LSAClassOf2000

October 9th, 2012 at 6:16 AM ^

Interesting article about a place that is still much talked about in Detroit despite having been closed for about a decade now - even folks at our headquarters, which are a short walk from where Lindell was, still talk about going there for lunch virtually every day just to see who they could meet. John Butsicaris only died last year at 91 years old actually. 

There was an attempt to bring it back actually - on Elizabeth Lake Road in Waterford. I don't think it was open very long. Certainly not the same when it is about a 45 minute drive from Detroit (more, in bad traffic). 

blueheron

October 9th, 2012 at 6:35 AM ^

I went there a couple of times in the mid-'90s when working nearby and remember thinking that it lived up to the hype. You could feel the Detroit sports history in the place. Also, the "menu" consisted of a small piece of paper with four checkboxes (hamburger, cheeseburger, grilled cheese, and one other item that I can't remember).

TdK71

October 9th, 2012 at 2:41 PM ^

We'd go over to the Lindell AC twice a week for burgers and beers after work. The Detroit sports history oozed from every crevice of the place just like the grease from the burgers.

A great place and I still miss it everytime we head downtown for a sporting event.

jmdblue

October 9th, 2012 at 10:12 AM ^

Other great spots he'd take me to: P-Bell and Old German.  Great places still around that could have been at risk:  Dakota Inn, Polish Yacht Club, Nemo's (probably never really at risk).

French West Indian

October 9th, 2012 at 10:33 AM ^

It's kind of amazing to remember a time when just having AC was such a big deal that it'd draw a crowd.

BlueHills

October 9th, 2012 at 10:58 AM ^

It's an odd feeling to read an article like that; I grew up in Detroit, went to Cass Tech, frequented the Lindell AC, and wrote the background music for the television documentary on Tiger Stadium that aired when they closed it (I'm told it's still being shown at the Detroit Historical Museum).

I feel like ancient history.

 

 

Section 1

October 9th, 2012 at 11:15 AM ^

That this remembrance of the Lindell (I was there; there were few places like it.  I'll always be glad that I saw it for myself) comes out at the same time that we are hearing reports of Alex Karras, the Lindell's most famous patron and one-time part-owner, struggling with very serious illness:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/sns-rt-fbn-lions-newssx26ccba1-20121008,0,2517957.story

 

rob f

October 9th, 2012 at 11:31 AM ^

about Karras.  I had seen something on Mike&Mike early today about him being in such bad health.  Karras was one of the most famous of regulars among Detroit athletes who made the Lindell AC their 2nd home.

I only went there once, it had to be back in the late 80's following a Tiger's win.  We didn't see anyone famous there that day, but then again, that may have been because after several beers and we just couldn't see straight anyway .  The place did "reek" of history, though, no doubt about it.

I try to stop at Nemo's now as often as possible when in town for Tiger games.  Lots and lots of history on those walls.