Golden Buddha restaurant on Detroit's NE side...

I was recalling some offbeat Christmas stories with folks when I recalled on how my mother and I had dinner at the Golden Buddha on Harper near Whittier on Detroit's NE side on Christmas Day '82. We were both between marriages at that time. Our family always got together on Christmas Eve, so we were open on Christmas Day.

It was sort of like the ending scene in "A Christmas Story" minus the singing waiters.

Is the Golden Buddha on Harper still open? In the '90s, I had a similar situation on Christmas Day and ended up at the Windsor Casino, where unlike in Michigan, cocktails are served. My mother, then remarried, said I should have called, that her and my step father would have liked to have gone to a casino on Christmas Day.

oh, i remember the golden buddha! we would always go with a big group and then head over to the bar down the street [[traxx, tramps or something like that). but, if im not mistaken, it closed several years ago.

Golden Buddha was a fine restaurant, but if you did not want Chinese food, you could walk across the street to the Lobster Pot and get a live lobster for boiling at home. Need a repair to your Chevrolet? Shalla Chevrolet was just up the street, and Jim's Garage for collision repairs across the street filled the bill. Interesting , diverse neighborhood, and Saint Matthew's church is still going strong.

Used to be a place down there near Harper and Whittier called Ureel Hardware. He didn't have much hardware as he was predominately a bike shop and a Lionel train dealer.

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Originally Posted by the rock

Golden Buddha was a fine restaurant, but if you did not want Chinese food, you could walk across the street to the Lobster Pot and get a live lobster for boiling at home. Need a repair to your Chevrolet? Shalla Chevrolet was just up the street, and Jim's Garage for collision repairs across the street filled the bill. Interesting , diverse neighborhood, and Saint Matthew's church is still going strong.

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My 2 aunts and one uncle attended St. Matthew's school. One aunt was in the first 8th grade class to graduate in the then new church in 1955. My sister was baptised there and I attended classes at St. Matthew's in the late 60's. At one time the parish was one of the largest in the archdiocese geographically. Now the school is closed the campus costs to much to maintain and the parish barely has enough members to open the doors, I would not call that going strong.

loved that place, rub the buddhas belly on the way in

https://maps.google.com/maps?q=harpe...npf3DTkH8CUp_g

@ the rock: I worked at Shalla Chevrolet on Harper near Cadieux in '67 just before I enlisted in the Marines. Is Jim's Garage still open. I knew Paul the owner.

I used to buy LEGO sets at Earl's Bike Shop... and lest we forget... the Vogue Theatre... and then there's Vergote's... and farther down... Wrigley's Drug Store and Wrigley's Super Market [[long before Bruno's Furniture Store)... and Rexall Drugs and The Milk Depot and Embo's Market....

At the other end of the block, or maybe two streets over, the dance club Oliver's where I met my husband way back when!! [[Oliver's later became Trumps and most recently the I-Rock.)

The original Mancuso's Florist was across the street.

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Originally Posted by Al Publican

@ the rock: I worked at Shalla Chevrolet on Harper near Cadieux in '67 just before I enlisted in the Marines. Is Jim's Garage still open. I knew Paul the owner.

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Yes -- Jim's Garage is still open; just had my car fixed there a few months ago. They do great work and don't rip you off.

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Originally Posted by Kathleen

At the other end of the block, or maybe two streets over, the dance club Oliver's where I met my husband way back when!! [[Oliver's later became Trumps and most recently the I-Rock.)

The original Mancuso's Florist was across the street.

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yes, it was trumps! the toilets were always overflowing in that place but we went every weekend until they changed the drinking age on us.

Actually, I believe it is called "Jim"s Collision" rather than "Jim's Garage", but I will have to check his sign the next time I drive by there. And there was also Irvinck's Bar up near Cadieux which sponsored our Detroit Recreational League softball team for several years , but was better known as a meeting place for the local Democrats.

Lobster Pot was actually closer to Cadieux. Golden Buddha was west [[downtown side) of Whittier.

Used to have our ducks cleaned at Vergote's Poultry.

I remember going with my father to Vergote's and picking out the live duck from the cages, then coming back in a couple hours to get the carcass dressed for the oven. Kind of weird for a city kid...

