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On a cold December evening, when the phone lines had yet to be connected, Dox Grillhouse in St. Clair Shores was packed with people eating, relaxing at the surrounding bar or waiting to be seated.
With the motto “Drop anchor and stay a while,” it looks like the newest entry at the end of the famed Nautical Mile on the St. Clair Shores is an early winner.
The two-story bar-restaurant, which opened earlier this week, is co-owned by Anthony Mancini and Patti Kukula, who previously owned the now-closed Delmar in Detroit’s Greektown. In addition to a lively atmosphere and extensive menu, Dox has a rooftop lounge and a dog-friendly patio in the summer months.
“We’ve been wanting to open a business in St. Clair Shores for a while,” Mancini said Wednesday evening. “We found a space over Memorial Day weekend in 2022, broke ground on construction a year ago and built Dox in 2024.”
Mancini and Kukula purchased the land and developed the Dox concept, which they hope to duplicate at two other locations in the future. Mancini did not comment on the investment figures, but said the team has poured millions of dollars into the project.
Mancini, a native of St. Clair Shores and a graduate of Lake Shore High School, described Dox as a “local neighborhood bar with home-cooked food, a large floor-to-ceiling TV screen and some live entertainment.” He also owns Celina’s Sports Bar in Madison Heights.
The pair kicked around a few titles before settling on the name Dox, a play on the word docks, due to the presence of Lake St. Clair a few blocks to the east. Although the eatery is not located directly on the lake, there is a view of one of the canals from a corner on the roof.
“We just made it up,” Mancini said of the name. “Simple name. It looks more like a water thing and it’s easy to remember.
The first thing you notice, whether you’re driving by or stopping, is the striking, colorful, nautical-themed artwork that adorns the walls. Some come from Florida, while others were created by artist Joey Salamon, who specializes in murals, fine art and interior designs.
The 10,000-square-foot restaurant was designed by Royal Oak architectural firm Krieger Klatt. It had been vacant for about 15 years and its last tenant was the Gourmet House banquet center.
The impressive menu includes American, Italian and Mexican dishes at reasonable prices.
Chef Dave Schrepferman, who has more than 25 years of experience, curated the food choices, focusing on classic bar food items.
The menu starts with appetizers ranging from a charcuterie board to mega nachos to steak and cheese egg rolls. There is also a variety of salads, soups, sandwiches, burgers and pizza. Diners will want to check out entrees such as fried chicken parmigiana, lemon pepper chicken cutlets, grilled salmon, pasta, steaks and chops, taco and quesadillas.
“I would say our specials our sandwiches, pizza and the wings will be popular,” Mancini said.
The drinks guys offer cocktails, such as the Dox grand margarita, along with mocktails and wine. Draft beer includes two taps from nearby Baffin Brewing Co. across the street. Baffin has no kitchen and offers food from Dox.
The place can accommodate approximately 400 guests, including 120 seats on the ground floor and 150 on the second deck. Mancini said a large outdoor patio will open in the spring but could eventually be closed off for private parties and banquets.
Mancini expects the Dox formula to be so successful that they can open more Dox brand locations in the future.
“We wanted to open the first Dox in my hometown of St. Clair Shores. Then we’ll probably open another location somewhere in Michigan and another one down south,” he said, adding that the company has no future locations in mind.
Dox will celebrate its grand opening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Tuesday at 9 a.m. Dox Grillhouse is open seven days a week from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. at 25225 Jefferson Avenue in St. Clair Shores. Visit doxgrillhouse.com to view the menu.
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