Tag Archives: restaurant review

Hula’s Modern Tiki – Phoenix, AZ

Posted by The Tiki Chick in Bar & Restaurant Reviews and tagged with , , , , , ,

On the way back to LA from Mesa, AZ, our two-car caravan stopped at Hula’s Modern Tiki in Phoenix for Sunday brunch. There were quite a few folks enjoying the nice weather on the outdoor patio, but we opted to eat inside. (Well, everyone acquiesced to me since this whole tiki thing is more my gig.)

This Phoenix location is the newest (opened in 2009) of the Hula’s Modern Tikis—the others are found in Santa Cruz and Monterey, California. They remodeled and expanded a unique 1960s-era building with this rad hexagonal window.

“Tiki Time” happy hour is from 3:30 p.m.-6 p.m. Monday through Friday, and all night on Wednesdays with $5 appetizers and drinks. There’s also all-day drinks specials on weekends, Mahalo Mondays that benefit nonprofits, and “Word of the Day” Tuesdays with “2 Apps & 2 Tropical Cocktails for $20.” (See Facebook & Twitter for more details.)

It’s a bummer that they were out of their signature mugs, designed by Philippe Tilikete. The logo reminds me of Squidward from Spongebob Squarepants. (Tiki Farm had also produced a smaller companion mug.)

The bartender was totally gracious in answering all my questions about their for-purchase drinkware, and he trotted them all out so I could take a look. From left to right: a limited edition mug made by one of the locals, signature mai tai glass ($8), and generic Fu Manchu.

Hula’s Modern Tiki forgoes thatch and bamboo in favor of a mid-century, Palm Springs-style look. The Bosko shield and tikis carved by Tiki tOny provide an interesting contrast with the blond wood and retro atomic fabrics.

Another really cool touch was the long double shelves of devilish Munktiki mugs (“El Bastardo” and “U Bastard”) in red, black and white.

I didn’t have to drive the remaining five hours home, so I ordered a Zombie ($5). Their very tasty version had Cruzan rum, dark rum, lime, pineapple juice and passionfruit. And I adore brunch so I had to get the Island Eggs Benedict ($10) with fried spam.

Salads, burgers, tacos and sandwiches (like the luau pork and coleslaw sandwich, $9) made up the rest of the brunch menu, and everything sounded pretty good. Unfortunately, what did leave a bad taste in my mouth was our waiter. He was actually kind of rude and sarcastic, and not in a joking sort of way either.

Aside from that bump in the road, I really did dig this place and would definitely return. It’s practically worth the trip just to see the amazing collection of Munktiki mugs on display at the bar. Here’s another tip: According to the bartender, you can get $2 off buying one of their logo mugs or glasses if you order a cocktail. (Although, our server neglected to figure that in the bill…)

Hula’s Modern Tiki
4700 N. Central Ave.
Phoenix, AZ 85012
602-265-TIKI

Hula's Modern Tiki on Urbanspoon

Psycho Suzi’s – Minneapolis, MN

Posted by The Tiki Chick in Bar & Restaurant Reviews and tagged with , , , , ,

*Editor’s note: This is the old location. Check out my review of the new Psycho Suzi’s here.

I knew that other tiki sighting in Minnesota would not be the last as I had penciled in a visit to Psycho Suzi’s Motor Lounge for when we headed back into the Twin Cities for our return flight.

Psycho Suzi’s opened in 2003, but with its wood paneling, string lights and what looks like somebody’s personal stash of tiki mugs lining the walls, it reminds me of a circa-1970s rec room. Tiki purists need not fret, though, as there’s plenty of bamboo, fish floats and framed Exotica album covers scattered around, too.

Emblazoned on their logo t-shirts and behind the bar is the epithet for Don the Beachcomber’s most famous drink, The Zombie: “Mender of Broken Dreams.” Supposedly the scene gets more rowdy as the night wears on, but we were there for lunch on a beautiful day when most of the patrons chose to sit under thatch umbrellas out on the patio with the moais.

Psycho Suzi’s offers about a half dozen generic tiki mugs that can be purchased upon ordering their coordinating cocktails, but this terrifying fellow is their special signature vessel from Tiki Farm. It contains “a 20 oz. delirium of Redrum, secret syrup and a whole lime.” For another $7, the mug becomes a souvenir!

Whereas the fare at many tiki establishments skews toward highbrow (er, expensive, anyway) Chinese/Polynesian, the food here is unabashedly lowbrow American (but more importantly, tasty). We loved the beer-battered Wisconsin cheese curds ($8) and bacon-wrapped cocktail weenies with bourbon-brown sugar glaze ($7.50).

There’s a selection of salads and sandwiches, but their specialty is “World Famous Minneapolis Pizza” (hardy har). We ordered their deep dish cheese pie ($13) and judged it to be a good effort, considering that we (well, Mr. Hockey at least) are Chicago pizza snobs.

This “Motor Lounge” (the restaurant was converted from an A&W Drive-In with car hops and everything! I’m such a nerd for that stuff) was featured on an episode of that Food Network show “Diners, Drive-ins & Dives.” You can see the YouTube clip here.

However, in November, Psycho Suzi’s is moving to a riverfront location just six blocks away. According to the Star Tribune, it’s four times larger than their current space. (I hope they’ll be taking these awesome atomic lamps with them.)

Psycho Suzi’s Motor Lounge
2519 Marshall St. NE
Minneapolis, MN 55418
612-788-9069

Psycho Suzi's Motor Lounge on Urbanspoon

Sharkeez – Manhattan Beach, CA

Posted by The Tiki Chick in Bar & Restaurant Reviews and tagged with , ,

The sombrero-wearing shark mariachi and the full name of “Baja Sharkeez Mesquite-Mex Coastal Cantina” tell you straight up that this bar’s identity is anchored far from the South Pacific. That is to say, Sharkeez in Manhattan Beach is far from a tiki bar.

However, it does surprisingly have a few desirable design elements that one might find in a tiki bar, like a grass mat and bamboo ceiling…

As well as a thatched hut and some nautical/beachcomber ephemera. They just need to replace the disco balls with glass fish floats and they’ll be on their way. (I also dig that red naugahyde lined bar.)

Although, there actually was a tiki mask here, if that’s what you want to call this thing. (I think I’ll just call it ugly.)

But what keeps me coming back to Sharkeez is the weekend “Rise & Shine” breakfast special. Before 11:30 a.m. you can get eggs, bacon, hashbrowns and french toast or macadamia nut pancakes for $4, plus as many plastic cups of mimosas as you care to drink in an hour.

A word of warning to would-be brunching wenches—the former fratboys still show up this early in the morning to cheer on their alma maters. The last time I was there, one even sat down at our booth uninvited and proceeded to finish a half-eaten piece of bacon off my plate.

Afterwards, just stumble down to the beach and sleep off the cheap champagne for awhile…preferably on a tiki towel!


Baja Sharkeez
3801 Highland Ave.
Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
310-545-6563

Baja Sharkeez on Urbanspoon