Homepage

Roadhouse Roots

DUE TO A RECENT FIRE WE ARE CLOSED FOR REMODELING

Dear friends of Karl's,  as many of you know on Wednesday, February 15 we had a terrible fire at The Cabin.  At 6:15 a blaze broke out at our back entrance.  Sadly the fire started at our employee smoking station and the high winds spread it to a storage container and then to the backside of the building resulting in severe damage to the our dish room, walk-in coolers, banquet room and the offices above the cabin.  It was the perfect storm. Thankfully no-one was hurt.  We are very proud of our team and loyal customers for staying calm and exiting the building calmly during peak business hours.  We would like to thank the community for the outpouring of love and support.   We are so grateful for all the kind posts, text messages, phone calls, emails and personal visits.  We would like to send a special shout out to all the area agencies & departments for saving the cabin including Ann Arbor City FD, Ann Arbor Twp FD, Dexter FD, Northfield FD, South Lyon FD, Scio FD, Superior FD, Northville City FD, Northville Twp FD, Plymouth FD, Plymouth Twp FD, Canton FD, Lyon FD,  Salem FD,  Huron Valley Ambulance, Michigan State Police and Washtenaw County Sheriff.   Without you the loss would have been much greater.  Our plan is to reopen, we're just not sure how long it will take. We have already started the cleaning process and will keep you posted as we learn more of our long journey ahead.   As sad as we are for our staff and guests we are so happy that no one was hurt. Stay tuned for more information as we gather it.  Thank you for all the love, support and understanding. 

Driving along the rural roads of Salem Township you stumble upon a historic log cabin restaurant  that opened it's doors on January 31, 1947.   The roadhouse was built on a farm and garnered much excitement as a dance hall with live music 4 nights a week, even once hosting a performance by the legendary Johnny Cash & The Tennessee Two.   As the years went on,  The Rustic Tavern gained a hard nosed reputation with regular calls being made to the police to break up disorderly clientele.  It was sold and passed through two short lived ownership's in 70's first as Heffner's Hideaway a biker bar with a notorious after-hours operation of illegal gambling, bookmaking and wild clientele.    And then as The Stock Yard  a fine dining steak house with an open pit grill.   The cabin laid dormant for 4 years until Karl Poulos discovered it in 1981 and fell in love with it's unique log timber design.  He purchased it against his wife Sophia's wishes and opened Karl's Family Restaurant, Inc. in November of 1982 serving homemade comfort food including breakfast on the weekends.  With hard-working Karl creating delicious meals in the kitchen and charming Sophia greeting everyone at the front door, their warm hospitality soon became the recipe for success. 

   Today, Karl's legacy lives on celebrating our 41st year as a family owned and operated restaurant.  Specializing in rustic American comfort food, our Chef's take great pride in creating seasonal menus using fresh locally sourced dishes with generous sized portions.  Complementing the menu is our bar which offers boutique wines that pair with our food,  20 delicious rotating craft beers on draft and cocktails made with great care to suit the season.   Our staff, the heartbeat of our restaurant,  will always greet you with a friendly smile and take the extra steps to WOW you.   For 76 years this storied log cabin roadhouse has brought joy to its guests offering heart-felt service,  classic home cooking, big drinks & supper club -style lively entertainment.  We'd love to share the  experience with you.

WE APOLOGIZE AS WE ARE TAKING A BREAK FROM ENTERTAINMENT INCLUDING LIVE BANDS & DUELING PIANOS UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.  WE HOPE TO BRING LIVE MUSIC BACK IN THE NEAR FUTURE.  WE APPRECIATE YOUR PATIENCE AND KINDLY ASK YOU TO CHECK BACK SOON.  

Follow Us @karlscabin