Notable Edibles Supercrisp
Fast Food
SOME MIGHT SAY Mike Ransom had “a good problem” at his Ima location in Midtown.
“We sold so many chicken sandwiches at Ima it was disrupting the flow of the kitchen,” says Ransom, chef-owner of the restaurant known for its Japanese-inspired noodles and rice bowls. “It was essentially like operating two restaurants in one.”
So when neighboring Byblos Cafe & Grill approached Ransom to see if he wanted to take over their lease because they were relocating, Ransom jumped at the chance.
“It was kind of a no-brainer,” says Ransom, who had wanted to try the concept of “a sandwich shop inspired by the flavors of Ima using Asian ingredients.” Also, “being on Wayne State University’s campus was an ideal audience for the type of food we were trying to produce.”
Supercrisp opened in January with a menu that features wasabi, kimchi and curry toppings on burgers and Japanese-style hot dogs in halal beef or vegetarian, and twice-fried karaage sandwiches “meant to be light and stay crispy even after it’s been taken home or to a picnic,” in chicken, fish or tofu. Sides include edamame, oki fries and spicy cucumbers, among others. You can even top your order with a fried egg and pickled ginger, and one of a dozen sauces, such as pineapple chutney or furikake ranch.
“We like to create what we like to eat, so sometimes it doesn’t follow a blueprint. We just like to have fun with it,” says Ransom, calling Supercrisp a fusion of Korean, Chinese and Japanese, plus “some are crazy things we thought up.”
Part of what caught Ransom’s interest was Supercrisp’s ease of portability— an aspect that can be challenging with to-go orders at the ramen-and-broth-heavy Ima.
“We never really had anything on our menu that was grab-and-go that you can take to class and to the park,” says Ransom, adding that Supercrisp is where to go “if you feel like trying a hot dog that you couldn’t get anywhere else.”
And if that isn’t your bag, Supercrisp does have two salad options, with—you guessed it—”crispy greens.”
“You’re able to get your veggies and still have something a little more indulgent.”
Supercrisp
4830 Cass Ave., Detroit
supercrisp.com
