Hawaiian BBQ Santa Maria CA: What Locals Recommend
- 01. Top Hawaiian BBQ Restaurants in Santa Maria
- 02. Signature Dishes & Menu Highlights
- 03. D & A Hawaiian BBQ Must-Tries
- 04. Zoe's Hawaiian BBQ Signature Items
- 05. Catering & Group Dining Options
- 06. Catering Comparison
- 07. Ordering & Delivery Options
- 08. Customer Reviews & Local Reputation
- 09. Frequently Asked Questions
Hawaiian BBQ Santa Maria CA: What Locals Recommend
The top Hawaiian BBQ spots in Santa Maria, CA are D & A Hawaiian BBQ (rated 4.8 stars with two locations) and Zoe's Hawaiian BBQ (known for catering and island-style plates), both serving authentic Hawaiian plate lunches since 2013 and earlier.
Top Hawaiian BBQ Restaurants in Santa Maria
Locals consistently rank these two establishments as the best Hawaiian food destinations in Santa Maria County, based on Yelp's Top 10 list and Google reviews updated as of May 2026.
| Restaurant | Rating | Address(es) | Phone | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| D & A Hawaiian BBQ | 4.8⭐ (500+ reviews) | 1836 N Broadway & 2530A S Broadway, Santa Maria, CA 93454 | 739-8868 / 862-2068 | 10:30am-9pm (North), 10:30am-8pm (South), Open 7 days |
| Zoe's Hawaiian BBQ | 4.7⭐ (Yelp) | 2880 Santa Maria Way Ste A-2, Santa Maria, CA 93455 | 357-7635 | 8am-10pm, 7 days a week |
| 101 Grill | 4.5⭐ | 2214 S Bradley Rd, Santa Maria, CA 93455 | 925-1010 | 10:30am-9pm (Mon-Fri), 11:30am-9pm (Sat-Sun) |
Signature Dishes & Menu Highlights
Each restaurant offers distinct authentic island flavors that define the Santa Maria Hawaiian BBQ experience, with generous portions and traditional plate lunch formats.
D & A Hawaiian BBQ Must-Tries
- Teriyaki Chicken - Daily special at $11.49, grilled with steamed rice & mac salad
- Signature BBQ Chicken - Family recipe passed down through generations
- Famous Mac Salad - Creamy Hawaiian-style side included with every plate
- Party Trays - 5lbs (15-20 people) or 10lbs (20-30 people) for catering
Zoe's Hawaiian BBQ Signature Items
- Zoe's Teriyaki Chicken - "DA BEST!!!!!!" boneless chicken marinated in special teriyaki sauce
- Chicken Katsu - Golden brown crispy panko-coated thighs with katsu sauce
- Loco Moco - 2 Angus patties, rice, 2 eggs, brown gravy
- SPAM Musubi - Fried SPAM on seasoned rice wrapped in nori
- Ohana Meals - Family Pack (feeds 6) to Block Party (feeds 50)
101 Grill rounds out the top three with recommendations for Hawaiian Chicken or Beef plates and honey boba milk tea.
Catering & Group Dining Options
Both D & A and Zoe's specialize in event catering for birthdays, weddings, company events, and family gatherings with flexible budget options.
Catering Comparison
| Restaurant | Tray Sizes | Serves | Contact for Pricing |
|---|---|---|---|
| D & A Hawaiian BBQ | Medium (5lbs), Large (10lbs) | 15-30 people | Yes, call 739-8868 |
| Zoe's Hawaiian BBQ | Family Pack, Big Family Pack, Tail Gate, Block Party | 6-50 people | Yes, call 357-7635 |
Zoe's offers Hawaiian Entertainment Packages with kanikapila (live music) most Friday & Saturday nights for added cultural immersion.
Ordering & Delivery Options
All three restaurants support multiple convenient ordering methods including online pickup, delivery, and dine-in experiences.
- Dine In - Full aloha experience at both D & A locations and Zoe's
- Takeout - Order online for quick pickup at your convenience
- Delivery - D & A delivers through DoorDash; Zoe's offers delivery for catering orders
- Order Ahead - Skip the wait with online pre-ordering at both D & A locations
Customer Reviews & Local Reputation
D & A Hawaiian BBQ maintains a 4.8-star average from 500+ happy reviews after 10+ years serving Santa Maria since 2013.
"Our new favorite Hawaiian BBQ place. Fast, friendly service, casual atmosphere and the food is excellent. We will definitely be coming back!" - Cynthia M., Yelp Review (North Broadway)
A local Reddit discussion from November 2024 actively debates Zoe's vs. D & A as the superior Hawaiian food spot, confirming both are community favorites.
Frequently Asked Questions
Helpful tips and tricks for Hawaiian Bbq Santa Maria Ca What Locals Recommend
What is the best Hawaiian BBQ in Santa Maria CA?
D & A Hawaiian BBQ ranks #1 with 4.8 stars and 500+ reviews, followed closely by Zoe's Hawaiian BBQ, according to Yelp's Top 10 Best Hawaiian Food in Santa Maria as of May 2026.
Does D & A Hawaiian BBQ have two locations?
Yes, D & A operates two convenient locations: 1836 North Broadway (North) and 2530A South Broadway (South), both open 7 days a week.
What are Zoe's Hawaiian BBQ hours?
Zoe's is open 7 days a week from 8am-10pm, with a minimum purchase required on Sundays.
Does Zoe's offer catering for large events?
Yes, Zoe's caters up to 50 people with Block Party packages (10lbs each of 4 proteins plus full pans of rice and mac salad).
What is the price range for Hawaiian plates?
D & A's daily Teriyaki Chicken special is $11.49; Zoe's regular plates range from $10-$15 depending on protein, with mini plates available for smaller portions.
Is there live music at Hawaiian BBQ restaurants in Santa Maria?
Zoe's features kanikapila (live Hawaiian music) most Friday & Saturday nights, creating an authentic island atmosphere.
