Olga's Kitchen leaves downtown Detroit

Olga's Kitchen in the Compuware Building abruptly closed on Friday.

This is not a huge surprise as the parent company is in bankruptcy and closing branches. This was discussed on this forum earlier. Olga's Filling For Chapter 11 Protection

I think Olga's had a good formula but never evolved from it.

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“Closing the One Campus Martius location is a necessary next step for our company and the continued health of all of our operations as we look toward the future,” Michael Kosloski, Olga’s chief operating officer, said in a statement.

The closing came as a surprise to Eddie Dhroso, an employee of Warren-based Intercity Neon Inc., whose company designed and erected the Olga's sign with a giant pita wrap outside the Detroit Olga's. Dhroso helped raise the sign three years ago, and on Friday he helped take it down.

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Dang...glad I went there a few times recently. Was always clean and quality consistent. Hopefully a new business can fill their space quickly

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Originally Posted by hybridy

Dang...glad I went there a few times recently. Was always clean and quality consistent. Hopefully a new business can fill their space quickly

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...either that or it will stay empty for years.

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Originally Posted by mtburb

...either that or it will stay empty for years.

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That's a pretty pessimistic view. Downtown has turned the corner enough that this prime location should rent quickly. Article states they have already had several inquiries and expect an announcement for a new tenant soon. On the other hand, I do wonder how the Texas de Brazil is doing. Very specialized, pricey and only open at dinner.

http://www.detroitnews.com/story/bus...tius/71720726/

If the owner of the restaurant can not make a profit, shut it down! That is the free market system. Compete or lose! Waste your investment and move on.

I would really like to see a Chipotle in there. It would be a goldmine..

Put a middle eastern cuisine restaurant in there.

I wouldn't object to a restaurant like Burger King, Wendy's or McDonald's.

There's a severe lack of fast food options downtown, especially given the increase in daytime workers. One shouldn't have to go into the Ren Cen or drive to the outskirts of the CBD just to get a quick/cheap cheeseburger and fries.

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Originally Posted by 313WX

I wouldn't object to a restaurant like Burger King, Wendy's or McDonald's.

There's a severe lack of fast food options downtown, especially given the increase in daytime workers. One shouldn't have to go into the Ren Cen or drive to the outskirts of the CBD just to get a quick/cheap cheeseburger and fries.

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I agree. While I like having other options, there are days when I want [[or need) a cheap alternative. I don't have $10-15 [[or more) to drop on lunch everyday. I usually bring a lunch, but there are days when I haven't made it to the store or I'm running too late to pack one. While I enjoy tacos from a food truck, they can get old! And I am not a Subway fan. And I don't usually feel like hiking to the Ren Cen. Other than that, there are few options to get in the $5-7 range.
I'm still amazed that Ilitch hasn't put a Little Caesars downtown. I'm sure he'd sell a bunch of the lunch specials.

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Originally Posted by Hypestyles

Put a middle eastern cuisine restaurant in there.

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As much as I love middle eastern food, there is already one a block away.

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Originally Posted by jmarie

I agree. While I like having other options, there are days when I want [[or need) a cheap alternative. I don't have $10-15 [[or more) to drop on lunch everyday. I usually bring a lunch, but there are days when I haven't made it to the store or I'm running too late to pack one. While I enjoy tacos from a food truck, they can get old! And I am not a Subway fan. And I don't usually feel like hiking to the Ren Cen. Other than that, there are few options to get in the $5-7 range.
I'm still amazed that Ilitch hasn't put a Little Caesars downtown. I'm sure he'd sell a bunch of the lunch specials.

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Try Lunchtime Global in the First National building. They're usually pretty quick, in your price range, and better than fast food, IMO.

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Originally Posted by archfan

Try Lunchtime Global in the First National building. They're usually pretty quick, in your price range, and better than fast food, IMO.

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Thanks for the suggestion. I've never eaten there. [[I only started working downtown this summer, so I'm still learning.)

I know there are a few places to eat cheaply. [[Although if you don't like hotdogs/coneys, it knocks out some options.) Especially if you learn the specials at places ;)

[[I know I sound extremely cheap, LOL. I don't mind spending once in a while, but the week before last I didn't make it to the grocery store and ate out everyday. I don't have the money to spend $50-75 on lunch for the week! Yikes!)

