It's closed on the weekends. Restaurateur Chuck Nolen recently took over allowing for longtime proprietor Stuart Litt to retire. Its been slinging Irish whiskey ever since, through ups and downs in the economy and neighborhood, through Prohibition, Jimmy Hoffas frequent visits (rumor has it he used the phone booth as his office on more than one occasion) and a devastating fire in 2009. Please also read our Privacy Notice and Terms of Use, which became effective December 20, 2019. RELATED: This 7-day smoothie diet will help you shed those last few pounds. Record Type: Archive 2009.068.017d - Menu . Go for meat and bread only choosing from slabs, rib sandwich, chicken, rib tips, and wing dings or splurge on the full dinner, which comes with two sides such as coleslaw, potato salad, and green beans. Please, DetroitYES! Wikimedia Commons/Library of Congress/John Margolies 5. When it comes to restaurants and food, its trendy to chase whats new and whats next. Besides Isamu Noguchis rippled waterfall sculpture in the lobby, the 41-story buildings only other notable feature was its penthouse. What to check out: The phone booth and the newly renovated back patio. What supplements should we really be taking? Still, according to Bennigan's website, you can own a Steak and Ale today, so franchising opportunities may be available. Suburbanites can also enjoy a taste of Mexican Village at its Shelby Township location at 47350 Van Dyke Ave. Detroit means business when it comes to corned beef, a popular choice year-round. The chain's demise was because of another chain: Taco Bell, which bought all of the Pup 'N' Taco locations in 1984. The only element of surprise at Top of the Sixes came from its ownership. If Top of the Sixes reflected the wholesome Midwestern values that shaped Stouffers from day one, its clubby successor suggested that New York had plunged into brasher, more exclusive territory. FOOD PLACES OF MY YOUTH IN DETROIT, MI. Lakewood Park Home Town Band Concert, 1968. The first location was opened in 1963 by three brothers. Please contact the server administrator at (313) 315-3040. GAY COMMUNITY IN THE 1970S. What to drink: Medicinal whiskey, of course! These restaurants don't exist today (or if they do, they exist in a very reduced form). GAYOT's 20-point rating scale developed from the system that launched Nouvelle Cuisine in the early 1970s and resembles the grading range used for students in France. A few years later, under the guidance of the Stouffers entrepreneurial sons Vernon and Gordon, the company began to open restaurants in cities including Detroit, Pittsburgh, and New York, attracting diners with crowd-pleasing dishes like baked pork chops and hot butterscotch sundaes. In 1924, the couple expanded into a full-fledged restaurant called Stouffer Lunch, where they whipped up sandwiches for 25 cents or less. By the late '70s, though, the company had been sold. Order the Dock 57 if its in: It was the Walkerville dock that saw the greatest volume of Canadian Club heading over to the American side in Detroit, despite it being technically illegal. Although it was never as big as McDonald's or Burger King, Red Barn is estimated to have 400 restaurants in 22 states at its peak. I demurred., Top of the Sixes depicted in the 2013 movie Wolf of Wall Street., Top of the Sixes was indeed popular, claiming to have served its 10 millionth meal in 1973, but it never attained food fame, Lape points out. Damman Hardware on Kelly Road and Papes House of Gifts on Houston-Whittier. [3] Stouffers may have long ceased to champion a night out on the town, but it continues to do what it always did: make peoples lives just a little easier with the promise of homey, unfussy cooking. The easy way to make healthier comfort foods. Marriott rapidly expanded the franchise through the '80s, but under various names. La Pecora Nera [ Official photo] Also featured in: How to Eat and Drink Well Near Comerica Park. Nothing holds Nancy down. Sign up for Yahoo Lifes daily newsletter, 15 Discontinued Sodas You'll Never See Again, Big Shef has been available for limited runs, 17 Failed Chain Restaurants From the 1980s That Will Make You Feel So Nostalgic, 10 Old-Fashioned Sodas You Forgot You Loved, staff members went by the nickname "Towerettes. Cash only. The square Sicilian-style pizza which is about . In 1973, according to a menu spotted on eBay, diners could have ordered tenderloin of beef stroganoff, crabmeat la Newburg, and individual baked Alaska. "Detroit's Finest Restaurant and Cocktail Lounge" Rosedale Northern Michigan The restaurants menu wasnt quite as arresting: Its dishes offered satisfying but unremarkable American stalwarts with a touch of European flair. The institutions listed on this map continue to stand the test of time, whether for special occasions, a quick meal at a casual lunch counter, or an old-school only-in-Detroit experience. - Discussing the International Family of Communites of Greater Detroit & Windsor Since 1999. Initially, there was some synergy between Stouffers restaurants and its frozen entrees: According to a company representative, its macaroni and cheese, spinach souffl, corn souffl, stuffed peppers, and Salisbury steak were all influenced by dishes served in the originalStouffers restaurant. For one of the best sandwiches, head to Michigan Avenue for Hygrade Delis iconic Reuben. The restaurant chain became an American favorite, thanks to dishes like Hawaiian chicken and herb-roasted prime rib. What to order: Canadian Club. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Instead, it was owned by Stouffers, the same company that filled Americas freezer aisles with Lean Cuisine and those orange-red boxes of French-bread pizza and spaghetti and meatballs. started in the basement of Shelby and Congress in the the 40's. then moved to Shelby between Congress and Fort. An oldie but goodie, this classic Coney Island in southwest Detroit is open 24 hours to satisfy those late-night cravings for a Detroit classic eat, whether for a coney, a loose burger, a hearty breakfast, or even a slice of pie and coffee. It specializes in pit-style barbecue basted with a vinegar-based sauce. Privacy Policy Women who had ovarian cysts share their stories, A sugar replacement may be linked to heart attacks and strokes, but don't throw it out yet. What started as a small hot dog stand in Florida blossomed into a company with 400 franchises in the United States, including Hawaii. Grab a PLT with pancetta, lettuce, tomato and dine-in at one of the communal tables or pick up an antipasto salad to-go. Registration is free and required for posting. 666 Fifths penthouse subsequently became home to the Grand Havana Room, a luxe cigar lounge filled with humidors, mahogany, and financial titans and celebrities ensconced in leather armchairs. Once a haunt for the likes of Ella Fitzgerald, Nat King Cole, Sarah Vaughn, and Miles Davis, the art deco lounge still hosts nightly shows. Something went wrong. What to order: Jack Daniel's on the rocks, in honor of the bars new (well, since 1991) proprietor, Ron. It's refered to in a Convention and Vistor's Bureau about Detroit from the 70s, which now I can't find on Youtube [[wonder where I saw ithmmm), AtDetroit LLC 2000 - 2023 unless otherwise specified. Cleveland Club Baths at 1448 West 32nd Street (the oldest Club Baths in the country, founded in 1965, and the . What to check out: The gorgeous stained glass upstairs and the beautiful wooden staircase. This was early 80's. And while we're feeling nostalgic, here are 25 Beloved Restaurants That Are Gone for Good. A native New Yorker, she now lives in Budapest. The Indiana-based chain served up flame-broiled burgers, such as the Big Shef, a double cheeseburger with special sauce. Terms of Use What to drink: Beer and a shot, preferably some variety of Crown Royal. And theres ample evidence in the (employees only, sorry) basement that a separate bar functioned down there at one time, most likely a private card room. We notice that you are using an, Downtown Detroit Restaurants & Bars- 1970, Where all things great and small regarding the. It opened in 1904 and has served generations of movers and shakers, politicians, and other shady sorts. JOIN HERE Results 1 to 14 of 14 Aside from one location in Nebraska that closed in 2017, all other Lum's had closed by 1983. All that fun stuff is down in the basement of Tommy's -- of course, if you have a bar full of Purple Gang gamblers and drinkers, you probably dont want just anybody to see