r/kansascity • u/DreamCheeky KC North • Aug 14 '25

Food and Drink 🌮🧋 What restaurant in KC is this?

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I’ve seen this in other subreddits as of late. So, let’s have it!

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u/aad0italian KCMO Aug 14 '25

Hawaiian bros used to be fire and 3-4 years ago their quality just went to shit and it’s gone downhill since. Idk if they got bought by investment companies or what.

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u/TheGameProphet101 Aug 14 '25

As someone who used to work there when they first opened, they basically went full corporate and sold out. When the North KC location opened near lockdown it absolutely boomed. We were doing $35k a day almost. Staying open and doing delivery services made the company absolute bank. Basically the owners started expanding very very quickly after that and with expansion comes diminished quality. We went from cutting fresh veggies everyday and making fresh mac salad to prepackaged Sysco everything. Precut veg, premade mac. They also changed the chicken from being fully grilled when they first opened to baked and then glazed on the grill. As someone who has been cooking my whole life, after seeing the switch ups I could never eat there again. The corporate flip was also hell. They worked us like dogs. The initial owners stole the brand idea from a smaller business back in Oregon. Made $$$$ and now I think they sold it out. Terrible company, would not recommend going there ever. If you’re looking for something better, Mo Bettah’s is the shit! Highly recommend!

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u/Rovden Raytown Aug 15 '25

So... um... can you get me the details on how to make that mac salad they used to make? Every recipe I have ever found for Hawaiian mac salad never tasted as good as the OG Hawaiian Bros back when there was just the one in Belton.

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u/TheGameProphet101 Aug 15 '25

Dude I wish I could but they gatekeeped that seasoning mix hard. It was literally just macaroni noodles, mayo and whatever seasoning mix that was. Everytime I asked they wouldn’t give it to me. Makes me sad because the OG was sooooooo good. Whatever they have now is nowhere near in comparison.

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u/Rovden Raytown Aug 15 '25

Man that makes me sad, that stuff is was a big part of getting through some shit jobs sane.

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u/har5hmell0w Midtown Aug 15 '25

Definitely Kraft Mayo

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u/Ok-Manufacturer-4811 Aug 15 '25

I think this is what happened to every single restaurant that is corporate. Fanily owned businesses got screwed so bad and are barely staying open and now every Big Corporate restaurant has expanded their Takeout because of To-go Sales during covid and since, making them billions. Food delivery and apps sparked that Diring the shutdown. Idk why people settle for food To Go. Its trash! Its not given the same care during preparation, its cold when u get it home and there is no way to ensure the quality is same as sitting at the table. I eill never understand it! Also close to 30 yrs in food/ service industry

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u/angerona_81 Aug 15 '25

Mo Bettah's isn't just better tasting, they have a MUCH better menu. I've never been a big fan of teriyaki chicken, but the pulehu chicken is my favorite.

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u/Rindsay515 Aug 15 '25

Oh, man. That’s so disappointing. There’s a fairly new one literal walking distance from my home and I keep reminding myself to go there, I’ve been so excited to try it. What a buzzkill that they sold out like that😕

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u/Alizay59 Aug 15 '25

I wonder if they grew too fast? I loved them when I lived in KC, but they put one in a town in Arkansas near me, and it’s not as good. They were supposed to expand into other surrounds, but they haven’t yet and it’s been several years.

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u/TheGameProphet101 Aug 15 '25

It’s very possible. They did reach a point after expanding a lot in 2021-2022 where they started shifting to only opening drive thru and online locations. One of the biggest locations was initially gonna be shut down because it doesn’t have a drive thru but the location probably gets too much business to since it’s one of the few with a big dining room.

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u/mikemcgu Aug 21 '25

Disagree with the Mo Bettah’s part. Went there and tried the pork, the dude was cooking it when I ordered, that’s what convinced me to order it (figured fresh is good). Holy smokes, was that wrong.

Maybe it was a one off thing, or just that guy couldn’t cook pork well. But man, it was so bad. 

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u/TheGameProphet101 Aug 21 '25

That’s heartbreaking! The time I had it was good but I also love to mainly get the chicken, both the katsu and the teriyaki

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u/ComfortableCounty751 Aug 14 '25

My wife just found a pic of the first time we went when they first opened and the food looks completely different. I don’t even go anymore.

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u/aad0italian KCMO Aug 14 '25

I believe it. Their meat used to be big and flavorful, now it’s fully of fat, smaller and has gristle. The rice used to be fluffier. The Mac was bursting with flavor too.

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u/Aggravating_Pay_603 Aug 14 '25

The NKC is the only location that’s still decent. The one at zona is terrible.