Post #460158 by Kenike on Mon, Jun 8, 2009 12:45 PM

It's so many different things. The weak spot is definitely the kitchen. The food is a little overpriced and inconsistent at times. They keep changing the menu around. First it's good, then really good, then horrible. Now when I order I have to show a picture on my phone of what it looked like the last time so I have an idea of what I'm ordering..."does it still look like this?". I'm speaking mostly of the appetizers since that's usually all I eat at the bar.

Drink prices range from $7.00 to around $12.00, with $5.00 specials going on until 7:00 (Mai Tai's are $3.00 on Tuesdays). If you ask me, the bar is understaffed. On really busy nights they struggle to stay on top of things and you might be waiting a while for your drink. They did just hire one new person who I haven't really gotten to know yet. They also just fired the bar manager, who in my opinion would have been the death of TV. He didn't understand the history of TV, didn't care, and free poured EVERYTHING. Bad attitude, nasty know it all. I didn't like him one bit and NEVER let him make any of my drinks. Good riddance. Grande Kahu has a funny Navy Grog story about that clown.

Ownership went from two guys to one guy, and Trader Vic's is apparently the only business he owns that can make money. That seems to be what his main focus is. GM's are in and out, and there's a brand new one coming to town this week. There were some consultants in for a while and made some changes, both good and bad, but they're gone now too.The economy has certainly hurt a business that was already hurting. A lot of corporate events were canceled and that took a big bite out of their sales.

Still, the one thing that's really lacking is VISION. Keeping sports on TV and playing Latin Underground music while serving a flaming Dr. Funk's Son shows a lack of vision. Sorry, but I'm there for the escapism. Sports on TV attracts the Bud Lite crowd who yell and scream when there's a touchdown. That completely ruins the experience for me. There really is a sports bar right next to Trader Vic's. They'd only have to stagger maybe 5 steps to get there.

Trying to attract more college kids to come hang out every weekend shows a lack of vision (since when do college kids have that kind of discretionary income anyway?). They need to stop trying to be all things to all people and focus on what they are...an ESCAPE. They don't sell mugs anymore, or T-Shirts, no matchbooks or ANYTHING that someone can take home after an evening at Trader Vic's. Brand recognition has HUGE importance and it's just been sitting on the back burner. I've approached them more times than I can count saying things like "Have you thought about..." They genuinely listen to what I say, but they know I'm just the resident tikiphile, and 98% of their customers don't really care or even notice that the front doors are upside down (yes, they really are). They haven't done much in trying to attract the tiki community either. Not that it's huge in Dallas, but it certainly could be. What's wrong with giving 10% off if you wear a Hawaiian shirt? They're already giving 25% off if you mention their Facebook page.

Dallas Trader Vic's is a treasure. There's so much history, so much nostalgia, so much TIKI, and they don't seem to really notice what they have in their hands.

Be what you are. Have a vision and stick to it.

[ Edited by: Kenike 2009-06-09 15:38 ]