  Ray1936 Member Username: Ray1936 Post Number: 2454 Registered: 01-2005 |
Last night my gang of retired Detroit Police Officers living in the Las Vegas area met for our annual Christmas Party. We started the evening by meeting at the Motor City Coney Island, on Water street in downtown Henderson.  The place, owned by an ex-Detroiter, is loaded with Detroit souvenirs, from Red Wings jerseys to Michigan license plates. Great place to start a party. Following that, the gang of 25 adjourned to my home in Henderson for a nice evening of present swapping, food, and a couple of card games later on. You can take the man out of Detroit, but you can't take the Detroit out of the man. | ||
Lowell Board Administrator Username: Lowell Post Number: 4383 Registered: 10-2003 |
Great Detroit diaspora shot Ray! I see the snow has melted off there too. Detroit representin' in Vegas. Love it. | ||
Stromberg2 Member Username: Stromberg2 Post Number: 60 Registered: 10-2006 |
That's great,Ray1936. Are the coneys as good as Lafeyette? Merry Christmas to you and your family! Stromberg2 | ||
Plymouthres Member Username: Plymouthres Post Number: 427 Registered: 02-2007 |
Thanks, Ray. Great Detroit in Vegas reference! MrsRes and I should be up in Vegas around last week of January/first week of February as I have accepted a job in Phoenix starting January 14th. Any chance of meeting at the coney island around then? Let me know at bcjaxson@comcast.net and maybe we can hook-up! Merry Christmas and a Happy and prosperous New Year to you! | ||
D_mcc Member Username: D_mcc Post Number: 28 Registered: 12-2007 |
There is a place in downtown Orlando named Detroit Joes. I'll have to get a picture. They sell authentic coneys! They ship down Dearborn Sausage franks, and National Chili | ||
Ray1936 Member Username: Ray1936 Post Number: 2455 Registered: 01-2005 |
That's great,Ray1936. Are the coneys as good as Lafeyette? Nothing is as great as Lafayette, but darn, it's close!  | ||
Smogboy Member Username: Smogboy Post Number: 6727 Registered: 11-2004 |
But isn't a part of the charm and allure of the Lafayette have to do with its own wacky environment? I think that they could serve up the same coneys there with the same grease, gristle & fixin's, but a huge part of the atmosphere comes from just sitting in the Lafayette. But bravo to these guys for wanting to bring a part of that charm out to Vegas. I think I'll have to make a trek out to this place next time I'm out there now. | ||
Ray1936 Member Username: Ray1936 Post Number: 2456 Registered: 01-2005 |
So true, Smogboy! Anyway, it's on Water street, the first block south of Lake Mead Boulevard in Henderson, on the east side of the street. | ||
Jimaz Member Username: Jimaz Post Number: 4122 Registered: 12-2005 |
Mutual webcams linking Detroit and Las Vegas Conies might have an interesting effect on the atmosphere. | ||
Smogboy Member Username: Smogboy Post Number: 6729 Registered: 11-2004 |
I think mutual Smell-O-Vision devices would just be equally as appropriate! Again, I think the Lafayette has one of the most interesting atmospheres of any dining establishments in town. | ||
Steamaker Member Username: Steamaker Post Number: 45 Registered: 03-2007 |
Glad to see you made it to the Coney Island here in Henderson Ray. Sorry to correct you though, but it's Lake Mead Drive or Parkway. Lake Mead Boulevard is in Northtown. Didn't the guy who owns it say he was from 7 mile and Livernois? | ||
Gannon Member Username: Gannon Post Number: 11160 Registered: 12-2003 |
Jimaz, We're putting together a concept that will link participating coffeehouses...are you working yet?! This should be a job-maker...I've got a few up my sleeve for this coming year, and need a few good people to help start 'em with me. Cheers on an early Christmas morning... | ||
Ray1936 Member Username: Ray1936 Post Number: 2464 Registered: 01-2005 |
Right on the correction, Steamaker. I never name those two roads correctly. Dunno about the 7-Livernois connection, didn't ask him. He was a biker back there with the Highwaymen, I think, but he's pretty mellow. | ||
