Review: Rocky's Coffee Shop

My husband and I go to Rocky's for breakfast on the weekend whenever we are feeling nostalgic or when I'm craving local-style fried rice. We've been coming to this family-owned Waipahu establishment since we moved back to Hawaii in 1993. Incidentally, the waitresses that served us back then all still work there. If no tables are available when you arrive, be sure to add your name to the clipboard hanging from a nail on the wall just inside the entrance. Or you can sit at the counter if a stool is available. Also, be sure to bring cash because this place doesn't accept credit cards or checks.

This no-frills restaurant is famous for their Fried Rice Omelet ($7.55). I sometimes opt for Portuguese sausage with 2 eggs ($5.80) and pay a little extra for a scoop of fried rice (with green onions). No, they don't serve brown rice - think 1960's food! They also only have one type of bread for toast - you guessed it - white. My husband usually orders the Vienna sausage with his eggs and rice ($5.80) because he gets the entire little can of sausages. However, he ordered hash browns instead of rice during our last visit. As you can see in the photo below, he got Tator Tots instead of hash browns. When I pointed this out to him, my good-natured husband just shrugged and proclaimed, "Close enough."

I always hope that the woman (who wears her hair in a bun) is working the grill because the fried rice is always perfect when she makes it. The man who works the grill when she is not there doesn't mix the ingredients as well as he should so the fried rice ends up with chunks of white rice here and there. Another popular dish is the Banana Hotcakes ($5.00.) Many customers order it, even for take-out. We don't order coffee here because they serve the same grade of coffee that my parents still drink at home - weak! We just eat our breakfast then drive to Starbucks afterwards.

Parking is free, but can be scarce on weekends. There are a few parallel stalls on the street, but most customers park in the lot behind the restaurant. Be warned, however, that the parking lot can be a nightmare due to the popularity of the open market (formerly Big Way Supermarket). We sometimes enter the back of the parking lot via Bank of Hawaii from Farrington Hwy instead of trying to enter the lot via Waipahu Depot Road.

Rocky's Coffee Shop

94-316 Waipahu Depot Road

Waipahu, HI 96797

Phone: (808) 677-3842 (No answering machine)

Hours:

Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri, Sat - 4:30 am - 12:00 pm

Sun - 5:00 am - 12:00 pm

Thu - Closed

Fried Rice Omelet

Two eggs, Vienna sausage and "hash browns"