If you find yourself driving down Curtis Street on Detroit’s northwest side, you might blink and miss it. It's a modest storefront, tucked away near Wyoming Avenue, but the aroma drifting out of Chef Greg's Soul N The Wall is enough to stop traffic. This isn't just another soul food joint. It’s a portal to a very specific, very delicious era of Detroit history that almost vanished.
Honestly, most people walk in looking for a standard plate of wings or some catfish. They get those, and they're great. But the real ones? They're there for the Boogaloo.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Boogaloo
You’ll hear people describe the Boogaloo Wonderland sandwich as a "Sloppy Joe." That’s a massive understatement. It’s like calling a Ferrari just a "car." The Boogaloo is a cultural artifact.
Back in the 1960s, Jean and Barney Johnson owned Brother's Bar-B-Que. They created the original Boogaloo sandwich—named after the funk dance of the era—and it became an absolute legend for the students at nearby Mumford High School. When Brother's closed its doors in the late 90s, the sandwich went with it. It was gone. Dead. A memory.
Then came Chef Greg Beard.
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Greg didn't just open a restaurant in 2006; he accidentally became a culinary archaeologist. He took over the same physical space where Brother's used to be. Customers started coming in, not asking for his menu, but asking if he could make "the sandwich." He had to tell them no at first. He didn't have the recipe. But the requests didn't stop.
Cracking the Code of the "Sauce of the Islands"
Chef Greg is a trained saucier, which is basically the equivalent of having a PhD in flavor. He spent months—literal months—experimenting with 14 different herbs and spices to recreate Jean Johnson’s "Sauce of the Islands."
It’s a sweet, tangy, slightly spicy concoction that defies easy categorization. It isn't quite BBQ sauce, and it definitely isn't ketchup. Greg is notoriously tight-lipped about the ingredients. He’ll tell you it’s a multi-part recipe, but he won’t sell you the secret.
The sandwich itself is a masterpiece of textures:
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- The Foundation: A toasted 8-inch sub roll.
- The Meat: Seasoned ground beef (though you can get ribeye steak, chicken, or even a veggie version).
- The Toppings: Caramelized onions and a heavy blanket of melted cheese.
- The Soul: That "Sauce of the Islands" drizzled over everything.
The Allee Willis Connection
If the name "Boogaloo Wonderland" sounds musical, that’s because it is. Greg was close friends with the late Allee Willis, the legendary songwriter who co-wrote Earth, Wind & Fire’s "September" and "Boogie Wonderland." Allee was a Detroit native and a Mumford High alum who grew up on the original Boogaloo.
She was so obsessed with Greg’s recreation that she became a regular. Greg actually traveled to Los Angeles with her a few times to serve the sandwich at her parties. He renamed his version the Boogaloo Wonderland Sandwich in her honor. It’s a tribute to a friendship and a song that shares the same high-energy, soulful spirit as the food.
It’s Not Just About the Sandwich
Look, while the Boogaloo is the headliner, the supporting cast at Chef Greg's Soul N The Wall is equally formidable. We’re talking about "backslide now, repent later" kind of food.
The turkey chops are a sleeper hit—you can get them grilled, fried, or smothered in gravy. And the sides? The mac and cheese is the real deal, creamy and baked to the right consistency. The yams are candied to a point where they basically count as dessert, and the collard greens actually taste like they’ve been simmering on a stove for eight hours, because they have.
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Everything here is cooked to order. This is not a "fast food" spot. If you’re in a rush, you’re in the wrong place. You wait because the food is being made with a level of care that’s rare in a world of pre-packaged everything.
Why It Still Matters in 2026
In an era where Detroit is seeing massive redevelopment and "new" restaurants popping up every week with sleek interiors and $18 cocktails, places like Soul N The Wall are the city's heartbeat. It’s a family affair—Greg’s son, Greg Jr., is right there in the mix.
It’s a neighborhood treasure that has survived through word of mouth and sheer quality. You don't go there for the decor (it's mostly carryout anyway). You go because you want food that has a story. You go because you want to taste something that nearly disappeared from history.
What You Need to Know Before You Go
If you’re planning a trip, here is the ground reality:
- Location: 10009 Curtis St, Detroit, MI 48221.
- The Vibe: It's small. It's busy. It’s legendary.
- Pro Tip: Order the Boogaloo Wonderland, but don't sleep on the wings. They are exceptionally well-seasoned.
- The Sauce: If you fall in love with the sauce (and you will), keep an eye out at local Detroit markets like Market Fresh in Beverly Hills. Greg has been known to bottle it for retail.
If you want to experience the real Detroit, the one that exists outside of the downtown skyscrapers and the fancy lofts, this is where you start. Grab a sandwich, find a spot to sit, and prepare to get your hands a little messy.
Next Steps for the Soul Food Fan:
- Check the hours before you go: They generally close by 6:00 PM, and they are usually closed on Sundays and Mondays. Always call ahead to verify.
- Bring your appetite: The portions are generous. A Boogaloo and a side of mac and cheese is enough to put most people into a happy food coma.
- Explore the Bagley neighborhood: After your meal, take a drive through the surrounding streets to see the historic homes and the community that keeps this spot thriving.