Kona 13 Coffee & Tea

Updated review… the first time my coworker and I had amazing coffees. The 3x’s after our first visit… the coffees have gone downhill. Today is officially the day we will never go back. My café Americano tasted like coffee flavored water… not a rich robust espresso drink. What a let down.

I am a coffee purist — no cream, no sugar, no flavoring — and was not super impressed with their limited selection and quality of straight black coffee. They are also limited to store-​bought snacks such as muffins, granola bars, and things of that nature. I would say that it would be unfair to compare this place to other coffee shops in the area because it is in more of a fast-​food genre of coffee shops; it has a drive-​through and is attached to a car wash. The service was great and the barista was friendly, nonetheless. Maybe next time I am in the area, I will try one of their signature Hawaiian coffee drinks.

When this place is good, it’s GOOD. When it’s bad, it’s BAD. and my biggest issue with Kona is the complete inconsistency. There is one barista who I like a lot, he makes really great tasting drinks and is very kind. But if he’s not there, I want to run like the wind because I know for a fact it will be a waste of my money. I’ve had my drink, which is always an iced vanilla latte, at varying colors, temperatures, consistencies, and sweetness levels. I hate this inconsistency! If they just got down their recipe, they could be a really great coffee place. I know they have it in them. Which is why I give them a 3 star. If I had to review the good barista, it would be a full 5 star.

It was a little hard to find for me, and I ended up having to circle the block behind it. It’s actually attached to the car wash which is a pretty unique set-​up. Going through the drive through, you go right for a wash or left for coffee, though there are signs once you get close enough.
Once I was in the right place, the woman manning the window was super nice and my iced mocha came out quick. As hinted in the name, everything is Hawaiian-​themed and they use the Kona roast coffee for all their drinks. It’s delicious! One of the better coffee drinks I’ve gotten in the east valley, no less from a car wash drive-​thru. If I lived in the area, I’d definitely come here often — maybe even pick it over Dutch Brothers, a favourite (but not local!) choice.

So I went here for a coffee date and the girl at the register was nice enough to give me a coupon for a free coffee on my next visit because it was my first visit. Two days later I decided I wanted coffee so I went and got the same drink I got the first time and the man at the register said that my coupon was only good for a plain coffee so I was charged $ 2.25. If you’re going to give out free coffee coupons you should specify that they’re not for any sort of specialty coffee and just a plain cup of coffee. I would not have gone out of my way to get a free cup of coffee in that case. Honestly if I’m going to pay for 5 or $ 6 for a cup of coffee I’d rather go to Dutch brothers any day. Sure, your product is about the same but the customer service at Dutch brothers blows you guys out of the water.

I have to comment on this place, since I was very impressed. I came here wanting to try something new, I noticed the Unilocal coupon and decided to try it out. I passed here a few times but didn’t ever really stop by.
This place is amazing! I am a very big coffee person and have made a point to try any place in phx. This is my fav in Tempe now. I wish I would’ve tried it earlier I just didn’t know it’d be so good.
Big perks:
–unique drinks– I tried the shark bite with coconut milk (normally breve– they have every milk you can think of, soy, almond, etc). There’s a lot of fun combos to try and he mentioned you could also make your own.
–whipped cream– Home made, very unique flavors you prob won’t find anywhere else. When I went there was toffee, coffee and another flavor along with regular vanilla. I ended up mixing the first two and both were excellent! Apparently the whip cream flavors vary based on the day which makes it even more enticing.
–The coffee itself= very good.
–Customer service, accommodating & friendly. Let me try samples and very helpful with order.
I’ll definitely be back. I suggest everyone come here.

I go here almost every morning and the drive thru is hardly ever busy. The people that work there are so friendly and they even started to remember what I order (the Pipeline — which is coffee and a double shot of espresso over ice). This is the smoothest coffee I’ve ever had and it tastes great black AND at the fraction of the price of Starbucks. Their signs don’t really reflect the prices because mine is only 2.50 when I go — my boyfriend and I can get two large pipelines (he takes his with almond milk) for 6 bucks. Can’t beat it! They serve Lion coffee which is what I had when I was vacationing in Hawaii and it tastes just the same! I love Kona coffee, and I love this place.

Absolutely love this place. Everyone at the car wash and the drive thru for coffee is always so nice! Coffee is so much better than starbucks. Try the French press… vanilla Macadamia nut or diamond head. Soooo bomb! Also great drive thru car wash for the price.

This coffee shop has been on my radar for a long time. The right opportunity finally arose to pop by the other day. I love the color of the building and it’s kind of creative that this business is co-​located with a car wash. At the drive up window I was a little nervous when the worker handed me my coffee and hesitantly said «here, try this», but the coffee was fine. I was really hoping for that unique Kona flavor, but it wasn’t there for me. Maybe I’ll pop by again. Overall, it’s a cute place with decent service and a good variety of drink options.

