Valley denizens have come to depend on Joy for Hawaiian plate lunches that never fail to satisfy. The surf and turf combination plates that come with two scoops of rice and a scoop of macaroni salad are especially popular.

Some the most upscale and innovative Hawaiian cooking in LA is happening in Sherman Oaks at chef Mario Lopez’s Malama Pono. The kalua pork is served as lettuce wraps, while the signature loco moco comes topped with a porcini gravy.

With locations in Gardena and Mar Vista, Rutts Hawaiian Cafe has been around since 1976. The simple, colorful Washington Boulevard restaurant serves everything from shave ice to kalua pork plate lunches, but regulars know that breakfast is what it’s all about.

While the cooking is solid at King’s Hawaiian Bakery and Restaurant, it’s okay to skip straight to dessert. The ever-popular Paradise Delight is a triple threat of guava-, passion fruit-, and lime-flavored chiffon cake with whipped cream in between each layer.

Visit this Harvard Heights gem for generously portioned and thoroughly unfussy plates of Hawaiian-style teriyaki chicken, fried rice, chow mein, and more. Reasonable prices and friendly service keeps the regular crowd coming back.

Tucked into the lobby of Gardena Bowl is a casual coffee shop serving wonderfully homey Hawaiian fare. Regulars can’t get enough of the Hawaiian royal, a mash-up of Portuguese sausage, chashu, green onions, and eggs over white rice with teriyaki sauce.

Visit Hang Loose’s Glendale storefront for a frozen and sweet Hawaiian treat. Every shave ice comes with an ice cream base, along with dozens of flavored syrup options like li hing mui and passion fruit.

For the full island experience, order Back Home in Lahaina’s signature fried chicken as part of a combination platter that includes rice, macaroni salad, fried wontons, and a cabbage slaw topped with crushed ramen noodles. 

Opened since 2004, Aloha Cafe brings the aloha spirit to Little Tokyo. The saimin is made with fresh buckwheat noodles, while the kalua pork is served with two scoops of white rice and a scoop of mac salad.

Nearly everyone orders the macadamia nut pancakes at Aloha Food Factory. Add on a side of Portuguese sausage for a solid start to the day. Come in soon before the restaurant is replaced by a car wash.

Come into Canoe House for cooking that captures the aloha spirit served in a family friendly dining room. Sip a mai tai and dig into kalua pork nachos, herb-crusted mahi mahi, and grilled Spam musubi.