RASKIN
THE BEST OF EVERYTHING

MAY 6 • 2021 | 53

O

wner Nerio Lelli of Lelli’s Inn on 
Woodward, Detroit, was about as 
round as a ping pong ball and twice 
as bouncy … He was a thoroughly likeable 
fellow, full of buoyant good humor and opti-
mism, who liked to refer to himself in the 
third person as “the doctor.
”
Signor Lelli would tell you 
half seriously, half kiddingly, 
that his was the best restaurant 
in Detroit … and he was the 
best chef … After you met him 
and talked with Nerio, you 
probably would have agreed 
with him.
The “doctor” business came from the fact 
that Nerio was an original or inventive chef 
and, rightly so, considered himself a true doc-
tor of culinary arts.
Lelli’s was located in a building that could 
probably be described as horribly wonderful 

or wonderfully horrible … Anyway, they 
don’t make ’
em that way anymore.
The walls were stippled green, the ceiling 
was quite low and the place was a mass of 
arches, little alcoves and tiny rooms … But, 
Lelli’s had a lot more charm and atmosphere 
than most newer, more modern places.
Nerio wouldn’t have moved to a new build-
ing if he could have afforded it … and he 
could. 
The thing that made Lelli’s great was the 
food … The menu was loaded with house 
specials, many of these Lelli’s own, and every-
thing was prepared to order.
All the dishes on Lelli’s menu were good, 
some of them were just better than others … 
A big favorite was the cannelloni, a simple 
Italian dish that elevates pasta from the mun-
dane to the superb.
Another notable dish, the braciole of beef 
Lelli, was wonderful … This was a slice of 
prime beef rolled around a stuffing of cheese, 
pine seeds, garlic and topped with an ambro-
sia sauce.
Among the items that made Lelli’s repu-
tation was his family steak for four … This 
mammoth porterhouse was broiled and 
brought to your table, sliced and served with 
Palmina.
There was no liquor at Lelli’s but it had a 
fine wine list.

The Lelli’s in Auburn Hills on Opdyke 
Road is still owned and operated by Nerio 
and Irene Lelli’s son, Mike.
OLDIE BUT GOODIE … Many years ago, 
a Jewish lady was stranded at a fashionable 
resort hotel that did not admit Jews and asked 
for a room … The desk clerk looked down at 
his book and said, “Sorry, but the hotel is full.
” 
“But your sign says that you have vacan-
cies,
” said the lady.
The desk clerk stammered and then said 
curtly, “We do not admit Jews.
” 
“I’ll have you know that I converted to your 
religion,
” she said 
The desk clerk said, “Oh yeah, let me give 
you a little test. How was Jesus born?” 
“He was born to a virgin named Mary in 
a little town called Bethlehem. And he was 
born in a manger,
” she said.
“That’s right,
” said the hotel desk clerk. 
“
And why was he born in a manger?” 
“Because,
” the Jewish lady said, “a jerk like 
you wouldn’t give a Jewish lady a room for 
the night!”
CONGRATS … (When possible, please 
send all birthday and anniversary dates two 
weeks in advance) … To David Sachs on his 
70th birthday … To Arnold Melman on his 
birthday. 

Danny’s email is dannyraskin2132@gmail.com.

Danny 
Raskin
Senior Columnist

Remembering 
the Original 
Lelli’s Inn

TWITTER

Lelli’s Inn 

Get The Detroit Jewish News print 
edition delivered to your door every 
week for less than $2 per issue.
thejewishnews.com/subscription

Stay in the know
with all things Jewish...

Subscribe 
 Today!

