 DECEMBER 10 • 2020 | 45

M

any folks never knew 
there was a Topinka’s 
in the New Center dis-
trict of Detroit that was a favorite 
hangout for those who worked 
at the General Motors Building 
down the street on Grand 
Boulevard … So 
when the chance 
came to have one 
in another sector 
where the workers 
also went … along 
with oodles of 
others who made 
it a big family 
hangout, up another such spot 
opened on Seven Mile Road … 
Another biggie was born.
The owner of both called Al 
Balooly to run the new spot with 
him and they became owners 
of Topinka’s Country House on 
7 Mile Road … or so the story 
went.
Many folks loved it there …
with its comfortable bar attached 
to semi-circle tables every few 
feet, oak paneling, red leather 
and an occasional oil painting 
and good food.

An outstanding 
entrée I recall Topinka’s had 
on both the lunch and dinner 
menus was a terrific shrimp with 
Delray sauce … unlike most 
shrimp sauces, it was not red, but 
white … and appeared to consist 
of mayonnaise, horse radish, 
etc. … really making the crisp, 
French fried shrimp deliciously 
sing in tangy harmony.
When it opened, Topinka’s 
Country House almost immedi-
ately began doing a rush business 
… especially at dinner with its 
fine steaks, chops and seafood … 
People dined in comfort in the 
Fireside Lounge, Terrace Room 
or Lamplighter Alley … In addi-
tion, there were banquet rooms 
downstairs.
On another occasion we tried 
its filet mignon dinner, and it 
was superb … Done exactly as 
Al Rhodes had ordered it … The 
prime rib he said was the equal 
of any he has had … and Al was 
a prominent food writer. 
It is hoped that when this crisis 
is over (word is very favorable) 
someone will open another like 

the former 
Topinka’s … 
Trouble is it 
may be too 
crowded to 
get in!
IN THOSE DAYS, nobody 
had to gamble to see some great 
entertainment … At Al Siegel’s 
Elmwood Casino, just across 
the Detroit River in Windsor, 
were some of the best … Cab 
Calloway, Redd Foxx, The 
Treniers, The Four Freshmen, 
Count Basie, Duke Ellington, 
Billy Eckstein and so many other 
show biz top box office fillers.
MAIL DEPT. … From Fran 
Herman … “Does Beans & 
Cornbread have just soul food?” 
… (No, owner Patrick Coleman 
is highly noted for American, 
Creole and Cajun dishes … Also, 
vegetarian.) 
OLDIE BUT GOODIE … 
The gentleman’s dog had passed 
away. He was so attached to it 
that he went to his rabbi and 
asked if the rabbi would say 
Kaddish for his dog. 

The rabbi said, “No, 
we only say Kaddish for humans, 
not animals. However, there is 
a new congregation two blocks 
down the street from here. You 
could ask them if they will bless 
your dog.
”
The man thanked the rabbi 
and said, “Do you suppose they 
would also accept my donation 
of $75,000?” 
The rabbi said, “Hold it! Come 
back! You didn’t tell me that the 
dog was Jewish!”
CONGRATS … To Ellen 
Markowitz on her 18th birth-
day. 

Danny’s email address is 
dannyraskin2132@gmail.com.

RASKIN
THE BEST OF EVERYTHING

Danny Raskin
Senior Columnist

Memory Lane: 
Topinka’s 
Country House

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PINTEREST

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The rabbi said, “No, 

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the former 
Topinka’s … 
Trouble is it 
may be too 
crowded to 

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