Chef’s Corner: Susan Todoroff—Beyond the Juicy Kitchen Owner’s Feel-Good Food

Simple and vibrant with color-coded menu chalkboards boasting dishes laden with berries, greens, eggs, and chunky breads, Juicy Kitchen (1506 N Maple) channels a sense of gastric multiplicity into a complete café environment. Designer of eminently Instagram-able dishes awash in natural hues, Juicy Kitchen owner Susan Todoroff shares, in her words, what makes Juicy Kitchen pop for health foodies craving local ingredients.

How would you characterize the appeal of Juicy Kitchen’s cuisine for diners in the Ann Arbor area? We provide fresh, healthy, gourmet breakfast and lunch that you can feel good about eating. We serve breakfast all day so you can have our healthed-up version of eggs benedict any time. We care about getting to know our regulars on a first name basis and warmly welcome newcomers. We also provide a cozy, colorful atmosphere with really good coffee and espresso drinks. It’s the whole package, not just the food, although the food is definitely a highlight.

Which ingredient sets Juicy Kitchen’s cuisine apart? I don’t know that an ingredient sets us apart, but the fact that we source some of our produce from our local farmers and put vegetables at the forefront of our menu sets us apart. We want people to be able to come to us and eat a delicious, creative meal and still maintain healthy eating habits. Also, we use whole grain everything and our baked goods are sweetened with a touch of pure maple syrup.

Where do you eat in the Ann Arbor area aside from your restaurant? I think Mani (341 E Liberty St) does a consistently nice job. Jerusalem Garden (314 E Liberty St) is delicious and a good value. I also like Cafe Zola (112 W Washington St) for dinner.

Which dishes comprise the perfect three-course meal at Juicy Kitchen? We don’t really do courses, but I love when someone comes in and they want a savory breakfast, along with a “dessert” breakfast because that’s how I love breakfast. So something savory like our version of an Eggs Benedict with poached eggs atop house made corn cakes with spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, mushrooms, and a roasted red pepper/goat cheese sauce or our Hot Mess sandwich with an over-medium egg, avocado, roasted red pepper, goat cheese and sriracha sauce on toasted multigrain. Then have a dessert breakfast of our French Toast, sprouted raisin bread stuffed with almond butter and bananas, served with maple syrup or our Oatcakes, oatmeal pancakes topped with blueberry compote, served with fresh fruit and maple syrup, and be totally satisfied for the first half of the day.

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