Post #185183 by ookoo lady on Wed, Sep 7, 2005 9:31 PM

Here is some more info about the history of the Bahooka, as told by Stacy the bartender.

The owner of the Bahooka was named Jack, who traveled around the south seas as a navy private in the early 1950's. When he left the navy he learned the restaurant business while working at Kelbo's for 10 years.

In 1967 he started the first Bahooka restaurant in West Covina with his sister and younger brother. This restaurant was in operation from 1967 to 1980, and Jack kept adding on to it as the business grew. Unfortunately the building grew three feet over the property line and he lost his lease in a legal dispute. The contents were removed, a beautiful custom-built bar was sold off, and the building was demolished.

In 1976 Jack had opened a second restaurant in Rosemead. From 1976 to 1980 there were two Bahookas in operation. This time he owned the land rather than leasing. The city officials were reluctant to issue a liquor license to an establishment across the street from a high school. Apparently their fears were well-founded, because Krustiki recalls being served alcohol there when he was under the legal age.

Stacy said that the 1980's were lean years for the Bahooka. The only way they stayed in business was to have family members do all the work - cooking, cleaning, serving, etc.

Then in 1987, a television restaurant critic named Elmer Dills did a story about the Bahooka, and business improved considerably for the next five years. Since then they've had ups and downs, but right now they're doing OK.
The Bahooka appeared briefly in the movie "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas".

Stacy told us about some of the decor that can be found around the Bahooka. Much of the authentic nautical items were sold as scrap out of a navy stockyard in Long Beach:

350 mm cannon and anchor

life boat

Air intake tube

Other ship stuff?

Jack collected many weird and wonderful things while traveling all around the southwest.

Jail doors from Lincoln Heights

At one time he had up to 20 of these old gas tanks. For a awhile they were converted into fish tanks, but they developed leaks over the years.

Lots of interesting items like this flag from a WWII warship. The Japanese flags represent boats and planes they shot down.

You can spend a whole evening exploring the Bahooka, which is cluttered with new treasures in every row.

They have over 100 fish tanks, which add to the ambiance and provide most of the light in the restaurant.

The food is tasty and inexpensive (Krustiki recommends the ribs) and the drinks are strong and sweet.