Bobcat Bonnie’s Is Bringing Captain Crunch Chicken Fingers to Ferndale

Bobcat Bonnie’s is expanding to a third location in Ferndale. The popular gastropub is in the process of renovating the former Glo Nightclub, according to the Detroit Free Press.

Founded in 2014 in Corktown by owner Matthew Buskard, Bobcat Bonnie’s has been expanding at a brisk clip ever since. In 2017, the restaurant replaced the struggling Bourbon’s Brews & Bayou in Wyandotte. After a brief closure, Bonnie’s bought out the owners of the building. The Ferndale restaurant is expected to offer a nearly identical menu to its sibling locations with options like Captain Crunch chicken fingers, loaded tater tots, and burgers. Bobcat is also a favorite spot for its brunch, which features a build-your-own bloody mary and mimosa bar.

The restaurant is expected to seat around 200 people and will feature a private dining space in the basement. Buskard declined requests by Eater for more information on the project.

Although fans of Bonnie’s will likely be excited by the expansion to another inner ring ‘burb, the restaurant may yet have some hurdles to overcome with the location. The address at 22061 Woodward Ave. was once home to Doug’s Body Shop, which was used as a set for part of the filming of Aretha Franklin’s video for “Freeway of Love.” However, in recent years the clubs that filled the space drew complaints from the community over issues of parking, noise, and indecent and violent incidents involving some patrons. Glo’s liquor license was ultimately revoked in 2015 and while the owner’s filed a lawsuit against the city, state, and police, the nightclub ultimately failed to regain its license and closed.

Bonnie’s team hopes to open by late-fall. Stay tuned for more updates as the project moves forward. In the meantime, the restaurant is celebrating its fourth anniversary this week in Corktown.

• Bobcat Bonnie’s Is Opening Newest Location in Ferndale [Freep]
• Controversial Ferndale Nightclub Loses Bid to Regain Liquor License After Stabbings [Oakland Press]
• All Bobcat Bonnie’s Coverage [ED]
• All Expansions Coverage [ED]