Jimaz Member Username: Jimaz Post Number: 4133 Registered: 12-2005 |
Gannon, no, I'm not working and I don't need to. If you run across someone who truly needs software help though, I am available. I'd be interested in hearing more about your job-making projects as they develop. Heaven knows there is no shortage of good workers in this area. That should be seen as one of Michigan's strongest assets. Merry Christmas! | ||
Jokerman Member Username: Jokerman Post Number: 106 Registered: 07-2005 |
I went to the place in Orlando. It was OK, but not as good as LaFayette, American, or National. I love the fact that there is now a National at Metro Airport. Last time in town, I got coneys on the way in and the way out. I'm still waiting for someone to open a Coney Island here in San Diego or somewhere in Southern California. In the meantime, I just have to be satisfied with my homemade version. | ||
Jjaba Member Username: Jjaba Post Number: 5826 Registered: 11-2003 |
Ray1936, congratulations and Merry Christmas. Sounds like you don't jones for Coneys in Las Vegas, or Henderson near your house. We seriously doubt anybody would call it Motor City Coney if it wasn't pretty good. Compare it to Duly's for both atmosphere and food. All Westside cops seem to know that place. Ask the guys in your group. Oh, and BTW, how's the donuts there? jjaba, old Westside newsboy. | ||
Ray1936 Member Username: Ray1936 Post Number: 2465 Registered: 01-2005 |
Dunkin' Donuts just opened up in Las Vegas this year. Haven't even tried to get there yet. Oh, I know Duly's well. Not only ate there often, but there was a guy named Tom ran a barber shop across the street from it. Used to run down for lunch and a haircut at the same time. | ||
Jjaba Member Username: Jjaba Post Number: 5827 Registered: 11-2003 |
jjaba seems to remember some Detroit momentos like the Temptations' car in the lobby of the Hard Rock Hotel. Is it still there? Is there any evidence of Detroit mobsters still evident in Las Vegas today? jjaba realizes several of their hotels are gone. jjaba, connecting Las Vegas with Detroit. | ||
Ray1936 Member Username: Ray1936 Post Number: 2466 Registered: 01-2005 |
I think the last of the Detroit mob to have influence in Las Vegas was Chuckie Goldfarb. Chuck ran a bail-bonds office on Beaubien, but had a nice piece of the Aladdin on the strip. Quite a few high-ranking DPD members ended up with nice jobs there when they retired. But that all ended in the late 70s, early 80s. Chuck was also a front man for the Giacalones. Mob influence pretty much ended around 1985 when Chicago front man Tony Spillatro ended up six feet under some Indiana corn. The movie "Casino", is quite accurate as to what went on in the 60s and 70s in Las Vegas. Everything now is run by corporations and their damn MBA's. Getting a freebie any more is pretty tough. But business is booming. Oh. The Aladdin doesn't even exist in name any more. It was re-christened "Planet Hollywood" last year. And the Stardust, which was the big mob joint in 1970, was imploded. | ||
Jjaba Member Username: Jjaba Post Number: 5834 Registered: 11-2003 |
So where are the "comps" today? If jjaba cashes his paycheck at a casino window, he expects some comps. MBA, go to play, gimme my comps. jjaba, at the tables. | ||
Ray1936 Member Username: Ray1936 Post Number: 2467 Registered: 01-2005 |
Oh, the nickle and dime comps are still there. Cash your paycheck and you'll likely spin a wheel or some such for a chance at free cash. A free drink is usually the minimum. Place Marge and I go to (local's place in Henderson) has a fine restaurant and buffet, and we haven't paid a bill there all year thanks to the points on our player's card. High rollers can still get comped on their room and chow, but of all the things I've been called, "High Roller" is not one of them. | ||
Jjaba Member Username: Jjaba Post Number: 5836 Registered: 11-2003 |
So Ray1936 and Mrs. Ray1936 gets his free eats and plays the nickle slots. That kinda thing? jjaba, at the buffet line with the other Detroit pensioners. | ||
