Alia Akkam is a former editor at Hospitality Design, Organic Spa, and Beverage Media magazines. And all the sporting memorabilia from decades past. An earlier version of this article was originally published on September 16, 2019. RELATED:9 Old-Fashioned Recipes From the Back of Iconic Product Boxes. Aside from one location in Nebraska that closed in 2017, all other Lum's had closed by 1983. Southwest Detroit Abick's is the longest family-operated bar in Detroit, now on its sixth generation of the same Polish-American family that founded it in 1907. - Discussing the International Family of Communites of Greater Detroit & Windsor Since 1999. There are plenty of rumors that the Purple Gang, the premier booze distributors during Prohibition, itself supplied Tom with his hooch, although at this late a date its pretty tough to prove. After the first location opened in 1956, there were 102 locations by the early '80s. What to check out: The phone booth and the newly renovated back patio. Restaurants. Ye Olde Tap Rooms been serving frat boys on college break for some time, but long before that it was a comfort station for the nearby trolley line. Pier W, 1975. Don't know about the 70's though. 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. A post shared by Giovanni's Ristorante (@giovannisdetroit). Please, DetroitYES! The bar likely saw some significant boozing, though: Recent renovations have unearthed some Prohibition-era bottles and two giant whiskey barrels (one still partly full) in the basement that predate 1920. Where to Dine Solo in Detroit Giovanni's Ristorante For years Giovanni's has prided itself on authentic recipes from the old country, with freshly-made pastas and sauces tracing its roots from. Cant believe it wasnt mentioned, the food there was terrific. Jacobys has dozens of German beers, each one as delicious as the last. There were about 170 restaurants in the U.S. at that timebut 10 years later, all of those were bought out by Dairy Queen. Bennigan's got its start in Atlanta in 1976, but by the early '80s, they were everywhere. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. 666 Fifth Avenue was just another bulky and unremarkable skyscraper taking up space in midtown Manhattan. One would think that with all of the passing crime, the drinking establishments that housed the infractions would have gone by the wayside, but no. Fortunately, the restaurant announced in June that it's changing its name. We didn't have money then, so dining out was a very special occasion. If you ask nicely, and its not a Wings home game (its across the road from Joe Louis Arena), you can probably persuade someone to take you on a basement tour. Serving up fried chicken, fish, and chips, Arthur Treacher's peaked with more than 800 stores in the late '70s. The server encountered an internal error or The restaurant was not the work of some enterprising real estate mogul or hospitality maven. But as protests over the name grew, some changed names; by 1981, the company had filed for bankruptcy. But two years later, the company began selling off all of its properties to better focus on what most people think of when they think of Stouffers: frozen iterations of baked ziti, chicken-and-broccoli pasta bake, and turkey tetrazzini. Shaped like an actual barn, Red Barn restaurant chains weren't hard to spot. AtDetroit LLC 2000 - 2023 unless otherwise specified. Forbidden City was by the Masonic, not right downtown. The LS&F Burgess Grocers Bldg. Alas, the ferry stopped regular service in 1942; youll have to take the bridge over to Walkerville these days. What to check out: The hockey memorabilia, cultivated over decades of Toms love of the sport. In addition to a variety of hot dogs, Pup 'N' Taco's menu boasted tacos, tostadas, and pastrami sandwiches. misconfiguration and was unable to complete The vibe at Ye Olde Tap Room is still convivial, with old friends returning and mixing with newcomers. 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. 4. Do any of you remember the Anchor Bar at its original location? A post shared by Parks Old Style Bar-B-Q, Inc. (@parksbbqdetroit). Fast-food chain Burger Queen began in Florida in 1956. 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. While we cant prove beyond the shadow of a doubt that Jacobys served alcohol during the 1920s, its pretty hard to imagine that it didnt skirt the laws in some fashion with a crowd like that. (NOT REBORN RELATED)RESTAURANTS SHOWN ARE:ELIAS BROTHERS BIG BOYBURGER CHEFKENTUCKY FRIED CHICKENARTHUR TREACHER'S FISH \u0026 CHIPSHILLBILLIE'S BURGERSRED BARNF.W. Seeing the ramshackle exterior and topsy-turvy floors, youd think theres no way Toms Tavern has been in business since 1928. Whether you were into their delicious cheesy potato skins or the iconic Irish Tower O'Rings, Bennigan's was a hit in the 1980s. Lakewood's first ambulance service, circa 1900. The fast-food chain that wanted to popularize fish and chips in the United States was founded in 1969. 