Hilo’s Cafe 100 on Kilauea Avenue occupies a rare place in Hawaii food history. Founded in 1946 by Richard Miyashiro, a returning veteran of the segregated 100th Infantry Battalion, the counter-service diner takes its name and its identity from that unit. For any household weighing a Big Island move, or for visitors routing a same-day Hawaii Volcanoes National Park detour, the restaurant functions as both cultural landmark and dependable lunch stop under $12.
The signature order is loco moco: rice, hamburger patty, brown gravy, and a fried egg. Cafe 100 built its reputation on the dish through decades of Hilo lunch traffic. The wall menu board now lists more than 30 loco moco variations. Ordering happens at a walk-up window with no table service, which shapes the timing decisions for anyone stitching Hilo food stops into a broader Puna or Volcano day.
This article breaks down what the signature order actually costs, how the variations are structured, when the counter closes, and why Ken’s House of Pancakes on Kamehameha Avenue serves as the standard fallback after Cafe 100 shuts for the day. It closes with a Big Island research-trip framing for mainland households scouting Hilo as a relocation base.
The 1946 founding and how loco moco arrived on the menu board
Cafe 100 opened on Kilauea Avenue in 1946, shortly after Richard Miyashiro returned from the European theater with the 100th Infantry Battalion, a Nisei unit made up of second-generation Japanese American soldiers from Hawaii. The name was chosen in tribute. The original building was later damaged in the 1960 Chilean tsunami that reshaped the Hilo waterfront, then rebuilt at its current Kilauea Avenue address.
The loco moco itself emerged from Hilo’s postwar diner scene in 1949. The most widely cited account credits Lincoln Grill, where a group of teenage athletes from a local wrecking crew reportedly asked for something faster than a sandwich and cheaper than a full American plate. Cafe 100 adopted the dish soon afterward and, over the following decades, expanded the format into the extensive variation menu that now defines the counter.
By the 1970s Cafe 100 marketed itself as “Home of the Loco Moco,” and the tagline still sits on signage today. The Miyashiro family has operated the counter across three generations. Recovery from tsunami damage, rebuilding cycles, and the volcanic ash fallout from the 2018 lower Puna eruption are all part of the counter’s institutional memory. The block itself has functioned as a working-class Hilo lunch stop since Truman was in office.
Why the 100th Infantry Battalion name matters
The 100th Battalion was activated in June 1942 from Hawaii Army National Guard soldiers of Japanese ancestry, saw combat in Italy and France, and became one of the most decorated U.S. Army units of the war. For a Hilo diner to carry the number on its sign in 1946 was a public statement in a moment when many Japanese American families were still returning from mainland incarceration camps. That context frames what the counter represents beyond the plate.
What the signature loco moco actually contains
The baseline loco moco at Cafe 100 layers one scoop of white rice, a seasoned hamburger patty, brown gravy ladled generously across the top, and one fried egg. Portion weight lands around 12 to 14 ounces on the paper plate. The dish is served hot from the flat-top with a plastic fork and a paper napkin — no ceramic, no table setting, no server rotation.
Traditional preparation calls for the egg cooked sunny-side up so the yolk breaks into the gravy when cut. Diners who prefer a firmer yolk can request over-medium at the window. The gravy is beef-based and closer to a diner-style brown gravy than a Japanese demi-glace, though several menu variations lean toward local flavors like teriyaki or oyster sauce.
Rice, patty, and egg as the three variables
Almost every variation on the menu board modifies one of three inputs: the starch under the gravy, the protein on top of the rice, or the number of eggs. Some substitutions swap the hamburger patty for Portuguese sausage, Spam, teriyaki beef, mahi mahi, chicken katsu, or hot dog. Others add a second patty or a second egg. The wall board lists each named combination as a distinct order rather than as a build-your-own modifier chain.
