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
MARTY'S COOKIES
Delivery Available
Shiva Trays, Deli Nosh Dairy and Deli Trays, Marty’
s Cookie Trays, Johnny’
s Signature Fruit & Veggie Trays
CALL JOHNNY’S FOR TRADITIONAL AND NON-TRADITIONAL SHIVA TRAYS.
THE GALLERY RESTAURANT
Senior Citizen Appreciation Mondays!
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:
Now Serving
Beer & Wine