MERIDIAN TWP. — Two-and-a-half years ago, when Burcay and Aybars Gunguler opened Social Sloth Cafe and Bakery in downtown Lansing, the hurdles they had to overcome were numerous.

The state was six months into the COVID-19 pandemic and most of its employees were working remotely, rather than in downtown where they could stop at the couple's new Turkish eatery at 301 S. Washington Square.

"When we rented here we were expecting, I think, 25,000 people," Burcay Gunguler said.

The couple, who moved to the U.S. more than three years ago, built a loyal fan base and a successful, independent business regardless, featuring Turkish dishes they both grew up with. Now they're hoping to expand further, with a move to Meridian Township.

"We have some fun things planned," Burcay Gunguler said.

Move means expansion, more options

The downtown Lansing location will close on March 5.

The new Okemos space at 1754 Central Park Drive, previously home to Akagi Sushi, offers a kitchen three times the size of the one Social Sloth Cafe and Bakery has now. The large kitchen will allow them to add such things as chicken kabobs, more soups and salads, Burcay Gunguler said.

That means the eatery will be able to expand its menu, which already includes so much variety — including manti, a dish of ravioli, with each filled by hand with ground beef and onions, then cooked and plated, and topped with garlic yogurt and melted butter. They also serve Turkish coffee, loaves of bread and baked goods.

The Gungulers and their staff make everything.

"Nothing is frozen here," Burcay Gunguler said.

The couple opened the restaurant in the fall of 2020 after Aybars left a 20-year career as a mechanical engineer and manager for automotive companies to attend culinary school in Turkey in 2017.

"Cooking is a part of the culture and we want people to explore the Turkish culture," Burcay Gunguler said.

A 'trifecta' foodie experience

Amy Decker, of East Lansing, said Social Sloth offers "the trifecta" experience for Lansing area foodies.

"They have unique, fresh and delicious food," she said. "They have an atmosphere that is welcoming and the owners are wonderful. They are interesting, they are kind. When you put those three things together, you're like, 'Why wouldn't I go there and just relax and enjoy?'"

"I think people love us because this is unique," Burcay Gunguler said. "We are so grateful."

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The couple started discussing the move to Okemos, where they live, about six months ago.

In downtown Lansing, Sloth Sloth Cafe and Bakery established its reputation, and the restaurant was welcomed there, Burcay Gunguler said, but "There are not enough people in downtown Lansing to feed all the restaurants," and parking is limited, she said.

When the eatery opens in Okemos at the end of March or in early April it will shift its hours of operation, opening the doors to customers a bit later in the day and remaining open during dinner hours.

"And we hope to open once a month on Sundays for brunch," Burcay Gunguler said.

Contact Rachel Greco at rgreco@lsj.com. Follow her on Twitter @GrecoatLSJ .

This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Social Sloth Cafe to expand menu, move from downtown Lansing to Okemos