| Signature order | Protein | Eggs | Typical price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Original Loco | 1 hamburger patty | 1 fried | $8.50 |
| Super Loco | 2 hamburger patties | 2 fried | $11.75 |
| Sausage Loco | Portuguese sausage | 1 fried | $9.25 |
| Spam Loco | 2 slices Spam | 1 fried | $9.00 |
| Teri Beef Loco | Teriyaki beef | 1 fried | $10.75 |
| Mahi Loco | Grilled mahi mahi | 1 fried | $11.95 |
| Chicken Katsu Loco | Panko chicken cutlet | 1 fried | $10.50 |
The full menu board and 30-plus variation logic
The Cafe 100 wall board is organized in vertical columns that separate loco moco variations from plate lunches, sandwiches, and side items. A relocating household reading the board for the first time should focus on the leftmost columns — that is where the numbered loco moco entries sit. Menu counts fluctuate but generally exceed 30 named combinations, from single-protein plates to multi-egg, multi-patty stacks.
Prices on paper menus and the wall board are updated periodically and may lag a few weeks behind register prices during a supplier cost shift. Beef, egg, and Spam pricing have all moved sharply since 2020. Anyone treating the board as a hard menu should verify the printed price at the window before finalizing an order, especially for the heavier multi-patty combinations where price movement is largest.
Variation categories on the board
- Beef-based: original, super, teri beef, hamburger steak, corned beef.
- Pork-based: Portuguese sausage, Spam, bacon, and ham combinations.
- Poultry: chicken katsu, teriyaki chicken, and grilled chicken versions.
- Seafood: mahi mahi and occasional ahi belly specials when supply allows.
- Egg multipliers: two-egg and three-egg upgrades across most proteins.
- Combo plates: loco moco paired with saimin or a small salad.
- Kids-portion versions with a single small patty and one egg.
Pricing benchmarks and how Cafe 100 compares
The signature $8 to $12 loco moco price band positions Cafe 100 well below tourist-facing Hilo restaurants and roughly in line with local plate lunch counters. For a research trip focused on cost of living, tracking the drift in a single reference dish across several outlets gives a cleaner read than restaurant averages. Bureau of Labor Statistics data confirms Honolulu food-away-from-home inflation has consistently exceeded mainland urban averages through the 2020s.
Households comparing Big Island grocery and dining costs to Oahu numbers can pull the Honolulu-specific consumer price index from the BLS regional CPI release and the demographic backdrop from the Census QuickFacts Hawaii page. Loco moco pricing tracks beef, egg, and rice costs more closely than fine-dining metrics do, which makes it a clean cost-of-living proxy.
| Hilo dining reference | Loco moco price | Style | Seating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cafe 100 | $8.50 original | Walk-up counter | Outdoor picnic tables |
| Ken’s House of Pancakes | $14.95 diner loco | Full-service diner | Indoor booths |
| Hawaiian Style Cafe | $16.50 loco moco | Sit-down local | Indoor tables |
| Hilo Bay Cafe | $22 grass-fed version | Waterfront bistro | Indoor / bayfront |
| Hotel restaurants | $24–$28 | Resort dining | Indoor |
Walk-up counter ordering mechanics and etiquette
Cafe 100 has no host, no table service, and no printed check delivered by a server. Customers form a single line at the outside walk-up window, read the wall board while queuing, place the order verbally, pay by cash or card, receive a printed number, and wait either at the covered picnic tables or at their vehicle. Orders are called out by number when ready.
Peak Hilo lunch traffic runs from about 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on weekdays. Line depth at those windows can reach 15 to 20 people, with total wait of 12 to 20 minutes from queue to receipt of food. Ordering before 11:15 a.m. or after 1:15 p.m. cuts the wait to under five minutes on most weekdays and often eliminates queue depth entirely.
What to have ready at the window
- Named order from the wall board or paper menu, not a modifier list.
- Egg preference: sunny-side up, over-easy, or over-medium.
- Payment method — cash and major credit cards are both accepted.
- Drink selection — iced tea, soda, and juice are the standard options.
- Any allergy or dietary restriction stated clearly, before payment.
- Number of separate receipts if the party plans to split the bill.
Seating and takeout logistics
Covered picnic tables sit along the front of the building and fill quickly during peak lunch. Many regulars take the plate to a nearby car, to Liliuokalani Gardens, or to Coconut Island for a bayfront meal. Takeout containers are foil-topped paper and hold heat for about 30 to 45 minutes if kept upright. Gravy pools in the container corner and will leak if the plate is tilted during the drive.
