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Chicken in the Rough It was the chicken image on the sign, that caught my eye!  Then it was the word Palms, surrounded in lightbulbs. And the slogan! Where You See This Sign It's Genuine!  But it was the neon letters that said "Take Home a Box" that really excited me. Picnic It was a Sunday morning and Don and I were traveling through Port Huron, Michigan.  We had planned to grab food and have a picnic on Lake Huron. But the neon sign wasn't lit when we drove by. As we continued down the road I looked on the internet. The curious place had great reviews. Which Name? Then I read the hours and learned The Palms was going to be open in 5 minutes! We drove back to pick up a box of chicken.  The building was bigger than I'd noticed before. I could see another chicken sign on the side. And palm decorations. I was confused. Was this Chicken in the Rough or Palms Krystal Bar & Restaurant? Noon Maybe we'd soon find out. We parked in a side lot and waited until the clock said 12.  As we headed towards the door, the sign reminded us of Today's Special. Chicken! Great Doors! We opened the glass door and found an entryway with some glass block and a great metal door. It looked like it should be on a ship.   Once inside, I looked back and was equally delighted by the other side. I love a vintage padded vinyl door. Cozy Interior Once we stepped inside the dimly lit space, we were met with a bright voice. "Hi! How are we doing today?"  We followed the young woman and passed a long bar with comfy swivel chairs and glowing pastel lights. We were taken to a booth in an area that felt a little more like an old soda fountain.  Another, equally pleasant woman arrived with menus. "How's your day going?"  On the menu we had a better look at the cigar-smoking chicken, with golf club! Chicken in the Rough was one of the earliest restaurant franchises in the US. Founded by Beverly & Rubye Osborne in 1936, the successful business eventually had over 300 franchised outlets. Specialty Meal Don and I placed our order way too fast. If I'd seen this old photo earlier, I would have ordered this meal, that the restaurant was known for.  The dish was once referred to as "Chicken in the Rough". It consisted of half a fried chicken, shoestring potatoes and a biscuit with honey. The Port Huron location is one of 3, that still serves it. Glowing Colors While waiting for food to arrive, I took a few photos of the colorful restaurant.  The Chicken in the Rough Clock was glowing yellow, behind the bar. We should have tried the drink, advertised in bold letters.  The green neon near the restrooms was also pretty fun. Next Room Then I peeked into an additional dining room that wasn't in use. The walls were covered with framed photos and memorabilia.  I studied the list of locations, from I believe the 1940s. I love the reminder... "1/2 Fried Chicken Served Unjointed Without Silverware" Special Photo I crawled into one booth to get close enough to see this old photograph.  I heard a chuckle and turned to see the owner Jim, smiling. "Caught you!" Jim He introduced himself and seemed delighted that I was curious about the history. He explained that he'd only owned the business for 8 years, but he'd collected a lot of stories and friends over that time.  Jim pointed to the picture I'd been focussing on. He told me that he'd met the granddaughter of the man in the photo. She stepped into the restaurant, one day and asked some questions. She said her grandfather had built the current bar. When Jim pointed out this photo that included her grandfather, she was moved to tears. Beverly and Rubye Osborne Jim filled me in on the husband & wife team that got this successful chicken business started, nearly a century ago. I tried to find a photo of both, but only found this one with husband, Beverly... and his Western Girls.  Jim shared the story of when the Osbornes fled Oklahoma during the dustbowl. While headed to California, they hit a bump in road, sending the picnic lunch of fried chicken flying. Mrs. Osborne proclaimed something about "Chicken in the rough..." and next thing you know, they turned and headed back to OK City. Mr. Osborne pawned his wife's wedding ring and they started up the biz!  Whether those words were really uttered... who knows. But success did follow. The odd name and logo certainly helped them gain attention. In the 1970s after selling the biz, the Osbornes ended up in California. I'm guessing retirement might have offered some time for golf and cigars... But Jim told me that Beverly was killed in a tragic accident, during the building of their new home. Surely there's a book or movie out there about this couple. Or should be. The Building I didn't get a chance to ask Jim about the building, but it was clearly older than the neon sign.  