Tex Drive In is another Big Island institution, recommended in particular for its fresh, hot malasadas, dense Portuguese donuts served plain or with fruit or cream fillings. It also serves a variety of cheap food, including burgers, sandwiches, stews and other Hawaiian specialties.
We visited in on a Monday for lunch, before heading to the famed Waipio Valley. We weren’t very daring in our choices, though probably should have been. I ordered a roast beef sandwich, which consisted of a large soft loaf of bread, with cold commercial-type roast beef slices and tomato and lettuce on the side. There were packets of mayo and mustard. The whole thing was OK, though a roast beef sandwich is mostly dependent on the quality of its roast beef and this wasn’t very good. It was a large sandwich and not a bad value at under $6 with fries.
Mike had a fish burger and was quite happy with it, he said it was a better fish burger than any he’s had here. He’d order it again.
We all shared a malasada for dessert (and bought more for the road) and while it was good, its main merit was that it was warm. Otherwise it didn’t taste very different from a donut, though it was denser and somewhat less sweet. The chocolate creme filling didn’t help it at all. Krispy Kreme may be in trouble, but not from malasadas.
Tex is a convenient stop on your way to or from the Waipio valley and for that reason alone I’d recommend it.
Tex Drive In
45-690 Pakalana St.
Honokaa, HI 96727
Tel: (808) 775-0598
http://www.texdrivein.com/
I visited your fine restaurant for three days in a row in June of 2005 with friends from Canada. Your food was great, especially the malassadas. I even bought some to take home to make for my family. I also bought some of you Hawaiin classis papaya salad dressing which I love and would like to by more, lots more but I have not been able to find it on line to buy. I was hoping you could help me out. Thank you so much. I’m now living in Michigan and am unable to buy this salad dressing here. Carole.