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Rainbow Drive-Inʻs Chili by Chris Iwamura of Rainbow Drive-In

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Chris-Iwamura-with-Lani-Tabura
Chris Iwamura in CHS Kitchen with Lanai Tabura

Ever wonder how many plate lunches Rainbow Drive-In produces in one day?

Today, the Kapahulu location produces over 1000 plates daily, and Lanai is in that count a number of times a week for sure. We were happy to finally bring in CEO, Chris Iwamura of Rainbow Drive-In to share their story.

The late Seiju Ifuku, founder of Rainbow Drive-In was born 1915. He was raised in Okinawa and moved to Hawaii where he joined the army and learned to cook. In 1961, in the midst of major economic changes in Hawaii, he and his wife, the late Ayako Ifuku took a chance and opened Rainbow Drive-In in Kapahulu. They served 50-cent chili and rice plates, $1 BBQ beef plates, 25-cent hamburgers and 14-cent fries.

Seiju and Ayako’s philosophy was to serve plates with generous portions of hearty, simple food with two scoops of rice and a side of macaroni salad at a reasonable price. This continues to be the restaurant philosophy today and is sure to be the reason for its great success.

Every day, locals and visitors from around the world dine at the restaurant for big, hearty meals… the classic, Hawaii-style plate lunch.

We are excited to have Chris Iwamura in the kitchen to give us some insight into their success and a few secrets to their recipes.

Rainbow-Drive-In-Chile-by-Chris-Iwamura-Recipe

Rate This Recipe:

3.75 from 27 votes

Rainbow Drive-Inʻs Chili by Chris Iwamura of Rainbow Drive-In

Ever wonder how many plate lunches Rainbow Drive-In produces in one day?
Today, the Kapahulu location produces over 1000 plates daily, and Lanai is in that count a number of times a week for sure. We were happy to finally bring in CEO, Chris Iwamura of Rainbow Drive-In to share their story.
The late Seiju Ifuku, founder of Rainbow Drive-In was born 1915. He was raised in Okinawa and moved to Hawaii where he joined the army and learned to cook. In 1961, in the midst of major economic changes in Hawaii, he and his wife, the late Ayako Ifuku took a chance and opened Rainbow Drive-In in Kapahulu. They served 50-cent chili and rice plates, $1 BBQ beef plates, 25-cent hamburgers and 14-cent fries.
Seiju and Ayako’s philosophy was to serve plates with generous portions of hearty, simple food with two scoops of rice and a side of macaroni salad at a reasonable price. This continues to be the restaurant philosophy today and is sure to be the reason for its great success.
Every day, locals and visitors from around the world dine at the restaurant for big, hearty meals… the classic, Hawaii-style plate lunch.
We are excited to have Chris Iwamura in the kitchen to give us some insight into their success and a few secrets to their recipes.
Posted By: As Seen On OC16
Prep Time 0 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
0 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American, Hawaii, Hawaiian
Servings 10 Serves
Calories 231 kcal

Equipment

  • MEASURING SPOONS & CUPS
  • SMALL BOWLS FOR WATER
  • SPOON FOR MIXING
  • LARGE POT/PAN/WOK
  • LARGE WOODEN SPOON
  • BURNER
  • SERVING PLATTER
  • LADLE OR SERVING SPOON
  • PLATES FOR TASTING

Ingredients
  

  • 1 Pack RAINBOW DRIVE-IN CHILI SEASONING
  • 2 Cups WATER
  • 1 Med. TOMATO DICED
  • 1/2 Med. ONION DICED
  • 2 Lbs. GROUND BEEF
  • 2 15 OZ. CANS KIDNEY BEANS
  • 1 6 OZ. CAN TOMATO PASTE
  • 6 OZ. ADDITIONAL WATER
  • 1 DASH WORCESTERSHIRE SAUCE (LEA & PERRINS)

SALT

  • 1 DICED JALAPENO (NOT ON RECIPE PACKET)

PRE-MADE PLATING OPTIONS:

  • RICE, MAC, FRIES, TOTS, WIENERS, HOT DOG/BUN, PATTIES, EGGS CHILI MOCO

OTHER INGREDIENTS:

  • CHEESE, ONIONS, GREEN ONIONS, RED DEVIL

Instructions
 

  • COMBINE WATER, TOMATO AND ONION IN A POT AND BRING TO A BOIL.
  • ONCE BOILING, ADD THE MEAT AND COOK FOR 10 MINUTES, STIRRING TO BREAK APART.
  • ADD BEANS WITH LIQUID, TOMATO PASTE, ADDITIONAL 6 OZ OF WATER, CHILI SEASONING, AND WORCHETERSHIRE SAUCE NOT ON PACKET INSTRUCTIONS.
  • ADD JALAPENO FOR EXTRA SPICE.
  • BRING TO A BOIL, THEN SIMMER FOR 5 MINUTES.
  • ADD SALT TO TASTE AND SERVE!

Nutrition

Calories: 231kcalCarbohydrates: 1gProtein: 16gFat: 18gSaturated Fat: 7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 64mgSodium: 67mgPotassium: 250mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 53IUVitamin B1: 1mgVitamin B5: 1mgVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 19mgIron: 2mg
Keyword Adelaʻs Country Eatery, chili recipe, chris iwamura, rainbow drive-in, hawaii chili recipe, ground beef
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
3.75 from 27 votes (27 ratings without comment)

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