While John may have beat me to the punch the other day, posting about this place on My Local Food Blog, I’m still going to post about it today. 😉
The photo above ran in the Detroit News, in January, 1972 along with a review of the place.
My wife and I were introduced to it a couple of years back, by our friends Dave and Linda who suggested it as a place to go for dinner. The place is located at 1148 Marion, in the middle of a residential block, and if you didn’t know it was there, you’d be forgiven for overlooking it.
According to the current owner, who’s been running the show for the last 42 years, the Ukrainian Restaurant opened its doors in 1931. While much of the decor looks to be from about when the last ownership change took place, certain things like the bar stools at the “lunch counter” and the light fixtures, harken back to the 1930’s.
The place is small, and like the sign on the street light proclaims “Open 7 A Week”. Certainly among the last of a dying breed in the city. Get in and check it out before it’s gone. The owner Anna, suggested anyone interested should call ahead to make sure she’s open, as most nights it’s a one woman show. 519-253-3981. Make sure you bring cash if you plan on visiting, no debit and no credit accepted. Dinner is good, and can best be described as going to eat at your Eastern European Grandmother’s House.
A true overlooked gem in the city, and by my estimation Windsor’s oldest continually running restaurant. A little bit of local history well worth visiting.
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Just re-reading this and wanted to give everyone an idea for prices. Anna has a "rule of thumb" for pricing:
1 item on your plate $8.00,
2 items on your plate $10.00,
3 items on your plate $12.00,
On any given day the menu changes, except for the soups. Borscht, chicken and cabbage soup are ALWAYS there and come with your meal if you choose one of her "plates".
She ALWAYS has cabbage rolls and pierogies. The roasted meats and sausages vary depending on Anna's whims :) but roast chicken and roast pork are usually available.
My favourite order is a 3 item plate: pierogies, roast chicken, cabbage rolls + borscht... and it's very filling.
Also, as Andrew said, they're non-licensed - pop is $1 and iced tea is $2.
another fine old diner that has survived into the 21st century is the station lunch bar near where the old michigan central station before the fire i've ate there a few times but it doesn'thave the atmosphere of an original railroad diner like itdid years ago there used to be a old diner just east of cadillac and riverside drive waaay back in the early 50's i think a chinese fella ran it i went there with my dad a couple times lunch bar up front house in the rear the building stood well into the 80's &early 90's until fords expaned their poer plant
another fine old diner that has survived into the 21st century is the station lunch bar near where the old michigan central station before the fire i've ate there a few times but it doesn'thave the atmosphere of an original railroad diner like itdid years ago there used to be a old diner just east of cadillac and riverside drive waaay back in the early 50's i think a chinese fella ran it i went there with my dad a couple times lunch bar up front house in the rear the building stood well into the 80's &early 90's until fords expaned their power plant
i took six of my kids mostly adults to the UKRAINIAN for supper. i havent been there for 35 years. its the same great place it always was. ANNA the owner and cook was delightful. she reminded my kids of my late mom. everyone was STUFFED with food almost coming out of our noses. my daughter who is 29 had the walnut torte to take home. its to die for. she said in her email after she went back to california that it was soooooooo good. super moist. a return visit or visits are definitely in our plans. dont miss out. ANNA is up there in years. you gotta get to this place. may she live to be 1oo years or more. i think that when she goes the restaurant will too. HOPEFULLY NOT. PLEASE dont miss out.