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! And the teetotaling Colonel might not have wholly approved of the rumored activities during Prohibition: Since doctors were legally allowed to prescribe medicinal alcohol, the dentist who rented the building in the 1920s likely kept the business booming. From vegan to keto, which diet has the highest carbon footprint. This is the town, after all, that sent two mayors to prison for various drink-related charges over the course of Prohibition, so its no surprise that there were plenty of speaks there. Thick, juicy ham slices are the focal point here: with eggs and toast; on a poppy-seed bun; or in a split-pet soup. Something went wrong. Do you remember The Money Tree? The menu at this family-owned marina still reflects longtime customer favorites: Angus steaks, perch, pickerel, shrimp, scallops, and house-made clam chowder. As with many of these chains, though, interest had died down by the 1980s, in part because the chain didn't serve alcohol. 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. The restaurants menu wasnt quite as arresting: Its dishes offered satisfying but unremarkable American stalwarts with a touch of European flair. Registration is free and required for posting. I'm having a near-senior moment, what was the name of the restaurant/bar across from the Fisher building, a lot of GM management hung out there after hours? Boldi Garber, Cimbalom Player, Kovac's Bar, Delray . started in the basement of Shelby and Congress in the the 40's. then moved to Shelby between Congress and Fort. Happy Thanksgiving Quotes Fine Restaurant Remembrance Enjoy Life Wyoming Hometown Towns Darbys at 10020 W. 7 Mile Road near Wyoming Street was in business from the mid-1950s to mid '60s. Top of the Rock, circa 1960, in Chicagos Prudential Building. Aside from one location in Nebraska that closed in 2017, all other Lum's had closed by 1983. Each one crowned a skyscraper: Top of the Rock was perched in Chicagos newly unveiled Prudential Building, while Top of the Flame occupied the 26th floor of Detroits Michigan Consolidated Gas Building. 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. Berman's steak house, Topinka's on the Boulevard, the Ponch Wine Cellars, Jim's Garage. These restaurants don't exist today (or if they do, they exist in a very reduced form). 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. I assume they didn't eat at the Toddle House. Bathhouses. What to check out: The fantastic live music. The Hottest New Restaurants in Detroit, March 2023, 20 Vital Spots for Vegan and Vegetarian Food in Detroit, 23 Essential Metro Detroit Burger Destinations, For a taste of the citys history, visit these Detroit restaurant stalwarts. What to check out: Other than Shadow? Well, favorites included Jim's Garage, demolished for Cobo expansion, Lindell AC, demolished for People Mover stop, I think, Hudson's, we all know how that went. 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. Or have any information about it? But after a number of sales and bankruptcies, only a handful of Arthur Treacher's locations remain today. For more than a quarter century, Al-Ameer has been a beloved favorite among locals for top-notch Lebanese cuisine. There are still two Gino's Burgers and Chicken locations in Maryland today. 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. You picked up hot pizza and fresh canoli at Detroit Italian Baking Co. on Gratiot and Frazho. What, four pages and no mention of Carl's Chop House? It was fun and funny, and Id never experiencedthemeticulous level of service paid to our table., The venerable restaurateur George Lang was working there as a consultant at the time, and when food accidentally landed on Lapes suit, Mr. Top of the Hub, a revolving restaurant in Bostons then-new Prudential Center, is still in operation today. You remember Jo Mendie, the chimp at the Detroit Zoo that roller skated and rode a tricycle. There's still one White Tower location in Toledo, Ohio. Cleveland Club Baths at 1448 West 32nd Street (the oldest Club Baths in the country, founded in 1965, and the . The first one began as an illegal drinking [[and betting) backroom operated by Leo Derderian at his family's grocery store on [[I think) Third near Lafayette. It opened in 1904 and has served generations of movers and shakers, politicians, and other shady sorts. With dishes like stuffed lamb andkibbeh neyeh(raw beef mixed with bulgar, onion, and spices), its an essential destination for any culinary tour of metro Detroit. It continued to grow through the '70s before selling over half of its 57 locations to Denny's (which had a similar dining style). Grab a whole one for the road. Wasn't LaLanterna on Griswold between State and Grand River at Capital Park? 