As for the contemporary update:
Golden Buddha closed several years ago. They used to serve us when I was under-age. We used to tip well so it was a mutually beneficial relationship.

St. Matthew's is holding their own, albeit always in need of money. No real danger of closing. Congregation is small but not tiny. Happens to be my parish.

Lobster Pot is at Grayton and Harper [[the owners live in EEV), and Sweetwater to Go just opened up a few storefronts down and I hear it's awesome. First Place Lounge is a decent bar if you just want a cheap beer - not seedy [[though not classy). Vergote's is still there. The Mobile at Cadiuex and Harper is always one cent cheaper than the other three stations, which seem to get ripped off every few months. The McDonald's is to be avoided at all costs - go to the new on on Mack if you're into that kind of stuff [[Detroit side of Mack, but pissed off a group of GPers upset about the addition across the Maginot line)

Harper could be a pretty nice retail corridor - it's already got a lot of businesses on it - if it were cleaned up and codes enforced. Bust up the loiterers too. Of course quality-of-life is never usually a priority for the city. But hey, Police mini-stations are opening up for unknown reasons, right? Or have they closed again already?

That's all the news from the eastern front.

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Originally Posted by poobert

As for the contemporary update:
Golden Buddha closed several years ago. They used to serve us when I was under-age. We used to tip well so it was a mutually beneficial relationship.

St. Matthew's is holding their own, albeit always in need of money. No real danger of closing. Congregation is small but not tiny. Happens to be my parish.

Lobster Pot is at Grayton and Harper [[the owners live in EEV), and Sweetwater to Go just opened up a few storefronts down and I hear it's awesome. First Place Lounge is a decent bar if you just want a cheap beer - not seedy [[though not classy). Vergote's is still there. The Mobile at Cadiuex and Harper is always one cent cheaper than the other three stations, which seem to get ripped off every few months. The McDonald's is to be avoided at all costs - go to the new on on Mack if you're into that kind of stuff [[Detroit side of Mack, but pissed off a group of GPers upset about the addition across the Maginot line)

Harper could be a pretty nice retail corridor - it's already got a lot of businesses on it - if it were cleaned up and codes enforced. Bust up the loiterers too. Of course quality-of-life is never usually a priority for the city. But hey, Police mini-stations are opening up for unknown reasons, right? Or have they closed again already?

That's all the news from the eastern front.

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Poobert is the archdiocese kicking in to help with $200,000 plus a year the campus costs to operate? You will also like this Poobert I have seen are few of those GPers who opposed the McDonald's eating at the restaurant which is what I figured!

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Originally Posted by p69rrh51

You will also like this Poobert I have seen are few of those GPers who opposed the McDonald's eating at the restaurant which is what I figured!

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really? specifically seen people that you know protested the place are now eating there??

how do you know they were GPers? was it the Bentley you saw them drive up??? did they sip their McCafe with their pinky finger in the air???

enlighten me......

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Originally Posted by Goose

really? specifically seen people that you know protested the place are now eating there??

how do you know they were GPers? was it the Bentley you saw them drive up??? did they sip their McCafe with their pinky finger in the air???

enlighten me......

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Yes, some are friends or acquaintances. They do not drive Bentleys but were in the usual assortment of BMW's and SUV's.

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Originally Posted by poobert

As for the contemporary update:
Golden Buddha closed several years ago. They used to serve us when I was under-age. We used to tip well so it was a mutually beneficial relationship.

St. Matthew's is holding their own, albeit always in need of money. No real danger of closing. Congregation is small but not tiny. Happens to be my parish.

Lobster Pot is at Grayton and Harper [[the owners live in EEV), and Sweetwater to Go just opened up a few storefronts down and I hear it's awesome. First Place Lounge is a decent bar if you just want a cheap beer - not seedy [[though not classy). Vergote's is still there. The Mobile at Cadiuex and Harper is always one cent cheaper than the other three stations, which seem to get ripped off every few months. The McDonald's is to be avoided at all costs - go to the new on on Mack if you're into that kind of stuff [[Detroit side of Mack, but pissed off a group of GPers upset about the addition across the Maginot line)

Harper could be a pretty nice retail corridor - it's already got a lot of businesses on it - if it were cleaned up and codes enforced. Bust up the loiterers too. Of course quality-of-life is never usually a priority for the city. But hey, Police mini-stations are opening up for unknown reasons, right? Or have they closed again already?

