Mai-Kai

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3599 N. Federal Highway Fort Lauderdale, FL 33308

954-563-3272

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New Times Broward-Palm Beach
Recommended
Best Place to Drink but Not Eat
Award Winner 2010

Cuisine(s): Asian Fusion, Chinese, Hawaiian, Polynesian, Sushi

Hours: Sun, Tue-Sat 5pm-10:30pm

Price: $$, $$$

Payment Types: All Major Credit Cards, cash
Attire: Casual

Features: Banquet Facilities, Catering, Delivery, Kid Friendly, Patio/Sidewalk Dining, Private Party, Takeout, Wheelchair Accessible

Serving: Dinner

Entertainment: Live Entertainment
Alcohol: Full bar

Reservations: Accepted, Recommended

Parking: Valet

Description

The Mai-Kai is easy to love. It's not that its oversized tiki cocktails and Lobster Tahitienne are anything to write home about. It's just that you can't set foot in the place without succumbing to a deep enchantment: You've entered a waking dreamworld, part Blue Lagoon, part Monkey's Paw. Maybe because it's dark as a cave or because you're never more than ten feet from running water. Or because the cocktail waitresses are dressed in Barbarella-era bikinis or because, as you grope your way through room after room lit by jewel-colored lanterns, there's a kitschy-surreal surprise around every corner. What most people are looking for is the Polynesian dance and fire-eating shows, which are fun, for sure. And the Mai-Kai's daily happy hour in the bar, with half-price food and drinks, is fair game for any bargain hunter. By the time you finally make your way out to the winding, torch-lit path in the garden, you're feeling as intrepid and remote as Henry Morton Stanley trailing Livingstone through the Congo.

Polynesian Islander Review

Daily

Shows: Sun-Thu 7 p.m. and 9 p.m., Fri-Sat 7 p.m. and 10 p.m
Happy hour

5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. daily

1/2 price all drinks (except for bottles of wine, champagne, sidewinders fang, and the mystery drink) 1/2 price of appetizers.
Cutback

June 1
Slip and the Spinouts

June 22

2010 | Best Place to Drink but Not Eat

Here, at one of the last remaining "Grand Polynesian Palaces of Tiki," the drinks are legendary. They are phenomenal, magical concoctions comprised of rum and fruit juices and time-tested mixology. Whether it's the "barrel o' rum," the piña colada, or the mystery drink (served on fire, with four straws and a personal Polynesian dance), these spirits will take you to another period in Florida's history -- a simpler time, when a man with a pompadour hairdo and a woman with a flower... More »
2009 | Best Specialty Drink

The Mai-Kai was a mini Polynesian theme park in the middle of Fort Lauderdale when Fort Lauderdale consisted only of a beach and a few condos. Except for some recent, hurricane-induced renovations, the restaurant hasn't changed much since its opening in 1956. Its over-the-top jungle décor, flowing rivers, and roadside torches remain. The drinks are your typical island-vacation fare, except for one: the "mystery drink," which might fail to be much of a mystery to devoted South... More »
2007 | Best Place to Take Out-of-Towners

The tradition of kitsch is unique to our region, and the Mai-Kai is the king of kitsch. This tropical time warp has been owned and run by the same family for more than 50 years and boasts the amazing Molokai bar. Built out of an old movie set's pirate ship, this plank-floor rum factory is quickly disorienting. Water runs down the exterior of the submarine-style windows, and the lighting is always dark and warming -- soon the outside world is just a hazy memory and your new, much funner,... More »
2006 | Best Place for a Second Date

Loud, dark, and pricey -- is there a better formula for all-important date number two Broward's tiki mecca has all the makings of the place to close the deal you started negotiating in (nervous, crazy-making) date one. The low light helps minimize the sorts of thing she should have noticed the first time -- the thinning hair, the love handles, the look of sheer terror. And the Polynesian floorshow is loud and mesmerizing, which helps if the conversation wanes. Finally, the drinks are pricey... More »
2003 | Best Tourist Trap

