+1 650-636-4007
Diamond Head General Store, nestled conveniently at 260 El Camino Real in San Bruno, is a vibrant fusion of Hawaiian and Japanese culinary traditions, wrapped into a lively breakfast and brunch destination with an authentic island flair. This beloved spot doubles as both a restaurant and a specialty goods store, offering an inviting market-style experience that resonates deeply with fans of true Hawaiian comfort food and unique Japanese delicacies.
The moment you step inside, the energetic buzz of patrons filling window seats and cozy tables illustrates the welcoming vibe. The communal atmosphere, with occasional lively call-outs of names as orders are ready, echoes the casual spirit of classic island dining, enhanced by a touch of contemporary café culture. Whether you choose to linger for a satisfying meal or take your feast to go, Diamond Head General Store embraces each visitor with soulful hospitality and genuine aloha.
The menu is a treasure trove of Hawaiian comfort classics and inventive fusion dishes. Standout offerings like the famously indulgent Oh So Loco Moco with its perfectly crisped Mochiko Chicken and rich, savory gravy immediately transports you to a Hawaiian plate lunch paradise. For those with a sweet tooth, the Chocomatcha Mochi Pancakes, a delicate balance of buttery pancakes infused with earthy matcha and sweet chocolate, are a sensory delight, worth the wait as one customer advises. The Choconut MacDaddy French Toast layers challah bread with chocolate and toasted coconut cream, accented by tropical macadamia nuts and a velvety banana chia seed pudding – an elegant play on flavors and textures that leaves a lasting impression.
Beyond these centerpiece dishes, side options like the addictively crispy Crack Potatoes and house-made meats, such as the kalua pork and Portuguese sausage, elevate every meal. Coffee lovers will appreciate the carefully brewed Kona Coffee, a fragrant brew that complements the island-inspired meal perfectly. It’s clear from enthusiastic reviews that Diamond Head’s Mochiko Chicken is considered nothing short of legendary – so much so that even vegan visitors make exceptions! The quality of ingredients and bold flavors consistently impress.
Diamond Head is not just about the food. Its hybrid role as a Hawaiian goods store and Japanese grocery adds a unique dimension, allowing guests to bring a piece of the island home with them. From a well-loved wasabi selection to garlic chicken products, it caters brilliantly to those seeking authentic flavors and specialty items that are hard to find elsewhere in the Bay Area.
Frequent customers share a common sentiment—the lines can get long, particularly on weekends, but the wait only heightens anticipation and is wholeheartedly rewarded by generous portions and delicious, unforgettable flavors. Whether you’re craving a nostalgic taste of Hawaii or excited to explore the rich interplay between Hawaiian and Japanese cuisine, Diamond Head General Store delivers with heart, soul, and undeniable authenticity.
For anyone eager to indulge in a culinary escape to the islands without leaving California, this is the spot. Expect genuine aloha spirit, dishes that excite your palate, and a warm, bustling atmosphere that feels like a second home. Just save room for dessert or at least for their famous shaved ice—an experience customers are eager to try next time.
Contact: +1 650-636-4007 | 260 El Camino Real, San Bruno, CA 94066
Got there 30 mins before noon on Saturday. 4 people ahead of us in line to order food. The tables and window seats were mostly filled. Luckily a couple left after eating. The food was delicious and portions were Hawaiian style. There was no room for shaved ice. Maybe next time.
If you lower your expectations, Diamond Head General Store could be an OK place to dine-in. There was a 20 minute wait to order at the cashier at 2pm on a Sunday. This is the type of restaurant were you order at the cashier and they will yell out your name. I'm not sure why I tipped as they serve all the food in to-go containers. It is sort of like L&L Hawaiian BBQ. Personally, I prefer to use silverware and real dishes if I'm eating inside a restaurant. I ordered the Fried Mochiko Chicken $18. This took about 15 minutes for the food to come out. Mochiko is a sweet Japanese rice flour sometimes used in Hawaiian cuisine. This came with a salty and sweet sauce on the bottom of the to-go container. The white rice was the best part of this dish. It is fluffy and moist. The fried chicken left me with a weird aftertaste in my mouth. I like the old Morning Wood restaurant better. This is supposed to be run by the same people. If you ask for water, the cashier will make it sound like he is doing you a favor. The tables are pretty dirty. The workers are too busy getting the orders out. Guests are expected to bus their own trays. There's isn't a place to put the used trays. I've seen guests put used trays back where the new trays are. Kinda gross. Just like their unbused tables.
Glad to have found Morning Wood kitchen again! Yes, there are Hawaiian based food products, the wasubi selection amazing, oh and the garlic chicken awesome!
Diamond Head, the old Morningwood. Great place to get your fill of an authentic plate lunch, if any of you reading this have been to Hawaii know what I’m talking about. The lines can be long, but worth the wait to order at the counter. You have the option of dining in or taking it to go. Sometimes, it can be busy, so tables maybe hard to come by, especially if you have a large party or come during the peak lunch hour. While waiting you can look at the many varieties of musubi & onigiri and the hard to resist Hawaiian snacks for purchase next to you. Cookies, crackseed, hurricane popcorn, musubi—it’s all there! If you’re like me and enjoy Zippy’s chili, it’s available in the freezer section. I ordered the hamburger steak and the furikake mahi--the serving size were generous portions and I even had leftovers to take home. Two pieces of mahi mahi came with our order, long thick pieces and the hamburger steak was a huge meatloaf patty, over rice and covered in onion gravy. The storefront is open until 5, and plate lunches are available until about 2ish, when the kitchen closes. There’s a small parking lot, but shared with other businesses—there’s street parking along El Camino, if you don’t mind a short walk.
My absolute favorite Hawaiian spot in the entire Bay Area and probably all of California. This place never disappoints. Their Mochiko Chicken and Loco Moco are hands-down the best I’ve ever had, seriously addictive. I catch myself dreaming about them. Even my Hawaiian friends who are vegan will make an exception and order the chicken because it’s that good! I also love the market-style setup. It’s stocked with tons of Hawaiian snacks and favorites that are hard to find anywhere else, making the whole experience feel extra authentic and homey. If you’re craving legit Hawaiian comfort food, this is the spot. Highly recommend!
Small grocery store + sit down restaurant inside. Mochiko fried chicken taste good, thinly sliced and well seasoned thighs on white rice and macaroni salad. Shoyu Ahi poke bowl is nice, but not worth the 30$ that came with it.
First time here with the family grabbing lunch, shave-ice and musubi. They have a good variety of food and snacks that I haven’t seen elsewhere. Definitely would go back again for other niche snacks. Had the leftover for dinner!
Went at around noon. The sit down eating space was crowded and there were people waiting to pick up their orders. Haven't been here in a while so it was great to see them busy. Their menu is a bit pricey at $12-$23. Their plate meals are very large though and for me that means lunch and dinner for one price. They also have musubi prepared, shaved ice and other snacks. It is also a small grocery store of miscellaneous Hawaiian products.