Have You Tried Kinkas Bakery & Café?

Every once in a while, a new restaurant opens that seems to attract more people than almost any other place. I happened to stop in at the new Kinkas Bakery & Café — located at 24020 S.R. 54, a little bit west of Oak Grove Blvd. in Lutz— shortly after it opened a little more than a month ago and I honestly have yet to see the place be anything other than packed, no matter what time I’ve visited.

And, I’ve honestly already visited pretty often. The husband-and-wife team of Tomas de Jesus and Yenastrid Perera (although, he says, “She’s the real boss here!”) is a couple from Puerto Rico who bring their own recipes to this truly delicious place that features almost 100% house-baked pies, cakes and other decadent desserts, perfect café con leché and what I believe is the main reason it’s always so crowded — a different-each-day rotation of prepared hot foods. 

To date, I have sampled the pernil (roast pork), boneless and bone-in ribs and my favorite so far, the beef stew. Please note that beef and cheese, chicken and a variety of other empanadas, as well as butter, chocolate, almond and other croissants are available every day.

As for the desserts, I’ve only sampled a couple, but the homemade Reese’s peanut butter cheesecake is as good as any I’ve had anywhere, including New York.

Kinkas is busiest on the weekends — when the line can literally be out the front door — but I assure you that it’s worth the (usually short) wait.

Kinkas Bakery & Café is open every day except Monday, 7 a.m.-5 p.m. For more info, call (813) 333-4032 or visit KinkasBakery.com — and please tell Yenastrid and Tomas I sent you.