My son and I started “Boba Friday” last month as a way to celebrate the end of the week. Sadly we left empty-handed 2 of our 3 visits because the place in south Everett was out of boba. We needed something new and luckily the day before Boba Friday, a friend asked if I’d heard about Waka-Waka Snack Bar. Umm, no, but I thought it would be a hit with my soon to be 13 year old. Turns out I was right. 

I have to be honest and say that after looking at pictures on Facebook, I didn’t really get the appeal of a bunch of fruit topped with a bunch of candy. Turns out I was wrong. 

Waka-Waka Snack Bar is a Mexican snack shop that opened at the beginning of the pandemic, as many small businesses did because the wheels were already in motion. Owner Nafthanael Padilla said his mom came up with the fun, catchy name from Muppet Fozzie Bear. I knew it seemed familiar. Waka-Waka is a roomy space with booths and a foosball table in the middle. 

Everyone should be able to find something they are craving at Waka-Waka Snack Bar. There’s Mexican sodas, aguas frescas, fancy popsicles and scoops of ice cream that can be topped with goodies - of which there are 35 to choose from. 

They also have elote, esquites, manzana preparada and chicharron preparado. There’s chips plates you can top with fruit or vegetables. Lots of yummy snacks. 

We opted to do fruit cups. There are smoothie and ice cream cups too. My son picked chocolate sauce for his cup and I opted for sweet cream and a little chocolate in a tray so it would be easier to eat. I picked watermelon, pineapple, papaya, mango and kiwi for my fruit and added almonds, coconut flakes and decorative sprinkles. I also added a few M&Ms because I was curious about the appeal of having candy with the fruit. I also tossed in a few of the Mexican-style candies since I was being adventurous. 

Our treats weren’t cheap. You pick a cup size and prices start at $7.48, but they do not skimp on piling on the toppings for which there is no additional cost. I really appreciate that I got lots of tasty fruits that I didn’t have to purchase and prepare myself. 

Will we eat there again? Most definitely, yes. My son scarfed down his fruit and enjoyed trying the fun Mexican candies. I’ve never eaten fruit with toppings before and really loved the texture added by the almonds, coconut, sprinkles and even the M&Ms. The sweet cream was delicious and is making me rethink how I usually eat fruit. 

Hmmm...what should I try next Waka-Waka Friday?

Waka-Waka Snack Bar
717 128th St SW A100
Everett, WA 98204
(425) 374-3051

Linda War Bonnet represents south Everett on the Live in Everett Team. When she isn’t working, she is running the Westmont-Holly Neighborhood Association. You might spot her walking her dog in the Holly neighborhood.