In Hawaii restaurants, the plate lunch has a long-standing reputation as the antidote for an empty stomach. The traditional version consists of two heaps of rice, a scoop of creamy macaroni salad, and a hearty protein like ribs, pork, or chicken katsu. If you’re wondering how this indulgent meal got its start, dive into the history of the plate lunch below.

Blue Collar Beginnings

Back in the late 19th century, workers from throughout Europe and Asia came to the Hawaiian Islands in search of jobs. While work was plentiful in the sugarcane and pineapple fields, it was incredibly labor-intensive, leaving hundreds with hefty lunchtimes appetites.

To fill up, they would pack metal bento boxes—home-packed lunch boxes with large, separated portions of rice and protein. Usually, these consisted of the previous night’s fish or chicken dinner.

Lunch Wagon Expansion

In the early 1900s, the local community started to take note of this leftover habit, and soon food wagons and carts began popping up near plantations. Workers could then purchase affordable plate lunches that were just as filling but fresher. Around the 1930s, food trucks started to incorporate scoops of macaroni salad, seasoned with salt, pepper, and mayo.

Plate Lunches Today

In the mid-19th century, the rigorous plantation labor came to an end. However, many local eateries still serve this comfort food today. While you can still find the traditional plate lunch when you’re particularly hungry, you can also ask for less hearty substitutions. Maybe you want to switch out that fried, breaded chicken for grilled garlic shrimp or the pasta for fresh salad. Or indulge in a classic loco moco topped with fried eggs, and round out your plate lunch with a sweet cream pie.

If you’re in the mood for a plate lunch, stop by Ted’s Bakery of Haleiwa, HI. The history of this celebrated restaurant begins in 1906, on a Hawaiian sugar plantation. Today, they serve three meals a day, including loco moco plate lunches. However, they’re best known for their decadent desserts, such as Strawberry Guava Cream Pie or Pineapple Macadamia Nut Cheesecake. To learn more about the restaurant’s menu items, visit the website, or call (808) 638-8207 to place a takeout order.