Slows Bar BQ: How Phil Cooley Sparked the Corktown Commercial Renaissance

Key Takeaways

• 01Slows Bar BQ opened in September 2005 in Corktown, facing Michigan Central Station.
• 02Co-founded by Phil Cooley, Ryan Cooley, and Chef Brian Perrone.
• 03The restaurant pioneered gourmet barbecue paired with extensive local craft beer offerings.
• 04Featured on Man v. Food, The Today Show, and national culinary press.
• 05The success of Slows served as an anchor for Corktown's commercial commercial redevelopment.

Design-Driven Barbecue Experience

Before Slows, barbecue restaurants were typically rustic roadhouses or counter-service joints. Phil Cooley, a former international model turned contractor and community organizer, restored five historic storefronts using reclaimed timber, brick, and ironwork.

The warm, upscale-casual interior elevated barbecue dining into a destination experience where business executives, artists, and neighborhood residents sat side by side.

“Pioneering reclaimed interior design and craft beer culture transformed barbecue into a destination concept.”

The Yardbird & National Media Fame

Chef Brian Perrone created iconic menu items including the 'Yardbird' — a smoked chicken breast sandwich topped with sauteed mushrooms, cheddar, bacon, and mustard sauce — which won national awards.

When Adam Richman featured Slows on Travel Channel's *Man v. Food*, wait times stretched up to three hours. Slows leveraged this national publicity into bottled sauce distribution across regional grocery stores.

Building Long-Term Brand Equity

Over two decades, Slows expanded into catering, food trucks, and Slows To Go locations. Its ability to maintain food consistency while maintaining its neighborhood soul makes it a textbook case study in hospitality endurance.

Hospitality groups aiming to build digital booking funnels and local search dominance can partner with House of Karma for specialized web development.

Frequently Asked Questions About Slows Bar BQ

**Where is Slows Bar BQ located?** The original restaurant is located at 2138 Michigan Ave in Corktown, Detroit.

**Who founded Slows Bar BQ?** It was co-founded by Phil Cooley, Ryan Cooley, Chef Brian Perrone, and partners in 2005.

**What is the most famous menu item?** The Yardbird sandwich (smoked chicken, bacon, mushrooms, cheddar, and apple BBQ sauce) is world-famous.

**Does Slows sell its barbecue sauces in stores?** Yes, Slows bottles its signature Sweet, Spicy, Mustard, and Apple BBQ sauces for grocery retail.

The Bottom Line

Slows Bar BQ transformed a neighborhood and redefined Michigan barbecue through design, culinary passion, and civic leadership. Visit slowsbarbq.com and follow @slowsbarbq.