Mudgie's on the move

[Rocko]

From the Detroit News, "The Home Newspaper"

December 14. 2010 5:27PM
Mudgie's Deli moving downtown from Corktown

Melody Baetens / The Detroit News

Favored Corktown soup and sandwich joint Mudgie's Deli has announced plans to move to a more accessible location downtown in February 2011.

The new address will be 1260 Library Street, next door to Vincente's Cuban Cuisine and near the former location of Café De Troit.

Mudgie's Deli — which is a popular lunch spot because of its infinite options, huge portions and high-quality, locally produced ingredients — announced the move Tuesday on the restaurant's website and Facebook page. The news was met with mixed emotions from customers.

"A lot of people are sad and upset, and I'm equally sad in my own right because I've been there for a long time," says Greg Mudge, Mudgie's owner and operator. He began working in the Corktown location as an employee when it was Eph McNally's.

Nearly three years ago, Eph McNally's moved to 608 Woodward and Mudgie's popped up in its place soon after. Eph's downtown location has since closed.

While Mudgie's Corktown locale, at 1300 Porter St. in Detroit, has easy parking and a cozy atmosphere, the new spot is walkable from the Foxtown, Campus Martius and Greektown areas. There also is a People Mover station just across the street. The new spot also has a larger kitchen, although Mudge says the menu won't expand immediately.

"If they keep up the great work, I'll keep visiting," says customer Jim Piana of Ferndale. "I'm sure I'll visit just as often to the downtown location. To me, it's worth whatever parking might cost to support a locally owned restaurant like this where service and quality is the focus."Like with any changes to an area favorite, not everyone is happy.

"Mudgie's moving will be an inconvenience for me and my co-workers from Wayne State. I already pay for parking at work, so paying twice in the same day is less than desirable," says Grosse Pointe Woods resident Kristine Theobald.

mbaetens@detnews.com
[[313) 222-2402


From The Detroit News: http://detnews.com/article/20101214/ENT03/12140431/Mudgie’s-Deli-moving-downtown-from-Corktown#ixzz189FXhIRx


And the same story, slightly different angle from today's Model D:

Mudgie's Deli headed Downtown...but there's good news for Corktown's dining scene in store for 2011

Tuesday, December 14, 2010



Enlarge




For three years Mudgie's Deli has bustled at 1300 Porter, the Corktown space that was previously occupied by Eph McNally's for years. Owner Greg Mudge -- an erstwhile Eph's server -- has now made the decision to move his operation Downtown to 1260 Library St., next-door to Vincente's Cuban Cuisine, to "better serve his customers," many who work in the Central Business District, he says.

The new space will seat approximately the same number of people [[think 35) and, at least for now, will offer the same menu of sandwiches, salads, sides and a couple of daily soups. In the future, Mudge might consider expanding his offerings, since the Library St. kitchen is larger than the one he currently works in. "For now, it will be the exact same format, new place," he says.

The move to Downtown is a done deal -- plans are for it to go down in February -- but Mudge does allow for the possibility of continuing to operate the Corktown location as well -- if some improvements are made to the space. "I hate to leave, I've become attached to this little corner," he says.

While the loss of a neighborhood restaurant never tastes pleasant, 2011 promises to be palatable to Corktowners for a handful of reasons, including:

• Odds are looking good that Jerry Belanger of Park Bar fame will be the new proud owner of Bailie Corcaigh, located at the corner of Bagley and Trumbull. The bar and restaurant is yet to be named and the format is not yet determined, but there is good reason to believe that it won't be lousy;
• A coney island/diner is getting ready to open at The Corner of Michigan and Trumbull;
• An Italian/pizza spot is headed to the former pawn shop at Michigan and Eighth;
• Burgers are planned for the Mercury Bar space at Michigan and 14th; and
• Classic cocktails will be pouring from Sugar House Bar, opening soon at 2130 Michigan Ave.

That's quite a bit of action in one small area that, of course, we promise to cover meticulously in the new year.

