Joe Louis Southern Kitchen Plans Third Location on Woodward Avenue for April 2026

Joe Louis Southern Kitchen will open its third location at 1528 Woodward Avenue in downtown Detroit on April 3, 2026. The date matches the Tigers' home opener against St. Louis. This restaurant brand honors boxing legend Joe Louis and will take over a 4,000-square-foot space in the historic United Foundation Building.

The new location sits south of David Broderick Tower near Grand Circus Park. Comerica Park is just steps away. It'll seat more than 80 guests. This marks the brand's first place to have a bar with extended late hours on game or show nights at nearby venues.

Joe Louis Barrow II, son of the boxing legend, co-leads the business with local restaurateur Johnny Cannon. The menu has signature dishes named after the boxer's life, including The Weigh In skillet, The Heavyweight omelet, and The Champ chicken sandwich topped with Brown Bomber sauce.

"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," said Joe Louis Barrow II according to DBusiness.

Other menu items include BBQ Cajun Smoked Turkey Leg, Mama Lillie's Flapjacks, Golden Gloves French Toast, and Creole Gumbo. The restaurant serves Southern-style comfort food with an all-day breakfast focus.

The first location opened in 2021 at 6549 Woodward Avenue in New Center, while a second one opened in November at 29649 Northwestern Highway in Southfield.

The interior will showcase milestones and photos from boxer Joe Louis' life. The design aims to create a welcoming atmosphere while celebrating his athletic and business pursuits.

The downtown restaurant will run seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., but hours will stretch on event nights at Comerica Park, Ford Field, Little Caesars Arena, or a handful of historic theaters.

The United Foundation Building dates back to 1916. Office tenants now occupy the upper floors of the restored structure. The restaurant will take the first floor.