Trader Vic's

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Trader Vic is also the nickname of Wall Street trader Victor Sperandeo.

Trader Vic's in Las Vegas

Victor Jules Bergeron, Jr. (December 10, 1902 – October 11, 1984) was the founder of a chain of Polynesian-themed restaurants that bore his nickname, Trader Vic, and one of two people who claimed to have invented the Mai Tai. The other was his amicable competitor for many years, Don the Beachcomber.

Bergeron attended Heald College in San Francisco, California.^[1] Starting with $500 in 1934, Bergeron opened a small bar/restaurant across from his parent's grocery store in Oakland, California named Hinky Dink's. As its popularity spread, the menu and decor developed an increasingly tropical flair; Hinky Dink's soon became Trader Vic's. The chain of restaurants is credited as one of the first successful themed chains, which many others followed.

During the Tiki culture fad of the 1950s and 1960s, as many as 25 Trader Vic's restaurants were in operation around the world, all featuring the popular mix of Polynesian artifacts, unique cocktails, and exotic cuisine. In the 1980s and 1990s the chain began to shrink as a new generation of people had little or no connection to the restaurants' tiki theme. Poor locations or less trendy addresses also took a toll on the chain's popularity. While many of the original locations have since closed, Trader Vic's is experiencing a resurgence^{[citation needed]}. Twenty-five locations exist around the globe today equaling the previous chain record, with more due to open shortly.^{[citation needed]}

Books of recipes and stories

Trader Vic's in London at the Hilton Hotel

• Trader Vic's Book of Food and Drink - Copyright 1946
• Bartender's Guide by Trader Vic - Copyright 1947
• Trader Vic's Kitchen Kibitzer - Copyright 1952
• Trader Vic's Pacfic Island Cookbook - Copyright 1968
• Trader Vic's Bartenders Guide - Copyright 1972
• The Menehunes - Copyright 1972
• Trader Vic's Book of Mexican Cooking - Copyright 1973
• Trader Vic's Helluva Man's Cookbook - Copyright 1976

Books published by third parties

• Trader Vic's Tiki Party!: Cocktails & Food to Share with Friends

References

External links

• Trader Vic's company website