C and G Luncheons

CLOSED. :(Their last day of business was December 23^rd.

This place is so awsome, i love everything they make, this aint youre average crappy L & L, the boneless chicken an brown gravy was incredible and there homemade hamburger pattys.
”OMG”
It sucks they closed there doors due to the screwed up management that wouldn’t connect there AC ventilation when they fixed the entire buildings AC unit, thus causing there back fridges to overheat an break down, why do you think there’s 2 fridges in the front when you walk in, then they wanted them to fix it them self’s, that would mean they have to buy there own unit for $ 25.000 an hire a crane to lift it to the 4^th floor on roof so would cost them $ 30.000 at least,
Now the dumb part for the management is they still have to spend $ 30.000 to fix the place before they find a tennant, if they only did that in the 1^st place they wouldn’t have closed there doors and i could still get the awsome stuffed cabbages and mushroom chicken and turkey ala king for lunch. that building just lost a milestone mom & pop shop that’s been there since i was in elementary, im proud to have come here an will always think of the incredible foods ive had here

Last day of biz — December 23. Last chance to get a plate of their infamous boneless teri chicken!

A typical Mom-​and-​Pop spot. A hole in the wall that’s a true gem for friendly service and quality food.
As always, I tried their loco moco. Was pleasantly surprised that the burger was homemade. Also, eggs were cooked spot-​on. I also ordered it with all rice instead of with a salad choice. Sorry, just didn’t feel like Mac salad today.
My only knock would be the gravy was a little flat. It was the kind of gravy that you hit with a little Tabasco and it’s perfect, so I can’t reply complain.
A few minutes after I ordered, a mob of downtown workers came in, a testament to the quality of this place. Highly recommend it to anyone if you’re in the area and willing to scrounge for parking.

Pros
+ Great price. Lunch below $ 6 if you order mini plate. Even the regular plates are below $ 10.
+ Fast, efficient service. No frill. But they have their system down. Even with long lines during lunch hours, you can get your order within 3 minutes.
+ Good comfort food. Chicken is always fresh. I was never much of a gravy and mac salad kind of person, but now I am hooked. Now I go back at least once per week to get my fix. :)
+ Convenient location if you work in downtown.
Cons
— Simple basic setting. Nothing fancy.
— Only a few tables for eat-​in. It can get crowded when there is a line waiting to order.
— The line could be long during lunch hours. But they get you in and out quickly within a few minutes.

Typical lunch place downtown. On scale of quantity vs quality, this place is in the quantity side. I liked them better when they were open for breakfast, but now they’re only open for lunch :(.
Likes: They have some specials that are a pretty good deal. Loco moco fills you up, but the gravy can be weird.
Dislikes: Hours. Only open for lunch. Also it’s a little dirty inside.
Favorites: I like the fried rice here. After eating theirs, I try to make my fried rice like theirs.
It used to be a go-​to place for me when it was open for breakfast, because it was the closest breakfast place at a decent price. With many more options downtown for lunch, I’d say this place is okay, but not something I’d think of going to right off the bat.

Work in Downtown Honolulu and looking for a quick & cheap lunch? This is the place to go! They serve up all the usual local favorites such as loco moco’s, kalua pork, shoyu chicken and all those types of dishes and for a fairly cheap price too. The portions are pretty plentiful as well, which makes this a good buy if you want a decent sized meal for a low price.
You can also get a mixed plate as well, so you can pick 2 regular items and combine them into one plate lunch. On their menu, they also state which items can’t be combined with anything to make a mix plate so that’s good to know too.
Some of my favorites from here are the kalua plate, roast pork, loco moco and roast turkey. The nice thing about this place is that they also offer a choice of mac or tossed green salad but that’s par for the course for any plate lunch spot on the island. Be warned that during the lunch hour rush that there is usually what looks like a long line but it moves fairly quick so don’t be scared off.
So cheap eats, good portions and decent selection? This place is all of that and worth a visit if you have just a little bit of cash on hand and want to fill your tummy.

Since I’m always in downtown, and I eat out pretty much everyday — I been trying to check out new places. It took me forever to try this place out. Mainly because every time I pass by it, there is ALWAYS a line almost out the door.
Finally one day there was a super short line, so I said hey WHY NOT!
THE GRUB:
{{ SHOYU CHICKEN $ 6 }}

The chicken was ONO. I love when my food falls right off the bone ;D I honestly think this is a deal for $ 6 in Downtown! I mean 2 or 3 pieces of chicken, 2 scoops of rice and a choice of mac or toss salad? It really can’t get any better than that.
{{ KALUA PIG AND CABBAGE $ 6 }}
The Kalua Pig was great! Right amount of flavor, cabbage and it wasn’t dry. YUM YUM~!
{{ ROAST PORK $ 6 }}
Super flavorful! I like the flavor and tenderness of the meat, I also like that its not super salty like other places.
I have to say I now understand why there is always a long lunch line here. Prices are VERY good, the service is quick, and the food taste great. I’m definitely a fan of these $ 6 mini plates and plan to come back to try more!

