FLINT, Mich. — The sound of soft jazz drifts through the dining room as plates of freshly prepared food move from the kitchen to awaiting tables.
Inside On The Bricks Food & Spirits (555 S. Saginaw St.), owner Delano Burton II greets guests and checks in with staff, keeping a close eye on the experience he hopes customers remember long after they leave.
The concept for the restaurant came from a late-night conversation with his wife and business partner, Patrice Burton, about the types of businesses that naturally bring people together.
“There’s only three areas of business that exclude race and religion,” he said. “That’s food, music and sports. Those are the only three things that bring people together despite race and religion. So we said, ‘Hey, we can capture two of the three within one business.’”
The couple, both longtime entrepreneurs, wanted to create a space where people could gather, enjoy a good meal and leave feeling better than when they arrived.
“We like to make people feel good and we like to feed people,” he said. “That’s our passion.”
The restaurant occupies a space many Flint residents already know from the former Mexican restaurant, Xolo, which helped bring attention to the new business.
Since opening, Burton said the restaurant has drawn both longtime downtown visitors and residents who may not have spent much time in the area before.
“Everybody knew where Xolo was,” he said. “So when this opportunity came up, I thought it could be something big for the city.”
One standout menu item is the restaurant’s turkey chops, inspired by Burton’s own eating habits and often tried by customers for the first time when visiting.
“I’m a health nut, so I don’t eat pork,” he said. “We wanted to introduce people to a healthier option. Most people have never had them. They come in and ask, ‘What’s a turkey chop?’ I tell them the best way to find out is to try it.”
In addition to food, On The Bricks incorporates live entertainment throughout the week such as a live saxophone player as well as karaoke and other performances.
Burton intentionally chose a more relaxed style of entertainment than what is typically found in nightlife settings. “Most places you go, you hear club music or party music,” he said. “I wanted something laid back and chill.”
Beyond food and entertainment, exceptional customer service is central to the restaurant’s mission as Burton expressed that “if you treat people the way you want to be treated, you’ll get good results.”
That philosophy is reflected in the restaurant’s slogan, “Good times start here,” which reflects the atmosphere Burton creates for customers when they walk through the door.
“You could be having a bad day,” he said. “But if you come here, we’re going to start your good time and give you that energy to go out and share with someone else.”
He encourages others who are considering starting a business in their hometown to take a chance. “Don’t be afraid. Believe in yourself,” he said. “If we had gone by statistics, we would have never opened.”
For Burton and his staff, success ultimately comes down to the experience customers take with them when they leave.
“They should never forget their server,” he said. “They won’t forget the food either. When people come here, they should remember the energy, the atmosphere, the food and the service all together.”
To learn more about On The Bricks Food & Spirits, visit onthebricksflint.com and find them on Facebook.