THE HISTORY OF "PLATE LUNCH"
Plate Lunch originated back in the 1880's during the plantation-era in the Hawaiian Islands. Pineapple and sugar plantations were sprouting up in the islands and required many field workers. Workers came from all over - places like China, Japan, Portugal, and the Philippines.
When lunchtime approached, it was extremely common for workers to bring leftovers of similarity. Their lunches included a main protein and a heavy serving of rice - to provide enough energy to sustain them through the work day. Though, it has been argued that the earliest form of Plate Lunch was simply the Japanese bento box, which had separate compartments for meat, starches, and sides.
By the 1900's, food carts and lunch wagons began to emerge near these plantations so workers could purchase these hearty meals that were made fresh.
By the 1930's, macaroni salad was introduced to the mix. A very typical Hawaiian style macaroni has a more neutral toned down flavor that accompanies the heavier and distinct flavors in plate lunch. It's mayo-based, slightly salty. Nothing overpowering. Not sweet or vinegar-y as found in other types of standard American picnic-style cold salads.
These days, plate lunch spots in Hawai'i are as common as pizza places in Chicago. Every establishment has their own take on the classics like Chicken Katsu, Loco Moco, and teriyaki BBQ meats.
Check out this Instagram Live we did for Time Out Chicago where we walk you through how to make a classic Loco Moco!
Frequently Asked Questions
Ordering & Pickup
Can I order in person? +
Do you offer curbside pick up? +
Is there a fee for online ordering? +
Direct website deliveries are currently disabled.
Delivery Options
What is your delivery range? +
Orders placed directly on our site use Doordash drivers & follow Doordash fees based on distance.
PHONE DELIVERY:
Credit card & cash payments accepted for orders over the phone.
- $5 delivery fee within zone
- $10 minimum
- North to Montrose
- West to Damen
- South to Chicago
Do you use third-party services like Grubhub or UberEats? +
You may find us on third-party sites with higher prices than ordering directly through us. To cover extreme fees for use on those sites, the prices on third-party sites may be a great deal higher than our menu.
Our Policies
Order disputes & refund policies +
- All wrong orders/errors must be reported within 3 hours of order placement to be considered for a refund/redo.
- Orders require date/time order was placed, items/total so we can search for all defining qualifications including payments & cameras.
- Requests are not promised refunds.
- Any order dispute requests after 3 hours of placing an order will not be considered for a refund or exchange.
- All third party orders must be disputed directly with the third-party, as we do not have the ability to make changes.
CURIOUS FOR MORE?
SEE WHAT THE PRESS IS SAYING
Now that you know all the ins and outs of how we serve our island favorites, discover why local critics, foodies, and Chicago's top food guides keep putting us on their radar.
From our homemade macaroni salad secrets to making a classic Loco Moco on Time Out Chicago, explore the stories and features behind our comfort food tradition.
Scroll down to check out our latest press mentions and media features!
CHICAGO'S BEST
We had our WGN-TV debut! The show is (the excellently awesome) Chicago's Best where the hosts Ted Brunson and Brittney Payton check out Chicagoland's restaurants in a fun and goofy format. The episode's theme is "Tropical Restaurants" and we got to represent Hawaii on the show.
HUNGRY HOUND
"Hungry Hound" Steve Dolinsky was the very first Chicago food journalist to visit us back in late 2004! Our front sign wasn't even up yet! But, we had ono grinds ready for anyone who wanted a sample of home. Thanks for being the first, Steve!
VINCE GERASOLE
Vince Gerasole - who used to be with Hawaii's KHNL - has a generous segment about Aloha Grill on CBS 2 Chicago's "Table For 2". As always, thanks for the props, Vince!
CHECK, PLEASE!
"Check, Please!" had short segments on NBC 5 Chicago for a while and we were on! Many mahalos to local gal Carol for showing off Aloha Grill to Chicago!
NIGHTLINE
"Nightline" on ABC needed stock footage for a piece about SPAM. Who did they go to? THE EXPERTS!
METROMIX: EATIN' CHEAP
"Metromix: Eatin' Cheap" on CLTV came in and did one of our longest segments on Aloha Eats clocking in right at 3 minutes. Nice!
SPREADING ALOHA: MAUI RELIEF
Supporting Our CommunityAloha is more than just a greeting—it’s a commitment to stand together and support one another when it matters most. Below are 6 trusted local organizations, initiatives, and direct family relief funds dedicated to aiding those affected in Maui. Every bit of support counts.
Serving with aloha since 2004.
VISIT US
2534 N Clark St.
Chicago, IL 60614
773-935-6828
HOURS
Monday
Closed
Tuesday
11:00 am – 9:00 pm
Wednesday
11:00 am – 9:00 pm
Thursday
11:00 am – 9:00 pm
Friday
11:00 am – 10:00 pm
Saturday
11:00 am – 10:00 pm
Sunday
11:00 am – 9:00 pm
Frequently asked questions
What is Aloha Eats known for?
BBQ Short Ribs, Chicken Katsu, Curry Chicken Katsu, Loco Moco, Mochiko Chicken, Pork Katsu, Portuguese Sausage, Eggs & Rice, Spam, Eggs & Rice, Spam Musubi, Spam Saimin and Tofu Katsu.
What options does Aloha Eats have for dietary preferences?
What else should I know about Aloha Eats?
Which areas does Aloha Eats serve?
Bucktown, Chicago, Gold Coast, Lakeview, Lincoln Park, Old Town, Roscoe Village, Wicker Park and Wrigleyville.