This photo shows the interior of the building, when it operated as a pharmacy. Between 1914 and 1935. In 1936, the chicken business moved in. This photo from 1941, shows Crystal Bar with 2 buildings, as well as a Chicken in the Rough sign.  I put a red arrow on the corner of the building, where we dined. The building to the left is a parking lot now.  This photo is from the opposite corner of the building. I wish I'd asked Jim about the building's history. I'm so glad we spotted it, while driving through town. Time to Eat I'm embarrased to show my lunch choice. I would have chosen differently if I'd know about the restaurant's history, when I ordered.  But my chicken noodle soup was delish. Big chunks of chicken and fat noodles and carrots. My half of corned beef sandwich on marbled bread was just perfect. At least I did have a little chicken in my meal! Don's chicken sandwich with fries was closer to the traditional Chicken in the Rough experience.  The chicken really was amazing. The fries were a treat as well. I believe in 1949, some kind of tricky grill was designed that simultaneously fried and steamed chicken. Friendly Vibe Before taking off, we had a little more time to chat with Jim. He laughed about how he'd actually been headed towards a real retirement, when he bought the place. He said it didn't look like that was going to happen soon.  You could tell that he clearly enjoyed the staff and the customers. I hope he sticks around a while. I want to go back for the Chicken in the Rough Special!
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Detroit Supper Club in 2024 This is it! This is the 75-year-old supper club where Don and I shared a memorable meal.  It was Don's first visit, but he'd heard me (often) reminiscing about dining at Mario's when I was a teen.  Long before our trip to Lake Michigan last summer, I got curious about Mario's. I Googled to see if the iconic supper club was still in business, 50 years after I visited? Yes! Still serving guests since its opening, in 1948! I made reservations and we added a 1-night detour to Detroit. Cheers in 2024! Don and I had a memorable evening at Mario's.  I'll share more about our meal later, but first the focus will be on my memories of Mario's from a half century before. Scroll way down to avoid my indulgent tangent down memory lane. This is an insanely long post. Stories From 1974 I fell in love with Detroit's popular Midtown restaurant, when I dined with my mom in 1974. I was 17 and Mom was a whole lot younger than I am now. Owner Mario Lelli was probably there greeting guests that evening. I don't recall. But he'd been running his supper club for 26 years at that point.  I have another 1974 memory, that involves Mario's. Both recollections are pretty silly and the restaurant actually plays only a small part in them. But I dug out my 50-year-old diary and these are the details. #1 Dinner After the Opera in 1974 On May 4, 1974, I dined at Mario's with my mom, after attending an opera. I wasn't a big opera fan like mom, but she talked it up big. "This is The Metropolitan! They're on a special tour from New York!" Mom had purchased tickets for not one opera, but two. Dad had a conflict, (Really?) so Mom persuaded me with her enthusiasm and a promise of dining at Mario's between shows. We drove from Ann Arbor to Detroit's gorgeous Masonic Temple Auditorium. Even the matinee performance was a grand event, with VIPS arriving in limousines. I recall watching women in stoles and pearls, strutting up the red carpet. I have no memory of what I wore. But my diary described a young woman in a pink and yellow hoop skirt. The Scarlet O'Hara look-alike was a member of the audience, not the cast. Odd.  For 3.5 hours I tried my best to appreciate Madam Butterfly the way Mom did. I didn't worry about understanding the Italian lyrics, but I did worry about nodding off. Luckily there was a surprise that pulled me out of my sleepy state. At one point, a voice suddenly called out from high above the stage. "Peace Baby! Peace!" An usher's flashlight aimed towards a naked man standing in an alcove near the balcony. (green arrow) These were the days of streaking, so the shock was minimal. The serious Opera Buffs in the audience were not a bit amused. Attention returned to the stage and the man disappeared with little fanfare. Magical Mario's Dinner The opera ended and the packed house exited the beautiful building. Many rushed, as if on our same schedule. Cars and shuttles headed to Mario's, for a multi-course dinner. Most like us would be returning for an evening opera performance. Mario's was known for catering to the theatre crowd.  