HopCat to Bless the Midwest With 30 New Gastropubs

Locally beloved gastropub HopCat is about to expand in a major way. The Detroit Free Press reports that HopCat just signed a $25 million deal "with an unnamed Texas lender" that will enable the company "to open six new bars a year for the next five years."

The original HopCat opened in Grand Rapids back in 2008; a midtown Detroit location debuted last December to a line wrapped around the block. The next one is slated to hit Lexington, Ky. this fall, and more will pop up in "Midwest college towns between Pennsylvania and Nebraska."

Besides an expansive beer list, HopCat also serves addictive "crack fries," burgers, and other clever bar food like loaded pretzel nuggets.