Description: This restaurant has been around for a long time (since 1971). It is sort of a landmark since it has been on the corner of Kamehameha Avenue and Kanoelehua Avenue forever. You never know who you'll bump into at Ken's after an important convention, concert, or the Merrie Monarch Hula Festival (held every March). The only 24-hour coffee shop in Hilo, Ken's fulfills basic dining needs simply and efficiently (but watch out for the calories: there are 13 different pies!) Many visitors frequent this restaurant because it is in close proximity to Banyan Drive where mostly all the hotels in Hilo are located like the Hilo Hawaiian Hotel, Uncle Billy's Hotel, the Naniloa, and the Hilo Seaside Hotel. It is also located near the Hilo Airport. Some of the favorites on their menu is omelets (around $10), pancakes, French toast with Portuguese sweet bread, saimin, sanwiches, soup-what they call a "poi dog menu"- stream out of the busy kitchen. Other affordable selections include fried chicken, steak, grilled fish, and hamburgers with salad and all the accompaniments. Most popular is the Mauna Kea hamburger which is as big as a mountain, topped with pineapple and the works between sweetbread buns-very local, very Hilo. I would recommend eating at this busy restaurant because it is sort of a landmark here in Hilo on the Big Island. It is nothing fancy but it is surely "local." The restaurant is open daily for 24 hours. Most items on the menu are between $9.00 - $12.00 which is affordable. The atmosphere in this restaurant is very local and busy. Service is very friendly and local. At times, service can be slow because this restaurant can get very busy, especially when there is a lot of visitors on the island or when there is a big event such as the Merry Monarch. I wouldn't count on parking since this parking lot is always full. You will probably have to drive around the parking lot several times before someone leaves. To get to this landmark coffee shop, drive south on Highway 19 until you pass Bayfront, then go down Kamehameha Avenue and turn right at Ken's Pancake House before you see the intersecting sign that reads Kanoelehua Avenue.
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