This great little café right near the corner of Merchant and Bishop is discreetly hidden. It’s nothing fancy… not trendy in the least, but has attentive service at the counter, drive inn style. The prices were definitely somewhere between fair and dirt cheap. I ordered the mini loco moco, with an extra egg and fried rice, and it came to about $ 5.50. Plus coffee, my total was a little under $ 7.
I went to grab my cup of coffee and I was impressed to note that they offered regular, decaf, and a flavored coffee as well! I chose the vanilla mac nut. It was a nice deviation from the norm, especially for the price point.
Good food, cooked to order (actual instructions from cashier to cook, quote: «On the loco moco, eggs over medium, but be sure to let em cook little bit longer so its not too runny, k?»), fast and friendly service. Sounds like a good deal to me!
²⁵⁄₃₁ Unilocal challenge, late. but it’s here. stop yelling. :)

let me warn you that I am a very picky eater. I work very nearby to CG’s so come here when I want to grab a quick lunch.
LIKED
Roast Pork – not top shelf but above average. I usually order this most often. I think their gravy is missing something since I really didn’t enjoy their loco moco.
OK
Boneless chicken
Shoyu chicken – Alakea Delicatessen, which is on the same block, has better shoyu chicken.
Roast Turkey – thought it was too dry and lacking flavor.
DID NOT LIKE
Loco moco – tasteless, IMO, but portions are huge. I tend to steer away from tasteless calories…
Since I work in close proximity, I will probably eat here often. I will update this review with other items that I get to try…

C&G Lunches is a popular eatery in downtown that serves breakfast as well as local style plate lunches.
They seem to always be busy during lunch where I have seen the line stretched out the back door. As far as I can remember this place has been around for quite a while serving up their specialty fried saimin, shoyu chicken, boneless chicken and meatloaf.
This place offers one of the quickest service around downtown as within minutes of ordering, your food is ready for pickup. The prices for their mini and regular size plate lunches are pretty reasonable. With their regular menu options they also have daily specials.
There are a few tables inside which tends to be filled rather quickly or you may opt for takeout.
I like their fried saimin and shoyu chicken. The fried saimin is a very good portion of noodles where I ask for teri sauce poured over my noodles for added flavor. Whenever I order the mini shoyu chicken plate with brown rice and macaroni salad, the meat always falls off the bone and there is an abundant of flavor in the sauce. One of the best places in town for shoyu chicken.

If I’m craving kalua pork during lunch, this is where I come. The mini plate lunches used to be $ 5 but it’s a little over $ 6 now. They offer brown rice for an extra charge. Their menus are ghetto. It’s written with a black sharpie on 11×17 paper. When something runs out, they cross it off the menu. The shop itself is a bit run down but their food is really good. If you see a long line, don’t worry. They can get people in and out really fast. Please bring cash with you because they don’t accept credit cards anymore.

C and G Luncheons
If you want something quick, CHEAP, and decent this is your place. CGs serves local favorites; Kalua Pig, roast pork, baked chicken, spaghetti, etc.
Location is sort of hidden in a building, isn’t visible street view. If you work in downtown you should know about this place. It’s on the corner of Alakea and King, right across CPB building and FHB tower.
I normally order the chicken, it is good trust me. Cost about $ 7, comes with 2 scoops rice and choice of greens or mac salad. Chicken is chopped into katsu size pieces drenched in gravy. Nom… very bad if your on a diet… Lol.
I sometimes order the Kalua pig, its good too. Typically Kalua pig, shredded little wet and is juicy.
Best way to describe this place is it’s like an L&L but only open during lunch or a grounded local lunch truck. Haha.

Great place to go for lunch if you like plate lunches. You know this place is good cause there’s always a long line during lunch. My go to plate is the Roast Pork with Gravy and Stuffing, it’s been consistently good.

Oh sweet grease of all things good in this world! If the mood for good local food for lunch should strike and you are in downtown, hit up C & G and you will not be disappointed. They offer fantastic food, good prices, and serve up really quick! When you are in downtown, you will appreciate this statement with great relish!
The menu features lots of local favorites and a rotating special menu. The roast pork was moist with a fantastic gravy sauce while the teriyaki chicken features a nice light breading and a very thick teriyaki sauce that is just the right balance of sweet and salty. The ahi was also quite stellar with a very good (but probably bad for you) cream sauce topping it. Plates come with 2 scoops of rice and either macaroni or toss salad. Brown rice is also available.
The restaurant is nondescript and easy to pass by on Merchant street, so keep an eye out. It is located right along the food alley and you will see a long line forming. Enter from the alley so you don’t have to deal with the long line of eyes staring at you, wondering if you are going to wait in the line.
The staff are good and know their menu well, but know what you want by the time you get to order. They are quick to take your order and make the line move in a careful orchestration that will get your food in and out.
Note, the restaurant is cash only so plan accordingly… however with all the banks nearby, how hard can it be to get cash?

