Gardena • South Bay • Hawaiian food & music

Da kine food.
Da kine feeling.

Remembering the place that brought a taste of Hawaiʻi, familiar island favorites, and aloha spirit to Gardena.

A digital heritage page for a beloved Gardena restaurant

A taste of the islands

More than a restaurant.
It felt like home.

Bob's Hawaiian Style Restaurant was a Gardena destination for Hawaiian comfort food, local-style plates, live music, and a community that made regulars feel like family.

This page preserves the story of the former restaurant and the character associated with its original web domain.

The story behind Bob's

From Bob to Kimi, a place worth keeping alive.

Bob's Hawaiian Style Restaurant was located at 15926 S Western Ave, Gardena, California. The restaurant was later taken over by Kimiaki Sato, who had first connected with Bob through Hawaii's music scene and eventually became the owner.

Under Kimi's leadership, Bob's remained an important gathering place for people from Hawaiʻi and generations of Japanese-American and South Bay families. A 2018 profile described regular customers greeting Kimi with hugs and gratitude for protecting their cherished place.

GardenaSouth Bay, California
15926S Western Ave
2018Community award year

The classics

Food that locals remembered.

These are presented as historical favorites associated with Bob's — not a current menu.

Island classic

Kalua Pork

Slow-cooked, savory pork was one of the combinations highlighted by local food coverage.

Local favorite

Lau Lau

Butterfish-filled lau lau was among the dishes singled out as a must-try classic.

Breakfast

Macadamia Pancakes

Fluffy pancakes with a rich butter sauce were remembered as a standout sweet finish.

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Authentic Hawaiian food, music, and the feeling of being back on the islands.

— the spirit remembered by Bob's regulars

A community legacy

Food, music & aloha.

Bob's was known not only for food but for atmosphere. Reviews and profiles recall Hawaiian music, island-style conversation, familiar local dishes, and a dining room where Hawaiians and mainland neighbors could share the same table.

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Live Hawaiian music

Music helped make the restaurant feel connected to the islands.

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A South Bay gathering place

A destination for regulars, families, and visitors looking for local-style Hawaiian food.

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Recognized by the community

Bob's received a 2018 Taste of Assembly District 66 award for its authentic Hawaiian food and music.

The original location

15926 S Western Ave

Gardena, California 90247

Historic locationFormer restaurant site
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