In the 1950s, that famous buttoned-down, Eisenhower-era stiffness let loose in the phenomenon of the tiki bar. At the time, they were ubiquitous. All things Polynesian seemed foreign, so it was OK to delve into a world of rhythmic hips and almost fleshy tropical blossoms. Even in the backyard, tiki torches burned. Since 1956, Mai-Kai has been serving this Polynesian fantasy on a deluxe plate. While other spots on the tiki circuit slowly went under, this one persisted. Tiki culture lives on... More »
2001 | Best Floorshow

With its rum-voiced narrator nattily attired in white à la Fantasy Island's Ricardo Montalban, the nation's longest-running Polynesian floorshow could easily be played as a joke. But while the enormous restaurant trades on fantasy, it is refreshingly free of irony. Opened in 1957, the Mai-Kai hails from a time when exotic meant chic, fondue was fun, and women dressed for dinner with gardenias in their hair. This was pre-postcolonialism, of course, but even so, the feel of Mai-Kai lies... More »

Four Spam-Free Dishes We'd Love to Taste at the Hukilau

By Tricia Woolfenden | Thu, April 19, 2012

While this weekend's Hukilau is a celebration of all things tiki -- music, performance, dance, and most definitely drink -- at Clean Plate Charlie, we tend to think with the stomach. With that in mind... More »
From Tiki to Toasted: This Week's Hukilau Means Many Rum Cocktails

By Melissa McCart | Wed, April 18, 2012

The largest celebration of tiki culture in the country starts Thursday at Mai-Kai and runs through Sunday, a recognition of the modern tiki movement. With three days of music, food, and drink, the wee... More »
Huladay Party at the Mai-Kai

By Betsey J. Denberg | Thu, December 15, 2011

Christmastime in Florida is never snowy. Instead of hot toddies and sled rides, we opt for tropical drinks in coconuts and paddleboarding. Santa swaps out his fleece red pants for a pair of floral-print board shorts. And you can forget about decor... More »
Zombie A-Go-Go at the Mai-Kai

By Betsey J. Denberg | Tue, October 25, 2011

Forget brains. Forget blood. There is only one thing that the dancing zombies at the Mai-Kai crave: rum barrels.On Saturday night, the folks at the Mai-Kai Restaurant and Polynesian Show -- everyone's... More »
The Zombies

By Mickie Centrone | Thu, October 20, 2011

There are no rules on Halloween: If it's an event in October, you are allowed to dress up. Committing crimes that follow the protocol of what is expected at a zombie dance-off are totally allowed. See, for Halloween, our friendly tiki mecca on U.S... More »
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Main Menu

Appetizers

Serves 2 $14.95

Pupu Platter
a combination of shanghai chicken, egg roll, crab rangoon and tahitian cheese tangs

$7.75

Shanghai Chicken
tender chunks of marinated chicken breasts and chinese parsley, wrapped in bacon

$7.50

Egg Roll
the most famous of all cantonese specialties - one of our most prideful achievements

$9.50

Crab Rangoon
won ton stuffed with alaskan snow crab meat, a blend of imported cheeses and a hint of curry

$7.95

Tahitian Cheese Tangs
imported cheese, diced ham and mushrooms, breaded

$11.95

Barbecued Pork Tenderloin
tender slices of pork tenderloin barbecued in our chinese ovens

$7.75

Chicken Wings Mai-kai
spicy, crispy and delicious

$10.95

Polynesian Chicken
marinated half chicken, with our own special seasonings

$12.95

Blackened Shrimp
served with a creamy cilantro aioli sauce

$13.00

Nams
crabmeat, pork & seasonings wrapped in crunchy rice paper and deep fried - then rolled in fresh lettuce and mint and served with a spicy garlic sauce

$12.95

Iced Shrimp Remoulade
or if you prefer a tangy red cocktail sauce

$13.00

Cantonese Fried Shrimp
imported shrimps dipped in a delectable batter and fried in peanut oil

$13.95

Mai-kai Escargot
our own version of this classical dish

$12.95

Barbecued Baby Back Ribs
selected tiny canadian baby back ribs, marinated and slowly barbecued over our oak log fires

