Sam Sato's
Famous Dry Mein · Since 1933
A Wailuku institution run by the same family since 1933, famous island-wide for dry mein — noodles served out of the broth with Sam Sato's secret seasoning, plus saimin, plate lunches, beef sticks and sweet-bean manju. Portions are big enough that locals say to share one large, and a whole meal here runs under $10 a head, so two eat for well under $20. Cash only. Closed Sun–Mon.
Tin Roof Maui
Mochiko Chicken $10 (Sheldon Simeon)
Two-time Top Chef finalist Sheldon Simeon's humble Kahului takeout window, a HAWAII Magazine Best Cheap Eats pick. The famous mochiko chicken meal with rice and cabbage is $10, the fat chow funn $10, the pork-belly bowl $14 — bold, craveable local food at honest prices. There's no seating (grab-and-go for the beach), and portions are big enough to share, so two eat for around $20. Closed Sun–Mon.
Takamiya Market
Best Poke on Maui · $7 Bentos
A hole-in-the-wall Wailuku market in Happy Valley that locals crown the best poke on the island — fresh ahi and seafood by the pound — plus kalbi ribs, prepared local dishes, and mini bentos around $6.99. A poke order and a bento (or a couple of bentos) feeds two for roughly $11–18. Truly local, no frills; get there while the kitchen's hot. Closed Sun–Mon.
Faithful Grinds
Hawaiian Plate Lunch (Share)
A tiny Kahului spot in a former chapel turning out no-frills, deeply local plates — chicken katsu, kalua pork, roast pork, and a katsu loco moco — in white takeout boxes with huge portions that regulars say easily feed two. Order at the counter, wait for your name, and two leave in a food coma for around $20. A genuine local gem. Closed Mon–Tue.
Sparky's Food Company
Hawaiian Comfort · Multiple Sizes
A 4.9-star Kahului favorite serving bold, authentic Hawaiian comfort food — hurricane mochiko chicken, chicken katsu, smoked meats, spam wontons — in multiple portion sizes so you order to your appetite. Big menu, generous plates, fast and friendly, with sit-down or grab-and-go. Two can mix a couple of plates and sides for around $20. Walls lined with Hawai'i history.
Cupies Cafe
Walk-Up Window · Plates & Burgers
An old-school Kahului walk-up window (next to a gas station, all aloha) and a longtime local favorite — crispy kula pork, cheeseburgers, pork plates, fun chow, and famously good-value ice cream and shakes. Reasonably priced with a covered patio, so two split plates or burgers and a shake for around $20. Simple, great, and very Maui.
Restaurant Matsu
Old-School Japanese · Udon & Bento
A divey, self-service Japanese spot tucked in the Kahului industrial park, about as far from resort glitz as you can get — and the simple stuff (udon broth, saimin, tempura, spam musubi) is better than it has any right to be, with pidgin-speaking aunties running the room. Skip the pricier combo bento; a couple of udon or saimin bowls plus musubi keeps two near $20.
Four Sisters Bakery
Famous Butter Rolls · Malasadas
A tiny Wailuku bakery with a cult following for its butter rolls — soft, warm, gooey, sweet, and gone before you get home — plus malasadas (some say better than the famous Oahu spot), cinnamon rolls and banana bread. Everything's a couple of dollars, so two leave with a loaded box for well under $20. Cash only, get there early. Closed Sun.
Acevedo's Hawaicano Cafe
Birria Burritos · Mexican-Hawaiian
A family-run hole-in-the-wall near the Kahului airport blending Mexican and local flavors — the queso-birria burrito gets singled out as some of the best people have ever had, alongside tacos, tortas and Mexican plates. Generous and well-priced, so two eat for around $20. Lunch-only and they sometimes sell out early, so go before they run out. Closed weekends.
Ono Tacos Hawaii
Authentic Mexican Taco Truck
An authentic Mexican food truck on Puunene Ave with a built-out covered seating area and a salsa bar of pickled onions, jalapeños and house salsas — repeatedly called some of the best Mexican food on the island. Tacos, burritos and quesadillas (the ono-and-steak combo is a standout) keep two well under $20. Cash only, so hit the ATM first.
Paradise Supermart
Filipino Hot Food Line
The go-to Filipino mini-market in Kahului with a cafeteria-style hot line — point at pancit, chicken adobo, crispy lechon/pork belly, mahi in coconut cream, banana lumpia — at low prices and big portions. Two can build a heaping shared plate for well under $20, and grab Filipino groceries on the way out. A beloved local secret.
Kalei's Lunchbox
Katsu Curry · Teri Burger · Saimin
A Maui Lani (Wailuku) lunchbox spot grown from a food truck — generous bentos, chicken katsu curry, a teri beef burger, saimin and croissant sandwiches, plus great baked goods. Stick to the cheaper plays — noodle dishes and the cheeseburger run about $10, sandwiches from $7 — and two eat for around $20 (the full plate lunches at $16+ run higher, so share or mix).
💡 Pro tip: All deals are community-verified but prices and availability change. Always check the restaurant's website or app before making a special trip — and if something's expired, flag it on our main directory so we can update it.
These chain deals work anywhere in the country, including Kahului.
Buffalo Wild Wings
Pick 6 — Meal for Two from $19.99
The Pick 6 lets two people build a shared meal — choose six items across wings, tenders, and sides — starting around $19.99. A reliable two-for-$20 play at any BWW. Dine-in or takeout; pricing varies slightly by market.
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