Source: Greg Mudge, Mudgie's Deli
Writer: Kelli B. Kavanaugh

http://www.modeldmedia.com/devnews/mudgiesDT121410.aspx


I really like their little neighborhood location in Corktown, and while there's no doubt in my mind I'd continue to eat at their downtown location if it's all they have, I don't think it'll have the same streetcorner charm that the Porter Street location does.

Side note, the new location is to be in the building getting the facade treatment on Library that someone posted about here maybe a month or two ago....which I can't put my finger on right at the moment. A Mudgie's at this location ought to improve the foot traffic on this block. A nearby People Mover stop should also be a plus.

[adamjab19]

He should keep both open, but it seems liek there are building issues from the one line in the story??

[Gannon]

I SURE hope that building is in the hands of a different owner than Cafe had to deal with, he was not a good person.

Glad to hear Greg Mudge and his team are doing well, he is one of my heroes downtown.

VERY exciting to hear about Baile Corcaigh's building being used by another of my favorite people...Jerry is a great guy and a good businessperson...and even better citizen and neighbor.

EVERY time anyone was in need downtown, Jerry was able to help in some way...usually MAJOR. From tools, to labor [[he helped sandblast the front of a friend's building during the wintertime, OVERNIGHT because the city was charging too great a fee to close down a road lane during the daytime!), to encouragement and advice.


Cheers, good news all around.

[smogboy]

I'm for hoping he can open the new location AND keep the existing one going. I love the Corktown location Mudgie's [[just had dinner there earlier) and its charm. If the new police station opens up in the old casino, they could seriously be bustling with business from them. Beyond the fact that Mudgie's is really a super nice addition to the neighborhood, hearing about these small shops doing well and thriving in the city is great.

[preserve]

I, too, wish he could keep both locations going. But I am looking forward to all the new places on target for next year in the area. As long as he keeps evening and weekend hours
downtown when parking isn't an issue, I'll continue to patronize, but, no more lunches.

[Pcm]

I'm for hoping he can open the new location AND keep the existing one going. I love the Corktown location Mudgie's [[just had dinner there earlier) and its charm. If the new police station opens up in the old casino, they could seriously be bustling with business from them. Beyond the fact that Mudgie's is really a super nice addition to the neighborhood, hearing about these small shops doing well and thriving in the city is great.

It seems to me that having both locations open may be difficult to operate, but would be profitable.

Mudgies in Corktown can be impossible to get into during the week at lunchtime. If both spots were open, it would keep the CBD patrons at the downtown location, while the neighborhood folks eat at the Corktown location. HIGHLY doubt that both would be open, though.

[stromberg2]

Kudos, Greg! But try to keep Corktown open, even if for only lunch.

Stromberg2

[BrushStart]

Looking forward to the downtown location!

[Kathleen]

The Corktown location of Eph's and Mudgie's was a major attraction for me. The small business in a historic neighborhood not far from other historic sites and attractions, including John King Books, was something that I really enjoyed about these two establishments. And I shared that experience with numerous folks visiting our beloved Detroit, as recently as a couple weekends ago.

Never found the new Eph's to be as inviting as the original. Not sure that the new Mudgie's can match what they currently have. Sure, I'll go to the new Library Street location, but maybe not as often, and maybe not with the out-of-towners.

[p1acebo]

The Corktown location of Eph's and Mudgie's was a major attraction for me. The small business in a historic neighborhood not far from other historic sites and attractions, including John King Books, was something that I really enjoyed about these two establishments. And I shared that experience with numerous folks visiting our beloved Detroit, as recently as a couple weekends ago.

Never found the new Eph's to be as inviting as the original. Not sure that the new Mudgie's can match what they currently have. Sure, I'll go to the new Library Street location, but maybe not as often, and maybe not with the out-of-towners.

Why not? They still will have amazing sandwiches!

