Post #213536 by tikibars on Wed, Feb 8, 2006 5:01 PM

On 2006-02-08 12:58, Scottiki wrote:
We'll definitely be hitting Chef Shangri-La, Hala Kahiki, Aku Tiki Hall & Tiki Terrace...but where else?

These are currently all of the must-see spots.

Aku Tiki ROOM is about two-and-a-half hours from Chicago, so be aware of that.
It is worth the drive.

Aku HALL is in my house!
It is worth the drive.

The suggestions in above posts for museums are all good ones, especially the Field (for Polynesian stuff), and hit the Art Institute too (closest thing to Tiki you'll see is some of Gauguin's Tahiti paintings, but it's a must see anyway).

Let me know when you'll be here - as alaways, it isn't too hard to get me and the ol' Mobile Exploration Lab fired up for the mandatory 'dinner at the Chef followed by drinks at Hala Kahiki' run.

A few minor spots are: Tong's Tiki Hut, Paradise Club / Club Paradise, Canoe Club, and Bamboo Room. The last two are upscale suburban restaurants with some Tiki content. Tong's has three locations, go to the one on Roosevelt Rd in Villa Park if you go to any. PC/CP is a dive bar on the north side that was Tiki in the 1950s to the 1980s and has a few remnants of Tiki left over. Also scope out the Rendez'vous in Kenosha, WI (about 40 mins north of Chicago).

Definitely read the book Tiki Road Trip and the web site Critiki for more info.

There are also at least a half dozen long posts here on TC that relate all of the same info found in this post, and in further detail.

Look 'em up.