Soup Kitchen Saloon

[Vic_doucette]

Spent many a great night there, usually Sundays after a long week's work. The Rev. Robert Jones would be leading the jam session, and both the local talent and the food were always first-rate.

[1KielsonDrive]

Here's piece Erik Smith did when it was still open...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9PYwQ...eature=related

Eric Smith was a regular while I worked at the Soup. And, I imagine, before and after I worked there.

[mikefmich]

This is a painful thread for me......Lowell's subtle shots at Archer hit home.

First he caved into casinos which he always said he wouldn't. Then he ruined the neighborhood of Detroit I had ran in since the very early 1970's, with his jockey game on the casinos. I've had little respect since for Archer.

As to the Soup Kitchen...I walked in that door in 1980, and didn't stop until they closed the door. Untold amounts of dinners before a Wings game, my fav destination for blues in the city, and a favorite dating place for me.
Felt like I was hit broadside when it closed without warning. Still have one of my green SKS tee shirts...I don't wear it very often, because I want it to last the rest of my days.

[droark11]

I worked at the Rhino for most of the 80's as head bartender. We had great customers and a fun staff. I have many wild and happy memories of The Rhino. Also worked at the Soup with Rocky and Bruce in 82. I remember a woman ordering the soup of the day, so I brought out the bowl and she looked at it as if it were Alpo. I asked what was wrong and she replied that she was here last week and the soup of the day was NOT Cream of Broccoli. LOL. Also worked at 1940 Chophouse, Vanelli's [[Woodward & Congress), Rivertown Dance Emporium, among others. Used to hang at Woodbridge, The Rivertown Saloon [[especially after hours with Jim bartending), Tatoo, Andrews on the Corner, Todd's, Alvins, Union Street, Bookies, The 101, City Club [[when it was on Park & Elizabeth), City Club Cafe, Little Harry's, Pinkie's, Honest John's, even the bar downstairs in the Tuller Hotel, and many more. I frequented all of these clubs and knew many of the people from back then. Hope everyone is faring well.

[EASTSIDE CAT 67-83]

I saw "Matt Guitar Murphy" play there back in the late 80's. I used to hang out at Bears just up the street on the corner of Jeff, the bar's name later changed to Bastille's, it was a good old Detroit hangout.

[1KielsonDrive]

I worked at the Rhino for most of the 80's as head bartender. We had great customers and a fun staff. I have many wild and happy memories of The Rhino. Also worked at the Soup with Rocky and Bruce in 82. I remember a woman ordering the soup of the day, so I brought out the bowl and she looked at it as if it were Alpo. I asked what was wrong and she replied that she was here last week and the soup of the day was NOT Cream of Broccoli. LOL. Also worked at 1940 Chophouse, Vanelli's [[Woodward & Congress), Rivertown Dance Emporium, among others. Used to hang at Woodbridge, The Rivertown Saloon [[especially after hours with Jim bartending), Tatoo, Andrews on the Corner, Todd's, Alvins, Union Street, Bookies, The 101, City Club [[when it was on Park & Elizabeth), City Club Cafe, Little Harry's, Pinkie's, Honest John's, even the bar downstairs in the Tuller Hotel, and many more. I frequented all of these clubs and knew many of the people from back then. Hope everyone is faring well.

You were around those joints when I was. The 101 was in the basement of the Tuller. It was a jazz, juke joint on the corner at Grand Circus Park. Kris Lynn played piano and held down the fort. One of my all-time favorite bars. Al was the bartender. The bar in the basement on the Bagley side was the Golden Harp Pub. Donny, Cabot, Michael and others, too numerous to mention, lived in the old hotel and worked the pub. Jimmy Whelan [[Jr) tended bar at Riverfront Saloon and his dad [[co-owner) was the host. A better host you'll never find. Pinkie's was a very unique place. We'd hit it before and after Players. All the other places were part of the circuit if you were a bar and restaurant person, which you obviously were. The Rhino was one of the coolest and most unusual places I've ever been, anywhere. Great crowd, great music and great brunch.

[droark11]

Yes, they had a fantastic waitress that could sing, She used to sing the standards and deliver drinks at the same time.. I knew her at the time...Yvonne I think....so melodious! She had a sultry voice and was so pretty. Some times you just run into the extrodinary.

[droark11]

The Rhinocerous is the only building still standing. Door stands on corner of Franklin and Riopelle facing south toward the river and east towards Grosse Pointe. There was an overhang over the door and three brick steps.

[1KielsonDrive]

The Rhinocerous is the only building still standing. Door stands on corner of Franklin and Riopelle facing south toward the river and east towards Grosse Pointe. There was an overhang over the door and three brick steps.

I was in the Warehouse [[Rivertown) District few years ago looking over the remains. The last of the Soup Kitchen came down as I watched. I walked over to the Rhino and the huge entrance door with the big, round, brass handle right in the middle, was still there. I freaked. I could not believe it. I called my brother in Ann Arbor to come out right away so we could haul it. I drive a sub-compact. It would never fit in, or on, my car. I begged my brother to come out with his pick-up truck. He couldn't leave his office. To say I was bummed is to say the least. The door was gone within a few days.

[smittyspice]

One more Erik Smith video on the Soup Kitchen. This was a "From the Heart" piece.
http://www.youtube.com/user/newzdood.../0/QVJxHGVX4Tg

[1KielsonDrive]

One more Erik Smith video on the Soup Kitchen. This was a "From the Heart" piece.
http://www.youtube.com/user/newzdood.../0/QVJxHGVX4Tg

Erik was a regular at The Soup. We always took good care of him.

[dave1x]

I'm glad to have found this discussion. I am wondering if anyone knows Woody Miller. Although probably not a headline attraction, I believe he played at the Soup Kitchen often during open mic nights.

Anyway, he is my dad and he passed away on July 17, 2010. he always played blues and folk songs for my brothers and I while growing up. To me. he was an amazing guitarist. I'm hoping someone can help me find someone to play at his memorial service to be held on Belle-Isle August 14th. Thank you in advance!

Dave Miller

[Single Malt]

Excellent memories here..both in pics and posts. Thanks!!

[mikeinmotown]

I personally spent my time at the Franklin street brewery I loved that area for bar hopping. I've also heard the rumor that Mike Ilitch also helped in the demise of rivertown hoping the people that went to all the rivertown bars would hit the area around the fox theater and hockey town cafe for his benefit.

That's BS.

[mikeinmotown]

Yup! And the Beef Burgundy was pretty darn good too. So was the Black Bean. When the Soup Kitchen Saloon first opened, they served the soup in large white ceramic bowls that held about four cups of soup. It came with a big chunk of bread. One of the best meals in town. They also had a great burger served on an Onion roll. I loved their beer list. The stuff they had was way ahead of its time - Grolsch, Fischers, Dos Equies, St Pauli, Becks, etc. And the drafts - Stroh Dark, Dortmunder Union as well as others. Great place. And it was one block from the shipyards [[FedNav). Doesn't get much better anywhere.

The beef burgundy was the best. I tried making it myself many times and never could match the quality.