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. Besides Isamu Noguchis rippled waterfall sculpture in the lobby, the 41-story buildings only other notable feature was its penthouse. > Checker Bar & Grill 124 Cadillac Square, Detroit; 313-961-9249. AtDetroit LLC 2000 - 2023 unless otherwise specified. The atmosphere has been compared to the tavern in TV's Cheers sitcom. What to order: Youre on your own here. The first location was opened in 1963 by three brothers. Mencotti's Restaurant at 7113 Puritan Street during the 1960s, with murals of Venice. Food Ratings of Detroit/Michigan Restaurants. Sweet potatoes are on the menu here, including in the pies, waffles, cookies, and even the grits. Bathhouses. Lakewood Park Home Town Band Concert, 1968. A rocks pour of cask-aged rum does the trick too. Or have any information about it? We didn't have money then, so dining out was a very special occasion. Cash only. 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. 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 . Bennigan's was fast becoming one of the most successful mid-range casual dining chains in America. We notice that you are using an, Downtown Detroit Restaurants & Bars- 1970, Where all things great and small regarding the. 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. Downtown Detroit Restaurants & Bars- 1970 SINCE 1997 Where all things great and small regarding the Fabulous Detroit-Windsor International Metropolis are Discussed. Don't know about the 70's though. They reach back to 1914, when Abraham Stouffer and his father, James, launched a creamery and dairy stand in northeastern Ohio. Would these have been there to feed people working in the GM building? 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. error was encountered while trying to use an ErrorDocument to handle the request. What to check out: Owner Russell Macks truly prodigious collection of vintage tap handles. 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. 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. Kick back with an imported beer at the festive live piano sing-alongs Thursday through Saturday. If you got to try these 1970s restaurants before they closed, consider yourself lucky. What, four pages and no mention of Carl's Chop House? Operating together, the company had hundreds of locations throughout the United States in the '70s. There's still one White Tower location in Toledo, Ohio. anyone notice that the name of the photograph in the first entry says "vineyards restaurant detroit"??? This bars owner has a deed from 1911 in which the Victorian bar is dated simply as very old." Once the Midwestern hub for illegal booze-peddling during Prohibition thanks to the infamous Purple Gang, the city has plenty of whispered rumors of basement bars, third-floor brothels, and barstools specially reserved for the most notorious gangsters of the time. Wikimedia Commons/Library of Congress/John Margolies 5. Henry's Hamburgers first opened its doors in the 1950s. Lakewood Fire Department, 1930. Toms has been a longtime hangout for university and journalist types, so youll find plenty of folks willing to speculate with you. 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. For more than a quarter century, Al-Ameer has been a beloved favorite among locals for top-notch Lebanese cuisine. In 1960, the company had started to expand its hospitality operations by introducing the now-defunct Stouffer Hotels & Resorts, beginning with the Anacapri Inn in Fort Lauderdale and growing to include known properties like the Mayflower Hotel in Washington, D.C. By 1990, the Stouffers name was attached to 40 largely upscale resorts and hotels and 68 restaurants. A mountain of freshly sliced corned beef is layered between slices of grilled rye with kraut, Thousand Island dressing, and melty swiss cheese. 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. 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. - Discussing the International Family of Communites of Greater Detroit & Windsor Since 1999. By the late '70s, the chain was sold a number of times, and all closed by the late '80s. AtDetroit LLC 2000 - 2023 unless otherwise specified. Ground Round Grill & Bar is an American casual dining restaurant that was founded in 1969 by Howard Johnson's. [1] [2] On January 17, 2010, Independent Owners Cooperative, LLC a group originally formed of 30 franchisee owners, which is based in Freeport, Maine became the owner of Ground Round. Top of the Sixes never went much beyond special-occasion dinner territory, so when it shuttered in 1996, David Stout wrote, in a New York Times article entitled No More Tables for Two at the Top of the Sixes, that it closed with no more ceremony than attends the clearing of a table after a meal. Today, one location remains in Michigan. Website. OK, so not every child of the '70s will know of Pup 'N' Taco. 