That's all the news from the eastern front.

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Yes, GPers were not happy... but I would think their ire would be appreciated here when you look at what they are angry about. A large portion of the objection was in the construction of the typical M-59 style fast food place on an island in the middle of a parking lot. Many folks just wanted it to look like the other side of Mack. Bring it up to the sidewalk, have parking behind...etc. Basically the same objections registered on this site about every piece of new build in the metro area.

But yea, it was GPers doing it so it was racist/elitist.

I stop in occasionally for my eggamuffin. Lots of GPers in there.

As GPCharles, I should know.

Does anyone remember Grosse Pointe Charles from JP's radio show?

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Originally Posted by GPCharles

I stop in occasionally for my eggamuffin. Lots of GPers in there.

As GPCharles, I should know.

Does anyone remember Grosse Pointe Charles from JP's radio show?

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FYI side note/thread jack...

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thursday December 13th, 2012 :: 02:11 p.m. EST
Armed Robbery just took place at Moran and Charlevoix, Grosse Pointe Farms while victim was jogging
Armed Robbery just took place at North Bound Moran and Charlevoix, Grosse Pointe Farms,by two black males. Victim was jogging on Moran at the time of the robbery.
Both subject were in their early 20’s thin and under 6’ tall.
First suspect wearing a black hoodie, and had a black revolver.
Second suspect wearing a black hoodie with a hat on and eye glasses on.
Taken was a Blue 1g I-Pod shuffle with silver headphones by gunpoint and the victim was not injured.
Both suspects were last seen on foot north bound on Moran.
No vehicle was seen by the victim.


Information was belated to the Police Department by app 15 minutes.


Contact the Grosse Pointe Farms DPS if you have any information

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I always got a kick out of the GP Charles segment on the JP McCarthy show. That and the interview with the lady from the [[Blue Star?) Nursing home made my day.
We had a particular WC Circuit Court Judge who was often referred to as Grosse Pointe Charles because of his deameanor on the bench. This judge would never be seen at a McDonalds regardless of its location, just the Pancake House in the Woods or maybe a restaurant on the Hill or in the Village.

Hearing all these place names just serve to remind me of how much has slipped from my memory.

That part of town was my "stomping grounds" when I was young. Back then you think these things will always stay with you....then find out 45 yrs. later, not so much. Ah well, such is life.

Since the OP's topic was food on the Harper corridor I thought I'd mention a few... Corfus that was next to Harper sports and a little further down from there was Cals. When I was a teenager I remember a bakery that was between Bishop and Grayton across from the Vouge parking lot that had the best onion rolls, we'd get in there just as the place opened and get them fresh out of the onion. My sister also worked in a DQ of sorts across from the Golden Buddha which worked out for many a free Parfaits. Great memories.

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Originally Posted by EASTSIDE CAT 67-83

Since the OP's topic was food on the Harper corridor I thought I'd mention a few... Corfus that was next to Harper sports and a little further down from there was Cals. When I was a teenager I remember a bakery that was between Bishop and Grayton across from the Vouge parking lot that had the best onion rolls, we'd get in there just as the place opened and get them fresh out of the onion. My sister also worked in a DQ of sorts across from the Golden Buddha which worked out for many a free Parfaits. Great memories.

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Funny, I didn't see anybody mention yet the Late-Great Geneva's fine dining Ristorante'..... I actually bought a tee-shirt from them during one of my late night rendezvous' back in the day. No other shirt in my wardrobe garners more compliments and attention. My brothers make fun of me for wearing it, but then like one minute later someone will come up and say "Hey! Nice Shirt!" Probably one of the smartest purchases I made during the 2000's [[or late 90's)

Also, whoever was mentioning Traxx[[?) earlier made me think of the Pace Bar that also resided next to Geneva's over a decade ago. I hung out with some GP North guys who would go there for there underage libations. Not sure if it is still there, as that entire strip has flipped since then. It now is anchored down by a neon-monster pizzeria/wings/ribs kinda concept. Always look that way, can never remember the name.

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Originally Posted by EASTSIDE CAT 67-83

When I was a teenager I remember a bakery that was between Bishop and Grayton across from the Vouge parking lot that had the best onion rolls, we'd get in there just as the place opened and get them fresh out of the onion.

