C&J BBQ & Ramen

If I hadn’t done any Unilocal research, I never would have found out about this place. C&J BBQ is truly a hole-​in-​the-​wall, but I’m just glad they were still in business during the time of my visit.
At first, my friend and I couldn’t find this restaurant … it’s definitely small! But, if you see the bank, it’s right across and they have their own parking lot in front. You have to pay a little bit for parking, and they only validate for 30 minutes. But, I think my friend and I only ended up paying 75 cents for our visit.
There were two other customers dining in when we went for dinner around 7 p.m. on a Monday. The place wasn’t the cleanest – clean enough to dine in at, but not sparkling – and it definitely had that mom-​and-​pop feel. I really wanted to try their «Li Hing Mui» chicken, but they had already sold out! Best to go early if there’s something you really want (or call ahead; the eatery had a good amount of take-​out phone orders during our visit).
There are a few tables inside if you do want to enjoy your meal there. And, if you’re dining in, they’ll serve you water. During our visit, another worker came in and she was really attentive, always giving us more water, straws, more napkins and whatever else we needed. Based on my food, I would definitely be back.
This place has no AC so be prepared to sweat if you’re going during the day. Also, make sure to have hand sanitizer with you (I was glad I did, since I’m a little OCD when it comes to keeping my hands clean). And, it’s CASH ONLY, so make sure you’ve got that with you!
The prices here are reasonable and the portions are generous! Great find and I love that they truly embody that hole-​in-​the-​wall feel, complete with paper on the walls that mention the specials.
Here’s what we got:
«Chicken Katsu Moco»: For only $ 7.95, you definitely get your money’s worth with this plate. It came with two scoops of rice, that deliciously breaded chicken cutlet, warm, homemade gravy and a scoop of mac salad. I had seen photos of this entrée before we came here, so I knew that I wanted to try it if that li hing mui chicken wasn’t available. This entrée turned out even better than I expected — it was truly love at first bite. I had contemplated getting all mac salad (instead of rice, as I heard someone else order that), but I’m glad I ended up getting the rice. The chicken was perfectly breaded and cooked; not too greasy and crunchy, but the meat was tender and the breading was sufficiently crispy without being overdone. The eggs over easy broke delicately and the yolk spilled over onto the chicken and gravy (my favorite part). The mac salad was tasty and I actually mixed it in with the gravy, savoring every bite. Now, for the longest time I was nervous about loco moco because I have a love-​hate relationship with gravy (I don’t like it too runny). But I’m pleased to say that the gravy at this place is PERFECT. It’s not super thick but it’s not liquidy, either, but most of all, it’s really flavorful. The plate includes a GENEROUS portion of gravy that covers all of the chicken and rice (you won’t need to ask for more). While the katsu had enough taste in of itself, this gravy just made the dish even more glorious. I would return to C&J just for this entrée alone!
«Mochiko Chicken»: The guy working (the ONLY guy working) said that the mochiko chicken was one of the eatery’s best sellers. Since the li hing mui chicken that I so wanted to try was all out, my friend and I decided this was the next best option. Plus, since this plate was only $ 7.50, you couldn’t really go wrong! The mochiko chicken was promising, and I actually didn’t mind the taste. The chicken was flavorful, but it was definitely burnt to a crisp. I think my friend was slightly disappointed, but I didn’t mind the crispy exterior. If this chicken wasn’t as well done, I think the product would have turned out better. Fortunately, I gave my friend some of my huge «Chicken Katsu Moco» so I think that redeemed this place in his eyes.
«Chicken Katsu Ramen»: I love it when ramen includes katsu, and since «ramen» is in the name of this restaurant, I’m hoping that their ramen is actually legitly good. This entrée combines two of my favorites, so one day when I’m craving noodles, this is what I would order.

This place is a really solid plate lunch place. They have a lot of local food and some good classics to suit a lot of people’s tastes. It’s a small shop right in university square. They have the menu outside on the window and a few chairs and tables for customers. Prices are definitely reasonable because the portions you get are pretty good. Their chicken katsu curry here is SUPER GOOD. They also have some basic drink selections to accompany your meal. I have come here at least 5 times and plan on coming back. Apparently they’re trying to sell the place! Nooo! I don’t want this place to go! Highly recommended!

I am in love with this little place. Hole in the wall, said wall is full of «specials» written on paper and taped up, but the food and service is always good and can’t beat the prices. When I bring my little daughter they treat her well, they don’t have high chair but they just stack a couple chairs up to make a higher seat for her and she likes that! I’ve had a vegetable donburi, loco moco, and their li hing mui chicken, all good local style with plenty of rice and yummy mac salad too.

Excellent Quality AND Quantity!!! I could barely finish a regular size and the katsu was cooked perfectly!