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Originally Posted by jmarie

Thanks for the suggestion. I've never eaten there. [[I only started working downtown this summer, so I'm still learning.)

I know there are a few places to eat cheaply. [[Although if you don't like hotdogs/coneys, it knocks out some options.) Especially if you learn the specials at places ;)

[[I know I sound extremely cheap, LOL. I don't mind spending once in a while, but the week before last I didn't make it to the grocery store and ate out everyday. I don't have the money to spend $50-75 on lunch for the week! Yikes!)

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I'm not recommending Al-Karar's because it's cheap [[although it is inexpensive); I'm recommending it because it's good.

http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article...-cafe-al-karar

http://www.yelp.com/biz/cafe-al-karar-detroit-2

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Originally Posted by 313WX

I wouldn't object to a restaurant like Burger King, Wendy's or McDonald's.

There's a severe lack of fast food options downtown, especially given the increase in daytime workers. One shouldn't have to go into the Ren Cen or drive to the outskirts of the CBD just to get a quick/cheap cheeseburger and fries.

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Lunch at Wendy's or McDonald's is $8. Hardly cheap, and it sucks.

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Originally Posted by Gpwrangler

Lunch at Wendy's or McDonald's is $8. Hardly cheap

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Not everyone needs a super size meal. You can get a cheeseburger and fries off the value menus for $3 tops. And it certainly beats having to pay $10-$15+ and having to wait 15-30 minutes for food at fast casual restaurants.

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Originally Posted by Gpwrangler

and it sucks.

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To each his/her own.

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Originally Posted by jmarie

Thanks for the suggestion. I've never eaten there. [[I only started working downtown this summer, so I'm still learning.)

I know there are a few places to eat cheaply. [[Although if you don't like hotdogs/coneys, it knocks out some options.) Especially if you learn the specials at places ;)

[[I know I sound extremely cheap, LOL. I don't mind spending once in a while, but the week before last I didn't make it to the grocery store and ate out everyday. I don't have the money to spend $50-75 on lunch for the week! Yikes!)

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Nothing wrong with that at all. Detroit is probably about the only major American city in the country that lacks quick/cheap food options in its CBD, which is unfortunate.

And quite frankly, the fact is every typical person occasionally craves a Double Quarter Pounder or a Whopper. When these cravings come about, it would certainly be nice to not have to get in a car and take a 10-15 minute drive to Chrysler/Mack or Canfield/Woodward to get one.

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Originally Posted by 313WX

I wouldn't object to a restaurant like Burger King, Wendy's or McDonald's.

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I totally agree!

Right now in the CBD your only option is to go to the RenCen which is so far away from all the action for some folks.

Some of the recent renos at McD's and Wendy's are quite impressive for fast food - fireplaces, nicer seating, flat screens, etc. You're likely to have fewer screaming kids in a CBD location as well. Hate to say it but homeless can be issue.

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Originally Posted by 313WX

Nothing wrong with that at all. Detroit is probably about the only major American city in the country that lacks quick/cheap food options in its CBD, which is unfortunate.

And quite frankly, the fact is every typical person occasionally craves a Double Quarter Pounder or a Whopper. When these cravings come about, it would certainly be nice to not have to get in a car and take a 10-15 minute drive to Chrysler/Mack or Canfield/Woodward to get one.

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I really can't tell whether or not you're serious.

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Originally Posted by iheartthed

I really can't tell whether or not you're serious.

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I guess that's a problem you will have to work out on your own then.

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Originally Posted by Gpwrangler

Lunch at Wendy's or McDonald's is $8. Hardly cheap, and it sucks.

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if you are spending $8 at those places you are eating too much

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Originally Posted by Gpwrangler

Lunch at Wendy's or McDonald's is $8. Hardly cheap, and it sucks.

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Hopefully you're not leaving a tip. Wendy's is a bit more expensive than McDo but they're still cheaper than an 'eating out' place for lunch.

I do like the idea of a McDonald's in this location. Like it or not, every major city has fast food in its downtown, and its a huge foot-traffic draw.

A good fast-casual like Chipotle would be another great option.

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Originally Posted by 313WX

Nothing wrong with that at all. Detroit is probably about the only major American city in the country that lacks quick/cheap food options in its CBD, which is unfortunate.

And quite frankly, the fact is every typical person occasionally craves a Double Quarter Pounder or a Whopper. When these cravings come about, it would certainly be nice to not have to get in a car and take a 10-15 minute drive to Chrysler/Mack or Canfield/Woodward to get one.

