I recently visited WAT GET KITCHEN, and it turned out to be a solid local spot for comforting plate lunch–style food in the Waipahu area. Tucked into a neighborhood location along Hikimoe Street, the restaurant has the kind of casual, community-centered atmosphere that you often find in long-standing local eateries across Oahu. The space is simple and practical, with the focus clearly on serving hearty meals rather than creating a formal dining environment.
The menu centers around familiar local favorites that reflect the multicultural influences of Hawaii’s food culture. Plate lunches, fried rice, noodle dishes, and grilled meats make up much of the selection, offering satisfying portions and bold flavors. The dishes emphasize savory seasoning and generous serving sizes, which are typical of neighborhood plate lunch establishments. The meats were well seasoned and paired with rice and sides that help create a balanced and filling meal.
One of the strengths of WAT GET KITCHEN is the sense of authenticity in the food. The flavors feel rooted in everyday local cooking rather than overly stylized interpretations. Dishes arrive quickly and focus on delivering comfort and satisfaction. While the presentation is simple, the food carries the familiar taste profiles that many residents expect from local-style kitchens.
Service during the visit was friendly and efficient. Orders were prepared at a steady pace, and the staff maintained a welcoming attitude toward customers. The overall experience felt relaxed and straightforward, which fits the style of the restaurant and the expectations of diners looking for a quick, satisfying meal.
The atmosphere reflects the role of the restaurant as a neighborhood gathering place. It is the kind of spot where regulars return often for dependable food and a familiar environment. That sense of community presence adds to the appeal and reinforces its identity as a local favorite.
Overall, WAT GET KITCHEN delivers a dependable and satisfying plate lunch experience with hearty portions, bold local flavors, and friendly service. It may not aim for culinary refinement, but it succeeds at providing comforting meals that reflect the everyday food culture of Hawaii.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
stanten tsuha
They start later than their sign promotes! Food was expensive with small portions.little to no flavor bland
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Michele Gustafson
Excellent food! I dream about the gandule rice. The proprietor is a great guy -- always enjoy the banter.
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Salad, Panadilla, Beginning of Making Gandule Rice, Hapa Plate Pastele Gandule Rice and Bakalau Salad
Warren Sunada
Had to try, good but not bad.....don't recommend, salad needs work, rice good n pastele needs taste
Tajee Ewing
My family always loved going here, excellent Puerto Rican food, great service. Highly recommend everything on the menu, you can't go wrong. All time favorite was always the patele delight, love a fried egg 🤙🏾
neva mind
Very delicious Puerto Rican food, every time I get the Hapa Plate which has Pastele Gandule Rice and Bakalau Salad, ONO BRAH!
Parking: They open about 11:00 am not 10:00 am
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Salad
Big Fish Dive Club
This takeout only place serves some of the authentic Puerto Rican comfort food. I arrived late for lunch and she only had Patele left. So I had one for $6 and it was very good. I wish she makes Kan-Kans, unfortunately she said the correct pork would cost too much. I must go earlier next time.
Parking: Plenty of parking at this small strip mall.
Wheelchair accessibility: No.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Patele Stew Pork
Joseph Smith
I asked for the owner's recommendation, and oh my GOODNESS that was amazing! He was so kind, fun to talk to, and a wonderful cook.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
P RANNA
**CASH ONLY** Finally got to try this place in Waipahu since heard good things about them and WOW..... This place is one of the best on island for Puerto Rican food??
Located near the Waipahu Bus Depot, its a take out only restaurant with some outdoor seats.
Came when it almost closed so there waa no Mac salad already, so ordered the Hapa Plate that came with Gandule Rice, Pastele and Bacalao Salad. Food was legot and worth the price. Too bad the hours are tough for me to come more often.... Highly recommend if youre in the Waipahu area??
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Hapa Plate
Laurie Velasco
Pastele Plate with Pastele Stew, Bacalao Salad and Mac salad was so ono!
First time there had a guy at the counter. He was super friendly, talking story the whole time he was making our order. Today there was a lady, very rude not friendly at all. On the way there we were going to order 2 plates and dessert. After how we were treated we just got one plate. Just wanted to hurry and leave. Got the ultimate pastele plate, didn’t have pastele stew. And I guess they no longer give utensils or napkins.
Flat Fee 5000 Hawaii
My friend Toti has been at this location for years dishing out authentic Puerto Rican food. He always has a smile. This is pretty much a one-man operation, so if you don't want to wait call in ahead. NO CORNED BEEF IN THE PASTELES or empanadillas- which locals call panadillas! There are a few outside counters, but pretty much the best way to enjoy is take out and eat at home.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Beginning of Making Gandule Rice, Patele Stew Pork, Ultimate Patele Plate, Hapa Plate
Anytime I’m in Waipahu I try to stop by and get some Wat Get. Pateles, gandule rice, bacalao salad - perfectly balanced meal, each packed with amazing flavors. Service is always amazing as well. They treat you like family that welcomed you into their own kitchen. It’s nice to be able to see into their kitchen and see where the food is made. Took my meal to go (saving it for dinner). They made sure to let me know the best way to reheat and serve it. Gave recommendations for what to do with leftovers (no shame, grab extra). Explained to me a little history behind Puerto Rican food in Hawaii. Sorry not better pictures, we just ate it all too quick.
