Mai Kai, Fort Lauderdale, FL (restaurant)

No, it's true!

just go to their website and check out and click on the "Mai Kai Club" flower...

I would probably sign up if i lived near there!!

It's discounts on food and drink during certain times.

I went to Mai Kai 2 years ago for my friend's birthday. We had a good time and we all enjoyed it. I decided to go this saturday april 14th for my 25th birthday. However I have been reading reviews online and have recieved an equal amount of good and bad reviews. I remember that the food wasnt so bad and i found the price to be decent. I am a little worried now becuase I am going with a party of 18 and I am concerned with how we will be seated and the price and if the food is small portions or big portions like cheesecake factory. I remember I had fish and the hawaiian rice but don't remember if I had left overs. I do remember that I didn't complain and I was full. Any tips you can give me? or help me refresh my memory?! thanks!

On 2007-04-11 21:16, lafeayette wrote:
... I decided to go this saturday april 14th for my 25th birthday.

Happy Birthday Early. The good news is if you tell them its your birthday they wont gather all the wait staff around you and sing you some horrible version of the song with clapping and serving-ware banging in a cup. The bad news is there is really no bad news so I probably shouldn't have started this idea with "The Good News Is....."

I remember that the food wasnt so bad and i found the price to be decent. ...big portions like cheesecake factory....

The Mai-Kai has been around for 50 years and has figured out a thing of two. And, using fighting words like the big CF is enough to get the locals all fired up. Just remember, this is dinner theatre with a heavy dose of luxury. Where else these days do you get greeted by your host, seated by lovely maidens, have your menus presented and order taken by your table captian. This is not just a mere restaurant, this is an experience in dinning.

... I remember I had fish and the hawaiian rice but don't remember if I had left overs. I do remember that I didn't complain and I was full. Any tips you can give me? or help me refresh my memory?! thanks!

The Grouper and Mahi are both wonderful. The Mandarin Pressed Duck or Orange Papaya Duck are both great if you want something different. The Chinese Oven steaks are absolutely magical, I won't even begin to try and describe them beyond Yummy. Andy's favorite is the vanilla Lobster (I think it is listed as Lobster Tahitian, look for the one in the vanilla sauce). Just remember, there is a whole page of Chinese food on the menu, but the Mai-Kai is not a Chinese restaurant. Allow me to put it this way, a change of reference, a different point of view:

When you enter the Mai-Kai, you are transported to far-away islands in forgotten times, where lovely maidens bring you your drinks and the food is fabulous in presnetation and taste. Allow the music and magic of the Islanders Review entertain you while you eat, and then allow the beauty of the gardens to take your cares away during an after-dinner stroll. (And like Sonny says in the show, don't forget to visit the gift shop...)

i´m looking for pictures of t-shirts
from the maikai-giftshop.

how many different t-shirts did they ever made ?

do they have new t-shirt-motives every few months ?

hot DAMN! that is one sweet giftshop!

On 2007-04-21 15:10, icebaer69 wrote:
i´m looking for pictures of t-shirts
from the maikai-giftshop.

how many different t-shirts did they ever made ?

do they have new t-shirt-motives every few months ?

I can't really help you with the t-shirt questions. Of all the times I've been in the gift shop, I honestly haven't paid that much attention to the t-shirts. The Mai-Kai web site no longer has an online gift shop, but here is a link to their gift shop pages that are no longer linked to their site. There are some t-shirt pictures you can check out.

thank you for the link !
none of the shirts there were in the giftshop
when i was there in february (or i didn´t see them ?).

i only found and bought this shirt:

not good that their shoppages are not linked to the main site.

somebody should help them to redesign the whole website,
because it doesn´t do justice to this beautiful place !

On 2006-06-17 07:39, Chip and Andy wrote:

On 2006-06-17 06:44, claudia1214 wrote:
... The only thing that turned me off was the condition of the entrance way. It still has the blue tarp. ...

It is a work in progress. The structure of the place is 50 years old and the local building inspectors wanted to see the super-structure of the place before they would sign off on building permits. The only way to get at that stuff was to basically take all of the roof off of the drive way.