them. Bennigan's was fast becoming one of the most successful mid-range casual dining chains in America. Images of the storybook, featuring a little boy of color, served as decorations in the store. George's Restaurant was on the first floor of the building from 1953-1983. Oh, I forgot Chin-Tiki and Forbidden City. Registration is free and required for posting. Here's a look inside this diner, along with a glimpse at some of the . Its original location, opened in 1970 on the edge of Eastern Market, was joined by a second location on the city's northwest side in 2016. We are experiencing an error, please try again. All-day breakfast is one way to make people happy, and that's what Minnesota chain Happy Chef aimed to do. Copyright Issue Media Group. For more than a quarter century, Al-Ameer has been a beloved favorite among locals for top-notch Lebanese cuisine. (Hes more likely to be afraid of you than you are of him, so dont worry.) Try one or three. So if you're "hungry for a Henry's," that's where you should go. That's right: this amazing spot dates back to 1904, making it one of the oldest restaurants in the entire state of Michigan. Grab a whole one for the road. Similar to Dairy Queen and Burger King, the restaurant served up burgers and shakes. Although the oldest-standing Bob's Big Boy is still running in Burbank and various other locations are still open, the chain has never bounced back from its peak in the '70s. Heres another Prohibition-era lunch counter opened by a Greek immigrant. Today, the frozen-food aisle is a testament to the success of Lean Cuisine, with a vast arsenal of brands whose entrees all promise lower fat, sodium, and calories. When it became part of a larger restaurant chain in 1976, there were more than 100 locations. (1406 W. 6th), opened in 1874, has always housed a tavern-restaurant. It eventually led to those ubiquitous boxes, which were a supermarket fixture by the early 1960s. While it peaked in the '50s, White Tower was still fairly popular in the '70s. detroit restaurants 1970s ( 125) 42294-021. detroit restaurants 1970s asrefava@pact.ir. By the time Top of the Sixes closed, Stouffers hospitality operations had all but ceased to function. Soup Kitchen Saloon, Detroit's Home of the Blues, Summer News Record Type: Archive 2009.068.017c - Menu . KRESGE LUNCH COUNTERDAIRY QUEENROY ROGERS RESTAURANTWHITE CASTLE HAMBURGERSGREENFIELD'S RESTAURANTA \u0026 W ROOT BEER DRIVE-INI DIDN'T INCLUDE McDONALD'S OR BURGER KING IN THIS VIDEOALTHOUGH I DID FREQUENT THOSE AS WELL. The restaurant dished out hamburgers, and the staff members went by the nickname "Towerettes." Bob Lape, the broadcast journalist and food critic, vividly remembers visiting the restaurant in 1965 with a group of Westinghouse Broadcasting executives. When Marriott acquired the company in 1979 and shut down all the company-owned spots, the franchise ones closed not long after. ", 25 Beloved Restaurants That Are Gone for Good, the restaurant announced in June that it's changing its name. 666 Fifth Avenue was just another bulky and unremarkable skyscraper taking up space in midtown Manhattan. When it launched in 1966, Steak and Ale's concept was revolutionary: cheap but tasty steak and an unlimited salad bar. If the bartender has a moment, ask to see the Kil-a-Kol crate and old bottles, and the barbershop-turned-cigar lounge off to the side. The Anchor was the only tennant in the Fort Shelby hotel until about 1990 when it moved to the home of the former Hannon's Flowers where it now is. Through the '80s, more locations sold and it eventually fizzled out. To learn more or opt-out, read our Cookie Policy. If anything unites Stouffers restaurants and packaged goods, its smart timing: The companys move into frozen foods dovetailed with the 1950s appliance craze, while the 1981 creation of Lean Cuisineits line of under-300-calorie entreescame in the midst of the aerobics boom and cannily targeted the burgeoning subset of health-conscious diners with meals like Mediterranean-style chicken and vegetables over angel hair pasta. Sounds like an interesting combobut it worked. Stouffers took a swankier turn in the mid-1950s, when it unveiled its collection of Top of restaurants. But if you grew up in California, you will