Slows Bar BQ opened on a mostly-abandoned block at the corner of Michigan and 14th in Detroit in September 2005. The concept was immediately a smash hit, featuring a hip interior paired with a gourmet spin on barbecue cooked fresh every day, a love of craft beer and a dedication to community.
Over the next few years, Slows became a destination restaurant, featured on cable TV shows and in numerous print publications. In 2013, the restaurant expanded into the O’Connor Real Estate office next door increasing its capacity and increasing its enviable draft list to 56 taps.
I must warn you, the restaurant is insanely popular so best to book a reservation online days or even weeks before your visit to ensure you aren’t disappointed. We chanced a pop by and were told at 6pm on a Saturday that the wait would be almost two hours unless we could find a seat. And I sure felt like Lady Luck a split second later when two sud-sloshers at the bar hopped out of their seat. I naturally pounced, plopped and flashed a smug mug before running my fingers down the meaty menu.
Slows truly is a carnivores delight, featuring all your classic down south BBQ favs which pair perfectly with the kitchen’s house made choir of sweet to spicy sauces. Sip a tart Dark & Stormy while feasting through chili rubbed whole hog BBQ tacos slathered in smoked poblano bbq sauce, Southern Fried Chicken Tenders dipped in ranch and smoked jalapeno jelly, crispy beef brisket with applewood bacon baked beans and succulent babyback ribs, bubbling mac & cheese and butter slathered cornbread.
1) Dark & Stormy
2) BBQ Tacos | chili rubbed whole hog with smoked poblano bbq sauce, queso chihuahua, pickled onions, house jalapenos
3) Southern Fried Chicken Tenders | buttermilk brined amish chicken fried in seasoned bredding, ranch dressing, smoked jalapeno jelly
4) Beef Brisket with Applewood Bacon Baked Beans
5) Babyback Ribs with Mac & Cheese and Cornbread