Closing hours and same-day HVNP planning
Cafe 100 keeps early hours by mainland standards, opening around 6:45 a.m. and closing around 7:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, with a 7:00 p.m. close on Friday and Saturday and no Sunday service. That closing window shapes any same-day plan that pairs a Hilo lunch with a Hawaii Volcanoes National Park loop, especially if the loop includes the Chain of Craters Road descent.
The drive from Cafe 100 on Kilauea Avenue to the Kilauea Visitor Center inside HVNP runs about 30 miles and takes 45 to 55 minutes on Highway 11. A round-trip park visit with a Chain of Craters Road descent, brief overlook stops, and a Volcano House drink adds four to six hours. Working backward from a 7:00 p.m. Cafe 100 cutoff gives a realistic outbound target.
| Segment | Distance | Typical time |
|---|---|---|
| Cafe 100 to HVNP entrance | 30 miles | 45–55 minutes |
| Entrance to Chain of Craters end | 19 miles | 50–65 minutes |
| Chain of Craters return | 19 miles | 50–65 minutes |
| HVNP exit back to Hilo | 30 miles | 45–55 minutes |
| Round-trip minimum with 2 short stops | 98 miles | 4.5–6 hours |
Practical departure targets
An 11:00 a.m. Cafe 100 lunch supports a noon HVNP arrival and a comfortable early-evening return by 6:00 p.m. Households with children or older travelers should build a 60 to 90 minute buffer for restroom, overlook, and photo stops. For visitors who prefer to stay overnight rather than push back to Hilo, Volcano Village lodging near the HVNP entrance offers a shorter morning walk to Uēkahuna and the caldera rim.
Fuel math for the round trip
The 98-mile HVNP round trip burns roughly 3.5 to 4.5 gallons in a mid-size SUV. Hawaii gas prices sit consistently above the national average; current benchmarks from the EIA weekly gasoline report help households budget the drive. A single tank generally covers Hilo, HVNP, and the return with reserve, but topping off in Hilo before departure is safer than counting on Volcano Village pumps.
When Kilauea is actively erupting
Eruption windows draw substantial traffic to the summit overlooks and can push the return leg past sunset. Anyone visiting during an active phase should also read the Mauna Loa evacuation zone breakdown because it explains how the county’s HCCDA districts organize access and closure decisions on the Big Island’s volcanic corridors.
Ken’s House of Pancakes as the backup plan
Ken’s House of Pancakes on Kamehameha Avenue is the standard fallback for Hilo diners arriving after Cafe 100 closes. Ken’s operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, serves a full sit-down loco moco menu, and sits about 1.5 miles from Cafe 100. The pricing runs higher because table service, indoor seating, and around-the-clock staffing all factor into the check.
Ken’s loco moco menu is smaller than Cafe 100’s — fewer than 10 named versions rather than 30-plus — but it covers the core beef, Spam, sausage, and mahi combinations. A returning HVNP driver who missed the 7:00 p.m. Cafe 100 cutoff can pull into Ken’s parking lot as late as 2:00 a.m. and still order a hot plate. That single fact is why long-time Hilo residents treat the two counters as a matched pair.
| Attribute | Cafe 100 | Ken’s House of Pancakes |
|---|---|---|
| Hours | ~6:45 a.m.–7:30 p.m. | 24 hours daily |
| Loco moco base price | $8.50 | $14.95 |
| Number of loco variations | 30+ | 8–10 |
| Seating | Outdoor picnic tables | Indoor booths |
| Service model | Walk-up counter | Full server |
| Sunday service | Closed | Open |
| Payment | Cash and card | Cash and card |
Why the two are complementary rather than competitive
Long-term Hilo residents treat Cafe 100 as the weekday lunch and Ken’s as the late-night or Sunday-morning option. A relocation research week that samples both gives a clearer picture of how Big Island diner economics differ from Oahu’s Waikiki scene, which trends much higher. For a contrast on that Oahu side, review the off-strip Waikiki poke shop ordering guide, which surveys similar counter-style pricing in a more expensive market.
