Thanksgiving plates are legendary and, for many, are a special treat for the November holiday. But, for one Black-owned restaurant in Detroit, turkey and all the famous fixin’s can be enjoyed all year long.
The Turkey Grill is owned and operated by George Lyles, who, for more than two decades, has served up all things turkey to the Motor City and beyond.
Customers from as far as Ohio travel to Detroit’s North End to sample Lyles’ classic turkey dishes fit for any time of the day or year.
And it’s not just about enjoying that famous plate fixed once a yearLyles told The Detroit Free Press he started his restaurant to introduce Detroit to southern essentials and offer up a leaner option to red meat and chicken.
“There were so many people in the South doing turkey legs and whole turkeys fried and smoked, but no one here was doing it,” Lyles told the outlet.We’re proud to serve our community the best Soul Food in Detroit. #TheTurkeyGrill #SoulFood #Cajun #Turkey #BestSoulFoodInDetroit #DetroitEats pic.twitter.com/BV4MDq0U6G
Lyles also shared his business marketing secret to the outlet: “He who stands on the pole and hollers, gets business,” the restauranteur said with a laugh. “See, I’m from the country. I’ve got all these fun sayings.”
The Yazoo City, Mississippi native’s “fun saying” –– translated to mean if you promote your business, the people will come –– has been the key to getting and keeping customers of his Woodard Avenue eatery happy since 1996.
Lyles said he and his sister, the cook who developed the first menu of the restaurant, took a road trip across the South to hone recipes for all of their turkey dishes.
“We traveled to New Orleans, back to Mississippi, Texas, South Carolina. Most of our recipes are from all over the South, and that’s why we’re unique to this part of the country,” Lyles said.
Patrons of the Turkey Grill can order a range of items including turkey wings–– fried or poached, turkey burgers, deli sliced sandwiches, turkey meat loaf, and so much more.
Check out more from George Lyles and The Turkey Grill here.
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