BEST OF EVERYTHING
DANNY RASKIN
THE TRANSITION seems to
have become more a fixture of
ease . . . as Casa Armando sweeps
into its popularity on Orchard
Lake Road between 12 and 13
Mile roa6.
Owner Armando Galan is mov-
ing no more between the north-
west area and his Vernor Ave.-
near-Mexicotown fixture for so
many years . . . since 1965 to be
exact.
He has sold the Vernor spot to
devote all energies and talents to
his new location . . . Armando and
wife Joyce are here to stay . . .
They have purchased the building
and land at former locale of Star-
board Tack, Darlin' Lilly's,
Eastman's Landing and Chef
Theodore.
It is a wonderful location .. .
along the ever-growing "West
Bloomfield Strip" . . . and Ar-
mando and Joyce are working
many hard hours to make it a firm
success.
Casa Armando now resembles a
small Mexican villa . . . intimate
and cozy . . . with tiled tables, soft
lighting from hanging and wall
lanterns, padded seats, white
plaster walls, live hanging plants,
dark wooden beams and so much
more ambience.
Armando and Joyce are noted
for their fresh, homemade cooking
. . . Nothing comes in cans . . . and
if it is not on the menu, the dish
can be made for customers . . .
Some visitors to Mexico have told
Armando about favorite foods
while on vacation . . . and asked
him to make it for them . . . The
more intricate or those needing
special purchases require addi-
tional time . . . and are usually
given with advance notice.
At the present moment, their
kitchen is a family affair . . . with
Joyce and son Ricky . . . plus Ar-
mando himself, both head chef
and table greeter.
A family in the kitchen means
much pride and thorough authen-
ticity.
Soon, Max Gonzales will also
come to Casa Armando from the
downtown locale where he has
been a stalwart . . . Max is one of
the best chefs around . . . a whiz at
both Mexican and American cook-
ing . . . A lot of folks will re-
member him from the best Win
Schuler's of them all . . . in Mar-
shall, Mich.
The food at Casa Armando is so
fresh . . . Armando and family
make everything on their menu
. . . sauces, etc . . . except tortillas
. . . They even buy and bone their
own chickens . . . plus always
thinking of new foods and ways to
improve already-accepted dishes.
Arnie Wiener, night manager,
is a lot like Armando . . . much
concerned about customers being
satisfied . . . This is a good trait
. . . People seldom• return if they
are not given proper satisfaction
. . . Experienced people like Ar-
mando and Arnie realize this all-
i mportant factor ... When asking
if evP- ,-thing was alright, kr-
mando and Arnie are not just
flapping their lips in the wind .. .
they mean it.
On a recent visit there, we tried
the Pollo Asado, two charbroiled
chicken breasts sauteed with
pineapple . . . that comes on a
sizzling platter . . . It is always an
interesting selection . . . and very
tasteful.
On another dish comes refried
beans . . . which are fresh beans
delicately fried twice, Spanish
rice and guacamole.
On the tables are always tacos
and dip to greet appetites until
courses arrive.
The Mexican food at Casa Ar-
mando is not spicy . . . which is as
it should be . . . Customers are
given green and red sauces in
separate dishes to make the food
as hot as they wish . . . The fact
that Armando's food comes mild is
bringing many people who Jove
Mexican food . . . if they can enjoy
the taste . . . Those who think all
Mexican cuisine should be spicy
have erroneous thoughts . . . It is
best when eaten mild, medium or
with pungency . . . according to
the palate likes and dislikes of
diners.
The prices at Casa Armando are
very reasonable . . . and it is well
to note that regardless of the low
prices, his quality of food is high.
Casa Armando opened May 6 of
this year . . . On Vernor Hwy., his
restaurant was a very frequent
place to go for many Detroit Tiger
baseball players . . . On Orchard
Lake Road, some of the Tigers
have already been seen licking
their South Of The Border favo-
rites.
Leaving Vernor Highway after
over 21 years is a giant step for
Armando Galan . . . and he in-
tends to make the most of it .. .
Early indications are proving that
he will:
TCBY IS THE NAME . . . and
don't try to figure it out . . . Those
letters stand for "The. Country's
Best Yogurt" . . . The large chain
has come to Michigan . . . where
two of a proposed ten have already
been opened . . . Latest among the
530 stores in all but five or six
states opened June 3 on Grand
River and Drake in the Muirwood
Shopping Center.
May 1 was opening in Ever-
green Shopping Plaza, Evergreen
and 12 Mile . . . where TCBY is
giving folks an education in
yogurt . . . It tastes like premium
ice cream, is 97 percent fat free
and kosher . . . TCBY has 26
flavors of the yogurt that doesn't
taste like yogurt.
The site facing Evergreen has
both take out and seating for 24
. . . seven days a week, 11 a.m. to
11 p.m . . . In Farmington it is
open til 10 p.m. People are also
buying TCBY's pies . . . and a big
favorite already is the Black Bot-
tom Pie . . . French vanilla yogurt
with hot fudge underneath and
pecans garnishing the sides.
Donna Hunn, area supervi;or
for TCBY, is happy the move has
been made to Michigan ... Re-
sults are proving she is right.
WHO'S WHERE . DEPT: .. .
The Kevin De'Costa Trio, Tues-
days through Saturdays til Aug. 2
. at Excalibur, Franklin Rd. at
Northwestern ... 9 p.m. at 2 a.m.
JIM SAGE will devote all his
time now to the opening soon of
Alia's Restaurant on Greenfield
north of 11 Mile . . . at former
locale of Irving's before moving to
OF OAK PARK
Delicatessen & Restaurant
13821 W. 9 MILE RD., Just West of Coolidge
548-1111 or 541-2888
BUY ONE POUND
CORNED BEEF
GET SECOND POUND
FOR A PENNY
• Minimum 1/2 lb. -
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• Limit 1 Pound Per Purchase
I WED. & THURS., JULY 2 & 3
FEATURING WONDERFUL KELLY CORNED BEEF OF CHICAGO
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THE STAGE OF OAK PARK WILL BE CLOSED JULY FOURTH
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REMEMBER OUR SUPER BUDGET SPECIAL
COMPLETE DINNERS TUES. THRU SAT. 4-6
DAILY CHOICE OF
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INCLUDES: SOUP OR SALAD, POTATO
VEGETABLE & BREAD BASKET
95
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OUR NEW SUMMER HOURS
BEGINNING FRI., JUNE 27 -
TUES. THRU SUN. 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Closed Mondays
FREE DELIVERY
OF OUR FAMED
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