Discuss Detroit » Archives - Beginning July 2006 » Mr. FoFos « Previous Next »
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Ed_golick
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Username: Ed_golick

Post Number: 268
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 69.246.55.51
Posted on Thursday, June 22, 2006 - 7:31 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Is Mr. FoFos gone for good, or are they just remodeling?
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Spaceboykelly
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Username: Spaceboykelly

Post Number: 153
Registered: 04-2005
Posted From: 69.246.28.145
Posted on Thursday, June 22, 2006 - 9:10 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

OMG Mr. FoFo's is [possibly] closed? It's been too long since I've been there.
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Viziondetroit
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Username: Viziondetroit

Post Number: 536
Registered: 11-2003
Posted From: 65.42.23.2
Posted on Thursday, June 22, 2006 - 9:23 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I loved getting a "hunk" of cake or one of those thick ass corned beef sandwiches... YUM YUM

I know he ran for city council last year :-D
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Thursdaynext
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Username: Thursdaynext

Post Number: 195
Registered: 04-2006
Posted From: 70.227.206.104
Posted on Thursday, June 22, 2006 - 10:15 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Could someone please tell me where Mr. FoFo's is located?

Back in the very late 80's I worked with a gal who would go there and pick us up corned beef sammys for lunch. I always wanted to make a run there with her but she would tell me I couldn't go because I was "too white to go there"...yes, she was black. She was actually a very, very good friend, but I never knew whether or not she was being serious or just giving me a hard time for the fun it. Still, even though we'd go out for lunch some time, she never would allow me to go there with her. So I still don't know where Mr. Fofo's is, all I do know is that those corned beef sammys were awesome!
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Gannon
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Username: Gannon

Post Number: 5994
Registered: 12-2003
Posted From: 70.236.198.22
Posted on Thursday, June 22, 2006 - 10:19 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I think it is Second Avenue just south of the Boston/Edison district...drive north out of the New Center area and look to your right.
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Gannon
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Username: Gannon

Post Number: 5995
Registered: 12-2003
Posted From: 70.236.198.22
Posted on Thursday, June 22, 2006 - 10:23 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

It was a riot seeing the reactions from all the patrons whenever I'd walk in for some food. Only more powerful racism I'd encountered in a restaurant was at Green's back in the day.


Your workmate might've been protecting her reputation, she was probably sweet on someone working there and didn't want to have to explain her fairer skinned friend.
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Ed_golick
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Username: Ed_golick

Post Number: 269
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 69.246.55.51
Posted on Thursday, June 22, 2006 - 10:25 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

8902 Second Avenue. I work around the corner and down the street from FoFos and never felt out of place because I'm of the caucasian persuasion. I think your friend was pulling your pasty white leg. BTW: Mr. FoFo's phone is disconnected, so it's not looking good
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Ed_golick
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Username: Ed_golick

Post Number: 270
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 69.246.55.51
Posted on Thursday, June 22, 2006 - 10:46 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Every Thanksgiving Otis Lee Knapp, owner of FoFo's, would fill a big truck full of frozen turkeys and pass them out to whoever couldn't afford one. I would see people in new Cadillacs and dressed to the nines pull up for a free turkey, but Otis never questioned anybody and passed out his turkeys with a smile. If FoFo's is indeed out of business, I hope it's because Otis has gone on to bigger and better things.
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Smogboy
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Username: Smogboy

Post Number: 3182
Registered: 11-2004
Posted From: 69.47.100.44
Posted on Thursday, June 22, 2006 - 11:15 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

It's caring neighborhood business people like this that brings a tear to my eye. Thanks for the nice story there, Ed. For the neighborhood's sake I hope the business will remain somehow someway.
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Gannon
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Username: Gannon

Post Number: 6003
Registered: 12-2003
Posted From: 70.236.198.22
Posted on Thursday, June 22, 2006 - 11:31 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I was NEVER mis-treated by any of his employees, EVER.


