Recent social media posts
06/26/2026
You asked. We listened.
We now deliver within a 7-mile radius. Whether you need one plate lunch for yourself or a party pack for the whole ohana, you can order online at kaleiskitchenette.com.
No calls. No waiting. Just good Hawaiian food at your door.
06/25/2026
There are times when kitchen crew flows together, but in different beats 🎶🎵🎶🎼
06/23/2026
Surf & Turf just landed at Kalei's. 🌊🥩
Garlic Butter Shrimp + Beef Teriyaki. One plate. Limited run -- Tuesday through Thursday, June 23-25, while supplies last.
Don't wait on this one. Order online, link in bio.
📍 Kalei's Kitchenette | 9926-F Carmel Mountain Rd, Rancho Penasquitos
06/20/2026
If Chef Andy could go back and talk to himself in 2018, standing next to that van at the farmers market before any of this existed, he would tell himself that every early morning, every shared kitchen shift, every catering job that pushed him to his limits was building something real.
Three years in this space and the work did not get easier, it got smarter. The systems are in place now. The recipe cards, the ordering guidelines, the prep routines that make it possible to show up every single day and deliver the food that started this whole journey in Lahaina, Maui.
But if you ask Chef Andy what makes it worth it, it is not the systems. It is watching you walk through that door and enjoy the food.
That is what 3 years means to us. And we want to celebrate it with you.
We are open Tuesday through Saturday, 11am to 7pm.
06/20/2026
Nobody tells you about the drain.
Not the clogged drain specifically, but everything it represents. The surprise expenses that show up the moment you sign a lease. The food costs that keep climbing. The labor, the insurance, the cash flow that gets tight in ways you never fully planned for when you were just focused on making great food.
Running a brick-and-mortar is a different kind of hard and Chef Andy will be the first one to tell you that. But three years in, we are still here. Still cooking, still serving, still figuring it out one day at a time.
That is what this anniversary means to us. Not just that we made it, but that we kept going even on the days that tested us.
More of this story coming. Stay with us.
Mahalo for being part of what keeps us going.
06/20/2026
The hardest part of running a catering business out of a shared kitchen is not the early mornings or the heavy lifting. It is turning people away.
There were customers coming to us with smaller orders and we could not take them. There were people who tasted Chef Andy’s food at someone else’s party and wanted to try more, and we had nowhere to send them. No place to say, come in, sit down, try the plate lunch, see what we are really about.
That is the moment Chef Andy knew the catering-only model had run its course. Not because business was bad, but because the demand was outgrowing what a shared kitchen in Chula Vista could hold.
Stay tuned because the next part of this story is where things really started to shift.
Mahalo for following along with us on this journey.
06/20/2026
Before we had a shop, we had a van and a farmers market setup that had to be perfect before the sun came up.
This is where it all started for us. Chef Andy packing everything the night before, arriving early to set up, making sure every single detail was dialed in before the first customer walked up. No storefront, no guarantee, just the food he grew up making in Lahaina and a bet that San Diego was ready for it.
Eight years later, we have three years in our own space and a story worth telling. This month we are taking you back to where it all began, and this is just the first chapter.
Follow along because there is more coming, and trust us, the story gets good.
Mahalo for being part of this ohana.
06/18/2026
This Saturday, June 20, we are marking three years of serving our community from our brick and mortar in Rancho Penasquitos. To celebrate, we have three special offerings available for one day only.
01 — The New Hat. A custom Kalei’s Kitchenette piece built for the San Diego-Hawaii lifestyle. Structured, breathable, and ready for summer.
02 — Kimchi Ahi Poke. Our Saturday poke special now has a bold third flavor. One day only.
03 — Pork Laulau. Slow-steamed pork wrapped in taro leaves. A traditional Hawaiian staple from Chef Andy’s roots in Lahaina, Maui. Limited quantity.
Pre-order is strongly recommended. Walk-ins welcome while supplies last.
Opening Hours
| Tuesday |
11am - 7pm |
| Wednesday |
11am - 7pm |
| Thursday |
11am - 7pm |
| Friday |
11am - 7pm |
| Saturday |
11am - 7pm |
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What people say
Hawaiian restaurants are known for their unique and flavorful dishes that transport you to the beautiful islands of Hawaii. Kalei's Kitchenette in San Diego is no exception, offering a wide range of Pacific Rim cuisine that will leave your taste buds dancing with joy.
One of the standout dishes at Kalei's Kitchenette is their Loco Moco, which features a homemade patty made with love and aloha, topped with not one but two perfectly cooked eggs. This filling delight is sure to leave you feeling satisfied and ready to conquer the day, Hawaiian style!
But it's not just about the food at Kalei's Kitchenette - it's also about the experience. This family-owned catering service has recently extended its store hours from Tuesday to Saturday, making it easier for customers to savor their local favorites. And if you have a sweet tooth, be sure to try their Hawaiian Style Manju with Azuki Beans filling - a delicious addition to their dessert options.
Overall, Kalei's Kitchenette is a must-visit for anyone looking for authentic and delicious Hawaiian cuisine in San Diego. With its warm and welcoming atmosphere and mouth-watering dishes, this restaurant truly embodies the aloha spirit.
