Controversial Hoffa’s Hideout Name Axed

After nearly two days worth of negative feedback, critics of the name Hoffa’s Hideout — the replacement for Casey’s Pub — have won. New owner Matthew Buskard (also of Bobcat Bonnie’s) tells Eater, he and his partners have decided to scrap the controversial moniker. Buskard says that his team reached out to the Teamsters, led by Hoffa’s son James P. Hoffa. The overall opinion, according to Buskard, was that the name felt inappropriate for a bar given that Jimmy Hoffa himself was never a much of a drinker.

The announcement of the name for the Corktown bar received notable jeers. Some declared it in poor taste, while others seemed to think the level of fuss was a bit overboard. What name will come next remains to be seen. “We really want to keep it oriented toward the people who have been coming for the past 30 years,” Buskard says.

The concept itself has inspired plenty of feedback too. Tacos and margaritas so close to Southwest Detroit seems like bad move to some. However, Buskard reiterated to Eater today that his goal with tacos was not to compete with family-owned taquerias but to provide a bar food alternative to burgers using the limited equipment available in the former Casey’s space. The menu won’t offer “traditional tacos,” but rather fusion options featuring fried chicken, fish, and vegetarian fillings. The new incarnation of Casey’s is slated to debut in early November.

• Play a Disappearing Act at Hoffa’s Hideout, Corktown’s Soon-To-Open Watering Hole [ED]

• Casey’s Pub in Corktown to Shutter, Reopen as Street Taco Concept [ED]

• All Plywood Report Coverage [ED]