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.