Food — September 3, 2009 21:29 — View Comments Written by: Jan

Remember When? KC Drive-In

HawaiiEats

Photo Credit: CharlieBoy808

Every year, for many years when I was young, my aunt and uncle would pick up my family for our drive to go and see the Christmas lights which decorated the condominiums bordering Waikiki and the Ala Wai Canal. And then, without discussion (because it was tradition), we would all head over to KC Drive-In on Kalakaua Avenue and enjoy Waffle Dogs and peanut butter chocolate Ono Ono Shakes. Sadly, KC Drive-In closed March 2005, but the memories live on.

Founded in 1929 by George Knapp and Elwood Christensen, the “KC” in KC Drive-In was a combination of the men’s initials. Touted as Hawaii’s very first drive-in with car hops who would bring the food right to your car, Knapp and Christensen sold the establishment five years later, for $100 to one of their cooks named Jiro Asato. Jiro ran the restaurant until he died in 1960. His wife, Agnes recently passed away at the age of 95. The business stayed in the Asato family until it closed in 2005.

KC Drive-In offered simple food during a simpler time. Known for their now internationally famous KC Drive-In Waffle Dog, in which a hot dog is encased in a slightly sweet batter and pressed in a waffle type press. This cooking method results in thin, crispy edges and a light brown waffle wrapped goodness. KC’s Ono Ono Shakes and malts as well as their slush floats were also unique and yummy, and now, the stuff of memories. And while you can’t get KC’s shakes or floats anywhere yet, you can get KC Waffle Dogs, made just like the old days, at these choice locations in Honolulu:

Da Hawaiian Stop
1146 Fort Street Mall
Mon-Fri 10:00 – 5:00
808-354-0630
Panini Grill
Kahala Mall
Daily 11 am – 8 pm
Petals & Beans
Hokua
1288 Ala Moana Blvd.
FREE PARKING
Mon-Fri 6:30 am – 6:30 pm
Sat 7:30 am – 3:30 pm