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..or walking three blocks to the Ren Cen? I mean after eating a double quarter pounder or whopper meal, walking might be a good thing. will the Campus Martius McDs need on site parking and a drive thru too? #thestruggleisreal #sterlingheightsyes!

Guess I got the $5 off on my Olga Reward card just in time.

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Originally Posted by bailey

..or walking three blocks to the Ren Cen? I mean after eating a double quarter pounder or whopper meal, walking might be a good thing. will the Campus Martius McDs need on site parking and a drive thru too? #thestruggleisreal #sterlingheightsyes!

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While I agree we all need to be walking more, lunch times are coveted and enjoyed by office professionals. Those "three blocks" can add up to 40 minutes just walking to and from. Some people don't have 40 minutes. No one who works along Griswold or around CM are gonna walk down to Wooward, across the Nile that is Jefferson, walk up to the RenCen, down into the food court and probably wait in a line filled with GM workers. It's not like the MCDo in the RenCen is right on the corner of Jefferson and Randolph it's in the belly of the beast.

A fast food chain, despite it being a fast food chain, would work well there. It could even service hotel stayers at the Book Cadillac and the David Whitney.

This discussion of fast food might all be silly anyway. Knowing Gilbert's penchant for "unique businesses" I'm not sure a McDonald's would even be in the picture.

A Wendy's in this spot would be awesome.

I don't mind going to the Ren Cen, but it does eat up a lot of time.

I don't feel like there are many quick, cheap options downtown - and, yes, I am aware of all of the restaurants and food trucks [[yuck) that are in the CBD.

1953

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Originally Posted by 1953

A Wendy's in this spot would be awesome.

I don't mind going to the Ren Cen, but it does eat up a lot of time.

I don't feel like there are many quick, cheap options downtown - and, yes, I am aware of all of the restaurants and food trucks [[yuck) that are in the CBD.

1953

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At a min it would have to be a fast casual chain. Any fast food place wouldn't require the amount of dining/kitchen space that currently exists. It's also too prime of a location and will be next to the new hudsons whatever that ends up being. And thankfully those realities are a good thing.

take a look at freshii and 7 greens. Those are what the millennial office crowd craves and support, including myself. I don't eat fast food and frankly it's looked down on these days. American and Lafayette are go to for down and dirty cheap lunch eats

I've got it. A Chick-fil-A. People would drive there just to eat it. [[I know someone who drives about 45 minutes to OU a few times a year to eat at the one there.)

I'm part of the millenial office crowd, and I don't want to eat at Freshii - I think on principle alone, since everyone keeps saying, "Oh, there's lots of fast casual downtown; have you tried Freshii?"

1953

PS: I know its not kosher to say this and love Detroit, but all of the Coney's downtown are gross. I want a National or a Leo's please.

My favorite places for lunch in the CBD are:

Potbelly
Which Wich
Carnival [[get the Ultimate Taco)
Bagger Daves
Bellacinos

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Originally Posted by dtowncitylover

While I agree we all need to be walking more, lunch times are coveted and enjoyed by office professionals. Those "three blocks" can add up to 40 minutes just walking to and from. Some people don't have 40 minutes. No one who works along Griswold or around CM are gonna walk down to Wooward, across the Nile that is Jefferson, walk up to the RenCen, down into the food court and probably wait in a line filled with GM workers. It's not like the MCDo in the RenCen is right on the corner of Jefferson and Randolph it's in the belly of the beast.

A fast food chain, despite it being a fast food chain, would work well there. It could even service hotel stayers at the Book Cadillac and the David Whitney.

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Yeah, I guess if they are a regular connoisseur of McDonald's cuisine then it might take 20 minutes to walk 3 blocks. A normal person in good health can walk a mile in 20 minutes at a walking pace.

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Originally Posted by iheartthed

Yeah, I guess if they are a regular connoisseur of McDonald's cuisine then it might take 20 minutes to walk 3 blocks. A normal person in good health can walk a mile in 20 minutes at a walking pace.

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If you're walking around a track with no distractions perhaps, but in a city with blocks, lights, traffic, and Jefferson Avenue that many people do in two stops, getting to the RenCen from CM can take a bit longer. Google Maps says 11, but I'll guess 15 this time. Going to get McDo there is not worth it.

