"TraderVic" news and stories

Like many urban hipsters of my generation, I have a weakness for artifacts that capture the boozy vibe of the WW II era, you know, cocktail shakers, Thin Man movies and the like. As such, I also have a soft spot for every kind of ephemera related to such nostalgia-soaked Tiki bars as Trader's Vic's.

Whilst trolling through boingboing I learned that Trader Vic Bergeron had more claim to fame than mixing up the first mai tai. Seems he also had a keen sense for timely political cartoons.

The boingboing poster says he spotted this image from a WW II era menu sign while visiting Hawaii. When I saw it, I could barely make it out. Let me assure you, upon magnification the cartoon depicts Mussolini as a jackass, Hitler as a skunk and Hirohito as a rattlesnake. The legend reads: "Due to these three Lousy Dirty Stinkers you're eating off paper instead of my grass mats." - Trader Vic, Oakland.

Promoting any agenda on a menu is uncalled for, even though the Trader was right. God knows it's better than shilling for toys.

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