Joe Louis Southern Kitchen is set to expand its operations in downtown Detroit with the opening of its third location on Woodward Avenue. The popular chain, named after the legendary boxer Joe Louis, is owned by his son Joe Louis Barrow II and restaurateur Johnny Cannon.
The new restaurant will be a significant addition to the city's dining scene, boasting over 4,000 square feet and seating more than 80 diners. According to Barrow, the decision to open in downtown Detroit is a nod to the city that helped shape his father's life and legacy. "Preserving my father's name and keeping his legacy alive in the city he loved means the world to me and my family," he said.
Cannon added that the new location will be a natural progression for the homegrown brand, allowing them to share Joe Louis' values of excellence and community with an even broader audience. The restaurant aims to open its doors at 1528 Woodward Ave. by April 3, 2026, just in time for Detroit Tigers Opening Day.
The original Joe Louis Southern Kitchen opened in 2021 in the New Center area, followed by a second location in Southfield. The new downtown spot will offer a range of Southern-style brunch dishes, including chicken and waffles. With its commitment to preserving Joe Louis' legacy and sharing his values with the community, this latest expansion is set to be a hit with visitors and residents alike.
The restaurant's partnership with Bedrock, a transformative placemaker in Detroit, will enable them to share their unique homestyle cooking with an even broader audience. Located on one of the city's most iconic streets, the new Joe Louis Southern Kitchen is poised to become a staple in downtown Detroit's entertainment, sports, and shopping districts.
By bringing its signature dishes and commitment to community engagement to the heart of downtown, Joe Louis Southern Kitchen is set to cement its place as a beloved destination for foodies and fans of the legendary boxer alike.
The new restaurant will be a significant addition to the city's dining scene, boasting over 4,000 square feet and seating more than 80 diners. According to Barrow, the decision to open in downtown Detroit is a nod to the city that helped shape his father's life and legacy. "Preserving my father's name and keeping his legacy alive in the city he loved means the world to me and my family," he said.
Cannon added that the new location will be a natural progression for the homegrown brand, allowing them to share Joe Louis' values of excellence and community with an even broader audience. The restaurant aims to open its doors at 1528 Woodward Ave. by April 3, 2026, just in time for Detroit Tigers Opening Day.
The original Joe Louis Southern Kitchen opened in 2021 in the New Center area, followed by a second location in Southfield. The new downtown spot will offer a range of Southern-style brunch dishes, including chicken and waffles. With its commitment to preserving Joe Louis' legacy and sharing his values with the community, this latest expansion is set to be a hit with visitors and residents alike.
The restaurant's partnership with Bedrock, a transformative placemaker in Detroit, will enable them to share their unique homestyle cooking with an even broader audience. Located on one of the city's most iconic streets, the new Joe Louis Southern Kitchen is poised to become a staple in downtown Detroit's entertainment, sports, and shopping districts.
By bringing its signature dishes and commitment to community engagement to the heart of downtown, Joe Louis Southern Kitchen is set to cement its place as a beloved destination for foodies and fans of the legendary boxer alike.
It's awesome to think about how this restaurant will not only bring delicious Southern-style grub to the city but also help keep his dad's legacy alive 
. And can you imagine the vibes on Woodward Avenue with all these great eateries and entertainment options? 
I'm sure it'll be a real game-changer for Detroit! The fact that they're partnering with Bedrock too is just the icing on the cake – it's like their dreams are really coming true 
. And who knows, maybe this new spot will even inspire some of the locals to try out some new recipes and create something truly special 
. All in all, I'm super excited for April 3rd, 2026 – mark my words, this place is gonna be HUGE! 
. The fact that it's a nod to the city where Joe Louis grew up and had such an iconic career is so cool... it's like they're keeping his legacy alive, you know? 
And what's with all these Southern-style brunch dishes? Don't get me wrong, I love a good chicken and waffles as much as the next guy, but can they really pull off something unique and not just be, like, a carbon copy of everyone else's attempts at Southern cuisine? 
Maybe we'll even get some legendary boxing nods or retro vibes in there... that'd be awesome 
i mean, it's owned by joe louis' son and his partner, so you know the food is gonna be fire 
they're keeping it classic southern style with chicken & waffles on the menu, yum 
i think it's super cool that they're partnering with bedrock to bring their homestyle cooking to more people. plus, it's just so nice that they're keeping joe louis' legacy alive in detroit - he was such an iconic boxer and it's awesome they're paying tribute to him. anyway, mark your calendars for april 2026 when they open up shop at 1528 woodward ave! 
can you imagine going to dinner and having to walk through your own front door? 
but for real though i love the fact that it's named after joe louis and they're keeping his legacy alive. chicken & waffles sounds soooo good tho 
and bringing that southern charm to downtown detroit 
can't wait to try their chicken and waffles 
it's gonna be a game changer for the city's dining scene 