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Hooters in the Holy Land

by Jonathon Morgan (RSS feed) on Mar 20th 2007 at 3:01PM

Next time you're in Tel Aviv -- tired from traveling, homesick, and looking for a little comfort food -- you can sit back, relax, and experience some all-American hospitality, half-way around the globe. Hooters is opening its first location in Israel.

It's a restaurant known, kind of, for its spicy chicken wings, but mostly for its servers -- "Hooters Girls," who bring you food and beer in low-cut blouses and short skirts. And, according to the man behind the move, Ofer Ahiraz, it can "suit the Israeli entertainment culture."

"I strongly believe that the Hooters concept is something that Israelies are looking for," says Ahiraz.

While there will probably be minor changes to meet Israeli tastes -- such as keeping the restaurants away from large religious populations, and making all the food kosher -- the restaurants will look a lot like the chain's other locations across the U.S., China, Switzerland, Australia, Brazil and beyond.

Over the next two years the company plans to open additional restaurants in Colombia, Dubai, Guam, New Zealand and India.

So it's official, the tackiest restaurant in the U.S. will now lead the way as America's most ubiquitous cultural ambassador. Great.

Filed under: Food and Drink, Israel

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)

cwwindley Mar 26th 2007 2:36PM

I can not believe that they would want to go over to Israel. The main reason why is b/c of the fact that it is the holy land, and it should stay that way. Why is it so hard for the religious crowd to live a happy life without everywhere they turn there is some sex advertisment to stare them in the face. What is this world coming to.

Deborah Mar 26th 2007 2:40PM

My opinion and my opinion ONLY! I feel that HOOTERS need to STAY away from the HOLY LAND! There is enough SIN in LIFE

Dustin Mar 26th 2007 2:50PM

First, they are in shorts, and not skirts. Second, everyone complains about what they wear, but is it that bad? Go to the beach, and you will see a whole lot more skin. Yes they gain a lot of business from having flirty waitresses who are attractive, but thats business. If theycan go there and be successful they have the right to be there. This won't be sex advertisement starring them right in the face, unless they go in and give them business.

Ann Marie Mar 26th 2007 3:08PM

Unbelievable! What is this world coming to? It's definitely a man's world out there, isn't it. Why do these girls degrade themselves, I know, money, money money.Guys can wear thongs and no shirt and we can call the restraunts PECKER'S.

Anna Mar 26th 2007 8:56PM

What I've always wanted--kosher hot wings!!!!!

Greg Apr 26th 2007 2:59PM

Pretty bad taste, pretty bad food. Why not just open a strip club? I don't know any decent woman who feels confortable in a restaurant where the waitresses flirt with the men.

Bret Mar 26th 2007 3:58PM

I guess all of you religious douchebags would rather go to war on idiotic boundary issues and 'my god can beat up your god' stuff. Turn on the cameras and it's 'Death to the USA'...turn off the cameras and they're clamoring to get to the USA. The 'Holy Land' has been blown up more times than anyone can count. I hate Hooters, but they have every right to pursue business anywhere they want. Yes, Mrs. Peckers, It IS a man's world.

charity Mar 26th 2007 3:23PM

That restaurant (and strip places) shouldn't even be in the U.S. (or even exist at all).

Also, (as to the beach idea) adults and Children go to the beach to swim; however, places like that restaurant are catered for one idea only.

Barry Mar 26th 2007 4:20PM

First of all, and unlike most who will post here this comes from someone who's been to Israel twice, going to Tel Aviv is like going to Chicago... Secondly, as Tel Aviv is right on the Mediterranean, you'll see WAY more on the beach than you will in any Hooters. Young Israeli women happen to often be VERY hot and they know it - I'd LOVE to be there for the tryouts....

eva ave Mar 26th 2007 3:25PM

This is just horrible...the world already thinks Americans are stupid and Hooters just adds to this. Hooters in the Holy land??? Seems pretty stupid to me.

wriznsun Mar 26th 2007 3:26PM

So sad!! It is bad enough we have to deal with things here in the US. But to put a hooters in the Holy Land is just shocking to me. Corruption is everywhere.

linda Mar 26th 2007 4:37PM

The Pecker's restaurant sounds like a good retort to the sexualization of women... Still, it's a woman's choice to work in a place like Hooters. But let's even the field. Any guys want to work at the new chain? Hm. Thought not.

ryan Mar 26th 2007 5:08PM

i really dont see anything wrong with any of this people just need to lighten up. there is nothing wrong with women serving beer and wings in shorts and a tank top

Devynn Mar 26th 2007 4:34PM

you expect to see skimpy clothing at a beach b/c who wants to get dragged down in the heat and water by clothes!? but The Holy Land?! i doubt they'll last. there are enough religious zealots there ALL OVER THE PLACE to knock them out within a year of them setting up shop. and there IS a resturant called Peckers that is the same idea as Hooters, only for women. so turnabout here IS fair play! :) i just wish they'd stay out of places KNOWN for their religious conservatism, or at the very least, historically known for being the birth place of a religion. then they wouldn't have to deal with the fall out and wasted money. as for out lawing adult entertainment (post number five), that's the most anti liberal thing i've heard all day! but i guess you can't get any play with those kind of places around, now can you? ha! or you must be a "Christian." i don't care what Christians in the US say, we're NOT a Christian Nation. we're an agnostic one. we only call on God when it suits us. THINK ABOUT IT!

JP Mar 26th 2007 4:38PM

First of all, Israel, "the Holy Land" has a large population that isn't all that holy, just regular folks.

Second of all, Hooters waitresses wear running shorts and t-shirts, not "low cut blouses and short skirts." Everybody knows that, except the moron who wrote this little piece.

Third, people need to relax. What's wrong with attractive women, and men, enjoying and indeed profiting from their sexuality? Since when did that become a crime? No one is forcing you to go into a Hooters.

ursula Mar 26th 2007 9:48PM

they must be wailing at the wall..don't you think???

Slikrik1212 Mar 26th 2007 4:06PM

Wow! That's a nice rack. I shall happily grant them "30 rack" status.

barak Mar 26th 2007 11:04PM

WE ALREADY HAVE ENOUGH FILTH HERE-DONT ADD TO IT

cblucky7 Mar 26th 2007 4:07PM

I think it's a great idea. No matter where you are in the world, all men enjoy a good meal, sports on tv, and having attractive women to look at is an added bonus. Oh, by the way, those of you who are worried about desecrating the holy land need to keep in mind that this is one of the most violent places to live. I feel like if you want to protest something, maybe you should protest suicide bombers.