The Islander, Stockton, CA (restaurant)

Name:The Islander
Type:restaurant
Street:6623 Pacific Ave
City:Stockton
State:CA
Zip:
country:USA
Phone:
Status:defunct

Description:
This was, at one time, the place to be in Stockton. If you had to be in Stockton in the first place. The Islander boasts some of the coolest and most collectable mugs around.
I've often wondered if Chris Isaak ever went into the Islander, seeing how he was raised in Stockton and went to college at the University of the Pacific. He would have been around there before the Islander was torn down.
I'd love to hear from anyone that has been to the Islander and has memories of the place since I never got to see it. Leroy from OA told me that the reason that the Islander was eventually torn down was because the asian owner, who had a severe gambling problem, lost it in a majaan game. Ain't that something?

luckydesigns:

the stockton islander was one happening place back in the 60's. it was closed in the late 70's (i believe) and remained on pacific avenue for a few years. it did in fact close due to tommy lee's gambling problems. he recently passed away two years ago...still living in stockton.

the building of the islander still exists though. it was moved in the 1980's to the frontage road of highway 99...slightly north of stockton. it is now known as "pollardville - the chicken kitchen". i went to the restaurant just to check out the inside and see if any tiki reminants were still intact. the bar is still there, although used for single diners. across from this area was the most exciting find, a tiki pole--which must be an architectual staple for the place to stay up! it is intact...and quite "out of place" due the horrible kitchy western decor. (there is a covered wagon you can eat inside of in this restaurant!) (NOT KIDDING)

even though it is disheartening passing by the old islander due to the pollardville mess it assumed, it still is neat to see the old building and the polynesian architecture. i myself never went to the islander for i was not born in stockton, but it has been my fascination for five years now. the mugs are still surfacing around here and are becoming quite valuable.

*On 2003-11-11 21:44, tikicleen wrote:*the bar is still there, although used for single diners.

Before anyone gets too excited, the bar itself is much older than the Islander was. I think it was moved to the Islander from a turn-of-the-century era bar, so it's Victorian in style, not Polynesian.

Chicken Kitchen to close!

I heard from my mom this morning (who lives in Stockton) that the Pollardville Chicken Kitchen (which inhabits the old Islander building that was moved to its current site) will be closing in 2007. I know the building itself is tiki, and I heard rumors that there might be a tiki or two inside (although I have been there twice and never seen one). How can we find out what the plans are for the building?

Suzanne

Just happened upon this picture from Getty Images (a stock photography library), thought you all might enjoy:

The caption reads:
75-year old woman sipping 'Husband Killer' at new Exotic South Sea island-type restaurant called `The Islander'.

That's a great picture. Lots of intrigue. Now that he's dead it's time for a tiki drink.

this is a great photo! however, this was taken at the L.A. Islander, which was on la cienga blvd.

those spurlin mugs are zazz!

"75-year old woman sipping 'Husband Killer' at new Exotic South Sea island-type restaurant called `The Islander'."

It does look like she's up to something! Again too, I'd say. Yep, she's done this before, and it keeps getting easier. Notice the cool reflection, the ease at which she contemplates the deed, already done or forthcoming. She's downed a lot of cocktails too, look how she deftly suspends that pinky. Those mugs are big beasts and she handles it like a pro. I bet those life insurance premiums were up to date.

Yeah Cleen, it's a Stella Bodey piece. Her work for Spurlin Ceramics is top drawer stuff. Hard to get, but if know what to look for, they're still hard to get. Stockton's Islander had the best selection of mugs on the West Coast, but LA's Islander did have some fine Spurlin oferings.

Honestly, this picture deserves its own topic in another forum. Photographs of patrons during that period enjoying a cocktail in an actual Tiki mug are so very rare. Not many "in situ" shots of original tiki mugs. Plus, she's hot.

Only one year late, but I spent grades 2-7 in Stockton in the 60's. The Islander was my favorite place to eat. I can remember going there for my birthday when I was about 11. My favorite thing to order was "chicken in foil." Yummy!

[ Edited by: mochaloca 2008-10-23 20:17 ]

I drove by The Islander over Labor Day-it's closed and it looks like it might be slated for demolition. I wanna go back down there to get some pictures before it's gone. You can still see the general shape of the building and it still has a tiki aura about it. Bummer that we can't reopen it in it's former tiki splendor!

:drink:

I thought this post needed a couple of images so here we are. What it once was and what it became. Any updates on the building?

Easily one of the coolest Tiki signs of all times....

MCM and Tiki...perfect !

