July 25 • 2019 57
jn

raskin
the best of everything

Danny Raskin
Senior Columnist

If Walls Could Talk
A

lthough the closing of Ginopolis’
 
Bar-B-Q Smokehouse on 12 Mile, 
Farmington Hills, will occur at the 
end of July, the family name will live on 
in continued glory with it being operated 
by Peter Ginopolis and his family … as 
Ginopolis’
 Smoke N Pit BBQ on West Main 
Street in downtown Brighton.
When Johnny and brother, Peter, pre-
viously bought Capraro’
s restaurant in 
Redford Township with their dad, the 
brothers immediately established a reputa-
tion of communal goodness … On the sale 
of their Farmington Hills site to become 
a retirement home, their Ginopolis’
 Bar-
B-Q Smokehouse will be long remembered 
for its legendary Montgomery Inn ribs 
and superb sauce, both of which no other 
restaurant could boast of having … World-
famous ribs that their uncle, Ted “The 
Rib King,” owner of the Montgomery Inn 
in Montgomery, Ohio (near Cincinnati), 
supplied them as the only other restaurant 
in the nation to have them … And now 
already a favorite again at the Brighton 
location.
At the Farmington Hills site, many will 
recall being seated next to local personali-
ties and national names that are easily rec-
ognized … Frank Sinatra, Elizabeth Taylor, 
Bob Hope, Muhammad Ali, etc.
But with all the noted persons and varied 
luminaries that came to the Farmington 
Hills eatery, Johnny and Peter were always 
quick to say that the biggest celebrities were 
their customers.
If walls could talk, they would have told 

many stories of interest … And of its solid 
oak bar being as strong as the person in 
whose memory it was built, their dad, 
George … Or about the tall four-
sided clock that stood on a corner of the 
Farmington Hills property that was erected 
by Johnny and Peter in memory of their 
mother and father as a reminder that their 
mom and dad were watching over them 
every minute of the day.
All the collectors’
 items and photos accu-
mulated since Johnny and Peter opened the 
doors on 12 Mile Road … Detroit Tigers, 
Detroit Pistons, hockey stars, film stars, 
etc., will be fondly remembered.
With Peter, his wife, Melissa, and son, 
Nicholas, working at the Brighton location, 
you may be sure that every detail will be 
observed to continue the magnificent name 
that Ginopolis has gotten with much pride 
at their Brighton location.
As for Johnny … he has contemplated 
retirement … But who knows … Stay 
tuned.
REARVIEW MIRROR … A big favorite 
of local personalities like television and 
radio favorite Dick Purtan, among many 
others, Sammy’
s Corned Beef and Rye on 
Nine Mile Road, Ferndale, a favorite stomp-
ing ground for its bevy of deli sandwiches 
and delights … Owner Sam Sandler used 
to have “Tea Time At Sammy’
s” from 3 to 
5 p.m., serving his customers then in pure 
bone china cups from a china tea pot.
HOUSEHOLD TIPS … When frying 
fish, meat or latkes, a strainer turned upside 
down and placed over the pan will permit 

the steam to escape and prevent grease 
from splattering over the stove … Think 
twice before throwing away a candle stub 
… It corks any bottle since you can readily 
melt it to fit.
OLDIE BUT GOODIE … A balding 
white-haired man walked into a jewelry store 
with a beautiful, much-younger woman at 
his side. He told the jeweler he was looking 
for a special ring for his girlfriend. 
The jeweler looked through his stock and 
brought out a $5,000 ring. The man said, 
“No, I’
d like to see something more special! 
The jeweler went to his special stock and 
brought out another ring. “Here’
s a stun-
ning ring at only $40,000,” said the jeweler. 
The lady’
s eyes sparkled, and her whole 
body trembled with excitement. The old 
man seeing this said, “We’
ll take it!” 
The jeweler asked how payment will be 
made and the man said, “By check. I know 
you need to make sure my check is good 
and that I have enough money in the bank, 
so I’
ll write it now and you can call the 
bank to verify the funds. I’
ll pick up the 
ring Monday afternoon.” 
On Monday morning, the jeweler angrily 
phoned the old man and said, “Sir, there is 
no money in that account.” 
“I know,” said the old man. “But let me 
tell you about my weekend!”
CONGRATS … To Mary Lou Zieve on 
her birthday … To Rabbi Jason Miller on 
his birthday. ■

Danny’
s email address is 

dannyraskin2132@gmail.com.

Ginopolis’
 to
close on 12 Mile, 
but BBQ is still 
in the family.

Brothers Peter and

Johnny Ginopolis

 

32906 Middlebelt Rd (at 14 Mile)
(248) 855-0007

Please see our menu at 
www.johnnypomodoros.com

DAIRY TRAY
FRUIT TRAY
MEAT TRAY

Johnny Pomodoro’
s is your ONE STOP SHOP for all of your needs!

CANDY & NUT TRAY
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Delivery Available

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s Cookie Trays, Johnny’
s Signature Fruit & Veggie Trays

CALL JOHNNY’S FOR TRADITIONAL AND NON-TRADITIONAL SHIVA TRAYS. 

THE GALLERY RESTAURANT

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All Senior Citizens get 10% of their check after 3:00 PM on Mondays! 

(Beverages not included). Just mention Jewish News Coupon.

“For 40 years, Gallery Restaurant has served up masterpieces” 
 

 ~ Danny Raskin


www.galleryrestaurant2.com

OPEN 7 DAYS: 

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