The good news is all of the permits have been approved and now it is just a matter of getting workers in place. That sounds easy, but so much of our workforce has gone upstate and into the Gulf states for post Hurricane Katrina rebuilding. Workers qualified to do that kind of work are scarce at the moment.

Once the work begins I will get some progress pictures to share.

Is there any news on the roof repairs? Every time I go, I cross my fingers that the valet covering will be restored to its former thatch-covered glory, but it's still an old tarp. Are they still fighting red tape?

I noticed this last visit (for Hukilau), the giftshop was out of Mai Kai mugs and Rum Barrel mugs. They only had the standard Tiki Farm mugs. They were also not serving the Rum Barrel in the mug this time. Don't know if they were out of stock or quit using them or what.

On 2007-06-21 14:05, Digitiki wrote:
I noticed this last visit (for Hukilau), the giftshop was out of Mai Kai mugs and Rum Barrel mugs. They only had the standard Tiki Farm mugs. They were also not serving the Rum Barrel in the mug this time. Don't know if they were out of stock or quit using them or what.

The Mai-Kai looses to breakage,field collection and sales as many as a dozen a night so they order them cases at a a time. The vendor they use for the Rum Barrels (I don't think it is Tikifarm, Holden can confirm) has not been able to keep up with the demand.

That is the same reason for the limited selection of mugs in the gift shop.

Hazel says they are (have?) shopped around for new or other vendors but I was drinking at the time so I can't recal the final outcome of the quest....

Whew - I am glad to find out the Rum Barrel shortage is a temporary thing.

One of my biggest regrets (of the things I can remember) from Hukilau 2006 was not buying a rum barrel mug - I went to the Mai Kai this year with the intention of getting one.

I guess its just another excuse to get back to FLL and the Mai Kai....

Yeah, they lose 300 rum barrels a month at the Mai Kai. That's a lot of mugs! It just happened that Hukilau happened when they were out and the shipment had not arrived.

On 2007-06-21 15:13, Chip and Andy wrote:

On 2007-06-21 14:05, Digitiki wrote:
I noticed this last visit (for Hukilau), the giftshop was out of Mai Kai mugs and Rum Barrel mugs. They only had the standard Tiki Farm mugs. They were also not serving the Rum Barrel in the mug this time. Don't know if they were out of stock or quit using them or what.

"...field collection..."

Well, slap my euphemism! Is THAT what they're calling it now!?

:D

Interesting tiki hanging out in the Chinese Oven kitchen at the Mai Kai

Who here is willing to write?

Who here is willing to offer up some better pictures of the Mai-Kai to the general public?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mai-kai_restaurant

I started the entry, but a writer I am not. I have some cool photos, but I have to get permission from the Mai-Kai to offer them up to the public by way of Wikipedia and its GPU license.

The picture of the team from 1990 was even more scary, but I couldn't get a shot because of the flash off the glass....

To whet everyone's appetite for Hukilau 2008, here are a few recent Mai-Kai photos (taken April 5). ...

And some more ...

... and the end of the roll ...

On 2008-06-09 21:56, Hurricane Hayward wrote:

What is this? Tiki Porn?

:wink:

Great shots Hurricane Hayward!

Are you on Flickr? Those shots would be great added to the Mai-Kai photo pool.

http://www.flickr.com/groups/maikai/

Everyone (else), there is a Flickr Photo Pool for the Mai-Kai that has a growing collection of photos of the place. Please stop by and browse. If you are a Flikr User, please join the group and contribute your photos.

Yeah, maybe we need to start a "Restore the Penis" campaign for this guy...

On 2008-06-10 05:29, Swanky wrote:
Yeah, maybe we need to start a "Restore the Penis" campaign for this guy...

That poor guy could use a good woodpecker.

A bit of Link-Love for the Mai-Kai

http://www.cynical-c.com/?p=10673

Maybe not the best marketing of the place, but anything that gets the word out to the unwashed masses.

I wish, as with all Flickr pools, people would choose the best of their photos, not simply dump every single one taken. Art is often the result of discerning.

Angry Idol

Are you on Flickr? Those shots would be great added to the Mai-Kai photo pool.

http://www.flickr.com/groups/maikai/

Everyone (else), there is a Flickr Photo Pool for the Mai-Kai that has a growing collection of photos of the place. Please stop by and browse. If you are a Flikr User, please join the group and contribute your photos.

