There’s a new kind of buzz running through Nashville’s Capitol View—one that smells faintly of sea salt, wood smoke, and a little rebellion. The Detroit Cowboy, a collaboration between restaurateur Joe Vicari and musician Kid Rock, is now open at 500 11th Ave N.
Part upscale steakhouse, part musical museum, it’s a curious blend of high-end dining and unapologetic personality that might just work—especially in a city that appreciates both.
This isn’t Kid Rock’s first foray into hospitality, but it might be his most personal. The Detroit Cowboy blends the culinary DNA of Joe Muer Seafood—a Detroit institution dating back to 1929—with Rock’s own history and iconoclastic style. The result is a place that walks the line between supper club and roadhouse, with a menu designed to impress and a vibe that doesn’t ask anyone to button the top of their shirt.
“The Detroit Cowboy isn’t just a restaurant—it’s a culinary ride,” says Kid Rock. “Whether you wear a bow tie, a bolo tie, or no tie—it’s all good.”
The space itself leans heavily into memorabilia, much of it from Kid Rock’s personal collection. Photos of Johnny Cash and Dolly Parton hang alongside mementos from Bob Seger and Aretha Franklin, while artifacts from Motown and a few unnamed “wild stories” line the walls.
The overall aesthetic isn’t so much themed as it is autobiographical—a reflection of Rock’s musical lineage and blue-collar ethos, reframed through the lens of fine dining.
Under the guidance of Executive Chef Marino Bianchi, the menu is ambitious but grounded. Classic steakhouse cuts share the stage with elevated comfort food and seafood sourced with care. Some standout offerings include:
The wine list, curated by sommelier Scott Herrmann, nods to Napa Valley roots, while cocktails range from classics to more playful, tableside presentations—some with a little rockstar flair.
Servers in white jackets and bolo ties bring a throwback charm to the floor, but the overall tone is relaxed — with attitude.
Tucked behind the main dining room is The Eagles Nest, an ultra-private dining space with its own entrance and bathroom. It’s styled like a cross between a vintage lounge and a rock-and-roll hunting cabin, with oversized cuts of meat, stiff drinks, and a decor mix of velvet, leather, and taxidermy. It’s not subtle, but that’s the point.
Joe Muer Seafood’s legacy stretches back nearly a century in Detroit. Vicari revived the brand in 2011 and expanded it across Michigan before bringing it to Nashville in 2023. This latest evolution—with Kid Rock as co-creator—isn’t just about reaching a new market. It’s about telling a story: one of two cities, two cultures, and one decidedly offbeat attempt to bring them together.
