Post #42438 by Sabu The Coconut Boy on Thu, Jul 10, 2003 12:53 PM

Mug-collectors know this restaurant for the unique parrot-shaped mugs that turn up frequently on E-bay. But I didn't know what a great piece of Polynesian-Pop architecture resided in Cherry Hill, New Jersey until I began acquiring postcards from the Hawaiian Cottage.

Check out the cool pineapple and coconut-shaped domes on the roof. This restaurant existed from 1938-1978, thus spanning both the pre-tiki and tiki eras. The postcard reads:

"Hawaiian Cottage Restaurant". Route 38 - Delaware Township, P.O. Merchantville, NJ. Unexcelled Food in an Enchanting Atmosphere of the Paradise Isles of the Pacific"

Here's a view of the interior from 1966 (between 1960 and 1966 the name of the city changes from Merchantville to Cherry Hill):
]
"Authentic Hawaiian Music and Revue - Floor Show - Continuous Entertainment - Dancing - Continental and Polynesian Cuisine)"

Here is a souvenir photo-folder from the restaurant. I've been finding these frequently from Polynesian restaurants in the 1940s and 1950s, though this is my latest - dated at 1960. Were souvenir photos part of an earlier era? Or does anyone have evidence that they were offered in restaurants during the 1960s and 1970s as well?


I like this shot because it's candid and shows that leis were actually given to patrons every day, not just when staging photos for postcards. On the table you can see some nice air-brushed tropical plates, probably by the Syracuse or Jackson China company:

Beautiful air-brushed plates and cups show up all the time on E-bay, and you know they were used in tiki restaurants - but because they're unmarked, there's no way to tell which ones, except by these old photos and postcards. Here's the text from the postcard folder:

Hawaiian Cottage - A theater-restaurant - where the decor creates an atmosphere of the fascinating Paradise Isles of the Pacific. Polynesians perform exotic dances and sing ancient chants of the islands. while dining in this tropical setting, you receive the impression of actually being in Hawaii"

And finally here's a picture of the mug from Mike's mug gallery:

Mike also has this helpful text with the mug:

"From the Hawaiian Cottage restaurant in New Jersey. Located on Rt. 38 in South New Jersey, this restaurant and club was started by Michael and Mary Egidi in 1938. For 40 years is was a popular, family run place with a giant pineapple dome roof and a luau show and dancing. Unfortunately it burned down July 1, 1978 in an early morning fire, and was not rebuilt."

That's all the info I have right now, but I bet you anything that puamana has a menu from this place.

Sabu

[ Edited by: Sabu The Coconut Boy on 2003-07-10 12:55 ]