Kuzzo’s Chicken & Waffles Closing After 11 Years on Detroit’s Avenue of Fashion

February 10, 2026

Kuzzo's Chicken & Waffles, a beloved Black-owned soul food restaurant on Detroit's Avenue of Fashion, is permanently closing after 11 years of serving the community. The establishment became much more than an eatery, functioning as a vital community gathering space where Black Detroit families celebrated milestones, shared post-church meals, and created lasting memories over comfort food. While the owners promise the brand will continue in some form and hint at future ventures, they have not provided specific details about their next steps or closure timeline.

Who is affected

Kuzzo's owners and their family
Regular customers and Black Detroit families who frequented the restaurant
The Detroit community, particularly Black residents who used it as a gathering space
Other businesses on the Avenue of Fashion/Livernois corridor
Black-owned restaurants in Detroit facing similar economic pressures

What action is being taken

Kuzzo's Chicken & Waffles is closing its doors at the 19345 Livernois location
The owners are working on their next venture (as stated in their response to Michigan Chronicle)

Why it matters

Kuzzo's served as more than a restaurant—it functioned as a critical community space where Black Detroit could gather for celebrations, family time, and connection in an environment that felt welcoming and homelike. The closure highlights ongoing challenges facing Black-owned businesses on historically significant corridors like the Avenue of Fashion, where establishments must navigate rising costs, changing foot traffic, and economic pressures while maintaining their role as cultural anchors. The loss impacts not just dining options but the social fabric of the community, removing a space that held collective memories and provided the kind of authentic cultural experience that cannot be easily replaced.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article (beyond the owners' vague promise to "stay tuned" for future ventures and their comment that they are "working on the next thing").

Read full article from source: Michigan Chronicle