Today we cast our eyes towards this tired, and badly renovated oldie on Ouellette Avenue. Left alone in a sea of nothingness, since the demolition of the old Mother’s Building & Joker’s Building to the north, what was once kind of hidden as you headed south on Ouellette is now very visible.
The house was built around 1890, and was originally home to J.D. Arthur Deziel and his family. Deziel was the clerk of the 7th Division Court. Also residing in the house in 1919 were:
Julia C. Deziel, no job listed
Leah Deziel, also a clerk of the 7th Division Court
Leo Deziel, no job listed
I’m certain that they must be some relation to whomever lent their name to Deziel Drive:
The photo above was taken August 13, 1973 by a Detroit News staff photographer. I’m guessing the photo was taken to run with a restaurant review for the Himalaya Dining Room, at 841 Ouellettte.
Looking at the notes on the back, it looks like it ran both in August 16, 1973 and December 16, 1977. Back in 1973, the house was in great shape. It retained the original windows, and slate roof, and the front has not yet been altered by the strange “porch” type addition on the front. Interesting to note the “Himalaya Dining Room” sign…
… is still standing 36 years later… While I don’t know anyone who’s eaten there, according to “The Google“, the place is still open? Anyone know? Anyone eaten there? If it is still open it would have to be one of Windsor’s oldest Indian restaurants I would think…
Crescent Lanes first opened on Ottawa Street in 1944 at 1055 Ottawa Street, opposite Lanspeary…
Above is a photo of the home of Mr & Mrs Oswald Janisse, located at…
in 1917 two Greek brothers Gus & Harry Lukos purchased a one story building on…
Photo from Google Streetview A long time reader sent me an email the other week…
An unremarkable end to a part of Windsor's history. The large vacant house at 841…
One for the lost Windsor files, is this house that once belonged to Joseph Reaume…
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When I visited Windsor in 1974 -I think- it was to meet my friend and classmate B.M.Oza. Oza had just started the restaurant and took me round the facility. He had good business but the children were very young.I had an invitation to join him and build up the restaurant.Alas I did not take up the offer. Oza is the best chef -Indian and European - I have known and I have been in the business for a long time ! He could cook any type of food Indian and Western. I have eaten his food in Bombay, London,Windsor and many other places always the finest. It is a pity that he is losing his eyesight. As a person he is an excellent human being. I have been trying to contact him for a long time as I had lost touch with him. Yes he has a GOSALA in Rajasthan - a measure of his phylosophy of love.
I can go on but for the present this should do.
I miss Chef Oza's cooking so much! Does anyone know of a chef or restaurant that carries on with his recipes/ way of cooking? I know he taught classes and think he taught at the Hari Krishna ashram in Detroit. I would so love to have his Biryani, which was unlike any I have ever had. My husband and I, along with friends and family had many memorable meals at the Himalayas, leaving "intoxicated" from the food.
Most appreciatively,
A great fan of the Himalayas and of Chef Oza and his wonderful family.
My very first taste of Indian cooking came in 1981 at the Himalaya. Our close friends Jeff and Shelly were patrons and they took us there for a Wedding present.
I was hooked instantly.
Chef OZA came to our table and blessed our wedding and proceeded to provide us with the
4-hour feast.
We found out quickly that this wasn't somewhere you went for a Bite-to-eat. This was a complete evening out every time.
We returned many, many times and even attended some of his Sunday cooking classes.
I recently was looking to find out if the restaurant was still open and I happened on this page. I also happened on a very interesting web site: http://chefoza.com/
YES, If you are truly interested you can get all of Chef OZA's recipes. I did. Check it out.
My future husband took me to a "Thai" restaurant in Windsor for our first date. It turned out to be the Himalaya, my favorite restaurant!! We have fond memories of our evening there, the start of our relationship.
08-04-2014
My niece sent me the link to this site on January 11th, 2010 when I last wrote an update about this building and my family. Once again this link was sent to me and I would like to update the information.
I would like to thank everyone for their kind comments about my family and the restaurant. When I last wrote an update, I shared with my dad all the wonderful comments people had made about him and the Himalaya Restaurant. He was elated about the impact he had on the community.
Sadly, my dad passed away on November 30th, 2013. And if anyone is interested, his cook book and Ayurvedic healing books are available at the following site: http://chefoza.com. This site is managed by one of dad's cooking class students, who had also travelled to India and spent time at my father's animal mission (gau shala)(cow farm).
Dr. Mahavir Oza D.C.
Thank yo Dr. Oza, I will check the site out and purchase the cook book.