Location? Right in the heart of the city of Detroit.
Are you expecting to see a seagoing vessel like this? Filled with fun-loving folks?
Well...sorry to disappoint you. This is a land-based facility about a mile from the water – Detroit River. Half, part of USA, the other, part of Canada. Truly an international organization.
As we parked the car, saw the “special" side entrance.
Ahh...3L, you ask. What is that all about?
Simply:
- Life
- Love
- Laughs
- Labor of love
- Longevity – over 100 years in the same location.
- Loyalty Same family ownership and generation of loyal patrons.
The Ivanhoe Cafe was founded in 1909 by Stanislaus Grendzinski who had eight children, one who was named Agnes. Agnes married Stanley Sienkiewicz in 1927 and ran the bar for 60 years. Big John Sobczak took over the helm in 1987, and is now owned by his wife, Lucille, and is managed by their daughter, Patti Galen.
Currently, Patti is helped by her husband, Bill, and longtime friend, Tina. Still in the original building on Joseph Campau and Frederick St. The building bears the Grendzinski name. In what remains of the old Poletown neighborhood, this small working class bar with great food prepared with all fresh ingredients, modest prices and excellent service is a Detroit institution that has defied the odds.
Some photos of recognizable people hang on the walls of the Ivanhoe include Sonny Elliot the weatherman, Phyliss Diller, Dick Purtan, Ray Lane, Xavier Hollander and others. Even Henry Ford first, who started Ford Piquette plant nearby in 1904. Have they been there? Maybe?
The Ford Piquette Avenue Plant - Birthplace of the Model T
http://www.fordpiquetteavenueplant.org/history-of-the-model-t-factory/
The Polish Yacht Club, which is part of the Ivanhoe’s heritage, was founded in 1961. “Big John” Sobczak who passed away in 1994, was the force behind the Polish Yacht Club. PYC was formed to provide some of the “regulars” with a reason to attend monthly meetings at the bar. You don’t need a boat to be a member, though. At one time during its existence, members asked the Detroit City Council to dig a canal from the Detroit River to the Ivanhoe so they could have dockage space near the bar.
The logo for the PYC features a sailboat with PYC on the sail, and a boat that looks familiarly like kielbasa. I was told the use of the sausage may have come from a local comedian, Soupy Sales. He was on TV in the 1950s, with lunchtime show for those of us lucky enough to live near the school.
Soupy also had a night show @ 11 p.m. With some double meaning jokes. Many skits, with one involving a gambler on the ship S.S Kielbasa.
The tongue in cheek group is “dedicated to clear sailing for good deeds” and conducts fund raisers for local charities.
As we walk into building, find it well decorated with memorabilia that probably covers the over 100 years of service to the community.
The building seems to be divided into 4 quadrants. The first being, the bar area, as we walk in. Also places to eat either at bar or a few tables.
As we pass thru the archway into the next visible large room, see some empty tables. Thru another archway to our right note a full room of happy folks who had their fill of today’s menu. Mostly a variety of fish and Polish dumplings and sausage aka “kielbasa.”
This conversation leads us to the 3 L – Life, Love & Laughs. We find out they were neighbors as children living in Milwaukee.
He was a high school basketball player and she his best friend. LIFE events led them apart. Many years later, they met again during a meeting of a club called the old-timers. Both were interested in whether the other might show up. He looked for her at first event. She wasn’t there. She went the next event – he wasn't there. Third time was a charm. She was a widow, and he was not interested in “losing” her again. They have been now married for 21 years. LOVE lasts
We went on chatting for over an hour sharing stories. Many LAUGHS.
We both left the building and headed home. When I got home, realized I left my hat near the chair I sat on. I called back, but no hat yet found.
On Tuesday, the next open day (closed Sat., Sun. & Mon.) we drove there thru the falling snow. Brrr. Cold. Around 15 degrees. Going back to PYC to get my hat was a great excuse to enjoy the food, folks and fun.
We get inside and find the furnace boiler stopped working Friday night. Repair not completed until Tuesday morning. The building a bit chilly, but warm vibes still there from prior visit.
Bill sat at the bar with his gloves on while reading the newspaper. He says – all OK with boiler. Now have to get the cold building back to cozy temps.
The Polish Yacht Club adventure was fantastic. So was the food. I had pan fried perch and polish dumplings both times. Carol had a Reuben sandwich Friday. Polish dumplings (pierogi) this time. All food prepared onsite.
Also ample serving of coleslaw, pickles and peppers were yummy.
We plan to come back and get regaled with more stories.
As we were leaving, asked our 3 hosts – Patti, Bill and Tina, what highlight did they want to share with us?
The next 3 L. The place has been a family LABOR of Love.
LONGEVITY for over a hundred years. Same place even though many homes in the neighborhood a now gone.
LOYALTY from generational customers, who remember coming as a kid to eat, They then brought their own kids. Now, some have also brought the grandkids. Truly remarkable.
Here are some other online details:
https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g42139-d4072530-r160507546-Ivanhoe_s_cafe-Detroit_Michigan.html
Ivanhoe Cafe aka the "Polish Yacht Club"
5249 Joseph Campau St, Detroit, MI 48211-2860
+1 313-925-5335
This little place looks like a speakeasy from the old days. In a very run down and deserted section of Poletown in Detroit, it's an oasis in the desert. Although they serve delicious Polish food, they are known for their perch. There are various dining rooms in this old building, and each one makes you feel you are back in your Grandma's kitchen. There's not a drop of water near this place, hence the nickname the Polish Yacht Club. Grilled kielbasa is the best, great sauerkraut and pierogis too. Full service bar. Monitored parking. Closed Sunday, Monday and Saturday. Open only to three in the afternoon, until seven on Friday.
For more photos for Ivanhoe Cafe - Polish Yacht Club.
https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/ivanhoe-cafe-polish-yacht-club-detroit
As we were leaving, asked our 3 hosts – Patti, Bill and Tina, what highlight did they want to share with us?
The next 3 L. The place has been a family LABOR of Love.
LONGEVITY for over a hundred years. Same place even though many homes in the neighborhood a now gone.
LOYALTY from generational customers, who remember coming as a kid to eat, They then brought their own kids. Now, some have also brought the grandkids. Truly remarkable.
Here are some other online details:
https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g42139-d4072530-r160507546-Ivanhoe_s_cafe-Detroit_Michigan.html
Ivanhoe Cafe aka the "Polish Yacht Club"
5249 Joseph Campau St, Detroit, MI 48211-2860
+1 313-925-5335
This little place looks like a speakeasy from the old days. In a very run down and deserted section of Poletown in Detroit, it's an oasis in the desert. Although they serve delicious Polish food, they are known for their perch. There are various dining rooms in this old building, and each one makes you feel you are back in your Grandma's kitchen. There's not a drop of water near this place, hence the nickname the Polish Yacht Club. Grilled kielbasa is the best, great sauerkraut and pierogis too. Full service bar. Monitored parking. Closed Sunday, Monday and Saturday. Open only to three in the afternoon, until seven on Friday.
For more photos for Ivanhoe Cafe - Polish Yacht Club.
https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/ivanhoe-cafe-polish-yacht-club-detroit
