Managing Partners Johnny Cannon, left, and Joe Louis II plan to eventually take Southern Kitchen across the country and rebuild the Joe Louis brand, starting in Detroit
Photo provided by Joe Louis Southern Kitchen
From the “Knockout Catfish Acadian” meal to the “Creole Shrimp and Grits” breakfast menu item – you know it’s going down when you pull up to the new Joe Louis Southern Kitchen spot at 6549 Woodward Ave. in Detroit. The restaurant was opened by Joe Louis II – son of the iconic Joe Louis.
What more can be said about the boxing champion and legend Joe Louis? Not enough because his legacy and career have touched generations both here in his native Detroit and the national stage, and he’s still making an impact.
Louis was not only an accomplished athlete but was also a serial entrepreneur, founding several successful brands. Among those brands were the Joe Louis Milk Company and Joe Louis Distillery. The Joe Louis Milk Company was established in 1954 on Chicago’s south side. The milk was carried in local grocery stores until 1977 when the company ceased to operate. He also formed Joe Louis Distillery Company with the intent to sell “Joe Louis Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey.” The slogan was: “Champion of them all.”
His son, Louis II, is following in his father’s footsteps with his restaurant endeavors and opened the Southern Kitchen on May 14 to coincide with the celebration of the boxer’s 107th birthday a day earlier.
“Joe Louis Southern Kitchen is a testament to the enduring bond between Joe Louis and the city of Detroit,” said Johnny Cannon, managing partner of Joe Louis Southern Kitchen. “Joe was not only an accomplished athlete but also a serial entrepreneur. His entrepreneurial pursuits and his unwavering belief in the human spirit inspired us to open Joe Louis Southern Kitchen in Detroit.”
The 2,600-square-foot restaurant has 80 seats and will bring 20 to 25 new jobs to Detroit. Managing Partners Johnny Cannon and Joe Louis II plan to eventually take Southern Kitchen across the country and rebuild the Joe Louis brand starting in Detroit. In addition to featuring highlights and photos of Joe Louis’ boxing career, the space is designed to look like the front porch of an old southern home with trees and greenery in the ceiling and a 3D print of a front yard complete with a white picket fence.
“Our goal is to take Southern Kitchen across the country – to inspire the community to do bigger and better things for the people that need it,” said Louis. “My father was happiest around his family and friends and restaurants give you the opportunity to celebrate moments with the people you love. Joe Louis Southern Kitchen plans to be an active participant in the COVID recovery by giving back to the community.”
Louis II told The Michigan Chronicle that the economic decline seemed like the “perfect opportunity” for him to focus on what’s important, which includes food and family.
“My father’s favorite was chicken fried steak,” he said, adding that his meal, is on the menu and is “everything you want for breakfast and brunch.”
The menu for Joe Louis Southern Kitchen was created by Chef Hakeem Biddle and Chef David Mendez. The Kitchen will feature a selection of southern favorites including cinnamon roll flapjacks, Cajun fried stuffed turkey legs, Bananas Foster French toast, JLSK’s famous bread pudding, key lime pie flapjacks, shrimp and grits, among others.
Louis II said that the Black community especially deserves the kind of “service everybody else gets” which is good food at reasonable prices, especially during the pandemic.
Joe Louis Southern Kitchen is located at 6549 Woodward Ave. in Detroit. The restaurant is open seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. To view the menu or make a reservation, visit https://www.facebook.com/jlskdetroit/.
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