Reader Top 5: Best Mac Salad on O‘ahu
This reposting of an ‘ono classic comes with an open call: Email us if you’d like to do a Reader Top 5 ranking!
Editor’s Note: Gary Hashimoto’s mac salad ranking was a hit with readers when it was published in September 2019, which is why we’re reprising it. But there’s an extra reason: We’re looking for fresh Reader Top 5 rankings. If you have a passion for a dish you’ve tried at numerous O‘ahu eateries and can tell us your Top 5 choices, email editor@frolichawaii.com.
While many reviews and rankings have been written about the best chicken katsu, loco moco, beef stew, shoyu chicken, curry and the like, I don’t recall seeing one where the ever-present macaroni salad was in the spotlight.
So while this is just the opinion of one mac salad fanatic, here is a quick review of some of what I feel to be O‘ahu’s best.
There will be some variations, but these choices all have a few things in common: macaroni, lots of mayonnaise (gotta be Best Foods!) and a balance of seasonings and other ingredients that make it the perfect creamy complement to your hot entree. Cucumbers? To me, that’s a transgression. Same with adding milk. Note: Potato salad is an entirely different category—maybe for another review?
SEE ALSO: Reader Top 5: Best Hot Pots on O‘ahu
No. 5: Mililani Restaurant
Photo: Gary Hashimoto
Although famous for their fried noodles, they do a good mac salad too. The basic blend of pasta, mayo, bits of carrot and onions could use a pinch more salt and pepper and can suffer from a day-to-day consistency issue. Nonetheless, it’s really good with the teri meatball plate.
95-221 Kīpapa Dr., (808) 625-2000, mililanirestaurant.com
No. 4: Zippy’s
Photo: Gary Hashimoto
The gold standard. It’s always good, with the right balance of pasta to mayo and all the fixin’s of onion, celery and carrot, consistent from day to day and store to store. Tip: Swap out the rice and try eating it with Zippy’s no-bean chili. Trust me, it works. Someone at Zippy’s knew this because when the chili moco came out, there was a layer of mac salad mayo on the rice under the beef patty and chili. I think they still do it. Hack: Add a half-can of tuna to a Zip Meals mac salad. Yum. I suppose crab would work too.
Various locations, zippys.com, @zippys
No. 3: Maruki Tei
Photo: Gary Hashimoto
The addition of tuna makes mac salad magic happen at this place inside Windward Mall. Although the portion is small, the balance of pasta and mayo is perfect, and bits of tuna and onion make for an interesting texture and taste. This is a great accompaniment to Maruki Tei’s plate lunch options, especially the teri hamburger patty. Classic okazuya flavors at a mall.
46-056 Kamehameha Highway, (808) 235-4445, marukitei.com
No. 2: Leeward Drive-Inn
Photo: Gary Hashimoto
It may be off the beaten path for most townies, but in addition to the best shoyu chicken on the island (had to slide that in), Leeward’s mac salad has little bits of everything: carrots, celery, onion, maybe cabbage slivers and a notable amount of black pepper. The combination is flavor heaven. It’s better toward the end of the day, perhaps because the flavors have had a chance to marry? I live in Waipahu and will drive here specifically for a side order of two scoops, it’s that good.
94-209 Pupukahi St., (808) 671-7323
No. 1: W&M Bar-B-Q Burger
Photo: Gary Hashimoto
Crab Flavored Salad—what a combination! The creaminess of the mayo, the chew of the pasta, the snap of the peas and the slight saltiness of the crab make this mac salad a standout. Heads up: They sometimes run out! Gotta have some with the Royal burger, fries and Green River—the classic, time-tested combination from this iconic old-school Hawai‘i burger joint. Winner!
3104 Wai‘alae Ave., (808) 734-3350, wmburger.com
Honorable mentions:
- Rainbow Drive-In
- L&L Drive-Inn
- Richie’s Drive Inn
- Bob’s Bar-B-Que
- Pearl’s Korean BBQ/Yummy Korean BBQ
- Meg’s Drive-In (closed)
At some places, the mac salad can be good but isn’t consistent, as if it depends on who is making the batch:
- Grace’s Inn
- Liliha Bakery
- Like Like Drive In (closed)
- KJ’s Local Grindz (with spaghetti noodles)
- Various Loco Moco Drive Inns
- St. Louis Drive In
- Soon’s Kalbi Drive-In
- New Queen Barbeque
- Tatsuo’s
- Miki’s
- Fukuya Delicatessen
Well, that’s my shortlist. If you’ve never tried some of these, I encourage you to do so and tell me what you think. If there’s a killer mac I’m missing, tell me where so we can all try it out!
After 14 years working at McDonald’s, Gary Hashimoto swore he’d never have anything to do with food again. Now, he loves cooking for family and friends and sees dining out as a source of ideas to try at home. His love of cooking is matched by his love of wine and mac salad.
