Hawaiian Foes: A comparison of new local Hawaiian restaurant Mo’ Bettahs and the pre-existing chain Hawaiian Bros

Hawaiian Bros was first introduced to Kansas City almost five years ago and since then has flourished, moving to 11 different locations throughout Kansas. Loved for its teriyaki chicken, macaroni salad and monstrous portions, Hawaiian Bros has become a staple of East student’s diets.

However, on Aug. 16 Mo’ Bettahs opened their first restaurant in the area at 7006 W 75th St offering competition not only for Hawaiian Bros, but student’s appetites. We set out to see which of the two chains truly deserve the Hawaiian crown.

Driving down 75th, I am in search of the newest Hawaiian spot — and there it is with a large inflatable Shaka hand (also known as hang loose), Mo’ Bettahs stood out like a part of Hawaii was moved to KC.

As I walk into Mo Bettahs, I feel immersed in an island paradise. The walls are riddled with island palm trees and surfing decor as calming island music radiates through the restaurant. The menu is simple yet full of flavor; with three sized portions, six choices of protein and a vegetable option — you’re able to make any order your own. I decided to indulge in the regular sized teriyaki chicken and Kalua pig.

As I patiently waited for the food to come out, I enjoyed the chilling, smooth taste of Hawaiian Sun’s “Pass-O-Guava” fruit juice. Then I saw it — the chicken and pig resting on a bed of two heaps of steaming mounds of perfectly cooked white rice complemented by the cool, creamy macaroni salad.

I take my first bite. Immediately my taste buds are greeted with an assortment of sweet and tangy flavors — wow!

I was astounded. Full of amazing flavor, the contrasting yet complimentary tastes of the sweet chicken and pig and the fluffy rice makes a better pairing than peanut butter and jelly. The macaroni salad and the coleslaw make two exciting, lavish accompaniments to the main dish. The quality of meat was second to none; both the chicken and the pig being perfect cuts, not too lean, not too much fat — just right.

I’ve had Hawaiian Bros prior, leaving Mo’ Bettah’s with a high bar to surpass. After what I just tasted I can say I was wrong. I can say with confidence that Mo’ Betta’s has not only exceeded Hawaiian Bros, but has greatly exceeded my expectations.

From the food, to the cleanliness, to the service, to the overall vibe, the experience — I would give it a very solid 9.7/10 the only downside being that the plating was fairly basic — but I will for sure be going back.

After our meal at Mo’ Bettah’s, David and I sprinted across 75th over to Hawaiian Bros. Unlike the large restaurant on Ward Parkway, this Hawaiian Bros was cramped with no seating. Thus we were forced to take our Huli Huli chicken with a side of rice and macaroni salad outside to eat on the curb.

My first bite was loaded with chicken and rice, steaming from the heat. Though I normally like my food hot — a pleasant change compared to Mo’ Bettah’s — this was an undesirable heat making the rice dry as though it had been microwaved.

Although it was a bit dry, I continued to dig in and found that the macaroni salad was delicious. The balance between sweet and savory was perfect and the chilled noodles complimented the hot dish seamlessly. About halfway through, one of the employees came outside to check on us. He asked if our food tasted good and if there was anything we needed. I appreciated the excellent service, especially since we were eating outside the restaurant.

Once I got back to the food it had cooled down quite a bit and after taking a bite of the chicken, I felt it was missing something compared to Mo’ Bettahs. David and I decided that the missing piece was in the way the chicken had been cooked. There simply was not the same smoky and charred flavor that we savored at Mo’ Bettah’s.

The chicken, however, was redeemed by the teriyaki glaze on top. The mixture of sweetness and tang was flawless rendering the Huli Huli chicken understandably the most popular dish at Hawaiian Bros.

Although I didn’t enjoy it quite as much as Mo’ Bettah’s, Hawaiian Bros was still solid and in the end, there was nothing left on our plate. If dining in, I would definitely recommend staying at the Ward Parkway location, this likely would boost the overall experience. I’d give Hawaiian Bros 6/10 stars due to the tasty macaroni salad, quintessential teriyaki sauce and good service.