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Tiki Central / General Tiki / Tiki History - The Tahitian Village in Downey, CA

Post #41581 by Sabu The Coconut Boy on Thu, Jul 3, 2003 12:23 PM

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Don't feel bad for me that I wasn't able to join you all at the Hukilau in Ft. Lauderdale last weekend. I had hours of fun looking through my postcard collection instead (Yes I'm bitter). And I couldn't wait to show you another splendid image of tiki-architecture from days gone by (god, I wish I could see the Mai-Kai).

This week, puamana and I are posting items from the Tahitian Village restaurant in Downey, California (I bet Florida was nice). Unfortunately, this tiki-temple was just torn down in the summer of 2000. I missed seeing it in person, but I bet some of the rest of you have stories about this place. Here is a vintage postcard showing the interior: (I really wanted to order a Mystery Bowl).


The back of the postcard reads:]
Exotic Dancing In The Beautiful TAHITIAN VILLAGE Restaurant. Cocktails and Exotic Beverages of the islands, Banquet and Convention Facilities to accommodate four to four hundred persons. We cater to special parties and wedding receptions. 13535 Lakewood Blvd. at Rosecrans, Downey, Calif.

When I showed this postcard to Bob and LeRoy at Oceanic arts, they confirmed that they had done the decor for the Tahitian Village.

Here are links to another website that shows pictures of the exterior of the Tahitian Village, (including its destruction). It had a beautiful, soaring a-frame structure.
http://www.roadsidepeek.com/wherenow/
http://www.roadsidepeek.com/tiki/tikitown/

Really sad I missed this place (and Hukilau 2003, though I'd never complain). Can't wait to see puamana's menu.

Sabu


[ Edited by: Sabu The Coconut Boy on 2003-07-03 12:24 ]