Tiki Kai, Lawndale, CA (restaurant)

Name:Tiki Kai
Type:restaurant
Street:4469 Redondo Beach Blvd.
City:Lawndale
State:CA
Zip:90260
country:USA
Phone:371-7588
Status:defunct

Description:
Not much is known about the Tiki Kai location, which had been sold and changed names in the late 60s to "Brothers Two" or Brothers 2, which continued the polynesian theme. Sometime in the 1970's this location became a Pizza Hut and served up pizza until 2008, when it finally closed. The former Pizza Hut building is still there(not the A-frame), but now serves as a private practice medical building.

UPDATE
I came to find out by some old Hawthorne High Schoolers that:

• "Tiki Kai" was the original structure built in the 1950s.
• It was sold in the late 50s/early 60's and became the "Sugar Shack" dancehall.
• It once again changed hands and became the "Brothers Two" mid to late 1960's.
• In the early 1970's it was demolished and the property was converted into a Pizza Hut.

If anyone has any specific dates, please add them, as these are obviously loose timelines.

[ Edited by: Tom Slick 2009-09-21 18:03 ]

[ Edited by: Tom Slick 2012-09-17 18:03 ]

Another style of ashtray

Tom Slick,

I have some specific dates and names for you. The Tiki Kai opened in 1961. It was owned by William Chin. Here are some some older ads starting in 1961 that did not feature the A-Frame drawing.

Then the ads in 1963 and 1964 showed the A-Frame and listed the acts that played there. Makes you wonder if the A-Frame was always there.

The third anniversary ad came out in 1964.

Then.... it was gone. It became the Golden Lei in 1965.

Judging by this photo, they kept the Poly Pop elements including the Tiki drinks.

The Sugar Shack was the establishment that the Wan-Q became. I will check some of those other names.

DC

Wow, DC, these posts lately have just been spectacular. You're doing a great job of filling in for Sven while he's on hiatus! :wink: