Photo: IslandsHawaiian
The burger that matches the décor. Teriyaki sauce and a slice of freshly grilled pineapple with Swiss cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion and mayo. The pineapple caramelises on the grill and the teriyaki makes it sweet and salty at once. If you only order one Islands burger, this is the most Islands of them.
The story
Teriyaki and grilled pineapple on a burger read as a theme-restaurant gimmick on the mainland and as ordinary food in Hawaii, where Japanese plantation workers brought shoyu-based marinades in the late nineteenth century and the islands folded them into everyday cooking. Tony DeGrazier got the idea for Islands while stationed on Oahu with the Navy in the 1960s and opened in West Los Angeles in 1982, naming burgers after surf breaks. This one is the least invented thing on the menu.
What’s inside
Make it at home
There is no copycat of the Hawaiian yet. Until there is, these recipes on the site come closest to it, judged by what goes into the bun.
- Shares beef and teriyaki
McDonald's Teriyaki McDouble (Copycat) - Shares beef and cheese
TOP 3McDonald's Big Tasty (Copycat) - Shares beef and cheese
Big Mac Taco - Shares beef and cheese
Big Mac Hot Dog
Similar burgers at other chains
Built around the same things as the Hawaiian.- Red Robin · beef, pineapple, teriyaki and cheese
Banzai - Habit Burger & Grill · beef, pineapple and teriyaki
Teriyaki Char - Burger Urge · beef, pineapple and cheese
SignatureBig Boppa - Rolls · beef, pineapple and cheese
SignaturePaPa
More from Islands
About Islands
Tony DeGrazier got the idea for Islands while stationed with the US Navy on Oahu in the 1960s. He opened the first restaurant in West Los Angeles in May 1982, with a tropical theme meant to evoke the Hawaiian idea of ohana, family, and burgers named after surf spots and waves.
Dozens of restaurants in Southern California and the Southwest. The company does not franchise.
Not affiliated with Islands. Trademarks belong to their owners. The photo is credited under it and is used to illustrate this menu item; it comes down on request.