Anybody remember the Dog House restaurant at 7/Gratiot? (Utica, Harvey: crime, neighborhood)

[tigerfan3]

Anybody remember the Dog House?

There's a small chain in town that goes by that name now, but I'm talking about the one that was all white and was located by 7 Mile and Gratiot.

That place had the best burgers and coney's I have ever had in my life.

[Newmom95]

YES! The chili dogs were AMAZING! The best ever!

[nancyharvey]

My parents, Francis and Phyllis Swartz built The Dog House in the late 40's and operated it until the early 90's. Thank you for remembering and for your kind words.

Sadly, the neighborhood went down hill and it is now called The Embassy. There was a murder in the parking lot recently and you would now place your order thru bullet proof glass. Glad my parents aren't here to see the decline. It would break their hearts.

I have the recipe for that chili but it is a commercial recipe that would be difficult to make on a small scale. My Father always prided himself in using quality products from Winters Hot Dogs to Brown's Buns to Bays English Muffins... he ground his own round steak in the back room. I could go for one of his chili cheeseburgers now!

Thank you again - you made my day.

Nancy Swartz Harvey
[email]nancy715@sbcglobal.net[/email]

[Bruins_Fan]

I'll have to ask my Dad. He grew up about a mile from there in the 50s.

[Sky422]

Originally Posted by tigerfan3

Anybody remember the Dog House?

There's a small chain in town that goes by that name now, but I'm talking about the one that was all white and was located by 7 Mile and Gratiot.

That place had the best burgers and coney's I have ever had in my life.

Yes, I use to work at the Original Dog House Coney Island! I worked with 2 of the original employees. Both had worked there from when it was built.
I worked there from the age of 15 to 18. I use to work the carry out section a lot on the south side, until it closed for the night
And then worked in the front until we closed.
I was the youngest worker there under the original owner.
I was told he sold the place and any recipes (chili) many years after I quit in 1983 because, crime started and and they were held up a few times. We were originally opened until 11pm with no problems!!
I loved the making a cheeseburger with hot dog chili on it.!
It was a great place and was kept VERY clean, I know first hand!!!

The guy that bought it ended up selling after owning it for awhile (a long time) and opened a brand
New family sit down restaurant north of Hall road in Utica "Andary's". I had lived at 26 mile for 20 years and just so, happened to start eating there and randomly discovered he was second owner of "the dog house".
He also sold due to growing crime.
I think he was the one who had expanded the name to more locations.
That's all I know from there.

[Sky422]

Small world!!
I was one of the youngest workers at the Dog House I was told.
My mothers friend "Agnus" worked there and mom was always there drinking coffee.
They needed help and mom told me so, I had filled out the application and was hired!
I worked alongside of Diane (who worked there forever), Agnus and another lady I forget her name but she had a mole on her nose. She too worked there a long time.
I worked there just about 4 years until I graduated in "83" and moved to streling heights.
My mom continued to drink coffee there even after it sold.
I loved working there! We were open late but, never had any problems.
It was a very clean place! I worked the side carry out a lot and then up front after it closed.
I remember watching your dad make the chili!!!
It was poured in rectangular pans and when we took them out we added water and meal.
I also weighed and pressed the burgers.
The chili for dogs was my FAVORITE!!!
It was my first job and I'll never forget it! I absolutely loved working there but, hated smelling like hot dogs and hamburgers after I got off work.i always had to take a shower before going out after, even my hair smelled! Haha

Just so happens the guy that bought the business, ended up down the road selling it and opening a
Family sit down restaurant named "Andarys" in Utica, on van dyke north of hall road.
We eat there still all because my mom sat for hours drinking coffee at the Dog House so long ago!
Crazy small world!
PS, oh how I would LOVE that chili recipe for me and only me!! Nation is close but too much spice!!

[MarieDet]

My mother was a waitress there for a while. The food was great.

[rlciesluk]

The Dog House had the best chili cheeseburger ever! I always looked forward to going there as a kid and wish they were still open. So sad what has happened to that area.

[rlciesluk]

And boy would I love to have the chili recipe and find out the secret to the burgers!

[dro1984]

Originally Posted by nancyharvey

My parents, Francis and Phyllis Swartz built The Dog House in the late 40's and operated it until the early 90's. Thank you for remembering and for your kind words.

Sadly, the neighborhood went down hill and it is now called The Embassy. There was a murder in the parking lot recently and you would now place your order thru bullet proof glass. Glad my parents aren't here to see the decline. It would break their hearts.

I have the recipe for that chili but it is a commercial recipe that would be difficult to make on a small scale. My Father always prided himself in using quality products from Winters Hot Dogs to Brown's Buns to Bays English Muffins... he ground his own round steak in the back room. I could go for one of his chili cheeseburgers now!

Thank you again - you made my day.

Nancy Swartz Harvey
[email]nancy715@sbcglobal.net[/email]

Hi Nancy,
My name is Dave. I grew up on Morang and 7 mile(Moross) my Grandma lived at Edmore and Hayes.

You made my childhood! As a treat my Mom and Dad would order Dog House for the family and it was always so great! My brother loved the chili, my sisters loved the cheese burgers with onions and pickles only!! I loved the hot dogs and the hamburgers and the french fries were phenomenal!! Your parents also made the best milk shakes and malts! Yes, we got those too! I remember sometimes sitting up front and sometimes in the morning would order breakfast. It was good home-made breakfast!
I was 10 when we moved away in the late 70's but would occasionally go back to the "Old Neighborhood" from time to time. We would stop at the Dog House after my mom and Dad would shop at Giglios Italian Market up the street on Saturdays. My Aunt's also were frequent customers! I still remember going there on a Friday night or Saturday night and going to the Carry-out area with my Dad. The burgers were wrapped in paper and the chili in paper carry-out cups... put in a cardboard little box! We loved you guys! Miss you much! To this day we still make "Dog House burgers"!

Thanks again. You were way better than any McDonalds.