Joe Louis Southern Kitchen is planning on bringing its chicken and waffles and other Southern-style brunch dishes to downtown Detroit.
The local chain is named after the Detroit boxing champion and led by his son Joe Louis Barrow II and local restaurateur Johnny Cannon.
“Detroit helped shape my father. Preserving his name and keeping his legacy alive in the city he loved means the world to me and my family,” Barrow said in a statement. “As we prepare to open our third location, we are 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 restaurant aims to open its third location at 1528 Woodward Ave., in a property owned by Dan Gilbert’s Bedrock by April 3, 2026 — just in time for Detroit Tigers Opening Day.
“Detroit is experiencing incredible momentum and bringing our homestyle cooking to this iconic Woodward spot feels like a natural progression for our homegrown brand,” said Cannon. “Partnering with a transformative placemaker like Bedrock for our new space 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 6549 Woodward Ave. in Detroit’s New Center area. It recently opened a second location at 29649 Northwestern Hwy. in Southfield.
The new restaurant will be about 4,000 square feet and seat more than 80 diners.