On May 26, 2026, downtown Ypsilanti welcomed Penny Roll Sushi, an Australian-style sushi restaurant emphasizing affordability, generous portions and fresh, convenient rolls for Washtenaw County.
“I lived in Australia for 11 years, nine of which were spent running a per-se American-style burger truck,” owner and founder Dan Mendleson said. “That went pretty well, and we got into some fixed premises … but we were always trying to catch our tail.”
After nearly a decade on the road and in brick-and-morter kitchens, Mendleson decided it was time to come back to North America. Originally from Toronto, Mendleson landed in Ann Arbor to pursue an MBA at the University of Michigan and briefly tried his hand at management consulting. But the corporate world didn’t feel right for him, he said…