In the tiki tiki tiki tiki lounge...

February 2, 2008 2:34 PM

Apart from the Rainforest Cafe or the Tonga Room, what kid-friendly restaurants in the Bay Area have that "Enchanted Tiki Room" vibe?

My wife and I recently went to the wonderful Forbidden Island Tiki Lounge and brought back one of the souvenir mugs. Our 8 year old daughter, a fan of the Enchanted Tiki Room and the Rainforest Cafe, was immediately jealous when she saw the mug mixed in with the glasses in the kitchen and was sad she couldn't go there until she was 21. We'd love to take her somewhere else that has either has a tiki, jungle or campy "eating outside while inside" atmosphere before then.

The Tonga Room is great but a bit spendy, and the new Trader Vic's doesn't seem quite as fun for kids as we'd be looking for. Any suggestions for a family-friendly tiki hut?

posted by eschatfische to Food & Drink (4 answers total)

Cha Cha Cha in the Upper Haight! Go early so you don't have to wait a zillion years for a table.
posted by rhizome at 2:50 PM on February 2, 2008

Take her to the Tonga Room. I went with my parents as a kid and loved it, especially when the thunder and fog starts. See also the Critiki page for San Francisco--the Web's foremost tiki guide.
posted by zachlipton at 5:32 PM on February 2, 2008

Ah, you've got to go to the original: Trader Vic's. They have spots in Emeryville and Palo Alto...

My boss's kids love the little rubber Menehune dolls that you get when you order that drink. But be careful, they go down smooth...
posted by Philbo at 7:51 PM on February 2, 2008

According to their website, the Tonga Room still has Happy Hour Monday-Friday 5-7 PM, with a $9.50 buffet. I had that a few years back, and although the food was as crummy as you would imagine, the drinks were great and the thunder & lightning show was unforgettable. If she likes the effects show at the Rainforest Cafe the Tonga Room is only place to go.
posted by Gortuk at 6:08 AM on February 3, 2008