Come back with me a few years…nearly fifty…for a remembrance of life’s simple pleasures.

We’re in the living room of our house, close to the end of Henrydale Street, on a Saturday night. Toddler Anne and baby David are asleep, and Dave and I are settled for the evening in front of the TV.

And hungry.

Dave pulls out the menu for Mr. K’s Karry Out. I rub my hands together in delight—but what to order?

Deciding from Glen’s menu for Mr. K’s Karry Out was always a difficult choice. Charburger. Footlong, with or without chili. Shrimp dinner. Pizza.

The charburgers were thick and juicy, with melted cheese and condiments. Footlong buns were toasted and brushed with butter, and the hot dogs steamy. Dave often ordered the shrimp dinner, and any of the three came with those fries.

Or pizza?

Glen made the best pizza in Michigan. It was thick and cheesy enough to satisfy the two of us even if we ordered the small size.

Most of us in the Heights knew about Mr. K’s Karry Out. Many had jobs there in high school. Dave delivered pizzas, so he was familiar with every kind of customer, as well as the menu. He always tipped our deliverers well when we ordered.

Anytime I called to place an order, the background noise told how busy Glen’s kitchen was, especially on Friday and Saturday nights. I never ordered ice cream treats there, but saved his menu for dinner.

We got our soft serve ice cream at Leone’s on Auburn Road—again, the best in Michigan.

Every week there was an additional flavor besides chocolate, vanilla, and swirl. Even a small cone was satisfying and a medium filled you. Only once did I order a large, and the afternoon was so hot, my sister and I couldn’t lick fast enough to prevent ice cream from dripping down the cone and over our hands.

Of course, there was an extensive menu at Leone’s, too, but that was primarily our ice cream stop—when I was a child, and when my children were old enough to savor the anticipation of waiting in line, ordering, and enjoying our cones.

You can still drive to 477 Auburn Avenue in Pontiac from March to October, 1-9 p.m. for Leone’s ice cream, but Mr. K’s Karry Out lives only in our memories.

How I’d love a charburger and fries right now. If I pick up my phone and dial 852-2400, will I be able to order one of his pizzas?