Emil's in Columbus, Michigan is Back in Business!

Home of the Buffalo Burger

For approximately 50 years, Emil's Restaurant was a popular attraction in Columbus, MI. Emil's is known for its buffalo herd and buffalo burgers. According to St. Clair County's website, Emil Claerhout, the original founder, and he obtained three buffalos from Belle Isle Zoo in Detroit. The zoo's director, a friend of Claerhout's, thought the buffalo would be good publicity for the restaurant, and indeed it was. Everyone in the area has been to the restaurant at one point or another in their life. I remember going there as a kid and feeding the animals. Along with Buffalos, there were goats, horses, and other farm animals. Emil's has been closed down and opened up several times over the years. Currently there are no animals out back, but hopefully there will be soon!

Recently, it was been reopened by new owners. Some updates and improvements have been done on the inside. There are new tables and chairs, flooring, new coat of paint throughout, new kitchen and some new staff. The cook who was there when Emil's was last in business is back though!

The menu is still a bit limited, but developing. When Emil's first opened, the health department did not allow them to use the grills in the kitchen because they didn't have an exhaust fan hood on them, so the cooks were forced to grill outside on a grill, like you would use at home. Menu items included simple things such as hamburgers, buffalo burgers and ham or turkey sandwiches. I recently went there again, and they menu has expanded a bit since then. They now have buffalo wings on the menu, with a variety of sauces to choose from, appetizers, steaks, and salads. The menu states that a full menu will be released at the Grand Opening and to ask you server for details. I did just that and they are still unsure of when the Grand Opening celebration will be. She stated they are still trying to get everything nailed down. It doesn't seem to be hurting business much though. Every time I drive by there, the parking lot is very full.