Accidental fire closes popular Clinton Township restaurant – Macomb Daily

Ken's Country Kitchen on Hayes Road in Clinton Township has temporarily closed its doors following a weekend fire. (MITCH HOTTS – THE MACOMB DAILY)

A kitchen fire that broke out over the weekend forced the closure of a popular Clinton Township restaurant.

The fire at Ken's Country Kitchen in the Amore Plaza shopping center on Hayes Road was reported after 3 p.m. Sunday, shortly after employees left the building for the day, the owner said.

Zef Camaj, who co-owns the restaurant with Alex Gjelaj, said that before the workers left, they carefully cleaned the kitchen. He suspects a worker accidentally hit a driver on a grill, which ultimately started the fire.

“The fact is we recently completed a renovation of the building, completely revamped it,” Camaj said. “We couldn’t make it any better than it was.”

Clinton Township Fire Department administrators were not available for comment Monday due to the holiday.

The restaurant was known for its breakfast dishes, Camaj said. Ken's Country Kitchen was a consistent winner of the Macomb Daily's annual Readers' Choice contest and had also won similar contests with the Detroit Free Press and WDIV-TV (Channel 4).

“Luckily no one was inside when it happened, so no one was hurt. We are happy about it,” added Camaj.

Ken's Country Kitchen opened in the 1990s in Clinton Township. In recent years, the partner decided to venture into the northern part of the county and opened one on Main Street, north of Division Road (32 Mile Road) in Richmond.

The owners say they will offer some of the 20 employees the opportunity to work at the Richmond location until the Clinton Township location is renovated.

We obviously do not know at this stage when this will take place. The restaurant must deal with its insurance company about the damage and associated details before it can schedule repair of the facility.

“Hello, we will be closed until further notice,” the owner posted on his Facebook page. “We will update you as soon as we know more details.”

Camaj also urges customers in Clinton Township to come to Richmond to enjoy the home cooking they love.

“I can tell you this: We are going to reopen and when we do, we will be better than ever,” he said.