08/26/2026
đ¶ A Legendary Afternoon at the Cabin đ€ âš
On August 26, 1956, Johnny Cash rolled through Detroit after a show in Toronto and played a matinee right here at the cabin â then known as Rusceakâs Rustic Tavern. The same stage at the north end of our restaurant still stands today, the very spot where Johnny and The Tennessee Two filled the room with early hits like âCry, Cry, Cry,â âHey Porter!,â âFolsom Prison Blues,â and âI Walk the Line.â
Just weeks earlier, Johnny had met June Carter at the Grand Ole Opry, and sparks were already flying. Before the show, he spent over an hour in our lobby phone booth talking to her â friends later said he was completely taken, pouring his heart out between cigarette breaks and soundcheck.
Soon after that afternoon, his career exploded. He joined Elvis, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Carl Perkins as part of the Million Dollar Quartet, and appeared on The Jackie Gleason Show in early 1957.
To honor the Man in Black, we created the Johnny Cash Special â creamy mac & cheese, crispy buttermilk fried chicken, and bold, zesty chili. Itâs not on the menu, but itâs a secret item we keep in tribute to Johnny. Just ask for it by name.
A little music history, a lot of heart â and one unforgettable afternoon at the Cabin. â€ïžđĄđ”