Diners line up and keep coming for Haab's 75th anniversary celebration
From the moment the venerable Haab’s Restaurant opened at 11 a.m. today, servings of fried chicken cleared the order shelf between the kitchen and dining room at a phenomenal velocity.
At least 200 people were in line at the Ypsilanti establishment when it opened to mark the 75th anniversary and partake in meals offered at 1934 prices.
“It was bigger than I’ve seen,” said David Kabat, who owns the restaurant with his father, Mike. “It’s a combination of the advance publicity, the nice weather and the fact it’s the 75th anniversary.”
The promotion, an annual tradition at the restaurant, offers chicken dinners with French fries and a bun for 50 cents. Spaghetti is 40 cents, and pork sandwiches go for two dimes. The offer continues until Haab’s closes at 9 p.m. Customers must pay regular price for drinks.
Mike Kabat bought out founders Oscar and Otto Haab in 1974 and depends on the annual anniversary blowout as a mainstay of his marketing plan. Son David, who became a partner two years ago, said many people know Haab’s solely because of the line that extends along the sidewalk on this unique day.
David Kabat calculated the 35 cases of chicken ordered for the day would equal a three-month supply under normal operating conditions. With 60 orders per case, the expected total of 2,000 portions will be covered.
Just 90 minutes after opening, some 200 takers for chicken had been served, outnumbering spaghetti and pork 20 to one.
“Everybody likes a bargain - chicken, that’s the best bargain,” said Jim Bemis, an Ypsilanti native who stopped at the restaurant with his sister, Sue.
Bemis planned to go home and circle the date on his 2010 calendar, just to be sure he makes it next year.
Bemis couldn’t recall his first time at Haab’s, but remembers stopping by after summer youth programs at the park to purchase 25-cent bags of fries.
“It was a huge portion, a good-sized wax-paper bag,” he said.
Sue Bemis also didn't remember her Haab’s dining debut, but she was certain her parents brought her early. “They took me wherever they had fries, because that’s all I’d eat,” she said.
To add a vintage flair to the occasion, the Kabats invited members of the Ford Mercury Restorers Club of America’s Plymouth chapter to park their cars out front. A table was held for the special guests - and no waiting in line was required of them.
While some patrons could boast an immemorial history with Haab’s, others were returning for the first time in a while.Â
Erica Hampton, who graduated from Northwood University last year, figured she hadn’t eaten there since she was 6 or 7. She shared a table with her 18-month-old son, Aaiden Dennis, her 15-year-old brother Dejuan, and two cousins. Word-of-mouth drew them, and their choices from the menu kept the chicken flying.
“The chicken is just really, really good,” Hampton said.
But in a time-honored tradition, young Aaiden stuck primarily to French fries.
Ronald Ahrens is a freelance writer for AnnArbor.com. Reach the news desk at news@annarbor.com or call 734-623-2530.
Comments
Go Blue 123
Mon, Oct 19, 2009 : 9:51 p.m.
Had a great meal around 6pm. Great food, great staff. The line was long but friendly and festive. Seemed a mix of regulars and bargain-seekers. Hope the former remain the same and the latter become regulars. Great event for the community, hope the community continues to support a wonderful local business.
bunnyabbot
Mon, Oct 19, 2009 : 8:39 p.m.
I eat at Habbs 4 or 5 times a year. I have never gone on their anniversary day. It's a good marketing thing. But I would feel as though I was taking advantage of them. I hope these people that were there today were generous tippers.
mercury69
Mon, Oct 19, 2009 : 6:17 p.m.
Haabs is one of the few bright spots in downtown Ypsilanti... Such a great thing for them to do...I really hope a lot of these people visit Haabs during the year when the aren't a "soup kitchen" to help keep their restaurant alive and running...Everyone love "free" stuff but where are they on the daily basis? I hope they remember them when a meal isn't 50 cents...