Don the Beachcomber's problems???? - Tiki Drinks and Food

J JOHN-O Tiki Socialite Dogtown, USA Joined: May 16, 2008 Posts: 2721	J JOHN-O Posted posted on Wed, Feb 29, 2012 3:23 AM Well if you're going to use the Mai Kai as the yardstick to measure your Tiki experience then you're likely to be disappointed with Don's. They do indeed have some new bar staff who are still honing their craft. On my last visit, my Dr. Funk was really off, I expressed my dissatisfaction, and then they remixed a much better cocktail. It really doesn't matter that much though, I'd still make the 30 mile drive just to drink beer in Don's historic Tiki splendor. A great Tiki experience for me isn't always about the drinks. My most sublime Tiki time machine experience was in a place with the most disappointing cocktails, the Hala Kahiki just outside of Chicago. That may have even eclipsed my most excellent visit to the Mai Kai last year. Don't get me wrong, I love my drinky drinks, but in some ways a straight bourbon in a vintage "dump" like the Hawaiian Room in Bellflower can be more Tiki satisfying than a Smuggler's Cove Rum Barrel. History is something that can't just be created.

Well if you're going to use the Mai Kai as the yardstick to measure your Tiki experience then you're likely to be disappointed with Don's. They do indeed have some new bar staff who are still honing their craft. On my last visit, my Dr. Funk was really off, I expressed my dissatisfaction, and then they remixed a much better cocktail. It really doesn't matter that much though, I'd still make the 30 mile drive just to drink beer in Don's historic Tiki splendor.

A great Tiki experience for me isn't always about the drinks. My most sublime Tiki time machine experience was in a place with the most disappointing cocktails, the Hala Kahiki just outside of Chicago. That may have even eclipsed my most excellent visit to the Mai Kai last year.

Don't get me wrong, I love my drinky drinks, but in some ways a straight bourbon in a vintage "dump" like the Hawaiian Room in Bellflower can be more Tiki satisfying than a Smuggler's Cove Rum Barrel.

History is something that can't just be created.

Post #626912 by JOHN-O on Wed, Feb 29, 2012 3:23 AM