Ray1936 Member Username: Ray1936 Post Number: 2469 Registered: 01-2005 |
Jjaba called it exactly! | ||
Wanderinglady Member Username: Wanderinglady Post Number: 22 Registered: 10-2007 |
Too bad I didn't read this thread before I went to Vegas! I just came back a couple of hours ago. We went to visit a couple of friends who own the restaurant at the Desert Willows Golf Course in Henderson --how far is Motor City Coney Island from there? I might check it out next time we go there, since I haven't had a coney in years. (I really wouldn't consider a coney island to be competition with my friends' place, if anyone is wondering.) What a coincidence that Ray1936 met up with his retired Detroit Police Officer friends. We went to dinner last night and met a gentleman who retired from the Chicago Police Department. He told us stories about his run-ins with organized crime figures and sports celebrities. | ||
Ray1936 Member Username: Ray1936 Post Number: 2471 Registered: 01-2005 |
"We went to visit a couple of friends who own the restaurant at the Desert Willows Golf Course in Henderson --how far is Motor City Coney Island from there? " Desert Willows is one of our favorite restaurants, Wanderinglady! It's just a couple miles from our home. Anyway, the Motor City Coney would be about five miles east of there. Just get on the I-215 freeway east. It ends at I-515 and turns into Lake Mead. Go three lights past the Fiesta Casino and that will be Water street. Turn right and it's in the first block on the left. Boy, it's been cold here this week with freezing temps at night. Global warming, baloney. | ||
Jjaba Member Username: Jjaba Post Number: 5839 Registered: 11-2003 |
Colder than a Kalamazoo County well digger's ass? You don't remember cold. jjaba by the window on the Dexter bus on the Westside. | ||
Ray1936 Member Username: Ray1936 Post Number: 2474 Registered: 01-2005 |
Oh, I remember REAL cold, Jjaba. Those Sunday mornings heading for Washburn and Grand River.....must have been 125 below zero a couple of times, not figuring in the wind chill (which was an unknown factor back then, anyway). Seems like I went to work in the dark all my life. | ||
Mr_onion Member Username: Mr_onion Post Number: 219 Registered: 11-2003 |
the original guy who opened Detroit joe's in orlando sold it a few years ago, so its not run by an ex detroiter anymore so the Quality has gone with its owner. Joe moved back to Detroit. | ||
Jjaba Member Username: Jjaba Post Number: 5842 Registered: 11-2003 |
Ray1936, what's in the left-hand window of your photo of Motor City Coney Island? It looks like a jukebox in Tigers colors. Explain. Does your Coney take orders and understand them like jjaba gave? We want the authentic, run by a guy swimming in the same Detroit River water as us. Does your guy serve "loose?" Mr. onion shows us what happens when original owners move on. jjaba, order up, two on one, one loose. | ||
Ray1936 Member Username: Ray1936 Post Number: 2475 Registered: 01-2005 |
It's a sign advertising the place inside the outline of a Detroit police badge.  | ||
Jjaba Member Username: Jjaba Post Number: 5844 Registered: 11-2003 |
Now that's some authentic atmosphere 'causin we know cops love Coneys in Detroit. jjaba, At the Shaefer Precinct. | ||
Lowell Board Administrator Username: Lowell Post Number: 4391 Registered: 10-2003 |
Is this it?  red arrow pointing at satellite dish? link: http://atlas.freshlogicstudios.com/?cp=36.03569572844401~-114.98552237995271&style=o&scene=5099696 | ||
Ray1936 Member Username: Ray1936 Post Number: 2476 Registered: 01-2005 |
Yup, that be it. Those birds-eye views are great, aren't they? | ||
Reddog289 Member Username: Reddog289 Post Number: 153 Registered: 08-2007 |
maybe i won,t retire in kentucky now, unless in the next 20 years they get a coney island down there. too bad my dad sold his property in lake havasu. | ||
Jjaba Member Username: Jjaba Post Number: 5845 Registered: 11-2003 |
How do you like your Burgoo? Ray1936 likes his possuum on the spicey side. jjaba. |
