Lee's Hawaiian Islander

I visited Lee's Hawaiian Islander last weekend. There were only three other parties in the restaurant but that was probably because I stopped in at approximately 3:30 in the afternoon on a Saturday. The restaurant is appropriately dark with no windows and it took a few minutes for my eyes to adjust. The decor was classic Gilligan's island's theme with bamboo covering the walls up to about 4 feet high and tapa cloth paper from there up to the ceiling. The restaurant is two floors with a large open area in the center all the way up to the top floor ceiling. You have the choice of sitting at bamboo booth, an open table, or one of four bamboo Hut like booths in the corners. We chose a bamboo booth and it was nice and cozy. One of the walls is decorated in fake rock and has two waterfalls running down it. There is an Outrigger Canoe hanging from the ceiling, tiki masks hanging over nearly every table, with some corner booths having clamshell lights mounted on the walls. We were greeted and sat immediately. The drink menu is a combination of familiar Tiki drinks and some that appear to have just been made up. As I was down in New Jersey on a family trip, my mom ordered a Chi Chi and I ordered a Planter's Punch. The drinks arrived in appropriate glassware for each, with a pretty decent, if generic Tiki mug for my Planter's Punch. The drinks tasted very close to versions I have made at using the Bum's recipes, and I was pleasantly pleased by them. The food was pretty much as has been described in previous reviews: pretty average if expensive. My mom ordered the shrimp over garlic and vegetables and she loved it. I ordered the poo poo platter which was a mixed bag. The Mongolian beef and chicken wings were really good, the ribs were very average, and the spring rolls were not very good. I don't eat seafood but my mom had the shrimp toast and fantail shrimp from the poo poo platter and she said that they were both pretty good. Young Mr. Lee turned on the lights upstairs for me so that I could take photos. He also said that as it was Saturday night it would be packed later because they had karaoke and always had a big crowd. On our way out the Elder Mr Lee was in the bar area and cheerfully greeted us. I was glad I was able to take a moment to speak with him and shake his hand. Overall, Lee's is an interesting classic Tiki Bar to visit. I wouldn't drive hours to get here, but if you are in northern New Jersey I would definitely recommend stopping in.

ALWAYS A GOOD TIME AT LEE'S
I go from time to time as I'm local. The focus of the drinks is strength instead of being top shelf, old school. No one will EVER say they don;t taste the alcohol in their drink. The food is great, but I stick to the Chinese and Polynesian. I had a steak there once, and it wasn't great but maybe it was just a bad day. There are enough options on the menu to make up for it. Going there for karaoke is a blast, one of the waiters sings. Usually a good cross section of the neighborhood there having a good time.