Julie's

BRIDAL COUTURE
Evening - Special Occasion

Birmingham
34000 S. Woodward Ave.
248.645.0500

Plymouth
570 S. Main St.
734.455.110G

Perhaps the most amazing thing
about the diner is that everything
works. "We have a grill to make
kosher sliders and coney islands, an
original Hamilton Beach
blender to make malts and
milk shakes, and a 1956
Wurlitzer jukebox that
plays one song for a
nickel and six for a
quarter," Manson said.
"A Campbell's soup
machine, various
candy, nut and other
types of vending
machines, including a
parking meter located
outside the restroom
door, also work,"
Manson said. "The
problem is, everything
that sells for a penny
costs me about a dime
— the only thing I
don't lose money on is
the change machine."
Through the years, the Manson
Diner has been the site of parties and
gatherings — hosted both by Manson
and his wife, Marcia, and by their sons
Benjamin, now 26, and Jeremy, 24.
"Our house was 'the house,"'
Manson said of times his sons held
AZA functions or invited friends to
learn to make malts and work behind
the counter. "When the kids were
younger, the boys would stand on the
elevated platforms of the stools so
they would be taller than the girls
when they danced," Manson said.
Visitors to the diner typically are
greeted by Manson, the cook. "I
even have deli paper and Styrofoam

containers for friends who leave with
carryout," he said.
While the room is really Marc's
doing, he gives credit to Marcia "for
putting up with me while I
have been doing this," he
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200-
said. "Sometimes I'll find
something and bring it
home, and she'll wonder
what will I be doing
with that?"
While friends
and family are
often on the look-
out for new items for
the room, Manson
said sometimes they
do the opposite. "A
friend actually made
sure that I didn't find
out about an auction of
equipment from Sander's
when they closed their
stores," he said. "She
thought Marcia needed
a rest."
Manson said he would like to be
able to look at the diner and call it
complete. "But anyone who collects
anything will tell you it's a never-
ending job," he said. "No matter
where we go, although we may not
be looking for anything, we just
`know it when we see it.'"
And they plan to continue to add
to — and enjoy — the creation.
As Manson said, "We tell people
the diner is a place to go where we
know the food will be good, we'll
definitely like the music, there is no
smoking, we'll always have a great
parking spot — and we know
the owner."

Extraordinary - 2005 Zagat Survey America's Top Restaurants

One of America's Best Restaurants -

Gourmet Magazine

"Outstanding. The Rochester Chop House does something
that is all too rare anymore. It consistently, relentlessly,
makes customers happy, thrilled even." - Detroit News

Our thanks to the food critics and the area's most discerning palates for the
awards and kind remarks you have bestowed upon us over the past year.

❑

ROCHESTER CHOP HOUSE

306 MAIN ST.

DOWNTOWN ROCHESTER

248.651.2266

JNPLATINUM • JANt . ARN

2005

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