Taco Bell Harper/ Whittier

**softailrider** · August-02-12, 02:33 PM

Went by there today and noticed it was scraped clean. Anybody know why they tore it down? It was usually pretty busy at lunch time and the building seemed like it was in good shape.

**GPCharles** · August-02-12, 02:43 PM

Agreed - it disappeared in one big hurry!

**milt721** · August-02-12, 02:46 PM

The Taco Bell at Gratiot and Jane also closed within the past two weeks. Still standing, though.

**313WX** · August-02-12, 02:52 PM

Something stunk about those locations apparently. Either the workers weren't doing their jobs in keeping the place up to code [[a huge problem in many Detroit commercial establishments actually, the lack of good workers) or they weren't bringing in enough money.

The Burger King and Subway [[formerly KFC) down the street from the Taco Bell on Gratiot closed recently as well.

Then again, I remember hearing a few years ago that if things in Detroit didn't improve, Yum!!! Brands would close all of their Detroit stores. I'm not sure if that has anything to do with what happened with these locations now.

EDIT: BTW, fast food is another thing I avoid getting in the city. I will travel a few miles out of my way into the suburbs, because I know the service and food [[by chain restaurant standards) will be better.

**jpbollma** · August-02-12, 03:01 PM

Originally Posted by 313WX

Something stunk about those locations apparently. Either the workers weren't doing their jobs in keeping the place up to code [[a huge problem in many Detroit commercial establishments actually, the lack of good workers) or they weren't bringing in enough money.

The Burger King and Subway [[formerly KFC) down the street from the Taco Bell on Gratiot closed recently as well.

Then again, I remember hearing a few years ago that if things in Detroit didn't improve, Yum!!! Brands would close all of their Detroit stores. I'm not sure if that has anything to do with what happened with these locations now.

EDIT: BTW, fast food is another thing I avoid getting in the city. I will travel a few miles out of my way into the suburbs, because I know the service and food [[by chain restaurant standards) will be better.

Geesh, pretty bad when a fast food joint can't even be kept open anymore...

**MidTownMs** · August-02-12, 03:09 PM

Originally Posted by 313WX

Something stunk about those locations apparently. Either the workers weren't doing their jobs in keeping the place up to code [[a huge problem in many Detroit commercial establishments actually, the lack of good workers) or they weren't bringing in enough money.

The Burger King and Subway [[formerly KFC) down the street from the Taco Bell on Gratiot closed recently as well.

Then again, I remember hearing a few years ago that if things in Detroit didn't improve, Yum!!! Brands would close all of their Detroit stores. I'm not sure if that has anything to do with what happened with these locations now.

EDIT: BTW, fast food is another thing I avoid getting in the city. I will travel a few miles out of my way into the suburbs, because I know the service and food [[by chain restaurant standards) will be better.

When I was in line at a KFC on the Eastside a couple of years ago the woman who was making the fries ran out of the store when one of her acrylic nails fell in the grease. When the boss came out and asked where she went one of the customers said "Her nail fell in the grease I guess she went next door to the nail place to get a new one." When the boss said "Who ordered the fries?" Everyone in line said "not me." Ok granted the food might be bad and the service worse at fast food places but the entertainment you get is priceless. Example: I was in a Burger King when a guy asked for a Big Mac...the woman behind the counter put her hand on her hip and said "Fool this ain't McDonald's" the guy said "Damn" and ran out. Where's the camera when you need one?

**rb336** · August-02-12, 08:07 PM

Originally Posted by MidTownMs

When I was in line at a KFC on the Eastside a couple of years ago the woman who was making the fries ran out of the store when one of her acrylic nails fell in the grease. When the boss came out and asked where she went one of the customers said "Her nail fell in the grease I guess she went next door to the nail place to get a new one." When the boss said "Who ordered the fries?" Everyone in line said "not me." Ok granted the food might be bad and the service worse at fast food places but the entertainment you get is priceless. Example: I was in a Burger King when a guy asked for a Big Mac...the woman behind the counter put her hand on her hip and said "Fool this ain't McDonald's" the guy said "Damn" and ran out. Where's the camera when you need one?

