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When it came to great food, or even good food, the Hard Rock Cafe in downtown Detroit was nothing special. It opened in 2003 and closed with a whimper in 2019. We can't say we miss the big guitar overlooking Campus Martius.
Now, the Sugar Factory American Brasserie, a global chain New York magazine describes as having "a broad menu of savory food, and a hyperactive candy emporium," will fill the high-visibility space in the One Campus Martius Building.
Dan Gilbert's Bedrock Detroit, which owns the building, says the restaurant with a patio will open in late spring.
The Detroit shop will seat 233 and have a retail candy store with hundreds of items, a restaurant and a dessert menu with over-the-top offerings -- all with enough sugar to help your dentist maintain a nice winter-home getaway.
How about a Caramel Sugar Daddy Cheesecake milkshake or the Nutella Banana variety, both $21? (And to think Vincent Vega in "Pulp Fiction" was dying to try a pricey $5 shake.) Or a King Kong Sundae for $99? That one serves up to 12 people, with 24 scoops of ice cream covered in sprinkles, chocolate chip cookie chunks, a glazed donut, gummy bears and a whole lot more. The chain describes itself as "MTV meets Willy Wonka."
In non-dessert offerings, the restaurant serves steak frites, salmon, steak, chicken and waffles, pasta, salad, sandwiches, monster burgers (including one for vegetarians) and buttermilk onion rings. (See menu.)
The King Kong Sundae ($99) serves up to 12. (Photos: Sugar Factory)
“We are excited to bring our decadent dishes, sweets and treats to the Detroit community, which have been enjoyed by guests around the world for over a decade,” owner Charissa Davidovici says in a press release. “The energy and atmosphere of downtown and the One Campus Martius building is the perfect place for Sugar Factory’s family-friendly dining.”
You've been warned: Customers would be wise to wear a belt with extra notches, or an elastic waistband.
Food & Wine magazine named Sugar Factory as “the Most Instagrammed Restaurant in the United States.”
Besides Las Vegas, the chain also is in Chicago, Los Angeles, San Diego, Dallas, Philadelphia, Miami, Brooklyn, the Bahamas and Dubai (four sites).
