Island Subs & Burgers - Honolulu Restaurant Image
#808 of 1,740 Restaurants in Honolulu American

Island Subs & Burgers

3.9(13 community reviews)
Budget ($)

About

Discover Island Subs & Burgers, offering the best American experience in Makiki / Manoa. Enjoy Budget ($) meals, explore their menu, and read reviews from the community on TasteHi.

A Slice of Local Honolulu Flavor

When you find yourself roaming the streets of Honolulu looking for a no-frills, satisfying lunch, Island Subs & Burgers delivers exactly what the name promises. This is the type of spot where the focus remains squarely on the griddle rather than high-end aesthetics. The air carries the distinct, savory scent of sizzling beef patties and toasted bread the moment you step through the door.

Menu Staples and Atmosphere

The menu highlights include hearty submarine sandwiches loaded with crisp produce and burgers that prioritize classic, messy satisfaction over culinary gimmicks. It is a functional space—best suited for locals on a quick break or travelers who prefer their meals served in a paper basket rather than on fine china. You will notice the seating is compact, often making for a lively, bustling environment during the mid-day rush.

The Experience

While the pace is brisk and the decor is minimal, the kitchen team has mastered the art of the quick-serve classic. Be prepared for a bit of a challenge if you are driving, as parking in this busy section of the city can be tight; it is often easier to walk or snag a spot nearby and stroll over. If you value straightforward, filling food that gets you back to your island adventures without fuss, this neighborhood staple is a reliable choice.

Photos

Island Subs & Burgers - Honolulu Restaurant Image
Island Subs & Burgers - Honolulu Restaurant Image
Island Subs & Burgers - Honolulu Restaurant Image
Island Subs & Burgers - Honolulu Restaurant Image
Island Subs & Burgers - Honolulu Restaurant Image
Island Subs & Burgers - Honolulu Restaurant Image
Island Subs & Burgers - Honolulu Restaurant Image
Island Subs & Burgers - Honolulu Restaurant Image

Location

2752 Woodlawn Dr, Honolulu, Hawaii, 96822-1802

Directions

Reviews

Showing 10 of 13 community reviews
N

NGoogle Maps

Recently

I got all of this for under $17. That’s crazy for 2025, this place is a hidden gem! I got a 1/2 lb burger with fresh avocado and bacon, lettuce tomato. That’s double the meat you get at McDonalds largest burger, less expensive, and it’s fresh on a sweet bread bun. You can also get a larger 1 lb meat burger for a bit more. The owner makes the fries fresh to order too, and I got a drink. Burger is really juicy, I recommend getting it with the avocado and bacon. Store keeps the lights dim but they’re open. A lot of people come in to take their food to go so its rarely busy/crowded. Really affordable and fresh Edit; came back in 2026 and can say their burgers are still fresh and delicious and fries are so good. Still my favorite burger place 10/10

P

PallaGoogle Maps

Recently

This place is way better and cheaper than McDonald's. I really like their avocado bacon cheeseburger it’s made with a delicious sweet bun. I like that you get super fresh avocado and fresh lettuce on it- it’s crazy that other places don’t even put lettuce on their burgers anymore! I think because they also do salads they always have great fresh lettuce. The fries here are large and they are piping hot, crunchy on the outside, soft on the inside and delicious. You can also choose onion rings. I’ve tried their salads too and they’re good, and healthy. I think it's good to support local and the owner is really nice, ordering is fast. there's tons of seating indoors or outdoors and the new marketplace is so pretty under the big trees. Definitely come here if you're looking for affordable good burgers!

R

RoninGoogle Maps

Recently

Originally recommended to me by my former boss, Island Sub is a classic, no-nonsense spot. I have to confess: in my opinion, they have the absolute best onion rings in Hawaii. They don't make them from scratch—they are pre-cooked, frozen, and shipped—but whatever they do in the kitchen to fry them makes them unbeatable. Hands down, the best. ​ While I've tried a few different items over the years, my absolute go-to is the Meatball Sub. I usually order the half size, but this time I treated myself to the full. It’s a beautifully simple combination of tomato sauce, melted cheese, and meatballs, and I’ve never had a single complaint about it. ​ It’s a wonderful family-owned business where the husband holds down the kitchen and the wife manages the front of the house. They’ve been running it this way since well before COVID. The restaurant itself hasn't changed at all in the ten years I've been visiting, even though the surrounding strip mall has undergone some modern renovations. The interior does look a little run-down and dated, but that's alright—I usually take my food back to the office rather than dining in anyway. ​ If you can look past the older interior, the food speaks for itself. I will absolutely keep coming back for that awesome meatball sub and those legendary onion rings.

M

moonwolf ruminaGoogle Maps

Recently

I've been ordering their philly cheesesteak for years now and I'm never disappointed. The fries though, I don't know exactly what they put on them, but they are addictive. It almost tastes as though there is a bit of lemon pepper on it.

R

Robert RGoogle Maps

Recently

Unfortunately the eggplant parm sandwich barely had any eggplant, barely any cheese and barely any sauce. They said it will be ready in 5 mins and it took about 25 mins. It was busy but don’t say it’ll be 5 mins if you’re busy. Pros: they were nice and the roll was fresh. When I picked the sub up it was so light. Id rather pay more for a more satisfying sandwich.

M

michael estesGoogle Maps

Recently

Large variety of dishes on their menu and super reasonable prices. I got a burger, fries, and a hot dog. The burger had a generous amount of avocado & patty, the fries were fire & came seasoned, and the hot dog had just the right amount of caramelized onion & relish. The guy knows what he's doing so there's minimal need to customize your order. I did notice the lighting is dim which makes the dining room seem larger than it actually is. Your milage may vary but I personally prefer it a little brighter.

Z

Zachary FolkGoogle Maps

Recently

5 stars strictly for the price! Where else can you get a burger or sub for 8 bucks. This place is a staple and seems like it’s immune to inflation

T

Taner MishlerGoogle Maps

Recently

The mushroom Swiss is really good but they gave me the tiniest amount of meat on the corned beef reuben. They give me like 1 super thin slice lol.

G

GraceGoogle Maps

Recently

Looks nothing like the other photos in the review. Walked in and felt guilted into following through and ordering something. 1 guy working, outdated technology, microwaved food… Should’ve went to Aroma Italia instead 😩

M

Mario SupriaGoogle Maps

Recently

I finally got around to trying this spot, and glad I did! The burger was delicious, just what I was craving. The service was quick, I didn’t have to wait long at all. Best part? It filled me up without putting a dent in my wallet 👍🏾

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Frequently Asked Questions about Island Subs & Burgers

Common questions from diners about Island Subs & Burgers in Honolulu.

They serve American cuisine.

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