know it well. I know it isn't "downtown", but people keep mentioning resturants in the New Center area. Shaped like an actual barn, Red Barn restaurant chains weren't hard to spot. Long live the queen. Serving up fried chicken, fish, and chips, Arthur Treacher's peaked with more than 800 stores in the late '70s. AtDetroit LLC 2000 - 2023 unless otherwise specified. You probably have a go-to favorite restaurant, whether it's a chain or just a local eatery in your town. Nearing its 50th year in business, this Detroit restaurant is credited as being one of the firstif not the firstCreole-style restaurant in the city. What, four pages and no mention of Carl's Chop House? Despite the controversy, though, there's still one Sambo's Restaurant location left in Santa Barbara. What to check out: The basement. The bar was funded by Strohs to sell their beer exclusively over 100 years ago. Registration is free and required for posting. Children of the '70s will remember defunct chain Sambo's not for the food, but for the controversial name that ultimately led to its demise. But in 1958, a year after the buildings completion, that penthouse transformed into Top of the Sixes, a restaurant famous for its stellar views. We notice that you are using an, Trying to remember a restaurant in the Detroit areawas there in the 1970s, Where all things great and small regarding the. It continued to grow through the '70s before selling over half of its 57 locations to Denny's (which had a similar dining style). They reach back to 1914, when Abraham Stouffer and his father, James, launched a creamery and dairy stand in northeastern Ohio. Visit Website. Henry's Hamburgers first opened its doors in the 1950s. It was built by Greek immigrant Tom Lucas as a lunch counter, but mostly what was on the menu was booze, however Tom wanted to pour it. Sweet potatoes are on the menu here, including in the pies, waffles, cookies, and even the grits. RELATED: The easy way to make healthier comfort foods. At Top of the Town downtown, the atmosphere was just as convivial, with diners ordering sauerkraut balls and listening to live WJW radio broadcasts and a pianist. Lang almost tore it off my back, vowing to have it dry-cleaned and returned the next day, Lape recalls. is a free service that relies on revenue from ad display [regrettably] and donations. 13 Superb Spots for Wings in Metro Detroit. A rocks pour of cask-aged rum does the trick too. Plus, it has one of the very oldest liquor licenses issued in Detroit, so thats gotta count for something, right? The latest in food culture, cooking, and more. > Diamond Jim Brady's This 7-day smoothie diet will help you shed those last few pounds. The original spot was launched in the 1950s, and the chain grew based on its popular beer-steamed hot dogs, fried seafood, and frosted glass beers. More information about this error may be available And all the sporting memorabilia from decades past. This establishment eventually became entirely a barroom, with no sign on the outside save for an USMC anchor insignia for Leo's time in the Marines. Its worth noting that the Stouffers name wasnt a deterrent to more worldly locals; in his 2007 memoir, The Wolf of Wall Street, the infamous former stockbroker Jordan Belfort described Top of the Sixes as a place where Masters of the Universe could get blitzed on martinis and exchange war stories. The opening scene of the 2013 film version shows Belfort and his friends doing just that. Alia Akkam is a former editor at Hospitality Design, Organic Spa, and Beverage Media magazines. The century-old building was demolished in 1995. is a free service that relies on revenue from ad display [regrettably] and donations. What to check out: The stunning front porch with a view of the old State Fairgrounds. After a recent closure, Stonehouse is back up and running with extended weekend hours. Sign up here for our daily Detroit email and be the first to get all the food/drink/fun the Motor City has to offer. Marriott claimed a few franchises in the '80s, such as Gino's Hamburgers, which was started in Baltimore by a pair of NFL players in 1957. Asked about its speakeasy history, Abicks former owner Manya generally gave a wry smile and said, "The boys took care of us," and nothing