't love kings Hawaiian bread. So I made the assumption that anything they touch is gold, boy was I wrong! I really wanted to like it that I even tried it several times and every time the food was average at best and in some cases just plain gross and greasy. It's also expensive for the type of food they serve and portion size is also lacking. The only thing that's good here are the baked goods and even those are average. Do yourself a favor and keep driving.
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Review from Richard E.
Torrance, CA
3/6/2012 1 Check-in Here
This place is the fast food version of King's Hawaiian Restaurant on Sepulveda, in Torrance.
As far as fast food, it ain't bad. This place is as good as L&L. maybe a smidge nicer.
but it's still fast food. like Mickey D's.
check it out if you are in the mood for Hawaiian Fast food.
They also have a bakery section, where they get the goods from the magic Hawaiian Cake Baking elves. check it out. -
Review from MARJ U.
West Los Angeles, CA
4/21/2012 1 Check-in Here
They're cakes are yummy but they sometimes run out of the Dobash and Hawaiian Paradise cakes! They're my favorite. I've eaten here a couple of times and the dishes they serve are not that good.
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Review from Tai F.
1/25/2012 1 Check-in Here
There could be a few outside aspects that are lending to a subpar experience here but that's life I guess. Partially the problem was I got lost and though I was trying to go to the actual King's Hawaiian Restaurant, I ended up at the fast food version instead. That's my bad. And admittedly, it may color the experience here a bit.
CP ordered the chicken teriyaki and saimin combination. I ordered a beef and chicken teriyaki plate lunch plus spam musubi and a slice of paradise cake.
Our food was out quick. CP liked his a lot. Especially the saimin, which seems to have been the real win of the food. My plate lunch came with mac/potato salad. I've never had that and was willing to give it a go but quickly realized that it was no where near satisfying my macaroni salad craving. It went uneaten. Overall the quality of my food was pretty poor. Both the chicken and the meat were almost gummy. The sauce on them was good. I even got an extra side of it to more properly mask my gummy meat. But ultimately, I left much of my food behind.
You know what wasn't left behind!?!? That awesome paradise cake. I strongly prefer ice cream to cake but this cake was working very hard to change my mind. It was sweet and creamy and delicious. I loved it. Definitely my favorite part of the meal and really its only savior.
I still really want to go to the actual King's Hawaiian restaurant and I sincerely hope their food quality is more impressive and that they have actual macaroni salad. Sigh, is it my fault? A little bit, but that's just too bad sometimes. -
Review from Randoll C.
Orange County, CA
I really want to like King's Hawaiian - The Local Place, but I can't.
I stopped by this weekend on the way out of town for lunch and experienced the worst excuse for Hawaiian food, almost ever.
The Hawaiian Bento. The food was just void of taste. Not even a hint or even semblance that would make me think that this was Hawaiian style food. Even the macaroni salad, was a potato macaroni salad.
The chicken was dry. The Kalua pig was too. I didn't even touch the rice because it was garnished to look pretty as opposed to be eaten. No fast food place in Hawaii would serve rice like that.
Anyway, even with sauce, the meats were just bland. I don't know why it was so bad - all I can say for certain is that it was. Hopefully it was just a bad day for the cooks because if it's the norm, I can see why the place was empty around lunch time. -
Review from Jeff H.
Long Beach, CA
4/14/2012 1 Check-in Here
Good and strong solid 4. Quick atmosphereless plate lunch thats worth every penny
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Review from Keila N.
11/28/2011 4 photos
I've been here before, but too much time had lapsed for me to write a meaningful review. I had a chance to stop in today.
I ordered the bean soup $2.77. It was hearty and bold with slices of Polynesian sausage. I really enjoyed the flavor.Listed in: Cheap and Good, All Stars List
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Review from Vincent L.
Los Angeles, CA
1/30/2012 3 Check-ins Here
Great food, great bread, great everything. This place is a more casual, quick eating sister to the King Hawaiian down in Torrance.
I love this place. -
Review from Patty O.
Long Beach, CA
12/25/2011
Yeah, this place is pretty good. No problems ever, but there's better real close. Try The Loft down the street. The closest thing to a problem is that the portions are for humans and not for cows. Hawaiian food usually comes in gigantic amounts and some might expect that and be disappointed.