Zoom all the way in to see the building.

http://maps.google.com/maps?client=safari&rls=en&oe=UTF-8&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=10464+N+Highway+99+Stockton,+CA+95212&fb=1&split=1&gl=us&cid=0,0,30764219126841080&ei=5tOYSbizGZmMsQPu5ImIAQ&sa=X&oi=local_result&resnum=1&ct=image

[ Edited by: tikiyaki 2009-02-15 19:22 ]

I was there this morning treasure hunting, I posted the brief story and pics on this General Tiki thread, Its the one on "The lost chapter: Hop Louie and the Stockton Islander" by tikicleen

http://www.tikicentral.com/viewtopic.php?mode=viewtopic&topic=15550&forum=1&start=60

Be fore warned the pictures are sad and may make you cry!!

Aloha

When I first moved to this area in the mid-1970's, The Islander was indeed the hottest spot in Stockton, CA. It was a very popular hangout located off Pacific Avenue, particularly for peace officers and correctional workers of the area. I do not know why the business closed, but the building was not torn down, it was moved in whole to Pollardvile off Morada, east of Hiway 99, where it became their Chicken Kitchen! (I went there once after it moved, but the ambiance was gone and the chicken was very greasy). After that, the coolest spot to hang out was Black Angus off March Lane, east of I-5. The movie Saturday Night Fever brought about Disco Fever and they had a huge wooden dance floor and lights similar to the movie!

Looks like the Stockton Islander/Pollardville Chicken Restaurant building has been torn down. Hard to tell for sure since I whizzing past on the 99, but I swear I used to see that building from the freeway. The big tower topped with the Pollardville sign is still there and there's a for sale on the lot.

I found this and I had to post. I remember the Islander Resturant building as a kid. We lived not far from it and I saw it evertime we turned onto Pacific Ave. It was already closed and empty when I was a kid but I remember the building very well. It kind of stuck out from everything else around it. I also remember being very upset when they moved it away. However we did eat at the Chicken Kitchen every so often. I remember I liked to eat inside the covered wagon. I would make my parents ask to sit in it if it was empty. But I have to say that I owe something to the Islander. Let's just say that I wouldn't be here today if it wasn't for the Islander. It was one of my parents' favorite resturants before I was born. It played a part in the way they met. Thank you Islander. You are the reason I am here.

Somebody is selling a Tommy Lee ashtray on eBay:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320808013295&ssPageName=ADME:B:SS:US:1123

Hello - Yes I went to the Stockton Islander several times in the '70's. My Uncle used to bring his two sons out for every summer when we were 12-16 and the whole family went. They always had a cool floor show. I remember The Ink Spots played there and a few other old time groups. I still have a few of the mugs including the Skull and a few of the Tiki types.

Sold on ebay for $50 recently

A very nice find for whoever bought them. Nowadays many restaurant supply companies sell generic chopsticks in plain paper sleeves.

I can't remember the last time I saw custom-printed chopstick sleeves. My guess is that the last "great upheaval" in the chopstick world came when bamboo chopsticks came into vogue. One or two bamboo chopstick manufacturers were successful in taking over the vast amount of market share with their new "greener" and renewable bamboo product. For restaurant operators, they may have found that there wasn't much incremental value to having your own branded chopstick sleeves.

One exception to this may be the better Pho noodle houses and a handful of higher-end restaurants who provide customers with high-quality re-usable plastic chopsticks. They must wash and then re-package their chopsticks either in paper sleeves, or they roll/wrap/insert their sticks into their linen table napkins.

How "progress" changes things over time, huh?

A very nice find for whoever bought them. Nowadays many restaurant supply companies sell generic chopsticks in plain paper sleeves.

I can't remember the last time I saw custom-printed chopstick sleeves. My guess is that the last "great upheaval" in the chopstick world came when bamboo chopsticks came into vogue. One or two bamboo chopstick manufacturers were successful in taking over the vast amount of market share with their new "greener" and renewable bamboo product. For restaurant operators, they may have found that there wasn't much incremental value to having your own branded chopstick sleeves.

One exception to this may be the better Pho noodle houses and a handful of higher-end restaurants who provide customers with high-quality re-usable plastic chopsticks. They must wash and then re-package their chopsticks either in paper sleeves, or they roll/wrap/insert their sticks into their linen table napkins.

How "progress" changes things over time, huh?

On 2016-02-09 07:56, AceExplorer wrote:
Nowadays many restaurant supply companies sell generic chopsticks in plain paper sleeves.

I can't remember the last time I saw custom-printed chopstick sleeves. My guess is that the last "great upheaval" in the chopstick world came when bamboo chopsticks came into vogue. One or two bamboo chopstick manufacturers were successful in taking over the vast amount of market share with their new "greener" and renewable bamboo product. For restaurant operators, they may have found that there wasn't much incremental value to having your own branded chopstick sleeves.

One exception to this may be the better Pho noodle houses and a handful of higher-end restaurants who provide customers with high-quality re-usable plastic chopsticks. They must wash and then re-package their chopsticks either in paper sleeves, or they roll/wrap/insert their sticks into their linen table napkins.

How "progress" changes things over time, huh?

