Kona Kakes Specializes in Tropical Flavors
Spring has sprung and that means one thing: time for cake! Actually, this Chowhound will look for any reason to trot down to Linda Vista for the guilty pleasure of a creamy slice of Hawaiian heaven from Kona Kakes. If you haven’t yet discovered this gem, it’s time to find your own special excuse to eat cake.
While cake is the primary specialty, Kona Kakes also serves lunch. Specialties include mahi-mahi, teriyaki beef and kahlua pig combination plates ranging in price from $7.99 to $11.99. A full range of sandwiches, burgers and other specialties are also available to take out or eat in the tiny seating area. In business for sixteen years, owner Janice Kraft has been whipping up tropical-inspired cakes for birthdays, weddings, graduations and just about every other special occasion imaginable. Flavors range from the most popular caramel macadamia nut with hazelnut cream to pineapple-macadamia nut and chocolate passion fruit. Says Kraft, “the Polynesian community loves tropical fruit, so they tend to order flavors like strawberry-guava or our ‘POG’ cake, which is passion fruit-orange-guava.” Cakes can be bought by the slice ($4) in the store based on availability or special ordered a minimum of two days ahead. An eight inch round cake is $47, ten inch round is $57 and half-sheet rectangle cake is $98. All cakes can be customized with special greetings and/or decorated with tropical flowers for an additional cost.
If you’re in search of a unique and delicious reason to have cake, look no further. Kona Kakes is a perfect solution for the upcoming holidays including Easter, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day and Graduation. And if none of those occasions are in your plans, then head down to Kona Kakes just because. According to Kraft, the store’s success is due in large part to its loyal base of repeat customers. I imagine once you give this place a try, you’ll become a Kona fan yourself.
Kona Kakes is open 11-3 on Mondays and Tuesdays, 11-6 Wednesday thru Friday and 10-6 on Saturdays. Closed Sundays.
Kona Kakes
5401 Linda Vista Road #402
San Diego, CA 92110
(619) 294-6676