Post #222185 by joefla70 on Tue, Mar 21, 2006 12:07 PM

Donhonyc is correct about the local feeling in S. Fla. that the Mai Kai is a 'tourist trap'... and they do adverstise heavily with brochures in places where tourists frequent so naturally there is a large number of tourists who go to Mai Kai. But I'm glad to see that there are enough tourists and enough regulars like Chip and Andy to keep the Mai Kai doing a brisk business. Hopefully, with that kind of support it will stay open forever!

Personally, I love everything about the Mai Kai (except the surroundings which popped up after the place was built... such as the City Furniture, with its red neon sign, that was build right next door, which which you can see from the gardens). But I can see why most of the bad reviews are from locals. There was a time a while back when I mostly just went to the Mai Kai for happy hour (2 for 1 Barrels, woo hoo) because while I loved the atmosphere, I didn't care much for the food... and it is fairly expensive. I would bet that some of those bad reviews are from locals who haven't been to the Mai Kai in several years and they recall a bad dining experience.

In the past few years, however, I have found the food to be great. If you don't know about it, ask for the "Bali Hai" menu which is an all-inclusive menu, including a choice of appetizer, entree, desert and includes the show -- all for $45. I highly recommend the Szechuan Surf and Turf (which is Filet and Lobster). Unfortuantely they recently took that dish off the Bali Hai menu, but they still let me order it the last time I was there. :) Anyway, you have to specifically ask for the Bali Hai menu... they don't just offer it to you.

Regarding Tropical Acres, I can understand why they are on the list as a landmark. It is not so much for the look of the place, but because it has been around for so long... about as long as the Mai Kai, or maybe longer. I agree with Donhonyc that the place is nothing to look at. In fact, I think it used to be a house (and not a very nice one) that was expanded at some point.

What astounds me about the online poll is the number of votes for Tropical Acres. Most people on TC will not appreciate this, but the average age of a person who dines at Tropical Acres has to be around 70. The only times I have ever been there is when my grandparents had a birthday or something like that. Are there that many senior citizens out there on the internet to generate a #1 vote?

Finally, while I appreciate the enthusiasm of many people on TC wanting to have the Mai Kai voted as the top South Florida landmark restaurant, I don't think it would be fair for people who have never been there -- or to any of the other restaurants on the list for that matter -- to cast a vote just for the sake of making the Mai Kai #1. I know many people on TC have been to the Mai Kai either for the Hukilau events or otherwise, but I am sure not everyone voting for the Mai Kai has. And many voters may have never been to the other restaurants on the list. Personally, I have been to 8 of the top 10 and I think that the Mai Kai is the #1 landmark, but that is only because I have been to most of the other restaurants to compare. I think that the Southflorida.com editors yanked the Mai Kai's votes because of this. Just my two cents.

[ Edited by: joefla70 2006-03-21 12:10 ]