Popular Detroit Chicken and Waffle Restaurant Closes After 11 Years

The owners hinted at a new chapter for the brand.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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Kuzzo's Chicken and Waffles, a popular Detroit restaurant known for its red velvet waffles and fried chicken, is closing down after 11 years of operation. The owners expressed gratitude to the community and hinted at future ventures for the brand.

Why it matters

Kuzzo's Chicken and Waffles was a beloved local institution that helped define Detroit's vibrant food scene. Its closure marks the end of an era, but the owners' promise of a 'new chapter' suggests the brand may resurface in a different form, continuing to serve the community.

The details

Kuzzo's Chicken and Waffles, located on Livernois just north of Seven Mile, is closing down after 11 years of operation. The restaurant was best known for its red velvet waffles, fried chicken, salmon patties, and other Southern-inspired dishes. Former St. Louis Rams player and Detroit native Ron Bartell opened the restaurant in early 2015.

  • Kuzzo's Chicken and Waffles opened in early 2015.
  • The restaurant is closing down in February 2026.

The players

Kuzzo's Chicken and Waffles

A popular Detroit restaurant known for its Southern-inspired dishes, including red velvet waffles and fried chicken.

Ron Bartell

A former St. Louis Rams player and Detroit native who opened Kuzzo's Chicken and Waffles in 2015.

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What’s next

The owners have hinted at a 'new chapter' for the Kuzzo's Chicken and Waffles brand, suggesting the possibility of the restaurant or a similar concept reopening in the future.

The takeaway

The closure of Kuzzo's Chicken and Waffles marks the end of an era for Detroit's vibrant food scene, but the owners' promise of a 'new chapter' suggests the beloved brand may resurface in a different form, continuing to serve the community that supported it for over a decade.