Kona Cafe reopening reviews please.

[Cynner]

I've had very mixed experiences with Kona. Years and years ago they had the most amazing pork chops and it was my first experience with poke (before it became 'the craze'). Fast forward about 6 years, major menu change, everything was disappointing. Gave it another try during the 50th anniversary, and it was 'ok'. Pot stickers were amazing, burger was meh, sushi was meh. Got a reservation here during Christmas week to leave MK mid-day and get break from the insanity that will be MK on 12/30. New menu looks really good, so very hopeful.

 

[Disturbia]

I've had very mixed experiences with Kona. Years and years ago they had the most amazing pork chops and it was my first experience with poke (before it became 'the craze'). Fast forward about 6 years, major menu change, everything was disappointing. Gave it another try during the 50th anniversary, and it was 'ok'. Pot stickers were amazing, burger was meh, sushi was meh. Got a reservation here during Christmas week to leave MK mid-day and get break from the insanity that will be MK on 12/30. New menu looks really good, so very hopeful.

Can you please post back on what you get and if it’s good. We’re checking in Dec 28 and staying at the Poly (hoping to do Kona at least once for lunch). DH is a big fan of sushi but if it’s not good then we will skip it. Kids don’t eat sushi and have sesame allergies.

 

[luvmarypoppins]

Is it similar to Ohana menu items?

We haven’t been to Ohana in ages so I can’t compare but the bread pudding dessert seemed similar to me.

 

[StarCruzer]

Honestly bummed they've pulled back on savory options for breakfast. I miss the Samoan! Poached eggs with hollandaise over pulled pork doesn't seem like something I could request either

 

[Aimeedyan]

We had dinner there last weekend and it was fine. Not remarkable, and certainly not worth a special trip, but worked well before MVMCP.

DH had the Turkey Banh Mi and said it was good - big portion and decent quality. I ordered the poke bowl and thought it was a joke when they delivered it - the portion was teensy. There are no veggies or toppings - literally just rice, tuna, boba balls with the mayo drizzled on top. It was tasty, and the tuna was very fresh, but it was a very small portion.

I appreciated bread served prior - that has disappeared from many spots.

Service was good!

 

[Cynner]

Can you please post back on what you get and if it’s good. We’re checking in Dec 28 and staying at the Poly (hoping to do Kona at least once for lunch). DH is a big fan of sushi but if it’s not good then we will skip it. Kids don’t eat sushi and have sesame allergies.

Will try - but no promises, it gets very busy during the trip

 

[DL1WDW2]

I just walked past there and it looked empty.
Seemed strange for 2:00 time today.
Made me decide not to eat there.
But I do still love breakfast at the Kona!

 

[Disturbia]

Food looks decent. Just saw this review:

 

[Disturbia]

Had lunch at Kona cafe yesterday. Grabbed the 50th speciality pineapple cupcake at the adjacent Kona Island coffee bar (excellent if you love Dole Whip).



Bread service was delicious (fresh rolls) but only 4 rolls to a table and one slice of a thin slice of butter. Drinks were strong. The potstickers were awesome (per our teen who didn’t share). Ordered the California roll and shrimp tempura roll. The California roll was extremely fishy (I spit it right out). My spouse who grew up eating fish couldn’t eat it either. He was able to eat most of the shrimp tempura rolls; Noodle bowls looked great and colorful but the kids said they were just ok and didn’t eat much. Burger was excellent (thick juicy patty) and the bun had a nice crunch on the toasted side - highly recommend.

Service was slow and we had to flag down our waiter for any extras we needed. Bread pudding was excellent (highly recommend skipping appetizer and saving room for this) but we had to eat very quickly to make our MEARS pickup. Budget 1.5 hour+. We checked in at 12:45 and got out at 2:10 pm.