Not sure why all the low ratings for all of the L&L chains other than that it's not an independent restaurant. Usually, I too try to stay away from the national chain of business and try to support the local independent business when I can. But when it comes to Hawaiian bbq, there is really nothing exotic in the way to cook the food. I've tried many, and L&L seemed to have that consistency of basic Hawaiian bbq that's expected from a chain. Of all the L&L I've been on Big Island (ate at all of them embarassingly to say while we vacation there last week), the L&L in Hilo had the best taste, and the best price as well. We were on the Big Island for 5 days, and I think we had hawaiian bbq about 7 times. Give it a chance, or at least the one on Hilo.