Detroit’s Joe Louis Southern Kitchen to open downtown location - Detroit Metro Times

V

VortexDash

Detroit's Joe Louis Southern Kitchen to Open Downtown Location Just in Time for Tigers Opening Day

In a move that promises to bring a taste of the South to downtown Detroit, the local chain Joe Louis Southern Kitchen is set to open its third location on Woodward Avenue by April 3, 2026. The restaurant, named after the legendary Detroit boxing champion and led by his son Joe Louis Barrow II and restaurateur Johnny Cannon, aims to give visitors, residents, and sports fans a taste of the values of excellence and community that the boxer stood for.

Located in a property owned by Dan Gilbert's Bedrock, the new 4,000-square-foot restaurant will seat over 80 diners. The menu will feature a mix of Southern-style brunch dishes, including its signature chicken and waffles, alongside other classic comfort food favorites.

"We're thrilled to bring our homestyle cooking to this iconic Woodward spot," said Cannon. "Partnering with Bedrock enables us to share Joe Louis' legacy with an even broader audience right in the heart of downtown, adding an element of history and flavor to the city's entertainment, sports, and shopping districts."

The original Joe Louis Southern Kitchen opened in 2021 at New Center Avenue, followed by a second location in Southfield. With its third outpost set to open just ahead of Detroit Tigers Opening Day, fans are sure to flock to the restaurant to sample its signature dishes.

"Detroit helped shape my father," said Barrow. "Preserving his name and keeping his legacy alive in the city he loved means the world to me and my family. As we prepare to open our third location, we're continuing to give something meaningful back to the city — inviting visitors, residents, and sports fans to experience the values of excellence and community my father stood for."

The new restaurant will become a hub for entertainment, shopping, and dining in downtown Detroit, offering a unique blend of Southern hospitality and Midtown charm.
 
OMG, I'm so stoked they're opening this new location in Downtown Detroit!!! 🤩 Can you even imagine getting a taste of the South right on Woodward Avenue?!?! Their chicken & waffles is literally my fave dish, and now I'll be able to get it downtown on Opening Day of the Tigers game - jackpot! 😍 I'm all about supporting local businesses, especially ones that honor our legendary boxers. I mean, who wouldn't want a piece of history in their belly?!? 💕 This place is gonna be so lit for foodies & sports fans alike! 🌃
 
OMG 🤩 just heard that Joe Louis Southern Kitchen is opening a new location in downtown Detroit!!! I'm super hyped to try their signature chicken and waffles 😋👏 it's gonna be a game-changer for the city, especially with Tigers Opening Day coming up 🐯⚾️. Dan Gilbert's Bedrock is on fire 💥 bringing more awesome spots like this to Woodward Avenue! Can't wait to see what other epic eats they'll have on the menu 🤔👌
 
omg i cant wait 2 try out joes southern kitchen downtown!!! their chicken & waffles is literally the best 🤩 i've had it at least 5 times since they opened up in southfield already! its like a taste explosion in ur mouth! plus, bein a detroit native myself, its so dope 2 see joe louis's legacy livin on through his son joey & johnny cannon. theyre doin somethin right if u ask me! and its gonna be lit when detroit tigers play @ the new stadium nearby 😎 cant wait 2 grab a bite after a game 🍴
 
OMG u guys 🤩 I'm literally stoked that Joe Louis Southern Kitchen is opening its 3rd location in detroit!!! it's gonna be so lit on Woodward Ave especially with the tigers season starting soon 😍🎟️ i've been to their other two spots and the food is always fire!! chicken & waffles is my fave 🍗😋 can't wait to try more of their southern comfort food vibes & show some love for detroit's own joe louis 🙌
 
I'm hyped they're opening up downtown! I've been raving about that chicken & waffles combo since I tried it at the other location lol... can't wait to see what kind of vibes they bring to Woodward Ave with this new spot 🤩. It's dope they're partnering with Bedrock too, that place is always popping. I'm curious to see how the menu will evolve, but keeping classic comfort food faves on the board sounds solid 🍴👌
 
Omg this is so cool! I'm gonna be down in detroit on opening day and i wanna try their chicken & waffles!!! its awesome that they're keeping joe louis legacy alive like that i love how the new restaurant is part of bedrock, it sounds like a great spot for foodies & sports fans alike
 
just think about it, they're opening up this super cool southern kitchen right in the heart of detroit... i mean, who wouldn't want to try that famous chicken and waffles on game day? 🤩 it's awesome that they're keeping joe louis' legacy alive and giving back to the community at the same time. it's also pretty cool that dan gilbert's bedrock is backing them out... that just shows how much detroit loves its sports teams (and good food) 🎟️ anyway, i'm super stoked for this new location and can't wait to try some of those southern-style brunch dishes 💯
 
