Post #671100 by JOHN-O on Thu, Mar 14, 2013 6:19 PM

Ancient Chinese secrets in the Windy City !! Here's a place that's really not that well known outside of the Midwest. It's the Chef Shangri-La, located 12 miles outside of downtown Chicago.

Now I understand that a Chinese restaurant trying to pass as Tiki is usually not good Tiki-style. As the Bigbro is always reminding us, many Chop Suey joints jumped in late to the Tiki game with cheap decor and bad Tropical cocktails. I always assumed the Chef fell in this category, especially since it opened in the disco year of 1976.

I was very happy to learn first hand that the Chef is so much more than that, a 1st-tier place well worth any serious Tikiphile's time and money.

Let's start with the the decor. Now while there were the requisite Orchids of Hawaii lamps...

and some Tikis of a questionable aesthetic nature...

The place was chock full of Witco, the number of which might even rival that of the nearby and more well known Hala Kahiki...

Also as was pointed out to me, several pieces originating from Oceanic Arts...

The main dining room was populated with a couple of large Moais and even had a pond with live Koi...

And the adjacent bar with its large bamboo awning was a Tiki appropriate place to enjoy a Tropical cocktail...

And how were those cocktails ?? The Mai Tai (shown above) was described to me as even more potent than their Zombie, and made a very worthy addition to my on-going cocktail quest. Their house specialty, the Dr. Fong, was also quite tasty but colored a curious Irish green. That must be a Midwestern thing...

Now I know I'm not supposed to be pre-occupied with culinary quality when in the presence of good Tiki art, but sometimes a sublime serving of classically prepared egg foo yung can be more Tiki satisfying than the rarest Witco carving. But hey that's just me. :D

And yes chop suey was on the menu (Yay!) as well as chow mein, but unfortunately no pressed duck. :(

My visit was made even more rewarding in that I was met by local Tiki peeps, Mr. And Mrs. BambooLodge, who have had a long history with the Tiki Revival. They shared with me the lore of the Chef.

Thanks Dave and Coalbe !!

Maybe the most unique aspect of Midwestern Tiki is that it feels just a little more like a Tropical escape inside, when it's freezing cold and snowing outside. Sometimes in order to get to "paradise" you need to pack a winter coat, even in March. :)