HopCat, a Grand Rapids-based chain with five locations in Michigan including Ann Arbor and Detroit, plans to add another one with an opening in Royal Oak in the first quarter of 2017, Crain's Detroit Business reports.
Known for its seasoned "crack fries" and its variety of craft beers, the chain will open a restaurant in the 11,700-square-foot space at 208 W. Fifth St. in the current home of Woody's and Onyx across from O'Tooles, writes Adrienne Roberts of Crain's. Woody's and Onyx will close in early October.
Food Network Magazine named HopCat's Crack Fries among America's 10 Best French Fries in its July-August issue. The fries are beer battered and seasoned with black pepper house seasoning.
"Royal Oak is a city with a lot of soul — from cool shops, restaurants and nightlife, to its great neighborhoods," Mark Sellers, founder of HopCat and CEO of BarFly Ventures, said in a news release. "I don't like cookie-cutter places, so those who have visited HopCat — Detroit or another location — will find a different vibe in Royal Oak."
Crain's reports:
The HopCat in Royal Oak will feature 130 taps on the building's first floor, along with an additional 30 taps of its "Local 30" (Michigan beers) selections at the second floor bar. Like each HopCat location, the Royal Oak spot will have its own beer program manager, so the selection will be different from the offerings in Detroit or Ann Arbor, for example.
The Royal Oak location will offer HopCat's standard offerings of a variety of burgers, sandwiches and shareable appetizers, and will be the third location after the HopCats in Kalamazoo and Louisville to feature Detroit-style pizza, described as a square pizza baked in a solid steel pan with cheese to the edge.