Thanks Chip and Andy. I was not aware of the Flickr photo pool. I've added all of the above photos plus a bunch of new ones from Hukilai weekend.

FYI, the photo of the castrated tiki was taken by my 6-year-old goddaughter, so it's completely innocent (I hope).

Re Hukilau 2008, there's a huge thread of photos here in case anyone hasn't seen 'em:
http://www.tikicentral.com/viewtopic.php?mode=viewtopic&topic=28714&forum=4&start=0

Plus a Flickr photo pool: http://www.flickr.com/groups/hukilau/

Here are a few of the best of Mai-Kai ...

Prototype for the Hukilau 2008 mug

The tikis that used to sit atop the big streetside sign before hurricanes brought them down

More artifacts from the behind-the-scenes Hukilai finale

Long live the Mai-Kai (and Hukilau)!

It was great to hear neither is going anywhere anytime soon.

Many, many changes at the Mai-Kai.

WPlugger has been busy casting new Tiki's.

Tons of new landscaping in both the inside and outside gardens. (pictures soon!)

Tons of new landscaping in the entrance.

Rumors of the Carport roof being replaced soon.

And much, much more work! All to be done in time for the Hukilau!

I think maybe I tried this before,but, it needs to be done again.

Have you looked at the online reviews of the Mai Kai? Try Trader Vic's? The reviews are just all over the map. Lots of people don't get it. They obviously go in thinking Chucky Cheese and get the bill and freak out. I suppose I can understand that to some extent. These places are just unlike any other.

So, you want to do something for the Mai Kai? Keep it around for you kids to see, and theirs? Here's a simple way to help. Go to the links below and write a rave review of the Mai Kai. let's get our prespective out there and make the casual tourist want to go badly. It's the least you can do.

Yahoo travel

Yelp

Trip Advisor

And review any other places you want to help be around for a long time while you are at it. We especially turn to these places when traveling. Let's make the Mai Kai one of the best reviewed places out there. It's certainly top in my book!

Oh, and send this to other people. Facebook it or whatever....

Found a Feb. 1970 article about the Zimco Housing Corp. of Pompano Beach. They made a modular home called the Mai-Kai which was inspired by the restaurant. Features include "rain cape thatch, basket weave grass matting, bamboo and Manila line mouldings, traditional south Seas rattan furniture and colorful shag carpeting."

Now, someone go find one of these out there in Florida!

On 2009-07-12 09:00, Mo-Eye wrote:
Found a Feb. 1970 article about the Zimco Housing Corp. of Pompano Beach. They made a modular home called the Mai-Kai which was inspired by the restaurant. Features include "rain cape thatch, basket weave grass matting, bamboo and Manila line mouldings, traditional south Seas rattan furniture and colorful shag carpeting."

Now, someone go find one of these out there in Florida!

There are images of it in the Mai Kai scrapbooks. Great shots with the Mai Kai girls there. Makes it look very inviting!

On 2004-09-08 11:17, hala bullhiki wrote:
more pics!!!, more pics!!!!.....

Many of the smaller tiki's in the gardens are being replaced with concrete versions that should stand for a good long time. This guy is a good example.

another of the concrete additions.

No Fair getting there early to get a good seat. They say 5 and they mean it!

And when you are done looking at the bevy of beauties, take a look at the sign on top..... 2 Shows 10:30 and Midnight.

These pix and more can be seen at http://www.flickr.com/groups/maikai/pool/

An old photo slide of the entrance.

DC

Hey DC,

That slide is actually flopped but it's a quick fix. :)

Is there a date on that slide?

I ask because the big Moai that used to be up front is not in that slide.... We know he was there before the 1972 expansion that created the Bora Bora room (which is the building in that shot). After the expansion was completed the Moai went walking and no one is quite sure when he left on his Journey. A date on that shot could help.

[ Edited by: Chip and andy 2009-10-06 05:58 ]

If you look to the left of that pic, the wooden bridge entrance has a bamboo railing. This 1974 calendar pic shows the bamboo has been replaced with ropes. Ropes remain today, but not quite this dramatic. So Dusty's pic is pre-1973 (1973 being the year the calendar would have been shot).

