Burlington’s North Beach has had a bar right on the edge of the sand since 2018. This month, it officially became Kona Beachside, a Hawaiian-inspired tiki bar and grill with pineapple-garnished tropical cocktails; chipotle huli huli chicken tacos with mango-pineapple pico de gallo; haupia coconut pudding; and poke bowls with ahi tuna, seaweed salad, crispy fried garlic and coconut rice.
Owner Sandi Pasagic, 29, said it’s a “fresh vibe” for the concession stand that his father has owned for years, right off the bike path on Burlington’s biggest public beach. Customers can expect an opened-up patio for better Lake Champlain views, entirely wild-caught seafood, and more of a focus on drinks, including mai tais, piña coladas, blue Hawaiians and the Kona Painkiller.
“I love Burlington summers more than anything,” said Pasagic, who grew up in the Queen City. “I want to enjoy it as much as possible while I can, and I want to be on the beach.”
Also the owner of Church Street Cheesesteaks food truck, Pasagic brings his “easy, fun, quick but quality” approach to Kona, he said. The menu also includes “North Beach classics” such as burgers, chicken tenders, cold-brew coffee, local beer, cider and creemees.
“We’re just trying to make everyone’s beach day better,” he said.
Kona Beachside is open noon to 7 p.m. daily through mid-September, weather permitting.
The original print version of this article was headlined “As Kona Beachside, Burlington’s North Beach Tiki Bar Goes Hawaiian”
This article appears in The Connections Issue.
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