Bahooka, Polynesian restaurant in Rosemead, California, US
Bahooka was a Polynesian restaurant in Rosemead featuring over 100 aquariums filled with sea creatures, including sharks, red devil fish, and turtles swimming behind the bar. The space was divided into separate sections to accommodate different types of guests and create intimate dining areas throughout the property.
The restaurant was founded in 1967 in West Covina by two siblings and a brother, then expanded to the Rosemead Boulevard location in 1976. It operated for decades before closing for good in March 2013.
The establishment served traditional Polynesian dishes like teriyaki chicken and exotic ribs alongside around 60 tropical cocktails in decorative vessels. The food and drinks worked together to create an island escape atmosphere that transported diners away from their everyday surroundings.
The restaurant offered large portions at moderate prices and was conveniently located on a well-known boulevard. Visitors should know it had separate dining sections for families with children, making it adaptable for different types of occasions and group sizes.
A pacu fish named Rufus who ate carrots became famous and appeared in the film Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. This unusual fish was one of many creatures living in the restaurant's aquariums and added to the eccentric character of the place.
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