Fond Farewell to Big Rock Chophouse

As a community, we were both surprised and saddened by Norman and Bonnie LePage’s announcement that they would be closing their beloved Big Rock Chophouse at year’s end. In 1984, the LePage restaurateur team converted Birmingham’s Tudor revival style train station, which had sat vacant since 1978, into Norman’s Eton Street Station. It wasn’t until 1997, when the LePages and their partners, Ray and Mary Nicholson, officially transformed the space into Big Rock Chophouse. The restaurant has made its own history over the past two decades. From the large boulder that signifies its name to the unmistakable Colorado-inspired interior to the signature American fare and attention-to-detail service, Big Rock Chophouse firmly established itself as a premier dining destination in metro Detroit. And who can forget that Big Rock was also the birthplace of Griffin Claw Beer! In 2010, on a whim, Big Rock Brewmaster Dan Rogers sent a couple of IPAs to the World Beer Cup. He named the beers Norm’s Raggedy Ass IPA and Bonnie’s Raggedy Ass Imperial IPA, after his bosses. Both beers won top prizes, respectively, for best IPAs in the world and the rest is history. Thanks for the memories, Big Rock. We will miss you!