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. Terms of Use There was a time when Burger Chef was the second most popular fast-food chain in America, with only McDonald's boasting more locations throughout the United States. is a free service that relies on revenue from ad display [regrettably] and donations. Here's a look inside this diner, along with a glimpse at some of the . This was early 80's. Jacoby's Google Reviews/Retna Slater Google Reviews/Kevin Nagle For more than a century, Jacoby's has remained a fixture in Detroit's Bricktown neighborhood. The fast-food chainwhich offered the "Big Barney" and "Barnbuster" burgers and a self-serve salad baroriginated in Ohio in the '60s. Registration is free and required for posting. 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. What to drink: Bud, High Life, or Coors will earn you an approving nod from the bartender. Marriott rapidly expanded the franchise through the '80s, but under various names. Would these have been there to feed people working in the GM building? The chain's signature hamburger was the Sirloiner, made from sirloin steak. Shockingly, the restaurant continued to grow and there were more than 1,000 spots by 1979. We notice that you are using an, Downtown Detroit Restaurants & Bars- 1970, Where all things great and small regarding the. We notice that you are using an, Downtown Detroit Restaurants & Bars- 1970, Where all things great and small regarding the. Bob Lape, the broadcast journalist and food critic, vividly remembers visiting the restaurant in 1965 with a group of Westinghouse Broadcasting executives. And for more chains that didn't stand the test of time, don't miss these 17 Failed Chain Restaurants From the 1980s That Will Make You Feel So Nostalgic. In 1973, according to a menu spotted on eBay, diners could have ordered tenderloin of beef stroganoff, crabmeat la Newburg, and individual baked Alaska. - Discussing the International Family of Communites of Greater Detroit & Windsor Since 1999. 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. What to order: Canadian Club. detroit restaurants 1970s The Blog. Registration is free and required for posting. More information about this error may be available WOOLWORTH'S LUNCH COUNTERSANDERS BAKERYTOP HAT HAMBURGERSS.S. Casual dining at its finest, VIP's was a well-known chain in the Pacific Northwest. Photo via Facebook St. CeCe's Thought known more as. In 1982, it was sold to Marriott, who turned most of the locations into Roy Rogers. It eventually led to those ubiquitous boxes, which were a supermarket fixture by the early 1960s. 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. And while we're feeling nostalgic, here are 25 Beloved Restaurants That Are Gone for Good. By the late '70s, the chain was sold a number of times, and all closed by the late '80s. Gus Andreakos and his brother set up shop in 1918, although the building was older than that, operating as a grocery store at first. Lakewood Fire Department, 1930. By the late '70s, though, the company had been sold. We use cookies and other tracking technologies to improve your browsing experience on our site, show personalized content and targeted ads, analyze site traffic, and understand where our audiences come from. What to check out: The recently recovered tin ceiling, the photos of Norristown in the streetcar days. RELATED: The easy way to make healthier comfort foods. The bar was funded by Strohs to sell their beer exclusively over 100 years ago. it was an upscale restaurant - very nice It was there in the early 80's. JOIN HERE Page 3 of 6 First 1 2 3 4 5 6 Last Results 51 to 75 of 126 Thread: Downtown Detroit Restaurants & Bars- 1970 Thread Tools FOOD PLACES OF MY YOUTH IN DETROIT, MI. But in 1958, a year after the buildings completion, that penthouse transformed into Top of the Sixes, a restaurant famous for its stellar views. 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. 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. > Checker Bar & Grill 124 Cadillac Square, Detroit; 313-961-9249. Preferably something old-school to match the Wild-West looking environs. Arrive by boat or car. 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. I always wondered whether the frozen-food ownershiplineage impacted public perception.. Get our freshest features and recipes weekly. But many food lovers also know the heartbreak that comes with your favorite restaurant closing for good. The restaurant, which has been in the same family since 1933, has an old-school feel, with dark-wood furniture and paneled walls. Please enter a valid email and try again. 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. At the same time, part of the building housed the first Pigeon Club in the US. A post shared by Sweet Potato Sensations (@sweetpotatosensations), 14 Stops for Stellar Soul Food in Detroit, If you buy something or book a reservation from an Eater link, Vox Media may earn a commission.