You walk into 101 West Michigan Avenue in Ypsilanti and the first thing you notice isn't the smell of wood-fired dough. It’s the weight of the air. It feels like 1837 in there, and honestly, that’s because Richard Muszynski spent years making sure it would.
C King and Co—or more formally, C. King & Co. Cafe—is a weird, beautiful anomaly in a world of strip-mall Starbucks and pre-fab dining rooms. It’s a restaurant, sure. But it’s also a massive middle finger to modern architecture.
Most people don't realize that this spot isn't just "vintage-themed." It sits on the bones of one of the oldest businesses in Michigan. The original King store was founded on New Year’s Day back in 1838. Back then, they weren't serving artisanal cocktails; they were selling barrels of salt, bulk seeds, and enough whiskey to keep a frontier town moving.
The Guy Who Saved the Brickwork
Let’s talk about Richard Muszynski for a second. The guy is a bit of a local legend. He’s a formally trained pastry chef from the French Culinary Institute in NYC, but he’s also a total nerd for historic preservation.
When he took over the building, it was a mess. Scaffolding everywhere. Windows missing. He didn't just slap a coat of paint on it. He basically rebuilt a 200-year-old building from the inside out while keeping the original character. You’ve got the original 1837 tin ceilings and period-appropriate oak flooring.
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It’s got this speakeasy-meets-European-bistro vibe that makes you want to sit there for three hours even if you only ordered a salad.
What’s Actually on the Menu?
Look, people get intense about the food here. If you go on Reddit, you’ll see locals arguing about the pizza crust. Some say it’s too charred; others say that’s exactly how a wood-fire oven is supposed to work.
The reality? It’s a high-end experience in a town that isn't always high-end.
- The Pizza: Hand-tossed, thin crust, baked in a massive brick oven.
- The Boards: Charcuterie and cheese that actually feel curated, not just thrown together.
- The Drinks: This is where C King and Co really shines. We’re talking 1920s-style cocktails. Old Fashioneds that don't taste like sugar water.
The "King store" history is baked into the concept. Back in the day, the Kings were famous for aging their own cheese. They’d buy a hundred wheels at a time, grease them, turn them for six months, and only then sell them. Muszynski tries to keep that spirit of "doing it the long way" alive.
Why People Get Confused About the Name
If you search for C King and Co, you might run into a few other businesses. There’s an accounting firm in Kentucky called King + Company, and a real estate agency in Seymour, Indiana.
But the Ypsilanti C King and Co is the one people are traveling for.
It’s about the atmosphere. It’s the kind of place where legs of ham literally dangle from the ceiling like an old-school Italian deli. It’s tight. It’s intimate. Sometimes it feels a little claustrophobic when it’s packed on a Friday night, but that’s part of the charm.
The "Cash Only" Revolution
Here’s a fun piece of trivia for your next dinner date: The original Charles King & Co. was actually the first store in the area to start demanding cash transactions. Before them, everyone just traded credit and debt for months or years. They were the original "pay as you go" disruptors.
Is It Worth the Hype?
Honestly, it depends on what you’re looking for.
If you want a cheap, quick slice of pepperoni, go to Domino's. If you want to feel like you’ve stepped into a 19th-century mercantile that happens to have a world-class bar, this is your spot.
What you need to know before you go:
- Reservations are a must. It’s a small space. Don't just show up at 7 PM on a Saturday and expect a seat.
- The service is "European." That’s a polite way of saying they aren't going to rush you. If you’re in a hurry to get to a movie, maybe pick somewhere else.
- Check the hours. They aren't open 24/7. They usually open in the late afternoon/evening, though they’ve experimented with lunch and brunch in the past.
If you’re heading to downtown Ypsi, C King and Co is the anchor. It’s a reminder that you can preserve history without making it feel like a dusty museum. You can eat the history instead.
Next Steps for Your Visit:
- Book through their website (ckingcafe.com) at least 48 hours in advance for weekend slots.
- Park in the lot half a block away rather than circling Michigan Ave for street parking; it’s much less stressful.
- Order the charcuterie board first. It’s the best way to appreciate the "mercantile" roots of the building while your pizza is in the oven.