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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Did not know this place existed - awesome!
Will definitely check it out!
Great place - best perogies ever. Everything is amazing though, including the restaurant itself. I'm thankful I live just around the block from this place.
I lived on Marion Street, so I was able to enjoy as well as smell the delicious old world cooking regularly. The cabbage rolls & perogies are amazing!!
Everything is homemade, so it takes a few minutes but the service is wonderful & the food is well worth it.
I am so glad, that after 15 years away from Windsor,some things have not changed or disappeared altogether.
Thank you very much for the posting & reminding me that as The Beatles once said "There are places I remember, some are gone & some remain."
This is one place that should never change.
You really have to experience it to know.
I lived 5 doors down for nearly a decade and loved eating there. Occasionally they were kind enough to lend out a few tomatoes here there is the neighbours were in a bind. Very nice people. The borscht is to die for. Make this you next restaurant experience if you have not yet eaten there!
Ukrainian Restaurant is like going to my grandma's house - the food is just comfortably fabulous and the ambiance can't be beat.
My favourite are the cabbage rolls - almost fluffy in texture, they're the perfect mix of pork, beef and rice.
I would be hard-pressed to think of a quirkier and warmer environment in which to eat great homemade food anywhere. Just looking at the photos above brought a smile to my face.
Geez, I can't believe that place has been there that long. If you're in the mood for comfort food, that's the place to go, for sure.
Hey Andrew! We were there just last week - needed a shot of chicken paprikash like Oma used to make. Dave and I had our first date there...back in 1987. It looked like it does now.
yep, one of the realest, nicest places to go to eat ever. lucky me, i learned about it when i first came to town so many years ago. last time i went to eat there it was closed, boo hoo. now i am reminded to go back. it is lovely borscht, i model my recipe on its style. generous, peaceful, like being at home.
I had never had Borscht before, Andrew. Neither had Dawn. As another commenter said, it's to die for - and certainly the biggest reason why we'll be going back again. I don't have a cool Ukrainian grandma like Lori so that's how it's gotta be! LOL.