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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The rabbi said, “No,
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the former
Topinka’s …
Trouble is it
may be too
crowded to
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