South shore drive-in offers perfect plates for summer

Mix Plate ($9.95)

Summer is here, and plenty of local folks are flocking to the south shore to soak up some sun and catch sweet seasonal swells. But whether you prefer being in the water or on the sand, a day at the beach can make you hungry.

One of the best places to refuel is Kapahulu’s Rainbow Drive-In. Since 1961, Rainbow Drive-In has specialized in serving hearty and affordable plate lunches. On any given day, the family owned and operated eatery produces more than 1,000 plate lunches for hungry diners.

Chili Dog Plate ($8.50)

Rainbow’s Mix Plate ($9.95) is one of the most popular choices, and it’s easy to see why. It comes with a sampling of some of Rainbow Drive-In’s most beloved dishes, including BBQ Beef, Boneless Chicken and Mahi Mahi. Like any true plate lunch, it comes with white rice and macaroni salad. Take it up a notch with a side of gravy for an extra 50 cents.

Hot dogs are a summertime standard — so is chili. Enjoy them both with the Chili Dog Plate ($8.50). Rainbow’s famous chili, made with ground beef, garlic and kidney beans simmered in a special blend of herbs and spices, is topped with two wieners plus rice and mac salad.

A SWEET TREAT TO FLOAT YOUR BOAT

Need something cooling and sweet, either as a dessert or as a special treat on a hot summer day? Look no further than Rainbow Drive-In’s Slush Float ($3.50). This ice-cold strawberry flavored drink is taken to new levels of chilly deliciousness with the addition of a scoop of vanilla ice cream.