Opened in 1950 by Willie Shenker, along with Jack & Florence Jung.

The dining area held 85 seats. Apart from this was the "Copra Room" bar.

This Chinese restaurant had a semi-tiki nautical theme, and though they had a 28-cocktail-long menu, they are best known for being the birthplace of the Hawaiian Eye drink. The '60s detective show Hawaiian Eye was filmed on a nearby Burbank lot, and the China Trader was their afterwork hangout. The Hawaiian Eye drink was concocted there in their honor.

This is seemingly at odds with a recipe attributed to Harry Yee for the Hawaiian Eye which is as follows:

THE HAWAIIAN EYE

¼ oz Light Rum ¾ oz Jamaican Dark Rum ¾ oz Dark Rum 3 oz Grapefruit Juice 1 ½ oz Guava Juice 1 dash Bitters 1 dash Simple Syrup

Shake the contents in a shaker along with ice. Strain into an ice filled hurricane glass. Garnish with an orchid and pineapple wedge.

*NOTE: A separate recipe attributed to Tony Ramos for the Hawaiian Eye has lime juice, simple syrup, falernum, and gold and white rum. Perhaps this version is what was invented at China Trader. China Trader is also known for Tony Ramos working there as a long-time bartender.

The bar was directly across the street from Bob's Big Boy. The Bob's is still there at that same location, but the China Trader is not.

The Falcon Theater was opened in this space, but today it is home to the Garry Marshall Theatre.

Details

Type

Bar & Restaurant

Address

Burbank, California, United States

Closed?

Yes (Permanently)