The Alley Restaurant at Aiea Bowl

I get very happy when I’m doing a review for somewhere in Aiea. This is my hometown after all. Since I’m married, I’ve lived in Wahiawa just almost as long as I did growing up in Aiea but my ties are still as strong as they ever were. My reviews however, I promise you, will always be honest! The Alley in Aiea Bowl has always been a favorite of mine. The food here is SUPER ONO and the Pepsi Cola Turkey Sandwich is a must. This is the only place on Oahu that I would pick turkey out of my favorite Teri beef, Kalbi, BBQ chicken or smoked rib meats. Nowhere else would I do that. It’s that incredibly delicious. Order some waffle fries, any dessert from here and you’re happy the rest of the day. My husband loves the hamburger steak plate here and I guarantee you just about everything else on the menu too because after many many years of eating here is proof. Today I was craving their carrot cake that not many talk about because all their desserts are crazy yummy but I’m here to say it’s a slice of happiness! Placing a phone order here does sometimes require patience. I actually called the day before a couple times but no answer. The female that answered today wasn’t cheerful or accurate ( I was actually missing an order of waffle fries. I know I ordered two) so check your order. Still, it’s worth making here a regular spot and support long time local businesses!

I finally made it in! ATMOSPHERE: The “restaurant” fills the lobby of the bowling alley with low tops and booths. There’s even a bakery tucked away. Expect noise as you’re literally amongst the bowlers who also provide some people-watching entertainment. It was very cold inside, with my only concern being the food cooling down faster. RESERVATIONS: None taken. We had a short 10 minute wait on a Saturday morning at 11am. PARKING: We easily found open stalls but I can see it being a problem at night. MENU: Mishmash of bar-style apps, American & local Hawai’i fare, pizzas, burgers, sandwiches and really good desserts. FOOD: Saimin Textbook recipe and a hearty serving to boot. Steamy hot and delicate broth, chewy noodles, slices of Spam, charsiu and kamaboko, along with two whole bok choy, made for a delish lunch. Don’t worry if it’s hot out as it’s very nippy inside, like eating it on a chilly day. Recommended. Alley Burger The spouse added bacon, mushrooms and opted for waffle fries. Highly recommended as he said it’s one of the best burgers he’s had. Caesar Salad It’s not on the menu but our accommodating server made it happen. Thanks! DESSERT: Pumpkin Crunch Square Nom!? Nutty shortbread crust stacked high with pumpkin filling and a decadent layer of whipped cream. Great price too. Strawberry Crunch Cake Slice Nom number two. 3-layer yellow cake with a creamy and crunchy filling in between that reminded me of my sister’s strawberry cream cheese Jello dessert. SERVICE: Host greeting was immediate. Leave your name and number and they’ll text and overhead page you when your table is ready. Male server was professional and attentive. OVERALL: The diner still exists and this one includes a bowling alley!

If you are looking for a spot that hits all the right notes for a satisfying meal, look no further. We stopped by recently and were blown away by the flavors—everything we tried was so ono, it felt like a home-cooked meal made with a lot of heart. ​The menu has plenty of great options, but there are two absolute "must-haves" that you cannot skip. First, the Tasty Chicken is incredible. It’s perfectly seasoned, crispy on the outside, and juicy on the inside; it definitely lives up to its name! To wrap things up, you have to save room for the Strawberry Crunch Pie. It is the perfect balance of sweet, tart, and crunchy—the kind of dessert you’ll find yourself craving the next day. ​As for the logistics, the customer service was great. The staff was friendly, welcoming, and made sure we had everything we needed throughout the meal. The price is okay—it’s fair for the quality and portion sizes you get, making it a solid choice for a nice lunch or dinner out. ​Overall, this is a fantastic local gem. Between the delicious chicken and that legendary pie, I’ll definitely be back soon!

We ordered takeout from The Alley for a pizza date night, and while the food tasted great, there was a mix-up with our order. My husband picked it up, and by the time we opened the box at home, we realized it wasn’t what we ordered. It was too late to fix, so we just went with it and thankfully, it was still really good. The food itself deserves 5 stars, but the order mistake knocked the overall experience down a bit. Service could be more careful, especially with takeout. That said, we’ve enjoyed the atmosphere when dining in before. Fun, local, and welcoming. We’ll definitely give it another shot, just hoping for the right order next time!

The Alley Restaurant at Aiea Bowl is just super amazing. You might think it’s just a bowling alley but you’d be surprised. It’s more than a restaurant in a bowling alley it’s one of the best restaurants in Aiea or maybe even the island. First of all they serve many local favorites such as ox tail soup and plate lunch items. I personally love the tasty chicken which is fried chicken that is fire. It has a sweet, garlicky, shoyu taste which compliments the nice crispy moist chicken. Service is excellent and food always comes out quick and made to order. This is a place I highly recommend and enjoy.

We came for lunch after locals recommended it but once we saw the desert case, we decided to order desserts. The pumpkin crunch was my favorite- so cool and creamy. But the lemon crunch cake is what they are known for. It was a moist sponge with thin layers of lemon curd and crunch topping.

This place is located inside Aiea Bowl. Restaurant has limited seating, so wait times can be long, but you can also do take out. We came for dinner and got a table right away (lucky). We did family style to try out some of the dishes, we got calamari, the famous oxtail and the tasty chicken. The food was ono... very flavorful and delicious. We also tried the dessert, strawberry crunch cake, cream cheese brownie, and the pumpkin crunch square. I would definitely recommend this place.