Nothing here that I've had was bad. Was gonna give 3 stars, but I'll reserve that for truly average places.
This place is more "mainstream", so if you want Hawaiian and you have kids or very picky eaters with you, this would be the best choice. -
Review from Shingo A.
Updated - 12/20/2011
I came here for lunch just before 11:30AM. Looks like they were overwhelmed by large to-go orders before I arrived.
I had to wait over 20 minutes before my food was brought to the table.
And the food was cold! White rice was like mochi, obviously they used too much water when cooking the rice. Rice was cold too.
Totally disappointed.2 Previous Reviews: Show all »
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1/13/2011
I wanted to eat chicken katsu today but the lady at Katsuhana at Mitsuwa ignored me while I stood… Read more »
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Review from Cynthia A.
Torrance, CA
12/15/2011 2 Check-ins Here
This is my go-to lunch spot. I usually call it in and pick up at their window outside. Their service is pretty fast. I love the bakery, so many choices but I have my favorites.
Hawaiian Chicken Salad: Big portion, lots of chicken and crunchies. Hawaiian dressing tastes great.
Paradise Cake: Fluffy and spongy, light fruit flavors. The guava icing on top is my favorite.
Fruit Tart: Mmm...so fresh and creamy.
I love the smell of Hawaiian bread from their warehouse as I drive by. -
Review from Leah I.
Torrance, CA
1/17/2012
I don't hate this place as much as the Loft but it isn't that much of a step up.
food is okay, nothing really special. workers are usually nice but recently the people they have hired rather socialize than take orders from customers.
only reason i go is to buy Hawaiian bread. -
Review from Michael Kay K.
Glendale, CA
Considering I have Hawaiian cuisine at the bottom of my list wish (just above Filipino) - this place was actually quite good. Nice vibe inside, high ceilings, cafeteria style but clean & corporate.
I got the soup & it was just right. Exactly what I needed before a road trip & creeping cold. -
Review from Duke C.
11/2/2011 3 Check-ins Here
The little brother of the main branch off Sepulveda.
Honestly, I think if you want the true King's Hawaiian, you gotta go to the Sepulveda location, but The Local Place is a good place to grab lunch, especially if you work around the area.
Most of the items are the same, just smaller in portions, and come more like bento boxes. Teri chicken, kalua pork, and fried rice are some of the items I usually get, but the teri chicken is definitely the default. Dark meat grilled, then covered with their teriyaki sauce! The sauce is a bit salty so it might turn some people away.
Ramen salad is always a must. I just love the sesame dressing. Thinly sliced cabbage, crunchy ramen, toasted sliced almonds, and toasty sesame dressing make a great combination.
They also have "party trays" for catering and the medium trays are definitely enough for 20 people. They are not too flexible on the options but it doesn't hurt to ask! For Halloween our company got a medium tray of teriyaki chicken, rice, and ramen salad, and it was more than enough.
Since it is also a bakery, there are cakes and pastries available. Great if you're craving something sweet after lunch or grabbing breakfast. It's just unfortunate that the pastries are a hit-or-miss. Generally I go for the chocolate croissants and it's inconsistent in terms of the amount of chocolate in the middle. Sometimes the donuts are too greasy as well.
Parking is the not fun, especially for lunch. Prepare to park in the side streets!
There are lots of great Hawaiian spots in this area. It's just too bad the quality isn't as consistent as the other location or else this would be up there in terms of the Hawaiian food around the area!Listed in: donuts are good for you
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Review from Lauren T.
9/21/2011
I've only been to the The Local Place to pick up cakes and tarts for large parites. This place is always a hit with my Polynesian friends and family. They say no other place in the mainland offers the same exact taste and texture as these Hawaiian cakes and pies.
My favorites:
Red Velvet Cake: Possibly the best red velvet cake I've ever had in my life. The cake is light and spongey, but full of flavor. The frosting is sweet, but not too rich. It's a really good buy.
Haupia (Coconut Milk) Cake: Another one of my favorites here. It's heavenly! Again, light, not too rich, and moist.
