Ivanhoe Cafe – Polish Yacht Club

Lunch on 7÷29÷15. Good experience with chicken noodle soup, grilled sausages, slaw, perch and walleye dinners and carrot cake. Located in a «down and out» Detroit neighborhood… tip the watchman who protects your car while you are having lunch. I’ll return to Ivanhoe’s!

One of my favorite places on planet earth! Love the atmosphere, Love the people, Love the food. I’ve been here a thousand times and can never get enough of this place. See you again, Patti, Billy & Tina… but not soon enough for me.

A great Friday before Christmas lunch here. Forgot to make reservations, so bellied up to bar and ordered. Love this place. Food, plus the staff always make it a great experience. One of a kind place that everyone should try, at least once. A hunrdred year, plus history in this building!

A diamond in the rough. Two blocks from the church I was married at. St. Hyacinth’s we had our rehearsal dinner here. The food was absolutely amazing. Great polish food and soup for dessert they served carrot cake. The staff is nice and friendly. The building was originally a house/​inn you can tell its pretty old. This restaurant is definitely a must stop when you are in detroit. It’s only open for dinner on Fridays lunch almost everyday:)

First off, a guy watches the cars outside so that feels good. This place is a treasure that has stood the test of time. The pierogi and kielbasa were wonderful. The staff and patrons were extremely friendly and easy to talk to. I know the schedule is difficult, but try to make it over here and give this place a shot. Also, they take credit cards unlike some of these types of places.

I tried to go to this place once before, but when I got there it was closed for no apparent reason. (It was lunchtime on a Thursday.) I recently tried again, and made sure to call ahead to confirm they’d be open. So glad I did!
Yep, the neighborhood is, shall we say, less than optimal. In fact, «particularly desolate» is not an understatement. So what? They’ve managed to survive over 100 years in the same location. You have to respect that. Besides, once you step inside, you forget that you’re surrounded by empty lots and burned out buildings. You feel like you’re at grandma’s house, complete with a zillion pictures on the walls and Detroit memorabilia.
Every table gets a large bowl of coleslaw and a plate of pickles and peppers. We also had chicken noodle soup. It was clearly «clear out the pasta bin day,» because the soup had 5 or 6 different shapes of pasta in it, as well as healthy bits of chicken and vegetables. Loved, loved, loved it. I could have eaten soup, coleslaw and pickles and left happy.
But (of course) I kept going. I ordered the polish sliders — kielbasa, sauerkraut and cheese on slider buns with fries. The kraut was delicious. I don’t know if they make their kielbasa, but if they don’t they buy it from someone who does. I also played «swap bites» with my other two dining companions. One had pierogi and kielbasa (very good), and the other had a reuben sandwich. The corned beef on the reuben had a different taste. It was quite good, just not what you usually get. I suspect that they brine their own beef brisket.
This place is DEFINITELY worth the trip. The true gems in Detroit are few, and this is one of them. Make sure you tip the guy who watches your car!

My friend and I wanted some good fish during Lent and were tired of the church basement routine. So off to the PYC I said. Arrived about 630pm w/​o reservations, no room but you can sit at the bar if you like said the hostess, who i later found out was the owner.
As soon as we sat down we had menus and in front of us. We ordered the perch dinner and the walleye dinner. Out comes two big mugs of mushroom barley mmmm so good on a cold night. Nixt up were pickles, peppers and coleslaw, I’m starting to get full already. Out come the dinners, a nice filet of walleye and several perch with fries etc. Not the best fish ive ever had but it was darn good.
The friendliness of the entire staff from the guy who watch’s your car to the owner make you feel your at your families table and home

After trying for two years to get into this restaurant, we were finally successful last week. It was worth the wait. Unfortunately they are only open for dinner on Fridays-​and even then only until 08:00. You can’t get much more of a «Detroit experience» than you’ll find here. Only in the ghetto of Detroit could you find a hidden gem that’s been around for over 100 years. Although they are known for their seafood, we had the Polish platter which was excellent. They also have Polish beer on tap. I can’t believe more people don’t talk about this place.

This place has great friendly service and the food was amazing! I ordered the perch dinner and it was so tasty! The onion soup reminds me of what my grandma used to make! The atmosphere was awesome and had wonderful old pictures and a lot of history!
The location has a lot to be desired and I’m suprised and happy that it stays open and in business! PLEASE PLEASE stay open!

