They Say Restaurant brings ribs and jazz to new location

A destination of Detroit’s Rivertown district since 2006, They Say Restaurant, the purveyor of wings, ribs, and jazz, is expanding.

Restaurant owner Terry Payne celebrated the grand opening of his second They Say location on Wednesday, May 1, in the eastside suburb of Harper Woods.

Fans of the original They Say will be comforted to know that much of the menu, live music, and atmosphere has been reproduced at the new location. The restaurant’s famous ribs and wings are there. So, too, are the jazz bands, which are planned for every Thursday and Friday evening.

"I’m really excited to be bringing live jazz to the eastside," Payne says.

"There’s just not enough of it over here. People crave great food, good people, a nice atmosphere and they love live music--we plan to serve up all of that here at the second They Say."

The menu features many They Say favorites but also some new items that include beef short ribs, baked Mostaccioli, and more. The new items will be available in Detroit, as well.

Even the building pays respect to the original They Say. Located in a former Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar in front of the Eastland Center, Payne and company completely redesigned the former chain restaurant.

Gone are the knick-knacks and faux memorabilia. Visitors can instead find an enlarged, custom-built central bar, natural colors, and a brick wall that harkens back to the Detroit location’s exposed brick interior.

"People have been asking for months, 'When are you going to be open'," Payne says.

"It’s nice to have that kind of intense interest even before we open our doors, but we had to spend the time needed to make this second location beautiful and completely comfortable for longtime friends of They Say and for new customers as well."

They Say Restaurant is located at 17810 Vernier Rd. in Harper Woods.

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