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Hodell's Cake Box? Our wedding cake was from there!

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Originally Posted by poobert

First Place Lounge is a decent bar if you just want a cheap beer - not seedy [[though not classy).

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Didn't that establishment used to be Jac's Detour Lounge?

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Originally Posted by TKshreve

Funny, I didn't see anybody mention yet the Late-Great Geneva's fine dining Ristorante'..... I actually bought a tee-shirt from them during one of my late night rendezvous' back in the day. No other shirt in my wardrobe garners more compliments and attention. My brothers make fun of me for wearing it, but then like one minute later someone will come up and say "Hey! Nice Shirt!" Probably one of the smartest purchases I made during the 2000's [[or late 90's).

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Loved Geneva burgers!!!

And as long as we've extended the discussion to establishments on Harper east of Cadieux, gotta mention Daly's Drive-In. My best friend worked there for 2 years or so back in the mid-70's.

I remember Golden Buddha very well. We alternated between there and Silver Dragon on Kelly for Chinese food. I even had my rehearsal dinner there in '82.

Golden Buddha in 1970... you're welcome.

Also... Kava Bowl? Kava Bowl!!!

Attachment 17435

The Vogue and for many who have been posting on this thread a little further up Harper the Eastside Drive-In.

Just remembered Teds Dq was where my sister worked.... Kathleen thanks for reminding me of Hodells, how could I forget. I ran those streets from about 74-83. Great neighborhood! it was my second home next to Jeff/Chalmers.

The Vogue Theate was built in 1937, designed by Periera & Periera [[same designers of the 2,950 seat Oriental/Downtown RKO Theatre on W. Adams., razed 1953).

The Vogue had 1,420 seats, and closed in 1977. In 1979 there was a "mysterious fire" that damaged the building, and it was torn down for a MacDonalds.

The Moderne style building had a 2 story retail/office block to the left side of the theatre.

p69.... Microsoft Office "Resize" is your friend.... :)

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Originally Posted by Gistok

The Vogue Theate was built in 1937, designed by Periera & Periera [[same designers of the 2,950 seat Oriental/Downtown RKO Theatre on W. Adams., razed 1953).

The Vogue had 1,420 seats, and closed in 1977. In 1979 there was a "mysterious fire" that damaged the building, and it was torn down for a MacDonalds.

The Moderne style building had a 2 story retail/office block to the left side of the theatre.

p69.... Microsoft Office "Resize" is your friend.... :)

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Thx I know just to lazy to take the time to resize the image.

The Golden Buddha used to have a flaming volcano drink. It was served in a green porcelain volcano. The alcohol was flaming at the top. Great food too.

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Originally Posted by Kathleen

Didn't that establishment used to be Jac's Detour Lounge?

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No, Jac's Detour was on the corner of Bishop and Harper, 1st Place was down by Blanckes Mkt.

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Originally Posted by EASTSIDE CAT 67-83

Since the OP's topic was food on the Harper corridor I thought I'd mention a few... Corfus that was next to Harper sports and a little further down from there was Cals. When I was a teenager I remember a bakery that was between Bishop and Grayton across from the Vouge parking lot that had the best onion rolls, we'd get in there just as the place opened and get them fresh out of the onion. My sister also worked in a DQ of sorts across from the Golden Buddha which worked out for many a free Parfaits. Great memories.

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When did the Vogue close? We usually went to the Civic or the Vogue since both were in walking distance.

I think it closed in 1977

It 77 for sure. I was working ther at the time. Start at the Alger, it closed then on to Vouge, it closed, then on to the Eastland as I basically did an east side tour of Suburban Detroit Theatres. The Eastlan closing wasn't my fault - I was Lon gone by then

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Originally Posted by tarkus

No, Jac's Detour was on the corner of Bishop and Harper, 1st Place was down by Blanckes Mkt.

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I can't place Blancke's Market. Between what two streets?

And what currently is where Jac's Detour was? Seems to me that even Jac's had an earlier name?

I spent one more than interesting December night at the Golden Budaha sipping on a Kava Bowl with a coworker's crew of friends. Back in 2004 ish

I was taking pics on Ducchess and took a few quick images on Harper on the way back to work.

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Originally Posted by Kathleen

Hodell's Cake Box? Our wedding cake was from there!

