When you think of Hawaii, a burger probably doesn’t come to mind as something you’d think to try. However, when you’re looking for some local eats, a burger at Tex Drive In & Restaurant in Honoka’a on the Big Island is just the place to go. Tex is a fast food-type establishment with both indoor and outdoor seating and it’s a local hot spot, located on the Hamakua Coast. The restaurant offers a selection of burgers, soups, stews, Hawaiian platters, hot dogs, salads, breakfast dishes, and more.

Once inside the restaurant, you order from a window and then choose a table to sit at while you wait for your food to be prepared. I think the obvious choice on the menu is to go with the Hawaiian Burger—meat with pineapple, lettuce, tomato, and Thousand Island dressing. How can you go wrong? When you unwrap the burger from the white paper, you’ll soon find out this easy lunch is all sorts of delicious. Although nothing fancy, this simple burger carries the essence of Hawaii with the trademark pineapple ring nestled underneath a meat patty inside a slightly sweet, soft bun. The meat is cooked perfectly and satisfies you without making you feel stuffed, which is important because you can’t leave Tex without also getting a malasada.

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A malasada is a Portuguese fried donut that’s served hot and you have the option to get it with a filling or just plain. Malasadas are a Hawaiian specialty and Tex Drive In & Restaurant boostsof having some of the best. I went with a few different choices: a cream filled, a pineapple filled, and an apricot filled. They come served in a brown paper bag. Once you take one of them out of the bag, you’ll see the fried donuts are lightly covered in white sugar and are served warm, with the filling just starting to ooze out—yum! Definitely a must try when in Hawaii!

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Also, don’t forget to grab a Kona beer while you’re there! My favorite is Big Wave. It’s one of their local brews and is refreshing any time of year.