I remember many years ago, it was against health department code to have artificial nails

**Zacha341** · August-03-12, 06:21 AM

I detest germ/ grit harboring artificial nails around food. Impossible to keep clean, even with very good hand washing. I was with a friend at a nail salon while she was getting them and I was making small talk with the nail tech about having some added to my nails [[something I've never done) and he was like 'No, you keep your natural nails - it's better!'.

What? Even the nail place knows those fake nail things are not good. Problems with the nail bed always happen over time and yes there was a time when you could not have them in food service or in hospitals... They are nasty.

Originally Posted by rb336

I remember many years ago, it was against health department code to have artificial nails

**scottn55** · August-02-12, 04:28 PM

Originally Posted by 313WX

Something stunk about those locations apparently. Either the workers weren't doing their jobs in keeping the place up to code [[a huge problem in many Detroit commercial establishments actually, the lack of good workers) or they weren't bringing in enough money.

The Burger King and Subway [[formerly KFC) down the street from the Taco Bell on Gratiot closed recently as well.

Then again, I remember hearing a few years ago that if things in Detroit didn't improve, Yum!!! Brands would close all of their Detroit stores. I'm not sure if that has anything to do with what happened with these locations now.

EDIT: BTW, fast food is another thing I avoid getting in the city. I will travel a few miles out of my way into the suburbs, because I know the service and food [[by chain restaurant standards) will be better.

One notable exception would be the White Castle at Michigan and Rosa Parks. By far the best in the area!

Shollin · August-02-12, 03:05 PM

I'm not sure about this place, but I've seen some Taco Bell's and McDonalds being torn down and rebuilt with different styled buildings. Are you sure this one is closed and not being rebuilt?

**313WX** · August-02-12, 03:08 PM

Originally Posted by Shollin

I'm not sure about this place, but I've seen some Taco Bell's and McDonalds being torn down and rebuilt with different styled buildings. Are you sure this one is closed and not being rebuilt?

I doubt it.

I don't think they would take down the sign if that were the case, and would put up a "closed for remodeling" sign.

That said, either a Dunkin Donuts/Baskin Robbins or Tim Hortons is opening at the corner of French Road and Gratiot. That's interesting news considering all of the closures taking place just up Gratiot.

**Detroitej72** · August-03-12, 07:17 AM

Originally Posted by 313WX

I doubt it.

I don't think they would take down the sign if that were the case, and would put up a "closed for remodeling" sign.

Not necessarily. The McDonald's at 15 Mile and Van Dyke has been torn down with the signs, and they are rebuilding it.

I wouldn't be surprised if this Taco Bell is just rebuilt. It was very busy every time I went there, especially late at night.

**mtburb** · August-03-12, 02:51 PM

Originally Posted by Patrick

Yea, seems like they are rebuilding the "Golden Arches" across the country because they have the same exact design going up here in Arlington, VA.

The same can be said for suburban Detroit because I used the drive-thru of a McDonald's near the soon-to-dissapear Lincoln Park Shopping Center that was rebuilt into that design while returning from the Henry Ford Museum on Tuesday. Here's what it looked like before and here it is now:

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Originally Posted by 313WX

I don't think they would take down the sign if that were the case, and would put up a "closed for remodeling" sign.

Well, speaking of that, the Dunkin Donuts here in Wyandotte on Eureka has gotten both an exterior and interior facelift sometime last year even though the building wasn't torn down because it's in a strip mall. Here's what it looked like before. The newspaper boxes were also moved.

It looks like that the Harper and Whittier Taco Bell is of a design that was used back in the 1970's when the chain really took off. There is a former Taco Bell on Eureka and James Street in Southgate that is also of this design [[it's now a Middle Eastern restaurant).

**milt721** · August-02-12, 03:06 PM

Not to get too far off topic [[too late), but further down Gratiot [[across from the Faygo plant) I thought it was odd how the Sunoco, Gratiot Tires and Service and White Castle all closed at the same time.