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. Please also read our Privacy Notice and Terms of Use, which became effective December 20, 2019. Similar to Denny's or Shoney's, the family eatery was a 24-hour establishmentsome were even built into the drugstore. I don't remember the name of that one. Bennigan's got its start in Atlanta in 1976, but by the early '80s, they were everywhere. We've rounded up a list of nostalgic restaurants that have either gone out of business completely or have greatly reduced their operations. Mayfield Chop House, pretty sure it was on Clifford. Established in 1958, the menu here leans in on Mexican American favorites, including, burritos, crunchy flour flautas, a variety of enchilada platters, fajitas, and margaritas all set inside a Mission-revival style white stucco building. Don't miss these15 Discontinued Sodas You'll Never See Again. You remember the Detroit mounted police patrolling Woodward Ave. But if you grew up in California, you will know it well. This family-owned restaurant with sister locations in Canton and Dearborn Heights achieved national acclaim with aJames Beard Americas Classics Awardand a spot onEaters National 38list. See our, By submitting your email, you agree to our, 13 Detroit Classic Restaurants for the Bucket List, Sign up for the Craving even more throwback content? There have been, I believe, 4 Anchor Bars in total. Not much has changed: The. Well send you our daily roundup of all our favorite stories from across the site, from travel to food to shopping to entertainment. 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? At Clevelands Shaker Square location, the chandelier-laden dining room was perfect for milestone birthday fetes, while its Tack Room, a separate space with a casual pub ambience, attracted a younger crowd. What to check out: The hockey memorabilia, cultivated over decades of Toms love of the sport. It was hopping.. FOOD PLACES OF MY YOUTH IN DETROIT, MI. The signature Checker Burger is still prepared using the original recipe, which dates to 1973, but the restaurant has been in operation since 1955. But for '70s kids, they might be a nostalgic part of your childhood memories. Similar to a Sicilian tomato pizza, the square features a thick, spongy crust with caramelized cheese edges, toppings, and sauce on top. What to drink: Medicinal whiskey, of course! 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. When Marriott acquired the company in 1979 and shut down all the company-owned spots, the franchise ones closed not long after. Eight years later, Abraham and his wife, Lena Mahala, started serving fresh buttermilk in the Cleveland Arcade, one of the countrys early indoor shopping malls, and soon elevated their stand into a coffee shop where they sold countless slabs of Lena Mahalas beloved Dutch apple pie. Thick, juicy ham slices are the focal point here: with eggs and toast; on a poppy-seed bun; or in a split-pet soup. WOOLWORTH'S LUNCH COUNTERSANDERS BAKERYTOP HAT HAMBURGERSS.S. Not much has changed in the friendliest biker bar in town. Wasn't LaLanterna on Griswold between State and Grand River at Capital Park? Wilson's Dairy, shown here in '76, was once a neighborhood fixture, offering sweet treats and dairy products to Detroiters of all ages. 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. 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. 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. Today, only the original Happy Chef location still stands. detroit restaurants 1970s Please, DetroitYES! - Discussing the International Family of Communites of Greater Detroit & Windsor Since 1999. There were about 170 restaurants in the U.S. at that timebut 10 years later, all of those were bought out by Dairy Queen. 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. started in the basement of Shelby and Congress in the the 40's. then moved to Shelby between Congress and Fort. Cash only. 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. We are experiencing an error, please try again. Step inside and be transported to old-school restaurant vibes with white tablecloths. And children of the '70s will remember that time well. 1514 Washington Blvd, Detroit, MI 48226. and http://www.detroityes.com/mb/showthright=Normandie, DetroitYES! Tom Woolsey, Andrews current owner and Guss grandson, happily recounts family legends of Hiram Walker (of Canadian Club fame) customers and even Walker family members stopping into the bar at the corner of Atwater and Joseph Campau on their way to catch the ferry that left from the foot of Walker St over to the CC distillery. Cadieux Cafe, 4300 Cadieux Rd, Detroit, MI 48224, USA 7. Registration is free and required for posting. 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. Not much has changed: The gorgeous tin ceilings and mahogany bar welcome guests into the mellow, relaxed atmosphere. In 1973, according to a menu spotted on eBay, diners could have ordered tenderloin of beef stroganoff, crabmeat la Newburg, and individual baked Alaska. There were 91 freestanding locations when the chain sold to the Marriott Corporation in 1988. Bob Lape, the broadcast journalist and food critic, vividly remembers visiting the restaurant in 1965 with a group of Westinghouse Broadcasting executives. She covers food, drink, travel, and design and has written for outlets including Playboy, Four Seasons magazine and Vogue.com. 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. Open in Google Maps. What to check out: The recently recovered tin ceiling, the photos of Norristown in the streetcar days. 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. 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. 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. By the late '70s, though, the company had been sold. and agree to receive news and updates from TASTE and Penguin Random House. 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 its heyday, the chain had more than 1,000 locations, which served fried clams and a whopping 28 ice cream flavors. It was not clearwhether Top of the Sixes was the victim of changing tastes, real estate ups and downs, or both.. 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. Gypsy's Restaurant at 2418 St. Clair. Jacobys is an old-style German biergarten tucked in the heart of Downtown Detroit. While it peaked in the '50s, White Tower was still fairly popular in the '70s. 