🤔 thought it was cool they're opening up right on time for the Tigers game, gonna be a real hub for foodies & sports fans... can't wait to try out that chicken & waffles tho! 👌 also hope it's more than just your average Southern comfort food, got my fingers crossed they experiment with some new flavors too 🤞
 
omg i'm so down for some southern fried goodness in detroit 🤤🍴 can't wait to try their chicken and waffles at the new location on woodward avenue! opening just in time for tigers game day is genius, i'll def be there with my friends cheering on our team while enjoying some delicious eats 👊👍
 
I'm so down for this! I mean, who doesn't love good ol' fashioned comfort food? 🤤 They're opening just in time for Tigers Opening Day too, which is gonna be lit! I've been to their other two locations and the chicken and waffles are on point. Can't wait to try it out downtown, it's gonna be a blast! 😎 I'm all about supporting local businesses that keep the spirit of the city alive. And partnering with Bedrock? That's just smart business move 🤑
 
🤔 I think it's awesome that they're opening another location downtown! It'll be so cool to have Joe Louis Southern Kitchen right on Woodward Avenue, especially with the Tigers Opening Day just around the corner 🎟️. The menu sounds amazing too - who doesn't love chicken and waffles? 😋 And I love that they're keeping the values of excellence and community that Joe Louis stood for alive through their restaurant. It's a great way to honor his legacy while also bringing people together over delicious food. Plus, being in Bedrock's property means it'll be right in the heart of downtown, so lots of foot traffic and opportunities to meet new people. Can't wait to try it out! 🤗
 
OMG, I'm so hyped about this new location 🤩🍴! As a huge Tigers fan, it's amazing to see the team's presence in the city growing. I've been to Joe Louis Southern Kitchen at New Center Avenue before, and their chicken and waffles are literally to die for 🤤! Having another spot downtown is going to be a total game-changer (pun intended 😄) - I'll def be hitting it up for Opening Day! Can't wait to see what other menu items they bring to the table 👌. And, I love that Bedrock's behind this venture - it's great to see local ownership bringing new energy to the city 🚀
 
omg what's next gonna be a baseball stadium diner? i mean dont get me wrong joe louis southern kitchen sounds like a cool spot but cant we just have some real detroit food for once like square pizza or cocky's wings?

thats so cheesy that they're partnering with bedrock like dan gilberts personal venture is gonna bring more gentrification to the area
 
omg yaaas i'm so down for this!! 😍 detroit's gonna get some southern love and it's all thanks to joe louis and his fam! 🤩 i mean who wouldn't wanna try that famous chicken & waffles? 🍴👌 plus it's opening right in time for the tigers game, i'm already imagining the stadium food situation... let's just say detroiters are gonna be happy 🙌🏽💕
 
omg u guys idk how i managed 2 get scoop on dis new location 🤫 but apparently joe louis southern kitchen is opening a new spot in detroit downtown by april 3rd 2026! its gonna be lit!! 🎉 the menu looks fire with chicken & waffles and all that good stuff. cant wait for detroit tigers fans to flock there on opening day 🐈😎 dan gilbert's bedrock got this new spot locked down tho so i'm lowkey hyped about the vibes they're gonna bring 2 the city
 
Man, this is like, Bedrock's got another winning move, right? 🤑 It's all about revitalizing the city and bringing in some fresh flavors and vibes. But let's talk about gentrification for a sec - are we talking about preserving the soul of Detroit or just making it more appealing to outsiders? I mean, Dan Gilbert's got his Bedrock empire, but what about the long-term benefits for the community? Shouldn't this be about giving back to the city and its people, rather than just lining up investors?

And have you seen the menu? It's all Southern comfort food, which is awesome, but isn't that just another example of gentrification? I mean, we're talking about classic dishes like chicken and waffles, but at what cost? Are they gonna start charging exorbitant prices for a plate of fried chicken or something? This is like the ultimate test case for whether Bedrock's really committed to community development or just wanna make a quick buck.
 
Yaaas finally another spot to try that famous chicken & waffles 🍗👌 Downtown location gonna be lit, especially on Tigers opening day ⚾️! Love how they're bringing some southern vibes to Woodward Ave, can't wait to see the interior design, Bedrock's got game over here 😎. Been hearing great things about JL Southern Kitchen and I'm not disappointed. They should def do a special menu item for Opening Day, maybe a "Tigers Tailgating" platter 🐯🍔
 
🤯 just when you think detroit can't get any better, joe louis southern kitchen is comin' to the city! i'm all about that southern comfort food life, and with this new location on woodward, it's gonna be a game changer. gotta give props to dan gilbert's bedrock for seein' the potential in this spot. and can you imagine enjoyin' those chicken and waffles while watchin' the tigers play? it's like detroit is gettin' its own little slice of southern charm right in the heart of downtown 🍴👏
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top