Soup Kitchen Saloon

**hohoho** · November-19-09, 10:16 PM

I worked there 1979-1981. Many fond memories. Looking to touch base with anyone who use to work there. I was a waiter, bartender and manager. Started right after the infamous murder outside SKS front door in 1978 [[?), helped with the expansion that ushered in era of blues legends from Chicago and elsewhere, not to mention a great lineup of Detroit and Ann Arbor bands. Rocky, Rene, Bruce, Rick, Linda, Julie, Suzanne, Jack, Tom, Mike...are you out there? Ron Jolly
Love to hear from you, or anybody with memories of SKS during that era. Thanks.

**1KielsonDrive** · November-20-09, 01:19 AM

I knew most, if not all, of the people you named. I remember those days and the bands and the whole scene...........Luther, The Urbs, Dick Siegel, Corky Siegel, Little Sonny, Josh White Jr, etc, etc. All the craziness and ......... I still talk to a few people from then.

**Gannon** · November-20-09, 02:30 AM

Missed you by a minute, it seems.

From 1981 to the end of the decade, I was a fixture at the Rivertown Saloon. My friends were the house band.

We would walk down to the Soup Kitchen during breaks, but I don't remember being in there more than six or so times to hear music.

But I did spend some quality time at that joint over on Greenfield...what was it called again? Sully's?! Best night was when I was shuttling the talent for the Detroit Blues Festival at the Fairgrounds, and we spent the entire morning jamming. It got too late and I fell asleep in the van, but those folks partied until dawn.

I can hardly stand to see the Soup Kitchen in its current state, but I'll be moving into that neighborhood soon, so I guess I'll have to get used to it!

Cheers

**Bobl** · November-20-09, 05:19 AM

That was a great venue, in a great area. The reference in a previous post to the Urbations drew a smile here.
What happened to that district was inexcusable. Now, we see that Archer is involved in another gambling scheme, this time in Ohio!

**12468_laing** · November-20-09, 07:34 AM

I didn't work there, but frequented it quite a bit during the time you were there. Loved the music and the chili. One of my favorite places in Detroit!

**ddaydetroit** · November-20-09, 07:40 AM

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.

**Pcm** · November-20-09, 07:47 AM

Originally Posted by Gannon

I can hardly stand to see the Soup Kitchen in its current state, but I'll be moving into that neighborhood soon, so I guess I'll have to get used to it!

If you don't mind me asking, where are you moving to in the Rivertown area? It's, hands down, my favorite area to walk, ride, or drive. I've looked at a couple of places in the area and was let down.

I'd love to hear about your new place.

**mauser** · November-20-09, 11:02 AM

Anybody remember the Switchmatics ? They played a lot at the Kitchen.

**mauser** · November-20-09, 11:03 AM

Originally Posted by Gannon

I can hardly stand to see the Soup Kitchen in its current state, but I'll be moving into that neighborhood soon, so I guess I'll have to get used to it!

Dude, they demolished it after the second arson fire...I think 3 years ago.

**Lowell** · November-20-09, 11:37 AM

Destroyed by the casino shell game. Not Archer's best moment of an otherwise successful administration.

**Gannon** · November-20-09, 11:45 AM

What? Part of the building is still standing, I thought. Back wall falling down...

If that isn't the old Soup Kitchen building, what was it? Same damn corner, I thought, but I might be a block off.

Franklin...

[[I'm not going to discuss my Rivertown project in full until the deal is signed. But soon...so this, ahem, will be my first time self-invoking Skipper's Rule...how ironic, huh Kielson?!)

**Gannon** · November-20-09, 11:48 AM

Heya Mauser, I just looked at Googlemaps satellite view, and the building is still standing at Riopelle at Franklin, just like they used to say on old WJZZ.

Did they more recently tear it down?!

**Lowell** · November-20-09, 11:48 AM

Soup Kitchen is long gone those pictures are from 2003.

**Gannon** · November-20-09, 11:57 AM

Then there is another building on a NW corner with a back wall falling down.

I cruise through there too often...but as I said, I only walked into the SK from the Rivertown Saloon.

**1KielsonDrive** · November-20-09, 12:15 PM

Originally Posted by Gannon

Missed you by a minute, it seems.

From 1981 to the end of the decade, I was a fixture at the Rivertown Saloon. My friends were the house band.

We would walk down to the Soup Kitchen during breaks, but I don't remember being in there more than six or so times to hear music.

But I did spend some quality time at that joint over on Greenfield...what was it called again? Sully's?! Best night was when I was shuttling the talent for the Detroit Blues Festival at the Fairgrounds, and we spent the entire morning jamming. It got too late and I fell asleep in the van, but those folks partied until dawn.