The people-watching was as entertaining at Mario's, as the Opera. The entire restaurant was full of operagoers, dressed to the nines. (Except for one large party, that seemed to be celebrating a little girl's first communion) The waiters in their jackets and bowties moved through the space like choreographed dancers, carrying trays of antipasto, minestrone, bread, wine, pastas... desserts. I was in heaven enjoying every course. I was famished and this drawn-out meal felt like a proper reward for sitting through the opera. Suddenly the restaurant emptied as quickly as the auditorium had and we were back at the Masonic Auditorium, for 3.5 more hours of opera. This time we watched Joan Sutherland, in Tales of Hoffman and the language was French. There was no streaker to amuse me. I had no food reward after this opera, but I remember the 30-minute drive home with Mom. She was on a post opera high and had also been amused by the curious people details, on and off the stage. We swapped stories about all we'd experienced in our 7 hours of opera and also our 7 course dinner. I have other fond memories of little adventures with Mom. but this one ranks high. Our dinner felt so special. Even in 1974, it felt like we'd stepped back in time, to a fabulous supper club that my mom might have enjoyed in her youth! #2 Train Trip to Mario's, With Ginnie About a half year later, my friend Ginnie came to visit from Florida. I wanted to show her the big city of Detroit, so I thought of Mario's. I had no car to drive to the Motor City, but Amtrak was an easy option back in those days.  I have no pictures of us on that day, but this '73 photo-booth snapshot gives a hint about the glam high school gals who headed off on a dining adventure that day. I'm teasing of course. But this photo shows just how young and innocent we must have looked, as we boarded the train. From a university town, to 1970s Motown City. Michigan Depot This internet photo looks pretty close to how I remember the station looking, on the day we arrived. We were already a little jolted by the city views from our train windows. My diary describes factories and junkyards, demolished structures. This was a period when Detroit was dealing with population decline and economic shifts, including the "white flight" to suburbs. Just as well that we didn't know Detroit's special claim to fame at the time. "Murder Capital of the World".  (photo credit to Keith Jolly 1973) I was surprised to step into the dimly lit station interior. The depot was empty and echo-y and eerie. The only others in the hollow space, were cab drivers, who didn't look all that friendly. We asked one if he knew of Mario's and he seemed annoyed with the question. As we followed his quick steps to the cab, I asked if it was very far. "It's close, Lady!" He snapped back. As soon as we stepped into the backseat the driver tore off, swerving between cars and screeching to halts at the stoplights. (details from the old diary!) There was a bullet proof shield between us and the driver, but Ginnie and I were too terrified to speak behind his back. We'd already seen some bad parts of Detroit from the train window and suddenly the views from the cab were getting even more desolate. I hadn't recalled that Mario's was in a sketchy part of town. Could he be taking us somewhere else? Then, suddenly the driver yanked the cab to the curb, and I recognized the sweet tudor-style restaurant in broad daylight. Mario's looked like a little Italian oasis, in rundown part of Detroit.  We fumbled our payment before escaping the taxi, then discovered a locked door, just as the driver sped off. Mario's was closed. Dark on Mondays, just like the nearby theatres. I shoulda known. Two Stranded Maidens Again, I have no photos of that day. However, this blurry Polaroid, (taken when Ginnie and I were dressed for a different adventure) helps to imagine just how ridiculously innocent and vulnerable we must have looked as we stood on that street... figuring out Plan B.  