September 03, 2025

L&L Hawaiian Barbecue: Authentic Hawaiian Plate Lunches since 1976

For over 50 years, L&L Hawaiian Barbecue has been serving the very best of Hawaiian cuisine, using time-honored recipes and island fresh ingredients to make not only the best Hawaiian food, but the best food. What started in a little shop in Kalihi now has a few hundred locations in the United States and Japan, making it one of the most famous Hawaiian barbecue restaurants in USA and a go-to for those searching Hawaiian BBQ near me.

Started by Johnson Kam and Eddie Flores Jr., L&L brought the original Hawaiian plate lunch to California in 1999, introducing mainlanders to a dish that had not been seen before. Today, L&L remains committed to its roots, celebrating the plate lunch Hawaii tradition and allowing everyone to enjoy what it calls the “multiethnic melting pot” that is Hawaii’s plantation-era food landscape, where Japanese, Chinese, Filipino, Portuguese, Korean, and American cultures collide.

Renowned for its fresh ingredients, generous portions, and familiar faces, L&L has been a solidly delicious, truthful taste of Hawaii on the mainland USA for 40 years. Whether you’re in the mood for BBQ chicken, short ribs, or seafood, every dish is prepared with aloha – the time-honored Hawaiian tradition of love. L&L is a leader among Hawaiian BBQ franchises USA, a top Hawaiian restaurant franchise USA, and one of the fastest-growing Hawaiian BBQ chain concepts. Known for Hawaiian BBQ fast casual dining, L&L continues to bring Hawaiian comfort food to the mainland, from Hawaiian plate lunch restaurants to those looking for Hawaiian-style BBQ near me. As a growing brand with exciting Hawaiian food franchise opportunities USA, L&L remains the home of authentic Hawaiian BBQ USA and the best Hawaiian barbecue in California.