They don’t accept card anymore (for couple months already.)!! Always have to think if I have cash on me or not.
Thursdays they have spare ribs, which is tasty. The mini is a good portion for $ 5.65 w/​tax.
At 12pm and 12:30pm there is always a long line, so I try to go at odd times… like 12:20pm or 12:40pm. Then the lines don’t seem as bad.
And a random tid bit… there is a homeless (?) lady who hangs around in the alley of shops. You see her shopping cart outside. I hear she asks for people to buy her food from various places in that alley. I’ve seen her with sushi and subway.

Unfortunately there are even fewer restaurants in the downtown business district to frequent during the lunch hour now that most of the restaurants in the Tardus building closed, but C&G’s is one of the few hole in the wall restaurants (located next to the HECO building) that continue to serve decent local food in downtown:
Hawaiian plate — 4 stars — For about $ 7 plus tax, I had their Hawaiian plate which consisted of laulau, lomi salmon, haupia and 2 scoops of rice. The laulau leaves are a little mushy, but flavorful, and today their lomi lomi salmon was on the sweeter side and very fresh. The plate also comes with a small piece of haupia, which has a light coconut flavor to it, and their rice wasn’t as hard as it sometimes is. Although their laulau isn’t as good as Yama’s or Youngs, this is the only local establishment I can find in downtown serving hawaiian plate (laulau) (and other local plate lunches) that is reasonably priced and decent tasting during lunch time on Aloha Fridays.
Service — 4 stars — with a lot of the restaurants closing, it was super busy. As I sat eating my lunch in the restaurant, customers continued to enter to order their food, but the line ran pretty quickly so there’s no long wait to order your food. The cashier and server were always courteous and enthusiastic even with the demand of people ordering their food, and like a little old local pake «busting out» a lot of my change and holding up the line to pay for my food, they were very patient and gracious about it.
Thus, I’m a fan of this small restaurant because they consistently serve decent local food for a reasonable price during lunch and although a little cramp, at least have tables (though no aircon) available to enjoy your food during lunch.

My latest discovery of the BONELESS CHICKEN added a star all on its own. Ok, maybe plus the gravy all over. For $ 5.25 you can get a mini boneless chicken plate that comes with 1 scoop white rice, and toss or mac salad and about 4 – 5 pieces of boneless chicken. And of course, I ask for gravy all over. The regular plate is like $ 6.50 or something and comes with 2 scoops rice, salad, and way more chicken than one person should eat (but I ate it all and was still full at dinner). So I revert back to the mini plate, that leaves me wanting more, but doesn’t leave me feeling like a stuffed chicken.
Hawaiian food on Friday’s I think. I haven’t tried it but lots of orders around me since it’s a special.
They take credit cards (at least Visa/​MC) and they are friendlier than they look. But it still doesn’t hurt to know what you want and not dilly dally (as I said earlier) since on a normal workday the line is long and everyone is impatient. Where’d the Aloha spirit go? Oh yeah, it got hungry.

C an’t tell if this place is called «CGee’s» or «C&G»
G uess the owners couldn’t make their mind
E very town on the island needs a go-​to local plate lunch spot
E specially Downtown and its lunch hour work crowd
S wing by here if you’re craving a plate lunch
L ine usually forms at noon, but the crew moves really fast
U sually you’re in and out in less than 5 minutes
N ice array of options with a daily rotating menu
C an’t beat the prices — mini plate is less than $ 6
H amburger Steak and Shoyu Chicken are my favorites
E verything else is average, but the variety is good
S imple, cheap and consistent — all great for lunch hour

When you’re hungry and have to go foraging this is a great place to go. Now mostly I come here for breakfast as I like both the price and the food
The hash breakfast with your choice of one or two eggs is great as far as I know one of the best in downtown Honolulu for the price. The people who work there are quick, efficient, friendly and hard working just watching them makes me tired. Lunches are great too but usually when I walk by there is always a long line, why? because good food good price what else can you ask for this is food you’re used to that doesn’t disappoint very consistent.
The place is smallish but comfy enough with about 5 or so tables self serve drinks in a building that has a food corridor with many other good eateries.
Parking if you don’t work in downtown would be a bit of a hassle just to eat but there is parking near the Post Office or at one of the nearby buildings otherwise place an order and make a quick grab and run while your food get away driver stands by.