Bucharest Grill’s Biggest Ever Location Opens Downtown Tonight [Updated]

Several years after its departure from the Park Bar, Detroit’s popular chicken shawarma slinger Bucharest Grill is preparing to return to the downtown’s arena district tonight. Owner Bogdan Tarasov confirms to Eater that the restaurant, located at 436 W. Columbia St., has secured licensing and will debut at 5 p.m. on Friday, October 19.

At 130 seats, the downtown location of Bucharest will be the casual Detroit-based chain’s largest restaurant to date. Tarasov, who owns the Columbia Street building, is also introducing something new but entirely fitting for Bucharest — a bar. The location will feature approximately 21 different beers pouring from 24 taps. The beer menu is comprised of selections from local and regional breweries including Batch Brewing Company, Bell’s, Brew Detroit, and Atwater, as well as domestics like Budweiser and Miller.

On the menu, fans of Bucharest can expect the standards like chicken shawarma, falafel wraps, schnitzel plates, and eggplant dip. Tarasov has also outfitted the new location with a special bread oven which may be used to bake fresh pita bread or possibly late-night homestyle pizzas.

This is Bucharest’s fifth location, joining restaurants in Northwest Detroit, Milwaukee Junction, Corktown, and East Jefferson. Like the other locations, the new establishment will have a counter service format and a similar look with blonde wood, black brick, and subway tile. Expect a mixture of bar seating, tables, and booths. The restaurant also features a large, garage-door style window at the front. The Columbia Street location will stay open late until 2 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

Update, 3:41 p.m., October 19: This post has been updated to reflect the opening of Bucharest Grill.

• Bucharest Grill Is Returning to Downtown This Summer [ED]
• Bucharest Grill’s Original Park Bar Location Is Relocating in Early 2016 [ED]
• Shawarma Slinger Bucharest Grill Closes Park Bar Location [ED]
• As Bucharest Grill Grows, A Hands-On Approach Maintains Quality [ED]
• All Bucharest Grill Coverage [ED]
• All Eater Tracking Coverage [ED]