Post #761797 by Dustycajun on Thu, Mar 31, 2016 4:46 PM

I dug up a bit of information on the Mahi Mahi transition. It started out as the Mahi Mahi built in 1968-1969 by Wriking Food and Beverage Systems and was intended to be a multiple location franchise restaurant like Trader Vic's.

Here is an article on the inception in 1968.

The Wriking co ran the restaurant through 1970. Here are a few ads from that era.

1970 was a little too late for the franchise concept, so Omni Hut Enterprises and Major Walls bought the Mahi Mahi.

The did not fail for the lack of trying, offering everything a private Luau Club, fashion shows, Hawaiian Luau feasts, authentic Hawaiian music, and even a buffet after church.

Funny thing in looking at the ads is that the address changed from 95 White Bridge Road to 81 White Bridge Road.

It turns out that Omni Hut Enterprises also opened a restaurant in 1969 called Ports of Paradise. The menu that Swanky posted above is from there.

So by 1970 they were running three Polynesian style restaurants.

I think that this was too much cost to bear; the Mahi Mahi closed in 1970 and the Ports of Paradise was sold off in 1971.

What a roller coaster ride, at least the Omni Hut is still with us today.

DC