else. The daily specials and seasonal desserts reflect a more modern culinary approach. Do any of you remember the Anchor Bar at its original location? The most beautiful interiors in Detroit, mapped. You remember the Detroit mounted police patrolling Woodward Ave. the chain sold to the Marriott Corporation in 1988, English actor who played the butler in the Shirley Temple films, 9 Old-Fashioned Recipes From the Back of Iconic Product Boxes. A post shared by Down with Detroit (@downwithdetroit), Where to Get a Fulfilling Breakfast in Detroit Right Now. Before its demise, Burger Chef was sold to the company that owns Hardee's, where the Big Shef has been available for limited runs in past years. http://www.detroitsrestaurants.info/x-_and_-Hounds, DetroitYES! detroit restaurants 1970s The Blog. But in 1981, all the locations changed their name to Druther's, which was more inclusive of the fried chicken and self-serve salad bar that was also on the menu. The chain's signature hamburger was the Sirloiner, made from sirloin steak. And when Marriott decided to sell off its restaurant business, Wag's didn't find an owner, and the locations all shut down in 1991. OK, so not every child of the '70s will know of Pup 'N' Taco. New Yorkers are quick to reminisce about dining experiences of yore, but their tales are usually linked to more-famous establishments, like the Rainbow Room or the Four Seasonsplaces synonymous with consistent quality, glamour, and theatrics. Downtown Detroit Restaurants & Bars- 1970 SINCE 1997 Where all things great and small regarding the Fabulous Detroit-Windsor International Metropolis are Discussed. The Shorthorn Restaurant Located on the corner of South Dort and East Court for about 35 years, Shorthorn was known for Clyde's ribs, steak and. By choosing I Accept, you consent to our use of cookies and other tracking technologies. What to order: Beer. So after opening as Digbys grocers in 1902, it became Digbys saloon in short order. In its prime, says Dr. Richard Klein, a professor of urban studies at Cleveland State University, Stouffers was a good, medium-priced sit-down restaurant, the kind of place you could go with your grandmother or take a date to, he recalls. Along with the Rainbow Room, which sat 65 stories above the citys streets (Windows on the World wouldnt open at the top of the World Trade Center for nearly another 20 years), Top of the Sixes dramatic perch was a riveting novelty. The restaurant was not the work of some enterprising real estate mogul or hospitality maven. A dumbwaiter went from the basement (which, of course, also had its own bar) to other floors. Dine in the garden, or make a reservation for weekend high tea. Today, one location remains in Michigan. Does anyone remember Ernie Klees famous for his stakes which now Ruth Chris uses the same method cook in a pizza over like top and bottom at the same time his famous garlic/blue cheese dressing and cottagefries! Lakewood's first ambulance service, circa 1900. The companys frozen-food arm reaches back to 1946, when Stouffers responded to customer demand for easy-to-reheat dishes by unrolling the 227 Club, a separate business devoted to frozen takeout meals. But like many burger joints, Henry's couldn't keep up with the competition, and locations started closing rapidly in the late '70s. For all the flashiness of the city's many new restaurants, Detroit has a ton of timeless establishments that have been serving more or less the same great food for decades. Bressler's Ice Cream was a popular ice cream chain in Chicago in the '30s and '40s, so it seemed only natural that a fast-food chain would come as an extension. Downtown Detroit Restaurants & Bars- 1970 SINCE 1997 Where all things great and small regarding the Fabulous Detroit-Windsor International Metropolis are Discussed. Howard johnson's. Although younger generations may know of Howard Johnson's thanks to Mad Men, '70s kids will remember actually visiting the orange-roofed restaurant chain. Esquire Deli and Dexter-Davison Market in the 12th-Dexter Linwood neighborhood were some of the more popular establishments which were open from the 1970s until . Fans go for the soul food, too: barbecue wings and ribs, blackened catfish, and fried pork chops, for starters.