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 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. 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. 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. "Detroit's Finest Restaurant and Cocktail Lounge" Rosedale Northern Michigan What to order: Canadian Club. They were joined by media mogul Merv Griffin and Arthur Treacher, a British actor and the namesake of the now largely defunct fish-and-chips chain. Fans go for the soul food, too: barbecue wings and ribs, blackened catfish, and fried pork chops, for starters. Whether you were into their delicious cheesy potato skins or the iconic Irish Tower O'Rings, Bennigan's was a hit in the 1980s. again.. the Anchor Bar was not ever on 3rd or 4th. Its a tradition at Nancy. Registration is free and required for posting. 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. The original two-story house, within spitting distance of Ulysses S Grants old house, held farmhands, seasonal laborers, and more than a few prostitutes in the upstairs rooms. By the mid-'70s, the chain was spread throughout the East Coast and attempting to open in the Midwest. After the first location opened in 1956, there were 102 locations by the early '80s. 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. It was, to put it kindly, a tourist magnet, but not a trapbecauseyou got what you expectedglitz and sizzle. Lakewood Rapid Transit, 1954. Did we miss a favorite classic restaurant? Two years later the Burgess Grand Cafe opened; it is still serving the public. The LS&F Burgess Grocers Bldg. 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. By clicking Go, I acknowledge that I have read and agree to the Penguin Random House is a free service that relies on revenue from ad display [regrettably] and donations. Aside from one location in Nebraska that closed in 2017, all other Lum's had closed by 1983. 0 Comments . What to check out: The fantastic live music. The only element of surprise at Top of the Sixes came from its ownership. It opened in 1904 and has served generations of movers and shakers, politicians, and other shady sorts. But in a city like Detroit, where much has come and gone over the years, the old familiars offer a rich culinary experience and often feel best. All rights reserved. For old times' sake. Its become the de facto house whiskey. 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? www.groundround.com. 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. 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. But after a number of sales and bankruptcies, only a handful of Arthur Treacher's locations remain today. 1950's thru 1970's - YouTube (NOT REBORN RELATED)RESTAURANTS SHOWN ARE:ELIAS BROTHERS BIG BOYBURGER CHEFKENTUCKY FRIED CHICKENARTHUR TREACHER'S FISH &. Please, DetroitYES! But many food lovers also know the heartbreak that comes with your favorite restaurant closing for good. If Wayne States archaeology department spends a whole summer collecting stories, digging up artifacts, and finding a freaking hidden tunnel, you know this must be the real deal. The easy way to make healthier comfort foods. A dumbwaiter went from the basement (which, of course, also had its own bar) to other floors. What to check out: The gorgeous stained glass upstairs and the beautiful wooden staircase. Seeing the ramshackle exterior and topsy-turvy floors, youd think theres no way Toms Tavern has been in business since 1928. On nights when Detroit Pleasure Society plays or on Honky Tonk night, the raucous cheer looks like its likely to literally bring down the house. A post shared by Down with Detroit (@downwithdetroit), Where to Get a Fulfilling Breakfast in Detroit Right Now. New York and Chicago get a lot of attention for their pizzas, but Detroit's spin on the pie should not be overlooked. In 1982, it was sold to Marriott, who turned most of the locations into Roy Rogers. Images of the storybook, featuring a little boy of color, served as decorations in the store. 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. (313) 315-3040. When it comes to restaurants and food, its trendy to chase whats new and whats next. The restaurants menu wasnt quite as arresting: Its dishes offered satisfying but unremarkable American stalwarts with a touch of European flair. 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. Top of the Rock, circa 1960, in Chicagos Prudential Building. You should probably be drinking in them. The Indiana-based chain served up flame-broiled burgers, such as the Big Shef, a double cheeseburger with special sauce. 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. And if you grew up in the 1970s, you might have had to bid farewell to a number of your favorite chain restaurants. By the time Top of the Sixes closed, Stouffers hospitality operations had all but ceased to function. 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. Discuss Detroit Trying to remember a restaurant in the Detroit area.was there in the 1970s SINCE 1997 Where all things great and small regarding the Fabulous Detroit-Windsor International Metropolis are Discussed. 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. 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. The bar was funded by Strohs to sell their beer exclusively over 100 years ago. newsletter, plans to reopen Aug. 3 to celebrate its 89th anniversary. RELATED:10 Old-Fashioned Sodas You Forgot You Loved. The one I miss most is the Old Top Hat that was right next to Tunnel BBQ when you got out of the tunnel on the Canadian side. Around since 1949, Sindbads is a year-round destination with panoramic views of the Detroit River and Belle Isle.