Second Avenue didn't look promising in either direction. Deserted buildings, empty sidewalks, trash. We began to walk, feeling awkwardly out of place in our prim dresses. We switched directions to avoid 3 bums lurking, waiting and staring. No cabs to flag down, just a car cruising by now and then. One passed slowly and a man grinned out the open window and kissed the air. Another car holding at least 4 men followed nearby. We heard a couple whistles and a voice hollering, "How much?" We cringed. Eventually we found our way to a service station. Who knows what the mechanics thought when we suddenly appeared off the street and asked for a phone book. They seemed only slightly less scary than the men on the street. I could feel their eyes watching as we thumbed through the restaurant section of the Yellow Pages, hoping to be inspired by a promising ad. "The Money Tree!" I pointed, "That sounds classy!" We called for a cab on the payphone. The driver that arrived was just as cranky as the first. Instead of calling me Lady, this one snapped back with another title I'd never been called. "Madam! If I knew where this place was I wouldn't be asking!" Communication was frustrating, but at least we had the address. Before long the taxi had driven into a decent area, with the tall buildings, banks, restaurants and people dressed in business clothes. We were in Detroit's Financial District and what a relief. The Money Tree turned out to be a delightful choice. Modern and airy. We dined in the bar... for some reason and I think I remember quiche! Back to the Train Ginnie and I were relaxed, by our third taxi of the day. We sat in the back, amusing ourselves on the drive back to the station.  For 20 minutes the backseat became our stage. We talked in character, playing 2 girls who'd come from a stressful audition of some kind. I'm sure the cab driver wasn't bit amused, watching our comical soap opera in his rearview mirror. Arguments and tears one minute. Harmonizing show tunes the next. Eventually the ride ended. We gave a slightly better tip and laughed our way into the depot. The space no longer felt intimidating. We explored the dark and spacious Ladies Room. The marble stalls and make up tables hinted at past elegance. We made our way to the raised shoeshine chairs and waited patiently to have shoes spiffed up, but no one came. The train ride back to Ann Arbor gave us time to laugh and recall all the odd moments of our day. It reminded me of driving back from Mario's with Mom, months before. Third Stop at Mario's (2024) There were no trains or operas before Don and I dined on a Sunday evening in 2024. Our Uber driver from the hotel was young and friendly. He didn't call me Lady or Madam. He chuckled when I told him a brief version of my stories.  As we headed down Second Avenue, I recalled the taxi ride from years before. The street still seemed oddly wide and quiet, but there were no boarded up buildings. No trash or creepy people. The 75-year-old restaurant looked as quaint and corny as I remembered. Brick and stone below, Tudor-style and neon above. Neighborhood History Looking the other direction I tried to recall how Second Avenue looked in 1974. I don't remember any pretty buildings like The Charles building that sits next to Mario's.  The 3-story building looked pretty enough to snap a photo. It was built in 1908, when Detroit was booming. It seems to be one of the few lovely buildings left from when Second Avenue was a grand, tree-lined street with Victorian homes.
Most of the grand homes were torn down. Apartments went up and crime moved in. In this old (internet) photo, it looks like some folks were waiting at a bus stop in front of Mario's... more sitting outside of The Charles. There were no people out the day Ginnie and I were dropped off. Dinner at 7:00 Second Avenue was calm on a Sunday evening. There were no crowds arriving when we headed for the door. The valet parking guy looked a little disappointed that we had no car to park.  We greeted and headed under the intriguing flower arch, towards the entrance. I reached for the door handle with no worries about a locked door this time.  We had reservations and the neon sign was lit and welcoming. Celebs of the Past We stepped inside and took in some of the wall displays. Photos, show posters and framed articles put a spotlight on the restaurant's connection with theatre.  Paul Newman, Andy Williams, Jerry Lewis, Frank Sinatra and Robin Williams were all fans of Mario's, back in the day. Over the years, Mario's has handled large groups of theatergoers. They've also hosted lots of entertainers. There have been cast parties for Broadway shows that come through Detroit. The restaurant even packed up food for the Rolling Stones once. They ate on the plane after a show. On the evening we arrived, there were no shuttles or limos delivering crowds from the theatre.
