Verna’s III Drive Inn

Reviews

• Courtney K.

  star star star star star 27 June 2026

  Decided to try this place because the other drive ins were not too appealing! Do not let the outside appearance fool you!
  
  I ordered the roast pork special and OMG it satisfied my craving and I will definitely remember Hilo for this place! I normally don't order roast pork anywhere but I went out on a limb and decided to order it & I'm glad I made that decision!
  
  Wish I had a pic but before I knew it my plate was empty lol

• Alan J.

  star star star star star_border 17 June 2026

  I laughed when I saw the reviews of this place because this is not to everyones taste or style but it fits me just perfect. It is an old stone block green ( ugly green too) roadside building that most people would drive right by. You drive up onto a dirt parking lot ( it is hard compact dirt so no expense was spared) and.see this funky looking building but our tour guide from kaiimana tours ( forgot name but is superb) took us here when we asked for authentic food. Now you order thru a window and pick up thru another one and sit at stone tables ( cuts down on the theft quite a bit I imagine) so you dont need a tux or anything but bring your appetite as the food is unbelievably good and damned cheap too. No jacked up tourist prices here. It doesnt look like much but stop anyway you wont regret it.

• Marc A.

  star star star star star_border 8 June 2026

  All I can say is that I love the fact Verna's is open late.  We were in Hilo on business for a couple of weeks and worked late, past 10 pm sometimes.  The only food options available in that part of town is fast food and pancakes.  Well...I wanted something different and Verna's was on our way to our hotel.
  
  Looking at the menu, there were a lot of options on the menu and it was a tough choice, but I opted to get the smoked meats.  Boy did I make the best food decision that day.  When I returned to the hotel and opened the box, the smell almost knocked me over.  It was sweet, smokey and smelled like heaven.  The smoked meats were out of this world!  The ratio of meat to fat was perfect.  A lot of fat on some pieces contained the smokey flavor that really accentuated the meat.
  
  The macaroni salad was also a nice side item.  But...and there is a but...The rice was a little on the old side, but still good.
  
  After our first visit, we went back to Verna's two more times and again...worth it.
  
  Will I Return?  When I am in Hilo...For sure!

• GreensweetS22 ..

  star star star star_border star_border 8 June 2026

  Portions are good but its no home made from scratch cooking.. Be prepared to wait for your food. They have a wide variety from chili bowls to pancakes and loco mocos, corn chowder and even My regular go to Miso soup.

• Brenda L.

  star star star star star_border 31 May 2026

  The food here is pretty ok. I love the "Kamuela" dish. I totally recommend it. Their burgers are not the best, but then again I am not a big fan of burgers.
  
  It is open 24hr and while sometimes the wait is long, I think is worth it for late hours of the night.
  
  There is parking available but is rather small. There is also a sitting area that covers you from the rain. Sometimes that sitting area is not the cleanest so bring napkings to wipe the spot.
  
  Overall if you are in Hilo, why not try it? Is close to the airport and hotels. It wont break your wallet either.