Ford's Garage opens 2nd Michigan location in Novi

Ford's Garage, known for its burgers and brews served with a side of automotive ambiance, is now open in Novi.

Located at Fountain Walk, the restaurant opened on Monday.

It's the second Ford's Garage in Michigan and two more are planned. In 2017, the first Ford's Garage opened on Michigan Avenue, west of Ford World Headquarters.

“I’m excited to share this fun, family-friendly concept with the Novi-area,” said Billy Downs, owner of Downs Management and longtime restaurateur, said in a news release. Downs is also the current chairman of the Michigan Restaurant and Lodging Association. “The Novi area has a rich history with Ford Motor Company. This concept gives us a unique opportunity to celebrate an important part of our local heritage.”

Modeled after a 1920s service station, Ford's Garage restaurants are also filled with Ford memorabilia, including vintage fixtures and gas pumps. Its door handles are made from fuel pump nozzles. A highlight is a Model T or Model A car suspended above the center bar. The restaurant's servers also partake in its theme and are dressed in mechanic shirts and blue shop towels are used as napkins.

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Ford's Garage is known for its half-pound, hand-patted, 100% Black Angus beef burgers. While the burgers are served with cheese and toppings, the highlight is the bun that is branded with the Ford's Garage logo. Its Burgers of Fame menu features notable Novi names such as Novi Mayor Bob Gatt and Novi High School Principal Nicole Carter.

Ford's Garage classic American fare offers plenty more including appetizers, comfort foods like homemade meatloaf and macaroni and cheese, entrée selections, soups, salads, and sandwiches. There are also more than 100 types of beer, with a spotlight on local breweries, wine, and cocktails.

Downs, the franchise partner of the Dearborn location, announced last September plans for four Michigan Ford's Garage restaurants to open in Michigan.

Ford's Garage was founded in 2012 in Ft. Myers, Florida, where Henry Ford had a winter home. Since then, it's grown to 23 franchise locations in Florida, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, and Texas. Ford's Garage is an official licensee of Ford Motor Co., which allows them to outfit the inside and exterior of the restaurants with Ford brand imagery, including the iconic Ford blue-oval logo.

Ford's Garage at 44175 W. 12 Mile Road in Novi is open 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m.-10:30 p.m. Saturday, and 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday. For more information: fordsgarageusa.com.

Contact Detroit Free Press food writer Susan Selasky and send food and restaurant news to: sselasky@freepress.com. Follow @SusanMariecooks on Twitter.

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This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Ford's Garage opens new location in Novi: What to know