Every community has that little neighborhood place where to quote the Cheers theme song, ‘Everybody knows your name.?
In downtown Oxford, that place is Red Knapp’s American Grill on the northeast corner of Washington and Burdick streets.
On any given night of the week, you’ll find people and families from all over town gathered there to talk, laugh and dine in a warm, inviting atmosphere.
Owner Brett Knapp is extremely grateful for the loyalty his customers have shown toward his establishment since opening the doors in January 1996.
‘After 11 years, you still see the same faces,? he said. ‘That’s quite a compliment when the same people keep coming back. We have some very faithful guests.?
Knapp said the relationship between his guests and staff is like family. They take a genuine interest in each other’s lives beyond the usual everyday small talk.
When one of his waitresses was pregnant, Knapp said some of his customers attended her baby shower.
‘Everybody’s pretty close,? he said.
To think all those close friendships and family-like relationships were created by Red Knapp’s wonderful menu. After all, it’s the fabulous food that keeps people coming back again and again.
Knapp credits his chef, Larry Sledge, for keeping the quality and taste of every menu item consistent so customers know their favorite dish will always taste the same from one visit to the next.
‘Consistency is the hardest thing in the restaurant business,? he said.
Of course, Red Knapp’s is known far and wide for its famous Nap Burger, a family tradition since 1940
‘We sell more burgers than anything,? Knapp said.
But Knapp wants people to know about their selection of 10 pasta dishes.
From the Bayou Chicken Tortellini bathed in a spicy Cajun tomato cream sauce to the Shrimp and Artichoke Penne mixed with Italian herbs and diced tomatoes, all of Red Knapp’s pastas are made fresh everyday ? no frozen noodles here.
Worried about those carbohydrates? Relax.
Red Knapp’s offers a low-carb linguine (just 8 net carbs) as a substitute in any pasta dish for $1.75 more.
In the mood for fish? Try Knapp’s fresh Lake Superior Whitefish or an English classic ? fish and chips.
Need to feed the whole family?
Let Red Knapp’s serve up a 12-inch or 16-inch pizza covered in two kinds of mozzarella plus Muenster cheese and your choice of 14 toppings.
Want to learn more about Red Knapp’s locations in Oxford, Clarkston and Rochester? Check out the newly constructed website www.redknapps.net.
Although Knapp admitted ‘it’s still a work in progress? the site will feature menus, Knapp family history and photos plus maps and directions to each of the restaurants. ‘A lot of people like to research places on the internet before they go,? Knapp said. ‘We’ve got to keep up with the times.?
Red Knapp’s American Grill is located at 2 N. Washington St. The hours are 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday and from Noon to 8 p.m. Sunday.
For more information call (248) 628-1200.

For 10 years, Oxford area residents have been savoring the great tastes and enjoying the family atmosphere of the one and only Red Knapp’s American Grill.
Now, it’s the Clarkston area’s turn to experience Oxford’s not-so-best-kept-secret.
In November 2004, Brett Knapp transformed the old Duggan’s Irish Pub on Dixie Highway (near M-15) into his second Red Knapp’s American Grill ? and business is booming at the family dining establishment.
‘Clarkston’s really welcomed us,? said Knapp. ‘We’re happy to be here.?
Unlike his original Oxford location, Knapp said the Clarkston restaurant afforded him more kitchen space to offer different menu items on a regular basis such as barbecue ribs, salmon dishes and a wider variety of sandwiches.
‘I now have a whole area in the kitchen that’s dedicated exclusively to sandwiches and salads,? he said.
From ham and cheese to chicken and turkey, the Clarkston Red Knapp’s offers many sandwich combos you won’t find in Oxford.
Clarkston’s Red Knapp’s also features an appetizer samplet basket big enough to feed four with everything from mouth-watering ribs to fried pickles.
The fried pickles ? which are dill pickles coated in batter and deep fried ? are ‘really popular? and only available in Clarkston, according to Knapp.
‘People love them. We sell a ton of them,? he said.
Despite some menu differences, both the Oxford and Clarkston restaurants offer many of the same pastas, meats, salads and of course, Red Knapp’s famous burgers and pizza.
Pasta lovers searching for something out of the ordinary should sample Knapp’s Bayou or Cajun Chicken dishes, a rich blend of totellini and chicken tossed in a spicy tomato cream sauce.
Oxford and Clarkston carnivores will delight in Red Knapp’s 10-ounce prime rib served Mondays and Tuesdays for $11.95.
Looking for something a lighter, yet still filling? Try Knapp’s Cobb Salad, a delightful mix of greens, chicken breast, diced bacon and tomatoes, black olives, crumbled bleu cheese, cheddar cheese and hard-boiled eggs.
Just looking for a good burger. Try the ‘Nap Burger,? a delicious family tradition since 1940. Invented by Knapp’s grandfather who used to own a restaurant in Rochester many, many years ago, the burger patties are formed by hand using 7 ounces of the highest choice beef available.
Grilled to perfection and served on a fresh, homemade bun, Nap Burgers are always a best-seller.
If pizza is what you crave, don’t turn the porch light on for the delivery man, head to Red Kanpp’s for a 12 or 16-inch pie featuring a mix of mozzarella and Muenster cheeses, special sauce and your choice of toppings.
Beyond serving great meals and offering the highest level of customer service, Knapp also enjoys giving back to the communities he does business in.
Although he’s not yet involved with any Clarkston groups, Knapp serves on the downtown development authority board in Oxford. He also offers his restaurant as a regular meeting place for the Oxford Lions Club and North Oakland Civitan Club.
From sponsoring school groups to participating in the annual ‘Taste of Oxford,? Knapp does more than do business in a community, he becomes an active part of it.
In Oxford, Red Knapp’s American Grill is located at 2 N. Washington St. (northeast corner of Washington and Burdick streets). In Clarkston, the restaurant is located at 6722 Dixie Hwy. (near M-15).
Hours at both locations are the same ? 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday; and noon to 8 p.m. Sunday except in the summer when it’s noon to 9 p.m.
For more information call (248) 628-1200 in Oxford and (248) 625-3900 in Clarkston.