Post #605949 by TikiTomD on Thu, Sep 8, 2011 12:39 PM

Mahalo, kenbo-jitsu. When I finish my research, I’ll email humuhumu to see if she’s interested in adding the Beef ’n’ Reef to critiki.

Jonpaul, many thanks for bringing us the first color image of an artifact from this lost little land of Tiki. It sure brings life to a thread thus far immersed in drab microfiche black & white.

Here’s the Beef ‘n’ Reef drink recipe for a “Blue Hawaii”...

Florida Today July 14, 1974

Marvin Argo, who’s listed as owner-manager above, evidently had some interest in the restaurant from the beginning, but James Billet seemed to be the owner of record. Argo was also the manager of the Hibiscus restaurant, contained within the Cocoa Beach Country Club. According to a 1973 article, the Hibiscus was “a quiet restaurant in Cocoa Beach with a beautiful view of the Banana River, a subdued Hawaiian décor, very good food and waitresses so attentive you almost wished they’d get lost for a while.” The article goes on to note...

Florida Today August 17, 1973

Here’s some more representative Florida Today ads from early 1977...

January 23, 1977

February 4, 1977

April 19, 1977

In August 1977, the Beef ‘n’ Reef was sold to Don Kirwan and Joan West for $300,000...

Florida Today August 30, 1977

The new owners retained the Polynesian theme, with some changes...

Florida Today September 22, 1978

Next, the Beef ’n’ Reef is sold yet again...

-Tom