I dropped by here for lunch while I was waiting for my motorcycle forks seals to be changed (at Cycle Tech, which I also reviewed). So many places to choose from in that Puck’s Alley area, but I decided to try this little hole in the wall.
First thing I noticed was the huuuuuuuuge menu list. Not your typical, handout menu, but more like, the cooks write them on pieces of printing paper with a sharpie and then tape them to their walls. Nice selection.
The food, however, was not so nice. I ordered some combo with ramen, curry, and gyoza dumplings. Weird combo, but it was only $ 6-​$ 7 (!) and I was hungry. The food came out quick and it was hot, but the when I dived into my food, I realized my noodles and broth were bland. The curry was not good either. It was as if the flavor had gone stale. And the gyoza… had no flavor… even those crappy frozen gyoza you buy at the market had more flavor than these! I didn’t finish my meal.
Only good thing was the service… they brought my food to my table with a smile and poured me water, even though this is just a plate lunch joint. Also, it might just be the dish I ordered, because something smelled damn good in the kitchen when I was there.
I would not come here again. I think there are better places to eat at, like One Plus One (which I also reviewed) or Curry House across the street if you want some reliable and lovely Japanese curry.

1. Verdict/​Value: cheap Chinese-​American place for locals — recommended!
2. Food: There are a lot of food choices — on the menu, on sheets of paper once inside the restaurant. Ham fried rice with mochiko chicken ($ 7.95) is what I went with based on a previous Unilocaler’s review. As noted previously, you have a selection of meats to choose from to accompany your ham fried rice. It did not disappoint — sure it’s thin pieces of ham chopped up in fried rice, but it wasn’t too salty and the mochiko chicken beats that of One Plus One’s. The portion size is generous, making it great for both lunch and dinner. The quality and portion size means another visit to C&J in the future!
3. Service: Good for what it is; Cantonese speakers would feel a little more at home with the hosts here. Know that this place is cash only…
4. Atmosphere: It’s a little small and hot (not sure air conditioning is available)…which coupled with the usual less-​than-​hygienic conditions a lot of plate lunch places have, take out could be a better option. The lot is a little awkward and they only validate the first 30 minutes of parking, so don’t stay too long…

POSITIVES:
This restaurant is the epitome of «bang for your buck»! Fantastic Asian and Local food, huge portions, very affordable!
I’d recommend getting «HAM FRIED RICE with your choice of MEAT on the side (mochiko chicken, chicken katsu, bbq chicken, etc). It’s a huge plate of fried rice and a generous helping of side meat for under $ 8.
If you’re starving and have a huge appetite, go for the KATSU MOCO. IT’S HUGE! Refer to the“photos“section to see a photo of this behemoth meal!
NEGATIVES:
The restaurant is small. It’s also in a location that’s not the most convenient to access. Also, the place is sorta dirty and musty. It’s not too the point at which you’d lose your appetite!
Overall, this place is AWESOME!

I’m here 3 or 4 times a week, the food is good n prices is cheap. It’s a neighborhood meeting place as I have met a lot of people here.

An acquaintance loves this hole in the wall and gets the herbal chicken. I tried it and it was good. The next day I happened to be in the area so I thought I would give it a shot. The menu is so all over the place on those white sheets of paper I didn’t know what to get, so I got what caught my eye on the menu outside, the mochiko chicken. It took a little while to make; about 20 minutes and was overdone. Normally mochiko chicken is pretty soft and sweet. This chicken was dark brown and hard, almost burnt. There was very little flavor to it as well. In their defense some of the bigger pieces were cut in half so it was a little easier to eat without a knife… but given that the skin of this chicken was hard enough to resist anything short of forged Damascus steel, chopsticks would have been a better choice than the plastic fork I got. It broke, BTW, trying to puncture a piece.
The reviews that say this place is really cheap are kind of old. I remember back in the day they did have some really cheap plate lunches (I can’t remember but Chicken Katsu or BBQ Chicken was on permanent special) but those days are gone. I guess by 2013 standards it’s cheap-​ish. And it’s cash only. You know how I feel about cash only. I’m an adult with a credit card in 2013!

Cheap plate lunches and large portions with friendly service. I used to come here more often and missed this place. Favorite would have to be the Herbal Chicken. Tons of specials and a nice place to unwind and eat.

I love the herb salmon its so delicious and there are so many yummy things to chose from

Best local food grinds for a cheap price. Excellent customer service, I was an employee next door doing taxes. Cindy, the owner who runs that place goes beyond customer service, she will deliver it to your store if you’re next door that is and give you all your utensils and condiments. They’re an A++++ to me.
**thanks cindy, see you soon**

Li Hing Mui chicken.
Did your brain just go WTF?
Mine did. and when it does, I indulge. It’s really tasty! the Li Hing Mui is soft from cooking, so you get to enjoy it without the Li Hing Mui pain… it’s not over salty, because the Li Hing Mui is all the flavor you need.
The only thing to watch out for is the free floating seeds, and I see that as a good sign, because that means no extra digging in the food.
The thrill of it all!
The rice is perfect and the mac salad is ok. They don’t over mayonnaise it which is a relief.
Cindy is awesome and patient when you take a moment to peruse the specials, of which there are many.
Try that Li Hing Mui chicken though.

