As a young girl, I remember going to the Aiea Bowling Alley with friends and on school outings. What I remember (besides the bowling, of course) was the little drive-in restaurant that they had in the front. I can recall them serving really good French fries, local style plate lunches, and other drive-in type of food.
A little while ago, I heard through a friend that they had completely remodeled the restaurant, now known as The Alley. I was told that it transformed from a casual/simple drive-in to a modern/contemporary restaurant - that just happens to be in the middle of a bowling alley. I decided to give it a try, and much to my surprise, the restaurant was beautifully designed and had really delicious food! The Alley has become one of my favorites, especially when I’m in the mood for a plate lunch style dish (minus the typical drive-in décor).
My friend was in town from the mainland and when we planned on going to dinner, he chose The Alley. We arrived at around 5:30, but the parking lot was still a bit congested despite the earliness of our dinner. The restaurant, however, was only beginning to pick up so we had choice seating. After the renovation, they created more of an open air ambiance. Sure, you can hear the bowling balls hitting the pins a bit clearer, but nonetheless it’s a welcoming and comfortable environment. The bright colored furniture and multiple plasma TVs make you feel right at home.
Shortly after we were seated, we were greeted by our server. She was very friendly and made helpful recommendations on the menu. The one dish that we knew we HAD to order was the Tasty Chicken. This was a dish that was popular dating back to the pre-renovation era. This Award-Winning chicken (along with many of their other entrees) can be served in a bowl or on a plate. My friend decided to order the bowl, which was $7.50. The bowl includes a choice of starch and salad, so he ordered brown rice and a tossed salad. The best thing about the Tasty Chicken is the coating and seasoning. It’s both sweet and spicy and has a caramelized texture almost like candy. The salad was also really good because it was accompanied by The Alley’s spicy and creamy Thai dressing.
There were so many items that I wanted to try, so with our server’s help, I narrowed it down to my final choice which was the Handmade Hamburger Steak. I also got this in a bowl, except I ordered white rice and macaroni salad. The hamburger steak was grilled, yet still soft, and very tasty. The gravy was delicious as well. The bowls are generous portions, but still left me enough room for dessert (my favorite part!).
The desserts at The Alley are absolutely worth saving room for. For a bowling alley, you would never think that they would have such delightful desserts, but they do! Why, you might ask? With executive/pastry chefs’ roots stemming from Kapiolani Community College and Diamond Head Market & Grill, you have the perfect ingredients for a budding bakery. Probably one of the most popular desserts/cakes is Mama Miya’s Chocolate Cake. This is layers of chocolate cake and chocolate cream, glazed with chocolate ganache. It’s great because even though it’s chocolatey, it’s not too sweet for the palate.
Another favorite cake for those not fond of chocolate is the Lemon Drop Crunch Cake. It is lemon curd layered between yellow cake and decorated with crunchy toffee bits. The yellow cake layers are so moist, but the best part is the crunch toffee bits on top of the cake. It’s simply scrumptious!
Besides the dishes mentioned, The Alley also offers breakfast, burgers/sandwiches, an assortment of entrée salads, and even ochazuke bowls. Although I didn’t order the Mega Crunch Fries that day, it’s a definite must-try! Also, if you happen to be dining at The Alley during breakfast hours, another favorite are their scones. They didn’t have any available during dinner, but I’ve had them before and they were the best scones I had ever eaten (and I’m usually not a fan of scones!).
Final thoughts: Truly a “diamond in the rough”, stop by The Alley the next time you’re craving home-style cooking with a gourmet twist. Whether you’re there to dine on old favorites, or try something new, you’re sure to be impressed by their assortment of innovative desserts.
| Service: |   |
Above Average |
| Food: | |
Above Average |
| Atmosphere: | |
Above Average |
| Overall Value: | |
Above Average |
| Price: |  |
$10+ per person |
The Alley (located at Aiea Bowling Alley)
99-115 Aiea Heights Drive Aiea, HI 96701
Phone: 808.488.6855
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Wow I have only been there for breakfast…I will have to go for dinner the hamburger steak looks tasty. I love chocolate cake too.. love the reviews and pictures
I must say your article is right on key!
Wow, I’ve never been to Hawaii before….but when I come I have got to eat at this place. That chicken dish and that chocolate cake look AMAZING! I wish I didnt live on the east coast. It costs an arm and a leg to fly all the way to Hawaii. Any chance they deliver! :oP j/k. Great post. You got my mouth watering.