Joe Louis Southern Kitchen Expands to Southfield with New Breakfast Spot

December 19, 2025

Joe Louis Southern Kitchen has opened its second location in Southfield, Michigan, expanding the restaurant brand named after Detroit boxing legend Joe Louis. The 5,300-square-foot breakfast and brunch establishment employs 35 people and serves traditional comfort food seven days a week from 7 a. m.

Who is affected

Joe Louis Southern Kitchen (company expanding operations)
Joe Louis Barrow II and Johnny Cannon (co-CEOs)
35 newly hired staff members
Southfield residents and dining customers
Guests seeking breakfast and brunch options in the Southfield area
Mayor Kenson Siver and the Southfield community

What action is being taken

Joe Louis Southern Kitchen is operating its new Southfield restaurant seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The restaurant is serving traditional breakfast items including skillets, pancakes, French toast, and scrambles along with healthier options
The company is employing 35 staff members at the new location

Why it matters

The expansion matters because it preserves and commercializes the legacy of Joe Louis, a historically significant figure who transcended sports to become a symbol of American pride and Black achievement during the Jim Crow era. His 1938 victory over Max Schmeling carried national significance during the rise of Nazi Germany, and his Detroit roots remain central to the city's identity. The restaurant provides both economic opportunity through job creation and a cultural connection point that keeps Joe Louis' story of discipline, pride, and perseverance alive for new generations in Metro Detroit.

What's next

A gift shop featuring Joe Louis-branded merchandise (t-shirts and hats) is planned to open inside the Southfield location in January 2026
A bar featuring brunch-centric drinks such as mimosas and bloody marys is expected to open in early 2026

Read full article from source: Michigan Chronicle