What eventually became
known as Windsor’s premier dining establishment humbly
began in the British American hotel in 1929, when Mike Mario,
Eugene Walters and Frank Cundari decided to open a restaurant.
In 1930, they moved to 493 Ouellette. At the height of their popularity they
had
three restaurants operating in the city at the same time (the other two were
in the 700 block of Ouellette
and at the corner of Tecumseh and Ouellette).
Despite its Italian heritage, Mario’s was best known
for its roast beef, although its pizza enjoyed an excellent
reputation
as well. In fact, the owners
once shipped about 40 pizzas to a couple in Texas who were quite enamored
with it.
Top entertainers such as Jimmy Durante and Sonny and Cher were known to dine
there, and the restaurant catered to Sammy Davis Jr. while he was performing
at
the Elmwood.
In 1965, Mario’s Restaurant was sold to Kees Roozen, a native of Holland,
who had grown
up in the restaurant business. Mario’s became the first restaurant
to offer a sidewalk cafe and a no-smoking section. The business fell on
hard times and
was eventually sold off. Ex-professional hockey player, Pit Martin, bought
the 755 Ouellette location and opened a sports bar there. The building is
now occupied
by Bentley’s Roadhouse. The Tecumseh at Ouellette location became The
Hacienda.
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