[DetroitHabitater]

It was always nice to be able to get dinner there until 9pm. Parking downtown sucks in that area. Hopefully a waiter/waitress from Mudgies will open up a restaurant at porter/7th

[DetroitPole]

I really like their little neighborhood location in Corktown, and while there's no doubt in my mind I'd continue to eat at their downtown location if it's all they have, I don't think it'll have the same streetcorner charm that the Porter Street location does.

I agree. It was quite a spot. In addition to the sentimentality I attach to the old location for personal reasons, I like neighborhood places better generally. However more power to him, and at least he isn't moving to the suburbs! [[not that he would do that)

As an aside, I regard ModelD as Detroit's Pravda newspaper. Perhaps soon they can tell us about the Broderick tower condo developments running along smoothly.

[Augustiner]

Parking downtown sucks in that area.

What's so bad about it?

[adamjab19]

According to facebook they will validate at the detroit opera house

[oldredfordette]

Was at Mudgie's today for lunch, Greg confirmed the parking validation.

[erikd]

I SURE hope that building is in the hands of a different owner than Cafe had to deal with, he was not a good person.

Glad to hear Greg Mudge and his team are doing well, he is one of my heroes downtown.

VERY exciting to hear about Baile Corcaigh's building being used by another of my favorite people...Jerry is a great guy and a good businessperson...and even better citizen and neighbor.

EVERY time anyone was in need downtown, Jerry was able to help in some way...usually MAJOR. From tools, to labor [[he helped sandblast the front of a friend's building during the wintertime, OVERNIGHT because the city was charging too great a fee to close down a road lane during the daytime!), to encouragement and advice.


Cheers, good news all around.

From what I know, the building on Library street was sold to new owners, and it is currently undergoing a complete gut and rehab, with a new facade and completely remodeled interior.

[Thruster315]

Was at Mudgie's today for lunch, Greg confirmed the parking validation.

Minor inconvenience for a great meal in my estimation.

But there's still something to be said for the Corktown neighborhood Mudgie's. Granted I say that now prior to the new one being built, but atmospherically one is in an established neighborhood and the new Mudgie's is going to be in a business corridor. They almost seem to serve two different markets [[and they should because I can't speak highly enough of their food) and I still have hope they can maintain two locations.

[Rocko]

Full facade treatment is right....I went by on the DPM the other day and the scaffolding goes all the way to the roof with lots of work underway. Looking forward to seeing what they do here, though I'm planning to visit the Corktown location at least a few more times in case they don't stay at the corner of Porter and Brooykyn.

[Rocko]

I saw some brick on the facade from the DPM yesterday, but I can't tell if this is new or if this was a sub-treatment to the old facade. Anyone have any historic photos of this building?

[agrahlma]

I walked by a couple of days ago and all of the scaffoldings have been removed from the front of the building. The only part that is still covered [[on the front of the building) is the ground floor. I'll take some pics and post. If I remember correctly, Mudgie's is supposed to open sometime this month.

[agrahlma]

Progress is being made. There was a crew working until 9:00 last night. Does anyone know if the upper floors are going to be residential

?

[WPitonya]

Wow that looks beautiful! Thank you for the photos!

[313rd]

• Odds are looking good that Jerry Belanger of Park Bar fame will be the new proud owner of Bailie Corcaigh, located at the corner of Bagley and Trumbull. The bar and restaurant is yet to be named and the format is not yet determined, but there is good reason to believe that it won't be lousy;
• A coney island/diner is getting ready to open at The Corner of Michigan and Trumbull;
• An Italian/pizza spot is headed to the former pawn shop at Michigan and Eighth;
• Burgers are planned for the Mercury Bar space at Michigan and 14th; and
• Classic cocktails will be pouring from Sugar House Bar, opening soon at 2130 Michigan Ave.

That's quite a bit of action in one small area that, of course, we promise to cover meticulously in the new year.



So what are progress updates on all the above mentioned "projects"

[Bham1982]

This is a VERY handsome building renovation. The windows in particular look expensive and quality.

Great job!

[lo_to_d]

"Does anyone know if the upper floors are going to be residential?"

No, business offices.