Post #319678 by Kenike on Wed, Jul 18, 2007 5:24 PM

I’m just back from a five-day trip to San Diego and got to visit the Bali Hai four times. Not a ton ‘o tiki, but enough to warrant checking it out…if not for the tiki then certainly for the historical significance. I spent a lot of time at the bar, ate a couple of meals and got to meet a few of the regulars. Here are my impressions after visiting just four times:

As I think was mentioned earlier, the crowd mostly consists of guys with boats and women who dig guys with boats. Most of the friendly boaters seem to be from out of town, but I did come upon some local boaters who were just there to drink beer and start a fight with anyone from TX.

During my first visit and my first drink, a regular told me I needed to get a Mai Tai because he said the Bali Hai “makes a classic Mai Tai the way they’re supposed to be made.” I thought, “Hmmm, this guy doesn’t know what he’s talking about, but what the hell.” The bartender warned me that they were strong and he wasn’t kidding. I watched him make several more after mine…fill a glass with ice, pour in unmeasured amounts of light rum and dark rum, top with water and stir. That’s basically it…rum and ice. I didn’t like it at all but people were buying them by the boatloads! An acquired taste? Possibly, but then I took a closer look at the drink menu: “Coruba Jamaican Dark Rum, Ron Rico Light Rum, Orange Liqueur & Sweet and Sour.” I can tell you there was definitely no orange liqueur or sweet & sour, just rum and ice. I didn’t say anything to the bartenders because no one likes a wise ass, but DAMN! These were awful, or I should say most unpleasant to me. Then on my last night there I watched the barkeep make someone another Mai Tai. To my amazement, HE added the orange liquor AND Trader Vic’s Mai Tai Mix. I don’t mind so much that he used a Trader Vic’s product at the Bali Hai, but it did bother me that the drinks are not consistent (plus the menu says “sweet & sour” which TV’s Mai Tai Mix is not). Were the other bartenders just cutting corners? Who knows. I also noticed that none of the drinks were shaken…not even the ones with lots of fruit juice…just pored into a glass and occasionally stirred. To some people I’m sure it doesn’t matter but to me it did.

I did try the Navy Grog, the Goof Punch and the Zombie, all listed as STRONG on the drink menu and they all were. Missionary’s Downfall was OK but nothing like the original. Planters Punch didn’t taste too strong but was definitely potent. Aloha Kiss was WAY too sweet for me. The clear winners were the Singapore Sling and the Mr. Bali Hai, which comes with or without the mug. Those were the only two I drank more than once. The Mr. Bali Hai is an exceptional drink and one I would highly recommend.

And speaking of the drink menu, why so boring? I can certainly understand the need to save $$$ where you can and these are not printed on any high gloss laminated paper…just a heavy matte. Still, they could have zazzed it up a bit. I’m no graphic artist, but it wouldn’t take much to make it a little more appealing:

Also had a couple of appetizers: Hawaiian Nachos were very good but more than one person could possibly eat. Coconut Shrimp was excellent. The entrees I tried were the Island Sampler (very good) and the classic Chicken Of The Gods which was fantastic. The portions were generous and came with soup AND salad. Unfortunately I can’t give equal kudos to the Chicken Fingers on the kids menu. My kids ordered them and gave a prompt veto. I tasted one and it was like eating a breaded twig.

Went to the gift shop…no S&P shakers! Apparently they had recently received a badly damaged shipment and were waiting for the replacements. On my second visit I learned they had located a good set and were holding it for me…so mahalos to the girl in the gift shop!

To sum things up, I enjoyed my first experience at the Bali Hai and it was fun to dine and drink at such a historic temple of tiki culture...just wish they were more consistent with the drinks. When I return to SD will definitely visit again.