Pineapple Burger
The one that surprises people. A grilled patty with a ring of lightly grilled pineapple, sweet and a little caramelised against the smoky beef. It is the most Hawaiian thing on the menu and much better balanced than the idea suggests. Worth ordering at least once, even if you think you do not like fruit on a burger.
The story
Hawaii and pineapple are linked because of one industry. James Dole founded the Hawaiian Pineapple Company in 1901 and later bought most of the island of Lanai to grow it, and for decades the islands supplied a huge share of the world’s canned pineapple. The plantations are gone now, moved to cheaper countries, but the association stayed and so did the cooking: a ring of pineapple grilled until the sugars caramelise is a Hawaiian habit long before it was a menu item on the mainland.
What’s inside
- lava-rock-grilled beef patty
- grilled pineapple
- bun
Make it at home
There is no copycat of the Pineapple Burger yet. Until there is, these recipes on the site come closest to it, judged by what goes into the bun.
- Shares beef
Gator Burger - Shares beef
Delicious Grilled Hamburgers - Shares beef
Air Fryer Hamburgers - Shares beef
The Perfect Basic Burger
Similar burgers at other chains
Built around the same things as the Pineapple Burger.- Tropical Hut · beef and pineapple
SignatureHawaiian Glee - Dicos · beef and pineapple
Pineapple Double Beef Burger - El Corral · beef and pineapple
Corral Hawaiana - Habit Burger & Grill · beef and pineapple
Teriyaki Char
More from Kua 'Aina
About Kua 'Aina
Kua ’Aina opened in May 1975 in Haleiwa, a small surf town on the North Shore of Oahu, and sold just twelve meals on its first day. It built its reputation slowly on burgers cooked to order and grilled over lava rock, a favourite stop for surfers and anyone driving the North Shore.
The original shop in Haleiwa, Hawaii, plus restaurants across Japan and in Taipei.
Not affiliated with Kua 'Aina. Trademarks belong to their owners.