Mario Lelli was obviously not there either. He sold the restaurant in 1980 to the Passalacqua family. Vince Passalacqua runs the restaurant today. He spent many years learning the ropes under his parents' guidance. He took over operations in 1994.  We spotted possibly youngest member of the Passalacqua family in this fine photo. Quiet Lounge After being welcomed by the host, we passed through a dimly lit lounge. Cozy cocktail tables were empty. Just one man sat alone at the bar, sipping a beer.  TVs above the bar reminded me that it was no longer 1974... or 1948.  This vintage postcard image shows no TVs, but there are ashtrays! Dining Room Don and I were guided to a corner table in the spacious dining room, where we had a great view of the room and diners. Twinkle lights, tablecloths, gold frames on paneled walls. Corny in the best of ways.  Except for a large birthday celebration seated around a few tables, most of the tables were vacant. A bit sad, since I remembered the lively vibe of diners and staff in '74. But once our server arrived, I was glad to be dining on a quieter and less rushed evening.  Our server (with a pink bowtie) was professional and gracious. His formal approach matched the nicely made table. He warmed up quickly, telling us how to remember his name. "Gino. Just remember, Gino brings the vino." We laughed, but also appreciated that tip! Then and Now Gino handed us menus with some written words of wisdom... probably passed down from 1948.  "Eat thy bread with joy... Drink thy wine with a merry heart" The prices from 1948 were not passed down. In 1948 a whole dinner with antipasto, salad, soup, spaghetti and entree could be enjoyed for $2.50!  Our entrees in 2024 ($48. & $55.) also came with many courses. Pretty reasonable, considering the service and extras! Starting with Antipasto Today's prices weren't actually too bad, considering the amount of food we were served.  We began with a platter of antipasto treats and a basket of bread. Then came a plate of meats and then a house salad, with Mario's special cream Italian/Caesar dressing.
Then soup! I adore Minestrone, but usually I'm disappointed. None have the flavor I remember from Italy in 1969. Mario's came close! I have no idea what combo of flavors I tasted. But the thick soup tasted like Italy to me!
By the time our pasta dish arrived, we'd gotten to know quite a bit about Gino. He'd been an opera singer for 25 years, in Italy and other European countries. Originally from (hope I got this right) Albania, he ended up in The States and worked in Vegas for some time. Gino began working at Mario's 8 years ago. He seemed appreciative of steady work that could help his daughter with nursing school. Entrees By the time our entrees arrived, a few more tables had filled. The birthday crowd had a flaming dessert and a young romantic couple nearby looked like they were about to have a proposal.
Don's sizzling Filet Mignon came with beans, potato and best of all Mario's Zip Sauce! Mario Lelli's butter-based steak sauce creation can be found at other restaurants in Detroit. I ordered Veal Mario, which was a scallopini of veal with green onions, sauteed mushrooms and Mario sauce.  I knew I was in trouble when that huge plate was set before me. Why did I fill up on all the extras? But I made a good effort with my heavenly feast. Tender veal and rich sauce! Decadent! Chatting with Gino Once again, I felt grateful that we'd dined on a quiet evening, where we didn't feel rushed. I was able to tell Gino about my memory of dining a half century before.  We were able to ask about recent years at Mario's. What had it been like with the pandemic? Gino was honest about the stress of reopening and serving guests while wearing a mask. He added that his accent plus a mask, made communication difficult. Opera in 2024 Before heading out, we got a sweet surprise, when Gino asked if he could sing a little something for us. Standing near our corner table, Gino began to sing the traditional Neapolitan song, "Santa Lucia". I grinned the whole way through. Gino ended with a quick smile and bow. We and others applauded. Gino responded, "Prego!"  My first visit to Mario's is tied to memories of the opera, before and after dining. My recent memory will always include hearing the beautiful tenor voice of Gino, standing beside our dining table. What a perfect ending. Cheers to a Mario's Adventure! I had kept expectations low. Times change. Places change. Reviewers on the internet can confuse matters.  Don and I both left in great spirits. We were well fed and well taken care of.
