The Green Room Returns to Downtown Detroit With Refreshing Salads

A year and a half after closing its doors in the Ford Building, downtown Detroit lunch favorite the Green Room is preparing to reopen on Monday, July 22 inside the Guardian Building, owner Steve Zuccaro confirms to Eater in an email.

Zuccaro, who also operates Lunch Box Deli and Burrito Mundo, has been in the process of building out the new Green Room space since signing the lease at the stunning “Cathedral of Finance” building last December. The new restaurant will occupy roughly the same space as the original at the Ford Building, but will also offer customers a place to sit down and eat in the Guardian’s common seating area.

Reach by phone on Monday, Zuccaro tells Eater that he’s looking forward to being open after what’s been a long development process. Just like the original, Green Room will offer affordably priced fresh salads by the pound as well as soups. The Green Room has also expanded its soup options to encompass up to 12 options ranging from the popular turkey chili to vegan and gluten-free choices. Pre-made sandwiches will eventually be available, though the restaurant is still waiting on the cooler to be delivered. Beginning on Tuesday, July 23, customers will also be able to place orders online for faster pickup of signature salads.

It’s been a long road for the salad bar restaurant, which was among several longtime Ford Building businesses that were allegedly declined new leases by incoming property developers Zaid Elia and Matthew Shiffman. Rising rent for nearby properties made it difficult for the Green Room to relocate elsewhere. Still, Zuccaro continued to search for space even after the restaurant closed down and was ultimately rewarded with the Guardian Building.

The Green Room is located at 500 Griswold; hours will be flexible during the opening but are roughly 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday.

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