I asked my eighty-​something grand aunt if she knew about the Ivanhoe Café, one of the last remnants of the old Poletown neighborhood where she grew up. «I can’t believe it’s still there!» she exclaimed. «I haven’t been there in about a hundred years!»
I can see why my aunt was surprised… the drive up to the place was like heading down a bowling lane with a handful of houses like bowling pins scattered sparsely after a split. The restaurant itself was non-​descript– just a windowless brick structure that at first looked like just another abandoned party store. But the simple inscription above the doorway clearly read «Polish Yacht Club” — so we knew it was the place. Polish Yacht Club? It’s a bit of an inside joke that’s run on for decades (the place is landlocked).
Inside… it truly does feel like someone’s home, walls plastered with framed portraits, including a collection of regular customers wearing sailors’ attire. The regulars, many of whom have been coming here for decades, seem to be on familiar terms with all the staff. But the service doesn’t discriminate. From the second you sit down, you can expect to be bombarded by Polish side dishes.
First was about a pound of coleslaw… which sounds arterially intimidating, but thankfully seemed to based on yogurt rather than mayo. Then there was a mountain of pickles and peppers– another mandatory starter, but probably the best chance for vegetarians to get their fill. Then some tasty soup– we lucked on some tasty chicken alphabet on our visit.
By the time the food coma had already struck and it was getting hard to carry on, we were hit with the dishes we actually ordered– perch and French fries for both of us (the «lite» version. For Kosciuszko’s sake, stick with the «lite» version and not the full entrée unless you want to Kevorkianize yourself by overnourishment!). Grueling, but good. What’s time with family without a session of binge eating?
I disagree with the others about the immediate area itself being rough… the desolation can be a bit creepy at first, but the reality is there’s no one left to cause trouble. It feels rural more than anything. Just a block south is Farnsworth, a street of young farmers some of whom moved from San Francisco for the cheap land. That said, auto theft remains one of Detroit’s proudest pastimes, though, so if you drive here (biking during the day is okay), it’s comforting to have a guy named Mike standing out front looking out for your car. Be sure to tip him.

great place with loads of atmosphere-​been going here for years-​they have very
limited hours, so check the times open on their web site-​crummy neighborhood
but you feel safe with an outside attendant-​tina, the waitress, has been there over
20 years-​she is fun, like this place-​prices are reasonable with large portions-​the
pictures are my friend, mr. ed & tina-​there are pictures on the walls of this old place
of many famous people who came by–

Situated snugly in one of the worst neighborhoods in Detroit, somehow you forget where you are as soon as you walk through the door.
It’s less than a mile form Eastern Market but you have to drive through crack central to get there. It is surrounded by burned down houses and buildings on a side street a few blocks off of Warren and Chene. However, you have no reason not to feel safe here despite the surroundings and in fact they have a guy that watches the patrons cars since they don’t have a parking lot. All of this, of course, simply adds to the character of the place.
Once you walk inside you feel like you’re in an old house (because you are) complete with separate rooms set up for dining. They have decent sized bar, but the beer selection is weak. Even the Polish beers they carry are simply standard Lagers but that’s OK because the food more than makes up for it. I’ve had their fish and their Polish platters and both were great.
This place has some really goofy hours though, but when they are open they get packed pretty quick.
And in case you were wondering… no — The Polish Yacht Club is not situated anywhere near boats or water. Get it?

This was my third time here and I must say that the atmosphere is still festive and light, but the attitudes on some of the employees are not. I came in for lunch on Good Friday for some of their tasty fried fish. Now I know how this place is. If you don’t have a reservation, they treat you like an outcast and send you on your way. Well I was rolling solo and tried for a meal at the bar.
I sat down and was quickly greeted by a short older lady with glasses. I asked for a Labatt Blue Light and received a regular Blue. I politely stated that I asked for a light and she looked at me with such disgust and quickly put down a Blue light. Now there was a very nice blonde bartender/​waitress who came over and said that it was no big deal, because I’m sure she saw the attitude that I had received. She gave me a menu and took my order. My meal of a fried perch sandwich came and it was very tasty. Lightly fried and very flavorful. The place was extremely busy and my beer had run dry. The bartenders were busy with the dining room so they had other things to attend to. Now, there was this bowling ball looking guy with a droopy dog face who waddled behind the bar. He looked liked he worked there, but all he seemed to do was talk with friends at the end of the bar and feast on handfuls of chocolates. On one of his trips down my end of the bar, he looked directly at my empty beer in the tip rail and kept walking. I quickly asked if I could have a new beer and he stopped and hesitated as if I had asked him for his kidney. He reluctantly gave me a new one.
The employees here, except for the very nice blonde bartender, seem to act like you are a nuisance and that they are doing you a favor to get you anything. This place is good, but there are many better. They are living on borrowed time.

