Steve's Soul Food opened its second location on E. Franklin last year
and now owner Steve Radden is utilizing his upstairs floors as The
Key Club, hosting live music, dance and spoken word events.
It's
business as usual on the first floor, with Steve's famous soul food
served buffet-style -- although Radden has upped the ante by expanding
his offerings to include seafood, pasta and steak. Food is served 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m.
to 10 p.m. Friday-Saturday and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday. Dine-in and carry-out are
available; there is free parking and valet service available.
Upstairs
at The Key Club, the second floor occasionally hosts live music, open
mic nights and poetry events. The third floor is hosting a weekly event
called Dancing With the City that segues from a post-work mingling
session to a late-night dance party.
From 6:30 to 10 p.m., cover
is $5. There is a complimentary soul food buffet, drinks are half-off
and there are free ballroom, bop and salsa lessons. After 10 p.m.,
cover goes up to $10 and it's open dance until closing time.
Although
Radden says that business is "a little slow right now," he is confident in his location and willing to try new things to find his
downtown "niche" -- like dance parties and menu tweaks. "I love the
building … the historic, artistic personality of the building," he says.
"And it's only a block from the water!"
Steve's Soul Food and The Key Club are located at 1440 Franklin Street; call 313-393-4846.
Source: Steve Radden, Steve's Soul Food and Melanie Williams, Key Club
Writer: Kelli B. Kavanaugh
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