Stopped in for a carwash and had this amazing coffee! So good! :) Wish I new about this place sooner. I’ll be returning very soon. Kona Coffee! Tried the shark bite this time — white chocolate toffee crunch breve. Yum!

Absolute favorite coffee spot! Every employee is beyond friendly, polite and helpful.
I go so often, they start making my drink before I’ve approached the counter.

Wowwwww!!! The drinks here are awesome! I had the Lucky 13 an Irish cream breve and it was the best that I have had ever. The whipped cream was also amazing as it is home made not out of a store bought can.
You should check it out for yourself.

This place has outdoor seating and it’s right next to a car wash. I really love their drinks. The large is such a deal. It’s a hugeee cup and definitely worth $ 5. I love the taste and the service is really quick.
Definitely will return to kona! :)

Employees were super friendly and helped me out with suggestions for coffee, I tried a blended RipTide and it was so painfully sweet, I couldn’t taste any coffee. I actually had to drive back and see if I could get something else. He told me it comes in a syrup that way already made, and he really tried to see if he could make me something else. He was very nice about it and I appreciated it, but I declined. I would like to come back and try the coffee hot, since many people have commented on how great it is. I just don’t think the iced version is my thing. Seems like a good location to sit outside or get your car washed after.

Baristas were friendly and seemed to care that I got the drink I wanted.
The iced mocha was tasty, and presentation was appealing, having swirls of chocolate syrup in the drink.
Thanks!

There are few times in my life where I have had such a wonderfully crafted cup of coffee made by a handsome hipster Ken doll. «Ken» was a dream come true, making my morning joe in his yoga pants. He said his name was Will, but it’s not… His name is Ken. Ken knows how to work that espresso machine, he tamped the espresso into a perfect hockey puck, frothed my milk just right… It was like I was drinking clouds.
When I asked for something to eat, he offered his lunch to me. He even signed me up for the text club.
Ken is a dream.
Thanks a latte!

I’m here at least once every day — — usually twice. The coffee is SO drinkable. I’m a lifetime coffee snob, and I could drink gallons of this stuff black. My favorite is the Vanilla Macadamia roast which is the first flavored coffee I haven’t snubbed.
The beans are wonderful and I buy them to brew at home as well. I love that they use french press for every cup, and that they measure the weight of espresso before every shot poured. Quality matters. They have a huge variety of milks, and even grass-​fed butter and coconut oil for my bulletproof coffee fix. Oh and the GREEN TEA is incredible. I add a stevia (WHICH THEY HAVE), and it’s heaven. When it is hot outside, I regularly drink 64 iced oz of it per day. No joke. I drive them nuts.
Oh and if you are into it, they have a huge variety of flavors made from real cane sugar, and some pretty creative whipped cream selections. I’ve also heard rumors of protein shakes, milk shakes, and other yummy creations.
QUICK TIP: if you are short on sleep, and wanting a sweet fix, try the Undertow… You won’t regret it.
Shout out to the Tempe Manager Whitney! She is the best! The customer service rocks, and the regulars definitely get too many free drinks. All of the employees are friendly and hilarious, and learn your name right away. And you can get a really good deal if you use the punch cards.
I really can’t say enough about how great Kona is.

I stopped by here on a whim, thinking they had wifi because it is a coffee/​tea/​smoothie spot and I learned that they didn’t have wifi
No biggie
The girl that helped me was nice and gave me the run down on the menu and the Flavors that she liked
I went with a strawberry piña colada smoothie and it was really, really good
It was pretty cheap too, which made it even better
I sat at the table out front and enjoyed the smoothie
The foam on top made my day
I will have to stop by and try one of their coffees

Try the Dana it’s Delicious.
The drinks are fabulous! I really like stopping by here while I’m waiting for my car to get cleaned at Wash Wizard. Every time that I have been here the staff are super friendly and seem to genuinely enjoy what they’re doing.
Looking forward to being a long-​time customer. :D

Solid coffee experience within walking distance of my house? I’m in trouble. Actually I’m not because their iced coffee is only $ 2.50 and because I like to taste my coffee it’ll likely be the only thing I order from here.
The experience of Kona 13 is similar to that of a Dutch Bros.: drive thru+walk up window with a small patio and seating. Kona beats Dutch with their fountain/​pond on the patio; I love me some ambience.
The coffee here is smooth and delicious and is fantastic hot or cold, though as we have breached the 100 degree threshold, cold is the only way to do it. I haven’t had any of their speciality drinks because again, I like my coffee to taste like coffee but I’m betting those are great too.
The service here is SO genuinely friendly and has made for a great start to my day anytime I stop by before work. Oh yeah did I mention this place is on my way to work? Again, I am IN TROUBLE. But when the trouble is good coffee, I’m ok with it.