Jeff_Costa_Rica

Okay. Not necessarily what everyone is looking for when they come to Costa Rica, but it's being reported that two Hard Rock Cafes will open here in Fall 2012. One will be part of the Ramada Herradura Hotel complex between San Jose and the airport. The other is being referred to as "in Guanacaste," so who knows where that one will be?

Some people enjoy them, especially if they have kids.

qwovadis

Been to them in Boloxi(casino) Vegas(Casino) and Orlando

Rock and roll memorables and so so american fare...

The TGIF in Escazu was bad enough...

Yet another american intrusion into a beautiful culture(sigh)

volcanogirl

As soon as we saw the Burger King in La Fortuna, we knew Hard Rock wouldn't be far behind. Seems funny to travel so far only to find what they have back home.

JeanH

Bummer. I'm sure they will be popular though.

I was amazed last year at the long lines waiting to get into Bubba Gumps in Puerto Vallarta.

Continental_Drifter

I must confess. After a week or two of cultural immersion, our teens LOVE to hit the Hard Rock. It's tradition for them and they love buying the t-shirts. Keep in mind - Hard Rock started in LONDON, so it's not really an American intrusion.

RAC

Not exactly thrilling, but burgers are a very common food in San Jose, so not a big deal. Also, the one in Guanacaste will likely be near/amongst megadevelopments anyways.

Jeff_Costa_Rica

Here's the way I look at these places: The majority of Costa Ricans will never be able to afford to go to a Hard Rock Cafe. Even a place we take for granted like McDonald's, at $4-5 for a meal, that's a luxury that most Costa Ricans cannot afford. A certain crowd, a certain upper crust, will flock there when it opens, and it will be very popular with those people, but it's not like all of Costa Rica is going to embrace these places. They can't. So, even though they're part of the landscape, they don't really become part of the culture. I don't think Costa Rica is in any danger because a Hard Rock Cafe opens.

JeanH

It certainly isn't the end of the world, but, doesn't mean I have to like it.

The 'worst' offender, in my rather limited travels, was allowing one to be built in the old walled city in Cartagena, Colombia. Truly a travesty to my mind.

Pat_Hewitt

I live in New Orleans, and we have all the big tourist chains here.

Not that I hang out in Hooters. I have reached the point in my life, that a guy my age ogling 20 year olds in push up bras, gets to be a little creepy. But I do have a fun story.

A few years ago, my wife and I were driving through Indiana. We needed a snack, and saw the billboards for the Indianapolis Hooters. So we stopped for some wings, and to check the score on the Saint's game.

We were amused at the girls that worked there. Very sweet and friendly, But no make up, and wet hair right out of the shower. They looked like they could have been working at the Waffle House. They didn't look anything like the girls on the calendar. My wife told me that it was one of the few times that she thought that girls that age should be wearing MORE makeup.

Fast forward to our visit to the Hooters in Escazu. A Tico friend wanted to take us out, and I guess he figured that this was a place us gringos would like. The shortest shorts, and the tightest tops I have ever seen. Major makeup, hair, and heels too. It was so over the top, even my wife got a kick out of it.

Now I have never been to a Hooters in LA or NYC. But I will bet that those girls ain't got nothin on the Ticas!

Just sayin'.

Pat Hewitt

Jeff_Costa_Rica

Well, that was the other part of the same news report. I wasn't going to post about it, but since you mentioned it, Pat ...

A second Hooters just opened in San Pedro. It gives its address as "across from the law school at the University of Costa Rica." (Costa Rica has no street addesses, of course.) A third one will open early next year in Heredia. These are in addition to the one between Escazu and Santa Ana.

Heaven help us.

shillmac

Oh my gosh! Too many Hooters! Too many Hooters! LOL!

When are we ladies gonna get OUR treats? Bring on Chippendale's! LOL!

Seriously, Pat, do men REALLY stop ogling 20 year olds or do they learn to be more discreet about it? My husband has perfected his "discreet". I read his mind, and he always finds me staring directly at him when he finishes his discreet-ness. LOL!! And then he chuckles. . .busted again!

Jeff_Costa_Rica

Shillmac, we've all been to Costa Rica enough to know that Hooters is nothing compared to what goes on here in some quarters. I took a taxi home last night and it went down Avenida 1, right past the Hotel del Rey.

I'll say it again: Heaven help us.

Cattail

LOL, Pat and shillmac!!! This is becoming a pretty amusing thread - but sad as well. While Hooters may have nothing on what already goes on in some areas of Costa Rica (and what cities don't have "those areas"?), I'm with Jean in wishing to keep the country's flavor instead of interjecting chain establishments, regardless of their origin.

hipvirgochick

When I was younger I thought the Hard Rock's were pretty fun, especially the one I visited in Tokyo. Nowadays, I can do without. We have one in Seattle that I hear has a great rooftop deck, but I've never been. It will be interesting to see how they do in CR.

Jeff_Costa_Rica

Is it still the status thing it used to be to have the Hard Rock Cafe t-shirt? The ones from here will say HARD ROCK CAFE SAN JOSE, even though the place will be several miles outside the city. I don't know what the shirts from the one in Guanacaste will say. No one has reported yet where exactly it will be.

hipvirgochick

Probably so. Having a Hard Rock Cafe, San Jose t-shirt is probably cooler than a I <3 San Jose, lol.

Pat_Hewitt

@ shillmac.

Sunglasses. That is all I have to say!

Pat

Cattail

Lol!!!

Continental_Drifter

Yeah... my kids still like the t-shirts, but they don't buy the white ones with the city names. They like the other ones, in black, navy and other colors.

anavert

Yuck!!! Stay away with these chain restaurants that slowly take away the culture!!!