Neighborhood restaurant for me, good mix of local style plates & ramen. Great plate to grab something when I want to eat out. Have to make an effort one of these to go out and try one of their breakfast plates (meat, eggs, & fried rice)!

So you like plate lunch? This is the place to go. Cheap, fast, friendly and owner run. The couple that runs this place have run it for at least ten years and they got it dialed in.
My wife and I ate here for about three years straight when we lived nearby about 9 years ago. Since then, we drive across Honolulu in traffic to go there from time to time whenever we want plate lunch. Everything is good, and we have literally tried everything. Nowadays, we go there to get mochiko chicken for our daughter… she loves it. And this is a finicky little toddler.
We got the place on speed dial and call, order our food, run in, pay and go grind. That is what a hole in the wall plate lunch like this is for, and they do it perfectly.
Save the Rainbow Drive in and L & L’s for the tourists. If you want the real deal that will fill you with the best local food, this is the place to go.

This is one of the few eateries that my fiancé and i consistently visit. We found this place about 6 years ago while attending UH Manoa. Its a short 10 – 15 min walk from the dorms. The prices are low and the portions are generous (and tasty); perfect for an on the budget college student.
Our favorite dishes have to be:
1. Ham Fried Rice with your choice of meat… Mochiko Chicken is the way to go! It has a unique taste to it that no other place can match. Its not on the menu so look on the wall of hand written specials.
2. The Chicken Katsu Curry comes in at a close second; always enough food for a second meal.
3. For those cold ramen type of nights, get the Shio Ramen.
4. Spaghetti w/​Fried Chicken… the fiancé loves it.
If you’re hungry and looking for a place to get some grinds to fill you up, then check this place out.

I haven’t been here in a while so I don’t know the current prices, but I used to go here all the time. This place is SUPER hole in the wall, meaning it is really small, sheets of paper with random menu items hanging from the ceiling, not the cleanest, but really really cheap. The menu is very extensive, including items that are not even on the menu. How good it is probably depends on what you order, so this is one of those places where you just have to know what’s good.
My favorite things were the Mabo Tofu Ramen and the Korean Chicken (not on the menu). The Kalua Pig & Cabbage plate was pretty good too. The only thing I remember not caring for was the Hamburger Steak (it was thin and strange…). Should also take a look at the random specials handwritten on the sheets of paper near the register – i tried a few and they were good!
This place is great for UH students because it is right in Puck’s Alley on the corner across University Ave. from Kinkos. There’s a parking lot right in front of it and there’s usually always parking because it’s pay. But if you eat at C&J, they will validate your ticket. The same girl always worked there whenever we went. I guess we went so often that she recognized us and we made small talk whenever we were there. I think she knew a lot of regulars – really friendly!

I parked at University Square for an appointment and was starving (missed breakfast and lunch) by the time that I was finished there. It was 4:05pm, so I had missed the lunch specials.
I decided to check out this place, but wasn’t sure what to get. I asked the girl working for a recommendation. She suggested the seafood combo, so I got that. It came with 2 scoops of rice, a piece of fish, two pieces of shrimp, bbq chicken, tarter sauce, and mac salad.
As I was waiting for my food, an older woman started talking to me. She said the garlic salmon was good. Then, she went on to read everything on the «special» signs and commented on each item. I learned that she came there every day.
There are tables and chairs, but I decided to get it to-​go. The two pieces of shrimp and the piece of fish were pressed thin and deep-​fried extra crispy. It was kind of blah, but I ate quite a bit of it because I was so hungry. It was way too much food though.
I don’t think that I would eat there again, unless I found a healthier option. I don’t think my stomach can take any more deep-​fried anything for a few months, after today’s «linner».

They have about 25 Plate lunches, the mini plates starts at $ 4.77 to $ 5.99 and the regular plates starts at $ 5.97 to $ 7.29.
5 different combo plates to choose from:
Beef combo,
BBQ Combo,
Seafood Combo,
Vegan Combo and
New York Steak & Garlic Shrimp
Starts at $ 6.95 — $ 9.95 includes 2 scoops of rice and 1 scoop of macaroni salad or Kim Chee.
Unfortunately, for my first time I tried their Ramen and I was very disappointed. Hence the two star, It was extremely oily, so that alone disappointed me. Have not tried the combo plates, so I cannot provide any reviews in that area.

3.5 stars for the price and portions mainly. the food was just OK
Pros:
–this place is SUPER cheap with huge portions! My dad ordered the curry combo… which included curry and rice, wonton noodle soup, and gyoza for only $ 7.50!!! My mom and i both ordered the mochiko and ramen combo which was about $ 6.50.
–the mochiko chicken was really good. it was perfectly crispy and also sweet. the only thing. it was a tad too oily
Ok:
–the gyoza was normal, nothing out of the ordinary
–the curry. maybe i’m just not a fan so i cant give a fair review
Con:
–the broth of the ramen tasted kind of weird… i dont know if it’s because i’m not used to the flavor that i ordered, but i didn’t really enjoy it