Swanky recently had an opportunity to sit down with the owner of Smyrna, Tennessee’s Omni Hut, Jim Walls, while visiting to help Turner South film a “Tiki Blue Ribbon” show there. While talking to Walls and his family, Swanky learned some details about Walls’ history. Walls started the Omni Hut (initially named “Chinese Cuisine”) after retiring from the Air Force in 1960; he had taken up cooking as a hobby and second job during his travels with the military, most notably in pre-World War II Honolulu. Walls also briefly owned the Mahi Mahi restaurant in nearby Nashville, which later became Blue Hawaii. The Mahi Mahi had an unusual, wide A-frame entrance; sadly the building was recently torn down. The Omni Hut is largely famous for two things: incredibly warm hospitality, and DIY drinks. The Omni Hut does not have a liquor license, but drink-spiking is encouraged… and having a little control over the rum in your drink is not a bad thing at all.

• Omni Hut, Mahi Mahi, Blue Hawaii Nexus uncovered [Tiki Central]
• The Omni Hut [Critiki]
• Mahi Mahi [Critiki]
• Blue Hawaii [Critiki]