We Ubered back to our hotel feeling like we were headed home after a little trip. Not exactly to Italy, but to a different time. Thanks Gino for making our evening extra special! Summer 2024 I'm so glad Don and I got to once again have a breakfast adventure, at Fleetwood Diner!  Last June, we made it back in Ann Arbor on a warm summery day. 1980 Before then, the last time we stopped at the iconic diner, was on a frigid February day in 1980. We were still newlyweds, stopping through town on our way from St. Louis, to the Lake Placid Olympics in NY. We had breakfast with my little brother and he snapped our pic.  44 years later, my older brother took a photo of Don and me. The little diner, built from a kit in 1949, had changed a bit over the years. In 1997, stainless steel panels were added, to cover the original enamel exterior. Now stickers cover the stainless walls. On the Corner Don and I arrived around 9 am. The college town was still sleepy on a June morning.  I tried to recall when I'd first eaten at the diner. It must have been around 1973. I was 16 and my family had just moved to Ann Arbor. That was about a year after the old Dag-Wood's Diner building, (from the 1949) became Fleetwood Diner. 2005 I also snapped a photo of the Fleetwood, in the fall of 2005. We were in town with our daughter, who was a freshman at U of M. There was no time for a meal, but I pointed the epic food joint out to Heidi and told her my recollections from when I was a teen. I remember being intimidated by what seemed, a tough dining crowd and a grumpy cook and impatient servers. Could have just been me.  Heidi was amused when I reminded her that her parents never knew each other Ann Arbor. Don and I both lived in the liberal college town, from 1973-75. I was in high school and Don was a UM student. We didn't meet until 1977, when living in St. Louis. Our breakfast in 1980 was extra special, since we were sharing an Ann Arbor experience for the first time. Stickers! Last summer, I admired the quiet diner as we approached. I noticed the glowing neon letters on the sign. (new sign in 1992)  I was surprised to see stickers plastering the stainless steel panels and glass windows. There were bacon smells and sounds of music when I opened the door. Middle Eastern music?  Once inside we found 6 tables and 5 stools, all empty. I don't remember ever seeing this sticker craziness. I do remember having to wait for a table, though. Maybe it's more crowded late at night, since the diner is open 24 hours. Colorful Corner Weather was so lovely outside, but we chose an inside table, where we could be entertained by the happy banter between 2 young women servers and a man standing over the sizzling grill.  We ordered coffee first. The stickers were also entertaining.  The white walls, windows and ceiling were covered in colorful images and words. The YETI sticker was a reminder that it was not 1973.  I don't remember the interior ever feeling this tidy. The stickers weren't at all grungy. They seemed somewhat thoughtfully placed.  We placed our orders with Ari (hope that's right) and I asked her about all those stickers. She laughed that she'd been working at Fleetwood for 7 years and they part of the job was "policing" the stickers. I guess some questionables have to be removed. Ari & Jeff I interrupted Jeff while he was cooking our breakfast on the grill. I seized the moment, just before a party of 6 headed inside.  I never in a million years would have asked to get a photo of any employees on past visits. But now, the vibe was very welcoming. I pulled up my 1980 photo on my phone and both were properly amused. Meaty Hippie Hash Here's a photo of me with my humongous plate of Hippie Hash!  The Original Hippie Hash breakfast has been on the menu since Fleetwood opened in 1971. I ordered the meaty version for $13.59.  Hash browns with corned beef, topped with grilled green peppers, onions, tomatoes, broccoli, mushrooms and feta cheese. 2 eggs any style. It was absolutely packed with tangy flavor. The broccoli may not be for all, but I loved how the tiny pieces blended right in! Family Dining A meal at Fleetwood Diner is always more fun with a brother. This time it was my older brother and his wife. They Ubered over from our hotel for a late breakfast. Don and I took our coffee outside to join them.  I felt like we lucked out with an inside & outside dining adventure, rolled into one. There we were, sitting under the metal awning, dining on the sidewalk at Ann Arbor's very first sidewalk cafe. We did our posing just before taking off. So glad to have made another Fleetwood Memory.  So glad this little business is still on the corner, serving up pretty darn decent diner food!
Fond Memories I have such memories of this old train station, from when I lived in Ann Arbor.  I took this photo for my high school photography class, in 1974. I loved the castle-like stonework. I remember eating inside with my family. The Gandy Dancer Restaurant had only been open a few years. July 2019 The grand building didn't look much different last July, when Don and I visited Ann Arbor.  The Michigan Central Railroad station was completed in 1886. Historic figures from Winston Churchill to John F. Kennedy, stepped off trains at this station. The building was converted to a restaurant, in 1970. July 4, 2019 Last summer, Don and I spent a couple of nights in Ann Arbor and dropped by for lunch.  We crossed over the bricks of old Depot Street and killed a few minutes admiring flowers and flags along the brick sidewalk. At 11:30 the doors opened!
