Fixins Soul Kitchen Opens in Downtown Detroit

The much-anticipated soul food eatery is owned by NBA All-Star Kevin Johnson.
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Chicken and Waffles are one of the signature dishes at Fixins Soul Kitchen, a new soul food restaurant in downtown Detroit. // Photo courtesy Fixins Soul Kitchen

A long-anticipated soul food eatery 鈥 owned by ex-Sacramento mayor and NBA All-Star Kevin Johnson 鈥 opened its doors Friday morning in downtown Detroit to a sizable crowd of first-time customers.

Fixins Soul Kitchen, one of the restaurants on our radar for 2024, offers soul food classics like chicken and waffles, oxtails, shrimp and grits, and deep fried deviled eggs. The restaurant has three other locations 鈥斕齋acramento, Los Angeles, and Tulsa. Johnson and his wife Michelle created the concept in 2019 and have incorporated several family recipes into the menu.

This new location, formerly the site of Detroit Seafood Market, features a sprawling 8,400-square-foot restaurant with a total of 325 seats. The interior pays homage to Detroit history, with portraits of Motown legends like Aretha Franklin, Lionel Ritchie, and a young Michael Jackson. It鈥檚 located in the former Paradise Valley area 鈥 a prominent Black business district between the 1920s and 1950s.

Here鈥檚 a few notable drinks and dishes on the menu:

The Lavender Lemon Drop // Photo courtesy Fixins Soul Kitchen

The Lavender Lemon Drop

This refreshing take on the classic lemon drop cocktail includes vodka, lemon juice, and lavender syrup.

The Better Burger

A half-pound ground round is served with melted pimento cheese, bacon, lettuce, tomato, onion, house pickles, and a special burger sauce.

Fried Green Tomatoes

The green tomatoes are crusted with cornmeal, fried till golden brown, and served with chipotle mayo.

Deep Fried Deviled Eggs

Deep fried egg cups are filled with creamy yolks and topped with bacon and hot sauce.

Sides include mac and cheese or green beans with bacon. // Photo courtesy Fixins Soul Kitchen

Oxtails

The soul food dish is served with brown gravy, rice and a choice side, like collard greens, mac and cheese, or candied yams.

Gumbo

The Creole stew includes chicken and andouille pork sausage and is served over rice.

Fixins Soul Kitchen is located at in Detroit. Its current hours are 5-9 p.m. Sunday-Thursday and 5-11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. For more information, visit or call 313-513-7685.