Mar 17, 2026 | 3:00 pm
San Antonio will soon pull out some leis for a new location of Hawaiian Bros. Island Grill. The island comfort food chain is opening a new restaurant at 5746 UTSA Blvd, adding to the tenant mix at the upcoming 112-acre live-play district, The Merc, near the University of Texas at San Antonio campus.
Hawaiian Bros. specializes in traditional plate lunches, or pā mea ‘ai, a sort of tropical take on Japanese bento boxes or Southern United States’ meat-and-three meals. The tradition developed in the 1800s after Hawaii’s colonization, when the state’s pineapple and sugar plantations drew immigrant laborers from across the globe.
The plates, which are now enjoyed throughout the day, are composed of a sweet and savory protein served alongside a variety of sides, usually rice and macaroni salad. Hawaiian Bros. also serves the meats in wraps and offers other island staples like Spam musubi and a take on a tiki treat, the Dole Whip…