The rounded entrance was just how I remembered it. The inside entry seemed much more dramatic, with soaring ceiling and stained glass. Before Crowds I was glad we'd arrived before other diners, so I could snap some photos. In the past, I never had a chance to study the red oak ceilings or the glowing lamps. (click image to enlarge) My memories all involve family celebrations. I have no photos of dining with my parents and siblings, when I was in high school. I wish I had pics from 1990, when we celebrated my brother's law school graduation. The waiters were patient and delightful, with my squirmy 1 and 3 year olds. Both fell asleep and the adults happily relaxed and finished up our wine. Easter 2005 In 2005, Don and I ate Easter brunch at Gandy Dancer, with our kids. Heidi and Scott didn't fidget and toss food, this time.  We were visiting the U of M campus that weekend. It was the spring before Heidi started college there. It was fun to watch the kids enjoying a little Gandy Dancer experience. I had been between their ages, when I first stepped inside that building. Our Table, 2019 I was a little disappointed that we weren't seated in the space that had once been a grand waiting room.  The area in the old waiting room, seemed cozy and historic. Some of the seating looked like original station benches. But we were taken into the glassed in dining room, where we dined with the kids, 15 years ago.  Our table looked to be pretty close to the same spot, where we sat for brunch! It turned out to be the best table for train viewing. When Amtrak went by, the staff and diners clapped. Power Lunch Special! Don and I were pretty delighted to order off the "Fast & Fresh" lunch menu, for $16.50. As we chowed down on our 4th of July feast, I looked out over the tracks. I remember taking Amtrak, back when Amtrak was a new thing. I remember heading off on those very tracks, to Detroit and St. Louis.  Our meal started with toasty breads and salads. My Caesar was the real thing, with fat anchovies! Don's Martha's Vineyard Salad, was actually the best. Bibb lettuce, pine nuts, blue cheese and maple raspberry vinaigrette! My shrimp and artichoke linguine, was heavenly. Provencale tomato sauce! Don's IPA battered fish came with coleslaw and fries. All mighty tasty. Hard to believe these were lunch sizes! Looking Around After we finished up, we had a wonderful chat with the general manager, Charlene. She had seen me snapping a photo of the first floor bar and encouraged me to look up for another photo op.   I looked up and saw the balcony connected to the room above. And a wonderful train model! Love that!  Charlene pointed me towards the stairs and I wandered up for a look. I could see across the dining room, to the rounded terra cotta fireplace. The Sign Charlene pointed out the sign hanging above the curious fireplace. Funny, I didn't know Detroit was only 38 miles from Ann Arbor.  Charlene said the sign was originally on the outside of the building. It had been damaged in a train accident. Oops! Charlene pointed to photograph, on the wall. She said she found the old black and white print, in the attic and had it framed. "This is why we clap when trains go by!" That's pretty funny. I love traditions like that. Show gratitude for the train safely passing and not crashing!  The image looks much older, but I believe the accident happened in the 1960's. Some kids had caused the derailment, when they vandalized the tracks, by pulling up nails. Charlene showed me where the train hit the building (and sign). Luckily no one was killed. The Baggage Room We also got a peek into what had been the old baggage room, which wasn't always connected as it is today. It was amazing to picture horses coming into this space, with luggage and cargo.  Charlene pointed out the large scale, under the arch. She also reminded me that the name Gandy Dancer, refers to the "section hands" who once laid and maintained the railroad tracks. (Just picture the graceful, synchronized movements of laborers) Cozy Seating Before we took off, I had a quick look at a few dining spots that I would love to enjoy in the future.  I'm so glad we were able to squeeze in a lunch on a holiday, but I would really love to come back for a drawn out dinner at night. There are so many cozy spots.
I looked through some windows and found two romantic tables. I believe these tables might have been part of the old ticket booth. I wish I could click a button and see the interior space, just as it was in the late 1800's. Gandy Dancer in 2020 I'm so glad that we had a chance to dine at the Depot, last summer. It's been almost a year now and the restaurant is struggling like all restaurants across the country. I recently saw an article about how Gandy Dancer was dealing with the pandemic.
