Edhat Staff
By edhat staff
Goleta’s burger station in the Camino Real Marketplace, Kahuna Grill, has closed after 17 years in business in the popular shopping center.
With the same owners as the Natural Cafe, Kahuna Grill offered unique burger combinations, onion rings, and craft beer selection. The announcement came on Monday, February 25, as the location abruptly closed.
“It’s been a pleasure serving this community and we want to thank everyone for their kindness and support over the years. Mahalo!” said Jean Young of the Natural Cafe in an email to edhat.
Young also stated the Kahuna assets have been sold to another local burger spot. Mesa Burger, the Meigs Road restaurant owned by celebrity chef and local Cat Cora, will remodel the Camino Real Marketplace location next month and should be open in late March or early April.
“This sale allows us to focus on operating the seven existing Natural Cafes. Now we are in the process of looking into new locations in Ventura, Oxnard, and Camarillo. We are looking forward to many more prosperous years!” said Young.
that sucks, they were good. I cant see mesa burger doing any better in this location though. hope for the best
This sucks, there goes my laid back lunch spot after all these years. Not looking forward to all the Mesa Burger yuppies…
No, they are different restaurants. Mesa Verde is a vegan restaurant around the corner from Mes Burger, on Cliff Drive, between 7-11 and the gas station. Mesa Burger is on Meigs Road, though it is technically in the “Mesa Verde Shopping Center,” which could be confusing.
Or really high prices. Or really mediocre food.
I too liked Kahuna Burger. However, we will survive, life will go on. Mesa Burger is good too. Glad to see a local celebrity chef’s restaurant doing well. I will enjoy eating there just as much as Kahuna.
Kahuna and Mesa Burger are basically in the same category. The only difference is one shows surfing videos.
Will miss it for sure, must have eaten there at least 50 times over the years and although I do love Mesa burger it sucks that we will have two of them and no Kahuna!
Absolutely not! Kahuna was more than just Burgers for one and Mesa Burgers are more organic with weird toppings. Kahuna was much cheaper and way more deliciously grilled! Like someone else said the Mesa Burger vibe is for the Yuppies.
My bad! Someone else says Mesa Burgers and Mesa Verde were already two different places. So two Mesa Burgers was correct.
Bummer. No more Kabobs!
Dang, their chocolate malts were one of my favorites in town 🙁
The burger in the photo looks delicious. I can understand why the Kahuna Grill will be missed.
Sad to see Kahuna go. Gone there often over the years. We live on the Mesa and although we were really sad to see Mexican Fresh leave as we went there at least once a week, we were excited for a good burger place on the Mesa. Sadly they are way over priced and not practical for a family of four to grab a burger. Not quite what we are lookin for at those prices, I’d rather go to the Boat House. And for those in our family that want a good plain burger, it’s just crazy to pay Mesa Burger prices. So we drive over to the Habit in La Cumbre Plaza for a yummy burger and shake instead of walking to Mesa Burger (which I’d prefer if it were more reasonable). Oh well. Maybe we will hit Kyles when out in the MarketPlace, or drive down the road to Old Town Goleta Habit. We will definitely continue to enjoy Natural Cafe – great food, great prices.
You’ve never been in marketing, have you?