Hawaiian Paradise Cake: Yummmmmmmm! Three layers: guava, passion, and lime. It's a really good blend. Their frost really compliments the three flavors. I cannot stress how light and moist their cakes are!
Dobash: Chocolate chiffon cake with chocolate pudding filling. The family favorite. So many of people request I bring this to their house for their parties. Never a single crumb is leftover.
The location is conveniently off the 405 so it's easy to go in and out to pick up bakery items. I highly recommend coming here for your celebration cake. Everyone will love it.Listed in: Comfort Foods, Sweet Toof, Hawaiian Eats, Souff Bay
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Review from Lilly M.
Carson, CA
3/18/2012
Its good. the french toast is amazing. the pastries are good. it takes FOREVER though.
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Review from Clarissa A.
San Diego, CA
2/23/2012 2 Check-ins Here
Local people should go here all the time since they're locals! ha ha. I'm not from the area but we've been coming here on all our road trips since forever! We love the service because they're very nice. We love the food since it's the best Hawaiian food in the area. They're stocked with King's Hawaiian breads, cakes, desserts and cookies which are all the BOMB. OMG we love to get a handful of bags of chocolate chip macadamia nut cookies. You have to get there early because they often run out. We really like their blueberry muffins, banana supremes and rolled florentines. Our favorite meals are the chicken katsu, kalbi ribs, loco moco and the spam musubis. The potato mac salad is the BEST. Their salad is great too. This place gets crowded on the weekends with the locals, tourists and even the neighborhood cops. Safety while eating - what a plus! Thank you!
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Review from Andrea T.
10/25/2011
Are you under 12? No? It's all good! The Local Place is one of the few spots in the world that lets you order off the Keiki (Kid's) Menu even if you are not a Keiki!!!
Keiki meals are really really good. I love the Hawaiian Fried Chicken keiki meal. No one really needs more fried chicken than what you get in this portion. Plus, then you have enough room left to order a Spam Musubi or a side of their delicious Potato Mac Salad.
Yesterday I tried the Teriyaki Chicken Bowl keiki meal. It was also delish!
If you actually want to order adult food and not be a cheapskate, I recommend that chicken katsu plate lunch although it's a little more fatty than some katsus I've had. The Chinese chicken salad is a really good healthy option if you don't want to indulge in all the fried deliciousness.
Of course the best part is the smell of the Kings Hawaiian bread factory next door. And heading up to the counter after your meal for a slice of cake (keiki?) or some other treat. -
Review from Kuniklo P.
Burbank, CA
8/29/2011
Placed a takeout order and was happy that the wait was only 10 minutes. Got a family dinner that included Hawaiian chicken (yummy!), 2 sides (I chose ramen cabbage salad and potato mac salad), and a 4-pack of rolls. I also added 2 spam musubi. Total came out to $24.20.
While the chicken and musubi were pretty awesome, I was less thrilled with the sides, which is why I knocked off a star. The potato mac salad was not good at all imo - it's made with too much mayo, and it wasn't that flavorful. The ramen salad was okay but soggy.
I've tried several of their cakes in the past, and they are always perfect. Will definitely come back if I'm in the area again. -
Review from Soleil D.
7/18/2011 1 Check-in Here
Get the rolls.
The end. -
Review from John C.
Torrance, CA
11/11/2011
Plain food, pretty costly...but it's okay.
Come with low expectations and leave with them met. Food here is pretty expensive in a fast food setting and although very filling...not that great.
Their french toast which is made from their own baked hawaiian bread is overrated. It's better than most french toast sold elsewhere but not something to travel far from to eat. Their cake is very good and lunch is okay with big portions. It gets very busy here during weekends and lunch time so prepare for a wait if you come during then.
Come for the food, leave with cake...that's how I put it. -
Review from Lai S.
Irvine, CA
I LOVE PARADISE CAKE!!!! with its guava, passion fruit, and lime cake flavors and a fruity glaze on top!
The only thing I dislike about this place is that it is too far :[ -
Review from Eric K.
Torrance, CA
9/2/2011 10 Check-ins Here
Consisting of gravy on top of eggs on top of burger patties on top of rice, loco moco is a "simply to die for" food that will possibly kill you for eating it, and King's Hawaiian's loco moco is the best.
