Two Metro Detroit Barbecue Joints Are Opening New Locations

Slows Bar-B-Q is opening a new location in Grand Rapids next spring. The popular Corktown restaurant is one of two eateries that were invited to open a location in the Downtown Market complex. "When we opened, we were just going to be a little barbecue place in Corktown," chef Mike Metevia tells the Free Press. "To get that kind of call—it's huge for us."

Lockhart's BBQ is also expanding and is in the process of finalizing a deal to purchase a building for a Lake Orion location according to an article by DBusiness Daily News.

The Royal Oak restaurant, which opened in 2010, is almost doubling its seating capacity with a $600,000 renovation. The added space in the Detroit Edison building's lower level is expected to open by the end of the month, says co-owner Drew Ciora. Take a peek at a photo of the project.

"Unfortunately, we have a long wait on the weekends, so we wanted to increase our dining capacity," Ciora tells DBusiness. The restaurant will also feature an expanded Michigan craft beer selection. Ciora says he plans to hire an additional 13 to 15 employees as a result of the expansion.

Ciora hopes to open the Lake Orion location by next summer.