Tex Drive In - Hawaiian/American, Honokaa

Best: Malisadas

45-690 Pakalana St, Honokaa HI 96727
(808) 775-0598
Parking: in parking lot
http://www.texdriveinhawaii.com

Last Visited: October 2012

Food: 4 to 5 stars
Atmosphere: 3 stars
Service: 4 stars
Price: $ to $$

Brent recommended checking out Tex Drive In.  Their world famous malisadas are definitely worth trying.  Although they offer a menu of burgers, sandwiches, salads, and plate lunches, no matter the time of day, you'll find them offering malisadas, both plain and filled with fruit and cream fillings.

The sign on the Hawaii Belt Road is easy to see, and at first, you might wonder why the sign on the building is so shabby, but drive to the front entrance and you'll see that it's a bustling roadside diner.  Even the local police were hanging out there (kind of stereotypical to find them near the donuts or in this case, the malisadas, but I figure they know where to get the best food locally). 

- Malisadas - I couldn't find the malisadas on the menu, but I knew I was in the right place because you can see them making malisadas behind the glass.  Available with a variety of fillings including raspberry, guava, apricot, and more, I ordered a bavarian creme and a plain malisada.  Oh that sweet goodness. These are pillows of warm, soft, fried dough filled with delightful lusciousness.  Even when you enjoy one the next day, it's still good - more like eating bread, but still delicious. $1.06 plain, $1.56 filled

And the service was good - the person who took my order was very friendly and my malisadas were promptly given to me.

If you like a plain krispy kreme or fried dough in general, you'll enjoy these for sure.  You've gotta try these if you're on the Big Island!