The Fox & Hounds was always described in ads as being located at Freeway 35 E at East Larpenteur in St. Paul.  Its actual address was 1734 Adolphus Street in Maplewood.

Facebook Fact:  Jeff Rhenberg inherited it in his 20s when his dad was in a car accident.

As far as I could tell, the facility opened in 1973.  This venue was difficult to research, because the newspaper database did not pick up the unusual font of the club’s ads.

The restaurant/supper club had two levels.

UPSTAIRS

In May 1973 you could get a gourmet meal for two of flaming duck for $15.  The main dining room was fine dining – a destination for special occasions. There was also a Judy Pfaff style show every day at happy hour.  Judy Pfaff was a popular model who started her own modeling agency, sold it, and became an artist and set designer.

 

In early June 1973 there were a few ads for the “Vixen Room” on Friday and Saturday nights.

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DOWNSTAIRS

Downstairs there were two venues.

The Fox Hole was a Peanut Bar and dance venue, with rock acts like the Del Counts.

 

The other venue was a Greek restaurant called Opa’s Taverna, which opened on November 23, 1973 (although ads had been featuring “American and Authentic Greek Cuisine” earlier.)  Entertainment was provided by the Athenian Six, “Direct from Chicago.”  Bela Stela was the featured belly dancer.  Food was prepared by “Presidential Chef” Danny Walker.

 

Opa’s Taverna got generally high marks from Will Jones:

At first I was suspicious of the presence of an electric organ in the direct-from Athens band but I should have known better.  Greek saloon music always snaps me into a state of instant euphoria, and this Greek music worked on me like all the rest.  When organist Lakis Sakadaris lets his instrument sound like an organ, the effect is hauntingly like Fellini Goes to Athens.  Frequently, however, he uses it for a sound like plucked strings, and just riches up the whole maddeningly stimulating bouzouki-and-guitar string sound.  The Six Athenians troupe includes George Morenos on bouzouki, Sakis Bravos on guitar, Lakis Vafias on drums, Georgia Kynegos on songs, and Bella Stela on belly.  The whole point of Opa’s Taverna is to make you want to yell Opa’a, which means you’re having a good time, and the band part of it works well.  (Minneapolis Tribune, December 8, 1973)

These venues may have changed names and uses over the years.

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TROUBLE AT THE F&H

The club closed abruptly in 1988 – Charles Schoen of the Del Counts remembers getting a call that the band should remove their instruments post haste before the place was padlocked.  Bankruptcy because of unpaid taxes was the problem.  Fortunately, the bankruptcy judge saw that the Del Counts were the only thing keeping the club afloat and paid them 100 percent for their entire final two weeks.

The contents of the Fox & Hounds was auctioned off on May 31, 1990.

The building became Champp’s, then the Crooked Pint Ale House, both chains.