$13.95

Oysters Rockefeller
½ dozen freshly shucked oysters baked with fresh spinach and aged parmesan cheese

$13.95

Javanesian Beef
sirloin marinated, charcoal broiled and served bite size

Soup and Salad

$6.50

Won Ton Soup
classical chinese egg noodle soup

$7.50

Lobster Bisque Soup
made from scratch with maine lobster

$6.95

Goat Cheese Salad
mixed greens and an asian vinaigrette in a crispy won ton shell topped with a sesame encrusted goat cheese

$6.95

Fresh Spinach Salad
tossed with a warm apple, smoked bacon and pecan vinaigrette and sprinkled with blue cheese

Vegetarian Selections - Salads

$6.95

Goat Cheese Salad
crisp mixed greens tossed in an asian vinaigrette, served in a crispy won ton shell and topped with a sesame encrusted goat cheese round

$6.95

Fresh Spinach Salad
tossed with sweet onion vinaigrette, topped with pecans and blue cheese

Vegetarian Selections - EntrÉes

$16.50

Vegetable Teriyaki Stir-fry
broccoli, zucchini, chinese pea pods, bok choy, mushrooms, carrots and onions stir-fried with our delicious teriyaki sauce served with white rice

$16.50

Spicy Vegetables With Cashew Nuts
fresh green pepper, red pepper, water chestnut, broccoli, carrots, mushrooms and zucchini stir-fried in a mild szechuan sauce and topped with cashews. (spiciness can be adjusted) served with white rice

$16.50

Vegetable Lo Mein
soft chinese egg noodles wok seared with broccoli, zucchini, chinese pea pods, carrots and baby corn. light smoky flavor

$16.50

Vegetable Pad Thai
flat, thin rice noodles tossed with broccoli, zucchini, chinese pea pods, carrots and baby corn flavored with a spicy thai red curry coconut sauce (spiciness can be adjusted)

Oriental Dishes - Chicken

$16.75

Teriyaki Chicken
tender slices of chicken sautéed with shiitake mushrooms, pea pods, and sliced white mushrooms in our special teriyaki sauce

$16.50

Almond Chicken
tender chunks of chicken with mushrooms, diced pea pods, chestnuts and celery, blended in a mild sauce and sprinkled with almonds

$16.75

Chicken And Cashews
diced chicken stir fried with green and red peppers in a mild szechuan sauce topped with cashews

$16.75

Panang Curry Chicken
tender slices of chicken simmered in a slightly sweet thai coconut curry sauce

$16.25

Hawaiian Chicken
panko crusted breast of chicken topped with a tangy tropical fruit sweet and sour sauce

$16.75

Thai Red Curry Chicken
sliced chicken with green and red peppers, bamboo shoots, zucchini, and fresh basil simmered in thai red curry coconut sauce

$16.75

Chicken With Peanut Sauce
sliced chicken sautéed in peanut sauce tossed with julienne red peppers, scallions and crushed peanuts on a bed of broccoli

$16.25

Sweet And Sour Chicken
lightly battered chicken strips tossed with pineapple, green and red peppers in our chef's tangy sweet sauce

Oriental Dishes - Beef Or Pork

$18.50

Mushroom Beef
tender chunks of beef tenderloin seared with water chestnuts, white mushrooms and shiitake mushrooms in a light soy broth

$18.50

Szechuan Beef
chunks of beef tenderloin wok seared with mushrooms, tomato, snow pea pods and baby corn in a zesty szechuan pepper sauce

$18.25

Teriyaki Beef
beef tenderloin tips stir fried with pea pods, shiitake mushrooms and sliced white mushrooms in our special teriyaki sauce

$18.75

Mai-kai Orange Beef
crispy beef tossed in a spicy orange peel and chili pepper sauce, garnished with fresh broccoli and scallions

$18.75

Spicy Beef With Almonds
beef tips sautéed with red and green bell peppers, onion, water chestnuts and fresh basil, topped with almonds