I need to make that plain and clear...it was the negative reactions of the other patrons...just like at Green's...doggin' on the hungry white boy.
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Fishtoes2000
Member
Username: Fishtoes2000

Post Number: 105
Registered: 06-2005
Posted From: 69.14.26.135
Posted on Thursday, June 22, 2006 - 12:47 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I thought I'd read a sign in the window about remodeling when I rode past a couple weeks ago.
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Ed_golick
Member
Username: Ed_golick

Post Number: 274
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 69.246.55.51
Posted on Thursday, June 22, 2006 - 1:14 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

But you don't shut off the phone for a remodel.
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Gary
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Username: Gary

Post Number: 138
Registered: 02-2004
Posted From: 70.141.180.192
Posted on Thursday, June 22, 2006 - 1:38 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Somebody told me just the other day that Fofo's is moving to a new location, but I can't remember where at the moment. I'm thinking it's in the 8 Mile and Livernois area.
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Downtown_dave
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Username: Downtown_dave

Post Number: 74
Registered: 07-2005
Posted From: 63.77.247.130
Posted on Thursday, June 22, 2006 - 3:56 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

When I (a white guy) lived in New Center, I never had a problem visiting Mr. FoFo's either - by employees or fellow patrons. We were all there for the FOOD. One corned beef and a slice of cake (the mile-high coconut with the fluffy white frosting) was more than enough for two.
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Thursdaynext
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Username: Thursdaynext

Post Number: 205
Registered: 04-2006
Posted From: 70.227.206.104
Posted on Thursday, June 22, 2006 - 4:01 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Curse my friend for being evil and not allowing me to go there with her to pick up our lunch! I would have been all over that mile-high coconut cake had I only known it existed. Perhaps I'll still get my chance once it's confirmed that it's a remodel or move rather than a closed-up-shop...keeping my fingers crossed.
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Ed_golick
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Username: Ed_golick

Post Number: 275
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 69.246.55.51
Posted on Thursday, June 22, 2006 - 4:54 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

The Bread Basket on Woodward north of 6 Mile also makes a mean corned beef sandwich. Just as good as the original Bread Basket on Greenfield in Oak Park.
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Rosedaleken
Member
Username: Rosedaleken

Post Number: 198
Registered: 06-2005
Posted From: 68.43.122.151
Posted on Thursday, June 22, 2006 - 4:56 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Speaking of Corned Beef... what's the name of the big bakery on the corner of Russel and Mack? Had a great sandwich there and fresh baked junk food too.
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Erobtheone
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Username: Erobtheone

Post Number: 34
Registered: 08-2005
Posted From: 65.202.29.180
Posted on Friday, June 23, 2006 - 2:16 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I fondly remember going to FoFo's and the Fish Nook across the street. I would stop at the Fish Nook on my walk from home at West Phalidelphia to my grandmother's house on Clairmont to buy penny candy. I also remember shaking Otis' hand and how big of a deal that was in my little mind at the time. Great place and icon business for that hood.
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Fishtoes2000
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Username: Fishtoes2000

Post Number: 108
Registered: 06-2005
Posted From: 69.14.26.135
Posted on Thursday, June 29, 2006 - 1:20 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

There's a dumpster next to FoFo's...
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Dabirch
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Username: Dabirch

Post Number: 1625
Registered: 06-2004
Posted From: 208.44.117.10
Posted on Thursday, June 29, 2006 - 1:28 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

FoFos building was purchased by Central Detroit Christian Community Development Center (CDC).

They are refurbishing the building, Fofo's will still be a tenant, and they are opening an ice cream store in another portion of the building.

The ice cream place will be similar to the tastee-freeze that they used to run on woodward next to the Rec Center and High School. Similar to the Ben & Jerry's downtown, it is focused on job training skills for neighborhood students.

They actually do a ton of great work -- rehab and new housing, a great rehab of an apartment building on 2nd, and a lot of really good programs.

Lisa Johanon, the head of CDC is one of those unsung, unheralded, heroes that does so many things for so many people, and never crows or tries to make a name for herself.

we really need more like her.
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Fishtoes2000
Member
Username: Fishtoes2000

Post Number: 109
Registered: 06-2005
Posted From: 69.14.26.135
Posted on Thursday, June 29, 2006 - 4:42 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

That's great news. Since this is along one of my normal bike routes, I look forward to being an ice cream customer. :-)
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Thecarl
Member
Username: Thecarl

Post Number: 834
Registered: 04-2005
Posted From: 69.14.30.175
Posted on Thursday, June 29, 2006 - 7:30 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

does mr. fofo have a dirty-harry style revolver behind the counter?
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Iheartthed
Member
Username: Iheartthed

Post Number: 125
Registered: 04-2006
Posted From: 64.131.176.232
Posted on Thursday, June 29, 2006 - 8:19 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I don't know if I want to live in a Detroit without a Mr. Fofo's...

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