I recently visited WAT GET KITCHEN, and it turned out to be a solid local spot for comforting plate lunch–style food in the Waipahu area. Tucked into a neighborhood location along Hikimoe Street, the restaurant has the kind of casual, community-centered atmosphere that you often find in long-standing local eateries across Oahu. The space is simple and practical, with the focus clearly on serving hearty meals rather than creating a formal dining environment.
The menu centers around familiar local favorites that reflect the multicultural influences of Hawaii’s food culture. Plate lunches, fried rice, noodle dishes, and grilled meats make up much of the selection, offering satisfying portions and bold flavors. The dishes emphasize savory seasoning and generous serving sizes, which are typical of neighborhood plate lunch establishments. The meats were well seasoned and paired with rice and sides that help create a balanced and filling meal.
One of the strengths of WAT GET KITCHEN is the sense of authenticity in the food. The flavors feel rooted in everyday local cooking rather than overly stylized interpretations. Dishes arrive quickly and focus on delivering comfort and satisfaction. While the presentation is simple, the food carries the familiar taste profiles that many residents expect from local-style kitchens.
Service during the visit was friendly and efficient. Orders were prepared at a steady pace, and the staff maintained a welcoming attitude toward customers. The overall experience felt relaxed and straightforward, which fits the style of the restaurant and the expectations of diners looking for a quick, satisfying meal.
The atmosphere reflects the role of the restaurant as a neighborhood gathering place. It is the kind of spot where regulars return often for dependable food and a familiar environment. That sense of community presence adds to the appeal and reinforces its identity as a local favorite.
Overall, WAT GET KITCHEN delivers a dependable and satisfying plate lunch experience with hearty portions, bold local flavors, and friendly service. It may not aim for culinary refinement, but it succeeds at providing comforting meals that reflect the everyday food culture of Hawaii.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
They start later than their sign promotes! Food was expensive with small portions.little to no flavor bland
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Excellent food! I dream about the gandule rice. The proprietor is a great guy -- always enjoy the banter.
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Salad, Panadilla, Beginning of Making Gandule Rice, Hapa Plate Pastele Gandule Rice and Bakalau Salad
Had to try, good but not bad.....don't recommend, salad needs work, rice good n pastele needs taste
My family always loved going here, excellent Puerto Rican food, great service. Highly recommend everything on the menu, you can't go wrong. All time favorite was always the patele delight, love a fried egg 🤙🏾
Very delicious Puerto Rican food, every time I get the Hapa Plate which has Pastele Gandule Rice and Bakalau Salad, ONO BRAH!
Parking: They open about 11:00 am not 10:00 am
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Salad
This takeout only place serves some of the authentic Puerto Rican comfort food. I arrived late for lunch and she only had Patele left. So I had one for $6 and it was very good. I wish she makes Kan-Kans, unfortunately she said the correct pork would cost too much. I must go earlier next time.
Parking: Plenty of parking at this small strip mall.
Wheelchair accessibility: No.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Patele Stew Pork
I asked for the owner's recommendation, and oh my GOODNESS that was amazing! He was so kind, fun to talk to, and a wonderful cook.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
**CASH ONLY** Finally got to try this place in Waipahu since heard good things about them and WOW..... This place is one of the best on island for Puerto Rican food??
Located near the Waipahu Bus Depot, its a take out only restaurant with some outdoor seats.
Came when it almost closed so there waa no Mac salad already, so ordered the Hapa Plate that came with Gandule Rice, Pastele and Bacalao Salad. Food was legot and worth the price. Too bad the hours are tough for me to come more often.... Highly recommend if youre in the Waipahu area??
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Hapa Plate
Pastele Plate with Pastele Stew, Bacalao Salad and Mac salad was so ono!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
You have to try the ultimate plate
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
First time there had a guy at the counter. He was super friendly, talking story the whole time he was making our order. Today there was a lady, very rude not friendly at all. On the way there we were going to order 2 plates and dessert. After how we were treated we just got one plate. Just wanted to hurry and leave. Got the ultimate pastele plate, didn’t have pastele stew. And I guess they no longer give utensils or napkins.
My friend Toti has been at this location for years dishing out authentic Puerto Rican food. He always has a smile. This is pretty much a one-man operation, so if you don't want to wait call in ahead. NO CORNED BEEF IN THE PASTELES or empanadillas- which locals call panadillas! There are a few outside counters, but pretty much the best way to enjoy is take out and eat at home.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Beginning of Making Gandule Rice, Patele Stew Pork, Ultimate Patele Plate, Hapa Plate
Love the food ?.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Ultimate Patele Plate, Salad, Hapa Plate
Anytime I’m in Waipahu I try to stop by and get some Wat Get. Pateles, gandule rice, bacalao salad - perfectly balanced meal, each packed with amazing flavors. Service is always amazing as well. They treat you like family that welcomed you into their own kitchen. It’s nice to be able to see into their kitchen and see where the food is made. Took my meal to go (saving it for dinner). They made sure to let me know the best way to reheat and serve it. Gave recommendations for what to do with leftovers (no shame, grab extra). Explained to me a little history behind Puerto Rican food in Hawaii. Sorry not better pictures, we just ate it all too quick.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Hapa Plate
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