Or... not. :)

there are ropes in that pic?

On 2009-10-06 04:44, Chip and Andy wrote:
Is there a date on that slide?

Sorry it took so long to get back on the question, I had to track down the slide on ebay. The listing says it is from 1969.

Here is a larger shot from the listing.

DC

[ Edited by: Dustycajun 2009-10-07 17:31 ]

Adding this info for the possibility of relatives out there searching.

"J. Craig Hille, a portrait artist for MGM studios, immortalized the stars
at the pinnacle of their careers. Stricken with throat cancer, the gifted
painter, whose Polynesian nudes grace Fort Lauderdale's landmark Mai-Kai
restaurant, took his own life in 1972."

Also, Bert Sadkin did sketches of the Mai-Kai girls in the mid-sixties that eventually became a sort of mural at the Mai-Kai. It was apparently removed in the late 80s. He went on to run a gallery on the "SS Mardi Gras" which was the first Carnival Cruise ship. He did caricatures mostly I am told.

That's Kelly holding up the bridge.

I was at the Mai Kai on the Friday of the Memorial Day Weekend around 6 or so and the Molokai bar was paaa-aacked! I hadn't been since November and it's good to see that the place is going strong...not like there was any doubt.

Nice picture of the Mai Kai Islanders.
That's Ruita(at that time married to manager Kern Mattei Sr.)
The girl whose head is poking out between the second and third seated girl was my first wife Dine.
To the left of the front left tram roof support pole is Mireille(married to owner Bob Thornton)
On the right of the pole is my current wife, also Diane, of 27 years.
Good times!!!

On 2009-09-16 14:16, Chip and Andy wrote:

On 2004-09-08 11:17, hala bullhiki wrote:
more pics!!!, more pics!!!!.....

Many of the smaller tiki's in the gardens are being replaced with concrete versions that should stand for a good long time. This guy is a good example.

another of the concrete additions.

No Fair getting there early to get a good seat. They say 5 and they mean it!

And when you are done looking at the bevy of beauties, take a look at the sign on top..... 2 Shows 10:30 and Midnight.

On 2010-06-10 Nibblegribitz wrote:
Nice picture of the Mai Kai Islanders.
That's Ruita(at that time married to manager Kern Mattei Sr.)
The girl whose head is poking out between the second and third seated girl was my first wife Dine.
To the left of the front left tram roof support pole is Mireille(married to owner Bob Thornton)
On the right of the pole is my current wife, also Diane, of 27 years.
Good times!!!

These pix and more can be seen at http://www.flickr.com/groups/maikai/pool/

On 2009-10-07 14:44, GatorRob wrote:
If you look to the left of that pic, the wooden bridge entrance has a bamboo railing. This 1974 calendar pic shows the bamboo has been replaced with ropes. Ropes remain today, but not quite this dramatic. So Dusty's pic is pre-1973 (1973 being the year the calendar would have been shot).

Or... not. :)

On 2010-06-10 Nibblegribitz wrote:
That's Susan Matteis' sister Kelli holding up the bridge.

[ Edited by: nibblegribitz 2010-06-10 20:05 ]

Major Kudo's to Bohemiann and his team at Go11 Media for their work on the website!

http://www.maikai.com/

The site is now almost as amazing as the restaurant!

For those of you close enough to join regularly, or if your just travelling in, you can find out what's going on with the Happy Hour Specials:

http://www.maikai.com/specials/happy-hour-specials

Anyone in the area this Friday please join us for the Elvis show! It should be a whol'lotta fun!

Yay! I have a reservation for dinner and a show Thursday, Nov. 4. Anyone around then? It would be fun to meet anybody from TC there. I am so psyched.

Hi Fred,
Mike and I are thinking about meeting up with you. Possibly also Chip and Andy. When are you coming in and where are you coming from?
Renee

Oh no! I just checked this thread and saw your post. Sorry to miss seeing you! Were you there last night? I was, and it was amazing. I loved the show, and the Mai Tais were pretty cool too. I may go again Sunday night. I'm so bummed I didn't check this thread sooner!!!

TikiRenee, I reread your post and I'm coming from Philadelphia. I'm down here until Monday morning. Let me know if you can meet up again this weekend.

Hi Fred check your pm's.