Location, parking, and the Hilo drive-in context
Cafe 100 sits at 969 Kilauea Avenue in Hilo, on the mauka side of the road roughly 0.7 miles from the Hilo waterfront and downtown Hilo Farmers Market. The building’s footprint includes a modest gravel and paved lot with about 20 to 25 parking spots. Overflow parking is available on the side streets, though signage in the immediate area is sparse and residential.
The wider Kilauea Avenue corridor is a working commercial strip rather than a tourist-facing district. Auto parts, tire shops, small local grocers, and light industrial businesses share the block. That context shapes the operating hours — Cafe 100’s morning rush lines up with tradespeople and county workers starting shifts, not with a tourist breakfast crowd on the Hilo Bay Road hotels.
Weather and outdoor-seating considerations
Hilo receives roughly 126 inches of rain annually, with November through March delivering the heaviest sustained afternoon showers. Because Cafe 100 seating is outdoor and covered but not enclosed, gusty rain can spray under the roof line. On heavy-shower days, many diners take the plate to their vehicle. Households prepping for possible tropical storm season should also review the 14-day Hawaii emergency supply kit checklist.
Getting there on Highway 11 and Kamehameha Avenue
Drivers approaching from HVNP take Highway 11 north into Hilo, exit onto Puainako Street, and turn mauka onto Kilauea Avenue. Highway status, closures, and roadwork alerts are published by the Hawaii Department of Transportation. Downtown drivers approach from Kamehameha Avenue via Ponahawai or Kinoole streets. Both routes are well signed and take 5 to 8 minutes from the waterfront in normal midday traffic.
How the Cafe 100 stop fits a relocation research trip
For mainland households scouting a Big Island move, a weekday Cafe 100 lunch is one of the most efficient single hours in Hilo. The counter compresses cost data, local traffic patterns, plate-lunch culture, and eastside working-day rhythm into one stop. Combine it with a Hilo Farmers Market walk earlier in the morning and a Liliuokalani Gardens stroll after lunch for a compact three-hour scouting block.
Households arriving during Hawaii’s shoulder seasons see a slightly less crowded lineup. Anyone timing the trip around Hawaii in May or October will find shorter lines at both Cafe 100 and Ken’s than during the December and July peaks. A midweek visit further reduces line depth by roughly 30 to 40 percent versus a Saturday, which matters more than menu preference for a compressed research day.
Pair Cafe 100 with property research
A day that pairs Cafe 100 with Hilo neighborhood driving — Kaumana, Waiakea, Keaukaha, and Waiakea Uka — surfaces meaningful pricing and lot-size data. Households considering a purchase should also read the breakdown of the Hawaii conveyance tax buyers and sellers pay at closing, because that number is separate from the transfer taxes many mainland states apply and it changes the true acquisition cost.
Pair Cafe 100 with healthcare and insurance research
The Hilo lunch stop also makes a natural bookend to a morning Hilo Medical Center walk-through. Relocating families choosing coverage on the Big Island generally weigh Kaiser and HMSA. The Kaiser vs HMSA comparison for new Hawaii residents covers plan structure, network reach on the Big Island, and referral rules that shape access on the east side of the island.
A wider Hilo food loop for a longer research day
Households extending the day beyond lunch can build a food-focused Hilo loop that pairs Cafe 100 with three or four other single-stop visits. Suisan Fish Market for morning poke, Two Ladies Kitchen for mochi if the small storefront is open, Big Island Candies on Hinano Street for late-afternoon shortbread, and Hilo Bay Cafe for a waterfront dinner covers the range from working-class counter to sit-down entrée.
| Time block | Stop | Style | Spend per person |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7:30 a.m. | Suisan Fish Market | Poke bowl counter | $12–$16 |
| 9:00 a.m. | Hilo Farmers Market | Fruit and pastry | $5–$10 |
| 11:00 a.m. | Cafe 100 | Walk-up loco moco | $9–$12 |
| 3:00 p.m. | Two Ladies Kitchen | Mochi takeout | $6–$10 |
| 4:30 p.m. | Big Island Candies | Shortbread and coffee | $8–$18 |
| 6:30 p.m. | Hilo Bay Cafe | Waterfront sit-down | $30–$45 |
Health, portion, and quality trade-offs of the signature order
The original Cafe 100 loco moco delivers roughly 900 to 1,100 calories, with sodium content in the 1,600 to 2,000 milligram range because the gravy and patty are both salted. That is a full lunch and, for most adults, satisfies caloric needs through the afternoon. Households managing sodium, cholesterol, or blood pressure should either split a plate or shift toward the mahi or grilled chicken variations, which run leaner.