I can hardly stand to see the Soup Kitchen in its current state, but I'll be moving into that neighborhood soon, so I guess I'll have to get used to it!

Cheers

Maybe you missed it Gannon, the Soup has been gone for a long time. The last remains were demolished a few years ago. I know how difficult it is to put things in their proper physical perspective, especially after the dominoes start falling, but the Soup is gone. Thank you, dear Dennis Archer. I was there as they topped it off, so to speak. I have photos of the Rhino and our mutual friend's [[Rivertown co-owner) loft which were left standing for some odd reason. I'll try to post some photos if I'm able to find them.

**1KielsonDrive** · November-20-09, 12:17 PM

Originally Posted by ddaydetroit

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.

I wouldn't doubt that rumour for a minute.

**1KielsonDrive** · November-20-09, 12:18 PM

Originally Posted by mauser

Anybody remember the Switchmatics ? They played a lot at the Kitchen.

Mauser, I've never heard of them. Please elaborate.

**1KielsonDrive** · November-20-09, 12:22 PM

Originally Posted by mauser

Dude, they demolished it after the second arson fire...I think 3 years ago.

That's correct and quite an accurate timetable. But that's why I offered Gannon an out. Sometimes, especially if you're as old as I am, you loose track and perspective of events and places.

**1KielsonDrive** · November-20-09, 12:30 PM

Originally Posted by Gannon

Heya Mauser, I just looked at Googlemaps satellite view, and the building is still standing at Riopelle at Franklin, just like they used to say on old WJZZ.

Did they more recently tear it down?!

Yeah Gannon, you can't rely on satellite photos being current. We demonstrated that in our discussions about Great Lakes Engineering Works, Great Lakes Steel Boat Club and the Edmund Fitzgerald. And, of course, I know it from actual expereince. The Soup has been gone at least three years, if not longer. As I said, I'll post photos of the day they finished tumbling it, if I'm able to find them. I went there, but I didn't get a picture of the last throes. I did take the Rhino, Rivertown Saloon and our mutual friend's loft - all vacant, vandalized and forlorn.

**Lloyd** · November-20-09, 12:33 PM

Spent many good times in the Soup Kitchen. Rocky's son's still live in the Detroit area. He bounced out to California then to Arizona. Here is his website: rockytatarelli.com

ziggyselbin · November-20-09, 01:00 PM

Lowell put it as tactfully as it could be......Archer fucked up. I have fond memories of the area. It was an organic area in that it rose and fell of it's own accord. It may have come back if left alone; we will never know.

Also have great personal musical memories of the Soup Kitchen. And the wonderful Detroit themed photo's that adorned the walls.

**Gannon** · November-20-09, 01:17 PM

I didn't need an out, I needed the correction!

I drive through there often, what is the OTHER building with the falling-down southern wall [[towards the back) on a NW corner within a few blocks of Riopelle and Franklin?

Is THAT the old Rhino building? I thought that was on a SE corner...bigger with an overhand over the door.

Mind you, I never, EVER walked from the Rivertown Saloon anywhere else in that area without a strong buzz. My drink back then was Kamikaze on the rocks. Bartenders at the Saloon would often make it with Cointreau instead of Triple Sec and 100 proof or better vodka for me.

So, yeah, liquid-fuzzied memories from 25-plus years ago might taint my current orientation somewhat!

LOL, and you just GOTTA know that alcohol wasn't the only substance ingested...

**1KielsonDrive** · November-20-09, 01:22 PM

Originally Posted by Gannon

I didn't need an out, I needed the correction!

So, yeah, liquid-fuzzied memories from 25-plus years ago might taint my current orientation somewhat!

LOL, and you just GOTTA know that alcohol wasn't the only substance ingested...

Sorry Gannon, I probably should've said correction instead. That's why I explained, as I did, about time, places and perspectives. It happens to the best of us - and the oldest [[I'm speaking of moi).

**Gannon** · November-20-09, 01:32 PM

I drove by the building with the falling wall less than a week ago.

This has nothing to do with AGE!

I am asking...what building that is STILL STANDING NOW is the one I drive by and lament the falling wall?!

Haikoont · November-20-09, 01:50 PM

Originally Posted by Gannon

I drove by the building with the falling wall less than a week ago.

This has nothing to do with AGE!

I am asking...what building that is STILL STANDING NOW is the one I drive by and lament the falling wall?!

Maybe there is no building there and the government planted that memory in your mind.