Susan Feniger

Susan Feniger
Susan Feniger at 2013 LA Times Festival of Books
Born	Toledo, Ohio
Occupation	Chef, restaurateur, author
Known for	Too Hot Tamales
Website	http://marysueandsusan.com/

Susan Feniger is an American chef, restaurateur, cookbook author, and radio and TV personality. She is known for starring in the cooking show Too Hot Tamales on the Food Network and opening several influential restaurants in Los Angeles. She has been awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award by the California Restaurant Association.

After working together in Chicago and Paris, Feniger and her longtime collaborator, Mary Sue Milliken, settled in Los Angeles where they founded City Cafe in 1981. They eventually expanded to a larger space on La Brea Blvd. and renamed the establishment City Restaurant. In 1985, they opened the Mexican restaurant Border Grill in the original City Cafe space, before moving it to Santa Monica in 1990. The restaurant later expanded to Pasadena (closed) and the Mandalay Bay Resort in Las Vegas. Broadening their culinary horizons Feniger and her partner opened the Latin flavor Ciudad in Los Angeles in 1998. The success of the three restaurants has often led Feniger and Milliken to be recognized for changing Los Angeles's culinary landscape. Feniger has been influenced by the food and culture of various nations, such as India, France, and Mexico.

In April 2009, Feniger opened her first solo project: Street, a multi-ethnic eatery of "street food" in Hollywood. Sample dishes include millet puffs, paani puri, Massaman chicken curry, dumplings, Egyptian-style baked fish and peanut butter cookies for dessert.

In December 2013, Feniger opened Mud Hen Tavern with Executive Chef and Partner Kajsa Alger, a neighborhood bar and restaurant, which offers seasonal, gourmet pub and comfort food in a warm and relaxed setting. The bar team in partnership with mixology consultant Tricia Carr (formerly Alley), curated a beverage program that offers a vibrant and accessible selection of international wines, local craft beers and artisanal cocktails that complement Mud Hen Tavern’s cuisine.

“I’ve always wanted to open a casual neighborhood spot, and this side of town was in need of a bar and restaurant that just serves really great food and drinks that people can come back for every day. I have fond childhood memories of going to baseball games with my dad in Toledo, Ohio to watch The Mud Hens play. Afterwards, we’d always wander over to the local bar Andre’s to get sandwiches and argue about the best plays and worst errors of the game with the neighbors,” said Susan. “Kajsa and I are re-creating that homey feeling of a lively gathering place for this area with Mud Hen Tavern. We’ve built a name for STREET, and it’s still going to live on in lots of exciting ways, including new locations and a robust catering business.”