$18.75

Sweet & Sour Pork
lightly breaded chunks of pork tenderloin tossed with pineapple, green and red peppers in our chef's tangy sweet sauce

Oriental Dishes - Fresh Fish

$31.00

Fresh Snapper
steamed - oriental style, with ginger, garlic and soy. topped with fresh cilantro and scallions. crispy - served with thai basil sauce or red curry sauce

$31.00

Fresh Yellowfin Tuna
thai spiced - seared rare with mixed peppercorns over a spicy thai peanut sauce. sesame seared - seared rare with sesame seeds topped with a cucumber relish

$25.95

Atlantic Salmon
grilled - served with red pepper chervil butter. blackened - served with red pepper salsa

$27.95

Fresh Mahi-mahi
macadamia nut encrusted - over a vanilla grand marnier sauce. char crusted - topped with sun dried tomato basil aioli served with mashed potato. grilled - over oak log fires topped with tropical aioli

Seafood

$22.95

Panang Curry Shrimp
shrimp and oriental vegetables simmered in a slightly sweet thai coconut curry sauce

$22.95

Singapore Chili Shrimp
shrimp wok seared and simmered in a spicy chili pepper sauce

$22.95

Cantonese Shrimp
tender fresh shrimp delicately sautéed in our special lobster sauce with scallions and cantonese seasonings

$29.95

Scallops Singapore
sea scallops stir fried with three types of mushrooms, pea pods, water chestnut and scallions in a ginger oyster sauce

$37.00

Lobster Cantonese
a fresh maine lobster removed from the shell and cut bite size, then lightly sautéed in our chef's special lobster sauce

$27.95

Shrimp & Scallops Cashew
shrimp, scallops and toasted cashew wok seared with a tangy citrus sauce and garnished with scallions and broccoli

$37.00

Lobster Tahitienne
a 1-1/4 lb. maine lobster, removed from the shell, sautéed in butter and a delicate herb sauce, laced with sherry & dijon mustard. a classic

$37.00

Lobster Bora Bora
shelled 1-1/4 lb. maine lobster sauteed with mushrooms and flamed with bourbon, finished with cream and a red wine bordelaise sauce

$41.00
Add With Truffle Oil $1.00

Lobster Macaroni & Cheese
8 oz. lobster tail topped with crushed almonds & broiled with butter. placed on top of rigatoni pasta prepared in a mascarpone & cheddar cheese sauce

Side Dishes

$5.50

Mashed Potato

$5.50

French Fries

$7.50

Hawaiian Fried Rice
pineapples, red peppers, onions and mushroom

$7.50

Almond Fried Rice
almonds, onions, red and green peppers

$7.50

Vegetable Fried Rice
mushroom, pea pods, bean sprouts and scallions

$7.50

Basil Lop Chiong Fried Rice

$7.50

Chinese Garden Vegetables
stir fried, steamed or szechuan style

$7.50

Wok Sauteed Garlic Pea Pods

$7.50

Wok Sauteed Spinach
with ginger and garlic

$7.25

Lop Chiong Noodles

$7.25

Pan Fried Noodles

Desserts

$5.50

Pineapple Sherbet
topped with a bite of fresh fruit

$6.25

Coconut Icecream

$5.95

French Vanilla Or Chocolate Ice Cream

$7.50

Cheese Cake
a true classic, rich, creamy & utterly delicious

$7.00

Key Lime Pie
the florida classic

Looking for another city?

Mai-Kai

3599 N. Federal Highway Fort Lauderdale, FL 33308

954-563-3272

Description

Daily

5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. daily

June 1

June 22

2010 | Best Place to Drink but Not Eat

2009 | Best Specialty Drink

2007 | Best Place to Take Out-of-Towners

2006 | Best Place for a Second Date

2003 | Best Tourist Trap

2001 | Best Floorshow

By Tricia Woolfenden | Thu, April 19, 2012

By Melissa McCart | Wed, April 18, 2012

By Betsey J. Denberg | Thu, December 15, 2011

By Betsey J. Denberg | Tue, October 25, 2011

By Mickie Centrone | Thu, October 20, 2011