Lillie Mae’s Southern Buffet opens its first location in Southfield, MI. The new concept features southern-style dishes for dining in or on the go. 

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Lillie Mae’s Southern Buffet is a restaurant developed by Deshawn Sims and Manny Harris, both are U of M Basketball standouts and play professionally. Lillie Mae’s provides fresh southern food displayed on the buffet and believes in sourcing all of its vegetables from local farms. "Lillie Mae’s is a place where families gather to celebrate."

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“My love for cooking and my travels around the world have taught me how to appreciate the art of using herbs and spices, and that is what lead me to open a restaurant,” said Deshawn Sims, who was a Detroit Pershing basketball phenom and a University of Michigan Basketball star and graduate. “I called my fellow U of M friend and teammate Manny Harris and said I got another opportunity for us to become a tandem and bring some excitement to the City.”

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Lillie Mae’s is a brand that was developed to pay homage to Deshawn’s great aunt, whom was known as a phenomenal cook. She prepared everything from scratch and always used fresh ingredients, and Lillie Mae’s Southern Buffet followed the blueprint.

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The menu was designed to offer some traditional southern dishes with a twist, such as Braised Oxtails and Grits Bowl, Crispy Fried Chicken Bowl, Shrimp and Grits, and a Soul Food Trio Smothered Turkey Leg. Lillie Mae’s kept vegetarians in mind and prepared all of the southern sides without meat. All of the fried menu items are also cooked in Rice Bran Oil for a healthier frying experience.

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As a dine-in/carryout style restaurant, Lillie Mae’s provides all of the traditional southern fixings, but is known for its Southern Bowls and Smothered Turkey Legs.

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The 4500-square-foot restaurant will bring approximately 25 new jobs to metro Detroit. Co-Owners Deshawn Sims and Manny Harris plan to open a second location in Downtown Detroit in the spring of 2024. Lillie Mae’s is featuring $10 Southern lunch specials and $15 Smothered Turkey Legs.

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Lillie Mae’s is located at 29221 Northwestern Highway in Southfield, MI. The restaurant is open Tues-Sun 11 am to 8 pm, and you can also follow Lillie Mae’s and view the menu on Instagram or Facebook @lilliemaessouthernbuffet