The Hawaii Department of Health publishes county-level dietary and health data that gives useful context for these choices. The Hawaii Department of Health site is the entry point for those reports. For long-term residents managing chronic conditions, the treat-food frequency conversation with a primary care provider often follows a health-plan selection decision within the first several months of the move.
Portion strategies for families with children
- Order one Super Loco and one kid-portion loco to share between two adults and a small child.
- Split a mahi loco between two people, add a side of rice and a fruit cup.
- Ask for gravy on the side to control salt intake on higher-sodium days.
- Skip the second egg on double-patty combinations if calories are the constraint.
Frequently asked questions
Did Cafe 100 actually invent loco moco?
The invention itself is most often credited to Lincoln Grill in Hilo in 1949, where teenagers reportedly asked for something quick and inexpensive. Cafe 100, founded in 1946, adopted the dish shortly afterward and became the counter most publicly associated with it. Cafe 100 markets itself as the “Home of the Loco Moco” and holds that identity through decades of continuous Hilo operation.
How much does a signature loco moco cost in 2026?
The original single-patty, single-egg loco moco at Cafe 100 has run near $8.50 through 2025 and 2026, with the double-patty Super Loco around $11.75. Menu prices update periodically to reflect beef and egg costs, so the number on the wall board is authoritative. Broader Hilo restaurants charge $14 to $28 for the same plate style depending on setting.
What time does Cafe 100 close?
Cafe 100 typically closes at 7:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 7:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, with no Sunday service. Morning open is around 6:45 a.m. Verify current hours by phone before a same-day HVNP trip because the counter occasionally shortens hours for equipment maintenance, family events, or slow-season weeks. Ken’s House of Pancakes is the 24-hour fallback.
Can Cafe 100 accommodate large groups or takeout for HVNP picnics?
The counter handles takeout well and regularly packs multi-plate orders for construction crews and school events. Foil-topped paper containers hold heat 30 to 45 minutes and travel well to Kilauea Iki, Uēkahuna, or Volcano House picnic points. Call ahead for orders of six or more plates. Seating for groups is limited because outdoor picnic-table capacity caps at roughly 30 diners.
Does Cafe 100 offer vegetarian or gluten-free loco moco?
Cafe 100 is a traditional counter without vegetarian, vegan, or gluten-free formal menu items. The gravy is beef-based, most proteins are animal, and cross-contamination on the flat-top makes strict gluten avoidance impractical. Vegetarian visitors are better served at one of the Hilo poke shops or a Thai counter downtown. Households with celiac disease should choose a dedicated gluten-aware kitchen elsewhere in Hilo.
Is Cafe 100 walkable from downtown Hilo?
Cafe 100 sits at 969 Kilauea Avenue, about 0.7 miles from the Hilo waterfront and roughly a 15-minute walk from the downtown farmers market. The route runs along a working commercial street with narrow sidewalks in places and moderate midday traffic. Most visitors drive because plate lunches travel poorly on foot in warm, humid Hilo weather. Ride-share pickup is straightforward at the front lot.
How does Cafe 100 handle credit card and tip protocol?
Cafe 100 accepts cash and major credit cards at the walk-up window. Because the counter is fast-service without server rotation, tipping is not expected — a tip jar sits on the window sill for optional gratuity. Sales tax is calculated through Hawaii’s general excise tax rather than a mainland-style sales tax, so the receipt total looks slightly different from mainland restaurant checks.
What is the best day and time to avoid a wait?
Weekday visits between 10:00 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. or between 1:15 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. typically show minimal or no line. Saturday between 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. is the busiest window and can push wait times past 20 minutes. Sundays are closed. Rainy afternoons often thin the outdoor picnic-table crowd, though drive-through style takeout still fills quickly with regulars.