Trader Vics...

[*Robin*]

Hi everyone, through our travelling this next couple of years we are going to do a whole tiki type tour. This year I'll have the chance to visit the Atlanta, Chicago or California Trader Vics (and am scouting out all the other places I can find)...



Has anyone ever been to any of these? Are they worth the trip? If so does anyone know which is best? I only ask, because both Atlanta and possibly Chicago will be on a drive through, and we'll only stop if they are spectacular.

On the other hand, if we are in Chicago for a few days, I'd love to know if anyone knows of any tropical type places you know of!

Thanks, I'm hoping this makes sense, I've had about 20 minutes sleep...

YAWN!

Have a great day!
Robin

 

[marlasmom]

I did not know there were any Trader Vics left. I used to LOVE them but it's been a long, long, long time since I've been to one. They closed up in Boston.

 

[Melora]

My only experience with Trader Vics is selling some Postcards from there on ebay. They always go for good money!

 

[nativetxn]

I found a review of the one in Chicago

http://centerstage.net/restaurants/trader-vics.html

I just did a google search and there seem to be several scattered around the country.

 

[Micca]

Hey Robin Trader Vic's is my ALL TIME favorite restaurant. There used to be one in Kansas City (about 3 hours from here) but it closed many years ago DW and I finally got to Chicago last year, and made a point of going to TV's I wouldn't say it was as good as I remember the KC location being, but we loved it anyway. We have eaten at TV's in KC, Chicago, Portland, London, and Munich I have a bottle of TV's Mai Tai mix I'm saving for a special occasion(I will add light rum and lime to make it into Menehune juice). Don't you think Trader Vic's needs a location at WDW??? In the Tiki Room????

 

[PDXMULAN]

I love Trader Vic's. My dad worked at the one in Vancouver, BC for over thirty years. I have some of the menus from the 60's!!

 

[Disney-Kim]

Robin...you need to get a copy of the "Tiki Road Trip, A Guide to Tiki Culture in N.A." by James Teitelbaum.

It is the ultimate travel guide of all the best Tiki bars left in the U.S. My DH is the ultimate Tiki freak/collector. Anything to do with Shag/Tiki/Hawaain shirts.

Have a fantastic time on your adventure !!!

 

[*Robin*]

What a great bunch you guys are! It's funny, you can always find someone that loves the same stuff you do on the dis! Even if it isn't Disney!

Anyway. I've only been to the TV in Emeryville (SF), a long, long time ago, when I lived in S.California, and all things surf and fun were a part of every day....I didn't appreciate it NEARLY enough....now it's something I miss...every day. (you never realize how much of a doofus you are when you're young!) LOL

Now, were going to be doing tons of travelling with DH and I want my son to get it too....we are even building him a tiki cabana playhouse in the back yard... and eventually the plan is to take him on a tour of the REAL Polynesia when he's around 13. (And may appreciate it a bit more)

Micca, I agree completely! I can't believe TV ISN'T in WDW already! What are they thinking?? It would be perfect.
You've been all over, you lucky dog! It must be so neat to travel the world!

PDXMulan, how neat is that! Does he have any neat recipes? How fun!!

Nativetxn,. thanks for doing the search! I was really looking for someone who had been in a few to tell me if they were all the same, or if I should definetly see each one.

And Kim, it's on it's way! LOL, I knew we'd be going, and we are big tiki freaks ourselves...so when I saw it, I grabbed it.

Thanks so much everyone, I'm so excited to see other beach bums...

I'm playing catch-up, but I'd love to hear any ideas on additions through out the country...

Have a great day!
Robin

 

[PDXMULAN]

Robin:
Unfortuantely, I don't have old recipes but what I do have is the menus with my dad's notes in then. They include what is in each drink. They had to study the menu as it changed and got tested on them. One of my favorite memories of my dad is when he use to bring home the extra gardenias in put them on the dashboard of my car. The only recipe that I know I have is for crab rangoons. He was the one to teach me to cook at age ten so I am sure some of the things I learned were from the restaurant.

My brother does have some of the tableware from the restaurant. They would break and my dad would bring them home and repair them. They closed the Trader Vic's in Vancouver many years ago but when I go home and drive by all the old memories come back

 

[Micca]

Wait a minute PDXMULAN, the ONLY recipe you have is for the crab rangoon???????????!!!!!!!! OMG that's one of the best things on the menu Do you make them at home? Do they come out the same way? Does anyone know if there's anything like TV's in Central Florida? We could have a Dis/Trader Vic's confab

 

[arminnie]

Boy does that bring back memories. I lived in Dallas right after college and it was so much fun to go there. Lots of stories.

I used to go to the one in SF when I was in grad school. The one in Palo Alto opened in November 2001 just as I was moving away. I closed on my house sale the first of October. I must try it when I go back this summer.

 

[PDXMULAN]

yup Micca, they are the exact ones that TV's has. I learned to make them in the 70's when I was a kid. I can find the recipe for you. They are really easy to make at home.

I guess they are reviving the restaurant. I hope they are the same as in the 60's and 70's. All kinds of celebrities use to frequent the one my dad worked at. I have quite a few autographs from back then.