Each year for Good Friday my boyfriend’s family/​relatives head here for dinner and lots of booze. I had the pleasure of going last year. Wow!!! I LOVE this place. I love everything about it. I love how it makes you feel like you’re in busia’s house and she’s slaving over the stove cooking with love. I love how all of the dinnerware and silverware is an eclectic hodge podge.
This is the ONLY place I have ever eaten peorogies and I am anxiously anticipating next good Friday so I can gorge myself on all this Polish goodness and hate myself for the next 3 days. The only thing I haven’t tried is the perch, but from what all of the boyfriend’s relatives were saying, it’s delicious. I will try to try it the next time. Although, I’m weird about eating seafood at non-​seafood restaurants. (Much like I will only eat cat fish in New Orleans.)
Like other Unilocalers have stated, the area is sketchy to say the least, definitely tip the gentleman who watches the patron’s vehicles.

Boyfriend and I have been going there for about 2 ½ years now and we always feel like regulars — very welcome! I recall the first time we visited on a Friday afternoon after a Tiger’s game, we met the regulars, received a hug or two and free beers. Patti and Tina are awesome. The atmosphere is awesome (like other reviewers mentioned, it’s unique). The slaw, the perch and the crispy sausage appetizer are enjoyable. Order a Long Island Iced Tea if you dare (they’re strong!). Again, like other reviewers mentioned, the neighborhood appears a little rough but don’t let that keep you away! I believe they’re open for lunch time during the week and for dinner on Friday nights. Oh, and check out the «trough» along the bottom base of the bar. You’ll have to find out for yourself what exact purpose it served.

I stumbled upon this place randomly while searching for Polish restaurants outside of the Hamtramck area. They have extremely limited hours (which is a bummer) but I was finally able to make it on a Friday with a group of 5.
After reading the reviews, I was pretty excited to try the food. As many reviewers mentioned, the look and feel of the restaurant was pretty unique. Basically, you feel like you’re going to eat with a big family at your grandmother’s house. It’s an old building filled with pictures of members and random beer signs. All signs for common/​readily available «domestics» (lame). They have a bunch of sides served prior to eating including cole slaw and pickles. Most of the dinner entrees were priced mid-​range with a few dishes less than $ 10.
I ended up getting the kielbasa and pierogies. I also had a chance to try the perch. I’ve…had better at many other places. Nothing really stood out about the food on any level. Bland, mediocre, and uninspired are all things that come to mind.
Tipping for the guy standing around outside was taken care of by one of the guys in our group. Most of the area was pretty run down so it seemed like it would be a good idea.

I LOVE places with history and I do also love Polish food, so I decided to try this place out one day…
OK– I have to admit that the first time I tried to find this place I was so very confused–
Joseph Campau is a regular side street, not a main road like it is in Hamtramck. So– I missed the turn onto it from the I-​94 service drive. The neighborhood is quite a rough one — burned out buildings and houses, piles of trash 5 feet high. The first time I went, I had no idea about the hours that they are opened/​closed and I HAD to have been there at a time that they were not open because I found the building on my GPS and I am like «OMG this is a joke– where are the cameras counting how many people actually pull up to this abandoned building looking for a restaurant??» I thought the building was completely abandoned (like a lot of the neighborhood around it) and I drove away thinking that the place has actually been closed for years, I just missed the posting on the internet or something???
Luckily, I went back a year or two later after doing some research. Lunch was pretty busy and very filling! I was surprised to see very little Polish food on the menu, lots of fish. I got the Polish plate that came with old fashioned kraut with mushrooms … and the perogies were fantastic! The only thing is… gulp I didn’t like the sausage– it was cut into about 1 inch pieces and I think it was fried– just too greasy for my stomach. The starters (pickles, peppers, coleslaw) are so good. !! And. it comes with fries. ?? Next time I will skip the fries too.
I would take my kids here (for lunch) and I would love if a date took me here– my «date» is my husband but we LOVE places like this! I would much rather go here than to a stuffy date dinner (and this is coming from a Birmingham girl LOL)

I love this place. It feels a little bit like a house with separate rooms, all of which are richly decorated with photos, certificates, newspaper clippings, and other paraphenelia. If you mad reservations, you arrive with coleslaw and pickles already waiting for you. Their Pierogis are AMAZING– I think the best I’ve had so far (though I’m by no means a Polish food expert).
Make reservations, because they apparently get very busy friday nights, and take their last reservations at 7:15

A diamond in the rough, and one of the most fantastic experiences you’ll have in the D. Very kind staff, and amazing Perch. You will not leave feeling hungry… maybe hungry to come back. Your eyes will not leave the character of the walls in this place!

The Ivanhoe Café aka PYC is an old school Detroit hangout. The perch was fantastic and the sausage was very good. I had to wash it down with a Strohs beer on tap to make it feel like real Detroit. Check out their web site for hours — They are not open as often as they used to be. We went for lunch and the neighborhood was not very nice. On your way out be sure to give a couple of bucks to the guy who watches your car during your meal. This is not a date place and will not impress anyone. It is a place to remember what Detroit was and share some good memories. Not family friendly — Really rough neighborhood.