Arguably the most popular of all Polynesian supper club chains was started by Victor Jules Bergeron Jr., a/k/a Trader Vic. He opened his first restaurant, Hinky Dinks, in Oakland CA in 1934. As he observed the popularity of Don The Beachcomber’s, Bergeron morphed his place into Trader Vic’s. He began franchising it in 1949 and eventually partnered with Hilton to open locations all over the world. My two favorite fun facts: 1. Trader Vic created the Mai-Tai in 1944; 2. Warren Zevon “saw a werewolf drinking a Piña Colada at Trader Vic’s - his hair was perfect!” Mahalo, Victor Bergeron.

