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I remember getting all my birthday cakes at Aki's growing up. I even remember when Aki's stopped doing wedding cakes, because they couldn't keep up with the demand. So when my daughter turned 1in... More
I remember getting all my birthday cakes at Aki's growing up. I even remember when Aki's stopped doing wedding cakes, because they couldn't keep up with the demand. So when my daughter turned 1in 2005, of course I needed to keep the tradition alive. I was more than upset when I read the article in the Mercury News showing that Aki's original owners were selling, but remained hopeful that the new owners would still use the same recipes for all their cakes like was stated in the article. So for her 2nd birthday I go to pick-up the cake and I encountered chaos! The new owners also own another bakery in the Fremont/Newark area so apparently a lot of the cakes meant for the San Jose location were actually at the other location and the line was beyond what I was used to. Lines at Aki's have always been long, but the service always pleasant and because the cakes are excellent more than worth the wait in line. This particular day was day 5 of new ownership and while one of the original owners was staying on for a few more weeks to help the transition, I felt bad for her, because all she did was field comments about how the bakery will never be the same. It was as if the customers were coming in for one last hurrah before saying good bye. One gentleman in line commented that this was his 2nd trip because his cake had been taken to the Fremont/Newark location and was told to come back once they redelivered it. My daughter is now 5 and we've continued to purchase her b-day cakes there and cakes for other occasions. I have to say that I've been lucky that I have not been disappointed with the taste, look and decoration of the cakes. They still are the same one's I remember as a little girl, however, the service is AWFUL. The new owner always appears flustered. He is rude when he deals with the customers and I agree with previous comments where I too have seen him argue with his staff about a mix-up or error. It does break my heart to see this happen to Aki's because it felt like family when I started to go back. I will still buy my cakes there for special occasions, but I go in knowing not to expect the same wonderful customer service that Aki's was also known for. The cakes won't disappoint, the customer service is a whole other issue.
Pros: great cakes
Cons: customer service
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I haven't been there in over a year and found out, the hard way, that the original owners sold the bakery and now the customer service there has gone to hell. I started looking online at recent... More
I haven't been there in over a year and found out, the hard way, that the original owners sold the bakery and now the customer service there has gone to hell. I started looking online at recent reviews, and it confirms my experience.
If you want more details, read below...
I ordered a cake over the phone. Only reason I ordered from them was they said they made sugar-free cakes. When I came to pick up, the cake didn't have the correct toppings, so of course I asked. They looked at the order, realized they screwed up. The guy & woman who worked there started arguing in front of me...
Guy: I wrote it there
Woman: You're supposed to write it bigger
Guy: Well it's there, I can see it
Woman: You need to go do it yourself
So the guy goes back and attempts to fix it, but does it haphazardly, and tells me that's the best they can do given how I ordered it (ah, so now it's my fault). I was a little miffed, but I paid and left without a word, though I think my expression said it all.
But here's the real kicker. After we bring it home and cut into the cake, they had the wrong cake flavor! Then we wondered if it even was sugar-free.
I've NEVER EVER had any bakery screw up a cake order like that. And the attitude I got from them in the store was just wrong. I don't see how they can survive with that kind of service in this economy.
A few days later, I called and told them the story. After telling me the cake topping wasn't done correctly because the decorator wasn't there that day, and that they had no proof from me that the cake flavor was incorrect, they finally offered store credit.
So a few weeks later I thought I'd give them another shot. I came to pick up a cake from the pre-made counter, the lady took it to the back and put pretty flowers and decorations on it. The cake was fine. However, it was the same lady who was there the day I picked up the bad cake, so she WAS the decorator that the other guy claimed wasn't there to fix my cake. Or if she wasn't THE decorator, she was certainly capable. I didn't like being lied to. And, when I told her I had a store credit, she had me help her look through about a hundred notes of other ppl who had store credit (probably b/c they complained about something or other). That confirmed for me just how many other ppl have had a bad experience with this bakery. The cakes, I have to say, are decent. So only buy one if you are willing to put up with the possible crappy service from the new owners.
Pros: Guava cake
Cons: Service
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I think aki's sold out. Looks like new owners and tastes like new owners. I don't think they have the cake recipe down. The guava was great, but the cake was very dry. Sad to see a landmark go... More
I think aki's sold out. Looks like new owners and tastes like new owners. I don't think they have the cake recipe down. The guava was great, but the cake was very dry. Sad to see a landmark go down... However, I'm gonna give them another chance, this was the guava cake, I'll check the aki's special and give another review.
Pros: the name was good
Cons: not what it used to be
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The guava cake for my graduation party last night was a hit! Everyone kept asking me where I got the cake. It was so delicious.
I'm hooked for life.
:D
The guava cake for my graduation party last night was a hit! Everyone kept asking me where I got the cake. It was so delicious.
I'm hooked for life.
:D
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The guava cake for my graduation party last night was a hit! Everyone kept asking me where I got the cake. It was so delicious.
I'm hooked for life.
:D
The guava cake for my graduation party last night was a hit! Everyone kept asking me where I got the cake. It was so delicious.
I'm hooked for life.
:D
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Aki's bakery has been around longer than I can remember. My grandmother remembered all the wedding cakes that she had seen from Aki's and had the pleasure of eating.
Their cakes are second to none.
Aki's bakery has been around longer than I can remember. My grandmother remembered all the wedding cakes that she had seen from Aki's and had the pleasure of eating.
Their cakes are second to none.
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An excellent place to get a cake. They are world class. We have been going here for years.
Every cake we have purchased has always been excellent quality and fresh ingredients.
I'll be back :)
An excellent place to get a cake. They are world class. We have been going here for years.
Every cake we have purchased has always been excellent quality and fresh ingredients.
I'll be back :)
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One of our favorite places to get cakes. Fabulously fresh and excellent. These cakes are always the hit of the party in our house.
Love em :) did I say that enough yet?
One of our favorite places to get cakes. Fabulously fresh and excellent. These cakes are always the hit of the party in our house.
Love em :) did I say that enough yet?
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Aki's is one of the best bakeries around. Their cakes are very light. As mentioned in other reviews, the guava cake is de-lish! The service is really good and through all the years we've been... More
Aki's is one of the best bakeries around. Their cakes are very light. As mentioned in other reviews, the guava cake is de-lish! The service is really good and through all the years we've been buying cakes there (from wedding cakes to birthday cakes) we've never had a single mistake.
PROS: Great, light cakes and pastries
CONS: don't have the gooey, chocolate, gourmet style cakes/desserts
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I was greeted (first by phone order) by a very rude and impatient staff member. I went to pick up my cake and again, greeted by a non-smiling, unhappy employee. My cake had nothing written that I... More
I was greeted (first by phone order) by a very rude and impatient staff member. I went to pick up my cake and again, greeted by a non-smiling, unhappy employee. My cake had nothing written that I had requested. The employee helping me made her dissatisfaction very obvious when writing the name wrong on the cake. Short of throwing the cake at me, she shoved the cake box, took my money, neglected to give a goodbye greeting, and I left.
Pros: Good cake, Variety of cake
Cons: Poor service, Wrong orders, Inconsiderate
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