And a previous poster was right, Gilbert will not be looking for McDonald's. Chick-Fil-A would be good, but would that be controversial? How about Steak Shack? Or perhaps a Steak n Shake?

Walking to McDonalds at the RenCen doesn't have to be as difficult as it seems. There's this place called the Millendar Center, with an escalator that takes you up to the 2nd floor, where you'll find a pedestrian bridge that takes you over Jefferson and directly into our Car Palace. And then more escalators to take you down to the cafeteria!

Of course, I don't eat at the McD's, but there is Salsarita's down there. :o

There is a lack of sushi, in not just the CBD, but the city of Detroit as a whole. There are literally five sushi bars, not sure why I am even counting Shangri-la, Wah Hoo or Fishbones in the city, which are not traditional sushi bars.

When I worked downtown, I brown-bagged and played Euchre with my fellow BBers.

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Originally Posted by dtowncitylover

If you're walking around a track with no distractions perhaps, but in a city with blocks, lights, traffic, and Jefferson Avenue that many people do in two stops, getting to the RenCen from CM can take a bit longer. Google Maps says 11, but I'll guess 15 this time. Going to get McDo there is not worth it.

And a previous poster was right, Gilbert will not be looking for McDonald's. Chick-Fil-A would be good, but would that be controversial? How about Steak Shack? Or perhaps a Steak n Shake?

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I can walk a mile in midtown Manhattan in less than 20 minutes. In Detroit I have walked from Comerica Park to Selden Standard in 20 minutes.

Gilbert will probably want a Chipotle or something yuppie-focused for that location. The sales for McDonalds and other traditional fast food outlets have been in the crapper for the past year or so. Not sure why downtown Detroit would be chasing an outdated fad.

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Originally Posted by iheartthed

I can walk a mile in midtown Manhattan in less than 20 minutes. In Detroit I have walked from Comerica Park to Selden Standard in 20 minutes.

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Good for you. Some people aren't fast walkers.

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Originally Posted by dtowncitylover

Good for you. Some people aren't fast walkers.

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Some people aren't slow walkers, either. That has nothing to do with why it would take most people 20 minutes to walk three blocks.

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Originally Posted by iheartthed

Some people aren't slow walkers, either. That has nothing to do with why it would take most people 20 minutes to walk three blocks.

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CM to RenCen is not three blocks, at most it's 7-8. Congress, Larned, Jefferson, Bates, Randolph, Brush, crossing Jefferson, up to the doors, then the trek down into the food court.

I would favor additional fast food options in the CBD, but not in a prominent location like the One Campus Martius Building...unless it was a 'distinctive' fast food place such as Chick-fil-a, Shake Shack, etc.

Please remember that not everyone starts their lunchtime walk at Campus Martius. I've been walking 10 minutes already when I get to Campus Martius, so the Ren Cen eats up quite a bit of my lunch - and I'm sure I walk much faster than the average person.

You have to admit it's pretty ironic that the CBD has way more pedestrian traffic now than in the late 70's & early 80's when there were fast food franchises there.

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Originally Posted by 401don

You have to admit it's pretty ironic that the CBD has way more pedestrian traffic now than in the late 70's & early 80's when there were fast food franchises there.

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The opposite is obviously true. There was far more pedestrian traffic in the late 70's and early 80's, when Hudson was still open, when Woodward was still a retail center, when bus ridership was twice today's number, and when the downtown streetscape was much more intact.

The blocks between Woodward and Washington Blvd. were still relatively crowded with shoppers until the early 1990's or so.

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Originally Posted by sturge

My favorite places for lunch in the CBD are:

Potbelly
Which Wich
Carnival [[get the Ultimate Taco)
Bagger Daves
Bellacinos

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Mine are:

Al-Karar
Hot Taco
Bucharest Grill
WaLa
Jose's Tacos

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Originally Posted by masterblaster

Mine are:

Al-Karar
Hot Taco
Bucharest Grill
WaLa
Jose's Tacos

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i've checked out all of these, and based on the list i've come to the conclusion that you sir/m'am are a fat pig :cool:

you're basically consuming burritos, falafel and pasties

If Detroit aspires to be world-class they need one of these [[just not next to any Chinese Restaurants):

http://www.google.ca/url?sa=t&rct=j&...02537793,d.aWw

Any Mouse mousse on the menu?