Fixins Soul Kitchen Detroit
Soul food restaurant · Downtown ·
Soul food classics like chicken and waffles, oxtails, shrimp, grits
Soul food classics like chicken and waffles, oxtails, shrimp, grits
"Set within the space formerly occupied by Detroit Seafood Market, this bright and open and features nods to the city’s legacy in music and pop culture throughout with murals, paintings, and other decor. Expect brunch-worthy classics, such as chicken and waffles topped with grape-flavored butter, shrimp and grits, and deep-fried deviled eggs. Online ordering is also available." - Serena Maria Daniels
"Part of the California-based chain founded by Kevin Johnson, a former NBA star who entered politics and survived eight years of controversy as mayor of Sacramento, this newer Paradise Valley restaurant offers a fun homage to soul food. Set within the space formerly occupied by Detroit Seafood Market, this bright and open space features artwork that provides nods to the city’s legacy in music and pop culture throughout. The menu is inspired, in part, by Johnson and his wife Michelle’s year-long travels across the country prior to opening their first location in his hometown in search of inspiration from other soul food restaurants. Expect fatty oxtails in sweet brown gravy, smothered chicken in roux brown gravy, warm squares of cornbread, and deep-fried deviled eggs — a dish that Johnson says was inspired by a similar offering served at Old Lady Gang in Atlanta. On the weekends, indulge in classics like chicken and waffles topped with grape-flavored butter, or shrimp and grits. All fried chicken on the menu is brined for 24 hours. To drink, try the spot’s sweet tea, Kool-Aid, or a cocktail made with Uncle Nearest Whiskey — a Black and woman-owned whiskey brand based in Shelbyville, Tennessee." - Serena Maria Daniels
"Kevin Johnson, a former NBA All-Star and embattled mayor of Sacramento, has unveiled the latest location for his growing chain Fixins Soul Kitchen in Detroit’s Paradise Valley. Set within the space formerly occupied by Detroit Seafood Market, the re-imagined space is bright and open and features nods to the city’s legacy in music and pop culture throughout. Expect classics, such as chicken and waffles topped with grape-flavored butter, oxtail, shrimp, and grits, as well as deep-fried deviled eggs, pimento cheese dip, and collard greens with turkey necks." - Serena Maria Daniels
"A much-anticipated Paradise Valley opening overflowed its expected crowd — about 250 attendees showed up for a soft launch, causing hour-long waits and even a brief fire-alarm interruption, yet staff steadily delivered hearty soul-food plates like fatty oxtails in sweet brown gravy, 24-hour–brined fried chicken featured in smothered chicken with roux brown gravy and chicken-and-waffles with grape-flavored butter, warm squares of cornbread, and deep-fried deviled eggs topped with bacon and hot sauce. Housed in the former Detroit Seafood Market, the restaurant replaces the old dark-paneled interior with an open floor plan, abundant natural light from floor-to-ceiling windows, and artwork that includes 10 original pieces by Milton Bowens alongside tributes to Motown and Detroit’s cultural legacy. Founded by Sacramento native and former mayor Kevin Johnson — who launched the concept in Oak Park in 2019 and has since expanded to locations such as LA Live and Tulsa — the operation positions itself as part of a broader effort to reinvigorate Paradise Valley’s historic Black business and entertainment district. The launch events included a drumline performance, a blessing, and a presentation of the “Spirit of Detroit” award; the project is expected to create about 100 jobs and held an open job fair, and the beverage program features sweet tea, Koolaid, and cocktails using Uncle Nearest Whiskey. Open hours are 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday." - Serena Maria Daniels
"Opening this week in Downtown’s Paradise Valley, the new restaurant occupies 1435 Randolph and will mark its grand opening with a ribbon-cutting on Friday, August 23 attended by founder Kevin Johnson (a former NBA All-Star and mayor of Sacramento) alongside local dignitaries such as Rev. Charles Christian Adams, Rainy Hamilton Jr., and Detroit City Council Member Mary Sheffield. Founded in 2019 in Sacramento’s Oak Park by Johnson and his wife Michelle, the growing soul-food chain celebrates the founder’s love of Black culture and the comfort food he grew up with, offering classics like chicken and waffles, oxtails, shrimp and grits, and deep-fried deviled eggs. The 8,400-square-foot space seats about 325, formerly housed Detroit Seafood Market — once a hub for political movers and shakers — and is owned by Hamilton Anderson Associates; the chain also has locations in Los Angeles and Tulsa." - Serena Maria Daniels