Hawaii News Now - KGMB and KHNL HomeThe KC Waffle Dog lives on!
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Dayton Asato
John Gibbs
Michelle Funai
HONOLULU (KHNL) - The charm of the car hop made its mark in Hawaii with KC Drive-in located on Kapahulu. Waitresses would deliver crispy crinkled fries and the famous waffle dog right to your car. This made for a perfect date night experience.
It all began in 1934. A simple concept of humble food for the hungry! KC Drive-in is gone, but the legendary waffle dog lives on, thanks to the Asato family. The waffle batter covered hot dog has become an institution in Hawaii.
A crispy and sweet crust on the outside covering a savory hot dog on the inside. It may seem simple, but the winning wiener idea has led to seventy five years of success for the family.
KC Drive-in was originally started in the late twenties by two men with the initials K. C. During a tough economic time, they sold it to the Asato family for only three hundred and fifty dollars.
The rest is history. Dayton Asato now runs the business. He said his grandfather changed his name to KC Jiro Asato in honor of people always calling him K.C.
Asato also said "I really think the base of the secret, is the people... helping us along the years customers buying it, telling their friends about it. You know we're nationally known, we're internationally known. You know along the way I've gotten help, even after we've closed our restaurant we've gotten a lot of help."
The waffle dog is such a tradition in Hawaii, people will travel far and wide for the tasty treat. A dedicated waffle dogger John Gibbs from East Oahu said "I miss KC drive in, when I found out they had waffle dogs, I'm here almost every lunch break. I love the waffle dog. All the memories when I was a kid with my mom and dad. And the taste is awesome too!."
Michelle Funai dropped by from Kaimuki. She said "I just love how the outside of the waffle dog is so sweet and then when you eat it with the hot dog, when I saw the sign waffle dog, I was so happy."
You can chow down on a waffle dog at Panini Grill at Kahala Mall or at Petals and Beans located on Auahi and Ala Moana.
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