Post #670469 by Tangaroa-Ru on Sat, Mar 9, 2013 10:55 PM

I went and said my aloha to Bahooka this afternoon. I just wandered through, took photos and breathed in the smell of ribs and old restaurant. If you wanted to dine, there was a 2-3 hour wait, unless you had lined up early. They had a table up front, where they were selling off a stack of mucky, plastic parrots and I saw the last of their t-shirts (size 3x) get purchased by a much smaller person, who was delighted to get it.

It's always difficult and sad to say goodbye to something we love. But the restaurant business is tough, especially in a huge city like Los Angeles, where there are so many dining options. We have all seen Bahooka nearly empty on many nights, yet hopping on some weekends and during our Tiki events we've had there. Owning a restaurant will take up your whole life, unless you choose to relinquish some of your power to investors to help you run it. I wish Suzanne and her family well, and they are fortunate that, in their time of need, they got an offer they couldn't refuse. Whether we like it or not.

The good news? We once had a place called Bahooka. A fantastic dining escape that we enjoyed thoroughly for almost half a century, and we made a lot of memories there. More positive news: I have heard (rumors) that some of the decor will be seen at a new, L.A. Tiki bar later this year. Also, that the new owners of the Bahooka building are keeping the fishtanks -- which makes me hopeful (fingers crossed) that they might keep the seating and placement of the tanks intact, which would make a far better fate than befell many of of our beloved old Tiki places. One of the things that made Bahooka so wonderful were their booths. Because of the wandering design of the building, you could hide away in there with your date and feel (or BE) naughty, while surrounded by one hundred-plus bubbling tanks and colorful sea life. It was as if you were given your own private world for a little while. Wow oh wow oh wow. Word to anyone thinking of owning their own exotic restaurant or bar: You would do well to recreate this booth ambiance in your new place.

So, let this be a reminder to us to support and enjoy the Tiki places we still have. We're fortunate that, here in Los Angeles, we can actually do a roll call: Tiki Ti! Damon's! Tonga Hut! Purple Orchid! Don the Beachcomber's! Trader Vic's L.A., Tiki No! And, it appears, a few more to come. And if we do this, in fifty years, we can listen to our children wail and cry when those places get sold off... Ah, the circle of Tiki life.