I know there are several people here who have been in the middle Tennessee area for quite some time. At this time, I need to consult your memories - I need to settle a debate.

My question concerns an establishment called Omni Hut. This is a polynesian restaurant. I know that there is currently (and has long been) an Omni Hut in the Smyrna area. THE DEBATE is whether or not there was ever an Omni Hut in Nashville. Specificly, I remember there being one in the West End/Elliston Place area in the 1980s. Am I wrong? Does anyone else remember this? I can't find any record of a Nashville location online anywhere, but I KNOW I'm right.

Thank you in advance for your help.

Part of Omni Hut's mythic essence is its middle-of-nowhere location. So I was hoping there wasn't a Nashville location. But according to a website I looked at (I am dumb and don't know how to link it in), Omni Hut did run a "chain of takeout Polynesian restaurants in the Nashville area" starting in the late 1960s, but which are all closed now. So maybe that's it?

I also learned from this website that Omni Hut is such a treasured place that the TN Department of Transportation completely re-routed plans for an expressway so the restaurant wouldn't have to be torn down.

Yes, I saw that website and found it muy interesante (There are accounts on the site of people travelling hundreds of miles to dine at Omni Hut!). I did see mention of these take-out Omni Huts from the 60s, but I really don't think that's what I'm remembering. This was a stand-alone building, and definitely had a dining room. The building may have had an odd shape.

Can anyone enlighten us as to what polynesian takeout is?

I think Capt. Bligh and his men practiced polynesian takeout... nevermind

omni hut is a delightful little restaurant in smyrna, tn. it serves tasty polynesian food in a delightful atmosphere. in my opinion, its more the atmosphere that draws the crowd (as there are always cars lined up down the street on any given friday or saturday night). dimly lit, authentic hawaiian decor (some of which was lost in a fire last year i think), the creative way in which the food itself is served...it's just a unique dining experience. but i haven't heard of the takeout polynesian food. i was under the impression that the owning family only ran the sigle restaurant. guess i was wrong. i've only been maybe 4 or 5 times, but i've enjoyed it each time. i don't think i'd go there with friends or on my own, though. i always think of it as more of a family place.

what kind of food is it similar to?

i guess it would be most accessibly compared to some standard asian foods. chicken chow mein, egg rolls, seafoods, various meats on a stick (i'm not a fan) which you heat over the open flame at the top of the stone volcano-type thing your food is served on. but it has a polynesian flavor, which i obviously am no good at describing. i don't know...things seem to have a sweetness...and some things are pineappley. perhaps someone more capable will be able to better explain.

they have polynesian sauce at chic-fil-a