42 January 24 • 2019
jn
continued from page 40
I knew in the evening I’
d be
going to a lot of restaurants. Some-
times, I’
d go to three restaurants in
one night. I didn’
t eat at all of the
restaurants.
At the beginning, I thought
being a restaurant critic would be
great. But, I remember one critic
started out at 190 pounds and
wound up more than 300. I made
sure not to eat a lot. I learned to
push away.
People think I get all these free
meals, but I never wanted to be
obligated to a restaurant. If I am
obligated, it means I have to write
about them and I’
ve got to be nice.
I don’
t want that.
One thing I will not do: I’
ll nev-
er bum-rap a restaurant because I
know how much it costs just to put
that damn key in the door! People
don’
t realize it, but when you go
into a restaurant, there’
s a lot of
money just for him or her to open
up that door. Insurance, licenses,
gas, fi
xtures, employees — it costs
a lot of money.
If I had a bad experience, I
would tell the owner what to do to
fi
x it. But I would not write about
it. And then, I’
d come back again
when it’
s all fi
xed up. And if it’
s
done properly, I tell them I’
ll see if
I can get something in the paper.
To this day, I still try to help out.
You’
re well known around town.
You’
ve given your time and ener-
gy to myriad worthy causes.
What’
s it like being a Jewish
Detroit institution?
Many times, readers come up
and say hello. Th
at comes with
the years, and I like the respect. It
means I’
ve lived good — people
have nothing bad to say about
you. It’
s so important. I don’
t want
anyone talking bad about me.
People read my column and
write to me, not only from here,
but also from all over the coun-
try. A lot of people get the Jewish
News in other states. It’
s not just a
local paper.
Many times, a part of my
column is nostalgia for them.
It brings back good memories.
I’
m like a representative of their
memories.
What’
s special about Detroit delis
that your readers who have moved
elsewhere still rave about?
Detroit Jewish delis were an entity
in themselves. At one time, inside
of a few blocks you had seven
Jewish delicatessens. Down-to-
earth delicatessens. Everyone talks
about New York City. I can only
think of a few good ones there.
But, that’
s strictly my opinion.
People who move from Detroit
long for the old delis. Th
ey were
mom-and-pop operations. Th
ey
had someone in the kitchen who
knew how to make the mamalo-
schen type of food — stuff
ed
cabbage, stuff
ed peppers, beef
goulash.
Looking back on your career,
would you change anything?
No, I don’
t think so. I enjoyed the
days then, and I enjoy the days
today.
It’
s a good ride. I try to have a
lot of fun. ■
Peter Farago, CEO Farago
& Associates, JN Account
Executive Annette Kizy,
Danny Raskin and
Denise Kizy.
100 years young!
Best wishes for
Danny’s 100th birthday!
3251 Orchard Lake Road, Keego Harbor, MI 48320
248-682-0320
info@theharborsteakhouse.net
Wishing Danny,
a Wonderful Happy
100th Birthday!
– Szatmari Family and the
entire Hungarian Rhapsody Team
H
appy 100th
Bir
thday, Danny!
From The Detroit Jewish News