There are a ton of Hawaiian restaurants around these days--L&L's, Ono's, Ohana, Shakas--and most of them serve pretty much the same menu items. King's Hawaiian smokes them all. The big difference, in my opinion, is the rice: King's rice is soft and smooth. Each discrete grain is fully cooked but not overcooked to the point of stickiness (the rice at some of the places have the consistency of mashed potatoes, and that is so gross).
I already talked about the loco moco; yes, you do want to try it. But if you're looking for another item that's good, you should also try the fried chicken, which is boneless, tender, crispy, and a little bit sweet. And, of course, you have to get their sweet rolls. Those things are so, so good. I'm eating a bag of them right now. Don't even try to worry about the calories; you'll regret looking.
The downside, though, is that the sides kind of suck. The vegetables, according to the girl at the counter, consist of only carrots and broccoli. Evidently she forgot that the two pieces of broccoli sit atop a giant stack of bell peppers and onions. Surprise! Oh, and I didn't find any carrots at all. Double-surprise!
But that's what I get for pretending to eat healthy here in the first place. No veggies in the world will offset a loco moco and two bags of sweet rolls. I think it's time to hit the gym. -
Review from mel n.
Rosemead, CA
My friends always mention how great their Paradise cake is here, so I decided to stop by here for a late lunch since I was in the neighborhood. I ordered their teriyaki combo (chicken and beef), pulled pork and salmon, and their paradise cake. The teriyaki combo was good. The beef was tender and chicken wasn't too dry. The pulled pork and salmon was different. Something that I am not quite familar with. The first few bites was definitely different, but as you keep eating it, the taste grow on you. I liked the pulled pork more than the salmon because the salmon left an after-taste. As for the paradise cake, it wasn't anything special about it. It wasn't dry nor was it really moist. The taste is alright, so definitely not something that I would be craving for. I say go give it a try and maybe you might like it since a lot of people I know love their paradise cake.
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Review from Donald R.
Studio City, CA
9/24/2011 1 Check-in Here
Its aight, I prefer the other location. It's more of a grab and go feel restaurant. And the donuts were cold. No one likes cold donuts. And the plates were to-go plates....
i'm coo -
Review from anthony s.
Lawndale, CA
12/30/2011
ate here last night got the chicken and beef teryaki and a smal drink for $11.55 WTF!! over priced, over hyped not worth the price the food was nothing to write home about. For a guy 6-1 and 230lbs of lean muscle it was small portion to tell u the truth. definetly not worth the price. Also i was looking at the cakes $15 for a 10oz brkfast cake? shit i just get a fresh donut for 55cents. Anyways over priced and i wont be paying these prices for teryaki.
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Review from N L.
Santa Monica, CA
2/5/2012
I would give it another star but it's disappointing to see a sub par burger when the menu details the Big Island Burger as "puts other chain burgers to shame" Bigger than the big mac? Yes. Bigger than the Whopper? No.
After my disappointment settled & surrendering to my appetite I ate some of the soggy luke warm fries. I won't complain since it did take me a little while to finally sit down & eat due to my unabiding work schedule. However, continuing on about the burger, I was hoping the bun would serve some justice ...oh sweet disappointment we meet again...you bastard. Crubbling, ripping, wrenching away effortlessly...something a burger bun shouldn't do, can describe the delight the Local Place burger's bun delighted me with for my meal.
The 2 star rating is for the BIG ISLAND BURGER & FRIES. I haven't dined in nor tried their other selections which I hope are better than my experience with their burger.
Here's hoping... -
Review from Michelle T.
Torrance, CA
Fast food version of Kings Hawaiian Restaurant.
If u need to get your paradise cake fix or want a decent plate lunch, it's a convenient stop in Gardena. However, most of the times i've come here, they are usually out of paradise cake and won't cut up a whole one to give you a slice. I haven't had their food in while, but i have never been a huge fan of kings hawaiian food- just their desserts. However good their paradise cake is, since they were out, we got a strawberry cheesecake and creampuff and some icebox packaged cookies. All were decent, but not something i would order again. Stick with paradise cake or dobash cake.Listed in: South bay eats, Asian Bakeries and…, South Bay Desserts!!!