I was so happy to see Charlene's name mentioned. She spoke about initially selling groceries and supplies and even toilet paper! The article was from a while back, so I'm hoping they might be at least be partially opened by now. I hope they can survive this difficult time. I also hope to someday get back and eat dinner in one of those extra cozy tables! Update from July 2024 5 years after our last visit to Gandy Dancer, Don and I returned! This time we had my brother and sister-in-law! It was 1974, the last time I dined here with my brother.
What a memorable meal and evening. Chris and I reminisced and all 4 of us devoured our meals and wine! We were the very last to leave and we couldn't have left happier!
Dining in Holland Last July, Don and I squeezed in a little Dutch Dining Adventure on our Michigan trip.
I remember Holland, Michigan from when I was about 10. Sometimes you just have to revisit some of those old memories, when you have a chance. Playing Tourist I remember going to some kind of Dutch Village when I was a kid. So of course, I told Don we needed to play tourist, before lunch.  Actually the village I remember was costly and more for kids. We opted to spend time at Windmill Island, instead.
We got to go up in the DeZwaan Windmill, which is an actual working mill, brought over from Holland over 50 years ago. I saw a lot of wooden shoes and missed the ones I remember buying years ago. Lunchtime Then it was time to catch lunch in downtown Holland. The sweet little diner looked picture perfect.
There was a pair of kissing Dutch kids in the window, plus a welcoming sign. Luckily there was no line. We heard the place could be crowded. It was nearly 2:00 and luckily they were still open. We headed in. Long Counter There were lots of stools available at the counter.  We could have had some chat time with the staff, if we'd gone for counter dining.  There were lots of cozy booths and most of them were full.  I sort of liked this odd one at the very back of the room. It had a framed print of the Big Red Lighthouse, that we also saw in the morning. Dutch Decor We were given a nice booth in the front. Don took a seat and I snapped a few pics.  If I'd had more time, I could have counted tulips or windmills or cute kissing figures. I'm not sure what the history is with the kissing Dutch kids. Food We were actually starved, so everything on the menu looked wonderful.
I ordered the egg salad, with bacon and tomato, on homemade toasted bread. Even the waxed paper had little windmills. Messy Dining! Our messy sandwiches were delicious. Don's French Dip was as good as the reviews we'd read before arrival.
I got my turn to attack my overstuffed sandwich!
I allowed Don to take a photo of me and my egg salad sandwich. I was pretending to be Elaine May in "A New Leaf". Don played Walter Matthau, politely telling me when I had egg on my face. Cafe History Our server was quite young and couldn't tell us much about the history of our restaurant.  I read later that the cozy place had been a restaurant since the 1940's. It didn't take on the Windmill theme until 1964. Tulip Time? Our young server did know a little bit about the annual Tulip Festival.  I asked her if she had ever seen the 1942 movie, "Seven Sweethearts" and of course she hadn't. I told her she must! Street Scrubbing "It's about this very town and the tulip festival!" I practically shouted. She actually seemed curious about the old movie. This photo reminded me of a scene in the old film.  I was excited to hear that the town still participates in a street scrubbing activity, before the festivities begin. Wooden Shoes We finished up and got ready to head off. I took one last look at a shelf of Dutch decor.  Sigh... I laid eyes on the sweet wooden shoes and remembered the pair that I I once owned. I wore those things daily for quite a while, even after my dog chewed off the points!
Fun stop with good food and good memories! |
The Dining Blog
This is a blog about Dining Adventures. Sometimes, I talk about food. Below, you can read how this started. On July 4th 2011, I set a goal to try 50 culturally diverse restaurants in one year! (I knew that was possible, living in the Houston area) I spent the year pulling in friends and family to join me, on some unusual dining adventures. I met some curious people, tried some scary foods and explored places and cultures I never would have otherwise. Even though I met my goal, I learned too much to end my adventures in dining. I have continued blogging about memorable dining adventures of all kinds, near and far... and all the discoveries and funny things I've learned along the way! Locations and types of dining adventures, are listed further down. Archives
October 2025
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