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The opening of an influencer-driven restaurant in Detroit’s Eastern Market aims to bring a fresh culinary energy to the historic neighborhood.Today in Detroit
Starex Smith, a popular food influencer known as the ‘Hungry Black Man’ on social media, is opening a new restaurant called Smith & Williams in Detroit’s Eastern Market neighborhood. The restaurant will serve dishes like shrimp and grits, house-made buttermilk biscuits, and oxtail lasagna.
Why it matters
The opening of Smith & Williams represents a growing trend of social media influencers and food critics leveraging their platforms to open their own brick-and-mortar restaurants. This can bring new culinary experiences and energy to local communities, but also raises questions about the sustainability of influencer-driven business models.
The details
Smith, who has built a large following online for his food reviews and cooking videos, will be personally working in the kitchen at Smith & Williams alongside a chef. The restaurant aims to serve soulful, high-quality dishes without any shortcuts.
Smith & Williams is set to open soon in Detroit’s Eastern Market neighborhood.
The players
Starex Smith
Also known as the ‘Hungry Black Man’ on social media, Smith is a popular food influencer who is opening the new restaurant Smith & Williams.
Smith & Williams
A new restaurant opening soon in Detroit’s Eastern Market neighborhood, serving soulful and sumptuous dishes like shrimp and grits, house-made buttermilk biscuits, and oxtail lasagna.
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What they’re saying
“I’m excited to bring our Smith & Williams brunch and dinner to the incredible people of Detroit. I’ll be in the kitchen personally alongside my chef, no shortcuts, no excuses.”
— Starex Smith, Owner, Smith & Williams
The takeaway
The opening of Smith & Williams reflects the growing influence of food influencers and critics who are leveraging their online platforms to open their own brick-and-mortar restaurants, bringing new culinary experiences to local communities.
Dining and Cooking