USA is catching up to rest of world. Bamboo chopsticks have been around for more than three thousand years. The Chinese for chopsticks is compound of "quick" and "bamboo". And importing rather then manufacturing chopsticks domestically.

I carry chopsticks in my purse. Not Japanese hashi. Those are stored with the silver. Otemoto, the disposable bamboo type in paper sleeve. Which are neither Japanese nor Chinese. Generic. You never know when you will be eating something messy which requires precision. Or for arranging your hair in a bun before hopping on freeway with the top down on the roadster.

I do not think I would eat with plastic restaurant chopsticks. How are they washed? Would not they slip through the grate of the utensil basket in the dishwasher? Also, plastic is slippery. My little niece has plastic Hello Kitty training chopsticks. The tips are knurled for texture. Flexible joint at the top to retain the correct position in little hands while grasping. So. Turn upside down and toss in the dishwasher basket.

In the battle against the waste of disposable utensils whether plastic spork or bamboo chopsticks, one of the problems is cleanliness. When I unwrap bamboo chopsticks, snap them apart, fold them under my thumbs with my hands in the prayer pose and bow my head, I know I am the only person to have used those chopsticks.

From what I understand, American disposable chopsticks were of birch and were round with only fraction of taper and separate — not joined at the top to be snapped apart.

The latest fashion in chopsticks is laser engraving with matching box. When I was a girl and laid out the things for supper, I knew which chopsticks belong to my father, my mother, my sisters, and myself. So what is the point? As far as commemorating auspicious occasion such as my wedding, engraved chopsticks with my husband's name entwined with mine in little hearts with the the date of our ceremony are going to be tough sell at rummage sale when I divorce the schmuck.

Laser engraving is expensive. Chopsticks in custom-printed paper sleeves — which are widely available — are expensive, too, unless ordered in extreme bulk. We must contend with shipping charges because local restaurant supply house does not furnish. And where to store all those cartons of chopsticks? Necessary to order twenty boxes to be on same economy. We are confronted with one-size-fits-all paper sleeves. Like going to chintzy restaurant with the paper Year Of The Rat / Ox / Tiger / Rabbit / Dragon / Snake / Horse / Sheep / Monkey / Rooster / Dog / Pig zodiac fortune telling placemat that leaves off in 2007.

I have used chopsticks but am not great with them.
Here are some from Kahiki.

Great additions, Veronica! and tikiskip. I have a collection of Japanese chopsticks, and love using them, and keep a fancy "formal" pair in my car at all times. Skip, practice-practice-practice and you'll get the hang in just a few sittings.

Don't know if we have a "chopsticks" thread, but they sure were a feature in many mid-century tiki restaurants.

A bowl possibly from the Islander, shown below, is currently up for grabs on eBay. No markings as to name of the restaurant. According to the description, it could be from either Stockton CA or Sparks NV restaurants. The "Buy-It-Now" asking price is $41 plus $25.15 shipping.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Island-Chief-Three-Tiki-Scorpion-Bowl-for-The-Stockton-Islander-/191837260066

On 2016-02-08 23:34, Otto wrote:
Sold on ebay for $50 recently

Bummed I missed seeing this auction. I'm curious if they were the set wasting away in a little antique store in Stockton that had an astronomical asking price attached. It is hard to find this sort of disposable paper ephemera. And I love the Woo girls shout out on the top.

Got this as an email, I'm checking to see if she has some pictures or more memories to share

IN THE 60'S I PERFORMED AT THE ISLANDER WITH A POLYNESIAN GROUP KNOWN AS THE HINANO'S BASED IN LOS ANGELES. I BELIEVE OUR CONTRACT WAS FOR 8 WEEKS.

I REMEMBER WELL ALL THE TIKI MUGS. IF YOU BOUGHT A DRINK YOU GOT TO TAKE THE MUG HOME. SINCE I WAS THERE FOR ALL THOSE WEEKS I AMASSED QUITE A COLLECTION OF THEM.

I'M 74 NOW BUT HAVE LOTS OF MEMORIES OF THE PATRONS AND THE EMPLOYEES THAT WORKED THERE. MOST FROM CHINA. I WOULD EAT WITH THEM AFTER OUR LAST SHOW MANY TIMES. EATING THEIR FOOD.

AND BOY WAS IT GOOD.

YES HOP LOUIE WAS QUITE THE GAMBLER. I WAS TOLD LAS VEGAS CASINOS WOULD SEND A PRIVATE PLANE TO PICK HIM UP FROM TIME TO TIME AND WHISK HIM OFF FOR A FEW DAYS.

I WAS FORTUNATE TO HAVE LIVED AND PERFORMED AT THE MANY POLYNESIAN RESTAURANTS IN AND AROUND LA AT THAT TIME. IT WAS A GREAT TIME AND THOSE WHO MISSED IT MISSED ALOT.

WHO KNOWS IT MAY COME BACK AGAIN SOMEDAY. DO YA THINK.

MAHALO AND ALOHA, TWILA