Joe Louis Southern Kitchen

The gist: The former New Center Eatery, which was known for its waffles and chicken, is now Joe Louis Southern Kitchen, named after the legendary boxer who has been immortalized along the riverfront with the iconic fist sculpture and is now immortalized through Southern comfort foods. The restaurant is in good company on this block of Woodward, with Supino Pizzeria and Yum Village a few doors south and Baobab Fare across the street.
The food: Aside from the chicken and waffle staple, the menu boasts a variety of classic Southern fare fit to satisfy a heavyweight champ’s appetite, from buttermilk marinated fried catfish to Cajun fried turkey leg. The menu clearly pays homage to Louis, with “Champ’s Specialties” like shrimp and grits to “Training Camp,” which is spicy beef sausage, fried wings, and blackened shrimp with eggs your way with rice and potatoes. The breakfast of boxers.
The cost: Prices range from about $6 for a breakfast biscuit to $18 for buttermilk marinated catfish.