Skate legend Tony Hawk is lining up a new trick in Detroit, and this one involves tortillas instead of halfpipes. A Tu Madre, his forthcoming Mexican restaurant, is headed to the Shepherd Arts Campus in the city’s Little Village neighborhood, with plans for both indoor and outdoor dining and a terrace that will look out over a public skatepark designed by Hawk himself.
Announcement and partners
The project surfaced first on Instagram, then landed in local headlines courtesy of the Detroit Free Press. The coverage notes that A Tu Madre will be developed with Detroit hospitality leaders and chef George Azar, with an opening targeted for 2027. The concept is pitched as a cultural destination that pulls together food, art and music in one tightly packed package.
Location and neighbors
A Tu Madre will take over space inside the Shepherd, a repurposed Romanesque church turned arts hub just east of Indian Village. The complex already houses neighborhood draws like Father Forgive Me and Warda Pâtisserie, and sits within the broader Little Village campus that mixes galleries, food and public space. The campus includes public grounds and a skatepark whose unveiling involved Hawk, as reported by Eater Detroit, which highlighted how the blend of art, dining and outdoor activity has become central to the site’s appeal.
Who’s behind the kitchen
In the kitchen, Hawk is teaming up with George Azar, the chef behind Flowers of Vietnam. That Detroit restaurant built a national following after it opened and helped put Azar on the map far beyond the city. Flowers of Vietnam has drawn attention from outlets including Bon Appétit, cementing Azar as one of Detroit’s better-known culinary names.
Hawk's restaurant track record
A Tu Madre will be Hawk’s second foray into restaurants. His first was Chick & Hawk, a fried-chicken concept launched in Southern California with chef Andrew Bachelier. That project, and the long road it took to open, was chronicled by Eater San Diego, which detailed Hawk’s move from legendary skater to restaurant co-owner.
Design, skatepark and a terrace
According to the Instagram announcement, the project is being designed by McIntosh Poris Architects and will feature both indoor and outdoor dining areas, along with a terrace that overlooks the public skatepark on the Shepherd grounds. The post describes the restaurant this way: "ATM blends exceptional food, art, music and culture." It also notes that Azar will lead the kitchen and confirms that A Tu Madre will join existing campus neighbors Father Forgive Me and Warda Pâtisserie.
What it could mean for Detroit
The Shepherd’s Little Village campus has quickly turned into a magnet for visitors and local investment, with galleries, a bakery and a wine bar helping to animate the city’s east side. Organizers documented the Shepherd’s grand opening and the skatepark launch on their site, underscoring how a high-profile destination like A Tu Madre could add yet another reason for Detroiters and out-of-towners to spend time in the neighborhood.
Timing
A Tu Madre is slated to open in 2027, although organizers have not shared a full menu or a detailed construction and licensing timeline. For now, the project links Hawk’s skatepark work to a celebrated local chef and gives Detroit one more cultural swing to watch as the Shepherd campus continues to evolve.
