Joe Louis Southern Kitchen
6549 Woodward Ave.
Detroit
March 2, 2026
Delicious food and Southern charm with a boxing twist define Joe Louis Southern Kitchen, a local chain with locations in New Center, Detroit and Southfield and a third planned to open in Downtown Detroit next month. The restaurant features an extensive menu of Southern brunch and lunch options and a décor inspired by the American South. It is co-owned by Joe Louis Barrow II, the son of Detroit boxing legend Joe Louis, and features boxing memorabilia to honor his legacy.
When I visited their Detroit location, I was immediately taken aback by the décor. Dominating the room was a covered porch attached to a blue siding façade which looked like it had been picked up and dropped off straight from a home in the South. The walls continued the scene with images of a warm, leafy neighborhood, complete with a white picket fence. Overhead hung 3D greenery with lights, further creating an atmosphere of enjoying a homemade Southern meal outdoors. Motown music played in the background, adding another element of joy and relaxation plus a nod to Detroit.
Tucked throughout were images of Joe Louis, who moved to the city at age 12 from Alabama (the inspiration for Detroit’s giant fist monument downtown). A corner display featured a punching bag, boxing gloves, a trophy and other items and a TV played a stream of video with footage of the late boxer.
The food, of course, is what’s most important in a restaurant, and Joe Louis Southern Kitchen delivered. When we entered, my dad and I were in much need of comfort food. We had plenty of options. On the sweet side, the menu featured a range of flapjacks, French toast and waffles with boxing or Southern-inspired themes like peach cobbler, Key Lime Pie or “Golden Gloves.” The savory side included skillets, omelets, breakfast biscuits, gumbo, sandwiches, grits, catfish, salads and turkey legs, some with names like “The Weigh In,” “The Brown Bomber” and “The Heavyweight.”
I opted for the bananas Foster French toast, which was delicious. It featured four, thick, fluffy half-slices of bread, topped with bananas foster sauce, cooked bananas and powdered sugar. It was sweet and hearty without being overly sweet and had a perfect amount of syrup that didn’t dominate or weigh things down.
My dad got the Creole Gumbo made with slow-cooked roux, shrimp, roasted chicken, okra, spicy beef sausage, peppers and buttered rice, which we both really enjoyed. The flavor was well balanced, perfectly seasoned and had a kick without being too spicy. We both loved our meals, leaving with full stomachs and a desire to return to try something new.
While we still schlep through the dreary cold of a Michigan winter, Joe Louis Southern Kitchen is a welcome oasis of Southern charm and warmth. I look forward to my next visit.
