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Mai Kai, Fort Lauderdale, FL (restaurant) |
Chip and Andy
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Jul 13, 2004
Posts: 2277
From: Corner table, Molokai Lounge, Mai-Kai.
|  Posted: 2004-08-09 7:14 pm Permalink
Name:Mai Kai
Type:restaurant
Street:3599 N Federal Hwy
City:Fort Lauderdale
State:FL
Zip:33308-6
country:USA
Phone:(954) 563-3272
Status:operational
Description:
Quoted from their site: (the best description I can find!)
\"Escape to one of the most unique dining and entertainment places in all of South Florida. Since 1956, it has captivated people with its warmth and magical aura. The Mai-Kai authentically recreates a Polynesian Village, complete with tiki torches, a thatch roof, and a wooden plank bridge entrance\"
The only way to truly appreciate this place is to go there. The Tiki Road Trip has this one listed as MECA, and that just barely touches it!
The food is absolutly fabulous and the only bad thing I can say for the drinks is the price.
This one is worth the trip!
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TIKI DAVID
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Apr 07, 2004
Posts: 1961
From: North Coast/ DEAD
| Posted: 2004-08-10 10:22 am Permalink
I was there in june,LOVE the place.bought out the gift shop{almost} . very ,very, disapointed in the condition theY let the outdoor tikis fall into.rotting,and falling apart.seems to me the could do a better job of restoation.still,the food ,show and interior were tops, TD
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Swanky
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Apr 03, 2002
Posts: 5273
From: Hapa Haole Hideaway, TN
| Posted: 2004-08-10 1:28 pm Permalink
Tiki David,
The outdoor tikis are very well cared for, but you must recall that many of them have been in that garden for 50 years...
_________________
"Mai-Kai: History & Mystery of the Iconic Tiki Restaurant" the book
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TikiTikiTavi
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Jul 12, 2004
Posts: 121
From: Exotica
| Posted: 2004-08-10 3:58 pm Permalink
For those of you that have not visited The Mai Kai, here are a few photos to inspire you to make the trip...
The Outdoor Garden and Seating Area
In The Garden Looking Toward The Restaurant
Outdoor Dining Area
Some Hot Torches
The Gift Shop
One Last Look At The Garden Path
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TIKI DAVID
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Apr 07, 2004
Posts: 1961
From: North Coast/ DEAD
| Posted: 2004-08-25 07:43 am Permalink
SWANKY, you need to go again and take a closer look,a couple of the outdoor tiki's have chunks of wood just shoved into dryrotting holes ,no attempt to even repair or restore. sad... TD
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Swanky
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Apr 03, 2002
Posts: 5273
From: Hapa Haole Hideaway, TN
| Posted: 2004-08-25 11:32 am Permalink
There are attempts to save and restore. They are diligently fighting insects and rot. They are looking right now for experts to fix and restore some of the pieces. I was there last month.
_________________
"Mai-Kai: History & Mystery of the Iconic Tiki Restaurant" the book
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TIKI DAVID
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Apr 07, 2004
Posts: 1961
From: North Coast/ DEAD
| Posted: 2004-08-29 09:04 am Permalink
I hpoe you are right,TD
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RevBambooBen
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Nov 12, 2002
Posts: 7911
From: Huntikington Beach
| Posted: 2004-08-29 09:58 am Permalink
Quote:
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On 2004-08-25 07:43, TIKI DAVID wrote:
SWANKY, you need to go again and take a closer look,a couple of the outdoor tiki's have chunks of wood just shoved into dryrotting holes ,no attempt to even repair or restore. sad... TD
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Is this guy serious??
TD, 50 years man! History!
You want new? Go to Target!!
Arrrrrrrrrrr!!
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TIKI DAVID
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Apr 07, 2004
Posts: 1961
From: North Coast/ DEAD
| Posted: 2004-08-30 1:55 pm Permalink
see the dog,his name is spot see the dog run ,run spot run. Read carefullynow,no effort to {ready? here it comes....}RESTORE OR REPAIR,never said replace with new. TD
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Mrs. B
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Mar 12, 2003
Posts: 231 | Posted: 2004-08-30 9:54 pm Permalink
So, are you Spot?
Do you do repairs?
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NeptuneTiki
Tiki Centralite
Joined: Sep 13, 2003
Posts: 63
From: Neptune Beach, Florida
| Posted: 2004-09-04 3:17 pm Permalink
One of the neatest things about the Mai Kai is the weathered down tikis in the awesome gardens. The Mai Kai takes you back in time. Neptune Tiki and I had a blast taking photos with all the tikis throughout the gardens and in the restaurant last January. Restoration is not necessary. We cannot wait to go back during the Hukilau!
Neptune Wahine
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hala bullhiki
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Nov 26, 2002
Posts: 570
From: champaign,illinois
| Posted: 2004-09-08 11:17 am Permalink
more pics!!!, more pics!!!!.....seein these are really gettin me psyched for hukilau!!!!!
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The Ragin' Rarotongan
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Mar 26, 2004
Posts: 282
From: Now, Ocala Florida
| Posted: 2004-09-11 10:07 am Permalink
Yeah, One thing I do like about living in South Fla is being close to this slice of paradise. I try to hit Happy Hour once in a while.
_________________
"Want a beer?'"...."It's 7:00 in the morning!"...."Scotch?"...."Not during working hours."
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Trader Rick
Tiki Centralite
Joined: Jul 04, 2003
Posts: 88
From: St Augustine Beach, FL
| Posted: 2004-09-30 1:02 pm Permalink
My wife and I made our first visit in March this year and we were bowled over to say the least. This is a must see for any Tikiphile and an act of holy pilgrimage and obligation! It may be the last of its kind. We try to make it down at least twice a year and we always stay right around the corner at an old googie motel that used to be called the Polynesian that still has tikis embedded in the outside walls. This hotels bar used to be tiki but it was long ago changed into some sort of nothing kareoke/country/frat crap bar. They need to get wise and go retro! Bring back the tiki you whimps and cash in big!!!
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hala bullhiki
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Nov 26, 2002
Posts: 570
From: champaign,illinois
| Posted: 2004-09-30 8:41 pm Permalink
hukilau was my first mai kai experience, and one i will tell my kids and grand kids about, absolutely breathtaking.........i now feel lucky to have visited the 3 most amazing tiki temples in my mind...(mai kai,hala kahiki,bali hai).......i got engaged at hukilau (on the beach at the ocean late thursday night,) and when we got home, we actually called the mai kai for info on if they do weddings there...........it really is a magical place.....
[ This Message was edited by: hala bullhiki on 2004-10-01 19:14 ]
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