A Detroit sandwich shop is gearing up to bring its Romanian and Middle Eastern dishes to Grosse Pointe Woods.
Bucharest Grill has plans to turn a 2,000 square-foot storefront at 19876 Mack Ave. into its newest home.
Bucharest Grill intends to demolish the exterior facing and interior walls and replace it with a new brick facade, then do a complete overhaul inside to transform the former jewelry store into a restaurant. Owners are still in the permitting phase with their plans under review by Grosse Pointe Woods city officials.
According to planning documents, initial permits were issued in August. Developers submitted site plans for the new Bucharest Grill and the city’s planning commission unanimously approved the renovations March 28. City council members are expected to give final approval at a date yet to be determined.
There’s no timetable for the renovations and how soon the restaurant could open. Bucharest Grill owners could not be reached for comment this week.
The Grosse Pointe Woods restaurant is poised to become Bucharest’s sixth location. It already has four sandwich shops in Detroit and another in Royal Oak.
The sandwich shop would join a Mack Avenue corridor that’s on the cusp of welcoming a few other fast-casual dining options to the area. Qamaria Yemeni Coffee Co. has its sights set on a former Starbucks a half mile south at 19727 Mack Ave., according to city documents. Planning officials in December approved a tenant outfit for a Crispelli’s Bakery & Pizzeria on the same strip, records show.
Bucharest Grill originated in 2006, operating as a take-out spot at the old Park Bar in Downtown Detroit. For years, the restaurant rented kitchen space inside the popular cocktail lounge just across the street from Grand Circus Park. In 2015, it expanded and opened its first brick-and-mortar location
Bucharest Grill specializes in Romanian sausages and falafels — Bucharest is the capital of Romania. The menu also includes salads, burgers, steaks, quesadillas and stuffed peppers.
The main weapon in Bucharest Grill’s arsenal is its collection of overstuffed shawarmas, the spicier Middle Eastern version of gyros. Traditional shawarmas consist of lamb, mutton, chicken, turkey, beef, or veal slowly roasted on a vertical rotisserie then wrapped in pita bread.
Bucharest Grill also offers veggie and falafel shawarmas along with its own customized house brand of wrap.