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Hodells Cake Shop, 31387 Harper, St. Clair Shores, MI., at 13 Mile.
They make the best bumpy cake since Sanders.

Blanckes was on the corner of Harvard and Harper across from the Vogue. Jac's Detour is now Firewater. Jac's had the worlds best burritos.

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Originally Posted by Kathleen

I can't place Blancke's Market. Between what two streets?

And what currently is where Jac's Detour was? Seems to me that even Jac's had an earlier name?

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Originally Posted by WKL

It 77 for sure. I was working ther at the time. Start at the Alger, it closed then on to Vouge, it closed, then on to the Eastland as I basically did an east side tour of Suburban Detroit Theatres. The Eastlan closing wasn't my fault - I was Lon gone by then

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We most commonly went to the Civic or the Vogue, but we often would see shows at the Ramona, Alger, Harper, and Woods.

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Originally Posted by Hermod

We most commonly went to the Civic or the Vogue, but we often would see shows at the Ramona, Alger, Harper, and Woods.

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The largest of those theatres was the 2,500 seat Woods, which along with the Eastown was the largest east side theatre.

The Ramona appeared to be a twin of the Riviera [[or Grand Riviera) on Grand Rivier, but it only looked that way as far as the rotunda was concerned. The Riviera was a larger theatre [[seating 2,786). The 2,020 seat Ramona had a very small shelf balcony that was closed during the later years, while the Riviera had a large balcony [[hence the greater seating capacity).

The Alger Theatre had 1,182 seats and has been struggling just to survive ever since since it closed.

The Harper Theatre, now Harpo's went from a 1,975 seat theatre to a heavy metal rock concert venue. If it weren't for that, it would not have survived to this day

The Civic Theatre had 1,455 seats. The Alger Theatre has 825 seats... and it has been an uphill battle to ever get it open again.

Images of the Harper and Ramona, I cannot find my images of the Civic and the Alger. I did post an image of the Civic taken last fall but cannot what thread its located in.

Images of the Woods Theatre in its original configuration. I was fortunate enough to see a movie screened there when it was a single screen theatre and unfortunate to be there in its last disfigured arrangement.

Hello, does anyone have any interior photos of the good ole Golden Buddha? Loved that place! i was a kid and teenager when my family would go there.

Sorry to dig up this old thread, but does anyone remember who owned the Golden Buddha? We used to eat at Canton Inn, which was on Van Dyke in Centerline in the 60s or early 70s, but moved to Gratiot in Roseville. I seem to remember the paper placemats advertising both the Canton Inn and the Golden Buddha on Harper [[and my mother mentioning that they had the same owner). I know Canton Inn sold out, as I last visited back in 2008, didn't recognize anyone, and the food was terrible. I think it is closed up now, and run down. A sad ending to the place.

Although unrelated to Golden Buddha.... on block east of the Golden Buddha's Harper and Courville location... on the SW corner of Harper and Audobon was the location of Earl's Bike Shop... which I used to visit frequently 50 years ago. Not to buy bikes... but to buy LEGO there as a kid... save up some allowance money, and walk the 10 blocks or so to buy some little set.

2 years ago, a grandson of Earl's Bike Shop owner Emailed me, and sent me a pic of his grandfathers [[long since gone out of business) shop... another visit down memory lane!

Here is the SW corner of Harper and Audobon in the present...

https://www.google.com/maps/place/16...!4d-82.9443224

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Originally Posted by Gistok

Although unrelated to Golden Buddha.... on block east of the Golden Buddha's Harper and Courville location... on the SW corner of Harper and Audobon was the location of Earl's Bike Shop... which I used to visit frequently 50 years ago. Not to buy bikes... but to buy LEGO there as a kid... save up some allowance money, and walk the 10 blocks or so to buy some little set.

2 years ago, a grandson of Earl's Bike Shop owner Emailed me, and sent me a pic of his grandfathers [[long since gone out of business) shop... another visit down memory lane!

Here is the SW corner of Harper and Audobon in the present...

https://www.google.com/maps/place/16...!4d-82.9443224

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I still have Athearn HO train boxes with the price tags from here on them. Currently Devine Restoration Ministries.

https://www.motorcitymapping.org/sc/...1124/-82.94350