**313WX** · August-02-12, 03:18 PM

Originally Posted by milt721

Not to get too far off topic [[too late), but further down Gratiot [[across from the Faygo plant) I thought it was odd how the Sunoco, Gratiot Tires and Service and White Castle all closed at the same time.

Good observation.

They demolished that White Castle too.

Shollin · August-02-12, 03:16 PM

I remember going through the drive at McDonalds at 7 and Gratiot a long time ago and this woman was flirting with another guy working there. She handed me my food and closed the window and continued hugging the strapping young lad. The only thing is, you never took my cash and had no interest in taking it. If that wasn't bad enough, it happened twice at that place.

**313WX** · August-02-12, 03:21 PM

Originally Posted by Shollin

I remember going through the drive at McDonalds at 7 and Gratiot a long time ago and this woman was flirting with another guy working there. She handed me my food and closed the window and continued hugging the strapping young lad. The only thing is, you never took my cash and had no interest in taking it. If that wasn't bad enough, it happened twice at that place.

You know, I actually don't mind the McDonalds on 7 Mile and Gratiot. Beside the McDonalds on Chrysler and Mack, it's easily my favorite one in the city. The place is clean, the workers seem to be decent [[mostly high school and college) and considering how busy the location is, it's faster than a lot of the McDonalds I've been to in the suburbs.

Shollin · August-02-12, 03:23 PM

Originally Posted by 313WX

You know, I actually don't mind the McDonalds on 7 Mile and Gratiot. Beside the McDonalds on Chrysler and Mack, it's easily my favorite one in the city. The place is clean, the workers seem to be decent [[mostly high school and college) and considering how busy the location is, it's faster than a lot of the McDonalds I've been to in the suburbs.

This was back in the early 90's when this happened. I liked the place to. I got free food twice.

**313WX** · August-02-12, 03:25 PM

Originally Posted by Shollin

This was back in the early 90's when this happened. I liked the place to. I got free food twice.

Oh yeah, it has definitely improved since then.

**jpbollma** · August-02-12, 03:56 PM

Yeah, businesses can't really stay open when they are unsanitary and give things away for free. lol, people really blow my mind. If I were a manager at some of these places I would be on a firing frenzy [[and then likely get shot at).The first and only time I hit a White Castle in the city they didn't give me a straw. I drove back through and asked for a straw and the girl said to me "god damn can't you just pop the lid?" Really?!

**Hypestyles** · August-02-12, 04:00 PM

..more family restaurants needed in the city..

**Kathleen** · August-02-12, 04:11 PM

Originally Posted by softailrider

Went by there today and noticed it was scraped clean. Anybody know why they tore it down? It was usually pretty busy at lunch time and the building seemed like it was in good shape.

Wow!! I will have to share that news with my family as we used to live a block away from there.

IIRC, that Taco Bell was the first one built on Detroit's east side, maybe even within the whole city. That would be around 1975-76. [[We first tasted Taco Bell in 1974 over in Ypsilanti and were very happy when they built one near our house!)

**p69rrh51** · August-02-12, 04:59 PM

With all the closings the world is coming to an end for many Grosse Pointers! Images of the McDonalds at Mack and Canyon. Looks like they are almost ready to open.

**Kathleen** · August-02-12, 05:15 PM

Originally Posted by p69rrh51

With all the closings the world is coming to an end for many Grosse Pointers! Images of the McDonalds at Mack and Canyon. Looks like they are almost ready to open.

Looks a lot nicer that the other GP fast food joint...the Wendy's on Mack near Kirby. I think that one started out as a Burger Chef and has lived through several incarnations since.

**p69rrh51** · August-02-12, 05:49 PM

Originally Posted by Kathleen

Looks a lot nicer that the other GP fast food joint...the Wendy's on Mack near Kirby. I think that one started out as a Burger Chef and has lived through several incarnations since.

I agree with you but the Wendy's is approaching 35 and it shows. Besides Burger Chef it was a Hardee's until Wendy's purchased the group that owned quite a few Hardee's in the Detroit area.