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. š
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.
The link doesn’t work. Is there an online menu somewhere? What is the typical cost per meal with a coffee?
David they don’t take credit or debit what makes you think there’s an online menu? bring $20 and check it out, you’ll be fine.
Um, because I’ve been to restaurants before that had an online menu that didn’t accept credit or debit. It costs the proprietor money each time they do debit or credit transactions. Yet, there’s plenty of places that let people advertise online for free like craigslist. I’ve yet to meet someone that still hasn’t used the Internet.
Yes,
One of Windsor’s finest hidden gems.
Being Uke myself, it is like going back home to the home I never had.
Please support this place with your patronage as you will be well rewarded.
You will not have to worry about your personal info being comprimised here.
Not for those in a rush.
C P
David–a website is always a good idea for any restaurant. Maybe someone could give us an idea of their items and prices.
Sure I’ll give you an idea.
Perogies, Cabbage Rolls, Borscht soup, Cabbage Soup. Given that it’s the Ukrainian Restaurant, use your imagination, and think of eastern European food… If it comes from a pig, there’s a amazing chance it will be on the menu.
As for price, like I told David, bring $20, and you’ll have more than enough.
This was the first place I ever had borscht – and it is still the BEST I have ever had. A long time ago, I had a different soup there – I’d never heard of it before but it was made from fresh peas (very different from the traditional ham and split pea soup that we are so used too) It was incredible. I haven’t been there in sooooo long. We’d better hurry back before Anna does something silly like retiring!
perogies (drooooooooool) i LOVE perogies!
i noticed this place back in the summer walking from wyandotte and walker to tecumseh and ouellette. i didn’t know how it could stay in buisness cause it looked dead, but just as that thought passed like 15 older folks came out looking quite satisfied. i had forgotten about it until now, thanks Andrew!
The borscht was awesome!!!!!!!
thanks for the speedy review Dawn!
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 š 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.