Tag Archives: Tiki Mugs

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

Tiki Farm’s 10 Years of Tiki Mugs Exhibition

Posted by The Tiki Chick in Events and tagged with , ,

If you picked up any tiki mug from my collection, there’s a good chance that you would find the words “Tiki Farm” emblazoned on the bottom. Over the last 10 years, “the hardest working company in tiki” has produced hundreds of designs, including the locale specific ones I’ve picked up at Frankie’s Tiki Room, The Beachcomber Cafe, and Psycho Suzi’s, to barely name a few.

In celebration of this milestone, they put together an exhibition that’s at La Luz de Jesus gallery through the end of the month. The opening night shindig last weekend drew a ton of people and once again I got to experience the joys of trying to find a parking space in Silverlake (totally worth it, though).

Tiki Farm also rolled out these new limited-edition mugs that night: Mana-Mana by Atomic Tony Tiki (Mahna Mahna?), Makalani mermaid bowl by Tiki Shark, Slickster by Ghost, Local Boy by Tiki Shark, Lil Waha Nui by Joe Vitale, and Mr. G Is Stoked by Mr. G. Each was part of a run of only 120 or fewer.

There were lots of long sold-out specimens on display, but I was really taken aback by the test glazes of some familiar faces, like this lilac-colored version of the Tiki Bandit. It was like Bizarro Tiki World.

The parking lot behind the gallery was packed—that’s where the Mai Tais were served up and surf band The Dynotones performed. In fact, I spent so much time chatting with some friendly folks that came down from Fresno that I’ll have to make another visit to really go through the exhibition (in a sober state of mind).

I also got to meet this little friend, who came over to say hi while I was crouching down to get a gander at some mugs on the bottom shelf. I hope Charlie won’t be too jealous!

Pufferfish, Clownfish and Jellyfish, Oh My!

Posted by The Tiki Chick in Other Tiki Topics and tagged with , , ,

Rather than brave the early morning madness to see the annual Rose Parade in action (yep, this post is five months late), we always make a trip out to Pasadena to check out the floats after the fact. They line them all up on a street and you can walk right up and see all the individual flowers and seeds (and admire the crazy attention to detail).

Among the vendors catering to the herded masses was a Maui Wowee stand serving up smoothies. At first glance I didn’t notice anything particularly tiki about it beyond the thatched hut, bits of bamboo and faux tapa pattern.

But then Mr. Baseball piped up, “Hey, it’s the Jon Stewart tiki mugs!” And indeed, there they were for the folks that cared to shell out $8.50 for their beverage instead of $6.50.

The only other thing from the Rose Parade that I can tangentially connect to tiki is this under-the-sea-themed float with a small school of pufferfish (in pre-lamp form).