Bucharest Grill Readies for Debut on Livernois Avenue [Updated]

Update, 11:36 a.m., 6/8: Bucharest Grill is ready for business. Owner Bogdan Tarasov confirmed to Eater by phone this morning that he has received final licensing for the Livernois location and will open later this afternoon — possibly by 1 p.m. — for business.

The hotly anticipated debut of Bucharest Grill’s Livernois Avenue location is nearly here. The homegrown restaurant mini-chain known for its chicken shawarma could open this week on The Avenue of Fashion pending final paperwork and one lingering city inspection.

Rumors of a possible Thursday opening spread quickly on Facebook this afternoon, but unexpected delays may quash those hopes. Speaking with Eater by phone on Wednesday evening owner Bogdan Tarasov says that he is still awaiting the final licensing from the city and may have to push back Bucharest’s Northwest Detroit debut.

Like the chain’s three other restaurants, Bucharest will serve casual carryout options like chicken shawarma and falafel, as well as hot dogs, salads, and more. The interior will also mirror other locations with details like exposed brick, a small walk-up counter, and blonde wood booths for dine-in seating.

Despite its popularity, Bucharest has always been cautious when it comes to growing its business. Two years ago the company began scaling up for expansion with the opening of a Corktown commissary kitchen. Rumors about a restaurant on Livernois began spreading back in 2015 when the Milwaukee Junction satellite restaurant was still under construction. Tarasov also moved his original location from downtown Detroit to East Jefferson last year.

The Livernois Bucharest is joining a growing restaurant corridor in Northwest Detroit that includes Good Cakes and Bakes, Kuzzo’s Chicken and Waffles, and 1917 American Bistro. More restaurants are poised to open in the area soon such as longtime pop-up Social Sushi. Stay tuned for updates.

Bucharest Grill is open from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Friday and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

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