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JOHN-O's Koreatown Mid-century Bar Crawl |
Dustycajun
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Nov 16, 2007
Posts: 3916
From: Santa Barbara, CA
|  Posted: 2010-08-29 10:39 pm Permalink
John-O and the rest of ya heathens,
Looks like a great time was had by one and all, thanks for posting the photos!
Got inspired by your K-town food action and hit the Kogi Korean BBQ truck that came to Santa Barbara this weekend. Excellent food, check it out if it comes by your hood.
Hope to hook up on one of the next episodes of the John-O tours.
DC
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JOHN-O
Grand Member (first year) 
Joined: May 16, 2008
Posts: 2454
From: Dogtown, USA
| Posted: 2010-08-30 08:37 am Permalink
Yes DC, Kogi Taco Truck started in LA and was insanely popular (although the craze appears to be cooling off). I'm not sure however if I'd consider this cross-cultural fusion, "real" Korean food. I'm gonna have to run another K-Town crawl so we can introduce you to some authentic "Seoul" food. 
I think some things are great on their own, like Mexican food and Korean food, but aren't necessarily better when you combine them. Call me a traditionalist. I feel the same way about my Pirate-style and my Tiki-style. Which brings me to my next observation.
Am I the only one to have noticed that Pineapple-headed Tiki on the left of Boris's shoulder ?? That's photographic documentation of a 2nd Tiki inside the crazy Korean Pirate bar !!
It almost looks like it could be fused to his body. Does anyone remember that grindhouse movie from the 1970's, "The Incredible 2 Headed Transplant" ?? For Boris to have THAT Tiki as a 2nd head would truly be a horror movie (but a funny one).
Because of this, and because Boris is always helping me with my Tiki historical facts, I'm going to give HIM credit for this significant urban archaeological Tiki find.
You're welcome Boris !! 
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Bora Boris
Mr. Unreasonable
Joined: Mar 25, 2005
Posts: 2401
From: Boogie Wonderland
| Posted: 2010-08-30 08:56 am Permalink
If I had known that thing was there I wouldn't have been in the picture. 
Seriously! 
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TikiBeast
Tiki Centralite
Joined: Aug 23, 2010
Posts: 26
From: Santa Cruz
| Posted: 2010-08-30 09:47 am Permalink
I have two Korean tiki...a male and female version... given to me a few years ago by a Korean friend... they have always been a mystery to me!
After reading this thread about mixing Mexican and Korean, and mixing pirate and tiki, I just had to snap a photo, and ask if any one has ever seen this type of Tiki before, and even better, what do they say in Korean?
I have NOT tasted from the traveling Kogi Taco Truck but have heard the hype about getting a text telling customers where they would be parking next' krazy.
Wish we lived close enough JOHN-O to take you up on the crawl.. looked like a blast.
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Bora Boris
Mr. Unreasonable
Joined: Mar 25, 2005
Posts: 2401
From: Boogie Wonderland
| Posted: 2010-08-30 09:57 am Permalink
TikiBeast,
You can see more about those Korean figures here, here and here. Sadly some of the image links have expired or we're killed in the Shutterfly Massacre.
_________________
 
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JOHN-O
Grand Member (first year)
Joined: May 16, 2008
Posts: 2454
From: Dogtown, USA
| Posted: 2010-09-26 08:40 am Permalink
Some of you had asked about the K-Town bar we didn't make it to. I stopped in on Sat night for a quick drink so I took this exterior shot. Here's some background in case you want to check it out on your own...
Frank and Hank's is on Western Ave, just a few blocks north of Wilshire Blvd. It dates back to 1933 which would make it one of the oldest bars in Los Angeles. It feels like it too. A lot of people might consider this bar a trashy dive, but to me it just oozes historic charm. It's currently run by a nice Vietnamese lady by the name of Snow. The vibe is local and friendly (unless a show at the Wiltern just let out) and drinks are cheap and strong.
Rumor has it that Charles Bukowski was a regular but a lot of LA bars older than the 1960's will make that claim. At least they don't insist the Black Dahlia drank there (but I do think my late father did in the late 1950's).
It's very nondescript from the outside, you could drive past it a million times and never notice it. Street parking in the immediate area sucks but just keep driving several blocks north on Western and you should find a spot.
Could this be the greatest bar in LA ??
Yes, I think it is.
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bigtikidude
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Aug 10, 2004
Posts: 8253
From: Anaheim,Ca.
| Posted: 2010-09-26 09:54 am Permalink
I thought you said you had to go to the Gym this morning.
Jeff(btd)
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Atomic Tiki Punk
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Jul 19, 2009
Posts: 4014
From: Costa Misery
| Posted: 2010-09-26 2:15 pm Permalink
A drink for all my friends!
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JOHN-O
Grand Member (first year)
Joined: May 16, 2008
Posts: 2454
From: Dogtown, USA
| Posted: 2010-09-26 4:02 pm Permalink
Yup.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=10AdjoNLfvQ
I haven't seen "Barfly" in quite a while. I do remember reading somewhere that Frank and Hanks is featured in one of the scenes. Maybe that's where the Bukowski rumor originated from.
He was a regular at Musso and Frank for sure. Several of the waiters there can share stories about him.
I have to imagine Bukowski made it into Tiki Ti at some point when he was living in East Hollywood.
[ This Message was edited by: JOHN-O 2010-09-26 16:08 ]
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JOHN-O
Grand Member (first year)
Joined: May 16, 2008
Posts: 2454
From: Dogtown, USA
| Posted: 2012-03-01 6:13 pm Permalink
I thought this was kind of interesting...
http://blogs.laweekly.com/arts/2012/03/crazy_hook_hms_bounty_koreatown.php
A theory as to why there are so many nautical/pirate bars in Koreatown.
We'll have to set sail again this summer.
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