Haab's Restaurant in Ypsilanti gears up to serve 2,000 customers at 1934 prices
Waitress Betty Ross and Haab's co-owner Mike Kabat in 2009, when they welcomed 2,000 people to the 75th anniversary of the restaurant in Ypsilanti.
AnnArbor.com files
For Mike Kabat, owner of Haab’s Restaurant in downtown Ypsilanti, the better the weather, the bigger the losses. And if the forecast for Monday holds, Kabat could be looking down a deep hole.
But that’s OK by Kabat, who each year serves three meals - chicken in a basket, spaghetti and a barbeque sandwich - at 1934 prices, marking the restaurant’s 1934 opening. It’s become a community tradition, with customers calling in February to mark the date.
With good weather, Kabat expects to serve 2,000 people, some who line up outside for three to four hours. Haab’s served 1,900 people last year, and didn’t close shop until after 11 p.m. Some 187 people were in line at the 9 p.m. closing and Kabat served them all.
The line outside of Haab's Restaurant extends along the block for most of the day when the restaurant celebrates its anniversary with special 1934 prices
AnnArbor.com files
What began as a marketing idea to fill the restaurant during the 1981 recession has become a tradition the community expects. When Kabat tried to cut the anniversary event to once only five years, people rebelled, he said.
There are regulars. Between 20 and 25 members of an antique auto club from Plymouth come every year, parking their cars in front of the West Michigan Avenue eatery.
A man from Canton named Orville - his last name has been lost to time - was the first in line in 1981 and every year for the following decade, until he died, Kabat said. Today, the line usually begins to form at about 8 a.m.
Another man told Kabat that he worked 12-hour days on Henry Ford’s farm on land now occupied by the Willow Run Transmission Plant in 1934, earning 50 cents a day.
“Fifty cents was enough to go out to dinner,” Kabat said. “That puts it in perspective. It gives you an idea how times have changed.”
Prices for the chicken basket in 1934 was 50 cents, 40 cents for spaghetti and 20 cents for a barbeque sandwich. Today, chicken in a basket costs $11.95.
It’s about more than getting a good deal, Kabat said. It’s about nostalgia.
“It’s like a tailgate, or a holiday," Kabat said. "It’s a place to meet friends and talk and reminisce.”
HAAB’S - BY THE NUMBERS
Expected meals to be served Monday: 2,000
Pounds of chicken served: 4,000
Pounds of French fries served: 600
Percentage of anniversary customers who order chicken: 90%
Meals served on busy days such as Thanksgiving and Easter: 500
Meals served on an average Monday: 150-200
Comments
lumberg48108
Mon, Oct 18, 2010 : 11:55 a.m.
its a great thing he does -- and its the only time of the year I cann afford to eat there....
Klayton
Sat, Oct 16, 2010 : 6:45 p.m.
As a child my family went to Haabs every year for Christmas Eve dinner. I loved the Pork Chops! Great memories, great family-run restaurant.
michiganpoorboy
Sat, Oct 16, 2010 : 1:47 p.m.
Habbs never served a poor meal. Every thing is Greattttttttttttt.
David Briegel
Sat, Oct 16, 2010 : 1:09 p.m.
My family had Thanksgiving there last year as well as a birthday dinner. Great beef, fish and the chicken in the rough is the greatest! Good place in Hypsilanti!
dading dont delete me bro
Sat, Oct 16, 2010 : 10:13 a.m.
haab's is a great local establishment. go and go often throughout the year. haab's has always supported local organizations that help charities too! kudo's!
stunhsif
Sat, Oct 16, 2010 : 9:45 a.m.
Kind acknowlegement DB, thank you. My money goes to local food establishments as often as possible over the chain restaraunts.
bunnyabbot
Sat, Oct 16, 2010 : 9:29 a.m.
I love Haabs and have gone many times. I don't go to the anniversary b/c I don't want to wait in line like that to eat and as a business owner I don't want to take advantage of them. I hope that the people that go make an effort to visit Haabs throughout the rest of the year. Maybe one way to insure that the patrons of the good deal on the anniverary return is to offer coupons towards their next visit or offer gift certificates at a "discount"....I'm craving chicken in a basket now :(
tdw
Sat, Oct 16, 2010 : 9:01 a.m.
AS much as bad mouthing Ypsi gets, at least Habbs is usally well spoken of
LANDS
Sat, Oct 16, 2010 : 7:02 a.m.
I went there a couple months ago w a crew of 10 guys. I had the salmon, it was cooked to perfection. Thanks Haab's!
David Briegel
Sat, Oct 16, 2010 : 7 a.m.
stun, we agree! stunning! Chicken in the Rough, mmmm!!!
stunhsif
Sat, Oct 16, 2010 : 6:53 a.m.
Awsome place to go, the only place I know that still serves fried chicken livers.