Hawai'i's Best Restaurants

BURGERS AND BARBECUE

Burgers are burgers the world around. But if you're a visitor, you need to understand what we mean when we say "barbecue" in the Islands: Unless the words Southern-style are in front of it, we mean grilled meats prepared in an Asian-style marinade — either a salty-sweet Japanese-style teriyaki sauce with ginger and garlic, or a Korean-style kal-bi preparation with sesame oil, shoyu and spices. Here's our guide to burgers and barbecue (Southern and other).

Kiawe Grill

Kiawe Grill specializes in Island-style barbecue — Korean kal bi, but also steaks, chops, pork, beef (including Kobe-style beef burgers), burgers and chicken. And here — a rarity — they're seared over a kiawe-wood-burning fire, adding a layer of welcome smoky flavor. Also unusual: The side salads and vegetables are self-serve.

Two locations: 2334 S. King St., 955-5500; and 1311 N. King St., 841-5577. 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Saturday; 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Sunday. No reservations. VS, MC, AX. No checks. $.

Legend:

VS: Visa
MC: Mastercard
AX: American Express
DC: Diners Club
DS: Discover Card
JCB: JCB Card
Olioli: Olioli Card

$$$: Pricey; entrées mostly more than $17
$$: Moderate; entrées $10-$16
$: Budget-friendly; entrées mostly less than $10

Checks: Local checks and travelers’ checks only

Past 'Ilima Award winner

"Cheap eats" restaurant

"Local classic" eatery